Tea Leaf Reading: How to Get Unstuck?

This post is the first in a series demonstrating how a tea leaf reading with me works — the thought that goes into tea and deck selection, and the types of messages that can be gained from the symbols found in the tea leaves.

This reading was done with Mint Chocolate Orange Pekoe tea, a black tea with a little extra “oomph” added. Black tea is great for general readings, while Mint tea is perfect for readings on wealth and abundance and rich flavours like Chocolate add luxuriousness, and send the message to your Higher Self that you are ready to indulge and satisfy your own needs. How perfect for this reading, meant to identify any blocks to the flow of abundance and creativity; I selected the Nature-Speak Oracle for its powerful, grounding messages and inspiring imagery, perfect for reconnecting with the flow of life and finding ways to keep growing.

As the tea steeped, we looked at the cards — zap, a little slap!! From these cards we learn that the main reason for this sense of stuckness and creative block is actually related to something emotional — before further progress can be made, there is a need to quite literally “balance the emotions.” The Advice card confirms that there will be no “New growth” until emotional needs are met and the “Inner Air” is purified, allowing those creative fires to start producing again. At least commitment to better health was already indicated in choosing a chocolatey tea, right…? Lol!

And so, let’s look into the tea cup for Advice on how to balance those emotions and promote new growth…

It almost looks like a tea party right in the cup! On the left we have a long-necked goose-looking figure, in the middle a big hulking figure that reminds me of the Beast from Beauty and the Beast, sitting cross-legged and looking at the figure on the right, who looks like some sort of hermit-dragon.

Looking closer at the goose, we see that it is looking forward, towards the future. It has an optimistic stance, and it is plump and healthy-looking. It does have a very thin neck so it may be fearful of “putting itself out there” with something that it has created and nurtured tenderly and with all its heart — geese are known to be very loyal, and excellent, nurturing parents. It looks like the goose has a unicorn horn or a little pointed hat on; either way, this creative effort is touched with magic, and the person can know that they are truly blessed to begin and will be supported throughout the endeavour.

Next we see that hulking beast! His yogic position hints at the Beast’s true temperament — looks can be deceiving, and as we know, the Beast has a heart of gold. It could be that the project you feel so blocked about, that you’re feeling so emotionally invested in to the point of being paralyzed re: progress, would be completely transformed with a simple vow of personal dedication; simply “sitting” with the project, expecting nothing from it but to coexist for a while, will lead to beautiful and unexpected changes. The Beast looks so eager, one arm propped jauntily on one crossed leg, turned in profile to look at the third figure, the hermit-dragon.

Looking at it up close I wonder why I’m so attached to calling this a dragon, but I do find it interesting as Mint tea loves to read on abundance and areas where growth is ready to happen. That I found it to look like a Hermit is also interesting, directly aligning it with the Beast — they are actually looking each other directly in the eyes — they are conversing about the project, thinking on ways to bring it out of the Shadows. But not just yet, there needs to be more time to focus, to seek love for the Self, to connect with the Inner Fire, to meditate, ground, and recenter.

Turning the cup over, the image changes: here we see what looks like an Easter Island head on spider-legs like the baby-head in Toy Story scuttling out the left-hand side of the cup; it’s time to let go of the ideas that were good in theory, but are aren’t necessarily the direction you’re thinking in anymore. The middle figure become a witch-like figure wearing a headwrap, head same size as body, wearing a dress and holding her finger to her chin in contemplation; she is looking forward to the future, and the tip of her nose is being licked by a shaggy dog with a long giraffe neck and similarly miniature body. We have two guides present in this cup, the Hermit and the Witch; this would be a good time to seek advice from people who have succeeded in your field, who could bring fresh ideas and energy to the project. The licking dog reminds to have fun with the process, expect the unexpected, but know that all of what’s coming to you now is from a place of love and support — you may have to crane your neck to maintain a balanced perspective on things, but trust and loyalty are on your side.

Flipping the cup again, it looks like the vice from a big construction vehicle! Push through this period of stalling, knowing it is a matter of re-centering, then powering up to scoop. scoop, scoop more of what you know empowers you so much! It’s reaching for something out the North-West side of the Cup, indicating that you’re poised to manifest something directly related to your natural gifts, your personal “super power.”On the right it looks like there’s gleeful fox-face getting ready to eat a fly or butterfly — you’re ready to look for ideas that pique your interest, ingest them, and get even more excited as a result! Butterflies in your stomach, here you come!

A final turn, and we see a much larger dragon head, its body curved down to look at a cawing crow with a unicorn horn, symbolic of a magical connection with the Otherworld being established — listen closely to “signs” like numbers, animals, and other patterns, as these are the ways spirit guides communicate. In the background we see a second little hooded Hermit, almost Santa-Clause like, retreating with a hobo-pack on a pole, much like the Fool’s bag on the tarot card. The large, contemplative dragon symbolizes not fearing your passion-ideas, trusting them to age well and to longevity. The retreating Hermit represents the gift of allowing yourself to “come and go as you please” where it comes to utilizing creative energy — this type of thing can’t be forced, and when it is, it’s only to your own emotional detriment. One way or another you always have everything you need <3<3

Our main symbols in this tea cup were dragons and hermits, with dogs/foxes/animals and birds a close third and fourth. It’s time to trust your passion, and to know that it’s actually okay to “pull back” sometimes — these periods of self-care are necessary, and even though it sucks when they manifest in the form of creative black, that’s a sure sign that you need a personal time out to regain your balance in favour of proceeding when you’re feeling stronger. Your loyalties have been established and you know where your support system lies, and so it’s a great time to just relax and receive — in fact, the inspiration you seek is on its way and will soon be noticed <3<3<3

Deck used:

The Nature-Speak Oracle. Ted Andrews. Jackson, TN: Dragonhawk Publishing, 2006.

11:11:11

Wow, it’s 11:11! Not only is November (11th month) the 11th an powerful day vibrationally, this is also an 11 YEAR (2+0+1+8=11), making today an especially potent day for manifesting and furthering your personal goals. Make a wish! <3<3<3<3

It’s been a while since I shared a follow-through reading, and today felt like the perfect time to dive back in! For today’s reading, drawn from Oracle of the Mermaids, Angel Tarot Cards, and Tarot of Mermaids, I intended to receive the most relevant message for everyone who sees this to make use of this important energetic gateway <3<3<3<3

1111 reading card backs

To begin, let’s look at the Shadow Cards, the cards at the bottom of the deck after shuffling — these indicate the energy that brings you to the reading:

1111 reading shadow cards

Shadow Cards: 34. Yemaya reversed + 9 of Water + 2 of Wands

Yes, an important realization recently has been that you’re ready to “break away from tradition.” You’ve allowed yourself to realize that things don’t have to be the same for you as they are for other people, as they were for your parents especially — this is a new day and age, and things need to change. Difference is fine, it’s when comparison sneaks in that problems arise! Truly, you know what you want for yourself, and it’s okay if that doesn’t match up with what other people think would be best for you. You are exactly where you need to be in the process of creating your glowing future — everything is changing societally, including definitions of what it means to be a “success,” and all that matters right now is that you know you are needed here, now, and as you are <3<3<3

1111 reading main cards

Oracle Cards: 5. Song of the Siren + 1 – The Magician

Indeed, you are ready to sing your heart’s song!! Your struggles have empowered you and find you so deeply connected with your own spirit — as a result, your innate gifts are bubbling up and are now ready to be shared. This self-expression will not only feel deeply healing for you and your soul, it will also facilitate healing in others — you have such important perspective on all that you’ve come through, and you are now in a position to make use of your emotional toolbox in a very real, very tangible, very creative/artistic way. you’re really making it through the midpoint now, and the road ahead is bright — things are different here in that now you actually have what you need, and you are thrilled to be able to start making further use of what you’ve gathered <3<3

Main Cards

Where to Focus: Page of Swords

Over the past month or so, almost every reading, client and personal, contained the Page of Swords reversed, indicating that we were only hesitating about moving forward because we sensed the time wasn’t right. Well, the time has come, and it’s time to get curious! Keep learning, keep growing, keep exploring all the new lines of thought you’ve been uncovering and being inspired by <3<3 Winter is knocking and with it comes the natural time to go within, to embrace the Inner World, and to keep it fun and sparkling with fresh mental pursuits and stimulations. You’re getting excited just reading this as you know exactly what you’ve picked up recently that you can;t wait to dive deeper into — you sense that this will become a much larger pinpoint in the overall picture <3<3<3

What to Release: King of Pentacles

Truly, it’s time to release outdated ideas of what it means to be “stable,” to be secure, and as mentioned above, to be a “success.” Clutching rigidly to concepts that aren’t even relevant to our current reality only sets us back further — it’s time to carve out your own definitions, to tell yourself what makes you feel like you are whole and healthy and provided for and let that be enough. Easier said than done when well-meaning people who have already established themselves offer advice from that place of stability, as it can feel cruel to feel so unseen in your pit of much-less-than. These are the moments to count your blessings and keep dreaming — not in line with what anyone tells you you deserve or can do, but in line with what you actually want, with what you know you can do, from day to day, moment to moment, and allow yourself to start from there <3<3<3 No should’ves, would’ves, could’ves — remember: you are exactly where you need to be!

Energy to Increase: King of Wands

I had to laugh seeing this one after the King of Pents as the release card — yes, this is a time to listen to your passion, because it’s on fire! You’re fully feeling the “free spirit” thing, excited to continue the path the philosophies you’ve been studying and integrating have found you on. This is such a cool creative moment where you’re feeling led by your Higher Self, aware that everything happening is part of something much larger — you are fully in control of your creative direction at the moment, and your energy levels are rising up to meet your ambitions. Keep getting excited and go go go! Allow yourself to break free from what’s been done before, slam the door on the past, and push forward — there is so much more cool excitement and deeper spiritual revelations to be had <3<3<3

Best Advice: Ace of Wands

Yes, take up your “wand!” You are creating magic in you life, as a direct result of commiting to going with the flow. you came reeeally close to a total burnout moment, but you took control, you delegated responsibility, and now here you are — free to really run with a particular creative endeavour that you are so, so ready to keep going with <3<3<3 I love how the mermaid is literally “tits up” — it’s time to put yourself out there, share what inspires you so! It will involve making yourself a bit vulnerable, sure, but the connections that will result are so, so worth the effort it takes to strike the match <3<3<3

Now for the Higher Self Cards, the cards at the top of the deck after shuffling, which represent a message of hope moving forward <3<3<3

1111 reading higher self cards

Higher Self Cards: 23. Dreams + 10 – The Wheel + 6 of Swords

Keep dreaming <3<3<3 The seasons are not the only thing changing — look back over the past year! You are a much different person now, much stronger, and so, so ready for the further incubation that the coming Winter months have to offer. See this period as a time for seeking warmth, for surrounding yourself with comfort and soul-fuel, and this is the final phase of healing necessary for the exciting lurch forward that 2019 will bring. Keep charging, keep absorbing, hold yourself tight — a new dawn is coming and while it’s still a ways off, for you the healing has already begun — You Are Exactly Where You Need To Be <3<3<3<3

If you’re interested in a private reading with me, head over to my Etsy shop! Feel free to use the coupon code THANKS15 for 15% off your reading at checkout <3<3<3

Decks used:

Angel Tarot Cards. Doreen Virtue and Radeigh Valentine. Artwork by Steve A. Roberts. Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, Inc., 2012.

Oracle of the Mermaids. Lucy Cavendish. Artwork by Selina Fenech. Victoria, Australia: Blue Angel Publishing, 2013.

Tarot of Mermaids. Lo Scarabeo. Llewellyn Publications, 2003.

New Moon/Solar Eclipse in Cancer: July 12, 2018

Today is a New Moon, normally an excellent time for reflecting on what to release in favour of the goals you hope to achieve by the next Full Moon in two weeks’ time — but this one holds a different energy, combining with a powerful Solar Eclipse (and kicking off a three-month eclipse cycle). Eclipses are potent energetic portals that set the tone for the 6 months following, making today a huge opportunity to start laying new plans and patterns for how to find and maintain balance in your life, now and moving forward <3<3

This New Moon/Eclipse occurs in combination with the Sun and Moon opposing Pluto retrograde in Capricorn, emphasizing that move towards balance a hundredfold! We have the astral mother (Cancer) and father (Capricorn) facing off in order to join forces, most specifically to transform your home life and material situation. The choices made today (and tomorrow, while the energy is still fully charged) are effectively “cooking up” the recipes you’ll be filling yourself with for the next half-year. Make something good!

This reading is drawn from Chakra Wisdom Oracle Cards, Creative Whack Pack, and the Cook’s Tarot. I laid out a crystal grid of a dolomite bear to bring in an energy of nurturing protection, a big raw carnelian for pure creative energy and emotional understanding, sunstone to bring in the sun’s energy of vitality and light, moonstone to bring in the moon’s energy of understanding cycles and personal patterns, a large magnesite to keep you thinking clearly and connectedly, aventurine to open your heart and welcome in abundance, serpentine for further understanding of your personal patterns and your relationship with the magic of life, and black onyx for deep grounding and protection of your personal energy.

To begin, we will look at the Shadow crads, the “entry point” for the reading:

Shadow Cards: Destiny + 13. Look to Nature + 3 of Pentacles

Yes, this New Moon/Solar Eclipse finds you very much “in touch” with where you know you want to be, secure in the knowledge that you’ve already been making the necessary connections to further your goals and support your truths. You’ve hit a point where things are feeling very organic, natural, even easy, although you know that this is no time to “drop the ball” now that your team is formed and everyone is in full action, working hard and building a bright and important legacy <3<3

Oracle Cards: Mysticism + 7. See the Big Picture

You’ve hit such a positive spiritual groove that “everything” is starting to make much more sense in a far bigger way than ever before! You’ve been so very dedicated to shifting out of your more regressive perspectives, focusing on thinking more selflessly and in a way that seeks to encompass realities both known and only imaginable. As a result, though, you know you’re hitting your stride, feeling yourself blossoming out of the darkness and coming closer and closer to the doorway that opens up onto full and soul-filling light! You’re fully committed to this rapidly expanding path, recognizing and embracing the potential to be found in the pure unknown.

Where to focus this New Moon: Knight of Pentacles

Indeed, part of that spiritual revelation was a new understanding of time, and a trust in timeframes beyond linear understanding! You have relaxed into the idea that “slow and steady wins the race,” in turn easing off the pressure to produce and instead grounding yourself in the full, hands-on feeling of doing work that you know is taking you places. You’re feeling it so fully that you’re not worried about when or how you’ll reach the finish line, because the ride is so enjoyable and fulfilling. You look forward to each new twist and turn and the cool learning experiences that come with each!

How to make the best use of the Solar Eclipse’s 6-month energetic portal: Knight of Swords reversed

The next 6 months will represent an opportunity to fully embody that easygoing “trust in time:” this will be a period where you learn to stop being as hasty, to really listen and think things through before dashing off in a new direction, as well as the true meaning of “teamwork” and thinking in ways that benefit the whole. You’re in a space where individual goals give way to collective ones, where instant results are recognized as somewhat shallow along and the lines of thinking needed to create longer-lasting scenarios are at the forefront of your mind. This Solar Eclipse breathes in the gift of productive hesitation, the “pregnant pause” that provides you the extra inspiration to think your ideas through a little longer, in favour of a more positive blends of communication and gentler, friendlier courses of action.

Higher Self Cards: Workaholic + 46. Avoid Arrogance + 8 of Wands

Rather quickly you’ll find yourself cascading into new depths of output, your plate filled with new tasks, even more opportunities, and stacks and stacks of fresh creative inspiration. You heard it here first: don’t let it go to your head! When things start to coast easily and effortlessly, that’s precisely when you need to re-dedicate yourself to the morals of teamwork, sharing, and compromise that got you here in the first place. In order for the matches to continue to strike, they need a clean, dry environment with just enough grip that they can find their grip — and that’s when the magic happens and the real party can begin!

This Solar Eclipse is all about finding balance, so be sure to think with both your structural “dad”-mind and your nurturing “mom”-mind and encouraging them to meet in the middle, laying the foundations to put even more collaborative work in and knowing that what you’ve been building is universally protected <3<3<3

If you’re interested in a personalized reading with me, head over to my Etsy shop! Feel free to use the coupon code THANKS15 for 15% off your reading at checkout!

Chakra Wisdom Oracle Cards. Tori Hartman. Illustrated by Gretchen Raisch-Baskin. London, England: Watkins Media Ltd., 2014.

The Cook’s Tarot. Judith MacKay Stirt. Schiffer Publishing, 2015.

Creative Whack Pack. Roger von Oech. Stamford, CT: U.S. Games Systems, Inc., 1989.

 

July 4, 2018: Chiron Rx + Moon in Pisces sextile Pluto Rx in Capricorn

This reading is drawn from Goddess Guidance Oracle Cards, Cards of Wellbeing, and the Mary-el Tarot.

Brigit | Don’t back down + 22. Freedom | Constellation of the Swan

Chiron Rx: VI – The Lovers

Moon sextile Pluto: 7 of Cups Rx

Best Advice: 5 of Swords

Today will be the capstone of a seemingly recurring message surrounding how your most “unhealed wounds” affect your choices, your relationships, and at the deepest level, your self and your overall wellbeing ♡♡

The energy is ripe for finding ways to released from the overwhelm this type of emotional stirring causes through reflection on what has held you in these painful places and what has made you feel alone during these times, choosing now to find new perspective and face the future with clearer eyes ♡♡

This is a time to embrace minor conflicts in favour of seeking the wisdom to be found in what continues to agitate and unsettle you, leading you to truly find a way to pick up the right pieces and finally feel like you’re moving forward ♡♡

We’re deep in reteograde season, Chiron being the 6th to join the retrograde parade, following Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, and Pluto — if it feels like you’re wading through the muddy middle, that’s exactly aligned with the astrological climate! Keep loving and learning from a place of compassion, slow down, and know that a positive shift is hurtling in ♡♡

Astro Forecast: June 18-24, 2018

I’m trying out something new this week, after doing some soul-searching surrounding how to breathe new life into my posts while staying true to what I set out to do with “all this!” Well, I’m feeling inspired to get back to the actual “tarotscope” element of things, and so I’m going to break down the week’s astrology in tarot-terms using the Major Arcana cards associated with the signs/planets and minor arcana cards to illustrate aspect patterns. Woohoo! Here we go!

astro june 18-24 moon ph

This week the Moon makes its way from the final degrees of Leo through to Scorpio, entering Virgo almost right away at 5:40 am ADT Monday, then moving through Libra on Wednesday and Thursday and settling into that Scorpio intensity on Friday afternoon. I’m loving the progression of these images, with the Moon represented by The High Priestess/Black Widow, spinning her web. This week we’re “spinning” indeed, starting out with a “full cart” in Leo/Strength’s image, but almost immediately realizing a brighter way to lighten the load with Virgo/The Hermit’s praying mantis holding only the sun <3<3 This way of thinking makes you feel free and fantastic with the lovely dancing Libra/Justice crane — hold on to that feeling as the realness of Scorpio/Death’s vulture comes to make use of what’s left after all this purging in favour of personal balance.

astro june 18-24 neptune rx

On Monday evening around 8:26 pm ADT, Neptune goes retrograde! Neptune is the planet of creativity, of spirituality, and also of illusions, represented by the Hanged Man in tarot. I love how well reversals represent retrograde planets — these ants were crawling around on the ceiling, but now they’ve hit the ground and are really ready to get to work with the ideas they’ve been driven to pursue! Neptune is going retrograde right in the middle of the sign of Pisces, represented by the Moon in tarot, the card of the subconscious mind, inner depths, and finding your way through the darkness <3<3

astro june 18-24 venus qn saturn rx

Tuesday starts off with some weirdness, as Venus forms a quincunx with Saturn around 7:54 am ADT. A quincunx is a situation requiring a work-around, where you’re thrown for a loop that can be righted through remembering your purpose in the situation it applies to. Between Venus, the planet of love and beauty, and Saturn, the planet of challenge and perseverance (which is currently retrograde), this indicates Tuesday being about assessing what feels like it’s been overturned/dumped out and figuring out a better way to breathe new life into it. Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater — this is a time for refilling with warm and adding fresh bubbles! Call on your nurturing Venus/Empress side by using your unrelenting passion to make your “World”(Saturn, see what I did there!) feel a bit less reversed 😉

astro june 18-24 mercury trine jupiter rx

Tuesday afternoon finds Mercury trine Jupiter retrograde around 4:42 pm. Yay! This will be the strike of inspiration that makes the morning’s events feel a bit easier, reminding you of the Mercury/Magician skills and resources you have to work with specifically as they apply to the way you’re processing change and interpreting your own personal “fortune.” Have fun with this, play with new ideas, keeping in mind that “the Wheel”/Jupiter is always turning. Moments of enjoyment are fleeting, but so are moments of distress — take the good with the bad, and keep jumping at new possibilities!

astro june 18-24 wx cr

On Wednesday we have the First Quarter Moon, exact at 7:51 am ADT, a “square” aspect between the Sun and Moon. A square is an energy of conflict requiring resolution, and I chose the 5 of Wands to represent this energy. How interesting to think of the First Quarter as a square, because it’s the time of month where you’re ready to make use of what you’ve started after the New Moon, figuring out how to “make it work” in order to have your vision fully realized at the Full Moon. This First Quarter involves the Sun in the last degrees of Gemini, represented by the Lovers, and the Moon in Virgo (The Hermit). The challenge, according to these cards, will be finding ways to balance your choices — and your personal relationships! — with your need for space to tend and nurture both your health and your life-philosophy. Oops, I put the actual Moon here instead of the High Priestess! But really, this First Quarter will be about finding ways to remain open and receptive to what you’ve “chosen to catch.”

astro june 18-24 mercury trine neptune rx

On Thursday, Mercury/The Magician is back in trine-mode, this time with Neptune retrograde! Here you find yourself really inspired to start working on a creative project, having received the friendly confirmation that you’ll be supported in this pursuit. You’re ready to make a change for yourself, and this aspect comes with the precise creative vision needs to get things off the ground <3<3 Interestingly, this one occurs at 12:58 am ADT, so if you’re a night-owl you may even consciously be struck with this one as you go about your nightly puttering. Otherwise, you may wake up Thursday morning having had an incredible dream that throws you into action!

astro june 18-24 sun in cancer

Also on Thursday (7:07 am ADT), the Sun moves into Cancer, the sign of home, of nurturing, of deep emotion — I actually chose this deck this week because I love its Chariot, the card associated with Cancer. A lovely orca, reminding me of a happy Free Willy on his way home! Indeed, the Sun in Cancer represents reconnecting with your personal definition of “home,” of following your intuition and your emotional patterns towards finding what truly makes you feel comfortable, loved, and safe. If you’ve found it, bask in it! If you’re still searching, let your heart and your recurring thoughts be your unquestioned guide <3<3

astro june 18-24 venus opp mars

Um, good thing we’ll be all heart-connected at this point, because Thursday afternoon throws us a little balancing act! Around 1:54 pm, Venus forms an opposition with Mars, represented by the Empress and the Tower, respectively. Here we find the need to “meet in the middle” in the realm of love and the realm of passion, of drive, perhaps of anger. This will be an instance where your sense of what is “good” or “nice” will be countered with something shocking, requiring quick thinking to find a way to understand both sides. This will allow a rocking, see-saw effect, allowing a gentle re-centering instead of the butt-hurting clang that would come if one side just jumped ship! Stay in it and you’ll win it <3<3 Look for the hidden gifts here, a clever eye and an open heart will always help.

astro june 18-24 sun sextile uranus

On Friday you’re “rewarded” for how you’ve been handling things all week, as the Sun forms a sextile with Uranus, the planet of the Unexpected, of Shocking Change, of Rebellion from the ways of the past. Hoo-ee! Sextiles represent opportunities, a coming together of positive circumstances, and so I’ve chosen the 4 of Wands to represent that energy. With the Sun’s energy of happiness and vitality, this aspect should represent a massively positive breakthrough! Because Uranus is a bit of a roundabouter, if whatever happens on Friday doesn’t feel great right away, know that it was surely a space-clearer to make room for something truly, truly beneficial to rush in.

astro june 18-24 mercury opp pluto rx

Saturday begins with another opposition (6:26 am ADT), this time between Mercury and Pluto retrograde, the planet represented by the Judgment card. I’m really seeing this as bringing in the theme of the “cart” from the beginning of the week: at the end of the week you’ve accepted what’s tipped, what has been dumped out for quite an obvious reason, and you’re really ready to start thinking towards a workable solution. You’re ready to start juggling with what’s left, and to truly make some magic!

astro june 18-24 sun sq chiron

This week’s “last act” is another square, this time a point of challenge between the Sun (your personal happiness) and Chiron, the asteroid of the “unhealable wound,” of past traumas that over time make us stronger and connect us with our own spirituality and healing ability (6:39 pm). I’ve represented Chiron here as a blend of The Hierophant and Temperance, looking particularly lovely as a polar bear with Northern lights and a flamingo with a rainbow! This challenge will feel like things were going great and then someone comes along and pokes you right in the eye — what the heck?! Argh!! — only to find that they were just trying to get an eyelash for you (weird, I can do that myself, but okay thanks). When something rubs you the wrong way today, ask yourself if there’s a way to get to the bottom of the sentiments involved — you and everyone involved will come through stronger, healthier, and with much better perspective <3<3

Deck used:

Animal Totem Tarot. Leeza Robertson and Eugene Smith. Llewellyn, 2016.

 

Week Ahead: June 18-24, 2018

This week’s reading is drawn from Connected and Free: The Alchemist’s Oracle, the Magic of Flowers Oracle, and the Animal Wisdom Tarot. I’ve been using lots of plant/animal decks lately, because the idea of “grounding” is always on my mind: we recently came through a particularly intense Grand Water Trine, and looking at the upcoming astrological events of the summer, it’s not due to settle down for a good long while — what a great opportunity to find ways to soothe and stabilize yourself! This is a great time for exploring new possibilities, for accepting the need for a change-up, and for finding ways to make the most of whatever the astro-weather decides to throw at you ❤

I’m trying out something new with the Astro-Forecast, keep an eye out for another post!

week ahead june 18-24 backs

For this reading, I laid out a crystal grid of a large amethyst cluster for calming of your personal anxiety and strengthening of the connection with your Higher Self, ruby zoisite for recognizing and finding ways to celebrate and make positive use of your personal uniqueness, amegreen for uniting your higher consciousness and your heart, and amazonite for finding balance between your masculine and feminine dualities in such a way that you find it easier to communicate your ideas authentically and effectively.

To begin, let’s look at the Shadow cards, indicating the “entry-point” to the week ahead:

week ahead june 18-24 sh

Shadow Cards: Healing + Bleeding Heart | Heal the Heart + Vulture | 10 of Feathers/Swords

Beautiful <3<3 I love when the key words on the cards actually “spell out” the message! This is a week full of opportunities to better understand and really start to heal what’s been hurting you and draining your emotional energy. Moreso than before, where you identified the necessary release and began the healing process — you’re now entering a space where the hands-on, active part of taking on healthier new patterns finds form.

week ahead june 18-24 main

Oracle Cards: Confirmation + Water Lily | Transmute

Yes, change is underway, and you are “transforming” as a result of feeling confirmed in your chosen path — you’re finding the love you need to get you through, and it is allowing you to blossom through the murky mud and silty waters, breaking through and finally feeling the warmth of fresh and limitless possibility warming your face. You are radiant as you glide your way into new levels of connection with your own personal experience <3<3

Focus for the Week: Dolphin | 2 of Shells/Cups

Indeed, you are feeling loved, whether it’s by another person, from an inner place of self-contentment, or even the amount of pleasurable fun you’re having with the way your life has begun to flow! You’re open to being playful and creative, having found a cool emotional balance that lets you know that there’s no such thing as jumping too high, or laughing too loud. At this point in time you are proud of your reflection, and this feeling will be something to hold on to as an emotional boost moving forward!

Release: Firefly | 4 of Branches/Wands

Part of your current contentment lies in other recent “releases,” namely letting go of your expectation surrounding what happiness is “supposed to look like.” We can imagine all the structures in the world that seem like they would make us happy, but at the end of the day, it’s the energy brought in to those structures that provides the real loving warmth, the invigorating light, the happy returns that keep you pushing for the best <3<3

Energy to Increase: Lynx | 9 of Branches/Wands

This has been a reoccurring theme in readings lately: needing to set better energetic boundaries. Cleverly looking back over past successes and failures after a period of rapid change, you’re able to see the practices that got you here as well as the ones that probably didn’t help much along the way; now is the time to give yourself the healthy gift of promising yourself not to lay those self-made traps again, instead focusing on doing more of what you know protects your personal energy and keeps you moving in the right direction, while in turn protecting all that you’ve sacrificed so much for and worked so hard to achieve. Remember, this is a week of healing past heaviness — lighten your load!

Best Advice: Eagle | Guardian of Feathers (King of Swords)

Mentally, you are in an awesome place to make the decisions that will find you acting fairly and judiciously, knowing when it is time to proceed and when it is time to hold back and make further considerations. You have been thinking deeply and find your vision much further-reaching than ever before; use this to your advantage as you begin to plan for what’s next, gaining positive control over and clear direction for your vision.

Now for the Higher Self cards, a message of hope moving forward:

week ahead june 18-24 hs

Higher Self Cards: Expectation + Snapdragon | Assert + Manatee | 6 of Shells/Cups

There are times when it’s necessary to relax your expectations, and there are times when you need to speak up! You have thought long and hard, tangling yourself up in knots wondering if what your heart wanted was even a possibility — you’ve received some confirmation that you can have what you want, even if it looks a bit different from the vision-boards and childhood daydreams. Keep playing with what you’ve got, because you’re close to hitting the “sweet spot” — speak up, knowing that sharing what you want and need really does help things flow in a happier direction!

This is an example of a “Find My Focus” tarot + oracle card reading. If you’re interested in a private reading with me, head over to my Etsy shop! Feel free to use the coupon code THANKS15 for 15% off your reading at checkout <3<3

The Animal Wisdom Tarot. Dawne Brunke. Artwork by Ola Liola. Cico Books, 2013.

Connected and Free: The Alchemist’s Oracle. Lauren Aletta. Illustrated by Tegan Swyny. First Edition. Inner Hue, 2014.

Magic of Flowers Oracle. Tess Whitehurst. Illustrated by Anne Wertheim. First Edition. Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 2015.

 

Week Ahead: June 11-14, 2018

This week I’m getting back to basics with my all-time favourite deck combo: Tarot Mucha, Astrological Oracle Cards, and the Nature-Speak Oracle. That’s the real theme this week, too: thinking “from your roots,” doing what you know works in a tried-and-true way, while being open to making adjustments to your overall approach.

I laid out a crystal grid of clear quartz for clarity of mind and Higher Self connection, olive onyx for protection of your heart and your creative vision, rose quartz for loving compassion for yourself and others, two carnelian for creativity and emotional understanding, two moss agate for an urgent reminder to establish and maintain effective self-care practices, and yellow mookaite for protection of your personal power.


Shadow Cards/Underlying theme of the week:
Saturn + Sunrise & Sunset | New doorways + 9 of Swords reversed
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Through dedicated focus to understanding your recent challenges, you’re feeling more assured of your purpose and ready to face what’s next.

Oracle Cards: Mercury + Meadow| Growth and abundance
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A fertile week for thinking of new ways to expand and communicate your vision!
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Focus for the week: 0 – The Fool reversed
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This is a week for making better choices; remember that the universe really does have your back ♡♡
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What to Release: 8 of Wands
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Last week’s zipping changes are settling down, leaving you more aware of what you have to work with.
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Energy to Increase: 6 of Wands reversed
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There’s a distinct potential for conflict this week, especially where it comes to feeling like you’re receiving the recognition you feel you deserve!
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Best Advice: 8 of Pentacles reversed
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Do your best to stay focused, getting things in order to accomodate the new direction you know you’re heading. You’ll be able to focus on what you actually want to be doing soon enough ♡♡Higher Self Cards: Message of hope moving forward:
Uranus + Dandelion | Persist in pursuits + Knight of Pentacles
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Change is uncomfortable, but it can also be exciting! Push through and keep planning — stay grounded with the motto “slow and steady,” pausing when necessary to recalibrate on your way ♡♡

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If you’re interested in a personalized reading with me, head over to my Etsy shop! Feel free to use the coupon code THANKS15 at checkout for 15% off <3<3

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Decks used:

Astrological Oracle Cards. LWB: Lunaea Weatherstone. Artwork: Antonella Castelli. Torino, Italy: Lo Scarabeo, 2012. © Lo Scarabeo Italy.

The Nature-Speak Oracle. Ted Andrews. Jackson, TN: Dragonhawk Publishing, 2006.

Tarot Mucha. LWB: Lunaea Weatherstone. Artwork: Giulia F. Massaglia. Torino, Italy: Lo Scarabeo, 2014. © Lo Scarabeo Italy.

Energy Update: Feeling through the Shadows

Energy Update: Goodness me — the sun is shining, it’s warm, the birds and flowers and bees are buzzing, but it feels like a faraway corner of a deep, dark pit. Wtf??

This reading from the Wisdom of Trees Oracle, TWU Animal Spirit Oracle, and the Game of Thrones Tarot (3 favourite Shadow-Work decks!) seeks to understand what’s happening and why.

I laid out a crystal grid of a heart-shaped howlite to protect and stabilize your connection with your Higher Self, a quartz geode to further “part the veil” and help you access your personal flow, garnet to ground you in your life purpose, lilac lepidolite to calm you and help process the patterns at play, celestite to call in universal support and gelp tou communicate your needs clearly and productively, turritella agate to further unpack your patterns in such a way that you feel more in control, and brecciated jasper for further grounding from the heart, calling in support and abundance to getyou feeling back on track.

Oracle Cards: European Beech reversed + Panther

Ohh yes. You’re feeling disconnected from your creative purpose under the sheer weight of knowing that when you get it done (and you will) it will be so amazing, so transcendent, that that very pressure has you squalling and scrambling to put off those very rewards.

Situation: XXI – The World reversed

Wouldn’t it be so much easier if you could ignore your “calling?” You can’t, and once you’ve heard it, everything that does not support your trajectory naturally starts to fall away. However, that leaves you on uncharted terrain, unable to use your old map!! Things have been shaken up so much, and your compass is spinning as you settle into what to do next to restabilize and proceed.

Challenge: VIII – Strength

You *do* know which direction you want to go — it’s about remembering that you can do anything you set your mind to. The “Inner Beast” is roaring, rearing up and trying to scare you back into your old ways, but there’s no room for that anymore. Choose change, choose discomfort, choose to work things out diffetently this time, knowing you are growing stronger for going against the grain ♡♡

If you’re interested in a personalized reading with me, head over to my Etsy shop. Feel free to use the coupon code THANKS15 for 15% off your reading at checkout!

Week Ahead: June 4-10, 2018

This week’s reading is drawn from the Nature-Speak Oracle, Pixie’s Astounding Lenormand, and the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, which I’m having a total love affair with lately! Check out the video at the end of this post for a full breakdown of the reading, including the astrology for this week.

I laid out a crystal grid of citrine to connect you with your personal power, Botswana agate to help process the big emotional patterns you’ve been experiencing, dendritic agate to nurture and protect your newfound “roots,” amazonite for balance between your inner dualities, dumortierite for direct/productice thinking, yellow calcite to solidify the advances you’ve made in the self-esteem department, prehnite to keep you speaking from a place of love, and fluorite to keep your heart and tour intuition on the same wavelength.

To begin, we’ll look at the Shadow Cards, indicating the underlying theme of the week ahead:

Shadow Cards: Oak | Be Strong but Gentle + The Scythe + X – The Wheel of Fortune reversed

Things have slowed down enough that you now know what needs to be “cut out” in support of your creative ambitions.

Oracle Cards: Clouds | Signs & Visions reversed + [The Sun + The Tree + The Snake]

The clouds have parted, finding you able to soak in the good that came of last week’s struggles; you have a bettee perspective on what is healing and growing, and again, you know what “poison” must be sucked out in order to proceed effectively.

Card 1: Focus: I – The Magician

Woohoo, you know you have the skills and resources necessary to succeed!

Card 2: Release: 5 of Cups

You can let go of last week’s emotional struggles, as someone came through for you in such a way that you feel you can trust that you are loved and supported.

Card 3: Energy to Increase: VI – The Lovers

Indeed — loving support! You feel assured in your recent choices and ready to climb that next nountain.

Card 4: Best Advice: 10 of Wands

Watch your energy levels — delegate responsibility and rearrange tasks to keep yourself on track. Very real potential for burnout — ask for help!!

Higher Self Cards: Forest | Awaken Your Magic + The Stork + 10 of Swords

Very cool things are happening — blessings abound! Cut out what you know is holding you back and turn to face that bright new horizon ♡♡

If you’re interested in a private reading with me, head over to my Etsy shop! Feel free to use the coupon code THANKS15 for 15% off your reading at checkout <3<3

The Nature-Speak Oracle. Ted Andrews. Jackson, TN: Dragonhawk Publishing, 2006.

Pixie’s Astounding Lenormand. Edmund Zebrowski. Stamford, CT: U.S. Games Sytems, Inc., 2015.

Rider Waite Tarot Deck. Arthur Edward Waite. Illustrated by Pamela Coleman Smith. Stamford, CT: U.S. Games Sytems, Inc., 2007.

Week Ahead: May 28-June 3, 2018

This week’s reading is drawn from the Wisdom of Trees Oracle, Goddess Guidance Oracle Cards, and the Druidcraft Tarot. Instead of a full blog post, I’m trying a new video format for the week’s tarot/astrology breakdown. The video can be found at the end of this post! This is a big week, complete with the Full Moon in Sagittarius on Tuesday — it’s a week for connecting with your passion, breaking free, and persevering towards accessing and then creating with/sharing your purpose!

week ahead may 28 to june 3 2018 shadowpg

Shadow Cards: Silver Birch reversed + Pele | Divine Passion + Queen of Pentacles reversed

week ahead may 28 to june 3 2018 main

Oracle Cards: Monterey Pine reversed + Athena | Inner Wisdom

Card 1: Focus for the Week: 7 of Cups reversed

Card 2: Energy to Release: XXI – The World

Card 3: Energy to Increase: 9 of Cups

Card 4: Best Advice: 6 of Cups reversed

week ahead may 28 to june 3 2018 higher self

Higher Self Cards: Ash + Bast | Independent + III – The Lady/Empress

Decks Used:

The DruidCraft Tarot. Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm. Illustrated by Will Worthington. St. Martin’s Press, 2005.

Goddess Guidance Oracle Cards. Doreen Virtue. Various artists. Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, Inc., 2004.

The Wisdom of Trees Oracle. Jane Struthers. Illustrated by Meraylah Allwood. Watkins Publishing, 2017 (2nd Edition).