Cramped
tension comes
in tight quarters
as wheels hum
on pavement
and the feeling
of being
all elbows
comes to life
as space comes
at a premium
that makes me
long for
freedom
Gideon’s Challenge – Cramped
Shedding Irritations
Today’s meditation was skipped.
• • • ◈ • 🎃 • ◈ • • •
The @GlitterbyInk #OctoberAlchemy26 Challenge
Burn Prompt for October 2nd : Shed
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.
Today’s draw is the Four of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of taking time to rest, recuperation after a trying time, and stillness for restoration and meditation on the events that have brought you to this place as well as where to go from here.
If it’s not working for you, let it go.
Case in point… Today while doing my reading exercises the exhaust fan for the parking garage across the street turned on. It sounds like a freaking freight train running along the back of the building and is deafening in it’s intensity. Instead of trying to sit here and work with the cards while being irritated by this noise, get up and go close the window so the sound is muffled.
In doing this small task you shed a great deal with the irritation that was riding on you, making life easier for you as a whole and providing rest for your nerves in the process.
The message in today’s Four of Swords and Shed prompt is a reminder that like a snake shedding it’s old skin, we often cannot find the calm and rest we need until we shed what is trapping us in to certain patterns, mindsets, or cycles. Letting go doesn’t always have to mean shedding something big or momentous. Sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference and can give us the greatest sense of ease.
DECK USED: TAROCCHI DI CONNESSIONE
October Spooky Season Challenge by @MercuryTarot
Prompts for October 1st through 3rd
What energy is available to me this season?
Root Siphon atop Striker – This season encourages you to use your alone time to create beautiful things and expand your mind. Learn a new skill, and take some time to practice trial and error on old ones that have started to feel stale and rote.
Do I overindulge?
Tanthlar – Yes, you absolutely overindulge. You tend and add to the “hoards” that bring you pleasure often, even while holding discernment over what gets added. And when there is nothing to gather and add? You end up creating new additions for yourself.
What tempts me?
Guoldar – Self-destruction and dopamine are your greatest temptations. It’s a dangerous combination that your addictive tendencies, depression, and anxiety use to intertwine together seamlessly into a draw that’s hard to resist. You often catch yourself flirting with these temptations, but it’s only in looking to what lies beneath them that you are able to get them back under control.
Other elements included in this reading:
Beech Pod for Realizations that Foster Personal Growth
Oregon White Oak Leaf for Strength, Stability, and Longevity
Clear Quartz for boosting Mental Clarity
Honey Calcite for Optimism and Motivational Boost
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: SHADOWMYTHS NECROMAR MONSTER DECK
October Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for October 2nd : the kettle screamed my name
uninterested
in the care needed
to keep me on my feet
(Five of Hearts atop Queen of Hearts)
brain in a haze
that cannot be escaped
(Eight of Spades)
the sofa cushions welcome me
with open arms
(Ace of Clubs)
and eyes close as I sink
into limbo
with a grateful breath
(Three of Clubs)
until the kettle’s screams
remind me
(Ace of Spades)
that there’s tea to be made
and drank
(Queen of Diamonds)
Other elements included in this reading:
Pressed Pansy Flower for Hearing the Heart More Clearly
Japanese Cherry Leaf as a Reminder of Life’s Fleeting Moments
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: MAIDENS PLAYING CARDS
@owlandbonestarot #OctoberinBetween Challenge
Prompts for October 2nd
Invite – The Devil Rx – Self restraint. It’s not easy holding back from indulging in one’s addictions, especially when they seem to be intent on drawing you in and catching your attention.
Self restraint takes practice and self awareness, but it’s a necessary tool to keep yourself on track and avoid in self destructive behaviors through overindulgence.
Decline – The Empress Rx – Overabundance. Take time to pause and consider if this is really something you want, or if there is some other urge pushing you on, prior to pulling out your wallet to add it to your collection.
Self-medicating is a thing, and although there are times when you can indulge a bit? Now isn’t one of them. Take a moment to truly connect prior to committing.
Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Foraged Lodgepole Pine for Strength and Growth
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: TAROCCHI DI CONNESSIONE
I re-listened (twice) to a video that Gid sent me yesterday that made me smile.
Gideon’s Challenge – Peace
Peace
don’t let me
interrupt
your quiet moments
before dusk
steals the light
away
as I merely
pass by
on my way
to somewhere else
and I’m no danger
to you
even if
I were to stay
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Letting Go of Judgemental Recriminations
Today’s meditation was Today’s meditation was a ten minute Daily Calm session from the @Calm app.
• • • ◈ • 🎃 • ◈ • • •
The @GlitterbyInk #OctoberAlchemy26 Challenge
Burn Prompt for October 1st : Release
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.
Today’s draw is the Four of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of one’s passionate love for the security and welcoming energies of home. This often translates into themes that have to do with homecoming, celebrating home and stability, as well as relaxation in comfortable spaces.
I am a judgy SOB. Not so much when it comes to others, for when it comes to others, there’s a great deal more forgiveness and effort towards understanding… but when it comes to myself. This includes those things that are associated with me such as my car, my home, etc.
It’s not so much that I expect them to be of a greater value than they are. I love my Prius. I love that I have a mortgage instead of rent. But at the same time, my place is a mess. Never mind all the very good and acceptable reasons why it’s a mess; it’s still a mess.
I try and whittle away at it a little bit at a time, and I pay someone to come in and clean the bathrooms and the kitchen as well as dust and vacuum… and yet it’s still a mess.
That’s the thing, though, right? If you’re not willing to look at the causes of the situation and take them into account, how can you really judge yourself for the mess? And yet I do.
The message in today’s Four of Wands and Release prompt is a reminder that just because my house is a mess doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong, nor does it mean there’s anything wrong with it being a mess. Today’s cards are an encouragement to let go of unreasonable expectation around this hot button topic for me personally.
The mess is here because life is busy, because I’m running a home business inside a small home that I also live in, and because I’m passionate and have lots of interests. None of these are bad things and just because the house is cluttered doesn’t mean that it is unhealthy… thus it’s time to let go of harsh judgments in this area.
DECK USED: HAPPY HALLOWEEN TAROT
#DiscordTarotholicsOct2026 Challenge
Prompt for October 1st : Do the Fourth Quarter Spread
Year Ahead Theme : The Devil
The Devil card is traditionally a representation of temptation, struggles with moderation, harmful excesses, addiction, and self-harm. Temptation is not always bad for you, but neither is it always good. It’s through grounded and sound judgement that we are able to make healthy decisions when choosing what temptations we indulge in and which ones we leave behind.
Theme for October : Trick or Treat
Seek out joy. You can look at the world as scary and intimidating, or you can choose to have fun with it and focus on the rewards. The choice is yours.
Focus / Advice for October : Bow
Keep those things you want in your sights. You will forget about them, and as a result lose your chance to seize them, if you aren’t paying attention and focusing on what you want to achieve.
Ray of Hope for October : I am brave and unafraid to explore new haunted paths on my journey.
Confidence is the name of the game! When you focus on what you want this month, by keeping things turned in the direction of fun and the rewards involved, the scary stuff and challenging situations aren’t quite so difficult to overcome.
Theme for November : Seven of Swords
You may find yourself feeling cheated this month, as if someone has runaway with your hopes for the future. Pay attention to hints that malicious tomfoolery is afoot.
Focus / Advice for November : The Stream
One person’s loss is another’s gain. Look at not what has been lost, but where to go from here. The key to moving seamlessly forward during these disruptions lies in not grieving for the past, but adapting to the future.
Ray of Hope for November : You’re still making progress, even on your worst days.
November may feel like a setback, but keep in mind that progress is still being made, even if more slowly than you’d like or expect. Celebrate the small wins.
Theme for December : Eight of Wands
Busy, busy… go, go, go! November may have felt like a loss but December has the potential to feel llike you’re running yourself ragged. Make sure you are getting enough rest to give yourself the energy you need to just keep up this month.
Focus / Advice for December : Moving Trees
The goalposts are moving and you’re going to have to be quick on your feet to keep up. Even those things that you thought to be immovable are going to try to prove themselves otherwise.
Ray of Hope for December : Ghosting what no longer serves me
Clear your plate of those things you can let go of in order to give yourself more wiggle room in all that rushing around.
Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Foraged Pin Oak Leaf for Strength and Endurance
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECKS USED: HAPPY HALLOWEEN TAROT, HELLOW TAROT, AWRY THE FOREST GAME CARDS, AND TWIST’S HALLOWEEN AFFIRMATION CARDS
October Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for October 1st : the ghost in my coffee cup
Turnera diffusa
for a gentle lift
that allows joy to sink in
(Nine of Cups)
Verbascum thapsus
for a breath of fresh air
and a kiss of calm on the skin
(Six of Spades)
Artemisia vulgaris
then opens the door
to what lies beneath and beyond
(Ace of Clubs)
while the remnants
in the bottom of the cup
tell us of what’s to come and has gone
(Jack of Spades)
Other elements included in this reading:
Japanese Cherry Leaf as a Reminder of Life’s Fleeting Moments
Amethyst Mushroom for Fostering Spiritual Connections
Smoky Quartz for Introspection and Emotional Balance
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: A STRIKING COLLECTION MATCHBOOK LABEL ART PLAYING CARDS
@owlandbonestarot #OctoberinBetween Challenge
Prompts for October
Stop – Eight of Wands – Stop pushing and shoving and rushing so much. You are allowed to take your time, and now is a good time for doing so.
Let yourself savor things for a little while instead of rushing through everything. That rushing is just another way of closing yourself off.
Start – Judgement – It would be a good idea to start checking in on yourself more often to ensure alignment with the path you want to take in life and the person you want to become.
Evolution of the concept of that future person is allowed, but it’s important to keep tabs on the changes you make in that vision so that you aren’t accidentally left trudging down a path that’s no longer relevant.
Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rosebuds for Potential and Beauty Waiting to Unfold
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: HAPPY HALLOWEEN TAROT
I got the template set up for my October posts today instead of putting it off. It’s one of those things that can feel overwhelming (especially when done on my phone as I did today), but if I don’t do it right away, it ends up feeling as if it’s piling up and holding me back from stepping into the transition from one month to the next.
📆 Transitioning from September to October
Here and Now I Exist – Who you are now, in your entirety.
Tres d’Épées – You are struggling with your mental health at this time. Let yourself acknowledge what is going on so that you can begin dealing with it.
The Slough – What is to be left in the past as you move forward.
Valet de Deniers – Income can’t come in any faster than you are able to produce it. Don’t get overconfident or you will end up making a fool of yourself.
What Lies Ahead – An ideal state or ideal self you are seeking at this time.
Cavalier de Bâton – You seek more enthusiasm and energy, but you may find that it will be too much for your own good if you manage to obtain it at this time.
Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.
La Maison Dieu Rx – Over-catastrophizing the issues you are dealing with won’t do anything but exacerbate the problem.
The Boon – Positive influences, higher guidance, or divine intervention.
Quatre d’Épées – Rest and recovery still needs to remain your focus. Find healthy alternatives to stewing in stillness or picking up new projects and responsibilities when you are feeling restless.
The Wound – An unpleasant past experience or event that is ripe for some support and healing.
Dix d’Épées (tipped right) – Your fatalistic outlook is blocking your path forward to better things. It’s time to look at where the building blocks of that pessimism lay and begin exploring them.
Nostalgia – A positive past experience or event to acknowledge, reflect upon, and enjoy.
Valet de Coupe – Some origin story meandering down memory lane with Gideon could be good for you right now.
A Warning – Something coming that can be prevented or overcome.
Bonus Art Card – Don’t let your discomfort keep you from looking into the dark places where trouble congregates and tangles itself into knots. Pull out the issues and deal with them instead.
Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.
As de Bâton – Lean into enthusiastic curiosity and explore where it takes you.
Message from the Spirit World – Women trouble is fast approaching. Pay attention to the cues and clues, and be curious instead of put in the defensive. It won’t help anyone (not them or you) to get your back up, as you’ll just get more tangled in the chaos.
Message from the Mind’s World – Take things slow when you’re not feeling well, and don’t allow either yourself or others to push you with their expectations. Whether physical or mental, unwell is unwell. Treat yourself kindly instead of bending to pressure.
Message from the Physical World – There’s a painful lesson coming concerning not listening to your emotions. If you want to mitigate this lesson, you need to focus on approaching unpleasant surprises without letting your emotions take control… and not by burying them either.
Other elements included in this reading:
Staghorn Sumac for Connecting with Nature and the Wild Within
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Carnelian Agate Mushroom for Focusing On Aspirations
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECKS USED: LE TAROT DE MARSEILLE POLE KA
Gideon’s Challenge – Impatience
Impatience
blood drips
from wounds
not recognized
and feed the earth
the taste
of my essence
as I wait
on the roadside
for help
that feels
like it will
never arrive
