self reflection 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?

Spark and Pen Tarot, Flowers Oracle, Language of Flowers Oracle

Earth – Nine of Wands and Jonquil – This week it’s going to be important to make sure you’re not just aware of what’s yours but be willing to defend that claim if necessary.  Sometimes life allows a bit of lackadaisical relaxation and carelessness, but this week is not a time for such notions.  Yes, vacation is all well and good, but make sure you are not letting go of anything you should be holding on tight to.

Air – Page of Swords and Stephanotis – A lot of new ideas are swimming around in your head right now, and writing them down so you can take your time exploring them is great.  But when it comes to exploring this week, make sure you allow others in on your ideas and get their perspectives and their help in whatever ways it is offered to you.  You’re not in this alone, so don’t try to function as if you are.

Water – The Hierophant and Heartsease – You need to spend some time this week learning to be a little more gentle with yourself.  It’s time to seek out methods bringing yourself to that kinder place when  you need to access it.  Scolding yourself over being a dick doesn’t get you anywhere.  There has to be a better way.   This might be something Gideon can help you with. It’s not about “be nicer to yourself” but rather finding a method of identifying and triggering that kindness and compassion when it’s needed.

Fire – The Tower and Tiger Lily – There are times when tearing shit down is the way to go… and times when taking the safe route is best. This week you’re going to be pulled in both directions, and you’re going to need to find the middle road between the two. Find a balance between the two that allows a bit of both.

Waning – Cherry Plum and Red Chestnut – It’s time to move away from careless abandon and worried tailspins. Neither of these are going to do you any good moving forward.

Waxing – Wild Oat –  Now is a time to look over your path and make sure you are moving in the direction you desire to go in.  Seek clarity in looking over how things are going, and seek out honest truths and understanding concerning your trajectory and the hurdles you may face or have faced.  A little latitude is good… a lot, not so much.

Take Away – This week is going to be a delicate balance between what needs to dealt with and the peace and quiet you need out of these days off. Unfortunately, you just can’t abandon all responsibilities, but there’s still plenty of room for relaxation and self care. There’s lots of teetering balance in this week’s theme it seems. And a need to be aware of my surroundings as well as where I want my path to lead.

DECKS USED: SPARK AND PEN TAROT, FLOWERS ORACLE, LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS 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?

Tarot of Why, Ashelon Oracle, Embody Oracle

Earth – The World and Balance – It’s time to put things back in balance and this is the week to do it.  You need to look beyond the now and plan ahead, so it’s time to put away the desires for instant gratification and focus instead on making sure that your path into the future remains as smooth going and balanced as possible.  Take some time to evaluate and restructure so that you achieve a better equilibrium.

Air – Knave of Pentacles and Awakening – Dream time is coming to an end and it’s time to firmly plant both feet on the ground once more.  The dragonfly indicates change. It’s time for an awakening from the lackadaisical moments with your financial stability. These careless moments need to now come to an end as you begin to truly focus on what’s important once more.  Make the concentrated effort to be mindful and start upon a path of strategy once more.

Water – Ace of Pentacles and Certainty – Re-establishing the path towards financial stability may take a bit of a tole on your emotions.  In order to ease those feelings of being tossed up into the air, focus on your confidence to reach your goals and allow doubt to fall away.   It is through this sense of certainty you will find comfort and ease in the newness of redirecting yourself back on track.

Fire – Queen of Wands and Wishes – Wishes are the beginning of dreams, but
without the means to achieve them.  To achieve your dreams takes hard work and perseverance. Sometimes the steps you take to reach your dreams are a fast sprint, and sometimes they are slow and arduous. But with each step you take, you learn along the way and build upon your experience and know-how.  This week is a time to lean into those dreams and desires, and use the experience and know how you’ve achieved to pave the way to even better things.

Waning – Whole – It’s time to start picking things apart and examining the pieces.  If you leave things to rest for too long, you will find the chinks and cracks too late to actually do anything about them.

Waxing – Inventory – Taking stock is important now. As you pick things apart, make sure you are paying attention to what you have… and what is needed.  Make lists and use these lists to prepare for what’s to come.

Take Away – My self care this week has a lot to say about moving into the busy season that’s to come and making sure I’ve started the process for preparing for it.   I’ve already set up a schedule to put in one hour each day in the “restocking” project needed to get things ready for the holiday rush… but I’ve yet to actually put that plan into action.  The cards this week say that now is the time.  I need to begin preparations now so that I can do it all in small bite sized pieces rather than having it pile up and have to be done in huge time-consuming chunks later on.  There is promise in these cards that I will feel better once I’ve begun and in being proactive than in procrastinating and letting things build up in the background.

DECKS USED:  TAROT OF WHY, ASHELON ORACLE, EMBODY 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?

SCS

Earth – Temperance and Eagle – This week is going to require a little more restraint and moderation than normal. Make sure that you are staying aware and observant of the world around you, and don’t close yourself off. Observation is key here. This is not a time to act… just watch closely.

Air – Nine of Swords and Bee – You are more effective than you realize. The beautiful things you make, and the ways in which you reach out and touch the world, have rippling effects of positivity that spread far and wide.  Don’t allow your anxieties and negative inner narrative to snuff out the positive influences you share with the world around you. Instead, focus on the joy and pleasure you get in the things that you do well.

Water – Knight of Wands and Elephant – Slowing down is such a recurring theme in the cards this summer, and here again it shows up to speak out about taking time and slowing down this week.  There is also, once again, the reminder not to close yourself off in the presence of the Elephant.  Make sure that you are directing your focus to those around you, rather than getting so wrapped up in your own interests that everything else fades off into white noise.

Fire – King of Cups and Crow – Direct the lion’s share of your focus and drive towards spending real and valuable time with your loved ones.  Set aside superficial interactions and go for depth and meaning in the time you spend with those around you and your communications with them.  Express what lives within your soul with those you love through open communication, truth and honesty.

Waning – Juniper Berry and Black Pepper – Although self awareness is an important quality to have, focusing too much on your negative qualities, self defeating tendencies, and self destructive urges is not going to be a good way to spend your time this week.  Set aside your fears and worries, let go of that negative inner narrative, and turn your focus in another direction.

Waxing – Frankincense – As a few other readings have hinted at lately, now is a time of rebirth for you. You have already let go of so much of your old ways, and you are in the process of rebuilding your processes now.  Don’t look ahead, but move forward.  Train your focus on each step you make in the now, with the awareness that each step you make is a building block that creates the future’s foundation.

Take Away –  The theme for this week is to make sure that my focus and attention is being directed in the direction of my loved ones and not business struggles, financial concerns, or my own negative inner narrative.  Connect with those you love and allow them to give you  the support and boost you need in your life this week, just as you provide that for them in turn.  Be sure not to make any important financial decisions this week.  Watch and wait… gather information at this time and make your decisions later on down the road.

DECKS USED:  BIG THINGS IN SMALL PACKAGES TAROT

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?

Veleda Woods Tarot, Synchronicity Oracle, Awakened Soul Oracle

Earth – High Priestess, Justice, Home – Use your intuition to find balance at home. This week may come with a hint of imbalance as you work through getting your equilibrium back after the events of Friday and Saturday with your mother. Instead of dwelling, find the route of least resistance through use of your intuition, and allow things to balance themselves out instead of trying to right the scales on your own.

Air – Nine of Wands Rx and Incantation – It’s time to refresh and reinforce your wards and protections. Instead of going by rote, take some time to sit down and work through what needs to be done and what needs to be changed up.

Water – Ace of Cups, Fledgling of Cups, Sister – Repetition of new beginnings is going to be a theme this week.  Make sure that whether you’re dealing with your new emotional growth, or approaching an emotional issue that has arisen again and again over time, that you lean on those closest to you instead of trying to stand strong on your own.  It’s okay to reach out for support when you need it, and they are more than happy to lend an ear or a shoulder.

Fire – Ranger of Wands and Fall – This is a reminder that you need to start working on the preparation for the holiday rush now.  The earlier you begin your preparations, the less rushed and struggling you will feel when the holiday rush starts.

Waning – Treasure – It’s funny that this comes up as what is waning over the week ahead when I just  noticed this morning how sad and tattered some of my “specimens” I use in my card photos are starting to look.  It’s time to toss out those treasures that have become faded and tattered, and seek out new ones to replace them with.

Waxing – Boundaries – This hearkens back up to what was mentioned in the Air portion of this reading.  It has to do with making sure I get those new wards and protections in place, and reinforces the need to make sure they get done this week and are not put off until later on for whatever reasons that might come up to stir up the temptations of procrastination.

Take Away – Focusing on sharing with loved ones and the protection and balance of the energies of the hearth is going to be a theme this week.  Make sure you are following your intuition and not falling into old habits.  New methods are to be encouraged rather than set aside this week, as some refreshing and “sprucing up” of old and repeated processes.

DECKS USED:  VELEDA WOODS TAROT, SYNCHRONICITY ORACLE, AWAKENED SOUL 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?

Wild Unknown Tarot, Animal Spirit Oracle, Sovereign Oracle

Earth – Starfish and Visibility –  You are beautiful and capable and talented enough to both shine brightly and not be vapid. Allow those things you want to manifest to flow forward and be brought into reality.  Stand tall and proud as you show them off and allow others to see them.  Translation? It’s okay to share your shops with others and you shouldn’t be shy about showing off your work.  Doing so is not spam.

Air – Otter, Vulture, Co-Creation – It’s time to clean out your mental closet and let go of the hangups that are preventing you from embracing a lighter outlook and more fun attitude.  You don’t have to be serious all the time, take some time this week to consider how you can purge some of that dour energy and replace it with joy, humor, and a little more playfulness.  You have all these qualities within you already, you just need to take out the trash in order to uncover them.

Water – Octopus and Ritual – Sometimes when emotions start to move towards overwhelming, you find yourself confused with how to deal with them. You might feel the urge reach out to those incompatible to the situation or share more than is healthy with those you shouldn’t.

(Note as well that sharing too much was a theme in yesterday’s reading concerning people spiriting off with my new ideas, and I think that the Octopus here relates to that reading as well.)

To tamp down on this temptation, make sure you are falling back on those steadfast people in your life that are dependable and have become established in your life as safe. Repetition and rote might sometimes feel stagnant and it may feel like you’re being a pain in the ass to those you care about most, but they are also safe, and when it comes to your emotions?  You need to lean into the safe and dependable.

Fire – Unicorn, Lamb, Compost, Genius – That inner spark within you is a precious thing and a part of what makes your soul sing.  Allow it to thrive and flourish by discarding “half baked” ideas that have no future and following through on the ones where potential lives.  You know how to tell the difference, just listen to your soul and have patience.  Those shimmering diamonds of greatness will rise to the surface… and the rest will sink.

Waning – Death – You are moving out of a time of transition and into a time of recovery as you begin to find your balance and settle into the new reality that has been given room to grow.  Your time of growth is not exactly over, but turning to a new stage where it’s time to become familiar and comfortable in your new skin, having left the old one behind.

Waxing – The Emperor and Six of Wands – Taking some autonomy and control will create admiration in others this week, which means there’s an opportunity to garner some of that praise and encouragement that you are so loathe to admit you need.  Keep in mind that the Emperor is not active, he is a passive projective.  So do your thing and tend to your own business, everything else will fall into place on its own.

Take Away – “Stay in your lane” and on track both concerning your responsibilities and concerning your support system. Focus this week on settling into your new reality on the other side of the emotional growth spurt you’ve been going through.  Your period of growth is coming to an end for the time being, but the time of adjustment still stretches out before you.  Make sure that you are prioritizing instead of compiling, all those things not worth your time are really…. not worth your time.  So don’t bother to direct your energy there.

There is a neediness represented in these cards today that needs addressing as well.  The Octopus especially, but also within the Starfish, and the Six of Wands.  Make sure that you stick to those trusted people in your inner circle to fulfill that neediness that arises this week.  Now is not the time to branch out.

DECKS USED:  THE WILD UNKNOWN TAROT, ANIMAL SPIRIT ORACLE, SOVEREIGN 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?

Tarot Maddonni, Saltwater Reading Cards, Sea Melodies Cards

Earth – Five of Coins and Generosity – Instead of focusing on what you don’t have, stay focused upon what you do and share that with others. You will enjoy what you have more if it is shared instead of kept to yourself.

Air – Death and Dream – The emotional growth you are experiencing has great potential as long as you don’t let your mind pull you astray. Instead, allow your mind to focus on what you want, because the end of one thing opens up room for another to take its place. And you want to make sure you direct your focus and attention towards the outcome you want, rather than a return to what you’ve known thus far.

Water – The Hanged Man and Stillness – Take this week to wallow in where you’re at. A time to rest is a time to reflect, and that’s what needs to happen during this week of rest you’ve decided to give yourself.  Allow yourself room to explore where you’re at and become comfortable there.

Fire – Queen of Swords, Two of Wands, Ambition – During this time of reflection, don’t forget to give some thought to the direction you want to move in. Apply logic and careful, strategic consideration to the path you’ve chosen and make sure you allow room for your ambitions to flourish in or you will soon end up outgrowing your shell and again have to begin building yet another.

Waning – Tides (Cycles) – This week you will find yourself moving away from the oscillation between extremes that the tides of the ocean represent. As the water “sloshes” one way then the other in response to the moon’s draw, it rises to its greatest depths, and then retreats to its lowest of points again and again. Emotions and inner struggles can also have this type of cycle, but this week it will be important to focus on smoothing out the waves and allowing the tides of your inner self to settle and calm.

Waxing – Giant Clam (Harmony) – The guidebook for this deck speaks of the symbiosis between the Giant Clam and the algae that lives within its shell and feeds the clam the nutrients it needs to survive. Like this symbiosis, you need to remember this week that you are not in this life alone. You depend upon others and they depend upon you.  Allow that balance to flourish and be careful to not shut others out.

Take Away – This week needs to be about rest and recuperation, but also about looking ahead and plotting a course as well as inner reflection.  Taking this time away from work allows me time for these things, and I need to make sure that I’m not pushing them away and trying to hide from them.

DECKS USED: TAROT MADDONNI, SALTWATER READING CARDS, SEA MELODIES DECK