Gideon’s Challenge – Tension

Late Lilac (Syringa villosa)

Tension

Muscles flexed
without realization
tight and aching
but unacknowledged
until they
start to scream
and realization
comes
that a deep breath
is needed
slow in
and slow out
then again
to help the knots
let go

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Gideon’s Challenge – Comforted

Pluto Stuffie

Comforted

A little cuddle
a tight
close hug
with softness
squished
in close
to the chest
familiar scents
in unfamiliar places
help wakefulness
drift
into sleep
as inner knots
release

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Gideon’s Challenge – Pleased

Kitsap County Sewer Cover

Pleased

Artistry
in the design
is something
that isn’t seen
all that often
anymore
and yet
in the dirtiest
of places
is artistry
ignored
by many
and yet there
to be appreciated

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Gideon’s Challenge – Release

Star Magnolia (Magnolia stellata)

Release

A tight bud
of protection
can only
take you
so far
before
it’s time
to open up
and breathe
as the air
ruffles
your hair
and fills
your lungs

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Gideon’s Challenge – Flustered

Macro Photography - Tortula muralis Moss

Flustered

“Pay attention”
she says
and eyes lift
to rest upon
her pretty face
and wait
for what
will come next
as clatter quiets
to silence
as if the world
holds its breath
and color rises
to her cheeks

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

🎨 Weekly Creativity Prompt – Art Interpretation

Prompt: Below is a 3-card spread from Sasuraibito Tarot and a question/prompt to go with it. Your task is to pull the same three cards from your deck(s) and tell us how you might interpret these two (or more) decks differently, and why. Same question, same cards, different decks. And if you’d read them similarly? Tell us that, and explain why!

Today’s cards are Six of Wands, Two of Swords, and Two of Cups. And the question from our imaginary querent is How can I best nurture whatever is sprouting right now?

Sasuraibito Tarot - Six of Wands, Two of Swords, Two of Cups

You are at an impasse (Two of Swords positioned in the center) between people pleasing for your community (Six of Wands), or connecting more closely with someone specifically that matters (Two of Cups).

Although you connect strongly with your community (strong, sturdy staffs) and they provide you with a great deal of growth (leaves and flowers growing from the staffs) and comfort through the diversity you find there (rainbow), you can’t pursue this connection -and- connect more deeply with this single person (linked pinky fingers in the Two of Cups) at the same time (separated by Swords).

To best nurture what is sprouting right now in your life, you need to decide which side of the coin you want to pursue; the community connection, or that closer one-on-one relationship. Both offer you growth, but it’s too much to try and do both at the same time.

Best Deck Ever Tarot - Six of Wands, Two of Swords, Two of Cups

You can work hard to achieve the recognition you crave from others (Six of Wands/Spatulas), or (Two of Hooks/Swords) you can allow yourself to build something meaningful between yourself and someone else (Two of Patties/Cups).

Either of these pursuits is going to snare (hooks instead of Swords) all of your attention, tangling you up in it so that you’re unable to do both. Specifically, on the side of things where you develop a meaningful connection with someone else, there’s a good chance that even if you met them at work, they’re going to be a distraction -from- your work in the end (there’s a spatula hanging in the air between them in the background).

You have a choice. These cards indicate that you can’t have both, after all. You can try to balance both, but in doing so both situations are going to get dicey and you’re giving up your ability to choose which one will be your end result. By directing your attention to the choice you prefer, you give that side of things a better chance of growing into fruition.

DECK USED: SASURAIBITO TAROT AND BEST DECK EVER TAROT