self care check in

📆 Transitioning from November to December

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Month End Check-in Reading with the Southern Gothic Trilogy Decks

Here and Now I Exist – Who you are now, in your entirety. 

The Panther – The fire within you is rising, and along with it, your strength and perseverance. You are starting to feel in control again in ways that you haven’t in quite some time; in healthy ways that help create drive and balance, instead of the unhealthy ways that create stagnancy and sickness.

The Slough – What is to be left in the past as you move forward.

Nest of Wasps – Although you usually don’t realize it in the moment, when you’re in the depression, you have a sharper tongue, and your words have a tendency to sting, even when you don’t mean them too. Now that the depression is easing off, that sharp stinger is fading as well. Taking time to be conscious of your tone when communicating with others will help you shed this sharper edge quicker.

What Lies Ahead – An ideal state or ideal self you are seeking at this time.

Uncle Monday – You want to be stronger in both your mundane abilities as well as your magical ones, and are seeking to develop better adaptation abilities than those you currently possess.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

Hazel the Mummy – The things that you hold onto too tightly will in time turn from stagnancy to decay and crumble away. Make sure that those things that you want so badly to hold onto aren’t actually holding you back from something better.

The Boon – Positive influences, higher guidance, or divine intervention.

Alligator – Take time to explore the self. Digging deep instead of just skimming the surface will help you in connecting and prioritizing those things that are most important.

The Wound – An unpleasant past experience or event that is ripe for some support and healing.

Hydrangea – It can often be difficult to be grateful for things that happen in life. Especially when they hold a negative consequence instead of an obvious boon. You’ve very recently acquired a whole new set of inner scars, and have yet to find and really appreciate the boon involved.

Nostalgia – A positive past experience or event to acknowledge, reflect upon, and enjoy.

The Dog – Take some time to reflect upon and appreciate those that you trust to be by your side, no matter what. Some love is unconditional, after all, and needs to be recognized as such and appreciated.

A Warning – Something coming that can be prevented or overcome.

Cornbread – Make sure to take some time to connect with the roots of who you are so that your ego doesn’t get in the way moving forward. Remember that being a “basic bitch” isn’t necessarily a bad thing it keeps you humble and helps you connect more strongly with others.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Abandoned Plantation – There’s a great deal of opportunity in the deconstruction of things. Make sure that you aren’t just letting these opportunities go to waste.

Message from the Spirit World – Self reflection may cause you to find you’re not as generous as you could be.  Harsh judgements can be destructive. Instead of indulging in those negative veins of thought, use your mindfulness and self awareness to shift toward a kinder and less harsh frame of mind.

Message from the Mind’s World – People depend upon your dependability. They follow you because yo tu provide them with a sense of stability and strength that allows them to actually enjoy the activities (even the work) that you do together.

Message from the Physical World – Those friends that are worth a damn will persist through though thick and thin.  Those that aren’t worth a damn?  They’re temporary, and because they have no gratitude in their heart, they always eventually show their true colors.

Take Away – Things are beginning to turn around, and there’s a good deal more energy (and hope) rising in you as you transition from one month to the next.  Focus on practices that encourage a mindset of gratitude, and lean on those that you trust.

Other elements included in this reading:
Scotch Pine Cone for Purging Negative Influences
Foraged Norway Maple Key for Bouncing Back to Thrive
Dried Grand Fir Sprig for Help in Finding One’s Natural Rhythm
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Carnelian Agate for Inner Drive and Focusing On Aspirations
Desert Rose for Purification and Drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: SOUTHERN GOTHIC ORACLE, SOUTHERN BOTANICAL ORACLE, THE HAUNTS ORACLE

📆 Transitioning from October to November

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Month End Tarot Reading with the Tarot of Haunted House

Here and Now I Exist – Who you are now, in your entirety.

Two of Swords – There are lots of choices to be made right now; many of them concerning things that you don’t really want to deal with or acknowledge.

The Slough – What is to be left in the past as you move forward.

Knight of Cups – Impulsiveness spurred on by emotion. This is something you need to work on. Your emotions often dictate your actions these days, now that you have allowed them to have freedom outside the graveyard you used to bury them in. It’s time to focus on putting them in their place without denying them their freedom.

What Lies Ahead – An ideal state or ideal self you are seeking at this time.

Seven of Wands Rx – You are tired of fighting the good fight and are looking for respite. You don’t want to have to fight so hard all the time, but are struggling to figure out how to let go without sacrificing your values in the process.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

Judgement – It’s time to examine if you are worrying too much about what others think, or have lost sight of your own path due to the influence of other others.

The Boon – Positive influences, higher guidance, or divine intervention.

Justice Rx – Remember the law of cause and effect. You can realign yourself with your values and path, but be prepared for it to displease others when you do. They’ll get used to it if you stand your ground, but it’s not going to be a pleasant experience in the interim.

The Wound – An unpleasant past experience or event that is ripe for some support and healing.

The Empress Rx – Lack of self-care is a serious issue with you. Remember that if you continue along that path, the consequences can be quite heavy (reflecting back to the previously pulled Justice card). You need to work on being more conscious about when you are using self-neglect as a punishment so that you can begin shifting this tendency in another direction.

Nostalgia – A positive past experience or event to acknowledge, reflect upon, and enjoy.

Strength – Your greatest strengths are those that you acknowledge within yourself. When you’re feeling powerless, look in the mirror and seek out the strength that lies within.

A Warning – Something coming that can be prevented or overcome.

Knight of Swords – Take care not to act rashly at this time, even if you feel you are prepared. Keep your mouth shut and do nothing. Just watch.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Seven of Swords Rx – You have the opportunity to avoid the repercussions of your actions by not doing the thing that could create those repercussions in the first place. Take the path of the straight and narrow, and you’ll be just fine.

Message from the Spirit World – Opening your mouth too soon will give away your secrets and result in you getting caught up in negative consequences as a result. Don’t be so eager to share.

Message from the Mind’s World – Make sure when you go on the defensive that you’re doing so over something that matters, and not just being impulsive. Take time to take off the blindfold and really look at your motivations before step forward into the fray.

Message from the Physical World – At this time helping others leaves you at a deficit. You need to be focusing on taking care of yourself and your own needs instead.

Take Away – Lots of warnings about keeping your mouth shut and not jumping the gun. There’s a message here about needing to prioritize self-care, and not worrying so much about others right now. Make sure you’re making choices that lean into this theme.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Japanese Cherry Leaf as a Reminder of Life’s Fleeting Moments
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: TAROT OF HAUNTED HOUSE

📆 Transitioning from September to October

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Month End Oracle Reading with the Grimms' Oracle

Here and Now I Exist – Who you are now, in your entirety.

The Spirit in the Glass Bottle – Although you are currently sitting in a challenging situation, you have the quick thinking and mental acuity needed to sort it out and figure out which path forward will be the best for you. This can build into a mutually beneficial situation if it’s handled carefully.

The Slough – What is to be left in the past as you move forward.

The King of the Golden Mountain – Examine your commitments carefully, and don’t let your pride get in the way of discarding those that are no longer suited to you. Just make sure you’re not leaving somebody else in the lurch while doing so, as it’s important to ensure that you are looking beyond yourself and at how your actions affect others.

What Lies Ahead – An ideal state or ideal self you are seeking at this time.

Doctor Know-all – You seek opportunities that will allow you to take advantage of a situation where you know very little, but can still thrive if given the chance. Trust in your ability to adapt and make the most of the situation, even if you have to fake it ’til you make it.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

The Peasant and the Devil – Take care that you’re not overthinking things and over-complicating things right now. Remember that there’s a difference between clever and cunning, and keep an eye out for deception of oneself for others. Make sure you’re toeing the right side of the line, or you could end up with extra problems on your hands.

The Boon – Positive influences, higher guidance, or divine intervention.

Roland – You’re loyalty to yourself and what is right for you is one of your greatest strengths. Listen to your moral compass and allow it to guide you in standing your ground when needed. Just be sure to take care to acknowledge when it’s better to be flexible and adapt, and keep in mind that these adjustments don’t have to go against your moral compass if you work to think outside the box.

The Wound – An unpleasant past experience or event that is ripe for some support and healing.

Stories about Toad – This year, and especially September, have been extremely stressful for you. Beneficial relationships that you thought were stable have been cut by circumstances outside your control. Allow yourself to grieve, for if you don’t, it just eats a way at you on the inside.

Nostalgia – A positive past experience or event to acknowledge, reflect upon, and enjoy.

The Three Children of Fortune – Take some time to reflect back on the successes you have gained and how you were able to seize upon opportunities and use them to not just get ahead, but thrive. Even though when you started out you thought you had nothing, you proved yourself and others wrong in what you’ve done with what you have.

A Warning – Something coming that can be prevented or overcome.

Hans in Luck – Be careful not to be too naïve about your current situation, and don’t be careless with your resources. Things are going to be a little slim going forward for a bit, so make sure that you are looking towards the treasures you have that are not just monetary in order to bolster your emotions when feelings of scarcity try to slip in.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

The Goose Girl – If you are able to ride through the hardship with dignity and grace, you will come out the other side all the better for it, and those that tried to stand in your way will have to face their consequences. Remember that your true value is in who you are and your integrity, and let that be what shines from within you.

Message from the Spirit World – Value what you have and follow your integrity above everything else. That moral compass within you will never steer you wrong as long as you’re willing to follow it when it tells you what to do (or not to do, as the case may be). It may feel like you’re not getting ahead following this advice, but you would be far worse off if you didn’t.

Message from the Mind’s World – Focus on being clever instead of deceitful. Get ahead through fair practices and cunning.

Message from the Physical World – Play on your strengths. This time of loss makes you feel like you are lost and being punished, but playing on your strengths will allow you to persevere rather than watching your confidence dwindle away.

Take Away – Keep going. You’re doing great and you’re finding the path one small step at a time.  It’s going to take time, but you’re starting to see results.  Just don’t let moments of setback send you into a spiral of emotional reactions.

Avoid emotional self-medicating with bad decisions.  Instead focus on what you have and gratitude for your current abundance.

There’s been some temptation to “cheat” on some of the more difficult aspects of your struggles right now. Don’t give into temptation and keep your behavior above board.

DECK USED: GRIMM’S ORACLE

📆 Transitioning from August to September

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Month End Check-In Oracle Reading with the Jeremy Miranda Deck

Here and Now I Exist – Who you are now, in your entirety.

Center Card – You waffle between needing a drink and the research needed to weather these murky moments you are going through in life right now. This waffling is a fight between your self-destructive tendencies and your nature as a survivor.

There is no act you can do at this time that will help except to wait. Don’t pick up the bottle or entertain other destructive inclinations at this time. They won’t help you weather the storm, but will just make things worse.

The Slough – What is to be left in the past as you move forward.

Center Left Card – You might want to look into a new desk chair for the packaging desk in the office. You can try to fix it, but it may be worth it to replace it instead. Now, while things are silent and still is the time to deal with the issue (and catch up on  your tax paperwork, too).

What Lies Ahead – An ideal state or ideal self you are seeking at this time.

Center Right Card – You are looking for hope. All the research and impatience you feel is because you are searching for hope. What you aren’t managing to grasp, though, is that this is something you have to wait for. It’s not something you can create for yourself. Not this time, at any rate.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

Bottom Center Card – The heat is not helping your tolerance for “doing nothing” at this time. The unknown is encroaching far too close, and you have nothing to distract you from its pull towards the dark. Consider picking up a personal project or two to get you through this time instead of sitting on your hands doing nothing at all.

The Boon – Positive influences, higher guidance, or divine intervention.

Top Center Card – Remember that there is more going on than you can possibly see or know about. Not all the unknown that’s lying beneath the surface is bad. Some of it is working to create a balance that you can’t see, feel, or understand just yet. Just because you can’t see the good work that’s happening behind the scenes, doesn’t mean it’s not there.

The Wound – An unpleasant past experience or event that is ripe for some support and healing.

Bottom Left Card – Make sure when moments of envy rise up in you, that you don’t let it take control. Sometimes when you’re on the outside looking in, that’s the best place you can possibly be. Impressions can be deceiving. You just don’t know what shit they’re going through in there, and it’s probably something you don’t want to be a part of.

Nostalgia – A positive past experience or event to acknowledge, reflect upon, and enjoy.

Bottom Right Card – It might be too hot to go out and hike in the woods, but a little walk through the wetlands might be nice. Make sure you’re getting outside for a bit. The healing nature provides it’s not as strong when you’re not in the forest among the trees, but it will still be there for you in smaller doses in places like the wetlands and parks… which is still better than nothing.

A Warning – Something coming that can be prevented or overcome.

Top Left Card – Make sure you get yourself into the insurance company this month to check on your premiums and balances concerning your insurance, and that they match up with the building insurance for the condo building. Don’t procrastinate. You don’t want to be caught under-insured if something happens, no matter how unlikely that “something” might be.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Top Right Card – Don’t worry, you’re going to get the chance to climb out of the gray into something better. You just might have to go through a dark time first in order to get there. Keep your eye on the prize, and make sure your steps are taking you in the right direction, even when those steps have to be taken at a slower pace than you’re used to.

Message from the Spirit World – Top Row – Fostering extra quiet and calm in your life and practice now will create a strong foundation of balance for when you need to start climbing that ladder.

Message from the Mind’s World – Center Row – Don’t let your negativity and pessimism eat you alive and pull you away from what really matters. That negative narrative in your head has a lot of fertile soil right now while you’re feeling hopeless. Remember that this time of stillness and struggle with hope is only temporary.

Message from the Physical World – Bottom Row – Get your ass outside. You’ll find a quality of grounding there that you’re not going to find while restricted inside doing nothing or looking at others for answers and guidance.

Take Away – Practising patience sucks, but you need to make sure you keep up on the healthy practices that keep you from falling into depression or an anxiety spiral. Do your meditation, get out in nature, keep up on policing your inner self talk for negative influences, and pick up a personal project or two to help distract you from this moment when things look so bleak.

DECKS USED: THE JEREMY MIRANDA DECK

📆 Transitioning from July to August

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Month End Tarot Reading with the Folkloric Forest Tarot

Here and Now I Exist – Who you are now, in your entirety.

Knight of Earth atop Eight of Earth – You are in the process of moving slowly towards flawed perfection. Your sights are trained forward as you seek to improve that which is already long earned excellence. It’s slow going, but you’ll get there if you can keep yourself on task.

The Slough – What is to be left in the past as you move forward. 

King of Air Rx – You are not in control. It’s time to look to adaptation for answers, rather than trying to constantly tighten your grip and force things to go how you want them to. Sometimes you have to accept it’s out of your hands, and all you can do is wait, watch, and adapt when given the opportunity to do so.

What Lies Ahead – An ideal state or ideal self you are seeking at this time.

The Magician – You seek the strength and capability needed to weather the storm of obstacles that life throws at you with composure and skill. You want to make it look easy… or at least easier than it actually is.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

The Wheel Rx – The unexpected sucks, but it will suck even more if you let it have free rein over your life. Only adaptation will allow you to stay on top of things when the unexpected happens. If you aren’t willing to bend, you will break… and so will those things you have worked so hard for.

The Boon – Positive influences, higher guidance, or divine intervention.

Ace of Cups – Don’t allow yourself to close yourself off to your emotions, even when they feel uncertain or brand new. Yes, emotions are unpredictable, but they allow you to get through difficult times and can bolster you when needed.

The Wound – An unpleasant past experience or event that is ripe for some support and healing.

Four of Earth – Don’t get too comfortable or you will be taken by surprise when changes come. Remember that stability doesn’t involve stagnancy. Stagnancy causes rot and decay.

Nostalgia – A positive past experience or event to acknowledge, reflect upon, and enjoy.

Ace of Earth atop Nine of Water – New opportunities come from indulging in those things that you enjoy. You can begin again if you need to. You’ve done it before.

A Warning – Something coming that can be prevented or overcome.

Two of Water atop Seven of Water Rx – When you feel like you’re out of options, it’s time to think outside the box and start seeking the opinions and ideas of others close to you. Share with them how you feel and let them help you navigate these moments.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Ace of Fire – Start doing the stuff needed to support your passions. Do it now. It’ll be worth it in the end.

Message from the Spirit World – You can follow your emotions or your passions, but you can’t choose both. Make sure you weigh the options carefully because they will determine your future path.

Message from the Mind’s World – Less thinking and more doing is needed right now. You have the tools to make it happen, so make it happen. Focus on those things that -are- under your control, instead of those that aren’t.

Message from the Physical World – When stability is disrupted by uncertainty, stay grounded in what you know through experience is going to make you happy. Keep in mind that you may need to start over in some areas to accomplish this.

Take Away – Something disruptive is coming. Instead of bracing for impact, start moving on preparations now, with your eye on new beginnings involving a blend of what you are passionate about combined with what makes you happy. They aren’t always the same thing, but they can be if you combine them together.

DECK USED: FOLKLORIC FOREST TAROT

📆 Transitioning from June to July

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Month End Tarot Reading with the Twice Told Tarot

Here and Now I Exist – Who you are now, in your entirety.

Six of Cups atop The Hanged Man – What are you really getting hung up on? You’re currently in a holding pattern. Stuck and trying to determine which lessons from the past ring true, and which can be set aside. This means there’s a lot of time spent reflecting upon the past and how you feel about the things that went on back then. There is advice here to let those thoughts and emotions come and observe them, rather than trying to hide from them or ignore their existence.

The Slough – What is to be left in the past as you move forward.

The Empress – Stop trying so hard to give everybody else what they need and to be what they need you to be. Wearing yourself down for the needs of others leaves no room for you to give yourself what you need to be fulfilled as well.

What Lies Ahead – An ideal state or ideal self you are seeking at this time.

Temperance – You would like to find a happy medium between taking time to slow down and breathe, and staying on top of your responsibilities.  This balance requires careful moderation.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

Seven of Wands – Everybody wants a bit of your time and a piece of you, but there’s only so much to go around. Make sure that you’re standing your ground when others try to test your limits and boundaries. There’s a lot of that going on right now, even if you’re not really noticing it yet.

And for fucksake, stop allowing Ms B to pull you into talk on politics. It gets you nowhere, it’s aggravating as hell, and it has the potential to cause a rift.

The Boon – Positive influences, higher guidance, or divine intervention.

The Sun – Your work on leaning into positivity and optimism is having a good influence. You really are succeeding in this area, even if you don’t notice it all the time. Keep it up.

The Wound – An unpleasant past experience or event that is ripe for some support and healing.

The Star Rx – That sense of hopelessness that comes with depression is something you fear, but also something that sometimes feels a bit… tempting. Welcoming, even. This is due to your self-destructive tendencies, and you need to make sure that you’re watching yourself so that you don’t end up inviting in the depression you’re trying to avoid.

Nostalgia – A positive past experience or event to acknowledge, reflect upon, and enjoy.

Two of Pentacles Rx – Remember that when shit falls apart, sometimes it makes things better in the long run. Go ahead and drop some of those balls you’re juggling when you need to. Past experience has proven that it’ll be okay even if you do.

A Warning – Something coming that can be prevented or overcome.

Ten of Swords atop Death – Changes don’t have to hurt. If you invite it in instead of struggling against it, you can avoid injury and things will go more smoothly.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Six of Swords Rx – If you like where you are, sometimes it’s okay to stay and try to change things instead of moving on. Just make sure if you are staying put, that it’s done in a healthy way and provides an opportunity for growth.

Message from the Spirit World – Sometimes riding through change means you just stay put and let things move around you. When you are the stationary piece of the puzzle, you can watch the show without participating.

Message from the Mind’s World – Take care with how much of the past you lead into your present. Exploring the past a little bit can be beneficial, but when you go overboard, it causes you to get hung up and your moment of pause become stagnancy.

Message from the Physical World – All is not lost, so don’t give up the good fight. It might feel like you’re at the end of your rope, but in truth, this is only temporary just like everything else.

Take Away – This reading indicates that maybe it’s time to look at change differently.  Maybe, instead of looking at it as a “change of scenery”, what’s needed is a change of shoes.  Shift your perspective and look again.

Make sure you are prioritizing your own needs above that of others. Although this isn’t -always- possible, there’s a lot more opportunity for doing this than you’re allowing yourself to do. That includes doing what you need to do to back away from the edge of depression’s pit instead of flirting with it.

DECK USED: TWICE TOLD TAROT