Dismayed
as the world
falls apart
in shades
of brick
and gray
it comes to mind
that small fixes
might not
be enough
to turn
the tide away
Gideon’s Challenge – Dismayed
Leadership Qualities
Today’s meditation was skipped.
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Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.
Today’s draw is the King of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s passions, drive, determination, principles, values, and willpower. The King of Wands often indicates themes that have to do with leadership figures or authority figures with the ability to rally others to their causes and draw them in to their own values, principles, and passions.
The King of Wands has then been combined with the Community card from the Create Brave Cards, which says, “I surround myself with people who desire my greatest good.”
Make sure when you are following the passionate leadership of others that they have your well-being at heart instead of merely their own selfish desires.
It’s important, when picking a leader, that there is a thread of altruism in their motivations. If everything is all about them, then you are on your own and less likely to come out ahead because they won’t have your back unless there’s a benefit to them in doing so.
The message in today’s King of Wands and affirmation card is a reminder that anyone can make pretty promises and raise up passions in others, but a true leader genuinely cares about those who follow them, and they show this not just with pretty words but also through their past actions.
DECKS USED: TAROT THE GREEN CODEX AND CREATE BRAVE CARDS
September Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for September 29th : the anatomy of sunlight
scorched earth beaten into submission
where nothing can grow
is not the nature of sunlight’s rays
but the neglect of water’s flow
(Ten of Spades)
in dark caves where lichen glows
phosphorescence on display
not a single speck of sunlight
chases darkness away
(Four of Spades)
it’s in those places lush and green
where sunlight and water abound
we see the life in sunlight’s rays
wherever they touch ground
(Queen of Clubs atop Queen of Diamonds)
Other elements included in this reading:
Japanese Cherry Leaf as a Reminder of Life’s Fleeting Moments
Flower Agate for Opening the Mind to New Possibilities
Garnierite for help in Releasing Anger, Anxiety, and Guilt
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: CUATRO VEINTE PLAYING CARDS
@lightningwildflower‘s September Self-Talk Challenge
Prompt for September 29th and 30th
Emergence – What new version of myself is emerging?
Ace of Wands Rx and Séparation Longue
You may find your creative passion and intense interests difficult to connect with in the months to come.
This may feel like depression, which tends to suck the joy out of everything and quash your inner curiosity, but in truth it is merely a need to rest and recover so that you can come back stronger when this temporary phase (that feels like an eternity) comes to an end.
Mercury enters Scorpio – What deep conversation am I ready to have?
Princess (Queen) of Swords and Expérience Douloureuse
Don’t turn away from sharing your pain with those that care about you. In doing so, it works like a release valve, easing inner emotional pressure caused by the pain, so that you don’t end up lashing out blindly later on.
Other elements included in this reading:
Bird Figurine for Encouraging Hope, Positivity, and Renewal
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Beech Pods for Realizations that Foster Personal Growth
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: TAROT THE GREEN CODEX AND L’ORACLE DES RELATIONS KARMIQUES
I brought up something that was bothering me with Gid instead of keeping it to myself and risking letting it fester into something more painful.
Gideon’s Challenge – In Love
In Love
who needs alcohol
when we can be
drunk on each other
and the company
we keep
so that the world
seems a little brighter
in your company
than whenever
left alone
and my heart sings
in harmony
with yours
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Taking the Path of Grace
Today’s meditation was skipped.
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Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.
Today’s draw is The Hanged Man, which is traditionally a representation of taking a pause, considering alternate perspectives, relaxing into difficult situations, surrender, or letting go.
The Hanged Man has then been combined with a Chuang Tzu quote card from the Tao Book and Cards Pack, which says, “Wu Wei.”
In my understanding of the concept, Wu Wei is all about interconnectivity and flow. It is the belief that we are simply leaves carried upon the energy of Tao, and that it is through letting go of control and allowing ourselves to be carried that we find true peace and enlightenment.
My first thought when I saw this Hanged Man card was that that has to hurt. Hanging by one’s tail, with one back leg unnaturally askew… it looks like a painful position. This feels like it’s reinforced by the fact that the fox’s eyes are closed and ears are flat rather than upright.
The message I see here in these cards is a reminder that when you are a chronic pain patient, pain does not always mean that something is wrong. Sometimes you just have to breathe through it and let it be until it eventually eases.
The message in today’s Hanged Man card and affirmation card is a reminder that tensing up and struggling under the weight of chronic pain merely puts you in even more discomfort and distress. These cards encourage allowance rather than fighting back against something that you have no control over. Do the kindnesses that you can to be understanding in these moments, but don’t turn it into a battle.
DECKS USED: THE FOX TAROT AND TAO BOOK AND CARDS PACK
September Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for September 28th : a prayer undressed
energy drinks or baby formula
food on the table or sex
mortgage payment or power tools
go home to your wife or text
(Seven of Hearts)
wants and needs tangle
and reason loses its way
when selfish wants become
what is given sway
(Jack of Clubs)
only when we pray for others
with altruistic care
are prayers bestowed with answers
in riches beyond compare
(King of Diamonds)
Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
Clear Quartz for boosting Mental Clarity
Gray Agate Druzy Slab for Stabilizing Energies and Expectations
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: ART OF NATURE MOTHS PLAYING CARDS
@lightningwildflower‘s September Self-Talk Challenge
Sun trine Uranus Prompt for September 28th : What changes am I ready to make in my life?
Four of Pentacles – You are ready to foster a greater sense of security that more seamlessly marries your “security in stillness” viewpoint with the “developing your sea legs” perspective that reality tells you true security requires to weather changes well.
Ten of Wands – You are seeking to develop a better awareness and understanding of when you are approaching your limits… before you run headlong into them. Your understanding of your limitations is growing and slowly developing into a boundary, but your awareness of when you are approaching that line still needs work.
Five of Cups Rx – You plan to continue to encourage less pessimism in your life, including sussing out when it tries to sneak in hidden behind the guise of practicality.
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
Clear Quartz for boosting Mental Clarity
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: THE FOX TAROT
I started back up using the Water Llama app to track my fluid intake after realizing I’ve been dehydrating the last couple of days.
Gideon’s Challenge – Overstimulated
Overstimulated
Let’s sink in
to the quiet stillness
of small burrows
and soft moss
where the sounds
of water drops
and faint rustle
of bird feathers
are all ears can hear
and slugs move
at the speed
of slow breaths
and we can watch
from the sidelines
as they race
at speeds
we could only
dream of
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Power Within the Breath
Today’s meditation was skipped.
• • • ◈ • 🌾 • ◈ • • •
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.
Today’s draw is the Ten of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of overwhelm, burnout, struggling under too much responsibility, and can indicate a need to do some prioritizing and delegation.
The Ten of Wands has then been combined with the Extended Exhale Meditation card from the Rethink Self Care Anxiety Relief Cards, which says, “Take a deep breath through your nose, counting to three. Exhale slowly through your mouth, counting to six. With each exhale, imagine your body releasing stress and anger. Focus on the longer out-breath, allowing it to slow your heart rate and calm your thoughts. Repeat until you feel grounded.”
Do you know that the natural reaction of most people when faced with a sudden onset of pain is to hold their breath? They hitch in air and clamp closed the airway, holding that air inside their lungs and depriving their body of oxygen as if this will help the situation in some way.
In truth, when we are overcome by pain, the most helpful thing we can do for ourselves is to breathe deeply. To take the time to slow down our breath and deepen it so that our body is given more oxygen instead of less. This feeds oxygen into our muscles and allows them to relax, which in turn can have a positive influence on our pain levels and reactions.
This is true, as well, for stress and overwhelm. Taking a moment to focus on the breath and consciously slow and deepen our breathing provides relief, allowing muscles to relax a bit and tensions to ease.
The message in today’s Ten of Wands and grounding exercise is a reminder that we all get overwhelmed from time to time. By pain, by tension and stress, by responsibilities, etc. We all find ourselves overburdened and overwhelmed now and then. During these times, by pausing and taking a moment to breathe, focusing on slowing and deepening our breath, we can help ourselves be more resilient in these moments.
DECKS USED: GOOD FORTUNE TAROT AND RETHINK SELF CARE ANXIETY RELIEF CARDS
One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 6 | Entry 10 – Title
Affirmation : “My dreams are a way for me to commune with the Divine and my own subconscious.”
Prompt : Answer this property before a nap, mindful meditation, or bedtime: “As I fall asleep, what symbols from the card I draw might work its way into my dream realm, either literally or symbolically?” Journal about your experience when you wake up.
What feelings came up when I pulled this card?
I had a bit of an uh-oh reaction to this one, anticipating that perhaps my dreams would be filled with conflicting decision-making and/or selfish themes.
What elements of the card’s meaning resonate with me and this prompt?
The Devil card is often about addictions and temptations, especially those that start off as either intriguing or interesting and end up being self-destructive over time.
I have an extremely addictive personality, and anything that provides me a bit of dopamine is a risk at becoming an addiction. Even healthy things can become unhealthy when you get too much of a good thing.
What in the artwork spoke to me?
The upsidedown pentagram in the background really draws my eye. Like with the Christian cross, it has been picked up by contrary belief systems by taking it and turning it upside down. Essentially, creating something negative out of something that would otherwise be a positive symbol… much like my comment above about even healthy things becoming unhealthy through excess.
My prompt response and reflections.
This activity was sort of a dud for me. I got a lot out of the card and my reflections on the card, especially because my readings of late have been rife with warnings about temptations and addictions, and keeping them in hand.
The thing is, though, that I didn’t dream. Or rather, I don’t remember my dreams. Sometimes I do… but last night was not one of those nights, which happens more often than not.
Other elements included in this reading:
Unakite D20 and D6 Dice
DECK USED: ROLL TO ROLL TAROT
#DiscordTarotholicsSep2026 Challenge
Prompt for September 27th : Do Spread 3
What gifts from Summer are ready to be harvested?
The High Priestess atop The Lovers; Hungry Heart
You are getting better at listening to your intuition and inner knowing when it comes to what is right and healthy for you, and prioritizing these things over the punishment of neglect and self-destructive tendencies you often find yourself drawn to.
You are dealing with a good number of temptations right now that could easily become self-destructive. Gather up these successes in the Summer to help carry you through these moments of temptation.
Where is your attention most needed between now and the upcoming last harvest of the year?
Three of Cups and Free Spirit
This time of year is your last hurrah before the busy season arrives. This is still true, even if the business has been a bit slower this year than in the past. Have some fun. These cards encourage you to enjoy this time. Be silly. Do the things you enjoy and savor the freedom of having the time to do them.
What seeds need to be planted now to be ready in Spring?
Three of Pentacles and Fortress
True stability is created through working together with others. Build the happy and healthy home life you want through the connections and relationships you nurture and grow. It’s only through the help of others you can find that security that you so deeply crave.
Other elements included in this reading:
Staghorn Sumac for Connecting with Nature and the Wild Within
Japanese Cherry Leaf as a Reminder of Life’s Fleeting Moments
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Carnelian Agate Mushroom for Focusing On Aspirations
Moss Agate for Attracting Opportunities for Growth
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: GOOD FORTUNE TAROT AND OH MY HEART ORACLE
I returned to searching for a discrepancy in my paperwork today and finally (after a month of hunting) found it!
