Taking Stock

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Yule Oracle - Candle CardToday’s draw is the Candle card from the Yule Oracle, which in this deck is a representation of warmth, illumination, and “enticing”.

In my life, I have found a Christmas (finally) that feels very close to perfect. I’ve discovered nurturing, motherly warmth.  I’ve discovered the comfort of “home” away from home, and the love of others that are here to help me and take care of me.

Hell, I’m even being fed regularly without having to do any cooking.

I’ve been very lucky this year, and I see this card as a reminder to really take stock and enjoy this time, and seek it again in the future. This year has taught me what holidays -can- be… a potential that I’ve not really seen before and very much cherish and enjoy.

DECK USED:  YULE ORACLE

Magicznie_Czyli_Troche_Magi’s #tarotowewyzwaniegrudzien2022 Prompt
Questions for December 19th thru 24th

Gnomes Tarot Major ArcanaGingerbread: How can I cool my life down?

The Tower – It’s time to reconstruct what you do and how you do it. Rebuild your time to give yourself the self care you need without sacrificing your passions and responsibilities. There is room for both if you put some thought into the construction and organize things well.

Yule Log: What warms me up, gives me power, and increases my creativity?

The Devil – You are passionate and enthusiastic in the pursuit of those things that interest you and you enjoy. Don’t let your fear of your addictive tendencies keep you from enjoying them. Just take care not to let it get out of control.

Entity’s Kiss: How can I bring more love and passion into my life?

The Lovers – Make healthy choices and be true to yourself and your needs. Lean into loving relationships and spend more time with Gideon.

Last Christmas: What were my previous Christmases like and what did they teach me?

The Emperor – Previous Christmases have often felt like a battle of wills. From these experiences you’ve learned that a taciturn approach gives you more control and peace than diving into the fray and trying to strong-arm things your way.

Next Christmas: What does my dream holiday look like?

The Empress – Nurturing, warm, and supportive. Time spent with those that fill you with these feelings, both in receiving from others, as well as in giving of yourself.

The Day When Animals Speak in Human Voices: What does my spirit animal want to tell me?

The Hanged Man’s– Keep an open mind. Don’t allow yourself to become closed off or rigid.  (This advice has been repeated in a couple of different ways in my readings over the past couple of days.)

DECK USED: GNOMES TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I slept in today and let Jer take care of a task out in the garage that would have had me struggling at the top of a ladder.

Gideon’s Challenge

IMG_9985-(2)Cuddling Weather

Come snuggle with me
under a warm afghan
and let me
tuck my toes
beneath the warmth
of your thigh
as we curl together
on the couch
and watch a movie
about the end
of the world
and become inspired
to create a world
all our own
together

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Where Has My Energy Gone? Tarot Reading

Where Has My Energy Gone Tarot Reading with the Winter Waite Tarot 2022 Santa Helper's Edition

What Has Been Weighing On You

Two of Swords – Decisions on direction. There’s a lot to sort through and decide upon this time of year, when you are transitioning from the drastic difference between the holiday rush and the rest of the year. It is sort of a “fresh start” moment for you and you want to put your best food forward towards a positive, productive, and enjoyable future in the next year. With so many things to think about and decide upon, sometimes it can be difficult to avoid getting stuck in the quagmire of indecision.

How to Face It

The Fool – Just plunge forward and have some fun. Everything doesn’t have to be so serious all the time, and it’s okay to just “wing it” now and then and see what happens.

First Step to Get Back In Action

Six of Pentacles – Be generous with yourself and others. Don’t be a hypocrite when it comes to the differences between how well you treat others and how badly you treat yourself.  And, make sure that you are not holding back when there is a need to be met.

DECK USED: WINTER WAITE TAROT 2022 SANTA’S HELPERS EDITION

What Makes You Happy?

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Vintage Christmas Tarot - The LoversToday’s draw is the Lovers card, which is traditionally a representation of long term contracts, love and romance, as well as making the choices in life that are best for you.

In this card a young man and girl hold hands and appear to be caught in a moment’s revelry during a dance. They are all smiles and appear happy in each other’s company.

Today’s card encourages us to reflect on what makes us happy. What things are good for us that we also think are good? Regardless of the old adage, not everything that’s good is bad for us, or bad is good for us either.

It’s time to look at your life and find those things that are both good for us… and that we enjoy, and make a concerted effort to do more of those things.

DECK USED:  VINTAGE CHRISTMAS TAROT

Magicznie_Czyli_Troche_Magi’s #tarotowewyzwaniegrudzien2022 Prompt
Questions for December 13th thru 18th

Seasons of the Witch Yule OracleBaubles: How can I bring more harmony into my life?

Perseverance – Keep in mind how strong you are and how much you have been through. You have come through so much with strength and integrity, always staying true to yourself even when not doing so would make things easier or less of a trial. You are strong, flexible, and clever. You have the ability to make it through anything and come out the other side stronger than ever, because you are a survivor. This innate ability and the knowledge of it allows you to find a sense of stability and security even in the hardest or most uncertain of times.

Christmas Tree: How can I be reborn?

Poinsettia – Integration. Focus on your shadow self and inner child. Both need acceptance and to be welcomed “into the fold” of who you are, rather than being shut out in the cold. By integrating them into the whole of who you are, you will continue to grow and your authenticity will shine brighter than ever before.

Star: Where does the light of the first star want to lead me? What should be my goal now?

Ornaments – It is important to look where you’ve been in order to plot your way forward to where you’re going. Take time to reflect upon your past goals, your past failures and accomplishments, and the experiences that you’ve gained. Reconnect with your past goals that had to be set aside for the holiday rush, and with where you left off on that path.

New Year’s Eve Plans: How should I celebrate the last day of the year?

Offerings – It’s time to reconnect with your spirituality and reestablish connections with your spirit guides, and with Amalthea as well. Re-orient yourself in this direction.

Christmas Card: What or who should I remember now?

Riding the Bells – For you, this is a time of cleansing and renewal. Clear out the old and the stagnant, and refresh all that has begun to feel old and drab. Throw out the negative, the unbalanced, and those things that won’t serve you so that you can clear the way for something better, fresher, and new.

“Christmas Tale”: What does the Spirit of the Past wish to tell me? Present? Future? (A Christmas Carol)

Remembering – This is an echo from the Star position earlier in the reading and is a reminder to connect with your past rather than burying it or ignoring it. There are important lessons there waiting for you if you take the tie to reconnect with your history and memories.

Darkest Hour – Everything might feel a bit off right now while you’re in the grip of transitioning from the holiday rush back to “normal time”, but remember that it’s temporary. Dark times don’t last forever, and will pass with patience.

Mother Mary – Make sure as you plot your course forward into the future that you keep room for your spirituality and use this opportunity to connect more strongly with Amalthea. You began a journey with her, and with your guides, and now that the holiday rush is over it is time to return to that journey. Don’t let it get set aside, as it is an important part of things to come.

DECK USED: SEASONS OF THE WITCH YULE ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I stayed in the car as needed today, again. My ankle has been bothering me, so I also brought the cane with me… and used it too.

Gideon’s Challenge

Photo-Dec-24-2022,-4-17-35-Cherished Memories

Peace and comfort
and nurturing warmth
slide into place
like a body
fitting in
against another
as arms wrap
to hold close
those most dear
and these moments
linger
in our memories
far into the future
to comfort us
in times of need
When the
harsh and cold
of the world
makes everything
seem dim

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Weekly Creativity Prompt – A New Beginning

Prompt: “In line with the new year that’s fast approaching, pull (at least) three cards and use them to tell us a real or fictional story about new beginnings.”

Yuletide Lenormand[Stork and Mice]

There was once an old farmer named Abel and his wife Amanda that were eager for a child.  So eager… and yet so barren. They tried everything to increase their fertility and get themselves with child without avail.  Then, one day, a friend came by and offered them a proposition.  He would guarantee a child for the couple, but only if he was allowed to sleep with the wife for three nights in a row.

[Ship and Rider]

This proposal was a shock to the pair, but after a great deal of discussion and no amount of argument, they finally decided that it could be the only way that they might manage to conceive.

The wife packed up her bag for the trip to the resort where she would be staying with their friend, while able was left at home to imagine and consider all that she may be thinking… feeling… and god forbid, doing. When he couldn’t stand it anymore, he packed his own bags, and stormed out into the night, determined to start a new life with someone else.  Someone that could give him what he wanted and not seek solutions to their problems with his so called friends.

[Snake and Clouds]

After the five days were over, Amanda came home to find her house empty and cold. She called and called his cell, but when he finally answered he spewed venomous words at her, completely and conveniently forgetting it was -he- that had pressured her into this idea in the first place and placing all the blame for his abandonment of her on her shoulders.

And thus, this is how Amanda became a single mother, and began her life anew along with the new life that now grew within her.

DECK USED: YULETIDE LENORMAND