Negative Mindloops

This week I'll be using the Vision Quest Tarot, created by Gayan Silvie Winter and Jo Dose.  This morning's draw is the Ten of Air (Swords):

These birds remind me of the turkey vultures we have here in the South.  Flocks of them are often seen around road kill or circling over a field where there is a dead livestock animal.  Being scavengers, they eat carrion as their primary food source.  Looking at this card, I kept hearing the phrase "dead is dead."  Whatever ideas or beliefs about something I've held on to, there is no life in them.  Nothing will ever grow from them.  Best to let them disintegrate and allow something living and beneficial to take their place.

The oracle deck I'll be using this week is the Bird Cards by Jane Toerien and Joyce Van Dobben.  Today's draw is "Duck:"

The creators of this set describe how a group of ducks will often squabble and peck each other.  In this card, a second uncolored duck is seen, gazing malevolently toward the mallard on the pond.  It represents that inner critic that unceasingly badgers us with our faults and shortcomings.  Duck reminds me to be aware of the inner dialogue and avoid being so hard on myself.  If I could step outside myself and objectively look at my life (as if it were someone else), I'm sure I could find plenty of good there too.