Various Paganism, Tarot, Etc

Tarotholics Challenge Dec 16, 18, 19

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#DiscordTarotholicsDec2023 Challenge
Questions for December 16th, 18th, 19th

Tarotholics Challenge Tarot Reading with the Christmas Tales Tarot

Where should you direct your focus to foster better understanding towards others?

King of Pentacles atop The Empress – Remember that in their minds you will always be the stable strength that nurtures them and creates for them a sense of security and stability as well as comfort. They do not see you in the same light you see yourself, but with eyes of admiration and love.

Where should you direct your focus this week to be more…

Kind – Queen of Wands – Encourage others to follow their dreams and listen to them when they share their excitement with you.  Foster their desire to share these ideas and dreams with you.

Patient – Queen of Cups – Look at others as people needing emotional support, rather than treacherous landmines on the field of life.

Grateful – Seven of Cups – It’s a choice. You can cast your attention to those things that you have to be grateful for, and in doing so you become more grateful… or you can ignore these things and it will close you off more and more from others and your own happiness.

What aspects of your life could benefit from some grounding and centering?

Knight of Pentacles – It’s time to return to slow progress. The holiday rush is a time of chaos and things being so busy that there’s no time for anything else… no time to even breathe.  Now that the holiday rush is at an end, it’s time to slow your roll.  You’ll still be moving forward, but at a more manageable pace.

Page of Cups – It’s time to return to your emotions and the development of your emotional intelligence. Over the past few weeks you have had to tamp down on your emotions and close them away. Now is the time to open those closed doors and begin sorting through things and returning to the journey of learning you’ve been working on for the past couple of years.

DECK USED: CHRISTMAS TALES TAROT

Winter Solstice 2023 – Yule

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The Winter Solstice is coming up on December 21st! This holiday is (in essence) the Pagan equivalent to Christmas. Fun fact… when Christmas was placed on December 25th, the church chose that day to coincide with the pagan holiday of Yule (because as most know, Christ was actually born in the spring, not in December).

Although many of us have been feeling like we’ve been in it for months, the Winter Solstice is the “official” first day of winter, and marks  its spot on the calendar not by its date, but by being one of only two days each year where the daylight and darkness are equal.  In my path, this holiday marks a day of hope for the future, and candles are lit to celebrate the return of the sun as it begins to now become more and more prominent with each day that passes and every day becomes longer as the nights decrease.

yule

Like with new moons and full moons, I usually do a spread to check in with myself and give myself some direction for the next couple of months for each solstice, equinox, and other Sabbats. This spread is an adaptation of my Self Care Saturday spread, so there are some similarities in how it is read. The focus of this spread, though, is not about Self Care, but rather about progress and my path. The time period is also longer, reaching through the next handful of weeks until the celebration of upcoming Imbolc at the beginning of February.

Winter Solstice Oracle Reading with the Seasons of the Witch Yule Oracle

As the Sun is reborn, what is being illuminated for me on the darkest day of the year?

Offerings – A realignment of values is asking you to spend some time examining your intentions and goals.  Having a clear focus and a path forward doesn’t happen automatically, it happens when transition is in play and you take the time to pin down where to go next.

What do I need to release and surrender to the Sun’s Fire?

Gatherings – Social obligations, especially those that feel like obligations, need to be set aside. If your social obligations are fun, or feel good?  That’s great!  But if they feel like a chore, it’s time to let those feelings of obligations, and the activities that come with those feelings, go.

With light beginning to return, what intentions should I set?

Mother Mary – Self care needs to be at the top of your priority right now.  Give yourself the care and understanding that you have been withholding over the past few months.  Now that the holiday rush is drawing to a close, it’s time to start plotting out how to incorporate self care back into your daily life again.

How can I hold space for the light to spread & strengthen my intentions?

Falling in Love – Spend time with Gideon and getting back the balance or rightness, comfort, and security that he contributes to your life.

What will manifest from my Winter Solstice intentions?

Gratitude – More and more to be grateful for is on the horizon. Reconnect with appreciating the little things as well as the big ones.

Message from the Sun.

Self-Care – You can’t care for others and effectively reach for your goals if you aren’t caring for yourself. Your cup is currently empty.  Take the time and set the intentions needed to help yourself refill.

Message from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.

Merriment – Savor the holidays and every day. Find things to cherish and enjoy on a daily basis.

DECKS USED: SEASONS OF THE WITCH YULE ORACLE

Tarotholics Challenge Dec Spread 3

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#DiscordTarotholicsDec2023 Challenge Spread 3

Tarotholics Yuletide Oracle Reading with the Holiday Magic Oracle

Thistle – Mental Health / Wards – How can I ward off the blues that try to encroach as the holidays draw to a close?

Humble Beginning – You have not had a chance all holiday season to really enjoy the spirit of the holidays, the wonder of the beautiful decorations, etc. Now is the time to focus on the little things and enjoy them while you can. Some time outside also wouldn’t be remiss.

Garnet – Purification / Balance – How can I purify myself to help find a better balance for the new year ahead?

Graceful Moves – Let go of the jagged edges and rushed moments of holiday stress. The holiday rush amps you up, but as the new year approaches it’s time to let go of that energy and seek something filled with more calm and grace.

Yew – Rebirth / Protection – What practices need resurrected in my life to protect my personal well-being?

True Colors – It’s time to start listening to your needs again and putting yourself first. During the holiday rush, you are so focused on your business and what needs to be done self-care slides onto the back burner. It’s time to bring yourself and your needs back up the ladder of importance.

Diamond – Fearlessness / Imagination – How can my imagination foster more fearlessness in my life?

Being Guided – Your creativity and imagination guides you towards a lighter mindset and happier sense of being. Tap into that creativity and let it guide you towards the happiness and help you in fostering your efforts to use optimism and positivity to combat your depression and negative tendencies.

Holly – Fertility / Longevity – How can I create longevity in the fertile soil of my new endeavors?

Beacon of Hope – Make sure you are not listening to the nay-saying of your negative inner narrative. It’s through hope and forward, thinking that you find growth and success.

Emerald – Hearth & Home / Loyalty – How can a closer connection to hearth & home affect my sense of loyalty?

Authentic Voice – Connecting closely with others draws them closer to you and builds a sense of trust and loyalty between all those involved. That means that when you take the time to spend with those closest to you, in return that loyalty between you and them becomes stronger.

Peppermint – Mental Stimulation – What methods can I use to best stimulate my mind when I need a boost?

Relaxing Retreat – Take breaks when you need them, and even when you don’t think you do. Wearing yourself down clouds your judgment and clarity. Giving yourself the rest you need allows you to both boost your mental clarity as well as stimulate your enthusiasm.

DECK USED: HOLIDAY MAGIC ORACLE

Tarotholics Challenge Dec Philosophical Questions

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#DiscordTarotholicsDec2023 Challenge
Philosophical Questions for December 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th

Tarotholics December Philosophical Questions Oracle Reading with the Hello Winter Oracle

Is it worse to fail at something or never attempt it in the first place?

Wrapped Up – It’s worse to never attempt in the first place. When you attempt you move forward, even when you don’t feel like you do, and even when you feel like you’re failing. If you don’t attempted in the first place, then you remain stagnant and never progress or grow.

What holds you back from doing the things that you really want to?

Package Deal – All or nothing thinking often holds you back from doing the things that you really want to do. It’s that mentality within your inner narrative that says that you have to accomplish it all at once and be good at it all right from the start.

Is a “wrong” act okay if nobody ever knows about it?

Perfect Timing – It may not be “wrong” to act okay if nobody ever knows about it, but it definitely doesn’t accomplish anything. Better to let it out when the time is right than let it fester and grow within you until you feel like screaming.

Which is more important… love or trust?

Being Yourself – Trust is more important. When you foster trust in those around you, it often builds into love over time. Whereas, without trust or with broken trust, love is often irreparably damaged.

DECK USED: HELLO WINTER ORACLE

Tarotholics Challenge Dec 11, 12, 14

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#DiscordTarotholicsDec2023 Challenge
Questions for December 11th, 12th, and 14th

Tarotholics Challenge Lenormand Reading with the Yuletide Tales Lenormand

Where should you direct your focus this week to seek out more joy in your life?

Dog and Whip – You need to focus on not allowing your negative inner narrative to shame and criticize you so much, especially concerning your emotions. Keep those inner criticisms in check in order to lift your spirits and your self-confidence.

What do you need to focus on for self-care for this new moon?

Coffin and Ring – Let go of your expectations. Commit to riding out changes instead of trying to fight against them. You are too focused on how things have gone in the past and trying to hold on to that, instead of letting go.

How can you better foster your relationship with friends and loved ones?

Anchor and Letter – Make sure you are communicating with them how much you value their support. They aren’t aware of how much you appreciate them in your life, as well as their help in your business, if you don’t tell them so.

DECK USED: YULETIDE TALES LENORMAND

🌑 New Moon in Sagittarius – December 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 spread is brought to you by the Hermit’s Mirror.

New Moon in Sagittarius Oracle Reading with the Winter Forest Frequencies Oracle

Clearing – What sensitive areas have I poked and prodded enough for now?

Horse Spirit – Stop allowing your negative inner narratives and criticisms to make you feel as if you’re stuck and not going anywhere. You have more power and autonomy than you realize. You’ve done enough weighing yourself down with the illusion of burden for now.

Transitional Pause – How has diving deep inspired me to look far and wide for my next journey?

Titmouse Spirit – When you allow yourself to be open to the world around you, you see more than you had been able to before.

New Seeds – What mind-expanding experiences are made possible by boldness?

Elk Spirit – Your boldness gives you the opportunity to take chances, and reach for more than you could possibly imagine without it there to bolster you.

Light in the Darkness – How does constantly shifting allow me to find my flow?

Arctic Fox Spirit – It doesn’t. In your case, to find your flow, you need moments of stillness and pause. This is one of the reasons that getting out in nature is so important for you.

Planetary Boon – What good fortune awaits discovery?

Black Fox Spirit – A greater sense of self acceptance awaits you if you’re willing to reach for it and be open to it.

New Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.

Eagle Spirit – It’s only through, stepping back and looking at things from outside yourself that you are able to see where you need more balance, and how to further improve your life and your happiness. Objectivity can’t be seen from within.

DECK USED: WINTER FOREST FREQUENCIES ORACLE