using tarot for guidance

Open Mind, Open Heart… No Walls

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1EXqUjKyraQ3_bjXxPF4-dLhWWNpAE1bbD8QjOBu9ThecPKKYXPrbC9fRUC7p3hi9SPGTgbR9Today’s meditation was just under twelve minutes long and focused on fostering trust in yourself,  your decisions, and your intuition.   We all have moments of self doubt, but some more than others.  And the more you devalue yourself, the harder it is to find that trust.

The guided meditation spoke on how sometimes, when you are feeling it that difficult to connect and trust your perceptions or your judgement, it’s okay.  To build that trust back up, that first step can be as simple as accepting that things could be worse.  Whatever choices you have made helped you avoid those scenarios that could be worse than the one you are now in.   So take a breath and be kind to yourself, and give yourself a little credit.

Seven of Cups - Circle of Life TarotToday’s draw is the Seven of Cups, which is traditionally a card that is a representation of being overwhelmed by choices, or having so many options that you need to take a moment to make the best decision available to you.

The cards in this deck seem to do this to me a lot, but what I see most in this card has more to do with the open mouth of the fish at the woman’s feet than with the cups or the traditional meaning.   The strength of the draw to that open mouth speaks very strongly to me, and has its own voice that blends with that of the card’s more common interpretation.   That is to say, the message that I see conveyed in this card today is that sometimes the obvious answer is not the right answer.

I don’t think that this is in reference to any one aspect of my life in the moment, but I do see a great deal of value in the reminder.  Sometimes we get so wrapped up in habits and routine that we forget to look around and see if there’s a better way.  Perhaps it’s time that I do just that.

DECK USED:  CIRCLE OF LIFE TAROT

#TarotForGrowthMarch Challenge Prompt
Question: What might that readjustment look like in action? (Built off yesterday’s cards.)

A Darisa Tarot, The Lomisht

Reading Summary: To connect more strongly with my emotional side to the point where I can more easily communicate what’s going on, I need to do what I do in order to connect with my intuition (Eight of Wind), and ensure that even when I am feeling at my worst I am reaching for the sun (The Sun over Ten of Wind).  This will foster a stabilization and clarity of thought that will make room for me to build that stronger connection (Liege of Wind).

Take Away:  Lots of swords here… the cards are an indication that a lot of what’s holding me back from connecting and communicating my more emotional self is the overbearing demands of my mind.   Much like with when people struggle connecting to their intuition, I am letting my mind overpower and essentially “speak over” my emotional voice.  In order to be able to better connect with an express my emotions therefore, I need to harness the mind and force it to step back.

DECK USED:  A DARISA TAROT – THE LOMISHT

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What area of my life needs some extra attention?

Reigning Rouge Tarot

Reading Summary: These cards are referencing hidden emotions that are preparing to spill over (Ace of Cups), because I haven’t taken enough time looking ahead and planning (Three of Wands) which is going to end up feeling like I shot myself in the foot (Seven of Swords).

Take Away:  Yeah…. I’m going to have to do some digging on this.  Preferably before I get to the shooting myself in the foot part of the equation.  I think the lack of foresight is going to be about the upcoming issues caused by the current health scare going on.  It’s going to screw me over (just like so many others) when I can’t make income and that is sure to effect me pretty negatively on an emotional level.   I’d like to address the emotional side of things before the cup actually tips over and everything spills out in a mess, I’m just not sure if that’s going to be possible.

DECK USED:  REIGNING ROUGE TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: Ask the high priestess card “How can I listen to my intuition more?”

Luna Sol Tarot

Reading Summary: Work at not falling into bad habits that promote the blocking my intuition… things like anxiety (Nine of Swords) and hiding behind inner walls of apathy (Four of Cups).

Take Away:  Those inner walls have slowly been coming down over time as you dig and play sledgehammer at them over the past twelve years.   Over the last few years, it’s become very apparent that those walls had muffled more than just my emotions, but also my intuition to an extent.     Anxiety is one of the triggers that makes me try to erect those walls and hide behind them, because I feel the need to appear calm, even when I am anything but.   The advice of the High Priestess is to not retreat. Do not resurrect those walls.  Do not hide behind those walls that remain.

DECK USED:  LUNA SOL TAROT

 

Hidden Threads of Inner Strength

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IMG_3125Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and focused upon stepping outside one’s comfort zone.  The guided meditation spoke on how sometimes we need to step outside our comfort zone, and how as we do this again and again, our comfort zone begins to expand, and our ability to handle discomfort increases.

I think that everyone needs this reminder from time to time. It’s easy to want to nuzzle down into what’s comfortable and wall yourself into those places. The thing is, though, that it’s important to to step outside of those comfort zones… because life is meant to be lived, and a part of living a rich and fulfilling life is experiencing new things.

High Priestess - Hush TarotToday’s draw is the High Priestess card of the Major Arcana.   The Major Arcana cards deal with “big picture” themes that are not pared down into specific aspects of the human experience.  Traditionally, the High Priestess is a representation of intuition, the subconscious, and other hidden things connected to one’s senses, motivations, and spirituality.

Two things in this card’s imagery really stand out to me.  First is the bird cupped in her hand that whispers into her ear.   The other is the Catherine the Great quote wrapped around her wrist.  The full quote says “I may be kindly, I am ordinarily gentle, but in my line of business I am obliged to will terribly what I will at all.”  The quote’s presence holds special meaning for me in reference to this card.  It speaks of having an inner core of steel beneath a soft exterior.

The message in today’s card is about inner strength.  It’s about the inner strength that intuition can create within someone that trusts that inner voice implicitly and allows it to help guide their steps.

DECK USED:  HUSH TAROT

#TarotForGrowthMarch Challenge Prompt
Question: Where would I benefit from readjusting my trajectory at this time?

Jonasa Jaus Tarot

Reading Summary: Let go of the shit that’s holding me back (Six of Coins) from making the steps forward into new territory (Ace of Swords).  Shit that’s holding me back? The stuff that has triggered my need to guard myself (Nine of Wands).

(The connection between the Six of Coins and the Nine of Wands is in the color coordination between the two cards.)

Take Away:  The fearful mindset and fog that resulted from it from “the letter” caused a bit of a mess for me and made me very “defense oriented”.  It’s time to let go of that mindset and stride forward confidently once more.

DECK USED:  JONASA JAUS TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What in my life needs changing?

New Choice Tarot de Marseille

Reading Summary:  Emotional communication (Two of Cups) is not my strong suit, but instead of ignoring my emotions or refusing to try (Four of Cups), it’s time to examine my methods (Four of Cups Rx). I need to allow my development to move forward and mature into something new (Death)

Take Away:  Don’t shoot yourself in the foot by falling back on old habits.  If I want to continue to learn to connect to my feelings, I need to communicate what is going on with me emotionally rather than ignoring it or shoving it away. 

DECK USED:  NEW CHOICE TAROT DE MARSEILLE

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
OK, so in my opinion the original question for today’s prompt was not phrased well… So I rephrased the original question in two different ways and here are the results for each.

Question: How can I keep myself safe while using my intuition?

Tarot of the Golden Wheel

Intuitive Interpretation:  Trust.  These cards are about trust, and taking action based on that trust.  My intuition is an authority that weighs above thought and sparks from those mysterious insides rather than the brain or the physical.  Being safe while using my intuition requires absolute trust.

Question: How can I keep myself safe by using my intuition? (ie: How can I use my intuition to keep myself safe?)

Tarot of the Golden Wheel

Reading Summary:  You have all the tools necessary (Magician), you just need to be willing to listen to your intuition (Knight of Cups).  Allow your gut to sing, and avoid overreactions (Temperance).

Take Away:  This is something that I already do, as I’ve been using my intuition as one of those way in which I navigate the world for a very long time.  Over the past twelve years, my intuition has become stronger and stronger, which to me means there is a clear connection between emotions and intuition.  I don’t claim to know or understand that connection or how it works, but as I’ve become more in touch with my emotions and torn down more of the walls that I have hidden my emotions behind, my intuition has become stronger and less muffled. 

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE GOLDEN WHEEL

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?

Self Care Saturday

Earth – Five of Cups and Wren – You possess all the resources and skills needed to achieve my goals.  Now is a time to set aside apathy and move away from those things that are causing distress.  Instead, pay attention to what needs to be done and what needs to take place including in what areas you need to step back from, and use your innate skills and adaptability to take the steps needed to get there. Judicious self restraint is advised.

Air – Emperor and White Swan – A return to strength can be healing.  It’s more than possible to maintain control and steady footing while allowing light in to heal wounds created within the darkness. That self possession and control can often look like it is in contrast to the light of healing energy, but they aren’t.  Both reside within you and can work together as one.

Water – Hanged Man and Dove –  Releasing the past and opening up to the present is the theme of this week when it comes to my emotions.  It’s time to seek out a new perspective, moving forward into that new view is essential to adaptation and growth.  Take time  to examine closely the “outside the box” options that may be available to you or help you in finding balance on your path forward.

Fire – Eight of Wands and Eagle –  The symbol of the eagle is one of awakening power, knowledge, vision, and spiritual growth.  Combined with the Eight of Wands, there is an indication here that these cards are about advancing in those areas at high speed over the next week.  Sometimes when we are growing and developing, different aspects of ourselves develop at different rates.  These cards indicate that there will be a significant growth spurt in this area, and that I need to keep my eyes open so that I don’t miss anything.

Waning – Snake – Rigid adherence to a chosen path and analytical thinking. As the cards above have touched on, this week will be about moving away from these themes and embracing a mentality of adaptability while allowing the heart to have sway in the decisions taking place.

Waxing – Monkey – Unrestrained dexterity and adaptability. Don’t get so sucked in to that rigid way of thinking that you miss the bus on the growth taking place this week.  You’ve made the choice to move forward… now is not the time to look back.

Take Away – More forward movement towards healing and finding balance.  More growth.  Full speed ahead, this week is going to be filled with bits and pieces of growth… golden nuggets that will in develop into essential puzzle pieces in the new reality I am forming with each step I take.

DECKS USED:  ANIMAL TOTEM TAROT, DIVINE FEATHER MESSENGER ORACLE, PAOLO BARBIERI CHINESE ORACLE

Dropping the Dead Weight

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Today’s meditation was again delayed until bed time.  This is not because of any particular interruption, so much as the fact that I ended up dozing off after visiting Simon’s live Cuppa, Catch Up & Cards this morning over on YouTube.

After waking up I decided I’d rather hop online and spend time together than “waste” time meditating and (possibly) falling back asleep a second time.   Yes, I know that meditation is not wasting time, but it sure feels like it when what I really want is to spend some time with you.

Circle of Life TarotToday’s draw is the Eight of Wands, which is most commonly a card that is interpreted as representing speed in movement and fast paced changes, and often works as an accelerator on surrounding cards when you are reading with multiple cards.

I… definitely don’t see this in the imagery of this card.  Not that I don’t see movement in the figure’s stance or that she doesn’t seem to be walking off into the sunset, but what stands out to me today has more to do with what she appears to be holding in her grip.

She appears to be carrying a head… and a weapon as well.   What I see here is that sometimes you have to walk away, not from something that you are perhaps emotionally invested in (as the Eight of Cups often represents), but away from things that you have invested time and effort and your inner spark into.   Sometimes it’s better to cut and run rather than allowing the dead weight (the rest of the body left behind) to drag you down.

I’m not sure where exactly this applies to me today, but it is excellent advice, and something I will be sure to be keeping in mind.

DECK USED:  CIRCLE OF LIFE TAROT

#TarotForGrowthMarch Challenge Prompt
Question: What would I benefit from releasing as this lunar cycle comes to a close?

Eight Coins Tarot

Reading Summary: Lack of growth (Seven of Pentacles Rx). Catastrophizing (The Tower). Hands tied (Ten of Swords).  (And…. there’s the sharp and distinct tone I’m used to getting from the Eight Coins deck.  I missed you, my old sharp-tongued friend.)

Take Away:  I’ve been really stressing out over the lack of growth factor that the issues I’ve been going through has potentially had on my business.  This includes struggling with a sense of helplessness.  As this moon’s energy decreases and the lunar cycle comes to a close, it’s time to start releasing these worries and fears, and instead start looking forward again.

DECK USED:  EIGHT COINS TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Do Spread #2 Am I going to get to see Ms B again before the fall?

Whispering Spirits Tarot

Reading Summary: One creature isn’t moving very fast (King of Coins), and the other ones looking away (Seven of Coins) from the possibility of a gathering (Three of Cups).  The color variations progress on the ground from spring (Card 1) to summer (card 2) to early fall (Card 3).

Take Away:  It could happen near the end of summer (color of the sky in the Three of Cups combined with the more autumn shade of the ground), but it’ll be a struggle to get to a point where I can take off for a few days and go visit.  I need to keep my eyes on that slowly growing prize of my goals rather than the social aspects of visiting.  It’s  possible that a visit over this time period could very well be at the detriment of my goals. 

DECK USED:  WHISPERING SPIRITS TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How can I safely increase my intuitive abilities?

Fenestra Tarot

Reading Summary:  To do so at this time will involve becoming overwhelmed (Seven of Cups) and risking shutting down (High Priestess… she landed Rx but I turned her upright for the picture) as that overwhelm spreads into other aspects of my life (Five of Swords).

Take Away:  Right, so…. the cards say now is not the time and outline the consequences of trying to push it right now. 

DECK USED:  FENESTRA TAROT

Taking Care and Shifting Ground

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IMG_3077Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and focused upon using meditation to ease yourself out of anxiety and worry.   Although we don’t necessarily always have an empty mind during meditation, the goal is to not allow one’s thoughts to take over and let them pass by without reaction.

This skill, as you practice it and become stronger at it, is very useful in finding peace in times of stress and anxiety.  Sometimes, even just stepping back for a moment and taking a breath, clearing away thoughts and taking even just a single minute… even that can sometimes do wonders to lower stress and anxiety… and blood pressure too.

With how stressed and on edge everyone is lately, I think it’s really important to remember that you need to take those moments… take those breaths.  Don’t let yourself get carried away by the currents of anxiety and worry.

IMG_3078Today’s draw is the Ace of Wands, which is generally a card filled with potential and new starts for the areas of one’s passions, interests, and drive.

That said, the imagery in today’s card triggered an intuitive hit that had nothing to do with traditional meanings, for what I see in today’s card is very much focused upon the needle and the eye.   The message?   Remember not to touch your eyes.

This is a good piece of advice today considering the current health emergency going on in my area, and the fact that I will be traveling and around others in multiple venues today.  I have a habit of touching my eyes quite regularly due to year-round allergies, which makes this reminder even more appropriate for today.

DECK USED:  HUSH TAROT

#TarotForGrowthMarch Challenge Prompt
Question: What can I do to align with that energy? (Built off yesterday’s cards.)

IMG_3080

Reading Summary: Take the bull by the horns and move forward (Prince of Wands) with the qualities of the Hierophant the Fool.

Take Away: Yesterday’s cards indicated that was at a crossroads where I could sink back into fog and darkness, or move forward into clarity.  The cards today make it clear that the best choice is moving forward (obviously I knew that already) and to do so I need to lean into the energies of knowledgeable integrity and innocent enthusiasm.

DECK USED:  ENCHANTED TAROT MINI EDITION

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I replace judgements with more compassion?

IMG_3082

Reading Summary: Make a conscious choice (Lovers) that requires me to set aside apathy (Five of Water) grab the reigns with both hands moving forward (Emperor atop Ace of Air).

Take Away:  It’s okay to become invested in others rather than standing back on the sidelines and remaining unaffected.  Just make sure when doing so that you keep a good grip of control on your thoughts so that your own worries and anxieties don’t go taking a trip into those dark places with them.

DECK USED:  78TAROT’S ELEMENTAL TAROT OF THE NATURAL

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What is blocking my intuition right now?

IMG_3084

Reading Summary:  My intuition is not so much being blocked as stolen (Seven of Swords) by a lack of inaction (Temperance) caused by constant changes (Wheel of Fortune).

Take Away:  The Wheel of Fortune is my year’s card, which has been pretty fitting so far this year.  I’ve been struggling a bit with the uncertain footing of constant changes.  Unlike the lack of footing that comes with striding into the dark, the lack of footing with constant changes is more like trying to walk in the middle of an earthquake.

This type of uncertain footing makes it difficult for me not to “stand back and wait” which is my natural reaction to that type of situation. The cards here are indicating that that reaction is siphoning off a level of my intuition, though.  Thus, perhaps it’s time to start figuring out how to walk on the constantly moving ground beneath my feet.

DECK USED:  TAROCCO DELLE VETRATE TAROT

The Pathless Wood

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Today’s meditation was just under twelve minutes long and focused upon boredom.  Honestly, though?  I don’t think I paid enough attention to the message in the meditation to get much out of it.   It was just so nice to sink into the meditation itself that I may have… forgotten to listen to what the person guiding the meditation was actually saying.

The Moon - Circle of Life TarotToday’s draw is The Moon card, which is traditionally interpreted as a representation of illusion, uncertainty, and confusion.

What really stands out to me in the imagery of today’s card is the posture of the woman in the card, her head tilted up.. the world under one arm, land squid under her other hand.  The message that I see in this imagery today is that it’s OK to be uncertain sometimes. Uncertainty is a part of life… Especially with someone like me who does a lot of things on their own and plows ahead with an entrepreneurial spark.

Because I have so many things on the go or that I’m doing on my own, and because a lot of what I’m doing is very different than that of other’s paths, of course my footing is going to be uncertain sometimes and I’m going to feel like I’m walking through shadows instead of in the light.

It’s similar to when hiking, you can take the well beaten path and have sure footing… or  you can take your own way into the woods and deal with the possibility of getting lost or being tripped up by uneven ground.  I prefer to tread the latter.

DECK USED:  CIRCLE OF LIFE TAROT

#TarotForGrowthMarch Challenge Prompt
Question: How is the waning lunar energy manifesting in my life?

Arcana Iris Sacra Tarot

Reading Summary:  I am at a turning point (Ace of Cups) where I need to do some introspection (Four of Swords) on how to move forward and what to leave behind. I can choose to either move towards my goals and dreams (Ten of Disks), or allow myself to be overwhelmed by anxieties and worries (Nine of Swords).

Take Away:  The cards indicate that the choice is mine, and that I need to do a bit of soul searching in order to make sure I take the path that allows me to move forward. As lunar energy wanes, this is the time to sink into that introspection for a bit and examine where I am currently, where I want to go, and how I want to go about getting there.

DECK USED:  ARCANA IRIS SACRA TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMar2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Draw or write something free-form inspired by the cards?

Sea and Sky Tarot There was once an ethereal goddess that lived in a forest with her loyal companion (The High Priestess).  Her sister, the Goddess of Night, had come to visit but was quite the loner and often went out alone (The Hermit).

One day a poacher came into the woods. He used a disguise to try and conceal himself from the attention of the entities that protected the forest (Wheel of Fortune) and began catching and killing the creatures that the goddess held so dear. Unfortunately for him, the beautiful goddess of the forest had many allies that kept watch over the forests (Strength) and she was alerted immediately to the poacher’s presence.

The goddess was upset by the news of  the intruder’s actions (Judgement).  How dare he come and hunt upon her lands.  The theft of each friend he caught or killed was a wound upon her heart.  She tried to be patient… she tried to be kind (Temperance), and yet the longer she waited, the more she bled.

The Goddess of Night, seeing her sister’s decline and loving her so much, decided that she would deal with this issue herself.  She approached the poacher and began to seduce him with her mystery and wiles.

Each day she came to him and charmed him further, pulling him deeper and deeper into her web (The Hanged One) until he believed her to be all that is right in the world (The Empress).

As he fell deeper and deeper under her spell (Justice), he could no longer tell what was reality and what wasn’t (The Moon).  With each day that passed she lead him deeper into the forest until he became forever lost within the depths of the darkness among the trees (The Devil).

DECK USED:  SEA AND SKY TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: When do I underestimate my intuitive abilities?

Celtic Dragon Tarot

Reading Summary:  When my anxiety is out of control (Nine of Swords) and I’m trying to block everything out (Death atop The Sun) by hiding in my work (Eight of Pentacles).

Take Away:  Okay, so that is a common habit of mine.  Blocking out unpleasant things like discomfort and anxiety through sinking into my work.  Unfortunately, when I do that?  I block out the good as well.   And I don’t feel that, during those times, my intuition is as effective as it is when I’m in a more balanced place.   The cards indicate that this may not be the case.

DECK USED:  CELTIC DRAGON TAROT