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?

Self Care Saturday Oracle Reading with the Dixit Memories Deck and Le Claire Lenormand

Earth – The Boulder Fluffer – Taking time to be out in nature is non-optional for you. Even when it feels like work just to figure out a way to get out there and you’re really not feeling all that enthusiastic about it; you still need it. So get off your ass and do something about it.

Air – Cave of Ken – Trying new things can be harrowing and breed a sense of uncertainty. Remember that the more you know the less scary that new something will become. Do research before you start on your journey, and continue with that research as you move into the unknown.

Water – The Basement – When you are feeling “small” and vulnerable, everything feels much bigger, much much darker, and much more scary. Don’t let your fears hold you back, turn on the light (via research, talking with others, etc) and make sure that you can see things clearly before moving forward with actions.

Fire – The Open Door – Get moving. The door is open and the way is clear. Now is the time to move.

Waning – Ring and Star – Don’t allow your hopes for what might be convince you to make commitments that you’re not otherwise prepared to make.

Waxing – Child and Tree – A healthy inner child means a healthy you. Make sure that you’re taking time for play and to enjoy life.

Take Away – Sometimes it can be hard to pull yourself out of a rut, and that’s what you’re in at the moment.  For a time, this was good, as it gave you time to rest and heal, but now the path is clear and the door is open to begin something new and get moving again.  Don’t allow your time of stillness drag out until it turns into stagnancy.  Start enjoying yourself.  Start looking into ideas and seeking out passionate pursuits.  And if you’re feeling a little uncertain in taking those first steps?  Do a little research to set you on your way with more confidence.

No contracts.  No agreements.  This is a carry over from last week. Now is not the time, no matter how appealing they may seem.  Don’t do it right now.  Wait a while longer.

DECKS USED: DIXIT MEMORIES DECK AND LE CLAIRE LENORMAND

❤️ 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 Bee Tarot and Honey Hive Lenormand

Earth – Six of Pentacles – You’ve already started this process with giving away a good number of items over the past week to people in the building and that you know. Continue the process of clearing things out that you no longer use and giving them to those that might need them instead.

Air – The Empress – Be kind to yourself in your thoughts and actions. It’s too easy to fall into letting your internal thoughts beat you up and drag you down. Instead, make sure that you are getting yourself, nurturing feedback and encouragement.

Water – Queen of Swords – Buckle down and don’t let emotions rule you this week. Do you have a tendency to languish a bit too long and fall under the spell that drags you down into depression if you let it. Instead it’s time to take a little bit of a firmer hand with yourself so that you are getting things done.

Fire – Three of Pentacles – You’re not in this alone, so don’t act like you are. Allow others to help and do their part in getting things done rather than trying to take it all on your own shoulders. It might feel like the end result is better if you do it yourself, but the truth is the contribution of others improves not just the end result, but also the process as well as how much you get done.

Waning – Key and Child – You have the opportunity to connect more strongly with your inner child this week. Don’t pass it up, for to pass over this opportunity has the potential of shutting out that part of yourself again.

Waxing – Clouds and Ring – If you are feeling uncertain about any agreements or contracts that come up this next week, make sure that you avoid them instead of giving in and agreeing. Now is not the time to trust that everything will work itself out, even if you make the wrong choice.

Take Away – It’s time to pick up the slack that has developed over the past couple of weeks and get things back on track. Just make sure that you’re not doing it alone, and that you’re having fun and incorporating child-like enjoyment into the process. Make sure that you are stepping away from any uncertainties instead of plowing ahead in that direction.

DECKS USED: BEE TAROT AND HONEY HIVE LENORMAND

📆 Transitioning from July to August

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Month End Oracle Reading with the Wild Spirit Animal Oracle

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

Penguin – Remember not to close yourself off to the emotional support of others. There’s a video out there of a waddle of penguins shuffling together over ice. One of them falls and they all seem to go “daaaamn” together while the other then makes a sound that sounds an awful lot like “FUCK!” Take a lesson from this penguin, and accept others efforts to show empathy with grace.

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

Crow – Now is not the time for new projects. If you are feeling inspired? Write it down for posterity. For right now, go with what you know instead of chasing potential.

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

Frog – That opportunity to pursue the potential of your inspiration and ideas is coming. Although now is not the time, remember that that won’t always be the case.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

Cow – Don’t trust others to know what you need and provide it for you. It’s far more important to tend to your own needs. No one has better insight to what you need than you yourself, so stop ignoring these things and expecting others to catch you before the self-neglect goes too far.

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

Bat – Taking a step back to look over situations fully is going to be important in the weeks ahead. Don’t react impulsively, but instead take a breath and a pause first. Sort out what’s really going on, then act.

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

Beetle – It’s time to examine the desperate grasping reactions you’ve had to change in the past, and begin exploring different ways you can let go and go with the flow, trusting that you won’t be crushed in the process.

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

Dove – Take some time this month to reflect upon how freeing it feels to let go of blame and guilt.

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

Fox – There is deception afoot. Make sure that you are paying attention and not being manipulated into situations you don’t need to be a part of. Such distractions, if allowed to go unchecked, may lead to them taking from you those things you value.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Owl – If you take care to pay attention (Fox) and take a step back to more closely examine the situation and those involved (Bat), you can move though this month’s difficulties with wisdom and grace, and with your own priorities in the fore.

Message from the Spirit World – Tread with caution moving forward into the month ahead. You need to work observing the world around you with clarity and making sure to pay close attention to other’s motivations and perspectives. It’s only when you take the time to see the whole picture that you’ll be happy with your choices.

Message from the Mind’s World – Lots of inspiration is coming your way. Although the reading above indicates that now might not be the best time to -act- on these new ideas and inspiration, that doesn’t mean they’re not of value.  Make sure to jot them down so that you can explore then more in depth when the time is right.

Message from the Physical World – Pay attention to your body’s needs. Emotions can cause you to shut down and that inner narrative often leads to self-neglect and punishment.  Instead of falling into these bad habits from the past, look at how those emotions are affecting you and make a conscious choice to take care of yourself regardless of the urges they bring to the surface.

Other elements included in this reading:
Pansy flowers for Self-Kindness and Tender Emotions
Cedar cleansing stick for Protection and Cleansing
Green Aventurine for Releasing Old Patterns
Gneiss Wishing Stone for Patience in Unpleasant Situations
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: WILD SPIRIT ANIMAL ORACLE

❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

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Self Care Saturday Tarot Reading with The Magic of Tarot Deck and Happy Houseplants Oracle

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 – Six of Coins – Be generous with yourself this week. There is no reason to not be, and you need a little more of that self-kindness without the guilt of allowing it dragging on you.

Air – The Star – Make sure you are focusing on training your brain towards positivity and optimism instead of letting the stillness of quiet time drag you under. Balancing out those natural tendencies towards pessimism and negative inner self-talk is important.

Water – Ten of Coins – Take time to revel in your accomplishments and acknowledge the ways in which you support yourself and those close to you. You’ve created far more stability in your life and those around you than you give yourself credit for.

Fire – Temperance – Remember that it’s not time to dive back into the fray yet. This is your week off.

Waning – Calathea – Enjoy this time off while you have it. It won’t last forever and you need to remember that you are allowed periods of rest. Now is a perfect opportunity for that to happen.

Waxing – Dracaena – Focus on finishing your healing journey this week. You are getting over pneumonia, and it’s going to take time. More time than you think it should. You are still on the mend, so give yourself the space to do so fully.

Take Away – This reading is all about enjoying my days off instead of feeling guilty that I’m not working, and making sure that I stay on track with my efforts at leaning into positivity.  It is a reminder that my days off are meant to be a time of rest, recovery, and enjoyment. Not guilt and beating myself up for what I’m not getting done.

DECKS USED: THE MAGIC OF TAROT DECK AND HAPPY HOUSEPLANT CARDS

📆 Transitioning from June to July

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Month End Tarot Reading with the Tarot Moodie Deck

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

Nine of Pentacles Rx atop Page of Pentacles – Look at that little red nose on the Page of Pentacles. You’re currently feeling sick and bewildered by how it happened. You’re not at all happy with your rate of recovery either. It’s going to be slow and disappointing, but you’ll get there.

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

Page of Wands – It’s okay to step away from your passions during this time when you’re not feeling at your best. They’ll still be there burning bright when you are feeling better, and at the moment you need to focus on resting and feeling better instead of trying to plow forward without consideration for being sick.

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

Knight of Pentacles – You will slowly get back up to speed as you feel better, and be able to take up the tasks you set aside to allow yourself to heal. It’s slow going, though, so don’t rush it.  Focus on getting better first, then take things one step at a time once you’re back to feeling better.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

The World – Just because you want to blast past this and be better already doesn’t mean that’s how it works. Lower your expectations for yourself to a more reasonable level.

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

The Tower – Anything that might “fall apart” during this time is catalyst to something better coming in its wake. Just as the immune system bulks up by being exposed to germs, your life levels up through the moments when things unravel and fall apart.

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

Three of Cups Rx atop Eight of Wands – Being excluded sucks. Take time to examine those moments in your past where you have felt excluded or ostracized. A rehash is needed to help these lingering wounds heal.

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

Two of Wands atop Nine of Cups – Planning things out always makes things go smoother in the long run… even when veering off the track of the plan is needed sometimes. As has been proven again and again in the past, having that plan gives you confidence and helps you feel more secure.

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

The Magician – Feeling weak and powerless can be combated by ensuring you have a plan, and are feeling confident and knowledgeable in your personal abilities.  Have confidence in yourself that you can overcome the “consequences” of having to step away and heal before dealing with your responsibilities.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Page of Swords – You will have the opportunity this month to revisit some of the knowledge that you had pursued in the past, and advance in the direction of your goals using that knowledge combined with a new perspective on what you’ve learned.

Message from the Spirit World – Be ready for when it’s time to rebuild. Don’t just reinvent the wheel, but instead step outside your comfort zone to plan a rebuild with true innovation in its foundation.

Message from the Mind’s World – Remember that just because you’re passionate about something doesn’t mean you have to charge forward into it. Take your time. There’s no rush.

Message from the Physical World – Sometimes you have to separate yourself from the fun and games in order to find a direction that’s right for you and will make you happy in the end. If you want to move on from this cold (or whatever it is), you need to be a bit of a recluse and take this time to make plans on what you’re going to do later when you feel better, rather than trying to do it now.

DECKS USED: TAROT MOODIE

📆 Transitioning from May to June

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Month End Oracle Reading with the Earth Angels Oracle

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

Mercy – You are in a cross roads between providing care and mercy for others, and providing compassion, forgiveness, and kindness for yourself. You can’t do both, and there are times right now where there is a definitely conflict when trying to choose.  Don’t forget that sometimes? You need to come first.  You always have more than enough compassion for everyone else, but never give yourself remotely enough.

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

Bringer of Light – Let go of the dishonesty that you have been given, and let go of the resentment that those lies have caused.  You know the truth, and can see clearly the nature of those that you thought were above reproach.  You know now… which is better than not knowing at all.  Take that knowledge and clarity of sight with you moving forward, but leave behind the resentment and lies you were fed.

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

Solitude – Be sure that you are giving yourself the alone time that you need.  In order to process, you often need time alone, and forsaking your need for it will only create chaos in your life.  Give yourself that peace and solitude that you need to work through your thoughts and feelings at your own pace.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

Grounding – Make sure when you do grounding exercises that you aren’t going too far into it.  If you’re not careful, it can drag you down into the dark.  Even the most healthiest of things can become unhealthy when taken to excess.

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

The Herbalist – Lean into and listen to those recommendations that have a holistic bent. Between the new therapy treatment you’re in, the chronic pain, and other medical conditions… sometimes it’s the simplest answers that are the right ones, especially with how sensitive you are to certain medications and treatments.  Holistic approaches can often provide you with a more gentle option.

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

Harmony – The betrayals of those that you thought were your friends and gave your trust to stain the friendships you have now with a fear of a repeat experience.  It causes distance in your friendships with others, as you struggle to relax and go with the flow.  Its time to revisit those betrayals and work on easing those fears that are always there holding you back. (This is about the “pissant” incident.)

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

Summer Solstice – Instead of focusing upon those above mentioned betrayals, take time to focus on the good times and good experiences you’ve had instead.  Not everyone you’ve come across was like those you were hurt by in that incident.  The pain sticks more easily, but the good times are there too and need to be remembered in order to combat the lingering of bad memories.

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

Beltane – Spring and early summer is a time of high spirits and high energy. Make sure that as you revel in this energy peak that you don’t over-commit yourself to responsibilities that will later feel too heavy.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Romance – Seize the opportunity while it’s there for the taking to spend extra time with Gideon and give him extra attention. It’s not always possible have that extra time, and right now? You do.  Use it to make him feel cherished and strengthen the bond between you.

Message from the Spirit World – Love is all you need.  This spring has been a time to reconnect with Gideon.  That connection is one of the most naturally healing things in your life, and getting a chance for both of you to wallow in it is healing for you both right now.

Message from the Mind’s World – Sometimes when the truth of something is revealed, you need to take time to yourself to fully process.  This time isn’t selfish, but a kindness of compassion that allows you to “absorb the blow” of surprise and process it in your own way and at your own pace.

Message from the Physical World – This summer has the potential to allow you to find a connection with your body that is more copacetic and in harmony than it has been for a while.  Make sure you are using this time to practice healthy grounding exercises such as meditation and shinrin-yoku.

DECKS USED: EARTH ANGELS ORACLE