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?

Earth – The Tower, Hiking Cat atop Elk – Time to get Lin on board with getting a new job. It’s going to cause a bit of conflict and she’s not going to be thrilled, but you have the reasoning and motivation she needs ready to help get her on board.

This is something that I was thinking about back in the fall before the holiday rush started and had meant to bring up after it was over. Somehow it slipped my mind, but the cards here indicate that this week is a good time to get the ball rolling where this is concerned.

Air – Seven of Swords and Lodge – Don’t let unpleasantness from outside sources spoil your comfortable and contented mindset.

Water – Nine of Wands and Poisoned – These cards are a carry over from the Air position above. They are a reminder not to allow yourself to become overburdened, as it will poison your emotional well-being in the same way that the outside influences have the potential to spoil your mental well-being.

Fire – Six of Pentacles, Duck Hunter atop Kingfisher – Give yourself time to make solid plans for a more long lasting success. This isn’t so much about look before you leap, but it’s time to write down the things you want to accomplish so that you can plot them out more firmly and get moving on them in a more orderly fashion.

Waning – Betrayal – Entering last week in the Water position, here we see potential for feelings of betrayal in departure. No need to keep standing guard for this, you’ve managed to circumvent the potential problems and the potential for it to happen is now on the way out.

Waxing – Shinrin-yoku – Get your ass outside. Forest bathing is not just a pleasurable experience for you, but a part of your spiritual path and gives you a refresh on your overall well-being and energy. It’s something you haven’t done much of since coming home from your holiday visit and it’s time to return to spending time among the trees again.

Take Away – Self care this week requires confronting problems and taking some time for doing some planning and getting your ducks in a row.  At the same time, there’s an important external factor that you need to consider.  Make sure you aren’t allowing other’s moods and actions to affect your own, and don’t overwhelm yourself with work… or anything else either.

DECKS USED: TRANSPARENT OWL TAROT, THE OUTDOORS ORACLE, YORU NO SUMI-E ORACLE