using tarot for guidance

Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

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These Saturday readings are (not usually) bearing in on any one thing or event in my life, as the question used is asking for a more general outlook. This is a self care exercise, and is not meant as a predictive reading… although that, too, happens on occasion.

The question is… What do I need to focus for self-care through the week ahead?

Wild Spirit Tarot, Wildcraft! Herbal Adventure Game Cards, Sacred Earth Oracle

Earth – High Priestess and Pine – Stand strong and listen to your inner voice. You’ve been injured and this isn’t the time to push yourself or let yourself be impatient.  Instead, trust that everything will come in its own time.  Allow your body to speak and tell you what it needs to recover and be strong once more.  Accept that just like the growth of a pine tree, your healing is going to take time and patience.

Air – Page of Wands and Wasp Sting – Leaping forward quickly into anything at this time is going to hurt.  Put away your aggression toward yourself and others and allow yourself to step away from thoughts of work or things you just can’t do or get to right now.  It’s okay to put these things down, rather than “stinging” yourself over them again and again.

Water – Ace of Swords and Hornet Sting –  Hornets are more calm than wasps, but their stings are more painful. Combined with the Ace of Swords, we again see a warning not to dive into any new ideas right now.  No matter how cool they may seem or how interesting they are.  Now is a time to chill and rest.  Anything else is something you will end up regretting.

Fire – The Emperor and Diarrhea Rx – Control yourself and you won’t have to pay the consequences of ignoring these warnings and going full boor into things better left alone at this time.  You’re not going to like the consequences, so make sure you are keeping yourself and all that enthusiasm in hand.

Waning – Friction – Again we see an indication that this week isn’t about movement but about chilling and relaxing.  Stepping back away from agitation and active movement, now is a time for rest.

Waxing – Specialization – In the things you do  put your attention in, avoid anything new (as noted above).  Instead focus on the things you know and are familiar with, and delving deeper into those things.

Take Away – This week is all about rest, recovery, and recuperation.  It’s not about new ideas or interesting new projects.  If you want to pour your energy into something?  Pour it into the stuff already per-existing in your life that you know and enjoy.

DECKS USED:  WILD SPIRIT TAROT, WILDCRAFT! HERBAL ADVENTURE GAME CARDS, SACRED EARTH ORACLE

Change and Opportunities

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Today’s meditation was skipped today, as I just didn’t feel like it and then shit hit the fan concerning the whole Michael’s debacle and time got away with me as I was getting that dealt with.

Amano Tarot: Finding Happiness and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the Death card, which is traditionally a representation of change.  It is not (or at least extremely rarely) a representation of actual death.  Instead, it is about the type of organically developing change that builds over time.

The imagery in this card strikes me to how we feel when change comes upon us.  Even slow moving, organically building changes and transformations can sometimes sneak up on us.  We simply just don’t notice until it gets to a tipping point and then “OH!” then we notice, but when we look back on it we can then see it had been coming for some time.

The background on this Death card and its jagged teeth like edges very much represent to me that surprised “OH!” moment of when that change that has been happening comes into focus.

The affirmation card for today then reminds us that change is not always bad.  Sometimes?  It opens us up to new things, allowing us the freedom to choose a new path, a new interest, a new way of doing things.  It opens up our life to freedom, if we’re willing to let go of the shock and resistance the change can cause and grab hold of the opportunity it’s offering.

DECK USED: AMANO TAROT FINDING HAPPINESS AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: What do I need to focus on for self care this New Moon?

Amano Tarot: Finding HappinessReading Summary: Dive in to (Eight of Wands) both being silly and foolish and fun (The Fool) as well as nurturing yourself and others and making sure you’re getting the care and tending that you need (Queen of Pentacles).

Take Away: So… I hurt my Achilles tendon. It wasn’t out on the trails or even wandering on the waterfront.  No.  It was on the stairs in my building of all places.  I tripped and strained the tendon and it hurts like a bitch. 

The cards here are reminding me that there’s fun and enjoyable things that I can do right now during my time off… even with an injured ankle.

DECK USED:  AMANO TAROT FINDING HAPPINESS

Daily Self Kindness

I wrote a nastygram to Michael’s Crafts (both to their customer service department as well as emailing their corporate office) concerning the absolute bullshit experience I’ve been dealing with concerning their in store pick-up service. Getting it vented out felt good and I’m glad I reported that mess to someone, even if I doubt I’ll be hearing back from them about any of it.

Morning Bonus Read – Transitions

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The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
“This weekend was the halfway point between solstice and equinox. Depending on your hemisphere, it marks the start of the planting season or the start of the harvest season. Let’s use divination to enter this transition time mindfully.”

Jeu Japonais Playing Cards1. What lessons has the current season been teaching me?

King of Diamonds and Seven of Hearts – With taking up more responsibility to care for yourself as well as others, there comes a wide array of options and decisions you’re not always prepared to make on the fly.

Two of Spades and Ten of Spades – Taking time to think things through and make the best decision possible with all the information you can gather can help you avoid unpleasant endings.

2. What steps should I take to close out this season well?

Queen of Hearts – Allow yourself to be kind with yourself for just a while longer. Soon enough you’ll have to raise shields and buckle down. Wear your heart on your sleeve a while longer, both for yourself and for others.

3. What lessons await me?

Six of Spades atop Three of Spades – Sometimes shit just doesn’t go your way no matter how hard you try. You need to learn when to cut and run.

4. What steps should I take in the transition period to prepare myself for the lessons to come?

Nine of Diamonds – Time to get back on the gratitude train. Whether that’s the morning devotional done each day, or just taking time each day to really sink into thoughts on what you are grateful for.

DECK USED:  JEU JAPONAIS PLAYING CARDS

Light On the Horizon

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Today’s meditation was skipped because my time just ran away with me.  I had to do the run up north today and the time to get going came and went and I still wasn’t caught up. It was just not “in the cards” for me today apparently.

The Strawberry Tarot and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the Moon card, which is the eighteenth card of the Major Arcana, and deals with topics in in the areas of uncertainty and fear, anxieties and the unknown, the subconscious, and confusion.

At first when I saw the imagery in the Moon card for this deck, I didn’t really think it fit.  And then I started really considering it, and considering the theme of the Moon card as a whole.  And perhaps it fits far more than I’d first thought.  At least, the naked woman does (I’m still not sure about the seal).

There’s an inherent level of vulnerability that comes with being confused or uncertain, which is represented in the nude woman in the image.  In the affirmation card, we then find reassurance  in relation to this sense of vulnerability that the themes that the Moon creates.  It speaks of a promise that the sun will rise and light will dawn once again.  Nothing is forever, and that includes our fears and uncertainties. When we’re working through these things, it’s important to remember that there’s light at the end of the tunnel and a new chance ahead for us to find comfort, peace, and an opportunity in which we can strive to do better.

DECK USED:  THE STRAWBERRY TAROT AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

CoffeexTarot’s Who’s Your Spirit Guides? Prompt
Questions for August 6th thru 8th

My Quality Time Self-Care Activity Cards and Broke B TarotMy current vibration.

Date atop Candles, Eight of Cups – The need to step away from the world, relax and retreat. This is fitting since today is my last day before I take a week off. I’ve been needing the time off, and it shows in these cards that I’m looking forward to it.

How do I respect your presence?

Sensuality and Justice – “Listen for me on advice about matters concerning the cause-and-effect of your actions and the world around you. I will speak to you through the sensations of your body. The tingles and tightness, tugs and touches.”

How can I effectively connect with you?

Bake and King of Coins – “The better you treat yourself, the easier it is for me to come through. When you rush, overload yourself, and push yourself too hard, my voice becomes faint and I am harder to hear. Better to take things slow and savor what you do, and then I can come through more clearly.”

DECKS USED: MY QUALITY TIME SELF-CARE ACTIVITY CARDS AND BROKE B TAROT

The #MysticStarChallenge at the Sacred Grounds Tarot Club
Questions for August 6th

The Strawberry TarotWhat message does The High Priestess have for me?
Nine of Pentacles atop Five of Wands atop Nine of Swords

In order to get to a place of abundance and gratitude, you have to go through some trials and fight your way out, keeping your values and principles in tact did you go. Evolution is A necessary part of growth, and sometimes it hurts.

What obstacles does The High Priestess want to warn me about?
Four of Wands atop Two of Cups atop Nine of Wands

Good boundaries are important, necessary in fact, to foster a good relationship between you and those within your sphere and create harmony and balance at home. Sometimes when you’re not feeling so downtrodden and tired, the boundaries set in place can feel unnecessary, but you need to remember that they’re there for a reason.

What guidance does The High Priestess have for me to overcome this obstacle?

Page of Wands – Remember that life is an adventure, and so are the things that you decide to pursue along your path. There’s always room for improvement. This doesn’t mean that you are brutal to yourself but rather that you take your time to explore more thoroughly.

DECK USED: THE STRAWBERRY TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I bought myself gum so that I wouldn’t clench my teeth while fighting with traffic on the way home.  I don’t usually chew gum (because I hate how people look when they’re chewing gum), but it definitely helped with the jaw clenching thing.

Where’s Your Peace

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Today’s meditation was just over twelve minutes long, and was the last installment of the introductory series offered by the Balance app. It was a review of the range of breathing focus and body scan techniques that were taught through the previous sessions and was comfortable and easy to follow.

Animism Tarot and How to Be a Wildflower DeckToday’s draw is the Ten of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of fulfillment, completion, and stability in the area of one’s finances, resources, health, home life, manifestations, and the physical world. This often translates into themes that have to do with having not just found your place of satiation and fulfillment, but then being in a place where you can then share that with others, like family and friends, to help them find stability as well. It is through this, that we can find a sense of completion that this card represents.

I am one of those people who unabashedly, absolutely needs this. I need that time outside. I need the time among the trees and nature with the bare earth under my feet and nature close in around me. Without it, nothing feels right in the world. The more time I get in nature, the better everything seems in life.

How about you?

DECK USED:  ANIMISM TAROT AND HOW TO BE A WILDFLOWER DECK

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for August 5th and 6th

Animaux Guides and Vintage Book Illustrations TarotWhere Are  You Content
Frog and Temperance

I’m very content with taking things slow where my emotions are concerned, and moderating things in this area so that I don’t get overwhelmed and out of balance. I understand that emotions play with my perception of reality and the world around me, and how important it is to go slow in this area.

Where Are You Frustrated
Black Panther and Heirophant

Learning how to let go of those things not working for me that I cling to out of familiarity. Although I’m starting to feel like I’m finding my way on this, I have spent a lot of time lately struggling with it and feeling frustrated.

The cards keep saying “let go, let go” and yet when I ask how, they simply repeat “accept, practice gratitude, and let go”. I accept and I understand the need for letting go of old habits and things that are not working in order to make room for new and better things, I practice gratitude daily, and yet I’m still struggling with letting go. 

The Black Panther here speaks of the fear of the unknown being what is holding me back.

What can I do to work through my frustrations at this time?
Fox and King of Wands

Remember that some of the greatest things that you want in life take time to earn and work towards. Not everything is about instant gratification. Pause and reflect on what you really want, and use that time to strategize the best way to get there. It’s through your logical mind and your inner drive that you will find the path forward through these frustrations.

DECK USED: LES ANIMAUX-GUIDES AND THE VINTAGE BOOK ILLUSTRATIONS TAROT

The #MysticStarChallenge at the Sacred Grounds Tarot Club
Questions for August 5th

Animism TarotWhat message does The Magician have for me?

Eight of Swords atop Two of Pentacles – Too much time focusing on stability in one’s life blinds you do everything else that is going on around you. If you want to be aware of the world, you have to look outward instead of focusing so much on your own life and your own goals.

What obstacles does The Magician want to warn me about?

Justice atop Seven of Cups Rx – Focusing too hard on your addictions is not going to find you the emotional satisfaction and satiation that you are craving. Sometimes we use our interests and addictions as a way to “self medicate” for other issues, especially emotional issues. This doesn’t solve anything, and it won’t get you where you want to go.

What guidance does The Magician have for me to overcome this obstacle?

The Devil and Nine of Cups – Focus on techniques to mitigate overwhelm. This is where your largest challenge lies and is what affects your life and emotional balance the most.

DECK USED: ANIMISM TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I made Jer go to Michael’s for me to pick up something I’d ordered. I’m glad I did too cuz they tried to hand me off the floor model that’s missing parts. He was pissed on my behalf and let them have it, and a new in-box version will be there for pick up tomorrow.

Morning Bonus Read – Self Growth

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Cat-Rot Tarot - Self Growth Tarot Spread

Your Past Self – Nine of Pentacles – Once upon a time?  I thought that I had all my ducks in a row and everything in hand.  Back when I was closing myself off to my emotions and working myself into the ground, I really thought I was in a good place.

Your Current Self – Seven of Pentacles – But I soon came to realize that there’s a lot more growth to come and it’s going to take a long ass time to work through. I began to realize that there was a lot more to life than work. I began to realize that I needed to slow down.

Your Higher Self – Three of Swords – I am my best and highest self when I’m able to look beyond my pain and negativity to see the growth and lessons these experiences are offering me. In the moment, this can be difficult, but I know that those lessons are there and I only need to find them and understand them.  It does not take the pain away, but it gives the pain worth.

What Blocks Your Potential – The Devil – Ego. Over confidence. And allowing myself to indulge too deeply in what would otherwise be harmless pursuits. I have an addictive personality, and even though I’m aware of it?  Sometimes it still manages to get its hooks in and take me for a ride I’m not ready for, causing blockages and detours, backsliding and often… recovery as well.

Family Patterns – Six of Pentacles – Being too generous and forgiving with my family.  My father’s abuse.  My mother’s narcissism. Their hurtful behavior is something that has left some serious scars, and yet I can’t manage to hold it against them.  At least not to the extent that would seem reasonable and healthy.

Personal Issues – Four of Pentacles – Overly focused on security and stability.  This is a need that grew from homelessness and severe scarcity. It comes from taking showers in the school locker rooms and sleeping under abandoned cars.  It comes from the instability of couch surfing, and an apartment furnished with car tires, milk crates, and cardboard boxes. It’s my past… and yet something I still struggle with.

Conscience – Ten of Wands – Feeling guilty about slowing down and taking things slower, not doing as much, and not progressing as fast as I’m used to doing. That hard, nose-to-the-grindstone pace that I’ve been pushing myself on for so long has taken its toll and I know it’s time to slow down, but somehow?  There are a lot of times when I feel so fucking guilty about that.  About not doing more and pushing harder.

Desire – Temperance – Less pushing and more time off. More time to connect with my spirituality and path. More time to connect with the world around me.  I have gotten a taste of the slower path and worked through some of my guilt concerning it, and I’ve come to a point where I actually crave more.  This from the man who, just a couple of years ago couldn’t take a couple hours off without going stir-crazy.

Lesson – Wheel of Fortune – Ups and downs happen. It’s part of life. Adapt, and keep moving.

Advice – Page of Swords – Slow down more. Now is the time to indulge in this behavior. Soon enough the holiday rush will start and you will have so much work on your  hands that you’ll be struggling just to keep up.  While things are slow, it’s okay to take time for yourself.  This is a new path, and there’s going to be struggles, but you’re aware of what’s come before and what needs to change.

DECK USED:  CAT-ROT TAROT