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?

Crystal Bones Tarot, Journey To The Heart Oracle, Essential Oils Healing Deck

Earth – Two of Cups atop High Priestess, True Voice – Listening to your intuition and connecting with others for support from those closest to you will help you in staying on track this week.

Air – Three of Cups, Harmony atop Inner Child – Find peace and harmony with your inner child this week by connecting with others.  This echoes the need for support in the more earth bound areas of your life, as is mentioned above.

Water – Four of Cups and Cleansing – Work at letting go of your lingering feelings of dejection. Seek a viewpoint of having washed away something that is no longer needed.

Fire – Five of Cups and Resilience – An echo from the Water position in this reading, what we see here is a need to remember just how resilient you are, and that what happened last week is not the end of the world. Make sure you aren’t catastrophizing it.

Waning – Clove (Eugenia caryophyllata) atop Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum) – Let go of the feelings associated with what happened last week. You don’t have control over everything and it’s okay not to. You don’t want to be in charge and in control of every little thing anyway. Instead of trying to cling and hold on to what you can’t have, let go and free yourself by moving forward.

Waxing – Mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium) – Focus this week on easing agitation. With your anxiety stirred up and the storm now in the rear view, you need to give yourself time relax and recover your equilibrium.

Take Away – This week is all about re-establishing my emotional balance after the upset from last week, and finding the best ways possible to work through the issues that want to try and linger and cause problems later on.   Leaning on those close to you, focusing on intuition over self destructive inner dialogue, and seeking the boon out of the situation are all parts of this process in the week ahead.

DECKS USED: CRYSTAL BONES TAROT, JOURNEY TO THE HEART ORACLE, ESSENTIAL OILS HEALING DECK

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?

Wild Spirit Tarot, Wildcraft! Herbal Adventure Game Cards, Sacred Earth Oracle

Earth – High Priestess and Pine – Stand strong and listen to your inner voice. You’ve been injured and this isn’t the time to push yourself or let yourself be impatient.  Instead, trust that everything will come in its own time.  Allow your body to speak and tell you what it needs to recover and be strong once more.  Accept that just like the growth of a pine tree, your healing is going to take time and patience.

Air – Page of Wands and Wasp Sting – Leaping forward quickly into anything at this time is going to hurt.  Put away your aggression toward yourself and others and allow yourself to step away from thoughts of work or things you just can’t do or get to right now.  It’s okay to put these things down, rather than “stinging” yourself over them again and again.

Water – Ace of Swords and Hornet Sting –  Hornets are more calm than wasps, but their stings are more painful. Combined with the Ace of Swords, we again see a warning not to dive into any new ideas right now.  No matter how cool they may seem or how interesting they are.  Now is a time to chill and rest.  Anything else is something you will end up regretting.

Fire – The Emperor and Diarrhea Rx – Control yourself and you won’t have to pay the consequences of ignoring these warnings and going full boor into things better left alone at this time.  You’re not going to like the consequences, so make sure you are keeping yourself and all that enthusiasm in hand.

Waning – Friction – Again we see an indication that this week isn’t about movement but about chilling and relaxing.  Stepping back away from agitation and active movement, now is a time for rest.

Waxing – Specialization – In the things you do  put your attention in, avoid anything new (as noted above).  Instead focus on the things you know and are familiar with, and delving deeper into those things.

Take Away – This week is all about rest, recovery, and recuperation.  It’s not about new ideas or interesting new projects.  If you want to pour your energy into something?  Pour it into the stuff already per-existing in your life that you know and enjoy.

DECKS USED:  WILD SPIRIT TAROT, WILDCRAFT! HERBAL ADVENTURE GAME CARDS, SACRED EARTH 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?

Anecdotes Tarot, Wildlife Wisdom Oracle, and Flower Medicine Oracle

Earth – Queen of Pentacles, Bighorn Sheep atop Bear – You are the the steady rock within your home, and the one that others look to for help, advice, and support.  This may end up being far more apparent than usual this week.  Remember to stay grounded and you’ll be able to handle the rest with grace.

Air – Ten of Wands and Dragonfly – Keep an eye on your tendency to put too much on your plate this week (and your tendency to feel guilty when you don’t). It’s important to keep in mind that you are working at changing things, and that might come with a bit of guilt, but it will also help you in finding a better path if you’re mindful of the changes being made as you make them.  Stay tapped in and observant so that you can catch moments when you might be tempted to backslide into old habits instead of moving forward.

Water – Two of Cups and Fox – Enjoy play with Gideon this week.  Get what you can and have fun with it.  Enjoy your time together and use it to explore each other and the stories that you create together.  You need this emotionally and it will help lift you up and bring you a greater level of happiness.

Fire – The Emperor and Salmon – Don’t spend too much time stressing over and worrying about the slump in sales right now.  Just float along and let your focus turn to other things for the time being.  Things are going to pick up eventually and your responsibilities will multiply exponentially.  For now?  Just float along and let your interests go to those things that they’re drawn to for a while longer.

Waning – Daisy (innocence) – Be careful about looking at others and the world with too much naivety.  It’s all well and good to add some optimism and positivity to your outlook, but don’t let it blind you to reality and the dangers out there.

Waxing – Bee Balm (protection from illness) – Start taking your vitamins and drinking your daily tea again.  It made sense to take a break from the tea for a bit while the temperatures were so high, but you need the collagen peptides, and you need your vitamins.

Take Away – The majority of this reading is about taking things easy for a little longer, enjoying what I can and savoring these slow times instead of being uncomfortable with them and anxious about them.

DECKS USED:  ANECDOTES TAROT, WILDLIFE WISDOM ORACLE, FLOWER MEDICINE ORACLE

Transitioning from July to August

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Homebound Tarot and David Wilson's Animal Oracle

Here and Now, I Am – Death and Strategy – In the middle of change and strategizing the way forward. I am in a place where I am prepared to not just adapt, but find a way to flourish.  Logical thinking is necessary.  You can’t just “feel your way forward” in this.  (Details on this change are further explored in the “Relevant Shadows” portion of this reading.)

Leaving Behind – The Fool atop The Lovers, Modest – Hesitation caused by naive concerns about our relationship. Finally letting go of the fear of returning to that place we were in years ago that I struggled with so much.

Focus Forward – The Tower and Ornery – Change. You are stubbornly going to push this change that is shown in the “Here and Now, I Am” position. You know it’s the right thing for you, and anyone that tries to get in your way is going to find themselves confronted with unpleasant backlash.

Negative Influences – Seven of Swords and Unbidden – Pay attention to those that come into your life uninvited and ask shit of you, or try to steal away your time, energy, or resources.

Positive Influences – The Hierophant and Thaw – Work on opening up more to your guides. They are here to help you, teach you, and guide you upon your path.

Relevant Shadows – The Devil atop Two of Cups, Power –  The themes that you explored this month concerning your inner adolescent, and how those scarcity feelings from that area of your life influence your present. This area needs more exploring, for you have the power to deal with it at this time. It is through spending time with this issue and working through it that the changes touched upon in “Here and Now, I Am” will manifest.

Lift From The Past  – The Emperor, Fragile atop Predator – Don’t forget how safe and protected Gideon makes you feel. He is there to support you whenever you are feeling vulnerable and protect you from not just others that might target you, but from your own inner self destructive influences that lurk beneath those times when you are at your most vulnerable.

Future Event to Prevent or Overcome – Six of Cups and Legend – Your mother. Her expectations. Her manipulation through the connection to your childhood.  The visit to see her has been postponed, but it’s coming.  Be ready.

Approaching Opportunity – The Moon Rx and Searching – It’s time to start seeking out those things that make you feel stable and confident. As you build on the change that dominates the lion’s share of this reading, you need to start instilling more of these confidence building things into your life. Look to the “Relevant Shadows” and “Lift From The Past” sections of this reading to find these things. Your opportunity here lies in making peace with your inner adolescent and seeking out Gideon to help you in sorting through this theme.

Message from Spirit World –  Childhood stories are something you need to value as a learning experience.  Don’t lock them up inside and throw away the key.  Seek the lessons they have to teach you in order to defeat the fears and uncertainties that these experiences still spawn.

Message from Mind’s World – When you don’t get enough Gideon goodness in your life, it influences you negatively, allowing your mind to dip too deeply into the harsher side of things and your negative inner dialogue to become stronger.

Message from Known World –  Activities that you enjoy together are fare better for you than time spent alone on your own.  When you’re feeling vulnerable, allow yourself to step under Gideon’s wing.  Don’t retreat into yourself where you are putting yourself more at risk from either outside factors or your own inner demons.

Take Away – Apparently I am in a place to deal with this particular shadow from my inner adolescent, and I need Gideon’s help to sort through my feelings and how to deal with the situation.  When this topic first came up in the monthly challenge, I was surprised at how strongly it resonated.  The reading here indicates that I need to make sure I don’t just “set it aside” now that I’ve touched on it, but actually explore it deeper.

DECKS USED:  HOMEBOUND TAROT AND DAVID WILSON’S ANIMAL 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?

Kiddy Kats Tarot, Pounce Game Cards, Oracle of the Essences 2nd Ed

Earth – Four of Wands and Athletics / Wild – You know that phrase “home is where the heart is“? Sometimes that means your home isn’t at where you live, but rather where you feel most comfortable and happiest. For you, that means it’s time to get your ass out into the woods again and do some hiking. Go somewhere that you can climb and really put some effort into the activity, and it will feel even more rewarding.

Air – The Sun and Attacking / Toughness – Negative inner dialogue is not your friend, and you need to stand strong in the face of it so that you can allow optimism to flourish. Don’t focus on that negative dialogue, but rather on positivity and optimism. If you uplift yourself, that negative inner voice will get bored and start to fade for a while. Negative reinforcement will only breed more negativity.

Water – Justice atop Page of Coins, Cuteness / Wild – Just like with your negative inner dialogue, you need to keep a check on your negative emotions. Combat them not with more negative talk and consternation, but with a sweet and understanding attitude and creative optimism. You can’t balance the scales by piling negative on top of negative.

Fire – Strength and Catnip Distraction – Some of the most wonderful and creative things happen when you’re distracted. Don’t consider that a weakness, for distraction can also be one of your greatest strengths. In other words, too much focus isn’t necessarily a good thing.

Waning – Jasmine (Finale / Fertility) – This week will give you the opportunity to clear out that stagnant energy that’s been stifling your creativity.

Waxing – Spearmint (Creative Expression) – You are a wordsmith, and this week will provide you with opportunities to let the shine. Expression, especially in the creative realm, is your forte and is at your fingertips this week. You have the ability to touch people with your words, so do so.

Take Away – A breath of fresh air is moving through your life this week. Make sure to breathe deeply and enjoy it. Keep your mind and your emotions leaning into the positive and optimism in order to make your days feel a bit brighter and keep your negative inner dialogue at an arms length.

DECKS USED:  KIDDY KATS TAROT, POUNCE GAME CARDS, ORACLE OF THE ESSENCES 2ND EDITION

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?

Joie de Vivre Tarot, Healing Flower Color Cards, Wildlife Wisdom Oracle

Earth – Knight of Coins, Cerato atop Elm – Sometimes self doubts can slow you down and keep your progress moving slower than you would like. These self doubts make it harder to connect with your intuition, and it can make it feel like you’re moving along blindly instead of with purpose. This week may feel like you’re standing still, but rest assured you’re still moving. Focus on what you want for yourself and from yourself, instead of on progress.

Air – The Moon and Crab Apple – Make sure you’re doing your meditation, as it can help you in releasing the self-doubt and fears that may plague you this week and cause you to feel stagnant. The meditations are important. Even if sometimes you feel like you don’t get any benefit from it, do them anyway.

Water – The World atop Four of Wands, Clematis – Remember that just because you’re not getting as much progress in your home business as she would like at the moment, you’re still moving along the path that’s right for you. Your journey isn’t over, so don’t let slow progress stir your emotions into feeling like they need to retreat and sulk. As mentioned above, keep your eye on what you want for yourself, and from yourself, on this journey. It’s okay if sometimes things don’t go just exactly the way you want them to.

Fire – Ace of Coins, Cerato atop Wild Oat – This week you’re being given the opportunity to not bury yourself into your work, but rather keep an eye on where you’re headed along your journey and if you’re on the right path. You need to make sure that you’re listening to your instincts and intuition, as well as that gut feeling of your moral compass. Let them lead you this week, because sometimes blind trust in these things is the only way forward.

Waning – Marjoram (Happiness) – This week isn’t a time of new beginnings, but rather and assessing where you are in orienting yourself.

Waxing – Fig (Vitality) – Look at what you have, look at where you’re going. Not just with the limited view of your impatience, but with a broader perspective.

Take Away – The indication in these cards is that this week isn’t about progress or about new beginnings, it’s about assessing where I’m at, and what I want for myself and the world around me, as well as where I want to go from here. There are things that need to be changed, and new perspectives to be seen and understood concerning where I’m at. It’s time to set my impatience aside for the week and pay attention instead.

DECKS USED:  JOIE DE VIVRE TAROT, HEALING FLOWER COLOR CARDS, GREEN WITCH ORACLE