J a n u a r y Collective Tarot Pull

C o m m u n i t y. 
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Before we get into this month's Tarot pull, I wanted to create some heartfelt space for what has happened to neighbors in Boulder County, Colorado this week. The Marshall Fire is an absolutely unimaginable event, and with almost 1,000 homes destroyed, the impacts will be felt for a long time to come.

I am consistently inspired by humans during hard times like these - where we forget our differences, and come together as community to help those who have experienced this horrific situation. If you feel called to help, please remember the best way to do so is either by monetary donations or by volunteering your time. 

While you may want to donate physical items, please note that while this is appreciated, physical items quickly overwhelm local organizations who have to sort through them all, determine what can be used and what cannot - and usually capacity is already limited for folks who are able to do this. Additionally, monetary donations allows for much more flexibility and the funds can be put toward what is needed most in a timely manner.

If you want to volunteer your time, this is an incredible thing to do. Just please remember to affiliate with a trusted organization. Again, when resources are already stretched thin, hoards of spontaneous, un-affiliated volunteers can create immense overwhelm for local organizations. By being affiliated with an organization (of which there are MANY), your safety and wellbeing can be assured, and you will be more quickly and effectively assigned to do activities that best fit your skill set and talents, AND help where it is most critically needed.

This has been a tough few years for our world, and for Colorado. If you want to help out in Boulder, please see the following website to see how you can best help out: ​www.boulderoem.com/emergency-status/

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A  Quick  A n n o u n c e m e n t

I'm sorry ya'll - these last two months with the holidays, and with work commitments in my day job, I have just slacked on posting here on C + A, particularly for the monthly collective tarot pulls. I really appreciate your patience! 

However, I come bearing good news! In 2022, you are going to be seeing a lot more happen in this little space! For the first 2 Fridays each month, you will get a new blog post here on C + A! On the third Friday of the month, catch me over on Instagram or TikTok, as I will be doing going live, and sharing some really exciting topics of conversation! As a sneak peak, for January's live, I will be on Instagram on January 14th at 7:00 p.m. where we will talk about Herbalism to Support S.A.D (seasonal depression)! So make sure you are following so you can be reminded! 

Also, if you are an audiophile, don't forget that I along with my lovely co-host have a fun witchy podcast called Ouija Boards & Midnight Margs! Starting this month, we will be going live on Instagram the 3rd Thursday of each month! 

In short - lots of fun content and plans to come, and I'm excited to see this ToVA community grow even more in the New Year! 

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The  N e w  Year. 

Who else is ready as hell to say an abcdeFU to 2021? See ya later, and good riddens! 

There is no denying that 2021 brought another tough year for a lot of us, but as we welcome in the start of a new year, may we also welcome the energy of a new start, a new chapter, and a clean slate. Sure, it's important that we work on ourselves, seek growth, and pursue an authentic life all days of the year, but sometimes having an easily identifiable starting point is helpful. 

The New Year is a time of introspection, a time to dig deep and look inward. We are still in the depth of winter, and in the depth of the darkness, even with the days growing longer following the winter solstice. It is with the onset of a new cycle around the Sun that we can reflect on that which we do not want to carry into the new year. We can contemplate what it is that does not serve us, letting it melt away like the snow. We can meditate on what it is that brings us true joy, and set goals to help us reach the life we truly desire. 

And the thing to remember is, is that while we can work on getting clear about our goals, don't feel like January 1st is going to have all of the answers that you seek, nor do you have to have plans fully fleshed out. This is more of a time to allow ourselves to take a breath, take some time to be present, and write out our intentions for what we want our year to look like. Don't put too much pressure on yourself :) 

And the thing to remember is, the sunlight is returning to us, and brighter days are ahead, my loves. 

T e n  of  S w o r d s |  E p h e d r a 

The word on my mind is resilience. We as human beings have just come through a lot - like a LOT. And while the challenges will continue, we have adapted in glorious ways already, and will continue to do so. We have also found awakenings, remembered the old ways, and have learned to pursue that which is best for ourselves. We have remembered what it means to be community, and to have discernment for truth. And for that alone, I think we have made incredible progress. 

What might our collective ToVA community need insight on for the year that lies ahead? ​

Affirmation: "I inhale and feel the cleansing energy filling me. I exhale and release the old." 

Ten of Swords: The ice an snow are pierced by ten swords dripping with blood. From too much thinking and worrying, a feeling of paralysis and emptiness has arisen. One is not sure how to respond to an aspect of life. These thoughts and feelings can create the very thing that is most resisted. Even when things look bleak and there is sadness, darkness, and depression, it is a time to embrace faith and trust and to know this is the end of an old cycle and a new cycle will soon begin. 

Ephedra: An herbal essence of ephedra can be safely employed to help increase the body's ability to take in the breath thus allowing one to take in greater life-force. Just as the wind clears the air and sweeps away the old, this cleansing and clearing breath will also help to clear the mind and make way for fresh thoughts.

S h a y l e ' s  Thoughts: 

Practitioners of yoga, or meditation, understand that with breath comes a clearing, and that with breath, life flows. The world has been in a consistent state of tension, we have been holding our breath, and have had emotional buildup and blockages for many, many months. This card reminds us to breath deeply again, and reminds us that hard times are temporary. 

It is interesting that the word on my mind at the start of this pull was resilience. This card feels like a pheonix rising from the ashes - we have just overcome so much, and now we are in the process of rebuilding bonds, rebuiliding our community, and letting go. In 2022, we remember hope and optimism again, we find our faith again, and we will return to that which truly nourishes our soul. 

May we let go of the old, and dance with joy at the new. 

Take care of your hearts, loves. Take time to be present this day and the days to come. The sun is coming back to shine on our faces yet again. 

Happiest of New Year,

S h a y l e 

Tarot Deck: The Herbal Tarot by Michael Tierra and Candis Cantin