Too Delicate
Easily crushed
and bruised
with just a touch
the flesh
is smooth
but sensitive
and thin
and as the
soul within
shirks away from
brash sounds
and loud noises
retreat
seems safest
Author: Twist the Leaf
🎨 Weekly Creativity Prompt – Alternate Endings
Prompt: Andi and Sam are moving cross-country together to settle in a new city. One has a job lined up, and the other will be out of work on arrival. Out of the different three card readings shown below, which one provides the happiest result for Andi and Sam? Why do you say that?
Okay, so… fast and loose, short and sweet.
In the first trio, we see in the Emperor that there’s a good deal of responsibility being put on the shoulders of one side. This might foster a greater sense of harmony between Andi and Sam (Four of Wands), but only if the other party picks up the slack on the emotional side of things and becomes an emotional support for the one taking on the weight of responsibility (Queen of Cups).
In the second trio, we have a roll of the dice that can turn into true harmony or a very destructive situation depending on how it plays out (the wheel situation going on in the Four of Wands). They need to make sure that they are working together (Three of Pentacles) on their mutual goals and supporting each other emotionally along the way (Princess of Cups) in a give-and-take.
In the third trio we have another clear statement of risks being taken with potential rewards in the balance (Wheel of Fate). There’s going to need to be a lot of strategizing and communication between the two of them (King of Swords) to make sure that this change develops into a promise of good things to come (Death).
None of these promise a happy result, for it really depends on how Andi and Sam feel about the balance of work and support in their relationship. Are they okay with one working and the other saying home in a more supportive role? If so, then the first trio is the happiest result.
If they need something more balanced on who carries what chores and responsibilities? Then either the second or third will be the happiest, but there’s a greater risk of unknown results coming out of the third reading out of these three.
DECKS USED: THE OTTO SCHMIDT TAROT, SUN AND MOON TAROT, THE STAR SPINNER TAROT
Rooted by Fears
Today’s meditation was skipped.
• • • ◈ • ☀️ • ◈ • • •
Today’s draw is the Emperor card, which is traditionally a representation of taking charge, responsibility, authority, structure, and focusing on the greater good.
It’s time to look at what is holding you rooted in place instead of moving forward. Where in your life are you sitting stagnant, and what is it that is keeping you there?
You have the strength and ingenuity to move past this stagnancy… but have chosen not to. Why? Is there fear involved?
The only way to overcome one’s fears is to seize control and confront them. Inevitably, when we do, we find that they weren’t half as bad as we’d imagine them to be.
Today’s message is to do just that. These cards are an encouragement for us to seize control of our fears by breaking free of the bonds they hold on us and confronting them, instead of continuing to hide or avoid them.
DECK USED: DEVIL IN THE DETAILS TAROT AND LITTLE FROG’S GUIDE TO SELF-CARE CARDS
#DiscordTarotholicsJun2025 Challenge
New Moon in Gemini Prompt for June 24th : What do you need to focus on for self-care for his month’s new moon?
Rhinoceros and Tortoise – Sometimes “let’s just try this for shits and giggles” is an invitation to adventure and an open door to change. This type of change without a reason behind it isn’t necessarily bad.
Make sure you watch out for the type of change that is, though. Change just for the sake of restlessness or boredom, especially that is proposed by others to further their own agendas, but not yours, is the kind of change you need to watch out for and resist against.
Owl – When you run into these more self-serving types of game changers in your life, make sure you dig deeper. Don’t just go with the flow, or balk for no reason. Instead, dig into what’s going on and where this drive for change is coming from so you have the power to keep yourself on track even if they stray in another direction.
Take Away – It’s okay to put on the brakes if someone is trying to push for changes that you’re not necessarily on board with. It’s okay to ask questions and dig for reasons. Don’t lust go along with it because you don’t want to cause waves. Be a little suspicious, and protect your own interests.
Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Silver Maple Key for Bouncing Back to Thrive
Foraged Wood Fern for Exorcising Negative Influences
Moss Agate for Attracting Opportunity and Abundance
Picture Jasper for Sense of Proportion and Grounding
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: ANIMAL MESSAGES ORACLE
I turned back to return home when I realized I forgot my Shokz at home today, instead of telling myself to suffer without them through the day’s stressful activities.
Gideon’s Challenge – Hungry, But Not
Hungry, But Not
Food has become
so expensive
that sometimes
it feels
as if starvation
is right
around the corner
and yet
even then
it can be hard
to find
the motivation
to eat.
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
🌑 New Moon in Cancer – June 2025
Tomorrow is the new moon, and like all new moons and full moons, I did a spread aligned to the moon’s current themes as a part of my recognition of the moon’s cycle and influences upon us. Today’s spread is courtesy of @lightningwildflower
Reflect : How am I changing or healing?
Clownfish Draco – It’s getting easier for you to look at the things that take you by surprise (including unpleasant surprises) as amusing rather than ire inducing. This doesn’t mean that you don’t sometimes still react emotionally before you process, but that you’re a bit less likely to react in anger and instead with amusement during these times.
Attend : What feelings am I being asked to pay attention to?
Deep Sea Kraken – Stop skimming the surface, and look deeper. It isn’t so much that there’s one particular feeling you need to examine more closely or pay more attention to, but rather your tendency to bury the important stuff deep and try to ignore it, and instead only deal with or acknowledge whatever is on the surface.
Connect : How can I improve my connections with the ones I love?
Underwater Ruins – Don’t allow others to rewrite history for you. Not all trips down memory lane are pleasant, but sharing history that includes an element of truth is essential to bonding with those important to you. Just because they don’t want to acknowledge what happened doesn’t mean it’s not there. Don’t participate in the rewriting of history, and show your preference for the truth instead.
Align : What area of my life needs attention or alignment?
Cacaelia – It’s time to examine what you’re holding onto so tightly that it’s beginning to hold you back in your journey. You may need to sit with this and consider it, even do a few readings on it to find what this is. Don’t allow it to slip away, but see, out what has your knuckles white in that too tight grip.
Allow : What is ready to come forward in my life?
Reef Wyvern – You don’t have to be numb, nor ignore your emotions, in order to let things roll off your back like rainwater on a slicker. Remember that you can be vulnerable on the inside with that thin layer of protection still in place.
New Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.
Frilled Sea Serpent – “Don’t hold back or make yourself smaller just to stay safe… Step into the light, even if the first few steps are shaky.” – Guidebook
As another reading earlier in the day previously mentioned, fear is holding you back. You need to step forward into your fears, rather than allowing them to keep you in a place of stagnancy. Stretch your wings (or fins, as the case may be).
Other elements included in this reading:
Aquamarine for fostering Wisdom and Clarity
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: ORACLE OF WATER
Gratitude Isn’t a Curse Word
Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and one of the #DailyCalm sessions in the @Calm app.
• • • ◈ • ☀️ • ◈ • • •
Today’s draw is the Eight of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of hard work, expertise through practice, honing a skill, quality craftsmanship, handicrafts, and manifestations through skill and hard work. The card is often the embodiment of the “practice makes perfect” adage.
That “practice makes perfect” phrase doesn’t just apply to learning a new craft or skill, but also to how we se ourselves and the world around us.
If we are always feeding ourselves negative feedback, then it becomes harder and harder to see and acknowledge the positives. That’s why practices such as the one mentioned in the “Thanking You” card make a difference.
When we stop each day to appreciate something we are grateful for, happy about, or have enjoyed, it helps to train the brain to acknowledge that there is good in the world. That, in turn, helps to counter-balance negative thoughts, pessimism, and our focus on the more unpleasant aspects of life.
The message in today’s cards is a reminder that we all need a little balancing out in this area sometimes. Some of us more than others. The cards here encourage us that even a small thing like a moment of reflection at the end of the day can help provide that balance we need. Over time, we then become better and better at creating that balance in our day-to-day lives.
DECK USED: HEADLESS TAROT AND HAPPINESS CHEMICALS DECK
@LightningWildflower‘s June Tarot Challenge
Release Prompts for June 22nd and 24th
What am I holding onto that needs to be released?
Ruby Shoes and Absorb – Remember when you were little, and when things became too much, you would curl up into yourself and repeat the mantra “I want to go home” in your head over and over?
This mantra was the same whether you were home or away, because “home” wasn’t the house you were living in. What you wanted was comfort and stability, feeling of belonging, and a sense of safety. You have that now, if you’re willing to open your eyes and actually let it in fully. Therefore there’s really no need for that mantra to still live in your head or heart, even as a whisper from your inner child.
What resistance do I feel about letting this go?
Applied Force atop Heavy; Creation – It sounds so easy, like you should be able to just do it and it’ll be done. Just let go, and the weight will drop. That doesn’t take into account that there is a lot of recreation of perspective involved in letting go of that weight, though. You acknowledge it can be done, it’s just finding a path to how that’s creating struggle and resistance.
What will help me release what no longer serves?
Love and Vision – The first step on any new path is imagining going there. Take the time to imagine what it would be like to let this go, and while doing so, work on replacing what’s being released with a greater sense of self love and acceptance.
Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Silver Maple Key for Bouncing Back to Thrive
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: DREAMING GIRL HIGHWAY INNER VISION CARDS AND MAGIC MUSHROOM ORACLE MIDNIGHT EDITION
I have, multiple times today (and far more so than usual, it seems), worked at turning around self-depreciating thoughts and quieting inner narratives with positive opposition.
Twisting the Leaf 