Make the Time

Today’s meditation was skipped (yes, again).

Winter Magic Tarot - The EmpressToday’s draw is the Empress, which is traditionally a representation of the nurturing, female strength and empowerment without losing that “softer side” in the process, abundance, fertility, the divine feminine, and Mother Earth.

She may be the queen of the winter wonderland of this deck, but that doesn’t keep her from having a hint of knowing warmth in her eyes.  In this way, it is the expression upon the figure’s face in this card that draws my attention today.

That gaze seems to say… “Don’t forget that no matter how busy today gets, you still need to take care of yourself.”

This is fitting, since it’s yet again orders day, and there is SO much to get done.  Today’s card is a reminder that even if it doesn’t feel like there’s enough time?  Make time to take care of yourself.

DECK USED:  WINTER MAGIC TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I made chocolate chip cookies.  Not from scratch… I just don’t have enough time for that, but from store bought dough, which while not as good as my recipe? It’s still way better than nothing.

Gideon’s Challenge

IMG_8789Between the Cracks

The universe
is made up of
worlds within worlds
within worlds
and each ignored
by the one above it
forsaken
but for by a small few
that take the time
to lean down
and dirty their knees
to see what others
have forgotten
even exists

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Ambition and Strategization

Today’s meditation was skipped.

The Christmas Tarot - King of SwordsToday’s draw is the King of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s thoughts, intellect, education, logic, ambitions, strategy, and communication. This often translates into themes that have to do with professional acumen, authority figures in the education sector, cunning strategists, and those skills that are often referred to as having a “silver tongue”.

Today’s card is a reminder of strategy, and the experience you have gained over years that can help you put strategies in place in your life that will assist you in achieving your goals.

Ambition can be a hard task master, but strategy can help map out your path in a way that takes some of the burden and stress off your shoulders and makes your path forward easier.

Today’s card is about seizing your knowledge and using it to your advantage in such a way. Consider what needs done, and what your next steps can be. Plot a course, and strategize your way forward. Adaptability works best when you have a plan in place that you can then adapt from…. rather than simply moving through chaos with no plan at all.

DECK USED:  THE CHRISTMAS TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

*Thinks on this.*  I chose an apple and peanut butter toast over cookies this evening.

Gideon’s Challenge

IMG_6579Daydreaming

When summer slips
into autumn’s grasp
and flower’s colors
begin to fade
will you lie with me
in the green grass
and watch the clouds
march by
on parade
and hold my hand
as we pick out shapes
making up stories
as we go
before getting lost
in laughter and kisses
until the sunset glow

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

❤️ 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?

Self-Care Saturday Tarot Reading with the Snowland Tarot and the Vintage Christmas Lenormand

EarthNine of Swords – Financially speaking, make sure that you are standing strong in the boundaries that you have set for yourself during the week ahead. There will be plenty of temptation to mess with your resolve as your anxieties rise and you become a bit more high strung, but by sticking to your boundaries, you’ll have better future results.

AirTwo of Cups – Make sure that you are staying closely connected with those you love in order to keep negative inner narratives at bay. Your connection with them and their support it’s necessary during this time.

WaterSeven of Cups – It’s hard to make it responsible choices when you’re feeling emotionally needy. You need to be aware of what it is you are in need of, so that you don’t try to”fill the hole” with something that’s not going to resolve the issue.

FireFour of Swords – Rest when you can, and look for the “easy way” when one is available to you. You have too much going on to add an extra work to your plate that you don’t need to worry about right now.

WaningLilies and Crossroad – Your tolerance for others might be a bit short over the next week. Make sure that you are keeping your own council and following your own moral compass, and let them deal with the consequences of their own choices without involving yourself.

WaxingMan and Whips – Just as you struggle with tolerance for others in the week ahead, so too will you struggle with your own snark and outward reflections of that lack of tolerance. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.  Make sure you are taking this potential to heart and taking steps to mitigate the fall out.

Take Away – Grumpy times lie ahead and you are not particularly kind mentally or in your communication with others during these moments.  Make sure you lean into others to help lift you up and out of your funk, and practice self awareness to ensure you’re not hurting anyone unintentionally. Give yourself a break when you can, and watch out for “self medicating” behaviors.

DECKS USED: SNOWLAND TAROT AND VINTAGE CHRISTMAS LENORMAND

Challenges to Conquer… Not Obstacles

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Yuletide LenormandToday’s draw is the Sleigh (Ship) and Mountain cards from the Yuletide Lenormand. In Lenormand, the Ship is about movement, travel, and change… while the Mountain is all about obstacles.

With the “Sleigh” coming before the Mountains, while seeking a positive message in the cards, what we see here is an encouragement to seek out challenges and see them as an adventure.

Whether it’s a sleigh on ice, or a ship on the sea, stopping in your tracks is not an option, no matter what obstacle is before you. Better to not fight against these obstacles, but to embrace them.

Dive in and let yourself shine as you meet these challenges head on and show just how industrious you can be in dealing with them.

DECK USED:  YULETIDE LENORMAND

Daily Self Kindness

I did not pressure myself to get everything done today.  Instead, I did a good bit of work… and I also took a nap.