self improvement

Transitioning from October to November

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

Month End Tarot Check In - Skele-Tarot and Nicoletta Ciccoli Tarot

Individuality – King of Swords and Nascondino – Hiding from responsibilities and allowing a fog to swirl in and create confusion and panic where clarity is needed.  Fear follows and creates tension as you fear what you can’t see and what might pass you buy entirely without seeing you in turn.

Dependence – Hanged Man atop The Empress, Dolceamara atop Rose Red – In the grasp of the above mentioned situation, you have lost sight of your need for self care and your walls are trying to come up and close you off from others. This habit is not healthy for you, or for others either.  Don’t allow your walls to get so high that you can no longer see beyond them.

Creativity – Ten of Wands Rx, Mary Go Round, Hide and Seek – Less burden and a bit more fun.  A different path than the one you are used to walking upon. You’re trying to change.  Remember that this isn’t about changing who you are or the person others see, but about changing the habits that are unhealthy for you and exchanging them for something better.

Limitation – Three of Cups and [Unknown Title] – Your self flagellation for having a good time and taking care of your needs (social and otherwise). That negative inner dialogue has begun to spread out from your inner voice and influence your actions and emotions.  There is no need to punish yourself.  It will only set you back.

Change – King of Pentacles and Agata – Your guides and the cards are working together to comfort you over your financial uncertainties.  You should listen and lean into that comforting rather than stubbornly clinging to the worries you’ve been struggling with. Allowing that comforting to do its job and listening to the nurturing voice that’s trying to help you will allow for you to find solid footing concerning how you feel about your finances and resources.

Sympathy – Justice and Luck – Times in the past when you have been treated unjustly have been swirling around the outer edges of your awareness recently and causing a dimming of your inner “shine”.  This is a shadow that wants to rise up and needs to be soothed back into place with reminders that that time of powerlessness is in the past now.

Luck – Five of Cups and The Ice Princess – Remember when you were learning how to serve and your grip on the tray wobbled, all of the glasses on the tray sliding off to the floor except one? Even though they fell, none of them broke, and the one still on the tray didn’t even spill a little bit.  It was a triumph… even in the face of failure.  Sometimes we can wall ourselves off to those small triumphs, and you’re at risk of doing that now.  Make sure you don’t forget to celebrate the little things.

Power – Seven of Wands, Cuddle, Last Days – Feeling ganged up on and vulnerable does not mean it’s time to build up your walls and seclude yourself away from the rest of the world.

Responsibility – Two of Wands, Cowgirl, [Unknown Title] atop Blue Bird and The Fox – Grab a direction and run with it.  This message is an echo of a previous reading you did that said the same thing.  Essentially, put on your big boy pants and GO already.  Stagnation is not your friend.  I pulled clarification cards on this position, which then indicate a need for diligence and paying attention to your surroundings.

Message from Spirit World – Overcome your feelings of vulnerability not by closing yourself off, but rather by accepting comfort and allowing it to both ground and energize you.  Keep an eye out for predators.

Message from Mind’s World – Don’t poison yourself with old habits that you know aren’t good for you. It will close you off from being able to see “the full picture” and leave you forsaking positive activities for less healthy ones.

Message from Known World – All actions have consequences and repercussions.  Make sure that you are paying attention to what you do staying true to path and kind to yourself.

DECKS USED:  SKELE-TAROT AND NICOLETTA CICCOLI TAROT (MODIFIED)

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?

Tarot de Marseilles par Pole Ka, Halloween Oracle, Seasons of the Witch Samhain Oracle

Earth – High Priestess and Skull of Light – "Allow yourself to be seen, to see, and to act upon what is shown to you.  The time has passed for hiding, for pretending, and for swallowing our discomfort by accepting the status quo when it really doesn't suit us." - guide to the Halloween Oracle

The above quote speaks very clearly about what is expressed not just in the Skull of Light card, but also in it being combined with the High Priestess card. In order to preserve the stability that you cherish, this week it will be important to open up to your intuition’s voice and what it has to say.  Clear away the cobwebs and fog that has you feel like you’re stewing in confusion and allow your inner voice the room it needs to speak clearly.

Air – The Chariot and Ancestors – This week, take the gifts that your ancestors have passed down to you and use them to move forward into the challenges that are coming.  You were born with a unique set of qualities and gifts that allow you to handle what is coming with control and finesse.  Have faith in yourself and charge forward with the knowledge you can do this.

Water – The Lovers Rx and Zombie – Spend some time this week reconnecting with your values and what is truly important to you.  The chaos is coming, but that doesn’t mean letting go of your moral compass or your values in order to deal with the chaos, but rather that you hold onto them tightly and continue to work toward being both authentic to your truth and true to your path.  Center yourself on that path and make decisions and choices that align with it instead of allowing outside influences to try and sway you.

Fire – Page of Swords Rx and Invisibility – These cards are an echo of the theme in the Water section of this reading, and a reminder that manipulation comes in all forms. Make sure that you are being authentic to your own path and your own values, and not letting outside influences tug you askew.

The fact that this message is repeated between the Water section and the Fire section indicates that this manipulation is going to come through on an emotional level and will niggle at your drive and desires.  Don’t allow these manipulative nudges to convince you to take action in a direction that does not align with your values and moral compass.

Waning – Goddesses of Samhain –  The time of gentle nudges and easing into the ebb and flow of changes is coming to an end this week.  There is nothing gentle in what is approaching, and you need to release the desire to linger in that more gentle space so that you can “go into battle” prepared.

Waxing – Potions & Spells – Empowerment is what you need to focus on stepping into in the week ahead.  You have the skills and abilities needed to make what needs to happen come about, so grab the reigns and start steering things in the direction you desire to go in.

Take Away – This week’s self care needs to focus on clearing out the mental fog that is blurring the lines not just in your thinking, but also in your inner knowledge and intuition. Take time to breathe fresh air through your mind and get yourself centered.   Once you’ve cleared out the cobwebs, ground yourself in your values, then grab the reigns, shake off the remnants of stagnation clinging to your shoulders, and get moving.

DECKS USED: TAROT DE MARSEILLES PAR POLE KA, HALLOWEEN ORACLE, SEASONS OF THE WITCH SAMHAIN 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?

Dark Mansion Tarot, Agatha's Pendulum Oracle, Witches World Oracle

Earth – Ace of Cups and Crow / Destiny – Sometimes it’s okay to make decisions with your heart. Keep your eye cast in the direction that you want to go in, and seize the opportunities that come along to improve your position.  This week, it may be that you have to lean more into your gut than your head in doing that… and that’s okay.

Air – King of Cups, Nine of Wands, Rosemary / Focus – You’re not feeling all that “large and in charge” this week, but you’re faking it just fine.  The thing is?  This isn’t one of those times when you can fake it until you make it.  Take a breath and do what you need to find your center and your focus.  This means picking back up your meditation and letting it help soothe some of that defensive tension you have going on right now.

Water – Five of Pentacles and Carnelian / Motivate – That general malaise that you’ve been feeling the last few days is messing with your motivation.  This will continue to be a struggle throughout the week, but keep in mind that action is the kindle that sparks motivation’s fire.  Make sure that you’re doing even a little bit each day toward your goals and that the girls are as well.  It’ll keep you moving, even during this week that may otherwise feel like dragging feet through quicksand.

Fire – Ten of Cups, Pyrite / Success, Black Tourmaline / Eliminate – This week is going to cause you to feel a bit hopeless and as if you’re progress towards your goals has come to a grinding halt. Business is going to be slow, but it’s temporary.  Remember that your reaction to this is an entirely emotional reaction.

Waning – Origin – This is about my father’s influences. It’s about my origin story and the need to focus on leaving that in the past where it belongs.  The emotions and demons that allowing it to come forward are demons that I can’t wrestle with at this time, and so allowing them to come forward will only allow them to harm me.  Keep the past in the past where it belongs.  Now is not the time.

Waxing – The Harvest – This week is the final week of the last harvest, and this card couldn’t be more fitting considering that fact. It’s time to start gathering up everything I will need for the winter months… that means gathering up everything that I need for the holiday rush that’s only getting closer and closer.  Don’t allow your feelings from the Fire position above to dissuade you from the preparations you need to make.

Take Away – Business is going to be slow this week and it’s going to fuck with your emotions, but don’t let that keep you from doing what you need to do to prepare for what’s to come. Make sure that you don’t let the general malaise that you’ve been feeling create a vulnerability that your father’s influences can then slip into and start eating away at you. Listen to your heart this week when it comes to any opportunities coming your way.  This isn’t easy for you as logic is your go to, but the heart that needs a say this time.

DECKS USED: DARK MANSION TAROT, WITCHES WORLD ORACLE, AGATHA’S PENDULUM 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?

The Abandoned Oracke, Mildred Payne's Pocket Oracle, Kult Divinity Lost Tarot, Ludy Lescot Tarot

Earth – Queen of Cups, The Beggar, Pentacle – Sometimes, to get what you need, you have to tug on people’s heartstrings. Manipulation has its place in life, and if you’re using it wisely and kindly, it can help yourself and others in positive growth. Make sure before you move to use this type of tactic that you are using it for the right reasons and that it doesn’t niggle at your moral compass.

Air – Nine of Cups, The Beast, Arrow, Fish – Don’t allow worries about losing your progress and pessimism for the future to disrupt the positive growth you have going on and the potential for positive future progress still on the horizon. Keep your “eye on the ball” and stay positive.

Water – Six of Swords atop Ace of Pentacles, Revenge, Harp – Do not allow yourself to pick yourself apart over lost opportunities that you chose to walk away from.  Some of those lost opportunities may come into sharper focus this week, as will the choices that you made that ended up making those opportunities “lost”.  Instead of falling into the tempting habit of abusing yourself for these choices and missed opportunities, chose a more serene and forgiving approach.

Fire – Eight of Pentacles, The Sculpture, Frog –  Negativity is really working hard this week to slip in and taint your view of your skills and your work. Doubts and insecurities are the dark secret you hold in your heart. Take care not to let these feelings bleed into your creative works. It can happen just as happiness and optimism can, and just as all the positive intentions can, if you allow it.  Take care that you are watchful and making sure only good goes into those pieces you make.

Waning – Togarini and Yesod – The Yesod card hearkens back to the advice given in the Fire position of this spread.  The advice here is to focus upon moving away from bullying myself into moving forward into creative endeavors when I’m not feeling it, and thus polluting these endeavors with avarice and dark feelings of discontent.  It is better to step away than put out negativity into the world through the pollution of my my art.

Waxing – Anthropos and Nahemoth – The Anthropos card is a sign of an internal awakening and with the Death Angel card atop of it what is seen here is the advice that if I wish to purge the corruption in my energy, I need to get out into nature more. I don’t think I got enough time out in the forest over the summer months, and it is creating an underlying effect that is hidden but there.  Make sure to take some time this week to get out into nature and allow the natural energies there to flow through your own to cleans out the fog and cobwebs.

Take Away – The message this week is a repeat of what I have heard from the cards again and again over the past few days.  It’s about staying positive and not allowing my negative inner dialogue to seep in and screw with my head or my creativity.  On top of this warning, there is also a reminder that my connection with the earth and nature is the way to clear out and loosen internal knots and the fog of negative influences within myself.  I need to make sure I utilize this connection this week.

DECKS USED: LUDY LESCOT TAROT, KULT DIVINITY LOST TAROT, THE ABANDONED ORACLE, MILDRED PAYNE’S POCKET 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?

Curio Tarot, Mildred Payne's Oracle of Black Enchantment, Emilie Autumn's Asylum Oracle

Earth – The Emperor, Strength, Frozen Charlottes – Make sure that you are in control “of your domain”.  Some little sneaky fucker may try to slip in and whisper sweet nothings in your ear in order to sway your attention, but don’t allow this temptation to draw you off track.  Just keep lining your soldiers up in a row as you work toward sustaining a healthy, happy, and stable home front.

Air – Two of Swords and Revenge – There are choices you’ve made and thought to have laid to rest that might rise up again over the next week. This isn’t a second chance to change your mind… you made the right decisions the first time around.  Stay the course and turn away from the waffling that the return of these issues may cause to surface in you.

Water – The Chariot and The Execution – There are consequences for lollygagging.  Make sure you have your eye on the prize this week or you may find yourself swinging at the end of a rope emotionally.

Fire – Eight of Wands and The Flying Queen – As long as you can “stay the course” of your trajectory that you’ve begun over the past week?  You have the potential to ride that momentum forward into positive and permanent change.  You’ve made this adjustment from your “old ways” of doing things a passion project.  Carry it through this week and don’t look back.

Waning – The Boot – Confidence may end up being a bit of a problem in the week ahead.  There is lots of encouragement above about staying on course, and you’re going to need that encouragement (and possibly more) as you move through this week.

Waxing – The Brooch – Speak your mind. Speak your heart.  Open up and share what needs sharing, let out what needs to be said, and allow others to better understand how you feel and what you think through sharing your words with them.  Only through the letting out of what resides inside can you breathe more easily and find relief for that tension lingering in your throat and beneath your tongue.

Take Away – There are going to be some self confidence issues over the next week, but everything in all elements of life currently require you to reach for the path you have already plotted and continue forward upon it without doubt, fear, or looking back.  Reach out to others to help you with these confidence issues, and be honest about what you are thinking and feeling, as it is the only way they will be able to help you.  Take care, though, with who you trust with your vulnerability.   This week is no time for deviation… if something looks too good to be true?  It is.

DECKS USED:  CURIO TAROT, MILDRED PAYNE’S ORACLE OF BLACK ENCHANTMENT, EMILIE AUTUMN’S ASYLUM 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?

Nightmare Before Christmas Tarot, Fantod Pack, Mystic Misfits Oracle

Earth – Ace of Presents and The Burning Head – Don’t allow discordance and dissatisfaction with what you have turn you away from new opportunities. This “meh” feeling that you’re experiencing is temporary. Don’t let it hold you back.

Air – The High Priestess and The Stone – Sometimes it can feel like intuition and logic mix just about as well as oil and water. Keep in mind that your intuition has been working for you and alongside that tendency to lean into logic for your entire life.  You don’t have to choose, just let them do their thing.

Water – Page of Candles, Queen of Candles, The Limb – This is about that “know it all” shadow that sometimes crops up from time to time and makes you self conscious about sharing your knowledge and experiences with others. It’s important to not just remember that you are also still learning and still growing, and to phrase things in a way when communicating with others that allows for this humility to show through in your words.

Fire – Page of Presents and The Tunnel – All these angsty emotions and struggles you’ve had with moving forward into the prep time of the holiday rush are going to be in focus this week.  It’s time to transition into the slow and steady progress of getting ready for the beating to come.  Don’t allow your uncertainties to continue to drag you down and hold you back.

Waning – Mirror – It’s time to move away from introspection.  You can only stare at a mirror for so long before you start to pick apart what is in the reflection and… over time?  The different pieces picked apart then start to not make sense.

Waxing – Spore and Star –  You have been stuck in a rut of stagnation and struggling with motivation lately. This week is the time to wriggle yourself out of that rut and start climbing for the sky.  Get moving this week on things that need worked on and preparations that need to be made.

Take Away – As most of my readings over the past couple days have already indicated, this week is a time to dig myself out of the funk that I’ve been feeling about life and work and just every thing in general.  It’s time to nudge myself into some motivation and focus on encouraging myself toward getting things done and the prep that is needed for the holiday rush.  There is a notation, as well, in the Air section that indicates I need to make sure I don’t shut out my intuition.  Some things that don’t mix well still work together in perfect harmony.

DECKS USED: NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS TAROT, EDWARD GOREY’S FANTOD PACK, MYSTIC MISFITS ORACLE