Try, and Try Again

Today’s meditation was skipped because it’s an orders day and, honestly? It’s too fucking hot and miserable.

Hexen 2.0 Tarot and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is The Magician, which is traditionally a representation of having all the tools and skills needed to achieve your goals.  The card is about resourcefulness to manifest the results that you want and being inspired to carry things through to fruition.

Sometimes when we’re working towards a goal we can feel like we just don’t have everything together (or can’t manage to get it together) and the endeavor is therefore going to fail.

And the thing is?  No matter how prepared we are?  Sometimes that’s going to happen.

The key is to take that failure and remember that we’re still here.  We can still try again, and adjust our approach to give us a better chance of succeeding.

As long as we’re still here?  There’s always room for learning and improvement.  There’s always room to try again for the things you really want, and each failed try will only make the next effort that much better than the one before it.

DECK USED:  HEXEN 2.0 TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How can I improve upon my self care?

Wilderness Collide OracleReading Summary: Meditate (Crystal Visions atop Cosmic Journey). You are holding yourself back (Rising) in more ways than one (Expanse) by avoiding your meditation practice.

Take Away:  I often meditate with crystals, which is how “Crystal Visions” comes into play in the meditation aspect.  The thing is?  I don’t know why I keep avoiding my practice, but I’m self aware enough to know that no amount of excuses can conceal the fact that that’s exactly what I’m doing. 

The cards here are right, though.  I need to get back to it.  It’s beneficial on so many levels and avoiding it is holding me back not just in my health and well-being, but also in my growth.

DECK USED:  WILDERNESS COLLIDE ORACLE

#DiscordTarotolicsJun2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic
: About differences…
Question: How can I resolve differences between myself and others with less anxiety?

Hexen 2.0 TarotReading Summary: Spend less energy worrying (Nine of Swords Rx) over if things might turn out badly (Three of Swords Rx), more authority and sharing of inspirational perspectives. Be passionate and innovative, and use that energy to inspire others to your way of thinking (King of Wands).

Take Away: So… this reading was about a little anxiety riddled character conversation the other day in the literary roleplay/writing realm that Gideon and I are in.  Sometimes, with some people, I feel like I’m walking on glass as I fulfill my leadership responsibilities.  It just goes that way, you know?  Things that should be a discussion feel like a confrontation and a direct challenge rather than having a chat.

So, yeah.   The advice here is to worry less about the whole “blowing up in your face” aspect of communication with these type of people, and instead turn the tables and draw them in with ideas and enthusiasm.

DECK USED:  HEXEN 2.0 TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took a nap on orders day.  It was a combination of having a full stomach and the heat.  I just got so tired that I didn’t have a choice in the matter so I let myself lay down for a couple hours.

Sometimes You Learn

Today’s meditation was skipped because it’s hot as fuck in my apartment right now.  Two days of over 80 degF weather and power washing going on outside (which means all windows have to stay closed during the day) means that my apartment is hovering at about 85 degF and, even with the AC on in the evenings, doesn’t really ever drop below 80 degF.  It’s just fucking miserable.

Vox Arcana Tarot and Flower Fortune CardsToday’s draw is The Chariot, which is traditionally a representation of control, determination, and taking up the reigns to steer things towards their goals. The card is about action and movement, it’s about getting things done and getting where you want to go.

I had actually forgotten how wonderful so much of the artwork in this deck is.  This card is one of my favorites in the deck, in fact.

The theme of this card combined with the saying on the Flower Fortunes card, which is “Sometimes you win and sometimes you learn,” speaks to me about the fact that sometimes it doesn’t matter how much control you exert on a situation or endeavor… it’s just not meant to be.  Instead, what’s meant to be is the lesson that you learn in -not- succeeding.

The message in today’s cards is that you can’t control everything, no matter how hard you try or how tight a grip you have on the situation.  No one can control everything all the time.  No one can force something into being that isn’t meant to be.  So don’t look at these moments when things don’t go as planned as as failures, but rather as an opportunity to learn from the experience how to do better and be better… which is never a bad thing.

DECK USED:  VOX ARCANA TAROT AND FLOWER FORTUNE CARDS

CoffeexTarot’s Self Love For The Summer Prompt
Question
: Messages my spirit guides have about loving myself?

Whispers of the Ocean OracleWhite Mouthed Moray EelConvey Your Meaning – You need to be more kind and ore respectful when speaking to yourself. Ease up on  your self-criticism.

Remember when communicating with others that people are not mind readers, and keep in mind that clarity is important for this reason. If you don’t think you are getting your message across?  Ask questions to make sure you are being understood correctly.

NudibranchEvery Step Counts – You need to work on making it okay to take things slow.  Small steps towards your goals are still steps forward.  Don’t discount them (or yourself) as less than just because it means you’re moving a bit slower than you think you should be. It’s only your own personal perception that says you’re moving slowly.  Ease up on those expectations.

LobsterShedding the Old – As a number of readings have mentioned lately, it’s time to let go of the things that are no longer working for you.  Let go and make room for new, healthier practices to take their place.  Sometimes letting go of what’s familiar can make you feel vulnerable.  It’s normal to feel this way, but that doesn’t mean you should hold on tighter to that security.  Let it go and try leaning into your faith to keep you feeling secure during these vulnerable times.

DECK USED:  WHISPERS OF THE OCEAN ORACLE

#DiscordTarotolicsJun2021 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question
: Why do people feel the need to distract themselves from reality?

Vox Arcana TarotReading Summary: Sometimes reality is too harsh  (Queen of Swords Rx) and our falls from grace too painful (The Tower). Distraction during these times can create in life a sense of positivity and joy that would otherwise be lacking (The Sun).

Take Away: Escapism is important for our mental health, especially when things are hard and we need a way to lift our spirits and bring something positive and enjoyable into our lives when things aren’t really the brightest.

Yes, escapism can be an unhealthy problem if it goes too far, but in small doses it can help us become healthier and happier when we find something that really allows us to “disconnect” for a bit.  It gives us an opportunity to decompress and exhale.

DECK USED:  VOX ARCANA TAROT

TheSphinxRevolution’s Gothic Seance Divination Prompt
Today’s Muse
: Mary Shelley
(Note: I’m using the writers in this challenge as a muse instead of as a mediumship/seance practice. So the questions are about me instead of about them.)

Wilderness Collide OracleWho do you epitomize? What kind of a figure is it? How do they influence you?

Land of Oz atop The Gathering – This is about Z. It’s about how she has taught you how to face challenges, and shown you through example how to face your fears. She is not just your mentor, but also one of your closest friends and shows you every day how moving forward and leaning on others can help make you braver and stronger than you are when you stay silent and alone.

What lies inside you that wants to be unleashed? Your inner power or inner demon.

Second Star – Let your inner wild child free to dance among the liminal spaces and explore the dark hollows of the forest and trees. You need to get out into the forest.  Stop putting it off, stop procrastinating and avoiding it just because it can’t be done in just the way  you want it to be done.  Instead, dive in and explore, find a new method and let your curiosity free.

Incidentally… your new FitBit offers GPS.  Perhaps you should look into a way to set that up for L to track you so that you can all go on a picnic and you can go off into the woods on your own for a bit.  They can track you from afar and ensure you are okay.  Close for help… but not too close for comfort.   Regardless… you need this time in nature.  Your soul needs to commune and wallow in nature.

How do the otherworlds and the unseen influence you?

Alight – They encourage you to be your unique self, to speak your unique story, and use your unique ‘voice’ to communicate with others.  They guide your moral compass and provide you with that spark within that allows your true self to shine brightly for all to see.  This encouragement is a support for your soul, and reinforcement that you are on the right path.

Guidance that Mary Shelley might have given you on your spiritual journey?

The Roots – Take a moment to step back and observe from an unbiased vantage point more often.  Seek out the motivations that drive your actions, and pay close attention to the unspoken motivations that drive others. Don’t judge, just observe and absorb.  Seek to understand the ‘why’ behind it all.  This knowledge will be extremely valuable to you moving forward.

DECK USED:  WILDERNESS COLLIDE TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

So, I tried a new allergy med yesterday, and I decided that I’m going to switch over today.  If over exposed to allergens, I still have a problem. But it makes me not as sensitive as the old one that’s been slowly losing its effectiveness with me.   I also did the dentist today.   This latter event is something I hate with a passion.  My synesthesia makes the sound of the ultrasonic scaler makes all the hair on my body stand up and my skin go cold and prickle.   It’s really unpleasant and I’m glad it’s done and over with.  I know it’s necessary, even if I don’t like it.