using tarot for guidance

The Buffet… and Moderation

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

IMG_3968Today’s meditation was just under eleven minutes long and focused on the distraction of intruding thoughts and experiences in the middle of a meditation practice.  That is to say, it focused upon how to deal with these distractions and not allow them to frustrate you or pull you away from your practice.

Instead, the guided meditation encouraged approaching these distractions in a disconnected sort of way.  Choosing to take a moment to identify what it is that has distracted you, acknowledging it by naming it, and then letting it go and returning to your center focus (usually the breath).  That is to say, for example, that if you get distracted thinking about what you need to do for the day you pause to recognize you’ve become distracted.  You then label that distraction as “thinking” and accept that it happened, and then set it aside and return to your meditation focus.

This actually seems to work really well for me.  Everyone becomes distracted during meditation, even those that practice daily for years and years.  It’s a part of the process, and that pulling yourself back from distraction to return to your meditation is just as important a part of the process.

Seven of Brine - Seven of Cups - Stolen Child TarotToday’s draw is the Seven of Brine (Seven of Cups) which is traditionally a representation of feelings of overwhelm (or feelings of vast opportunities) created by having an abundance of choices open and available to you.

So many yum-yums… a veritable smorgasbord… so little time.

Laughing.   Okay, so that was my above thought when I first saw this card.  A raccoon presented with so many different delicious options that he’s left unable to decide what he wants to eat.

The message here has to do with having too much of a good thing.  I’m not really sure where this fits into my life today, but I will definitely be keeping an eye open for where this message might apply.   I do see it as a good reminder, though.  And a good message because of the value of its reminder.

It’s a reminder that moderation is a good thing, yeah?  And although I’m not especially good at moderation? I do understand it’s value.

DECK USED:  STOLEN CHILD TAROT

#TarotForGrowthApril Challenge Prompt
Question: What is the root of my power?

Fairy Lights Tarot

Reading Summary: spirit guides (left card), reaching for and embracing change (center cards), moral compass (right card)

Take Away:  The root of my power is threefold and resides in the guidance of my spirit guides, my adaptability and willingness to adjust to change, and the moral compass within me that guides my actions.

There is a blending of colors from the spirit guides card into the change card that speaks of the changes I am often guided through the changes that come by my spirit guides in order to help me embrace those changes.

There is also a color flow between the spirit guides card, the “reaching for” card and the moral compass card that speaks of my spirit guides having a hand in my openness to adapt as well as the moral compass that guides me.

DECK USED:  FAIRY LIGHTS TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What piece of advice will help me achieve my dreams?

Forager's Daughter TarotReading Summary:  Beware the last sword (Ten of Swords) that will be coming for you just as you begin to feel a sense of pride in your accomplishments (Nine of Cups) and a feeling of having finally found stability and completion (Ten of Pentacles).

Take Away:  This is a warning about becoming overconfident.  In order to achieve my dreams, the cards indicate that I need to take care not to let my progress and accomplishments go to my head.  There are going to be setbacks and struggles… even when I feel I’m past all that and think that I have found higher ground.

DECK USED:  FORAGER’S DAUGHTER TAROT

 

Creation, Evolution, and Balance

/ Twist the Leaf / 2 Comments

Today’s meditation was disrupted by the fact that I had to run Z to the hospital.   I did do a good deal of 2 minute pauses and deep breathing while at the hospital in order to keep myself calm and clear headed.   But I didn’t really get an actual, official meditation as the emergency happened just after I had lain down to try and get the meditation practice in.

Z is fine, and back with us, btw.  She just had to stay overnight to make sure that her allergy reaction didn’t return as the medication used to suppress it wore off.

Ace of Oak - Ace of Pentacles - Stolen Child TarotToday’s draw is the Ace of Oak (Ace of Pentacles) which is a representation of the seeds of new beginnings in the area of one’s resources, finances, health, and the physical plane.

Aside from the Five of Flame, this is one of my absolutely favorite cards in the Stolen Child deck.  The imagery in this card speaks to me of the aspects of nature and energy that I revere in my practice.   That is, that it speaks to me of the energies of creation, evolution, and balance.  It speaks to me of cycles and balance.

The appearance of this card today and the message it brings has very little to do with traditional meanings, and everything to do with my perception of those energies represented within the imagery.   This card is a reminder that my morning devotional where I call upon those energies and the energies of the elements is an important part of my day and finding balance in my life… and calling me out on skipping it.

DECK USED:  STOLEN CHILD TAROT

#TarotForGrowthApril Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I honor that lesson? (built off yesterday’s cards)

Mibramig Magical Tarot

Reading Summary:   Accept that I’m doing a good job (Ten of Pentacles) and that this lesson is one that is needed (The Tower) in order to become stronger and more assertive in life and a better provider (King of Wands).

Take Away:  I have definitely felt a shift happening as I’ve lead my family (sister, childhood mentor, mother and her nurse) through the crisis that this pandemic has created.  I feel less and less like a kid fumbling in the dark and working at “playing house”, and more and more the responsible and dependable rock that they need.

DECK USED:  MIBRAMIG MAGICAL TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What gifts does the new season bring with it?

Considerate Cat TarotReading Summary:  The opportunity for a little more independence (Nine of Pentacles) that I should grab hold of and use to nurture myself and care for my needs (The Empress) rather than ignoring or rejecting for not being enough (Four of Cups).

Take Away:  Alone time is a really scarce commodity these days and that’s something that I’ve really struggled with.  The cards here indicate that I’m going to have an opportunity for a bit more autonomy with this new season, and instead of squandering that opportunity because it doesn’t feel like I’m getting enough… I need to cherish that opportunity and use it to help take care of myself and my needs.  This feels like an encouragement to jump at opportunities to get outside and enjoy time in nature, no matter how small, short, or limited those opportunities may be.

DECK USED:  CONSIDERATE CAT TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What energy am I attracting in my life?

Forager's Daughter Tarot

Reading Summary: Seeing the world (The World) from a new perspective (Hanged Man) that will allow for a closer connection with others (Two of Cups) through self expression and exploring new ways of communication (Page of Swords).

Take Away:  That openness to new perspectives is something that I always welcome, but the blend of that with a connection to others is something that is very new.   I usually have a really difficult time connecting to people and the message here is that at this time it is important to seek out and be open to finding new ways of communicating with others that help foster those connections that I’m usually not very strong at developing.

DECK USED:  FORAGER’S DAUGHTER TAROT

 

Developing Understanding

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

IMG_3944Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and focused upon connecting with your inner voice and emotions, and allowing meditation to take you to a place of stillness that allows us to better hear that inner voice that can sometimes be so very quiet.

By stilling our mind and bodies, sometimes we are able to better connect with that voice.  And by using meditation regularly, we become more adept at finding that quiet stillness and sinking into it.   It allows that stillness to become a part of you.  A part of you that grows and develops over time until that inner voice is able to open up and become much louder, and speak to you more often.

Ace of Zephyrs - Ace of Swords - Stolen Child TarotToday’s draw is the Ace of Zephyrs (Ace of Swords) which is traditionally a card that indicates the seed of new beginnings concerning thoughts, intellect, and communication.

What really stands out to me in the imagery of this card today is the combination of vertical and horizontal eyes.  This speaks to me of multiple perspectives, where the green that leaks from the eyes and into the brain then speaks to me of absorption.

The message in today’s card is about learning.  It’s about allowing yourself to be open to new perspectives. Not just open to them but allowing them but allowing yourself to absorb and understand these perspectives, seeking new knowledge and new understanding in the process.

This is something that I seek out regularly.  Even if I can’t relate to the perspectives that I sometimes collect, I am always open to hearing them and they give me the knowledge to know what others feel and think and believe.   I think it’s important to be open to at the very least hearing other’s perspectives.   I think that you need to be confident enough in yourself and your own path that every perspective you hear does not end up adopted as your own, though, as well.

DECK USED:  STOLEN CHILD TAROT

#TarotForGrowthApril Challenge Prompt
Question: What lesson am I being taught at this time?

White Sage Tarot

Reading Summary:  How to provide a sense of stability (Four of Pentacles) and emotional security (Ten of Cups) while plotting a course forward (Two of Wands) that leads my loved ones through difficult times (The Emperor).

Take Away:  With everything that has been going on in the world lately, and the fact that we are in lock down together (my sister and I and our childhood mentor), there is a lot of uncertainty going on.  The lesson that the cards indicate I am learning at this time is how to create and provide that sense of security and stability for others, and lead them through times of uncertainty and struggle.

DECK USED:  WHITE SAGE TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: What is Divinity?

Marshmallow Marseille TarotReading Summary:  Guidance (Hierophant) towards living a better life (Judgement). Connection (Two of Cups) and stability (Four of Pentacles).

Take Away:  Divinity is the guiding light in the darkness that helps us learn to be better.  Better people. Better at the things that we do.  Better at making good choices.  It gives us the capacity to create connections both with others and with divinity itself, and creates within us a sense of stability that fosters our strength and moral compass.

DECK USED:  MARSHMALLOW MARSEILLE TAROT

 

Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

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?

SCS

Earth – Eight of Cups, Six of Pentacles, Night Magic – This week it will be important to focus more on yourself and your needs, and less on contributing to others. The cards here indicate that you are spending far too much time trying to fulfill the needs of others, and this week is an ideal time to take a little time away from those endeavors and let yourself loose to have a little fun your way on your own terms.

Air – Eight of Pentacles and Patience – Take some time to enjoy the moment this week instead of always planning ahead.  Your business and work is well in hand, and impatience for the future won’t make it come any faster.  Focus on the here… the now… pour your attention and talents into what you’re doing now.

Water – Ace of Wands, Magic Maker, Freedom – Tap into your emotions and your intuition and let these parts of you flow into your creativity this week.  Allow that inner spark of passion to flourish inside you, and allow it to flow outward into your creative endeavors.  Now is a time to connect your intuition and emotions to that creativity that makes life so very much worth living.

Fire – Five of Swords and Passion –  Stay on guard against those things and/or people that tap into your passion and drain it away.  This week is all about exploring your passions and enthusiasm, connecting to creativity and emotion.  Make sure you don’t let obligations (real or imagined) stand in the way of letting that happen.

Waning – Modify – You’re reaching a phase in your growth out of the fog and stagnation from the winter months where you no longer need to “fake it until you make it”.  You’ve made it into that more positive space, and now you just need to utilize it rather than taking it for granted.

Waxing – Answers Within – Take time to meditate and touch upon inner wisdom for guidance and that shining light that brings creative ideas to life.

Take Away – Take the newly discovered freedom outside of the fog of fear and uncertainty and do something with it.  Take time to enjoy yourself and don’t worry so much about the (real or imagined) obligations toward others. Now is the time to embrace that freedom and have a little fun.  Let go of the weight for a bit, get in touch with your inner spark, and set it free this week.

DECKS USED: MARUCO ANIMAL TAROT, SPIRIT CATS ORACLE, WHISPERS OF HEALING ORACLE

The Mistakes of Others

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was… non-existent.  Ugh.  I was going to do the meditation after I did the neti pot of my nose (you know, so that I can breathe because my allergies have been up in arms for three days now).   But then I did the neti pot and discovered a raging sinus infection going on up there.  The salt on the wound reaction throughout the front of my face caused a severe headache among other lesser issues and, after a great deal of cussing (that no one could hear) and stomping (that everyone could hear), instead of meditating I ended up lying down and taking a nap.

The Heirophant - Stolen Child TarotToday’s draw is the Heirophant (Hierophant) card, which is traditionally a representation of spiritual guidance and wisdom shared, as well as constructs of conformity and institution.

What I see in this card’s imagery today definitely has to do with learning, which is an intrinsic theme of this card, but it has to do with learning from other’s mistakes rather than in the institutional or traditional means usually indicated by the Hierophant.

This message has to do with the little water nymphs and their fishy tails, and the trapped and soon to be eaten catfish on the rock under the pelican’s foot. The nymphs look on and see the lesson learned by the fish, understanding the caution needing to be executed in order to continue their own survival by witnessing the danger and the mistakes of others first hand.

The card in today’s draw is a call to pay attention.

DECK USED:  STOLEN CHILD TAROT

#TarotForGrowthApril Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I introduce more simple joys into my current routine?

Cosmic Tarot

Reading Summary:  Stop skipping out on my self care (Empress) and look at ways to instill a little more order (Princess of Swords) into the uncertain parts (The Moon) of my day to day routine.

Take Away:  I just love it when I get called out for skipping self care opportunities (sarcasm).  Okay so yes.  I have not been doing all of the whole self care stuff I should.  Although… I have been getting plenty of sleep, so at least there’s that.

Anyway.  The message here is that I need to step up my self care, and let my organizational freak flag fly.  That by doing so I will overcome my uncertainty and open up room for more simple joys to step into that space.

DECK USED:  COSMIC TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2020 Challenge Prompt
Question: Do Spread #2  Is that RV across the street going to be moving along to somewhere else in the foreseeable future?

ETA Tarot - Emerging Toronto Artists TarotReading Summary:  They have a lot to accomplish yet (Seven of Pentacles) but are eager to start having some fun (The Sun). Too much pot (Five of Wands) is making it a struggle to keep their eye on the ball (Two of Pentacles).  Note: Second sentence is an intuitive hit off of the imagery rather than anything to do with traditional meaning of the cards.)

Take Away:  So.. yes.  But it’s going to be quite a while yet. I’ve seen a good deal of progress going on, but there’s also long gaps between when they come to do work that the cards indicate are filled with partying.  This is slowing down their progress and going to cause it to be quite some time yet before the RV is ready to be moved anywhere.

The cards do indicate, though, that it will eventually move.  They’re eager to get on the road and start enjoying the freedom that the RV represents.  It’s just going to take some time yet before that happens.

DECK USED:  ETA TAROT (EMERGING TORONTO ARTISTS TAROT)

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: What is my life purpose?

Fantastical Creatures Tarot

Reading Summary:  To take the struggles, hurdles, and hurts that come (Seven of Swords) “like a man” (The Emperor… and just saying? But I hate that phrase) and continuing to move forward at a steady pace (Knight of Pentacles).

Take Away:  Perhaps the purpose involves learning how to take the difficulties in life and move forward from them without falling apart in the process… or maybe it involves just doing it so that others can see that it can be done and thus learn from my experiences and mistakes.  Either way, the theme of the cards here deals with overcoming difficulties by remaining steady and sure and filled with purpose even when those setbacks make that attitude and action a struggle to accomplish.

DECK USED:  FANTASTICAL CREATURES TAROT

 

Sustainable Strength

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and attached to the end of my yoga/physiotherapy session, which was extra long today as I’ve been struggling with a bit of increased immobility in my right hip, probably due to my lack of visits the sports medicine clinic over the past month or so that they’ve been closed due to the pandemic and the lockdown orders.

I was aware when they closed down that it would be a bit of an issue.  I was hoping that the stiffness that I experienced when my ribs slid out of alignment and settled into their current position that that would be the worst of it.  Apparently there is more to come.

Knight of Oak - Knight of Pentacles - Stolen Child TarotToday’s draw is the Knight of Oak (Knight of Pentacles) which is a representation of an active beta energy, personality, or person in the areas of resources, health, finance, and the physical world. This often translates into themes that deal with the steady progress of hard work and routine (as opposed to the more rash energy of the other knights) as well as topics that have to do with the steady attainment, sustainability, and conservation of resources.

Honestly?  Whenever I see the imagery in this card, it makes me think of you.  Not that I see you as the Knight of Pentacles, but rather that there is something in the imagery itself that reminds me of you being both reasonable and resourceful at the same time.

And that is where the message of today’s card resides.   It is in that steady and reasonable energy of using one’s resources wisely and plotting the course that makes sure that those resources retain sustainability for the future. Although, unlike when I see you in the card, this message is not found  today in the figure or the moose, but rather in the water at the feet of the moose and the touch of the hand upon it.

Today’s message is a reminder that I have the capability to make our resources work for as long as needed to get through this mess with the pandemic and closures, etc.  I can and will stretch what we need and find that resourcefulness to make it through and bring those I care about through it with me.

DECK USED:  STOLEN CHILD TAROT