Trees with Teeth
It’s in the
crisp tingle
in the nose
and prickle
on the skin
that emerald hues
remain vibrant
through winter
for the miracle is
in the evergreens
that stay
lush and full
as winter
bites deep
Movement Over Stagnancy
Today’s meditation was an ten minute long #DailyCalm session from the @Calm app.
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Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.
Today’s draw is the Two of Wands (Candles), which is traditionally a representation of planning, decision making, looking ahead, and themes to do with progress.
The Two of Wands has then been combined with one of my Christmas Affirmation cards, which says, “Just because you can’t find your happiness today, doesn’t mean that you never will.”
If you’re unwilling, it’s never gonna happen.
Even in the depression, there’s the need to keep a little ray of hope going that will keep you moving forward. For me, that’s the phrase “it’s temporary”.
If something is temporary that means that sooner or later it’s going to end, I’m going to come out the other side, and if I don’t keep up on the things that need to be done during this temporary time of discomfort, I’m going to have to play catch-up once I manage to crawl my way out of it.
During these times, I might not get as much done because I’m not really enjoying what I’m doing. Even then, though, keeping in mind that the slump is temporary keeps a bit of momentum going during the lull so that there’s not as much to catch up on later when I’m ready to start really moving again.
The message in today’s cards is that just because you’re not enjoying the day, the activity, or the experience that you’re currently going through, doesn’t mean giving up. Sure, slow down, but don’t stop. The unpleasant moment is temporary. Treat it as such so that when you come out the other side, you have plans and movement already on your side.
DECK USED: CHRISTMAS CHEER TAROT TWIST’S CHRISTMAS AFFIRMATIONS
#DiscordTarotholicsDec2025 Challenge
Prompt for December 21st : Do Spread 3
Where do you need to practice more tolerance with others?
Six of Candles – Remember that you don’t have to fulfill other’s expectations, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to fight against them either. You can acknowledge them, and validate them with kindness and acceptance, without committing yourself and your energy to their fulfillment.
How can you foster more tolerance within your heart?
Two of Candles Rx – Keep in mind that even the best plans go awry now and then. It takes patience to adapt and keep going, so don’t get yourself so tied up in rigid plans that you can’t pivot when needed.
Where do you need to step up with your self-care over the holidays?
Queen of Candy Canes – Practice what you preach. You give good advice about self-care when speaking with others, but you need to make sure that you’re taking your own advice as well. Listen to that advice you’re giving others this holiday season, and take that advice to heart for yourself as well.
What do you need to focus on to keep your holiday cheer intact?
The Moon – Let others lead during times of uncertainty during this holiday season. Just as Santa lets his reindeer lead the sleigh through clouds and storms, you also need to allow others to lead sometimes when things feel uncertain or unclear.
How can you best respond to those that try to “stir the pot” this holiday?
King of Ornaments – Lead by example, and don’t allow them to upset your footing. Hold yourself above such pettiness and bullshit by grounding into your foundation.
How can you express your emotions with more love and kindness?
The Hanged Man – Consider how others best receive love. Not everyone’s “love language” is the same. Some people need different things than you do in order to feel loved. Make sure that you are paying attention to these differences, so that you can express your emotions in a way that communicates more clearly with them how you feel.
Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Acorns for Protection during New Beginnings
Foraged Branch covered in Parmeliaceae for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Foraged Lodgepole Pine for Resilience, Growth, and Renewal
Scotch Pine Cones for Purging Negative Influences
Moss Agate Tree for Attracting Opportunities for Growth
Serpentine Dragon to Bolster Heart and Emotions
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: CHRISTMAS CHEER TAROT
I let myself get pulled into some play today instead of doing the grumpy “stand alone in a corner” thing.
Gideon’s Challenge – Temporary
Temporary
A little of this
and a little of that
and focus
shatters
into a million pieces
sight obstructed
making it hard
to see
the light
I’m reaching for
and know is there
its temporary
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)
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?
Earth – The Emperor Rx – Release control. Remember that over this Christmas week you are just along for the ride. Don’t try and control anything, don’t try and be in charge, don’t try and step in. Just sit back and enjoy.
Air – Strength – Be the strong silent type. Keep your opinions to yourself, and instead use this time to observe others. You may discover something useful for later on down the line if you do.
Water – Seven of Bells – Remember that nagging is not considered taking charge. Sometimes it’s just reiterating the same thing again and again to make sure that it gets through the thick skull of whoever it is that you’re nagging at. Nagging with your emotions attached will work even better.
Fire – Ace of Bells Rx – Again, this is a time to sit back and relax. This week is not the time to jump on new opportunities. If they are meant to be, they’ll keep until after the new year.
Waning – Mountain and Bear – Don’t worry about taking on obstacles or protecting yourself from setbacks this week. The week of Christmas is a lull, not just for you but for everyone. Set your worries aside for the time being.
Waxing – Scythe and Man – You reap what you sow. Make sure that you are paying attention to the words and energy that you put out there over the week ahead, because it will directly influence the type of energy and treatment you receive back in turn.
Take Away – Pay attention to the words you say and what spurs your actions. Sit back and relax instead of diving into the fray, and listen far more than you speak. There’s a lot of reminders here that you’re not supposed to be taking control right now, no matter how tempting it might be. Let it go. You can deal with whatever it is later on.
DECKS USED: SUGAR PLUM TAROT AND PETIT LENORMAND MELCHIOR
Emotional Validation
Today’s meditation was an ten minute long #DailyTrip session from the @Calm app.
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Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.
Today’s draw is the Queen of Cups (Artisan of Winter Cups), which is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, and intuition. Among other things, this often translates into themes to do with emotional support and advice from a trusted party that is easy to talk to.
The Queen of Cups has then been combined with one of my Christmas Affirmation cards, which says “Your feelings may sometimes be irrational, but they’re still important!”
One of the biggest, most life-changing things that Gideon has ever said to me was telling me that my emotions and how I feel about something is valid, even if it doesn’t make any sense.
For someone who use logic and reason to ground themselves as much as I did back then, the irrationality of emotion was something that I really struggled with, and was part of the reason that I shoved my emotions away and disregarded them as irrelevant.
This one sincere nurturing concept offered to me with love, validated my emotions; regardless of the fact they so often don’t make sense and there is no logic behind them. This kind concept of understanding and acceptance helped me to better connect with my emotions and bestow that acceptance upon them myself.
The message in today’s cards is a reminder that it is okay that emotions don’t make sense. It’s okay that they’re irrational. The message in today’s card is that even when they don’t make sense or are irrational, these factors do not invalidate them. Your emotions are important to even when you can’t always make sense of them.
DECK USED: SEASONS OF THE WITCH WINTER TAROT AND TWIST’S CHRISTMAS AFFIRMATION CARDS
#DiscordTarotholicsDec2025 Challenge
Prompt for December 20th : Draw a random card and use it to describe a quality about yourself that you love.
Perseverance – I am a survivor. No matter what obstacles are thrown my way or how many times it’s necessary to rebuild, I continue to survive and strive for those values, ideals, and aspirations that are important to me.
This need to continue on and strive forward has at times been disrupted by mental health issues, but even with those hurdles in my way, I continue to strive onward.
Hearth – I have deep roots. Not in the history built by previous generations, but rather through the hard work that I personally have put in and the stability created from that hard work.
These roots create stability not just for myself, but for those around me as well, providing a sense of safety, security, and warmth for all within my sphere.
Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Dried Rosebuds for Potential and Beauty Waiting to Unfold
Foraged Acorns for Protection during New Beginnings
Gneiss Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: SEASONS OF THE WITCH YULE ORACLE
@LightningWildflower December Arcana Challenge
Death Prompts for December 20th and 21st
How can I honor the end of one chapter without rushing to the next thing?
Five of Swords atop Eight of Wands Rx; Light – Despite the storm that rages and your need to be “Mr Fix It”, slow down and allow the lightning of the storm to illuminate that which has already come to pass.
Pause… and appreciate. Stop, and celebrate. The secret of honoring the chapter that’s passed before rushing into the next thing is in the pause, and the choice to allow light to shine on your accomplishments and experiences.
What ways of being have I outgrown?
The Winter Lovers Rx and Dove Medicine – Once upon a time you always pushed yourself to achieve your (unreasonable) expectations and goals, no matter the cost or consequence to yourself. Over the past few years, you’ve begun to learn how to more often put your needs and self-care as a higher priority than progress, leaving behind those unreasonable expectations in an effort to be kinder to yourself.
Other elements included in this reading:
Deodar Cedar Cone for Fostering Clarity and Spiritual Connection
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECKS USED: SEASONS OF THE WITCH WINTER TAROT AND SEASONS OF THE WITCH YULE ORACLE
I got the January challenge questions, spreads, and graphics finished a little early this month so there’s less pressure when the end of the month gets here.
Winter Solstice 2025 – Yule
Tomorrow is the Winter Solstice! 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.
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.
Theme of the Season – Yule / Licht in der Dunkelheit, New Moon, Coriander (Ceriandrum sativum)
Yule (Light in the Darkness) is a time when we celebrate that the light is to beginning to once more return to us. From now until mid-summer, each day will be longer and each night shorter. With the longer days and the return of the sun, the earth will begin to warm and awaken. This returning of the light is the very first step towards warmer weather, spring, and rebirth.
This year the Winter Solstice lands on the waning end of the New Moon. The New Moon is a time of beginnings, when we take the ideas we have been fostering in the back of our mind and bring them forward to prioritize and begin to encourage to grow. Planning is the first step to acting on one’s dreams, and the new moon encourages us to plot and plan to our heart’s content concerning those things most important to us, and that we want to accomplish or achieve.
Coriander (Ceriandrum sativum) is is metaphysically used to stimulate bold energies, awaken passions, and protect through clearing away issues with jealousy, ill will, and stagnant energies. Added to this, in areas of health, coriander is a source of vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron. It is an antioxidant that is believed to assist in lowering blood pressure through its diuretic properties. Its essential oil also contains antibacterial properties.
When looking at these three cards together there is a pervasive message that speaks of a need to let go of those things that are “poisoning the well” as the new beginnings that come with the Winter Solstice and New Year approach. As the light grows, commit to allowing it to burn away the negative influences of ill will and stagnancy, so that the light can invigorate and heal.
Earth – Nine of Cups – Savor more. Work at living in the moment, and enjoying those moments to the best of your ability. Seek out those things that make you happy and make the choice to enjoy them rather than brushing them aside for aspirations. That time spent savoring creates a stability that all your striving never can.
Air – Knight of Swords Rx – Watch out for moments of impulsiveness. Take care to make sure that you’re taking a pause and actually thinking things through before you act. This especially includes before you speak, particularly if you’re jumping forward to speak out of turn.
Water – Seven of Cups – Don’t allow your emotions to get involved in making decisions, or you may find yourself stuck and unable to choose which way to go. Logic is needed, and when emotions get involved, sometimes logic becomes harder to ascertain… or harder to actually choose out right.
Fire – Two of Pentacles – Lean into focusing on creating a good balance in your life between the opposing forces within you. Remember that balance is not stagnancy. It requires movement in order to be achieved and sustained.
Waning – The Dusk Child and Roots – “A balanced view relies on the acceptance of obscurity, just as a healthy tree relies on the nourishment of the black soil.” – Guidebook
It is best to linger on the surface for the time being, and allow the light to do the healing work that it needs to do for you. You’ve spent enough time in the dark, and your inner balance needs the light just as trees need sunlight. Your roots are oversaturated.
Waxing – The Oracle and Scythe – Lean into the development of your intuitive abilities. Although logic is a solid foundation for making decisions, it shouldn’t trump the knowledge that comes from within. Even without proof, that knowledge holds the high ground through its consistency at being right.
Take Away – Recommit yourself to the light as the warmth of the sun’s return burns through the darkness this Winter Solstice. You need to focus more on your mindfulness, positivity, and optimism exercises to balance yourself out, and allow yourself to trust your moments of intuition without question. Just take care not to mistake impulse for intuition. They’re not the same and the former can cause a lot of extra problems you don’t need.
Twisting the Leaf 