The Silence
How is it
in a room
full of people
we can feel
so alone
even
as they speak
and smile
touch
and hug
it only makes
that moment of
desolate
solitude
more acute
than before
Month: August 2025
❤️ 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?
Earth – Four of Swords – Stillness is your friend. As many readings over the past week have mentioned, don’t jump the gun concerning the things you’re worried about. Your answers lie within patience, and in adaptation when adaptation is needed and not a moment sooner.
Air – Death – You have an opportunity to prepare instead of being taken completely by surprise. Changes are common and it’s okay to think them through and strategize, as long as you aren’t jumping the gun on taking action, and that you remember that plans will never be perfect and always need tinkering with in the moment.
Water – Six of Pentacles – Be kind to yourself. Self-generosity is needed to keep you from falling into the habits of old defense mechanisms. Give yourself what you need instead of withholding it these things as a form of punishment or self-destructiveness.
Fire – Justice – You get what you give, and that includes in self-care. If you don’t put in the effort in this area and take it seriously, you won’t reap the needed rewards.
Waning – Boy and Man – Don’t worry so much about being a “responsible adult” at the moment. You need a little time allowing your softness to flow freely and letting your inner child have some fun.
Waxing – Dog and Scythe – Stick to your guns with the silent treatment you’ve been giving your potential stalker. They -are- getting the message, even if a resurgence of their behaviors is eminent. Keep your boundaries strong and don’t allow yourself to cross over into responding, no matter what bait is brought to bear.
Reading Note: I chose to leave the alternates for cards 28 and 29 in the deck due to them having such different connotations. Thus how I ended up with both 28 cards in the Waning position of this reading.
Take Away – The time to act is not now, no matter how much your anxieties try to push you into doing so. Plan, watch, listen, pay attention, strategize and plan some more. Just don’t -do- anything yet. Instead? Spend this time giving yourself the self-care you need, including those generosities that allow you to stay open and vulnerable instead of retreating to protect yourself.
DECKS USED: JAPANESE MYTH TAROT AND SAMBUCUS LENORMAND
Seeking Joy By Letting Go
Today’s meditation was a self-directed ten minute session, focused upon the theme of Doubt from the included Az Oracle card by @Sunni_Chapman and a quote from the guidance that came with it.
That guidance says, “…it’s not the road (the means or the method) that you need to mind so much as the decision and intention behind that road. What do you want to see and feel on your road? What kind of scenery do you want to take in on the way?”
There’s a lot of uncertainty in my life right now, especially around my livelihood. My meditation for the day was focused on reconnecting and centering myself on my path and what I want to achieve through that path I’ve chosen. It’s a reiteration of a message I’ve received a lot over the past few days, which is to say… focus upon what is under your control, and let go of the rest that you can’t do anything about.
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@FatMumSlim August #FMSPAD Challenge
Prompt for August 2nd : A Quiet Joy | #FMS_QUIETJOY25
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.
Today’s draw is the Hanged Man card, which is traditionally a representation of taking a pause, considering alternate perspectives, relaxing into difficult situations, surrender, or letting go.
It can be hard to sit with your thoughts and feelings sometimes. They can feel overwhelming and, at least for me? When I’m feeling overwhelmed my natural inclination is to try and shut it all down. That means that in meditation, during these times sitting in silence with an empty mind is a piece of cake.
Harder is sitting in silence with those emotions, thoughts, and concerns. Sitting in silence and acknowledging my fears and worries. Sitting in silence and not allowing them to spiral out of control, but to just -sit- with them and let them have a moment of acknowledgement.
Sometimes this means I end up crying. Sometimes, I can’t stand it and have to stop. Sometimes… I can’t actually keep things from spiraling in my brain. I understand, though, that these quiet moments are important. They allow time to acknowledge my fears, feelings, and anxieties, which is the first step to sorting through them and actually dealing with them… instead of burying them so that they fester beneath the surface.
The message for today is to remember that even in these times when those quiet moments aren’t peaceful? There’s benefit. They are a necessary part of our path to joy, as it’s after we acknowledge these fears and open to them that their weight begins to ease and our heart to lighten. Today’s card is an encouragement to not hide from what needs to be seen. Make space to allow it to come forward, and acknowledge it so that it can continue on and pass on by. That way, the path is open, unblocked even, for that joy in life that we’re all seeking to savor.
DECK USED: WHIMSICAL REALM OF ODDITIES TAROT AND THE AZ ORACLE
@Lionharts #TheAugustTarot Leo Season Challenge
Prompt for August 1st : Strength Opening Spread
What strength am I guided to embrace as my foundation this Leo season?
Breaking the Rules – You are very good at being yourself against all odds. Guilt and peer pressure rarely have the influence over you that others think that they will (although, this boundary has been a bit more mushy lately than you’d like). This individuality comes from knowing yourself and being able to follow your own inner compass without question. This is a skill that you need to tap into this Leo season.
How can I move through this Leo season with grace and confidence?
Embrace the World – Expect others to let “you do you”, and you do the same in return for them. Just because something is not for you doesn’t mean it’s not perfect for them and vice versa. Embrace the differences that make each of us unique, and remember to mind your own business when people aren’t doing things “your way”.
What heart-led action am I being called to take in devotion to myself?
Necessary Selfishness – As mentioned above, you do you, and if others don’t like it? Too damn bad. Remember that you don’t have to make excuses for yourself, no matter who it is that’s offended or put out by your authenticity.
Other elements included in this reading:
Carved Bamboo for Positive Outcomes
Black Spruce needles to Boost Self-Confidence and Positive Thinking
Dried Purple Heather Flowers for Independence and Luck
Clear Quartz Man in the Moon for Amplification of Lunar Energies
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: BANKSY WISDOM CARDS
I had the most amazing apple today. It’s been a long time since I’ve ate an apple, and I’m not really a fruit person, but… it was perfect and I really enjoyed it. I savored every bite.
Gideon’s Challenge – Impossible Standards
Impossible Standards
I wish
my housekeeper
was better
at her job
and yet
I can’t really
complain
too much
as she works
for pennies
and
at least
I’m not
doing the work
in her stead
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
It’s Your Life
Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and a self directed session based on a reminder note recently posted by @primaltrust_official (not an endorsement) that states “We heal not just when we ‘feel better,’ but when we learn how to hold space for what still hurts with love instead of fear.
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@FatMumSlim August #FMSPAD Challenge
Prompt for August 1st : Under My Feet | #FMS_UNDERMYFEET25
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.
Today’s draw is the Hermit card, which is traditionally a representation of solitude, self reflection and introspection, alone time, and inner guidance.
At the end of the day? Your path through life is just that… yours. No one else can make decisions for you, instead it’s important to delve deep within yourself to figure out what is right for you.
Sure, others in our lives contribute influence, especially in our formative years as children, but at some point we have to take onus for our lives, what we do with them, and who we ultimately become. And, to connect with who we are and who we want to become takes self-a reflection and authenticity.
Today’s message is that as adults, the path under our feet belongs to us, and so do the choices we make, as well as those we refuse to make or allow others to make for us. This message encourages us to take moments of self reflection to tune into who we are, where we want our path to lead, and who we want to become.
DECK USED: WILD WATERS EDGE TAROT OF THE NORTHWOODS
#DiscordTarotholicsAug2025 Challenge
Prompt for August 2nd : First Harvest Spread
Calves – How can I better express my needs and vulnerabilities to welcome in nurturing assistance?
The Message – Accept that you can’t be good at everything. You can be better at being vulnerable, though, if you’re willing to communicate your way through it instead of retreating to hide yourself away in the dark.
Corn – How can I foster the gift of greater long-term prosperity in my life?
Free Spirit – Shift your perspective to view prosperity as more than a monetary thing. Seek out other ways in which you are fortunate, and how you can increase and sustain wealth in those areas.
Peridot – Where can greater focus and clarity draw out more joy in my life?
The Muse – The places and things that inspire you are where you excel at finding joy. Focus on those things that you really enjoy and that inspire you, rather than just trudging along with what had to be done and/or need doing.
Golden Topaz – How can more authentic self-exploration improve how I see the world?
Magic – One view transforms the other. Just like a rainy day can be refreshing when in a good mood, or miserably wet when in a bad mood; internal narratives shift external perceptions and perspectives. The more you understand authentic self, the more sense the world begins to make and the easier it is to deal with those parts of it that don’t.
Crow – What message from beyond have I been ignoring that it’s time to acknowledge?
Shadow – You still have plenty to sort through that’s buried in those deep, dark places within you, but don’t let digging through the dark make you miss out on the beauty that’s right in front of you day after day. You can balance both, and in doing so, the beauty will make those shadows easier to deal with.
Basil – What risk or danger in my life is it time to take seriously?
The Mission – Make sure if you’re going to gallop, that you’re galloping in the right direction. Are you running away from something? Is fear driving you? If not, why are you running? These are important questions you need to ask yourself, and seek sincere answers to.
Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Gneiss Wishing Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: INNER CHILD HEALING ORACLE OF THE MYSTIC MUSE
Another day without news. I’m not sure if it’s helping, but I thought I’d give it another go.
Gideon’s Challenge – Resistance
Resistance
The head shop
is a museum
full of cute
and pretty things
that I’m not
allowed to have
because
I have
no use for them
but that
doesn’t stop me
from melting
when I find
something
so cute
it’s hard to resist
Twisting the Leaf 