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 Tarot Reading with the Christmas Tales Tarot and Yuletide Lenormand

Earth – Wheel of Fortune – Remember those “sea legs” that you were working on developing so that you could keep a solid foundation during times of uncertainty and unsteadiness in the world? This week will give you your first test of these new “sea legs” of yours. Take note of what works and what doesn’t, and take care not to brace so hard that cracks form in the foundation.

Air – King of Pentacles – Your greatest stability will lie in your ability to communicate well with others this week. Make sure that you are grounding yourself through communication and not closing yourself off from the support and stability that others may be able to provide for you.

Water – Page of Swords – Don’t allow your emotions to step in and keep you from communicating with others. Communication is key this week, even when you’re feeling vulnerable. You need to work through expressing these vulnerabilities rather than trying to hide them.

Fire – Five of Swords Rx – Step away from conflict, instead of locking into it with determination. Now’s not the time.

Waning – Mountain and Dog – Remember that trust and faith aren’t the answer to all problems and obstacles.

Waxing – Stork and Star – Take care not to lose sight of your efforts to focus on the good aspects of things and lean into positivity and optimism. You need that extra boost this week.

Take Away – There’s a great deal of stress placed upon making sure that you are communicating and not trying to hide away your vulnerabilities this week. Instead of leaning into old habits, work on consistency in the positivity exercises that you have been doing to help give you a bit of a lift, both emotionally and otherwise.

DECKS USED: CHRISTMAS TALE TAROT AND YULETIDE LENORMAND

📆 Transitioning from November to December

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Month End Check-in Reading with the Southern Gothic Trilogy Decks

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

The Panther – The fire within you is rising, and along with it, your strength and perseverance. You are starting to feel in control again in ways that you haven’t in quite some time; in healthy ways that help create drive and balance, instead of the unhealthy ways that create stagnancy and sickness.

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

Nest of Wasps – Although you usually don’t realize it in the moment, when you’re in the depression, you have a sharper tongue, and your words have a tendency to sting, even when you don’t mean them too. Now that the depression is easing off, that sharp stinger is fading as well. Taking time to be conscious of your tone when communicating with others will help you shed this sharper edge quicker.

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

Uncle Monday – You want to be stronger in both your mundane abilities as well as your magical ones, and are seeking to develop better adaptation abilities than those you currently possess.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

Hazel the Mummy – The things that you hold onto too tightly will in time turn from stagnancy to decay and crumble away. Make sure that those things that you want so badly to hold onto aren’t actually holding you back from something better.

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

Alligator – Take time to explore the self. Digging deep instead of just skimming the surface will help you in connecting and prioritizing those things that are most important.

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

Hydrangea – It can often be difficult to be grateful for things that happen in life. Especially when they hold a negative consequence instead of an obvious boon. You’ve very recently acquired a whole new set of inner scars, and have yet to find and really appreciate the boon involved.

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

The Dog – Take some time to reflect upon and appreciate those that you trust to be by your side, no matter what. Some love is unconditional, after all, and needs to be recognized as such and appreciated.

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

Cornbread – Make sure to take some time to connect with the roots of who you are so that your ego doesn’t get in the way moving forward. Remember that being a “basic bitch” isn’t necessarily a bad thing it keeps you humble and helps you connect more strongly with others.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Abandoned Plantation – There’s a great deal of opportunity in the deconstruction of things. Make sure that you aren’t just letting these opportunities go to waste.

Message from the Spirit World – Self reflection may cause you to find you’re not as generous as you could be.  Harsh judgements can be destructive. Instead of indulging in those negative veins of thought, use your mindfulness and self awareness to shift toward a kinder and less harsh frame of mind.

Message from the Mind’s World – People depend upon your dependability. They follow you because yo tu provide them with a sense of stability and strength that allows them to actually enjoy the activities (even the work) that you do together.

Message from the Physical World – Those friends that are worth a damn will persist through though thick and thin.  Those that aren’t worth a damn?  They’re temporary, and because they have no gratitude in their heart, they always eventually show their true colors.

Take Away – Things are beginning to turn around, and there’s a good deal more energy (and hope) rising in you as you transition from one month to the next.  Focus on practices that encourage a mindset of gratitude, and lean on those that you trust.

Other elements included in this reading:
Scotch Pine Cone for Purging Negative Influences
Foraged Norway Maple Key for Bouncing Back to Thrive
Dried Grand Fir Sprig for Help in Finding One’s Natural Rhythm
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Carnelian Agate for Inner Drive and Focusing On Aspirations
Desert Rose for Purification and Drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: SOUTHERN GOTHIC ORACLE, SOUTHERN BOTANICAL ORACLE, THE HAUNTS ORACLE

❤️ 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 Bonestone & Earthflesh Tarot and Echoes of the Wood Oracle

Earth – The Emperor – Sometimes when you take on the mantle of leadership, even though there are others that follow you, you still feel like you’re alone. It’s important to remember that when you lead well, others will be there to pick you up when you need it.

Air – Queen of Swords – It’s absolutely always okay to stand up for what matters to you. Method is important, though. Use strategy to get things to go your way instead of just “being a bitch”. That sass and spark attitude is not always the shortcut that it seems like it’d be.

Water – King of Cups – Emotional support from others, especially from Gideon, is going to be a high priority this week in order to keep your emotional balance. Make sure you are reaching out for that support when you need it.

Fire – The World atop Death – Sometimes endings are just that… endings. Other times they are a doorway to something else. Try considering endings as a liminal space. There’s a lot of potential there if you’re open to it.

Waning – Harvest and Germination – This week ahead isn’t about what you can get out of it, nor about what you can begin to sprout in your life.

Waxing – Song and Frost – Instead, put your focus on preparing for a time of dormancy and keeping things lighthearted.

Take Away – The depression you just started to recover from is still looking for a way in. You need to take care to lean on your support instead of trying to shoulder everything yourself. Look for ways to lift yourself up, and be open to experiences that you will enjoy.  These experiences will help you in your recovery and in recuperation as well.

DECKS USED: BONESTONE & EARTHFLESH TAROT AND ECHOES OF THE WOOD ORACLE

❤️ 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 Contemplative Tarot and Sunflower Field Lenormand

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

Earth – Page of Cups – Take the time this week to shore up past relationships that still have a place in your life this week. Remember that all friendships and relationships need maintenance. If you’re not sure what that maintenance might be? Do a little digging.

Air – The Devil – It’s very easy to fall back into the bad habit of negative inner narratives. Take care that you’re not allowing yourself to slip into these old habits. They may feel comfortable and familiar, but they also are damaging and unhealthy. Even when you indulge in them for just a short while, you would then have to pick up the pieces when you come back out the other side. Better to avoid them all together if you can.

Water – Six of Swords – Try meeting in the middle before walking away. Sometimes when you express what’s wrong, others are willing to work with you to fix the problem so that you don’t have to actually walk away after all.

Fire – Two of Cups Rx – Lack of harmony sucks, but it happens to all relationships and all friendships at one point or another. Even if there’s a bit of a rocky ride this week, make sure that you don’t let go.

Waning – Crossroad and Stars – Only a sure thing is currently worth your time. Make sure that any choices you make this week our choices that very clearly lead to where you want to be and where you want to go. If you can’t clearly see your target in this moment, it’s better to hang back for the time being instead of making decisions.

Waxing – Sun and Stork – Lean into the good stuff and have a little faith that things are going to turn out okay.

Take Away –  Cooperation and reconnection are the name of the game this week.  Don’t give up too early, or you might miss out on something of value.

DECKS USED: CONTEMPLATIVE TAROT AND SUNFLOWER FIELD 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 Altered Tarot and Dusk 'til Dawn Lenormand Dusk Edition

Earth – Eight of Wands – Things that need to be done this week need to be done this week. Not next week, not “I’ll do it later”. Don’t allow yourself to procrastinate, or it could damage the stability you’re seeking to repair.

Air – The Chariot – Stay motivated and keep moving. No dawdling or stagnant moments.

Water – Queen of Pentacles – Support your emotions with the knowledge that you are moving towards greater stability. Which deep down? Is what you really want and need most for your emotional well-being.

Fire – Two of Wands Rx – Now is not the time for planning. It’s the time for action and movement. Write down the things you want to get done in order to have a list of things to do later, and focus on the movement that needs to happen right now.

Waning – Anchor and Clouds – Move away from lingering with your head in the clouds. Your emotions can often try to seek out what feels stable, but really only feels that way because it’s comfortable or familiar instead of healthy or helpful.

Waxing – Man and Ship – Lean into your responsibilities to get things moving. You can’t get where you need to be without a bit of aggression and a lot of movement.

Take Away – Business is picking up a bit with the arrival of the holiday rush. Make sure you are staying on top of things to get the most out of this period. It might be slower than usual, but this week is not going to be so slow that you can screw around.

DECKS USED: THE ALTERED TAROT AND DUSK ‘TIL DAWN LENORMAND DUSK EDITION

❤️ 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 Wicked Moon Tarot and ScandiNight Lenormand

Earth – Nine of Pentacles – Celebrate your accomplishments. This is a time of harvest, and you should be paying attention to what you have brought in and how to preserve it through the winter months. Remember that this includes practices of gratitude and enjoying the fruits of your laborers.

Air – Seven of Cups Rx – Don’t worry so much about making choices right now. Just go with the flow and observe. Sometimes the right answers will land in your lap if you just give them time to sort themselves out.

Water – The Magician Rx – Remember that you don’t have to be in control all the time, and this is especially true with concern to your emotions. Sometimes they swirl in their own direction, and you’re just left to ride it out instead of trying to fix it.

Fire – Nine of Swords – Mistakes are a part of the process when you’re learning something new. Make sure that you’re not being too hard on yourself or falling into “end of the world” thought patterns in these moments.

Waning – Fox and Fish – Don’t go along with it just because you think it’s clever. I’m not sure what this is in reference to at the moment, but it looks like some kind of “get rich quick” scheme that you need to avoid when it comes up. Keep your distance and don’t buy into the hype.

Waxing – Cross and Scythe – Take care this week to make choices that will cut down on your feelings of being burdened.

Take Away – This week is going to challenge your need for control, and if you take care with your actions, may help you in learning to let go and go with the flow more, instead of trying to steer everything with an iron grip.  Work on connecting with a mindset of gratitude and setting fears of scarcity aside will help with this.   Don’t go adding more to your plate right now. You have enough responsibilities and obligations to contend with at the moment.

DECKS USED: WICKED MOON TAROT AND SCANDINIGHT LENORMAND