Author: Twist the Leaf

The Path to Now

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IMG_E0418Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was one of the #DailyCalm sessions from the Calm app.  This meditation focused on vulnerability, and how being vulnerable does not make you weak, but rather it makes you strong.

Vulnerability is often a choice, and when you choose to be vulnerable and show your true self, it can be terrifying.  Courage, is not the absence of fear, but rather moving forward bravely despite the fear you feel.  And thus, choosing to allow vulnerability in your life becomes a strength… never a weakness.

Lord of the Rings Tarot - Nine of RingsToday’s draw is the Nine of Rings (Pentacles), which is traditionally a representation of wealth and accomplishments, gratitude and comfort, and the pleasure of having done well for oneself. This is a solitary pleasure, that moment of adjustment where you are doing well but are not yet comfortable to the point you are then ready to share the wealth (which comes later on in the Ten of Pentacles).

Today, I see the arrival of this card as my daily pull as a reminder to be grateful for all that has been accomplished.  Sometimes, when business is slow, it can be hard to be grateful or acknowledge how far you’ve come, too focused on how far you still want to go.

This card is a reminder that its important to appreciate what came before and how you’ve done, how far you’ve come.  Don’t always be looking ahead to what’s next… sometimes it’s important to be present in the moment instead.

CrowSister’s #DeckStudyTenTrueWords Prompt
Prompt: Distill your reading of the card to your ten truest words.

Acknowledge and appreciate
the journey already taken
and accomplishments achieved

DECK USED:  LORD OF THE RINGS TAROT

Lionharts’ #TheJanuaryTarot 2023 Year of Evolution Challenge Prompt
Question for January 21st: In what area can honoring my true self help me manifest the best?

In2it Angel OracleNuriel – Honoring your true self can help you to connect more strongly to your spiritual path and the practices that are a part of that journey.

Zadkiel – Honoring your true self can help you to accept your limitations and adjust to them instead of punishing yourself for them.

Gabrielle – Honoring your true self can help you to continue to explore your new awareness of (and connection with) your spirit guides and Amalthea.

Take Away: By honoring your true self, you allow yourself a  closer connection with your spiritual path and the divine.  You give yourself the support needed to explore new paths, and to know which ones are right for you… and which ones aren’t.

DECK USED: THE IN2IT ANGEL ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2023 Challenge Prompt
Question for January 21st: What do you need to focus on for self-care for this new moon?

Lord of the Rings Tarot - Ten of Rings, Four of Rings, Five of WandsReading Summary: Remember that stability (Ten of Rings) and security (Four of Rings) looks different for everyone (Five of Wands).

Take Away: What works for you isn’t always going to work for everyone else, and what makes you feel safe and stable often won’t be the same for everyone else either.

For self care this new moon, make sure that you are focusing on what -you- need, and let other people deal with their own needs in this area.  You don’t have to be the provider of stability for everyone… just focus on your needs and the rest will take care of itself in its own time. If there are those in your life that rock the boat about it?  Then they’re being selfish and need to focus on fulfilling those needs for themselves instead of expecting you to do it for them.

DECK USED: LORD OF THE RINGS TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

This is a catch-up post, and I can’t remember what my self kindness might have been on this day.

Gideon’s Challenge

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IMG_9863Sweater Weather

Lets walk together
fingers interlaced
in fields
turned winter red
as a vibrant sky
lends twilight dusk
to the day
and the nip of
sweater weather
teases our skin
and draws us in
closer
to one another
with each step
taken

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Expressing Convictions

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Seeker Saga Tarot - King of SwordsToday’s draw is the King of Stars (Wands), which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s passions, drive, determination, principles, values, and willpower. The King of Wands often indicates themes that have to do with leadership figures or authority figures with the ability to rally others to their causes and draw them in to their own values, principles, and passions.

In the imagery of this card, we see a figure doing just that.  He speaks before others, taking center stage to say his piece and spark within others the motivation and values he desires to see.  This skill of communication could speak of the King of Swords, but it is in his purpose we find the King of Wands, for he seeks to rally others to his cause through passion and conviction, rather than using logic to convince them.

This card asks where in your life do you need to use a bit more passion and conviction to win others over and influence them to follow your lead?  Where are you being too compliant instead of stepping up and leading the way?

DECK USED:  SEEKER SAGA TAROT

Lionharts’ #TheJanuaryTarot 2023 Year of Evolution Challenge Prompt
Question for January 20th: What can I do today to honor/embrace my unique authentic self?

Seeker Saga Tarot - Ace of Keys, The Devil, The MoonReading Summary: Communication is the key (Ace of Keys/Swords) to embracing your authentic self. Don’t allow uncertainty (The Moon) to drive you into your addictions (The Devil Rx) as a way to avoid things… express what’s going on instead..

Take Away: Remember that your addictions are not the whole of who you are.  Do not lean into them to find identity when you are feeling uncertain or uncomfortable.

Instead, use your words and express how you’re feeling, allowing others to help you to find your balance and lead you back to your unique and authentic self.

DECK USED: SEEKER SAGA TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

This is a catch-up post, and I can’t remember what my self kindness might have been on this day.

Gideon’s Challenge

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IMG_0132Transitions

Winter nips
bit by bit
at the edges
of our senses
stinging sinuses
and biting
at fingertips
on its way past
as dawn creeps
a little earlier
with each day
that passes
until spring
begins

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

🌑 New Moon in Aquarius – January 2023

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Tomorrow is the new moon, and like all new moons and full moons, I did a spread aligned to the moon’s current themes as a part of my recognition of the moon’s cycle and influences upon us. Today’s New Moon in Aquarius spread is brought to you by @bee_conscious_crafting on Instagram.

New Moon in Aquarius Tarot Reading with Tarot FaunaIn which area do I need to think outside the box?

The Hermit – New and healthy alone time ideas are needed. You’re feeling a bit uninspired by some of your old methods, so it’s time to look at developing some new ones that are just as healthy.

What version of “me” do I want to embody?

Ten of Feathers – The survivor. I don’t want to be the victim or the one that is left bloody and dead in the dust, but rather the survivor who, even when injured, picks themselves up and continues onward.

How can I make myself more seen and heard?

Ace of Rocks – Inspire others to look for hidden opportunities. Show them just how much potential life holds if you’re willing to open yourself up to it.

New Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.

King of Torches – It’s okay to go after what you want, just bring others along for the ride. You’re not alone, but are instead leading an army in your wake.

DECK USED: TAROT FAUNA

Acknowledging the Problem

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

The Phantomwise Tarot - The DevilToday’s draw is the Devil card, which is traditionally a representation of temptations, addictions, and the quandary that we get ourselves into when we go “too deep” into something we (at least initially in some way) enjoy.

What really draws my attention in this card is the shadow of the figure at the table’s end.  Addiction draws a long, long shadow in our lives.  What starts off as something enjoyable becomes an obsession, then a need, and develops into something unhealthy that we can’t do without.  When we kick an addition, it’s still there lingering, stretching out into the future to forever continue to tempt us even once we’ve distanced ourselves from it.

The message in today’s card is an encouragement to not ignore these addictions and their temptations, but acknowledge their presence so that you can better make healthy choices… informed healthy choices, instead of possibly stumbling back into something you have kicked and are trying to avoid.

CrowSister’s #DeckStudyTenTrueWords Prompt
Prompt: Distill your reading of the card to your ten truest words.

Elephants in the room
sit at the table
patiently waiting

DECK USED:  THE PHANTOMWISE TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2023 Challenge Prompt
Question for January 18th and 20th:

The Phantomwise TarotPhilosophical Question: Currently, what is humanity’s biggest challenge?

Page of Swords and Ace of Cups – Cutting off one’s nose to spite their face. Humanity must repeat their mistakes again and again, for emotion makes our memories too short to remember we’ve made those mistakes already before.

New Friends Day – How could making new friends better your life?

Ten of Wands, The Chariot, and Three of Wands – When there is less burden for you to carry, the journey goes far quicker towards your goals. The more friends there are, the more arms their have to carry the load while you steer the bus towards your goals and dreams.

International Day of Acceptance – How can you better accept others’ perceived faults?

Four of Wands and Queen of Wands – Find comfort in that no one is perfect. Seek out the value in these people despite those perceived faults (or even the value in those faults themselves), and help others find the value in them as well.

DECK USED: THE PHANTOMWISE TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

This is a catch-up post, and I can’t remember what my self kindness might have been on this day.