Month: February 2022

❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

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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?

Witch Folk Tarot, L'Oracle d'Eros, The Chealsea Lenormand Red Edition

Earth – Knave of Cups, La Gourmande atop L’effarouchée – Push aside your fear in order to dive into the lessons that need learned. You are leaning towards shut-in behaviors, and this is not healthy for you. It’s time to work on re-training yourself and your reactions to take you out more, instead of indulging in the fears and habits that encourage distance from others and hibernation behavior.

Air – The Tower and L’Ethérée – More grounding is needed. Seek out those things that will allow your roots to dig deep and your sense of balance and solidity to flourish. A well rooted tree weathers the storm far better than a sapling. This last storm tore up some strong, well established roots.  It’s time to dig them deep into the soil once more.

Water – Wheel of Fortune and L’Idéaliste – You need to work on accepting that you’re not going to be able to put out your absolute best into every single day, and that that’s okay. Demanding for perfection from yourself all the time it’s not healthy, and it puts you on an emotional roller coaster that you don’t need to ride.

Fire – The Magician and L’Impudique – Throw caution to the wind and be more adventurous. You have it in you, you just need to tap into those tools and skills that will allow you to explore more thoroughly and get out of each experience exactly what you want.

Waning – Mice and Tower – Ease up on those walls. You don’t have to be so on guard all the time in preparation of things going wrong.

Waxing – Tree and Dog – Connect and do healthy things with those that love you and want to spend time with you.

Take Away – Self care this week is all about making sure you don’t fall into the habits that isolate you from others and the world at large.  Get out in nature and get the energy boost and grounding you need from your time among the trees. Be gentle with yourself this week and make it something you enjoy instead of just a week of hiding in a hole away from everyone and everything.

DECKS USED: WITCH FOLK TAROT, L’ORACLE D’EROS, THE CHELSEA LENORMAND RED EDITION

Addictions and Fixations

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Today’s meditation was skipped (again).

Witch Folk TarotToday’s draw is the Temperance card, which is traditionally a representation of moderation, patience, temperance (literally), and finding balance.

Temperance is, hands down, the card that I struggle with the most.  Like the bird (fox?) with its nose buried deep in the flower, I have a hard time taking things slow.  I’m sure this illustration is trying to say “take time to smell the roses”, but what I see here is enjoyment to the point of distraction.

To me, the imagery in this card asks for reflection on just how wrapped up I have become in the different things I enjoy.  Have I fallen too far down the rabbit hole on any of them?  Where do I need to pull back to find a healthy balance?

DECK USED:  WITCH FOLK TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheFebruaryTarot Kindred Spirits Challenge Prompt
Question for February 19th

L'Oracle d'ErosWhat can use a shift in perspective or attitude?

L’enfant and Le Rockeur – With Gideon, you don’t need to be any more than you are. He is not bored, but is instead continually fascinated by your softer aspects. There is no pressure here for anything other than your attention and affection… in any form in which you want to give it. When you cast your eyes upon him, he feels like a rock star, no matter whether it’s to seek him out for quiet moments, or for something more intense and carnal.

What can I do differently to facilitate this shift?

L’acrobate and La Reine – Be more proactive in getting what you need, instead of allowing yourself to ride the whims of others. This isn’t just about your relationship, but is about life as a whole and all of the relationships you have with others in your life. When you embolden one aspect, you embolden them all.

DECK USED:L’ORACLE D’EROS

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2022 Challenge Prompt
Questions for February 18th and 19th

Witch Folk TarotOver what part of your life do you need to release some control?

The Star and Death – You are clamping down too tightly on your expectations for yourself. Optimism is not your natural modus operandi. Forgive yourself for the slip-ups and slowness of the changes you are trying to make towards a more positive perspective. The process is allowed to take time.

How can you better handle and/or respond to criticism?

The Tower and Knave of Swords – Don’t immediately fall into “end of the world” thinking, but instead use the criticism by filtering out the useful parts to learn from. Criticism is a learning experience if you allow it to be. Tell people that give criticism that they have given you something to consider, allowing them to feel heard and giving yourself room to learn and grow from the experience.

DECK USED: WITCH FOLK TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

The first day of vacation is always the hardest.  It’s difficult to let go and -not- work, but that’s exactly what I did today.

Gideon’s Challenge

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IMG_6865From the Inside Out

Your breath
washes over
my senses
hot and searing
your gaze
filled with intensity
that digs deep
to touch the soul
and even though
you’ve yet
to touch me with
calloused hands
your heat radiates
and melts me

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Be Ready to Adapt

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

After TarotToday’s draw is the Two of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of finding balance between the different aspects of one’s life, juggling responsibilities, prioritization, and managing one’s time wisely.

It’s this last bit from the traditional meaning above that this card is about for me today.  It’s about making sure I pace myself and don’t push too hard.  It’s about not getting impatient, but just allowing extra time to get the things done I need to, no matter the obstacles that might slow me down along the way.

Today is my trip north, and I have a few stops along the way as well. There’s the risk of there being issues at the border on the way back south as well to consider.  All in all, there’s a lot to get done and even though I’m leaving early to make sure I give myself extra time, this card indicates I may need to practice a bit of patience and adjust my plans on the fly in order to get everything that needs done fit into my day.

DECK USED:  AFTER TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheFebruaryTarot Kindred Spirits Challenge Prompt
Questions for February 18th

After TarotHow can I best honor my ancestors?

The Hermit and The Devil – The journey you seek to pursue a solitary one.  You need to make sure that in your pursuit of a deeper connection and honing your skills in mediumship that you don’t allow it to turn into an unhealthy pursuit.

How can I use their knowledge to leave my own {positive} mark in the world?

Ten of Pentacles and Four of Cups – Don’t waste the good stuff.  There’s plenty of small pleasures in the world that can make your life better.  Like raindrops that fill up a bucket, over time these good things build up and fill your life with joy.  Make sure you are not forsaking these small pleasures, for they are where true treasure lies.

DECK USED:  AFTER TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I stopped for food instead of waiting the extra amount of time it would take to get home.  I really just wanted to go home, but it was a better idea to eat first.

Gideon’s Challenge

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IMG_8516Almost There

Sitting in eager
anticipation
I seek a moment’s rest
as chaos calms
from the storm
time off is almost here
just one more day
just a drive away
and there’ll be
no more chaos to fear
and I can wallow
in sweet relief
for a fortnight of
warmth and loving care

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Responsibilities Come First

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Smoke, Ash & Embers TarotToday’s draw is the Emperor card, which is traditionally a representation of “big dick energy”.  Right so that’s a very modern way of saying what this card represents, which is to say the Emperor is about authority, leadership, structure, and responsibility with a focus on the “greater good”.

Here in this image we see a dragon perched atop his throne looking over his territory.  He holds treasure in one hand and roars his vitality and power into the night for all to hear and acknowledge.

The imagery in this card is all about claiming what’s yours.  It says, “Own it. Do it. Get it good.”  As today is an orders day, it is a reminder that I need to pour my energy into the responsible acts that come with running my business… with the knowledge that after tonight (well, and my drive north tomorrow) I’ll be on vacation.  Not yet… but soon.

DECK USED:  SMOKE, ASH & EMBERS TAROT

Mr Lionharts’ #TheFebruaryTarot Kindred Spirits Challenge Prompt
Question for February 17th: What is my ancestral calling in my soul’s current journey?
{Draw three cards and use their meaning to describe your calling.}

Love Story Oracle CardsReading Summary: Learning to (Effort) forgive myself my mistakes and trespasses (Forgiveness) and trust that things will turn out okay even when it doesn’t feel like they will (Trust).

Take Away: My family carries a legacy of blame and shame that has been handed down from one generation to the next throughout my father’s side of the family.  It was used to keep children in line, used to keep adults in line, and used to suppress individuality and free choice.  In me, it comes out in the way that I am so cruel to myself when I make mistakes, or when things happen that feel like I’ve fucked up.

These cards indicate that my ancestors wish for me to break this pattern, and that to do so requires not just effort and forgiveness, but trust that even without punishment for the perceived wrongs I might have done, things will turn out alright in the end.

DECK USED: LOVE STORY ORACLE CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2022 Challenge Prompt
Question for February 17th: Where have you been settling for “good enough” in your life?

Smoke, Ash & Embers TarotReading Summary: At times when you are feeling vulnerable and uncertain (The Moon), you have a habit of standing back from the fray (Five of Wands Rx) instead of standing strong and making sure shit stays fair balanced between all involved (The Emperor).

Take Away: The thing is?  Your moral compass requires fairness and balance. It’s very demanding of this fact, not just in how you are treated but also in how others are treated.  Nepotism, favoritism, and preferential treatment are not okay and will drive you up the wall.  As well, acts of disrespect and rudeness will send you into the fray to sort things out and return things to balance… except when you are feeling vulnerable and uncertain.  When you are imbalanced on the inside, it’s hard for you to step in, and when you do? You feel as if you are overreacting, which is not the case but you can’t help feeling that way.

For this reason, during these times of imbalance within yourself, you often have to avoid stepping in and leave things alone.  Accept that it’s “good enough” that you noticed and may be able to come back to it later rather than dealing with it at the moment.

DECK USED: SMOKE, ASH & EMBERS TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took time to make a list of everything I have to get done tomorrow on my trip, so that I don’t have to overload my brain by trying and remember it all in my head and end up forgetting something as a result.