tarot self care

Finding the Fire Within – Part 1

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Sofia Rito Lenormand

How can I discover my true self?

Rider and Stork – Trust yourself and your ability to weather change like a champ. More often than not,  you’re capable of seeing change coming long before it arrives. You already know yourself well enough to adapt without losing yourself in the shuffle, but by not ignoring what you see coming you can give yourself a bit of extra time to not get flustered and stay true to the path you want to be on and person you want to be.

What fears are holding me back from growth?

Letter and Lady – Ugh.  Seriously?  Okay so… yes.  I have mommy issues.  I fear the loss of my mother’s love and care, regardless of the fact that I’ve never really had all that much of it in the first place. I fear the painful and even cruel things she might say, and how much they would hurt to hear them from her.

I am not in any way, shape, or form, dishonest with her about who I am or what I do… but, there is a fear in me of losing what little… love there is from that corner somehow and I avoid her for this reason.  This avoidance and the fear that it’s rooted in hold me back in my personal growth and are a theme of shadow work that I need to look at exploring in the future.

What external factors are holding me back?

Tower and Key – Yes… I also have authority issues.  Although I am able to function around those issues for the most part, there are times when I struggle. Customs and border patrol agents, police officers, etc… these authority figures trigger my issues, especially if they are playing the “authoritarian” card in their interactions with me.  It does hold me back, too, because once I’ve been triggered and my back is up, it becomes far less likely I’ll be able to deal with them in my normally unflappable-seeming manner… causing hold ups and delays that otherwise wouldn’t happen.

How have these internal and external factors hindered my growth?

Crossroads and Book – They can cause you to be shortsighted, and not be as observant on gathering as much information as is needed to develop past these issues.

What would it be like to release those fears?

Scythe and Garden – Less cutting inner narrative. Less fear of external cutting narratives. This would result in more confidence because these things would no longer be a deciding factor and would carry far less weight than they do now.

I forgot to do the self care card at the bottom.  But, I did do a self care reading on Saturday.

DECK USED:  SOFIA RITO LENORMAND

Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

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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?

Ophidia Rosa Botanical Tarot, Roots & Wings Oracle, and Messengers of the Great Bear Oracle

Earth – Ace of Swords and Intuition – Use your intuition this week to weed out the good ideas from the bad ones.  Instead of hemming and hawing over whether an idea is good or not.  You have an opportunity to get yourself back on track with your physical health, but you need to follow your gut and allow it to lead you forward.  Head, mental health, emotions… none of those are going to keep you on track… but your intuition absolutely will.

Air – The Hanged Man and Storm – This week you return back to your regular dosage of meds, and you need to make sure to stay objective as you watch out for any repercussions of the shift back. The up in meds seemed to have helped in tugging you back from the depression’s edge, but it’ll still be a few weeks before you know for sure that you’re out of the woods.

Water – The World atop Three of Swords Rx, and Mother – You still have plenty of time to enjoy your time off and your new connection with your emotions. Take this time to enjoy the new world opening up before you instead of struggling under the knowledge that the holiday rush is coming and will force you into focusing on something else for a while.

Fire – The Empress and Crafty – Only work on the things that make you happy this week and give you comfort.  No stress or forcing yourself into work you aren’t feeling or don’t want to do. There’s plenty of fun and creative things you can do that won’t weigh on you the burdens of responsibility. This is your week off. Have fun and give your soul the nurturing spark it needs.

Waning – Goose – Don’t worry about what others want and need this week, and don’t concern yourself with their demands or the collaborative projects and goals that are upcoming.  This week needs to be focused upon you and what you need.

Waxing – Steller’s Jay atop Humpback Whale – You’re going to be having some contact with your family this week.  Make sure that you don’t just pacify them, but instead speak honestly about how you feel and what you want.

Take Away – These cards are all about me and nurturing myself, keeping my needs in mind, and allowing myself this time to relax and recover instead of trying to push work on myself at a time when rest is needed.  There is also, of course, a warning to make sure I’m watching out for my depression levels and to connect with those things I enjoy.

DECKS USED:  OPHIDIA ROSA BOTANICAL TAROT, ROOTS & WINGS ORACLE, AND MESSENGERS OF THE GREAT BEAR ORACLE

Morning Bonus Read – Virgo Season

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Virgo Season Tarot Reading - Symbolic Tarot of Wirth

What is a major theme of Virgo season for me?

King of Cups – Gideon. Virgo season is all about Gid. Spending time with him. Sharing with him. Allowing him to help in keeping you calm, centered, and in touch with yourself and your emotions. Letting him help keep you from diving into the mentality of the holiday rush before it’s actually begun.

How will this theme impact me?

Four of Wands – It will allow you to enjoy the time that you have left, giving you a focus on the pleasures of home and him for as long as possible before all must be forsaken to keep up with the rush.

How can I trust life’s ebbs & flows this season?

Four of Coins – Keep in mind just how stable your foundation really is. The ebbs and flows of life are not going to knock it out from under your feet, even if it sometimes feels like they might.

How can I improve my daily routines?

King of Swords – Work on what works for you. This involves being more steadfast in your routine. Lack of structure is not your friend, but strategy is.

A message from my digestive system.

The Magician Rx – “You have everything you need to make me work smoothly, so why aren’t you doing it?”

A message from my ancestors and guides.

The Wheel of Fortune – Life is going to have many ups and downs, but along the way you need to make sure that you’re still taking care of yourself.

DECK USED: SYMBOLIC TAROT OF WIRTH

Morning Bonus Read – Monthly Key Spread

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Monthly Key Spread - Tempus Fugit Lenormand

Key to Your Heart: What will Guide you to make decisions that are aligned with your heart and your truths this month?

The Whip and The Book – Make sure you are focusing on getting things in order and not screwing off or fucking around this month.  Although the work side of things is not yet upon you, it’s time to start getting your ducks in a row when it comes to making a plan, detailing out what needs to be done, and gearing up for the mindset needed to dive into holiday prep.

[Side Note: Whenever I see the whip and the book together, it makes me think of those teacher nuns with the rulers and the knuckle slaps? No, this is not something I’ve personally experienced, but it very much is what comes to mind when these two cards come together.|

Anchor: What will ground you in the face of anxiety, stress, overwhelm, and existential dread in general?

Feminine Energy – Look to the women in your life for support when you are feeling overwhelmed or stressed. L is still around and willing to help in any way she can, but you have to actually be willing to reach out and ask for that help.

Star Wand: What accelerates your magic, creativity, and manifestation powers?

The Letter – You need to make that list that you wrote about the other day. Fill it with your accomplishments, with what you’ve done to improve yourself and your life this year, what you’ve overcome, and the good decisions you have made.

Blessings from the Stars: The Universe has got your back – how will you be supported this month?

The Clover – Luck is on your side.  It might come as a “flash in the pan”, but good fortune will be there for you when you need it most.

One Trick Up Your Sleeve: A life saving idea or inspiration for any unexpected challenge or difficult moments?

The Fox – You were blessed with a quick and clever mind.  Use it. Pay attention to what’s going on around you, keep in mind the motives of others, and use your cunning mind to stay engaged… and you’ll be fine.

Emergence Pt 1: What is emerging within you / within your reality right now?

The Ring – Commitments and responsibilities are starting to rise up. Make sure you’re not taking on more than you can handle or end up painting yourself into a corner.

Emergence Pt 2: What are you expanding towards?

The Dog – A blast from the past is coming.  This isn’t someone with negative motives or motivations, but rather someone you knew and was a friend returning…. or rather, you are returning to their lives rather than the other way around (although it might feel as if they are coming into your life).

DECK USED:  TEMPUS FUGIT LENORMAND

Transitioning from August to September

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Neurotic Owl Tarot and The Painted Runes

Here and Now I Exist – Who you are now, in your entirety.

Eight of Cups and Algiz – Now is a time to move on from anything unhealthy, and that includes unhealthy associations and negative inner dialogue. You already know what needs to go, so there’s no need for further reflection at this time, just get on with it.

The Slough – What is to be left in the past as you move forward.

The Emperor and Gebo – Leave behind the idea that you are unshakeable, and thus that anything (or anyone) you invite into your sphere won’t have the influence to rock your foundation. It is a false belief, and it volunteers you for extra life lessons you don’t need right now.

What Lies Ahead – An ideal state or ideal self you are seeking at this time.

Five of Pentacles atop Nine of Cups, Eihwaz – The restructuring and preparation as you transition towards the holiday rush is going to cause some disorientation and a rise of scarcity issues that have been set aside for quite some time now. Work on staying aligned with what you really want and don’t focus too hard on those rising concerns, as they are an illusion caused by stress.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

Temperance and Othala – Moderation does not mean stagnation. Take a moment to really look at the actions and motivations of others. Do you need that in your life? If not, float free of it (and them) like a leaf skimming past rocks in a babbling brook.

The Boon – Positive influences, higher guidance, or divine intervention.

Six of Swords and Jera – Instead of focusing on the hang ups and obstacles, look instead toward your accomplishments. Make a list. What have you done to improve yourself and your life this year? What have you overcome? What good decisions have you made? Seriously. You need to make a list to look back on as a reminder.

The Wound – An unpleasant past experience or event that is ripe for some support and healing.

The World Rx and Wunjo – That feeling and faith that things are going along perfectly only to have your world turned upside down by a wrench thrown into the works. This is about the PayPal fiasco and the raw uncertainty and imbalance that was created through their unjust treatment. It isn’t fully healed yet, but you’re getting there.

Nostalgia – A positive past experience or event to acknowledge, reflect upon, and enjoy.

Five of Wands and Inguz – Breaking free of inner conflict and stagnation that you were feeling in the spring is a remarkable feat you should appreciate having accomplished. This was a really big struggle for you for a time, and yet you managed to move past it into a happier and more comfortable place through a good deal of work on exploring your feelings and your connection with your guides.

A Warning – Something coming that can be prevented or overcome.

Seven of Swords and Thurisaz – There are elements at play that are wanting to usurp your power and leave you confused and listless. Make sure you are shedding those things and people that you know are not healthy for you. Don’t hesitate, this is needed before you move forward and become distracted by other things.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Six of Cups and Kano – Tap into the positive memories and those things you cherish from the past to help motivate you forward into the future and the holiday season ahead. You need these extra little bits of spark to help light the fire of your creativity.

Message from the Spirit World – Your past is not just a wound that needs healed, but also your foundation and support. There are positive things in your past that have made you the man you are, and you can tap into them to lift yourself up as well as inspire you creatively and otherwise.

Message from the Mind’s World – Micromanagement of your world will turn what should be a boon into something far less enjoyable.  This shift is in perspective and not reality.  Make sure you aren’t gripping on so damned tight that you turn what should be a positive outlook into a mentality of fear and “not enough” thinking.

Message from the Physical World – Take a look at the shifts that have happened in your life recently and make sure there are no “leaks in the hull” that need to be patched up. A bit of preparation and early adaptation can make a world of difference in the long run.

Take Away – A lot of this reading is about letting go of people who are holding me back, holding me down, or have negative intentions towards me. I know who they are, and the cards here are indicating that now’s the time to make sure to release them so they’re not in the way moving forward.

DECKS USED: NEUROTIC OWL TAROT and THE PAINTED RUNES

Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

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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?

Feline Marseilles Tarot, There Is Always Light Oracle, Wildcraft! Herbal Adventure Game Cards

Earth – Page of Swords and Repair – You need to do a bit of work on your relationships at home and clear up any miscommunication that is lingering between you and your sister. That niggling feeling you’ve been having of instability at home is coming from this issue.

Air – The Star atop Two of Wands, Encroach – Combat encroaching negativity with having a plan in place that includes hope, and connectivity with not just the physical aspects of your world but the emotional and spiritual as well. By having a plan in place, you can head things off at the pass and possibly bypass them altogether.

Water – The Fool and Shield – Work on preserving a positive outlook and enthusiasm for what’s coming through proactive protection practices. A shield is more than just a barrier to hide behind, but allows you to see what’s coming and better react upon its arrival.

Fire – The Hermit and Deceit – Don’t allow the machinations of others to dull your flame. Connect with your healthy alone time practices in order to weather any malicious mischief coming your way. In other words? More time in the woods is needed to shore up your foundation.

Waning – Elder (Sambucus cerulea) atop Burn – You’ve had time to process the sting of what happened last week and to restore yourself from the experience.  Although you are still a bit tender, it’s time to take the rebirth that has happened and carry it forward instead of dwelling upon it and treating it with kids gloves.

Waxing – Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) atop Poison Ivy – The crushed leaves of the Jewelweed are a well known treatment for poison ivy, and ice made with the herb frozen inside it are good for treating many types of rashes and skin inflammation. Lean into the things that bring you comfort, and head off irritants (whether things or people) at the pass before they can get to you and make a mess of things.

Take Away – There is a great deal of advice here on shoring up stable foundations and making sure that the things and people that could throw a wrench in my balance are dealt with quickly and efficiently through either leaning into optimism or purging these things before they can get a foot in the door.

DECKS USED:  FELINE MARSEILLES TAROT, THERE IS ALWAYS LIGHT ORACLE, WILDCRAFT! HERBAL ADVENTURE GAME CARDS