Today’s meditation was a ten minute long #DailyCalm session with the @Calm app.

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The @GlitterbyInk #MayMoon26 Rise Root Return Challenge
As Within Prompt for May 17th : Essence
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Wheel of Fortune card, which is traditionally a representation of luck (both good and bad), changing circumstances, the ups and downs of life, and the cyclical nature of life and the world.

Look how very unhappy the figure looks in this card’s imagery. Not only is he tired and battle worn, but he’s not looking particularly happy in his position as protector, either.

That’s what happens when we put ourselves in rolls that don’t fit who we are or what we want. We hang on and we protect, but we can’t really advance because we’re too tired doing the thing that we put ourselves in line to do that doesn’t match with who we are.

This is how we end up stuck in patterns that don’t align with our authentic selves. We integrate ourselves into these patterns, building them up until they are an essential part of our lives, even though they’re not an essential part of us. Then, we are so taken up with and preoccupied by this effort that we it feels impossible to escape to find something that fits us better.

The message in today’s Nine of Wands and the “essence” prompt is a reminder that when we are introducing new pursuits, endeavors, and cycles into our lives that it’s important to ensure they are something that we really connect with, and that connects with the essence of us as well. Otherwise, no matter how hard we work at it, we’re never really going to be satisfied with what we have.

DECK USED:  SMITHTINY TAROT

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 5 | Entry 12 – Health and Body
Affirmation : “I release habits that hinder my growth.”
Prompt : Do you currently have any habits that may have been a helpful coping mechanism at one time, but now impact your health negatively? Ask the tarot to help show you what habit is holding you back-and the underlying feeling that may be triggering it.

What feelings came up when I pulled this card?

“Well, it’s not the Devil.” (Said in a count-your-blessings kind of way.)

The thing is, I’m well aware of what my coping mechanisms are, especially the unhealthy ones. So this thought (above) was more a relief at not having to address the elephant in the room than it was about anything related to the message in this specific card.

What elements of the card’s meaning resonate with me and this prompt?

One of my most pervasive coping mechanisms is pessimism. It’s been something I’ve used throughout the entirety of my life to protect myself from the harsher affects of disappointment. After all, preparation makes everything easier to handle, especially the bad stuff.

When you always expect the worst, the good stuff that happens comes as a happy surprise, and the bad stuff is something you already knew was coming.

Unfortunately, this pessimism instilled in every nuance of one’s life has a tendency to do more than just prepare you for the worst, but actually harm your outlook on life as a whole.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

The guy on top of the wheel sits on his own platform. He’s steady in his footing because he doesn’t have to run the wheel that turns and turns and turns in cycles beneath him. And yet, he is the least happy character of the three depicted on the card. His stagnancy makes him judgmental as he sits out on the ups and downs of experience that make life interesting for the other two.

My prompt response and reflections.

This pessimism is a something that I used to think was just a part of who I am, but I have learned over time to recognize it as a defense mechanism rather than an actual personality trait. It’s been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, but I am slowly working on easing up in this area.

Over the past few years in using the Card of the Day exercise that I post each day, I have begun to connect with optimism and positivity in healthy ways and recognize their value. Now, instead of blindly accepting the pessimism that whispers in my head, I often find myself debating with it or otherwise counterbalancing it with a bit of hope and positive self talk.

There’s still a long way to go, though, as this card’s appearance in today’s prompt points out.

Other elements included in this reading:
Sodalite D20 and D6 Gemstone Dice

DECK USED: 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF BIRTH TEZUKA OSAMU CHARACTER TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2026 Challenge
Prompt for May 17th : Do Spread 3
Summer is right around the corner! While this season is often well known for being a time to enjoy the good weather and fill your life with fun times and memorable moments, sometimes even summer has its stresses, struggles, and anxieties. Use this spread to take a look at those issues and how to surmount them.

What is the core stressor in my life at this time that is under my control to change?

Ace of Cups – Your emotions. You have a tendency to take on learning about your emotions as if it is homework or a battle to engage in. In truth, you don’t need to really engage at all other than not close yourself off, though. There’s no need to identify every little thing, as long as you’re letting them breathe in the open air instead of burying them.

What has allowed this stress in my life to take root and grow?

King of Wands – You have a tendency to go after the things you want full boar with single-minded attention and focus. This makes you feel like you always need to do more in order to succeed.

When it comes to learning and understanding your emotions, though, it’s not so much about active participation as it is about observation and sitting with how you feel.

What can I do right now to help ease my stress and anxiety related to this issue?

The Hierophant – Lean into the tried and true methods others have shared with you. This isn’t an area you know much about, but they do. Trust them to guide you well.

Other elements included in this reading:
Black Wood Kitsune Carving for Cleverness and Ingenuity
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  SMITHTINY TAROT

I started the first steps in getting organized concerning the intention to do a bit of weeding on my deck collection.