tarot for self care

Hope, Comfort, and Growth

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was just over fifteen minutes long, and was a healing light meditation that I used to focus on my wrist injury.  It was very relaxing, despite the fact that the guide’s voice wasn’t the best.

Halloween Tarot Today’s draw is a double without a jumper, meaning that both cards came out together as one. The cards in today’s draw are The Star card of the Major Arcana and the Nine of Bats (Swords).

This message has to do with vulnerability and inner struggle, and after the evening that I’ve had, I definitely understand where it’s coming from.   The message is that there are going to be times when you’re feeling vulnerable in a very not-pleasant way.  Between the shadow reading I received today and the phone call from my mother, my unpleasant vulnerability is at a high, and as the Nine of Bats indicates, it has definitely caused me some distress.

What I also see in these cards though is the shining sun on the bed and comforting concern of the cat in the Nine of Bats… and the brightly shining star combined with the growth of new green in the Star card.    To me, these factors speak of comfort and hope.

What this means is that yes… it’s been a hard day.  YES, the last few hours have sucked.   But I have right before me the gifts in my life that will help me through it and allow me to grow from the experience rather than letting it drag me down.

Deck Used: Halloween Tarot

Bonus Reading

Another #TarotForGrowthOctober prompt.

Question: What accomplishment of mine should I give myself more recognition for?

Golden Age of Horror Comics TarotReading Summary:   The work that I’ve been doing in an effort to better balance my spirituality (The High Priestess), my newly uncovered level of emotions (Page of Cups), and my responsibilities (King of Pentacles).

Take Away:   This has been a real struggle for me of late and a lot of the time I feel adrift in uncertain waters.  For a while, I was starting to think that I’d dipped my toe in too deep of a pond with the emotion digging, but what I really think is that this new level is just new and makes me feel uncertain.  Balancing that uncertainty with the familiarity of my spirituality and the rigid demand of responsibility has been difficult and… honestly?  I always feel like I’m failing when in truth?  I’m probably not.

Deck Used: The Golden Age of Horror Comics Tarot

Self Care Saturday (on Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

As I’ve mentioned before, these 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 are not meant as a predictive reading.

The question is… What do I need to focus for self-care through the week ahead?

SCS

Earth – The World, Necessity, Desire – In order to grow and “level up” (as I put it in a previous blog post) with concerns to my business and finances, I need to take some time to examine, and also possibly re-evaluate and restructure, my priorities.

Air – The High Priestess and Reality – There needs to be an anchor when delving into the liminal, no matter how comfortable and welcoming it feels. Don’t let intuition and inner urges run away with your sense of reason. To dip into that pond safely and comfortably, you have to have a balance of both. This is a good reminder at this time of year, as with the veil so thin I always feel a huge urge to throw caution to the wind and dive in and get lost there in those liminal spaces. This message is about moderation.

Water – Seven of Pentacles and Respect – Long term friendships and relationships are built upon respect. Make sure this week that you pay attention to what others contribute to your life, especially on an emotional level, and what you contribute to theirs. If there are imbalances, approach them respectfully in order to allow things to flourish moving forward.

Fire – Judgement and Opulence – The message here echoes back to the Earth part of this reading and reinforces the message there. It’s time to evaluate spending habits and finances. (ie: Do I really need those fire opal beads right now? Or can they wait until the New Year?)

Waning – The 9th Mirror – Harm caused by others and the lasting marks that it leaves behind on the self and the psyche. Recognizing, understanding, and accepting that harm are vital to healing, but in the next week it’ll be a time to step away from that “less than” whisper that was recently unearthed and focus on other things.

Waxing – The 5th Mask – Lack of authenticity and difficulty in communication. Mercury goes into retrograde in a few days, and that is the theme for Mercury retrograde. That said? I’m not usually affected by Mercury retrograde, so the fact that this card is coming up to warning about these issues is interesting considering the timing. I’ll have to be careful with how I communicate over the next week and take special care to pay attention to how others communicate with me.

Decks Used: Talking To The Moon Tarot, Lucky Potion Oracle, Tarot of The Inner Mask

 

Perfectionism

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was just over twelve minutes long and the last installment of the Managing Stress series.  The focus on today’s guided meditation was about taking a step back and approaching distressing emotions and thoughts as an observer rather than as a participant.

This distancing is something I’m very familiar with and used to work for me quite well.  Over the past few years, though, as you have helped me become more and more in touch with my emotions, I’ve found that I’m not as successful as I used to be at compartmentalizing my emotions and looking at them in a purely objective way.

Sometimes I think that is a bad thing… other times I think it’s a good thing.  Maybe it’s both.

Today’s draw is the King of Ghosts (Cups), which is a representation of a projective alpha energy in the area of emotions, intuition, relationships, and creativity.  This manifests itself in areas of emotional balance and diplomacy, as well as compassion, yet can also portray a depth of inner emotions and come across as moodiness or emotional manipulation.

When  I saw today’s draw this morning, what really stuck out to me was the curl of the king’s arm around the tail of the ghost. Even when the king is looking away in another direction, the ghost is still happy.

The message in today’s card is that sometimes you have to make peace with not having everything perfect.  It’s okay to be happy and celebrate regardless of the fact that perfection is not the result.  Enjoy the imperfections.  Celebrate them.

Deck Used: Halloween Tarot

Bonus Reading

Another #TarotForGrowthOctober prompt.

Question: What is it time to forgive myself for?

Reading Summary:   Passing up potential opportunities (Ace of Pentacles) that could lead somewhere lucrative (King of Pentacles) in pursuit of new ideas and creativity (Ace of Swords and Knight of Cups).

Take Away: Okay so, I have a LOT of ideas… all the time.  As a part of my business I often spread myself too thin because I have so many creative ideas that I want to do and try, and not enough time to do them all.  I then try to do them all, and things get dropped (or delayed) as a result.  I could be focusing more on the business side of things.  On the advertising and drawing in new customers, etc.  Instead my attention is pulled again and again to those new ideas and creative endeavors. 

At times, I am really hard on myself about this, because IF I could just focus on the business side more, then I could probably draw in a good deal more profit. The truth is, though, it would feel more and more like a chore and less and less like a passion… so maybe I shouldn’t be quite so hard on myself about it.

Deck Used: Ghosts & Spirits Tarot

 

Self Care Saturday (on Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

As I’ve mentioned before, these 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 are not meant as a predictive reading.

The question is… What do I need to focus for self-care through the week ahead?

SCS

Earth – Knight of Cups, Two of Swords, Marshmallow, and Black Bear – When I push too hard, I get kicked in the head. I need to make a choice between how much I’m willing to really put on my self, and how harsh I’m going to be with myself. The cards suggest another path that includes a softening and soothe. Now is a time to sink into the depth of the season’s cycles, and the cycles it inspires within me. Give in to the need for more rest, and use the tendrils of time I have left before the rush begins to rest up.

Air – Ace of Cups, Ace of Wands, The Tower, and Cow & Bull – Now is not the time for new inspiration and allowing the spark of enthusiasm and creativity to drive me. Instead, take some time to settle and relax. Allow the world to move by at its own pace instead of pushing this week. The time to push will come, but for now it’s time to sit back and watch the world go by at its own pace.

Water – The Sun, Mullein, and Five Lined Skink – Everything happens for a reason. Difficulties happen and we learn to adapt to it, finding the fissures of connectivity of it within us, and move from it as we integrate it into the facets of our life.
Sink into the confidence that is brought about by knowing that when things fall apart, it is so that new and better things can be built out of the pieces.

Fire – Ten of Swords, The Magician, White Sage, and Passiflora – It’s time to let go. This week there is a necessity to let go of the stresses that are sapping the life and joy out of the mundane and reconnect with the simple and joyous. Take some time to cleans your energy and recenter yourself. Seek out the pleasure and joy within the small and simple moments.

Waning – The Pit – This week I will be moving away from the push toward my inspirations and new ideas. This is a time for relaxing and resting, not digging new holes or planting new seeds.

Waxing – Cyanide and The Stars – In the week ahead it is important to focus on taking the feelings spurred by things not done and pressures of what is yet to come, and toss them out. This is a time to rest, and in return for getting rid of what plagues you and rides you so hard for so long, infinite possibilities will open up, and a oneness of connectivity will be strengthened.

Moral of the Story – Take a break… and give yourself a break. There’s going to be plenty of stress upcoming just around the corner. This week needs to be about rest, restoration, and healing the self from the normal abuses I usually dole out to myself on a daily basis.

Decks Used: Tarot de Marseille par Pole Ka, Illustrated Herbiary Cards, Illustrated Bestiary Cards, The Asylum Oracle

 

Value and Balance

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was just over twelve minutes long, and was a continuation on the theme of managing stress.

Today, the guided meditation explored how a moment focusing upon your breathing, and on a careful body scan from head to foot where you train your attention on relaxing each body part individually one at a time, can assist in easing the physiological response to stress and anxiety.

That is to say that stress and anxiety cause physiological responses.  Your blood pressure goes up, your breathing shortens and shallows, your heart beats faster, your brain feeds your body a trickle of adrenaline, etc. These physical responses can be managed by taking a moment to do some deep breathing and focus upon the moment and relaxing your body.

Halloween Tarot Today’s draw is the Knight of Ghosts (Cups) which is a representation of an active beta energy, personality, or person in the area of the heart, emotions, relationships, and intuition.

What I saw when I pulled this card is a message about value.   Specifically, that those who manipulate others through use of emotion also have their value.  Maybe they are entertaining, or maybe they help in distracting those that would be in your own path without realizing that’s what they’re doing.

But the fact is.  Everyone has value.  Even those who follow a different code of ethics and a different moral compass than your own.  Sometimes it’s easy to look down on these people, but it’s important to remember that they, too, have a place in our lives, and in live in general.

Deck Used: Halloween Tarot

Bonus Reading

Another #TarotForGrowthOctober prompt.

Question: How can I better balance personal time with the time I spend with others?

Carnival at the End of the World Tarot Reading Summary:  I need to inspire a time of reckoning and self examination concerning what’s important to me and what isn’t (Judgement).  Doing this will inspire me to better preserve those things most important to me (Seven of Wands), and let go of the rest in order to create space for what’s important to me to grow.

In other words, I need to do some trimming and weeding.

Take Away: I’m focusing on too many different things, and spreading myself too thin.  Sort of like trimming a tree in order to allow it to sprout new growth and produce a healthier dispersion, some serious evaluation of what I value is needed in order to par down the sheer amount of crap on my plate and create space in my life for what I need to be in it to dig deeper roots and flourish.

Deck Used: The Carnival at the End of the World Tarot

 

Self Care Saturday (on Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

SCS

As I’ve mentioned before, these 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 are not meant as a predictive reading.

The question is… What do I need to focus for self-care through the week ahead?

Earth – Seven of Cups – There will be a variety of paths and choices opening up before you. Be conscious of those that offer the potential for manifestation and growth.

Air – Four of Swords – If you don’t allow yourself the time and space to vent, you will not get the rest and restoration that is need out of this week.

Water – Knight of Pentacles – Don’t bottle up emotions or run from the unpleasantness.  Instead, stand tall and strong.  Tend to your own values with focus and steadfast resolve.

Fire – Six of Cups – Time spent revising the past will not serve you well this week.  It’s time for a new perspective, as the old one is only weighing you down.

Waning – The Sorcerer – Self destruction through self centered behavior.  Beliefs and ideas that foster separation, conflict, and scarcity.

Waxing – The Owl – Catching sight of what has been hidden that others cannot see. Truth seeking. Intuition.

Moral of the Story – It’s time to seek out new perspectives. Keep an eye out for what has changed and what is different.  Seek your outlet to let things out when needed so that you can get the rest and restoration you need out of this week ahead, and stay true to your values.

Decks Used: Crow Tarot, Dixit Pack #6 Memories, Mystical Shaman Oracle