Tarot Thursday: Lenormand - Slavic Folklore Deck

I have really been struggling with my weight and all of the realities and feelings attached to that of late. I have a plan in mind to begin the journey required to reach my physical goals. I've failed so many times in the past that the thoughts of those past failures hold me back from even trying again. It's demoralizing to try and try and try with no success. But I have to do something. I can't continue on as I have been. I want to feel good about myself and happy in my own skin again. I am not asking to be skinny. I just want to feel good more days than not about how I look and feel.

I did  a reading to ask if my plans might be successful. It's a two card spread. The first is the issue at hand, and the second modifies it. I drew The Anchor and The Clover. How I interpret this is: If I stay steadfast and resolute to my plan and I do not let my doubt hold me back, then I will find success in my future. As I travel along this path, I should remember that happiness is not only in overall success but in the successes and happiness found in every day's wins.

I can work with that. It didn't take me a day to reach my current state. It's not going to change in a measurable way in a day either. I know this will be a long process. Longer than I want, but hopefully shorter than I imagine. I have milestones in mind to mark my progress. None of them are pounds and ounces.

I want to lower my blood pressure.

I want to improve my cholesterol. I am not taking meds now, and I do not want to have to do that.

I want to have fewer days with pain.

I want to look at myself and think I am pretty.

I want to be able to wear my favorite outfit again.

Tarot Thursday - Slavic Folklore - Lenormand Deck

 

It's been a while since I have published a Tarot Thursday post. I discovered a deck that is new to me and quite different from my usual Tarot. I had never heard of Lenormand or Lenormand Decks. They originated in France in the 1700s. Each card has a coinciding number/suit card so that you can use a regular deck of playing cards to interpret. I would imagine this would have been handy during times when Witchcraft persecutions were common. 

I've been exploring a two card reading that I am beginning to really like. One card presents your specific question, concern, situation, etc., and the other card modifies it.  So, for example if the main card is the Letter card, communication is going to be key to your query. Say then, your second card is the Moon card. Then it could be interpreted that this communication is centered around emotions. Maybe you need to communication how you are feeling about a situation to someone important to you, or perhaps someone in your life needs to communicate how they are feeling. 

I find the idea of this deceptively simple two card spread to be very clear and direct and allows me to drill down to what's really important about my query.

I picked up four decks to just get a feel for them, but so far I have really been drawn to the Slavic Folklore deck. I've been having some health concerns, and I queried what I could do to resolve them or if they could be resolved.

My primary card was the Rat, and my modifying card was the Tower.

The Rat (also called The Little Helper)
Meaning: Worry breaks down the spirit and moments of weakness erase signs of hope during the darkest times. Do not let fear win. Even the smallest creatures have hidden strength.

Mice are unexpected helpers in Russian tales. They are small enough to fit into unlikely places and come with clever solutions to difficult problems.

The Tower

The imposing walls of a tower exude authority and strength. While they do protect, they can also isolate. The boundaries of the tower create a sense of solitude. 

The fortress is the beginning, middle, and end of many tales. The hero leaves the comfort of his own castle to face a villain fortified in their tower and then returns home to his own castle once again.

I interpreted these two cards together as meaning for my particular situation that I may feel alone and helpless right now, but if I am resourceful and perhaps step out of my comfort zone I can find a solution that will help me overcome my current problem.

Tarot Thursday - Oracle of the Roses - 8.3.23

 

Oracle of the Roses by Cheralyn Darcey

I used one of the suggested spreads in the guide for this oracle set. It's called "The Modern Rose Spread," and it focuses on the week ahead. It asks to identify the positive energies and challenges around you, who and what particularly needs your attention, and what you should learn from the events of the week.

I found this reading to be very insightful when overlayed with my plans for the week. I am pleasantly surprised by how much information I was able to apply to things that are already in motion. Each draw of the reading meant something very specific to me in my current situation.

 

Rose 1: Positive energies surrounding you

The Rebel – Austrian Briar Rose

Meanings and Uses: Challenges, expression, justice, equality, creativity

Deities: Prometheus

Astrological Sign: Aquarius

Interpretation: Sometimes the tried and true path, while safe and known, is not the best path to take. Sometimes you have to take chances to reach your goals.

 

Rose 2: Challenges to be aware of

The Outsider – Duchess of Edinburgh Rose

Meanings and Uses: Alternatives, rebellion, change,  independence, invention

Deities: Prometheus, Artemis

Astrological Sign: Aquarius

Interpretation: Don’t be afraid to make wakes and go against the established status quo to achieve your goals. Let go of what isn’t working and create a new path and new goals that are achievable and good for you.

 

Rose 3: What needs your attention

The Advocate – Louis van Houtte Rose

Meanings and Uses: Commitments, friendships, communication, meditation, persausion

Deities: Themis, Artemis, Iustitia

Astrological Sign:Aries

Interpretation: Don’t be afraid to ask for help/support from your friends and family when it comes to your plans for self-improvement. Having yourself around longer and being healthier and happier will not only enrich your life but the lives of those around you. Doing good for yourself is also benefiting the greater good. Ask questions that you need answered and listen to the answers. Take the advice to heart and make the needed changes.

 

Rose 4: Who needs to hear from you

The Warrior – Marechal Niel Rose

Meanings and Uses: protection, adaptability, skill, loyalty, discipline

Deities: Mars, Athena, Minerva, Eris, Neith

Astrological Sign: Aries

Interpretation: Advocate for yourself. You may not get immediate relief or needed/wanted results, but do not give up. You know yourself and what you need. Do not let others brush aside your concerns as trivial.

 

Rose 5: What you need to learn

The Seeker – Mrs. Robert Peary Rose

Meanings and Uses: Improvement, identity, freedom, motivation, discovery

Deities: Adiona, Khonsu, Neptune

Astrological Sign: Taurus

Interpretation: When we are setting about making big changes, especially within ourselves, it is easy to overlook the small successes in the race to reach the final goal. Take time to celebrate those small moments of achievement. They are milestones showing you are doing what you need to do. Focus on small goals every day and eventually those small goals will add up to your bigger overall goal. All successes are important in order to not become discouraged or distracted along the path.

Tarot Thursday - Neon Moon Tarot - 7.27.23

Neon Moon Tarot Deck by Pixel Occult

PAST

Supervisor of Arms(Queen of Swords)

Intellect, perceptive, independent, maturity

The only way to solve a problem efficiently is to understand it thoroughly. There are many who want you to aim off center, to misunderstand an issue the same way that they have. But I have trained my understanding to see those blind spots, so when I learn, I learn about situations as they are, not as others would have me see them.

 

PRESENT

Seven of Zent (Pentacles)

Reward, investment, profit, simple pleasure

It's a simple enough idea. If I can maximize my down time then I can always have a way to be making progress. Some day maybe I can even make my way above the plate.

 

FUTURE

Eight of Zent (Pentacles)

Diligence, labor, education, investment

Just a couple more bugs to clear and I can start testing the mining loops, where small improvements can really pay off.

Tarot Thursday - Sexual Magic Oracle - 6.29.23

Today's Deck: Sexual Magic Oracle Cards by Laura Tuan and Maro de Luca

Today's Question: How do I regain my sexual adventure? I need to feel sexy to act sexy and enjoy sexual things. How do I do that?

I just want to say first that this oracle deck is beautiful. The artwork is just lovely and fits each card perfectly. When drawing the spread that was suggested from the book, I didn't even really have to look at the meanings for each card. The meanings were very intuitive for my situation. 

When I looked up each card after they followed fairly close to my personal interpretation. I also found the suggested magical practices for each card to be interesting.

The romantic situataion I am currently in. (25, Attraction)

We all gather around sources of light, warmth, beauty. Feel beautiful and you will attract those around you naturally. Inner confidence equals outer confidence.

**Fill a sachet with bath salts and herbs/flowers and uses for a along soak. Violets, starflowers, broom flowers.**

What had caused it (5, Feelings)

Be honest and free with your feelings. Show your love, say your love, be your love.

**Write your feelings on tulip petals and send your intentions out into the world.**

What I desire, hope, and expect (4, Fidelity)

Physical intimacy may ebb and flow, but the underlying desire and love are strong.

**Write your initials and the initials of your partner on an egg as a promise of fidelity, then place it in a jar with flowers and pomegranate seeds.**

What I fear and want to avoid (29, Wrath)

Conflict, anger, passions turned dark and ugly.
**Carry – on the head – a jug of spring water. Walk around the building three times, and then pour the water on the threshold to wash away the anger/frustration/strife.**

Immediate opportunities to solve problems (27, Empathy)

Communicate, share feelings, listen, validate each other’s feelings.
**Cook with ingredients that have been in contact with our hands (crush herbs and spices, knead dough, massage oils and seasonings into meat. Put all your love and desire into the intention behind the cooking.**

Future development (10, Discovery)

Be open and ready for love/desire/intimacy and it will find you. Discover each other every time you see each other as if it were the first time.
**Draw a heart and write your name and your partner’s name inside it. Place the heart in a coffee jar and use that jar every day for nine days to discover yourself.**

Tarot Thursday - Witch Runes - Better Luck Next Time

 

I know this isn't tarot, but I am grouping divination tools under one weekly heading for ease of sorting. I recently purchased a new set of runes. I am fairly well versed with Nordic runes, but I am not familar with Witch Runes. These are wooden with with the symbols carved in one side and highlighted with fold paint. Very light to the touch.

I looked over the pamphlet that came with the tiles, and I drew a five tile cast. I drew the blank rune as central rune at the heart of my inquiry. Someone out there was like, "Girl ... you aren't even sure what you're asking. Come back later, and we'll try again."

I was a bit scattered at the time, but I wasn't expecting a nod to it from the void. I should have. Touché, I'll try again later.

Tarot Thursday - Green Witch Oracle - 6.8.23

 

Five Card Spread - 06.08.23

Today's Deck: Green Witch Oracle Cards by Cheralyn Darcey

Today's Question: How do I feel sexy again? Desired, beautiful, a sexual creature?

1) Deepest Issue (Pumpkin): If you put the work in, it should pay off. Current sexual health is tied to physical health and fitness. 

2) Something to Think On (Tarragon): Aligning the physical and the spiritual with help resolve the current problem. Something from the past may inspire a solution.

3) Solution to the Problem (Bay): It is okay to not know everything right now. Do your research and do not be afraid to ask for help.

4) Protect Self (Carrot): Be careful not to self-sabotage by overthinking.

5) Improve Situation (Strawberry): Be honest with yourself and others and communicate your feelings, fears, thoughts, etc. "Winning" is not the goal. Long term, sustainable improvement is. Keep that in mind.

This reading makes perfect sense to me. My physical health hasn't been the absolute best lately. I've put on some weight, and I haven't been getting as much rest as I need to in order to feel energized. Because I have no energy, I do not feel like doing a lot of physical things, hence the weight issue being exacerbated. I look at myself, and I do not feel  pretty a lot of the time. I compare myself to what I use to look like and how I use to feel, and I feel a bit of a failure. I need to quit doing that. I can't turn back a clock and instantly be like I was in the past no matter how much my mind dwells on it sometimes. I need to focus more on what I can do right now to achieve my physical and mental health goals. Small steps, consistency, and work. That should be my focus. I have to remember to celebrate the little goals rather than putting it off in hopes of a far-off, bigger goal. A congratulations along the way isn't a bad thing and would hopefully motivate me to keep going.