tarot self care

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?

Anecdotes Tarot, Wildlife Wisdom Oracle, and Flower Medicine Oracle

Earth – Queen of Pentacles, Bighorn Sheep atop Bear – You are the the steady rock within your home, and the one that others look to for help, advice, and support.  This may end up being far more apparent than usual this week.  Remember to stay grounded and you’ll be able to handle the rest with grace.

Air – Ten of Wands and Dragonfly – Keep an eye on your tendency to put too much on your plate this week (and your tendency to feel guilty when you don’t). It’s important to keep in mind that you are working at changing things, and that might come with a bit of guilt, but it will also help you in finding a better path if you’re mindful of the changes being made as you make them.  Stay tapped in and observant so that you can catch moments when you might be tempted to backslide into old habits instead of moving forward.

Water – Two of Cups and Fox – Enjoy play with Gideon this week.  Get what you can and have fun with it.  Enjoy your time together and use it to explore each other and the stories that you create together.  You need this emotionally and it will help lift you up and bring you a greater level of happiness.

Fire – The Emperor and Salmon – Don’t spend too much time stressing over and worrying about the slump in sales right now.  Just float along and let your focus turn to other things for the time being.  Things are going to pick up eventually and your responsibilities will multiply exponentially.  For now?  Just float along and let your interests go to those things that they’re drawn to for a while longer.

Waning – Daisy (innocence) – Be careful about looking at others and the world with too much naivety.  It’s all well and good to add some optimism and positivity to your outlook, but don’t let it blind you to reality and the dangers out there.

Waxing – Bee Balm (protection from illness) – Start taking your vitamins and drinking your daily tea again.  It made sense to take a break from the tea for a bit while the temperatures were so high, but you need the collagen peptides, and you need your vitamins.

Take Away – The majority of this reading is about taking things easy for a little longer, enjoying what I can and savoring these slow times instead of being uncomfortable with them and anxious about them.

DECKS USED:  ANECDOTES TAROT, WILDLIFE WISDOM ORACLE, FLOWER MEDICINE ORACLE

Morning Bonus Read – Procrastination

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The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:

Bosch Puzzle Playing CardsWhat have you been putting off/procrastinating?

Jack of Clubs and Three of Diamonds – This was something that the cards have recently brought up.  It has to do with finding enthusiasm and joy in my work instead of looking at it as a chore.

If I want to keep my business running smoothly and moving forward, I need to make sure that I’m connecting with the enthusiasm and joy that running that business can bring.

How is that procrastination impacting you?

Queen of Hearts – It’s allowing me to concentrate on sorting out my emotions.  This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as growth in my emotional development and learning how to identify and deal with my emotions is something I’m currently working on.   But, it’s important that I don’t get so wrapped up in this process that I close my eyes to the needs of my business and keeping it running smoothly.

How is that procrastination impacting others?

Ace of Hearts – When the business isn’t as profitable as it can be, it impacts more than just myself but also those around me.  We all need the business to work and thrive.

What good things lie in your future related to this activity?

Nine of Hearts – This card is a reminder that things will pick back up.  Both through the eventual re-invigoration of my enthusiasm, and also because now is the slow season and it won’t last forever.  I’m allowed to focus on my emotions for now… the money aspect will come later.

DECK USED:  BOSCH PUZZLE PLAYING CARDS

Transitioning from July to August

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Homebound Tarot and David Wilson's Animal Oracle

Here and Now, I Am – Death and Strategy – In the middle of change and strategizing the way forward. I am in a place where I am prepared to not just adapt, but find a way to flourish.  Logical thinking is necessary.  You can’t just “feel your way forward” in this.  (Details on this change are further explored in the “Relevant Shadows” portion of this reading.)

Leaving Behind – The Fool atop The Lovers, Modest – Hesitation caused by naive concerns about our relationship. Finally letting go of the fear of returning to that place we were in years ago that I struggled with so much.

Focus Forward – The Tower and Ornery – Change. You are stubbornly going to push this change that is shown in the “Here and Now, I Am” position. You know it’s the right thing for you, and anyone that tries to get in your way is going to find themselves confronted with unpleasant backlash.

Negative Influences – Seven of Swords and Unbidden – Pay attention to those that come into your life uninvited and ask shit of you, or try to steal away your time, energy, or resources.

Positive Influences – The Hierophant and Thaw – Work on opening up more to your guides. They are here to help you, teach you, and guide you upon your path.

Relevant Shadows – The Devil atop Two of Cups, Power –  The themes that you explored this month concerning your inner adolescent, and how those scarcity feelings from that area of your life influence your present. This area needs more exploring, for you have the power to deal with it at this time. It is through spending time with this issue and working through it that the changes touched upon in “Here and Now, I Am” will manifest.

Lift From The Past  – The Emperor, Fragile atop Predator – Don’t forget how safe and protected Gideon makes you feel. He is there to support you whenever you are feeling vulnerable and protect you from not just others that might target you, but from your own inner self destructive influences that lurk beneath those times when you are at your most vulnerable.

Future Event to Prevent or Overcome – Six of Cups and Legend – Your mother. Her expectations. Her manipulation through the connection to your childhood.  The visit to see her has been postponed, but it’s coming.  Be ready.

Approaching Opportunity – The Moon Rx and Searching – It’s time to start seeking out those things that make you feel stable and confident. As you build on the change that dominates the lion’s share of this reading, you need to start instilling more of these confidence building things into your life. Look to the “Relevant Shadows” and “Lift From The Past” sections of this reading to find these things. Your opportunity here lies in making peace with your inner adolescent and seeking out Gideon to help you in sorting through this theme.

Message from Spirit World –  Childhood stories are something you need to value as a learning experience.  Don’t lock them up inside and throw away the key.  Seek the lessons they have to teach you in order to defeat the fears and uncertainties that these experiences still spawn.

Message from Mind’s World – When you don’t get enough Gideon goodness in your life, it influences you negatively, allowing your mind to dip too deeply into the harsher side of things and your negative inner dialogue to become stronger.

Message from Known World –  Activities that you enjoy together are fare better for you than time spent alone on your own.  When you’re feeling vulnerable, allow yourself to step under Gideon’s wing.  Don’t retreat into yourself where you are putting yourself more at risk from either outside factors or your own inner demons.

Take Away – Apparently I am in a place to deal with this particular shadow from my inner adolescent, and I need Gideon’s help to sort through my feelings and how to deal with the situation.  When this topic first came up in the monthly challenge, I was surprised at how strongly it resonated.  The reading here indicates that I need to make sure I don’t just “set it aside” now that I’ve touched on it, but actually explore it deeper.

DECKS USED:  HOMEBOUND TAROT AND DAVID WILSON’S ANIMAL ORACLE

Morning Bonus Read – Leo Season

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Leo Season Tarot Reading - Napo Tarot

What is a major theme of Leo Season for me?

The Star – Hope and positivity. Reconnection with your spiritual self and your spiritual practices. It’s time to focus on these things and not worry  so much about what’s coming in the fall.  Enjoy the time you have left this summer and use Leo season to get back in touch with practices that you’ve let slide to the way side (such as your meditation practice and daily devotional).

How will this theme impact me?

Temperance – It will help you in your relationship with moderation, as well as your connection to what lies beyond yourself and your personal sphere.  You can’t expect to sustain that connection without doing the work involved that supports it.  By doing the work, you will reestablish the frayed edges of the connection you’ve been letting deteriorate recently.

How can I play with the world around me?

The Devil – Have some fun, dabble in a bit of mischief, and play devils advocate now and then. Tip people on their ear and make them think about what they’re doing and why they’re doing it.

How can I better express myself?

Ten of Disks Rx – Make sure you’re expressing to others what doesn’t make you happy and what needs to change. You can’t be sunshine and roses all the time.  Sometimes you have to point out the flaws and make sure that shit gets fixed up. Better to air out the dirty laundry than let it molder through inattention.

How can I harmonize my relationship with my ego?

Queen of Disks – Remember to be supportive and nurturing with others. Just like everyone else in the world, you sometimes end up a little too focused on yourself and your won shit and perspectives.  It’s not all about you.

DECK USED:  NAPO TAROT

Morning Bonus Read – Invader Zim

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Bagiue Lenormand

1. What to conquer

Mountain – Obstacles in your path.

2. What to question

Anchor – Where are you getting your stability from?

3. What to feed my soul

Cross – Your faith and belief system.

4. What to rage against

Clouds – Self doubt.

Side Note: This reading totally came off as a cheerleader chant. It’s almost hilariously succinct. I have never seen this cartoon/show so I have no idea how they talk or what the tone is concerning Invader Zim or the other characters in the show, but I sort of wonder if the cards are channeling their “tone” in the answers.

DECK USED:  BAGIUE 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?

Kiddy Kats Tarot, Pounce Game Cards, Oracle of the Essences 2nd Ed

Earth – Four of Wands and Athletics / Wild – You know that phrase “home is where the heart is“? Sometimes that means your home isn’t at where you live, but rather where you feel most comfortable and happiest. For you, that means it’s time to get your ass out into the woods again and do some hiking. Go somewhere that you can climb and really put some effort into the activity, and it will feel even more rewarding.

Air – The Sun and Attacking / Toughness – Negative inner dialogue is not your friend, and you need to stand strong in the face of it so that you can allow optimism to flourish. Don’t focus on that negative dialogue, but rather on positivity and optimism. If you uplift yourself, that negative inner voice will get bored and start to fade for a while. Negative reinforcement will only breed more negativity.

Water – Justice atop Page of Coins, Cuteness / Wild – Just like with your negative inner dialogue, you need to keep a check on your negative emotions. Combat them not with more negative talk and consternation, but with a sweet and understanding attitude and creative optimism. You can’t balance the scales by piling negative on top of negative.

Fire – Strength and Catnip Distraction – Some of the most wonderful and creative things happen when you’re distracted. Don’t consider that a weakness, for distraction can also be one of your greatest strengths. In other words, too much focus isn’t necessarily a good thing.

Waning – Jasmine (Finale / Fertility) – This week will give you the opportunity to clear out that stagnant energy that’s been stifling your creativity.

Waxing – Spearmint (Creative Expression) – You are a wordsmith, and this week will provide you with opportunities to let the shine. Expression, especially in the creative realm, is your forte and is at your fingertips this week. You have the ability to touch people with your words, so do so.

Take Away – A breath of fresh air is moving through your life this week. Make sure to breathe deeply and enjoy it. Keep your mind and your emotions leaning into the positive and optimism in order to make your days feel a bit brighter and keep your negative inner dialogue at an arms length.

DECKS USED:  KIDDY KATS TAROT, POUNCE GAME CARDS, ORACLE OF THE ESSENCES 2ND EDITION