self help

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)

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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?

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

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?

Hilda Tarot, Hedgewitch Botanical Tarot, Oilracle Essential Oils Card Deck

Earth – Nine of Wands and Dogwood (Defend) – You have physically come to the end of your rope and it’s time to build yourself up again.  Don’t face outward, for it’s your inner health and defenses that need healed and set in balance. This week is all about recovering “from battle” and getting yourself back up to snuff.

Air – Ten of Pentacles and Foxglove (Connection) – Even those things that are toxic have their place in our lives, and their uses beyond what’s harmful. This week, take a look at what’s toxic in your life, including your inner dialogue, and ascertain if there is anything useful about it.  If so, be grateful for it’s presence.  If not? Now’s the time to cut it out of your life so that you can focus on what’s really important.

Water – Judgement and Indigo (Enhance) – Another useful, but toxic plant. Another prompt to seek out what’s useful in your life, and what isn’t suiting your purpose.  Sometimes, we hold onto things just because they “look good” or “feel good”, and yet they aren’t healthy nor align with our goals and principles.

Fire – The Chariot and Hawthorn (Sacred) – The tasks set above, where it comes to centering your self on your path and to the principles that rule your life, are the theme of this week. Don’t forget that your path is sacred, and as you move to separate wheat from chaff, ensure you set your strength and determination behind the process.

Waning – Dragon Time atop Eucalyptus Radiata – Dawdling and doing nothing is not what this week is about. Don’t just spend this time enjoying the atmosphere and soothe the soul.

Waxing – Thieves – Cleansing and boundaries, protection and discernment.  As outlined in the reading above, all of these things need to come into play in the theme of this week.  Make sure that you are staying centered and ensure that you clear out what needs to be released.

Take Away – This entire reading is about attuning to my values and principles.  It’s about ensuring I’m leaving behind those things that no longer harmonize with what I want out of life.  Now is the time to look at these things, and begin discerning what needs cut free so that you can fly.

DECKS USED:  HILDA TAROT, HEDGEWITCH BOTANICAL ORACLE, OILRACLE ESSENTIAL OIL CARD DECK

Transitioning from June to July

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NOTATION:  I did not finish interpreting this spread here on the blog.  I got some of what I needed from it at the time of the reading, but I just never got around to writing it all down.   Regardless, I want to place this on the blog to make sure I have a record of it to look back on.

Month End Tarot Reading - Spiritsong Tarot and Pure Magic Oracle

Here and Now, I Am – The Wheel atop The Sun, Salamander –

Leaving Behind – Seven of Shells and Telekinesis –

Focus Forward – Queen of Feathers and Mantra Medicine –

Negative Influences – Nine of Acorns, Songbirds atop Voudon Roots – Someone is trying to fuck you. Don’t turn a blind eye. Make sure that you are diligent in your words. Doing another severing would be a good idea.

Positive Influences – Page of Acorns and Burning Man –

Relevant Shadows – Eight of Crystals and Hecate’s Path –

Lift From The Past  – Ace of Acorns, Astral Travels atop Florida Waters –

Future Event to Prevent or Overcome – Seven of Acorns and Brigid –

Approaching Opportunity – Page of Feathers and Ancient Amulets –

DECKS USED:  SPIRITSONG TAROT AND PURE MAGIC 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?

Playful Heart Tarot, Whispering Herbs Healing Cards, and The Zen of Animals Cards

Earth – Ten of Swords, Flaxseed (Metal) atop Valerian (Yin/Yang) – Watch out for that “shit happens” shoe that’s preparing to hit you in the face.  It’s going to suck, but if you make sure to keep yourself grounded and follow your gut, you’ll get through to the other side just fine and all the better for it.  Check the filters and drain pans for your air conditioners.

Air – Five of Pentacles and Strawberry (Earth) – You have worked really hard to get to a place where your inner voice isn’t constantly poking and prodding you with your scarcity issues. Don’t backslide and remember, even if you don’t finish all of your blog post each day?  The most important part of the blog post is the COTD and the Self Kindness. It’s okay to just do these two things and skip the rest when you’re feeling overwhelmed.

Water – Three of Cups, Wood Betony (Wood) – Reach out to others this week for emotional support.  The heat leaves everyone feeling like they’re on a short fuse and it’s hard to forget that even during these times?  They’re still there for you if you need them to be.  A little love can go a long way sometimes.   Make sure you’re expressing to others that you’re there for them as well.

Fire – The Hermit atop Page of Swords Rx, Slippery Elm (Earth) – Remember that it’s okay to have little to no progress some weeks, especially now during the summer months when you’re supposed to be allowing yourself some rest and relaxation anyway.  Especially for you?  Those times of rest are their own learning experience.  Don’t forsake them (and yourself) by pushing them away and forcing yourself to stress and worry instead.

Waning – Crane – Cool and untouchable may be something that you project quite often, but you need to work on allowing a more approachable warmth into your life.  Don’t just settle for that colder and less welcoming presence this week.  Be more. Holding yourself apart isn’t always healthy, even when it might feel like it is.

Waxing – Goat – Don’t forget that you are a survivor.  Follow your gut and what you know is right, and you will continue to be sure footed and it will be nearly impossible to knock you off your path.  Don’t forget that you have value beyond the money you make and the things you do. That value resides inside of you and is a part of who you are, not what you do.

Take Away – Check on the health of those things that are helping keep your home happy and healthy this week.  Check on the ACs and the fans, make sure the girls are caring for themselves and hydrating.  You can avert catastrophe, but you have to be diligent to do it. And if it can’t be avoided, remember to breathe and keep moving forward, for all struggle leads to growth and transformation.

Cut yourself some slack on all the stuff you want to do.  It’s okay to cut down to the bare minimum now and then, and this is the time of year to do that if that’s what you need.

Work on being open and approachable, and recognizing your own value.  These things are a part of moving into that new mindset and emotional growth you’re seeking.  Don’t disregard them as unimportant or without value.

DECKS USED:  PLAYFUL HEART TAROT, WHISPERING HERBS HEALING CARDS, THE ZEN OF ANIMALS ORACLE