I'm a writer, blogger, tarot reader and designer. I'm also a CRES editor for the Myths Legends And Fairy Tales Department. I self-publish and have most of my eBooks on Apple, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, Googleplay, Scribd, and other eBook stores, as well as through selected libraries. More of my audio tarotscopes are on https://www.patreon.com/LeennaNaidoo, search term tarotscopes on my Patreon page.
Or subscribe to my YouTube channel: WriterstarotwithLeenna for free Pick-A-Cards on various topics or follow my new podcast Way I See It-Writerstarot With Leenna on Spotify, Apple, Deezer, Stitcher and other podcast services.
Enjoy!
An interesting two months! In addition to your Romance Angel card, I’ve added my Time Machine Cards–just for fun😀
As we leave the confusion and frustration of Mercury’s Retrograde, there’s a bit more progress, though on fronts you may not be aware of, or had neglected for some time. We’re also setting, or preparing to set, more sustainable and stable foundations! And, as I’m often affected by Mercury, I’ve completed forgotten to add the Yes/No/Maybe segment that the fire signs received. My bad! I’ve added a free Yes/No/Maybe on my Patreon for you if you really, really need that Yes/No/Maybe 😀 The link to that post is by the timestamps for Water signs, Earth signs and Air signs. Feel free to visit that post another time and make use of the Yes/No/Maybe superquick reading.
Don’t forget, if you’d like your weekly tarotscopes, subscribe for free to Way I See It With Leenna. Details down below.
This TBR Love is part audio with my new podcast—Way I See It: eBooks For Travelers.
In the third episode and to celebrate the month of love, I discuss the historical romance A Love That Never Tires, Book 5 of the Spotless series and a special mention of a story I love that’s finally in print.
Dani Logan is keen follow in her legendary dad’s footsteps. He’s an ageing conman who’s known by those in the know for his long cons—elaborately set up scams requiring a team with specialized skills and a big pay out. She’s also hiding from her fiancé, Nick, in a strange game that she hopes will end in a commitment. But that’s not what the story is about. Dani soon grows bored of the small town she’s chosen as her hideaway. She hatches up a long-con involving valuable books and calls on her father’s old team to help pull it off in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. With so many little details to see to, and having to win the team’s loyalty, Dani has her fun and work cut out for her. This was a fun and engaging read that’s hard to put down. A great read for lovers or heists and intricate hustlers.
Mad Maggie And The Ancientsby Rod Raglin
This was a very interesting and satisfying read—one my mum enjoyed immensely, too.
Take a reputed witch who’s treated for schizophrenia, add in British Colombian First People’s spirituality and settings, and mix in a clash between developers and the local community and you have a very unusual and intriguing background for a romance. The romance is slow with two very mismatched individuals who grow significantly by the end. The paranormal aspects are handled in a low-key and believable way—magic realism done very well. All in all a very satisfying read despite what the cover may say.
Recommended
Novel
Musk Rainby Terri Branson
A more traditional romance (larger than life alpha male meets feisty and overwhelmed woman) set in Oklahoma. A few points makes this a good, unusual read: cross-cultural marriages and family secrets, Native American religious and divination practices, and the strange and tense situation Phoebe finds herself in after the death of her husband. With numerous twists and turns in a solid plot, this read will satisfy telenovela fans, romance reading fans, and those looking for a story full of local color.
An interesting two months! In addition to your Romance Angel card, I’ve added my Time Machine Cards–just for fun😀 As we leave the confusion and frustration of Mercury’s Retrograde, there’s a bit more progress, though on fronts you may not be aware of, or had neglected for some time. We’re also setting, or preparing to […]
And so we come to the last of our channeled messages for 2021. These messages are for all who read this blogpost. Perhaps some messages, or all, may resonate with you.
And with that promised bonus on Love and relationships. Enjoy! Listen On: Apple Spotify Stitcher iHeart Radio Deezer Overcast Podchaser Or subscribe to my Patreon for early access, 45 minutes per sign Birthday to Birthday readings, and over 150 downloadable Pick-A-Cards.
And so we come to the last of our channeled messages for 2021. These messages are for all who read this blogpost. Perhaps some messages, or all, may resonate with you.
Cupid seems to be continuing his message from the general messages, and others also seem to be echoing similar similar sentiments they’ve already expressed. You may want to read the general messages for all readers, too. Be sure not to miss QuanYin’s message at the end of this post 😀 Happy Valentines Day to you, and may the highest frequencies of love and joy always accompany you!
Cupid
Cupid: Self love
The Love Of Self: It’s not a short-term exercise, this self-love. And it’s greater than you. You see, when you exercise self-love and kindness, it’s easier to be kind and loving to those around you because it’s changing your energy state—your frequency. Now, I’m not talking about narcissistic behavior, that’s not real self-love. Narcissism is self-aggrandization caused by a lack of self-esteem which is the opposite of self-love. Because, if you really love yourself, others’ view of you don’t matter. So, self-love is choosing what’s right for your continued high-frequency vibrations of love. That means long-term choices that are good for your future and environment. And one thing that keeps things healthy for you and others is boundaries. Rethink your boundaries.
Cupid Boundaries
About Love in 2021: It’s a work in progress—a bit of a roller-coaster. Lots of plot twists. Many singles will be changing statuses. Many married will be renegotiating their roles or boundaries, and those that are just out of relationships will have to take the time to heal (mostly themselves). This is not the year for rebounds. No-one wants to be one any more because that’s not a loving way to treat oneself or another. Ask me later about rebound signs. For now, love yourself first, then others—like in airline safety videos.
Cupid Rebounds
Juno
Juno self image
Self-image is crucial, but it goes beyond Zoom and online profiles. It’s what you see in your mirror. See Cupid’s self-love messages. Find others who understand your self-image. They just might understand you in a relationship. That said, look to your health when shopping for new clothes and shoes. It will make you feel better. And if your can’t love your skin, how can you expect your partner to do so. Natural is cheaper, healthier and less time-consuming. Let your partner love you as you are naturally and it’s less likely you’ll fear losing them in five years time because they’ll love the unique in you. Love the unique in them. This is how one finds True Love.
Juno True love
Mercury
Mercury Long Distance
Write a love letter. Even if you don’t send it, they’ll feel its energy. Long distance love is easier than you think. It just takes a little more maturity and trust and fidelity. If you don’t have all three, stay away from it and leave it to those who do.
Shakti
Shakti Love forks in the road.
Love is a many-pronged thing with many forks in the road. Not all decisions will be easy. It takes awareness and attention to realise your paths are too divergent and even more attention and love from you and your partner to make decisions that make your paths convergent, much less walk the same path together. Look always to the future, not the past, and honour all compromises that make your path together easier and full of love.
Shiva
Shiva Count on love
In times of fear and confusion, love should be the one thing that you can count on. If it’s not, it isn’t love. Love is not meant to be a burden. If it feels like it, you’re miscommunicating. Love is meant to bring you joy. If your enter a partnership feeling less than joy, it’s not a loving partnership you’re entering. Make sure your feelings are reciprocated.
Lakshmi
Lakshmi Love enhances
If you’re seeking love, don’t let it be at the expense of everything else in your life. Love is meant to enhance, not take away from you. Some may love you, but not want to be with you. That is their choice; no use in trying to change it. There are others who’d consider themselves lucky to be with you and love you just as deeply. Why give your full attention to those who are stingy with theirs?
Saraswathi
Saraswathi Pretty words
Pretty words don’t always express pretty feelings. Intention does not equal action and is meaningless until action is made in a positive direction. Let actions speak. Let the true meaning of words be revealed by their underlying energy. Why suffer liars when they only bring suffering? And if you lie to yourself, you have only yourself to blame. Recognise this, let go and move on.
QuanYin
QuanYin Love blossom
Love is a blossom in many states, in many dimensions. It is easy to focus on one state, one dimension, but this is like a flower blooming with only one petal. It is unbalanced. It is incomplete. Others have spoken of self-love and self-care and producing good, strong petals but it is still not the whole of an abundant, balanced blossom. There are many kinds of love: love for humanity, love for the natural world, love for Mother Earth, love for deities and other beings, love for things, love for experiences… A healthy blossom has balance and structure, so do not concentrate on only one or two types of love when there is so much more love in your life and around you to help you blossom into the beautiful Love that you are. Happy Valentine’s Day. May love in all its forms blossom continuously in your heart.
Looking for more Valentines and Post Valentines messages? Listen to your weekly bonus tarotscope, or watch my Pick-A-Cards on YouTube.
Your heads up for the week with additional cards for a sneak peek at this pre-Valentines week. Who might be sending you a Valentine? Or the energy of your current partner 😀 Listen to the full episode on: Apple Spotify Stitcher iHeart Radio Deezer Overcast Podchaser Or subscribe to my Patreon for early access, 45 […]
This year has been significantly different in the channeled messages received, as well as the types of channeling requested. Valentines Channeled Messages were definitely not in demand. I was the only one to request one. So, here is a wealth of messages channeled–first the ones received in personal messages by those who requested general messages, and then for all who read this blog. Before we get to our treasures, another difference to the previous years is worth mentioning. Like in my personal Valentines Channeled Letter, a couple of the requests were answered by two deities, though their messages were not blended, like mine were. This may mean that most of us are dealing with more than one major issue now, and/or we have more guides/spiritual patrons/benevolent beings available or able to communicate with us at this time.
Certain themes came up more than once, sometimes from the same deity. Anger, and transmuting it into love or care was one theme, as was expansion of self and perception. Health and well-being was another strong theme, but as most of it was personal and specific to the recipient of the letter, I’ve left most of those messages out.
All in all, a very interesting and enlightening time for us all! I must admit, some of these messages I’m still pondering 😀
And now, on to those channeled messages.
From Personal Messages
Mercury
Perceive your space. Mercury
Perceiving in limited dimensions limits you. Limits Space. Limits Life. Limits have limited time-spans and your limits are up. Expand your perception. Perceive your space. Perceive you.
Juno
You are beautiful.
You are beautiful. Let’s keep it that way 😀
Saraswathi
True wisdom. Saraswathi
It is time to let go of wishes that are not yours. This is true wisdom. It is time to let go of teachings that past their time. This is true wisdom. It is time to be yourself.
Not all writing needs to be permanent.
We all have different paths in love—some short, some long, and only the unwise don’t see that.
Humour. Saraswathi
It is better that you find the humor before it finds you. This I leave for you to contemplate. Hopefully, with a smile.
Returning to the start does not always offer re-dos. Sometimes, brand new beginnings are healthier, but for whom?
Now, we come to the time of practical application of your innate and accumulated knowledge—the practical application of your hard-won wisdom.
You will learn whatever your choice, but the choice of what you learn (or teach), is up to you once again.
QuanYin
It is time to be still. It is time to be quiet.
Remember at the heart of everything is energy.
Make a list, but not of your goals. Make a list, but not of your tasks. Make a list of possibilities. Recognize them. Recognize your true potential is greater than what you currently see.
Remember Fear feels like Excitement, yet true excitement holds no vibrations of fear, only anticipation and curiosity.
Shiva
Warriors can heal. Shiva
Remember, a warrior can heal as well as destroy and protect. And now your warrior self must heal and so help others heal.
After all, anger carries you only so far and, like a steam engine, runs out. But clarity lets you see if it’s the right track for you—all this while healing you and helping those in need. That is the true mark of a noble warrior. Find your peace. Bitterness is not your way 🙂
For General Blog readers
Shiva
Be strong, but know that strength lies deeper than the physical and mental. It lies in your heart. It’s not the same as courage. Courage is found. Strength is grown. Allow your heart to grow strong.
Lakshmi
Create your own luck. Laksmi
It is time to create your own luck. Only then can I double it 😀 Otherwise, you have zero for me to work on!
Love Uyour Created Kind(ness)
Saraswathi
Remember all that you’ve learnt so far. Then discard the outdated, unkind, unhealthy and short-sighted tenets. It’s time to revise and update your books, theories and working models.
QuanYin
Be not faint of heart. You will see many feints, and a strong heart will show you the truth of actions previously hidden. See with your heart when your mind is confused.
Vesta
Burn the fuel of anger. Vesta
Fires burn brightest when there’s much fuel to burn, much like truth burning the fuel of lies. Let the truth burn away the fuel of your anger.
Cupid
Time to feel love, Cupid
Those who tire of love, tire of life. Those who think love is hard work are right. And, yet love invigorates like no other. Yes, love is contradictory. Understanding and dissecting love that is felt will never make sense to those who only think and imagine what it is to feel it. It’s time to feel love, if only for yourself.
Mercury
Intelligence.Mercury
The Universe is vast, but your intelligence is vaster. Use your intelligence: emotional, mental, artistic…It will vastly improve your life, and of those around you, too.
Juno
Houses. Juno
There is much to do to set our houses right. Start small. Think ahead. Fix things from the bottom up. And ask for help.
And that’s it. Many, many thanks to those who requested channeled messages and granted permission to share parts of their personal messages with you. There’s much to contemplate, isn’t there? And if you’re looking for more of those Valentines/Love channeled messages, they’ll be up by Valentines Day 😀
Catch you then.
Stockphotos from Pexels: Sharon McCutcheon, Clint DyGuaso, Frank Cone, Mike, Francesco Ungaro, Alex Andrews, Felix Mittermeier, Johannes Plenio
This year, my channelled Valentines Letter was quite different in that I received a blended message from the goddesses Shakti and Juno. I was a little confused and was trying to process these two seemingly very different energies when this came through:
Your heads up for the week with additional cards for a sneak peek at this pre-Valentines week. Who might be sending you a Valentine? Or the energy of your current partner 😀
Clip to preview Ep 12 of Way I See It Weekly Tarotscope 7 to 13 February 2021
This TBR Love is part audio with my new podcast—Way I See It: eBooks For Traveler. In the second episode I discuss three books from series I’m currently enjoying, including more about Native Bones mentioned in my December TBR post as well books by Iris Chacon. As usual, I’ll be concentrating primarily on indie-published eBooks. […]
This will the third year running that we’ve offered this, and looking back I’m still blown away by the wisdom and group messages that have come through since 2019. Have a look at last year’s Valentine’s Messages for us all. Many thanks to those whose requests for letters and messages brought out these pearls of light for us all!
Book Review: We Are The Fire Author: Sam Taylor Genre: YA Fantasy Format: novel Series: Standalone
I received an Advance Reader copy from my writing friend. Full disclosure: I was a beta-reader for various versions of this story, but not the final one in print. My last reading of this beta was closer to the Flint, Flare, Flame version that won the YARWA Rosemary Award for Speculative Fiction in 2018. Also, I don’t often read YA these days, and love Sam Taylor’s writing.
We Are The Fire is an a tense story of love, endurance, revolution, identity, and maturing. Oksana and Pran are Tuliikobrets, stolen children from other regions forced into becoming fire-controlling soldiers for the Vesimaan emperor, a fate they share with hordes of other children. Together with their closest friends, Yalku and Anu, Pran and Oksana dream of leaving the slavery and inhumanity of the fort controlled by ruthless Commanders, to return to their homelands or finding their own path. Pran proposes a revolution, and while he knows the cost of freedom will be high, he can’t guess just how high a price of love, friendship and suffering they will all pay.
The Whole story
Seven long years ago, Pran and Oksana arrived at the fort of the Tuliikobrets from different regions of conquered lands. From the start, they depended on each to get through the brutality and pain inflicted by their training and transformation into fierce fire-wielding soldiers for the power-hungry emperor. Now, they’re in love, and Pran is determined to break the bondage of Tuliis while also giving Oksana her dream of returning home. When the emperor’s new ambitious plans put intolerable pressure on the alchemist Rootare and the Commanders, the whole fort suffers. With Pran and Oksana’s sudden promotion to Hellions, Pran uses his new role to seed a revolt while Oksana is blackmailed into working with the creepy Rootare to produce even stronger serums. Pulled ever further apart, and faced with betrayal and the heart-breaking deaths of those they love, Oksana and Pran come to realize that victory may only be the start of a more hazardous and dark path to freedom.
What I Loved About This Story
Pran and Oksana, naturally, but also their friends Anu, Yalku and, eventually, Sepp. Sam Taylor vividly brings to life the cold environment, desperate emotions of the enslaved kids, and the regimental and brutal life no-one ever chose. Despite the dark scenes, this story is primarily one of hope and resilience, and love. Both Oksana and Pran are asked to make difficult decisions and face the consequences with responsibility that commands respect. Rootare is despicable yet not one-dimensional, while the camaraderie of the Tuliis despite their cultural differences is encouraging. The plot is strong, believable, and with an ending that shows a much wiser Pran and a very empowered Oksana. I love the way Sam Taylor weaves current alchemical knowledge with Vesimaan lore and materials to create the serums, and I adore the little details that allude to widely different cultures and how similar they can be.
What I Thought Could Be Better
So, having been familiar with older drafts of the story that featured more of Anu and Yalku, I missed some deleted scenes at the beginning. I felt the first part of the story was racing along at the expense of my favorite characters and their relationships until I got about a third of the way through and began appreciating this story as it’s now told. Then I could see it’s a more satisfying story overall. If you’ve read We Are The Fire as Flint, Flare, Flame you may feel the same 🙂 But you won’t be disappointed with the final story.
So what did I learn from this whole experience?
As a writer, revising your story endless times does often make it stronger. As a reader, I learned a bit more about alchemy, and to appreciate the freedom I had as a child to be a child. Though set in a fictional world, child labour/slavery and soldiers are still a reality many innocents face. I also learned that bread and cinnamon go well together 😀 And that I’d never want to be a human dragon. It just gets you burnt!
Rating: 5/5 I Recommend to: alchemy lovers, DWJ fans who prefer her darker fantasies for older YA, X-Men fanatics, and bored Harry Potter fans.
Woah! 2021 is here! And while it may not be starting off in the most optimistic or predictable way, neither did 2012 and 2000—the previous years (I can remember) that most resemble the type of changes we’re been experiencing. While I can’t say 2012 was my favorite year, 2000 is one of those I’ll always […]
This TBR Love is part audio with my new podcast—Way I See It. In the first episode featuring eBooks For Travelers, I discuss three books from series I’m currently enjoying. And as it’s a vacation time for most, I’m adding a few more recommendations that I meant to tell you about, too.
In which I’m asked to reconsider certain definitions and expectations, and a reminder that I’ve already experienced unconditional love from four amazing beings.
This year, my channeled Valentines Letter was quite different in that I received a blended message from the goddesses Shakti and Juno. I was a little confused and was trying to process these two seemingly very different energies when this came through:
…you have to adapt to new ideas and newness…
No kidding! Fortunately, most of the message was very positive and about love. As in previous years, letters kept to a main theme. This year, for me, it’s Merging. And suddenly the blended message and energies begin to make a lot more sense! I love how my guides and the universe conveys these themes 😀 Without getting into personal detail, here’s what else came through, some of which I think (and hope) will resonate with some of you.
…merging and expanding of all you can be…
This, as mentioned before, is the main theme for my love year. I like that merging includes expanding and not contracting, and that it’s not sacrificing my self-growth in order to experience love or vice versa. But that’s not all that was said about merging.
Maybe a better word is commitment…
This was extremely interesting to me. I knew they were referring to my past lives. Thinking back on past live regressions and meditations, I can see what they mean and why my soul might be reluctant to risk marriage even though my heart desires it. I was a little disappointed at first as I’ve been clearing and disconnecting and de-cording from past lives, people and experiences for so long that I thought there was no more I could do. Then I realized that Shakti and Juno were asking me to redefine my concept and interpretations of marriage and all that my soul believes it would bring. It looks like a good way of exploring marriage as a merging, instead of a loss of identity and independence.
There is no more waiting for you or by you.
I love this! I’ve been waiting to hear this forever! It’s about time, right? And if they had mentioned patience and Divine Timing one more time…But they didn’t, so this makes for my favorite part of the letter 😀
Wow! They’re right. I do. I’ve been working on not dishonoring myself to be more popular. It’s harder than I thought, but at least I’m aware if I’m about to do that and of the possible consequences. I’m in the process of deleting my FB account. That’s a huge step in honoring myself instead of what society thinks a writer’s platform should look like. I’m feeling hugely liberated and attuned more to my authentic self. It’s opening space to expand my commitment to my writing and what that should look like. I’ll still be on Twitter, but I like leaving those short notes and it feels more like me than FB posts. So, no. I won’t be meeting my guy via FB or other social media. That’s so not me.
…Give thanks to the doggies for all their love and test-running of what harmonious and loving relationships look like—of how unconditional love hurts and how quickly it heals those hurts.
I love this as well, and it’s so true. I’ve been blessed to have the love of four exceptional doggies—none my own and two I didn’t spend all that much time with—all doggie nephews and nieces. It’s not that all doggies love me, but the Big Black Shuck, Ms Snarky, SeeSee and the Little White Doggie have all shown me what unconditional love looks and feels like. It’s forgiving the Big Black Shuck for deconstructing things or biting his sister, and his undying affection despite my scolding and being so strict with him over biscuits. It’s the easy togetherness and understanding of sublime things with Ms Snarky, and the fun exuberance and deep compassion of Miss SeeSee. And it’s the misunderstanding with the Little White Doggie when I carried the Kinda-Big-White doggie (his partner) more than him. Yes, I got the stink-eye and the I’m-hurt-to-the-core-and-how-could-you speech, until the little doggie realized I was only carrying the kinda-cute-but-absolute-bully to give him a rest. The Little White Doggie took just a day to understand and even attempted to rescue my slipper to show we were all good! So, yes, huge thanks and love to the doggies.
I’m still pondering the first part of this message. I guess I have to weigh some of that merging and expansion against my life path and decisions in the future. The second part I got at once. I’d carried so much baggage that wasn’t my own (an empath’s burden) that it took me a long time to clear myself of others’ energy, draining of my energy (the can-you-just-do-that-for-me’s and, of course, it’s never just once) and baggage dumped on me. I don’t have to do that any more, unless I really, really want to! Also, I think it means that if I travel soon, or at all, that I should only carry light bags that I can walk with from one end of a terminal to the other without feeling I’ve run an 80-mile marathon.
binary comment
Ah, yes…I’m happy and looking forward to this merging and expanding in love. Thank you, Shakti and Juno!
This TBR Love is part audio with my new podcast—Way I See It: eBooks For Traveler. In the second episode I discuss three books from series I’m currently enjoying, including more about Native Bones mentioned in my December TBR post as well books by Iris Chacon.
Why eBooks For Travelers? Whether on the move or in armchairs, ebooks are lighter by far and—I believe—more eco-friendly!
Death Valley Mysteries by Melissa M Garcia Stranger and Next Of Kin
Stranger (Book 1) was an unusual, atmospheric read for me. The characters were revealed gradually and the animosity and empathy between detective Stellar and ex-convict Alex was intriguing. The plot twists and turns in an engrossing way, while the ending was both satisfying and memorable. I highly recommend Stranger.
So, I was excited to read Next Of Kin a few months later. The story works well, even as a standalone, the crimes are horrific, and the mystery engaging. However, as the story unfolds and draws closer to the reveal of the killer or killers, the plot unravels. This might be partly because the story starts to set up the next book and then continues to do so until the last word. In doing so, I think it weakens the initial plot significantly. Nevertheless, most of the characters are still interesting and Stellar’s moral dilemmas grow even more conflicting. I would have liked to have seen more character development in Alex this time, like when she meets Stellar’s mother. Perhaps, Garcia intended exploring Alex’s character growth more in the next book. I don’t recommend this book as highly as Stranger, but it’s still worth a read if Stellar, Alex and the town appeal to you.
Novella
The Absolver by Gavin Reese (a Prequel to the Saint Michael Thriller series) This an almost stereotypical missionary tale set in a poverty-stricken parish in Colombia. Despite the moral questions and usual depictions of the Roman Catholic church and themes of faith vs justice and the refusal to listen to the ever more disenfranchised, this is a good, well written crime read.
The plot holds together well with intelligence and, by the end, doesn’t leave you with a feeling a loss of faith in humanity. The characters were strong, especially our anti-hero priest, as was the setting that doesn’t flinch in showing the realities of surviving in such neighborhoods. A very good short read, in my opinion.
Happy reading! Let me know what’s on your TBR or what you recommend for readers interested in the Native Americas.