Today’s meditation was a self-directed ten minute session, focused upon the “The Alternative” card from The Az Oracle (shown) by @Sunni_Chapman and the guidance that came with that card.

That guidance says, “I wonder if you’re considering the alternative, deary… it’s not a matter of going forward or backward, onward or back home… it’s a matter of knowing what HOME really is to you, and taking that with you wherever you go.”

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The @GlitterbyInk #SeptemberSoul25 Challenge
Seeds of Intention Prompt for September 13th : Gateway
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Nine of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of solitary satisfaction, a job well done, self-sufficiency, abundance, financial independence, and luxury earned through hard work.

I feel my greatest sense of “home” in the woods among the trees and the moss and the damp soil. Here is where my heart unclenches most easily and my head can be tamed into silence. The thing is though? I can’t get to the woods even remotely as often as I want or need.

So instead, I bring the woods to me. I grow fern and pine on my balcony, I gather forest detritus to bring home and use these items in my decor and daily practices (divination, devotionals, altar, etc.) I carry rocks in my pocket… not crystals, but beach stones and rocks unearthed from moss beds and rich forest soil. I use scents of cedar, pine, and fir in my meditation, and often will carry them with me on my clothing.

All of these things help me to stay in touch with “home” no matter where I am. These things help me to create and foster a greater sense of stability and confidence, aiding in relaxing more easily during tense or uncertain situations.

The message in today’s cards asks us to consider how we can bring with us that sense of “home” when we’re out into the world. What things or actions can we do to connect us with these places, providing us with a momentary gateway to touch those feelings of “home”, even when we’re away?

DECK USED:  ELEMENTAL NORTH TAROT AND THE AZ ORACLE

@de_tarotjuf Time for Yourself
#detarotjufseptembertarotchallenge
Prompts for September 13th : How can I improve my self-image?

Reading Summary – Slow down (Voice of Earth), and stop trying to make choices that you have no business making right now (Four of Air atop Seven of Water). Remember that you’re supposed to be gathering information to support your ambitions (Voice of Earth and The Magician). You will be learning these new skills that you need eventually, it’s just going to take a little time (back again to Voice of Earth).

Take Away – You’re supposed to be resting and using this time in productive ways that allow you to relax. You often forget that slow movement is still movement in the right direction. There’s no reason you can’t keep up on the information gathering and preparation without going overboard and overwhelming yourself.  The more languid pace is going to pay off later when you can jump back into the fray again, for you’ll have the tools you need to move forward quickly once this time of rest and slowness is over.

Other elements included in this reading:
Amethyst Moon for Serenity in Spiritual Connections
Onyx Stone Fox for Identifying and Connecting to Truth
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: DISCOVERING BEAUTY TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2025 Challenge
Prompt for September 13th

What helps when  you’re angry?

Empress and Spider – It helps you to turn inward to seek out what you need and create the space needed to give those things to yourself. When you’re truly angry, you need to step away and find that calming influence that self-care can provide. This is why stepping outside to work in the garden helps you so much, as it gives you that time alone and allows you to connect with energies in the soil that you find soothing.

What helps when  you’re sad?

Five of Wands and Otter – Hash it out with others. When you’re sad, others in your life are able to give you a different perspective than that of the darkness you’re stuck in, and thus help lighten your mood better than you’re able to do on your own. Sometimes time with others when you’re sad feels uncomfortable or even unpleasant, but it still helps even when you’re not really feeling up for it.

What helps when  you’re needing to relax?

Ten of Swords and Dragonfly – Accepting that there’s nothing you can do right now except take a step back helps you to relax when you need it. This distance can allow you to see things more clearly and give you the space needed to work out what’s really going on not just around you, but also in your head.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Aventurine Leaf Medallion for Harmony and Balance of the Heart
Selenite Tree of Life Disk for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: ELEMENTAL NORTH TAROT AND ANIMAL TOTEM GUIDES

I made steak for dinner with taco rice and steamed veggies… instead of eating ramyun.