self care check in

📆 Transitioning from September to October

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Month End Check-In Tarot Reading with the Cats Rule the Earth Tarot and the Glowwood Oracle

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

The Magician and The Beech – Your energies and those around you are on the ascent, and you have all the tools at your disposal that you need to make sure that everything goes just the way you want it to. Have confidence in your tools and your ability to use them to achieve your goals as things begin to speed up and the holiday rush begins to crowd out everything else.

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

Judgement and The Stag Beetle – Make sure that you are not judging yourself harshly for the transition period that is coming. Change is hard, and of course there’s going to be a little bit of struggle involved as you move from a time when you can focus on yourself to a time when every shred of your focus needs to be towards your business and it’s growth.

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

King of Wands and The Mistletoe – Lead those with you through the long haul forward with strength, and make your passions their passions. Inspire them to transition with you into this new, temporary reality that the approaching holiday rush presents.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

The Devil and The Fumewort – Fairweather friends have no place in your life right now. They will become a hindrance that weighs you down and chokes out your enthusiasm. Don’t let your self-destructive tendencies convince you to try to hold onto these people right now. You can revisit these friendships in January if they’re still around at that time.

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

Three of Swords and The Aphid – Focus on the little things right now. There’s lots of little things you can do to prepare for what is to come. When working on these little things you can advance far quicker and far more than you expect you could because all these little things pile up if you let them. If you are looking for things to make you feel good about yourself during this time (connection between the Aphid and the Stag Beetle) make sure you are doing these little things, and writing them down so you can see the progress you’re making.

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

The Moon and The Firemoss – You need to take time to confront the feelings that stemmed from your time of homelessness and abject poverty. Although it is a long time in the past, there are still issues that linger in your mind and your heart from this time.

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

Ten of Cups and and The Glowworm – This refers not to one specific positive past experience, but rather on remembering the good times as a whole and releasing the bad. It’s okay to keep the lesson and let go of the rest, in order to encourage focusing more on the positive than the negative.

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

Five of Wands and The Lambsquarters – An effort from outside sources to come in and try and take over is coming. Make sure that you are aware of what’s going on around you and prepared. They could be useful and even beneficial, but not if they’re given free reign.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

The Hierophant and The Oak – Put on a display the strength, structure, and stability that your presence provides for those around you. You will be given the opportunity to further your influence towards stability in future weeks, and provide guidance to those that are in need of that stability.

Notation:  Skipping the “Three Realms” section of this reading today as a part of my self-kindness.  I’m just too tired, and I don’t want to hold back posting this post, for I know it’ll just sit there in my “almost ready” list of posts and make me feel guilty.

DECKS USED: CATS RULE THE WORLD TAROT AND THE GLOWWOOD ORACLE

📆 Transitioning from August to September

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Month End Tarot Reading with the Tarot of the Secret Forest and Menagerie Playing Cards

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

The Moon and Nine of Clubs – You are feeling a lot of uncertainty right now, which is understandable. These two weeks are the slowest part of the year for your business and you are currently in the lull that follows the completion of a large project. Don’t allow these feelings to push you to lax your boundaries with yourself. Healthy choices are needed, even when feelings of uncertainty are messing with you.

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

Death and Seven of Spades – Stop looking at changes as a disruption. Resisting creates problems and stress. Instead of looking at them as a destruction of harmony, try seeing changes as an opportunity.

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

Ace of Swords and Three of Diamonds – Inspiration and an ease of communication with others as you work together to prepare for the holiday rush. There hasn’t been a need to really synchronize over the past few months, but that time is fast approaching.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

Eight of Cups and Four of Spades – Watch out for the ones that have gone silent or walked away. There are potential problems brewing in that direction.

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

Five of Wands and Ace of Hearts – When others have good intentions at heart, make sure to remember that just because you may not agree with what they say or their methods, it doesn’t mean that they’re not trying to help and don’t care about you.

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

Nine of Pentacles Rx and Two of Hearts – This is in reference to trusting people that turn around and let you down. Sometimes you find a connection with someone, and it feels like it’s just right, and then something happens that feels like it tears down everything that you’ve worked for all in one blow. Now is a good time to focus on healing from these experiences. Look at those times when this has happened in your life, and see if you can let go of some of the hurt and residual pain that resides there.

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

Six of Wands and Four of Diamonds – It’s not always a bad thing to feel good when people praise you. That positive feeling that the praise from others provides can be nice, as long as it’s not something that you become dependent on for feelings of stability to thrive.

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

Five of Pentacles and Nine of Hearts – Feelings of scarcity, whether real or imagined, have a habit of rising up at this time of year. Be sure that you are leaning into appreciating those things that are making you happy and seeing the value in them, instead of allowing yourself to fall prey to the rise of scarcity’s theme trying to inject itself back into your life and your mind.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Wheel of Fortune and Queen of Spades – Make sure you are paying attention to your reactions to stress and change. You are going to be given an opportunity to turn this around into something better, but you need awareness in this area to do so.

Message from the Spirit World – Sometimes when you’re unhappy with how things are and you want to make them better, you have to actually fight for the changes that you want to see and stand strong against the resistance that may rise up in others as a result. Complacency is not always something that makes life easier.

Message from the Mind’s World – Change can breed uncertainty and steal your confidence. Make sure at these times that you lean into keeping your boundaries in place and communicate with others on what you need to help keep things invigorated and moving forward smoothly.

Message from the Physical World – Those that care about you are working hard to convince you to take a rest and do what you need to do to create stability in your body. Physically, you’re not at your best right now, and you need to take their advice and do those things you know are needed to rectify the situation. Stop being a stubborn ass.

DECKS USED: TAROT OF THE SECRET FOREST AND MENAGERIE PLAYING CARDS

📆 Transitioning from July to August

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Month's End Check-In Tarot Reading with the Spirit Animal Tarot and Lisa Hunt's Fairy Tale Tarot (trimmed naked)

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

Two of Wands and The River Walk – You are moving at a slow pace, but you have plans and you know what you want. Keep your head held high and stay watchful so that you don’t trip over any exposed roots or rocks along the way.

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

Eight of Pentacles and The Flying Chest – Wishful and fanciful thinking about the work getting done without actually putting in the work its not going to serve you. Plans aren’t enough, and wishes are not actions.

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

The World and Midnight Garden – You wish to make your recent changes permanent so that your future is more pleasant and productive, filled with beautiful things, beautiful energies, and stability instead of uncertainty and darkness.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

Page of Swords and Puss In Boots – Remember that some of those that stand most strongly in your defense are not really on your side at all, but are being cunning and working towards their own motivations and goals… not yours.

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

Queen of Pentacles and The Savior – Remember to appreciate those around you that love you, for they make sacrifices for you that you don’t even realize that they make in support of you and your need for stability.

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

Queen of Cups and Pandora’s Box – Make sure you are seeking emotional support in the right places. You run the risk of getting hurt and setting loose destructive energies in your life when you seek out emotional support and validation in places you know it can’t come from.

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

Knight of Pentacles and The Insincere Courtship – Remember the other day when you had a reading the spoke about looked to the past to see people’s true nature? This is an echo of that, and speaks specifically of Gideon and how over the years he has shown his (nearly obsessive) dedication to you.

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

Knight of Swords and An Idle Moment – Don’t let impulsiveness sneak up on you just because you’re feeling bored or uninspired. Action just for action’s sake won’t earn you progress, just wasted energy.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Nine of Pentacles and The Naked King – Don’t be so stubborn that you ignore your accomplishments and set yourself apart from others. Instead you have the opportunity to connect with others and increase your feelings of socially based security if you allow yourself to be open with them.

Message from the Spirit World – Moving too fast is not necessarily a good thing. Make sure you slow down and pay attention so that you don’t end up making an ass out of yourself.

Message from the Mind’s World – You’re going to need to start doing a little weeding when it comes to your surroundings. It’s hard work, but you need to lighten your load. Don’t disregard plans that you’ve made when making the cut. It’s okay if it’s crowded when you’re finished as long as it’s crowded with those things that you cherish.

Message from the Physical World – More self-care is needed. You’ve only barely touched the tip of the iceberg in this area, and are still learning to look at yourself in a more positive light. Don’t let slow progress create a negative atmosphere where your self-care becomes lacking and your personal needs are not being met.

DECKS USED: ANIMAL SPIRIT TAROT AND LISA HUNT’S FAIRY TALE TAROT (trimmed naked)

📆 Transitioning from June to July

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Month End Check-Up Tarot Reading with The Pacific Northwest Tarot and The Crystal Forests Oracle

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

The Sun and Amethyst – You have been reminded again and again to lean into positivity and optimism. It’s been a tough road, but you are in a place right now to facilitate those efforts.

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

Four of Cups and Golden Healer – Sensitivity and sloth. It’s time to act. Leave behind the dragging feet, stagnation, and stubbornly cloying complacency. Lift your feet from the muck and start moving, and in doing so you will feel your energies begin to lighten and become more active as well.

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

The Hanged One and Lapis Lazuli – Clarity. You seek a mind unfiltered by bias or clouded by the fuzz of uncertainty or depression.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

Wheel of Fortune atop Six of Wands Rx, Fire Opal – Public opinion is fickle as hell. Don’t depend on others for the clarity you seek. Their perspectives are only a piece of the puzzle, and far from the full picture or absolute truth.

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

Temperance and Copper – Set your own pace that allows you to look around with gratitude and treat yourself with kindness. When you do this, it will still get you where you want to go, but at a far more enjoyable (and sustainable) pace.

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

Eight of Swords and Blue Kyanite – Forgive yourself for not seeing all of the bad stuff coming before it hits. No one ever sees everything or picks up on all the warning signs. In retrospect we see so much more that we couldn’t have known was important in the moment.

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

Page of Pentacles and Rainbow Moonstone – You need to reflect on all the good that meditation has done for you in the past and allow this awareness of its positive influences it to inspire you to begin again.

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

Nine of Cups atop Two of Cups Rx, Tanzanite – Sometimes social discord can lead to a better place overall. There is a clash of minds is on the horizon, and you may want to let it happen instead of trying to divert, as it will lead to a far better place if you ride it out.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

The High Priestess and Labradorite – You have the opportunity coming your way to expand into your intuition and stretch it into a more comfortable fit.

Message from the Spirit World – It is through your intuition that you will be able to set a pace for yourself that allows for both healthy rest and recuperation, as well as energetic movement toward your goals.  There has to be balance between the two in order to find true happiness.

Message from the Mind’s World – The mental health healing that you need can be found through instilling more positivity and optimism into your day to day life.  Through this new perspective you can find a more crisp and clear mental state.

Message from the Physical World – It is time to step away from self abuse and self neglect. No one can do this for you. You have to make the decision to do it for yourself. You know the things that can help you find a greater sense of physical stability.  Meditation is at the top of the list, and where you need to start.

Take Away –  This reading is primarily about movement and stagnancy, it’s about making sure I’m not lingering any longer in the stagnant energies that have held me back this spring and summer, and instead pushing myself forward into action and movement so that I can begin stirring up energies that need a breath of fresh air.

DECKS USED: THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST TAROT, THE CRYSTAL FORESTS ORACLE

📆 Transitioning from May to June

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Month End Check-In Tarot Reading with the The Lost Tarot and Coastal Curiosities Oracle

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

The High Priestess Rx atop The Empress, Reward – Your intuition and self care are not on the same page. There is reward in acknowledging this and realizing that they do not need to be on opposing sides but can work together in coexistence for something healthier.

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

The Star atop Death Rx, Roam – Don’t let lack of Hope create stagnancy in your life. Depression is keeping you from moving forward, even at a slow pace.

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

King of Wands and Unearth – You are seeking to reconnect with your passions, motivation, and enthusiasm. It has been buried beneath the depression for a long time.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

The Fool atop Two of Swords, Establish – You can’t have your cake and eat it too. Decisions have to be made, no matter how much you don’t want to. Be an Adult.

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

Queen of Coins atop Six of Swords, Awaken – Wake up to the fact you just can’t hide from everything all the time. This depression this time around made a runner out of you. Connect to the nurturing, grounding influence of nature to bring you back to self.

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

Five of Wands and Shell – Remember that not everyone you open up to is going to show true colors to be in conflict with your own values. Disagreements happen, but they don’t have to turn into distance and isolation.

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

Five of Cups atop Two of Cups Rx, Robust atop Observe – Your friends and loved ones are there to help and support you. Even when you can’t see them clearly, they are standing in the wings watching and waiting to step in and help.

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

King of Swords and Terrarium – Don’t allow yourself to become so judgmental or harsh tongued that you close yourself off to the rest of the world.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Ten of Swords and Crystal – Use your connection to the earth and nature to heal your wounds and draw you out of the last dregs of your depression. You are at the end, and that connection will give you the boost you need.

[Playing catch-up and I’m skipping the second part of this reading for this month.]

DECKS USED: THE LOST TAROT, COASTAL CURIOSITIES ORACLE

📆 Transitioning from April to May

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Month End Tarot Reading with the Anima Mundi Tarot and The Energy Archaeology Oracle

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

The Sun (Horse) and Release – You have (quite literally) been purged clean both physically and emotionally over the past week and you are now at a place where, with all that has been released, you have the opportunity to start again upon your path lighter and cleaner than before. This allows for the opportunity to focus on healthier and happier energies than before.

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

Queen of Cups (Humpback Whale) atop Six of Pentacles, Supporting – Allowing your self-care and how you treat yourself to be dictated by your emotions needs to be left behind. You should be supporting yourself no matter where you are emotionally. Generosity and support towards oneself is not meant to be tied to one’s emotions.

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

Ten of Pentacles (Red Wolf) and Grace – Healthy, happy and hail, along with the ability to balance rest and recovery with active pursuit of your goals. No more fumbling around in a fog, but instead a clear objective combined with healthy balance.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

Ace of Cups and Open – Be careful who you are letting into your “circle” right now. Being too open, forgiving, or invested in these new relationships and outside influences at this time can have a negative effect that you won’t want to have to deal with.

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

Strength (Hercules Beetle) and Refine – Pull from your inner strength to do the things that you know need to be done to help yourself feel better and become stronger. You know what these things are, and you need to work at doing them even when you feel uninspired to do so. Tap in to your inner strength to find the willpower to get them done, even when you don’t necessarily want to.

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

Death (Death Adder) and Power – There have been a number of experiences in the past couple of years where you’ve had to deal with feeling powerless (and helpless) in the face of change, and this has caused a disenchantment of late in life as a whole. It’s time to delve into these feelings and help restore faith in your personal empowerment, even (or especially) in the face of change.

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

Five of Wands (Antelope) atop King of Pentacles (Grizzly Bear), Potential – Empowerment comes in many different guises, and you need to remember and reflect upon those times when you have fought for what you believe in, having held strong and solid to defend and protect what is important to you. There is potential to carry this energy forward with you now, and allow it to lift you up and strengthen your resolve in the areas that need it.

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

Five of Pentacles, Activating atop Belonging – Keep an eye out for scarcity issues that may start creeping in and influencing how you see the world as well as your own behavior. You can circumvent this process by staying actively vigilant and ensuring when you see signs of it coming that you don’t ignore it or shut it out, but deal with it instead.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Two of Pentacles and Co-creation – An opportunity for collaboration with others that will allow you to find a better balance in the different aspects of your own life.

Message from the Spirit World – Feeling like an outcast sucks. Make sure that you are aware of when you feel this sneaking up on you, and when those feelings are being displayed in others. Use your inner compass and strengths to bring these issues forward and help work them out with others so balance can be restored.

Message from the Mind’s World – Finding the emotional support needed to let yourself let go of the past can help you in finding peace and better appreciate the present.  Only through forgiveness can this freedom truly be found.

Message from the Physical World – You have a chance at this time to release bad habits and other treatments of your physical self, and leave them behind.  Powering through isn’t the answer, and there’s a great deal of opportunity as you move past being sick to find a better path that will provide a stronger foundation for you to stand upon.

DECKS USED:  ANIMA MUNDI TAROT AND THE ENERGY ARCHAEOLOGY ORACLE