self help

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?

Showing results for pamela colman smith rws Search instead for pamela coleman smith rws Pamela Colman Smith's RWS Tarot, Birds Oracle 1 & 2, Visionary I-Ching Oracle

Earth – Seven of Cups and Ruby Throated Hummingbird – The meaning of the Ruby Throated Hummingbird is to take only what you need, and here with it we see a card that is filled with options and opportunities… but you have to choose.  The message here is that it’s not a time for gluttony and piling on more than you can handle.  Take things slow this week and do what you need to do.  Make wise choices about how you spend your time and in taking care of yourself.

Air – Death atop Three of Cups, Great Horned Owl – “Every day there are opportunities to learn something new,” is the message conveyed by the Great Horned Owl.  Death rides atop merriment with others and reminds us that nothing lasts forever and you need to cherish what you can while you can.  Use this time with those you care about to learn what you can from them, for they won’t be around forever to share their knowledge, wisdom, and joys with you.

Water – The Empress and Sulfur Crested Cockatoo – The Sulfur Crested Cockatoo’s message is that it’s time to reassess relationships and figure out which are working for you and which it is time to let go of.  The presence of the Empress narrows this theme down, indicating that you need to hold onto those that nurture and support you, and let go of those that are no longer taking any effort to do this on their part, and thus you need to let go of putting my own energy into them in turn. Not all relationships (friendships, work relationships, etc) are meant to last a lifetime.

Fire – Judgement atop Three of Wands, Ferruginous Pygmy Owl – The message that the Ferruginous Pygmy Owl conveys is about not becoming distracted by “shiny things” and examining what it is that is distracting you from what you’re meant to be doing.  Judgement speaks of this same examination on a grand scale of one’s moral compass and how you feel about  how you are living your life, and the Three of Wands speaks of direction.  Take some time this week to do these examinations and make sure you are still on your true path and not being pulled off course.

Waning – Attention to Detail – Step back and let go. Don’t worry about all the little details that need to be done.  This week, just carry on and let the small shit take care of itself while you focus on the bigger picture and work at getting your ducks in a row.

Waxing – Humility – You don’t know everything and you need to make sure that you are accepting your mistakes with grace, and taking the actions needed to repair the damage and return things to status quo once more.  Everyone makes mistakes, and sometimes these mistakes are needed learning experiences. With true humility, balance can once again be achieved.

Take Away – There is a lot of mention in this week’s reading about taking time to examine friendships and relationships, options and opportunities, and your trajectory of your life path as a whole and ensure that all of these things are on the right track.  If course corrections are needed, be humble and accept that you’ve been drawn off course. Through that humility you will be able to then course correct back to your intended path without allowing negative self talk and self-recriminations to drag you down.

DECKS USED:  PAMELA COLEMAN SMITH’S RWS TAROT, BIRDS ORACLE 1 & 2, VISIONARY I-CHING CARDS

Transitioning from December to January

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Bonestone & Earthflesh Tarot, Tree Whisperer Oracle

Individuality – The World and Story – You are at a time in your life where you have the opportunity to grab hold and write your own story.  This time in your life is a transition, and as you step through out of the old and into the new, you are in the perfect position to take control and make your own narrative.

Dependence – Page of Cups and Expression – Leaving behind old ways of dealing with your emotions is the only way to make room for new healthier ways of experiencing, handling, and expressing your emotions to others.  The holiday rush allowed you to slip deep into the old habits of closing off and closing down, but now that the end of the year has come, you need to let those habits go and reconnect with the emotional growth you’ve been striving for over the past year.

Creativity – The Tower and Creativity – An echo of the previous card, these cards indicate that you are in a position to tear down the old, dismantle it, and create something new and better from the pieces. The opportunity is now so make sure you take advantage of it and look forward to those things you want to change and begin building them into your future from now.

Limitation – Knight of Swords and Unity – The Unity card looks like knobby knees… just sayin’.  My limitations at this time have to do with what inner voices and thoughts I allow to take over, and which I abandon.  I’ve come to the realization that that inner narrative is much lie a wild mustang running through a field. If you allow it to run, it will run wild and free…. and shit all over the place as it goes. The knobby knees say that a slow approach and choosing what thoughts I connect with is a better choice… but not the easiest.

Change – Three of Wands and Knowledge – You know what you want.  There may be a handful of different options available to you as a whole, but even with just a general idea, you know the right direction to head in and how to avoid the pitfalls along the path.  You’re in a far more stable and functional place this year than the last, so use that knowledge to set your feet on the right path forward.

Sympathy – Page of Pentacles atop Eight of Pentacles, Balance – Sometimes, when you’re learning something new, it because a slow and struggling process.  Not all things worth having come easily, some of them cost you in time and money, sweat and effort. Many times in the past when you’ve run across these issues, you’ve pushed yourself harder and harder, exhausted yourself and abused yourself to learn faster and get further in less time.  It’s time to learn that the time doesn’t matter… but balancing self care into the equation does.

Luck – Six of Swords and Insight – An echo of the “Change” position above, here we see the confidence of knowing what is right for you and going after it.  You have an innate and very intuitive ability to know the path that is right for you and head in that direction.  It has served you well all your life and these cards are a reminder of how this has gone in the past and an encouragement to keep up with this very successful method of decision making as you continue into the future.

Power – Seven of Pentacles, Roots atop Stillness – Keep in mind that when you allow things to grow slowly over time, they still need tending or growth will become stilted and stagnant.  There is a big difference between attentive patience, or negligence and neglect.   If you feel like something is stalling out, make sure you are looking into it and giving it little nurturing nudges of encouragement to keep things moving and healthy.

Responsibility – King of Cups atop Ace of Pentacles, Inspiration atop Guidance – You have the opportunity now to start connecting with Gideon again and starting fresh with the creative endeavors you share.  You have the opportunity to lean into him, to allow him to foster your hope and help you find pleasurable pursuits you two can share as well as share in the pursuits you already enjoy together.   These cards are about taking advantage of the opportunity to enjoy time with him, whether that is in play or together tucked into quiet time and talk.

Message from Spirit World – Allow the beginnings and quiet in your life to slowly expand into inner strength and inner stability.  From that place of strength and stability you can grow the seeds of new ideas and they will thrive far better than they would in the cacophony of chaos.

Message from Mind’s World – Speaking from the heart will foster growth and allow you to “write your own story” along the way.  Just keep in mind that sometimes, to write your own story, you have to start by tearing apart the storyline already in place in order to build a better one.

Message from Known World – Just because the holiday rush is over and things are slowing down doesn’t mean that the girls can’t continue to help you in keeping up on your work, and in doing so help take some of the pressure and stress off your shoulders. It’s time to try something new, so give it a go.

Take Away – There is a lot here about starting out as you want to continue on, and making changes for the better now that the holiday rush is over.  I have a chance to make these changes now and then carry them forward into the future from here.  Now is the time to look at what I want and how I want to go about getting those things, then begin the steps that will take me in that direction.  This goes far beyond just my business, but is very focused in this reading upon finding a better balance in my life between work and self care, and finding new ways of doing things that are healthier than my past habits and methods.

DECKS USED:  BONESTONE & EARTHFLESH TAROT, TREE WHISPERER ORACLE

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?

Broken Isn't Bad Tarot, A Whisper In The Ear Oracle, Sacred Journey Medicine Cards

Earth – The Empress and Sing a Different Tune – For your health and the preservation of your happy home life, you need to not just shift your focus from work and money, but start doing what needs done to take care of yourself instead of ignoring your needs.  That means getting your ass outside among the trees and moss and liminal spaces this week.  Don’t put it off or ignore it for “later” as you have had to do all month.

Air – The Magician and Take the Lead – Over the last month you’ve really closed yourself off from others and kept your head down as you moved through the chaos.  That’s natural, but now that the chaos is over, it’s time to lift your head up and ground yourself back in the now. Don’t forget that you have all the knowledge and power you need to guide things in the direction you want them to go.

Water – Three of Pentacles and Travel Light – You want to be there for Ms B and support her in what she’s going through, but unfortunately it’s not really safe for either you or Z to head that way.  Instead, make sure that you’re keeping in contact with her and keeping the lines of communication and connection open and strong.  You can’t pack up the car and Z right now and drive out there to be there in person so put the suitcase down and pick up the phone.

Fire – Four of Pentacles and Isolation – You need to take a little bit more time away from your work and that hard pushing drive that is always riding your shoulders.  You haven’t quite found that stability yet, and you were smart to schedule more time off after the Tuesday shipments.  Use that time to help find that stability you need and the relaxation you haven’t fully been able to embrace or get enough of so that you can hop back in fresh in the second half of next week.

Waning – Metamorphosis –  Change takes time, and you’ve done well at getting yourself back on track instead of lingering in the chaos and anxiety of the rush.  Now that you’re finding your footing it’s time to move forward from the change and into sustaining this healthier approach.

Waxing – Primal Beginnings – This week it is time to go back to basics and the card here echos the advice given in the Earth part of the reading above.  Get in touch with what you need and spend some time out among the trees and liminal spaces this week.  You need this too much right now to ignore it, so let that be your main focus for the week ahead.

Take Away –  The beginning of this week requires a bit of work, but make sure once you’re through those first few days that you turn your attention back to yourself and your needs and the process of getting back in touch with taking care of yourself. Spend time outside, take a hike in the rain, let yourself enjoy some time frolicking among the trees and wallowing in the mossy mounds of the rainforest and you’ll feel better for it.

DECKS USED: BROKEN ISN’T BAD TAROT, A WHISPER IN THE EAR ORACLE, SACRED JOURNEY MEDICINE 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?

Steampunk Tarot, Oracolarium, Викканский Оракул Теней

Earth – Knight of Pentacles and Water – Things are slowing down. You don’t really need the cards to tell you that as it’s very obvious, but of course here you see it plain as day.  Business is slowing from the holiday rush, and with it the money that comes in will slow as well.  Do not look at this as a shot in the foot and mourn the loss, but rather pace yourself to match the slow and be kind to yourself both in the stepping up of your self-care as well as in how you relate to yourself emotionally during this time of slowing down.

Air – King of Swords and Bear – You have done all that you set out to do and exceeded your expectations.  Now is a time to retreat into the solid footing you have created and feel a sense of  peace in the fact that you have done well.  Don’t allow doubts to set you off balance but own  your success with inner strength and confidence.

Water – Nine of Pentacles and Crystals – Turn your focus to how secure you feel now with the success you have under your belt.   Changing gears during this time of year can be a struggle, but to keep yourself emotionally balanced you need to switch quickly to the good that has happened and the good that has been earned. Cast your eye to the positive and keep it there.  Don’t hesitate… do it now.

Fire – Four of Wands and Samhain – Again we see a sign of completion and endings.   This too, is an indication of the holiday rush coming to the end.  The chaos and wild whirlwind is closing out this week, and things settle once more into a more sedate pace.  This week is a time of rest and you need to do just that.  Even though there are things that need preparing for the new year, set them aside this week and worry about them after you have taken a few days to rest and recover.

Waning – Wisdom – Take some time for yourself this week. The Wisdom card is about collecting wisdom and passing it on to others, but this week you need to just cherish your quiet time and not worry about the rest of the world all that much. Some healthy seclusion is needed… share later.

Waxing – Evocation – The theme of the evocation card is “to manifest change in the world, begin within”.  This card brings into focus that now is the time to shift back into what changes you want to make in your own life and in yourself.  Over the past few weeks you have closed yourself off, shut down your needs and ignored the demands of your body, mind, and emotions.  This week it’s time to turn that around and return your focus to a more balanced care for yourself.

Take Away – This week’s reading is all about the changing gears that come from shifting out of the holiday rush and back to the slower pace of everyday life.  Although this transition is not easy, there are things you can do to help yourself make this transition go smoothly.  Focusing on the positive you have accomplished, and the positive you want to achieve in yourself and your self care, making sure you give yourself the rest you need to adjust and be kind to yourself rather than harsh and judgemental.

DECKS USED:  STEAMPUNK TAROT, ORACOLARIUM, Викканский Оракул Теней (WICCAN ORACLE OF SHADOWS)

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?

Living Tarot, Wisdom of the Forest Oracle, Wild Whiskers Spirit Animal Oracle

Earth – Ten of Wands and Dignified Dragon – Make sure as you move forward into this week that you are staying on guard about putting too much on your plate. The holiday rush is taking up all of your energy and all of your attention.  Do not make promises you cannot keep or that will be detrimental to you to try and keep. Do not make commitments to anything more or extra.  Dance in the fire of what is already before you and on your plate… there is no room for more right now.

Air – Son of Pentacles and Mischievous Monkey –  You’re clever and often single minded.  Single minded isn’t a bad thing, but you need to activate that clever wit this week to help bring a little humor and a spark of fun to the process. Keeping your head down and taking each step forward one at a time is all well and good, but don’t forget that it’s especially during these times that a little bit of funny and fun are needed most.

Water – Seven of Swords and Lofty Lion – Emotionally, self control is going to be a bit difficult for you this week. Like the other night when you burst out in tears and became a sopping mess for a bit, your emotions are going to steal away with you again and again.  This is natural when someone is under the kind of stress and strain that you are currently under. You will make it through, so don’t shy away from these moments.  They are needed.

Fire – Eight of Pentacles and Elegant Eagle –  Lots of hard work coming in this week, which is to be expected from the holiday rush.  You’ll have the opportunity to make some good decisions for your business this week as well. These opportunities have the potential to positively influence your business in the future. Make sure that you think them through thoroughly before cementing your decisions into place and take into consideration what your gut has to say.

Waning – Focus – There’s not a whole lot of control over the next week and you are going to have to train your focus on where it needs to be instead of where you want it to be. The nature of the holiday rush is that you have to train your attention on the business and your work, no matter where else you might feel you want to place it instead. There’s only so much time to go around, and only so much you can invest… and right now you have to invest your focus in those places instead of where you want to train your focus, attention, and time.

Waxing – Smile – “It may not be possible to immediately meet all adversity with a smile, but we can begin to try.”  This quote from the small guide that came with this deck says what I’ve been trying to wax poetic about for over a half hour and talked myself into circles repeatedly.  Right now there is so much stress and so much strain that it’s hard to be positive.  The important part is in the trying.  It’s in finding the little things that you can smile about, the small things that can bring a chuckle.   Just as is mentioned in the Air position in this reading, you need to make sure that you’re allowing those things to lift you up, no matter how small, and using your clever wit and sense of humor to foster and support this effort.

Take Away – You may not be doing what you want to do, but you’re doing what you need to do, and that’s extremely important at this time of year.  Give yourself little boosts of positivity in small ways will help keep you a bit more uplifted.  Make wise choices and listen to your gut as you watch out for opportunities to further your goals this week, and be aware that emotional outbursts are going to happen.  They’re scary and embarrassing, but they’re a part of the process so don’t run from them.

DECKS USED:  LIVING TAROT, WISDOM OF THE FOREST ORACLE, WILD WHISKERS SPIRIT ANIMAL ORACLE

Transitioning from November to December

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

This is a spread that I do at the end of each month to close out the month.

Edmund Dulac Tarot, Jeremy Miranda Cards

Individuality – Ace of Cups – You seek a new more positive path and sail the seas that take you in the direction of that which you seek. You are currently still hesitating, though, hiding in the shadowy shelter of the old way of doing things instead of taking the plunge full on.

Dependence – Six of Cups – You are trying to shed how things were done before. Not just in relation to how you work and deal with the responsibilities you take on, but also in how you see success and in the reorganization your priorities and values.

Creativity – Eight of Coins – Using your skills and abilities to assist in finding a sense of home and security. At this time you’re working hard and tapping in to everything you you’ve learned and know, all your creativity and expertise in order to find the security you seek that will set you up for the rest of the year.

Limitation – Two of Cups – The cold hard influence of your parents values and disciplines have made this progress harder than it needs to be.  They want you to share their values and in many ways you have.  Now that you are re-evaluating the balance of those values, placing joy higher on the list and responsibility a bit lower, that separation from their teaching is causing a cold dissonance that needs time to overcome.

Change – The Hermit –  The peace and serenity you gain through allowing yourself a touch of alone time helps you connect with your inner truth and the quiet voice of your intuition. It allows you to see the path that is right for you and you alone.

Sympathy – Four of Cups – Make sure when you take time for yourself that it is done in a productive way. Too many times you retreat into yourself and from everyone else both emotionally and physically. Even productive alone time can turn unhealthy if you linger for too long.

Luck – Eight of Cups – When you left home, you dove into a world of hurt on many different levels, and yet even through all the struggles and pain of that time, there was joy in the fact that you had gained your independence and freedom from tyranny. This joy existed even within the chaos and struggle, the pain and the fear. It is a part of you even now.

Power – Three of Swords – You can defeat encroaching forces of fear and depression with celebration and familial warmth. Embrace family and loved ones and allow them to pick you up when you’re feeling low or feel the darkness trying to slip in. They can help you, but you have to let them in.

Responsibility – Four of Swords – A future boon is coming in the form of rest and recovery and true peace. Right now you struggle and there’s so much to do, but remember that this is only a temporary thing.  Quieter times are coming and you’ll be able to enjoy some peace and rest soon enough.  It’s on the horizon and not that far off.

Message from Spirit World –  The new path you are on is providing you room for more joyous celebration and enjoyment of life as well as a more restful recovery and enhanced inner peace. Be kind to yourself.

Message from Mind’s World – Child-like imagination can take you to amazing places and awaken your creativity. Embrace the fanciful and let your mind wander a bit now and then. You don’t have to be so serious and studious all the time.

Message from Known World –  Too much work and not enough rest will leave you in a world of cold misery when you are left drained and alone. It’s important to stay connected and close with those you love and allow them to help you so that you can remain healthy not end up hurting yourself (and them) by trying to do too much on your own.

Take Away – There are a lot of warnings here about encroaching darkness and old habits trying to get a foothold. You need to remember to reach out to those you love for the emotional support you need to keep this darkness at bay.  If you can hold it at bay, your reward at the end of the holiday rush will be a rest and recovery that does not include the normal depressive sludge you usually need to wade through in January.

DECKS USED:  EDMUND DULAC TAROT, JEREMY MIRANDA CARDS