Day: August 22, 2025

Unexpected Guides

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

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The Ark Animal Tarot - The Hierophant card@FatMumSlim August #FMSPAD Challenge
Prompt for August 22nd : Something I’m Looking Forward To | #FMS_LOOKINGAHEAD25

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

Today’s draw is The Hierophant card, which is traditionally a representation of traditions, spiritual guidance, long standing institutions, teachers and guides, and themes that deal with conformity and social norms.

Recently, I discovered a metaphysical shop that is unlike any other I’ve ever visited. The shop was neat and tidy, but cluttered. Impeccably clean and carefully curated, yet without even a hint of “tourist” pandering. The shop owner was knowledgeable and friendly, without being intrusive or pushy. The cat was friendly too.

The owner had built something rich with meaning in a world of commerce, and the care and spiritual roots showed through in every shelf, nook, and cranny. When I spoke with her, it was clear that she was not only knowledgeable, but had researched and explored in depth each item in her shop as well as their sources, and even been in communication with a number of the authors and creators on display. She even sources some of the herbs in her shop from her own garden.

As you might’ve already caught on to, I have a massive amount of respect for this woman and the blend of spirituality and business she has created.

I am absolutely looking forward to visiting the shop and its owner (and the cat!) again in the future.

Today’s message is a reminder that those that teach us “how things work” can be found in the most unexpected places. Sometimes when we step through a doorway, we get exactly what or who we expect. Other times, we are taken by surprise by a little slice of heaven or the gift of a knowledgeable guide to help us when we need it. Be open to the possibility of the latter, as it can happen at the most unexpected moments.

DECK USED:  THE ARK ANIMAL TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2025 Challenge
Prompt for August 22nd : What do you need to focus on for self-care for this month’s new moon?

Nakshatra Oracle ReadingReading Summary: In order to foster harmony and balance (Libra) within the current chaos (Ketu) of what’s going on with your business (Rohini), you need to stay on top of things and pay attention. Be willing to not just do the work, but adapt as needed in order to allow things to reach their full potential (Hasta).

Take Away: Encourage tranquility in your life, not just through the mindfulness techniques and tools at your disposal, but also by making sure that you don’t “check out” concerning the issues and stressors going on right now with your business. You need to stay engaged and pay attention to what’s going on, so that you can respond and adapt quickly and smoothly to the changes taking place.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Silver Maple Key for Bouncing Back to Thrive
Black Spruce Needles to Boost Self-Confidence and Positive Thinking
Dried Purple Heather Flowers for Independence and Luck
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Gneiss Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE NAKSHATRA ORACLE

@empressofthenightslight Roll the Tarot August Challenge
Roll : 12  Prompt : What do I need to let go of now?

The Ark Animal Oracle ReadingReading Summary: Clever planning (Sugar Glider), bold action (Moose), and dogged determination for things to stay the same (Dog).

Take Away: Things are changing, and you have to accept that you are not in control. No matter how much you want to be. No amount of “tinkering”, or just jumping in and going for it, is going to make things better right now. Neither is ignoring the problem and trying to make everything stay the same. Let go of your need to be in control and resist change. This tendency is not going to help you in the current situation.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Purple Heather Sprigs for Independence and Luck
Deodar Cedar Impression for Clarity and Spiritual Connection
Bloodstone for Encouraging Fearlessness
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE ARK ANIMAL ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I forced myself to go find my nail clippers instead of picking at a hang nail that was going to turn into a painful and bloody mess if I didn’t tend to it with the nippers.

Gideon’s Challenge – Scorch Marks

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Apricot RosesScorch Marks

Anger
turns everything
ugly
from moments
to murmured words
from days
to faces
the emotion
singes the edges
of everything
creating
scorch marks
like blemishes
that turn
into scars

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

🌑 New Moon in Virgo – August 2025

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Tonight is the new 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 @caracadabra

New Moon in Virgo Tarot Reading with the Spirit Within Tarot

What can I do to stay grounded during times of overwhelm?

The Devil – Remember that your addictive tendencies and self-destructive inclinations have a habit of rising to the occasion when you are feeling overwhelmed. Keep an eye on these things you know can trip you up and make sure that they don’t get out of hand. If they do, it will just make your overwhelmed that much worse.

What area of my life is in need of my undivided attention?

Page of Swords – Stay on top of information channels, and make sure that you’re absorbing everything that you can from every source you can get your hands on. You’ll be able to sort it all out in time, but you’ll need as much information as possible in order for things to eventually make sense.

What’s the best way for me to implement personal re-centering and self care?

Knight of Wands atop The Sun – Make a game of it. You do better at keeping on top of things when you are receiving a measurable reward in the process. Those self-care practices that feel like they do nothing but actually do a lot, you don’t consciously feel like you’re being rewarded for them. Find something to reward yourself with in these instances, and you will experience more success in your consistency and the stability it creates.

How does prioritizing my physical and mental health benefit me the most at this time?

Eight of Wands – Prioritizing your physical and mental health allows you to be on your toes and able to react more quickly to the things going on around you. It also changes your view point to a more positive perspective, giving you a better chance of both enjoying life as well as accomplishing your goals.

What archetype can I rely upon to guide me during this Virgo New Moon cycle?

The Hanged Man – Wait and watch, but take no action. The cycle of this New Moon in Virgo is a time of observation. Watch closely, get others perspectives, but don’t do anything yet, no matter how tempting it becomes. By staying on the sidelines you help give yourself a buffer from the chaos, and give yourself room to react when the timing is right.

New Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.

Two of Wands – As was mentioned above, plot and plan; keep your eye on the ball concerning where you want things to go, but don’t act yet. It’s not time to “jump in the pool” just yet.

Other elements included in this reading:
Carved Bamboo for Positive Outcomes
Foraged Ponderosa Pine Cone for Resilience and Adaptability
Red Jasper for Awakening and Motivation toward Growth
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: SPIRIT WITHIN TAROT