using tarot for guidance

What We Pass On

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Today’s meditation was just under ten minutes long and was a guided meditation that I had saved on my phone from the Calm app that is from last winter.  Along with the guided meditation, I included an interval timer for my piriformis stretches.

I really liked this meditation the first time I did it, and so I decided to do it again.  The topic of today’s meditation was about silence and stillness, and how even when we don’t feel like meditation does anything for us, it quietly works behind the scenes and makes changes in not just how we see and deal with life, but also with our health.

This is something that I relate to a lot.  When I do my meditation, whether it’s hit-or-miss or done regularly every day, I don’t really feel a difference in myself.  I don’t feel any different, or see any differences just on the surface level.  But other people notice the differences.  They notice I am a bit more relaxed and a bit less high strung.  They notice that I smile more and react more noticeably to music and songs that I enjoy. And my Fitbit notices as well, for doing meditation regularly significantly changes my resting heart rate by over ten bpm.  I have a feeling that if I had a blood pressure cuff, that I would see a noticeable difference there as well.

Queer Witch Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Three of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of heartbreak, disappointments, and hurt feelings. The key to remember in this card is that it is in the Swords suit, which is about the mind.  We are not in the Cups suit.  These emotions are about being stuck in your head, they are produced by the thoughts, opinions, and inner narrative going on up in the mind.  Thus, they live in the Swords suit instead of in the Cups.

The thing is?  People fear this card regardless of where the pain comes from.  This is because people fear pain.  Whether it’s created from out mind or not, it hurts… and that is (understandably) something that can instill fear.

The reminder here is about this card, and about life in general. It’s about realizing pain is coming, seeing or feeling a warning of what’s to come… and not flinching or shirking away from it.  It’s about understanding and accepting pain, and separating yourself from it internally so that you do not lash out at others and spread that pain onward.   Smiles are not the only thing that can be contagious, and it’s important to make sure that we spread love; not pain and not fear.

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

The Sacred Grounds Tarot Club Prompt
Question: How can I deepen my connection with my intuition?

Rabbit Tarot

Reading Summary: Lean into grounded empathy and nurturing (The Empress) instead of aggression (Seven of Sticks). Be generous in sharing your time and attention with others you connect strongly with (Six of Daisies atop Two of Tulips).

Take Away: Pause and pick your battles.  Make sure what you’re fighting for is really worth it, and if it really needs that rise of aggression that comes to “save the day”.  Would empathy and understanding work better?  Would working to find common ground and making a connection be a better path?   Removing aggression from the equation will help in that intuitive connection, as you will no longer be stepping into habitual behavior.

DECK USED:  RABBIT TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsApr2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: What do you need to focus on for self-care for this full moon?

Queer Witch TarotReading Summary: Slow down in the addictions (The Devil) that are scarcity driven (Five of Pentacles)… or else (The Tower).

Take Away: This is something that I have been doing over the past month or so, the slowing down on those addictions that tap into my finances.  With this full moon we are looking at a lot of things that need to be paid for.  Insurance,  the accountant, more than likely the IRS, etc.  Extra expenditures that I don’t usually need to deal with on the regular. 

This extra precaution right now is necessary, but temporary and will ease off as the month moves closer to the new moon in a couple of weeks.

DECK USED:  QUEER WITCH TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I tried to give myself plenty of small breaks today without it getting to a point where it negatively affected my work or my bed time.  I think I did pretty good.

Full Moon in Scorpio – April 2021

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Today is the full 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 delving into shadow alchemy, and brought to you by Sharron Basanti of Seeds of Shakti.

Seasons of the Arcana Tarot

1. Scorpio is extremely intense, emotional, and highly intuitive. As a water sign, what old wounds will be illuminated for cleansing and healing with this full moon?

Seven of Swords – Feelings of betrayal that have been buried and left to fester beneath the surface will be given the opportunity to rise to the surface and be dealt with. There have been a number of these instances in your life, and although you cannot heal them all at once, remember to take the opportunity when it is offered instead of shirking away from the old pain that might still be lingering there.

2. What aspect of my life is undergoing a potent transformation?

King of Swords – How you view your business and deal with the constant drive to demand more from yourself. In order to bring about new transformations, the old must be shed and allowed to fall away. Remember not to try to hold onto both.  You can only have one, and will have to choose between the “feathers” you are shedding or the progress towards something better.

3. How can I magnify my sense of pleasure?

Nine of Cups – Saturate yourself in it when it happens.  Allow yourself to sink in and wallow in your pleasure rather than giving in to the need to stay “composed” and aloof.  It’s okay to let yourself go and really embrace and enjoy the things that bring you pleasure without inhibition.

Seasons of the Arcana Tarot4. What illusions do I need to break through?

Knight of Cups (combined with the adoring gaze from the card to the right) – Not every “Knight of Cups” is a user that’s completely out for themselves. That outreached hand isn’t always going to bite you if you reach for it.  It’s okay to reach for the things you want, and offering to help others can be rewarding in and of itself.

5. What suppressed feelings will surface to provide insight this full moon?

Page of Pentacles – You long to be more like the Knight of Cups.  Withdrawn and watching from afar, you see others seeking their joys and enjoyment with abandon, freely going after their hearts desires, while you sit back and hesitate, seeking instead to take your time learning and taking things slow.  You long for the freedom from these restraints and to be able to just go with the flow of your curiosity without restraint.

6. Message from the Ancestors and Guides.

The World – Life is about balance between gentleness and ferocity, between dominance and submission, between responsibility and unrestrained freedom. If you lean too far one way or the other, everything tips off kilter and things start to fall apart.  You are learning how to open up to the softer side, the more impulsive side, the more hedonistic side.  This takes time, but you are making progress.

DECK USED: SEASONS OF THE ARCANA TAROT

It’s Okay To Need Help

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Today’s meditation was just under ten  minutes long and was a guided meditation from the Calm app combined with interval timer for my piriformis stretches.

The focus of today’s meditation was about speaking with kindness when one is irritated, instead of with abrasion and aggression.  Sometimes it can be hard to do that, and the advice in the meditation today was about tapping into your meditative mindfulness practice by taking a pause before speaking, and a deep breath.  Allowing yourself to calm a bit in that moment prior to opening up and speaking what’s on your mind.

In doing this, you’re able to approach the situation with a more level head, and usually end up with a far better outcome as a result.

Petrak Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Four of Discs, which is traditionally a representation of stability, strong foundations, conservation, and at times, miserly behavior or control issues when it comes to one’s finances or earthly pleasures.

Although I’m not entirely sure what I’m looking at in this image, what stands out to me here is that the discs in this image are providing a sort of structure, balance, and perhaps even support for the inner beam of energy that they encircle.  This makes stability and support, to me, the highlight of this card’s meaning in the sense of the imagery itself.

Combined with the Thera-Pets card for today, what I see here is that we all need support now and then.  That doesn’t mean that we are less than because we need that support.  Instead, it shows a different sort of strength to be able to accept the help and support offered by others, and a self awareness that you can’t do everything all on your own all the time.

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

The Sacred Grounds Tarot Club Prompt
Question: A message from my inner crone.

Patch Tarot

Reading Summary: Make sure you’re enjoying life to the fullest (The Sun) by owning (as in taking ownership of) those things that light your fire (King of Disks) and following your intuition (The Priestess).

Take Away:  My inner crone wants me to know that life is short and I need to follow my instincts and intuition in the direction of enjoying life and living it to its fullest rather than constantly holding myself back and being so practical.  Not everything can be about stability, security, and comfort.

DECK USED:  PATCH TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsApr2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Do Spread #2
Question: Where do I need to seek more clarity in my life?

Petrak TarotReading Summary: The deep blues in the Four of Discs correlates with the dark blues in the Three of Swords Rx.  This connects these two cards and the Three of Wands is drug along from center to the left (the present and past) due to being positioned on top of the Three of Swords.

Thus the cards indicate that you need to redefine your perception (Three of Wands atop Three of Swords Rx) of stability (Four of Discs).

The Three of Wands also has a very strong color connection with the Fortune card, pulling the Three of Wands to the right side of the board (aka the future) as well.

This then speaks of the result of redefining your perception is that in your life journey (Three of Wands) you will have more room to account for the ups and downs in life (Fortune).

Take Away: My current perceptions of what stability means to me are caging me in and keeping me from being as flexible and adaptable as I could be.  If I open up my mind to look at stability from different angles, I will find that stability and security are more than what I have limited them to, and this will allow me to grow and adapt more easily.

DECK USED:  PETRAK TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took my fire extinguisher downstairs with me when I went to check on a neighbor whose fire alarm was going off for over ten minutes.  Turns out he got drunk and passed out with a pain on the stove.  Fortunately, enough pounding on the door roused him before he could succumb to smoke inhalation and there was no real damage done (other than to the pan).

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?

Botanical Grace Tarot, White Rabbit Oracle I & II, Divine Heart In Flight Oracle

Earth – King of Earth and Desire – Owning what brings you pleasure and stirs your sense of desire is the theme of the day to day for you this week. This isn’t about buying or spending, but rather ownership without shame or self recriminations or worry over what others may think.  What you like is what you like, and that’s that.  Stand tall with pride and allow your authentic self, as well as what makes you tick, to be seen.

Air – Queen of Water atop Four of Air, Direction – Make sure that you are spending down time getting in touch with your emotions and finding ways to bring them forward to others in a way that creates connection and worth instead of imbalance and discord. This may require a pause before speaking up in order to move things in the right direction.

Water – The Lovers atop Temperance, Wonder – It’s okay to wander around with rose colored glasses on sometimes, as long as it’s done with a bit of moderation and caution. Seeing things from this perspective can create a sense of balance on an emotional level that’s currently missing in your life.  Give it a try.

Fire – Eight of Earth atop Seven of Fire, Playfulness atop Adventure – When it comes to what you know is right, you’ll fight to the ends of the earth to stand your ground against those that might try to sway you off your path.  You’ve had a lifetime of practice with this from a young age and are very adept in the ability to stand by your own principles and ideals.  Just remember it doesn’t always have to be so serious. It’s okay to approach such confrontations with humor and a sense of fun and adventure, instead of with outright aggression or dispassionate disregard.

Waning – Serene Soul Connection – Okay so maybe things might not go as smoothly this week on the romantic side of the coin as they have just recently.  Just remember that even when that connection isn’t at its most relaxed and serene?  It’s still there and holding strong.

Waxing – Tear Down Your Walls – Want to restore that serenity?  Suss out those hidden walls that you’re ignoring and pretending don’t exist and give them a hard poke or two.  And make sure that you avoid building on those preexisting walls or building new ones.

Take Away – Tapping into the heart of your wants, desires, ideals, and values is going to be a core part of this week’s theme and you need to make sure that you are being honest with yourself as well as others.   That doesn’t mean just dropping word bombs everywhere and sweeping the debris up later.  Pause and think, and take a moment to consider if this is really a time for aggression, before you speak and things will go a lot smoother all the way around.

DECKS USED:  BOTANICAL GRACE TAROT, WHITE RABBIT ORACLE I & II, DIVINE HEART IN FLIGHT ORACLE

Unrecognized Contributions

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Okay so, the blog is definitely not helping me in being accountable for my meditation practice, but my body apparently is very much up for the job.  I woke up in pain again this morning for the third day in the row and I know it’s because I have not been meditating, which means I’ve not been doing my piriformis stretches.  As a result, my hips and back are stiffening up and it’s becoming increasingly painful with each day that passes.  SO… tomorrow?  I am meditating.  I’m am going to get my ass back on track, because otherwise I’m going to have to pick up extra physiotherapy and chiro.

Linescape Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Eight of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of hard work, mastering a skill, and can often indicate repetitive tasks or perfectionism.

I really like this card as I feel that it shows a different perspective than what we usually see in the Eight of Pentacles.  The imagery here is of a city built of skyscrapers, overlain with puzzle pieces.  This is representative to me of the massive amount of planning needed in building a city, and the expertise needed to make all of it fit together and work together well.

Combined with the Thera-Pets card for today, what we have here is a reminder that everyone has their unique skills.  It is when we work together that we create something truly great. The key word here is “together” and that includes you.  Without you, there is no “together” and the project or endeavor would lack what you personally bring to the table.  Don’t discount what you have to offer, and how valuable that is to the team and the endeavor as a whole.

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

The Sacred Grounds Tarot Club Prompt
Question: A message from my inner child. A message from my inner mother.

Twilight Rabbit Tarot

Inner Child – The Trickster atop King of Stone – Don’t fool yourself into thinking that you have everything under control.

Control is one of those things that I feel like I am constantly striving for, as it always feels as if with control comes stability and security. The reminder from my inner child is about how life is unpredictable even in the best of times and loves throw curve balls.

Inner Mother – Strength atop The Empress – True strength is more than determination and brawn (Strength), but requires nurturing and self-care as well.

It is not at all surprising to me that my Inner Mother would remind me about self-care. Sometimes self-care comes easily, but a lot of times I still feel a good amount of guilt for the time I take for self-care.  My inner dialogue tries to shame me into believing that it’s laziness instead of necessity, wasting time instead of caring for myself. My Inner Mother then speaks here to remind me that it is through self-care that strength is bolstered and given what is needed to flourish.

DECK USED:  TWILIGHT RABBIT TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsApr2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: What is your personal superpower?

Linescape TarotReading Summary: Finding happiness and stability (Nine of Pentacles) when at home in nature (Four of Wands), and sorting the rest out later (Page of Swords).

Take Away: My superpower is being able to step out into the forest and letting the world fall away, finding my place and my peace among the trees and moss and letting my worries and ambitions go in order to truly sink into the comfort of the forest’s embrace.

In many ways, I am more at home lying in damp moss among nurse logs and towering evergreens than I am at home on my couch or stretched out in my own bed.

Finding these places and becoming one with them, spending time within them and allowing the essence of these places to sink in and purge the stress and worry of day to day life is my super power.

DECK USED:  LINESCAPE TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I finished my motherfuckin’ taxes!!  I’m so goddamned happy.  Now I just need to meet with the accountant so he can do his part of things, and then pay the man.

Morning Bonus Read – The First Planting

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The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
“In a couple weeks, it will be Beltane, the days we traditionally celebrate the first planting of the season. This week look to what you need to prepare to plant in your life.”

Art of the Patent Playing Cards Famous Patents EditionWhat goals or ideas should I prepare to cultivate this year?

Goals – Four of Hearts atop Jack of Hearts – More balance between my times of exhaustion and apathy, and my times of enthusiasm to go after my desires and dreams.

Ideas – Five of Hearts – Take a second look at the rejects in your idea book. You might just find hidden gold among those pages.

What special preparation should I give the soil of my life in order to better cultivate these?

Goals – Six of Hearts – The key here is in harmony, and in finding the things that stir your pleasure, inspire your desire and your dreams… and yet don’t send you over the edge into fevered exploration.

Ideas – Nine of Hearts – Gratitude is the key to preparing the soil of my life for what I might find among those notes in my idea book. Instead of judging everything with my head, I need to look over them with an open heart, and let wants override logic and practicality.  Although this isn’t always easy for me, focusing on personal pleasure and satiation will give me a different perspective.

What actions should I take to ensure a fertile year?

Eight of Spades – Pay attention to what is said by others and make sure to read between the lines. Not everyone is able to communicate plainly and clearly, but that doesn’t mean what’s said isn’t of value.  There will be times when your ability at reading between the lines will be imperative in order to bring this year to a fruitful end.

DECK USED:  ART OF THE PATENT PLAYING CARDS FAMOUS PATENTS EDITION