Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

These Saturday readings are (not usually) bearing in on any one thing or event in my life, as the question used is asking for a more general outlook. This is a self care exercise, and is not meant as a predictive reading… although that, too, happens on occasion.

The question is… What do I need to focus for self-care through the week ahead?

Mio Im's Tarot, Season of the Witch Samhain Oracle, This Deck Is Haunted Oracle

EarthEight of Cups and Elements – It’s time to focus upon moving away from what isn’t working for you and seek a more harmonious path. Your health needs attention right now. Don’t ignore the discord and discomfort, but instead use it to tell you what patterns and habits need to be discarded for something better and healthier that will put things back in balance.

AirThree of Hearts and Centaur – Look closely at what is making you happy… and what isn’t. This week, make sure that you are focusing on those things that make you happy. Not the things that should… but what actually does. In doing so you will be able to give your inner narrative something more genuinely positive to focus on. Keep in mind that satisfaction is not necessary the same as happiness.

WaterPage of Swords and Ritual – What habits in your life need re-examined with a critical eye? These cards tie into the Air section of this reading in that you need to look at what you are doing, look deep and examine if these habits are truly making you happy, or just a form of self medicating to bury unresolved past issues.

FireQueen of Wands and Grief – Don’t allow confused and conflicting emotions to pull you away from what needs encouraged to flourish this week. You have a lot of prep work to get done. Allowing feelings of failure or being hyper focused on what isn’t going well at the moment is only going to hold you back and slow you down.

WaningBoogie Man atop Planchette – Don’t let worries about the influences of your father plague you this week. He came through the thinning veil last year and really upset your balance. You are more prepared this year, and in a better place.

WaxingEctoplasm atop Living Doll – Work on remembering and acknowledging all of the ways that difficulties and the pain from your past has transformed into positives in your life and in yourself.

Take Away – The advice in these cards is about focusing on what is truly important.  That includes self care, but also in finding those things that truly make me happy.  Set worries and inner conflict aside, let go of the “shoulds” and look for the truth beneath those thoughts and desires.  Where does the truth truly lie?

DECKS USED: MIO IM’S TAROT, SEASONS OF THE WITCH SAMHAIN ORACLE, THIS DECK IS HAUNTED ORACLE

Uncertainties and Self Worth

Today’s meditation was another of the unguided sort. It was about ten minutes long and focused on breathing exercises while I did some stretching of my back and hips.

Jack-O'-Lantern Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Death card, which is traditionally a representation of slow moving, organic change. This isn’t the sudden, chaotic change of the tower, but rather it is a slow type of change that comes in over time, developing a little at a time.

What stands out to me today in the imagery of this card is the owl perched upon the scythe. This indicates to me a factor of knowledge and understanding.

Even slow change can give our confidence a beating sometimes. Just because we know what’s coming and see it developing over time doesn’t always mean we feel ready for it, or capable of riding it out.

Today’s cards are a reminder that sometimes? How we feel about ourselves is not a reflection of how capable we are.  Especially when we’re feeling down on ourselves. It’s a reminder that even during times of change and uncertainty, we are still enough. Even when we are feeling weak and worried… we are still enough. Don’t let anyone or anything make you think otherwise.

DECK USED:  JACK-O’-LANTERN TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

Mr Lionharts’ #TheOctoberTarot #SeasonoftheWitchChallenge Prompt
Question
: Do Spread for October 16th

Eldritch Tarot

Domination over the spirit.

The Emperor – You have a great deal more control than you think you do. Over yourself, and over others as well.  Use this ability wisely, and ensure that you are considering what is good not just for yourself, but also for others, when making decisions and taking action.

What can I do to work towards more personal freedom?

Queen of Pentacles – Lean into nurturing yourself more.  Give yourself the care you need instead of ignoring physical pain and pushing it under the rug. The better care you give your physical self, the more freedom you have both from exhaustion and pain, as well as from the limiting physical effects that these cause.

What choices or thoughts are not helping me right now?

Six of Swords – A desire to escape keeps lingering in your mind and it’s just slowing you down from dealing with the crap that needs to be dealt with.  Yes, it would be nice to take more time off.  Yes, it would be amazing to have a holiday season that wasn’t a marathon through hell.  But that’s not feasible, and lingering in those thoughts only allows discontent to flourish.

What feelings or emotions are holding me back?

Four of Cups – This echos up to the thoughts above and the discontent that is being bred by those thoughts.  You want more time. More rest.  You want to be able to discover and enjoy the sensation of being bored, the space of time needed to organize your life and set things in order.  This is not possible at this time of year, and that makes you a bit sulky. These feelings are understandable, but they are holding you back and slowing you down.

What actions could create more personal power?

Nine of Wands – Shore up your boundaries. Accept that this is the way things need to be right now and set your discontent in its place so that it is not standing in your way.

DECK USED: ELDRITCH TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2021 Challenge Prompt
Question for October 16th
What needs….

Jack-O'-Lantern TarotRevealedThe Empress – This card has been coming up a lot lately along with the Queen of Pentacles. Both of them are a reminder that I am not caring for myself as well as I could… or should. They are revealing to me that this is an important issue that needs dealt with.

ConcealedThe Wheel – Everyone deals with the uncertainty that is bred through life’s lack of predictability. This card is a reminder not to allow these uncertainties to hold me back. Tuck them into place and move forward as if they aren’t there.

DiscardedFour of Cups – This was just mentioned earlier in my Lionharts reading that I did.  I need to discard my apathetic discontent over the fact that I can’t have the time and rest and… boredom that I want to experience right now.  It’s just not the time, and focusing on that discontent only creates obstacles and barriers.

DECK USED: JACK-O’-LANTERN TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I had a blood sugar incident today that stole away most of my evening. I’m really irritated about this, but I’m trying to not punish myself about it either through my physical actions or my inner narrative.

Gideon’s Challenge

IMG_5111Balcony Snuggles

Cool evenings
and balcony chairs
sweet scents
of brine on the air
chill with me
high above
and watch
the moon rise
and lights twinkle
below
the chair may creak
with both our weight
but I wouldn’t
trade this time
for anything

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Cartomancy Reading – Daily Habits

The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
I bet you thought I forgot about today! Well, I kind of did and that’s because I didn’t have my routine in check today. So, let’s ponder on that.”

Bicycle's Vintage Vampires Playing CardsWhat do I think about my daily habits?

Seven of Spades – A necessary evil. A time sucker that has to be included in my day.

How do I feel about my daily habits?

Jack of Diamonds – They are a work in progress. You are in the process of learning how to be kinder to yourself, and through that kindness, treat yourself better. It takes time, and that is frustrating.

Are my daily habits something I should look at more deeply?

Seven of Diamonds atop King of Hearts – Yes, with Gideon’s help present along the way to give you a different, kinder perspective. Take your time with it. This is a life journey, not a quick fix.

Where will my daily habits carry me forward into the future?

Ten of Clubs – As you move forward into the future, make sure that you are not losing focus on the most important aspect of this journey in kindness. That includes doing what is needed to mitigate burnout, and keep it under control.

Will these habits be a positive influence on my future?

Six of Clubs atop Four of Spades – Absolutely. By feeling more rested and allowing yourself recovery time, you open yourself up to greater success with less setbacks along the way.

How could I rearrange my habits, if I need to?

Two of Clubs – Plan ahead. Make sure you have times of rest set into your schedule. Planning these times into your schedule ahead of time will ensure you get what you need when you need it.

Should I rearrange my habits?

Eight of Diamonds – Only if you are going to improve upon what you are learning about being kind to yourself. No backsliding.

If yes, is there anything that could help me with that?

Five of Spades – Don’t fight so hard against these changes that are ultimately only going to benefit you.

Take Away: I did not set out with a specific daily habit in mind with this reading, but it became clear rather quickly that this reading is about getting the rest and restoration time I need. Ie: sleep, meditation, and time off.

Bonus: “You are always on the path to the best version of yourself no matter what the day may bring. You just keep getting better and I’m proud of you. 🖤

DECK USED: BICYCLE’S VINTAGE VAMPIRES PLAYING CARDS

Standing Up

Today’s meditation was just under ten minutes long and was an unguided sort of “pause and breathe” session.

Trionfi Della Luna and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Five of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of conflict, tests, and trials in the areas of communication, intellect, education, thought, and logic. This often translates into things that have to do with arguments and misunderstandings.

Sometimes? It can be hard to stand up for yourself.  Especially when feeling down in the dumps or struggling with your own inner demons and negative inner dialogue.

These cards are a reminder that even in those times?  It’s important to stand up for yourself anyway and not let people treat you badly. Don’t be a doormat and a victim just because you’re having a confidence crisis in the moment.

Show them that you deserve more. Don’t let them treat you like trash. You’re worth more than that.

DECK USED:  TRIONFI DELLA LUNA AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

Mr Lionharts’ #TheOctoberTarot #SeasonoftheWitchChallenge Prompt
Question
: Do Spread for October 15th

Таро Темного Пути

The power of the spirit.

The Magician – You have all the tools, knowledge, and ingenuity at your disposal to do whatever you want to do. You  have the ability to learn quickly what you don’t know, and adapt as needed to fulfill what is needed to continue forward toward your goals. Your spirit is… indomitable.

What foundation am I building upon, or what am I building towards?

Two of Pentacles – Balance. You have been focused on finding a better work / life balance for the past couple of years now, and although the trek has been slow, you are getting there and doing a little better with each month that passes.

What choices are or have been empowering me?

Knight of Swords – Movement. For a good part of this year you have felt stagnant and struggling. Over the past few weeks, this energy has shifted and energy is flowing once more allowing for movement and a charge forward towards your goals. This energy is a bit aggressive, but at the moment that is only empowering you further.

What emotions or feelings can make (or have made) me stronger?

King of Cups – This is a reference to your connection with Gideon and the fact that you look up to him and how adept he is at understanding emotions and nurturing them. With his help, you are learning to better understand and interpret your own emotions, and how to deal with them in a more healthy manner.  He helps you find steadier footing in the emotional confusion that comes from not burying your emotions as you have in the past, and this help from that corner makes you stronger.

What is a personal strength I can always rely on?

Three of Wands – Creatively, you will always have ideas to discover and new projects to explore. Sometimes this feels overwhelming, but it is a personal strength that allows you to always bounce back from failures and setbacks, and provides you with the ability to be the master and captain of your own future.

DECK USED: ТАРО ТЕМНОГО ПУТИ

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic for October 15th
: Draw or write something free form inspired by the card(s).

Trionfi Della LunaOnce upon a time there was a little poppet in a shop who could only hold one or two pins at a time (Temperance), as he was only the size of the pad of a person’s thumb.

He was never chosen by the customers to be used because of his size, and people thought that if a little one could do, then a big one could do better (Two of Coins).

He sat on a shelf in the shop for a very long time with hope in his heart (The Bluebirds), waiting for the person to come along that might see the potential he holds (Ace of Wands).

Then one day a witch filled with the spark of purpose came in to the shop (Queen of Wands), and the poppet knew that this was the one he had been awaiting for so long (Seven of Coins).

She needed his help to aid a child stricken with sickness, and nurture that child back to health (Queen of Coins), and she purchased him on the spot.

She took him home with her, and in her wise and cunning ways, directed him to his path and purpose (Queen of Swords). Which he fulfilled with joy and enthusiasm, and the young child thrived as a result (The Sun).

DECK USED: TRIONFI DELLA LUNA

Daily Self Kindness

I took a nap today.  I really didn’t want to, but after the drive up north and back, I was so tired.  Instead of fighting it, I laid down for a bit and felt much better as a result.

Gideon’s Challenge

IMG_7854The Damp Forest

Belly first
on forest floor
lets look in close
and explore
all the nooks
and crannies offered
by damp wood
and feathered mosses
as the damp
soaks into clothes
there’s plenty to see
and many secrets
to unfold

Photo © ZenStatePhotography