❤️ 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?

Self Care Saturday Tarot Reading with the Christmas Tales Tarot and Yuletide Lenormand

EarthWheel of Fortune – Remember those “sea legs” that you were working on developing so that you could keep a solid foundation during times of uncertainty and unsteadiness in the world? This week will give you your first test of these new “sea legs” of yours. Take note of what works and what doesn’t, and take care not to brace so hard that cracks form in the foundation.

AirKing of Pentacles – Your greatest stability will lie in your ability to communicate well with others this week. Make sure that you are grounding yourself through communication and not closing yourself off from the support and stability that others may be able to provide for you.

WaterPage of Swords – Don’t allow your emotions to step in and keep you from communicating with others. Communication is key this week, even when you’re feeling vulnerable. You need to work through expressing these vulnerabilities rather than trying to hide them.

FireFive of Swords Rx – Step away from conflict, instead of locking into it with determination. Now’s not the time.

WaningMountain and Dog – Remember that trust and faith aren’t the answer to all problems and obstacles.

WaxingStork and Star – Take care not to lose sight of your efforts to focus on the good aspects of things and lean into positivity and optimism. You need that extra boost this week.

Take Away – There’s a great deal of stress placed upon making sure that you are communicating and not trying to hide away your vulnerabilities this week. Instead of leaning into old habits, work on consistency in the positivity exercises that you have been doing to help give you a bit of a lift, both emotionally and otherwise.

DECKS USED: CHRISTMAS TALE TAROT AND YULETIDE LENORMAND

Finding the Positive for December 29 – 31

Card of the Day Tarot Reading with the Christmas Tales Tarot, Christmas Cheer Tarot, and Yuletide Tarot

December 29 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Today’s card is the Five of Cups combined with the affirmation “You are not failing. Depression lies. Keep going.”

There is a specific reason that these card of the day exercises are always focused on the positive. It’s a part of the mental health exercise that my therapist encouraged me to start a few years ago.

The problem is that when your brain resides constantly in a state of negative inner narratives and pessimistic views, it begins to hold sway your emotions and outlook on life, and can thus negatively influence your mental health. That is where my therapist comes into the picture, because I am absolutely one of those people whose brain lives in that negative space when left to its own devices.

This card of the day exercise is for self-care, and focuses on helping in seeing a more positive, optimistic perspective. When I started a few years ago, I really didn’t think it would help. In fact, I scoffed at the idea and was not at all enthusiastic about it.

Years later, though, there’s no arguing with the results. By pulling a card each day asking for “a positive message to carry with me throughout the day and offer perspective”, and taking the time to write out what that positive message is each day?  I have managed cut down on the number of depressive episodes I experience as well as shorten their duration.

This exercise doesn’t mean that the bad stuff isn’t still there, or that I ignore it. It just provides a positive touch of perspective to my otherwise pessimistic mind. It helps.

With the holiday rush over, it’s time to get back on the wagon. Today’s cards are a welcome back, as well as a reminder about what this exercise is all about.

I hope that in my sharing these daily cards publicly, it helps you too.

DECK USED: CHRISTMAS TALE TAROT AND SELF-MADE CHRISTMAS AFFIRMATION CARDS

December 30 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Today’s card is the Knight of Wands combined with the affirmation “I choose to see the magic and wonder in every moment.”

There is a reminder here about being enthusiastic in the pursuit of the things that you enjoy.  Don’t trudge through life with your enthusiasm flagging, but instead sprint forward eagerly like a kid with a sled in the snow. 

When you bring this enthusiasm into the every day, and apply it to ordinary moments, it allows you to see life through a lens filled with magic and wonder, rather than the sloop shouldered disregard that us adults often cast our gaze upon the world around us.

Don’t let fun, amusement, and moments of gaiety and laughter pass you by.  Dive in to experience and savor them instead.

DECK USED: YULETIDE TAROT AND SELF-MADE CHRISTMAS AFFIRMATION CARDS

December 31 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped

•    •    •    ◈    •    🎄    •    ◈    •    •    •

Today’s card is The Hierophant combined with the affirmation “You make the world merrier with your festive cheer.”

Okay, so… to be fair?  I’m not really the cheery type. This isn’t really a surprise to those that know me. I do, however, really love the holidays.  I love seeing everyone’s enthusiasm for decorating and making things look beautiful and festive.  I like seeing the traditions that take place, and how they differ from person to person and from family to family.  I find a great deal of joy in these things.

In the week following Christmas? I’ve actually been able to enjoy some of them too.  I’ve taken drives to look at the decorations that people still have out on display, and visited stores where I’ve taken pleasure in seeing the holiday frosted cupcakes, the decorations on last-minute sale, and enjoyed the more relaxed atmosphere of everyone -not- rushing around like spastic chickens with their heads cut off.

In doing these things, I’ve seen those around me also finding enjoyment in them… in getting to share them with me.

Today’s cards are a reminder that when traditions are shared? They take on meaning. Importance.  And an atmosphere of joy and enjoyment that touches everyone involved.  Traditions are important. They’re special, and they’re meant to be savored and enjoyed.

Happy New Year everyone!

DECK USED: CHRISTMAS CHEER TAROT AND SELF-MADE CHRISTMAS AFFIRMATION CARDS

Tarotholics Challenge Dec 16, 18, 19

#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…

KindQueen 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.

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

GratefulSeven 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