Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal Cards

Self-Flagellation Doesn’t Help

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Today’s meditation was skipped again. I overslept.  I’ve been sleeping a bit more than usual lately and apparently I needed it, but it meant that I got a late start on my day and on the drive to the post office.

L'Œil de L'Âme Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Witch of Pentacles (Knight of Pentacles), which is traditionally a representation of focusing on long term goals and moving towards them at a moderate pace, hard work, and working under an established routine.

I often associate the Knight of Pentacles with a lack of speed. This isn’t always a bad thing, for sometimes when we are reaching for our goals, it’s important to take our time. And there are times that it’s not just important to take our time, but that we are forced to through one circumstance or another.

It’s not healthy to berate and otherwise beat yourself up for this slower pace.  Necessary or not, it’s okay to go slow now and then. It’s okay for things to take time.

Today’s cards are a personal message to me to remind me of this. They are saying, “So you’re running late… Who cares, it’s okay. just keep going, and do what you can to mitigate the issue. Don’t beat yourself up over it. There’s no point. And it just makes you feel like crap.”

DECK USED: L’ŒIL DE L’ÂME TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

The #ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt for the Sacred Grounds Tarot Club
Questions through September 16th thru 18th

Messengers of the Great Bear Oracle and the Transient Light TarotHow can I silence my inner critic?

Jellyfish and The Wheel – Come to terms with the fact that you are perfectly imperfect, just like everyone else. Sometimes you’re gonna do things aren’t right and sometimes you’re gonna do things wrong, and that’s just the way it is. In fact, that’s the way it supposed to be.

What needs to be different in my life?

Dragonfly and The World – You need to work on instilling more mindfulness into your practice and into your life. More presence within the world around you, and a greater awareness outside of yourself.

How can I love myself more?

Crow and The Lovers – Work on making better choices that help in integrating with your shadow and resolving inner wounds, rather than shutting these things down or pushing them away.

DECK USED: MESSENGERS FROM THE GREAT BEAR ORACLE AND TRANSIENT LIGHT TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for September 17

L'Œil de L'Âme TarotYour Addiction – The Magician and The Sun – Having the ability and autonomy to go after whatever it is that lights me up and makes me happy whenever I want.

This freedom to seek out pleasure as I see fit has made it harder for me to do the things that I don’t like doing, because I’m so focused on what feels good and what I enjoy that I am increasingly more reluctant to focusing on those other things.

How to Introduce Moderation – Ace of Swords atop Nine of Swords, The Star – You need to work on developing some new boundaries for yourself, while keeping a positive and uplifting outlook during the time needed to do the things that you don’t enjoy all that much.

I spoke with my shrink about this last Wednesday.  It’s about setting down parameters for things that are a must to do, period.  Like feeding the cat.  No matter what, every single day I get up and feed the cat.  I have to, because the cat has to eat. Other things, such as my smoothie, my tea, and possibly also my meditation, need to be looked at in a similar way.  They aren’t things you do because you enjoy them, but things that are simply a necessary part of your day’s structure and can’t be skipped.

DECK USED:  L’ŒIL DE L’ÂME TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I packed myself an extra lunch today for my trip, so that I’d have plenty of food with me and wouldn’t have to stop and spend money to eat somewhere along the way.  I also took a nap once I got home.

Indecision Isn’t a Sin

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Today’s meditation was skipped because it was an orders day but also… it was a holy goddamned 146 orders to be processed and packaged. So yeah.  A lot. No time for anything much besides work.

CW Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Lovers card, which is traditionally a representation of love, unions, and the making of decisions that are right and healthy for you.

The imagery here in this card is very Marsielle inspired with the man who must choose between two women.  In the Marseille tarot, these women are often depicted as a love interest and a mother figure, in that age old tug of war that happens in familial relationships.

The thing is? There are a lot of times when making healthy choices isn’t so easy. There’s a lot of different influences out there, a lot of push and pull, and sometimes? A lot of indecision clouding our own judgement.  It’s not always easy to know what’s the healthiest option, and it can be hard not to punish ourselves for not knowing which choice is the right choice and being more decisive.

The cards today are a reminder to be kind to yourself, even if you think that you should be able to decide right away.  Even if you feel you should be hard on yourself about your indecision or struggles.   Don’t.  Be kind to yourself and be patient with yourself, and accept that doing the best you can is all that should be expected… and you’re already doing it.

DECK USED:  WS TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

Mr Lionharts’ #TheSeptemberTarot Rise and Fall Prompt
Questions for 16th thru 18th

Tarot Astrologique Oracle and Cursed Auguries TarotLooking back to my 2021 so far, what can I be proud of?

Balance and Knight of Wands – You’ve done really well at finding a balance between that all consuming passion to push forward and do more and create more, and your personal needs for self-care and growth.

Something I should give myself more credit for.

Verseau, The Hierophant atop Ace of Swords – You are doing really well at learning to communicate more openly with others and, as a result, connect with them more easily. This, in turn, has made the prospect of communicating with others less daunting and more enjoyable.

How can I build on my earlier achievements of this year?

Germeaux and Five of Cups – Don’t look at asking for help as a failure or something abhorrent. Connecting with others and allowing them to help you will then allow you to foster the growth that you have made thus far this year, and keep it healthy and strong during the overwhelming busy season ahead.

DECK USED: TAROT ASTROLOGIQUE ORACLE AND CURSED AUGURIES TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2021 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question: What is humanity’s biggest accomplishment?

CW TarotReading Summary: Communication. Intellect. (Ace of Swords)

This then created the ability for humanity to develop the skills needed (Eight of Pentacles) to foster each other as well as support the greater good (The Empress), even when we don’t always agree on the methods (Seven of Swords).

Take Away: Community.  This boils down to creating a community and functioning society.

Yes, society has its flaws, but at the same time, it’s what supports humanity through the generations.  The communities and society that we have developed and built allows us to support and help each other, grow as individuals and as  a group, and gives us the ability to network and connect, expanding our horizons as a result.

DECK USED: WS TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I set up my phone to remind me to eat every three hours and made sure that I didn’t skip any of the alerts.

You’re Worth Fighting For

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Today’s meditation was skipped because I had my days messed up.  I thought I had a shrink appointment today and I waited around for her to call only to realize it was tomorrow.  I would have structured my day completely different if I’d realized.

E D Jasbeck's Non-Binary Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Seven of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of standing up for one’s convictions and principles, protecting your values, and doing feel is right even against opposition to the contrary.

Sometimes being a fighter isn’t about our goals or a physical struggle. Sometimes it isn’t even about conflict at all, other than our own inner conflict. Because there are times when being a fighter is about standing strong with your own idea of what’s right and wrong, holding your principles, values, and mores sacred for your life instead of allowing them to be corrupted, warped, or torn apart by others.

When we come up against people that try to warp our values, it can sometimes create a huge struggle. Not giving in or compromising your values and principles can sometimes feel like a never ending battle, but these values are what guide who you are… and you are worth fighting for.

DECK USED:  E D JASBECK’S NON-BINARY TAROT TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

The #ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt for the Sacred Grounds Tarot Club
Questions for September 13th thru 15th

Universal Folklore Oracle and Illuminated Playing CardsWhen do I trust myself?
Expansion, Seven of Clubs atop Eight of Clubs

You trust myself the most when you are in a time of growth, and your focus and passions are set upon exploring that growth and finding how it fits in with your own personal set of values and mores.  This allows you to expand your perspectives and awareness, even when what you’re learning about doesn’t fit in with your own personal path.

What can I do about the fear of being wrong?
Duality, Ace of Hearts atop Two of Hearts

Being wrong isn’t really a fear that you have, as you are self-aware enough to be able to let go of incorrect perceptions and absorb new ones easily. This allows you to see other people and their perceptions far more easily and say “I was wrong” without any real fear.

What is my favorite mantra?
Uncover, Eight of Hearts atop Four of Clubs Rx

When something isn’t working, it’s time to move on and try something else, and you will be guided to tread the path that’s right for you if you openly listen to your intuition.

DECK USED: UNIVERSAL FOLKLORE ORACLE AND ILLUMINATED PLAYING CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic: My struggle to look at the holiday rush in a healthier way.

Forest Fae Cards and E D Jasbeck's Non-Binary TarotThe Problem – The Green Man and Eight of Pentacles – You are looking at it from the angle of the holiday rush being all work and no play. There is no aspect of joy or adventure because you are too focused on the grueling work involved.

The Lesson to Learn – Keep Going and Five of Pentacles – Persistence can overcome perception with time. This lack-of-joy perspective creates a sense of scarcity, but if you keep trying to add joy and enjoyment into the experience, eventually you’ll be able to transform this perspective into something you’ll be more happy with.

Advice to Help You Through – Spiny Sister and Ace of Pentacles – Look at everything you do and everything you make with fresh eyes and an appreciative gaze. Every one of your creations are gorgeous, and you need to work on not losing sight of that fact.

DECK USED: FOREST FAE CARDS AND E D JASBECK’S NON-BINARY TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I made sure that I got back home and online with enough time to have some time with Gid today.  Even after the interruption of the graffiti on the outside of the building, I still feel like we got more time tonight than we have for most of the nights in this last time off.  It was nice and relaxing and… it felt really good.

Think First, Before Acting

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Today’s meditation was skipped because the housekeeper came early, and after she left I blacked out due to low blood sugar and ended up in the hospital.  Crap ass day, obviously.

Journey of the Bearded Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Five of Fire (Wands) which is traditionally a representation of conflict, butting heads, and abstinence bred out of a certainty that you are in the right.

I got a real kick out of this card today, as what really stood out to me was the look on the bird’s face. The man below blows a dart and hits the bird, and the bird looks down at him with a very clear “You fucker!!” expression in return.  It cracked me up.

I feel like my perception of this card, combined with the Thera-Pets card has more to do with taking the easy way out instead of taking your time. The hunter kills the bird because it’s the easy meal.  Maybe if he’d had some patience, something better would have come along.  He feels entitled to take the birds life, just as the bird feels entitled to living its life freely.

The message here is about taking the first thing that comes along… or waiting for something more suited.  There are times, like when searching for a job or considering new opportunities, that it can be tempting to snatch up the first thing that comes along.  But that’s not always the best choice, even if it feels like you are getting somewhere faster by taking it.  Instead, these cards remind us to pause and consider if what we’re being offered really connects with what we truly feel is right and good, and with what we want out of life. If the offer does not align with these things, sometimes it is better to pass on an opportunity, even if it means things move a bit slower than you want them to while you find the options that are truly right for you.

DECK USED:  JOURNEY OF THE BEARDED TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

Mr Lionharts’ #TheSeptemberTarot Rise and Fall Prompt
Questions for September 13th thru 15th

Oracle of Echoes and The Pulp of TarotSomething I have grown in since the beginning of 2021.
Boundaries atop Home, Cinque di Bacchette

Setting clearer boundaries and expectations at home, so that there is less conflict and butting of heads. When boundaries aren’t clearly defined and people don’t know what you want from them, it causes unnecessary conflict that can be easily avoided.

Is there room for (more) personal growth this year in any area?
Gift and King of Wands

Yes. It’s time to turn your attention to your goals and passions. You need to begin working at looking at the busy time to come as a blessing and a gift, instead of a dreaded trial to be suffered through.

Envision where you want to be or what you want to have achieved by the end of 2021 and draw a card.
Let Go and The Devil

[Goal to Achieve: By the end of 2021 I would like to be closer to paying off my line of credit. Potentially a good deal closer than I am now. It is unrealistic it will be paid off, but I want to get things moving in that direction using the added income that the holiday season brings in.]

To achieve this goal, you are going to have to ease up on your addictions, and let go of your obsessions. You can’t both spend money on whatever you want and pay off the line of credit.

DECK USED: ORACLE OF ECHOES AND THE PULP OF TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: What makes you feel…

Marcel's Oracle and Journey of the Bearded TarotExcited – Baptism and Two of Fire – New passion pursuits. The beginning of that journey when everything is shiny and new, and there’s lots to experiment with and discover.

Happy – Vivid Dreams and Nine of Air – When my medication is working well and keeping both my depress and anxiety in check.

Note: Vivid Dreams is a direct connection to the extremely vivid dreams that I have that are caused by my medication when I shift from an old bottle to a fresh one.

Calm – Lovers and Queen of Earth – Gideon and the calming energy that he provides for me when I am worked up. He is my comfort and my anchor, a touchstone for my soul and provides me a counterbalance for when I am struggling.

DECK USED: MARCEL’S ORACLE AND JOURNEY OF THE BEARDED TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I refused to stay overnight at the hospital.  They wanted to keep me for observation, but I felt extremely uncomfortable with all the covid shit going on and the fact that I was taking up a bed that someone else could be desperately in need of.  I felt much better coming home and allowing L to help me in keeping things well in hand during the 24 hours following the visit.

Don’t Close Your Eyes

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Today’s meditation was skipped because I  napped instead… with a little bit of dawdling on my phone on the side.

IMG_4512Today’s draw is the Eight of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of turning a blind eye to important information, ignorance, the closed minded set of having a victim mentality, and allowing negative thoughts and inner narratives to take your power and dictate what you can’t do.

There are times that when we fuck up, it’s because we didn’t get enough information first, or even turned our eyes away from what we needed to know. This lack of knowledge then hinders us and can cause us to stumble or fall as a result.

Instead of being down on ourselves because we missed something, and having missed it we end up cutting ourselves on the swords of life… Remember that these moments and mistakes allow you to come back better and stronger the next time you were confronted with a similar problem.

DECK USED:  RETROSPECTIVE TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Do Spread 2

Children of Litha TarotWolf – How can I encourage my strength and bravery for hurdles yet to come?

Seven of Swords – Stand strong in what you stand for and where you’re values lie. Check in with your moral compass often, and pay attention when it speaks up instead of pushing the concerns aside or trying to mitigate them.

Owl – How can I learn to better trust my perception of the world and others?

Queen of Swords – You carry with you the lessons you’ve learned in the past, and in those lessons you possess knowledge that has been tried and tested. Don’t forsake that knowledge just because you want it to be wrong.

Stag – Where in my life can greater dignity create a stronger sense of integrity?

Ace of Swords – New ambitions can turn us all into fools at heart. When you approach new ideas and ambitions with dignity, you allow a measure of of balance and added integrity to that fool that resides within your heart.

Eagle – Why does good and successful leadership also require a modicum of grace?

Knight of Pentacles – Because anything worth doing is worth doing right, and takes time and attention to accomplish anything of great worth and do well at it. Grace gives you that added time and space to ensure those you lead are cared for along the way.

Salmon – In what direction have I been moving by instinct without realizing it?

Nine of Swords – Anxiety is high right now and a big part of that is habitual. In the past, you have used the adrenaline that your anxiety produces to light a fire under your ass for the approaching busy season.

Wild Goose – How have my past relationships and friendships taught me to be a better person?

Strength – They have taught me to see, better understand, and respect my personal strengths and how they can be used to connect with and help others.

DECK USED: CHILDREN OF LITHA TAROT

BekahMurphysMagic’s #IntuitiveHealingTarotChallenge Prompt
Questions for September 9th thru 14th

Retrospective TarotWhere am I facing blocks in my healing?

Knight of Cups – What we want doesn’t always align with what we need. Keep in mind that you just can’t always have everything you want, and that wouldn’t be healthy for you even if you could.

How do I address this blockage in my healing?

Three of Cups – Celebrate what you have and who you have it with. Put people first on your priority list, with joy as a close second.

Where am I facing blocks in abundance?

Five of Coins – You have no blocks in your abundance, but you do have scarcity issues. This is a perception of always never having enough and needing more. Keep in mind that self-fulfilling prophecies are a thing.

How do I address this blockage in abundance?

Four of Cups – Do what needs done to set it aside. This perception of scarcity is not helping you and can cause a great deal of harm. Better to set it aside than to let it disrupt all that you’ve built.

What is the current area in which my family needs healing?

King of Swords – We are all adrift due to the fact no one has taken the helm and set down the “law of the land” where family is concerned.

How do I heal my family in this area?

Four of Coins – Provide that stable base needed for everyone to balance upon. Be the raft in the ocean of uncertainty.

DECK USED: RETROSPECTIVE TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I’ve started making sure that I have my probiotic smoothie every day again, even on days like today where I’m unenthusiastic about it.  It’s weird how even the stuff I enjoy and brings me pleasure can at times be things that I feel so “meh” about. But only those things that are -good- for me, not all things.

Don’t Give Up

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Today’s meditation was just over sixteen minutes long, and was the first installment of the Foundations III series on the Balance app.  The meditation today was focused upon body scanning, and although I usually enjoy body scan meditations, I was having a really hard time staying on task today for some reason.

Alice in Tarotland and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Tower card, which is traditionally a representation of chaotic restructuring, sudden catastrophic changes, and tearing down the old to make room for something new and different.

Remember all those moments in your life where you were certain that it was the end of the world, and that the world as you know it would never be the same again? Those are “Tower” moments, and they happen to everyone. It is a part of how we grow.

We become stronger by making it through these moments.  By surviving them and adapting to them, moving through them, and then beyond them. The  message in today’s cards is that when these moments happen, we need to remember that we’ve gotten through hard times before, and will again… and you will this time, too.

DECK USED:  ALICE IN TAROTLAND TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

The #ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt for the Sacred Grounds Tarot Club
Questions for September 9th thru 12th

Dream Symbol Oracle and Osho Zen TarotHow can I make life choices more consciously?

Teeth and Innocence – Don’t worry so much about what other people are thinking. Better to ask outright than guess, for when you guess (even in those times you are sure you know your right) your thoughts are not unbiased and will pollute the truth. Communicate openly and honestly, and make it clear you expect the same in return.

How can I take action for myself at this time?

Mushroom and Guidance – Lean into the advice and guidance of your spirit guides. They are there to help keep you healthy and happy, to ease you through difficulties and encourage your growth. To do this, you need to stay open to their messages.

How can I better grow from my mistakes?

Bee and Success – This message has been coming up quite a bit lately. Remember that mistakes are learning experiences that help you grow and do better moving forward. Take those lessons and carry them forward to improve upon future endeavors.

When i feel hesitant about refusing, how can I build the courage to say no?

Altar and Sharing – Take a moment to connect with why you are saying no, and explain your side of things. Open communication and allowing people to see things from where you stand is important in making uncomfortable refusals easier to deliver.

DECK USED: DREAM SYMBOL ORACLE AND OSHO ZEN TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for September 11th

Zombie Diaries Oracle and Alice in TarotlandHow will your courage be tested this autumn season?

Hibiscus and Queen of Pentacles – It may be a struggle to tame your anxiety issues this Autumn. Make sure that you are making healthy choices concerning what you are eating and in the ways that you ground yourself. Anything less will only make things worse right now. Hiding behind unhealthy habits is not going to make things better.

How will your strength be tested this autumn season?

Petrified Tree and The Emperor – Impatience is not your friend. Make sure to keep in mind that things move at their own pace for a reason. With your life currently in transition between the relative quiet of the spring and summer months and the chaos of the late fall and the winter season, you need to ensure that you aren’t holding the reigns too tightly. The strength here is in patience and easing of your grip, instead of becoming too much the controlling dictator.

How will your faith be tested this autumn season?

Canal and The Tower – Shit happens. It’s a part of life. Do not allow the chaos and sharp sting of betrayal that sudden change can cause to make you lose faith in either yourself or your path. Stay afloat and ride out the shifting of the earth beneath your feet as bedrock moves and your world trembles. Keep faith that you can make it through, adapt, and turn whatever comes to your advantage.

DECK USED: ZOMBIE DIARIES ORACLE AND ALICE IN TAROTLAND TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

More naps. No cooking today either.  Just a day full of leftovers.  So pretty much a lazy day all the way around.