Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

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 Haunted House, Abandoned Oracle, Oracle of the Shapeshifters

EarthKnight of Cups and The Feral Child – Over the past week you have set the groundwork for what you want in the area of your finances and spending. Now is the time to dig in and really make it work for you. Don’t fall back on the old habits, or they will eat away your chances of having what you want any time soon.

AirSeven of Wands and Surprise! – Keep an eye on your six this week. Something is coming that is going to spark feelings of defensiveness, and it will come from an unexpected corner. You might want to take a moment to consider if fighting fire with fire is really the answer.

WaterThree of Pentacles and Crematorium – Don’t hesitate to invite others in to help you this week. Overwhelming yourself by trying to do everything on your own is not healthy for your emotional balance and can have irreversible consequences. Ask for help.

FireThe Empress and Dismemberment – One thing at a time. There is a crapload to get done, but you need to make sure you only focus on one thing at a time. Fragmented focus doesn’t just slow you down, but is destructive to both your well-being and your goals.

WaningMermaid of Immersion – Dawdling and screwing around is no longer an option. You need to release these time wasting (but entertaining) pursuits and train your focus on what is ahead.

WaxingTwo Kitties – There have been some readings lately that indicate you can juggle both your emotions and the holiday rush, but you still have to set one as priority over the other. As the card says… you must choose.

Take Away – The transition into prep for the holiday rush is well and truly underway this week and you need to make sure to keep your eye on the prize.  There’s plenty of room for emotion and other interests, as long as you keep what needs to be your focus as the priority.  Make sure that you’re asking for help!  Falling into old habits is not healthy, either in finances or in how you deal with your responsibilities.

DECKS USED: TAROT OF HAUNTED HOUSE, ABANDONED ORACLE, ORACLE OF THE SHAPESHIFTERS

Perfectly Imperfect

Today’s meditation was yet again… skipped.  So much for accountability through blogging, right?  Right.

Черное Таро and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Chariot card, which is traditionally a representation of control in action, moving forward with determination and willpower, motivation, and the success that is bred through these themes.

The combination of the Thera-Pets card joined with the Chariot speaks of rising above self doubt in order to acheive success.

Sometimes, when we have things to accomplish or goals to go after, we can have a bit of a struggle getting up the motivation to complete them. Especially if we’re stumbling over a bit of self doubt.

I personally struggle with the “not good enough” issue all the time. No matter how much I do, or how hard I work, or how -good- the things I create are? It’s never enough.  It’s a work in progress. I’m… a work in progress.

The cards today are a reminder that I don’t have to be perfect.  No one has to be perfect.  We can be amazing… without ever being anywhere close to perfect. We can be amazing… and we can accomplish our goals and have the successes that we dream of… even while we are perfectly imperfect.

DECK USED: ЧЕРНОЕ ТАРО AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

The #EmbraceYourAlterEgo2021 Challenge for Sacred Grounds Tarot Club
Questions from October 8th and 10th

The Compleat Windrow Ravenswood Deck and Cruel Thing TarotWhat changes is my Alter Ego facing?
Crab Invasion, King of the Sea, Seven of Cups, The Moon

Pressure and potential overwhelm as you struggle to make choices on what to pursue and what to leave behind. Your focus is split and you are torn in multiple directions, which is creating inner conflict and uncertainty.

How does my Alter Ego overcome these challenges?
Three Cogs, Intersecting Flying Fish, The High Priestess, Ace of Coins

When new and unusual ideas come up, try them instead of automatically discounting them as impossible. Listen to your intuition instead of logic, for some impossible things are meant to be, if you’ll just give them a chance.

This is a reminder that you don’t have to put your emotional side away during the holiday rush. It is possible to balance both, but you have to be open to trying it.

DECKS USED: THE COMPLEAT WINDROW RAVENSWOOD DECK AND CRUEL THING TAROT

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge Prompt by E Roebuck-Jones
Questions for October 1st, 9th, and 12th

Черное ТароA message for my spiritual path.
Wheel of Fortune and Ten of Swords

Make sure that you aren’t treating every setback as some sort of catastrophe. Remember that ups and downs happen, and everything isn’t going to fall apart if you take a little rest here and there. That rest will actually help you deal with these ups and downs more gracefully.

What are my divination challenges?
Death atop The Hanged Man

Sometimes the pause you take to ponder over perspectives allows for shifts in the outcome to slip in and change things right under your nose. Your best readings will always be the ones where the answers leap out at you from the start. Thinking too much mucks up the works.

What is my biggest challenge with my spiritual practice?
Knight of Swords and The Magician

Impatience. Just because you have the tools and knowledge to do something doesn’t mean that thing is going to go quickly, or even be something you can do right away… or, for that matter, finish right away. This is something you struggle with often.

DECK USED: ЧЕРНОЕ ТАРО

Daily Self Kindness

I made sure to eat every three hours today while working on orders.  Since I have to go to my aunt’s tomorrow, I needed to get as much done today as I could, and so I had to use my phone to make sure I was prioritizing eating.

Cartomancy Reading – Finding Small Joys

The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
Wherever you are, we can all agree that there’s joy in the tiniest moments at some point in our lives. Sometimes, the moment happens in ways we aren’t expecting them too.

Anatomica Playing CardsWhat are some things that should do more often?

Eight of Clubs atop Two of Clubs – Make plans with J to make sure you get out instead of just doing it “on the fly” all the time, as he can then help motivate you to do it instead of just thinking about it.

Three of Clubs – Get out more and enjoy the world.  Go hiking. Visit parks. Be active.  This, of course, ties into the making plans with J part of things mentioned above.

Ace of Clubs atop King of Spades – Try some new paths and trails to keep things fresh and interesting. You love being in nature and you’re more than capable of safely getting in and out, strategizing trails, etc.

What is something small that I could achieve today?

King of Hearts – Spend time with Gideon.  I need to seek out his company and his comfort. His presence is supportive and he gives me a safe place to express my emotions without worrying they are somehow “wrong” or even needing to fully understand them at all.

If I can’t achieve the small thing today, what can I do to reassure myself that that’s okay?

Nine of Spades – Make sure that I don’t beat myself up over it.  Pay attention to my inner dialogue and give myself a break instead of letting my negativity or pessimism pick at what I haven’t managed to get done today.

DECK USED: ANATOMICA PLAYING CARDS

Love Languages

Today’s meditation was skipped again.

Gothic Tarot of Vampires and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Nine of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of boundaries, stalwart strength, persistence, and the resilience needed to stand strong even in tough times.

In the imagery of today’s card we see a vampire, still young and spry, kissing goodnight his beloved that has aged and withered over time. He has set aside all of the adventures that immortality could hold for him to stay with her all this time and make her life full and happy (as seen through the many pictures on the walls).

This card speaks of knowing what one values most and protecting it steadfastly until the end. He is the sentinel of her life and happiness, even as he grieves her soon passing.

This makes me think of my relationship with Gideon. He is always there and so strong, dominant and supportive. I lean on him and he supports me, helps me, guides me. He allows me a place to feel weak and small that has never been allowed in my day-to-day life until he came into it.

Because I am not a “caretaker” type of person, I often feel like I am burdening him by allowing this and by leaning on him. In his shoes I would definitely feel burdened. Because he is the caretaker type, and very dominant besides, this role for him is natural and not perceived as any sort of burden at all.

Today’s card combined with the Thera-Pets card for today is a reminder that we are not a burden to our loved ones. Everyone shows their love in different ways, and that doesn’t make one way any better or worse than any other, just more suited to “fit” better or worse depending on the people involved.

DECKS USED:  GOTHIC TAROT OF VAMPIRES AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for October 8th and 9th

Writing On the Wall Oracle and Tarot del ToroWhat positive theme or event in my ancestral past do I need to acknowledge?
Unification, The Moon atop The Sun Rx

No matter our differences, at times of uncertainty and when the world feels darkest, we come together to support each other. “We”, in this instance, speaking of family and ancestors.

How can I embrace these positive influences carried forward from my ancestors?
Exonerate and Nine of Wands

Forgive those that have hurt you. Good boundaries are important, but so is giving them shelter in the storm. You can do both.

DECKS USED: WRITING ON THE WALL ORACKE AND TAROT DEL TORO

Mr Lionharts’ #TheOctoberTarot #SeasonoftheWitchChallenge Prompt
Questions for October 8th and 9th

Gothic Tarot of Vampires and the Trauma Tarot OracleOne hand skyward (draw a swords card), one to wield fire (draw a wands cards), what emerges (draw a card), what will transpire (draw a card)?

When thoughts of adventure and doing risky shit come up (Two of Swords), if you don’t control those urges (Nine of Wands), things can go awry physically (Fat) and emotionally (Eldritch).

Self destructive urges often go hand in hand with risk-taking behavior, and I’m no exception to this.  These cards are a reminder that when I drive double the speed limit, and otherwise take risks that put myself in danger instead of choosing a safer route, the consequences can be very steep.

One foot in the river (draw a cups card), one foot on the soil (draw a pentacles card), where am I to balance (draw a card) the steady turmoil (draw a card)?

Here we see the message that when we feel the need to indulge in our emotionally inspired pleasures and desires (Ten of Cups) through consumerism (Ace of Coins), all we are doing is ignoring the trauma that causes these urges (Trauma) and allowing it to grow and fester beneath the surface (Desire).

In other words, there is a warning here that self medicating your trauma through consumerism, and using that method as a way to search for happiness will only allow those wounds to fester and grow.  It solves nothing.

DECKS USED: TRAUMA TAROT (ORACLE) AND GOTHIC TAROT OF VAMPIRES

Daily Self Kindness

I remembered to buy spring mix this morning while I was out, so that I have a green to add to my smoothie.  I’ve found that if I add a large pinch of the greens, and then raspberries, you can’t taste the greens at all.  I think it’s working in the same way as when people add lemon to green smoothies to counteract the bitter.  Or maybe it’s just such a small amount of greens that the flavor is drowned out by the other ingredients.

Don’t Go Overboard

Today’s meditation was skipped yet again.  No excuses or anything.  I just didn’t do it.  I did have a good sleep for once, though.  Good enough I didn’t even need a nap today. That’s pretty damn amazing.

The Wizard's Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Eight of Beasts (Wands), which is traditionally a representation of speed, action, alacrity, and the need to move quickly.

Although I’m still in the middle of getting my days off, I am feeling the need to get at least some things done. I’ve decided to begin doing some of the smaller tasks and other things that need to be done in order to fulfill orders on the 12th.

At least in this way I can prepare myself for the order day that is on the way. I just have to remember not to go overboard on the “getting things done” mindset.

DECK USED:  THE WIZARD’S TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

PatriciaWestonWitch’s #wwpwHalloweenLenormand Prompt
Questions for October 7th thru 9th

Dark Carnival TarotWhat area of my life needs to light up?

Queen of Axes (Swords) – It’s time to take all that clever knowledge and experience that you’ve gained from one year to the next, and apply it towards what’s coming and how to prepare during its approach.

What skeleton is hiding in my closet?

Ace of Faygos (Cups) – You’re feeling like you just began on your emotional journey, and yet it’s already time to put it away again to deal with other things.

What ghost from my past do I need to banish?

Ace of Duckets (Coins) – Your drive from more, always more. This issue is an influence from your father making you feel like you were never enough. You need to remember that you are enough, and you don’t have to do your absolute best on every single little thing. Sometimes “good” is enough, and it’s not okay to always be demanding more than that from yourself.

DECK USED: DARK CARNIVAL TAROT

The #EmbraceYourAlterEgo2021 Challenge for Sacred Grounds Tarot Club
Questions for October 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th, and 13th

The Wizard's TarotWhat mask am I wearing?

Knight of Cults (Pentacles) – You are still in the “fake it until you make it” stage of trying to slow down and take things at a slower and healthier pace.

What’s underneath my mask?

The Devil atop Three of Cults (Pentacles) Rx – Underneath that “fake it until you make it” mask is the  urge to alienate those that you work with by pushing too hard and expecting too much.

Why is this being hidden?

Three of Beasts (Wands) – This urge is being hidden because you are working on taking a new and better path for yourself. A path that is healthier and kinder for both yourself as well as those around you.

How do I remove this mask?

King of Swords – Easy. Fall back into old habits of control and strategy and ambition. Discard emotion for logic, and return to your old ways of doing things.

What will I uncover about myself?

King of Cults – That you can build and build and build upon your stability and security, but it will never be enough and you will always want to build more and more.

Take Away: Obviously, this is a healthy mask, and one that needs to stay in place. Not all masks are a bad thing, as seen here in this reading.

DECK USED: THE WIZARD’S TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Laundry.  I’ve been putting off doing laundry for over two months. And the more it piled up, the more massive a project it felt like it was to accomplish until it felt impossible.  But… today?  I did laundry.  ALL of it.  All except the load with Miss Luna’s blanket in it.  I have to do that one tomorrow during the day when she’s not using it and won’t notice it’s missing for a couple hours.

Morning Bonus Read – Welcome to October

Welcome to October Tarot Reading - Ghost Boy Tarot

What should I focus on as October begins?

Page of Pentacles – Take things slow, but start looking into what needs to be done as the first step in prepping for the holiday rush. Make a list and start getting your ducks in a row. Begin doing some of the smaller tasks to get them out of your way.

The magic of October will help me grow in this area.

Three of Cups – Finding solace, comfort, and pleasure in the company of others. It’s not something you enjoy all this much regularly, but as things begin to pick up you will be reminded of all the benefits that come with the social aspects of life.

A special message for me as the veil thins.

Three of Wands – “Get your ass movin’, sweet cheeks.” Literally. That’s what I heard as this card hit the table.

DECK USED: GHOST BOY TAROT