Source: 12/23/15 We’re Burning Daylight! Queen of Wands

Source: 12/22/15 Take A Bow! The World

Source: 12/21/15 Yule Tidings: Six of Cups

We welcome you to Yuletide! 

We welcome you to Yuletide!

We welcome you to Yuletide!

And a fire’s warm cheer!!

Here we are once again; the official start of winter, the longest night of the year, the celebrations of various holidays surrounding the Winter Solstice event. Yuletide welcome to everything and everyone!

What will you be doing this weekend? Will there be a bonfire? A Yule log in the grate? A Yule log cake on the table? Will you exchange presents? Have you decorated with holly, ivy and mistletoe? All traditions are wonderful, and should be well-enjoyed. 

No matter how, when, or where you celebrate this season, please remember the importance of traditional rituals. Consider blending traditions in the following manners:

Hot Chocolate Reflections: Enjoying a special seasonal drink with extra whipped cream? While you savor the textures, flavors and fragrances of your drinking treat, allow yourself to accept and enjoy the inevitable memories triggered by the senses of taste and smell. Reflections on the past hold lessons for the present as well as the future; take a good look at those memories – including any parts that may have been unpleasant – and accept them for the complex moments they were. Love those memories for their truth rather than their illusion.

Candlelight Meditation: Candles are an important part of holiday festivities, bringing color, warmth, and often fragrance into our homes with their dancing light. Light the candles, take a comfortable seat, and watch the fire flicker and dance. Allow the fire to lead you within yourself, to review the contents of your heart, your loves and longings, hopes and fears, deepest desires. Keep what is dear, release what does not serve you. 

Taking stock stockings: So many of our traditions are routine to us – we could complete the tasks blindfolded – and do not require our full attention. While baking cookies or wrapping presents, allow yourself to use the time to take stock; what do you have, what do you want, what do you need, what will you change? Decisions and planning can be made another time; formulating your plan of action is a ritual of its own and should occupy your full attention. For now, just review the various aspects of yourself, your relationships, and your life, particularly those areas you are likely to take for granted in daily living.

Welcome company and enjoy the season!

Yuletide gifts and blessings to you all!!

((All images courtesy of Google Images.))

Source: 12/18/15 Weekend: Hermit, Judgement, Page of Wands

Source: 12/16 AND 17/15: Roll Up Your Sleeves! Strength

Source: 12/15/15 Trump? Cruz? Really?? The Devil

Source: 12/14/15 The Fuse Is Lit! Ace of Wands

Source: 12/12/15 Weekend:Ace of Swords, Five of Wands, Seven of Pentacles

The final New Moon of 2015 packs a wallop! As always, Hecate’s Dark Moon brings resolution of old issues, new project beginnings, and protected transformations; with Sagittarius* as her running mate, there will also be strong motivation to action and firey rhetoric but unfortunately, little or no patience and not enough attention to detail.  

What? Me worry? Never! Forewarned is forearmed, let’s take a look:

At our base, we have the certain knowledge that though we are comfortable in the life we have created, it is time to move on to a more fulfilling way living and working – passion projects and love work are calling you, and it is time for you to answer.

As is always the case, some forethought and planning are required – perhaps you have been thinking and planning for quite a while, in fact – to put your best foot forward and avoid becoming one of those tedious statistics (i.e. most small businesses…). The time is ripe for this movement (as previously posted to this page – check previous entries for this week, if you like) and accomplishment is very near to hand; honest effort yields honest results.

Finally, we arrive at the telling reminder: do not allow your relationships to become casualties of the new determination, effort and success – the people closest to us deserve to be a part of the journey as well as the destination – be sure to keep your loved ones within your sphere.

MY BIG TAROT TAKEAWAY: It really is all about taking it to the next level. If you do not know what that means, ask yourself “What more can I be doing?” or “What are other successful  (insert your heart here) doing differently?” There is no shame in seeking a winning formula – you need not re-invent the wheel – do the research, you will find what you need if you look for it.

DARK MOON WITCHY TIP: To capitalize on the gifts of this Moon, you must look  and listen deep within yourself. I suggest drinking chamomile tea to start (relaxation is so very important!), and burning sage incense or a smudge stick (purification on the outside, dispelling unwanted negative energy). Sit comfortably, quietly, and still, opening yourself for personal inventory to let go of anything you find no longer serves you – grudges, disappointments, pain, and the like – making room for new ideas, new plans, new beginnings.  

REMINDER: Energy is what matters! Positive energy yields a positive outcome – negative energy yields the other thing. Your vibe draws your tribe; be the person with whom you want to spend time, and the others will arrive in due course. Always remember to trust your instincts as energy does not (cannot!) lie.  

“Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.” Buddha

*I am not qualified to break down all of the astrological ingredients in this recipe. For more tips, insights, and generally awesome info, check out http://thedailymadame.typepad.com/my-blog 

((All images courtesy of Google Images. Cards featured are from The Steampunk Tarot by Moore and Fell.))