pretty zesty magic

On January 20/21 (depending on where you are in the world) there is a Full Moon/Total Lunar Eclipse in Leo. Lunar Eclipses happen during Full Moons, and it’s when the moon passes into Earth’s shadow, which blocks the sun from illuminating it. It might even look red (hence the Blood Moon name this moon also has).

So what does this mean in terms of energy, and tarot, and all that spiritual stuff?

Leo is the protector and facilitator of creativity in the zodiac. Even if your Sun sign is not Leo, that’s ok! Somewhere in your chart there is a little (or a lot of) Leo. Go to cafeastrology.com, get the Time Passages APP, or book a zodiac e-book with me to find out where it might be.

This moon is shining a light on our creativity. Take stock in where your life could use a boost of color and sparkle. What gifts can you share with yourself, your friends and family, in the work place, or to the world on your social media platforms? Don’t worry, you don’t have to spread yourself thin, choose the person/location/platform that makes the most sense, and where you can get the most intuitive and genuine creativity out of yourself. It should feel fun and not like a chore or obligation.

I created this 3-card spread specific to this moon and creativity. The meanings here are broad and for the collective. If you’d like the reading to be tailored to your specific craft/situation, please book a personalized reading for this moon here: GET YOUR READING HERE

CARD 1: Where is there a need for more creativity in our lives?
CARD 2: How can we embrace our creativity more?
CARD 3: What is holding our creativity back?

CARD 1: Where is there a need for more creativity in our lives?
TWO OF WANDS REVERSED
When this card shows up upright, it usually means that there is a clear direction and choice is being made. Reversed, there is a lack of direction, planning, and a fear of the unknown. This card is suggesting that more creativity might be needed in our daily routines. Where have things fallen stagnant and uninspired? It can also mean that risks are ready to be taken. What creative endeavors have been calling to you, but you haven’t been answering? It’s time to pick up the phone.

CARD 2: How can we embrace our creativity more?
Upright, this card represents conflict, however when reversed, it can represent the avoidance of conflict. In answer to our question of how we can embrace or creativity more, the answer might be just as simple as putting an end to avoiding it or getting distracted from it. Take stock in what you do hourly… what time is wasted on things that don’t serve your creative soul? Social Media and Video Games are my problem.

It also might mean that the creativity you wish to embark on, might create some conflict of it’s own and you are fearful of that. Perhaps you are into political art, or a topic that has a lot of controversy. Go with your gut on this, but if your work is focused on humanity and dismantling systems of oppression, put any fears of conflict aside because that is God/Goddess work and we can all (myself included, of course) do more of it.

CARD 3: What is holding our creativity back?
The nine of cups is a card of completion and achievement. It’s an extremely creative card and one that is full of happiness and abundance. So why might such a wonderful card represent something holding us back? Because sometimes, completion is scary. If we complete a project, what is next? Fear of the unknown holds so many of us back and keeps us in the same rhythm. Keep in mind that the end is only the beginning, and finishing one project can lead to several new ones that could bring even more wisdom and achievements. Keep the cycle going.

Embracing my creativity today with this graphic illustration of the Full Moon in Leo. Enjoy!

Astrology, Forecast, Tarot Reading

JANUARY 13-19: CARD OF THE WEEK & COSMIC FORECAST

January 13, 2019January 14, 2019 prettyzestymagic

Here is a look at some astrological happenings this week, and a “card of the week” pull to tie it all together in a cosmic bow. (This is just a sampling of the things that stood out to me. There are plenty of other happenings should you choose to dive deeper. I am not an astrologer… just a tarot reader who uses the cosmos as a motivational guide. I pulled the times you see below from Llewellyn’s planners – I have a few.)

SUNDAY – JANUARY 13TH
Moon still in Aries

MONDAY – JANUARY 14TH
Moon is “void-of-course” (V/C) at 10:56am EST until 1:31pm EST. When the moon is “void-of-course”, this means that it is in transition to the next sign in the zodiac as it moves through the cosmos. It’s “void-of-course” because it’s between signs, therefor not within a sign. This is a great time to not do shit! Of course that is not possible for everyone, myself included, as I have quite a few meetings already scheduled during this time. Perhaps nothing will get done, and I will have to be accepting of that. Keep track of what happens (or not) during this time, as see if life is like pulling teeth. If you are a dentist, it might just be pulling teeth, but you get it.

1:31 EST Moon enters Taurus
Taurus loves comfort and beautiful things. Start the week off by making your bed, and getting your home life in order. Prep some food, and nurture yourself. If you are at work at this time, clear some space on your desk, declutter a locker, your car, or anything that makes the space you are in more comfortable.

TUESDAY – JANUARY 15TH
Still chilling in Taurus
Did you make your bed yet?

WEDNESDAY – JANUARY 16TH
Moon V/C 1:34PM EST – 8:00PM EST
Moon enters Gemini 8:00PM EST
Gemini’s love chatter. So much so, they can’t shut up sometimes. (Gemini Rising over here, don’t mind me). This might be a nice time to be more social. Schedule a coffee date with a friend, or call someone. Gemini’s are also curious, so if being social is not in the cards this week (or month), dive deep into a book or series you’ve been wanting to check out and feed the twins with knowledge! (The Gemini twins that is).

THURSDAY – JANUARY 17TH
Still chilling in Gemini

FRIDAY – JANUARY 18TH
Moon V/C 8:32PM EST – 10:44PM EST
Moon enters Cancer 10:44PM EST
Cancer rules the home, so perhaps having an early night in instead of partying up a storm elsewhere tonight is the better bet. And if you channeled Taurus earlier in the week, your fresh bed and home will be just what the Dr ordered after a long week.

SATURDAY – JANUARY 19TH
Still chilling in Cancer

GET READY FOR A FULL MOON AND TOTAL LUNAR ECLIPSE IN LEO (EARLY) ON THE 21ST! AND AQUARIUS SEASON! This whole week is prep so let’s get some of our shit together before then, shall we? More to come…

OUR CARD FOR THE WEEK:

THE LOVERS – This card is ruled by Gemini, our moon mid week! Perhaps this is a sign that some of you will go on some dates, get to know new people, and form meaningful relationships. Use the power of the Gemini moon midweek to gain some courage to say “hello” to someone. If you are already in a relationship, open up communication with your partner in order to find more unity and honesty with eachother.

If love is just not happening this week, this card could also be a sign that you will be faced with having to make an important decision this week. Take a look at those “void-of-course” times this week and try not to make the decision within that timing – if possible!!! Don’t miss an opportunity just because some stranger on the internet suggested that you hold off. Your gut knows best a majority of the time.

Astrology, Forecast, Tarot Reading

JANUARY 6-12 : CARD OF THE WEEK & MOON FORECAST

January 6, 2019January 7, 2019 prettyzestymagic

Coming out of our New Moon/Solar Eclipse in Capricorn (post here), the moon will travel through Aquarius, Pisces and Aries this week. Air+Water+Fire! The moon is also Waxing all week… meaning growing with intention.

Here are some times should you recognize a “shift”…

Sunday/6th: Uranus goes Direct 3:27pm (EST)
Uranus is the planet of surprise… it’s been in retrograde since August 2018. Going direct, it might have even more surprises in store. In relation to the message we got yesterday with the eclipse and going with the flow on what we can’t control… best to remember that and continue to put it into practice where we can this week and beyond.

Monday/7th: Moon enters Aquarius 1:46am (EST)
Get ready for weirdness. I might be biased since my Moon is in Aquarius, but this sign in this placement loves to march to the beat of their own drum and “be different.” During this time, stay true to anything that comes up that others might raise their eyebrows at. All within reason of course… don’t be a jerk about it, ok? Aquarius is a lot of air, which tends to represent our intellect and logic. Which means when others are emotional, we might not respond with compassion. Try to where needed. (Think the suit of swords in Tarot)

Wednesday/9th: Moon enters Pisces 2:44pm (EST)
Water works! Just as the moon cycles, and the tides turn, so do our emotions. It’s ok to be happy or non-emotional one day, and the next be sad. When the Moon is in Pisces, we might let our emotions guide us more than our intellect and logic. So as you can see, quiet the opposite of the Moon in Aquarius just before. (Think the suit of cups in Tarot)

Saturday/12th: Moon enters Aries 3:18am (EST)
Aries loves to go for it. Is there anything you’ve been wanting to start, but have been waiting perhaps a little too long? A project, routine, hobby, etc? This weekend might be a nice time to give it a shot. No expectations needed for Aries, they don’t really give a shit! They just do it.

CARD OF THE WEEK:

5 of Pentacles Reversed…
If the end of 2018 was difficult, things could be looking up in 2019 if that initial burden of any loss has lightened up. That’s not to say that things are 100% back to normal and happy go lucky… but rather that the light at the end of the tunnel is at least visible now. When this card is upright, the subjects in the foreground are struggling so much that they don’t even see the light behind them, welcoming them in for warmth and support. Reversed, there is at least some awareness. Use the power of the Waxing moon this week to go with the flow of your emotions, learn from them, and see what new things you can feed your soul with. Start to rebuild, and like the moon, you’ll start to see some light again as it grows from new to full in the next two weeks.

*Please also note that I’m not saying everything will be fixed in your life this week and that’s the end of it. Do what you have to do, and if you are privileged, see where you can do unto others as well and boost the collective vs just yourself, ok? Self love and care are cool but not when you hoard the pot of honey all to yourself. Those folks in the 5 of Pentacles need support, maybe that’s you!

New Moon, Tarot Reading

SOLAR ECLIPSE + CAPRICORN NEW MOON READING

January 5, 2019January 5, 2019 prettyzestymagic

The 2019 cosmos are kicking it into high gear already, with a New Moon and Solar Eclipse in Capricorn TODAY.

Let’s break this down a bit before we get into the reading:

New Moon: In simple terms, a New Moon is when the moon is dark and we can’t see it. In spiritual terms, it’s a great time for new beginnings since this is the moon starting fresh and dark. Writing or drawing up intentions and doing some reorg in your life (even if it’s just mental) is something simple you can do. (Not saying it can’t get complicated, but putting pen to paper or decluttering will do just fine too.)

Solar Eclipse: These babies always occur during a New Moon, and it happens when the moon partially (or totally) blocks the sun. Depending on where you are in the world and what time, you might be able to see it with protective glasses. Spiritually, because this is a SOLAR eclipse, the sun might take the reigns and can give us a needed (or not) push while we start new things. New Moons are a lot of internal work, but with a Solar Eclipse added, external forces might get involved and accelerate or inform us. It’s also important to remember that the energy from eclipses can last for MONTHS – so it’s not just setting intentions today and you are dunzo… long haul contemplation-completion, folks. That’s the game!

Capricorn: Capricorn is an Earth sign, ruled by Saturn, and represented by the horned sea-goat. Strengths include discipline and self-control, weaknesses might include condescending tones, or “know it all” behavior. Depending on where Capricorn is in your chart (go to cafeastrology.com, get the Time Passages APP, or book a zodiac e-book with me), that is where a good portion of your New Moon/Solar Eclipse work can be focused on.

Putting this all together, one way we can all celebrate this New Moon/Solar Eclipse in Capricorn is finding areas where we can use a little more discipline, and areas where we can loosen our grip and learn something new. Balance is divine.

I’ll use my chart as an example now:
Capricorn is in my 8th house in astrology. That’s about it. I’m not very Earth or Water in fact… lots of Fire and Air going on for me (good times). The 8th house is all about our inner demons and garbage… that shit we don’t want anyone else seeing or smelling. Our ancestry too, sometimes. It’s all about responsibility, but also the desire to stray from it. So I can dig deeper into where I need to pay more attention and step it up, and where I need to back off and rest so that I have the energy and resources to fix what I can. The Planet Earth itself (not the element) is in my 8th house as well. I could even think about my responsibilities in terms of how I contribute (or not) to society and other environmental causes. Astrology gets deeper the more you dig!

I created a 4-card spread specifically for this event as well.
Let’s see what the cards have to say!

*This reading is based on broadly stroked themes that could appeal to the collective. If you’d like your own personal reading for this New Moon in Capricorn/Solar Eclipse, and learn how to harness its energy and make it work for you and a specific matter in your life, you can purchase your own personal New Moon in Capricorn/Solar Eclipse Reading with me HERE!

CARD 1: THE STAR
WHAT AREA/S IN MY LIFE COULD USE MORE DISCIPLINE?

The Star is the Rebirth card. Sometimes after a trauma or chaotic period, we can have a moment of rebirth. A moment where we strip away what was and start fresh and new. Not in a ”New Year, New You” sense though. This rebirth is deeper than resolutions and can happen any time and will take as long as it does. The Star is also about imagination and creativity, and who explores that better than children? The child in us all could use more discipline, but when I say that I mean stripping away any shady adult habits that have been keeping us down, and disciplining ourselves more to have fun, get creative, and do the things we used to do as kids. Make a list of what those things were, schedule them into your calendars, and discipline yourself to explore again.

I felt so inclined last night to draw Jem:

CARD 2: FIVE OF PENTACLES REVERSED
WHAT AREA/S IN MY LIFE COULD USE MORE “GO WITH THE FLOW” ATTITUDE?

This card can be one of misfortune, but a reminder that there are cycles. We absolutely should have the freedom to sit in our feelings, feel bad, angry and sad. It’s important to let those emotions run through so they don’t get stuck. It’s also important to look out for the moments where the chaos has calmed down and roll with the changes. Going with the flow more and not getting stuck for too long in negative emotions is the balance. Try not to bypass them though. Trauma is trauma and there is no sense in making total light of it. Not to get morbid but this message kind of reminds me of those moments at a funeral where after everyone has been crying they just start laughing because someone farted.

CARD 3: WHEEL OF FORTUNE
WHAT MIGHT I NEED TO LET GO OF IN ORDER TO HARNESS THIS MAGIC?

This card is a similar message to the one above. The Wheel of Fortune is all about the cycles. Shadow work comes into play as well. Letting go of the idea that we are perfect and that we don’t have a dark side is the message. We all have a dark side and a light side. Learn from the dark side in order to let the light shine brighter. But always remember that you can’t have light without dark. Neither can exist without the other. Nobody is perfect. Let go of that word.

CARD 4: KNIGHT OF WANDS
WHAT NEW THINGS MIGHT THIS COSMIC EVENT TEACH ME?

The Knight of Wands is pretty fast and furious with passion. A go getter. Reversed, they need to chill. Capricorn will want us to get things done, the New Moon will want us to start fresh, and the Solar Eclipse will want to accelerate it all. Go with the flow as our previous cards have stated, and also reevaluate your work as you go, cross your T’s, dot your I’s, and proof as you go.

Overall, the message that I am getting for today is that we need to get over ourselves where it applies, accept that things won’t go our way all of the time, and push hard on the things that we have confidence in. There will be setbacks, there will be breakthroughs…

Have a great day! Reminder, you can get this reading personalized to your situation. Click here!

BON APPETAROT, Recipes, Uncategorized

BON APPETAROT : The Knight of Pentacle’s “SCALLOPED POTATOES”

December 17, 2018December 17, 2018 prettyzestymagic

🍽BON APPETAROT🍽

THE KNIGHT OF PENTACLES “SCALLOPED POTATOES”

The Knight of Pentacles has patience and precision, and loves routine and shaping the mundane around them into something exquisite. Enter this recipe for scalloped potatoes, that while takes time (and patience), is worth every minute. It also looks beauteous and tastes maximous.

Ingredients:

-5-6 round white potatoes (choose potatoes that when sliced thinly are as close to a circle in shape as possible.

-1 cup cashews (soaked overnight or for at least 4 hours)

-2 cups cashew milk (or other nondairy milk, unsweetened and not flavored)

-2 rather large shallots, sliced

-4 plump cloves garlic, minced

-3 tablespoons dairy free butter or margarine

-5 sm pinches of dried thyme and rosemary

-Salt and pepper to taste

-2 tbs non-beef bouillon powder

-Fresh parsley and truffle oil (if you’re feeling fancy)

Equipment: high speed blender, mandolin, small ramekins, oven.

Soak cashews overnight, or at least 4 hours before cooking.

When you are ready to start… In a nonstick pan, heat the butter/margarine on low. Add in the sliced shallots when it has melted. Sprinkle with some salt, cover the pan, and get ready to caramelize these shallots. This takes a little over an hour to get the shallots nice and brown and “caramelized”. Stir every 10 minutes or so to loosen things up. Add a little water if shallots are sticking to pan or burning. About 1/2 way through, add 4 minced garlic cloves and most of the dried herbs (save some for topping later). Continue to stir and cook down the shallots. Really, the longer the better you cook these. I know it’s done when the apartment smells like French onion soup. Science!

Preheat oven to 350.

When the shallots are like buttah, add them to a high speed blender. Drop in the soaked cashews (after draining and rinsing), cashew milk, bouillon powder, and salt and pepper to taste. Blend until smooth. Taste test for flavor. You might want more herbs, or garlic (use powdered at this stage) or salt. Do as you please. Let the sauce sit for a few minutes.

Meanwhile…

Grab your potatoes and slice them as thin as possible. A mandolin is best for this. Slice them on the wider side so you get circles (pentacles) and not narrow ovals.

Now for the fun, Knight-of-Pentacles-Perfectionist, part:

*Pour about 1/2 cup of the cashew cream into each ramekin. Snake layers of potato slices around in a circle (like a traditional veggie tian) on top of sauce. Pour about 1/4 cup of the sauce on top of each potato filled ramekin and brush the sauce to cover the potatoes with the cream. Top with any extra herbs.

This recipe yields enough for 3 small ramekins (depending on size of potatoes).

*I didn’t do this, but you could also mix the sauce in with all of the potato slices and then arrange the tian but, unlike the Knight of Pentacles, I did not have the patience for that kind of mess with my hands – although I’m sure it would taste great all saucy like that. This way is just as good though! Trust.

Bake ramekins on top of a sheet pan incase anything bubbles over. The baking process will be close to an hour. You want the top to be crispy and the sauce to be bubbling through. You can turn the oven off and leave the ramekins in there as it cools. This will ensure cooked through potatoes.

When ready to eat, top with fresh parsley and truffle oil if you are feeling fancy.

Enjoy!

BON APPETAROT, Recipes, Uncategorized

BON APPETAROT : The Queen of Pentacle’s Eggplant ‘Parmesan’

December 16, 2018December 16, 2018 prettyzestymagic

🍽BON APPETAROT🍽

THE QUEEN OF PENTACLE’S EGGPLANT ‘PARMESAN’

The Queen of Pentacles is an Earth Mother. Regardless of “motherhood” status, they’re nurturing and generous to everyone around her, especially making sure that everyone is well fed and content. I imagine them cooking up a storm on Sundays, making a plate for anyone who comes to the door, and sending everyone home with leftovers. They also don’t fuss over perfection, they’re practical, like this dish. 🍝

This eggplant recipe is a bit lighter than the traditional one, but still incredibly comforting. Serve over pasta or with super crusty bread.

1 large eggplant, sliced into thin circles with a mandolin slicer.
2 cups marinara sauce (store bought or yours!)
8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese (use @followyourheart if dairy free)
2 tbs garlic powder
2 tbs Italian seasoning
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan (use @followyourheart if dairy free)
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1 tbs olive oil
1/2 cup chopped basil and parsley (combined)
Salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350.

Slice your eggplant as thinly as possible.
Spray a meatloaf tin with oil.
Layer as follows in the tin:
Sauce
Eggplant
Mozzarella cheese
Sauce

When you get to your final eggplant layer, top with sauce… then mix all remaining mozzarella cheese with the bread crumbs, garlic, Italian seasoning, and Parmesan. Spread evenly as the top layer and season with salt and pepper, and top with the olive oil. Bake until the sauce bubbles and the topping is crisp. Serve over pasta/bread with fresh herbs.

BON APPETAROT, Recipes

BON APPETAROT: The Magician’s Smokey Carrot “Lox”

December 9, 2018December 10, 2018 prettyzestymagic

🍽 BON APPETAROT 🍽
The fusion of food and tarot!

The Magician represents power, skill, and concentration. They love to get creative, and the kitchen is the perfect lab for their magical, and tasty, experiments. This recipe is a great alternative for lox (if you don’t eat it fish of course). These carrots are a nice smokey and salty add to your bagels. An illusion of delicious sorts.

🥕 The Magician’s Smokey Carrot “Lox”🥕

In an oven safe dish, or gallon ziplock, add the following for the smokey marinade:
1 1/2 cups soy sauce (use low sodium if needed, tamari works too)
2 tbs Worcestershire sauce (vegan version if you don’t eat fish)
2 heaping tbs smoked paprika
1 tsp smoked salt (if you don’t have this use more paprika, or splash liquid smoke)

Next, thinly slice, or peel with a peeler, enough carrot strips for your marinade. This will be approx 6 cups of strips. I used about 10 carrots but this all depends on their size. The wider the carrot the better.

Add the carrots to the marinade and make sure every carrot is coated. Add more soy sauce if needed. Soak overnight.

Preheat oven to 350. Add carrots and marinade to an oven safe dish (if you marinated them in one you can use same dish). Cook until tender. About 1/2 hour dep on thickness of strips. Check for desired consistency. You want tender, but not falling apart.

Let carrots cool, then chill in fridge until you are ready to get these magical strips on a bagel!

Top the bagel like so:
cream cheese (@kitehill is a nice dairy free option)
smokey carrots
red onion
capers
chives

Enjoy!

*Note: I can’t take credit for using carrots as the swap in this recipe for lox. I’ve seen it before in many places but not sure who the Orig Merlin in this situation was.

And this wouldn’t be a post about the Magician without sharing another trick up their sleeve. Enjoy your smokey carrots with avocado and toast too. This is inspired by tuna tartare.

🥕CARROTARTARE🥕

In a small food processor add the following:
1 1/2 cups smokey carrots from previous recipe
1 tsp minced ginger
1 tsp sesame oil
Process until it’s chunky but not totally smoothe (like tartare)

Top carrot tartare with the following (optional):
Mashed avocado (or guacamole)
sesame seeds
Wedge of lime
cilantro and/or chives

Serve with toast.

(Both of these recipes do not taste like fish. If you want to add a flavor that mimics it, add some dulse flakes to the smokey carrot marinade.)

BON APPETAROT, Recipes

BON APPETAROT: ‘Six of Cups’ Roasted Tomato Soup

December 2, 2018December 3, 2018 prettyzestymagic

Starting a new series called:

🍽BON APPETAROT 🍽
You guessed it. It’s the fusion of food and tarot! Within the many meanings and interpretations of the cards, I’m determined to find the connections they have with cooking and food. This is part “just for fun” and part “let’s make some magic in the kitchen.” By the end, maybe there will be a tarot deck for the recipes in the future. 🔮

🥫THE SIX OF CUPS ROASTED TOMATO SOUP🥫
The Six of Cups asks us to have a think on childhood memories and nostalgia. It wants us to draw inspiration from these pure emotions. If you’ve been feeling distracted and unamuse bouched, the answers might lie in what brought you joy as a child. I don’t know about you, but tomato soup and a grilled cheese on a cold day would always hit the spot when I was a kid! Let’s make the soup! (We’re doing this one low and slow, so if you are pressed for time, just skip the roasting steps, or get some Campbell’s – no judgement.)

🥫INGREDIENTS🥫
10 med/large tomatoes
1 mini red pepper
1 large yellow onion
1 large carrot
2 stalks celery
A couple roasted garlic cloves
A couple sprigs fresh thyme & rosemary
1 bay leaf
Splash sherry
2 tbs tomato paste
Dried Italian Seasoning
Salt & pepper
Water (if needed)
1 can coconut milk, full fat and mixed

🥣DIRECTIONS🥣
Preheat oven to 375.
First we’ll roast the garlic, then prep the other bits.

Grab a whole garlic bulb. Just chop off the top so it exposes the little cloves. Place the bulb in some tin foil. Top bulb with olive oil, salt, and a sprig of rosemary. Close it all up with the tin foil and place in hot oven. You want to roast until the cloves are soft and golden brown (not burnt!)

Now let’s prep the tomatoes. Grab a deep oven safe dish. Quarter chop all of the tomatoes and place the in the dish. Also chop in half and seed the red pepper. Add it to the tomatoes. Top with some olive oil, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to your taste! Place in oven and roast until edges of tomatoes have browned a bit and they’ve released a lot of juice. Approx 45 minutes.

While everything is roasting:
Slice your onions thin and place in a pot with some oil or water. Cook the onions until translucent and golden brown. You can keep adding a little water as you go to prevent burning. Chop up the celery and carrots (a modest dice) and add to the pot. Add about 1/2 cup water, the splash of sherry, and the bay leaf. Let this all simmer lightly until the roasted tomatoes and garlic are done. Keep adding a little water to prevent burning.

When tomatoes and garlic are roasted to perfection, add the tomatoes and their juices to pot with onions. Give it a stir and break up the tomatoes. Once roasted garlic has cooled, pop as many cloves out of the bulb as you want and add to the soup. Their consistency should be like buttah! Add the tomato paste and let simmer for 20 minutes.

After soup has simmered, turn off heat and let the soup cool down before blending.

When you are ready to blend, take the bay leaf out and transfer soup to a blender. (Take the red pepper out too if you don’t want a strong pepper flavor)

Grab your can of coconut milk and empty it into a glass or measuring cup. Mix it all up so that it’s combined and smooth. Save a few tbs for garnish but then add the rest of milk to the blender. Blend in high until soup is smooth. Transfer it back to pot to reheat. Whisk to prevent any sticking.

Now you are ready to eat and think about childhood memories. Garnish soup with some of the milk and fresh thyme.

New Moon, Tarot Reading

New Moon in Leo + Solar Eclipse

August 11, 2018 prettyzestymagic

Another summer day, another eclipse. How’s it going? 🤣 Today we find the new moon in Leo, and a solar eclipse (it technically already happened. I’m late to the party). In addition to pride and creativity, Leo is also joyful. Now’s the time to get clear on what actually brings you joy. It’s kind of a loaded question in our bloated world: What brings you joy? Let’s ask the cards how we figure this one out. I think if we can get a grip on these “states” we can get closer to only choosing the joyful bits that fit inside them:

💫
MATERIAL STATE
EMOTIONAL STATE
SPIRITUAL STATE
💫

Everyone will have different answers for this. This is what came up for me in the cards. Maybe you can relate to some of it.

MATERIAL STATE: ACE OF PENTACLES (reversed)
In the reversed position, this card encourages us to audit our spending habits. One of the best methods of doing this is writing down every single thing you spend money on each day, for 1 month. Boil it down to weekly and daily averages, then look at what things, big and small, make up the numbers. See what you can “live” without. You’d be surprised.

If you are looking to manifest more material gains, make sure you plan well. When reversed, this card is a bit of warning. Maybe that promotion is too good to be true, or it is at the expense of others and will destroy moral (whatever’s left of it), or there are hidden costs behind a new venture that you are investing in. Put more foresight and consideration into your decision making. Regardless of the outcome, at least you did your homework and learned something.

EMOTIONAL STATE: KING OF WANDS (reversed)
Acting solely on our emotions can be a dangerous game. That doesn’t mean we can’t get emotional, or express our emotions; but basing our decisions solely on our emotional state can be problematic. Many say you shouldn’t even read your tarot cards if you are super emotional about the topic because you could act too hasty on something.

Another aspect of this card is expectations. We can get very frustrated when things aren’t perfect, but are they ever perfect? Is perfect even achievable? Who made perfect a thing? I want names! When we focus too much on perfection, we end up “failing” and giving up. Being more realistic and just trying our best, is the best we can do sometimes, and we should applaud ourselves for that.

SPIRITUAL STATE: EIGHT OF CUPS
The epitome of “I’m walking away from all the bullshit” card. This card is not about avoidance, but rather the ability to walk away from people, jobs, and things that do not serve us in any capacity. Through the lens of spirituality, there is a call in to leave behind any material or emotional attachments in order to get to what “enlightenment” means to you. How can you possibly focus on spirituality if your home is cluttered, if your job is too mentally/physically/emotionally demanding, or if people are constantly “up in your grill” 24/7? It’s time to walk away from what doesn’t serve you.

HAPPY ECLIPSE! There’s still more brewing in the cosmos.
Mecury retrograde ends on Aug 19th
Mars retrograde ends on Aug 27th
Saturn retraograde ends Sept 6th
(Neptune and Pluto are retrograde too, but that’s above my pay grade!)

Uncategorized

Kristen’s Tarot “Code of Ethics”

August 2, 2018August 20, 2019 prettyzestymagic

Hey everyone!

I would like to take the time to explain the tarot work that I do in a little (ok, a lot) more detail. Between getting a few questions, and through my own tarot certification process, I felt called in to explain.

First and foremost, I am NOT a psychic.
I do not tell fortunes or predict future outcomes for people. I also won’t “curse your ex” for 500 dollars extra. That is a common myth about the tarot. Yes, some real psychics use tarot as their guide for visioning, but it’s merely their tool, or it’s just for show.

Through my readings, sure, the cards might HINT at possibilities, and I might even get it “right” at times. However, my readings include support, suggested possible outcomes and/or intuitive guidance to help get you where you want to be. It is very much up to the client/seeker to take it or leave it.

Second, and extremely important, I will decline a reading if I feel it is unethical for me to do.
Meaning, if what you are asking is beyond my qualifications (suicidal thoughts, self-harm, abuse, addiction, medical advice, legal advice, etc) I will suggest some hotlines/licensed professionals who are fully equipped and educated to work with you on issues like that. I am simply not qualified to work with anyone who is at risk. I am not a therapist. I will not spiritually bypass your situation. I will use my best judgment in determining if we are a good fit to work together with tarot. Please don’t take it personally if I decline a reading.

Third, I am not a party trick.
Yes, tarot is super fun in a lot of cases, but even though this is not my day job, I still take it very seriously in terms of how I conduct my readings. They take time and a lot of thought on my part. Please respect that.

So now you might be asking, “what kind of readings do you do, then?”
At the moment, I work solely in the PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT space. I consider myself to be an “Intuitive Tarot Reader,” which means I base my findings on any gut reactions/feelings I get from the cards and my own knowledge of the cards, and then I relate those things back to the question for the reading in a practical and actionable manner for the client. If a client/seeker is looking for career advice/mentoring, goal setting, motivation, relationship advice, how to combat mundane stressors in life, help/inspiration on a creative project, or anything routine that is just blocking them from moving forward, I am here to offer help and support with tarot as my guide.

My goal is to empower others to make their own decisions.

In terms of how it works:
You can purchase a reading at www.prettyzestymagic.com/services. It helps to either email or contact me via direct message, saying that you purchased a reading. My email is on the services page, and there is a contact button right here on the sidebar of this site. I’ll then reply back, asking you what you’d like the reading to be about. You can also email me before purchasing if you are confused as to what reading is the best fit for you. I will also work within any budget restrictions that you may have.

I may ask you follow up questions to your initial queries after purchasing. If you ask a super vague question for the reading, you might not get an in-depth reading from me. I am very good at interpreting cards, but if I do not have a whole lot to go on, I might not give you the most helpful reading and support that I am capable of.

Remember, I am not a psychic! I have nothing to prove in terms of predicting the exact outcome, or saying things where there was no way of me knowing unless you told me. If you want a psychic reading, please go find a psychic. I also take the privileges (or lack thereof) of the client into consideration when reading. But it all depends on how much I know about you.

The readings themselves are done within 7 days of purchasing, and you will get a PDF of the written reading from me. I do not do in person or video/phone chat readings. I welcome any follow up questions in terms of clarifications on card meanings, or clarifications on my suggestions. However, if the reading brings up more intense questions that go beyond the scope of your initial ask, you will have to purchase another reading.

Again, my work is all about empowering you to make your own decisions, based on the cards drawn. You have your own free will. It is my goal that we both have fun while getting to know each other, and that the reading leaves you feeling ready to take on your challenges so that you can achieve your goals. You’ve got this!

If you have any further questions, please to do not hesitate to ask.