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?

Flora Healing Deck, Fauna Inspiration Deck, Fantastic Being Oracle, and Inner Compass Kids Cards

Earth – Jackalope, Lion, Dandelion – Calm composure and leadership is needed this week to keep things moving smoothly.  Although you may feel as if accomplishing what you wish this week may feel impossible at times, if you lean into your steady and rooted foundation and the community around you, you will manage to get done what is needed of you.

Air – Tree of Life, Otter, Holly – You need to work this week on balancing your forthright nature and integrity with a good dose of optimism. It’s okay to crave fairness and to speak your mind, but do it with gentle calm and a bit of tact and you’ll get further than just jumping off at the mouth without forethought or measured tone.

Water – Langur, Dragonfly, Sage – You’ve got to let go and you’ve got to let it happen. You can’t continue on with the growth you want to move into unless you release the old habits and unhealthy ways of doing things.  Do some work this week to clean out the old.  Cleansing and a focus on letting go will help get things moving before they begin to stagnate any further.

Fire – Leafy Sea Dragon, Beaver, Foxglove – Slow and steady wins the race this week.  Break things down and take them one step at a time, and make sure you don’t let the slow pace tap you out of your  motivation to get things done.  Just because it can’t be done fast doesn’t mean it’s not worth working on. Don’t get disappointed or discouraged just because things are going slow right now.  This lag is anticipated and something that happens every year.  Steer the boat where you want to go and let things run their course.

Waning – Scales – Don’t worry so much about balance this week. As mentioned above, you need to focus on shifting gears and letting go.  That can create a sense of imbalance that you will work through just by simply going with the flow and letting things adjust.  You don’t have to force those scales to balance.  It’s okay to let them do it on their own in their own time.

Waxing – Funny Pants – Fun, positivity, lots of laughter, and an abundance of smiles are needed this week. Really lean into the optimism.  You spend too much time on the darker side of the fence.  Step out into the sun and shine for a bit. Listen to some uplifting songs and align your focus to bringing some more joy into your life.

Take Away –  Things might feel a bit unbalanced this week.  Instead of working on forcing things back into balance, use this time to lean into optimism and joy, as well as easing up on that tight grip of control you have going on.  Don’t panic when things feel off… just go with the flow, stay calm, and take things a little at a time.   Oh… and don’t pop off at the mouth.  Take a little extra time to compose your words when communicating with others this week.

DECKS USED:  FLORA HEALING DECK, FAUNA INSPIRATION DECK, FANTASTIC BEING ORACLE, INNER COMPASS KIDS CARDS

Morning Bonus Read – Connect With Your Spirit Guide(s)

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Teddy Bear Transformation Playing Cards - Spirit Guides Cartomancy Reading

Your deepest held belief about working with spirit guides.

Six of Spaces and Ace of Diamonds – That it’s something new you need to be dedicated to in order to learn. That it takes time and effort, and there’s a journey involved to improvement and building of skill.

How ready you are to start connecting with a spirit guide.

Six of Clubs – You’ve been doing it already for some time now. Not just doing it, but doing it well. This isn’t something you need to develop, but something you already have and are well and truly already connected to.

The spirit guide that’s most keen to work with you right now.

Three of Clubs – This spirit guide is all about helping you to move into your chosen direction.  You know where you want to go and what you want to do, and they’re the one that wants to help in getting me on that path and keeping me on task.

Have you worked together before?

Nine of Spades – Yes. During times of intense worry where breaking free of stagnation was needed, they have been there to help you in moving past these hurdles and momentary setbacks.

What is their main aim for working together?

Four of Hearts – To help you find your emotional center.  A big part of your journey of emotional growth and understanding is finding your balance in the constantly shifting sea of emotions that you’re allowing yourself to feel these days. Their main aim in working with you at this time is to help you learn to find your “sea legs” so that you can explore your emotions without feeling unsteady or losing your balance.

What are they trying to warn you about?

Seven of Hearts – They are trying to warn you that there are too many conflicting views caused by emotional imbalance. This can cause disrupted emotional harmony, which if allowed to go on for too long, could cause a more serious emotional response (such as depression and/or anxiety).

What are they trying to help you succeed with?

Nine of Hearts – Finding true happiness and satisfaction. For these things to be accomplished, it means opening up and allowing emotions to have a place in your life.

What action they want you to take to be successful?

Ace of Hearts – It’s important to remember that you’re at the beginning of your emotional journey and growth. They want you to make sure that you keep looking at things with fresh eyes.  Sometimes it can be difficult to not fall back on old habits, but it’s only through keeping open to the new experiences being offered that you can move forward.  There is no looking back.

Something you can do to strengthen the connection with your guide.

Jack of Hearts – Stay open to learning and exploring. Don’t lose your enthusiasm for discovering more and expanding your horizons in the area of your emotional growth.

DECK USED:  TEDDY BEAR TRANSFORMATION PLAYING CARDS

Morning Bonus Read – Checking In With Self

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Vintage Flower Faeries Tarot - Checking In With Self Tarot Reading

How I’m Feeling Right Now

Knight of Cups (Bellflower) – You feel lik there’s a lot that you need to get done and want to get done, and not enough time to get it all done in.  This is a common problem for you and one that comes over you again and again because you have too much responsibility, too much inspiration, too much enthusiasm… and you try to fit too much into each day instead of pacing yourself.

What Can Soothe My Soul

Eight of Wands (Pine) – Move your ass.  Although trying to go after everything you want every moment of every day isn’t healthy, that doesn’t mean there’s not plenty you can do and get done of you focus on one thing at a time and push through each thing til the end.  Your focus is the key to making this happen, though.  When your focus is split in too many different directions, the arrow can’t fly true.

How I Can Honor Myself Today

King of Pentacles (Honeysuckle) atop Queen of Pentacles (Guelder Rose) – Practicality over the gentle approach. It’s an orders day and if you really want to honor yourself you need to honor your responsibilities and obligations… without going too far with it.  That means do what needs done, and balance it with a bit of self care.  One project at a time is the ladder to success.

Something I’m Ignoring

The Moon (Lily of the Valley) – Your fears aren’t always unfounded… just unresolved. Instead of letting them hold you back or drag you down, suck on your energy and keep you dragging your feet… maybe you need to start looking at them and dealing with them.  It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to do a bit of exploration in this area.

Something I’m Procrastinating

Ten of Wands (Oak) – Changing your mindset to one where you’re not over whelming yourself all the time. This is where this entire reading’s theme seems to lie.  To take better care of yourself, you need to deal with these habits.  Hiding from them isn’t the answer, because they’ll just resurface again and again.  You need to find what is creating this constant urge to push yourself to burn out and start dealing with it so that you can move on to something healthier without the shadow of the old habit continuing to lurk in the wings.

Something To Be Grateful For

Ten of Cups (Crocus) – You’re not alone in your emotional journey. There are others there that are along for the ride, willing to help in lifting you up and supporting you not just in your endeavors but also in your emotions. Don’t forget to practice gratitude, and show your gratitude to those around you.

DECK USED:  VINTAGE FLOWER FAERIES TAROT

Morning Bonus Read – Monthly Key Spread

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Pagan Lenormand - Monthly Key Spread

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

Child – It’s important to focus on your new path, and moving forward.  Youthful exuberance and a focus on this new beginning is important.  Every day is a new day, and an opportunity to do better than the day before.

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

Dog – Those that love you most.  Those people in your life that are with you during thick and thin are the direction that you need to reach in when things are feeling overwhelming or anxiety is riding you hard.  This month, you’ll find your center through your contact and connection with these people.

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

Fish – When you are open and willing to adapt to anything that comes your way, it opens you up to a more free-flowing energy that allows you to delve deeper into your creativity  and magic, both of which result in different methods of manifestation. Bend like a tree in the wind and you will stand stronger for longer, grow taller, and your roots will dig deeper.

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

Book – You’re smart.  Use it.   You are capable of quickly absorbing all sorts of information and adapting it to your needs.  You gather knowledge like a library gathers books, and although you can’t always pull up exactly the right thing in your mind at the right time, the knowledge is there and tapped in other ways when needed, expanded upon quickly, and braided through with other knowledge to create what is needed at the time.

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

Stork – Again we see a prompt for adaptability, for the stork is all about change.  Small or large, being able to adapt to the world around you and the changes taking place will allow feelings of stagnancy to fall behind.  Don’t be afraid.

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

Birds – Social energy is strong this month. This is an echo of an earlier reading done over the past week that indicated my social connections will be very important in the month ahead in finding clarity and balance.

Emergence Pt 2: What are you expanding towards?

Scythe – The warning that was given in your transition reading for the end of the month still stands.  That closed minded person or situation still comes.  You will be required to make a sudden and decisive response, slicing through the deception and cutting free whatever hold there is upon you at that time.

DECK USED: PAGAN LENORMAND ORACLE

Transitioning from May to June

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Miracle Tarot and Nature & Soul Yoga Wisdom Cards

Here and Now, I Am – Three of Pentacles, Camel (Fortitude) – I’m in a place at this time where I am coming to grasp just how much stronger I am when others are there to collaborate with me rather than doing it all on my own. This is not just about work but also about my personal life and my spirituality. I’m grateful for having introduced Gideon into my beliefs and practices and for his participation and input.

Leaving Behind – The Star, Fish (Flexibility) – I’ve left behind a touch of my trust and my ability to be open and easy with the unfamiliar. My hope is still there but has been tarnished, my flexibility is still present but not as forgiving.

Focus Forward – The Empress, Mountain (Transcendence) – It’s important to move into the month ahead with it sense of nurturing and a focus upon moving forward in your path and towards your spiritual goals. Don’t lose track of what is really important. Don’t forget to take care of yourself along the way.

Negative Influences – The Moon, Dancer (Connection) – Uncertainty is a growth killer. Don’t let this recent incident keep you from reaching out to and connecting with others. Not everybody is a bad apple how to get you.

Positive Influences – Queen of Wands, Crocodile (Adaptability) – Remember that you were highly adaptable and able to shift your path that will depending on what you want. You weren’t stuck in a rut and you have plenty of space to grow and move and change.

Relevant Shadows – Ace of Cups, Scorpion (Rebirth) – You could’ve allowed yourself to be really hurt by this recent misstep in trust. Instead of lashing out or allowing negative emotions to take over, you restored balance through cleansing and renewal. This is still going to need a bit more work, but you’re on the right path.

Lift From The Past  – Three of Swords, Cat (Intuition) – Again and again your intuition has guided you through times that could be harmful or disappointing or hurtful to you, and yet to follow your intuition you are able to bypass most or all of the pain in those situations. This is a reminder that you need to listen to your intuition and not ignore or set aside what it saying.

Future Event to Prevent or Overcome – The Hanged Man Rx, Star (Inspiration) – Here again we see a warning about a closed-minded influence approaching. Their approach may come under the guise of what seems like a great idea. Make sure you’re paying attention and looking beneath the surface.

Approaching Opportunity – Strength, Lizard (Dreams) – Trust in yourself and your dreams. Even as much strength as you’re aware of having, there is more in the bucket that you’re not aware of yet. You can use that strength to obtain the dreams that you desire if you trust yourself enough to actually reach for them instead of just dreaming about them.

Message from the Spirit World – When your mind is closed and you focus too deeply inward, you miss opportunities and lose the ability to adapt to the changes in the world around you.  In order to follow your dreams, it’s important to stay open and depend on your inner strength to protect you as you develop and grow through your inspiration.  Don’t close yourself off.

Message from the Subconscious – Similar message to what was just written above, but the goal is not following your inspiration but about making sure that you are taking care of yourself along your life’s path. Stay open to optimism and positivity.  Allow it in, and allow it to wash over you.  Allow others to help you in your journey and have faith that if you take care of yourself and stay on the path you’ve chosen, that things will work out.

Message from the Known World – Disappointment and confusion is a part of life and it’s okay to feel lost and off course now and then. At those times, you need to reach out to others and allow them to help guide you back, refresh your enthusiasm for your path and for life, and your intuition will reawaken as you find your balance once more.

DECKS USED:  MIRACLE TAROT AND NATURE & SOUL YOGA WISDOM CARDS

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?

Blood Moon Tarot, Materia Medica Oracle, Small Spirits Oracle Deck

Earth – Ace of Honey and Marshmallow – It’s time for a refresh. Let go of what isn’t working and start anew. This week, make sure that you’re taking time to look at what in your, health , home, and finances that’s not working and get started on a new plan.

Air – The Hermit atop The High Priestess, Stinging Nettle – Your intuition is being restricted by the fact that you’re not getting enough healthy alone time. It’s time to figure out how to make this happen. You need the self care and that alone time in order to feel balanced and not be a prickly asshole. Stop using your needs as a way to punish yourself. Instead be generous and gentle and give yourself what you need.

Water – Judgement and Chamomile – Be honest with yourself about your expectations when it comes to your emotional growth, and expect that it’s going to take time and you’re going to have to be nicer about it. Lower those expectations to something more reasonable that can be accomplished at a more sedate pace.

Fire – Nine of Dreams and Goldenrod – Continue to stand strong and positive in the face of fears and anxieties that may be trying to eat you alive. This week may hold some worries when it comes to your business or your creative spark, but remember that sometimes fear and anxiety is about perspective and not reality.

Waning – Mosquito – Last week you were made aware of something that was tapping into your energy and creating a negative counter balance in your life. You’ve dealt with this issue and it’s time to move on. You can still stay aware and alert without having to focus all your energy in this area now.

Waxing – Mirror Spider – Vulnerability fosters awareness. Feeling threatened can allow you to be more aware of what’s going on around you. Camouflage can be your friend.

Take Away – The theme of this week appears to be examining how things are (and aren’t) working for me and making healthier choices in these areas.  Starting a new path in these areas of my life will keep me on track.  There’s also a reminder here that it’s okay to be just a little paranoid… but not to let it get out of hand.

DECKS USED:  BLOOD MOON TAROT, MATERIA MEDICA ORACLE, SMALL SPIRITS ORACLE