Anchor in the Storm

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Winter Waite Tarot 2021 Glitter Edition - King of Cups and Christmas Affirmation CardsDaily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the King of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, emotional intelligence, creativity, or intuition. This often translates into authority figures that are emotionally supportive and understanding, possessing both compassion and strong leadership qualities.

The King of Cups has then been combined with one of my Christmas Affirmation cards, which says, “Like a snow globe shaken up, life can settle into something beautiful.”

What, where, or who is your emotional anchor? When things get out of hand, is there something you reach for or someone you reach out to that helps you to find perspective and keep your emotions in check so that they don’t fly out of control?

For me, this is my partner, Gideon. He is my anchor in the storm that keeps me from being tossed around by the turbulence of my emotions. The key to this, though, is that I have to actually reach out to him to get this benefit from him. Sometimes I forget… and sometimes I am reluctant due to misguided pride or other unreasonable expectations placed upon myself.

The message in today’s cards is a reminder to use your anchor wisely during holiday turbulence (and the rest of the year). Reach out to it or them when needed instead of stubbornly insisting you can do it yourself. Life is far more beautiful and pleasurable when you reach out for help when you need it… especially when emotions are involved.

DECKS USED:  WINTER WAIT TAROT 2021 GLITTER EDITION AND TWIST’S CHRISTMAS AFFIRMATION CARDS

@Lionharts #TheDecemberTarot Fruits of 2025 Challenge
The Scythe Prompts for December 21st thru 24th

Oracle Reading with the Holiday Magic OracleWhat boundary will shape my energy more than any goal I set next year?

New Heights – Knowing when it’s okay to move on a new opportunity or advance on a current project, versus when it’s time to rest and recover.

These boundaries and awareness can help you to not push yourself when you need this time of recovery, as well as not to sink into stagnancy at the end of recovery instead of getting back up and moving again.

What personal vow am I ready to uphold or make without hesitation?

Thoughtful Act – Vow to show your appreciation more; not just for others, but also for yourself. Express your gratitude. Allow yourself to show just how much their presence in your life means, and just how much you value yourself. This might not be your strong suite, but is a promise you can make without hesitation or reservation, as it aligns with both your path and personal growth.

Which old version of myself is ready be released with gratitude?

Simple Pleasures – That long-in-the-tooth part of yourself that is too busy to truly appreciate the small things, and therefore takes them for granted. When you’re too busy and always striving for more, your anxiety and your adrenaline kicked up to a high level. That then causes you to miss out on the small and lovely things in life.

Which emerging version of myself is ready to take the lead from here?

Magical Spirit – The version of yourself that appreciates those around you more, and is willing to come together with them to show that appreciation. This includes appreciating yourself more, for you also need to celebrate your own accomplishments.

Other elements included in this reading:
Japanese Cherry Leaf as a Reminder of Life’s Fleeting Moments
Foraged Lodgepole Pine for Resilience, Growth, and Renewal
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: HOLIDAY MAGIC ORACLE OF CHRISTMAS

#DiscordTarotholicsDec2025 Challenge
Prompt for December 21st thru 23rd

Tarot Reading with the Winter Waite Tarot 2021 Glitter EditionWhere should you direct your focus this week to foster your understanding towards others?

Page of Pentacles – Patience is going to be key this week, as is remembering that you don’t know everything. Listen more, speak less. Pay attention to not just what’s going on around you, but also what is right in front of your face.

How can you better foster your relationship with friends and loved ones?

The Magician – Set the tone. Be helpful, but don’t allow others to dictate your own actions, thoughts, ambitions, or goals. Even when you’re sitting back to watch instead of taking an active role, continue to be yourself instead of one of the sheep.

What could you be more grateful for?

Six of Swords – Consider fostering more gratitude for the fact that you can step out and get a breath of air when you need it. You can also walk away from the conversation instead of allowing it to continue. Be sure to eep these things in mind through the week ahead.

Other elements included in this reading:
Black Spruce Needles to Boost Self-Confidence and Positive Thinking
Dried Rosebuds for Potential and Beauty Waiting to Unfold
Dried Purple Heather Flowers for Independence and Luck
Carved Bamboo for Positive Outcomes
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration and Clarity
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: WINTER WAIT TAROT 2021 GLITTER EDITION

Daily Self Kindness

I pulled a few of the decks for January to be prepared for when I get back after my stay away.  That way I’m not struggling to get them pulled when I return home, and it can be a bit more of a relaxed return as a result.

Gideon’s Challenge – The Boots

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Christmas Front PorchThe Boots

All decked out
and lit
in welcome
the warm glow
offers a reprieve
from the
long drive
and the cold
as it feels
like snow
even though
there’s not a flake
to be seen
so take
your shoes off
and come on in

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Emotions are Fluid

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Today’s meditation was an ten minute long #DailyCalm session from the @Calm app.

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The Visionary's Tarot - Page of Swords and Christmas Affirmation CardsDaily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Page of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive omega energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s thoughts, intellect, logic, ambitions, and communication. This often translates into themes that have to do with learning new ways to communicate with others, beginning new educational pursuits, exploring new ideas. and seeking to sate one’s curiosity.

The Page of Swords has then been combined with one of my Christmas Affirmation cards, which says, “These painful feelings aren’t permanent. There are better times ahead.”

You know, I never actually considered a lack of inspiration or lapse in creativity as something that is a painful feeling. And yet, today’s cards to bring this to the fore for me, and highlight the fact that there is actually pain involved in these moments of slump.

It’s the sensation of missing something vital. A piece of me that drives my ambitions and allows me to see the world around me as beautiful. That creative spark within me provides these things, and when it sputters and struggles to catch flame, I’m a bit surprised to discover upon reflection that feel that lack as an actual internalized wound.

The message in today’s cards is the repeat of a message that I have gotten several times of late. That is… It’s temporary. Discomfort is temporary. Sadness is temporary. Uncertainty is temporary. Our emotions are always moving and flowing and shifting beneath us like sand under waves.

That means that these unpleasant moments we find ourselves in are temporary by nature. Sometimes the key is to just wait it out, other times playing an active role can help us learn how to emerge from these times a bit quicker. There’s nothing wrong with being proactive about it.

DECK USED:  THE VISIONARY’S TAROT AND TWIST’S CHRISTMAS AFFIRMATIONS

@aplacetodock #Yuletide Oracle Challenge
Prompts for December 21st and 22nd

Oracle Reading with the Yule OracleWhat is rocking around the Christmas tree?

Fig and Cinnamon – You can be protective without aggression. Consider the power that resides in silence. Within silence there can be warmth and support, comfort and care… there can also be a statement never spoken with more than a glance or an expression on one’s face.

Silence is a tool. Use it to your advantage by exploring it’s power and the unique language it presents, rather than jumping in with words.

What message comes from the fireplace embers?

Candles and Reindeer – Bank your fire instead of letting it leak out into your disposition this holiday season. You will gain more by staying warm and inviting… and learn a lot more about those around you as well.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Acorns for Protection during New Beginnings
Mandala Disk Charged for Serenity and Balance
 Carved Rhyolite Leaf for Facilitating Calm Transitions
Raccoon Figure for Problem Solving and Seeking Knowledge
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: YULE ORACLE

@LightningWildflower December Arcana Challenge 
Temperance Prompt for December 22nd : How can I move toward a greater sense of equilibrium?

Tarot Reading with The Visionary's TarotSummary: Stop trying to jump at every opportunity that comes along (Ace of Pentacles Rx). In doing so, you are overwhelming yourself (Temperance Rx), which is in turn causing stagnancy (The Hanged Man).

Moment of Reflection: Why was the Temperance card the one that came out, instead of the Ten of Wands? This is because we are talking about the potential for overwhelm, instead of an actual present predicament of overwhelm.

Take Away: It used to be that any opportunity that dropped in your lap, you jumped on, picking it up and inserting it into your life.  When you were younger and had a crapload of energy, not to mention were ignoring your personal needs and self-care?  This was fine, as you could just keep plowing forward.

Now, though, it’s not the same any longer.  You aren’t the same any longer.  The consequences of acting in this way now are much steeper, as you don’t have as much energy and you are trying to take better care of yourself.  You don’t bounce back as easily, which means you can’t juggle as many projects and responsibilities as you once could as your recovery time after doing too much becomes longer and longer.

In order to maintain equilibrium, moderation is needed.  You just -can’t- continue to jump on every opportunity that comes along, no matter how much you want to. The cost and consequences of doing so end up setting you back far more than the boons involved.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rosebuds for Potential and Beauty Waiting to Unfold
Foraged Lodgepole Pine for Resilience, Growth, and Renewal
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE VISIONARY’S TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I told Ms B we wouldn’t be coming on Tuesday, since we’ll be coming up there on Wednesday to spend the night, then staying for a little over a week.

Gideon’s Challenge – Trees with Teeth

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Lodgepole Pine TipsTrees with Teeth

It’s in the
crisp tingle
in the nose
and prickle
on the skin
that emerald hues
remain vibrant
through winter
for the miracle is
in the evergreens
that stay
lush and full
as winter
bites deep

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Movement Over Stagnancy

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Today’s meditation was an ten minute long #DailyCalm session from the @Calm app.

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Christmas Cheer Tarot - 2 of Wands and Christmas Affirmation CardsDaily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Two of Wands (Candles), which is traditionally a representation of planning, decision making, looking ahead, and themes to do with progress.

The Two of Wands has then been combined with one of my Christmas Affirmation cards,  which says, “Just because you can’t find your happiness today, doesn’t mean that you never will.”

If you’re unwilling, it’s never gonna happen.

Even in the depression, there’s the need to keep a little ray of hope going that will keep you moving forward. For me, that’s the phrase “it’s temporary”.

If something is temporary that means that sooner or later it’s going to end, I’m going to come out the other side, and if I don’t keep up on the things that need to be done during this temporary time of discomfort, I’m going to have to play catch-up once I manage to crawl my way out of it.

During these times, I might not get as much done because I’m not really enjoying what I’m doing. Even then, though, keeping in mind that the slump is temporary keeps a bit of momentum going during the lull so that there’s not as much to catch up on later when I’m ready to start really moving again.

The message in today’s cards is that just because you’re not enjoying the day, the activity, or the experience that you’re currently going through, doesn’t mean giving up. Sure, slow down, but don’t stop. The unpleasant moment is temporary. Treat it as such so that when you come out the other side, you have plans and movement already on your side.

DECK USED:  CHRISTMAS CHEER TAROT TWIST’S CHRISTMAS AFFIRMATIONS

#DiscordTarotholicsDec2025 Challenge
Prompt for December 21st : Do Spread 3

Christmas Tarot Reading with the Christmas Cheer Tarot

Where do you need to practice more tolerance with others?

Six of Candles – Remember that you don’t have to fulfill other’s expectations, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to fight against them either. You can acknowledge them, and validate them with kindness and acceptance, without committing yourself and your energy to their fulfillment.

How can you foster more tolerance within your heart?

Two of Candles Rx – Keep in mind that even the best plans go awry now and then. It takes patience to adapt and keep going, so don’t get yourself so tied up in rigid plans that you can’t pivot when needed.

Where do you need to step up with your self-care over the holidays?

Queen of Candy Canes – Practice what you preach. You give good advice about self-care when speaking with others, but you need to make sure that you’re taking your own advice as well. Listen to that advice you’re giving others this holiday season, and take that advice to heart for yourself as well.

What do you need to focus on to keep your holiday cheer intact?

The Moon – Let others lead during times of uncertainty during this holiday season. Just as Santa lets his reindeer lead the sleigh through clouds and storms, you also need to allow others to lead sometimes when things feel uncertain or unclear.

How can you best respond to those that try to “stir the pot” this holiday?

King of Ornaments – Lead by example, and don’t allow them to upset your footing. Hold yourself above such pettiness and bullshit by grounding into your foundation.

How can you express your emotions with more love and kindness?

The Hanged Man – Consider how others best receive love. Not everyone’s “love language” is the same. Some people need different things than you do in order to feel loved. Make sure that you are paying attention to these differences, so that you can express your emotions in a way that communicates more clearly with them how you feel.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Acorns for Protection during New Beginnings
Foraged Branch covered in Parmeliaceae for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Foraged Lodgepole Pine for Resilience, Growth, and Renewal
Scotch Pine Cones for Purging Negative Influences
Moss Agate Tree for Attracting Opportunities for Growth
Serpentine Dragon to Bolster Heart and Emotions
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: CHRISTMAS CHEER TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I let myself get pulled into some play today instead of doing the grumpy “stand alone in a corner” thing.

Gideon’s Challenge – Temporary

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Mossy ConcreteTemporary

A little of this
and a little of that
and focus
shatters
into a million pieces
sight obstructed
making it hard
to see
the light
I’m reaching for
and know is there

its temporary

Photo © ZenStatePhotography