The Peninsula
I want to go back
to the sea
where sand slips
between toes
and seagulls
scream
and when
you cross the road
the forest
swallows you whole
with moss dripping
from branches
and fern fronds
sway to and fro
Author: Twist the Leaf
Tarotholics Challenge Oracle Reading
#DiscordTarotholicsOct2023 Challenge
Questions for October 27th, 28th, and 30th
What do you need to focus on for self-care for the upcoming full moon?
Roots – “Hiding behind the moldy stones ~ While down below lie rotting bones.” – Work on shoring up your foundations. Covid stole a good deal of your stability. Don’t try jumping ahead too soon. Take time to rest and gain back your stability.
Samhain: As the last harvest approaches, what needs to be discarded from your life?
The Chariot – “Death waits patiently in the corner of life.” – Don’t worry about “seizing the reigns” right now. You won’t be able to take time for resting and regrouping for much longer. Savor it while you can before things get too hectic.
Harvest: What gifts of the season are ready for harvest in your life?
The Star – “Driving leisurely down the road to hell.” – You’re allowed to feel secure and hopeful for the holiday rush while not panicking this year because you have set yourself up to succeed.
DECK USED: CARTES DE VISITE AND NELLIE’S DECK
Gideon’s Challenge
The Frustration
All I want
is to sleep some more
I wake up
and get moving
and then
my energy’s dead
it seems I’m better
until I get going
and then I can’t breathe
and my insides
are wobbling
and I’m frustrated now
so much to do
but another nap’s needed
yet again, nothing new.
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Weekly Creativity Prompt – The Moon
Prompt: “Pull the Moon card from your deck(s). Compare the imagery between the card provided below and the card(s) from your own deck(s). How would you read them differently and why?“
Modern Love Tarot – Eyes closed and hands over heart, the figure in this card is focused on within as the moon shines bright and the wolf howls. In nature, hearing the sound of a wolf’s how can cause fissures of fear and anxiety… or in some it creates a stirring of the wild energy within. There is no such thing as adventure without the niggling of fear to make things exciting. Where are you playing things too safe? Where can you step outside your comfort zone?
Tarot of the Spirit – The man in the moon listens with eyes closed as wolves serenade the night. There’s no domesticity in this card and no contrast for the wild hunt depicted here. What fears are you letting run rampant in your life right now? Where are they calling all the shots?
Silver Acorn Tarot – The Owl and the Hare are having a grand party by moonlight while the tortoise looks on from the water. Like the traditional Moon card, this card depicts two halves of a coin. The wild side that dances in the moonlight and the staid and domesticated side that watches on from a place of stability. This card encourages us to look at which direction we are more likely to lean and examine why that is.
Umbral Embers Tarot – Right, so… I have trypophobia, which means that tie imagery in this particular card causes me a bit of discomfort. It’s right there on the cusp of being shudder-worthy for me, but not yet there. My reaction and discomfort fit the Moon card, and bring to the forefront that aspect of the card’s meaning.  Drawing out the trepidation and sense of unknown that can cause us to feel uncertain and fearful.
DECK USED: MODERN LOVE TAROT, TAROT OF THE SPIRIT, SILVER ACORN TAROT, UMBRAL EMBERS TAROT
Finding the Positive for October 22 – 24
October 22
Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was focused on the message in today’s cards, which is…
Four of Swords (Aosagibi) – Listen to your body and what your body needs. If you feel old and tired, it’s okay to rest. The old blue heron lingers, passing from life to afterlife, but bothers no one. So too can you bother no one. Don’t get worked up. Don’t worry or stress. Don’t allow negative emotions or the push and shove of ambition to hurt your healing progress. Listen to your body, and rest when you need it.
DECK USED: TAROT YOKAI AND HALLOWEEN AFFIRMATION CARDS
October 23
Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was focused on the message in today’s cards, which is…
Queen of Cups – Instead of beating yourself up for being ill and needing rest, give yourself the love and encouragement that you need. Do the things that help nurture you back to help including eating when you need to eat, doing your breathing exercises to keep your lungs healthy, and making sure you do the little self-care things that help such as the salt water rinses, Nyquil before bed, etc. Be kind to yourself.
DECK USED: SILVER ACORN TAROT AND HALLOWEEN AFFIRMATION CARDS
October 24
Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was focused on the message in today’s cards, which is…
Three of Cups and Three of Coins – It’s nobody’s fault that you feel like crap so make sure that you aren’t taking it out on others today. Instead, ask for help when you need it and just enjoy the fact that there’s someone there for you during the times you’re awake. You are no longer contagious, so lean into the help being offered.
DECK USED: RED RAVEN TAROT AND HALLOWEEN AFFIRMATION CARDS
Gideon’s Challenge
The Fun of It All
This is the season
I love the most
with spooky decor
and lots of ghosts
and I get to
dress up
the house and yard
with spooky things
for kids to walk by
when they come
on by
on halloween night
when they
Trick or Treat
Twisting the Leaf 