using tarot for guidance

Curiosity and Creativity

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

IMG_3118Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and it was a guided meditation from the Calm app combined with an interval timer for my piriformis stretches.

The focus of today’s meditation was about not taking ourselves so seriously that we forget to find the humor in what can sometimes be frustrating situations. Things like losing your keys and finding them in the freezer don’t have to be all bad… Sometimes they’re also funny, if you let them be.

Kiddy Katz Tarot and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Page of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of imagination and creativity, curiosity, interesting possibilities, and opportunities that involve your creative side.

In the card we see a cat having a friendly conversation with a fish, which is really out of character for a cat.  And yet when we look at the affirmation card for today, the imagery in the tarot card is very fitting.

Today’s cards are about thinking outside the box and doing the unexpected.  Approaching things from a creative standpoint, the entire world takes on a different perspective and everything in it has the potential for a new meaning.  How we approach life (and our different experiences in it) and the mindset we keep while moving along life’s path plays a key role in how we experience life and the world around us.  Consider approaching life with more curiosity and creativity.

DECK USED:  KIDDY KATZ TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsJul2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: What can I do to help my inner child feel less neglected?

House of Pounce Game Cards and Kiddy Katz TarotThe Fool and Bottom of the Bowl – Don’t allow setbacks in your goals to keep you from having a good time, as well as enjoying those you’re with and the world around you

Four of Wands and Playing – There’s safety and comfort at home, and no reason you can’t be vulnerable there. Enjoy this space to the fullest.

Three of Wands and Pounce – Yesterdays cards indicated that the inner child was feeling rudderless and stagnant. You need to hear what’s being said here, and be proactive in resolving that stagnancy.

Take Away – To help my inner child feel less neglected, they need movement. Don’t let things hold you back or hold you down from enjoying the good stuff in life, combined with having a direction and actually moving in it instead of standing still.

DECK USED: KIDDY KATZ TAROT AND HOUSE OF POUNCE GAME CARDS

Cosmic_Crow_Tarot’s #FreedomTarotChallenge Prompt
Questions for July 6th and 7th

Kiddy Katz TarotWhat is my true enemy?

Stagnancy (Three of Wands Rx). Lack of direction (Two of Wands Rx), and lack of action. Lack of an action plan.

Today’s theme on the whole for all of my card  pulls reiterates that stagnancy is not my friend and that it’s time to start looking at the world around me through a different perspective filled with more curiosity, creativity, and hope.

What is my greatest ally?

Awareness of your limits so that I don’t allow myself to get overburdened, and am not flirting with burn out all the time (Ten of Wands Rx). Meditation (Four of Cups).

Meditation helps me stay aware of where my energy levels are, and that awareness helps me keep from getting to that “flirting with burnout” point that I used to perpetually visit and linger in.

DECK USED: KIDDY KATZ TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I went hiking (and swimming) today.  It was a really great day, but the heat feels like it really took it out of me.

Stop, and Listen

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

IMG_3101Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and I don’t really remember all that much about it.  I remember being awake for the whole thing, just not… whatever it was about.

That said, I really like the William James quote that came along with today’s meditation (seen on the right), and I would surmise from that quote that the topic of the meditation was about the interconnectedness between people, no matter their differences may be on the surface.

Nigel Jackson's Rose Tarot and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Queen of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, and intuition.  This often translates into emotionally supportive themes of nurturing  warmth and understanding coming from a place of authority.

The queen in this card has an almost zen posture, which fits really well with the affirmation card for today.  Both combined speak of the need to awaken your own Queen of Cups that resides within you and allow that energy to rise to the surface.  Not to be given to others, but rather to be directed toward yourself.

Sometimes, we forget to listen to our own feelings, and we forget how those emotions can effect us, our outlook, and our experiences.  It’s important to pause now and then and really listen to ourselves.  Our bodies and our inner dialog, and our emotions as well, for they all influence one another and you can’t get one in balance without balancing it with the others.

DECK USED:  NIGEL JACKSON’S ROSE TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

The Sacred Grounds Tarot Club Prompt
Questions for July 4th thru 6th

Flower Medicine Oracle and Nigel Jackson's Rose TarotWhat should I be celebrating right now?

Oleander (strong boundaries) and Three of Swords –  You should be celebrating your accomplishments when it comes to the boundaries you’ve set for yourself and others. Boundaries are not always easy to uphold, but they help keep you safe, healthy, and happy.

How could I celebrate myself more fully?

Magnolia (nobility) and Knight of Coins – Allow yourself to move at a slower pace so that you can linger a while and smell the roses instead of always rushing ahead. Acknowledge that the journey is more important than the destination.

How can I celebrate my life more fully?

Sunflower (hope) and The Hierophant – Acknowledge that you are a role model to others. By showing what hope and optimism can do in your own life, you are showing others that it’s possible for them to do the same.

DECK USED:  FLOWER MEDICINE ORACLE AND NIGEL JACKSON’S ROSE TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJul2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: How does my inner child feel right now?

Nigel Jackson's Rose TarotReading Summary: Rudderless (Three of Batons Rx), but ready to go (Knight of Cups). They see what is possible, but feel stagnant and unable to get there (Ten of Coins Rx).

Take Away: I’ve been feeling a lot of that rudderless stagnancy rising to the surface lately, and I’ve been writing it off as just being that things with finding balance and following my emotional growth has been going slower than I’m comfortable with.

This reading indicates that feeling is shared with my inner child, and perhaps might even be originating from there, or at the very least, be encouraged through that inner child and their dissatisfaction with the slow pace things are going at.

This wouldn’t surprise me at all, for I think that this slower pace is a more mature route, but I have always been one to plow in and push push push until whatever needs done is finished, no matter how ragged I wore myself in getting there.  Slow is… just not all that easy for me, and nor is it easy for my inner child either, apparently.

DECK USED:  NIGEL JACKSON’S ROSE TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I’m working hard at trying to get myself to bed at a decent time tonight because J and I plan on going hiking early in the day tomorrow.

Year Ahead Spread 2021 – July thru September

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

This spread is a predictive spread that is very commonly used as a bit of a preview of the year ahead. The question asked for each of these positions is…
Tarot Card: The theme of the month in question,
Oracle Card: What to focus on for the month in question, and
Affirmation Card: A ray of hope to hold onto for the month in question.

Year Ahead Spread for Divination

This reading is simply a brief exploration of the current trajectory of my path and energy for the year ahead. Like all predictive readings, nothing here is written in stone, it’s more of a look ahead just to have an idea of what to anticipate and what to work at avoiding.

As an experiment, I have decided to do my year ahead reading a little differently this year. In January I pulled cards for the first six months of the year.  Today, I am revisiting the spread to pull cards for the last six months of the year, three of those months I will then interpret now, while the last three months of the year I will interpret at the beginning of October. I feel that this might help in ensuring a more accurate reading for the second half of the year.

Six Month Ahead Spread for Divination - Part 2 - July through December

2021’s Theme – Justice – This card is calculated through mathematics, and is not drawn randomly.  My card for 2021 is the Justice card, with the theme of having to acknowledge that what you put out into the world and what you do in your life reflects back to you in turn.  Good begets good, bad begets bad.  Following that inner moral compass will be especially important this year and possible a bit of a challenge.

I never wrote down my interpretations of this particular reading, but I want to get it up and posted in case I want to look back on it later.

Brady Tarot, Tree Whisperer Oracle, Magickal Herbs OracleJuly’s Theme – Six of Feathers (Passage) –

July’s Focus / Advice – Boundary –

July’s Ray of Hope – Awaken (Goldenseal) –

August’s Theme – Five of Horns (Loss) –

August’s Focus / Advice – Challenge –

August’s Ray of Hope – Soothe (Slippery Elm) –

September’s Theme – Father of Roots –

September’s Focus / Advice – Origin –

September’s Ray of Hope – Activation (Yerba mate) –

DECKS USED:   THE BRADY TAROT, TREE WHISPERER ORACLE, MAGICKAL HERB ORACLE

Building Confidence

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped again.

The Prismatic Tarot and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Eight of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of bailing on a situation out of frustration or disappointment, themes of abandonment or withdrawal, and moving on.

What stands out to me very strongly in the imagery of this card today is the moon in the sky at the top of the card.  This speaks to me of the fact that when you walk away from something, there’s always a hint of doubt and uncertainty involved.  It’s a natural part of the process.

The addition of the affirmation card for today provides guidance for these situations, providing a reminder that when you are treading into unfamiliar territory and dealing with the uncertainties of what you’re leaving behind, that it’s important to center yourself, and that breath work is an excellent way to do this.

DECK USED:  THE PRISMATIC TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

Mr Lionharts’ #TheJulyTarot #TarotSuitsChallenge Prompt
Questions for July 4th thru 6th

Earthcraft Oracle and The Prismatic TarotKeeping this in mind can support me in my plans this week.

Forest Bathing and The Emperor – Be proactive in getting the self care that you need. Forest bathing is one of your absolute favorite activities, but are you being proactive in making sure you get what you need? Or are you putting it off and letting these opportunities to get out in nature get away from you?

What am I invited to create for myself?

Spirit of the North and The Fool – Don’t let your enthusiasm create impossible expectations. Stay grounded and remember that everything worth having is worth working (and waiting) for.

What should be cleared or dealt with before I begin to create?

Spirit Weaver and Page of Swords – Believe in yourself and your capabilities. If you really aspire for something to manifest in your life, you’re capable of forging that path forward. Just make sure you have the information and tools necessary before you take the leap.

DECK USED: EARTHCRAFT ORACLE AND THE PRISMATIC TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJul2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: Do Spread #1

The Prismatic TarotWhat needs to be left behind as I focus on further growth?

The High Priestess Rx – You need to let go of doubts pertaining to your intuition. That secret knowledge is always right, always there just for you, whispering in your ear from beneath your skin.  Those times you ignore it and second guess it, it never turns out well.  Let go of the hesitation.

What is in full bloom for me right now?

Knight of Wands – Inspiration and enthusiasm is at your fingertips, you just have to reach out and allow it to actually spark.  Once it does, there’s a good chance that if you aren’t careful it will carry you away, so work on keeping moderation in mind as you begin to explore.

Where do I need to direct my focus for further growth?

Ten of Cups – Focus on what makes you happy and what creates emotional bonds with others in your life.  It’s about now, and about those connections. Not everything can be about “some day”.  Make sure that today is weighed as more important, and that those with you in the now are a higher priority than future plans.

DECK USED:  THE PRISMATIC TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Still in the catch-up train.  So I’m not 100% positive what my self kindness was for this day.

Perfectionism Is Not Your Friend

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.  No excuses, I just didn’t get it done. 

The Master Tarot and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Eight of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of hard work, honing an expertise, and perfectionism.

The Eight of Pentacles in this deck is a very classic image, where the figure works hard to hone their craft and perfect their skills.

The thing is, though?  Perfectionism isn’t always a blessing or a virtue.  It can sure seem like it sometimes, but when you get stuck in the mindset that nothing is ever good enough and you can do better?  It can become extremely detrimental.

The affirmation card in today’s draw is a reminder of this dangerous pattern, and how sometimes we have to just leave things be and not push for more, or better. 

DECK USED:  THE MASTER TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

Cosmic_Crow_Tarot’s #FreedomTarotChallenge Prompt
Questions for July 3rd and 4th

Ancient Animal Wisdom Cards and The Master TarotWhat do I depend on too much?

Hippopotamus and Six of Wands – Reassurance from outside sources.  Although it can be nice to hear good things from others, it’s important to let them feel good but not depend on them for your sense of personal value.  Nor can they heal old wounds.  Only you can do that.

What do I not depend on enough?

Dugong Tiger and Ace of Swords – So many ideas, and so little time. You need to lean more into that balance you’re trying to accomplish. Let that become a strength you develop over time and use to sort out your ideas.  You have the ability to prioritize wisely, if you’re willing to work at it and develop it.

DECK USED: ANCIENT ANIMAL WISDOM ORACLE AND THE MASTER TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Again, I’m working on catching up and I just have no idea what my daily kindness was for this day.  I’ll start being able to add these again once I’m caught up.

Morning Bonus Read – Perspectives

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
“Sometimes an outside perspective is helpful. Do a divination reading about yourself from the perspective of someone else. Maybe ask a spirit or deity who cares for you what they see when they look at you.”

SINS Anima Playing CardsWhat do my spirit guides notice about my body?

Six of Hearts – You’re working at finding better harmony. This isn’t an easy task, but you’re slowly becoming more accepting and more kind to yourself, and at finding a way to balance your wants and desires with your body’s needs.

What do my spirit guides notice about my mind?

Ten of Clubs – Overloaded. So many plans and ideas, so much judgement of self, so much inner dialog getting in the way and making you feel overwhelmed even when you’re not actually being overburdened at all.

What do my spirit guides notice about my heart?

Two of Diamonds – Your heart knows where it wants to be rooted, but you’re playing tug of war with it. It’s not a weed, stop treating it like one.

What do my spirit guides notice about my soul?

Six of Diamonds – You are generous with giving of yourself. Sometimes too much so. You offer so much of yourself to others that at times it can be unhealthy for you.

What do my spirit guides notice about my life?

Two of Spades – Two paths before you and you are stuck at the crossroads.  That stagnant feeling you’ve been feeling lately is a sign of this crossroads and the internal struggle you’re going through in trying to “pick a lane”.

What do my spirit guides notice about my problems?

Four of Diamonds – Stop bracing for impact. It does no good and only holds you back. This is  a habit from your youth, and you don’t have to worry anymore about that second shoe dropping… or the first one for that matter.  Take a breath and relax.

What do my spirit guides notice about my general relationships?

Three of Spades – You’re always far too prepared to be disappointed by others. It’s okay to have a little faith in people and not be ready for them to rip your heart out.  It’s okay to not expect the worst.

What do my spirit guides notice about my relationship?

King of Spades – There is a great sense of security, and you know where you stand. You know that your advice and opinions are heard and valued, and that submissives really steer the ship. You know that his support is not a burden to him, even if logically from your perspective it feels like it should be.

What advice does my spirit guides have for me?

Queen of Spades – Own your forthright nature. Own the qualities that make you your mothers son. Your sense of values and moral compass will assure that you don’t follow in her footsteps. Instead, you will use these qualities for the good of others, instead of for your own selfish desires.

What warning do my spirit guides have for me?

Four of Hearts – Stop stalling when you need to get things done that you’re not enthusiastic about. Just get them done.

DECK USED:  SINS ANIMA PLAYING CARDS