Embracing the Dark Parts

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🌾    •    ◈    •    •    •

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

The Green Witch Tarot's Harvest card and a card from The Nourished Heart Oracle

Today’s draw is the Judgement (Harvest) card, which is traditionally a representation of judgements, one’s inner calling and chosen life path, and looking back on one’s life to consider how they feel about the path they’ve taken and who they have become.

The Harvest card has then been combined with the Strength card from The Nourished Heart Oracle, which says, “I am not afraid of my Shadow. I will let them speak.”

We all have pieces of ourselves that we don’t like, hidden bits and beliefs that we feel are wrong and need to be hidden away from the world.

It’s important to note, though, that at the end of our lives, it matters what we have done to and how we have treated these shadow parts of ourselves that we try so hard to hide away from others.

When you look back at the rest of your life as you stand at its end, will you look back and see yourself having treated this other part of yourself with kindness, or will you see yourself having treated this shadow part badly, and realize that it was self abuse all along?

This is why many spiritual paths stress the importance of “shadow work”. This work helps us to better understand and accept these darker parts of ourselves, and treat them with kindness instead of abuse. In this way, when we reach the end of our lives, we come to see ourselves as kinder and better people rather than abusive and cruel.

The message in today’s Harvest card and affirmation is a reminder not to ignore these parts of yourself that you are uncomfortable with, and not to abuse them either, but to try and embrace them and acknowledge them as a part of you. Give yourself kindness… even these darker places within deserve that.

DECKS USED:  THE GREEN WITCH TAROT AND THE NOURISHED HEART ORACLE

September Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for September 12th : I kissed the neck of the woods

Creative Writing with the Divergent Realms Playing Cards Gaddis Edition

Sap coats my lips and tongue tip numbs,
while the sky turns dark and thunder thrums.
(Ace of Hearts)

And while knees make divots in the forest floor,
I hear the whispers in the dark calling me home once more.
(Ten of Spades)

As my bed becomes damp soil and moss,
the season begins to feel warmth’s loss.
(Queen of Hearts)

My gaze to the sky filled with floating fluff,
roots cradle my form and skin begins to slough.
(Queen of Diamonds)

And when earth awakens to spring once more,
I return to what I knew I once was before.
(Seven of Hearts atop Two of Hearts)

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: DIVERGENT REALMS PLAYING CARDS GADDIS EDITION

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 1 | Entry 22 – Self-Care and Personal Development
Affirmation : “Having fun is crucial to my mental, physical, and emotional well-being.”
Prompt : Feeling stuck in a wreck can be common. Draw a card and use the symbols, artwork, or keywords of the card to get inspired to do one fun, new activity. Does the card show someone outside or in a scene of nature? Is the water symbolism inspiring any ideas? Is there a person depicted on the tarot card that makes you want to call someone you know?

Tarot Activity from The One Card a Day Journal by Maria Sofia Marmanides - Tarot of Harry Clarke - The Tower card

What feelings came up when I pulled this card?

The first feeling that came up when I drew this card is one of excitement for the upcoming Halloween season. It’s almost time to decorate for Halloween at Ms B’s house, which always gets the juices flowing creatively. Although it’s a lot of work, I really enjoy it.

What elements of the card’s meaning resonate with me and this prompt?

The Tower is about sudden, unexpected change or consequence. Something that hits you over the head and leaves you in a place where you need to rebuild from scratch.

Ms B ordered a Halloween decoration this year from some online site, and when it arrived, it was nothing like what she had ordered. She was able to get her money back, which is good, but it left us with this unexpected decoration that we don’t know what to do with and the plans she’d made for what she’d ordered dashed to dust.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

The figure in the card looks like a ghoul from vintage cartoons crossed with old-time illustrations of Dracula. It’s sparked an immediate interest in me for the Halloween season ahead and the decorating soon to commence.

My prompt response and reflections.

This activity and the Tower card that I pulled for it reminds me (us) to take these new items that were unwanted as a boon. Use them to create something fun and get your creative juices flowing. Although on their own they may seem like a couple pieces of dime store trash, with a little ingenuity they can be turned into something new spectacular.

Other elements included in this reading:
Amber Resin D25 and Banded Agate D6 Dice

DECK USED: TAROT OF HARRY CLARKE

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2026 Challenge
Prompt for September 13th : Do Spread 2
@lightningwildflower‘s September Self-Talk Challenge
Prompts for September 12th and 13th

Tarot Reading with The Green Witch Tarot and Twist's Gratitude Postcards Oracle

Mercury trine Pluto, Mercury opposite Neptune – How can I use intuition and discernment to see a situation more clearly?

Reading Summary: The bright yellow light as the background of the anchor card (Empress) brings into light the mother alien in the throes of her reproductive process. By the same turn, the lantern of The Holly King illuminates his face, wisened with age.

By contrast, the light in the Five of Wands card, illuminates youth, all of which debating how to do something, but no one actually knowing the answer. These contrasts prioritize trusting yourself before you trust others, for it’s within yourself you can find the answers.

Take Away: Remember that not all who appear nurturing are there to nurture you. Make sure to consult what lies within, rather than trusting the judgment of others.

Mercury trine Uranus – What sudden insight is worth exploring?

Reading Summary: Loneliness (Anchor card) comes from not inviting others along for the ride (lonely girl at a fire in the night in the Ten of Athames connected through a background color match to the anchor card. This then contrasts starkly with the brightness of the Two of Wands with the figure’s arm raised in a wave of welcome).

Take Away: Togetherness is worth exploring. Opening yourself up and inviting others in makes life more interesting and entertaining than closing yourself off to spend more and more time alone. This isn’t to say that alone time can’t be healthy and doesn’t have its value, but if you are looking to brighten up your life with more fun, happiness, and joyful pleasures… inviting others into your life will assist you in this endeavor far more than closing people out and doing things alone.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Ponderosa Pine Cone for Resilience and Adaptability
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
River Rock for Resilience within Life’s Flow
Gray Agate for Instilling Gentleness, Calm, and Stability
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE GREEN WITCH TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I took yesterday off from doing readings just to get a little bit of a breather. Then, today, I did a good deal of relaxing instead of jumping back in right away when I got moving.

❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

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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?

Self Care Saturday Tarot Reading with The Banquet of Skeletal Strawberry Tarot and Folk Art Lenormand

Earth – The Devil – Take care to keep a close eye on your temptations and addictions this week. They will be abundant and have a high risk of influencing your finances in negative ways if you let them. Loosen the reigns at your own peril.

Air – The High Priestess – Prioritize intuition over logic in the week ahead. Don’t allow your reasoning to usurp intuition’s judgement. The first call is the right one.

Water – Two of Pentacles – Do what is needed to keep a good balance on your emotions this week. That means not just making sure that you’re taking your medication when you need to, but talking to Gideon as things arise, doing your meditation, and otherwise treating yourself kindly… just not so kindly that everything else falls out of place.

Fire – The Sun – Continue working towards that “fun in the sun” attitude while you still have the opportunity to do so. Enjoy your time outside and take advantage of good weather when the opportunity presents itself.

Waning – Mice and Fish – Make sure you are identifying bullshit as the bullshit it is instead of trying to put a positive spin on it. Sometimes it’s important to see things for the bald faced corrosive mess that they really are so that they can be dealt with instead of pandered to.

Waxing – Snake and Ship – The trip you have coming up next month is going to come with a viper in your midst. Don’t ignore the possibility that this could turn ugly if you aren’t on your toes through the preparation process. This doesn’t mean cancel the trip, but it does mean to make sure that you are aware of the possibilities and prepared for what might come.

Take Away – The struggle is real this week between you and your addictive tendencies. That dopamine fix is calling your name. Make sure you are paying attention to where it hits and doing what you need to do to keep yourself uplifted so that you can better resist its call.
Also make sure that as preparations are put in place for next month’s trip that you are getting what -you- want out of the experience. Don’t let them de-prioritize what you deem important just because they don’t see any value in it.

DECKS USED: THE BANQUET OF SKELETAL STRAWBERRY TAROT AND FOLK ART LENORMAND

Gideon’s Challenge – Comfy

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Autumn Mushrooms Door Mat

Comfy

A small autumn gift
for the house
whose spirit
celebrates the new
and as sunlight
slips through
sheer curtains
the eyes catch
and it’s so cute
that it brings
a smile to lips
and I cross
to feel its squish
of little tickling nubs
between toes
then fingertips

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Kindness vs Stranger Danger

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🌾    •    ◈    •    •    •

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

The Gilided Tarot's Moon card and a card from the Mindfulness Cards

Today’s draw is The Moon card, which is traditionally a representation of uncertainty, illusion, anxiety, fear, the unknown, and the subconscious.

The Moon card has then been combined with the Notice Strangers card from the Mindfulness Cards, which says, “Making an effort to pay attention to people. We don’t ordinarily notice in our daily lives can help us avoid getting caught up in our own personal dramas. Next time you come across someone you don’t know – whether it’s during a morning commute, on a trip, or even in your workplace – take a moment to really notice how they are. Resist the urge to create a story about them. Instead, just take a small moment to connect with them through eye contact, a smile, or a hello. See them as they really are: as real human beings rather than as anonymous extras passing through a movie about your life.”

We often avoid contact with strangers out of discomfort with the unknown, fear of those that we haven’t personally yet vetted, or an expectation of being judged by others no matter whether we know them or not.

When we set aside these fears and feelings of uncertainty, though, what we find is that strangers are just other people living their own lives, just as we are living ours.

What does it really matter if they judge you? What does it really matter if they’re not somebody that you would like or approve of? These passing strangers have no true influence over your life, so why do we avoid interacting with them on any level and ignore them?

The message in today’s Moon card and affirmation is a reminder that everything is not all about you. When you release this assumption, what you find is that there’s a whole world full of people out there that you can awaken with just a smile or a nod. By acknowledging others that are not a part of our circle, we create connectivity and an openness in society as a whole, adding a positive influence into the spaces where fear usually rules.

DECKS USED:  THE GILDED TAROT AND MINDFULNESS CARDS

September Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for September 11th : the pilgrimage of my marrow

Creative Cartomancy Poetry with the Morpheus Playing Cards

The pain of life’s trials
leave marks upon the souls
(Ten of Spades)
of intrepid travelers
that choose exploration over stagnancy
(Ace of Clubs)
and knowledge over ignorance
(Jack of Spades)

These scars stand
as testament to battles fought.
(Nine of Clubs)
Yet only the wearer knows
how deeply into their marrow they go,
(Ten of Hearts)
and what lies they whisper in the dark.
(Nine of Spades)

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: MORPHEUS PLAYING CARDS PALACE OF LUCID DREAM EDITION

@lightningwildflower‘s September Self-Talk Challenge
Emotion Prompt for September 11th : What emotion is asking to be felt more fully today?

Tarot Reading with The Gilded Tarot

Reading Summary: Allow yourself to feel child-like wonder (Six of Cups) without the expectation of fairness (Justice Rx) or your personal worries and anxieties getting in the way (Nine of Swords Rx).

Take Away: Your inner compass has an inherent need for fairness. Between this need and your own personal fears and anxieties, it can be hard to let go and allow yourself time to feel carefree and lighthearted.

It’s this energy, though, that you need to try and instill into your day. Not just today, but every day.

For today, work to give yourself permission to step into a mindset of wonder, if only for a few minutes. Delve in and experience what it feels like without allowing guilt or other negative emotions to hold sway. Even if you do this briefly, that little taste will bring you back to experience it again in the future.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Acorns for Protection during New Beginnings
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Gneiss Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE GILDED TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I ate mostly bland foods today to make sure that my stomach was back up to par before trying anything that might prolong my previous upset. I’m thinking it might have been a bout of food poisoning, though, considering the violence of the experience and the time frame from it’s start to finish.

Gideon’s Challenge – Sweet Nothings

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Sweeping Sunset in Pink

Sweet Nothings

cuffs rolled up
to just beneath
the knees
we sit
together
on the dock
with toes in
ice cold water
to watch as
the sun sinks slow
to paint the sky
in the pink
of roses
that match
the color
of my cheeks
as you
rumble whispers
in my ear

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Awakening Curiosity

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🌾    •    ◈    •    •    •

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

The Gaian Tarot's Knight of Swords and a card from the Listening to Flowers Deck

Today’s draw is the Explorer of Air (Knight of Swords), which is traditionally a representation of a projective and active “beta” energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s thoughts, intellect, education, ambitions, and communication. This often translates into themes that have to do with pursuing one’s goals related to their education, actively seeking one’s goals, action and decisiveness, and at times can indicate impulsivity without thinking things through.

The Explorer of Air has then been combined with the Cerato card from the Listening to Flowers Cards, which says, “I listened to my inner voice. I release doubt and accept certainty. I embrace my truths as pure knowing.”

One of our most powerful tools in life is curiosity.

When we experience curiosity, the unknown becomes an adventure and uncertainty is dampened by our need to explore and discover. Wonder replaces fear, giving us a new perspective in which to explore the world and those things in it.

This, in turn, then opens us up to new opportunities and experiences.

The message in today’s Explorer of Air combined with the Cerato card is a reminder that uncertainty is not our enemy. It’s an invitation to awaken the curiosity within us all, and spur us into exploration and adventure. When confronted with uncertainty, consider leaning into curiosity instead of bracing for impact or shutting down. In doing so, you may find a world of new opportunities and experiences waiting for you to discover and explore.

DECKS USED:  THE GAIAN TAROT AND LISTENING TO FLOWERS CARDS

September Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for September 10th : always and everywhere

Creative Writing Exercise with the Solar Terms 4-in-1 Playing Cards

Enthusiasm sparks excitement,
carrying us forward
(King of Clubs)
from the first buds of spring’s awakening
(Seven of Clubs)
into the dog days of summer.
(Ten of Hearts)

And with each step
we carry on together,
connected and aligned.
(Two of Diamonds)

In love through miles and years.
Everywhere we are
and for always.
(Queen of Hearts)

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
Honey Calcite for Optimism and Motivational Boost
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: SOLAR TERMS PLAYING CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2026 Challenge
Prompt for September 10th : What do you need to focus on for self-care for this month’s new moon?

Tarot Reading with The Gaian Tarot

Reading Summary: Creating anew narrative (Five of Air and Seven of Air) with loved ones (Three of Water) is going to take time and perseverance (Explorer of Earth).

Take Away: In the reading done for this new moon, it was pointed out that it’s time to put yourself first. It’s time to accept that you need care, and your needs matter.

After so long putting what everyone else needs and wants above your own, there’s going to be an adjustment period during this time of change. Others are going to fight back against this shift, for they are not used to be putting second.

Have patience as you move through this transition, and keep your eye on the prize. Remember that this change is for a good cause, and the disruptions it cause will settle over time as others get used to the new status quo.

Other elements included in this reading:
Tree of Life Raku Medallion for fostering Balance and Harmony
Bronze Compass Rose for Seeking Directional Guidance
Clear Quartz for boosting Mental Clarity
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE GAIAN TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I had J pick me up some Imodium and probiotic yogurt early this morning, because I was -so sick- today.  I also took the day off work.