Today’s meditation was a ten minute self-guided session based on an affirmation card that says, “It’s okay to struggle. You are doing better than you feel like you are.”

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The @GlitterbyInk #OctoberAlchemy26 Challenge
Breathe Prompt for October 17th : Presence
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is The Empress card, which is traditionally a representation of a nurturing energy of strength and empowerment without losing that “softer side” in the process, abundance, fertility, the divine feminine, and Mother Earth.

The presence of obstacles and issues in your life and your struggles as you work through them is not a reflection on you of failure (or potential failure).

Instead of focusing single-mindedly upon all the things that could go wrong, give yourself the nurturing support you need and reflect on the abundance in your life. In this way, you bring more to your experience than fear and anxiety, building yourself up instead of tearing yourself down.

The message in today’s Empress card and Presence prompt is a reminder that the energy we want present in our lives needs to be introduced and fostered by us to grow there. Otherwise we are left with only the presence of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty.

DECK USED:  DREAMING CAT TAROT MAGICAL FANTASY EDITION AND TWIST’S HALLOWEEN AFFIRMATIONS DECK

October Spooky Season Challenge by @MercuryTarot
Prompt for October 17th and 18th

What should I invest in?

Six of Coasts and Two of Attics

Spend some time digging through the things you’ve tucked away in storage, closets, and other spots not easily accessed. There is treasure to be found (and worth finding!) if you’re willing to get a bit dusty and dirty in order to find it.

What should I harvest?

Three of Stairs and Three of Attics

It’ll be more fun if you bring others in on the search. If you make a game of it, like a treasure hunt that they can participate in, you will find them eager to join in and help in searching high and low for the treasures awaiting your rediscovery.

Remember that not all treasures have to do with monetary gain (although some do). Others are about connecting with the past and finding joy in the present.

Other elements included in this reading:
Japanese Cherry Leaf as a Reminder of Life’s Fleeting Moments
Green Calcite for Fostering Abundance and Easing Stress
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  LITTLE GHOST GAME CARDS

October Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for October 17th : elemental eyes

sea and sand
and moisture in the air
vies with blue skies
as fog lingers
(Seven of Hearts)

and condensation
creates the patter
of droplets
that sound like raindrops
as they fall to the forest floor
(Eight of Diamonds)

and in this place
where sea and sky
meet forest green
and reaching roots
(Two of Diamonds)

I seek out comfort in you
even here
(Queen of Hearts)
for you anchor me
in ways that even these places
cannot
(Nine of Diamonds)

Other elements included in this reading:
Staghorn Sumac for Connecting with Nature and the Wild Within
Oregon White Oak Leaf for Strength, Stability, and Longevity
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  HAPPY HALLOWEEN PLAYING CARDS

@owlandbonestarot #OctoberinBetween Challenge
Prompts for October 17th 

No – Justice Rx – Don’t allow yourself to get caught up in the mentality that life is unfair and out of balance. Whether it’s true or not, the negative perspective isn’t going to be helpful to you right now.

It will drag you down when you are fighting to pull yourself out of your depression, and isn’t going to contribute to your cause or your situation.

Yes – Seven of Swords – It’s okay to slip into survival mode and take what you need. Residing in this mental space all of the time isn’t healthy, but it can be used as a tool when it’s needed (like now).

It’s okay to be selfish. You have your own ethics and moral compass, and can take what you need while still working within those parameters… so do it.

Other elements included in this reading:
Clear Quartz for boosting Mental Clarity
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  DREAMING CAT TAROT MAGICAL FANTASY EDITION

I brought home a tin of David’s Cookies (the butter pecan meltaway kind) from Costco today.

Today’s meditation was a ten minute self-guided session based on an affirmation card that says, “You are NOT unworthy. You deserve peaceful days.”

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The @GlitterbyInk #OctoberAlchemy26 Challenge
Breathe Prompt for October 16th : Freedom
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Strength (Dr Kemp from The Invisible Man) card, which is traditionally a representation of inner strength, persuasion usually through means of compassion, influence and/or manipulation, and courage.

“When you embrace the energy of this card, you are acknowledging your fears and working to defeat them – even if it means squaring off with a friend turned foe.” ~ from the guidebook

Remember, when challenges arise that feel insurmountable, that you are far stronger than you realize. You will find a way to get through whatever hurdles come your way, as well as whatever hardships those obstacles may bring with them.

The message in today’s Strength card and Freedom prompt is a reminder that when shit hits the fan, it’s not the end of the world. It is a call to arms for your inner self to rise up and show just how strong you really are and utilize your skills, experiences, principal, and values to give you an advantage as you move forward. In doing so you provide a path forward to freedom from these challenges that will allow you to thrive instead of falter.

DECK USED:  UNIVERSAL MONSTERS TAROT AND TWIST’S HALLOWEEN AFFIRMATIONS DECK

October Spooky Season Challenge by @MercuryTarot
Prompt for October 15th and 16th

What tradition have I outgrown?

The Bride – Leaping first and figuring it out later.

Sometimes forethought is the only way to make the best decision moving forward. It’s not that both options won’t work out… it’s that one of them offers a far less difficult path.

So, instead of doing what history says is your tendency to do when you are overwhelmed and just saying “fuck it” and diving in, make sure you are making a conscious choice with solid reasoning and an eye toward trajectory behind it.

What new tradition shall I create?

The Doctor – Use your education and experience to make the choices that will ensure the best outcomes possible. It’s in your power to create a path of healing and restoration, empowering good results through the choices you make. That means you have to actually think things through, though, rather than just jumping in feet first.

Other elements included in this reading:
Oregon White Oak Leaf for Strength, Stability, and Longevity
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration, Clarity, and Determination
Clear Quartz for boosting Mental Clarity
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  ORACLE OF THE UNDEAD

October Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for October 16th : grizzly in my chest

news is delivered
like a sledgehammer to the heart
(Ace of Spades atop Jack of Spades)
and a moment of pause
taken
to absorb the blow
(Four of Spades)
before implications begin to invade
and try to take over the conversation
(Nine of Spades)
when what’s needed is comfort and support
(Queen of Hearts)
but living deep within my chest
a deep rumble is held in check
(Five of Hearts)
as the instinct to protect rears up
and demands the freedom to roar
(Seven of Clubs)

Other elements included in this reading:
Oregon White Oak Leaf for Strength, Stability, and Longevity
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  54 CRYPTIDS AND LEGENDARY CREATURES PLAYING CARDS

@owlandbonestarot #OctoberinBetween Challenge
Prompts for October 16th

Believe – Eight of Cups – Believe that this leaving…

The loss of employment is a hard pill to swallow, even when it’s not -my- employment that’s lost. It brings up a lot of worries… and although my first instinct is to encourage them to stay where they are, the -right- choice is to support whatever it is they want to do… even if that means leaving to start over again with something or somewhere else.

Know – Three of Wands – …will result in a path forward filled with passion and enthusiasm.

In lending the support mentioned above, you give them the freedom to choose what -they- want most out of this situation.

This creates the potential for them to not just go after what they want, but find it. And, in doing so, move in a direction that sparks passion within them and an enthusiasm for work that has been flagging of late for them.

Other elements included in this reading:
Bird Figurine for Fostering Hope, Positivity, and Renewal
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration, Clarity, and Determination
Carnelian Agate for Inner Drive and Focusing On Aspirations
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  UNIVERSAL MONSTERS TAROT

I took the initiative to get the hanging rod bought and hung that I wanted for my MJ Cullinane decks today. Now I just need to buy more clips before I can get them all hung.