self care check in

📆 Transitioning from May to June

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Month End Tarot Reading with the Magical Hours Tarot

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

Two of Wands – There’s lots of planning going on, but not a lot of action. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, even if the tone of that voice in your head is being snarky about it. Plans, after all, are the beginning of what comes next.

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

Eight of Pentacles – Consider that maybe now is not the time to act.  Remember that it’s okay to take a break when you need it, and this time of year is the prime time to indulge in those breaks.

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

Ace of Cups – At this time, you are looking for a new understanding of your emotions. You want to be able to process emotions without them throwing a huge wrench into things. Finding the ability to feel stability and even peace during this process is something you hope is possible and might be able to achieve at some point.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

Four of Cups atop The Chariot – Your desire to hide away from the world is coming on stronger than normal lately. Make sure that you’re not allowing this seclusionary urge to control you and close you off from the world and those that care.

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

The Star – Those positivity and optimism exercises you do are needed right now. They help keep you afloat when things are feeling dark, so make sure you are continuing with them, and don’t allow your self-destructive tendencies cause you to avoid them.

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

Eight of Cups – Remember that those who walk away from you and reject your efforts of friendship are not worth your time and not meant to be a part of your life. It doesn’t mean that there’s something wrong with you, just that they’re not a good fit. Rejection can hurt, but it just helps you in finding those people that are more suited to you in the long run.

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

Ten of Wands – Always remember that you are stronger than you think you are. You are a survivor and will handle what life throws at you, even during those times when it seems like it’s far too much for you to deal with.

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

Eight of Swords – Don’t avoid looking at the hard truths or you may find yourself blinded by them when you most need to see clearly. This doesn’t mean you have to shout what you see from the roof tops, but just acknowledge that they’re there so that you don’t trip over them later and end up hurt in the process.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Queen of Swords atop The Hierophant Rx – Your shrink has some good advice, but make sure that you’re sharing candidly with her what the issues are. Actually listen to her “outside the box” ideas instead of discarding them as not for you. There’s some truth and help residing in those ideas that you’re missing at first glance because your preferences tend to lean toward traditional methods.

Message from the Spirit World – When you close your eyes to hope, you miss opportunities to try new things that, although unappealing, may be good for you in the long run.

Message from the Mind’s World – You spent far too much time thinking about the logistics of work, and not enough time seeking out ways to make it more satisfying and enjoyable for you. Take more time to focus on trying new things and exploring, instead of just doing the same old thing over and over.

Message from the Physical World – Removing yourself from your comfort zone may feel overwhelming, but it’ll help you take charge of some of your dips in mood and wellness struggles that you’ve been experiencing lately.

Take Away – Some of the breaks that you’ve taken lately have not been of the healthy variety. Use your time of rest to shift your focus to fun, exploration, and experimentation. Lazy days are all well and good once in a while, but too much turn to rest into stagnancy, which is unhealthy.

DECKS USED: MAGICAL HOURS TAROT

Transitioning from April to May

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Month End Tarot Reading with the Wild Reflections Tarot and The Light Seer's Tarot

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

Queen of Pentacles – You are working on not just finding, but also nurturing a better sense of balance and stability in your life in the areas where responsibility has been taking the lions share of your time, energy and attention of late.  You’ve realized that through this balance you can not just take better care of yourself, but in doing so you can create greater stability for others too.

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

Page of Swords atop Four of Swords – You can try as you might to put new ideas to rest, but you won’t be able to get far with this if you don’t at least write them down. Doing so will help you from being carried away by them, and keep them from disappearing into the ether of memories lost as well.

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

The Hanged Man – You feel the need to lean into the ability to pause and observe, rather than act. There have been a lot of readings lately that have been steering you in this direction, and you are doing your best to embody that message as best you can at this time.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

The Hierophant – Don’t let the way things have always been done hold you back from thinking outside the box and finding new paths forward. Tradition is all well and good, until it becomes a problem. There has to be a balance between traditional methods and innovation. Neither is ideal on their own.

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

Eight of Swords – There are some things you’re not meant to see or understand.  Just because you choose to accept this fact doesn’t mean being in the dark necessarily has to hold you back. Move forward regardless of what you can’t see, and trust that your steps will steer you true even when you’re unable to get a clear picture of what lies ahead.

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

Eight of Cups – Remember the reasons why you have chosen to walk away. You need some memory lane time with these events in your life where you’ve stepped away in the past, in order to refresh your memory on why letting go is an important step and touch upon guidance on how to do so with grace.

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

Temperance – This card always makes me think of a young Gideon. His casual seat seems to always be telling me that I’m wound up too tightly.  There is a reminder here that sometimes you have to “fake it until you make it” when it comes to casual ease and relaxation. You’ll never get there if you don’t try, so stop letting yourself get wound up tighter and tighter. Keep trying to untie those knots, even if you don’t feel like you’re getting anywhere with it.

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

Three of Pentacles atop King of Cups – Don’t allow yourself to get too emotionally invested in the projects of others right now. You have enough on your plate without trying to direct something that doesn’t have all that much to do with you and doesn’t really need to be in your hands anyway. Hold yourself apart instead and let the others sort it out.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

The Fool – More fun. Make sure that you are taking care not to let too much responsibility weigh you down. You can only put so much on your plate, and the more you put on there? The harder it becomes to take time  just to find a little joy in life to savor.

Message from the Spirit World – It would be folly to allow others to deceive you into believing you can emotionally handle being a part of their projects right now. You will sacrifice too much of your own personal freedom and happiness by going down that path.

Message from the Mind’s World – There is much you can learn from moments of stillness by remaining quiet, maintaining your peace, and watching closely from an objective distance.

Message from the Physical World – Make sure when you decide it’s time to turn over new leaves that you aren’t carrying forward with you too much of the past and its baggage.  Lessons learned in the past are all well and good, but you need to let go of the pain, resentment, and other weights associated so that only the lesson itself comes forward with you into the future.

Take Away – Wait and watch is the theme at this time. Lots of observation, little action. Maintain what needs maintained and learn what you can by watching others sort out their own problems for once. Work on accepting that in order to have a little fun, you just can’t be on top of things 100% of the time… and that that’s a perfectly alright sacrifice to give for the joy of those moments of fun and enjoyment you get in return.

DECKS USED: THE LIGHT SEER’S TAROT AND WILD REFLECTIONS TAROT (MIX DECK)

📆 Transitioning from March to April

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Month End Check-In Oracle Reading with the Botanical Dreams Oracle

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

Observe – You are focusing the lion’s share of your energy on taking a step back at the moment. Observation is an important tool in understanding others actions and motives. You recognize this fact and are trying to distance yourself emotionally in order to get a better view of what’s going on around you.

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

Abundance Rx – It’s time to let go of the scarcity mentality that makes you feel as if you’re never able to do enough or “catch up”. Instead, spend time appreciating just how far you’ve come.

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

Soulmates – That special connection you have with those that truly “get you” needs recognition and celebration. It’s time to make sure you aren’t taking them for granted.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

Blessings – Watch out for those that go overboard in stressing how valuable they are to you, or how valuable you are to them. Look for the hidden motivations for why they are so dead set on pointing out and drilling home the silver linings of this relationship.

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

Summer Dreaming – In a reinforcement of this week’s Self Care Saturday reading, the advice here is to give yourself permission to loaf off and be a bit irresponsible right now.

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

Confidence Rx – Reflect back on experiences where you have lost your confidence due to feeling exposed and vulnerable. It’s in these experiences that you can find healing at this time.

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

The Warrior – Take time to acknowledge and celebrate your wins. They aren’t a fluke, but instead are truly a reflection of your skills and abilities.

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

Pearls of Wisdom – The “pearls of wisdom” soon to be offered to you aren’t truly to your best interest. Instead, they have the potential to entangle you in a mess of restraints you don’t need and that will be far too heavy for you.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Spider Woman – Balance is coming. You have the opportunity to be skilled and dexterous on the web of others traps and snares if you are wise enough to stay aware and not ignore warning signs as they arise.

Message from the Spirit World – Take care that even while you are loafing off and being irresponsible that you stay vigilant in protecting yourself from the potentially negative influences of others disguised as help or advice.

Message from the Mind’s World – Combat that negative inner narrative of scarcity in your head through enjoying a bit of extra time with your “tribe” of like-minded souls.

Message from the Physical World – You are a fighter and a survivor. This mantra needs to be remembered and repeated when you are not feeling at your strongest.

Take Away – This month ahead is going to bring a lot of trip lines set by those trying to ensnare you deeper in responsibilities you don’t need and can’t healthily take on. Embrace “irresponsibility” instead of being drawn in, and remember to “stand back and watch” instead of engaging.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Foraged Silver Maple Key for Bouncing Back to Thrive
Saucer Magnolia Painted on Bamboo for Perseverance

DECKS USED: BOTANICAL DREAMS ORACLE

📆 Transitioning from February to March

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End of Month Check-In Tarot Reading with The Somnia Tarot

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

Queen of Swords – It’s time to rise. Leave behind what is needed to rise to your potential, and accept help from those in the know rather than doing all the work yourself. You can put on an unaffected front even if you are more deeply involved in the equation than it seems. The Queen is the power behind the crown (as opposed to beneath it), guiding the way, as each powerful and wise King has one whispering in their ear.

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

Knight of Pentacles – Practicality and slow movement can only get you so far. The time for movement and action is now upon you. Leave the drag of sluggishness behind and get moving.

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

Two of Wands – To move forward you have to have a plan. Don’t waist the time of stillness in inaction that you’re unable to get past or control, but instead use it wisely to plot your course forward.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

Seven of Cups Rx – Take care that you don’t become stymied by too many options. If you don’t stay laser focused on what you want and the opportunities that can get you there, you will become mired in indecision.  Lots of options isn’t always a good thing, so don’t let them become a distraction.

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

King of Swords – Decisiveness is the key to getting where you want to go. Listen to good sense, and don’t let those previously mentioned opportunities that have nothing to do with your end goals distract you and bog you down. Now’s not the time to become scattered, but rather to strategize and make strong, focused decisions.

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

The Chariot – Remember that even in times when you are forced into a corner, you still have choices and autonomy. In those moments, you may feel powerless, but just because your options are limited doesn’t mean there are none. It just may take some creative thinking to continue moving things forward in the direction you want to go.

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

The Tower – Remember with every “shit happens” that you have survived, you have become stronger. It may feel like the world around you is crumbling, but it’s only adding to the ground beneath your feet, lifting you up so that you will sit higher, and thus have higher ground for the next round.

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

The Hanged Man – Delay in stagnancy is all well and good when you have something to contemplate, but sometimes it’s just a delay for the sake of a delay. You have the opportunity to mitigate the effects of that if you stay focused on your goals.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

The World – Finding the finish line isn’t always easy, and sometimes even when you reach it you think you have a long way yet to go. Make sure you are paying attention so that you don’t miss your moment to finish things.

Message from the Spirit World – Use your times of stillness to strategize towards finishing things.

Message from the Mind’s World – Times of slowness can allow you to seek council in plotting your course.

Message from the Physical World – Seize control of your moments of indecision in order to avoid chaos and possible tragedy.

Take Away – After a very long time that felt like stagnant inactivity where life and the cards both seemed to be saying to “wait” and let things move at their own pace, here is a call to action. It’s time to begin moving again, and the first step to that is planning and strategy. Time to get your ducks in a row.

DECKS USED: THE SOMNIA TAROT

📆 Transitioning from January to February

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Month End Oracle Reading with the Land of Giants Oracle and Spirit Cycle Oracle

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

Building and New Look – Well, we can’t get more on the nose than that. Tomorrow, the first payment of the levy for my condo building’s repairs come out and things are put in motion to begin the work. There’s been a lot of stress involved in getting the money for the levy together. These cards indicate that with papers signed and payments lined up, everything is now on its way to moving in the right direction.

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

Force and Barriers – You don’t have to keep pushing in this area.  You’ve fought your hardest through the month of January, and are battle scarred as a result. There’s no force needed now, though. Any pushing you do at this point will only make things more difficult.  Now that you’ve managed to get done what needed done, and the ball is now beginning to roll? Settle in and let things move at their own pace instead.

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

Dead and Dawn – Your need for vengeance is riding you hard right now. The clusterfx of January has someone to blame, and you want your pound of flesh for making such a mess of things. It’s okay to let it go now, though. You’ve already done enough. Like the boots left behind by the dragon after his meal, there is no need to choke down the boot leather as well as the traveler who wore them.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

Past and Yearning – There’s no point in looking back on what was and wishing you could return to it.  There’s going to be a few hurdles still to go before things calm down for you again, and you need to keep your eye on the prize and optimistic about getting there, rather than looking behind you and wishing for what’s been left behind in the past.

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

Frugality and Dream Tree – Having to refinance your mortgage has really helped you in getting all your ducks in a row financially, and this new level of organization is allowing you to not just see where your funds are going, but the possibilities of what you can do with them moving forward as well.

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

Indolent and Self-Awareness – Stop looking at the times you need a little rest or are enjoy a bit of relaxation as laziness. That word… “laziness” is an echo from the past. It’s not your word, but a viewpoint you have been conditioned to see through past treatment from others.  It’s time to work on re-framing these moments into a healthier perspective.

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

Absolution and Nurturing – When you seek forgiveness from within, it helps everything feel a little healthier and a little better.  Sometimes you just have to accept things as they are rather than always judging yourself harshly. No one else holds a grudge against you like those you hold against yourself. Cut yourself some slack and give yourself a little kindness, and you will thrive far better than starving yourself of these things would ever manage.

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

Imploring and Rough & Ready – Don’t ignore the danger hidden among the weeds.  Don’t give second chances to those that don’t deserve it. Keeping your eye on the prize is one thing, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still be looking around and acknowledging the risks and dangers that are far closer than you think.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Famous and That’s All – I can’t say that fame has ever been one of those things that I’ve ever been interested in, but I do enjoy being admired.  These cards indicate that the opportunity is there. That when you remain close to those that matters and watch over them, you earn the most valuable kind of admiration of all.  What more recognition does one really need?

Message from the Spirit World – Working hard towards something doesn’t have to mean it’s all about immediacy and force. Sometimes it’s important to take things a little at a time instead, and in the end you achieve what you really value most instead of the less important goals you’d set your sights on in the first place.

Message from the Mind’s World – Sometimes the negative inner narratives in your head that hold you back can’t be overcome by force.  Instead, a chance of scenery is needed to put them in their place and show them just how inconsequential they are.  Get out in nature and breathe deep.

Message from the Physical World – You are in need of rest and self-care.  You’ve been through a lot of stress lately, and it’s time to give yourself the TLC you deserve (not to mention have more than earned in the past month of struggle, strife, and tribulation).

Take Away – It’s time to step back and let things move at their own pace.  Not just with the mortgage and the bank, but with the levy, with your work worries, and with everything else too.  Don’t push right now. Not yourself, not anything else either.  Just take it easy and let things roll along. Whatever pushing you do is only going to get in the way and slow things down right now.

DECKS USED: LAND OF GIANTS ORACLE AND SPIRIT CYCLE ORACLE

📆 Transitioning from December to January

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Month End Lenormand reading with the Petit Lenormand Noëldine

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

Anchor and Fox – You are finding yourself with the urge to avoid risk and take things slow with others. Although you are feeling stable and comfortable in who you are, you are currently feeling cautious about moving out of your shell, and feel the need to take things at a slow and careful pace.

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

Woman and Ship – The absent woman needs to remain absent. Although they are on their way, they are still at a distance and have been missing for some time. Now is not the time to welcome a return with open arms.

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

Star and Man – A hopeful, positive, and optimistic outlook with a sense of self-possession and stability. Your dominant temperament is rising. Make sure you take these urges to a good place, and don’t let your negative tendencies smother them or turn them toward somewhere dark.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

Fish and Book – Financial tomfoolery is afoot, and there are important lessons to be learned from an incoming experience that you are not going to enjoy. This makes perfect sense considering the building levy quickly approaching that you need to make time to see a financial advisor about this month.

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

Key and Path – New avenues are about to land in your lap that you need to open yourself up to. Just because they aren’t the plan you had in mind doesn’t mean it’s not the right path for you. Don’t be stubborn. Be open minded and don’t allow yourself to get stymied by indecision or bullheadedness.

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

Tree and Bear – There are those in your past that were meant to create a sense of stability in your life, but did not. This lack of stability from others when it was so sorely needed may have made you the fiercely independent person you are today, but has also had long reaching negative effects on your health.

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

Sun and Moon – Take time to reflect upon those in your life that have helped you to sort through your emotions. They are the light that shines upon your moments of uncertainty, and help everything make sense. Be mindful to turn toward them instead of away.

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

Letter and Mountain – Do not allow communication to stagnate between you and others. The longer you hold back and more you avoid dealing with communication issues, the more insurmountable those issues will begin to feel.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Mice and Birds – People talk and the assholes are restless. Make sure that you are paying attention to what’s going on around you, and any hint of whispers on the wind. You are not being paranoid, but instead need to be prepared to act quickly and decisively as soon as any issues arise.

Message from the Spirit World – In times when struggles approach and you feel held back or cornered in, be true to yourself and listen to what your gut is saying instead of the murmurs and whispers of those that seek to break your self-confidence.

Message from the Mind’s World – It’s okay for the softness within you to be on the retreat for a time. Know thyself. Know your needs and own them. Embrace the dominant side and have fun with it while it’s on the rise.

Message from the Physical World – Protect your health with time proven methods you’ve researched and developed over time. When you feel better physically, you feel better emotionally as well.

Take Away – There are warnings here about harmful rumors approaching and troublemakers trying to skirt along the edges. Be proactive and stay on top of these issues instead of putting them off until later.  Being decisive is needed in this area.

Take care of your physical health, and make sure that you are communicating openly with others about how you are feeling emotionally.  These two aspects of  your well-being are connected and work together.

Deal with the levy issue as soon as possible and don’t plant your feet in whatever plans you’ve been making in the back of your head.  That financial advisor has good advice to give and a  possible better route through the financial struggles to come than the ideas and worries that you’ve been percolating on.

DECKS USED: PETIT LENORMAND NOËLDINE