Month: November 2024

Rest Is a Need, Not a Want

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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@GlitterbyInk #Novelember24 Challenge
One Word Book Title Prompt for November 9th : Remember

Aurora Tarot Blue Edition's The Devil Card and It's Going to Be Okay 2024 Day-to-Day Calendar by KateToday’s draw is the Devil card combined with the affirmation “You deserve full, entire rest days.”

As one of yesterday’s readings mentioned, it’s very easy to lose sight of how important it is to fulfill your needs when things become busy and chaotic.   Your natural inclination is to close out your own needs in order to pour more energy and time into what needs to get done.

This doesn’t work, though, as it forces you to eventually block off time to deal with those needs… and there’s no choice on when that block of time will come.   Better to take care of yourself from the start and make it to the end of the trials ahead rather than pushing too hard and having to step out of the race entirely when you hurt yourself in the process.

In other words?  DO give yourself times of rest. Even when it feels like you don’t have the time for it.  A few hours now is better than sacrificing a handful of days later on.

DECKS USED:  AURORA TAROT AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

@Lionharts #TheNovemberTarot Queen of Swords Challenge
Question for November 9th : What aspect of myself am I ready to reclaim, igniting my rise with renewed strength?

The Shaman's Way OracleReading Summary: Beauty comes through imperfections, rather than through perfection (Wabi Sabi). In accepting this truth you draw to the surface those parts of yourself (Soul Retrieval) damaged by the harshness of perfectionism and give them a chance to be pieced back together and healed (Health).

Take Away: You have spent a massive amount of your life pushing yourself towards perfection again and again in everything that you do.  Instead of making you happy, it has made you miserable, self-conscious, and anxiety filled.

It is time to take the Japanese wabi sabi mentality to heart.  Nothing ever lasts forever. Nothing is ever completely finished. Nothing is ever perfect. Accepting transience and imperfection is the path to your strength and reclaiming confidence lost through a life striving for perfection.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Lichen for Perseverance
Foraged Cedar Tips for Protection Against Negative Influences
Gneiss Wishing Stone for Patience in Unpleasant Situations
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE SHAMAN’S WAY ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2024 Challenge
Question for November 9th : Advice you need to hear at this time concerning your ambitions.

Aurora Tarot Blue Edition - The Hanged Man, The Devil, Queen of SwordsReading Summary: When you foster a focus on your own perspectives (The Devil and Queen of Swords), you miss out on obtaining a true understanding the perspectives of others (The  Hanged Man Rx)

Take Away: If you want to understand the perspectives of others, and in turn have a better understanding of the world around you as well, you need to step back on being so willful concerning your own opinions.

Yes, you have good advice to give and the ability to help others see things in your perspective, but if your mouth is talking?  Chances are that your ears are not paying as close attention as they should be.

Be quiet, and listen.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: AURORA TAROT

@empressofthenightslight #SweetnessWithTheEmpress #SweetnessofLife Challenge
Question for November 9th : What piece of my magic can I more deeply embrace now?

The Sylvankind OracleReading Summary: Let go of your insecurities of what the future may bring (Insecurity), and instead allow those around you (Guidance) to help keep you focused on your goal (Focus).

Take Away: It’s time to more deeply embrace the magic of what others can do for you. Not just how they help you with your work, but also how they help to keep you focused and inspired along the way so that you don’t lose track of your goals.

Allow others to guide you into a more positive headspace and keep you focused on what’s important.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Pin Oak Leaf for Strength and Endurance
Clear Quartz for Energy Amplification
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE SYLVANKIND ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

This post is a catch-up post, and I’m not entirely sure what my self kindness was for the day.

Fear and Self Sabotage

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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@GlitterbyInk #Novelember24 Challenge
One Word Book Title Prompt for November 8th : Greenlights

Cordein Tarot's Death card and It's Going to Be Okay 2024 Day-to-Day Calendar by KateToday’s draw is the Death card combined with the affirmation “Even though they may not express it to you, people are grateful you’re in the world.”

Self sabotage is a thing that I think most of us deal with from time to time. For some, like myself, it’s chronic.  For others?  It happens now and then when feeling particularly vulnerable, undeserving, or afraid.  In either case? Sometimes we don’t even see that we’re doing it.  In fact, I would imagine that being oblivious to this tendency in the moment when it’s happening is pretty common.

Today’s cards (and prompt) ask us to take a minute and look at where you have been self sabotaging? Where has change been knocking on your door, and instead of answering the call, you have tried to step back and hide?  What are you afraid of?  Why are you avoiding?  Dig deep and really seek out that vulnerable feeling inside that is driving your resistance and see if you can ease it’s tension enough to give yourself the go-ahead to embrace the changes that need to occur.   It doesn’t have to be a trial by fire.  Promise.

DECKS USED:  CORDEIN TAROT AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2024 Challenge
Prompt for November 8th : Think of a problem that needs solving and pull cards in relation to…
Problem : The upcoming building levy and financial strain involved.

Oracle Reading with the Fairies OracleWhere to Begin – Oberon / King – Don’t ignore it. You know it’s coming and you need to be responsible about it in order to lead your people through the hardship of the moment. Take care not to shoot yourself in the foot.

What Half Way Looks Like – Mab / Dream On – You are going to be feeling like you have everything under control, but make sure that it is not an illusion. Don’t bet the bank on the fact that you feel this way.

How to End Things – Sprites / Stage of Play – Allow the relief of getting it done to wash over you and lighten the weight on your shoulders. It’s okay to feel accomplished when you’ve managed to accomplish something. Paying off this levy would be one of those things.

Long Term Ramifications – The Aziza / Mind Your Own – It will bring a deeper closeness to those things and people that are yours, binding you together through hardships faced side by side. This in turn strengthens the boundaries between your inner circle and those outside of it.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Foraged Pin Oak Leaf for Strength and Endurance
Smoky Quartz for Grounding and Stability
Raku Bear Medallion for Protection and Stalwartness
Mandala Disk for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: FAIRIES ORACLE

@empressofthenightslight #SweetnessWithTheEmpress #SweetnessofLife Challenge
Question for November 8th : What steps can I take today to help myself move forward?

Cordein Tarot - Nine of Cups, The Moon, The Hanged ManReading Summary: Take time to reflect upon (The Hanged Man) those things that help lift you up out of uncertainty (The Moon) into a place of ease, comfort , and satisfaction (Nine of Cups).

Take Away: With the holiday rush right on your doorstep, it’s easy to lose sight of your own needs and making sure that they are being fulfilled.  If you allow yourself to ignore your own needs, though, you will end up having to slow down (or stop entirely) to deal with the consequences later.

Instead, make sure that you are taking time to really look into what you need, and taking measures to ensure you get those needs met.  It makes everything feel just that much better when you do.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Lichen for Perseverance
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: CORDEIN TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

This post is a catch-up post, and I’m not entirely sure what my self kindness was for the day.

The Joy Stealers

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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@GlitterbyInk #Novelember24 Challenge
One Word Book Title Prompt for November 7th : Kindred

Cattitude Tarot's Seven of Swords and It's Going to Be Okay 2024 Day-to-Day Calendar by Kate AllanToday’s draw is the Seven of Swords combined with the affirmation “A person doesn’t have to be bad to be bad for you.”

If they steal your joy, or make you feel alone… that is enough of a reason for them to not be allowed to be a part of your life.

That saying “Life’s too short”?  It’s true.  Not everyone is a perfect match.  Why force yourself to spend your precious time on people who just aren’t a good fit for you.  Even if you want them to, sometimes things just don’t fit.

Life is better when these people are no longer stealing your joy.  Let them go on their way and find others that bring you joy instead.

DECKS USED:  CATTITUDE TAROT AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

@Lionharts #TheNovemberTarot Queen of Swords Challenge
Prompt for November 7th : What unseen fire within me is fueling my choices and shaping my path forward?

Oracle Reading with the Diversity DeckReading Summary: You seek out harmony and balance (Harmony) through your efforts to be nurturing to yourself and others (Nurture) while following your intuition and inner moral compass (Insight).

Take Away: You have a passionate need for things to “feel right” while at the same time balancing a need to nurture others (and yourself).

It’s in seeking this balance between these two needs where you find the fire that fuels your drive concerning the choices you make that shape your path forward.  You need and want both in your life, and in seeking out and finding it is where you really feel like you shine brightest.

Other elements included in this reading:
Cedar Smoke Cleansing Bundle for Protection
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: DIVERSITY DECK

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2024 Challenge
Question for November 7th : Advice you need to hear at this time concerning your personal happiness.

Cattitude Tarot - Ten of Cups, Seven of Cups, Five of Pentacles, Nine of WandsReading Summary: When you spend too much time behind the protection of unhealthy defenses (Nine of Wands Rx), it leads you to a place of scarcity where happiness is difficult to find (Five of Pentacles). Happiness (Ten of Cups) is a choice that you make (Seven of Cups).

Take Away: In order to find true personal happiness, you need to be able to let down your defenses and allow others in.  Where your defense mechanisms rearing up to get in the way is often out of your control, the lowering of them is a conscious act.  A choice that allows others to step in and get closer and provide assistance in finding those moments of happiness and joy.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration and Clarity
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: CATTITUDE TAROT

@empressofthenightslight #SweetnessWithTheEmpress #SweetnessofLife Challenge
Question for November 7th : What self-care do I need today?

Oracle Reading using the New York Botanical Gardens' Botanicals Post Card SetSweet Orange Tree – Purification of the mind, body, and spirit combined with a healthy dose of Vitamin C to bolster your immune system.

Cattleya Orchid – Time with Gideon is a must. He helps keep you uplifted, and you do the same for him. He needs that lift this year, and in giving it to him you will give yourself a lift as well.

Pineapple – A symbol of welcome and hospitality, this card encourages doing what needs done to make your home feel welcoming.  Although it is  your work place, it is also your refuge. Make sure you take care of any impediments to that sense of welcome you feel when you walk in the door.  Also… again.  Vitamin C is stressed here.

Take Away: There is a prevailing call high levels of vitamin C in these cards (I swear to you that orange is not a prevailing color in this deck) speaking of a need to continue with your autoimmune boosters for the time being, as well as do the preventative maintenance needed to keep yourself healthy (ie: getting your flu shot and vaccines done).

Other self-care actions to take today include making sure you get some time with Gideon in order to bolster both your moods, and taking some time to clean and organize where it feels things in your home have gotten out of control.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Bay Leaf for Protection From Negativity
Western Hemlock Cones for Balance During Disruptions
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration and Clarity
Carnelian for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: NY BOTANICAL GARDENS’ BOTANICALS POSTCARD SET

Daily Self Kindness

This post is a catch-up post, and I’m not entirely sure what my self kindness was for the day.

Finding the Positive for November 4 – 6

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Hush Tarot, Mana-Fest Dark Weave Tarot, Majick Cottage Oracle, and It's Going to Be Okay 2024 Day-to-Day Calendar

November 4 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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@GlitterbyInk #Novelember24 Challenge
One Word Book Title Prompt for November 4th : You

Today’s card is the Ten of Cups combined with the affirmation “The future will not be a disaster. You have anxiety, sorry.”

Anxiety is a bitch. It’s one of those things that makes the world feel out of control.  Unfortunately? It’s also one of those things that comes from within.  Anxiety, in my experience, is created by our own inner narratives and allowing ourselves time to dwell on the “what if” scenarios that situations in our life present to us.  “What if” is a fine line.  It can be a saving grace that helps us prepare for what lies ahead, but it can also be anxiety inducing and create a feeling of helplessness or powerlessness within us if we let it get out of control.

The message in today’s cards is that the power lies within you to moderate these tendencies to focus on “what if” scenarios. The Ten of Cups is a reminder that when we instead turn our focus to pleasurable thins that we enjoy and seek out support from others in indulging in those things… we have the ability to win the battle with the anxiety that “what if” can cause.  Maybe not 100% of the time, but small step by small step and, over time, those steps can then become larger and last longer.

DECK USED: MANA-FEST DARK WEAVE TAROT AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

November 5 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was approximately fifteen minutes long, and was self-guided based upon the Lindsay Kite quote “Loving your body isn’t thinking your body looks good. It is knowing your body *is* good regardless of how it looks.*

I don’t think there are really all that many people out there in the world in this day and age that don’t struggle with body image. Whether you feel you are too big or too small, too tall or too short. Whether you wear scars or you deal with a disability, don’t like your hair or your skin or your teeth or your eyes.  In today’s society where the “image of perfection” has become more and more unrealistic, society has created a sort of pandemic of body image issues.

My topic in my meditation practice today, I focused on how my body serves me instead of on all the ways it doesn’t or can’t.  It feels really impossible to get past all those things it can’t do sometimes, and I felt that it was important to work at setting them aside and, instead, appreciate that I -am- in fact still mobile and have a decent amount of flexibility. That I can still work, and that those things my body doesn’t allow me to do I can adapt to and get done in different ways.

It felt good to look at my body in this way, even if it was a struggle.  I’ll keep trying, though.

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@GlitterbyInk #Novelember24 Challenge
One Word Book Title Prompt for November 5th : Brave

Today’s card is the Knight of Swords combined with the affirmation “It’s a big old world. There is absolutely room for you here.”

In today’s card, my eyes keep being drawn down to the Dionaea muscipula (Venus Flytrap) in the lower corner, and the ant that is far too large for it to take a bite out of.  A’right… and the fact that our knight has forgot his pants also did not miss my notice.

I mean, just sayin’?  But what kind of chaos has to be going on here for someone to go running out to confront the world with their hat, face shield, and spear in hand… but no pants? I mean, that shawl is half-assed protection at best. Clearly, this guy didn’t think things through.  Everything else has sharp teeth and hard shells, and here’s the knight charging forward into the fray all squishy and juicy with very little protection.

What these cards say to me is that everyone makes mistakes. Sometimes? We’re impulsive… and that’s okay.  At least as long as no one gets hurt, at any rate.  Don’t beat yourself up for your mistakes and impulsive moments.  There’s no reason to call yourself names and berate your existence. Instead, learn from these experiences so that you can do better next time.

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

November 6 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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@GlitterbyInk #Novelember24 Challenge
One Word Book Title Prompt for November 6th : Trust

Today’s card is the Align card combined with the affirmation “You can be grateful and depressed at the same time. You are not a bad person for struggling to find joy in things right now.”

There are times in life when it feels like you are all alone against the world, backed into a corner and without recourse as the universe seems to stand against you.  This is, sadly, a part of life, and it’s natural to feel depressed during these times and struggle with seeing the good in these situations.

It’s important, though, to always connect with those things you -are- grateful for, even when you feel like you’re at your wit’s end. Sometimes, we have to take a breath and just trust that the situation we’re in and the depression and disenchantment we are feeling is temporary, and that in the long run? The world will keep on moving forward and everything is going to be okay.

DECK USED: MAJICK COTTAGE ORACLE AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

Letting Down Your Guard

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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@GlitterbyInk #Novelember24 Challenge
One Word Book Title Prompt for November 3rd : Becoming

Nightfall Tarot's Four of Swords and It's Going to Be Okay 2024 Day-to-Day Calendar by Kate AllanToday’s draw is the Four of Swords combined with the affirmation “It’s good that you are in the world.”

In both images here, we have not just a figure resting, but resting belly up.  For a cat, this is a sign of pure and complete trust for having the belly exposed is a huge vulnerability for them.  For a person, it’s the opposite. You rest in this position, but you are best on your guard, for it’s exposing one’s back that is a representation of vulnerability.

This connection in both cards speaks to me of what you can become if you allow yourself to trust that rest and recovery is truly a part of life.  Integral and important, instead of something to be ashamed of or feel guilty about.  When you release yourself from this guilt, you give yourself permission to no longer be on guard and truly relax… to truly  -be- in the world, instead of on guard of it.

DECKS USED:  NIGHTFALL TAROT AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2024 Challenge
Prompt for November 3rd : Do Spread 1
Question : What influence does each of these themes have in your life?

Cień Oracle ReadingFate – Restless – Healthy rest is an imperative to a happy life. Death is the end of this journey, but not the end of you. Instead, death is a time to reset, reevaluate, see where you have failed in the lessons you were meant to learn in this life, and prepare for the next cycle to begin.

Destiny – Torn – Your only destiny is growth and transformation. You are meant to make choices in order to develop and grow as a person. This will be the theme of any path you choose to move forward upon.

Chance – Anxiety – Chance is the herald of each lesson you learn and each step in personal growth you take along life’s path. It throws things onto the path you choose to force disruption and demand you move beyond discomfort and fear to make the choices that in turn make up who you become over time.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Hiba Tips for Grounding and Revitalization
Foraged Red Maple Leaf for Adaptability and Connection
Brass Compass Rose for Finding Direction
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
Selenite Moon Phase Bar for Clarifying Cycles

DECK USED: CIEN ORACLE

@empressofthenightslight #SweetnessWithTheEmpress #SweetnessofLife Challenge
Questions for November 2nd and 3rd

The Solitary Witch Oracle and Nightfall Tarot - Six of Swords, Eight of Wands, The TowerIn what area of life am I struggling to acknowledge the sweetness?

Eight of Wands atop The Tower Rx; She is Moonlight Shy – You are not reacting well to the sudden changes that have been going on this season. It’s difficult for you to acknowledge the sweetness and positive aspects of these changes while you are feeling so much uncertainty, and you feel like you’re not being given enough time to adjust.

How can I shift my focus to start to see those blessings?

Six of Swords; Spells from the Hearth – Embrace moving away from the things that are no longer working and no longer healthy for you. That is what this period of change is all about. Seek comfort and refuge in what is familiar, but only when what is familiar is taking you to somewhere better than where you currently are.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Pin Oak Leaf for Strength and Endurance
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration and Clarity
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: NIGHTFALL TAROT AND THE SOLITARY WITCH ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I had dessert at the restaurant, and it was spectacular.

❤️ 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.

Self Care Saturday Tarot Reading with The Baroque Tarot and Lunar Nomad Oracle

The question is… What do I need to focus for self-care through the week ahead?

Earth – The Empress atop Ten of Cups – The week ahead is supposed to be your time off and you need to focus on wallowing in the goodness instead of worrying about what’s coming. Do things that make you happy and allow yourself to have some fun, nurture yourself and your emotions this week.

Air – Two of Swords atop The Emperor – Be decisive when decisions need to be made. No waffling allowed. Others depend on your opinion, and you need to deliver your determinations quickly. Train your focus on leaning into making decisions that are for the greater good.

Water – Ace of Swords – Don’t clam up and shut down when emotions come calling. Instead, share your emotions with others. You’re allowed to have them, and sharing them with those that you trust helps you to sort them out and make sense of them.

Fire – Seven of Swords – Keep an eye out for sabotage… including self sabotage. Keep in mind that when you aren’t careful with where you hide your secrets and your treasures, others with less scruples will have a tendency to slip in and try to take them.

Waning – Moon and Sun – Don’t get bogged down with weighing your options. As mentioned in the Air position of this reading, you need to be decisive and not dither about.

Waxing – House and Tree – Address your difficulties in adapting to the oncoming rush rather than ignoring them, and make sure you are taking yourself out into nature this week for a boost in your health and sense of well-being.

Take Away – Be decisive in the decisions that you need to make this week. Clarity is important both in handing out your opinions and decisions, as well as in communicating your emotions to others.  Make sure you are watching for subterfuge and don’t hesitate when it needs to be dealt with.  Give yourself this last few days of rest.  You need them, and there will be very little rest for you over the next seven weeks so you should use this time to bolster your spirit as well as your well-being while you can.

DECKS USED: THE BAROQUE TAROT AND THE LUNAR NOMAD ORACLE