self improvement

Transitioning from September to October

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Tyldwick Tarot 2nd Edition and Brian Froud's Faeries' Oracle

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

Page of Cups, Solus atop O! That Gnome – These cards encourage faith in your emotional growth. You have worked hard to get where you are on this path, but with every shift towards the busy season, there is moments of nagging doubts and worries. Believe in this new perspective to strengthen you and help you in doing things in a better and healthier way.

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

Two of Cups, The Singer if Initiation atop Honesty – Your time to explore shadow work and look within yourself for what needs to be exposed to the world (and especially those that love you) is coming to an end. Although self-development may percolate internally over the months ahead, the time of focus and pursuit of this endeavor is drawing to a close for the year.

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

Seven of Coins, The Fairy Who Was Kissed by the Pixies atop The Oak Men – Open your heart, but do so slowly. Haste is not your friend. Remember that friendships and relationships happen slowly over time. There’s no rush. Keep your eyes open. It’s prudent to take some caution.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

Wheel of Fortune atop The Empress, The Laume – Take pause and caution when faced with unexpected kindnesses. Not everything is as altruistic as it may at first appear.

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

Five of Staves and The Fee Lion – Your passions and principles aren’t a bad thing, even when they put others up in arms. Make sure that you are aligned with your moral compass, and that you have your ducks in a row… then? Don’t worry about what others think. Make sure you are listening to that “need to do” whisper on your shoulder, even if it means making a list to work on -after- you take that needed nap.

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

The Magician atop Four of Swords, She of the Cruach – Don’t look for that nurturing energy you long for from your mother. There are people in your life willing to give that energy to you, but she’s not one of them.

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

Two of Swords and Iris of the Rainbows – Make sure you are looking back on the times when you’ve leaned into optimism and hope instead of allowing yourself to indulge in your natural pessimism. Take a look at how these times have influenced you and your growth, and the lessons that having used this type of positive thinking in the past have taught you.

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

Five of Swords, Gloominous Doom atop The Guardian at the Gate – If you allow a negative thoughts and negative emotions to take over this month, it’s going to cause conflict and barriers in your way that don’t need to be there. Don’t let the pessimism you’re used to sink in and hold you back from the potential that the next few months have to offer.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Two of Staves and The Singer of the Chalice – Stop trying to force it. Pushing isn’t the answer. If you treat yourself with more kindness as you move along your path and make plans for the future, you will still get where you want to go, but will be much happier and healthier along the way.

Message from the Spirit World – There is a huge amount of warning here about the unpleasant effects on your path forward if you lean into pessimism and negativity in the month ahead.  The cost will be significant, causing many setbacks and conflicts. Better to make sure you are focusing on the positive, and leaning into hope and optimism.

Message from the Mind’s World – You may feel like you are moving far too slow this month to get everything done, but remember that this is an emotional perception and not reality. Hold back from scrambling and racing against the clock, and work to keep your emotions and inner narrative kind and seek an honest perspective instead of leaning into how much more you “should be” doing.

Message from the Physical World – Be kind and nurturing to your body.  It needs a bit of care to recover from the battle it just fought (and won) against the cold that tried to sneak in, not to mention the ankle needs more time healing.  Give yourself, and your body especially, what it needs. Make healthy choices that foster a healthier outcome.

DECKS USED: TYLDWICK TAROT 2ND EDITION AND FROUD’S FAERIES’ 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?

Cerise Tarot, Copper Rabbit Oracle, Archeo Personal Archetype Cards

Earth – Death atop Cloak, Page of Swords – You may feel as if you’re getting knocked down a peg or two this week in reference to how much you think you can accomplish vs how much you can actually do. This experience will be a necessary reminder to pace yourself and continue your new path of a better work/life balance. Your plate is not going to get any bigger, so keep a hold on your expectations.

Air – Crown and The Empress – Only you have the ability to make self-care make sense for you and a priority in your life. It may help this week to reflect on just what putting this as a priority does for you and the benefits it generates.

Water – Tower atop King, The Lovers – Extraneous distractions are going to work hard this week to keep you from getting laid. Remember that intimacy is about far more than sex, and will be far more important this week. It’s not a personal failing that sex isn’t in the cards for you this week, so don’t self blame.

Fire – Dagger and Ten of Cups – Don’t allow others to piss in your Cheerios this week. Make sure you are focused on what you need and have , and let others stew in their own slew of shit.

Waning – Duende – It’s not yet time to allow that spark of creativity and entrepreneurial fire kindle to life. Hold back for just a bit longer.

Waxing – Sage – Centering, balance, and connecting with your spirits and guides needs to be the theme of this week.

Take Away – There’s going to be a bit of a struggle this week emotionally as some old battles rise up and other new ones start to show their faces.  Make sure you are staying focused on self care and on yourself and not falling into old traps.  Wait just a bit longer before diving in gung-ho on work.

DECKS USED: CERISE TAROT, COPPER RABBIT ORACLE, ARCHEO PERSONAL ARCHETYPE 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?

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)

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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?

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