Month: October 2023

Last Harvest 2023 – Samhain

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

Tomorrow is the third and Last Harvest of the 2023 autumn season.  Although this holiday (which is also known by most as Halloween and by many as Samhain) is celebrated around the world by those that embrace the rich history of many traditions that originated in Paganism, most don’t realize that is what they are doing… or that this holiday carries special significance as the eve of the Day of the Dead when the veil is at its thinnest between our world and those that have passed.

Samhain

Like with new moons and full moons, I usually do a spread to check in with myself and give myself some direction for the next couple of months for each solstice, equinox, and other Sabbats. Unfortunately, I was unable to do my normal Sabbat reading this month, so I picked one off the internet that fit the theme of the holiday to do instead.

Samhain Ritual Oracle Reading with the Seasons of the Witch Samhain Oracle

Card to describe the upcoming darker half of my year.

Banshee – You are going to have to stay on top of self destructive tendencies over the next few months. They are due to rise up and become a problem.

What do my ancestors want me to know.

Silence – Keep up on your meditation. It can help in combating those self destructive tendencies as well as keep your connection to your ancestors and guides stronger over the dark months ahead.

Why this message is important for me to know.

Divination – You get more out of yourself (and out of your ancestors and guides as well) when you keep up on your meditation. It is easy to lose yourself in the rush, but healthier not to.

How can I protect myself from negative energy.

Owl – Don’t ignore the encroaching darkness within you when it comes. Use your tools to confront it and bear it back instead.

A shadow aspect of myself that’s calling me to explore.

Dark Moon – Some of the triggers of your depression live in the past. It isn’t all chemical.

Guidance from my ancestors.

Ancestors atop Transformation – Make sure when you petition your ancestors for guidance that the one’s speaking to you have your best interests and well-being at heart.

DECKS USED: SEASONS OF THE WITCH SAMHAIN ORACLE

Gideon’s Challenge

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

Anacortes

I am longing
for sand
and salt water
and beautiful
misty mornings
wet and foggy
cold and quiet
other than
the scream
of seagulls
and the quiet lap
of water
against rocks
and seagrass
mounds

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

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 Todd Alcott's Horror Tarot and House of Shadows Lenormand Samhain Edition

Earth – Eight of Wands – It’s time to start adding more physical activity back into your life. Even if it wears you out. Do it anyway. Building back your stamina is an important part or your recovery.

Air – The High Priestess – Instead of relying so heavily on logic, allow your intuition to hold sway this week. Not everything has to be reasoned out and strategized.

Water – King of Cups – Get as much time in with Gideon as you can manage right now. You both need it for your emotional well-being.

Fire – The Hanged Man – Enjoy the lull while you have it. A couple weeks from now, and you’ll be struggling to catching your breath, let alone able to enjoy any free time.

Waning – Ship and Dog – Doing things for (and going out of your way for) others needs to be avoided this week. Just say no.

Waxing – Candy Apple and Snake – Your tastebuds are coming back! Enjoy! But,watch out you don’t overindulge too much or your stomach will turn against you.

DECKS USED: TODD ALCOTT’S HORROR TAROT AND HOUSE OF SHADOWS LENORACLE SAMHAIN EDITION

Gideon’s Challenge

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

IMG_6524Flameless

Never once
have I liked
fake candles
even those
that flicker
like a real flame
until this year
when decorating
for Halloween
I’ve discovered
that flameless candles
have their place
and that, my friends
is in the mouths
of skeletons

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

The Thinning Veil Oracle Reading

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2023 Challenge Thinning Veil Spread

The Thinning Veil Oracle Reading with the Lights In Dark Places Oracle

What Spirits have come to visit and walk with you while the veil is thin?

Lost & Wandering – Those spirits that have your best intentions at heart have come to walk with you while the veil is thin this year. They just want to see you back on solid footing, and stand by your side to assist you in getting there.

How are these spirits assisting in keeping you safe?

Each Day – They help you remember again and again to stay positive, both in your recovery and in your inner narratives. This reminder is something you need to hear over and over, or you slide back into old unhealthy habits.

What should you offer to these Spirits that are watching over you?

Fresh Start – Listen to them and work on that positive thinking. Don’t get down on yourself when you falter or backslide, but step forward and try again without punishment. You honor them by hearing what they have to say and truly listening to the encouragement they offer you.

What cycle from the past do your Ancestors hope that you will break?

The Good Stuff – Your hypercritical pessimistic inner narratives. These things you say to yourself are not you, but a spawn that was birthed through how you were treated when you were younger. They speak the language of an angry father, who spoke the language of an angry father before him. This is the cycle that needs breaking.

What do you know deep within your bones?

Listen to Your Heart – You are loved. Unconditionally. There are safe places for you.. safe harbors that are not places at all, but are the people that love you unconditionally and without reserve.

What do the Spirits and Ancestors need for you to learn?

Begin Again – Don’t give up, and don’t let those bad things that happened in your past turn you hard and ugly. They are not you. Each thing that doesn’t turn out the way you want it to is merely a lesson to teach you how to do better next time.

A message for you from the Spirits and Ancestors.

Don’t Live In Your Darkness – Keep striving for the light. Keep reaching for positivity and optimism.

DECK USED: LIGHTS IN DARK PLACES ORACLE

Finding the Positive for October 25 – 27

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

Troubled Tarot, Vertigo Tarot, Tarot Malefic, and Halloween Affirmation Cards

October 25

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was focused on the message in today’s cards, which is…

Queen of Swords – You have never been one for conformity and you do what suits yourself. Over the past few months, you’ve had to step away from that mindset, but now that you’re back at home,  it’s time to return to it once more.  Do things your way, and fuck’em if they don’t like it.  You don’t have to feel guilty for needing to rest and recover.  Fuck’em if they don’t like that, too.

DECK USED: TROUBLED TAROT AND HALLOWEEN AFFIRMATION CARDS

October 26

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was focused on the message in today’s cards, which is…

The Hierophant – Just because you know stuff doesn’t mean you always have to share. Sometimes, silence is golden and listening makes you far more interesting than speaking ever could. It doesn’t mean that you don’t know your stuff or don’t have things to share, but rather that you value other’s experiences and opinions, and want to hear what they have to teach you.

DECK USED: VERTIGO TAROT AND HALLOWEEN AFFIRMATION CARDS

October 27

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was focused on the message in today’s cards, which is…

Five of Wands – Opinions are like assholes… everyone has one.  Just because others may express that they do not value the work you do doesn’t mean that what you do is worthless or without merit. Don’t take other’s bad day personally or allow what they have to say to dampen your enthusiasm for doing what you love, for even when they lash out? It has nothing to do with you or your skills and abilities. It’s all about them.

DECK USED: TAROT MALEFIC AND HALLOWEEN AFFIRMATION CARDS