Sheltered
I need you
around me
your strength
a warm shelter
for those
vulnerable
moments
when the world
becomes
too much
and your arms
become
a safe place
all my own
Gideon’s Challenge – Sheltered
Month: April 2026
Refuse to Fall In Line
Today’s meditation was a ten minute #DailyCalm session from the @Calm app.
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The @hippiepixie333 #Escapril2026 Challenge
Prompt for April 27th : steady ground
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.
Today’s draw is the Four of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of dejection, refusal of assistance, contemplative moments, meditation, and feelings of apathy.
It’s okay to say no when you need to.
I’m not sure if I’m an alcoholic or not, but I know that back when I drank, I had a tendency to do my heavy drinking when it was very unhealthy to do so. That is to say, I had a tendency lean into alcohol when I was angry or emotionally overwhelmed. When something came up that I didn’t feel like I could handle, my first thought was “where is the vodka”.
Gideon was the one that noticed this tendency and pointed it out to me. We had a discussion about it and how unhealthy it is, and that was when I stopped drinking. Well, other than a slip up a couple years later, at any rate.
I admit that it’s not always easy to say no. What I have found, though, is that I enjoy life more without that influence in it. It makes saying no a lot easier than it would otherwise be; no matter who’s pushing or what pressure I’m under at the time.
The message in today’s Four of Cups and the “steady ground” prompt is a reminder that it’s okay to say no. If the decision to say no is healthy for you, then stop giving in and step away instead. Whether it’s about alcohol or anything else that you would be better off saying no to. Say no. Let those who are pressuring you into saying yes figure out some other solution than expecting you to fall in line with their expectations.
DECK USED: BUMBLEBERRY HOLLOWS TAROT
@lightningwildflower‘s April Energetic Shifts Challenge
Prompts for April 27th and 28th
Clarify: What lesson is becoming clearer?
Page of Wands atop Four of Coins Rx – Enthusiasm alone is not enough to get you there.
The fact of the matter is that you’re getting older, and if you don’t allow your source more time to ground and stabilize (not just between activities but during them), you pay a price for that. There are consequences for that.
This means you need to practice a little extra moderation mixed in with your enthusiasm. Otherwise, the consequences can be quite painful.
Venus trine Pluto: What deep desire am I ready to explore?
The Moon, Seven of Coins atop Nine of Wands Rx – A deep desire you’re ready to explore right now involves the idea that just because things feel uncertain sometimes during a journey doesn’t mean that you have to be constantly on guard.
Bracing for impact is a natural response, but holding that tension through the entire duration of uncertainty isn’t healthy. After all, not every moment of uncertainty is a breeding ground for something negative to take root.
Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Wood Fern for Exorcising Negative Influences
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: THE BUNNY TAROT
@Lionharts #TheAprilTarot Root & Rise Challenge
The Rise Prompt for April 27th : Where am ready to go beyond what feels familiar?
Reading Summary: Go ahead and jump right in (Temperance Rx) when it comes to new opportunities coming your way (Ace of Pentacles)… after having evaluated if they’re right for you of course (Judgment).
Take Away: This advice is contrary to most of the advice that the cards tend give you, which is to warn you against overloading yourself.
In this instance, through, it’s saying that at this time there is an opportunity that is going to present itself to you that you need to jump at.
The Ace in this reading is indicating that this is one opportunity, and does not involve leaving yourself open to all opportunities.
In order for you to judge which opportunity is the right one, you will need to consider where you want to go and who you want to be as you grow and develop over time.
Other elements included in this reading:
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Calcite for Gently Calming the Mind and Stimulating Insights
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: BUMBLEBERRY HOLLOWS TAROT
This is a catch up post, and I’m not entirely sure what the self kindness was for this day.
Gideon’s Challenge – Breakable
Breakable
Fine and delicate
like spun sugar
so thin that
even the warmth
of a single breath
could melt
the strands
or the slightest
of touches
shatter
figure and form
to leave nothing
but crystaline shards
and sticky drops
of sweet dew
on the floor
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Power Within the Pause
Today’s meditation was skipped.
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The @hippiepixie333 #Escapril2026 Challenge
Prompt for April 26th : reflection
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.
Today’s draw is the Two of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of crossroads, difficult decisions, needing more information, seeking inward for answers, weighing one’s options, and sometimes avoidance.
Take some time to think before you open your mouth or act.
Yesterday wasn’t the only day where you can easily trip over your own two feet or put your foot in your mouth without meaning to.
Make sure that you are pausing to think before taking any action… including responding to what other others are saying. Don’t just stay silent out of indecision. Make it a deliberate act instead.
The message in today’s Two of Swords and the “reflection” prompt is a reminder that there is power in choice. There is a huge difference between the silence that comes from living in indecision, and the silence that you choose to hold. One is deliberate, and the other one is desperate or afraid.
Today’s message encourages us to choose to be deliberate in our words and actions. Silence can be a powerful tool. Use it to make sure to think things through before doing anything.
DECK USED: THE REAL ROSIE THE RIVETERS OF WWII TAROT
@Lionharts #TheAprilTarot Root & Rise Challenge
The Rise Prompt for April 26th : What naturally drives me forward once I decide to act?
Reading Summary: Once you’ve decided to act, it is a combination of courage (The Rooster), confidence (The Magician), and hope (Candle) that continues to drive you forward.
Take Away: Because you are willing to fail in order to learn how to succeed, you are able to use hope to your advantage in overcoming your fears. That hope, therefore, gives you courage.
This courage then drives you, and gives you confidence to keep going, even when the task at hand might seem overwhelming or extremely difficult.
It is confidence born out of hope and courage that naturally drives you forward once you’ve decided to act. The fear of failure mitigated by the assurance within that using that failure will allow you to succeed when you try again.
Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Carnelian Agate for Inner Drive and Focusing On Aspirations
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: RUSS BELT ARCANA AND LITTLE WITCHCRAFTS ORACLE
#DiscordTarotholicsApr2026 Challenge
Prompt for April 26th : Do Spread 2
@lightningwildflower‘s April Energetic Shifts Challenge
Venus sextile Neptune, Mercury square Jupiter Prompt for April 26th : What belief or assumption do I need to reevaluate?
Reading Summary: It’s okay to ask for help from those that know more than you (Queen of Swords). Even when those that are closest to you (Two of Cups) are impatient to get going (Knight of Swords).
Take Away: Don’t let the enthusiasm of of others keep you from taking the time you need to do your due diligence.
You don’t have to jump when they say go, no matter how much it feels like you do or how hard they push in their enthusiasm.
That enthusiasm is all well and good, but it’ll still be there if you take the time you need to make sure you know what you need to know first. So take your time and consult with those that have more knowledge than you before jumping on board.
When you take that time to do the research first, you bring to the table with you the knowledge and expertise needed to ensure success.
Other elements included in this reading:
Zodiac Wheel (on Cancer) for Understanding Cycles and Rhythms
Dried Red Maple Leaf for Adaptability and Connection
Carnelian Agate for Inner Drive and Focusing On Aspirations
Green Jasper and Tiger Eye Turtle for Confidence within Progress
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: THE REAL ROSIE THE RIVETERS OF WWII TAROT
This is a catch up post, and I’m not entirely sure what the self kindness was for this day.
Gideon’s Challenge – Stiff
Stiff
The stretch
aches
as muscles pull
and arms raise
to reach
for the sky
like branches
but shorter
and the spine
bends
with a creak
and series of
cracks
as a new morning
dawns
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 – Eight of Cups – Pay attention to your frustrations this week and weigh if it really feels worth the emotional upheaval to stay with things as things are.
If not?
Walk away. You’ll just be beating your head against a brick wall. It’s not worth your time and effort.
Air – Three of Pentacles – Lean upon those you trust to help and support your endeavors, and take care to discard any offers of help from those you don’t.
Water – Six of Swords – Again, as mentioned in the Earth position of this reading, if something isn’t working for you and is causing you emotional issues then it’s time to step away. Don’t hold onto what’s just holding you back.
Fire – Three of Wands – Remember that only you get to choose the direction you want to go in. You can bring others along for the ride, but make sure the decisions you’re making are a fit for you and not them. You come first, not second or third.
Waning – Specialty – Just because someone says that they cornered the market on a skill in some area, doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re the best choice. Make sure to keep your options open.
Waxing – Abundance – Stay conscious and aware of the things that make you happy instead of closing your eyes to them. There is abundance around you all the time, but sometimes you forget to look for it.
Take Away – Take no shit this week, not from others and not from any of the things that may come up that aren’t working for you. Set it aside and walk away instead of allowing it to frustrate and cause negativity to rise up. Pivot, instead, to leaning on those close to you that you trust. Only those you trust. Snake oil salesman need not apply, including their well used tools to trigger FOMO.
Twisting the Leaf 