Tarot of the Animal Lords

Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

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?

Curio Tarot, Mildred Payne's Oracle of Black Enchantment, Emilie Autumn's Asylum Oracle

Earth – The Emperor, Strength, Frozen Charlottes – Make sure that you are in control “of your domain”.  Some little sneaky fucker may try to slip in and whisper sweet nothings in your ear in order to sway your attention, but don’t allow this temptation to draw you off track.  Just keep lining your soldiers up in a row as you work toward sustaining a healthy, happy, and stable home front.

Air – Two of Swords and Revenge – There are choices you’ve made and thought to have laid to rest that might rise up again over the next week. This isn’t a second chance to change your mind… you made the right decisions the first time around.  Stay the course and turn away from the waffling that the return of these issues may cause to surface in you.

Water – The Chariot and The Execution – There are consequences for lollygagging.  Make sure you have your eye on the prize this week or you may find yourself swinging at the end of a rope emotionally.

Fire – Eight of Wands and The Flying Queen – As long as you can “stay the course” of your trajectory that you’ve begun over the past week?  You have the potential to ride that momentum forward into positive and permanent change.  You’ve made this adjustment from your “old ways” of doing things a passion project.  Carry it through this week and don’t look back.

Waning – The Boot – Confidence may end up being a bit of a problem in the week ahead.  There is lots of encouragement above about staying on course, and you’re going to need that encouragement (and possibly more) as you move through this week.

Waxing – The Brooch – Speak your mind. Speak your heart.  Open up and share what needs sharing, let out what needs to be said, and allow others to better understand how you feel and what you think through sharing your words with them.  Only through the letting out of what resides inside can you breathe more easily and find relief for that tension lingering in your throat and beneath your tongue.

Take Away – There are going to be some self confidence issues over the next week, but everything in all elements of life currently require you to reach for the path you have already plotted and continue forward upon it without doubt, fear, or looking back.  Reach out to others to help you with these confidence issues, and be honest about what you are thinking and feeling, as it is the only way they will be able to help you.  Take care, though, with who you trust with your vulnerability.   This week is no time for deviation… if something looks too good to be true?  It is.

DECKS USED:  CURIO TAROT, MILDRED PAYNE’S ORACLE OF BLACK ENCHANTMENT, EMILIE AUTUMN’S ASYLUM ORACLE

Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

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?

Nightmare Before Christmas Tarot, Fantod Pack, Mystic Misfits Oracle

Earth – Ace of Presents and The Burning Head – Don’t allow discordance and dissatisfaction with what you have turn you away from new opportunities. This “meh” feeling that you’re experiencing is temporary. Don’t let it hold you back.

Air – The High Priestess and The Stone – Sometimes it can feel like intuition and logic mix just about as well as oil and water. Keep in mind that your intuition has been working for you and alongside that tendency to lean into logic for your entire life.  You don’t have to choose, just let them do their thing.

Water – Page of Candles, Queen of Candles, The Limb – This is about that “know it all” shadow that sometimes crops up from time to time and makes you self conscious about sharing your knowledge and experiences with others. It’s important to not just remember that you are also still learning and still growing, and to phrase things in a way when communicating with others that allows for this humility to show through in your words.

Fire – Page of Presents and The Tunnel – All these angsty emotions and struggles you’ve had with moving forward into the prep time of the holiday rush are going to be in focus this week.  It’s time to transition into the slow and steady progress of getting ready for the beating to come.  Don’t allow your uncertainties to continue to drag you down and hold you back.

Waning – Mirror – It’s time to move away from introspection.  You can only stare at a mirror for so long before you start to pick apart what is in the reflection and… over time?  The different pieces picked apart then start to not make sense.

Waxing – Spore and Star –  You have been stuck in a rut of stagnation and struggling with motivation lately. This week is the time to wriggle yourself out of that rut and start climbing for the sky.  Get moving this week on things that need worked on and preparations that need to be made.

Take Away – As most of my readings over the past couple days have already indicated, this week is a time to dig myself out of the funk that I’ve been feeling about life and work and just every thing in general.  It’s time to nudge myself into some motivation and focus on encouraging myself toward getting things done and the prep that is needed for the holiday rush.  There is a notation, as well, in the Air section that indicates I need to make sure I don’t shut out my intuition.  Some things that don’t mix well still work together in perfect harmony.

DECKS USED: NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS TAROT, EDWARD GOREY’S FANTOD PACK, MYSTIC MISFITS ORACLE

Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

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?

Hardy Tarot, Forces Flora + Fauna Oracle, Wisdom of Tula Oracle

Earth – Ten of Cups, Seven of Wands, The Rat – You will have the chance this week to gain some emotional fulfillment over your financial situation and home life this week. Make sure you stay focused on what is important, which includes making sure you are protecting those things you value most.

Air – Ace of Disks and The Whale – Be kind to yourself and show yourself a bit of compassion concerning the way you see yourself managing things right now.  New opportunities will come and you need to make sure you’re not just jumping at them because they’re there. Passing up these opportunities for self care reasons is not a failure, don’t allow your inner voice to say otherwise.

Water – Prince of Swords and The Moth – Do not impulsively plow forward, but instead move with purpose. You are not in danger, and you are not going to lose anything that you don’t intentionally discard. Stay calm, let your intuition guide you, and move forward with determination.

Fire – Six of Wands and The Thistle – Don’t allow the compliments and admiration of others to turn your head.  They can bolster your mood, but they should not be what drives you forward.  Instead, rely upon your strength and resilience to carry you forward and keep you going.

Waning – Forgiveness – Forgiving ourselves is always our biggest hurdle, and you might find things rising up this week that you are not forgiving yourself for.  Some of these things will require shadow work to sort out and work through, and now is not the time to be starting that type of work.

Waxing – Observer – Write it down to deal with later. This is a carry over from the Waning card of Forgiveness. The Observer card indicates that these issues are things that need to be noted and acknowledged. The shadow work that needs dealt with needs to be written it down revisit once the holiday rush has come to an end.  Put it down on paper, type it out, somehow… in some way… write it down so that you can let go of it for the time being.

Take Away – Be picky in the opportunities that you decide to pursue this week so that you don’t overwhelm yourself.  Allow the negative issues you’re feeling to come, acknowledge them and write them down, then release them.  This is not about burying, but rather allowing yourself time to process subconsciously while you deal with what needs done in the present.  It’s going to be a bit of a rough week emotionally, but you knew that already.

DECKS USED: HARDY TAROT, FORCES FLORA + FAUNA ORACLE, WISDOM OF TULA ORACLE

Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

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 Leaves, Supra Oracle, Tea Leaf Fortune Cards, Tree of Life Oracle

A note on the use of the Supra Oracle in this spread.  I do not have the guide book for this oracle, and thus all meanings interpreted from these cards are entirely through intuitive interpretation alone.

Earth – Five of Cups, Bridge, Fire – You may feel a bit strapped for cash this week, but keep in mind that this is perception and not reality.  Overcoming this perception will require leaning into your passions and focusing on the things you enjoy instead of on where you feel things are lacking.  Redirect your attention away from where your feelings of scarcity are originating, and everything will fall into place.

Air – Hanged Man, Hat, Earth – A new role and a different perspective are awaiting you this week.  Make sure you are grounding regularly and meditating daily in order to help give you a solid foundation, so that the newness of it all doesn’t set you off-kilter. Take your time with digesting things and you’ll be fine.

Water – Page of Swords, Ear, Individuation – The message here in the position of emotions is to listen to what others say and take the time to learn from what they say and adopt for yourself what works for you.  It’s essentially saying “take what resonates, and discard the rest”.

Gideon and I have been talking a lot about my emotions lately as I struggle to understand how I can carry my growth forward into the busy season ahead.  The message here is to go over my notes, suss out that stuff that resonates with me, and absorb this wisdom so that I can use it to make a positive difference in how I handle things later this year.

Fire – Judgement, Eye, Voided Block – Don’t worry so much or judge yourself so harshly concerning what you’re not doing and the procrastination you have going on right now.  That black hole of hesitation won’t last forever.  When the time is right to move forward with preparations and dive in with both feet? You’ll know.

Waning – Family – The family card in this instance indicates that I will be moving away from a feeling of connection and unity with the world around me. This could indicate a need for introspection, or that I need to bear down and focus on my own shit for the week.

Waxing – Branches Fallen – Echoing the moving away from connection to others comes a need to start pruning my own “garden”.  It’s time to take stock of my responsibilities and good fortune, and weed out those things that are no longer needed or not working for me at this time.

Don’t be afraid to remove anything not working for you at this time that has the possible potential of working for you later on. Remember that those things you prune away and discard have the potential to grow back better and stronger in the future if given the time to do so.

Take Away – Don’t worry so much about the preparation for the holiday rush and stop beating yourself up for procrastinating on getting shit done. Take this week to work through processing some of the things that Gideon and you have discussed and internalizing them, while letting go of some of the baggage that is tying my hands and holding me back.

DECKS USED:  TAROT LEAVES, SUPRA ORACLE, TEA LEAF FORTUNE CARDS, TREE OF LIFE ORACLE

Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

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?

El Goliath Tarot 2nd Edition, Connected and Free Oracle, Bad Kardma Oracle

Earth – Justice and Beginnings – You reap what you sow, and when you reach the end of a cycle? You start again… and seek to do better the next time around.  This is true in farming, and it’s true in life.  You’re coming up on an opportunity to start again this week.  Although you don’t know what that new beginning and opportunity might be? Make sure to keep your eyes open for it, as it’s your opportunity to financially balance the scales.

Air – Death, The Tower, Responsibility –  Death and The Tower together in the same position is a bit of overkill but makes it clear this week is going to be a challenge to my new way of doing things.  Responsibilities are going to push at you, creating pressure and trying to trip you up and reset you back on your old path, undoing all of the change and progress you’ve made this year.  Make sure you are not allowing yourself to fall into that trap.  That path is not for you any longer.

Water – Five of Wands, You Are Exactly Where You Need To Be, Base Chakra – Hold your ground. You are just exactly where you need to be in relation to your emotional growth and how you’re dealing with things.  Just because things might feel like they get a little hairy tgus weej does not mean you yield to those pressures.  Instead, it is time to ground down, dig in roots, and give yourself the most stubbornly steady foundation you can so that you can hold your ground through the storm.

Fire – Eight of Swords and Final Step – You have been moving forward on this  journey of growth all spring and summer, and here this week you will find yourself standing at the “final step” of this journey for the time being.  The business is going to try and pull wool over your eyes and blind you in order to draw you in and tie you down into old habits.  Make sure you are paying attention to not just your actions but your inner dialog.

Waning – Welcoming Satan Into The Home – This week is time to focus on shutting out the things that don’t serve you.  Habits that need to be put back under control, negative self talk that needs to be silenced, etc.  These issues are something that needs to be told to take a hike .  Now is the time to stand firm and strong.

Waxing – Blind Trust – As you release those things that are not serving you, reach deep and trust in your intuition and moral compass to carry you forward.  These two qualities have never once in your entire life steered you wrong, and they will continue to keep your path true today just as they always have in your past.

Take Away – This week is full of transition and tests.  Make sure you are grounding and holding strong to the values that you’ve developed over the past year as well as the wisdom of your moral compass and intuition.  Emotionally, you have made it to the point where you can stabilize and hold firm, and weather the storm without losing what you have gained, but to do that you’re going to have to stay aware not just of your surroundings, but your inner negativity and its influences on both your choices and emotions.

DECKS USED:  EL GOLIATH TAROT 2ND EDITION, CONNECTED AND FREE ORACLE, BAD KARDMA ORACLE

Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

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?

Sasuraibito Tarot, Hedgewitch Botanical Oracle, Sacred Rebels Oracle

Earth – Ten of Swords and Golden Poppy (Dream) – It’s time to let go of what has distracted your focus and latch on to your dreams of the future. The sedative side of the Golden Poppy is expressed in the Ten of Swords in that there is a time when you change from one cycle to the next where there is a moment of pause. A moment to rest and re-calibrate. Take this week as an opportunity to do just that. The last quarter of each year is a blur of responsibilities you’ve been able to coast slowly on over most of the year so far. It’s time to shift gears.

Air – Ten of Cups and St John’s Wort (Stabilize) – Now is the time to find your balance emotionally and focus on the abundance of positive relationships you have in your life. See clearly and communicate your feelings and your gratitude for those in your life that enrich your experiences day-to-day. Taking time to do this now will help you feel more stable and secure in the future, as you are building a foundation of confidence and comfortable security that will help balance out harder times to come.

Water – Judgement Rx and Violet (Attract) – Work on being a little less judgey and a little less of an ass.  This may not currently be being expressed blatantly in an outward way that others can put their finger on, but you know it’s true. Even hidden, these habits cause a negative reaction in others.  Make sure that you’re not jumping to conclusions this week, and you’ll be far more likely to remain in everyone’s good graces.

Fire – Ace of Pentacles and Marshmallow (Adversity) – This is not the week to start any new projects or change the status quo on any of your investments. Doing so will be an uphill climb that will expend far too much of your energy for far too little result.  Instead, take the advice given in the Earth section of this reading and use this week as a time of rest and re-calibration.  You’ll have time to explore new projects later on.

Waning – Shock of the New – Over the course of this year I’ve done a lot of exploration on “the New”.   New emotions. New ways of doing things. New ways of thinking about myself, my work, and the world around me.  So much new that at times it’s been a bit overwhelming, but I’ve allowed the tides and eddies of flowing newness take and buffet me along.  With the fall now upon us, this card indicates it’s time to start winding down on all of “the New” this week.

Waxing – Softly, Softly, The Tender Touch – Don’t push. The theme of this week is rest and re-calibration.  That doesn’t mean turn on a dime and push full force into autumn preparations.  It means taking time to gently and carefully pack away what is going to be in the way over the next little while.  This is not a funeral, it’s a gentle and temporary storage.

Take Away – Lets repeat it again.  Rest and Re-Calibration.   This is the theme that has surfaced through this reading.  Although I’m aware of the approach of the holiday rush and have plenty to do to get prepared for it, it’s going to be important that I don’t push too hard this week.  Take this time to ease into the mindset needed.  Don’t bury… don’t release… don’t smother or otherwise discount any of the work you’ve done over the summer and spring.  It’s all valid, it’s all important.  Acknowledge it and gently place it in safe keeping.   Don’t make any big decisions this week, and put some conscious thought into not being a judgemental ass… externally or internally.

DECKS USED: SASURAIBITO TAROT, HEDGEWITCH BOTANICAL ORACLE, SACRED REBELS ORACLE