The Path to True Acceptance

Today’s meditation was a ten minute self-guided session based upon a motivational quote that says, “Today I will be proud of all of the small progress that only I see.”

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

Yasmine Abed Tarot's Ten of Cups and a card from the Lights in Dark Places Affirmation Deck

Today’s draw is the Ten of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of feelings of completion, connection with others and harmony in those connections, and is often considered as the “happy family” card.

The Ten of Cups card has then been combined with a card from the Lights In Dark Places deck, which says, “Make all of the dreams you can muster up. Stay true to yourself and they will make their way back to you.”

Genuine happiness and a true connection with others comes through authenticity. Only when you share your true self with others, instead of the masks used to “fit in”, can you find those that truly love and accept you for who you are rather than the lie you try and feed the world.

Everyone deserves that type of love. The kind that comes from honest connections rather than created on a facade of falsehoods.

The message in today’s Ten of Cups and affirmation card is a reminder that the key to a happy and healthy life lies in being yourself, and seeking out those that connect with who you are, rather than who you want others to see you as.

DECKS USED:  YASMINE ABED TAROT AND LIGHTS IN DARK PLACES AFFIRMATION DEVK

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2026 Challenge
Prompt for October 25th
: Do Spread 2
Question for October 26th
: Trick or Treat – What consequences await a choice yet to be made?

Tarot Reading with the Tarot of Haunted House and Twist's Halloween Postcard Set

Reading Summary: A connection of glass between the anchor card and Strength card asks us to consider how we perceive ourselves versus how others see us. What do we see in the mirror that others do not? What do others see in us that we don’t see at all? This connection in the cards invites exploration of these different perspectives.

This message is then reinforced in the vertical lines in the glass on the anchor card that separates the witch from the homey warmth of the children, and the vertical lines of the swords in the Eight of Swords card. This speaks of how our own perceptions of ourselves often blind us from being able to see how others see us. Instead we make up stories on this topic that we convince ourselves are true.

The warm glow in the Six of Cups then corresponds to that of the indoors scene that the witch watches in the anchor card. The bars in the background again reflecting the vertical lines in the glass. Here, this connection speaks of protection. Just as the glass protects the children from the cold, the bars on the Six of Cups protect the gentle warmth of the scene from being interrupted by outside influences. This connection indicates that often, these stories we tell ourselves about how others see us are a type of defense mechanism to protect us from being hurt, but end up cutting us off from the outside world in the process.

Take Away: The consequence awaiting the choice yet to be made is a shift in personal perspective on how you see yourself and how you imagine others do. If you aren’t careful, you could end up isolating yourself in an effort to protect yourself from an anticipated hurt that doesn’t even exist.

Other elements included in this reading:
Wasp Hive Segment with Parmeliaceae Lichen for Easing Defense Mechanisms
Bird Figurine for Fostering Hope, Positivity, and Renewal
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  TWIST’S HALLOWEEN POSTCARDS ORACLE AND TAROT OF HAUNTED HOUSE

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 4 | Entry 11 – Family and Friends
Affirmation : “When I need support, I have trusted friends to turn to.”
Prompt : When you think of wise council, you can begin to think of your 78 tarot cards (22 in this case) as those close friends and confidences. Like friends, these guides can be there for you and support you even if your actual friends and family can’t be there. Tell the cards about a secret or pressing issue. What advice does the card you draw give you about the secret or situation?

Tarot Activity from The One Card a Day Journal by Maria Sofia Marmanides - Beyond Tarot - The Tower

What feelings came up when I pulled this card?

I initially felt a spike of anxiety because I immediately understood the advice this card is offering, and even though I know this advice to be solid, am resistant to the idea.

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

The Tower is about sudden catastrophic change. It’s the earthquake that levels one’s home. The lightning strike that burns a farmer’s fields a week before harvest. It’s chaos and destruction that leaves ashes and rubble in its wake.

It is very much how things feel like they are going right now with the secret being held.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

The skeleton in this imagery simultaneously looks like he’s trying to hold this wall up as it’s crumbling, and climb it… also while it’s crumbling. In both cases, the efforts are foolhardy and fruitless. Sometimes you just have to stand back and let it fall.

My prompt response and reflections.

It’s going to take effort to recover from this unexpected setback, but you will eventually rebuild what’s lost during this time of upheaval. Let the shit fall as it will and deal with the aftermath once the dust has settled, instead of trying to preserve a part of the structure through sheer force of will.

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

DECK USED: BEYOND TAROT

@owlandbonestarot #OctoberinBetween Challenge
Prompts for October 25th

Tarot Reading with the Yasmine Abed Tarot

Stay – Page of Pentacles Rx – It’s time to pause. Not slow down, but actually grind to a halt and wait.

As mentioned in a previous reading, things are currently in the process of falling apart. Instead of trying to catch the pieces or hold things together, stay back out of the way and let things fall as they will.

You’ll have an opportunity later on to start moving again, but right now? Just wait.

Go – The Tower – Lean into the destructive aspects of your current situation. Instead of trying to save the day, step back and let everything fall apart.

Accept you have no control, and decide to watch the show instead of acting against impossible odds.

Other elements included in this reading:
Staghorn Sumac for Connecting with Nature and the Wild Within
Clear Quartz for boosting Mental Clarity
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  YASMINE ABED TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I turned off the TV. J had turned it on but then just parked it on a game show channel and it was getting on my nerves.

❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

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 Troubled Tarot and House of Shadows Lenormand

Earth – Ace of Swords – Don’t close yourself off or isolate yourself from others or what’s going on around you. Communicate with those that help keep things stable, but not to the point you’re stabbing anyone in the back by doing so. You are not an oath breaker, and now isn’t the time to start.

Air – Page of Swords – It’s okay to struggle with your words, as long as you’re still getting your words out.

Water – Seven of Swords – It’s also okay to be feeling betrayed. These emotions are a natural consequence of what you’re currently going through. Don’t hold these feelings in. Share them with others instead of trying to ignore them.

Fire – Knight of Cups – Alcohol is not the answer. Tempting, but not the answer. Self medicating, addictions to excess, and other self-destructive pursuits are also not the answer. Hold strong against these urges or things could quickly get out of hand.

Waning – Lily and Dog – You are craving the drown right now, but it’s not a good time to indulge. Doing so could be detrimental to your recovery from the depression, so hold off for a bit longer instead of seeking out that dynamic that makes you feel all the feels.

Waxing – Child and Spirit – Instead of leaning into adult interests, try tipping towards playfulness and fun.  Allow the curiosity and wonder of a “child’s mind” to rise to the surface for some play and exploration.

Take Away – Now, while everything feels like it’s falling apart and you’re powerless to do anything to stop it, focus on communication and play.  Let yourself have a little fun and use the extra time destruction has put within your hands to play and enjoy instead of wallowing in worry and anxiety.

DECKS USED: THE TROUBLED TAROT AND HOUSE OF SHADOWS LENORMAND 6TH EDITION

Gideon’s Challenge – Stalwart

Salmonberry (Rubus Spectabilis), Common Hairmoss (Polytrichum commune), Deer Fern (Struthopteris castanea), and White Meadowsweet (Spiraea alba)

Stalwart

in this place
the green persists
through the fall
and into the cold
of winter nights
and biting
frost filled days
as tender bits
fade away
’til spring
and hardier ones
stay

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Self Care Is a Service

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

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

The Vampire's Tale Tarot's Lovers card and a card from the Lights In Dark Places Affirmation Deck

Today’s draw is The Lovers card, which is traditionally a representation of love and relationships, long term contracts, harmonious unions, and making choices that are geared toward what is best for you.

The Lovers card has then been combined with a card from the Lights In Dark Places deck, which says, “You make a difference.”

If you aren’t taking care of yourself, then you aren’t taking care of others. After all, taking care of others takes energy and effort. If you’re unwilling to do the things needed to refill your own “cup” of energy, then you’re running that cup dry until there’s nothing left to give.

The message in today’s Lovers card and affirmation is a reminder that I personally often need to hear, and know many others that need to as well. It’s that efficiently and lovingly caring for others requires giving yourself rest and recuperation.

This means doing the things you love to do, resting when you need rest, giving your body the fuel and movement needed to keep it functional and mobile. These things aren’t optional, especially when expending energy on caring for others.

Take care of yourself, and in doing so the care you offer others will become easier to carry, and improve in quality as well.

DECKS USED:  THE VAMPIRE’S TALE TAROT AND LIGHT IN DARK PLACES AFFIRMATION DECK

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2026 Challenge
Prompts for October 22nd through 24th

Oracle Reading with The Rotten Tarot (Oracle)

Creepy: Is the thinning veil something to be feared?

The Veil – The veil is simply another form of the unknown. Many fear the unknown, and by the same turn, many fear the veil. In truth, though, both the veil and the unknown simply contain those things that we don’t yet know… both good and bad.

Therefore, whether the veil is something to be feared or not depends on your perspective and whether you choose to lean into curiosity, or choose to instead lean into the security of what is known.

Jack-o-Lantern: What extra protections may you need as the veil thins?

The Mime (tipped right and blocking The Veil) – Speak up! Communicate what is going on and what you need from others. Not just with those that walk beside you on your path, but also with those on the other side of the veil.

You tend to put up barriers between yourself and those on the other side of the veil during this time when the veil is thin, in order to avoid being overwhelmed. Communication of your needs is a better and healthier way to deal with the added sensitivity and sensory input this time of the year creates for you, though.

What do you need to focus on for self-care for this month’s full moon?

The Hill – Instead of fighting the good fight on those hills you’re willing to die on, during this full moon, hold back and enjoy the day, the grass, the clouds, and the fresh air. Sometimes, indifference to the efforts of others to disrupt your own pursuits and values is a far better response than engaging.

Other elements included in this reading:
Japanese Cherry Leaf as a Reminder of Life’s Fleeting Moments
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  THE ROTTEN TAROT (ORACLE)

October Spooky Season Challenge by @MercuryTarot
Prompt for October 24th : What skeleton hides in my closet?

Lenormand Reading with The Oracle of Halloween Lenormand Deck

Reading Summary: You have a tendency to protect yourself against (Bear) social obligations and frivolity (Garden), when in truth it’s the communication coming in from the outside that you try to ignore that’s the real threat (Letter).

Take Away: Letters from G, messages from M, summons and subpoenas to testify…

You look at social situations as the bane of your existence, but the truth is that it’s these other missives that truly have your back up and tensions running high. They add extra tension to each and every other interaction and stressor in your life.

Ease up on your conditioned negative response to spending time with those that are actually good for you and your outlook, and instead cast the blame for your discomfort where it actually belongs.

Other elements included in this reading:
Wasp Hive Segment with Parmeliaceae Lichen for Easing Defense Mechanisms
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Calcite for Gently Calming the Mind and Stimulating Insights
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  THE ORACLE OF HALLOWEEN (LENORMAND)

October Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for October 23rd and 24th
: sky unhitched / melting at the edges

Creative Writing Exercise with the Spooky Pumpkins Playing Cards Midnight Edition

on my back
I lie beneath the boughs
of evergreen trees
(Four of Spades atop Four of Clubs)

gazing up
at swaying pine needles
and the gray skies above
that dip low enough
to thread among treetops
(Jack of Diamonds)

and as wet drips land
to splat upon skin
I muse if the trees are weeping
or if the clouds are melting
one fine droplet at a time
(Seven of Hearts)

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Moss Agate for Attracting Opportunities for Growth
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  SPOOKY PUMPKINS PLAYING CARDS

@owlandbonestarot #OctoberinBetween Challenge
Prompts for October 23rd

Tarot Reading with The Vampire's Tale Tarot

Hide – Five of Pentacles – You have a tendency to hide when you are struggling financially.

You choose to only share you vulnerabilities when you are seeking help. You hide when you are struggling with resources and finances, though, because you don’t want others to think you’re asking for a hand out.

Reveal – Three of Sword – You tend to reveal when you are struggling with your mental health.

You are much more comfortable sharing you mental health struggles, specifically because you’re far more comfortable asking for help that comes in the manner of emotional support or assistance that isn’t monetary in nature.

Prompts for October 24th

Offer – The Tower (tipped left) – Offer your past experiences up to others to help them in getting through their own challenges. You have a lot of experience and a lot of wisdom earned through those experiences. Don’t be shy in offering this knowledge to others so that they don’t have to repeat the unpleasant experiences that you’ve already gone through.

Accept – Seven of Wands atop Seven of Swords – Sometimes standing up for what you believe in and the values you live by is going to come at the loss of something else of value. It’s a matter of being true to yourself, even when being true to yourself is hard. It’s important to accept this is a part of life, and choose wisely when these situations come upon us.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
Staghorn Sumac for Connecting with Nature and the Wild Within
Moss Agate for Attracting Opportunities for Growth
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  THE VAMPIRE’S TALE TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I took home with me all the homemade peanut butter candies Ms B made. I don’t trust her not to throw them away because the batch wasn’t “perfect”.

🌕 Full Moon in Taurus – October 2026

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 @onyerbroom

Full Hunter's Moon Tarot Reading with The Mental Monsters Tarot

Hunting Me?

Nine of Swords atop Two of Wands – The anxiety of not having a firm plan in place makes you feel like you have a persistent target on your back. There are too many variables up in the air at this time, and not only did it put on hold and/or decimate the plans previously in place, it’s preventing you from making new ones.

Not Catching?

Queen of Wands – At this time there’s a lot of upheaval in your life that is preventing you from following your nature. That disconnect is uncomfortable for you. Remember that just as the sunflowers only bloom briefly, this too will pass. Find what you can to enjoy from it for the time being.

Bring Home?

Queen of Cups – Don’t close off your emotions during this time of difficulty. Instead, hold them close and explore them with gentle tenderness. Be kind to yourself and let others step in to help support you emotionally.

Full Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.

Two of Swords – Don’t allow your feelings of uncertainty and fear of what may be coming to convince you that waffling in indecision is better than decisive action.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Lavender Bundle for Calming and Comfort
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Dried Rosebuds for Potential and Beauty Waiting to Unfold
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE MENTAL MONSTERS TAROT

Gideon’s Challenge – Curious

The Autumn Path

Curious

gray skies and
intermittent raindrops
greet a cooling day
as booted feet
tread over
pine needle carpets
and worn
saturated wood
as each step
sates a small trickle
of curiosity
that leads on
into forever

Photo © ZenStatePhotography