Verdigris
Artistry
long forgotten
left to decay
as if no longer
of value
to anyone
and yet
here I stand
breath
stolen
as I admire
beauty and
craftsmanship
no longer
held dear
Gideon’s Challenge – Verdigris
Month: January 2026
Misinterpretations
Today’s meditation was skipped.
• • • ◈ • ❄️ • ◈ • • •
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.
Today’s draw is the Five of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of conflict, tests, trials, and struggle in the area of one’s passions, drive, determination, principles, values, and willpower.
The Five of Wands has then been combined with the Pearly Ammonite card from the Lavish Earth Crystal Affirmation deck, which quotes Anais Nin to say, “ Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.”
Not all conflict is external. How many times do we misinterpret what we see in our head? Once a week? Once a day? Once an hour or a minute?
In tarot we have a thing called the “stalker card”. This is a card that repeats again and again throughout a person’s personal readings because we are missing the message. The card keeps coming over and over until we find a way to interpret the message that gets across what’s trying to be said. This is because just because you got “a message” doesn’t mean that you have gotten “the message”.
The mind does this too. It will repeat patterns of thought and bring up certain subjects over and over until we find what it is our brains are trying to tell us that we’re missing.
The message in today’s card is a reminder that sometimes those repetitive thoughts continue to play us because we haven’t found the meaning in them yet that’s waiting to be discovered. Don’t shove them away, but pause and listen instead. What is being said (or not said) that you’re missing? What message in a meeting is seeking getting your attention?
DECKS USED: INTERIM TAROT AND LAVISH EARTH CRYSTAL AFFIRMATION DECK
One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 1 | Entry 16 – Self-Care and Personal Development
Affirmation : “I accept with grace that certain events have led to feelings of regret or disappointment.”
Prompt : Think about an event that didn’t turn out the way you wanted or expected. What does the card you draw say about why that event happened, the way it happened, and how you can release any negative associations you have with this outcome?
What feelings came up when I pulled this card?
I’m not sure what the name of this feeling is.
It’s when all eyes are on you and there’s a moment of surprise, and then something similar to shyness. Your head dips and your stomach stinks a little bit as you retreat slightly from all those gazes pointed your way. Trepidation, maybe, with a hint of embarrassment? That’s not quite right, but I don’t have the words for it.
What elements of the card’s meaning resonate with me and this prompt?
The Judgement card is often about our lifelong path, as well as who we are and want to become. It can also, quite literally, be about judgements; our own or that of others.
The meaning of this card begs the question… Through whose eyes are you viewing this event, and through whose judgments are you perceiving it? Are you really disappointed in the outcome? Or is that disappointment because you feel someone else would be disappointed?
What in the artwork spoke to me?
The artwork for me (today, at least) is all about those big black open eyes, inscrutable and all staring out of the card in my direction. The figure on the throne looks out at me, but so does the throng below and around her.
My prompt response and reflections.
A lot of the harsh judgments and disappointments you direct toward yourself are bred through unreasonable expectations of your performance. These unreasonable expectations are not yours, but are usually spurred on by what you learned from others in your past to be “acceptable”.
When thinking of these disappointments and failures, then, it’s important to get in touch with and examine how you truly feel about them, rather than connecting with what you believe you’re supposed to feel about it.
Other elements included in this reading:
Metal and Enamel D20 Die
Banded Agate D6 Die
DECK USED: HOLLOW KNIGHT ESSENCE TAROT
#DiscordTarotholicsJan2026 Challenge
Philosophical Prompts for January 21st and 28th
Is it true that pleasure is the root of all true evil?
Mice, Four of Cups, Dog – Good and evil are counterbalances that often lie in subjective perspectives, rather than in grounded definitions.
Evil is its own entity, and although its roots are often fed by pleasure, evil does not originate from pleasure.
Are all emotions irrational?
Bear, Ace of Wands, Moon – Although often arbitrary and capricious, sometimes emotions are a rational response to what is going on around us and what we value.
This means that although our emotions can often be irrational, there are certain situations where they are rational as well.
Other elements included in this reading:
Scotch Pine Cone for Purging Negative Influences
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Bloodstone for Encouraging Fearlessness
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: INTERIM TAROT PETITE LENORMAND DELVINIA
I’m going to bed early tonight instead of fighting to stay awake, in the hopes that I can possibly catch up on a little sleep.
Gideon’s Challenge – Together
Together
Can I hold
your hand
when the lights
go out
and the gps
stops working
and there’s
no one
left to call
for help?
Where will we go?
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Finding the Positive for January 26 – 27
January 26 – Mental Health Card of the Day
Today’s meditation was skipped.
• • • ◈ • ❄️ • ◈ • • •
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.
Today’s draw is the Eight of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of action, speed, alacrity, fast paced events or change, or having a target goal in your sights that you are charging towards.
The Eight of Wands has then been combined with an affirmation card from The Little Yogi Happy Notes deck, which says, “Go where your heart carries you.”
Follow your heart without reservation or hesitation.
A lot of times it happens that even when our intuition is trying to lead the way, and our heart is speaking up to say what it truly is that we need to be doing, our brain gets in the way. This is true whether it’s choosing a path in life or reading the cards or even deciding on dinner.
Our hearts (and our intuition as well) often don’t speak with a shout, fanfare, and neon signs. They whisper, and if we’re too busy listening to our brain tell us what we “should be” doing or saying, we can miss these whispers. Sometimes even when we hear them, our brain interjects after the message with something louder, causing us to hesitate on acting on that whisper we heard.
The message in today’s cards is a reminder that in spite of the fact it thinks it does, the brain doesn’t know everything. Sometimes you have to follow your heart no matter how loud the brain shouts otherwise.
Trust me, even if you prove the brain wrong, it’s not go to retaliate, nor is it going to shut up. The whispers of your heart, on the other hand, can get quieter and be harder to hear the more you ignore them. The encouragement in today’s message is to not ignore them, because those whispers are guidance upon your path to a happier life.
DECKS USED: MANGA TAROT AND THE LITTLE YOGI HAPPY NOTES
January 27 – Mental Health Card of the Day
Today’s meditation was skipped.
• • • ◈ • ❄️ • ◈ • • •
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.
Today’s draw is the Three of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of the first active step in a journey, progress towards a goal, and the seizing of opportunities.
The Three of Wands has then been combined with an affirmation card from The Language of Letting Go deck, which says, “Letting go of being right.”
I have met so many people in my life that I have a hard time admitting when they’re wrong. Even when there is empirical evidence right before them, they will continue to insist they are right or walk away rather than saying they’re wrong about something.
I can’t really say that this has ever been one of my struggles, at least not when interacting with others. I find it extremely easy to just turn around and say “oh, you’re right. I didn’t know that.” Or, “sorry, I was wrong.”
I get it, though, because admitting that you’re wrong means you’re admitting that you’re fallible, and a lot of people see this as a weakness. This is especially true if when you admit that you’re wrong, and the other person decides to gloat or be an ass about it, which also happens a lot.
The thing is, though, knowledge is something that we gain over time, and a part of that involves being wrong before we can be right.
Now, if only I could take that same mindset and apply it to myself, so that when I am wrong about something on my journey or in my life and I discover this, I don’t beat myself up over it. For you see, it isn’t my being wrong in front of others or admitting that I’m wrong in front of others that’s the problem… it’s when it comes to being wrong in the face of my own expectations and judgments.
The message in today’s card combo is a reminder that being wrong is a part of life and there’s nothing about it that can’t be fixed by just admitting you’re wrong and learning from your mistake. This is how we make traveling our path smoother, no matter if we’re traveling the journey side-by-side with others, or on our own with our personal self talk and treatment as the only one passing judgement.
DECKS USED: LUNA’S SENTIMENTAL CIRCUS TAROT AND THE LANGUAGE OF LETTING GO CARDS
Gideon’s Challenge – Cotton Candy
Cotton Candy
There are places
in this world
where childlike
wonder lives on
in the every day
and cotton candy
is available
any time
the craving strikes
and visiting
is worth the time
as long as
you don’t stay
too long
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Self Development In the Journey
Today’s meditation was skipped.
• • • ◈ • ❄️ • ◈ • • •
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.
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.
The Five of Swords has then been combined with the Third Eye Agate card from the Lavish Earth Crystal Affirmation Deck, which quotes Marcel Proust, “ discovery consist not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.”
It’s not in the winning or the losing that makes the game worth playing, but in the game itself and what you discover about yourself while you’re in play.
Many challenges in life aren’t about the outcome, but rather about how you deal with these challenges and/or how you react to them.
Many of us miss this in our life’s journey because we are so focused on winning, or accomplishment, or success that we forget about the self-development aspect that comes with moving through challenges and our responses to them.
The message in today’s cards is a reminder that there’s far more to life than just winning or losing. If you ignore these other aspects of life, it can end up reflecting badly upon you and your character. Instead of focusing on winning or losing and success or failure, try focusing more closely upon how you can deal with these challenges and obstacles with honor, integrity, and character. Then, even if you fail at your task, you still win in the end.
DECKS USED: THE LLEWELYN TAROT AND LAVISH EARTH CRYSTAL AFFIRMATION DECK
One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 2 | Entry 11 – Love and Relationships
Affirmation : “I accept love, especially unconditional love, in all the ways it comes to me.”
Prompt : Think about your concept of unconditional love. Do you take any of the love you received for granted? Based on the card you draw, how can you show more gratitude to a person who provides unconditional love to you?
What feelings came up when I pulled this card?
A sense of comfort and familiarity came first when this card came up, then quickly joined by a reminder that not all alone time is good for you. I may want to pretend that it is now and then, but sometimes I’m just hiding, and that can be unhealthy.
What elements of the card’s meaning resonate with me and this prompt?
When things get difficult or uncertain, I have a tendency to retreat into myself instead of reaching out for other others.
The Hermit card is usually about healthy alone time spent in self-reflection. When you are hiding away from your problems instead of dealing with them, that is not healthy alone time.
My closest friends and loved ones know that I have a tendency to retreat when feeling overwhelmed, and are aware this is unhealthy for me. They accept that this behavior is a defense mechanism left over from my childhood, and are willing to be patient with me when it happens, rather than see it as rejection or that I am ignoring them over something that they may have done or said.
Instead, they try to reach for me and pull me back out of hiding in order to help me deal with what has caused me to retreat in the first place.
What in the artwork spoke to me?
The first thing I noticed in the imagery of this card is the coloring, which is dismal and grayish brown. This speaks to me of a bit of a “downtrodden” nature to the card, that is then reinforced by the junkyard in the background.
I then noticed that the figure in the card appears to be ill, with his tired baggy eyes, flushed cheeks, and bright red nose. When combined with the meaning of the Hermit card as solitude, it brings to mind times when we indulge in unhealthy alone time.
The seagull on the man’s shoulder also plays apart for me in the imagery and what I noticed in the artwork, for the seagull’s wing appears to be trying to shelter the man from the world of decay behind him, giving the impression that he is hiding rather than just retreating.
My prompt response and reflections.
When you retreat into yourself during times of struggle, you make it harder for people to love you, and much harder for those people to help you. That doesn’t mean that they don’t still love you and want to help. They love you regardless, and reach for you even when your defense mechanisms cause you to try to pull away.
The advice here is to be aware of your tendency to pull away from others when you’re feeling overwhelmed or otherwise challenged in uncomfortable ways. By being aware, you can catch yourself when these defense mechanisms trigger, and as a result be more receptive to allowing your loved ones to reach for you and help.
Other elements included in this reading:
Labradorite D6 and D20 Gemstone Dice
DECK USED: EARTH AND FLAME TAROT
#DiscordTarotholicsJan2026 Challenge
Prompt for January 25th : Do Spread 4
Sometimes we all need a little help discovering where we need improvement in our process. This spread is to help identify where we need a little more work to improve our reading skills.
How do you most commonly misinterpret reading the cards for yourself?
The Sun Rx – You have a tendency to take things too seriously.
What can you do to improve at reading for yourself so that it doesn’t keep happening?
The Empress – Make sure you are grounding before you do your readings, and place yourself in a nurturing and empowering headspace. Not everything is about progress and striving for success. Sometimes it’s about giving yourself a little space, grace, and kindness.
How do you most commonly misinterpret reading the cards for others?
Nine of Cups atop Three of Wands – You want to provide your clients with good news, actionable guidance, and empowering messages. Sometimes these things are just not there in the cards, and you struggle to deliver the message without looking for some sort of empowerment, message of hope, or silver lining attached.
What can you do to improve at reading for others so that it doesn’t keep happening?
Six of Wands Rx – Focus less on people pleasing. Disconnect yourself and what you (and they) want from the process more. Sometimes shock value and plain speaking are needed to get the message across to the person you’re reading for.
Other elements included in this reading:
Black Spruce Needles to Boost Self-Confidence and Positive Thinking
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Dried Rosebuds for Potential and Beauty Waiting to Unfold
Dried Purple Heather Flowers for Independence and Luck
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration, Clarity, and Determination
Moss Agate for Attracting Opportunities for Growth
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: THE LEWELLYN TAROT
I took a break in my shift today to come home and shower and change, because someone spilled coffee on me. (You know, instead of just tolerating it and ending up with a rash.)
Twisting the Leaf 