self development through shadow work

❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

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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?

Loputyn's I Tarocchi Tarot Deck and The Primitive Lenormand

Earth – The Hermit – Do what you need to do to get some healthy alone time this week. You have time off, and there aren’t a lot of obligations going on to get in your way.

Air – Justice – Remember that you get what you give. If you’re going to doomscroll, then you’re going to be feeling anxious and down. Work on focusing your mind and attention on things that have the result of lifting you up and making you feel empowered instead.

Water – The High Priestess – Listen to the inner tides of your emotions as they ebb and flow, rather than trying to lock them away and ignore them. You need to look within this week and get in touch with what you have been avoiding by touching base with your innermost ken and dealing with it head-on.

Fire – The Chariot – Take care, even if you take time off , that you don’t relax your grip on the reigns. Keep a watchful eye on the direction things are going so that even during times of rest, you are able to steer your passions and objectives in the direction you want to go.

Waning – Stork and Rider – Magical thinking. Remember that things have to move at their own pace. There’s no way to usher everything to move faster, or hurry along the changes currently taking place.

Waxing – Bouquet and Scythe – Remember that sometimes gifts given come at a heavy cost. Not everyone is honest in their intentions when they’re being nice to you.  Keep a close eye on other’s motivations.

Take Away – Alone time is important during your time off this week. Make sure that you are giving yourself the rest you need and keeping things healthy in your choices of activities and practices. Let go of the rush and just allow things to move at their own pace.  Holding onto the reigns doesn’t mean slapping the horse’s ass with them, it just means you don’t run off the road.

DECKS USED: LOPUTYN’S I TAROCCHI TAROT DECK AND THE PRIMITIVE LENORMAND

📆 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

❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

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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.

Self Care Saturday Tarot Reading with The Baroque Tarot and Lunar Nomad Oracle

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

Earth – The Empress atop Ten of Cups – The week ahead is supposed to be your time off and you need to focus on wallowing in the goodness instead of worrying about what’s coming. Do things that make you happy and allow yourself to have some fun, nurture yourself and your emotions this week.

Air – Two of Swords atop The Emperor – Be decisive when decisions need to be made. No waffling allowed. Others depend on your opinion, and you need to deliver your determinations quickly. Train your focus on leaning into making decisions that are for the greater good.

Water – Ace of Swords – Don’t clam up and shut down when emotions come calling. Instead, share your emotions with others. You’re allowed to have them, and sharing them with those that you trust helps you to sort them out and make sense of them.

Fire – Seven of Swords – Keep an eye out for sabotage… including self sabotage. Keep in mind that when you aren’t careful with where you hide your secrets and your treasures, others with less scruples will have a tendency to slip in and try to take them.

Waning – Moon and Sun – Don’t get bogged down with weighing your options. As mentioned in the Air position of this reading, you need to be decisive and not dither about.

Waxing – House and Tree – Address your difficulties in adapting to the oncoming rush rather than ignoring them, and make sure you are taking yourself out into nature this week for a boost in your health and sense of well-being.

Take Away – Be decisive in the decisions that you need to make this week. Clarity is important both in handing out your opinions and decisions, as well as in communicating your emotions to others.  Make sure you are watching for subterfuge and don’t hesitate when it needs to be dealt with.  Give yourself this last few days of rest.  You need them, and there will be very little rest for you over the next seven weeks so you should use this time to bolster your spirit as well as your well-being while you can.

DECKS USED: THE BAROQUE TAROT AND THE LUNAR NOMAD ORACLE

📆 Transitioning from October to November

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Month End Tarot Reading Check-In with the Tarot Noir

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

Trois de Denier – You are part of a team. In these moments left before the holiday rush arrives, you are building stability through your connections with others, and inviting their skills and abilities to the table on your behalf.

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

Valet d’Epée – Release those things that are not yet manifested. There is a lot you’ve been considering working on or thinking about bringing into reality. Now is the time to set those ideas aside until later, after the holiday rush has passed.

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

Sept de Coupe – You want options. There is a freedom in being flushed with opportunities and having an abundance of choices at your disposal. Being backed into a corner sucks. The more options that you have, the better chance you have of coming out on top.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

Six de Coupe – Do not allow nostalgia of good times to blind you to the dangers in the present. Shared history does not always equate to loyalty or steadfastness, regardless of how you feel that it should.

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

Dix de Bâton – Over the past few years you have learned how to identify when you are feeling overwhelmed, and how to ask for help when you need it. These lessons now allow you the tools needed to deal with overwhelm and head off burnout before it can take hold.

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

Trois d’Epée – There are always going to be disappointments in life. The key is to remember how you have risen above them in the past and can do so again. There is no avoiding heartbreak completely, so don’t even try. Instead, focus on recovery and healing after the dust has settled.

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

Six de Denier – It can be hard sometimes to accept the generosity of others, but make sure that you are paying attention to when they offer. Saying yes is difficult, but it is often the healthiest option.

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

Deux de Coupe Rx – There is still time to circumvent that betrayal by someone you trust that is resting on the horizon, and has been predicted in the cards often over the past month. You are asking the wrong questions… or rather, it’s the fact that you are not asking any at all.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Neuf de Bâton – Your fear of change is unfounded, and you have an opportunity to move past it with grace if you are willing to release your need to “brace for impact”. Don’t worry so much about the “what if” scenarios.

Message from the Spirit World – The one you have been warned about is going to try to use your time of overwhelmed during the holiday rush to slip past your defenses.

Message from the Mind’s World – You’re a novice when it comes to asking for help and communicating your needs. Remember that diversifying is better than doing it all yourself or only using the minimum amount of help that you can get by with.

Message from the Physical World – Leaning to deeply into the past and how things used to be will create disappointment. Instead, keep your options open and be kind to yourself when you fuck up.

Take Away – There is potential for the person that you’ve been warned about for the past month to come to head over the holiday season. Keep an eye out for those that are trying to find a way in while you were at your most distracted.

Make sure that you are leaning into innovation in your business, instead of allowing yourself to just fall back into what has worked in the past. Make sure, as well, that you are asking for as much help as you can get instead of just as much as you think you need.

Roll with disappointments instead of letting them trip you up.

DECKS USED: TAROT NOIR

❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

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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 Silver Acorn Tarot and Halloween Carnival Lenormand

Earth – Three of Pentacles – Help is good. You need help with getting your work done and all the last minute preparations taken care of for the upcoming holiday rush. Don’t avoid asking for that help. Just do it. Those that you ask are happy to lend their skills and abilities to your goals if you give them the chance to do so.

Air – Queen of Wands – Use your creative spark to inspire others. If you present something as a chore, it will be seen as a chore to them. If you present it as fun, it will become something fun and enjoyable for them to help you with.

Water – Knight of Cups – Pounce forward into those things that make you happy this week. You need a bit of joy and now is a good time to work on instilling a bit extra into your life. Try allowing your emotions to have the reigns for a bit and follow the whims of what you want and what you like instead of restraining yourself so much.

Fire – Six of Cups – This is yet another reminder to look back at the past for inspiration on moving forward and lifting you out of the ashes of the present situation.  This message has come through a few times of late, and is a reminder that you have skills developed in the past that can be carried forward to help you in what’s going on in the present.

Waning – Key and Fish – You need to step away from your current perspective concerning how you define success. Stop looking for the same markers of success that you’ve always looked for, and instead seek to redefine success into something that is more -you- and less what everyone else has expected from you.

Waxing – Dog, Ring, Snake – Be careful who you trust this week. Not everyone is as loyal and dependable as they appear.

Take Away – As with a number of the readings done over the past week, these cards are a reminder to ask for help, as well as not panic in the face of your jewelry business being slower than normal this year.  Pivot and adapt, and take others with you as you do.  Redefine success, and set your priorities to those new values.

Watch closely for the wolf posing in sheep’s clothing. They are closer than you realize.

DECKS USED: SILVER ACORN TAROT AND HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL LENORMAND