Month: May 2025

The Benefits of Holding Space

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was one of the #DailyTrip sessions from the @Calm app.

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Student Tarot v4's King of CupsThe @GlitterbyInk #MayTag25 Challenge
Celebrating Our Community Prompt for May 19 : Caring

Today’s draw is the King of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, emotional intelligence, creativity, or intuition. This often translates into authority figures that are emotionally supportive and understanding, possessing both compassion and strong leadership qualities.

It’s nice when they care, yeah? Whether it’s at work, or family, or social situations, being under the leadership of those that actually care about you and how you feel is nice.

Too often those in charge are so focused on productivity, profit, or their own agendas that they forget to see the people they are leading as anything more than a means to an end. They forget to check in on how others are doing and how they are feeling. They forget the human aspect of leadership involves connection and caring.

The combination of today’s prompt and card of the day is a reminder of that aspect. Nearly everyone leads others in some capacity. The message today is to seek out where we hold these roles in our lives and encourages us to take the time and effort to care about those we lead. Ensure they are okay… listen to their concerns. Hold space for them to share with you in the spirit of support and caring. In return you reap the rewards in the loyalty and trust such interest and caring fosters.

DECK USED:  STUDENT TAROT v4

#detarotjufmeitarotchallenge Tea With the Queens Challenge by @de_tarotjuf
Tea with the Queen of Cups : Emotional Intelligence and Care
Prompts for May 20 – 21

Oracle Reading with the Fateful Signs OracleWhat are my emotional pillars?

Odin’s Ravens – Connecting with those closest to you that know you well and know your secrets.

Thought and reason creates for you a sense of stability.

Spending time in nature and connecting with liminal spaces and the unseen.

How can I improve my relationships?

Donar, The Sky King – Stay true to yourself while seeking advice from others. These two things are not mutually exclusive, and combining them can give you clarity and direction. Remember that listening to others often creates a deeper connection than sharing with them, so speak less and listen more.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Cedar Tips for Protection Against Negative Influences
Lace Agate for Increasing Inner Stability
Clear Quartz Crescent for Amplification of Lunar Energies
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: FATEFUL SIGNS ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

Ginger tea today with my muffin, even though ginger tea really isn’t one of my favorite types. Even mixed with chamomile it’s just not a flavor that I find appealing in tea. I needed the benefits it could provide, though, so I had it anyway.

The Long Game

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was one of the #DailyCalm sessions with the @Calm app.

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Liminal Space Tarot's Five of SwordsThe @GlitterbyInk #MayTag25 Challenge
Celebrating Our Community Prompt for May 18 : Patient

Today’s draw is the Five of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of tests, trials, and conflict in the area of one’s thoughts, intellect, ambitions, and communication. This can often translate into themes that have to do with winning at any cost, disagreements, and occasionally defeat if you end up on the wrong side of the conflict.

If you want to win, then sometimes you  have to play the “long game”.

Not all achievements can be instant gratification, and sometimes it can look as if you’re losing right up until the end. I*t can be hard to stay motivated in these situations, as more and more in the present time we are being inundated with instant gratification and convenience.

The thing is, though? There really is merit to the saying that “the things worth having are worth working/fighting for”. And that means having the patience to wait and take things one step at a time, sometimes without any clear indication of success along the way, instead of rushing headlong or giving up.

How I Got There – I feel that my interpretation for this card may be less than obvious and need a little explanation.  When you look at the image in this card, this crooked hallway is dark and seems endless and uncertain as you can’t see what’s around the next bend.

You’re not here in this hallway to be here. You’re here to get somewhere else. Daylight. Food. Freedom. Your goal is somewhere ahead, but you have no idea how far. If you run, you could wear yourself out or get lost in the dark. So, you move forward… with patience. You’ll find your goal eventually, it just might take a while.

DECK USED:  LIMINAL SPACE TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2025 Challenge
Prompt for May 18 : Do Spread 3

Oracle Reading with A Hare's Odyssey Oracle and Venelestis Botanical Oracle

What is the core stressor in my life at this time that is under my control to change?

See How Far You’ve Come and Magic Mushroom (Psilocybe cubensis) – Your perception of your accomplishments is warped by outside influences and negative inner narratives, making it hard to see the good you’ve done or how far you’ve come.

What has allowed this stress in my life to take root and grow?

Frolic and Vervain (Verbena officinalis) – You spend far too much time focusing upon and judging harshly what you consider to be your “lazy moments”. These judgements are a combination of an echo from the past and judgements of others that have sunk deep into the wounds opened at that time, and your inner narrative that now uses those echoes to lash out at you (and at times also motivate you in negative and unhealthy ways).

What can I do right now to help ease my stress and anxiety related to this issue?

Transformation and Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) – Continue working on leaning into positivity and optimism. It often feels like a futile effort, but you are actually slowly training your brain to not always jump to the most negative narratives in self talk and world views.

Other elements included in this reading:
Pressed Pansy Flower for for Hearing the Heart More Clearly
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration, Clarity, and Determination
Wood Burned Bamboo marker for Luck and Foresight
Omarolluk for Protection and Bridging Liminal Divides
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: A HARE’S ODYSSEY ORACLE AND VENELESTIS BOTANICAL ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

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

❤️ 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 Seed Taroracle and Wednesday's Child Oracle

Earth – The World – Take some time this week to examine your goals and ensure they align with who you are now and who you want to become. Often, we strive toward goals from our past that no longer fit in with who we have grown into since those goals were made. This doesn’t mean that you failed, but rather that you’ve grown beyond them.

Air – Ace of Swords – Take care to communicate clearly and concisely with others this week to cut back on the potential for misunderstandings. If you see signs of confusion in others, stop and explore them instead of plowing on with the expectation they’ll “come around to” understanding.

Water – Three of Pentacles atop Eight of Pentacles – Don’t allow yourself to feel like you’re “in this alone”, whatever the situation may be. Reach out to others for help and support to maximize your potential for success, as well as to set your negative inner narrative straight that you truly aren’t alone after all.

Fire – Justice atop Seed of Pentacles – You can’t squeeze blood out of a stone. Remember that you get out of your endeavors what you put in. Just as it took effort to get the ball rolling, so will it take effort to keep it going. Especially during times when you’re stuck trying to roll it uphill.

Waning – Plasma Ball and Mice – Be proactive at shining a spotlight on dishonesty from others. Don’t just let it go when you see their lies so clearly. Now is the time to call them out on it when it occurs.

Waxing – Poppet and Fly Agaric – Don’t let others control you with their judgments. Autonomy is important and you need to make sure you’re practicing it in spades right now instead of letting other people run you ragged.

Take Away – If you want something, go for it, and don’t let others tell you no or try to toss obstacles in your way. Their bullshit is not your problem, so call them out on it and keep moving. A little aggression is needed this week to get things back on track and done.

DECKS USED: THE SEED TARORACLE AND WEDNESDAY’S CHILD ORACLE

It’s Better Together

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was one of the #DailyCalm sessions with the @Calm app.

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The @GlitterbyInk #MayTag25 Challenge
Celebrating Our Community Prompt for May 17 : Enthusiastic

Empyrean: An ORV Tarot's Three of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Three of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of teamwork, collaboration, working together, and themes to do with bringing in help and/or outside expertise in order to get something done.

Sometimes adding the participation of others can make things more interesting.  We’ve all had those projects and jobs where no matter how hard we try, the interest just isn’t there. And, because the interest isn’t there, neither is the motivation or focus that the task in question needs.

The message in today’s card and prompt combo is that in these instances it can sometimes help to involve others in the process. This includes for introverts, by the way.  Their interaction and contributions can at times make all the difference and change the tone from the drudgery or a chore into something fun or interesting to be enthusiastic about.

DECK USED:  EMPYREAN: AN ORV TAROT

#detarotjufmeitarotchallenge Tea With the Queens Challenge by @de_tarotjuf
Tea with the Queen of Cups : Emotional Intelligence and Care
Prompts for May 17 – 19

Oracle Reading with the White Rabbit Oracle I and II, and The Deck of MushroomsHow can I take better care of myself?

Playfulness, Adventure; Golden Chanterelle, Golden Scruffy Collybia – Don’t you think it’s time to get outside and have a little fun in nature? Just make sure that when you do, you are taking care with your safety. Not everything is as it appears, and that means that not everything is as safe as it appears. Keep that in mind when you’re out and about delving into adventures with a playful spirit.

What emotions are coming up for me today?

Awakening, Dazzle; Yellow Stainer, Wavy Cap – Don’t let the worry of forbidden pleasures and danger in disguise keep you from stepping out into the sun and enjoying the day. You may feel hesitancy to seek abandon and really be yourself, but it’s during these times that you really need to shine your brightest instead of hiding away.

What does my intuition tell me about a current situation?

Surprise; Pyramid Builder Lepidella – Sticking with the familiar can sometimes suck. Remember that surprises aren’t always bad, so make sure that you step outside your comfort zone a bit and see what good may come of it.

Other elements included in this reading:
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration, Clarity, and Determination
Omarolluk for Protection and Bridging Liminal Divides
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: WHITE RABBIT ORACLE I & II AND THE DECK OF MUSHROOMS

Daily Self Kindness

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

Crotchety Old Men

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was one of the #DailyTrip sessions with the @Calm app.

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May Day Faerie Festival Tarot's Death cardThe @GlitterbyInk #MayTag25 Challenge
Celebrating Our Community Prompt for May 16 : Kind

Today’s draw is the Death card, which is traditionally a representation of gradual organic changes, loss, slow moving transitions, and letting go.

Right… so, did you know that the leading cause of crotchety-ness in the elderly isn’t actually a dissatisfaction with how life has treated them, nor their (sometimes) in ability to adapt to modern changes?

It’s pain. Physical pain, to be precise.

As someone that has dealt with severe chronic pain over the past 20 years, I definitely get that. Pin makes irritants more irritating, inconveniences more inconvenient, etc. It’s hard not to let the pain drag you down and drown you in misery, and it’s equally hard not to fall into t he self-pity trap and begin to feel that life is picking on you.

Many don’t even realize it. The aches and pains come on so gradually that it’s hard to notice, especially when their average overall pain level rises a notch over the coarse of a few years.  A few more pass and another notch rises. A few more years… and they begin to realize that pain that was once occasional is now constant, and they have no idea when or how that happened because the change was so gradual.

The point is? Aging hurts. The older you get, the more it hurts, until it hurts a lot all the time.

So if you run across an elder whose a bit crotchety and unpleasant? Take a minute to react with kindness, instead of rolling your eyes or being uncaring. They are hurting, and chances are? They’re trying really hard to hide just how much.

DECK USED:  MAY DAY FAERIE FESTIVAL TAROT

#detarotjufmeitarotchallenge Tea With the Queens Challenge by @de_tarotjuf
Tea with the Queen of Swords : Intellect and Truth
Prompts for May 15 – 16

Oracle Reading with the Essential Oil Oracle Deck and Shapeshifter TarotWho or what helps me to live my truth?

Coffee and The Golden Eagle – I once read that there are two paths for the Scorpio. One is the high road of the eagle who is fair and just, and soars above conflict and retribution. The other path is the scorpion who skitters along the ground striking at anything that comes near.

These cards point to Z. Not only is she a Scorpio, but she works hard to tread the path of the eagle instead of the scorpion. She worked hard to teach me to do the same, even though I am not a Scorpio (although I do have it in my chart as my moon sign).

These cards speak of the need to rise above bullshit and not allow it to influence my emotional stability, and to play the “What would Z do?” game when needed.

What step can I take to create more clarity in  my life?

Juniper Berry and The Lion’s Lamb – Take care not to jump to conclusions. Hold back and see if those that are showing their true colors are friend or foe before stepping into the fray. Sometimes people surprise you if you just let them do things on their own while you stand back and watch, instead of getting involved too soon.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Hoya Leaf for Inward Exploration
Mandala Disk Charged for Serenity and Balance
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: ESSENTIAL OIL ORACLE DECK AND SHAPESHIFTERS TAROT (trimmed naked)

Daily Self Kindness

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

Finding the Positive for May 13 – 15

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Major Tom's Tarot of Marseille Lovers Card, Low Scare Tarot's Ten of Pentacles, Archania Tarot's The High Priestess card

May 13 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was a #DailyCalm session from the @Calm app.

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The @GlitterbyInk #MayTag25 Challenge
Celebrating Our Community Prompt for May 13 : Artistic

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

The card pulled for today offers us an opportunity to look at our  needs through a different lens. In the marseille tradition of tarot, the imagery we see is a central figure in one of life’s age-old battles as they are pictured between a matronly figure and a new love. It is a choice between past or future, stable stagnancy or new beginnings.

Everyone needs to make these choices in life, whether it’s moving away from home, choosing a partner, etc. The artistic representation here depicts making a crossroads where a decision must be made for your future… one that you’ll have to live with for a very long time, and advises us to make the choice that aligns with what we want out of life and need in our loves moving forward. For, whatever choice we make, we’re making a commitment to move in that direction.

[Digression Note spurred by the “Artistic” prompt for today:  When reading tarot, the reader also makes a similar choice pertaining to their practice. They can learn the traditional meaning of each card and stick to them with strict adherence, or they can use the traditional meaning in conjunction with visual cues in the card’s artistic choices.Neither choice is more right or wrong than the other, only more right or wrong for an  individual. 

For me?  It’s the latter that fits best. Colors, forms, shapes and lines. All of these things provide so much extra information, making reading the cards more than the rattling off of card meanings and introducing an element of art interpretation into the mix, where each card’s illustration doesn’t just speak to me but offers a conversation.]

Combined with the prompt of “artistic”, what I see her in the Lover’s card is a reminder not to just choose what’s easy in life.  Look at the context and consider the future. Think outside the box and use your imagination, then choose. Taking what is easy without considering the alternatives often leads to a lackluster life.  Sometimes, easy is still the right choice, but that doesn’t mean that we don’t need to consider other choices and perspectives first and make sure.

DECK USED: MAJOR TOM’S TAROT OF MARSEILLE

May 14 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was eight minutes long, and was a #DailyTrip session from the @Calm app.

The topic of today’s session was about restorative activities, and how important they are to our general well-being.  Activities in life that make you feel restored, such as going for walks, meditation, cloud watching, spending time with a loved one, coloring in a coloring book, watching a movie, etc.

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The @GlitterbyInk #MayTag25 Challenge
Celebrating Our Community Prompt for May 14 : Resourceful

Today’s draw is the Ten of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of satisfaction and stability in the area of one’s finances, resources, home, health, manifestations, and the physical world. This often translates into themes that have to do with hard earned success, accomplishments, abundance created through patience and hard work.

How do you recharge?  Is sleeping the beginning, middle, and end of your restorative process? Or are there other methods and moments mixed in there as well?

For me, it’s time in nature. Hiking or taking macro photos of nature’s interesting intricacies. Digging in the dirt or tending to plants that need a little TLC. These things are restorative to me.

The thing is? Success isn’t just about what you earn  monetarily or through status. It’s about how you are able to spend your time, and how you feel about life as a whole. If you’re constantly pushing and struggling, then life is missing something.  And just maybe? That something isn’t more money, but rather the time and energy to give yourself the restorative activities that make life feel a little bit more like a treasure and a little less like a chore.

Today’s “resourceful” prompt combined with the Ten of Pentacles card and the topic of today’s meditation session is a reminder that restorative starts with “rest” for a reason, and that we all need not just sleep, but also activities in life that feel restorative to us.   Sometimes that means being resourceful and thinking outside the box. Stealing a few minutes here and there to experiment and try new things, even silly things, to find those that allow you a moment of respite now and then. As a result, you may discover you’re already more of a success than you think, as you begin to enjoy life just a bit more.

DECK USED: LOW SCARE TAROT

May 15 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was eleven minutes long, and was a #DailyCalm session from the @Calm app.

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The @GlitterbyInk #MayTag25 Challenge
Celebrating Our Community Prompt for May 15 : Energetic

Today’s draw is the High Priestess card, which is traditionally a representation of intuition, secrets, sacred knowledge, mystery, the subconscious mind.

The High Priestess in this card seems oftly cheeky with her flash of thigh and flirtatious glance up at the pillar of masculine strength in the upper corner.  I don’t often see the High Priestess as a sensual card, but in this one, it’s hard to miss. It seems to say loud and clear “when you know… you know”.

The other day, I had a card of the day that spoke about how just because we like something or find it appealing, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s right for us.  Today’s card? Says that when it *is* right for us? We’ll know.  No doubt. No questions asked. When you know, you know… you know? This knowledge comes from within. It comes from your gut and has nothing to do with thought or reason. It’s inner ken that says “YES” because it is right for you.

Today’s message is to not ignore those feelings. When they come, it means you’ve stumbled upon something special and “just right” for you. In those instances, maybe give yourself the opportunity to explore instead of just reject, for you never know what new good thing you might be discovering.

I am as at-fault as anyone else for missing these signs at times, by the way. Nearly seventeen years ago, when I first met Gideon, it wasn’t I who knew. I was too much in my head and full of resistance to know… to recognize who he was and the potential he held for me and my future.  It was him.

He knew.  He knew from the moment he first saw me, before we ever even met.  He knew, and he followed that knowing, worked hard to turn my gaze and get me to realize that being with him would not sacrifice my independence and how good we could be together.  And nearly seventeen years later? Here we are, still happy, and still going strong.

So don’t let FOMO conceal itself as that inner knowing.  If it’s meant to be?  It’ll be yours… even if you miss the signs at first.

DECK USED: ARCHANIA TAROT