tarot self care

Morning Bonus Read – Year Ahead Visions

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My Year Ahead Vision Tarot Spread - Naked Heart Tarot

What lessons can I take forward from the past year into the year ahead?
Spirit of Pentacle

The world will not end if I take control and allow myself the growth that I need without allowing my inner narrative of negativity to get in the way.  When I stand my ground instead of caving to the temptation of bad habits and unhealthy rhetoric of my past, I become stronger against those things that would have previously held me back.

What challenges, barriers, or obstacles may I face in the next year?
Three of Pentacles atop Three of Swords

Well, it looks like Z might finally get to go home at some point.  The cards here indicate a breakdown in collaboration between myself and others I’m working with.  This will be disappointing and cause what is normally an uphill battle to become an even bigger struggle.  I don’t see being able to hire a new helper this year as yet, not with everything going on with the pandemic.  Stabilization will take time, and I doubt that’ll be something I can look at until 2022.  So… yeah.  There could be some serious struggles and disappointment coming up where it comes to keeping up with my work… especially if I lose a portion of my collaborative team along the way.

What do I need to focus on in the year ahead to overcome those challenges, barriers, and obstacles?
Ace of Cups

The Ace of Cups here indicates that maybe it’s okay for these challenges to be coming up this year, and that it could leave a bit of extra room (or I may need to make a bit of extra room) for emotional growth.  It’s important to remember to do what I can, then let the rest go.  I’ll hurt to accept that I may not be able to handle it all, but it’s better than the damage I can do to myself by trying to take on more than I can handle on my own.

What opportunities will be available to me in the year ahead?
The Tower

Tear that shit down and rebuild.  I have been slowly finding a new path to walk upon when it comes to my personal care and my business, my spiritual and emotional growth, and how I deal with my stress and responsibilities.  But, in order to really take the dive into this new path, I have to actually let go of the old one and let it crumble in my wake.  This year will provide me with the opportunity to do that, but remember that like all opportunities, this is something I have to actually reach for and won’t come to fruition without investment and effort.

What will be the overall theme of the year ahead?
Ace of Wands atop The Lovers

Healthier pursuit of the things and endeavors that are important to me.  This may include reevaluating those things that are important to me and adjusting my priorities to make sure that my self care and making decisions that are healthy for me take a higher priority.

DECK USED: THE NAKED HEART TAROT

Morning Bonus Read – Making Magic

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Yuletide Tales Lenormand - Making Magic Tarot Spread

What I Will

Tree – To get back in balance quickly at the end of the holiday rush. With the holiday rush at my back, it’s time to slow down and to do so in healthy ways that foster my spirituality, my physical health, and my overall well-being.

Earth – What would benefit from greater grounding and stability to help me encourage this outcome?

Mountain – In the time following the rush, there is a moment in time when you feel very lethargic and struggle with motivation. This malaise is a roadblock on your path to finding healthy balance, and to deal with this issue you are going to need to get out into nature and reestablish the grounding support and stability that your connection with the earth provides.

Air – How can I use my mind and my words to accentuate my will in this matter?

Heart – Be kind to yourself.  Don’t allow the negative inner talk to have its way, but instead allow the kindness and patience that you give to others to spill over and be how you treat yourself as well.  Berating yourself and treating yourself badly with negative words and harsh judgements is not going to help you find your footing on that path to balance and healthy well-being.

Mundane – What small activities can I do in my everyday to encourage the outcome I will into being?

Man – Spend time with Gideon. Not just in play… not just outside of play either.  Just time with him.  Get back into the habit of checking in, of messages and texts, of reaching out to him and spending time with him. He helps you in finding that path to a healthier you each year and it’s okay to lean on him for this support.

Fire – What will this ignite within me that I can use to burn away that which doesn’t serve my will?

Clover – Optimism and recovery will be fostered from within and allow you to discard the darker drag of depression and negativity that wants to take over during the shift away from the holiday rush. Allow that positivity to grow and encourage your recovery rather than habitually pushing it away for a more “grounded” (aka pessimistic) outlook.

Water – How can I best understand the subtle connection between the result of my will and the bigger picture?

House – Look around you and pay attention to how your well-being effects that of your loved ones.  When you feel happy and healthy and safe… so do they.  That connection then spreads from them to others much like a smile can spread from one person to the next.  It is much better to put that stability and contented happiness out into the world than the more negative emotions that try to encroach into your life at this time of year.

Spirit – With what magical energy can I connect to encourage the outcome I will?

Wolf (Dog) – The Fae.  It’s time to get back out into nature and connect with the friends you have there and the magical energies that they possess and are so generous with you. Take some time to frolic and play and reconnect with them and their energy.  It makes you feel good, bolsters your mood and your energy, and is an all around good thing that will positively enhance your efforts.

DECK USED: YULETIDE TALES 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?

Steampunk Tarot, Oracolarium, Викканский Оракул Теней

Earth – Knight of Pentacles and Water – Things are slowing down. You don’t really need the cards to tell you that as it’s very obvious, but of course here you see it plain as day.  Business is slowing from the holiday rush, and with it the money that comes in will slow as well.  Do not look at this as a shot in the foot and mourn the loss, but rather pace yourself to match the slow and be kind to yourself both in the stepping up of your self-care as well as in how you relate to yourself emotionally during this time of slowing down.

Air – King of Swords and Bear – You have done all that you set out to do and exceeded your expectations.  Now is a time to retreat into the solid footing you have created and feel a sense of  peace in the fact that you have done well.  Don’t allow doubts to set you off balance but own  your success with inner strength and confidence.

Water – Nine of Pentacles and Crystals – Turn your focus to how secure you feel now with the success you have under your belt.   Changing gears during this time of year can be a struggle, but to keep yourself emotionally balanced you need to switch quickly to the good that has happened and the good that has been earned. Cast your eye to the positive and keep it there.  Don’t hesitate… do it now.

Fire – Four of Wands and Samhain – Again we see a sign of completion and endings.   This too, is an indication of the holiday rush coming to the end.  The chaos and wild whirlwind is closing out this week, and things settle once more into a more sedate pace.  This week is a time of rest and you need to do just that.  Even though there are things that need preparing for the new year, set them aside this week and worry about them after you have taken a few days to rest and recover.

Waning – Wisdom – Take some time for yourself this week. The Wisdom card is about collecting wisdom and passing it on to others, but this week you need to just cherish your quiet time and not worry about the rest of the world all that much. Some healthy seclusion is needed… share later.

Waxing – Evocation – The theme of the evocation card is “to manifest change in the world, begin within”.  This card brings into focus that now is the time to shift back into what changes you want to make in your own life and in yourself.  Over the past few weeks you have closed yourself off, shut down your needs and ignored the demands of your body, mind, and emotions.  This week it’s time to turn that around and return your focus to a more balanced care for yourself.

Take Away – This week’s reading is all about the changing gears that come from shifting out of the holiday rush and back to the slower pace of everyday life.  Although this transition is not easy, there are things you can do to help yourself make this transition go smoothly.  Focusing on the positive you have accomplished, and the positive you want to achieve in yourself and your self care, making sure you give yourself the rest you need to adjust and be kind to yourself rather than harsh and judgemental.

DECKS USED:  STEAMPUNK TAROT, ORACOLARIUM, Викканский Оракул Теней (WICCAN ORACLE OF SHADOWS)

Morning Bonus Read – Extreme Points Redux

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The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
“Last week we identified something in our lives that might be approaching its most extreme point in the absence of the sun, and how that thing is currently affecting us. This week, let’s revisit that same thing and go a bit deeper.”

Frosty the Snowman Playing CardsWhat do I need to do to prepare for the change that is coming?
Four of Diamonds

Rest.  You need to rest.  You’ve been going full-bore for nearly six weeks now.

As the holiday rush comes to a close, it’s time to rest and recover so that you can turn your gaze back to the “rest of the year” and other things with fresh eyes.

How will this change affect me emotionally?
Nine of Diamonds

The end of the holiday rush comes with a period of drop and anxiety.  A sort of “freak out” that the sales are slowing down and, with it, the money flow is as well.  Although this is a natural transition out of the holiday rush, it always feels a bit like you’re failing at something and it causes a “flailing” sensation as you try and find your footing on the changing landscape under your feet.

How will this change affect me physically?
Two of Clubs

It’s time to plot and plan ahead to where you want to go this year and what you want to accomplish. Preparations need to be made, not just for the business (plotting sale dates, etc), but also with your own physical well-being in the form of making sure you’re getting your nutrition back on track, getting out into nature as needed, etc.

How will this change affect me mentally?
Queen of Diamonds

You have a choice in this moment where you can turn toward what makes you feel secure and project that out to others to help them feel secure as well… or allow your inner voice to eat you up inside.  You are on a teeter-totter at the moment and you are going to need to lean one way or the other.  Make sure you lean into the good and healthy side of things.

How will this change affect me spiritually?
King of Hearts

Now that the holiday rush is ending, keep in mind that you now have the opportunity to reconnect spiritually both with those around you and also with nature itself.  Gideon needs your time and attention, and will help encourage and guide you toward those things that you need to stay healthy, happy, and spiritually connected. Allow his nudges to align with your needs and find that re-connect on a spiritual level that has been frayed and broken by the chaos of the holiday rush.

DECK USED: FROSTY THE SNOWMAN PLAYING CARDS

Morning Bonus Read – Extreme Points

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The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
“Winter Solstice is approaching– only a couple weeks to go! This week, we begin looking toward one of the two most extreme points of the year– the longest night– and the upcoming return of the sun. ”

Christmas Playing Cards by US GamesIn the current absence of the sun, what is something in your life that may be approaching its most extreme point?
Eight of Hearts

The need to run away from the chaos and find a balanced  and safe place of refuge.  As the Solstice approaches, I find myself more and more ready for the end of the holiday rush to arrive.

How is this affecting you emotionally right now?
Seven of Hearts

I’m scattered and struggling, confused and having a hard time. There’s so much to do and so much going on, and I’m feeling overwhelmed.  The more overwhelmed I get, the more eager I am for the approach of that change to come.

How is this affecting you physically right now?
Three of Diamonds

I’m needing help from others to keep myself physically healthy right now. It’s hard to remember to eat, and it’s hard to stay on track with even the normal things like getting in regular showers, let alone other self-care things, exercise, and time outside for fresh air.   There’s just so little time.  Those that live with me help with the work, and they help with keeping me on track in other ways to keep me healthy and well.

How is this affecting you mentally right now?
Seven of Spades

I feel like any time I spend even a few minutes away from keeping up with my work and the holiday rush, I’m stealing that time from what really needs to be done. Stealing something I can’t afford and is undeserved.  I know that isn’t true, but that is the guilt that whispers through my mind whenever my hands aren’t filled with wire and pliers, or other things that need to be done.

How is this affecting you spiritually right now?
Six of Diamonds

I’m regressing into old (and unhealthy) habits.   The longer the holiday rush goes on, the more I am regressing.  I understand that I will be better able to return to my healthier new habits more easily this time, having done it before in the past… but at the same time?  I am aware that I’m regressing and feel helpless to keep it from happening in the moment.

DECK USED: CHRISTMAS PLAYING CARDS BY US GAMES

Morning Bonus Read – A New Month

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The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
“This month I want us to focus on our goals. I thought this would be a great tarot spread for the rest of this month :)”

Tarot of Light and ShadowYou at the beginning of this month.
Ace of Serpents atop Eight of Cups

At the beginning of this month you were preparing for the holiday rush and all of the bounty that I was hoping would drop into my lap with extra orders rolling in.  Because of the pandemic, I was uncertain (water in the Ace of Serpents) that I would manage to draw in the orders and income that needs to come in at this time of year to make sure that the rest of the year runs smoothly.  At the beginning of the month I had become to realize that abundance is smiling upon me and diving headlong into the alternate reality that the holiday rush holds me within for six weeks or so out of each year.

Three defining events of this month.

Ten of Wands – Overwhelm and potential burn out.  This is the result of that six month race of too many orders and too little time.  It is inevitable, but can be mitigated a bit to ease its effects by trying to fit in some self care.

Judgement Rx – Am I doing well enough?  Is it going to be enough? Am I going to be enough? Am I doing enough? This time of year is filled with these worries and doubts. There is no way to tell while in the middle of the fray, but these worries drive me forward to work harder and harder, push more and more.

Two of Serpents Rx – There is no balance.  None. It’s something that is struggled with even when things are quiet and smoothly running.  But now is not a time of quiet and smooth, but chaotic and overwhelming.  There is no balance, just as there is no balance every year for these six weeks.  All you can do is do your best to keep moving forward, and eventually restore that balance once the rush is over.

Three defining characteristics of this month.

Six of Swords – A constant focus on the fact that this won’t last forever.  A constant focus on moving forward and riding the wave. A consistently repeated reminder over and over again that this stress and strain and overwhelm is not forever… just for this moment, and that it will soon be over.

The Wheel – There is a lot of uncertainty that comes with the month of December, and a lot of ups and downs because of that uncertainty. In this case, though… things are looking good and the upswing is a beautiful thing.  Needed.  Sooner or later what comes up must always come down tho, so watch out for the downswing that will eventually show up.  Probably next month.

Ace of Wands – The holiday rush is very literally the “seed” of my passion and drive. The business is my drive, my intent, my focus, my goal, and the white hot spark of my ambition.  The holiday rush funds necessary aspects of this endeavor, giving my goals and drive the funds needed to continue forward into the next year.

You at the end of this month.
Ten of Cups

Contentment and relief at having made it to the end.  Pleasure and a breath of fresh air for my emotions now that I can bring them back to the surface once again.  A chance to enjoy the good stuff in life again, including all those things that make me happy and connect again with Gideon and my loved ones. And a bit of an opportunity for some rest (the cup tipped on its side).

DECK USED: TAROT OF LIGHT AND SHADOW (LIGHT CARDS ONLY)