Various Paganism, Tarot, Etc

Morning Bonus Read – Responsibilities

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
“This week, check in with your divination tools about what burdens you might be carrying or things you believe are your responsibility, that you should not be—and what things you aren’t carrying or aren’t recognizing as responsibilities that you should be.”

Birds Oracle Deck

Left Three:
What do I take responsibility for that I should not?

Grackle – You don’t have to “show up” for everything or be a part of everything.

Black Capped Chickadee – It’s your ego that drives you to take on too much. You need to feel like you’re doing enough, and you overfill your plate in an effort to fulfill that need.

Kiwi – Pick your battles and pick your projects, and let the rest go.

Take Away: Taking on too much is an addiction that needs breaking.  Stop seeing it as an admirable quality and be more reasonable with what you can handle.

Right Three:
What is my responsibility that I have not claimed?

Ruby Throated Hummingbird – Taking advantage of a situation to get something you want rather than leaning towards conservation.

Zebra Finch – Find the grounding roots you need rather than allowing yourself to drift in limbo.

Flamingo – You are not taking care of yourself physically.

Take Away: Self care includes more than just dealing with internal demons and fostering inner growth.  You have to take care of your body as well.  It’s time to stop using your “change in situation” from the pandemic as an excuse for not exercising or eating properly.

Center Card:
How can I correct the imbalance between these two?

Ivory Billed Woodpecker – It’s important to look for the ways that letting go of overburdening yourself and taking better care of your body can improve your future.  Don’t get so wrapped up in the now but look forward and look for the small opportunities that can build over time into large results.

DECK USED: BIRDS ORACLE DECK AND BIRDS ORACLE DECK 2

#31DaysofWitchcraft Prompt 12 & 13 (non)VR to Heather Carter

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Heather Carter on YouTube put together a series of prompts titled #31DaysofWitchcraft that she’s been working her way through since the beginning of May. I really like this idea, but I can’t handle the responsibility of any more daily posts, so I thought that for the next few weeks, I would do one (or a few at a time) for the end of week “My Pagan Perspective” posts and work through them a bit at a time.

spellbook

12. Do you have a separate witchy name? Why, or why not?

My “witchy name” is the same as my online name.  It’s Twist the Leaf.

This name comes from a line in a ritual that my sister and I wrote together as children.

To be fair, when I first came online, I used just “Twist” and then “Twist the Leaf” for circles and pagan events and activities.  But over the years, the two have melded and I now use Twist the Leaf in most places, and “Twist” as the shortened version here and there.

As for why.  My mother used to take my sister and I to a lot of Wiccan functions, and having a “witchy name” was all the rage in those circles.  I chose my “witchy name” initially in order to finally get them to stop pestering me about choosing one, but over time it’s become… more than that.

I no longer go to those events and haven’t for… at least fifteen years or more. Other than my sister (and our mentor recently as she’s been living with us for a bit now), my practice is primarily solitary.  But the name has stuck, and these days it seems that I’m actually more comfortable being called Twist than I am called by my birth name.

13. Do you write your own spells, use pre-written one or do a mix of both?

I write my own spellwork, or at times work on it together with my sister.

This falls back on the way we were raised. To be honest?  I don’t spend a lot of time reading pagan/wiccan/witchcraft books.  This isn’t how I learned my craft.  Because of this? Although I knew that published books had spells in them, I didn’t realize these were actually spells people used.  Like, letter for letter and word for word, used like a recipe to bake pastry.  This realization that people actually do that was baffling to me.

My sister and I were taught to write our own rituals and our own spellwork.  We were taught that it is a part of the process of casting a spell to do the work behind the spell, which includes doing the research to know what elements to include in the spellwork, and constructing the spell and wordwork ourselves.   I guess that because of this, I assumed that the spellwork in published books was there as a “jumping off point”?  You know, providing ideas and examples… but not there to be used as-is.

Weekly Creativity Prompt – Adversity and Triumph

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Pull (at least) three cards use them as the foundation to write something (real or fictional) about adversity and/or triumph.

Natural World Tarot

The Magician – There was once a young boy named Manah that thought he knew everything and was indestructible. He was smart and strong, and believed that he could handle anything that came his way, no matter the source. Even though Manah was young, he believed he had everything he needed and was prepared for anything.

The Hierophant – The wise man of Manah’s village warned him that one day he would run across a situation that he could not handle on his own, but Manah refused to listen.

The Star – Instead, Manah decided to strike out on his own. He packed up his few belongings and left his village with high hopes, and began on a journey to travel the world and see many sights.

Temperance – The great wise spirit of the sky looked down upon Manah with patience for his youthful foolishness. She decided to test the boy, and see if he was indeed ready to strike out on his own.

She sent down from the stars dreams that whispered through his mind as he slept that first night.

The Devil – In his dreams, Manah was greeted by a beautiful woman that stepped out of the flames of his campfire.

She was kind and gentle, and he fell under her spell. She gave him attention and asked nothing in return, and in his dream he became attached to her. As the dream progressed, though, this woman began to ask for small favors. Little things at first, and then something a little more.

Soon she was asking for things that went against his nature, and against what he knew was right or wrong. And yet he was no longer able to say no.

Justice – When Manah awoke the next day, it was late in the day and he had overslept by hours and hours. His fire had died down and animals had come and stolen off with all of his food and some of his supplies.

He realized, through his experiences both in the dream and his awakening to reality, that perhaps he was not as wise as he thought and returned to the village and back to the tutelage of the village’s wise man.

DECK USED:  THE NATURAL WORLD TAROT

Full Moon in Capricorn – July 2020

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The full moon is a time of release and letting go, and this is doubly true during this month’s full moon in Capricorn. The influence of Capricorn on this month’s full moon is one of transition and a reminder of patience.   This is a theme that has been very prominent in  my personal readings of late, and is echoed in the energy that surrounds this full moon.

As we honor the completion of this moon’s cycle over the next couple of weeks, it’s time to reflect upon our growth and how far we have come… and remember that the way forward is not a race toward a destination, but a journey along which we must be conscious and aware, and savoring each step along the way.

Full Moon in Capricorn - Psychopomp Tarot

Yesterday was the full 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 brought to you by Ethony‘s Tarot By the Moon series.

1. What long term plans are calling me?

The High Priestess – This is a reminder that the development I am going through is mostly  unseen by others.   It is an internal growth, and although I openly share that growth and struggle through my readings and this blog, the truth is that it is about changing things on the inside more than the changing of habits on the outside.  Only by changing how I see things, feel about things, and my internal perspectives will I be able to change my actions and methods.  The High Priestess says…. focus inward for outward results.

2. What foundations do I need to lay to succeed?

The Chariot – Control.  In this case (and as indicated by the position and angle of the tip of the spear towards the warrior’s Achilles tendon) the control has to do with getting control over my own bad habits and hidden weaknesses.

3. Where do I need to apply patience?

Eight of Wands – Don’t give up on this journey that you are on, and remember that these types of transitions take time.  You are too impatient with yourself.  Ease up and let things move at their own pace.

4. Where do I need to think BIGGER?

Queen of Pentacles – Look for ways in which you can foster stable and responsible growth in the area of your home and finances.  This isn’t a time for big growth spurts, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make some small progress that keeps things stable and on track.  Nurture these areas of your life without training your entire focus upon them.  They only need a little encouragement to do better and not become stagnant while you focus on other things.

5. Where do I need support?

The Empress – Hey Gideon… do you remember a few months ago when you asked the cards what I needed from you and you drew the Empress?  *Points to the Empress*   You’re up.  (I’m teasing… but not entirely joking here.)

The Empress indicates that the areas where I am in need of some support are in those more caring and nurturing areas that I’m not all that good at providing for myself.

DECK USED:  PSYCHOPOMP TAROT

Weekly Creativity Prompt – Happy Endings

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Draw up to three cards from your deck and use them to tell a (real or fictional) story with a happy ending.

Tarocchi dei Celti

La Torre – There was once an old man who was always too worried about what others thought about him and it caused him a lot of struggle and inner strife. He always felt like everyone’s eyes were upon him, and throughout his life he struggled with going after any of the things that interested him, which stunted his growth and left him stalled and standing still throughout his life rather than enjoying each and every day.

La Sacerdotessa – One day, a new family moved in next door to the old man. Their daughter was very friendly and he met this young girl, who found joy and mystery in everything.  She encouraged him with her smile and assured him in her young but wise ways that even old dogs can learn new tricks. She brought him a gift every day.  Each day she brought him a little plastic Easter egg with a small wonder inside just for him.  Sometimes he opened them right away, other times he set them on his mantel and savored the anticipation.   In the end, she encouraged him to open himself up to new experiences.

Il Giudizio – Thanks to this lovely little girl, the old man’s life changed forever.  The small joys she shared with him fostered within him the confidence and curiosity to seek out and explore new experiences in other ways and finally go after some of the things he has always wanted to do but avoided due to the judgements of others.  Instead, he learned to judge his actions through his own eyes instead of the eyes of others, and his burdens lightened with each day that followed.

DECK USED:  TAROCCHI DEI CELTI

Transitioning from June to July

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This is a spread that I do at the end of each month to close out the month.

Brady Tarot and Nature's Wisdom Oracle

Individuality – High Priestess and Dragonfly – You are currently in a place of spiritual growth and transformation.  As you explore your emotions, you are transforming more than that small aspect of your life.  Like ripples in a pond, these changes spread outward into other areas.  Those ripples hold within them threads that tug and transform what lies beneath the surface of the water as well, allowing for permanent growth through a shifting within the subconscious and spiritual realms.

Dependence – Hermit, Hanged Man Rx, Orchid – You are currently in the process of finding healthier ways of using your alone time. Let go of the tendency to retreat into the self and close yourself off. Stop using your obsessions to self-soothe as it is not healthy.

Creativity – Nine of Horns, Justice, Lotus – You are currently seeking a balance of emotional fulfillment and awakening.  You’re struggling a bit with finding that balance because of impatience, and you need to make sure that you are keeping in mind that this is a process that takes time and will not be forced but rather progress naturally, much like the process of reindeer shedding antlers.

Limitation – Father of Roots and Jack in the Pulpit – Don’t get so wrapped up in what you have done that you forget to assess where you are and what’s coming.  In this time of change it’s important to stay open to possibilities instead of staid and stagnant in your assessments and focus.

Change – Magician and Luna Moth – Keep in mind that you already possess all of the tools and skills needed to continue along this path of growth you’re currently on.  Don’t allow darkness to creep in and create doubts or  unnecessary strife. Focus on the light and stay positive.

Sympathy – Ace of Feathers, Two of Roots, Hummingbird – These times in which you have allowed yourself to forsake your inspiration and creative spark, taking it for granted and leaving it behind to pour your energy into the drive of your responsibilities and obligations, have hurt you even if you haven’t taken the time to acknowledge it. These wounds linger and are a negative influence on your current growth and goals.

Luck – The World and Nautilus – You’ve gone through transitions in development before and know that these times of growth and change are a process that takes time. Organization and structure always makes you feel a bit more in control, and it would help in this instance as well if you let it.

Power – Eight of Feathers, Chariot, Pumpkin – Pay attention that you don’t get too comfortable and confidence in the pause of stability you currently find yourself in. Things can change in a heartbeat, and you need make sure you are prepared so that you can control the situation when it strikes.

Responsibility – The Tower and Iguana – Keep yourself open to communicating with those around you, even when things feel like a struggle.  Don’t close up, as the opportunity these events provides to you is about increasing your bond with others through communicating with them about what is going on when things feel chaotic, and allowing them in to help.

Message from Spirit World – Hurdles require a sense of optimism and confidence in your abilities.  Make sure your connection with others is strong.  Sometimes shit hits the fan fast, and it’s important to foster these connections and qualities in yourself so that you are prepared.

Message from Mind’s World –  You are slowly learning that closing yourself off blinds you to what’s going on around you and within you as well.  Staying open and aware, and grateful for what you have will better allow you to move through these transitions with grace and further your growth along the way.

Message from Known World – Stop limiting yourself by training all of your focus and attention on the physical world and the responsibilities that lie within it.  There’s more going on than what lies on the surface and in order to move through the growth and transitions in your life right now, you need to open yourself up more and give yourself a foundation of order and organization that will allow you to open up more fully while still feeling secure.

DECKS USED: THE BRADY TAROT, NATURE’S WISDOM ORACLE