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?
Earth – Ten of Swords, Flaxseed (Metal) atop Valerian (Yin/Yang) – Watch out for that “shit happens” shoe that’s preparing to hit you in the face. It’s going to suck, but if you make sure to keep yourself grounded and follow your gut, you’ll get through to the other side just fine and all the better for it. Check the filters and drain pans for your air conditioners.
Air – Five of Pentacles and Strawberry (Earth) – You have worked really hard to get to a place where your inner voice isn’t constantly poking and prodding you with your scarcity issues. Don’t backslide and remember, even if you don’t finish all of your blog post each day? The most important part of the blog post is the COTD and the Self Kindness. It’s okay to just do these two things and skip the rest when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Water – Three of Cups, Wood Betony (Wood) – Reach out to others this week for emotional support. The heat leaves everyone feeling like they’re on a short fuse and it’s hard to forget that even during these times? They’re still there for you if you need them to be. A little love can go a long way sometimes. Make sure you’re expressing to others that you’re there for them as well.
Fire – The Hermit atop Page of Swords Rx, Slippery Elm (Earth) – Remember that it’s okay to have little to no progress some weeks, especially now during the summer months when you’re supposed to be allowing yourself some rest and relaxation anyway. Especially for you? Those times of rest are their own learning experience. Don’t forsake them (and yourself) by pushing them away and forcing yourself to stress and worry instead.
Waning – Crane – Cool and untouchable may be something that you project quite often, but you need to work on allowing a more approachable warmth into your life. Don’t just settle for that colder and less welcoming presence this week. Be more. Holding yourself apart isn’t always healthy, even when it might feel like it is.
Waxing – Goat – Don’t forget that you are a survivor. Follow your gut and what you know is right, and you will continue to be sure footed and it will be nearly impossible to knock you off your path. Don’t forget that you have value beyond the money you make and the things you do. That value resides inside of you and is a part of who you are, not what you do.
Take Away – Check on the health of those things that are helping keep your home happy and healthy this week. Check on the ACs and the fans, make sure the girls are caring for themselves and hydrating. You can avert catastrophe, but you have to be diligent to do it. And if it can’t be avoided, remember to breathe and keep moving forward, for all struggle leads to growth and transformation.
Cut yourself some slack on all the stuff you want to do. It’s okay to cut down to the bare minimum now and then, and this is the time of year to do that if that’s what you need.
Work on being open and approachable, and recognizing your own value. These things are a part of moving into that new mindset and emotional growth you’re seeking. Don’t disregard them as unimportant or without value.
Today’s meditation was about fifteen minutes long and was not a guided meditation, nor did it include my piriformis stretching (which I did separately). Instead it was a quiet meditation with breathing exercise, and an experiment with meditating with a large piece of garnet while focusing on the piece of artwork and writing by 
Today’s draw is the Ten of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of overwhelm and potential burnout. The card is an indication of being overworked or carrying too much burden and the need to redistribute responsibility to ease these issues.
What do I need to start?
Reading Summary: The Tower and Justice are connected through darkness in color combinations and the way that the bodies tilt into each other. The Nine of Cups and Page of Wands connect through vibrancy and body language. Their opened armed stance for each figure, combined with both being in dance poses with one leg lifted. Together, the dance poses combined with open arms depicts a sense of safety and freedom.
Twisting the Leaf 