Delusions of Entitlement

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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.

Greenwood Tarot's Sun Card and a card from the Tao Book and Cards Pack

Today’s draw is The Sun card, which is traditionally a representation of success, optimism, positivity, fun and frivolity. In my practice, the Sun is also a symbol of masculine vitality, virility, and warmth.

The Sun card has then been combined with a card from the Tao Book and Cards Pack, with a Lao Tzu quote that says, “A thousand mile journey starts with one step.”

I don’t understand the mentality of entitlement. The idea that “I suffer, therefore I am owed”, or worse yet “I exist therefore this is my due.”

I see it all the time, and it never fails to bother me, surprise me, and disgust me. Where the hell did the idea that everything should be given to us come from? And why do so many believe it?

Life is a journey of lessons and work. In my opinion, if you want something then you go after it, work for it… earn it. You don’t just sit back and expect it to just happen, and then have the nerve to blame anything or everything else when you don’t get it.

The message in today’s cards is a reminder that we take ownership of our lives and our futures through action, not through waiting for things to be handed to us. These cards encourage us all to take the first step. Then another… and another. This is how we end up in the life we want to live; by building that life and living it, one step at a time.

DECKS USED:  THE GREENWOOD TAROT AND TAO BOOK AND CARDS PACK

September Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for September 7th : the space between us measured in time

Creative Writing with the Inner Eye Oracle

When I discovered the real you beneath the mask (Jack of Spades), I realized I’d never really known you at all.

It took twenty years to discover you didn’t care, and what I’d mistaken as caring and love was simply you playing devils advocate (Five of Diamonds atop Six of Hearts) to his reign (King of Clubs).

And with each year that passes since then, I see more clearly how little our values mesh (Ace of Diamonds), as we grow further and further apart (Seven of Hearts). Until even when sitting across from each other the chasm between us grows ever larger (Five of Hearts).

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from 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
Norway Maple Key for Fostering Strength and Resilience
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: INNER EYE ORACLE

@lightningwildflower‘s September Self-Talk Challenge
Prompts for September 7th and 8th

Tarot Reading with the Greenwood Tarot

Patience – Where can I practice patience with myself?

Ten of Stones Rx – Remember that hurdles on the way to one’s goals are simply a part of the journey. We are supposed to be enjoying the journey, not beating ourselves up for not reaching our goals as quickly as we think we should. Growth takes time, and is the entire point.

Perspective – What is a new perspective I’m beginning to adopt?

Wanderer of Cups – Emotions aren’t such a bad thing after all, and they can be a strength instead of seen as a vulnerability. They only feel so vulnerable because you find them uncertain and unfamiliar, not because they’re an actual weakness.

Add On Question – Why did you toss yourself all over the place earlier?

Balance – Because you were rushing things and weren’t fully grounded. By the cards ending up going every which way instead of behaving in your hands, it provided you that little bit of extra time and a touch of aggravation. This, in turn, allowed you to center and ground more deeply through the breathing exercise you used to activate your patience and the movement of your body to collect what fell on the floor.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Acorn for Protection during New Beginnings
Foraged Lodgepole Pine for Strength and Growth
Pressed Pansy Flower for Hearing the Heart More Clearly
Gneiss Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Calcite for Gently Calming the Mind and Stimulating Insights
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE GREENWOOD TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I picked up my pants from the seamstress on the way to the garden center so I could do laundry tonight instead of waiting until Wednesday.

Gideon’s Challenge – Peaceful Joy

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Tuberous Sword Fern (Nephrolpis cordifolia)

Peaceful Joy

new friends
met
in quiet corners
as work
carries on
distant from
shadowed nooks
where packages
are opened
like
Christmas gifts
and fronds
reach and
stretch
as fresh air
sweeps in

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Finding Validation and Stability

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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.

Gravity Tattoo Tarot's Four of Pentacles and a card from the Rethink Self Care Anxiety Relief Cards

Today’s draw is the Four of Pentacles, which is traditionally about stability and gratitude (sometimes to excess, which can turn miserly) for what you have. This is a stagnant sort of appreciation that speaks of not reaching for more, but instead being focused on what you have in the now.

The Four of Pentacles has then been combined with a Grounding Exercises card from the Rethink Self Care Anxiety Relief Cards, which says, “Self-massage… relieves tension, calms your mind, and promotes a soothing sense of well-being.”

I recently did an exercise where in the process of a calming meditation, you place your hand over your heart as you speak to yourself, patting gently and giving yourself comforting words. At the end of this exercise, you then reach up and pat yourself on the shoulder, breathing in the sentiments of comforting energy.

Hyunjin "When the Party's Over" Dance Shoulder Pat

I admit. I was skeptical.

And yet? It did in fact feel different than exercises I’ve done that didn’t include these physical actions. I was surprised by this. There was, in fact, an added level of comfort there.

The message in today’s Four of Pentacles and activity card is a reminder that, like validation, stability and comfort are nice when they come from others, but essential when provided for oneself. Don’t confuse the nice of someone else’s offerings as a necessity you can’t do without. Establish a steady foundation of self love so that true comfort, validation, and stability come from within.

DECKS USED:  GRAVITY TATTOO TAROT AND RETHINK SELF CARE ANXIETY RELIEF CARDS

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 3 | Entry 19 – Family and Friends
Affirmation : “Some of my most cherished memories are moments spent with friends.”
Prompt : Think of a person you miss. Reminisce about some of your favorite memories with that person. According to your chosen card, is there a certain friendship you should spend more time nurturing?

Tarot Activity from The One Card a Day Journal by Maria Sofia Marmanides - Solipsist Tarot - The Moon card

What feelings came up when I pulled this card?

Disappointment combined with a rueful feeling of acceptance.

Also a hint of amusement specifically in reference to the figure in the card’s derriere appearing as if they just experienced a vigorous spanking.

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

The Moon card is often about uncertainty, which is how this friendship eventually fell apart. The drinking turned into erratic and disrespectful behavior, which turned into something that hurt.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

The red cheeks mentioned above spoke to me of the repeated offenses and disrespect that had me “course correcting” him more than once in an effort to teach him better behavior.

The crab holding up a leaf like some sort of olive branch while simultaneously pinching the figure’s toe hard enough to draw blood reminds me of all the apologies that seemed so sincere, yet weren’t sincere enough to keep them from repeating the behavior again and again.

The figure’s back is turned, as if they are trying to look serene and pretend like noting is wrong.

My prompt response and reflections.

It’s hard not to forgive and try again. Especially when the memory of the pain starts to fade. History has shown that this friendship isn’t a friendship at all, though, but a harmful and unhealthy cycle. It doesn’t need nurturing, but rather handled at arm’s length with kid gloves and a mindset of caution and wariness.

Other elements included in this reading:
Sodalite D20 and D6 Gemstone Dice

DECK USED: SOLIPSIST TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2026 Challenge
Prompt for September 6th : Do Spread 1

Tarot Reading with the Gravity Tattoo Tarot

Wolf – How can I bolster my strength and bravery for hurdles yet to come?

Knight of Wands – Connect with your enthusiasm, and allow that focus on what excites you to blind you for a time to the things that don’t

Owl – How can I learn to better trust my perception of the world and other people?

King of Pentacles – Actions speak louder than words. Use previous experiences as a guide, and trust what these people actually physically show you instead of what they say.

Stag – Where in my life can greater dignity create a stronger sense of integrity?

Page of Pentacles – Patience. Patience is a tool that can be used to create stability. It expresses dignity with quiet strength while showing others you won’t compromise yourself or your values.

Eagle – Why does good and successful leadership also require a modicum of grace?

The Emperor atop The Hermit – Because in order to know others and understand their needs, you need to know thyself. The understanding of our own inner workings and motivations helps us to not just understand others but better connect with them on a deeper level.

Salmon – In what direction have I been moving by instinct without realizing it?

The World – You move towards the future and the completion of your goals by instinct without realizing it. Proof positive that you don’t need to control every moment of every step on the path you choose. You will continue to move in that direction even during times when you aren’t paying close attention or controlling every little thing.

Wild Goose – How have my past relationships and friendships taught me to be a better person?

The Devil – By watching the struggles and hurt that others go through, you are able to learn by example instead of trying everything out for yourself and suffering the consequences on a more personal level.

Other elements included in this reading:
Bird Figurine for Encouraging Hope, Positivity, and Renewal
Foraged Acorn for Protection during New Beginnings
Foraged Lodgepole Pine for Strength and Growth
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
Calcite w/ Conichalcite for Amplifying Intuitive Messages
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: GRAVITY TATTOO TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I have (with obvious efforts) course corrected negative thinking and inner narratives numerous times today.

❤️ 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 Green Witchery Tarot and Dramatic Lenormand

Earth – Five of Crystals – You may feel like things aren’t coming together how you’d planned and worked for this week. Do your best to stay positive and look on the bright side, even when you’re feeling cut off at the knees.

Air – The Empress – Kind and nurturing self talk is needed this week. Don’t let misunderstandings turn the innocuous into an opportunity for self-abuse.

Water – Page of Goblets – Cut yourself a break and offer yourself some kindness instead of the harsher treatment that is you habit. Make a mess, and feel pride over it instead of guilt.

Fire – Four of Goblets – Time alone isn’t for brooding, it’s for refilling your cups. Use this time to provide yourself with much needed self-care and recovery, instead of rehashing what didn’t go right and how that’s somehow on you.

Waning – Snake and Clouds – Turn away from venomous reactions during times of emotional upheaval. Just because things feel dark and uncertain doesn’t mean they actually are. Consider that your perception is just that… perception. An illusion brought about by emotional response.

Waxing – Key and Book – Don’t sit in misery feeling helpless this week. Research solutions instead. By seeking extra knowledge on the problem at hand you empower yourself to strive and thrive instead of surrender.

Take Away – It looks like it’s going to be a rough week emotionally.  Make sure you are keeping up on the tools that help you in balancing out your negative and pessimistic tendencies.  When things go awry, don’t stew in bad energy but instead use these moments as motivation to research and dig for answers and activities you can do to help make things better.  This week will be a test upon your efforts toward positivity and optimism.  Take a breath when tensions rise and give yourself some grace and understanding.

DECKS USED: THE GREEN WITCHERY TAROT AND DRAMATIC LENORMAND

Gideon’s Challenge – Forlorn

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Pixie Cups Lichen in a bed of Moss

Forlorn

There was a time
you were
invested
in every moment
and every word
every emotion
and every thought
in shoe sizes
and ice cubes
in slivers of ideas
and musings
but there’s
simply
no time
anymore
and I notice
more than
you realize

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Anger As a Conduit

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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 Slow Tarot - Two of Cups and a card from The Nourished Heart Oracle

Today’s draw is the Two of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of connection and unification, mutual attraction, and emotional connections.

The Two of Cups has then been combined with the Anger card from The Nourished Heart Oracle, which says, “Anger is fuel. Recovery is rebellion.”

Sometimes it can be difficult to weed out those that have your best interests at heart from those that don’t. Observation during unguarded moments is a good way to do this; and nothing leaves someone as unguarded as anger.

In these moments we get a true glimpse of what’s going on inside a person as their true selves peek out from behind the mask they generally show the world. (The same thing happens when people get drunk, in fact. Both anger and alcohol have a tendency to lower inhibitions and allow us to get a peek at those hidden parts of others.)

The message in today’s Two of Cups and affirmation suggests when seeking true connections that we choose those who will be angry for you and angry with you, and not those who choose to be angry at you. These cards tell us that these are the individuals that will stick by your side through thick and thin, and lend you the support you need when you need it.

Connecting through anger may be an unorthodox approach to making friends, but it can give us a glimpse at those who truly -are- out friends, and those who use their friendship as merely window dressing.

DECKS USED:  THE SLOW TAROT AND THE NOURISHED HEART ORACLE

September Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for September 6th : an obituary of the moon’s orbit

Writing Exercise with the Inuit Art Playing Cards

When fears come true and the bickering is over
(Nine of Spades atop Five of Clubs)

When he finds somewhere else to be
(Jack of Hearts)

We will look back on the times he watched over our dreams
(King of Clubs)

And express mourning of the light lost that was once he
(Three of Spades atop Ace of Spades)

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences

DECK USED: INUIT ART PLAYING CARDS

@lightningwildflower‘s September Self-Talk Challenge
Prompts for September 5th and 6th

Tarot Reading with The Slow Tarot and Protection Spells Deck

Discipline – Where do I need a little more discipline to achieve a goal?

Queen of Swords atop Ace of Wands Rx; Aphrodite

It’s in the things you are already well versed in that you need to train your focus upon right now. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted by the new and shiny.

Whether this is in matters of the heart or preparing for battle, don your armor with care so that your softness can shine through. It’s okay to care.

Insight – What inner message deserves my attention today?

Page of Wands and Boundary of Protection

Take on new challenges with calm and enthusiasm. Life is an adventure. Be bold and steadfast, gentle and wild of heart.

Other elements included in this reading:
Pressed Pansy Flower for Hearing the Heart More Clearly
Clear Quartz for boosting Mental Clarity
Honey Calcite for Optimism and Motivational Boost
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE SLOW TAROT AND PROTECTION SPELLS DECK
Daily Self Kindness

I considered discontinuing this daily self-kindness part of my posts, but decided that I might be getting benefit from it that I’m not readily or easily noticing. Thus, I’ve decided to continue for the time being.