Author: Twist the Leaf

Adventures and Trepidation

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

The Hobbit Tarot Fool Card and It's Going to Be Okay 2024 Day-to-Day Calendar by Kate AllanToday’s draw is the Fool card, combined with the affirmation “I know you feel anxious, but you forgot the part where you’re the toughest of cookies.”

Sometimes, starting new things feels like an adventure… and sometimes adventures can feel terrifying.  That doesn’t mean that they’re bad or that you won’t get through them, though.  It simply means a little trepidation is natural.

You know how sometimes you have a crap load of different little things to do, but you’re frozen in procrastination because it all just seems so huge an insurmountable?

The only way to break free during these times is to focus on one small thing. Just one.  Then when that’s done, focus on one other small thing, then another.  And soon, that huge pile of things needing done is gone and you’re looking back thinking “well that wasn’t bad at all… why did I put it off for so long?!”

That is what this card is saying.  It’s saying… keep going. One small step at a time, and you’ll get through this just fine.

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

@Lionharts #TheJanuaryTarot 2024 January Initiation Prompt
Question for January 5th : In manifesting my goals for the year, what magical tools can enhance the inception of my journey throughout the year? (Shuffle your deck and go through until you find The Magician. The next card will answer this question.)

The HP Tarot - Magician, Ten of Wands, Nine of Cups, Three of PentaclesThree of Pentacles – Allow others to help you in your work. The magic lies within being together, and the blending of the skills and abilities of each of those involved.

Nine of Cups – Happiness is another magical tool hiding in plain sight. It lifts you up and lightens your load. Don’t withhold happiness from yourself in order to punish yourself or because you believe you don’t deserve it.

Ten of Wands Rx – Rest. This isn’t about recuperation or recovery. The magic of rest is in avoiding getting to the point where you need to recuperate or recover in the first place.

Take Away: All of these “magical tools” are a type of magic that is hidden in plain sight. They are magical tools that we take for granted because they live within the ordinary of day-to-day. Take care that you do not take them for granted this year when starting out on the path to your goals, and as a result they will help you not just at the inception of your journey, but throughout the length of the long and winding path forward.

DECK USED: THE HP TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2024 Challenge Prompt
Questions for January 6th and 7th

The Hobbit Tarot - Six of Wands, King of Wands, King of SwordsWhat is a negative thing in your life that you don’t need to stress over?

King of Wands atop King of Swords – Your passion and drive are commendable, and you are always so focused on where you want to go and how to get there. The problem lies in that you’re so focused on that drive and the strategy to get to your goals that you forget that is not the end all, be all of life. It means you don’t just push yourself too hard, but often push others too hard as well.  Try easing up on the reins a bit and letting things flow at their own pace.

What is a positive thing in your life that you need to spend more time focusing on?

Six of Wands – Others. Remember that life isn’t just about what you want, but what others want as well. It’s okay to be a people-pleaser as long as you’re not sacrificing your own values, well-being, and boundaries in the process. You’re allowed to make other people happy.

DECK USED: THE HOBBIT TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I went through my KS pledges today and pared things down, backing out of a number of projects that after some contemplation feel like they’re not quite hitting the mark for me.

Gideon’s Challenge

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Chicken Teriyaki BowlCravings

So delicious
both tangy and sweet
with just a bit
of spice
I daydream about
the chicken
veggies and rice
but it’s the
yogurt sauce
that is the key
to a perfect
chicken teriyaki
and I just wish
with all my heart
that I could find
the recipe

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

No Choice is the Worst Choice

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#DailyCalm with the Calm appToday’s meditation was ten minutes long and was a #dailycalm session from the Calm app. Today’s session was a practice in only focusing on the inhales, which I’ve never tried before and found extremely relaxing.

In the discussion part of the session, it spoke on the differences between resolutions and intentions, focusing most strongly on the fact that with resolutions, we have a tendency to give up when we slip… where as with intentions there is a bit more wiggle room and we are more likely to start again rather than abandoning the goal entirely.

Weary Writer's Tarot Seven of Cups and It's Going to Be Okay 2024 Day-to-Day Calendar by Kate AllanToday’s draw is the Seven of Cups, combined with the affirmation “You are trying, and that’s what matters.” The key element in this combination of cards is in the trying.

Sometimes indecision makes it a struggle to move or make the choices that need to be made. It can be a problem and can cause you to stall out.

Today’s cards say that in these situations, don’t stop trying and just let things sit.  Don’t allow indecision to keep you still and stagnant. Sometimes, any choice is better than -no- choice; so as long as you’re still striving towards movement, you’re good. It means you’re still trying and you haven’t given up.

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

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2024 Challenge Prompt
Questions for January 4th

Keeper of the Trees OracleWhat luck is coming your way?

Keeper of Surrender – “There are times when effort only creates futility and extends suffering. ” You have the opportunity to let go and rest, stress less… strive less, and breathe more easily. Although the money of the holiday rush is nice, it’s not a pace that you can sustain long-term. Seek out and acknowledge how fortunate you are that you can now let it go and sink into a calmer space.

How can you foster it into fruition?

Keeper of Boundaries – “The secret irony hiding inside your willingness to say ‘no’ is that it allows your ‘yes’ to be more resolute and ecstatic.”  Do not allow your aspirations and the hidden driving force within you that trauma from your past creates to pull you away from giving yourself space and self-care and quietude. It’s true you can’t stay still and leave everything behind, but that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve this calmer time and the rest it offers.

DECK USED: TREE KEEPERS ORACLE

@Lionharts #TheJanuaryTarot 2024 January Initiation Prompt
Question for January 4th : As I begin to explore my unfolding path of 2024, what veiled elements of the unknown ask for my open-hearted embrace? (Shuffle your deck and go through until you find The Fool. The next card will answer this question.)

Weary Writer's Tarot - King of Cups and The FoolKing of Cups Rx – Emotional instability is a part of your life experience that is unavoidable.  It’s something you need to learn, and isn’t something to avoid or be afraid of.  Rather, times of emotional instability are something to explore and learn from.

You can’t gain stability without exploration and experience. This is true in the area of your resources… and it’s just as true in the area of your emotional well-being and emotional intelligence.

DECK USED: WEARY WRITER’S TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I have spent the last few days spending a great deal of time with Gideon, and that included today. Even so, I also got some work done today toward my shipping deadline on Tuesday. Having gotten the teardrops and earrings done helps to take some of the pressure off for the upcoming deadline.

Gideon’s Challenge

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The CrossingThe Crossing

The trees whisper
a promise of shelter
as we move
along the path
only to pause
at a bridge
connecting
one hill to the next
and rather than
moving on
we spend the time
to climb down
and peek
at the surprises
beneath

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

The Importance of Appreciation

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Today’s meditation was skipped. It was sacrificed to a marathon cuddling session with Ms Luna on the bed.

The Wandering Moon Tarot Midnight Sky Edition Nine of Stars (Nine of Pentacles) and It's Going to Be Okay 2024 Day-to-Day Calendar by Kate AllanToday’s draw is the Nine of Stars (Pentacles) combined with the affirmation “Your life is important and worth more than this difficult moment.”

Together, they are a reminder that when things get difficult and it feels like the struggles will never end, that it’s time to look back at all you have accomplished and how far you’ve come. Take the time in these moments that seem so bleak to seek out and enjoy the successes and the “good stuff” you’ve surrounded yourself with instead of sinking into defeatist thoughts.

DECK USED:  THE WANDERING MOON TAROT MIDNIGHT SKY EDITION AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

@Lionharts #TheJanuaryTarot 2024 January Initiation Prompt
Question for January 3rd :How can I actively manifest the spirit of a committed start to my 2024 journey?

Animal Healing OracleReading Summary: Stay true to yourself (Skunk) and open to new ideas and creative possibilities (Dog).

Take Away: You have spent a great deal of time closing yourself off over the past year due to circumstance and necessity. It has not just separated you from others, but from your own inspiration and creative spark.

Committing to your 2024 journey will require you to start opening up again, for it’s when you let your inner depths shine that your creative energies flow more smoothly.

DECK USED: ANIMAL HEALING ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2024 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question for January 3rd : Would life lose meaning if we could live forever?

The Wandering Moon Tarot Midnight Sky Edition - Eight of Swords, The Sun, Three of Wands, Queen of Pentacles, Queen of StarsReading Summary: As long as you don’t blind yourself (Eight of Swords Rx) to the positive things in life (The Sun) and lose sight of what success means to you (Queen of Pentacles Rx), then there will always be new adventures to explore (Three of Wands).

Take Away: It is when one allows themselves to become disenchanted and jaded that immortality takes on a sour note. Putting concerted effort into staying open to new things and enjoying what life has to offer can keep life full of meaning no matter how long you live.

DECK USED: THE WANDERING MOON TAROT MIDNIGHT SKY EDITION

Daily Self Kindness

I really needed some Miss Luna time today. I spent a good hour and a bit cuddling with her in bed and it was so nice.

Gideon’s Challenge

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Deck ShibariDeck Shibari

I check my mail
and what do I see
but a wonderful gift
waiting for me
A quintet of Lennies
have arrived in the mail
in bubble wrap and tissue
that I eagerly tear
and as ripping ensues
what I find within
takes me by surprise
and makes me grin
Both creative and lovely
each one has been
bound with care
My brain whispers “shibari”
and I just had to share.

Photo © ZenStatePhotography