Making Friends
sharp needles
prick the skin
in a promise
of retaliation
for disturbing
the rest
of those sentinels
that stand tall
and watch over
all that live
within
and beneath
prickly fronds
Gideon’s Challenge – Making Friends
Month: August 2026
The Potential In Adversity
Today’s meditation was skipped.
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Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.
Today’s draw is The Hanged Man, which is traditionally a representation of taking a pause, considering alternate perspectives, relaxing into difficult situations, surrender, or letting go.
The Hanged Man card has then been combined with the Honoring Adversity card from The Healing Mantra Deck, which says, “A fire reveals a path of renewed direction once the burning is complete.”
If all you do during unexpected events is try to mitigate their effects and respond to what’s emergent, you are missing out on the opportunity to find how the situation could benefit you.
Even disastrous chaos comes with an aftermath, and within that aftermath new things grow. Instead of trying to turn back time or mitigate damages, sometimes it’s beneficial to look at what’s happening and find the boon.
The message in today’s Hanged Man card and affirmation is a reminder for us not to get so caught up in the moment when things are going awry or adversity arises that we lose track of the potential that that moment holds for us.
DECKS USED: FANUNA’S TAROT AND THE HEALING MANTRA DECK
#DiscordTarotholicsAug2026 Challenge
Prompt for August 28th and 29th
Where do I need to foster more joy and happiness in life?
Three of Pentacles and Ace of Spades
Cooperation between you and others works best when you are open in your communication with them. This makes for a happier work environment, as well as a more cohesive team relationship between you and the others. Keep in mind that closing yourself off stunts the team as a whole and lowers morale, making life and interactions far more difficult than they need to be.
How can I encourage that joy to flourish in my future?
Death Rx atop Six of Cups; Eight of Hearts
Focus on fostering balance in areas of joy and happiness through building new things together, as opposed to trying to sustain what’s already been done.
Don’t allow your team to rest in stagnancy. Invite new ideas and innovation instead, and share your own with them as well.
Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Calcite for Gently Calming the Mind and Stimulating Insights
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: FEMME LA FLORALE TAROT
@lightningildflower‘s August Reflections Challenge
Lunar Eclipse in Pisces, Mercury & Sun square Uranus
Prompt for August 28th : How can I embrace change without losing myself?
Ten of Wands Rx – Stop taking everything upon your shoulders alone. Put down the burden and let it burn if you need to. You can always pick up the pieces that are left over later on and create something new from them.
Five of Wands – Turn moments of conflict with others into brainstorming opportunities. Let everyone be heard and discuss opinions and options instead of arguing or shutting others down.
Justice Rx – Don’t expect everything to be fair all the time. It’s a part of not being able to please everyone all the time that there’s going to be times someone gets the short end of the stick. Sometimes it will be you, and sometimes you need to let it be someone else.
Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
Bloodstone for Encouraging Fearlessness
Carnelian Agate for Inner Drive and Focusing On Aspirations
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: FANUNA’S TAROT
I took my time with my work load today instead of trying to push to get things done more quickly as I usually would.
Gideon’s Challenge – Webbed Feet
Webbed Feet
Longing creates
an ached
like cracked earth
seeking a sip
of water
as I wait
with impatience
for the rain
to return
and drench
the world
in soggy earth
and mud puddles
once more
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
One Step at a Time
Today’s meditation was a fifteen minute self-guided visualization session while listening to a loop of Kip Mazuy’s Bird Song track.
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Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.
Today’s draw is the Temperance card, which is traditionally a representation of moderation, balance, slowing down, practicing patience, and can at times represent a connection between the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.
The Temperance card has then been combined with an affirmation from the In This Moment Mindful Affirmation Cards, which says, “In this moment, I lovingly forgive myself and others.”
It is hard to let go of unreasonable expectations. When you’ve spent the majority of your life pushing yourself to do more and be more every single day, it is hard to let go of that mentality and forgive yourself for doing less.
I feel like in this moment of transition between unreasonable expectation and grounded performance, that the forgiveness should be lain at the feet of the abuse you have done to yourself up to this point by expecting so much more than as reasonable. What I find, though, is that in order to reach that part of myself that has been abused, I first have to forgive myself for “slacking off”.
Yes, I know that it’s not actually slacking off, it’s reevaluation of expectations and being more reasonable in how far we’re willing to push ourselves. But in the moment it does feel like slacking off. And, in my experience, I find that this needs to be forgiven first in order to reach that part of myself abused by previous behavior and find it open to giving forgiveness as well.
The message in today’s Temperance card and affirmation is a reminder that easing up on your expectations of yourself is not a failure. It’s not something frivolous, nor is it slacking off. It’s called self-care… and you need to forgive yourself for needing self-care first and foremost, or the guilt may keep you from being able to make the transition stick.
DECKS USED: OTHERKIN TAROT AND IN THIS MOMENT MINDFUL AFFIRMATION CARDS
@lightningildflower‘s August Reflections Challenge
Prompt for August 26th and 27th
Clarifying – What confusion is starting to clear?
King of Swords and Oceanic Manta Ray
You’re beginning to see more clearly that you don’t have to be a harsh task master in order to get things done. By focusing on grace, and prioritizing it over blunt force, you are able to get more done and at the same time charm others in the process.
Sun conjunct Mercury – What have I been overthinking lately?
Four of Swords Rx and Ocellate River Ray
You focus far too much upon what you’re not getting done during times of rest and solitude. Even during these times of rest, you aren’t losing full sight of what’s going on around you, so there is no need to be worrying over the things that can take care of themselves for a little while while you recoup.
Other elements included in this reading:
Pressed Pansy Flowers for Hearing the Heart More Clearly
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: FINE LINE TAROT AND EVY BENITA TRADING CARDS
#DiscordTarotholicsAug2026 Challenge
Prompt for August 27th : What do I need to focus on for self-care for this month’s full moon?
Reading Summary: Be kind to yourself (Six of Pentacles) in the face of disappointment (Three of Swords) or discomfort (Five of Pentacles).
Take Away: It’s important to remember that it’s not the end of the world if things don’t go as planned. Give yourself a little bit of grace in these moments instead of beating yourself up for them (as you have been over the past week).
Holding onto these more negative thoughts and perspectives will just get in your way.
Instead of focusing on what went wrong and the potential repercussions that may arise from what went awry (such as scarcity and other hurdles), direct your focus toward bringing things back into balance with a healthy dose of adaptability and forgiveness.
Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Wood Fern for Exorcising Negative Influences
Black Spruce Needles to Boost Self-Confidence and Positive Thinking
Dried Rosebuds for Potential and Beauty Waiting to Unfold
Dried Purple Heather Flowers for Independence and Luck
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: OTHERKIN TAROT
I had peanut butter jelly instead of lasagna leftovers because I didn’t want to have to try and tackle heartburn or acid reflux later.
Gideon’s Challenge – Struggling
Struggling
lungs struggle
to pull in air
filled
with smoke
and pollen
that scrape
the throat
on the way in
and exhale
with sneezes
and
soggy snuffles
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Look Before You Leap
Today’s meditation was a ten minute #DailyCalm session from the @Calm.
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Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.
Today’s draw is The Hanged Man (Suspension), which is traditionally a representation of taking a pause, considering alternate perspectives, relaxing into difficult situations, surrender, or letting go.
The Suspension card has then been combined with a card from the Messages From the Universe Oracle, which says, “If you are feeling stuck in any area of your life, ask yourself – What is stopping me from leaving? Yes, leaving is scary, but sometimes it is the right step to take. Be brave.”
Yes, it’s true. Sometimes leaving is the best option. Just take care to pause a moment first to make sure you aren’t missing some important factor.
Consider all the perspectives on the situation before you act. In doing so, you ensure that you aren’t overreacting or jumping the gun.
The message in today’s Hanged Man (Suspension) card and affirmation is that if a situation needs leaving behind… DO it. Just make sure it’s really what you want beforehand by examining all the options and angles first.
DECKS USED: FOREST OF ENCHANTMENT TAROT AND MESSAGES FROM THE UNIVERSE ORACLE
@note.project August Journal Prompts
Prompt for August 26th through 28th
Something I want to bring with me into fall
Snow White – A better attitude. Over the last couple of months, your inner negative self talk has gotten out of hand to the point that you’ve been more negative even in your interactions with others.
As fall comes into focus, you want to discard this cloying negativity and foster a better, friendlier, kinder, and more positive attitude. Less the “bitch” and more kindness and care.
A routine or rhythm I want to create for the next season
Puss in Boots – More fun and more humor in the day-to-day, which will hopefully bleed into more enthusiasm for taking on life’s every day challenges.
It’s hard to be enthusiastic for adventure when you’re feeling heavy and down. You want to create a rhythm for yourself that allows you more appreciation for the good stuff, more fun in the moment, and more enthusiasm for life as a result.
Something I’m looking forward to experiencing in the months ahead
The Snow Queen – You are looking forward to a strengthening of the connections between yourself and those around you, and the weeding out of those that don’t have your best interests at heart. As people begin to show their true colors in the next few months, you’ll find it easier to spot those that need to go, and identify those you want to keep close.
Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
Foraged Red Oak Leaf for Fostering Unconditional Love
Bloodstone for Encouraging Fearlessness
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: FAERYTALE ORACLE
#DiscordTarotholicsAug2026 Challenge
Prompts for August 24th through 26th
As an adult, where do I take myself too seriously?
Keeper of Challenges – Remember that feeling twinges of paranoia doesn’t necessarily mean someone is out to get you. Being able to see “three steps ahead” only works if your paranoia doesn’t get in the way and have you chasing shadows.
How can I ease up in this area where I take myself too seriously?
Child of Spells – Focus more on fun and that ever-curious inclination within you, and less on the drudgery of life and responsibilities. Try to see life as more of an adventure and less of a chore. With this more open attitude, even when you have plans in place, you’re more likely to be more congenially adaptable when needed.
Philosophical Question : Am I more of a dreamer or a believer?
Seven of Visions – Both. This is why you often pause to waffle on decisions. You can imagine the potential in each and every choice before you, and that can often create inner conflicts between your dreamer side and the more practical one.
Other elements included in this reading:
Wood burned Squirrel Medallion for Connecting with Curiosity
Honey Calcite for Optimism and Motivational Boost
Flower Agate for Opening the Mind to New Possibilities
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: FOREST OF ENCHANTMENT TAROT
I remembered to bring my headphones with me today so that I could listen to music instead of political talk and ignore other irritants.
Twisting the Leaf 