Author: Twist the Leaf

The Strength of Presence

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Today’s meditation untimed, and was done out on the front steps of the new house, while soaking in the wonderful cool temps of the cement against my back and looking up at the fluff of clouds in the sky above as they wandered through my line of sight.

Anna K Tarot Indie Edition - Strength CardToday’s draw is the Strength card, which is traditionally a representation of inner strength, influence over others through persuasion, compassion, and courage.

Sometimes strength comes in the things you do for others.   The trip today is planning to be uneventful, but needed. It’s not safe for a 70+ year old woman with balance/stability issues to be putting up curtain rods and curtains by herself. By being there, she has no choice but to let us help, whether she wants to admit she needs it or not.

DECK USED:  ANNA K TAROT INDIE EDITION

The Rainbow Moonscape #VennoxesTarotChallenge Prompt
Question for August 26th: How should I celebrate my accomplishments?

Tarot of the Tattoo Age and Tarotbot BlackKeep a close watch on your addictions so that they do not get out of control and risk the security you find so comforting (the Devil atop Queen of Coins). This includes watching your spending (Four of Coins). Don’t part with what’s hard earned unless you absolutely need to (Seven of Swords Rx).

Seek out other ways to celebrate other than feeding your addictions.

Topic for August 27th: Do the Taking Charge Spread

What personal flaw can I work on?

Seven of Swords – “Stealing from Peter to pay Paul” was the phrase that came to mind when this card came out.

This isn’t so much about money as it is about how you spend your time, and not getting enough time in with the things that really matter because you’re too busy fussing and/or wasting time with the things that don’t.

What’s my next practical action?

Ten of Pentacles Rx – Right now everything is feeling out of whack, and rightly so because it is. You need to work on reestablishing balance and a good foundation on which that balance can rest upon.

How do I cope with change?

King of Cups atop The Moon – You cope with change by reaching out to Gideon when you are feeling uncertain or fears begin to arise. By consulting with your personal King of Cups, you’re able to find balance even through the uncertainty. He helps you stay on track during these times.

DECK USED: TAROTBOT BLACK EDITION AND TAROT OF THE TATTOO AGE

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2022 Challenge Prompt
Question for August 26th: What do I need to focus on for self-care for this new moon?

Anna K Tarot Indie Edition - Seven of Swords, Two of Wands, Page of SwordsReading Summary: Watch out for thieving assholes (Seven of Swords) who’s action could change your plans (Two of Wands). You may have to learn on the fly how to fight against them, but you definitely don’t want them getting the upper hand (Page of Swords).

Notation: Lots of Seven of Swords in my card pulls today.

Take Away: Do what you can today to take away opportunity for people to fuck you over. Although you can’t predict every instance or method that might come about, you can deal with a lot of it and mitigate their effects on you and your life by being proactive.

This new moon is a good time to research security systems for the house.

DECK USED: ANNA K TAROT INDIE EDITION

Daily Self Kindness

I took breaks when I needed to, and made sure to take some ibuprofen with me (which I took instead of forgetting about) so that I could head off the incoming inflammation in my ribs, hip, and back.

🌑 New Moon in Virgo – August 2022

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Today 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 spread is about the medicine within, and brought to you by Ethony‘s Tarot by the Moon series.

New Moon in Virgo Tarot Reading with the Seed and Sickle Oracle

Where should I focus my energy this season?

Poppy – You need to focus your energy on letting go of regrets, recriminations, and other unhelpful self-talk and emotions that can only get in the way of you continuing to move forward in a healthy way.

What needs re-evaluation?

Cherry – Where are you neglecting yourself and what do you need to do to step up in this area? In the lull between your last project and your next big one, you need to take time to realign and find balance again.

Where do I need to get more organized?

Feverfew – Look at your schedule and get better organized with your time. There are people who need some of your time and attention who are not getting what they need, but by taking some time to re-organize your schedule you can better make sure they are getting that time with you.

What is just a distraction that I need to ignore?

Mustard – Your fears that you are weak and incapable are unfounded. In truth you are strong and capable of far more than you could ever imagine.

What project would benefit from my full attention?

Strawberry – Be generous with those that need your time and are feeling the scarcity of your attention. Make them feel as if their cups are full.

New Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.

Verbena – Take some time to rest, breathe, and make a nice with yourself.

DECK USED: THE SEED AND SICKLE ORACLE

Hit and Miss

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Today’s meditation was skipped (yet again).

Tarot Chimera - Two of CupsToday’s draw is the Two of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of union, connection, partnerships, commonalities, and mutuality.

What I noticed most about the illustration on this card is that the female centaur doesn’t look at all impressed with her suitor.

The message here is that it’s okay to not connect with everyone, even with those you thought you might click with.

Sometimes, it’s just not meant to be… whether that “it” is a relationship, a friendship, or even some sort of acquaintance connection. It falls under that whole “You can’t please everyone all the time” adage.

DECK USED:  TAROT CHIMERA

Mr Lionhart’s #TheAugustTarot Be Here Now Prompt
Questions for August 25th thru 27th

Old School Tarot and The Stitcher's OracleIn what area am I guided to take a leap of faith under this New Moon?

You don’t always have to “measure twice, cut once” (Tape Measure). Remember that it’s okay to let enthusiasm carry you away now and then (Capricorn).

How can this New Moon help me move towards building more independence?

Stop allowing your emotions (Ace of Cups Rx) to cause you to overreact (Five of Cups). You can feel then without acting upon them (Knight of Wands Rx).

What should I be mindful of during this New Moon cycle?

Take care to lean more heavily into even-minded balance and fairness (Libra) until the quarter moon arrives (Half Moon Stitch).

DECK USED: OLD SCHOOL TAROT W/ ZODIAC EXPANSION AND THE STITCHER’S ORACLE

The Rainbow Moonscape #VennoxesTarotChallenge Prompt
Questions for August 24th and 25th

Tarot ChimeraHow can I inspire hope in others?

King of Swords Rx and Nine of Pentacles Rx – Don’t be too bossy or take it upon yourself to decide what’s best for others. Sometimes people need to put in the work (and mistakes) for themselves, and it can be far better at these times to be there to help when they stumble rather than telling them how to navigate from the start.

What things do I take a little too personally?

Chimera and The Hermit Rx – When things are not as they seem, it’s not some nefarious plan to set you off balance or isolate you. Don’t allow it to give rise to your paranoia or set you off balance.

DECK USED: TAROT CHIMERA

Daily Self Kindness

I soaked in an Epsom salt and apple cider vinegar bath today to help ease my rib pain and help treat some heat rash I’ve been dealing with.

Smooth and Calm

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Reverse Scale Tarot - Ace of CupsToday’s draw is the Ace of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of the seed of new beginnings in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, and intuition.

The reminder here is in the overflow of water from the cup, and is about making sure that you’re not losing your sight of your goals when emotions rise up and try to make a mess of things.

Today is promising to be an emotional day.  Just make sure you’re remembering that this is a time of newness for you where your emotions are concerned.  Take a breath and keep the waters smooth and calm.

DECK USED:  REVERSE SCALE TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2022 Challenge Prompt
Question for August 23rd and 25th and 27th

Reverse Scale Tarot and Shadow Healing Aboriginal Guidance CardsWhere in life do I need to be serious and buckle down?

Five of Cups Rx atop Ace of Cups, Anger – Don’t turn away from your emotions, even the negative ones. They don’t have to be pushed away and ignored, and aren’t as destructive or ugly as you make them out to be.

As an adult, where do I take myself too seriously?

Two of Wands and Frustration – Road blocks are not the end of the road, so don’t worry so much about delays in the planning stage. Not everything has to be a rush.

How can I go about lightening up in the areas where I take myself too seriously?

Ace of Pentacles Rx atop Page of Swords, Overwhelmed – Don’t start over when you get irritated and frustrated. Stick with it instead. Take a breath, let it go, and accept whatever frustrations are bothering you as a part of the learning experience.

DECK USED: REVERSE SCALE TAROT AND SHADOW HEALING ABORIGINAL GUIDANCE CARDS

Daily Self Kindness

Today’s self kindness was cutting the readings for today in half so that I wasn’t so rushed this morning.

Filling the Void

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Sambucus Tarot Collectors EditionToday’s draw is the Tower card, which is traditionally a representation of sudden, chaotic change.  This is the kind of change that  you don’t see coming.  It’s usually big, loud, and filled with chaos and drama.  It is the kind of change that removes those things that need removing so that something new can take its place.

Although the art style is very modern, the theme in this card is classic.  The lightning.  The Tower.  The storm.  It all comes together as a reminder that this kind of change is often destructive, but that that destruction has a purpose.  Instead of focusing on what’s been lost, seek out what there is that can now be brought in to fill the void left behind.

DECK USED:  SAMBUCUS TAROT COLLECTORS EDITION

Mr Lionhart’s #TheAugustTarot Be Here Now Prompt
Questions for August 22nd thru 24th

Sea + Soul Journey CardsWhat personal lessons does Virgo want to teach me during Virgo season?

Joy, Believe, and Shine – Virgo wants to help you in developing the ability to lift yourself up, even during difficult times through a sense of faith, hope, and joy. Being a pessimistic person at heart, it is too easy to fall back into old habits, and Virgo season seeks to teach you to hold onto those positive influences in your life that leaning into optimism can provide.

In what area is Virgo guiding me to focus {more} on myself and my needs?

Space and Soothed – Virgo wishes to remind you that meditation is an activity that has a great deal of benefits that are needed in your life. You need to start making sure that you are making the space to allow for this activity to happen each day.

Where can I be more self-reliant and thus less dependent on those around me?

Bliss – Please yourself above others. Make yourself and what you take pleasure in a priority.

DECK USED: SEA + SOUL JOURNEY ORACLE (trimmed)

The #ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt by E Roebuck-Jones
Questions for August 21st and 22nd

Sambucus Tarot Collectors EditionWhat memories bring me joy?

Memories of times when you are not lost within yourself and stuck in a place unable to see the world around you clearly (Four of Cups Rx). These memories of times free of depression allow you to see clearly where you are on your chosen path and that you are headed in the right direction (Judgement).

What memories bring me pain?

Times when you have tumbled headlong (The Fool) into addictions and unhealthy practices that are self-harming and otherwise destructive (The Devil Rx).

DECK USED: SAMBUCUS TAROT COLLECTORS EDITION

Daily Self Kindness

I’m almost at the end of my marathon of catching up, but this is another one that I can’t remember what self kindness I did for myself today.

Flex Through It

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

Inkromancy 3 Skulls EditionToday’s draw is the Nine of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of anxiety, worries, nightmares, insomnia, and negative inner dialogue.

In the imagery of this card, the two petals of the flower that are on each side look to me like one of those “bicep arm flex” emojis. This impression, combined with the fact that it is the Nine of Swords, speaks to me of a need to stand strong in the face of anxiety and worry.

Today’s card is a reminder that things are not always as bad as they seem or are made out to be in your head, and it sometimes a little extra “flex” can help carry us through to the other side of these triggering issues.

DECK USED:  INKROMANCY 3 SKULL EDITION

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2022 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Do Spread #3

Age of Aquarius TarotSeeds Sown – What seeds for my emotional growth planted in the Spring have flourished and grown strong?

Four of Swords and Six of Cups – You’ve done well at working towards setting aside the issues of the past and letting them rest instead of continuing to plague you. In the spring you struggled a lot with your depression, but in putting rest to the past, you’ve been able to move forward and upward into a healthier space.

The Chaff – What seeds have not flourished and need to be let go to encourage healthy growth in other areas?

Three of Swords and The Devil – The temptation to allow your depression to linger is something you were struggling with a great deal in the spring and early summer. You’ve managed to set that aside though, and as a result are feeling much better now.

You need to keep in mind why you set those complacent behaviors aside and how they were feeding into that lingering depression, so that you do not repeat the behaviors that could encourage it to return.

The Harvest – How can I best prepare now to reap the benefits of a positive and healthy harvest in the Fall?

Judgement and Six of Rods Rx – Work on setting aside people pleasing urges so that you are not influenced by others with the coming fall. You need to keep in mind where your values lie and let them guide your actions, and not worry so much about others and the possible negative impressions you may make along the way.

In other words, you can’t please everybody, but you damn well better please yourself.

DECK USED: AGE OF AQUARIUS TAROT

The Rainbow Moonscape #VennoxesTarotChallenge Prompt
Questions for August 21st thru 23rd

Inkromancy 3 Skulls EditionWhat situation do I need to view with objective eyes?

You need to remember that it’s okay not to be able to hold everything together on your own all of the time (Page of Swords). Such an endeavor is a community job, and is not all on your shoulders alone. It is through the diversity of community and differences that reside there that we find the “glue” that holds everything together (Five of Wands).

What emotions am I repressing?

Frustration (Seven of Cups) and disappointment in myself (Three of Swords) for the times when I’ve struggled to find balance (Two of Swords Rx).

How do I forgive myself?

Keep at it (Eight of Pentacles), and remember that shit falling apart as a part of life (The Tower). It’s not your fault, and even if it is, it makes things better in the end so don’t blame yourself so harshly for the things that are out of your control (The Tower Rx).

DECK USED: INKROMANCY 3 SKULL EDITION

Daily Self Kindness

I’ve been trying over the past couple of days to disperse my work load so that I don’t feel as overwhelmed coming back from my days off.