8 of Swords
Baxter's Blog
The Weekly Tarot Opportunity,
August 25, 2024
by Jason Hottel and
Baxter McDouggal
8 of Swords
Blessings!
As we bid farewell to the final week of August, the subtle shift from summer to autumn becomes more palpable. The days grow shorter, and there's a gentle hint of crispness in the air, reminding us that fall is just around the corner.
Yesterday, I found myself doing Tarot at the local Wellness Market in Santa Cruz, offering tarot readings. (My Emotional Support Wolf, Baxter, was supervising). The weather danced between warm and chilly as clouds drifted across the sky, and at one point, I could even sense the moisture in the air. This evoked cravings for pumpkin pie and had me searching for my warmer clothes. My drive to be active and accomplish things is starting to wane, a natural transition as we move towards the quieter, introspective time of year.
Baxter is asleep today, as he is exhausted from supervising, so I am taking over the blogging responsibilities. Pictures of him working can be found on his FB profile here.
As a pagan, I celebrate the end of the year at Samhain on October 31. This significant day marks the turning of the wheel and ushers in a time for deep reflection and inner work. It's a period where I pause to look inward, taking stock of my journey throughout the year. I review my achievements, lessons learned, and the personal growth I've experienced. The shift in seasons naturally lends itself to this inner examination, as the sun's light wanes and the days grow colder. The harvest season concludes, symbolizing the end of a cycle, and the freezing ground provides a moment of stillness. This is the time for shadow work, understanding and integrating the darker aspects of oneself, and preparing for new beginnings. As the external world quiets, our internal landscapes become the focus, encouraging us to reflect, release, and rejuvenate.
I offer tarot reading, and use my intuition to help people find solutions to that which blocks them. I have a proactive approach to life, and I reject the idea that something is too hard. If you have an obstacle that you would like to have help dissolving, please reach out! We all deserve to thrive, and live within the golden area of abundance and health. I have a long history of inspiring people so they may easier ways to step into their purpose or vocation more easily.
If you refer me to other people, and they book a reading with me, I will give you a large discount on your next reading. Two referrals will earn you a full hour and half reading.
Be sure to check out my free guide called “Who Heals the Healer?”
With Love,
Jason (posted by Baxter)
(click the link below for mediation audio)
https://storage.googleapis.com/msgsndr/FEu6I3MXa8R7yWGZ1R7N/media/66cbe425d6d90bea3d148714.mp4
Weekly Meditation of Tarot;
8 of Swords
Last week, I pulled the tarot card "Death" for our meditation. This week, we choose the "Eight of Swords." A friend of mine recommended this card on Friday. Some people consider this to be the card of interference. In the modality I prefer to use, I repurpose the energy so that it becomes opportunity. Opportunities happen when we encounter obstacles and are forced to do things differently to accomplish our goals. Since we are doing something different, we are pulling on new energy. This brings in the potential for the unexpected, hence, the invocation "Opportunity."
Think about these questions. Actual answers are not needed. These are designed to help bring an awareness to the obstacles we face, and give us the capacity to learn how we get triggered when we encounter a blockage.
1. Restriction: What mental or emotional limitations are holding me back, and how can I confront my fears to break free from these restrictions?
2. Empowerment: How can recognizing and dispelling my mental blocks lead to personal empowerment and liberation?
3. Realization: What steps can I take to transform feelings of helplessness into actionable empowerment?
Let's dive into our meditation.
Eight of Swords Meditation
Manifestation Aspect: Restriction, empowerment, realization.
Mantra: “I break free from limitations by confronting my fears and doubts.”
Action Statement: "I do":
Words to avoid: "I want" "I need" "I should" "I may" "I might." These words tell your subconscious mind that failure is possible, and invites in worry.
Inspiration: Overcome self-imposed limitations and find empowerment.
Resonance with Air: Aids in recognizing and dispelling mental blocks.
Attributes: Realization, empowerment, liberation.
Problem-Solving: Conquer feelings of restriction and helplessness.
Solar Plexus Impact: Enhances empowerment and mental liberation.
Meditation Steps
Find a comfortable position and close your eyes.
Take a few deep breaths, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth. Allow yourself to relax and feel grounded.
Visualization:
Imagine yourself in a serene park, comfortably seated in a chair, dozing under the gentle sunlight while wearing a broad-brimmed hat.
Feel the golden warmth of the sun enveloping your body, energizing you, and loosening old and stagnant thoughts and energy. This golden light replaces them with the wealth of prosperity and the assurance and confidence of effortless action.
Focus on the Solar Plexus:
Bring that golden light into your core, settling it into your solar plexus, the area between your belly button and your heart.
Allow this sphere of light to expand, filling the entire space. Let it seep into every pore, and give it a moment to circulate.
Empowerment and Liberation:
As you breathe in this golden light, visualize any restrictions or limitations loosening their grip and transforming into pathways of opportunity. Every breath strengthens your sense of empowerment and mental liberation.
Repeat silently or aloud: "I embrace obstacles as opportunities. I am empowered, liberated, and open to unexpected growth."
Mantra Repetition:
Continue repeating the mantra in your mind or out loud: “I break free from limitations by confronting my fears and doubts.”
Allow this mantra to sink deep into your consciousness with each repetition.
Reflective Questions (They are the same as before):
Restriction: What mental or emotional limitations are holding me back, and how can I confront my fears to break free from these restrictions?
Empowerment: How can recognizing and dispelling my mental blocks lead to personal empowerment and liberation?
Realization: What steps can I take to transform feelings of helplessness into actionable empowerment?
Spend a few more moments absorbing this energy and allowing it to infuse every part of your being.
When you feel ready, gently bring your awareness back to your surroundings.
Take one last deep breath, and as you exhale, open your eyes. Carry this sense of empowerment and opportunity with you throughout your day.
Remember to drink water and eat some protein and carbs.
If you wish to get a reading from me, or take a look at my PDF called "Manifesting Your Reality" you can check out my store at wellness.withthefluff.com. My Tarot readings involve Tarot, and they are really about You, and whatever it is you aspire to accomplish. I am a portal for abundance, self-care and joy. Though years of practice, I have learned how to package my unique perspective on life and communicate it to other people so they my thrive.
I hope you smile this week, as you may get Mooned this week.
With Love and a lump of moon cheese,
Jason Hottel
all Tarot images are copywrite free. https://archive.org/details/rider-waite-tarot/
