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?

Journey of the Bearded Tarot, Forest Fae Cards, Universal Folk Oracle

Earth – Queen of Air and The North Wood Fae – Your time off didn’t really give you that rested feeling that you were seeking. Make sure to take some extra time this week to rest and pamper your body. Picking your meditation practice back up would also be advised, as it will help calm the anxious running on of your brain.

Air – Three of Fire and Forest Sister – There is a lull of calm that comes after chaos, which is an opportunity for progress if you seize upon it. Keep an eye out for these opportunities in the week ahead.

Water – Queen (The Empress) and The Mandragora Mother – Give yourself what you ache for and long for this week. Get out in nature and seek out those liminal spaces, frolic among the trees and hanging moss, and find the peace that your connection with both provides.

Fire – Knight of Water and She of the Mossy Brae – Take caution with those that try to spark your interest this week. Remember that flattery is often a tool used to manipulate.

Waning – Loyalty – Make sure that you are looking at your relationships with others using a critical eye. Blind trust is not a good idea this week.

Waxing – Manifest – Now is the time to plot and plan, dream and conspire. What do you want? Start thinking about what you want in the days and weeks ahead, where you want things to go, and how to get there.

Take Away – There is a warning here about taking things (and people) at face value, and a risk that you could come up against those seeking to emotionally manipulate you. Instilling a bit of skepticism into how you view the world and others that approach would be a good idea for the week ahead.

There is also an encouragement to keep an eye out for small opportunities in the calm after chaos. Nothing big, but those nickel and dime opportunities that add up to obtaining bigger goals in the end.

Taking care of myself, my body, and my needs will also be an important theme this week, which includes getting out in nature.

DECKS USED: JOURNEY OF THE BEARDED TAROT, FOREST FAE CARDS, UNIVERSAL FOLK 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?

Alice in Tarotland, Zombie Diaries Oracle, Illustrated Bestiary Cards, Illustrated Herbiary Cards, Illustrated Crystallary Cards

Earth – Death and Beach Morning Glory – Things are beginning to shift. Have faith in yourself and your resiliency. And remember, not all change is bad. Look for the boon.

Air – Three of Swords and Canal – Community effort is needed for survival. Make sure you aren’t keeping your inner narratives to yourself. Tripping over tongues aside, people that you depend on (and that depend on you) need to know what is going on.

Water – The Star and Glowworms – Stay in touch with your emotions and don’t shut them out. It’s okay to allow yourself this time and let your emotions take the wheel for a while. Just make sure they stay on a path of positivity, hope, and optimism. You need that spark of light in your life right now.

Fire – The Hermit, Dragon atop Petrified Tree – Now is not the time to jump on “the holiday rush is coming” express train. There is power and strength in holding back right now, and taking this time for yourself.

Waning – Sea Eagle and Mugwort – Although small, slow changes are beginning to slip in here and there, it’s not time to jump just yet. Hold back and rest for a bit longer.

Waxing – Blue Topaz atop Ammolite – Patience is not always easy, but it’s “rocker on the porch” time in your life right now. Sit back and observe the world around you with a calm and peaceful eye.

Take Away – This reading is all about making sure I’m not getting too far into the holiday prep yet. I have a bit longer to take time for myself. Don’t rush.

DECKS USED: ALICE IN TAROTLAND TAROT, ZOMBIE DIARIES ORACLE, ILLUSTRATED BESTIARY CARDS, ILLUSTRATED HERBIARY CARDS, ILLUSTRATED CRYSTALLARY CARDS

Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / 2 Comments

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?

Ophidia Rosa Botanical Tarot, Roots & Wings Oracle, and Messengers of the Great Bear Oracle

Earth – Ace of Swords and Intuition – Use your intuition this week to weed out the good ideas from the bad ones.  Instead of hemming and hawing over whether an idea is good or not.  You have an opportunity to get yourself back on track with your physical health, but you need to follow your gut and allow it to lead you forward.  Head, mental health, emotions… none of those are going to keep you on track… but your intuition absolutely will.

Air – The Hanged Man and Storm – This week you return back to your regular dosage of meds, and you need to make sure to stay objective as you watch out for any repercussions of the shift back. The up in meds seemed to have helped in tugging you back from the depression’s edge, but it’ll still be a few weeks before you know for sure that you’re out of the woods.

Water – The World atop Three of Swords Rx, and Mother – You still have plenty of time to enjoy your time off and your new connection with your emotions. Take this time to enjoy the new world opening up before you instead of struggling under the knowledge that the holiday rush is coming and will force you into focusing on something else for a while.

Fire – The Empress and Crafty – Only work on the things that make you happy this week and give you comfort.  No stress or forcing yourself into work you aren’t feeling or don’t want to do. There’s plenty of fun and creative things you can do that won’t weigh on you the burdens of responsibility. This is your week off. Have fun and give your soul the nurturing spark it needs.

Waning – Goose – Don’t worry about what others want and need this week, and don’t concern yourself with their demands or the collaborative projects and goals that are upcoming.  This week needs to be focused upon you and what you need.

Waxing – Steller’s Jay atop Humpback Whale – You’re going to be having some contact with your family this week.  Make sure that you don’t just pacify them, but instead speak honestly about how you feel and what you want.

Take Away – These cards are all about me and nurturing myself, keeping my needs in mind, and allowing myself this time to relax and recover instead of trying to push work on myself at a time when rest is needed.  There is also, of course, a warning to make sure I’m watching out for my depression levels and to connect with those things I enjoy.

DECKS USED:  OPHIDIA ROSA BOTANICAL TAROT, ROOTS & WINGS ORACLE, AND MESSENGERS OF THE GREAT BEAR ORACLE

Transitioning from August to September

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Neurotic Owl Tarot and The Painted Runes

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

Eight of Cups and Algiz – Now is a time to move on from anything unhealthy, and that includes unhealthy associations and negative inner dialogue. You already know what needs to go, so there’s no need for further reflection at this time, just get on with it.

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

The Emperor and Gebo – Leave behind the idea that you are unshakeable, and thus that anything (or anyone) you invite into your sphere won’t have the influence to rock your foundation. It is a false belief, and it volunteers you for extra life lessons you don’t need right now.

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

Five of Pentacles atop Nine of Cups, Eihwaz – The restructuring and preparation as you transition towards the holiday rush is going to cause some disorientation and a rise of scarcity issues that have been set aside for quite some time now. Work on staying aligned with what you really want and don’t focus too hard on those rising concerns, as they are an illusion caused by stress.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

Temperance and Othala – Moderation does not mean stagnation. Take a moment to really look at the actions and motivations of others. Do you need that in your life? If not, float free of it (and them) like a leaf skimming past rocks in a babbling brook.

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

Six of Swords and Jera – Instead of focusing on the hang ups and obstacles, look instead toward your accomplishments. Make a list. What have you done to improve yourself and your life this year? What have you overcome? What good decisions have you made? Seriously. You need to make a list to look back on as a reminder.

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

The World Rx and Wunjo – That feeling and faith that things are going along perfectly only to have your world turned upside down by a wrench thrown into the works. This is about the PayPal fiasco and the raw uncertainty and imbalance that was created through their unjust treatment. It isn’t fully healed yet, but you’re getting there.

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

Five of Wands and Inguz – Breaking free of inner conflict and stagnation that you were feeling in the spring is a remarkable feat you should appreciate having accomplished. This was a really big struggle for you for a time, and yet you managed to move past it into a happier and more comfortable place through a good deal of work on exploring your feelings and your connection with your guides.

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

Seven of Swords and Thurisaz – There are elements at play that are wanting to usurp your power and leave you confused and listless. Make sure you are shedding those things and people that you know are not healthy for you. Don’t hesitate, this is needed before you move forward and become distracted by other things.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Six of Cups and Kano – Tap into the positive memories and those things you cherish from the past to help motivate you forward into the future and the holiday season ahead. You need these extra little bits of spark to help light the fire of your creativity.

Message from the Spirit World – Your past is not just a wound that needs healed, but also your foundation and support. There are positive things in your past that have made you the man you are, and you can tap into them to lift yourself up as well as inspire you creatively and otherwise.

Message from the Mind’s World – Micromanagement of your world will turn what should be a boon into something far less enjoyable.  This shift is in perspective and not reality.  Make sure you aren’t gripping on so damned tight that you turn what should be a positive outlook into a mentality of fear and “not enough” thinking.

Message from the Physical World – Take a look at the shifts that have happened in your life recently and make sure there are no “leaks in the hull” that need to be patched up. A bit of preparation and early adaptation can make a world of difference in the long run.

Take Away – A lot of this reading is about letting go of people who are holding me back, holding me down, or have negative intentions towards me. I know who they are, and the cards here are indicating that now’s the time to make sure to release them so they’re not in the way moving forward.

DECKS USED: NEUROTIC OWL TAROT and THE PAINTED RUNES

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?

Feline Marseilles Tarot, There Is Always Light Oracle, Wildcraft! Herbal Adventure Game Cards

Earth – Page of Swords and Repair – You need to do a bit of work on your relationships at home and clear up any miscommunication that is lingering between you and your sister. That niggling feeling you’ve been having of instability at home is coming from this issue.

Air – The Star atop Two of Wands, Encroach – Combat encroaching negativity with having a plan in place that includes hope, and connectivity with not just the physical aspects of your world but the emotional and spiritual as well. By having a plan in place, you can head things off at the pass and possibly bypass them altogether.

Water – The Fool and Shield – Work on preserving a positive outlook and enthusiasm for what’s coming through proactive protection practices. A shield is more than just a barrier to hide behind, but allows you to see what’s coming and better react upon its arrival.

Fire – The Hermit and Deceit – Don’t allow the machinations of others to dull your flame. Connect with your healthy alone time practices in order to weather any malicious mischief coming your way. In other words? More time in the woods is needed to shore up your foundation.

Waning – Elder (Sambucus cerulea) atop Burn – You’ve had time to process the sting of what happened last week and to restore yourself from the experience.  Although you are still a bit tender, it’s time to take the rebirth that has happened and carry it forward instead of dwelling upon it and treating it with kids gloves.

Waxing – Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) atop Poison Ivy – The crushed leaves of the Jewelweed are a well known treatment for poison ivy, and ice made with the herb frozen inside it are good for treating many types of rashes and skin inflammation. Lean into the things that bring you comfort, and head off irritants (whether things or people) at the pass before they can get to you and make a mess of things.

Take Away – There is a great deal of advice here on shoring up stable foundations and making sure that the things and people that could throw a wrench in my balance are dealt with quickly and efficiently through either leaning into optimism or purging these things before they can get a foot in the door.

DECKS USED:  FELINE MARSEILLES TAROT, THERE IS ALWAYS LIGHT ORACLE, WILDCRAFT! HERBAL ADVENTURE GAME CARDS

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?

Animism Tarot, The Essential Oils Healing Cards, Faery Blessing Oracle

Earth – Five of Wands and Cardamom – Obviously, I am still quite worked up over the whole PayPal thing that happened last week. The cards here indicate that I need to work on seeing beyond the feelings of being picked on and the injustice that I feel happened here, and move on to finding a clear path forward. Clarity is needed, and you cannot have clarity when you are still wallowing in shit or trying to stand your ground against impossible odds.

Air – Page of Pentacles and Yarrow – Again, we are on the topic of what happened with PayPal and how my emotions were affected by this event. The thing is though, the Page of Pentacles here indicates that working forward towards a better solution will serve me far better and the Yarrow promises that in doing this I will heal those wounds along the way. Focus forward… not back.

Water – The Magician and Basil – Through your emotional growth in journey, you have learned the tools you need to move past this issue and restore yourself back to balance once more. You need to lean on these tools that you have learned, instead of allowing yourself to fall into old, unhealthy habits. With depression knocking on my door, this vote of encouragement is about more than just my upset with PayPal, but also the onset of depression trying to creep up and drag me in.

Fire – Page of Cups and Lime – Be sure to introduce a mindset of creative play into your work and business, and it will help refresh your perspective and help you see your work in a new light so that it doesn’t once again begin to feel like a chore.

Waning – A Blessing of Airmid atop A Blessing of Dreams – Earthly concerns outweighing your dreams. Now isn’t a time to get weighed down. Daydreams and lollygagging are absolutely not just allowed, but essential.

Waxing – A Blessing of the Wild Within – Although your ankle is not yet fully healed, make some time to take an easy path through wooded areas that will let your true inner nature flourish. Spend some time lying in the moss and gazing up at a canopy of leaves overhead. Visit with those of the green and forest that come to greet you, drawn by that inner root that connects you with them.

Take Away – A large part of the message in this reading is that I need to let go of what happened with PayPal and work on easing the anxieties, worries, and depression that was triggered by the emotional upheaval I experienced. To do this I need to make sure that I am looking forward instead of wallowing, and making sure that I get out in nature so that I can have some time of grounding and healing among the earth and the green and those that rustle among the leaves.

DECKS USED: ANIMISM TAROT, THE ESSENTIAL OILS HEALING DECK, FAERY BLESSINGS CARDS