tarot for self care

Morning Bonus Read – Perspectives

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
“Sometimes an outside perspective is helpful. Do a divination reading about yourself from the perspective of someone else. Maybe ask a spirit or deity who cares for you what they see when they look at you.”

SINS Anima Playing CardsWhat do my spirit guides notice about my body?

Six of Hearts – You’re working at finding better harmony. This isn’t an easy task, but you’re slowly becoming more accepting and more kind to yourself, and at finding a way to balance your wants and desires with your body’s needs.

What do my spirit guides notice about my mind?

Ten of Clubs – Overloaded. So many plans and ideas, so much judgement of self, so much inner dialog getting in the way and making you feel overwhelmed even when you’re not actually being overburdened at all.

What do my spirit guides notice about my heart?

Two of Diamonds – Your heart knows where it wants to be rooted, but you’re playing tug of war with it. It’s not a weed, stop treating it like one.

What do my spirit guides notice about my soul?

Six of Diamonds – You are generous with giving of yourself. Sometimes too much so. You offer so much of yourself to others that at times it can be unhealthy for you.

What do my spirit guides notice about my life?

Two of Spades – Two paths before you and you are stuck at the crossroads.  That stagnant feeling you’ve been feeling lately is a sign of this crossroads and the internal struggle you’re going through in trying to “pick a lane”.

What do my spirit guides notice about my problems?

Four of Diamonds – Stop bracing for impact. It does no good and only holds you back. This is  a habit from your youth, and you don’t have to worry anymore about that second shoe dropping… or the first one for that matter.  Take a breath and relax.

What do my spirit guides notice about my general relationships?

Three of Spades – You’re always far too prepared to be disappointed by others. It’s okay to have a little faith in people and not be ready for them to rip your heart out.  It’s okay to not expect the worst.

What do my spirit guides notice about my relationship?

King of Spades – There is a great sense of security, and you know where you stand. You know that your advice and opinions are heard and valued, and that submissives really steer the ship. You know that his support is not a burden to him, even if logically from your perspective it feels like it should be.

What advice does my spirit guides have for me?

Queen of Spades – Own your forthright nature. Own the qualities that make you your mothers son. Your sense of values and moral compass will assure that you don’t follow in her footsteps. Instead, you will use these qualities for the good of others, instead of for your own selfish desires.

What warning do my spirit guides have for me?

Four of Hearts – Stop stalling when you need to get things done that you’re not enthusiastic about. Just get them done.

DECK USED:  SINS ANIMA PLAYING CARDS

Restoration Is Important

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was about ten minutes long and was a guided meditation from the Calm app combined with an interval timer for my piriformis stretches.

The focus of today’s meditation was about shame concerning our past experiences and traumas.  It was about how we carry this shame with us, and how it can eventually eat us alive… but that the solution is simple.  Sometimes, what is needed most, is just to be heard.  To speak our truth and be heard, understood, and cared about.  This is often why therapy can be such a good tool for people.  It gives you someone to talk to that is not about judging you, but hearing you and helping you.

Tarot at the End of the Rainbow and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Four of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of taking time to rest, recuperation after a trying time, and stillness for restoration and meditation on the events that have brought you to this place as well as where to go from here.

We all need rest. This is something that took me a long time to accept in myself.  I used to push myself hard, so hard.  Again and again I’d push myself to burn out, give myself just enough recovery that it would let me push forward again.

These cycles just brought me deeper and deeper into exhaustion.  I was not treating myself or my body well, and after a time, it became to rebel against this treatment.  Now, I’ve learned that I need that rest.  Everyone needs rest.  And it’s only through caring for your body and  your needs, that you can then continue forward and achieve your goals.

DECK USED:  TAROT AT THE END OF THE RAINBOW AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsJul2021 Challenge Prompt
Questions for July 2nd & 3rd

Oracle of the Essences 2nd Edition and Tarot at the End of the RainbowWhat inner injury from my childhood needs healing?
Pink Pepper, Cassia, Ace of Coins

Being constantly told that I’ve never enough just the way I am and that no matter what I tried it was never going to be good enough.

How can I begin working on healing that injury?
Birch, Grapefruit, and Two of Swords

Don’t allow what was said then hold so much weight, take a deep breath and let us roll up all that pain and discontent that this experience still has for you… then exhale it out. This is something that you’re going to have to consciously put time and attention into in order to eventually be able to choose to let go of.

DECK USED: ORACLE OF THE ESSENCES 2ND ED AND TAROT AT THE END OF THE RAINBOW

The Sacred Grounds Tarot Club Prompt
Questions for July 2nd and 3rd

Tarot at the End of the RainbowWhat message does July have for me?
The Chariot and Seven of Swords

Look at that smile on the leprechauns face! July is offering me the opportunity to reconnect with my values and principles, to examine them and choose wisely so that I can make sure that I continue on the path that I want to continue on as I move forward into the future. My future and direction upon my path are in my own hands. I need to ensure that my actions are compatible with the direction I wanna go in.

What challenges is July going to bring me?
Five of Swords atop Ace of Wands, Three of Swords

Disappointment over not being able to go after all of my different ideas and passionate pursuits. Lots of prioritizing will be needed and I’m going to have to leave some things behind in order to shine in the things that I end up prioritizing.

DECK USED: TAROT AT THE END OF THE RAINBOW

Daily Self Kindness

I’m sort of playing catch up at the moment, so I don’t actually remember what I did for myself back on this day.  I should have written it down at the time, but I didn’t and now I’m not sure.

A Work In Progress

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped because it’s an orders day.

The New Chapter Tarot and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Fool card, which is traditionally a representation of new beginnings, rebirth, innocence, naivete, blind trust, optimism, and unrealistic expectations.

What really sticks out to me in these cards today, though, is not in the Fool card, but rather it’s in the words “nothing is ever enough for a mind always striving for more” in today’s affirmation card.

I fall into this trap again and again, whether it’s with my emotional growth, my business, my financial stability… it seems that at the root core of everything, I am always striving for more. Pushing for more. Demanding more from myself than might be expected from others.

I have not figured out how not to push. I have yet to discover how to simply be still in the now without fighting to move forward and accomplish more. The Fool card here is a reminder of this folly that I can’t imagine I am alone in struggling with.  It’s a reminder that we are all pieces of work in progress, always in progress.  There’s no need to push.

DECK USED:  THE NEW CHAPTER TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

Mr Lionharts’ #TheJulyTarot #TarotSuitsChallenge Prompt
Questions for July 1st thru 3rd

Hedgewitch Botanical Oracle and The New Chapter TarotWhat major energy am I invited to work with this month?

Dogwood (Cornus florida) and Death – It’s time to change up your wards. Whether they’ve been tapped early through extra challenges to their protections, or you’ve shared enough information on them to leave you vulnerable, it’s time.

What major energy is here to support me throughout the month?

Burdock (Arctium lappa) – You excel at being stubborn. Use that to your advantage.

How can I best embrace and work with this available energy?

Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) and Four of Wands – These cards echo back to the first question. You need to make new defenses and wards for your home and all that you hold dear. It’s stressful, but this needs to be done throughout the month. Start changing things up, and refresh everything a bit earlier than normal with new methods in place in order to both protect and ensure stability and peace in your home life.

DECK USED: HEDGEWITCH BOTANICAL ORACLE AND THE NEW CHAPTER TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJul2021 Challenge Prompt
Question: How can I better connect with my inner child?

The New Chapter TarotReading Summary: By looking inward (The High Priestess) and not allowing your more solemn nature and self destructive tendencies (The Hermit Rx) to stand in the way of seeing life as an adventure (The Fool). Stop pushing so hard to move on and move past everything (Ten of Swords Rx).

Take Away: To connect with my inner child on a deeper level I need to spend more time looking inward at what makes me tick and what uncertainties and hidden motivators are lurking in my subconscious.

I also need to take time to look at life in a more optimistic and positive light, and use that perspective to set aside destructive tendencies.

All this pushing I’m doing is fear and an effort at avoidance so that I don’t have to deal with these things or look too closely at things that make me uncomfortable.

DECK USED: THE NEW CHAPTER TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took a nap when I got home from the farm today, even though it’s an orders day.

Transitioning from June to July

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

NOTATION:  I did not finish interpreting this spread here on the blog.  I got some of what I needed from it at the time of the reading, but I just never got around to writing it all down.   Regardless, I want to place this on the blog to make sure I have a record of it to look back on.

Month End Tarot Reading - Spiritsong Tarot and Pure Magic Oracle

Here and Now, I Am – The Wheel atop The Sun, Salamander –

Leaving Behind – Seven of Shells and Telekinesis –

Focus Forward – Queen of Feathers and Mantra Medicine –

Negative Influences – Nine of Acorns, Songbirds atop Voudon Roots – Someone is trying to fuck you. Don’t turn a blind eye. Make sure that you are diligent in your words. Doing another severing would be a good idea.

Positive Influences – Page of Acorns and Burning Man –

Relevant Shadows – Eight of Crystals and Hecate’s Path –

Lift From The Past  – Ace of Acorns, Astral Travels atop Florida Waters –

Future Event to Prevent or Overcome – Seven of Acorns and Brigid –

Approaching Opportunity – Page of Feathers and Ancient Amulets –

DECKS USED:  SPIRITSONG TAROT AND PURE MAGIC ORACLE

Morning Bonus Read – Cancer Season

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Cancer Season Tarot Reading - Cosmic Visions Tarot

What is a major theme of my Cancer season?

Ace of Pentacles – New opportunities abound. Choose your actions wisely and take care on where you put your energy. A small choice made during this time will have vast ripple effects later.

How will this theme impact me?

Temperance – Stretch your wings but measure your responses. It’s okay to explore and to allow things to pique your interest, just make sure you don’t “dive in” head first without any moderation.

What should I embrace during Cancer season?

Father of Pentacles – Okay so… totally crude but, “Grab his dick and ride it for all you’re worth” was what came to mind when I saw the imagery in this card today.  Gideon is usually represented by the King of Cups, but between the bears, the flames, and the direction of his arms reaching?  I just… that’s what I got.  He’s my anchor.  My rock.  My big ass bear.  And absolutely the focus of my sexual energy.

How can I come out of my shell during this time?

The Tower – Rip it all apart, tear it down. Be brave and accept that you can’t build the “house of your dreams” on the ruins of what isn’t working.  You have to demolish before you can build.  The imagery here speaks to me of doing this type of thing with my own thoughts, my own habits, and my own inner narrative.

How can I spend this time being soul-centered?

Nine of Swords – You may not be able to let go of all your fears, but now is a good time to explore them.

DECK USED:  COSMIC VISIONS TAROT

Sleep Deprivation and Chainsaws

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped because I dozed off.

Luna Sol Tarot and Less Anxiety Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is The Magician card, which is traditionally a representation of being in possession of all of the skills, abilities, and tools necessary to reach one’s goals and accomplish one’s ends. It’s about being capable and skilled, resourceful and gifted with what is needed to get the job done.

I’ve been seeing the Magician a lot lately. In fact it’s been daily… maybe even multiple times per day over the past week or so.

The message from the Magician when combined with the affirmation card for today is a reminder that you can have all the skillz and tools in the world, but if you’re not getting the rest that your body and mind needs?  You’re not going to be able to actually use those tools as intended.

And keep in mind that sleep deprivation is not the only type of lack of rest there is.  Pushing too hard, demanding too much, stressing over every little thing… all of these things are also things you need rest from in order to function at full capacity.

DECK USED:  LUNA SOL TAROT AND LESS ANXIETY AFFIRMATION CARDS

CoffeexTarot’s Self Love For The Summer Prompt
Questions for June 29th & 30th

Prairie Majesty Oracle and Luna Sol TarotHow can I bring more peace into my life?
Earthworm (Breathe) and Five of Disks

Stop worrying so much about failure.  Let go of your scarcity issues and the fear that you’ve allowed to drive you for so long. It’s okay to ease up on yourself and breathe. Shit is not going to fall apart just because you’re not pushing yourself past your limits.

How can I accept more love this summer?
Two of Swords, Prairie Dog (Dig) atop Dickcissel (Warble)

This answer echoes back to the previous question and the need to make definitive decisions about how you want things to go in your life now.  Are you going to allow yourself to be driven by fear and dictated by your past?  Or are you going to step forward into a kinder and more genuinely -you- way of treating yourself that doesn’t involve being abusive to yourself? The healthy choice is obvious, and leads to that acceptance of love mentioned in this prompt.

DECK USED:  LUNA SOL TAROT AND PRAIRIE MAJESTY ORACLE

#DiscordTarotolicsJun2021 Challenge Prompt
Topic: Grab a spread of your choice that you’ve been curious about… and give it a go!

Mykologia Fungi Themed Oracle and The Brady Tarot

A Card to Begin the Second Half of the Year
Red Cage (Clathrus ruber) / Stagnancy – You have been feeling a bit stuck in your growth for a while now, twisting against the caged bonds that you can’t quite seem to break free of. Part of this is a discomfort with letting go of the familiar, but don’t discount the idea that outside influences are also at play here.

Progress of Seeds Planted in Early 2021
Anemone Stinkhorn (Aseroe rubra) / Like Attracts Like – Are you perpetuating what you want or are you encouraging negative influences to flow. If you want positivity, luck, and happiness then you need to work at promoting happiness in your life.  This is why you are currently stuck in limbo and confusion.  You’re not being decisive enough, and you’re not working hard enough to push toward optimism.

Action to Take to Reach My Goals
Brain Mushroom (Gyromitra esculenta) / Intellect – You need to tip a bit back toward logic and intellect.  You’re rushing the emotions thing and that’s creating a negative influence and impatience.  Ease up a bit.  It’s okay to lean into logic.  You don’t have to discount one to foster the growth and health of the other.

A Key Thing Coming In For Me This Year
Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) / Lucidity – Clarity of thought including finding clarity in the places where you are now struggling in a fog of confusion.  You have the opportunity to seize that clarity and make it your own, and from there to better express to others not just how you are feeling but where these feelings come from.  It’s here in this place of clarity and expression where you’ll find balance.

Outside Influences: Positive or Negative
Destroying Angel (Amanita bisporigera) / Second Guesses – When your instinct or intuition says something, make damned sure that you’re listening.  It’s so easy sometimes to fall into second guessing those intuitive moments or instinctual reactions.  But… they are never wrong.  Ever.  So don’t argue against them, just listen and act according to their guidance.

Who or What Will Assist Me?
Wood Ear (Auricularia auricula-judae) / Speaking (Up) – Be true to who you are and don’t hide that from the world.  Allow self expression to ring true and shine bright.  You are at your best when you are genuinely presenting yourself to the world, so bare your soul and show people what you’re made of by sharing your truth and your values with those around you.

A “Wild Card” For The Rest of the Year
Yartsa Gunbu (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) / Sexuality – Okay so this has been a bit of a “wild card” for you ever since the cancer.  Remember that it’s okay for your drive to go up and down, and Gideon is not going to blame you for having times when you just can’t kick your libido into gear.  Your sex drive is unpredictable.  It happens.  Enjoy it when it’s active, and allow yourself to rest and enjoy other things with him when it’s not.

My Theme Card For The Remainder of 2021
Black Truffle (Tuber melanosporum) / Self-Care – The remainder of 2021 will continue to focus on finding a balance in your life between self-care and your responsibilities, and learning how to put your self-care as a priority without allowing guilt to slide in and try to spoil the experience.

July – Nine of Roots (Accomplishment) – For the month of July, work on focusing on how much you’ve accomplished and in being grateful for all that you have. Now isn’t the time to push for more, but to live in the moment and appreciate all the good in your life.

August – Mother of Horns – It’s possible that August is going to be a bit of a struggle for you this year.  The urge to push forward and plow through time you should be resting in order to work instead will be strong.  Make sure you are focusing on taking care of yourself, as well as those around you.

September –  Two of Roots (Equilibrium) – The beginning of this month is the slowest time of year for your business, and the end of the month ramps up into the first preparations for the holiday season soon to come.  Direct your focus on making sure you are creating a good balance between work and home and your self care, so that as work responsibilities begin to build, you aren’t neglecting these other aspects of your life.

October – The Star – Preparation is the name of the game for October, with a hopeful eye on the months to come and the holiday rush just around the corner.  This month is filled with hope and anticipation. Make sure to keep that energy as well as the demands you put on yourself gentle, and balance your energy to give yourself the rest and care you need.

November – Five of Arrows (Defeat) – As the holiday season begins its rush within the beginnings of this month, it can be a difficult shift to move from a more rested and balanced way of life to the constant demands that the business requires at this part of the year.  As self care takes a back seat and balance goes out the window, by the end of the month you end up feeling as if you are already at the end of your rope.  Remember… by the end of November?  There’s only 3 weeks of holiday rush left to go.  You may feel run into the ground, but you can do this.

December – Daughter of Feathers – A second wind, or maybe just finding your groove, either way you’ll find that dragging ass feeling from the previous month lifts as you  move into December.  Focus on the future, focus on what you enjoy about your work, and your passion for what you do and what you love about what you do will carry you through the rest of the rush and allow you to find that breather at the end of the month that you need.

DECK USED:  MYKOLOGIA FUNGI THEMED ORACLE AND THE BRADY TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I acknowledged that I was feeling distracted and flighty, and agreed to pausing play with Gideon for some quiet together time in IMs instead of trying to push myself to continue playing.