using tarot for guidance

New Moon in Gemini – June 2021

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Tomorrow is the New Moon, and like all new moons and full moons, I did a spread aligned to the moon’s current themes as a part of my recognition of the moon’s cycle and influences upon us. Today’s spread is about  integrating the qualities within, and brought to you by Sharron Basanti of Seeds of Shakti.

New Moon in Gemini Reading - Minute Tarot

1. Now can I embrace the Sacred Feminine within to help birth what is in my heart space?

Queen of Cups – Stay focused on your emotions and allowing them to stretch and grow into a stronger and more stable place.  Things might feel a bit wobbly and unbalanced right now, but you have the potential to become not just more connected with your emotions, but through them to others as well.

2. How can I allow the traits of the Divine Masculine within to flourish without resistance?

Queen of Wands atop Ace of Swords – Look for new ways to express yourself that are not so jagged around the edges.  You can be both fostering to other’s as well as logical, without being sharp tongued… and that includes self directed thoughts in your head, as you know damn well you’re much harsher up in your head where others can’t overhear than you are with what you express outwardly to others.

3. How can I integrate the Dualities within?

Eight of Cups atop The Tower – You are in the process of tearing shit down and rebuilding it.  Make sure that as you do,  you are leaving behind what isn’t working for you. That includes that negative inner narrative you have going on.  It sends things askew and prevents integration and balance.

4. What needs to be Expressed that is fluttering in my head?

Seven of Swords – You’re struggling with strategy and figuring out how to break away from the old unhealthy habits. You’re trying to carry too much forward and need to let go of a few more things.  The struggle here is in what to let go of… and how.  There’s a desire to bring this forward into the light, and yet there’s so much confusion going on about the whole process that it’s gotten stuck in shadows instead.

5. What Seeds of Inspiration do I need to draw on for the New Moon in Gemini?

Nine of Cups – Sink into your emotional contentment instead of being so much in your head. Gratitude and positive influences are important to keep you uplifted during the shifts of change that are going on in your life right now.

6. Message from the Ancestors.

Three of Pentacles – Don’t forget that you have people to help you.  You’re not in this alone.

DECK USED:  MINUTE TAROT

Taking a Pause

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Today’s meditation was skipped yet again.  I overslept then the day went all awry and… it just didn’t happen.

Playful Heart Tarot and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Five of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of misfortune, domestic or financial troubles, scarcity, and ill health.

Today’s card really speaks to me intuitively through the imagery.  It says that sometimes life is filled with absurdly frustrating and challenging moments, and that all you feel like doing those moments is breaking down on the side of the road and say fuck it.

I get this.  It happens.  Hell, it happens to me.  I have fallen apart in oncology appointments, had my soul screaming so loud that the only peace I could find is curled in the bottom of a running shower, and bawled my eyes out in physiotherapy sessions. Sometimes… falling apart feels like the only thing left.

The addition of the affirmation card for today is a reminder that when you’re feeling those moments come to their peak?  It’s time to pause. Take a big, deep breath and instead of screaming? Let it out slow then take another.

DECK USED:  PLAYFUL HEART TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How are my goals progressing?

Backyard Blessings Cards and Playful Heart TarotThe Wheel of Fortune indicates that my progress comes and goes. Although not steady, it’s still moving forward.

The advice provided here indicates that, I need to make sure that I focus on optimism and abundance at this time.  I’m getting somewhere, even when things are slow.

But, I’ll get there quicker and healthier if I’m invested in joyful experiences along the way, feeling grateful for what I have, and making sure that I’m continuing to work on counteracting my pessimistic nature with more optimism. Especially during the times when things feel like they are lagging,

DECK USED:  PLAYFUL HEART TAROT AND BACKYARD BLESSINGS CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Self-Care for the New Moon…

Playful Heart TarotReading Summary: Go get that healthy alone time (The Hermit) in nature’s embrace (The Empress), before you lose the chance to do it (The Wheel).

Take Away: I’ve been a bit lax about getting myself out in the woods this last couple of months. Ever since the stalker letter showed up, actually.

I need to move past my resistance and actually do it though. I can feel I’m not getting what I need, and that it is not just dragging me down at this rate, but actually hurting me.

It’s possible (and, in fact, would make perfect sense) that my resistance here is seated not just in my concerns over the whole stalker issue and the fear involved in that, but also is tickling at my self-destruction tendencies.    In either case, whether it’s fear or the dark seduction of self-destruction, it’s something I need to break free of and not allow it to take root and continue to grow.

DECK USED:  PLAYFUL HEART TAROT

The Sacred Grounds Tarot Club Prompt
Question: How can I move more into my heart space?

Secrets of the Mystic Grove OracleReading Summary: Being successful alone is well and good. But,when you work together with others your accomplishments are more significant, and you get more done. In looking ahead to the future, make sure that you are including others more in your endeavors and accomplishments.

Take Away: The cards here are indicating that if I want to move more into my heart space I need to invite those around me in closer and allow them more room in my life, including in allowing them to be more deeply involved in my endeavors and help me on my path to success and accomplishment.

DECK USED:  SECRETS OF THE MYSTIC GROVE ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I splurged on going to a seafood restaurant today and had calamari, deep fried brussels sprouts, four pieces of halibut fish and chips.

Morning Bonus Read – Caring For Your Garden

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Caring for Your Garden Reading - Aquarius Lenormand

Crown: Where can I activate my power at this time?

Fish – Sometimes it’s not about resistance.  Sometimes our greatest strength is in going with the flow and letting things move at their own pace.  Success doesn’t always have to be a fight. Reach in deep and seek the strength to let yourself move with the currents and adjust to each shift and flow of change.

Arbor: What protects me but also frames and limits my perspective?

Tower – The things that have happened in your life have made you extra diligent and watchful, extremely cautious about the security of your home and your surroundings. This behavior doesn’t just protect, but it also causes limitations that can sometimes make you feel trapped.  It doesn’t mean they’re not important, only that you need to be aware of the influence that these things have on how you see the world and those around you.

Landscape: What is the background energy in which I’ve been situated?

Star – Hope as you move forward, seeking the light.  You know that the opportunity for growth and better things is there. You may not have found the right road to reach that horizon yet, but you know it’s there and you’re inspired to reach for it.

Rabbit: What is the most fertile ground for advancing my position?

Letter – This is a reminder to get my property tax paperwork taken care of.  It’s been sitting on my desk for the past four days and I keep glancing at it but not getting it done.  There’s a deadline, so… yeah.  I need to get that done.

Glowing Gold: What is the potential of this investment of energy?

Mountain – There’s a lot to get through and a lot yet to overcome.  Like all journeys and the hurdles involved, you don’t get anywhere if you don’t keep taking one step forward at a time.  Take on those challenges one at a time, and soon enough you’ll find yourself at the peak and ready to hoof it down the other side. Then, of course, there will be yet another mountain to follow.

DECK USED:  AQUARIUS LENORMAND

What I Want, When I Want It

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Today’s meditation was skipped as it’s an orders day.

Fortune Queens: A Drag Race Tarot and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is The Lovers card, which is traditionally a representation of relationships and sometimes marriage, as well as making healthy choices, weighing one’s values when making a decision, and themes to do with love and harmony.

When combined with the affirmation card pulled for today, what I see is a reminder that sometimes making choices… is hard.  Sometimes it’s a tug of war between what we want and what needs to be done, or a debate between what is best for others or best for ourselves.

At these times, having choices doesn’t feel like a boon, even though it absolutely is, and it’s important to take a step back and just breathe.  Let things settle, weigh your values and your needs against what might be your actual desire.   Stay calm and the right answer will come.

Sometimes?  That means we can’t always have what we want when we want it.  For example, in today is an orders day. This means that the mass majority of my waking hours has to be focused on work and getting orders ready to ship, which means limited contact with Gideon. It sucks, but it’s temporary. And so I tell myself to breathe through it and keep moving.

DECK USED:  FORTUNE QUEENS: A DRAG RACE TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

CoffeexTarot’s Self Love For The Summer Prompt
Question: What spiritual gift do I possess?

Oracle of the Strange ForestFirefly – My ability to be genuine with both myself and the world around me. I’ve met people that find this quality extremely annoying, and others that find it refreshing.  Some understand, and others can’t grasp it.  But I really have no one else I’d rather be, and no one else I could bother pretending to be.

I don’t have the heart, the motivation, or the memory to hide myself from those around me, and I figure if I instead simply allow my true sell to shine, people are far more aware if I’m someone they’d want to get to know, or someone they’d rather pass on.

Groundhog and Hawk – Balancing optimism with control. Allowing others room to grow in their own way and their own direction while providing guidance.  This balancing act between providing inspiration and direction, and allowing others to grow at their own pace and in their own unique ways is something that I find extremely important.  It’s a gift that allows me to guide (and occasionally also teach) others without imposing my own path upon theirs.  Instead I encourage their own growth on their own path, and provide experiences and information to help them find their way.

DECK USED:  ORACLE OF THE STRANGE FOREST

#DiscordTarotolicsJun2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic: About love…
Question: How can I better discern acts of love from those spurred by other motivations?

Fortune Queens: A Drag Race TarotReading Summary: You need to work on having more faith in those around you (The Star atop Three of Cups). Everyone picks (Seven of Cups) a bad apple now and then and has to take time to recover from the betrayal (Wheel of Fortune atop Four of Swords).

Take Away: The answer here in these cards is that there is no better way to discern acts of love from those spurred by other motivations than the methods I am already using.  You can’t know everything, and life can turn on a dime and bite you in the ass.  

Have a little faith, and try not to go too overboard on the paranoia.

DECK USED:  FORTUNE QUEENS: A DRAG RACE TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I’m going to bed at a decent hour tonight.

Self Gratitude Is Important

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Today’s meditation was skipped.  I was just too damned tired.

Spiritsong Tarot and Flower Fortune CardsToday’s draw is the Four of Shells (Cups), which is traditionally a representation of meditative contemplation, taking a pause in which you turn away from external help and look inward, soul-searching, meditation, and at times, apathy and discontent with what is being offered.

I find that the Flower Fortunes card for the day matches this theme in the way that we often forget to pause and appreciate ourselves in the day to day of our lives.

We see the good in others, we evaluate the world around us in the day to day much lie the watchful crane stands still among reeds and evaluates its environment.   But when do we take time to actually look at ourselves and truly appreciate ourselves?  Not all that often.  Instead we look with a critical eye, an apathetic eye, or the eye of someone seeking out their favorite whipping boy.

The message in today’s cards is to take a step back and look at yourself with kindness.  Look at yourself with appreciation.  Take time to be grateful for yourself.  For who you are and what you can do, for the decisions you’ve made and how far you’ve come.

DECK USED:  SPIRITSONG TAROT AND FLOWER FORTUNE CARDS

#DiscordTarotolicsJun2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Do Spread #1

Prairie Majesty Oracle How is the rise of summer energies manifesting in my life?

Dragonfly – You’re being given the opportunity to pivot direction into something stronger and happier.  Welcome the change and lean into the turn.  What you’re seeking is around that corner,  you just need to let go and enjoy the ride.

How can I Harness these summer energies for my purpose?

Earthworm – In order to let this change happen you’re going to need to let go. Take a breath, and let the chips fall as they may instead of fighting against it because you’re afraid or uncomfortable. The struggle isn’t needed and is rooted in judgements concerning the discomfort that comes with change.

Where would I be best served in directing these energies throughout the summer months?

Cottonwood – You need to direct this energy into a sense of curiosity and enthusiasm. Don’t let the dread of change and discomfort take away this opportunity. Stretch your self tall, explore… look at it as an adventure.  Something fun and interesting instead of something to fear.

DECK USED:  PRAIRIE MAJESTY ORACLE

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How can I improve upon how I spend my time?

Spiritsong TarotReading Summary: More focus on what I’m doing, less distraction (Ace of Acorns). Increase your gratitude practices, for they help you feel more fulfilled as a whole (Nine of Shells). Seek out time with Gideon which allows for both emotional growth as well as a sense of emotional security (King of Shells).

Take Away:  Everything looks back to the Ace of Acorns, meaning that whatever I’m doing, no matter what it is, I need to make sure that I am leaning into focusing on that thing instead of allowing multiple different things to tap in and distract me, splintering my focus.

This is something that has been happening quite a lot lately, and only I can make the changes and choices that will allow me to get past this splintering of focus and back to somewhere more solid and productive.

DECK USED:  SPIRIT SONG TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I allowed myself not to give a fuck about my mother being pissed off that I fell asleep on her when she was on the phone.

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?

Flora Healing Deck, Fauna Inspiration Deck, Fantastic Being Oracle, and Inner Compass Kids Cards

Earth – Jackalope, Lion, Dandelion – Calm composure and leadership is needed this week to keep things moving smoothly.  Although you may feel as if accomplishing what you wish this week may feel impossible at times, if you lean into your steady and rooted foundation and the community around you, you will manage to get done what is needed of you.

Air – Tree of Life, Otter, Holly – You need to work this week on balancing your forthright nature and integrity with a good dose of optimism. It’s okay to crave fairness and to speak your mind, but do it with gentle calm and a bit of tact and you’ll get further than just jumping off at the mouth without forethought or measured tone.

Water – Langur, Dragonfly, Sage – You’ve got to let go and you’ve got to let it happen. You can’t continue on with the growth you want to move into unless you release the old habits and unhealthy ways of doing things.  Do some work this week to clean out the old.  Cleansing and a focus on letting go will help get things moving before they begin to stagnate any further.

Fire – Leafy Sea Dragon, Beaver, Foxglove – Slow and steady wins the race this week.  Break things down and take them one step at a time, and make sure you don’t let the slow pace tap you out of your  motivation to get things done.  Just because it can’t be done fast doesn’t mean it’s not worth working on. Don’t get disappointed or discouraged just because things are going slow right now.  This lag is anticipated and something that happens every year.  Steer the boat where you want to go and let things run their course.

Waning – Scales – Don’t worry so much about balance this week. As mentioned above, you need to focus on shifting gears and letting go.  That can create a sense of imbalance that you will work through just by simply going with the flow and letting things adjust.  You don’t have to force those scales to balance.  It’s okay to let them do it on their own in their own time.

Waxing – Funny Pants – Fun, positivity, lots of laughter, and an abundance of smiles are needed this week. Really lean into the optimism.  You spend too much time on the darker side of the fence.  Step out into the sun and shine for a bit. Listen to some uplifting songs and align your focus to bringing some more joy into your life.

Take Away –  Things might feel a bit unbalanced this week.  Instead of working on forcing things back into balance, use this time to lean into optimism and joy, as well as easing up on that tight grip of control you have going on.  Don’t panic when things feel off… just go with the flow, stay calm, and take things a little at a time.   Oh… and don’t pop off at the mouth.  Take a little extra time to compose your words when communicating with others this week.

DECKS USED:  FLORA HEALING DECK, FAUNA INSPIRATION DECK, FANTASTIC BEING ORACLE, INNER COMPASS KIDS CARDS