Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The @hippiepixie333 #Escapril2026 Challenge
Prompt for April 25th : tomorrow’s promise 
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 Wands, which is traditionally a representation of boundaries, defensive maneuvers, and protection of what you hold dear.

Tomorrow there is going to be a get together, and someone is coming to visit who I really like and enjoy spending time with. The last time they visited, though, I found out that they are extremely homophobic; and they don’t know that I’m not straight.

Not that I’m hiding anything, it’s just never come up. My discovery during the last visit was while I was overhearing a discussion I was not involved in, as I was in the other room.

This is the first time that I have ever been confronted with the idea of being “in the closet” about myself. It’s not like I keep anything a secret, even if I’m not blaring it to the world. In this instance, though, I do consider keeping it a secret. If for no other reason, than to protect the peace of this get together that’s not even mine.

This has been weighing on me a bit over the past month; ever since I found out that they were coming back for another visit.

The message in today’s Nine of Wands and the “tomorrow’s promise” is that the potential for things to get ugly is there. It’s up to me how I deal with it.

In this situation, when you know the other person may fly off the handle and you are a guest in the situation… I’m not sure if the topic comes up with me in the room if I should speak up, or if keeping my mouth shut is the better idea. This card definitely makes me think the latter. It could ruin relationships beyond just the one between me and this person, after all, if I don’t.

DECK USED:  QUEEN ALICE TAROT

@Lionharts #TheAprilTarot Root & Rise Challenge
The Rise Prompt for April 25th : What would support my progress without restricting it?

Reading Summary: When it comes to your emotional exploration and development (Water Element), during times of turmoil (whirlpool in the Water Element card) it’s important to keep your eye on the far-reaching goal of who you want to become (Judgement) rather than trying to seize control and calm things in the moment (The Emperor).

Take Away: There is learning to be had in chaos, including the chaos of your emotions. If you always smother your turbulent emotions, then you never learn how to deal with them in a healthy manner.

In order to support your progress in your emotional intelligence, as well as towards growth into the person you want to become, you have to let this turbulence happen instead of trying to restrict it or otherwise control it through force of will.

Feel your feelings, and learn from them.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Japanese Cherry Leaf as a Reminder of Life’s Fleeting Moments
Calcite for Gently Calming the Mind and Stimulating Insights
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: MIBRAMIG MAGICAL TAROT AND FOOL’S ITEMS ORACLE OF ENCHANTMENT

@lightningwildflower‘s April Energetic Shifts Challenge
Sun square Pluto, Uranus enters Gemini Prompt for April 25th : How can I embrace change without feeling like I’m losing myself?

Reading Summary: Watch at first (The Hanged Man), and be aware of the fears that this change causes to rise up within you (Nine of Swords).

When you acknowledge your fears and hang back long enough to get an idea of what’s going on, you are then better able to turn the situation to your needs and desires (The Magician).

Take Away: Change is scary. Especially when it involves something that’s important to you. Adapting to change is important, but it’s also important to make sure as we adapt that we are creating the space needed for us to be authentic.

When change happens and fears rise up, instead of reacting right away, do some information gathering first. Hang back, pay attention to the changes that are happening as well as your reaction to those changes.

With this information you can then ensure that any adaptation you need to do is going to continue to be true to yourself rather than just a reaction to something you’re scared of.

Other elements included in this reading:
Black Wood Kitsune Carving for Cleverness and Ingenuity
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration, Clarity, and Determination
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  QUEEN ALICE TAROT

I soaked in an Epsom salt and apple cider vinegar bath in the hopes it would help ease not just my muscles but also a skin issue I have going on right now.