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
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.
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
#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
I returned to searching for a discrepancy in my paperwork today and finally (after a month of hunting) found it!
These Saturday readings are (not usually) bearing in on any one thing or event in my life, as the question used is asking for a more general outlook. This is a self care exercise, and is not meant as a predictive reading… although that, too, happens on occasion.
The question is… What do I need to focus for self-care through the week ahead?
Earth – Three of Autumn Swords – Learn from your hesitancy and recalcitrance. When you hesitate to act, disappointment is given roots, and you are left knowing its arrival is due to your own actions or lack there of. Don’t feel sorry for yourself. Instead, give yourself forgiveness and understanding while retaining the lesson learned so that you don’t have to repeat it. Strike while the iron is hot, or you’ll miss your chance.
Air – Seven of Autumn Swords – Take care with what you share openly with others this week. Make sure you are in a safe place before sharing potentially damning or divisive information. Just because you see omission as lying doesn’t mean you have to share every little thought and secret. Omission is sometimes the only prudent approach.
Water – Five of Autumn Pentacles – Where have you fallen into the mindset that feeling alone means that you are unwanted? You need to challenge your feelings of scarcity this week instead of falling into the trap of lies that can drag you deeper into the dark. Fight back against that cloying grip with a reality check.
Fire – The Autumn Hermit – Don’t use your moments of alone time to just wallow in solitude. Instead, use this time for self reflection and introspection. Look closer at the thoughts and feelings that drive you, and those that hold you back. A bit of introspection can help in not just organizing your thoughts, but also keep you more comfortable and surefooted in your journey on your life’s path.
Waning – Fish and Key – Don’t get so wrapped up in money matters that you forget it’s not the answer to everything.
Waxing – Lily and Garden – Do what you can to foster peace within yourself as you approach next weekend’s social obligations. Protect yourself from extra stress by using the tools you know work for you to help you keep your stress levels low.
Take Away – Take care when you communicate with others this week that you’re not sharing things that can be used against you either in the present or at a later date. This includes during your social obligations next weekend. Make sure you aren’t allowing your fears of scarcity to turn into a mindset, or it will cause an extra burden you don’t need as you move through this week. Instead, use your self care tools to keep yourself uplifted and take the time needed to know yourself better than anyone else before taking steps.
Eagerness
Clouds fill the sky
returning the world
to the familiar hues
of blue, gray and green
and lips spread
into a wide smile
as rainfall approaches
eager to return
cold and wet
to a land tired
of being baked
under the sun
Today’s meditation was Today’s meditation was a ten minute Daily Calm session from the @Calm app.
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.
Today’s draw is the Nine of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of boundaries, defensive maneuvers, and protection of what you hold dear.
The Nine of Wands has then been combined with the Movement card from The Nourished Heart Oracle, which says, “I moved my body for pleasure, not for punishment.”
I would venture to guess that there is at least 20% of humanity that enjoys exercising. I am, unfortunately, not one of those 20% of the population. Don’t get me wrong, I used to be. Hiking, biking, trail running, weights, swimming… I loved all of else things and more.
Over time, though, pain has worn me down. All of these activities heighten my pain, and require more recovery time than before. I’m not talking the soreness of being out of shape, but rather the stiffness of damaged joints, inflammation, and old injuries. The kind of things that don’t ease up no matter how in shape you are.
Nowadays it’s a careful balance between how much my body can take and how much recovery time will be needed. After all, I still need to be able to work and carry on with the day-to-day, which means I can’t be laid up for too long. Neither can I afford the assistance of a physical therapist, chiropractor, and massage therapist on a regular basis.
The message in today’s Nine of Wands and affirmation card is a reminder that it’s okay to do things at a pace that helps “keep the dumpster fire from burning down your home”. Movement is important, but do it at a sustainable pace and pick those things you enjoy to do. Your enjoyment makes the hurdles less painful and the experience more fun.
September Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for September 27th : my winter heart splintered
I remember losing you
to the darkness
(Five of Hearts atop King of Hearts)
as you became smaller and smaller
(Six of Spades)
and I crumbled a little at a time
under a responsibility I wasn’t made for
(Five of Spades atop Jack of Diamonds)
when I realized your shoes
were far too big for me to fill
and far too heavy for me to walk in
(Jack of Hearts and Ten of Clubs)
Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Gneiss Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
@lightningwildflower‘s September Self-Talk Challenge
Prompts for September 26th and 27th
Sun trine Pluto, Full Moon in Aries – What bold action can help me step into my authentic self?
Ace of Swords and Corvis
Communicate with those that truly care about you and your well-being. Allow them to see and hear how you are truly feeling, as well as what that negative voice in your head is secretly whispering to you. Let them provide the emotional support that you need by listening to those thoughts and feelings that you try so hard to keep to yourself.
Mars enters Leo – How can I act courageously in a way that feels true to me?
The Lovers and Dorian
Allow yourself to like what you like, connect in the ways you are most comfortable connecting, and let others see that being different means being uniquely special instead of a reject or freak.
It is in your authenticity where you truly shine, and at the same time encourage others to do the same.
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
Green Aventurine for Harmony and Balance of the Heart
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
I’ve ordered myself a pair of night-driving clip-ons for my glasses. It feels like the starbursts and glare from my astigmatism is getting worse over time. I’m hoping they might help.
Frustrated
cling a little tighter
as stem withers
and decay
takes hold
and you try
to still hold on
when the branch
seeks to set
you free
and still you cling
grip tightening
knuckles white
unwilling
to break free
and fly
