Transitioning from December to January

Bonestone & Earthflesh Tarot, Tree Whisperer Oracle

Individuality The World and Story – You are at a time in your life where you have the opportunity to grab hold and write your own story.  This time in your life is a transition, and as you step through out of the old and into the new, you are in the perfect position to take control and make your own narrative.

Dependence Page of Cups and Expression – Leaving behind old ways of dealing with your emotions is the only way to make room for new healthier ways of experiencing, handling, and expressing your emotions to others.  The holiday rush allowed you to slip deep into the old habits of closing off and closing down, but now that the end of the year has come, you need to let those habits go and reconnect with the emotional growth you’ve been striving for over the past year.

Creativity The Tower and Creativity – An echo of the previous card, these cards indicate that you are in a position to tear down the old, dismantle it, and create something new and better from the pieces. The opportunity is now so make sure you take advantage of it and look forward to those things you want to change and begin building them into your future from now.

Limitation Knight of Swords and Unity – The Unity card looks like knobby knees… just sayin’.  My limitations at this time have to do with what inner voices and thoughts I allow to take over, and which I abandon.  I’ve come to the realization that that inner narrative is much lie a wild mustang running through a field. If you allow it to run, it will run wild and free…. and shit all over the place as it goes. The knobby knees say that a slow approach and choosing what thoughts I connect with is a better choice… but not the easiest.

Change Three of Wands and Knowledge – You know what you want.  There may be a handful of different options available to you as a whole, but even with just a general idea, you know the right direction to head in and how to avoid the pitfalls along the path.  You’re in a far more stable and functional place this year than the last, so use that knowledge to set your feet on the right path forward.

Sympathy Page of Pentacles atop Eight of Pentacles, Balance – Sometimes, when you’re learning something new, it because a slow and struggling process.  Not all things worth having come easily, some of them cost you in time and money, sweat and effort. Many times in the past when you’ve run across these issues, you’ve pushed yourself harder and harder, exhausted yourself and abused yourself to learn faster and get further in less time.  It’s time to learn that the time doesn’t matter… but balancing self care into the equation does.

Luck Six of Swords and Insight – An echo of the “Change” position above, here we see the confidence of knowing what is right for you and going after it.  You have an innate and very intuitive ability to know the path that is right for you and head in that direction.  It has served you well all your life and these cards are a reminder of how this has gone in the past and an encouragement to keep up with this very successful method of decision making as you continue into the future.

Power Seven of Pentacles, Roots atop Stillness – Keep in mind that when you allow things to grow slowly over time, they still need tending or growth will become stilted and stagnant.  There is a big difference between attentive patience, or negligence and neglect.   If you feel like something is stalling out, make sure you are looking into it and giving it little nurturing nudges of encouragement to keep things moving and healthy.

Responsibility King of Cups atop Ace of Pentacles, Inspiration atop Guidance – You have the opportunity now to start connecting with Gideon again and starting fresh with the creative endeavors you share.  You have the opportunity to lean into him, to allow him to foster your hope and help you find pleasurable pursuits you two can share as well as share in the pursuits you already enjoy together.   These cards are about taking advantage of the opportunity to enjoy time with him, whether that is in play or together tucked into quiet time and talk.

Message from Spirit World – Allow the beginnings and quiet in your life to slowly expand into inner strength and inner stability.  From that place of strength and stability you can grow the seeds of new ideas and they will thrive far better than they would in the cacophony of chaos.

Message from Mind’s World – Speaking from the heart will foster growth and allow you to “write your own story” along the way.  Just keep in mind that sometimes, to write your own story, you have to start by tearing apart the storyline already in place in order to build a better one.

Message from Known World – Just because the holiday rush is over and things are slowing down doesn’t mean that the girls can’t continue to help you in keeping up on your work, and in doing so help take some of the pressure and stress off your shoulders. It’s time to try something new, so give it a go.

Take Away – There is a lot here about starting out as you want to continue on, and making changes for the better now that the holiday rush is over.  I have a chance to make these changes now and then carry them forward into the future from here.  Now is the time to look at what I want and how I want to go about getting those things, then begin the steps that will take me in that direction.  This goes far beyond just my business, but is very focused in this reading upon finding a better balance in my life between work and self care, and finding new ways of doing things that are healthier than my past habits and methods.

DECKS USED:  BONESTONE & EARTHFLESH TAROT, TREE WHISPERER ORACLE

Morning Bonus Read – Cultivating Gratitude

Cultivating Gratitude Tarot Reading - Tarot de Mona Lisa

How can I shift my energy signature to cultivate gratitude?
Ten of Pentacles

It’s not enough to acknowledge all that you have and all that you’ve done to get there. To cultivate gratitude, you also need to share it with others.  Spread the wealth (not just monetarily but also in your all around good fortune, good health, and stable home life) among loved ones and allow them in to help you in enjoying all the good that the present has to offer.

What in my life is a blessing in disguise?
The World

Everything cycles through and you get another chance to try again at the end.  As you reach the end of a trial, the end of a year, the end of a journey… you are given the opportunity to step forward into the future beyond that ending and try for doing better the next time around.  The things you worked towards and struggled with, you now have the opportunity to try again… and with the experience you carry from your past efforts, do better.

How can I express gratitude when I feel empty?
Death atop The Hermit Rx

You need to work at changing your natural inclination to retreat into yourself.  By reaching out and opening up during these times, you show those that you share yourself with that you trust them and are grateful for them in your life to help and support you. In opposition to that, when you close them out and close them off, they feel left out and taken for granted.

Who in my life needs to hear thank-you and be appreciated?
King of Pentacles

Mister R needs to hear these things and know them.  He needs to understand just how much he means to you, and L, and Z.  You may not have much longer to get this out and expressed to him, and it is something you need to do sooner rather than later.  It is also something that could help him by giving him strength and hope, and also lift his spirits.

How can creating a daily practice for gratitude change my life?
Queen of Wands

It will give you the opportunity to create a more stable foundation beneath that interminable drive of yours, allowing you to not just pursue your own desires and passions, but inspire others to do the same.

DECK USED: TAROT DE MONA LISA

Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

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?

Broken Isn't Bad Tarot, A Whisper In The Ear Oracle, Sacred Journey Medicine Cards

EarthThe Empress and Sing a Different Tune – For your health and the preservation of your happy home life, you need to not just shift your focus from work and money, but start doing what needs done to take care of yourself instead of ignoring your needs.  That means getting your ass outside among the trees and moss and liminal spaces this week.  Don’t put it off or ignore it for “later” as you have had to do all month.

AirThe Magician and Take the Lead – Over the last month you’ve really closed yourself off from others and kept your head down as you moved through the chaos.  That’s natural, but now that the chaos is over, it’s time to lift your head up and ground yourself back in the now. Don’t forget that you have all the knowledge and power you need to guide things in the direction you want them to go.

WaterThree of Pentacles and Travel Light – You want to be there for Ms B and support her in what she’s going through, but unfortunately it’s not really safe for either you or Z to head that way.  Instead, make sure that you’re keeping in contact with her and keeping the lines of communication and connection open and strong.  You can’t pack up the car and Z right now and drive out there to be there in person so put the suitcase down and pick up the phone.

FireFour of Pentacles and Isolation – You need to take a little bit more time away from your work and that hard pushing drive that is always riding your shoulders.  You haven’t quite found that stability yet, and you were smart to schedule more time off after the Tuesday shipments.  Use that time to help find that stability you need and the relaxation you haven’t fully been able to embrace or get enough of so that you can hop back in fresh in the second half of next week.

WaningMetamorphosis –  Change takes time, and you’ve done well at getting yourself back on track instead of lingering in the chaos and anxiety of the rush.  Now that you’re finding your footing it’s time to move forward from the change and into sustaining this healthier approach.

WaxingPrimal Beginnings – This week it is time to go back to basics and the card here echos the advice given in the Earth part of the reading above.  Get in touch with what you need and spend some time out among the trees and liminal spaces this week.  You need this too much right now to ignore it, so let that be your main focus for the week ahead.

Take Away –  The beginning of this week requires a bit of work, but make sure once you’re through those first few days that you turn your attention back to yourself and your needs and the process of getting back in touch with taking care of yourself. Spend time outside, take a hike in the rain, let yourself enjoy some time frolicking among the trees and wallowing in the mossy mounds of the rainforest and you’ll feel better for it.

DECKS USED: BROKEN ISN’T BAD TAROT, A WHISPER IN THE EAR ORACLE, SACRED JOURNEY MEDICINE CARDS

Morning Bonus Read – Extreme Points Closure

The prompt for this reading came from one of my Discord servers and is as follows:
Blessed Solstice!!!! It’s here! That thing we’ve been talking about? Time to wrap up our meditation on it.

Christmas Playing Cards by Natalia SilvaWhat do I need to do now in order to facilitate this change?
Eight of Hearts

In the first week of this trio of readings, the Eight of Hearts came up to represent the change that needs to take place, and here we find the card come up again in representation of what I need to do now in order to facilitate that change.

The change taking place is moving away from the chaos of the holiday rush and allowing myself to find balance again.  The Eight of Hearts here indicates that in order to facilitate a smooth transition to this healthier way of doing things, I need to be open to the change instead of closing off. 

This is a message that has been repeated a couple of times over the past few days, with multiple warnings not to close down or close off, and make sure that I’m open to the changes coming and not fighting them or resisting.   It’s a good reminder, as it’s something I struggle with often… even when I know that the change is a healthy one.

What resistance to this change do I need to watch out for in myself?
King of Clubs

The seat of the resistance to change in this matter resides in my drive to move forward, to do more, and to expand my “empire” to it’s greatest potential. The problem being that I sink so deeply into that drive, and allow the voice of my father in my head to push me on past what is healthy and into a place of sacrificing myself to the cause.

What is the biggest effect that this change will enact in my life?
Three of Hearts

Emotional harmony both within myself and with others that I connect with in an emotional way.  When I spend too much time focusing on work and the business, it leaves far too little time to connect with others and spend time with them in quality ways.  Not to mention too much work and not enough play makes me a cranky boy.  By allowing that time with others and time for my own needs, it lightens my heart and opens me up to those bonds and connections I’d normally keep at a distance or shut down.

DECK USED:  CHRISTMAS PLAYING CARDS BY NATALIA SILVA

Morning Bonus Read – Year Ahead Visions

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

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