Power Within the Pause

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The @hippiepixie333 #Escapril2026 Challenge
Prompt for April 26th : reflection 
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Real Rosie the Riveters of WWII Tarot - Two of Swords

Today’s draw is the Two of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of crossroads, difficult decisions, needing more information, seeking inward for answers, weighing one’s options, and sometimes avoidance.

Take some time to think before you open your mouth or act.

Yesterday wasn’t the only day where you can easily trip over your own two feet or put your foot in your mouth without meaning to.

Make sure that you are pausing to think before taking any action… including responding to what other others are saying. Don’t just stay silent out of indecision. Make it a deliberate act instead.

The message in today’s Two of Swords and the “reflection” prompt is a reminder that there is power in choice. There is a huge difference between the silence that comes from living in indecision, and the silence that you choose to hold. One is deliberate, and the other one is desperate or afraid.

Today’s message encourages us to choose to be deliberate in our words and actions. Silence can be a powerful tool. Use it to make sure to think things through before doing anything.

DECK USED:  THE REAL ROSIE THE RIVETERS OF WWII TAROT

@Lionharts #TheAprilTarot Root & Rise Challenge
The Rise Prompt for April 26th : What naturally drives me forward once I decide to act?

Tarot Reading with the Rust Belt Arcana and Little Witchcrafts Oracle

Reading Summary: Once you’ve decided to act, it is a combination of courage (The Rooster), confidence (The Magician), and hope (Candle) that continues to drive you forward.

Take Away: Because you are willing to fail in order to learn how to succeed, you are able to use hope to your advantage in overcoming your fears. That hope, therefore, gives you courage.

This courage then drives you, and gives you confidence to keep going, even when the task at hand might seem overwhelming or extremely difficult.

It is confidence born out of hope and courage that naturally drives you forward once you’ve decided to act. The fear of failure mitigated by the assurance within that using that failure will allow you to succeed when you try again.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Carnelian Agate for Inner Drive and Focusing On Aspirations
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: RUSS BELT ARCANA AND LITTLE WITCHCRAFTS ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2026 Challenge
Prompt for April 26th : Do Spread 2
@lightningwildflower‘s April Energetic Shifts Challenge
Venus sextile Neptune, Mercury square Jupiter Prompt for April 26th : What belief or assumption do I need to reevaluate?

Tarot Reading with the Real Rosie the Riveters of WWII Tarot

Reading Summary: It’s okay to ask for help from those that know more than you (Queen of Swords). Even when those that are closest to you (Two of Cups) are impatient to get going (Knight of Swords).

Take Away: Don’t let the enthusiasm of of others keep you from taking the time you need to do your due diligence.

You don’t have to jump when they say go, no matter how much it feels like you do or how hard they push in their enthusiasm.

That enthusiasm is all well and good, but it’ll still be there if you take the time you need to make sure you know what you need to know first. So take your time and consult with those that have more knowledge than you before jumping on board.

When you take that time to do the research first, you bring to the table with you the knowledge and expertise needed to ensure success.

Other elements included in this reading:
Zodiac Wheel (on Cancer) for Understanding Cycles and Rhythms
Dried Red Maple Leaf for Adaptability and Connection
Carnelian Agate for Inner Drive and Focusing On Aspirations
Green Jasper and Tiger Eye Turtle for Confidence within Progress
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  THE REAL ROSIE THE RIVETERS OF WWII TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

This is a catch up post, and I’m not entirely sure what the self kindness was for this day.

Gideon’s Challenge – Stiff

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Spring Lichen

Stiff

The stretch
aches
as muscles pull
and arms raise
to reach
for the sky
like branches
but shorter
and the spine
bends
with a creak
and series of
cracks
as a new morning
dawns

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

❤️ 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 Draco Nouveau Tarot and Insight Enlightenment Oracle

Earth – Eight of Cups – Pay attention to your frustrations this week and weigh if it really feels worth the emotional upheaval to stay with things as things are.

If not?

Walk away. You’ll just be beating your head against a brick wall. It’s not worth your time and effort.

Air – Three of Pentacles – Lean upon those you trust to help and support your endeavors, and take care to discard any offers of help from those you don’t.

Water – Six of Swords – Again, as mentioned in the Earth position of this reading, if something isn’t working for you and is causing you emotional issues then it’s time to step away. Don’t hold onto what’s just holding you back.

Fire – Three of Wands – Remember that only you get to choose the direction you want to go in. You can bring others along for the ride, but make sure the decisions you’re making are a fit for you and not them. You come first, not second or third.

Waning – Specialty – Just because someone says that they cornered the market on a skill in some area, doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re the best choice. Make sure to keep your options open.

Waxing – Abundance – Stay conscious and aware of the things that make you happy instead of closing your eyes to them. There is abundance around you all the time, but sometimes you forget to look for it.

Take Away – Take no shit this week, not from others and not from any of the things that may come up that aren’t working for you. Set it aside and walk away instead of allowing it to frustrate and cause negativity to rise up. Pivot, instead, to leaning on those close to you that you trust. Only those you trust. Snake oil salesman need not apply, including their well used tools to trigger FOMO.

DECKS USED: DRACO NOUVEAU TAROT AND INSIGHT ENLIGHTENMENT CARDS

The Too-Close Closet

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The @hippiepixie333 #Escapril2026 Challenge
Prompt for April 25th : tomorrow’s promise 
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Queen Alice Tarot - Nine of Wands

Today’s draw is the Nine of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of boundaries, defensive maneuvers, and protection of what you hold dear.

Tomorrow there is going to be a get together, and someone is coming to visit who I really like and enjoy spending time with. The last time they visited, though, I found out that they are extremely homophobic; and they don’t know that I’m not straight.

Not that I’m hiding anything, it’s just never come up. My discovery during the last visit was while I was overhearing a discussion I was not involved in, as I was in the other room.

This is the first time that I have ever been confronted with the idea of being “in the closet” about myself. It’s not like I keep anything a secret, even if I’m not blaring it to the world. In this instance, though, I do consider keeping it a secret. If for no other reason, than to protect the peace of this get together that’s not even mine.

This has been weighing on me a bit over the past month; ever since I found out that they were coming back for another visit.

The message in today’s Nine of Wands and the “tomorrow’s promise” is that the potential for things to get ugly is there. It’s up to me how I deal with it.

In this situation, when you know the other person may fly off the handle and you are a guest in the situation… I’m not sure if the topic comes up with me in the room if I should speak up, or if keeping my mouth shut is the better idea. This card definitely makes me think the latter. It could ruin relationships beyond just the one between me and this person, after all, if I don’t.

DECK USED:  QUEEN ALICE TAROT

@Lionharts #TheAprilTarot Root & Rise Challenge
The Rise Prompt for April 25th : What would support my progress without restricting it?

Tarot Reading with the Mibramig Magical Tarot and Fool's Items Oracle of Enchantment

Reading Summary: When it comes to your emotional exploration and development (Water Element), during times of turmoil (whirlpool in the Water Element card) it’s important to keep your eye on the far-reaching goal of who you want to become (Judgement) rather than trying to seize control and calm things in the moment (The Emperor).

Take Away: There is learning to be had in chaos, including the chaos of your emotions. If you always smother your turbulent emotions, then you never learn how to deal with them in a healthy manner.

In order to support your progress in your emotional intelligence, as well as towards growth into the person you want to become, you have to let this turbulence happen instead of trying to restrict it or otherwise control it through force of will.

Feel your feelings, and learn from them.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Japanese Cherry Leaf as a Reminder of Life’s Fleeting Moments
Calcite for Gently Calming the Mind and Stimulating Insights
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: MIBRAMIG MAGICAL TAROT AND FOOL’S ITEMS ORACLE OF ENCHANTMENT

@lightningwildflower‘s April Energetic Shifts Challenge
Sun square Pluto, Uranus enters Gemini Prompt for April 25th : How can I embrace change without feeling like I’m losing myself?

Tarot Reading with the Queen Alice Tarot

Reading Summary: Watch at first (The Hanged Man), and be aware of the fears that this change causes to rise up within you (Nine of Swords).

When you acknowledge your fears and hang back long enough to get an idea of what’s going on, you are then better able to turn the situation to your needs and desires (The Magician).

Take Away: Change is scary. Especially when it involves something that’s important to you. Adapting to change is important, but it’s also important to make sure as we adapt that we are creating the space needed for us to be authentic.

When change happens and fears rise up, instead of reacting right away, do some information gathering first. Hang back, pay attention to the changes that are happening as well as your reaction to those changes.

With this information you can then ensure that any adaptation you need to do is going to continue to be true to yourself rather than just a reaction to something you’re scared of.

Other elements included in this reading:
Black Wood Kitsune Carving for Cleverness and Ingenuity
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration, Clarity, and Determination
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  QUEEN ALICE TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I soaked in an Epsom salt and apple cider vinegar bath in the hopes it would help ease not just my muscles but also a skin issue I have going on right now.

Gideon’s Challenge – Happy Together

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Seagulls in the Pacific Northwest

Happy Together

If I should call you up, invest a dime
And you say you belong to me, and ease my mind
Imagine how the world could be, so very fine
So happy together

I can’t see me lovin’ nobody but you
For all my life
When you’re with me, baby, the skies’ll be blue
For all my life

Me and you, and you and me
No matter how they toss the dice, it had to be
The only one for me is you, and you for me
So happy together

Song “So Happy Together” by The Turtles
Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Accepting the Good With the Bad

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🐇    •    ◈    •    •    •

The @hippiepixie333 #Escapril2026 Challenge

Prompt for April 24th : a way forward 

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

Ferdinando Crippa I Tarocchi 1978 - Wheel of Fortune

Today’s draw is the Wheel of Fortune card, which is traditionally a representation of luck (both good and bad), changing circumstances, the ups and downs of life, and the cyclical nature of life and the world.

Acknowledging that things aren’t always going to go our way is not pessimistic. It only becomes pessimistic if we refuse to also acknowledge that sometimes things will go our way as well.

That’s called balance.

The Wheel of Fortune isn’t just all downs (bad luck, crappy circumstances, etc), but has an equal amount of ups. Its motion is cyclical, after all.

The message in today’s Wheel of Fortune card and “a way forward” prompt reminds us to make sure we are acknowledging the bad and the good. Acknowledging just the bad is pessimistic and excessively negative. Acknowledging just the good is toxic positivity. We need to work on acknowledging both, and accepting that both have a place within our lives.

DECK USED:  FERDINANDO CRIPPA I TAROCCHI 1978

@Lionharts #TheAprilTarot Root & Rise Challenge

The Rise Prompt for April 24th : What am I willing to stand behind consistently?

Tarot Reading with the Gustave Doré Tarot

Reading Summary: Traditional knowledge (The Hierophant) developed over generations (Seven of Pentacles) through slow progress and experience (Knight of Pentacles).

Take Away: It’s easy to trust what works when what works has worked again and again through the tests and trials of time.

New information, new efforts, and new methods are always an interesting avenue to explore. When it comes to trust, though, there is nothing that stand strong and trustworthy better than the traditions that we have carried down through generations and know to be true and work well, standing the test of time.

For this reason, you consistently tend to stand behind traditional methods when it comes to those things that you feel are important. You trust these tried and true methods first, holding them above the experimental adventures of new methods.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Green Jasper and Tiger Eye Turtle for Confidence within Progress
Aragonite for Fostering Truth and Understanding
Green Aventurine for Harmony and Balance of the Heart
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: GUSTAVE DORÉ TAROT

@lightningwildflower‘s April Energetic Shifts Challenge

Venus enters Gemini Prompt for April 24th : How can I bring more play into my relationships?

Tarot Reading with the Ferdinando Crippa I Tarocchi 1978

Reading Summary: Allow your creative passion pursuits (Knight of Wands) to take the reins (The Chariot). Sitting things out in feigned disinterest serves no one and nothing (Four of Cups).

Take Away: If you’re unwilling to participate, you’re not gonna get very far and instilling more play into your relationships. Instead, you have to be open to engaging, as well as involving the people and things that inspire you to connect with them.

To bring more play into your relationships requires engaging in those relationships and allowing your creative spark to have a say in the things you do with these people you choose to share your time with.

This means speaking up to propose ideas and adventures you’re curious about exploring and, in doing so, inviting others along with you on these adventures. It means opening choosing what -you- want instead of letting everyone else choose. It means being engaged and involved instead of standing on the sidelines simply waiting things out.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Lodgepole Pine for Resilience, Growth, and Renewal
Dried Red Maple Leaf for Adaptability and Connection
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  FERDINANDO CRIPPA I TAROCCHI 1978
Daily Self Kindness

This is a catch up post, and I’m not entirely sure what the self kindness was for this day.