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?

Future Ancestor Tarot, Warwick Oracle, Oracle of the Dragonfae

EarthStudent of Needles and Choice – Make the choice to learn new skills. Make the choice to yield to authority.  For god sake, make the choice to DO YOUR FUCKING TAXES already.  This is always a very “in your head” activity that makes you feel like an idiot and a novice every single year.  But you need to get your ass in gear and get it done.  Now.

AirThe Alchemist and Fear –  You have all the tools and knowledge you need in order to get “the thing” done.  Stop avoiding and sidestepping out of the discomfort of fear and just do it already.

WaterThree of Seeds and Discover – You can help alleviate some of the emotional issues putting this off for so long is creating by bringing in help. You’ll be surprised just how much they can help in making task that you need to get done this week less painful for you. It’s okay to ask for help, even in this.

FireTen of Needles and Nobility – You feel overwhelmed, and that is entirely due to this issue of trying to take on this task all on your own and keeping the stress and work of the process from others.  You think you’re protecting them in the process, but you’re really just hurting yourself and your business.

WaningThe Blue Lady (Nothing is Impossible) – Come down to earth and put away unrealistic expectations. There really are indeed impossible things in life and you need to get in touch with that side of things and look at things realistically right now.  Be practical.

WaxingThe Lady Grian (Open Your Heart) – When you open your heart, you let people in.  You also allow them to know the secret things you try to hide like worries and fears, burden and struggle.  Now is a time to open up.  Let others close to you know what’s going on.   ASK for help instead of shutting them out.

Take Away – This reading is about my taxes and the need to get them done.  I can file an extension, but if I do I’m not really helping myself at all, just prolonging the agony and dread of having to get them done.  The cards here indicate NOW is the time, and I need to do it.  I have to get it done, and I need to get help from the girls to get everything together and finished.

DECKS USED:  FUTURE ANCESTOR TAROT, WARWICK ORACLE, ORACLE OF THE DRAGONFAE

Morning Bonus Read – Self Value

The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
This week, let’s take the time to value ourselves through our craft. Do a reading about why you are wonderful and worthy.

Atlantis Playing Cards Sink EditionWhat positive traits have I built up in myself?
Three of Diamonds atop Seven of Clubs

The ability to draw others into my cause when it’s something I really believe in. I may struggle with asking for help, but when I do finally ask?  It’s there.  Unquestioned and ready to go.  Every time.

What am I doing right to support myself?
Five of Diamonds

Keeping a close eye on my finances and making sure things are on track.  Sometimes, you can put such concerns on auto-pilot for a bit and let them take care of themselves. Right now, though, I’m feeling my scarcity issues and I’m being extra vigilant.

What am I doing right to support my loved ones?
Queen of Diamonds

Being supportive.  (Seriously.  That’s the answer.  *LOL*) I’m stepping up to provide an ear and a shoulder, to give my loved ones someone to come to that understands where they’re coming from, and supporting them (namely by welcoming them to live in my home)… even if it’s a bit inconvenient and uncomfortable for me.

Where have I made progress recently that deserves to be acknowledged?
King of Hearts

I’ve been able to spend more time with Gideon lately.  I’ve gone out of my way to make time to make sure I get some time with him, whether that’s just chatting or in play.

What good things do others see in me?
Ten of Clubs atop Nine of Clubs

That I’m willing to work myself to the bone for what I believe is important, and to protect what’s mine.  Although I’ve gone through a number of hard and painful experiences in life, I don’t give up, even when I’m feeling overwhelmed and about to buckle under the weight of it all.

DECK USED:  ATLANTIS PLAYING CARDS SINK EDITION

Morning Bonus Read – Solar Plexus Energy

Wild Wolf Tarot - Solar Plexus Chakra Tarot Spread

My solar plexus center’s energy right now.
Alpha of Leaders (Honor)

Now that you am completely out of your depressive episode, you can feel the leadership role sliding back into place and the control is both comforting and familiar.  You are no longer overwhelmed, but self assured in your role in your home and in the business, and are sure-footed in moving forward once more.

Tension I’m currently holding in this area.
The Lone Wolf (Inner Guidance)

You’re not getting out into the woods enough.  You’re not getting enough alone time.  It’s causing some tension that a bit of time alone exerting yourself among the trees could help you to release.

How I can release this tension.
Two of Hunters (Adaptability)

Listen to what your body, mind, and intuition are telling you.  Don’t plow through and ignore your needs, but instead work at making time for them and finding a balance between responsibility and self care.  Only with planning and adaptability will you be able to find a way to balance your life’s different aspects.

How I can improve my mental clarity.
Alpha of Watchers (Intellectual)

Pay attention and take responsibility for claiming that mental clarity. Actions speak volumes, and if you want to improve your mental clarity you need to actually take control and make it happen instead of allowing yourself to sink into the comfortable “slumber” of brain fog and indulging in habits that encourage a sluggish mentality.

 How I can improve my self-confidence.
Three of Hunters (Collaboration)

Allow those around you that are a part of your endeavors to have more say and more responsibility in the endeavors in question.  In doing this, you hand a piece of your trust to them, and gain a bit of time for yourself.

 What will change when I improve my self-confidence.
Seven of Caretakers (Illusion)

What you truly desire will come into clearer focus as your self-confidence improves.  Steady footing leads to clearer vision, and that vision will allow you to better identify and go after those things that really matter.

DECK USED:  WILD WOLF TAROT

Morning Bonus Read – Help From Spirit

Help From Spirit Tarot Spread - Stitches Lenormand

What is spirit helping me with?

Moon – Connecting to your intuition and learning about your emotions is where spirit is leaning in to help at this time.  You are on a journey of emotional growth and, with that growth, comes an intensifying and expansion of your intuitive gifts. You need to remember that these things are connected, no matter how familiar trying to separate them is for you.

Why are they helping me with this?

Bouquet – They want you to be happy.  Truly happy.  This card is about the recovery and sense of lighthearted positivity that comes after someone has weathered a storm. Although my life is filled with many painful lessons, they want me to be able to truly absorb and enjoy the good and allow it to uplift the soul.

What does spirit want me to release to them?

Tree – The past and the pain that lives there.  It can pollute your life, creating imbalance and health problems as you allow it to do so, or it can be released. Let go.  Handed over to spirit and heal thyself in having done so.

How releasing something to them will help me.

Ring – You will be given the balance needed to make better decisions concerning your commitments and responsibilities. Less stress and less pain can often lead to greater clarity and sharper mental acuity.  This in turn allows you to make more informed and better thought out decisions concerning what you’re willing to commit to and agree to, and makes it easier to say no when something doesn’t fit your needs.

How can I better hear and listen to messages from spirit?

Mountain – Stop being so fucking stubborn and open up already. Find the issues that are causing you to put up obstacles in the way between the closer connection you’re looking for and what you have now.  Delve into those issues and begin removing what’s standing in your way.

How can I trust that Spirit is with me?

Crossroads – Trust is a choice.  If you want to trust, you have to be willing to make the decision to do just that. Although Spirit is always with you, it is only through making the choice to trust, to listen, and to accept… that doors will open for you.

DECK USED:  STITCHES LENORMAND

Not All Prizes Are Physical

Today’s meditation was just over ten minutes long and was one of the guided meditations on the Calm app with an added interval timer for my piriformis stretching. I can definitely “feel it” that I haven’t been doing my hip flexor stretches recently.  Although things loosened up quickly, getting there was far more painful than usual.

The focus of today’s meditation was about learning how to focus on gratitude instead of the harshness of judgement.  It spoke on how it is through a practice that involves gratitude that we combat negative inner narratives that can often rise up to be directed at ourselves or others.

Twilight Rabbit Tarot and Thera-Pets Emotional Support Animal CardsToday’s draw is the Ten of Passions (Cups), which is traditionally a representation of emotional satiety, and euphoric contentment.  It is the card that speaks of having obtained one’s heart’s desire and wallowing in that feeling of completion.

A meadow full of happy bunnies wallowing in the grass and a message from the Thera-Pets cards saying it’s okay to be scared, you’ll get there anyway?   What I see here is a reminder to keep your eye on the prize.

Not the monetary prize.  Not the responsibilities and work…. but the prize your heart truly desires.  The wishes and dreams.  Make sure that you’re not forsaking these things, and don’t let your self doubts and fears swerve you from trying to obtain them.

DECK USED:  TWILIGHT RABBIT TAROT AND THERA-PETS EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMAL CARDS

LionHart’s Sacred Self Divination Challenge Prompt
Question
: What is my biggest strength at this time {card 1}, and how am I asked to use it right now {card 2}?

Cute Cat Tarot

 Reading Summary: You’re a fast learner and damn good at the things you choose to put your effort into (Eight of Pentacles). Hold back on the “get it, get it” and do a little research first (Page of Wands). It will help you feel more connected to the process (The Star).

Take Away:  At the moment it’s more important to focus on learning and practice than going after anything concrete and taking actions to chase those dreams.  You need to feel more connected to your ideas, your creativity, and your interests.  Allow yourself the time to learn more, and hone your skills.  Then when you decide to act?  You’ll enjoy it more instead of feeling stress bred from a sense of disconnect.

DECK USED:  CUTE CAT TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsApr2021 Challenge Prompt
Question
: What gifts does the peak of the spring season bring with it for me?

Twilight Rabbit TarotReading Summary: Time with Gideon (King of Passions). As the spark of spring’s energy begins to shift (Death atop Ace of Clover), you will find yourself pushing for more of the time together you both enjoy (Jack of Clover).

Take Away: The peak of spring season and shift of energy extending into summer’s beginnings will bring with it a passionate enjoyment of time spent with Gideon on the things that we enjoy the most.  More time together. More time playing.  More time. 

It is important to not just pursue this time, working to make room for it whenever I’m able, but also to savor it mindfully and with a grateful heart.

DECK USED:  TWILIGHT RABBIT TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

Still playing a bit of catch up at the moment. Although… considering this was Monday, I’m pretty sure I didn’t do anything at all to be kind to myself other than ask for help from the girls in getting orders and packaging done.

New Moon in Aries – April 2021

Queer Witch Tarot - Aries New Moon

Yesterday was the new moon, and like all new moons and full moons, I did a spread aligned to the moon’s current themes as a part of my recognition of the moon’s cycle and influences upon us. Today’s spread is about  medicine of the cosmic wheel, and brought to you by Sharron Basanti of Seeds of Shakti.

1. Aries signals the start of the cosmic wheel in astrology. What medicine is the wheel birthing for the next 12 months?

Ten of Pentacles – All the seeds you’ve taken time to plant will grow and flourish with attention and care.  Pay attention to what you are putting your energy into, where you place your focus, and what you prioritize.  Only those things you are willing to put care into will grow.  The medicine birthed over the next twelve months is in the awareness of your actions, and in making sure you are directing them to what you want to grow instead of in more unhealthy and destructive directions.

2. As spring returns, what dormant energy is awakening within me?

King of Swords – Dominance.  Strategy.  Having the ability to put mind above matter to accomplish what is needed or wanted done.  This is not so much about taking charge, but about putting yourself first and feeling empowered to reach for accomplishment rather than stagnancy.  This accomplishment can be in anything deemed of value, as long as it involves putting yourself first in the process.

3. As a fire sign, how is Aries kindling my inner spark?

The Hierophant – There is a great deal of joy in helping others find their way.  You have a lot of knowledge to share and the combined energies of Aries’ fire and the spark of spring are stirring up those interests and a longing to return to helping others again.  Keep in mind the King of Swords above, and make sure you are not self-sacrificing in the process.

4. How can I break through fears that have held me back?

Four of Wands – Lean into your support system and those that you’ve chosen to surround yourself in.  Your security and stability is threaded through with the presence of these people in your life. Allow them to help you in feeling safe when things feel out of balance.

5. What seedlings of inspiration will the New Moon bless and germinate?

Page of Cups – Creativity and curiosity abounds with this new moon. So too does your intuition. Over the next couple of weeks, make sure that you are tapping into these qualities. They thrive in the fresh and clean energy that the new moon fosters, and now is the time to explore.

6. Message from the Ancestors and Guides.

The Magician – You’ve got this.  You have what you need to embrace the energy this new moon holds.  You have what is needed to move forward into the future and turn it into what you want it to be rather than following old patterns and methods.  The Magician card comes up a lot in the “messages from ancestors and guides” readings.  They are your cheerleaders, and they’re here to cheer you on as long as you’re willing to do the work.

DECK USED:  QUEER WITCH TAROT