Transitioning from December to January

Bonestone & Earthflesh Tarot, Tree Whisperer Oracle

Individuality The World and Story – You are at a time in your life where you have the opportunity to grab hold and write your own story.  This time in your life is a transition, and as you step through out of the old and into the new, you are in the perfect position to take control and make your own narrative.

Dependence Page of Cups and Expression – Leaving behind old ways of dealing with your emotions is the only way to make room for new healthier ways of experiencing, handling, and expressing your emotions to others.  The holiday rush allowed you to slip deep into the old habits of closing off and closing down, but now that the end of the year has come, you need to let those habits go and reconnect with the emotional growth you’ve been striving for over the past year.

Creativity The Tower and Creativity – An echo of the previous card, these cards indicate that you are in a position to tear down the old, dismantle it, and create something new and better from the pieces. The opportunity is now so make sure you take advantage of it and look forward to those things you want to change and begin building them into your future from now.

Limitation Knight of Swords and Unity – The Unity card looks like knobby knees… just sayin’.  My limitations at this time have to do with what inner voices and thoughts I allow to take over, and which I abandon.  I’ve come to the realization that that inner narrative is much lie a wild mustang running through a field. If you allow it to run, it will run wild and free…. and shit all over the place as it goes. The knobby knees say that a slow approach and choosing what thoughts I connect with is a better choice… but not the easiest.

Change Three of Wands and Knowledge – You know what you want.  There may be a handful of different options available to you as a whole, but even with just a general idea, you know the right direction to head in and how to avoid the pitfalls along the path.  You’re in a far more stable and functional place this year than the last, so use that knowledge to set your feet on the right path forward.

Sympathy Page of Pentacles atop Eight of Pentacles, Balance – Sometimes, when you’re learning something new, it because a slow and struggling process.  Not all things worth having come easily, some of them cost you in time and money, sweat and effort. Many times in the past when you’ve run across these issues, you’ve pushed yourself harder and harder, exhausted yourself and abused yourself to learn faster and get further in less time.  It’s time to learn that the time doesn’t matter… but balancing self care into the equation does.

Luck Six of Swords and Insight – An echo of the “Change” position above, here we see the confidence of knowing what is right for you and going after it.  You have an innate and very intuitive ability to know the path that is right for you and head in that direction.  It has served you well all your life and these cards are a reminder of how this has gone in the past and an encouragement to keep up with this very successful method of decision making as you continue into the future.

Power Seven of Pentacles, Roots atop Stillness – Keep in mind that when you allow things to grow slowly over time, they still need tending or growth will become stilted and stagnant.  There is a big difference between attentive patience, or negligence and neglect.   If you feel like something is stalling out, make sure you are looking into it and giving it little nurturing nudges of encouragement to keep things moving and healthy.

Responsibility King of Cups atop Ace of Pentacles, Inspiration atop Guidance – You have the opportunity now to start connecting with Gideon again and starting fresh with the creative endeavors you share.  You have the opportunity to lean into him, to allow him to foster your hope and help you find pleasurable pursuits you two can share as well as share in the pursuits you already enjoy together.   These cards are about taking advantage of the opportunity to enjoy time with him, whether that is in play or together tucked into quiet time and talk.

Message from Spirit World – Allow the beginnings and quiet in your life to slowly expand into inner strength and inner stability.  From that place of strength and stability you can grow the seeds of new ideas and they will thrive far better than they would in the cacophony of chaos.

Message from Mind’s World – Speaking from the heart will foster growth and allow you to “write your own story” along the way.  Just keep in mind that sometimes, to write your own story, you have to start by tearing apart the storyline already in place in order to build a better one.

Message from Known World – Just because the holiday rush is over and things are slowing down doesn’t mean that the girls can’t continue to help you in keeping up on your work, and in doing so help take some of the pressure and stress off your shoulders. It’s time to try something new, so give it a go.

Take Away – There is a lot here about starting out as you want to continue on, and making changes for the better now that the holiday rush is over.  I have a chance to make these changes now and then carry them forward into the future from here.  Now is the time to look at what I want and how I want to go about getting those things, then begin the steps that will take me in that direction.  This goes far beyond just my business, but is very focused in this reading upon finding a better balance in my life between work and self care, and finding new ways of doing things that are healthier than my past habits and methods.

DECKS USED:  BONESTONE & EARTHFLESH TAROT, TREE WHISPERER ORACLE

What Goes Up Must Come Down

IMG_8380Today’s meditation was just over eleven minutes long and was another of the guided meditations from the Calm app with added interval timer for my piriformis and forearm stretches.

Today’s topic for the guided part of the meditation was on the theme of “every day is the first day of the rest of your life” and how, when we keep this in mind, whether that’s every day, or every hour, or even every minute, it allows us to sink more firmly into the present and into those things that we want out of life, as opposed to being dragged down and distracted by the troubles and struggles of what came before.

Living Tarot - JusticeToday’s draw is the Justice card, which is traditionally a representation of cause and effect, repercussions and consequences, and can often be related to the law and justice system.

What stands out to me the strongest on this card is the jagged edges on the lightning strikes and how it contrasts so strongly with the soft swirls of the clouds above.

This speaks to me of the unexpected.  Sometimes when we do something we don’t expect the repercussions to be as harsh or heavy as they are and it takes us by surprise.  That doesn’t necessarily mean that we were treated badly or the consequence was to harsh in relation to the act that got us there… but it means that sometimes we need to think more deeply on what was done and how it affected others.

In other words, what goes up must come down, so choose your battles wisely.  Consider how you are effecting others and factor that into your actions. I think we all forget that part sometimes, myself included.

DECK USED:  LIVING TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsDec2020 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question
: Which is more important… love or trust?

Tarot of the Holy SpectrumReading Summary: Over-indulging (Three of Cups Rx) in generosity (Six of Pentacles) will create a sense of emotional satiation (Nine of Cups), but also a situation where hard work is needed (Eight of Pentacles).

Take Away: Love is one of those things that provides emotional satiation, and trust is something that requires hard work to foster and strengthen.

This is a story about moderation, and it indicates that neither love or trust is more important than the other. Instead, they both have pitfalls and positive influences.  They are equally important.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE HOLY SPECTRUM

#ConnectWithYourDeckChallenge by E Roebuck-Jones
Question: How will I continue with the changes that are happening?

Naked Heart Tarot

Reading Summary:  Be aware that when you are feeling discouraged and down on your luck (Five of Pentacles), your immature emotional reaction (Spirit of Cups) is to fall into your addictions head first (The Devil).

Take Away:  They key here is in the awareness of the emotions and understanding that this reaction is immature and that there’s a better way.   The Spirit of Cups here indicates not just that immaturity, but also the ability to understand and learn from it, and find a better way to deal with things in the future.   One that is more mature and healthier.

DECK USED:  NAKED HEART TAROT

Love Languages

IMG_8357Today’s meditation was just under ten minutes long and was another of the guided meditations from the Calm app with added interval timer for my piriformis and forearm stretches.

The topic of today’s guided meditation is about the nature of life’s impermanence. This meditation is really apropos due to it being so close to the end of the year, and part of the discussion included the mention of new years resolutions, and how hard it can be to keep them because life is constantly changing, and sometimes those resolutions we make just don’t carry forward well from what we wanted of the year before into what is going to be ours in the year ahead.

Giotto Tarot - Queen of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Queen of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s finances, resources, home life, health, and manifestations. This often translates into a nurturing figure or energy that wants to foster the health of, or help with the stability of, others.

What stands out to me the strongest in the imagery of this card today is the heart on top of the queen’s crown.  Pentacles are not really a suit that is all that focused on the emotions, but in the Queen we see that the things done for others here are an expression of the love and caring they may not be comfortable expressing in other ways.

The message here is to pay attention to how others express their feelings for you and for those they care about.  It’s not always as clear cut as what they say, but is sometimes in what they do instead.

DECK USED:  GIOTTO TAROT

LionHart’s 20/21 Tarot Challenge Prompt
Topic
: What of 2020 do I take with me on my 2021 journey?

Vintage Japanese Art Tarot

Reading Summary: Responsibilities (King of Swords) raking me over the coals of anxiety (Nine of Swords) are giving way to allow an opportunity for a new and different tact (Ace of Swords) that welcomes in more enthusiasm and enjoyment along the way (The Fool)

Take Away:  Along my journey through 2020, I’ve learned a bit on how to worry a little less, and enjoy life a little more. This is something I’m encouraged to take forward into the new year and utilize to find a better, healthier, and more enjoyable way of doing things that doesn’t take so much out of me along the way.

DECK USED:  VINTAGE JAPANESE ART TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsDec2020 Challenge Prompt
Question
: What do I need to focus on for self-care this full moon?

Silver Witchcraft TarotReading Summary:  Your connection with Gideon (Two of Cups) gives you strength (Strength) and allows you to find a grounding center you need right now (Four of Pentacles).

Take Away: Time in nature isn’t the only way in which you find your center and ground. You also need the strength and reassurance and connection that you have with Gideon as well.

Right now it feels like I’m playing a losing game of “catching up”, and the reminder here is that there’s more that I need to tend to for myself than just tasks that need to be done and a little extra sleep.

DECK USED:  SILVER WITCHCRAFT TAROT

Full Moon in Cancer – December 2020

Tomorrow is the last full moon of the year, 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 brought to you by Ethony‘s Tarot By the Moon series.

Full Moon in Cancer Tarot Reading - Naked Heart Tarot

1. What spiritual lesson was I learning this year?

Nine of Pentacles – How to be grateful for what I have instead of constantly striving for more.  This was actually a side product lesson that came from my efforts to allow my emotional growth room to do its thing throughout the majority of the first part of the year.  What I have come to realize is that it actually -is- possible for me to “wallow a bit” in my good fortune and the results of my hard work.  That it’s okay to enjoy the now instead of constantly pushing for what’s next.  It’s not always easy, but the more that I’ve been able to look at things from this angle, the more I realize that a good portion of that slave driver in my head has nothing to do with a desperate grasping need for security as it has to do with my father’s voice in my head drilling home that nothing will ever be “enough” and thus I must try harder.

2. How can I integrate it into 2021?

Nine of Swords Rx – By focusing on worrying less and stressing out less about the things that “need to be done”. The only deadlines in life are the ones that you are setting for yourself.  I used this same line a couple of days ago in a reading and it fits very well here as well.  No one else is setting deadlines on me, not for my goals or for the things I want to happen.  The only one setting deadlines and demands on myself… is me.  I need to take ownership of this and understand that I’m doing this to myself… and that I have all of the control needed to change things to be less stressful.

3. What do I need to let go of now?

Two of Wands Rx – Indirection. You don’t need to control every step, but you don’t need to feel like when you’re not controlling every step that things are going awry either. Last year after the holiday rush, I went through a few months of feeling completely rudderless and adrift.  Lost.  I need to let go of the idea that this is going to happen again, and instead make moves to make sure that it doesn’t.  This isn’t about filling my plate with things to do or about leaving room on my plate either, but rather it’s about dealing with the emotions and decompression that needs to be cared for instead of fighting against it.

4. What spiritual lesson will I be moving into in 2021?

Knight of Chalices – The spiritual lesson in the year ahead will involve learning how to better seek out those things that I really enjoy and make me happy instead of just focusing upon the things that I need to get done. This goes beyond making things more fun or my life happier, but rather by making things more fun and my life happier I will be able to elevate my energy and my spiritual self into a better place.

5. What can I do now to set myself up for success?

Six of Wands Rx – Look inward for encouragement and accolades instead of thinking about what others (namely those voices of your parents in your head) would think or feel. Again we are back at that inner narrative and the negativity of my parental influences on how I treat myself within that narrative.  This and other readings I’ve done over the past week or two are making it clear that finding a way to circumvent or “put in its place” that inner narrative is going to be a strong and prevailing theme throughout the next year, and that needs to start now.

DECK USED:  THE GREEN WITCH TAROT

Work Hard Today, Rest Tomorrow

IMG_8343Today’s meditation was just under eleven minutes long and was a guided meditation with interval timer for my piriformis and forearm stretching.

The topic of today’s meditation was about how unhealthy it is to let the myriad of stressors build up over time until the world can feel chaotic even when it really isn’t.

When there’s a lot to do and many responsibilities on your shoulders, that negative inner voice can easily slip in and make it feel like you’re not getting anywhere and suck the joy and pleasure out of your days.  The key discussed in the meditation is to make sure that you are aware of those things that are eating at you so that you can “put them in their place” instead of letting them run rampant in your head.

Madam Clara Sees All Fortune Tarot - Eight of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Eight of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of hard work and the expertise you can gain in having spent time developing a skill or ability.  In this card, this concept is very clearly expressed in the quote on the card itself, which says “Focus and determination leads you to master a new skill.”

There’s something about the colors in this deck that really appeals to me, and I’m not sure why as I’d normally consider them to clash and be a bit garish.

Today is a prep day before I ship out orders after having taken a few days off in the wake of the holiday rush, and the card’s message is to apply your skills to the task at hand and knock it out.

It’s a good message, as I have more orders to get through today than I’d anticipated, and it’s going to take a lot of time and hard work to get there.  I will get there, though.  And the reward on the other side is a longer bit of a break and breather.

DECK USED:  MADAM CLARA SEES ALL FORTUNE TAROT

LionHart’s 20/21 Tarot Challenge Prompt
Topic
: A 2021 reminder for times when I struggle with myself or my dreams.

Witches' Tarot

Reading Summary: Sometimes when you’re feeling enthusiastic and in control (The Chariot) with new projects (Ace of Pentacles), make sure you take a pause to ground (Four of Pentacles) and get in touch with your inner voice (The High Priestess).

Take Away:  The thing with enthusiasm over something new is that even when you think you’re in total control?  You’re not.  You’re flying by the seat of your pants and winging it while feeling empowered… which is not the same as being fully in control. This can often cause you to steer off course if you’re not careful.

During those moments, which happen to me often when I become enthusiastic about a new project, I need to remember to take a moment to make sure my feet are on the ground and I’m being realistic, and get in touch with that inner self that always knows the next step that is good for me and my path forward.

DECK USED:  THE WITCHES TAROT

#DiscordTarotolicsDec2020 Challenge Prompt
Question
: Where in my life do I need to work on better boundaries in the year ahead?

Giotto TarotReading Summary:  It’s going to be important to make sure you are sticking to strong boundaries concerning your work/life balance (Two of Pentacles) and getting the grounding you need to stay healthy (Four of Pentacles).  Don’t allow self doubts and other insecurities and uncertainties (The Moon), nor impulsive distractions (Knave of Swords), to encroach from the shadows and lead you astray.

Take Away: When I am dealing with uncertainty, I have a habit of falling back on old bad habits.  It’s impulse due to habit and fear, and it upsets the balance I’m working so hard to foster and grow in my life, upsetting the apple cart, so to speak.

DECK USED:  GIOTTO TAROT

Morning Bonus Read – Cultivating Gratitude

Cultivating Gratitude Tarot Reading - Tarot de Mona Lisa

How can I shift my energy signature to cultivate gratitude?
Ten of Pentacles

It’s not enough to acknowledge all that you have and all that you’ve done to get there. To cultivate gratitude, you also need to share it with others.  Spread the wealth (not just monetarily but also in your all around good fortune, good health, and stable home life) among loved ones and allow them in to help you in enjoying all the good that the present has to offer.

What in my life is a blessing in disguise?
The World

Everything cycles through and you get another chance to try again at the end.  As you reach the end of a trial, the end of a year, the end of a journey… you are given the opportunity to step forward into the future beyond that ending and try for doing better the next time around.  The things you worked towards and struggled with, you now have the opportunity to try again… and with the experience you carry from your past efforts, do better.

How can I express gratitude when I feel empty?
Death atop The Hermit Rx

You need to work at changing your natural inclination to retreat into yourself.  By reaching out and opening up during these times, you show those that you share yourself with that you trust them and are grateful for them in your life to help and support you. In opposition to that, when you close them out and close them off, they feel left out and taken for granted.

Who in my life needs to hear thank-you and be appreciated?
King of Pentacles

Mister R needs to hear these things and know them.  He needs to understand just how much he means to you, and L, and Z.  You may not have much longer to get this out and expressed to him, and it is something you need to do sooner rather than later.  It is also something that could help him by giving him strength and hope, and also lift his spirits.

How can creating a daily practice for gratitude change my life?
Queen of Wands

It will give you the opportunity to create a more stable foundation beneath that interminable drive of yours, allowing you to not just pursue your own desires and passions, but inspire others to do the same.

DECK USED: TAROT DE MONA LISA