Finding the Positive for December 29 – 31

Card of the Day Tarot Reading with the Christmas Tales Tarot, Christmas Cheer Tarot, and Yuletide Tarot

December 29 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Today’s card is the Five of Cups combined with the affirmation “You are not failing. Depression lies. Keep going.”

There is a specific reason that these card of the day exercises are always focused on the positive. It’s a part of the mental health exercise that my therapist encouraged me to start a few years ago.

The problem is that when your brain resides constantly in a state of negative inner narratives and pessimistic views, it begins to hold sway your emotions and outlook on life, and can thus negatively influence your mental health. That is where my therapist comes into the picture, because I am absolutely one of those people whose brain lives in that negative space when left to its own devices.

This card of the day exercise is for self-care, and focuses on helping in seeing a more positive, optimistic perspective. When I started a few years ago, I really didn’t think it would help. In fact, I scoffed at the idea and was not at all enthusiastic about it.

Years later, though, there’s no arguing with the results. By pulling a card each day asking for “a positive message to carry with me throughout the day and offer perspective”, and taking the time to write out what that positive message is each day?  I have managed cut down on the number of depressive episodes I experience as well as shorten their duration.

This exercise doesn’t mean that the bad stuff isn’t still there, or that I ignore it. It just provides a positive touch of perspective to my otherwise pessimistic mind. It helps.

With the holiday rush over, it’s time to get back on the wagon. Today’s cards are a welcome back, as well as a reminder about what this exercise is all about.

I hope that in my sharing these daily cards publicly, it helps you too.

DECK USED: CHRISTMAS TALE TAROT AND SELF-MADE CHRISTMAS AFFIRMATION CARDS

December 30 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Today’s card is the Knight of Wands combined with the affirmation “I choose to see the magic and wonder in every moment.”

There is a reminder here about being enthusiastic in the pursuit of the things that you enjoy.  Don’t trudge through life with your enthusiasm flagging, but instead sprint forward eagerly like a kid with a sled in the snow. 

When you bring this enthusiasm into the every day, and apply it to ordinary moments, it allows you to see life through a lens filled with magic and wonder, rather than the sloop shouldered disregard that us adults often cast our gaze upon the world around us.

Don’t let fun, amusement, and moments of gaiety and laughter pass you by.  Dive in to experience and savor them instead.

DECK USED: YULETIDE TAROT AND SELF-MADE CHRISTMAS AFFIRMATION CARDS

December 31 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped

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Today’s card is The Hierophant combined with the affirmation “You make the world merrier with your festive cheer.”

Okay, so… to be fair?  I’m not really the cheery type. This isn’t really a surprise to those that know me. I do, however, really love the holidays.  I love seeing everyone’s enthusiasm for decorating and making things look beautiful and festive.  I like seeing the traditions that take place, and how they differ from person to person and from family to family.  I find a great deal of joy in these things.

In the week following Christmas? I’ve actually been able to enjoy some of them too.  I’ve taken drives to look at the decorations that people still have out on display, and visited stores where I’ve taken pleasure in seeing the holiday frosted cupcakes, the decorations on last-minute sale, and enjoyed the more relaxed atmosphere of everyone -not- rushing around like spastic chickens with their heads cut off.

In doing these things, I’ve seen those around me also finding enjoyment in them… in getting to share them with me.

Today’s cards are a reminder that when traditions are shared? They take on meaning. Importance.  And an atmosphere of joy and enjoyment that touches everyone involved.  Traditions are important. They’re special, and they’re meant to be savored and enjoyed.

Happy New Year everyone!

DECK USED: CHRISTMAS CHEER TAROT AND SELF-MADE CHRISTMAS AFFIRMATION CARDS

📆 Transitioning from December to January

Month End Lenormand reading with the Petit Lenormand Noëldine

Here and Now I Exist – Who you are now, in your entirety.

Anchor and Fox – You are finding yourself with the urge to avoid risk and take things slow with others. Although you are feeling stable and comfortable in who you are, you are currently feeling cautious about moving out of your shell, and feel the need to take things at a slow and careful pace.

The Slough – What is to be left in the past as you move forward.

Woman and Ship – The absent woman needs to remain absent. Although they are on their way, they are still at a distance and have been missing for some time. Now is not the time to welcome a return with open arms.

What Lies Ahead – An ideal state or ideal self you are seeking at this time.

Star and Man – A hopeful, positive, and optimistic outlook with a sense of self-possession and stability. Your dominant temperament is rising. Make sure you take these urges to a good place, and don’t let your negative tendencies smother them or turn them toward somewhere dark.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

Fish and Book – Financial tomfoolery is afoot, and there are important lessons to be learned from an incoming experience that you are not going to enjoy. This makes perfect sense considering the building levy quickly approaching that you need to make time to see a financial advisor about this month.

The Boon – Positive influences, higher guidance, or divine intervention.

Key and Path – New avenues are about to land in your lap that you need to open yourself up to. Just because they aren’t the plan you had in mind doesn’t mean it’s not the right path for you. Don’t be stubborn. Be open minded and don’t allow yourself to get stymied by indecision or bullheadedness.

The Wound – An unpleasant past experience or event that is ripe for some support and healing.

Tree and Bear – There are those in your past that were meant to create a sense of stability in your life, but did not. This lack of stability from others when it was so sorely needed may have made you the fiercely independent person you are today, but has also had long reaching negative effects on your health.

Nostalgia – A positive past experience or event to acknowledge, reflect upon, and enjoy.

Sun and Moon – Take time to reflect upon those in your life that have helped you to sort through your emotions. They are the light that shines upon your moments of uncertainty, and help everything make sense. Be mindful to turn toward them instead of away.

A Warning – Something coming that can be prevented or overcome.

Letter and Mountain – Do not allow communication to stagnate between you and others. The longer you hold back and more you avoid dealing with communication issues, the more insurmountable those issues will begin to feel.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Mice and Birds – People talk and the assholes are restless. Make sure that you are paying attention to what’s going on around you, and any hint of whispers on the wind. You are not being paranoid, but instead need to be prepared to act quickly and decisively as soon as any issues arise.

Message from the Spirit World – In times when struggles approach and you feel held back or cornered in, be true to yourself and listen to what your gut is saying instead of the murmurs and whispers of those that seek to break your self-confidence.

Message from the Mind’s World – It’s okay for the softness within you to be on the retreat for a time. Know thyself. Know your needs and own them. Embrace the dominant side and have fun with it while it’s on the rise.

Message from the Physical World – Protect your health with time proven methods you’ve researched and developed over time. When you feel better physically, you feel better emotionally as well.

Take Away – There are warnings here about harmful rumors approaching and troublemakers trying to skirt along the edges. Be proactive and stay on top of these issues instead of putting them off until later.  Being decisive is needed in this area.

Take care of your physical health, and make sure that you are communicating openly with others about how you are feeling emotionally.  These two aspects of  your well-being are connected and work together.

Deal with the levy issue as soon as possible and don’t plant your feet in whatever plans you’ve been making in the back of your head.  That financial advisor has good advice to give and a  possible better route through the financial struggles to come than the ideas and worries that you’ve been percolating on.

DECKS USED: PETIT LENORMAND NOËLDINE