❤️ 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 Tarot of the Hidden Realm and Oracle of the Seelie & Unseelie Fae

EarthShadowdance and Mermaid – Your current emotional state (water creature) makes you weak to giving in and overindulging. Take care of that you don’t drown yourself in your temptations and addictions this week.

AirThe Hierophant and Selkie – Get in a session with your shrink this week if you can, and make sure that you are utilizing tried and tested methods this week in caring for your mental health.

WaterAce of Pentacles Rx and Chiastolite Fairy Cross – Settle in instead of looking for new opportunities this week. Emotionally, you are in need of stability and comfort, not the imbalance and possible chaos of trying to turn against the current tide.

FirePage of Swords and Robin Goodfellow – Use your faith and spiritual path to help you cut your way through the darkness. Staying open to the spiritual side of things will keep you from

WaningLily and Anchor – Just because he says that you need to avoid subdrop doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. Don’t push for the sexual side of things and just allow things to be calm and steady instead for now. Remember your relationship is far deeper than the sex.

WaxingStork and Cross – Focus on working your way through the slump that is going on rather than resting your way through it or lollygagging. There are things you could be doing, hard work you could be accomplishing. Get to the busy work.

Note, this is not in contrast to the reading in the water position, for it is not saying “work at changing things” but rather just work at getting things done that need done, and would need done whether or not you were in a slump.

Take Away – You are emotionally vulnerable right now and need to avoid things that can further imbalances in your life.  Use work and the tried and true methods that you’ve discovered work for you to help you in finding a greater sense of stability, and your faith to assist you in believing in the light at the end of the tunnel.

DECKS USED: TAROT OF THE HIDDEN REALM, ORACLE OF THE SEELIE AND UNSEELIE FAE, PENTAGRAM’S WOODEN LENORMAND SET

Work Through It

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was a free session from the Fitbit app. I wasn’t a big fan of this one, as although the man’s voice was soothing, there was long, silent, pauses between when he spoke. I would settle into these silences, and then he would speak again and startle me.  I’ve had meditations that do this before, and it has something to do with how they re-introduced their voice into the meditation. It’s just not a smooth enough transition, and causes a jerk of response as a result.

Katrin Blackwater Tarot's Eight of Pentacles and It's Going to Be Okay 2024 Day-to-Day Calendar by Kate AllanToday’s draw is the Eight of Pentacles combined with the affirmation “You’re not a failure for struggling; it IS difficult. Please be careful not to gaslight yourself.”

These cards are an encouragement to just keep working towards your goals. Yes, things are hard right now. The business is slow, and it freaks you out a bit.

The reminder here is that the current slowness is not a disparagement of your skills and abilities, but something to work through, and in doing so gain more knowledge and skill for the future.

DECK USED:  KATRIN BLACKWATER TAROT AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2024 Challenge Prompt
Questions for January 27th

My Feelings Metaphoric Cards and Katrin Blackwater Tarot - Nine of Cups, Ace of Swords, Page of Cups, Sister of CupsWhat do you take too seriously?

Nine of Cups Rx and Apathy atop Pride – You take too seriously your moments of apathy and disenchantment, and how they might influence your overall happiness.

My Reaction: I disagree. I feel that a sense of apathy holds me back from enjoyment that I might otherwise be able to be open to. I feel this apathy is often a part of my depression, and that my depression is not just a detriment, but dangerous to my overall sense of happiness and satisfaction in life.

When I am feeling depressed and apathetic, I have a greater tendency to give into self-destructive tendencies, and begin unraveling all that I’ve worked for.

Why am I being told I take these things too seriously?

Ace of Swords atop Sister (Page) of Cups, Faith – Faith will always lift you up and carry you forward into new possibilities. You will never be powerless, even if you destruct your entire world, for there will be always be new opportunities with which to map out a new path forward.

My Reaction: Okay… true. This doesn’t mean I want to start over, though, regardless of my capacity to do so if needed.

DECK USED: KATRIN BLACKWATER TAROT AND MY FEELINGS METAPHORIC CARDS

Daily Self Kindness

Yesterday, I brought home deviled eggs from Ms B’s house.  Today? I ate them and they were amazing.  SO good.

Gideon’s Challenge

Fennic FoxThings We Do

Even on the
little errands
you are on
my mind
and some of the
smallest things
will draw
my thoughts
to you
and us
and what we do
together
like pocket foxes
and love stories

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

One Small Thing at a Time

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and one of the free meditations from the FitBit app.  It was uneventful and I struggled to stay settled and comfortable for the duration of the meditation. I did continue to practice bringing my focus back to my breath, though… so the “practice” part is still on point.

New Moon Tarot - The Moon Card and It's Going to Be Okay 2024 Day-to-Day Calendar by Kate AllanToday’s draw is The Moon card combined with the affirmation “Just one day at a time.”

When life feels uncertain, we can begin to feel overwhelmed. Everything begins to feel like a threat to what we hold dear and we either shut down and hide or that uncertainty can cause anxiety to run out of control.

The encouragement in today’s cards is that when we are feeling this way, we don’t shut down… but downsize.  Instead of allowing all of the future possibilities and troubles that could come, focus only on the present. On today and only today.  Tomorrow will take care of itself.

DECK USED:  NEW MOON TAROT AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

@Lionharts #TheJanuaryTarot 2024 January Initiation Prompt
Questions for January 26th thru 28th

New Moon Tarot - The Tower, Queen of Cups, Seven of Pentacles, Three of CupsSelect a Court card/suit that represents qualities you wish to embody at this moment.

Queen of Cups – I am so tired of being overwhelmed by my emotions and confused by them. I sit within the Page of Cups, striving to learn more emotional intelligence and to understand my emotions better, when what I really want is just a little bit more stability in those emotions and to see them as a good thing instead of as a challenge.

How can I deepen my understanding of these qualities and integrate them into my daily life for personal mastery?

Seven of Pentacles – Be patient. It’s only through experience that you can grow into a greater emotional intelligence. It can’t be rushed.

What intentional practices can support my personal mastery journey?

Three of Cups – Share with friends and have more fun. It’s hard for you to share your feelings with others, but if you can cut loose from the rigid standards you hold yourself to and share more, you will in turn better support your efforts in this area.

How can I empower my daily actions to reflect the qualities embodied by this chosen card?

The Tower Rx – Avoid catastrophizing troubles and trials. It helps nothing and keeps you ramped up and shut down.

DECK USED: NEW MOON TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I laid down when I was hurting instead of pushing myself harder.

Gideon’s Challenge

Snow DayMore Snow

I want more
of the white stuff
that falls from
the sky
and takes children
out of school
to play
while owners
walk pups
in the park
and kick snow
in the air
for enthusiastic
snapping
and happy yips

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Don’t Let Them Rust

#DailyCalm with the Calm app - Charles Dickens quoteToday’s meditation was twelve minutes long and was one of the #DailyCalm sessions with the Calm app.  The session today was a “loving kindness” practice that had to do with directing loving kindness first toward yourself, then towards loved ones, and then towards those that have wronged you or irritate you in some way.

Interestingly, they said that the directing feelings of loving kindness towards those that wronged you would be the hardest part of the practice, but for me?  It was directing that energy and sentiment towards myself.

Remembering the Sweet Fool Tarot, Eight of Pentacles, Eight of Hills, and It's Going to Be Okay 2024 Day-to-Day Calendar by Kate AllanToday’s draw is the Eight of Hills (Pentacles) combined with the affirmation “As tempting as it may be, you can’t hate yourself into health.”

There is truth to the saying that depression is a form of self hatred. Over the years you have been in therapy you have developed a great many skills to help you with your depression.

These cards are a reminder that those skills are always available to you, and always improving with each use. Don’t let them get rusty. Use them, and use them often, even during times when you’re not in the grip of a depressive episode.

DECK USED:  REMEMBERING THE SWEET FOOL TAROT AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2024 Challenge Prompt
Questions for January 25th and 26th

Remembering the Sweet Fool Tarot and Reflections Mindful Ritual CardsWhat is your greatest vice you’re not consciously aware of?

Nine of Cups and “What if you embraced it for what it is instead of dwelling on how you think it should be.” – Slugabedery. Procrastination. Dallying in stagnancy because of an enjoyment that comes from the contentment involved in those moments.

What is a positive thing in your life that you are overlooking?

Four of Hills (Pentacles) and “Let go of the urge to understand or control. There is peace in surrender and trust that all is in alignment.” – You don’t have to work so hard for the stability you seek. It will come to you naturally, if you let it.

DECK USED: REMEMBERING THE SWEET FOOL TAROT AND REFLECTION MINDFUL RITUAL CARDS

Daily Self Kindness

I took a much needed nap today even though it’s an orders day. I also  had the most magnificent turkey sandwich for lunch. Like, really amazing.