Three of Cups

Dream Actualization

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was a nap. I laid down to do it and promptly fell asleep. I think it’s the heat. It makes me sluggish and tired.

The Pacific Northwest Tarot - King of WandsToday’s draw is the King of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s passions, enthusiasm, inspiration, motivations, and principles.

An alpha stands strong at the top of a large rock, surrounded by California Poppies (Eschscholzia californica). Here we see a symbolism of strength, power, calm objectivity, and regeneration.

The message in today’s card is an encouragement to seize control, and direct your dreams and goals forward where you want them to go. Doing nothing accomplishes nothing. Drawing others into your vision though, can help ensure success.

DECK USED:  THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2022 Challenge Prompt
Topic for June 27th: About peace…

Divination with the Dreampunk Game CardsReading Summary: The sock puppet on the thumbs up in the center card reflects the colors in the “welcome aboard” card on the left. This speaks of a warm, fuzzy, comfortable feeling that comes with being welcomed, accepted, and embraced by others.

The cloud that the thumbs up comes out of in the center card then reflects into the coloring in the background of the card on the right, as does the earthen tones of the ground and volcano beneath that cloud with the earthy nature of the card on the right. This connection speaks of the things that bring us joy and stability in life, and how we can nurture them to help them grow and become strong.

Take Away: These cards indicate that peace is about acceptance, and finding those things that make you feel grounded and happy.

DECK USED: DREAMPUNK DECK

The #STCTarotChallenge Statements of Power Prompt
Questions for June 27th

The Pacific Northwest Tarot and The Crystal Forests OracleI will actualize my dream to…

… see change as an adventure (The Fool), feel more safe and comfortable breaking out of my shell (Six of Swords), and allow change to happen without a reactive inner cacophony of negativity (Black Tourmaline).

By…

…seeing changes in life as an opportunity to celebrate and have some fun (Three of Cups) while clearing out the old that isn’t working in my life (Selenite), instead of falling back on old harmful habits (The Devil) that are familiar and feel so easy (Blue Goldstone).

DECK USED: THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I called Jer to come meet me when I found my car vandalized instead of dealing with it alone.

Everyone Is Lovable To Someone

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and was relatively uneventful and quiet.  Which is honestly a little surprising because that never seems to happen anymore.  The fire alarm decided to wait until after I’d gotten through my meditation to go off tho, so that was nice at least.

And yes, everything is fine.  It looks like someone was trying to break into the storage room and a buddy of theirs went and pulled the fire alarm to work as a distraction to give them time without interruption.    They didn’t get in so… yeah.

Next World Tarot - Three of CupsToday’s draw is the Three of Cups, which is traditionally interpreted as a “joyous joining” of friends whether in celebration, or collaboration, or just in friendship on its own.

Honestly? I’m not sure how I feel about the pink smiling shark.  I find it really distracting in the imagery of this card, and so I suppose I should consider it as the message.  The fact is, though? It’s just weird.

That said?  I can work with that.   It stands out…. so lets go with the shark.  The shark in this card appears among others and does not show its teeth.  Instead it is a shade of friendly pink and sports a smile.  This actually hearkens back to something I was thinking about in the shower yesterday. I had a client recently that insisted that they were unlovable and would never find a partner.  They were very upset and I refused to do a reading for them on that day. Instead, I told them I had something for them to think about.   I told them that even some of the shittiest people in the world that have people that love them.  Assholes and abusers, haters and closed minded bigots.  These horrible people managed to find someone to love them, so someone like him that isn’t horrible? Has not just as much of a chance of finding someone, but even more of a chance at it.

The shark clearly has friends in this imagery even though it’s a predator swimming among creatures he considers food.  Instead the shark gets along with them, makes friends with them.   So too can those that feel they are unlikable or unlovable find friendships and love.

The message in this card is that no one is unlovable.  No one is unlikable. We just feel that way sometimes.

And can I just say?  Sometimes at the end of the month I’m not ready to move on to different decks and wish for more time with the ones I’ve worked with for the month… but this month?  I’m so ready to move on from this deck and the Tarot of the Sidhe.  I can’t wait for the decks that come up for these pulls starting tomorrow.

DECK USED:  NEXT WORLD TAROT

#TarotForGrowthAugust Challenge Prompt
Topic: I’m struggling to move past trauma.
Question: What’s the next actionable step I can take to move forward down the path of healing?

Tarot of the Dream Enchantress

Reading Summary: Stay strong (Strength) in the face of change (Death)… your foundation might feel precarious but it is sturdy and will be okay (Four of Pentacles).

Take Away:  It’s about perseverance. Sometimes actionable steps are not actions at all, but more about being aware and standing strong.  Change is a part of life and sometimes those changes that happen can feel like the end of the world.  The cards here are a reminder that it isn’t the end of the world.  It isn’t all going to fall apart.  Your foundation and will continue to stay solid and strong. 

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE DREAM ENCHANTRESS

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2020 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Write something free form inspired by the cards.

Spark and Pen TarotLate at night in the deep deepest darkest hours before twilight, the green lady with the crown puts down her torch and her book, and pulls on her cape (The Empress). She goes to visit Coney Island to ride the Wonder Wheel and enjoy all that Luna Park has to offer (Wheel of Fortune). Soon, she will have to return to her place watching over the city, and pick up her torch and her book once more for another day (Death).

DECK USED:  SPARK AND PEN TAROT

Lionharts #TheAugustTarot #ElementalChallenge
Question: How can I best support and nurture myself and my personal growth at this time?

Hilda Tarot

Reading Summary: Accept that sometimes shit happens (Justice) and you’ll have to make the best of it (Knight of Swords). Take those moments to rest and recuperate (Four of Swords) so that she can be ready for the next challenge (The Magician).

Take Away:  The advice here to help me in nurturing myself and fostering my personal growth is that I need to not let the little unexpected surprises in life trip me up so much.  Hurdles happen and just like tripping over a root on a trail in the woods, you have to pick your ass up and keep going because no one is going to come for you if you sit there and whine about it to the trees.

DECK USED:  HILDA TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How would I feel if I was more mindful right now?

Stunning Tarot

Reading Summary:  Hol-eee-shit.  *Eyes the cards.* Okay so if I was more mindful right now I’d be feeling a good deal more defeated (Ten of Swords) and in need of rest and retreat because the world (Four of Swords) would feel like everything is falling apart (The Tower).

Take Away:  The lesson here is that mindfulness is not always your friend. Sometimes you have to be a bit oblivious and obtuse just to get through the day.

DECK USED:  STUNNING TAROT

It’s More Fun Together

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long and was a full body scan much like yesterdays, that focused on energy rather than physical sensation.  It was, essentially, energy play where I took my energy in a rippled wave through my body from head to toes and back up again.  Powerful waves at first moving from head to toe and back again, like water sloshing back and forth in a tub.  Slowly, the waves then slowed and eased until they were smaller and smaller, and then finally settled into a still and calm pool.

Herbal Tarot - Three of Cups - TrilliumToday’s draw is the Three of Cups, which traditionally is interpreted as a time of coming together, celebration, emotional bonding with others, friendship, and positive collaboration with others.  It can also represent a “third wheel” type of energy or emotion.

I barely noticed the Trillium in the imagery of this card today.  Instead, my focus was drawn to the three women and the fact that their feet are bare and they each wear a dress in a different jewel-tone color.

The bare feet speak to me of vulnerability in this card, and the different colored dresses communicate a sense of diversity. This speaks to me of the energy of collaboration that happens between very different people, and how satisfying it can be when each person contributes their own unique flair to a project… making it truly collaborative and something that could not be done solo or by any others but those personally involved.

Sometimes I forget that I’m not alone and I can lean on others to help me.  I forget that in that help that’s given?  Fun can be had and it becomes more than work but a celebration.  I need to remember this more often and allow others in to help me instead of thinking I have to do it all myself.

DECK USED:  HERBAL TAROT

#TarotForGrowthJune Challenge Prompt
Question: Where am I being invited to take back my power?

Linestrider Tarot

Reading Summary: Put some enthusiasm (Knight of Wands) into reclaiming your joy (The Sun) and learn a better way of thinking about things and communicating with yourself (Page of Swords).

Side Note: Just as an aside… The Knight of Wands is the only card in this entire deck that I do not like. I just cannot un-see the stubby penis riding a horse that I saw when I first looked at this card for the first time.

Take Away:  The message here is not just about encouraging growth, but embracing it.  It’s about remembering that as I move forward in the changes I’m making, I need to actively search for and participate in the things that bring me joy.  Savor them and enjoy them instead of disregarding them or avoiding them.

DECK USED:  LINESTRIDER TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Do Spread #2
How can I motivate myself to get my ass moving after meditation and get on with my day?

Sawyer's Path TarotReading Summary: The Queen of Swords and the Four of Swords have the same face… they are the same person and the same color scheme carries between the two cards including the background clouds.  Together they indicate that this change in my routine is new but not negative, and I need to take the time to wrap my mind around the fact that it’s good.

The outlier card in this reading is the center card.  It does not match or coincide with the other two in any way.  This discordance with the other cards indicates that if I follow the path my question is asking about, it’s not going to go well. It will create more hardship and cause a delay in getting where I want to go.

Take Away:  Don’t. You need this time of rest and recovery. As much as you want to get more done and fit more into your day… You need to understand that sometimes it’s okay to take a little time for yourself. That lounging about you’re doing is doing you good.

DECK USED:  SAWYER’S PATH TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How can I improve upon my self care?

Tarot of Metamorphosis

Reading Summary: It’s time to stop dragging my feet (Knight of Pentacles) upon my chosen path to instilling more happiness (Six of Cups) and joy in my life (The Sun).

There is a theme here in the imagery itself that speaks of getting back to nature. A transition from being trapped within the grip of the unnatural and material to finding pleasure in fostering nature’s growth to wallowing within nature’s embrace.

Take Away:  Between the theme seen in the cards and the initial interpretation of them, I am being encouraged to spend more time outside. Both in spending time in my garden on the balcony as well as hiking within the forests I love. More of both is needed in my self care routine.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF METAMORPHOSIS

Gratitude, Not Attitude

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was twelve minutes long and took place in the bath tub, submerged to just my nose and mouth (well, and knees).  It was not a guided meditation, but rather a time spent in that suspension state that I can often find when in water.  It was very refreshing, but left me feeling a bit sleepy by the end.

Three of Cups - Tarot of the Unknown Today’s draw is the Three of Cups, which is a representation of collaboration, small gains, and even smaller groups in the area of one’s emotions, intuition, relationships, and creativity.

The appearance of the Three of Cups today is a reminder to put a check on my resentment concerning having my helper in my space.  I don’t know why I can’t seem to get completely comfortable with her being here in my home when she comes to do her job, but it’s always an irritant that she’s here.   Always.

That said… I need the assistance with my business that she provides, especially at this time of year.   Today’s card is a reminder to look on the bright side of the relationship and collaboration that I have with her, rather than doing the internal “fuss and grump” that her presence seems to always inspire.

Deck Used:  Tarot of the Unknown

Bonus Reading – #TarotForGrowthNovember

Question: What can I do to quiet my inner critic?

Delos TarotReading Summary: Keep in mind how far I have come and all that I have (Ten of Pentacles), while emotionally focusing less on how much further I could have gone.  Instead, find that inner quiet needed to assure myself I am making the best decisions possible in the moment.

Take Away: My inner critic is something that I struggle with quite a lot.  It always has something to say, and what it has to say is usually not all that useful other than to push me harder (which, honestly, is something I do in spades already).  The cards indicate that to silence my inner critic, I need to focus more on gratitude for the now rather than focusing so intently on where I’m going and what I could do better. And that I need to remember that hindsight is 20/20, but that decisions I have made were the absolute best decisions accessible to me in the moment.

Deck Used:  Delos Tarot 2nd Edition

Valuing the Trusted

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was ten minutes and forty seconds long, and focused on taking time to enjoy life instead of allowing life to push you ever forward in a state of overwhelm.

I think everyone has those times when life is overwhelming and you forget to pay attention to the little joys and small pleasures.  One of my favorite ways to get in touch with those little joys is to take my sister to a toy store.

We never went to toy stores as a kid, and this has become a HUGE fascination for her as an adult.  Take her in a toy store, and he face lights up like Christmas.  She can spend hours (yes, literally hours) going through the aisles playing with all the different toys and chatting about everything she sees.    She never spends a penny, but for her?  It’s like taking her to an amusement park.    And in taking her, she draws me into the silliness and fun that, if I’m honest, I have a difficult time connecting to on my own.

In today’s meditation, it talks about how focusing on those moments of joy and enjoyment are apart of what makes life worth living.   And its true.  Without the shimmer of light to dazzle us now and then, life can begin to feel very plain and drab.  It’s important, when that twinkle appears, that you take a minute to enjoy it and appreciate its presence.

Today’s draw is the Three of Brine (Cups), which is a representation of small gains, harmonious unions, small groups, and communication in the area of the emotions, relationships, intuition, and creativity.  This can come across in many ways such as successful collaborations, friendship and comradery, community celebration… or on the negative side, the “three’s a crowd syndrome”.

When I look at today’s card I see community and friendship.   The three stingray-children that gather together have their heads dipped in a display of the depth of sharing they have with each other.   The one facing forward displays that his heart is exposed, which to me expresses not just that he wears his “heart on his sleeve” but that he feels safe being vulnerable and exposed in this environment and with these people.

This card speaks to me today of remembering who is important and who is ‘safe’ in your life to share those inner most parts of you that, when exposed, leave you vulnerable.  It’s about knowing who to trust, and cherishing those relationships.

Deck Used: Stolen Child Tarot

An Appreciative Mindset

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was ten minutes and thirty eight seconds long, and focused on getting the most out of your meditation practice by carrying it beyond just those few minutes in which you are with in meditation.

This involves the practice of taking a moment just to stop and “smell the roses” and be mindful of where you’re at during the day, or perhaps using breathing techniques during times of stress in order to retain some semblance of calm.

The fact is, if you are meditating on a regular basis and not feeling as if you are making any progress… chances are you have not carried your practice beyond just that time spent meditating. In order to get the most out of one’s meditation practice, it is necessary to take what is learned within your daily practice out into the world with you on the day to day.

Today’s draw is the Three of Cups, which is a representation of harmony, collaboration, communication, cooperation, and “good times” in the area of emotions, intuition, creativity, imagination, and relationships.

The Three of Cups is a”live in the moment” card. It is all about finding that “groove” with others and reveling in it.  In fact, it has a bit of a hint of revelry to it all on its own.

The appearance of the Three of Cups in today’s draw is a reminder to be grateful for what I have and relish the present.   It speaks of appreciating not just the situation of the now, but also the people I am surrounded with and share my life with, collaborate with, and spend time with.