Author: Twist the Leaf

Getting In Your Own Way

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Today’s meditation was skipped.  I did some dawdling on the bed today, but I didn’t actually meditate.

Mage Tarot Ascension EditionToday’s draw is the Five of Pattern (Pentacles), which is traditionally a representation of tests, trials, and hardship in the areas of one’s finances, resources, home life, labors, and manifestations.

What I see in the imagery of today’s card is a man imprisoned, and it seems to me that it’s the same man (with hair) that is on the screen behind him.  This gives me the impression that the man is in chains of his own making, his thoughts, judgements, and displeasure projected behind him and continuing the imprisonment of his own making.  It is a cycle of self-judgement that turns into an inability to act, which perpetuates self judgement, and further inability to act.

The message that I then see here in today’s card is that you can’t work well or efficiently when you’re all stuck in your own head. Sometimes, we bring ourselves down far better than anyone else ever could.  There is encouragement here, therefore, to examine what negative inner narratives and judgements might be holding you back from taking action or performing at your best?

DECK USED: MAGE TAROT THE ASCENSION

Mr Lionhart’s #TheSeptemberTarot Between Dusk & Dawn Prompt
Questions for September 25th thru 27th – CELEBRATE

Black Cat Tarot and Mystic Garbage OracleWhat is something about my journey I can be grateful of /for?

Knight of Wands and Crystal – Your path is unconventional and most of your interests are as well. Be grateful for the ability to safely and happily go about your passions and interests without danger to yourself or those around you. In many places in the world this is not the case and you must toe the line or pay serious consequences.

If tarot would be my soul currency, what card would make me wealthy?

Death and Artemis – Don’t allow the changes in life to beat you down, but continue being yourself regardless of what comes your way.

Confession… I did not understand the question, so I just winged it and let the cards tell me what they wanted to say. Although I still do not understand the question… I understand what the cards are saying.

How am I invited today to celebrate my life and that which is dear to me?

Strength and Sunflower – Use the knowledge you have gained about positivity and optimism as tools to lift you up and make each day just a little better.

DECK USED: BLACK CAT TAROT AND MYSTIC GARBAGE ORACLE

To Cull & Gather #VennoxesTarotChallenge Prompt
Questions for September 25th – BALANCING RELATIONSHIPS

Mage Tarot Ascension EditionHow do I balance my needs with others?

Page of Pentacles and Death – Focus on learning to move more slowly in life and let things take their own course. You don’t have to be in control all the time.

How can I foster better teamwork?

Page of Wands and Nine of Cups – Find ways to share what makes you happy with others. In this way, you then grow together instead of alone.

Where do I need to slow down?

Eight of Wands and The Lovers – Check your enthusiasm enough to at least consider personal safety. In other words… look before you leap.

DECK USED: MAGE TAROT THE ASCENSION

Daily Self Kindness

I instigated some “together time” play with Gideon today, which I think we both were in desperate need of.

Gideon’s Challenge

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IMG_0169Longing for Rain

Spring raindrops
fade from memory
as hot summers
sear the moisture
from flesh and soil
to leave
the spirit dry
and cracked
as we try
to remember
what it felt like
to feel lush
and full of life
once more

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

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These Saturday readings are (not usually) bearing in on any one thing or event in my life, as the question used is asking for a more general outlook. This is a self care exercise, and is not meant as a predictive reading… although that, too, happens on occasion.

The question is… What do I need to focus for self-care through the week ahead?

Antiquitarian Tarot and For Strange Women Botanical Oracle

Earth – Three of Swords atop Queen of Wands – Don’t let sour grapes ruin the strength and focus you get out of those things that bring you joy. Sometimes shit’s going to go wrong, but that shouldn’t change the pleasure you get from the pursuits that you love.

Air – Page of Swords – Remember during this week what you have learned about keeping your inner narrative in check.  You’ve spent the summer learning to use positive self talk and optimism in a battle against that inner voice, and you will need those new skills this week.

Water – Knight of Swords – Its okay to be impulsive now and then, as long as you’re not hurting anyone in the process, so stop restraining yourself so often from acting on your emotions.

Fire – Ace of Swords – Time to begin the strategy, planning, and communication with others needed to get things going in preparation for the holiday rush. Your ambition is gearing up.

Waning – Violets and Mugwort – The veil between the spirit world and ours is beginning to open this week. Make sure you are not allowing family members that have passed on to slip in and screw with your head or your mood.

Waxing – Bats and Tarantula – Make sure that any decisions you make this week are made with a clear head, and only after a moment of reflection with yourself.

Take Away – Make sure you are staying on top of using your newly learned skills to keep your negative inner narrative in check, and don’t let road blocks or other problems squelch your enthusiasm, ambition, or the good that can come from thinking ahead and a bit of extra planning this week.

DECKS USED: ANTIQUITARIAN TAROT AND FOR STRANGE WOMEN BOTANICAL ORACLE

The Snake In the Grass

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

American Renaissance TarotToday’s draw is the Seven of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of strategic thinking, “sneaky shit”, or getting away with something.  It can also often be about taking only what one can carry.

What I see in the imagery of today’s card is some sneaky bastard stealing away with a very important and private missive while the lady of the house is distracted looking out the window.

This image displays a form of tactical thinking that is one of the most common tricks of thieves. Misdirection. They get you looking off in one direction, distracted and not paying attention, and then while you’re distracted they slip out with what you value, have earned with hard work, or that they are envious enough to take for themselves or their own purposes.

Today’s card is a reminder to pay attention, which has been a theme that has come up quite a bit lately in my readings. If you are paying attention, there’s less opportunity given to others that might be looking for an opening to get away with something they shouldn’t.  Don’t turn your back on the snake in the grass.

DECK USED:  AMERICAN RENAISSANCE TAROT

OwlandBonesTarot’s #BothSidesOfTheTarot Prompt
Questions for September 23rd and 24th

IMG_E4331What is just beginning?

Eight of Wands – The busy time of year for you is right around the corner. It will quickly be upon you, and your life will turn into a hectic rush with no time to breathe.

What has reached its end?

The World – As happens each year at this time of year, it’s time to pack up and close out the pursuits you’ve been exploring over the past three quarters of the year. There will soon be no time for them until January.

Finding Balance Between the Two – Make sure that you do not fall into viewing your responsibilities (Les Pénates) as a form of imprisonment or servitude (Déspotisme). You are not a slave to your responsibilities, but rather it is these responsibilities that provide you with the freedom, security, and home life that you desire.

What could you ignite?

Five of Wands – More conviction. When you know you’re right… you’re right. It’s okay to stand your ground on these things against the objections and arguments of others.

What could be extinguished?

Two of Feathers – Less waffling and indecision. Instead of letting yourself get wrapped up in deliberation, look at things more closely and with a clear head, and be more decisive.

Finding Balance Between the Two – Prepare in advance (Entreprises) for push back and outright resistance from others (Procès).  It’s okay to listen to their side of thing, but don’t allow manipulation to take the place of reason.

DECK USED: LABYRINTH TAROT AND ORACLE BELLINE

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2022 Challenge Prompt
Topic for September 25th: Do Spread 1
Question for September 24th: What do you need to focus on for self-care for this new moon?

American Renaissance Tarot and Vintage Collection Postcard SetReading Summary: The vertical angles of the trees in the Eight of Cups, the King’s Wand, and the stripes on the skirt of the woman in the Nine of Coins tie all three of these cards together with the Marram beachgrass in the anchor card. This speaks of taking a hard and hardy attitude in moving away from those things irritating and frustrating you in the pursuits that “put bread on the table” so that you can better attend to and appreciate what is working for you.

The pattern of the Velvet bentgrass only shows itself in the King of Wand’s wrist and ankle adornments, as well as very faintly in the background of the Nine of Wands. This indicates that although persistence is necessary, when it comes to where you are going nothing is set in stone and there is a need to stay flexible to succeed.

Take Away: Don’t let things go just because you don’t want to deal with them. Now is not a time to bend or be flexible with things that aren’t in your best interest or don’t further  your own agenda.  Let go of those things that aren’t working so that there’s room in  your life for what is, and be prepared to bend and sway as needed to stay on course when things get rough.

DECK USED: AMERICAN RENAISSANCE TAROT AND VINTAGE COLLECTION POSTCARD SET

Daily Self Kindness

I had a lazy day and haven’t really done much of anything today other than the readings that I needed to get done.

Gideon’s Challenge

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IMG_2711A Perfect Fit

Like puzzle pieces
on a game board
we fit together
heart to heart
and soul to soul
with each coil
of arms
that holds me close
and fit of parts
against parts
more pieces
fall together
until only as one
are either of us
complete

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

🌑 New Moon in Libra – September 2022

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

New Moon in Libra Tarot Reading with the Sacred Sisterhood Tarot

What is my sensual side craving?

The Tower – Disruption. Intensity. The tearing down of self for the chaos of being overwhelmed. My sensual side is craving the take down dynamic and the resulting drowning in all that intensity that is a part of the process.

Where can I be more romantic?

Queen of Coins – Make time for more than your work. Home (aka Gideon) is also in need of your attention. Only when you give him what he needs will things feel more balanced again as a whole.

What needs rekindling?

Two of Coins – This reflects back to the previous question and speaks of a need to reestablish balance. In the previous question it has already been pointed out that in order to find that balance you need more time with Gideon.

How can I be more tender with myself?

Ace of Coins – You spent the summer avoiding grounding with the earth and the connection that you have there due to a myriad of inconveniences. Your body craves a new beginning in this area, and you need to dig your toes into the soil already.

New Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.

Four of Wands – Reconnect with those things that you enjoy and that “call you home” to a sense of completion, inspiration, and stability.

DECK USED: SACRED SISTERHOOD TAROT