self help with tarot cards

A Refuge From the Storm

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Soul's Oracle and It’s Going To Be Okay 2024 Day-to-day Calendar By Kate AllanToday’s draw is the Home Tree and the affirmation “You are not a fountain of energy and goodness. Please, do not sacrifice your health or well-being for other people.”

Home is where your roots grow, digging deep to anchor and ground you.  It is your shelter and your anchor.

Sometimes, these are the things you need most, in order to be healthy and happy and take care of your own well-being.  Today’s cards are a reminder of this need to pause and find a sense of stability and security.  How important it is to feel rooted, grounded in having a safe place to call your own, a place of refuge from the storm.

These cards encourage taking advantage of that refuge when you need it, instead of ignoring your needs for the desires, needs, and whims of others.  Your needs are important too, and it’s up to you to give yourself what you need when you need it… even when it’s something as simple as staying home when everyone else is demanding you go out.

DECK USED: SOUL’S ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2023 Challenge Prompt
Question for August 5th : What do I need to focus on for self-care this new moon?

Oracle Reading with the Soul's Oracle

Reading Summary: Say goodbye to the city (in the Left Card we see a figure waving at buildings in the distance. They appear to be saying a last farewell before disappearing out of sight on their trek down the path). Slip through the liminal spaces (in the Center Card we see a portal of natural spaces, a liminal space that leads from forest to sea… from one existence to another). Take time to savor nature (in the Right Card we see a figure sitting on the shore of a lake, feet in the water, enjoying the beauty and calm of nature as mother earth’s face smiles from the soil below).

Take Away: These cards encourage taking the opportunities that arise during this new moon to get out of the city and enjoy some time in nature.  Hike to a lake in the woods and take a dip. Make a day of it and let go of the stress and responsibilities of day to day life for a while.  Cut loose and enjoy some time among the trees.

DECK USED: SOUL’S ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I went down to the library today and got my card re-issued so that I could listen to audiobooks through Libby for free sometimes instead of always sourcing through Audible. A lot of times the library doesn’t have the titles I want to listen to, but sometimes they do so it’ll be a cheaper source for those titles that they have available.

Finding the Positive for August 2 – 4

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Sea Witch Oracle, Asherah Tarot, Grounded Wisdom Soil Tarot, Wisdom for Wee Ones Cards, and It’s Going To Be Okay 2024 Day-to-day Calendar By Kate Allan

August 2 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was one of the #DailyCalm sessions with the Calm app.  Today’s meditation focused on the breath and the practice of Anapana, which was described as using focus on the natural breath as a meditation practice.  Instead of focusing on the lungs and chest, though, you focused on the little bit of space just under the nose, and paying attention to the movement of air through that space, narrowing down  your focus to just that small patch of skin and nothing else.

I am, admittedly? Not good at “observing the natural breath”. I try, but every time I try? I end up altering my breath when I pay attention to it, either deepening it or modulating it in some way.  I’ll keep trying, of course, but I’ve yet to find a way to keep this from happening.  I’m sure I’m not the only one.

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Today’s card is the Seal card combined with the affirmation “I have a good body, whether or not other people like it.”

This affirmation reminds me of the phrase “It could always be worse.” My body hurts. It has scars. It has damage. Hell, it even has a few white hairs and wrinkles these days. But… it could be worse. It could always be worse in an endless myriad of ways.

The Seal card’s words “Curiosity needs freedom” is a reminder that no matter what you don’t like about your body, or what others don’t like about your body?  It’s -your- body, and it serves you well (if not exactly as perfectly as you might want).  Get out and do things with it.  Have fun with it. Explore with it.

Who cares if you get dirty in the process? Who cares if you get sweaty and flush-faced? Celebrate your body with an adventure. Let curiosity lead you now and then, and don’t worry so much about what others may think.

DECK USED: SEA WITCH ORACLE AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

August 3 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Today’s card is the Lovers card combined with the affirmation “Just try to stay calm and do what you can.”

There is a dual meaning in today’s card, especially when combined with the affirmation for today. The Lovers is often about unity and union, but it can also be about making choices that are best for you.

Combined together, the message for today is about allowing others to do their part so that you are healthier in your own work and responsibilities. Don’t get worked up over everything that needs to be done, but instead trust in others to do their part while you focus on doing yours.

DECK USED: ASHERAH TAROT AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

August 4 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Today’s card is the Devil combined with the affirmation “Some people take and never give, yet they don’t have enough, but Wisdom’s way is to give without fear. You’ll still have enough of what you hold dear.”

Fear of missing out (FOMO) is a thing, whether it’s buying things you think will be useful to you at a later date, trying to “keep up with the Joneses”, or just not trimming one’s roses because they want to see all the blooms (but instead stunt it’s growth and the size of its blooms due to not cutting them back enough). These feelings, whether spurred on by fears, insecurities, or sentimentality, can be harmful if not kept in check.

One way we keep this in check is through generosity.  Like the rose bush that needs to have its buds cut back regularly in order to produce bigger and more beautiful blooms, our homes need to be purged occasionally.

It can be freeing to go through your closet and finally get rid of some of the clothing you haven’t worn in a couple years, or go through a collection and weed out those in it that you don’t really enjoy, or go through your kitchen cupboards and donate a portion of what’s in there you haven’t gotten around to using.  It helps us to not allow these things to have such a choke hold on us, like removing the invasive vines from a garden before they choke out all the other plants.

That is what today’s cards are about.  Don’t worry that by giving to others you are creating a lack in your own life.  There will still be plenty.  You’re just doing a bit of weeding so the stuff you truly enjoy can have more breathing room and appreciation.

DECK USED: GROUNDED WISDOM SOIL TAROT AND WISDOM FOR WEE ONES CARDS

❤️ 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

No Strength Without Rest

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Today’s meditation was skipped (yet again).

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Solace Oracle and It’s Going To Be Okay 2024 Day-to-day Calendar By Kate AllanToday’s draw is the Standing Strong card combined with the affirmation “You have coped through a lot; you deserve a nice long break.”

Today’s cards are a reminder that you don’t have to be strong all the time, and that times of rest are what help you to stay strong over the long haul.  Without rest, there is no strength.  So don’t be down on yourself about needing rest. It’s okay.

I personally needed to hear this message today. It’s supposed to be an orders day, but I spent a large portion of the day trying to fill orders only to have to re-do damned near every little thing over at least once because of stupid mistakes and dissatisfaction with the results of my efforts.

I finally gave up and set orders aside, giving myself permission to ship out everything on Tuesday instead of tomorrow. The guilt was significant, especially when others in my life sort of seemed disapproving of my choices. (Or, alternately? It’s possible that could have just been me projecting my own feelings and guilt.)  Either way, today’s message helped in easing some of those negative emotions.  I’m allowed to rest when I need to, even when it’s not particularly convenient.

DECK USED: SOLACE ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2023 Challenge Prompt
Question for August 1st and 2nd

Oracle Reading with the Moon Woman OracleHow does my inner child feel right now?

Maiden – Your inner child is excited about the potential your steps in personal growth are opening up to you. No longer is your inner child shoved in a closet, neglected and ignored as they had been in the past, and they are beginning to enjoy the attention and exploration.

How can I better connect with my inner child?

The Cauldron – Remember that creativity isn’t just fun and games, but there is also a sacredness to it that makes each thing you create (whether it be physical, metaphysical, or just the space for future potential) contain an intrinsic part of you within it.

DECK USED: MOON WOMAN ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I had myself some lazy time in bed today while I was alone at home.  As mentioned in the Card of the Day exercise above, I also allowed myself to not fill orders today, and rest instead… and am working on not feeling guilty about it.

Perfectionism Clogs the Gears

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Cryptid Creatures Tarot and It’s Going To Be Okay 2024 Day-to-day Calendar By Kate AllanToday’s card is the Wheel of Fortune (Tailypo) combined with the affirmation “You can do the thing!”

Let go of the need for perfection . You have have better things to do with your time.

When you focus too hard on perfection, it slows you down and keeps you from completing tasks that could easily be done much quicker with a little more tolerance for everything not being “just right”.  Why waste your time with these tiny details when no one will care one way or another, or even notice for that matter… including -you- if it wasn’t you doing the work!

Just do it and get it done with out the obsessing, and then instead of wasting time on something you’re not really enjoying, you can move on to something that you will.

DECK USED: CRYPTID CREATURES TAROT AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

#DiscordTarotholicsJul2024 Challenge Prompt
Prompt for July 31: Grab a spread of your choice that you’ve been curious about… and give it a go!

Summer Oracle Reading with the Wing Hoof and Paw Oracle

Flowers – What is flourishing in your life right now?

Muskrat – Thanks to the end of month reading that you did earlier in the week, you are paying far more attention to the world around you. You are alert and aware, and working at preserving clarity of sight and mind. Vigilance and awareness of what’s going on around you is extremely important at the moment, and you’re doing well with it.

Sun – Where you’re shining your brightest this summer.

Prairie Dog – You are doing better at showing your emotions and sharing them with those that you love than you have done in quite some time. Last year, due to circumstances beyond your control, you had to shut yourself down and everyone suffered. You are beginning to open back up now.

Stars – What needs released to shine even brighter?

Deer – It’s hard to believe that you’re not going to have a repeat experience of what happened last year. You need to set down your distrust in the universe and it’s whims, and allow things to flow smoothly once more. Stop bracing for the next blow to come raining down on you.

Bees – Where to focus your energy to get things done?

Springbok – Revisit those things that you really enjoy, and allow them to help spark your creativity and enthusiasm. You have the extra time at the moment to spend some time having fun. Make sure you take advantage of that time instead of wasting it.

Bonfires – Embers to stir up for a brighter future.

Swan – Make sure that you were giving yourself credit where credit is due. You are enough, even when those negative whispers in your head make it seem like you’re not. This is something you need to work on reminding yourself of on the regular.

DECK USED: WING HOOF AND PAW ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I mixed the rest of the Froot Loops in with the Trix cereal. It’s a really good combo that I enjoy.

📆 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