Self Care Saturday

Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

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?

Tarot of Many Doors, Earth Force Insight Cards, Morning Calm Oracle

Earth – Reader of Potions, Dance, Breath – This week needs to be about nurturing your health and finding balance through incorporation of your meditative practice and mindfulness. It’s easy to forget in the return to balance and seeking of the light, in the striving and struggle of everyday life, that your body needs love too.  Make sure that you fit in your meditation this week, get yourself out into the fresh air to enjoy the beauty and grounding comfort of nature, and give yourself the fuel and rest it craves rather than continuing bad habits.

Air – Ten of Dice, Hope, Seven Directions – Transformation and finding peace are strong motivators for you this week.  Allow yourself to stay at a slower pace, allow yourself to focus on  more than work.  In doing this you give your inner dialogue and mental health a chance to appreciate the light it’s moving towards, to savor your recovery, and enjoy more fully coming back into a place of comfort and security.

Water – Nine of Dice, Compassion, Transition – The theme of transition continues in the emotional waters of your life with a reminder to be compassionate to yourself and allow the changes that are developing to continue to flourish.  Practicing gratitude during this time can help this along, as it will bring what is positive in your life and your accomplishments along the way into focus, creating feel-good feelings that can help you in continuing in a forward trajectory.

Fire – Four of Dice, Gentle, Cycles – Slow and steady.  Make sure as you’re feeling better that you’re not piling too much on your plate at once.  Feeling better after feeling horrible for so long can make it feel like you can take in the world, but instead you need to take things slow and easy, and give yourself lots of security and stability with each step back toward “normal” you take.  Everything has it’s own time to shine and you don’t have to rush.  In fact, it’s better if you don’t.

Waning – Divine Love – Don’t dip too deeply into the spiritual connection stuff this week.  Getting to know your guides and that slow progress you’ve been making in this direction is great, but now isn’t the week to set your focus in that direction.  Avoid readings that will cast your gaze in that direction and instead just focus what’s right before you.

Waxing – Balance – Seek out where you feel imbalances taking root and work on setting them into balance this week. Finding that balance will allow you to retain your peace and obtain greater clarity.  Don’t allow yourself to sway too far one way or another, even when it feels that imbalance may be useful to you in the moment.

Take Away – The cards make it clear that this week needs to focus on the now.  Mindfulness and balance need to take priority over willfulness or other distractions.  You’re not out of the woods yet, but you’re approaching the edge of the pit.  Allow yourself time to feel good, to appreciate and enjoy feeling better.  That first kiss of sunlight is always the best.

DECKS USED:  TAROT OF MANY DOORS, EARTH FORCE INSIGHT CARDS, MORNING CALM ORACLE

Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

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?

Mesquite Tarot, Elucidation Deck, Lantern Oracle

Earth – Seven of Pentacles and The Closed Book – Rome wasn’t built in a day and a lot of planning and learning went into the process long before the first brick was laid. You know what you want out of your money, your hard work, and your health.  All three have a long term element and you need to make sure you don’t get out of touch with the elements that make up the progress.  Take a look this week and make sure you know what’s going on in these areas, dig in and learn what you need to know, find what’s hidden that you don’t know yet.

Air – Eight of Wands and The Sword – Do your due diligence and do it now.  Do not be aggressive this week in the pursuit of the knowledge you need, but the time to sit back and wait is now at an end and it’s time to be proactive and get gather up that knowledge so that you can use it to your advantage moving forward.

Water – The Fool, The Bridge atop The Knight – You may be feeling all kinds of vulnerable and not at all steady of foot this week, but that’s okay.  It’s natural to feel that way when starting anew after a time trapped in the dark.  Just make sure you have your armor in place should stray arrows come your way while trying to work out your path forward. Don’t take those unintended jabs personally. It’s not about you.

Fire – Six of Wands atop The Tower, The Dove In Mourning – You’re going to ACE this restructuring. Don’t worry about the chaos so much, because it’s just the chaos of change.  Adaptation is your strong suit and you’re going to come through the changes going on with flying colors.

Waning – Radical Self-Love – You have spent the past week relaxing and giving yourself time away from the business.  This was time you needed to heal and find your center.  Now as you move into the week ahead, it’s time to find your footing and get back into the swing of things once more.

Waxing – Circles – As much of this reading has already indicated, there’s some chaos going on in relation to the business and you’re going to need to focus this week to make sure you gather all the information you need to make educated decisions on how to move forward.

Take Away – It’s time to get back in the swing of things.  There’s a lot of changes going on right now that you need to catch up on this week.  Make the calls that need to be made, and work out a plan, but make sure that you gather as much information as you can so that you’re well informed and prepared to adapt appropriately.  During this process there may be a few “emotional hiccups” due to feeling a bit vulnerable (possibly due to either depression or the drop?).  Keep in mind that these hiccups are you taking things personally that are not about you at all.  Let them go instead of letting them in.

DECKS USED:  MESQUITE TAROT, ELUCIDATION DECK, LANTERN ORACLE

Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

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?

Ad Orbita Tarot, Stromocculum Deck, Materia Prima Oracle

Earth – Knight of Swords and Blackberry – Lean into love when it comes time to fight for where you want to go. Goals are all well and good, but it’s about more than just getting there. Rather, it is about how you get there. The choices you make along the way and the methods you use are important.  Make sure that as you push towards your goals that you come at them from a place of love.

Air – Knight of Pentacles and Hazel – Another reminder to soften the way forward.  Soften your inner narrative and make it that of what you would speak to others… to those that you care about.  It is a long journey, and one that will take time and hard work… but now is the time to do the work that you want to carry forward.  Be your own friend, your own caring companion instead of your own personal abuser.

Water – King of Wands and Gooseberry – Take time this week to find your footing in the ordinary and every day.  You are the king of your castle, the king of your passions, the king of your destiny.  But that doesn’t mean you need to be constantly advancing.  Sometimes even kings need time to gain their equilibrium.  Embrace the ordinary and enjoy, allow it to help you find your footing after the emotional mess of what has been the past few weeks.

Fire – Strength and Elm – Allow others to help you and move forward in the direction you want things to go. Stop expending all of your energy now and allow yourself time to rest this week. You will pay dearly with pain and sacrifice if you do not take the opportunity this week grants you, so stand strong against your urge to work, and give yourself the break that you have earned and deserve, and the time to recover that you so greatly need.

Waning – Cobalt atop Copernicium – Volatility resides within both of these elements, and like the Fire position above, these cards are a warning that it is time to ease up and unwind. You may suffer from a bit of passion deficiency as the week drags on and you begin to unwind more and more.  It’s a natural ebb and flow.  Don’t fight it.

Waxing – Neon – Ideas and not action is the name of the game in the week ahead.  Write them down, daydream upon them, wallow in their brilliance and take copious notes for later.  Just allow that innovative creativity flow; without pouring time and energy into the fruition part of the equation… for now.

Take Away – The encouragement in these cards is very strongly leaning into reminding me how important this time of rest is for me right now.  It’s a chance to find my footing and my equilibrium, and to do this I need to make sure that I am being kind to myself both in my actions and my inner narrative.

DECKS USED:  AD ORBITA TAROT, STROMOCCULUM DECK, MATERIA PRIMA ORACLE

Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

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?

Victorian Romantic Tarot, Magical Menagerie Oracle, Dreamscape Oracle

Earth – Ten of Pentacles atop Queen of Swords, Sow atop Pegasus – Things are good… Make sure that you’re keeping an eye on things so that they stay that way.  Make sure that you approach this watchfulness through a place of nurturing and encouragement towards growth instead of a mindset of perfectionism and rigid idealism.

Air – High Priestess and Firebird – Let your intuition guide you and making plans and strategizing your way forward. Changes to your business are troubling your mind, but your intuition combined with your inner knowledge on how to proceed to your best advantage will keep things on track.  Trust yourself.

Water – Four of Pentacles atop The Moon, Fox – Don’t sit on your laurels. Backsliding is still possible. Use your natural cunning intelligence to plot and plan so that you do not find yourself stalling out and stagnant, as that stagnancy will allow uncertainty to slip in and begin to drag you back down again.

Fire – Page of Cups atop Seven of Pentacles, Cow – Be patient and don’t let your current emotions veer you off your chosen path. Taking your time will allow the wealth and good fortune you seek through your endeavors to come your way. So be sure that you are fostering growth and not looking for immediate gratification.

Waning – Sea Turtle – Just drifting along is not going to work for you any longer.  This doesn’t mean it’s time to be setting out concrete plans, but it means that you need to be prepared and ready to move when the time is right.

Waxing – The Spring – It’s time to focus on healing, hope, and optimism.  Now is the time to allow yourself to climb and to reach for the light that shimmers above.  Use this time to cleanse your inner negativity and seek a healthier outlook and path.

Take Away – Sometimes avoiding stagnancy and backsliding is more about mindset than action, and this week will be one of those weeks.  Make sure you are focusing on the positive and not allowing space for negative inner dialogue to sneak in and gain strength. Remember that you are intelligent, capable, and cunning.  There may be a few hurdles this week concerning your business, but you’ve got this… and you’ll come out the other end all the better if you take time to prepare mentally and physically for the challenges to come.

DECKS USED:  VICTORIAN ROMANTIC TAROT, MAGICAL MENAGERIE ORACLE, DREAMSCAPE ORACLE

Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

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?

Black Line Tarot, Wild Elemental Oracle, Transforming Dragons

Earth – Seven of Swords and Lion – You can allow others to support you and take on some of the burden while providing the strategy and instruction needed to help them do a good job. Don’t forget that they don’t have to know how to do a job to do it… they just need someone there to guide their steps and keep things on track.

Air – Ten of Pentacles and Bear – Now that you are aware of where you are at in your journey and that the whispering lies are just that… you can begin to move in a direction that will allow transitions to begin. The bear is a symbol of death and rebirth, and you need to remain confident in your footing as you go through the cycle of your depression so that your rebirth will go more smoothly.

Water – The Star and Dragon – A sign of hope and encouragement.  Look toward the light and allow the dragon’s message of strength through adversity to carry you through.  It’s okay to shed tears, as you must purge in order to be reborn again.

Fire – Two of Cups and Ant – If you want to keep things running smoothly with your business right now, you need to make sure that you’re planning things carefully to conserve your energy and keep things balanced while you work through the effects of the depression.  Low energy means low output, so use your energy and your time wisely.

Waning – Pelifo – Don’t allow paranoia and negativity to continue to drag you deeper.  You are aware of what’s going on and the negative inner dialogue is in full swing and very seductive.  Make sure that you keep it in its place and don’t sink into the embrace of those whispers.

Waxing – Cerbeu atop Honcdonk –  Work on connecting with your true and authentic self. Make sure that you are not closing off your emotions, but are instead allowing them to be expressed freely.  Gratitude is important.  Take extra effort in seeing the positive message in your COTD pulls.

Take Away – With awareness comes strength.  You are aware of what is happening and in touch with the fact that your depression is not an emotional illness but a mental one. The mental games depression plays may stir up the emotions, but this is simply a reaction to the mental part of the equation.  Do not allow those emotions to damage you… instead share them and work harder at looking to the positive in the ways you are able.  Do not overwhelm yourself or push yourself too hard right now… it’s okay to go slow.

DECKS USED:  BLACK LINE TAROT, WILD ELEMENTAL ORACLE, TRANSFORMING DRAGONS ORACLE

Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

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?

Ink Witch Tarot, Oracle of the Radiant Sun, Piatnik Art Deco Fortune Telling Cards

Earth – Eight of Wands Rx and Adaptability – Slow down and take your time. It’s okay that things are taking their time in getting back on track, and it’s okay that you need to take your time finding your balance.  Not everything can move quickly, and this is one of those times where you are along for the ride rather than in control. Go with the flow and in time you will find yourself back at a safe and healthy balance once more. The depression you deal with at the moment isn’t situational nor based in emotion or thought… it’s rooted in your mental health and it’s going to take time to find your way back out of it. Don’t be impatient and just “let it ride” for now.

Air – King of Wands and Harmony – Staying on top of things with the business will help you in finding a small sense of control during a time when everything else in the world feels out of sync and off kilter.  This isn’t about burying yourself in work, but rather about providing yourself a sense of empowerment by using your skills to keep things running smoothly.

Water – Knight of Wands and Vision – So much play… so much goodness coming from it. Your time with Gideon in play is helping you.  It gives you something to feel enthusiastic about in the midst of the weight of depression, and it allows you to see that there is good stuff out there for you, and people that love and cherish you, even when you are caught in darkness.  Make sure this week that you continue to find those things that give you that perspective… a perspective that is often sorely lacking when stuck in the depression’s grip.

Fire – Page of Wands and Patience – Take this time to make small steps.  Small progress.  Don’t push too hard and don’t take on too much.  Now is a time for being gentle with yourself and allowing yourself space to adjust.  Every small and little thing you do is an accomplishment, even the ones that feel silly or mediocre are still another small step forward.

Waning – Journey – You’re not gong to be getting anywhere fast this week. Just let go and let things take their own time as you move at a bit slower than your normal pace.

Waxing – Ardent Desire – Allow your passion for Gideon to help keep your spirits aloft. Temptation and longing are your friend… just don’t put yourself at risk of the drop or it could bring all those good feelings crashing down around you.

Take Away – The darkness marches on into the week and will be there as your companion through it, but there are things you can do to help keep yourself afloat so that you do not sink so far down into the muck that it becomes even harder to eventually pull yourself out. Have patience and focus on these positive things, allow yourself time and remember that it won’t last forever.

DECKS USED:  INK WITCH TAROT, ORACLE OF THE RADIANT SUN, PIATNIK ART DECO FORTUNE TELLING CARDS