Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The @GlitterbyInk #DecemberDays25 Beyond the Solstice Challenge
The Artisan Prompt for December 8 : Vintage
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Seven of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of themes having to do with having a plethora of options to choose from, all of opportunity’s doors being open upon one’s path, and at times being overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices available in the moment.

Sometimes new isn’t better.

I watched a commercial from the 80s recently that had a bunch of cars bumping into things, showing how the bumper protects the car from damage and creates a safer experience on the road.  And I just have to honestly say that I’ve -never- seen a modern car take a bump like the older cars in this commercial did.  It was impressive.

It’s not just with cars that new isn’t always better, though. Think about the erosion of privacy, education systems,  and life skills in our youth.

The message in the card for today combined with the “vintage” prompt is a reminder that new isn’t always better. Instead of allowing ourselves to be enchanted on the novelty of new, today’s message encourages us to pause and ask if the “new” is realistically an improvement. What we are sacrificing in the update, and is that new shiny feeling really worth what we lose in the process?

DECK USED:  LAUGHING EYE WEEPING EYE TAROT

@aplacetodock #Yuletide Oracle Challenge
Prompts for December 7th, 9th and 10th

What is on my Christmas list for Santa?

Two of Cups – Copacetic union. You would very much like for everyone to get along this season. There’s going to be a lot of people gathered together from different backgrounds and different parts of the world, and you would like there to be an effort on everyone’s part to let things go off smoothly and conflict free.

Finish the sentence: “This Christmas I hope..”

Six of Cups – … will be diverse and bountiful.

In an echo of the previous question, there’s a hope here for a harmony, even during times of collected diversity.  Lots of different people (and options) gathered around, and no shit stirring or anxiety involved, would be lovely.

What direction comes from the Christmas Star?

Death – Don’t allow your resistance to change fuck up your holiday happiness.  Change isn’t really your strong suite and you have a tendency to be stubborn and try to hold on as long as possible.  The direction given by the Christmas Star this year is to take care not to balk to much.  Go with the flow where you can in order to allow for changes to come and go with ease and the holiday season be less of a struggle.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Carved Bamboo for Positive Outcomes
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: WINTER WAITE REDUX 2024

@LightningWildflower December Arcana Challenge 
The Emperor Prompts for December 7th and 8th

Where in my life do I want for more stability?

The Fool Rx and The Sun – You want to have your cake and eat it too. You crave stability in all things, but need the ability to cut loose and have some fun. These two contrast, in that in order to really cut loose and be care free, you have to loosen your grip on that stability that you covet so fiercely. You need to find a way to instill stability in this area that won’t hinder your enjoyment in the moment.

What does healthy authority look like to me?

Judgement and Death – Direction towards obtainable future goals while providing guidance through change. No when is particularly comfortable with change. In your opinion, health authority involves someone who is willing to help people move through change in healthy ways. Guiding them towards a future goal, instead of allowing them to get stuck in the stagnancy of resistance and grief.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Acorns for Protection during New Beginnings
Bird Figurine for Fostering Hope, Positivity, and Renewal
Gneiss Wishing Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  LAUGHING EYE WEEPING EYE TAROT

I cut myself a break on meditation today, because I was really struggling to focus. I did lie there for about ten minutes, it just wasn’t particularly successful.