Singled Out
Knees
on wet ground
and fear
pushes
to the surface
to release spores
that seem
to only inflame
aggression
more
and silence
only makes
things worse
Month: January 2026
Caring for Self
Today’s meditation was a ten minute long #DailyCalm session from the @Calm app.
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The @GlitterbyInk #JanJourney26 Embark to Renewal Challenge
The Journey Prompt for January 12th : Stride
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.
Today’s draw is The Lovers card, which is traditionally a representation of love and relationships, long term contracts, harmonious unions, and making choices that are geared toward what is best for you.
You aren’t really “hitting your stride” if you’re ignoring your needs.
The phrase “hitting your stride” refers to achieving a pace which you can sustain for the long-term in a healthy manner.
Therefore, if you are ignoring your needs in order to “hit your stride”, then you’re not really hitting that stride at all because you’re neglecting yourself in the process.
The message in today’s “Stride” prompt and The Lovers card, is that self-care needs to be a priority in life. This isn’t in reference to the “special stuff” that you do just to make yourself feel pampered, but rather refers to giving yourself those things that you need to be healthy and happy. It means prioritizing things like food, sleep, cleanliness, and moments of pause, rest, and reflection, instead of neglecting them in order to prioritize other things that in the grand scheme of things are less important.
DECK USED: HAPPY MONSTER TAROT
One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 2 | Entry 14 – Love and Relationships
Affirmation : “I am comfortable breaking out of comfort zones in relationship relationships.”
Prompt : Whether you’re in one or longing to be in one, relationships take work. What is something that you can be open to experiencing in love that you haven’t considered before? Based on the card you draw, how can you keep the spark going or maintain a relationship you value?
What feelings came up when I pulled this card?
That moment of confusion that indicates this is a “use your brain” card, instead of intuition alone as the basis for interpretation.
A slight frown of rejection, as crash and burning my relationship is not up for discussion.
What elements of the card’s meaning resonate with me and this prompt?
Honestly? The first thing that came to mind was the crash and burn aspect. And, although this doesn’t really apply well to my romantic relationship, it does apply to my relationship with my mother.
With her, moments of crash and burn create a dynamic that is acceptable to both of us. Without those moments, we are unable to tolerate each other’s sets of values and life view.
What in the artwork spoke to me?
I noticed the dead bee on the ground first, then noted that the tower depicted in this card is a hive. This, to me, speaks of a destruction of family rather than just structure.
I then noticed the tree of life within the lightning bolt, which says to me that within the destruction there is a cycle and possible healing.
Coming in at the tail end of visual cues, I then noticed the crown laying beside the bee on the ground. This brought me to thoughts of my mother, and the toppling of my mother off of her “queen bee” position in my life.
My prompt response and reflections.
There is a reason you cut off communication with your mother. In doing so you are making a point that you have not been able to make in the past through more minor moments of discord and destruction.
These “rebellious” moments did create a “tower” effect with your mother, but never really made any true change or spurred the healing needed.
By having cut off your mother for all this time, though, you have given her a true taste of what it is to lose a child. This card is bringing the dynamic with her back into focus for you, asking you if it’s not time to reconnect and see if from the destruction you can build a better relationship moving forward. You know, before she passes on and it becomes too late.
Other elements included in this reading:
Petrified Wood D6 and D20 Dice Set
DECK USED: ATOMIC BOMB TAROT
A Simple Two Card Spread by @pipcardstarot
What matters now.
Six of Pentacles – Be generous. Not just with others, but also with yourself. Generosity doesn’t always have to present through monetary means or resource based gifts. Sometimes it’s about your time, or your attention, or an ear to listen. The key is to remember is that as generous as you are to others, you need to make sure that you are being just as kind and generous with yourself.
What doesn’t.
The Lovers (on its side) – If whatever you’re pursuing is keeping you from taking care of your own needs, then it’s not worth it and doesn’t matter. Figure out how to include your needs in the equation, or cut out those things that are blocking you from giving yourself what you need.
Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Silver Maple Key for Bouncing Back to Thrive
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration and Clarity
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: HAPPY MONSTER TAROT
I threw away my first attempt at hamburger patties tonight instead of forcing myself to eat them even though they were burnt to pucks.
Gideon’s Challenge – Shadowscape
Shadowscape
The sun
tries
to break through
and kiss
treetops
in warm caresses
but they gray
persists
and the rays
can’t quite reach
to dispel
the darkness
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Try Again
Today’s meditation was skipped.
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The @GlitterbyInk #JanJourney26 Embark to Renewal Challenge
The Journey Prompt for January 11th : Courage
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.
Today’s draw is the Page of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive “omega” energy in the area of one’s finances, resources, health, labors, home life, and manifestations. This often translates into themes that have to do with work apprenticeships and learning a new ability or skill.
Starting over takes courage.
The Page in any suit is often a representation of a “learners mind”. It is also the cycling back to one from the Ace of that suit. (The journey moves from Ace through Ten then recycles back to One with Card 11/The Page.)
This often creates themes of starting over or going back to the drawing board. The nice thing about the Page, though, is that you’ve already gone through the beginning, the middle, and the end. That means that you already have experience to add to your next try.
The message in today’s “Courage” prompt and the Page of Pentacles card is a reminder that when you pick yourself up to try again, you’re not really starting from scratch. You carry with you the experiences you’ve gained the first time around. This means that with an open mind directed toward changing how you did things is the first time, you have a better chance of succeeding when you then try again.
DECK USED: THE ROBIN WOOD TAROT
One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 2 | Entry 8 – Love and Relationships
Affirmation : I am a loving and kind, energetic soul, and I attract like-minded people to me.
Prompt : according to the card you draw, what positive qualities does your partner most admire in you or you in them?
What feelings came up when I pulled this card?
I always get a bit of a rosy turbo feeling when I see the Wheel of Fortune card represented by a spoked wheel. It brings back memories of old and well worn childhood playgrounds, and the spinning wheel toy often included in them. They were both super fun, and dangerous as hell.
What elements of the card’s meaning resonate with me and this prompt?
We never know what life is going to throw at us, and what surprises lurk around the next corner. Even the best laid plans go awry now and then.
The Wheel of Fortune card doesn’t just speak of good luck and bad luck, but on the vast variety of experiences that we go through in life. It is the epitome of the saying “variety is the spice of life”, and reminds us that ups and downs are how the world goes round.
What in the artwork spoke to me?
The different colors positioned around the wheel in this card speak to me of a wide variety of different experiences. Not all of them are good, not all of them are bad.
My prompt response and reflections.
Gideon has watched you ride the rise and fall of fate’s whims again and again, and has often told you that he admires your survivor spirit. No matter how many times you are knocked down or what life throws at you, you’re willing to get up and keep going. You might at times need to take a breather first, but you don’t give up.
Other elements included in this reading:
Prehnite D6 and D20 Gemstone Dice
DECK USED: THE ANONYMOUS TAROT
#DiscordTarotholicsJan2026 Challenge
Prompts for January 8th thru 11th
What is a negative thing in your life that you don’t need to stress over?
Self-Portrait 1890 – It’s okay not to know everything right now, and not be ready to make a move. Even the greatest companies and brands in the world have to take time to do market research, after all. There is no success without time spent in research and reflection, so stop trying to push yourself so hard to always be moving forward and doing more.
What is a positive thing in your life that you need to spend more time focusing on?
The Atom Series No 8 – Don’t forget to ask for help. You aren’t alone, and you need to work on not functioning as if you are. Consider how you can involve others to a greater extent in your endeavors. What delegation can you do that they will be thrilled with participating in?
Do Spread 2
Question : What in your life needs started now for it to be ready when you need it?
Reading Summary: The angle of the head in the portrait of Hilma Af Klint and the angle of the head of the figure in the Nine of Swords is identical. This speaks of your worry and uncertainty. Because you are in a situation where you don’t have enough information (partially because that information is not accessible at this time), it brings rise to your anxiety and “what if” thinking.
The Queen of Wands does not match either of the Hilma Af Klint cards that I am using as an anchor card in this reading. Instead of making her appear as an outlier, though, the lift of her wand, centered position, and straightforward countenance make her the leader. She embodies the encouragement to keep going after those things that are important to you, rather than sitting on your laurels and doing nothing.
The Ace of Pentacles somehow holds a shape correlation for me with the squares in the Atom Series No 8 card, as well as a color connection with the Queen of Wands beside it. This speaks to me of a need for new beginnings that include others in the process. Inspire not just yourself with these new endeavors, but others as well. Get them on board for a greater chance of success.
Take Away: Don’t worry right now about having all of your ducks in a row, or knowing everything that needs to be known to make things a success. There’s a lot of uncertainty out there, and it’s not just affecting you. Instead of allowing it to make you fall into a pattern of stagnancy and waiting, do what you can and involve others in the process and keep things moving a little at a time. You may have to reassess later, but you’ll be able to use the momentum of having started already to your advantage regardless.
DECK USED: THE ROBIN WOOD TAROT AND HILMA AF KLINT MESSAGES FROM THE OTHER SIDE ORACLE
I didn’t really want to, but I took a nap. It wasn’t about want, but need.
Gideon’s Challenge – Sweater Weather
Sweater Weather
Lets savor
the limbo
of quiet moments
as the patter
of raindrops
whispers
over the senses
and temperatures
hover
in sweater weather
territory
creating cozy
pockets of time
to linger in
together
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
❤️ 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 – Ten of Wands Rx – Overwhelm is trying to sneak up on you. You may be feeling like you can’t put your burdens down in order to take time to reassess, but you’re wrong.
Air – Three of Cups – Communication with your friends and loved ones is key this week. Focus on being open and engaging, and on enjoying your time spent with others instead of taking it for granted.
Water – Justice – As you move through this week, instead of reacting without thought, take a moment to look at what is triggering your emotions, and consider the healthiest and most effective way to deal with those triggers.
Fire – Two of Swords – Before making decisions (or taking action), pause to look over all your options. It’s easy, when triggered or otherwise sparked by an internal flame, to just bound forward without thought. Remember to pause and take a good look around first, instead of jumping in head first.
Waning – Bear and Mountain – Sometimes one’s protective instincts and defense mechanisms create more problems than they do protection. Take care that you’re not allowing your defense mechanisms run the show.
Waxing – Fish and Anchor – Being a bit miserly this week will serve you well.
Take Away – Water and Fire in this reading, along with the Waning position, are echoing off of each other this week, creating a reminder that it can be extremely difficult to not immediately react when we’re triggered. These two positions play off of each other, speaking of the potential for some seriously triggering emotions to rise to the surface, and cause you to want to react without thought of repercussions or what better reactions might be an option for you.
Aside from this, be aware of the overwhelm that’s coming and start setting down what you can in order to head it off, rather than holding on as hard as you can to try and “ride it out”. This especially includes any financial obligations that are not absolutely necessary.
Lean into those you enjoy spending time with to help you through the hard parts.
Twisting the Leaf 