self care

❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a 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?

Self Care Saturday Tarot Reading with the Comic Strip Tarot and Sparkly Lenormand

Earth – Six of Wands atop Queen of Swords – Stay grounded this week by taking care to observe who it is you’re trying to people please and why.

Remember that you can’t please everybody all the time, and don’t allow people’s sharp words to make you feel like you have not accomplished anything. A lot of times both sharp words as well as praise are used as a form of manipulation. Make sure that you are examining others motivations rather than just accepting them at face value.

Air – The Emperor – This examination of motivations mentioned above also applies to yourself and your own reasons for what you say and do.

This is especially true when you butt heads with others in the week ahead. Don’t be stubborn just to be stubborn. Make sure you actually have a good reason for your demands that goes beyond self-serving motivations or stubborn pride.

Water – Strength – Remember that it’s okay to feel vulnerable. Just make sure that you’re sharing that vulnerability with the ones you love and trust, instead of with strangers that don’t have your best interest at heart.

Fire – The Devil – Clearly the theme of this week is manipulation. Pay attention to who’s jerking your chain, and consider if it isn’t someone behind them that’s actually doing the manipulating instead of themselves. Sometimes people who have your best interest at heart end up jerked around by those that don’t. Don’t forget that that third-party is out there sometimes (no matter whether it is a person or a thing that’s motivating them), and keep an eye out for it this week.

Waning – Dog and Moon – Even those who are loyal to you can be jerked around by their emotions. As mentioned above, don’t just take everything at face value this week. Do a little digging instead of trusting everything is on the up and up.

Waxing – Fox and Coffin – It’s not a game or a puzzle. Don’t worry about being clever in sorting the machinations of others… just end it. Full stop.

Take Away – There are lots of warnings here about the machinations and manipulations of others, the methods they may use, and the importance of staying aware and alert to this in your interactions with others in the week ahead. When you recognize these manipulations in your life, put a stop to them immediately. You can sort out how you feel about it or what their motivations were at another time. The important part is to ensure that you stop the behavior in its tracks right now. Go ahead and be paranoid… you have every reason to do so this week.

Other elements included in this reading:
Pressed Pansy Flower for Hearing the Heart More Clearly
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: COMIC STRIP TAROT COLOR EDITION AND SPARKLY LENORMAND 2ND EDITION

❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a 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?

Self Care Saturday Tarot Reading with the Oculus & Serpentibus Tarot and Tempus Fugit Lenormand

Earth – Page of Wands – Don’t worry if you don’t know everything; that’s supposed to be part of the fun.

Air – Six of Pentacles (tipped right) – Generosity is going to be more of an obstacle or detriment than it will be a boon this week. It might be best to skip it where you can.

Water – The Magician – You have the tools you need to keep your emotions in balance. Gideon is on vacation, not disappeared from your life. He’s within an easy reach when you need him, as is your meditation practice, playing in the soil in your garden, and other such tools that help you stay on an even keel.

Fire – Queen of Wands Rx – Focus on yourself. It’s probably not the best time to be nurturing others through your own stable presence and support. You are the one that is going to need support this week, so make sure that you are allowing others to help you with that.

Waning – Mountain and Rider – This week is not the time to be riding full-bore into your struggles and problems. It’s okay to let your hurdles percolate a little bit this week and not make much progress on them.

Waxing – Bouquet and Ring – Let others make promises this week. Enjoy the connections you have with others and remember that these connections do not come with a forced obligation of generosity attached.

Take Away – Focus on yourself and let the things that feel like challenges sit on the back burner. You need to allow yourself to have the support and attention you need instead of allowing others to monopolize your time and attention.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rosebud for Potential and Beauty Waiting to Unfold
Clear Quartz for boosting Mental Clarity and Amplifying Energy
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: OCULUS & SERPENTIBUS TAROT AND TEMPUS FUGIT LENORMAND

📆 Transitioning from May to June

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment
Month End Check-In Tarot Reading with The Yellow House Tarot

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

The Hermit – You are seeking alone time and feeling a desire to retreat from the world at this time. As mentioned in the blue moon reading done yesterday, the trick to this at the moment is in finding the motivation to engage in healthy alone time instead of the unhealthy variety.

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

Seven of Coins – Don’t over-complicate long term endeavors. Just because something takes a long time to accomplish doesn’t mean it has to be complicated, or need your full attention all the time. Like some plants, some endeavors thrive under neglect rather than constant attention to detail.

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

King of Coins – Resource stability. With taxes done for both personal and business, your property taxes paid, the levy on your building paid, your accountant paid, etc., you are feeling the need to recover financially and work on reestablishing some solid footing.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

The Empress – Don’t pamper yourself to the point you become lazy or lackadaisical. Not all self-care is about languishing. Sometimes it means getting in the garden to work among the flowers and/or otherwise building up a sweat in the sunshine and shade.

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

Time / Wheel of Fortune – Do some of the things that tend to cause you to lose track of time. Your time and attention is not strictly regimented right now, which means it’s the perfect time to lose yourself in the activities where time doesn’t really matter.

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

Ace of Cups – Take time to revisit some of those emotions from the past that you found confusing or difficult to identify and deal with. You may find them easier to identify and/or deal with now that there has been some time and space between you and them. Sometimes a little distance helps put things in perspective.

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

Page of Wands atop Ten of Coins – In both the present and the past, you’ve enjoyed feeding those you care about foods that you have grown yourself. This year that may be your teas and herbs, but don’t give up the dream idea of growing more on your balcony next year.

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

The Hanged One Rx – Take care to pay attention to your initial reactions to things, and take time to observe and consider before you actually act or respond. You don’t want to jump the gun, as that won’t provide you with the results you desire.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Three of Cups – That togetherness you’ve been feeling lately with others holds a great deal of promise if you nurture it.

Message from the Spirit World – Take your time when in the company of those you enjoy spending time with. Linger and enjoy rather than taking these moments for granted or rushing through them.

Message from the Mind’s World – The stability you desire is going to take some time and soul searching. It will return, though, with a little perseverance to get you there.

Message from the Physical World – That new balcony garden plan you’re considering needs some more planning, and now is the time to do some of that planning. Don’t put it off til later, because it’s going to come together in fits-and-starts.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Wood Fern for Exorcising Negative Influences
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: THE YELLOW HOUSE TAROT

❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a 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?

Self Care Saturday Tarot Reading with the Tyldwick Tarot and The Marginal Lenormand

Earth – The Devil – Pay attention to your temptations this week and their possible pitfalls. If you’re going to indulge, ensure that you are fully aware and accepting of the consequences beforehand.

Air – The Hanged Man – It’s better to watch, wait, and gather information this week, than it is to jump ahead and be spontaneous. Make sure you’re thinking things through before taking the leap.

Water – The Magician – You have the tools to keep yourself where you want to be emotionally this week. It’s your choice whether you use them or not, but if you want things to stay balanced and at an even keel, it would be a good idea to start picking up those tools and using them as intended.

Fire – Six of Coins – Every endeavor you pursue requires a give-and-take. Make sure as you embark on these endeavors this week that what you have to give for them is worth what you’re taking away from the experience.

Waning – Clouds and House – Don’t allow your emotions to twist you out of sorts this week. Return to the familiar to find balance instead of allowing yourself to fall into chaos.

Waxing – Tree and Fox – Focus on devising ways to take care of yourself that make the process more fun. It doesn’t have to be a discordant activity that you don’t enjoy if you put your mind and cleverness into turning these activities into something more enjoyable.

Take Away – Why are you looking at your self care activities as chores instead of as enjoyable pursuits? Take time this week to look at where you are doing this, and seek out a solution that allows you to enjoy these activities instead. In doing so, you lay the path to being more eager to reach for them in the future. This includes your efforts toward positivity and optimism, meditation, etc. Find the fun.

DECKS USED: TYLDWICK TAROT 2021 REPRINT AND THE MARGINAL LENORMAND

❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a 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?

Self Care Saturday Tarot Reading with the SHE Pioneers Tarot and The Cycle of Chaos Playing Cards

Earth – Three of Cups – Joy is sweeter when shared with others. You’re so close to finishing your taxes. Garner help from those around you to help get you to the end of the process, then celebrate with them when it’s over. The celebration will sweeter with all involved.

Air – The High Priestess – Look deeper for the answers you seek. Surface level observations aren’t enough.

Water – The Lovers – Make sure that you are consulting and prioritizing your heart’s needs this week. Connect to your emotions and to those around you that share in the tangle of heart’s threads with yours. Prioritize this above societal pressures.

Fire – The Hanged Man – When it comes to your personal pursuits and passions, step back this week, not forward. There is much to be garnered by observation, and much to be lost through impulse.

Waning – Nine of Spades and Seven of Spades – Fears and running away are not going to get you where you want to go. Instead of turning tail to run, pause and watch.

Waxing – Ace of Diamonds and King of Spades – There is great opportunity in practicality, just remember the advice in the Air position and be sure to look deeper than surface level to keep from being out-foxed.

Take Away – This week needs to focus on getting the practical things done and out of the way, with the help of those around you invested in the process as well as the end result. Take care with your impulses and lean into stepping back to treat new opportunities, ideas, and interests with caution instead of outright enthusiasm.

DECKS USED: S/H/E PIONEERS TAROT AND THE CYCLE OF CHAOS PLAYING CARDS COMPLETED EDITION

❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a 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?

Self Care Saturday Tarot Reading with the Wind Rose Tarot and Forest Bathing Cards

Earth – Three of Wands – Do the stuff. You’ve plotted and planned and everything’s in order in your head now; you just need to do the stuff. Get your goddamn taxes done!

Air – King of Pentacles – Also taxes related… Keep your mind in the game and make sure everybody is on the same track as you as you in getting everything put together for the accountant. Demand their participation. Communicate your needs. This is about them too, and you don’t have to do it yourself, so make sure that they are on board and doing their part.

Water – The Empress – Don’t neglect your emotional health this week. Make time for the things that help you feel better than you did before you started them.

Fire – Ace of Swords – Communication is the end-all-be-all for the week. As noted in the Air position above, you need to make sure that you are expressing what you need and how you need it, so that others can help in fulfilling those requests and demands. Don’t allow them to tune you out or shut you down.

Waning – “Have you ever pondered the flavor of forest air? Be adventurous! Open your mouth wide and take big bites of air. I wonder what you will taste.“

“Meticulous and Calculated” is the name of the game this week. A carefree devil-may-care attitude will not get you where you want to go. Don’t be greedy, and don’t be careless.

Waxing – “I invite you to lift your eyes towards the sky and imagine yourself freely soaring like a bird taking in the grand perspective from above. I wonder what you notice…“

Train your attentions on what you want to accomplish and allow your focus to remain there. Make sure that you are paying attention to what is going on around you and how things are coming together (as well as where they’re not) to find cracks and fissures in the plan.

Take Away – This week needs to be about getting your taxes done and turned in before the end of May rolls around. You can get this done in a few days if you really put your mind to it and involve others in the process. You don’t have to do it all yourself, so don’t take it all on your own shoulders. Use the freedom that comes with delegating tasks to others to take a closer look at what’s going on and what needs to change in this area moving forward.

DECKS USED: WIND ROSE TAROT AND FOREST BATHING CARDS