Self Care Saturday

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?

SCS

Earth – Six of Wands, Nine of Wands, Mugwort (Cycles) – Artemisia vulgaris is the “Wheel of Fortune” of the plant world. The wands here in the reading speak of having spent a long time working towards finding a sense of accomplishment and carrying that forward. The Mugwort card is a reminder that all things come in cycles and what is good today can topple tomorrow. Remember that these cycles are natural and when things feel to be turning into a down swing, it’s a temporary situation in the same way that the good times are temporary as well. Cherish the good while you have it, and when the bad times come, hold tight to the knowledge the good times will come around once again.

Air – Eight of Cups and Calendula (Shine) – With the drop coming, there is sure to be some self doubts creeping up and in around the corner.  The danger in these self doubts is allowing those doubts to turn you away from what brings you joy and the areas where you truly shine.  Calendula officinalis teaches us not to turn away from those areas where we shine, but to turn toward them and allow the skills and abilities that make you special shine brightly for others so that they, in turn, are encouraged to let their own beauty and greatness shine as well. This message is an encouragement concerning my upcoming class on Wednesday.

Water – Ace of Swords, King of Cups, Devil’s Club (Reclaim Power) – Oplopanax horridus is a representation of the strength and resiliency of one’s inner spirit and, as well as the need to allow yourself to make the hard choices and loose the sharp edge of your tongue when needed to set balance in your life. The cards here speak of the need to stay centered in your emotions and not allow the intruding thoughts and perspectives of others to rock the boat and cause disruption.  With the drop coming, this is especially important, as it creates a vulnerability that causes chinks in your emotional armor that those sneaky little thoughts and opinions from others can sneak through.

Fire – Eight of Pentacles and Ginseng (Conservation) – By being discretionary on where you invest your focus and energy, you can provide for your needs and responsibilities better than spreading yourself too thin.  Panax genseng’s lesson is that quality results and stamina both come by choosing your battles and playing to your strengths.  This week, be sure to continue that focus on keeping some space free on your plate, which will allow you to better focus on those interests and responsibilities that really matter to you.

Waning – The Brat and Pedestal – It’s time to move away from feeling “precious”. This isn’t to mean move away from not feeling valued, but it has to do with the potential for being overly sensitive and getting up on one’s high horse as a result.  Although these type of feelings have the potential for sprouting up in the week ahead, it will be important to make the conscious choice toward focusing on remaining grounded and well balanced instead, and not allowing those feelings to take control.

Waxing – Gift Revealed and Whispers of Spring –  The energies of spring create a sense of freshness and invigoration that need to be recognized and appreciated this week.  Wallow in the springtime spark that is all around you and allow it to uplift you into a lighter space within your heart and mind.  Don’t forget to have a little fun as well!

Take Away – It appears it’s going to be a somewhat rough and emotionally sensitive week this week.  The cards are reminding me that I have strength to help me through and crappy times don’t last for ever.  Instead of focusing upon the struggle and strife, I am encouraged to do my best to continue looking on the bright side by focusing on the little things that bring me pleasure even during times of darkness.  Self care this week will require that focus on these little things, as well as making sure that I don’t overload myself so that, like thinning of plants to allow air circulation and room to grow, I too have room to expand and flex in those interests I choose to pursue.

DECKS USED: BUNNY TAROT, HERBAL HEALING ORACLE, FAIRY WISDOM ORACLE

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?

SCS

Earth – King of Wands, Widower, Master – The combination of the widower and the master indicate that in order to move forward with my drive with my business and finances I need to step away from the emotional aspects of money and business a bit and keep a stable and practical mindset on these topics this week.  This means no emotional spending and keeping a practical eye on my finances and where my money is going. (ie: Buy the supply of chain for the business, and not the pretty deck that will make me feel all happy and giddy to have in my hands.)

Air – Ace of Pentacles and Thoughts – Don’t get so lost in your thoughts that you miss a rising opportunity.  It’s easy to get so deep into your head that the world outside of your mind gets its volume turned way down.  This week you need to make sure you’re paying attention.

Water – Eight of Cups, Sorrow, Gift – There is a risk this week of looking gift horse in the mouth, and walking away from something prematurely as a result.  Build off the concept of not getting lost in your thought mentioned above, make sure that you are paying attention and squeezing ever last drop of juice out of situations that can be to your advantage. And don’t throw out the rind, either.

Fire – King of Pentacles, Soldier, Longing – It’s okay to wish for better times, but don’t let those wishes distract you from your goals.  Stability and security take a balance between defending what’s yours and going after what you want.  Focus on keeping those aspects in balance this week.

Waning – Tapas (Zeal) – It’s time to start examining things that are not currently serving you. Like all migrations, these elements can be brought back into your life later when they are of use again, but at the moment they are just added baggage that doesn’t need to be carried.

Waxing – Asana (Physical Postures) and Vrkshasana (Tree Pose) –  Take some time to connect with nature and ground deeply.  You need this for balance and calm.  Make the time to do this, even if it means reaching beyond your norm to get it done.

Take Away – Practicality is the theme of the week this week, along with ensuring that I am paying attention to my surroundings and possible opportunities to shed old baggage in order to free up space for more useful elements to grow and flourish.  There is also a need to spend some time connecting with the earth, even if that is through extra time at the farm.  It’s possible I could ask to stick around after my shift for a bit just to get a meditation in on some bare earth.  I’ll have to ask them about it and see what they say.

DECKS USED: WHITE SAGE TAROT, LAND SKY ORACLE, VYKLADACI KARTY (LITTLE CZECH ORACLE)

Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

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?

Self Care Saturday

Earth – Page of Fire, Queen of Earth, Woodpecker, Caterpillars – Stay on track with your goals to avoid using your resources unwisely. You want to be ready when opportunity knocks, so take this time to stock up both energetically and otherwise so that when that opportunity comes to transform and fly you are ready to take that leap.

Air – Ace of Earth, The Chariot, Panda – Take that leap too soon and you will miss that opportunity to grab hold of a successful start and ride the wave.  You don’t want to leap ahead too soon and get trampled by the horses instead of ending up driving the apple cart.  Use this time of waiting to care for yourself and foster loving relationships with others.

Water – Seven of Water and Goat – This week is a good week to indulge in some of those imaginative creative projects you’ve been wanting to get into.  The more challenging the better, as there’s no obstacle too high when you have others on your side.  My most challenging project at the moment is the wood burning project I’ve been preparing for through the winter months. The cards here indicate that now is a good time to do some experimentation and practice runs.

Fire – Ten of Water and Blue Jay – Delving into creativity this week will help satisfy a lot of needs that you’ve been suppressing that need to get out.  It will also assist in fostering a sense of well-being that is, at the moment, a bit off-kilter.

Waning – See Beauty in Others – There has been a few times over the past week that you have felt inferior and had difficulty in stepping out among others because of it.  As this week progresses, that sense of inferiority will ease and you will find your footing once more.

Waxing – You Come from Love – Sometimes you need to step outside your own self-perceptions to better understand that you are prefect just as you are.  Don’t allow beliefs in your own limitations to hold you back from growth and progress.

Take Away –  Now is not the time to be leaping forward into action, but rather a week for waiting and holding space. In that space, you’ll need to keep yourself distracted. That distraction would be best served by being something  creative that brings joy and captures your attention, challenging your creative spark and abilities with something new and different.  The wood burning project I’m working toward is an excellent outlet that fits the bill and checks all the boxes. At the same time, it will also be important focus on staying contented and grateful for this time spent with loved ones.

DECKS USED:  THE GOOD TAROT, SAWYER’S NATURE PORTALS ORACLE, YOUR HEART KNOWS THE WAY ORACLE

Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

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?

SCS

Earth – Three of Swords and Cloak of Invisibility – Now is the time to turn around my attitudes and habits concerning my current situation.  Throw off that cloak and come out into the light and use this time to delve into the disaster of the physical world repercussions of Covid-19 on your life and fiercely confront and find a way forward from these struggles.  Be fierce… prepare to win.

Air – Eight of Wands, Empress, Skipping Stones – I need to look at delving for those things that will help nurture and calm me.  Now isn’t a time to be stirred up and agitated, it’s a time to pause and reflect, to wait, and seek out methods and paths that will fit you.  Now is a time for planning, not action.

Water – Five of Cups and Disappearing Ice – Take time to focus on what you do have instead of training your focus on what you don’t.  It’s time to count your blessings and work on accepting that there are some things that are out of your control. Once things are out of this holding pattern you will be able to find momentum and stability once more, but for now it’s time to let go and have a little faith that things will come around and balance out in the end.

Fire – Six of Swords and Flowers In Your Hair – Now is a time for taking a leap out of the stagnancy of worries and fears, and into the joy of exploration and creation.  Take advantage of this extra time not just to plan but have a little fun.  It’s okay to not work all the time… try and fit a little play and pleasure into this week as well.

Waning – The Bounty Fool – This is actually a really appropriate card for the moment, with funds on the decline and very little income coming in, and resources such as food and the like so difficult to find and keep up with. I read the book for this card, and it provides a reminder that I really like.  That reminder being that “there’s really no lack of abundance, only a lack of imagination controlling the moment”.   This is a really good point.  Although over the next week abundance may seem to be in steady decline, it will be important to remember that imagination and “outside of the box thinking” can help… and even step in to “save the day”.

Waxing – The Fool’s Tax –  The “Fool’s Tax” is the price you pay for not listening to your intuition and not following your inner guidance. Everyone has to pay up for bad choices because that’s how you learn from them.  Make sure that you are paying attention your intuitive voice and moral compass this week, and take care to make good choices in order to help mitigate such repercussions as much as possible.

Take Away – It’s time to start looking at things and dealing with the current situation a bit differently.  Beating yourself up isn’t working.  Now is a time to nurture and inspire.  Take time for fun and creativity as well as self care, and focus your mind and your drive upon preparing for when this cloud of disease and destruction lifts so that you can hit the ground running once this time of stillness and waiting has ended.

DECKS USED:  LAW OF ATTRACTION TAROT, GROUNDED ROOTS INTUITIVE GUIDANCE CARDS, THE FOOL’S WISDOM ORACLE

Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

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?

Self Care Saturday

Earth – Hierophant, Ten of Coins, New Moon – Sharing knowledge with the community and leading them on a new adventure, using that knowledge to empower them into moving forward into something new.  I will be teaching a lesson over in Tarotholics on Wednesday evening about intuitive interpretation of card combinations as a follow up on the intuitive course that I taught last month.  The cards indicate that it will be important to focus here this week so that I am sure to be prepared.

Air – High Priestess and Third of Spring – It’s okay to go off the deep end into the mystery.  It’s okay to follow your curiosity and those little niggling nudges that drive you forward into discovery and realization.  Set your brain aside this week and take some time to just go with the flow.  Don’t be afraid of getting lost… that, too, can be its own adventure.

Water – The Star and Spring Equinox – Don’t allow worries and doubts to drag you down.  Spring is a time for hope and rebirth.  In these difficult times, it’s even more important to focus upon that hope and rebirth and allow the fresh air of spring to wash through your emotions so that they are given the room to grow rather than made to wither and stagnate.

Fire – Nine of Cups, Six of Swords, Betrayed King – If you don’t find a better way to share the wealth and enjoy it with others instead of alone, you’re going to be sorry.  This associates with my readings on Saturday, which spoke of making sure that there is appreciation for the time I’m spending with loved ones over the term of this crisis. I very much like alone time, but the cards clearly indicate I need to make the most of this opportunity for something different.

Waning – The Opera – Everything isn’t about you.  Make sure that you are leaving room for others to say their piece and share their own story.

Waxing – The Tunnel –  A new opportunity and metamorphosis, this card is an indication that I need to focus on that light at the end of the tunnel.  There IS a light, even if at the moment it is dim and hard to see.   Things will be different on the other side of that threshold, but that’s okay.  Just keep focused on reaching the light and you can worry about what comes after… after you get there.

Take Away –  This is a message of hope.  It’s about fostering hope in others, and also within myself.  It’s about making sure that I am doing what needs done to stay mentally and emotionally healthy, and seeking to ease me into a path that will cause my feelings of “rudderlessness” to ease a bit during this time.

DECKS USED:  EIGHT COINS TATTOO TAROT, NORMAL TAROT 2: REVENGE, CARTES DIVINATOIRES D’ALGARIEL

Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

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?

Self Care Saturday

Earth – Five of Cups and Wren – You possess all the resources and skills needed to achieve my goals.  Now is a time to set aside apathy and move away from those things that are causing distress.  Instead, pay attention to what needs to be done and what needs to take place including in what areas you need to step back from, and use your innate skills and adaptability to take the steps needed to get there. Judicious self restraint is advised.

Air – Emperor and White Swan – A return to strength can be healing.  It’s more than possible to maintain control and steady footing while allowing light in to heal wounds created within the darkness. That self possession and control can often look like it is in contrast to the light of healing energy, but they aren’t.  Both reside within you and can work together as one.

Water – Hanged Man and Dove –  Releasing the past and opening up to the present is the theme of this week when it comes to my emotions.  It’s time to seek out a new perspective, moving forward into that new view is essential to adaptation and growth.  Take time  to examine closely the “outside the box” options that may be available to you or help you in finding balance on your path forward.

Fire – Eight of Wands and Eagle –  The symbol of the eagle is one of awakening power, knowledge, vision, and spiritual growth.  Combined with the Eight of Wands, there is an indication here that these cards are about advancing in those areas at high speed over the next week.  Sometimes when we are growing and developing, different aspects of ourselves develop at different rates.  These cards indicate that there will be a significant growth spurt in this area, and that I need to keep my eyes open so that I don’t miss anything.

Waning – Snake – Rigid adherence to a chosen path and analytical thinking. As the cards above have touched on, this week will be about moving away from these themes and embracing a mentality of adaptability while allowing the heart to have sway in the decisions taking place.

Waxing – Monkey – Unrestrained dexterity and adaptability. Don’t get so sucked in to that rigid way of thinking that you miss the bus on the growth taking place this week.  You’ve made the choice to move forward… now is not the time to look back.

Take Away – More forward movement towards healing and finding balance.  More growth.  Full speed ahead, this week is going to be filled with bits and pieces of growth… golden nuggets that will in develop into essential puzzle pieces in the new reality I am forming with each step I take.

DECKS USED:  ANIMAL TOTEM TAROT, DIVINE FEATHER MESSENGER ORACLE, PAOLO BARBIERI CHINESE ORACLE