One Step at a Time

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

Today’s meditation was a fifteen minute self-guided visualization session while listening to a loop of Kip Mazuy’s Bird Song track.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🌻    •    ◈    •    •    •

Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Otherkin Tarot's Temperance card In This Moment Mindful Affirmation Cards

Today’s draw is the Temperance card, which is traditionally a representation of moderation, balance, slowing down, practicing patience, and can at times represent a connection between the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

The Temperance card has then been combined with an affirmation from the In This Moment Mindful Affirmation Cards, which says, “In this moment, I lovingly forgive myself and others.”

It is hard to let go of unreasonable expectations. When you’ve spent the majority of your life pushing yourself to do more and be more every single day, it is hard to let go of that mentality and forgive yourself for doing less.

I feel like in this moment of transition between unreasonable expectation and grounded performance, that the forgiveness should be lain at the feet of the abuse you have done to yourself up to this point by expecting so much more than as reasonable. What I find, though, is that in order to reach that part of myself that has been abused, I first have to forgive myself for “slacking off”.

Yes, I know that it’s not actually slacking off, it’s reevaluation of expectations and being more reasonable in how far we’re willing to push ourselves. But in the moment it does feel like slacking off. And, in my experience, I find that this needs to be forgiven first in order to reach that part of myself abused by previous behavior and find it open to giving forgiveness as well.

The message in today’s Temperance card and affirmation is a reminder that easing up on your expectations of yourself is not a failure. It’s not something frivolous, nor is it slacking off. It’s called self-care… and you need to forgive yourself for needing self-care first and foremost, or the guilt may keep you from being able to make the transition stick.

DECKS USED:  OTHERKIN TAROT AND IN THIS MOMENT MINDFUL AFFIRMATION CARDS

@lightningildflower‘s August Reflections Challenge
Prompt for August 26th and 27th

Tarot Reading with the Fine Line Tarot and Evy Benita's Trading Cards

Clarifying – What confusion is starting to clear?

King of Swords and Oceanic Manta Ray

You’re beginning to see more clearly that you don’t have to be a harsh task master in order to get things done. By focusing on grace, and prioritizing it over blunt force, you are able to get more done and at the same time charm others in the process.

Sun conjunct Mercury – What have I been overthinking lately?

Four of Swords Rx and Ocellate River Ray

You focus far too much upon what you’re not getting done during times of rest and solitude. Even during these times of rest, you aren’t losing full sight of what’s going on around you, so there is no need to be worrying over the things that can take care of themselves for a little while while you recoup.

Other elements included in this reading:
Pressed Pansy Flowers for Hearing the Heart More Clearly
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: FINE LINE TAROT AND EVY BENITA TRADING CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2026 Challenge
Prompt for August 27th : What do I need to focus on for self-care for this month’s full moon?

Tarot Reading with the Otherkin Tarot

Reading Summary: Be kind to yourself (Six of Pentacles) in the face of disappointment (Three of Swords) or discomfort (Five of Pentacles).

Take Away: It’s important to remember that it’s not the end of the world if things don’t go as planned. Give yourself a little bit of grace in these moments instead of beating yourself up for them (as you have been over the past week).

Holding onto these more negative thoughts and perspectives will just get in your way.

Instead of focusing on what went wrong and the potential repercussions that may arise from what went awry (such as scarcity and other hurdles), direct your focus toward bringing things back into balance with a healthy dose of adaptability and forgiveness.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Wood Fern for Exorcising Negative Influences
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
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: OTHERKIN TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I had peanut butter jelly instead of lasagna leftovers because I didn’t want to have to try and tackle heartburn or acid reflux later.

Gideon’s Challenge – Struggling

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment
Dandelion Tuft on a Smoky Summer Day

Struggling

lungs struggle
to pull in air
filled
with smoke
and pollen
that scrape
the throat
on the way in
and exhale
with sneezes
and
soggy snuffles

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Look Before You Leap

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

Today’s meditation was a ten minute #DailyCalm session from the @Calm.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🌻    •    ◈    •    •    •

Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Forest of Enchantment Tarot - The Hanged Man

Today’s draw is The Hanged Man (Suspension), which is traditionally a representation of taking a pause, considering alternate perspectives, relaxing into difficult situations, surrender, or letting go.

The Suspension card has then been combined with a card from the Messages From the Universe Oracle, which says, “If you are feeling stuck in any area of your life, ask yourself – What is stopping me from leaving? Yes, leaving is scary, but sometimes it is the right step to take. Be brave.”

Yes, it’s true. Sometimes leaving is the best option. Just take care to pause a moment first to make sure you aren’t missing some important factor.

Consider all the perspectives on the situation before you act. In doing so, you ensure that you aren’t overreacting or jumping the gun.

The message in today’s Hanged Man (Suspension) card and affirmation is that if a situation needs leaving behind… DO it. Just make sure it’s really what you want beforehand by examining all the options and angles first.

DECKS USED:  FOREST OF ENCHANTMENT TAROT AND MESSAGES FROM THE UNIVERSE ORACLE

@note.project August Journal Prompts
Prompt for August 26th through 28th

Oracle Reading with The Faerytale Oracle

Something I want to bring with me into fall

Snow White – A better attitude. Over the last couple of months, your inner negative self talk has gotten out of hand to the point that you’ve been more negative even in your interactions with others.

As fall comes into focus, you want to discard this cloying negativity and foster a better, friendlier, kinder, and more positive attitude. Less the “bitch” and more kindness and care.

A routine or rhythm I want to create for the next season

Puss in Boots – More fun and more humor in the day-to-day, which will hopefully bleed into more enthusiasm for taking on life’s every day challenges.

It’s hard to be enthusiastic for adventure when you’re feeling heavy and down. You want to create a rhythm for yourself that allows you more appreciation for the good stuff, more fun in the moment, and more enthusiasm for life as a result.

Something I’m looking forward to experiencing in the months ahead

The Snow Queen – You are looking forward to a strengthening of the connections between yourself and those around you, and the weeding out of those that don’t have your best interests at heart. As people begin to show their true colors in the next few months, you’ll find it easier to spot those that need to go, and identify those you want to keep close.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
Foraged Red Oak Leaf for Fostering Unconditional Love
Bloodstone for Encouraging Fearlessness
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: FAERYTALE ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2026 Challenge
Prompts for August 24th through 26th

Tarot Reading with the Forest of Enchantment Tarot

As an adult, where do I take myself too seriously?

Keeper of Challenges – Remember that feeling twinges of paranoia doesn’t necessarily mean someone is out to get you. Being able to see “three steps ahead” only works if your paranoia doesn’t get in the way and have you chasing shadows.

How can I ease up in this area where I take myself too seriously?

Child of Spells – Focus more on fun and that ever-curious inclination within you, and less on the drudgery of life and responsibilities. Try to see life as more of an adventure and less of a chore. With this more open attitude, even when you have plans in place, you’re more likely to be more congenially adaptable when needed.

Philosophical Question : Am I more of a dreamer or a believer?

Seven of Visions – Both. This is why you often pause to waffle on decisions. You can imagine the potential in each and every choice before you, and that can often create inner conflicts between your dreamer side and the more practical one.

Other elements included in this reading:
Wood burned Squirrel Medallion for Connecting with Curiosity
Honey Calcite for Optimism and Motivational Boost
Flower Agate for Opening the Mind to New Possibilities
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: FOREST OF ENCHANTMENT TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I remembered to bring my headphones with me today so that I could listen to music instead of political talk and ignore other irritants.

🌕 Full Moon & Lunar Eclipse in Pisces- August 2026

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

Tomorrow is the full moon, and like all new moons and full moons, I did a spread aligned to the moon’s current themes as a part of my recognition of the moon’s cycle and influences upon us. Today’s spread is courtesy of @greenwitchcom on IG.

Full Moon and Lunar Eclipse Oracle Reading with The Listening Oracle Deck

What cycle is ending for me?

Don’t Fear the Outcome – You have spent a lot of time over the past year worrying about where things are going, and how to preserve what you have built. Instead of stressing so much about the future, do what you can in the moment and let the rest sort itself out later in its own time. There’s no need for you to have your hands in the pot making things more difficult than they have to be.

What illusion am I being asked to see through?

Chrysalis – Not all growth is visible or measurable, it is still valid though. Your need to “see results” in everything you do is holding you back from the growth possible to you at this time. Let go of the idea that everything you do has to have a purpose that pushes you closer to your goals. Pauses are also good progress.

What needs to be released?

Growth – So far all cards in this reading have pushed for you to let go of expectations, and work on understanding that your expectations aren’t just unrealistic but also unhealthy. It’s time to root out these expectations and release them in order to make room for healthier things to take their place.

What is trying to emerge?

Earth – A new form of stability is trying to emerge from your old unhealthy ideas of what that looks like. Letting go of the idea that stagnancy is a part of stability will allow a healthier version of stability to fit into the space the unhealthy version leaves behind.

What does my intuition already know?

Sadness – Sometimes emotions need riding out instead of fixing. They want to be heard and acknowledged, not buried and ignored.

Full Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.

Anxiety & Feeling – When your anxiety is out of control, it can cause your clairsentience to become hypersensitive. Don’t allow this extra sensitivity to close you off, as in doing so you are giving in to unhealthy past behaviors. Allow yourself to share with others what you’re feeling instead. Let them help you in shouldering the burden of your worries and fears.

Other elements included in this reading:
Goat Figure as Sympathetic Representation of Amalthea
Clear Quartz for boosting Mental Clarity
Honey Calcite for Optimism and Motivational Boost
Green Jasper and Caribbean Calcite Turtle for Calm within Progress

DECK USED: THE LISTENING ORACLE DECK

Gideon’s Challenge – The Calling

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment
Western Red Cedar Forest

The Calling

if temperatures
would drop
and smoke
would clear
the cedars
stand tall
and call out
for a visit
that creates
an echoing
ache
of need
within the soul

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Ripples On the Water

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

Today’s meditation was a ten minute #DailyCalm session from the @Calm.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🌻    •    ◈    •    •    •

Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Fairy Land Tarot's Justice Card and a card from The Oracle of the Soul Healing Messenger Cards

Today’s draw is the Justice card, which is traditionally a representation of balance, cause and effect, repercussions and consequences, give and take, and can often indicate the law or legal system.

The Justice card has then been combined with the Challenge card from The Oracle of the Soul Healing Messenger Cards, which says, “Being adaptable and flexible can help you respond better to challenges and take advantage of new opportunities.”

What goes up must come down. It’s the rule of our lives on this earthly plane not only in the area of physics, but in the cycles of life as well. There will be good times and bad times. There will be easier times and harder ones. As they say, the only true constancy in life is change.

Along that theme, it’s a natural part of life that our actions have consequences, and those consequences have consequences; like the ripples caused by dropping a stone in a lake, the consequences reach further than we realize, influencing far more than we know. In return other people’s consequences create ripples that influence us as well, and most of the time we don’t even realize it’s happening.

This constant shifting of elements, which is the nature of life itself, requires flexibility. We can’t always know exactly what the consequences to our actions will be. We need to be ready for there to be a surprise now and then. Nor can we know what the consequences of other people’s actions might have upon us from time to time, and we need to be ready to bend or adjust to those as well.

The message in today’s Justice card and affirmation is a reminder that stagnancy is not healthy and fighting against change helps no one. It’s far more healthier and more productive to pivot, adjust, and seek to guide changes in the direction we want them to go than it is to fight against them or brace for impact.

DECKS USED:  FAIRY LAND TAROT AND THE ORACLE OF THE SOUL HEALING MESSENGER CARDS

@lightningildflower‘s August Reflections Challenge
Prompts for August 23rd through 25th

Tarot Reading with the Fortunate Frogs Tarot and Flower Message Oracle Volume 2

Refinement – What detail needs my attention right now?

King of Lilypads and Kalanchoe

He appreciates the little things. Your love needs your attention. Not in the long visits and longer play sessions, but in the little moments when you check in just to check in, or send a picture of something you liked just because. These little morsels feed his heart and help him feel like all is right in the world.

Care – What small act of care would help me feel more grounded?

Four of Lilypads and Chinese Peony

Go easy on yourself. Stop playing the blame game with yourself as the scapegoat and piling burden after burden on your own shoulders. Reject unnecessary responsibilities to give yourself some time to just enjoy life instead.

Mercury enters Virgo – What mental clutter needs sorting?

Seven of Twigs and Climbing Rose –

You’ve done a lot of digital reorganizing lately. It would be good idea to have it written down somewhere what changes were made and why. Remember that even your struggles are valuable, and your memory isn’t that good all on its own.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Foraged Lodgepole Pine for Resilience, Growth, and Renewal
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Japanese Cherry Leaf as a Reminder of Life’s Fleeting Moments
Gray Agate Druzy Slab for Stabilizing Energies and Expectations
Calcite for Gently Calming the Mind and Stimulating Insights
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: FORTUNATE FROGS TAROT AND FLOWER MESSAGE ORACLE II

@note.project August Journal Prompts
Prompts for August 24th and 25th

Tarot Reading with the Fairy Land Tarot

Something I want to let go of before a new season begins

The Moon and Eight of Pentacles

I’m not sure if this is so much about letting go as it is about adjusting my approach and coping. There’s a lot of uncertainty in my artistic business right now, and it’s creating not just instability but a lot of stewing on the subject of directions and where I want to go from here.

Although letting go of all that uncertainty would be amazing, I’m not sure that’s possible. It -is- possible to reconsider how I react to and deal with those feelings of uncertainty, though.

A way I want to show up better for the people I love

The Sun and Queen of Swords

I want to be someone that helps those I love capture and enjoy the joy in their lives, not the naysayer that brings everyone down. There is a lighter and brighter side to the Queen of Swords that I can embody without losing my more grounded self in the process. A focus on these energies will help me better embody that spirit.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
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
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: FAIRY LAND TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I have made a concerted effort to go easy on myself today and not allow the negative self talk in my head to make me ill tempered and short with others.