playing card reading

Morning Bonus Read – Year Ahead Star

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The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
“Welcome to the other side of the holidays! I sincerely hope you survived them mostly intact. Let’s take a moment this week to take a deep breath and look toward the new year with the following spread.”

Year Ahead Tarot Spread using Stars & Moons Playing Cards by Trendy Spirit

Sunset: Lessons from your previous year

Ace of Clubs – You can only handle so many new projects at once, and sometimes you have to leave a few of them on the back burner in order to focus on what’s more important.

I had a lot of projects I wanted to explore and get to last year that I didn’t manage to get to.  The wood burning, some new pendant designs, and a few other things were all planned to be worked on over the spring and summer.  Instead, I found my hands full to the brim with self care… and everything else had to be set aside.  I had to learn how to be okay with that and let go of the stress that tried to rise up in setting those things aside for later.

Horizon: What you can expect in the next year.

Ace of Spades – Lots of new and potentially successful ideas.

I need to remember to write these down because otherwise I will begin to feel overwhelmed by how many of them I want to pursue and the worry that I will forget about them before I get the opportunity to explore them.

Obstacle: A challenge you’ll face this year.

Jack of Spades – Reevaluation of and a re-learning of how you deal with your ambitions and ideas.

There’s only so much time in each day, and only so many days in each week. At one time I used to spend the majority of my energy pursuing as many projects and ideas as possible, constantly on the run and pushing for more.  And to be fair, it’s possible to obtain a lot of knowledge through this process… it can also wear you down until you’re nothing but a pencil nub with no eraser.  It’s time to continue the journey of learning a better way.

Strength: How to harness your inner power.

Five of Diamonds – Scarcity issues.  That feather in the imagery of the card is very fitting with this theme, as it so often feels like security and stability are tenuous things, and like one small shift, one slight breeze, will whisk all that has been gained away.

Scarcity issues are something I deal with a lot, and when the rise up into the forefront, I become a working demon.  I duck my head and find inner reserves that one wouldn’t believe exist, and plow forward until I resolve that issue.  This is not something sustainable all the time, but it is something I can use during times with extra inner strength is needed.

 Advice: Lessons you learned last year.

Nine of Clubs – You can only do so much. This is a repeat of the sunset position in that in the Nine of Clubs imagery we see a universe hanging by delicate tendrils from a controlling hand above it.  It is a reminder of how much you can control, and how much you can take on.   That “how much” does not include “everything.

I learned how important it is to choose my battles, my projects, and my responsibilities wisely.  I can’t take on the world, or even everything that I’d like to take on.  So it’s important to make good choices, and leave room for my own self care.  Everything falls apart if you overwhelm myself with too much and don’t give myself the self care that is needed.

Navigation: Guidance for the year ahead.

Eight of Hearts atop Eight of Clubs –  When something isn’t working for you, don’t stick around and hope that it will get better.  Get your ass out of there and find something better that will work instead.  No hesitation.  No doubts.  Just do it.

Sometimes, when something isn’t working for me, I do hesitate.  Either because I hope it will come around and change, or through some of the self-destructive urges that I’ve battled with all my life that can at times turn into flirting with self-defeating behavior (among other things).  The cards here are saying that a better tact in the year ahead is to simply move on and find something that works better right away.  Don’t linger or try to wait it out.

Clarity: Your personal theme for the year.

Jack of Clubs – You can do it! There is an unlimited amount of potential before you.  All you need to do is choose a direction to explore… and start exploring.

DECK USED:  STARS & MOONS PLAYING CARDS BY TRENDY SPIRIT

Morning Bonus Read – Cheers to the New Year

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Contagion Playing Cards - Cartomancy - New Year Tarot Spread

Bubbly: Something to celebrate as the year begins.
King of Diamonds

You’ve done a damned good job at riding through the holiday rush and making it your bitch.  You have earned what you needed to create the stability you so greatly desire.  Things are flush and good right now, and that’s not something to take for granted, but rather something to acknowledge and celebrate.

Countdown: Something to look forward to this year.
Nine of Clubs

You’ll be given the opportunity to close out a lot of passion projects this year and show just how much you’ve learned and how well you can do at keeping your business moving at an even flow.  Just make sure you don’t exhaust yourself in the process.

Sparkle: Talents you can bring forward.
Five of Clubs atop Two of Hearts

You need to spend some time focusing on helping others overcome their conflicts and miscommunications so that they can find common ground.  You have the ability to assist others in this, and it’s a skill that shouldn’t be taken for granted.

Drop the Ball: Quit doing this this year.
Four of Hearts

Procrastination is not your friend.  If you want to make the most out of the year, wallowing in hesitations and procrastination is not the way to do it.  You spent a lot of time in that fog last year at this time of the year, and there’s no need for a repeat performance this time around.

New: Fresh energy available to you.
Three of Hearts

You are far more open to the support of others, emotionally and otherwise, than you ever have been in the past.  As you learn about your own emotions and allow yourself to take better care of yourself, this energy of love and support from others will flow even more easily between you and your loved ones.

Midnight Kiss: How to deepen love for yourself and others.
Ace of Diamonds

Communicate freely and honestly with yourself and others.  The ability to communicate clearly provides you a direct connection to the trust they have for you, and that trust that you have in yourself. Communication is the key.

DECK USED:  CONTAGION PLAYING CARDS

Morning Bonus Read – Extreme Points Closure

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The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
“Blessed Solstice!!!! It’s here! That thing we’ve been talking about? Time to wrap up our meditation on it.“

Christmas Playing Cards by Natalia SilvaWhat do I need to do now in order to facilitate this change?
Eight of Hearts

In the first week of this trio of readings, the Eight of Hearts came up to represent the change that needs to take place, and here we find the card come up again in representation of what I need to do now in order to facilitate that change.

The change taking place is moving away from the chaos of the holiday rush and allowing myself to find balance again.  The Eight of Hearts here indicates that in order to facilitate a smooth transition to this healthier way of doing things, I need to be open to the change instead of closing off. 

This is a message that has been repeated a couple of times over the past few days, with multiple warnings not to close down or close off, and make sure that I’m open to the changes coming and not fighting them or resisting.   It’s a good reminder, as it’s something I struggle with often… even when I know that the change is a healthy one.

What resistance to this change do I need to watch out for in myself?
King of Clubs

The seat of the resistance to change in this matter resides in my drive to move forward, to do more, and to expand my “empire” to it’s greatest potential. The problem being that I sink so deeply into that drive, and allow the voice of my father in my head to push me on past what is healthy and into a place of sacrificing myself to the cause.

What is the biggest effect that this change will enact in my life?
Three of Hearts

Emotional harmony both within myself and with others that I connect with in an emotional way.  When I spend too much time focusing on work and the business, it leaves far too little time to connect with others and spend time with them in quality ways.  Not to mention too much work and not enough play makes me a cranky boy.  By allowing that time with others and time for my own needs, it lightens my heart and opens me up to those bonds and connections I’d normally keep at a distance or shut down.

DECK USED:  CHRISTMAS PLAYING CARDS BY NATALIA SILVA

Morning Bonus Read – Year Ahead Visions

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My Year Ahead Vision Tarot Spread - Naked Heart Tarot

What lessons can I take forward from the past year into the year ahead?
Spirit of Pentacle

The world will not end if I take control and allow myself the growth that I need without allowing my inner narrative of negativity to get in the way.  When I stand my ground instead of caving to the temptation of bad habits and unhealthy rhetoric of my past, I become stronger against those things that would have previously held me back.

What challenges, barriers, or obstacles may I face in the next year?
Three of Pentacles atop Three of Swords

Well, it looks like Z might finally get to go home at some point.  The cards here indicate a breakdown in collaboration between myself and others I’m working with.  This will be disappointing and cause what is normally an uphill battle to become an even bigger struggle.  I don’t see being able to hire a new helper this year as yet, not with everything going on with the pandemic.  Stabilization will take time, and I doubt that’ll be something I can look at until 2022.  So… yeah.  There could be some serious struggles and disappointment coming up where it comes to keeping up with my work… especially if I lose a portion of my collaborative team along the way.

What do I need to focus on in the year ahead to overcome those challenges, barriers, and obstacles?
Ace of Cups

The Ace of Cups here indicates that maybe it’s okay for these challenges to be coming up this year, and that it could leave a bit of extra room (or I may need to make a bit of extra room) for emotional growth.  It’s important to remember to do what I can, then let the rest go.  I’ll hurt to accept that I may not be able to handle it all, but it’s better than the damage I can do to myself by trying to take on more than I can handle on my own.

What opportunities will be available to me in the year ahead?
The Tower

Tear that shit down and rebuild.  I have been slowly finding a new path to walk upon when it comes to my personal care and my business, my spiritual and emotional growth, and how I deal with my stress and responsibilities.  But, in order to really take the dive into this new path, I have to actually let go of the old one and let it crumble in my wake.  This year will provide me with the opportunity to do that, but remember that like all opportunities, this is something I have to actually reach for and won’t come to fruition without investment and effort.

What will be the overall theme of the year ahead?
Ace of Wands atop The Lovers

Healthier pursuit of the things and endeavors that are important to me.  This may include reevaluating those things that are important to me and adjusting my priorities to make sure that my self care and making decisions that are healthy for me take a higher priority.

DECK USED: THE NAKED HEART TAROT

Morning Bonus Read – Making Magic

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Yuletide Tales Lenormand - Making Magic Tarot Spread

What I Will

Tree – To get back in balance quickly at the end of the holiday rush. With the holiday rush at my back, it’s time to slow down and to do so in healthy ways that foster my spirituality, my physical health, and my overall well-being.

Earth – What would benefit from greater grounding and stability to help me encourage this outcome?

Mountain – In the time following the rush, there is a moment in time when you feel very lethargic and struggle with motivation. This malaise is a roadblock on your path to finding healthy balance, and to deal with this issue you are going to need to get out into nature and reestablish the grounding support and stability that your connection with the earth provides.

Air – How can I use my mind and my words to accentuate my will in this matter?

Heart – Be kind to yourself.  Don’t allow the negative inner talk to have its way, but instead allow the kindness and patience that you give to others to spill over and be how you treat yourself as well.  Berating yourself and treating yourself badly with negative words and harsh judgements is not going to help you find your footing on that path to balance and healthy well-being.

Mundane – What small activities can I do in my everyday to encourage the outcome I will into being?

Man – Spend time with Gideon. Not just in play… not just outside of play either.  Just time with him.  Get back into the habit of checking in, of messages and texts, of reaching out to him and spending time with him. He helps you in finding that path to a healthier you each year and it’s okay to lean on him for this support.

Fire – What will this ignite within me that I can use to burn away that which doesn’t serve my will?

Clover – Optimism and recovery will be fostered from within and allow you to discard the darker drag of depression and negativity that wants to take over during the shift away from the holiday rush. Allow that positivity to grow and encourage your recovery rather than habitually pushing it away for a more “grounded” (aka pessimistic) outlook.

Water – How can I best understand the subtle connection between the result of my will and the bigger picture?

House – Look around you and pay attention to how your well-being effects that of your loved ones.  When you feel happy and healthy and safe… so do they.  That connection then spreads from them to others much like a smile can spread from one person to the next.  It is much better to put that stability and contented happiness out into the world than the more negative emotions that try to encroach into your life at this time of year.

Spirit – With what magical energy can I connect to encourage the outcome I will?

Wolf (Dog) – The Fae.  It’s time to get back out into nature and connect with the friends you have there and the magical energies that they possess and are so generous with you. Take some time to frolic and play and reconnect with them and their energy.  It makes you feel good, bolsters your mood and your energy, and is an all around good thing that will positively enhance your efforts.

DECK USED: YULETIDE TALES LENORMAND

Morning Bonus Read – Extreme Points Redux

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The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
“Last week we identified something in our lives that might be approaching its most extreme point in the absence of the sun, and how that thing is currently affecting us. This week, let’s revisit that same thing and go a bit deeper.”

Frosty the Snowman Playing CardsWhat do I need to do to prepare for the change that is coming?
Four of Diamonds

Rest.  You need to rest.  You’ve been going full-bore for nearly six weeks now.

As the holiday rush comes to a close, it’s time to rest and recover so that you can turn your gaze back to the “rest of the year” and other things with fresh eyes.

How will this change affect me emotionally?
Nine of Diamonds

The end of the holiday rush comes with a period of drop and anxiety.  A sort of “freak out” that the sales are slowing down and, with it, the money flow is as well.  Although this is a natural transition out of the holiday rush, it always feels a bit like you’re failing at something and it causes a “flailing” sensation as you try and find your footing on the changing landscape under your feet.

How will this change affect me physically?
Two of Clubs

It’s time to plot and plan ahead to where you want to go this year and what you want to accomplish. Preparations need to be made, not just for the business (plotting sale dates, etc), but also with your own physical well-being in the form of making sure you’re getting your nutrition back on track, getting out into nature as needed, etc.

How will this change affect me mentally?
Queen of Diamonds

You have a choice in this moment where you can turn toward what makes you feel secure and project that out to others to help them feel secure as well… or allow your inner voice to eat you up inside.  You are on a teeter-totter at the moment and you are going to need to lean one way or the other.  Make sure you lean into the good and healthy side of things.

How will this change affect me spiritually?
King of Hearts

Now that the holiday rush is ending, keep in mind that you now have the opportunity to reconnect spiritually both with those around you and also with nature itself.  Gideon needs your time and attention, and will help encourage and guide you toward those things that you need to stay healthy, happy, and spiritually connected. Allow his nudges to align with your needs and find that re-connect on a spiritual level that has been frayed and broken by the chaos of the holiday rush.

DECK USED: FROSTY THE SNOWMAN PLAYING CARDS