These Saturday readings are (not usually) bearing in on any one thing or event in my life, as the question used is asking for a more general outlook. This is a self care exercise, and is not meant as a predictive reading… although that, too, happens on occasion.

The question is… What do I need to focus for self-care through the week ahead?

Featuring quotes from the Herbal and Spiced Culinary Tarot Guidebook

Earth – Nine of Mushrooms (Wands) – “Stay resilient and think about what armor you need to put up to fortify you as you cross the finish line of a milestone in your life.”

Be on guard this week, and make sure that your boundaries are in place and in good repair. You are reaching a place in your journey where you need to make sure that you rest… yet stay alert. Both are needed in order to succeed in what you want right now. Don’t ignore the warning signs of approaching problems, especially problems caused by mistaking the nature of another for safe instead of problematic, but also don’t ignore your need to recoup while you can.

Air – Page of Tools (Swords) – “You are a sponge for knowledge right now, so take that energy to learn as much as you can and don’t be afraid to be curious.”

Research what you want and need to know. You’ve been struggling with a particular company/service lately. Combined with the card in the Earth section of this reading, perhaps it’s time to start researching other options and looking into different resources rather than depending upon one that has repeatedly managed to put you on unsteady footing.

Water – Compost (Death) – “At this pivotal moment… consider how you can alchemize the lessons of your past to and reinvent yourself.”

You are creeping up on a subdrop this week. It’s time to look at how you’ve dealt with these moments of angsty vulnerability in the past, and consider turning over a new leaf in how you move forward in dealing with them in the present and future. It’s going to take time and practice to change those defense mechanisms, but the first step is to start trying.

Fire – Knight of Cups – “It’s okay if you can’t explain why you need to make a certain decision-if it defies all logic, and you need to do it anyway, trust your decision.”

Trust your gut and just do it if it feels right instead of trying to talk yourself out of it. As you know already, your intuitive spark doesn’t always listen to reason… and yet it’s always right. You need to hear this encouragement right now. Don’t let your brain start picking things apart, as it’ll just lead to unnecessary (and possibly even harmful) procrastination.

Waning – Book and Stars – Stop trying to prove yourself right, and just let it go. This message connects with the card in the Fire position of this reading. Listen to your intuition and prioritize it over your brain’s interference. Sometimes it’s okay to just yield right away, even when you don’t necessarily agree.

Waxing – Scythe and Ring – Proceed with a great deal of caution when it comes to making any kind of commitments this week, no matter whether they seem like something good to commit to or not. There may be small print involved that could end up cutting deep if you’re not careful.

Take Away – Trust your gut this week, and back away from any commitments that might try to come up. Put them off for now. Instead, focus on shifting away from those things (and services) that are causing you problems by doing research on other avenues… and allow yourself to reach for better and healthier methods of dealing with the subdrop that you know is coming.

DECKS USED: THE HERBAL AND SPICED CULINARY TAROT AND SIMPLE DAILY DIVINATION POCKET LENORMAND

These Saturday readings are (not usually) bearing in on any one thing or event in my life, as the question used is asking for a more general outlook. This is a self care exercise, and is not meant as a predictive reading… although that, too, happens on occasion.

The question is… What do I need to focus for self-care through the week ahead?

Earth – Maniac – Take extra care with the unpredictable this week. The unexpected has a way of rearing its head when you least expected… that’s why it’s called the unexpected. Make sure that you are taking measures to protect yourself, especially physically and financially, at this time. Be aware of your surroundings, and make sure you’re taking people with you when you go out. High alert modus operandi for stalker situations is needed right now. If there are precautions that can be taken, don’t brush them off this week. Take those extra precautions and stay alert.

Air – Narcissism – There is no such thing as too much self-love right now. Hold yourself in high regard during the week ahead, and allow your opinions to hold weight above those of others whose opinions might be harmful if internalized, as well as above those negative interjections from your inner narrative.

Water – Embryo – You are feeling small and vulnerable right now. Allow yourself to be cared before by those that love you, rather than trying to deal with everything yourself. Regardless of what you were told in your youth, sometimes it’s okay to sit back and let other people carry the load and the stress.

Fire – Happiness – Get wrapped up and doing the things that make you happy. It’s okay to now and then close out the outside world and focus on these things that bring you joy. This intense sort of focus you excel at can allow you to really sink into these joyous moments if you’re willing to allow it.

Waning – Key and Stork – Remember that you don’t have to have all the answers all the time, and that it’s perfectly all right to send people off to find their own answers instead of providing those answers for them.

Waxing – Ring and Fox – Make sure that you are sharing your vulnerabilities and soft side with those that are committed to being a healthy and positive part of your life. Look at everyone else looking for commitments from you with a heavy dose of suspicion this week. Hidden agendas abound.

Take Away – There’s a pretty significant warning here about commitments, sneaky shit, and staying on alert to protect what keeps life stable for you. Don’t ignore warning signs, and make sure you are doing your due diligence in protecting yourself and what’s important to you. Lean on those you trust to help in this endeavor… as well as in supporting you during moments of emotional vulnerability.

Seek out joy and sink into those things that you enjoy. Let the world (but not your safety) take a back seat to this focus in the week ahead.

DECKS USED: МАГИЯ СЕРДЦА OРАКУЛ (Buy Ukrainian!) AND ROMANTIC LENORMAND