Author: Twist the Leaf

❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

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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?

Self Care Saturday Tarot Reading with The Buddha Tarot and Glimmer Walker Lenormand Day Edition

Earth – Four of Lotuses – Celebrate your love of hearth and home. Use this week to reconnect with those places and people that feel most like “home” to you. You will feel better for having done so, and so will they.

Air – Amitabha: The Buddha of Lotuses – Reconnect with deeply held values as you make decisions this week. You have the opportunity to share those values with others in meaningful ways by simply leading by example.

Water – Two of Varjas / Dharmachakra Mudra – Make sure when debating with others this week that you are not bringing your emotions into the equation. This isn’t a power struggle, it’s an attempt to find truth, and everyone’s perspective needs to be taken into account and respected.

Fire – The Invalid / The Suffering Man – Step back from protestations and other arguments that will get no one anywhere. Now is a time to connect and observe. Treat the problems that rise this week with empathy instead of ferocity.

Waning – Man and Woman – Polarization is not your friend this week. Balance is a much better option than trying to chameleon yourself into a situation by being more or less aggressive. Focus on the middle road instead of the push and pull to choose sides.

Waxing – Key and Fox – Listen and take time to process and percolate before taking action. Strategy is the key to success in the week ahead. Be clever.

Take Away – There may be a few debates along the way this week, but stay true to the idea that wisdom comes from observation and understanding rather than trying to get your own way through force. Instead of worrying about these moments of possible conflict, focus on connection and fostering a feeling of “home” wherever you go.

DECKS USED: THE BUDDHA TAROT AND GLIMMER WALKER LENORMAND DAY EDITION

News Flash: Winter Is Over

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Today’s meditation was a nine minute long #DailyCalm session from the @Calm app. The session started out with one of my very favorite meditation practices; a yoga nidra where the narrator walks you through a full body scan from head to toe.

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The @hippiepixie333 #Escapril2026 Challenge

Prompt for April 4th : empty chair

Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Rabbit Tarot - The Star card

Today’s draw is The Star card, which is traditionally a representation of hope, faith, and the connecting of spirituality to the various aspects of our lives.

Hope and positivity are more difficult to foster when you’re entertaining stagnancy in your life.

When you go outside and you get that first deep breath of fresh air, and it feels like it invigorates you? This type of refreshing energy is what movement and motion in your life creates. This is the type of energy that hope and optimism thrive in.

This card-a-day practice is all about fostering a greater sense of hope and positivity in order to counterbalance, my own pessimistic nature and negative inner narratives.

A part of that counterbalancing process, though, has to go beyond the cards and the table. It means leaving my seat at the table in order to get outside and get that refreshment that I need.

Over the winter it becomes hard to see this. Winter is often a time of hibernation and stillness, and it can be easy to sink into that to the point where it’s difficult to pull yourself back out when spring arrives.

The message in today’s Star card and the “empty chair” prompt is a reminder that getting outside is a part of the process of breaking free of winter’s stillness and stagnancy. Get out of that chair. Get outside and tromp through some puddles, breathe in the fresh air, get mud in the deep tread of your boots, and let the energies of renewal flow freely.

DECK USED:  RABBIT TAROT

@lightningwildflower‘s April Energetic Shifts Challenge

Prompts for April 3rd and 4th

Tarot Reading with the Magna Bloom Tarot and Plant Spirits Oracle

Mercury trine Jupiter, Venus square Pluto: How can I communicate what I desire more clearly?

Three of Cups and Blessed Thistle (Centaurea benedicta) – Connect more closely with those in your life and share more openly how you feel about them. In doing so you create bonds and bridge gaps, allowing for a greater sense of connection and communication to open up between you and others.

This means doing things with them instead of “checking out” even though you’re there, as well as allowing yourself to have fun with them in these moments.

Shift: What part of me is recalibrating?

Two of Pentacles and Calling In the Spirits – you are learning to find balance between how you connect with the spirits of the dead and the boundaries you need to put in place for how and when they connect with you.

This is a learning process, and will take time and experimentation to get right… It’s also going to change overtime as you become more comfortable and experienced in this area. Don’t fear imbalance here, for its assign that you are learning and growing.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Pressed Pansy Flowers for Hearing the Heart More Clearly
Gneiss Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: MAGNA BLOOM TAROT AND PLANT SPIRITS ORACLE

@Lionharts #TheAprilTarot Root & Rise Challenge

The Root Prompt for April 4th : What consistently brings me back to a steady and centered state?

Tarot Reading with the Rabbit Tarot

Reading Summary: Reconnecting internally (The Hermit) from a place of logic and reason (Queen of Swords) to take stock of what you have, what you need, and what you can choose to refuse because it’s not needed (Four of Cups).

Take Away: Sometimes we all get caught up in our wants to the point where we lose track of what is a want and what is a need.

When these lines get blurred, it can make us feel as if we are desperately struggling for more, even when we already have all that we really need. We’re simply unable to acknowledge that fact because our wants are driving us for more.

What brings me back to feeling more stable and centered is in the practice of taking a step back to take a practical look at all that I have, and acknowledging that my needs are already being met. In these moments of reflection I’m able to find the clarity to then let go of my wants and the desperation they can create.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Black Tourmaline for Grounding and Protection
Carnelian Agate for Inner Drive and Focusing On Aspirations
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: RABBIT TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

This is a catch up post, and I’m not entirely sure what the self kindness was for this day.

Gideon’s Challenge – Eager

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Daffodil (Narcissus)

Eager

Excitement sparks
with a sizzle
of impatience
and bright pop
of joy that
even raindrops
can’t quell
as the world
seems to quiver
with possibilities

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

The Personal Lens

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Today’s meditation was an untimed (probably about thirty minutes) breath work session during a dental appointment.

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The @hippiepixie333 #Escapril2026 Challenge

Prompt for April 3rd : glass memory

Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Tarot Schober - Queen of Swords - Marseille Tarot

Today’s draw is the Queen of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s knowledge, education, logic, ambitions, or communication. This can often translate into themes that have to do with the people that foster you through tough love and sharp-tongued advice.

Most of the time, what we remember about any situation or experience isn’t the whole story. It’s -our- story; nothing more and nothing less.

This is because we see the world and everything in it through a lens that is created from our past experience, emotions, and personal opinions. This is why many people can see or experience the same event, but remember it completely differently.

The message in today’s Queen of Swords and “glass memory” prompt is a reminder of this unique personal lens is something that we all have, and is causes us to see things differently than others. Thus, shared experiences may still be experienced completely differently from person to person, depending on who is involved. Don’t expect everyone to see the same thing you do, for that personal lens will color their experience in ways that you may not be able to perceive.

DECK USED:  TAROT SHOBER (trimmed borders)

@Lionharts #TheAprilTarot Root & Rise Challenge

The Roots Prompts for April 2nd and 3rd

Tarot Reading with the Dust || Onyx Tarot Travel Edition and Planted Not Buried Oracle

What is supporting my growth, even if I rarely acknowledge it?

The Star and Looking Glass – Even though some people linger, it may not be to offer loyalty or positivity in your life. It may look like loyalty, but be something else entirely that’s keeping them around. In these instances, “steadfast” and “always there” doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re there for your well-being or to help you in any way.

Yet, even then, they may have a place in your life where they can provide positive experiences and new perspectives. It’s okay to keep these people in your life and allow them to provide support… without giving them your unconditional trust.

This is the difference between friendships and acquaintances.

Where do I already have enough, despite the urge to seek more?

Two of Swords and Feral – Consider that you already have enough on your plate without adding more choices, options, and opportunities into the mix. Stand up for your boundaries and say “no” when others ask you to expend more than you’re ready to on them.

If you don’t stand end up for yourself, who will?

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Foraged Silver Maple Key for Bouncing Back to Thrive
Bird Figurine for Fostering Hope, Positivity, and Renewal
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: DUST || ONYX TAROT AND PLANTED NOT BURIED ORACLE

@lightningwildflower‘s April Energetic Shifts Challenge

Prompt for April 1st and 2nd

Tarot Reading with the Tarot Schober Marseille Tarot

Full Moon in Libra: What relationship truth is being illuminated for me?

Five of Swords and Seven of Swords – Times of conflict are not necessarily the end of the world, nor are others involved stealing anything from you by having a different opinion from your own.

Sort out your feelings about W’s homophobia before they visit at the end of the month. You can still enjoy their visit and not have it turned ugly, if you work on soring things out for yourself internally first.

Settle: What does inner harmony look like?

The Hermit and Page of Wands – Time alone doing the things you love to do and pouring your passion into your creative endeavors.

Sometimes it’s nice just to have some quiet time to really focus on a project and get into “the flow” for a while instead of having to be distracted by those around you.

You find this quiet time in the grip of “flow” as a time of inner harmony when you feel most in tune with yourself.

Other elements included in this reading:
Japanese Cherry Leaf as a Reminder of Life’s Fleeting Moments
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Dried Lavender Bundle for Calming and Comfort
Dark Lepidolite for Facilitating Calm Transitions
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  TAROT SHOBER (trimmed borders)
Daily Self Kindness

This is a catch up post, and I’m not entirely sure what the self kindness was for this day.

Gideon’s Challenge – Endless

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Invading Clouds

Endless

The world
refuses to wake
remaining dark
and gray
with slumber
and slow hours
as clouds
don’t lift
or burn away
but merely hang
heavy
in the air
flirting
with treetops
and the ground
beneath

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Love : Reality vs Fantasy

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

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The @hippiepixie333 #Escapril2026 Challenge
Prompt for April 2nd : almost home
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Luna's Cinnamoroll Tarot - King of Cups

Today’s draw is the King of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, emotional intelligence, creativity, or intuition. This often translates into authority figures that are emotionally supportive and understanding, possessing both compassion and strong leadership qualities.

Who in your life encourages you to be yourself instead of kowtowing to what other people expect you to be?

I spent a very large amount of my childhood and adolescence being told that who I am is wrong and the things I like are wrong. I managed to continue to show who I am and like what I like regardless, but it leaves me in a unique position now to see things differently as an adult.

What I see is that those who truly love you and love who you are, aren’t trying to change you. They aren’t trying to make you into the version of yourself that they want or accept, and they aren’t trying to convince you to be someone you’re not.

Instead, the people who truly love you are the people who accept you for who you are. They are the people in your life that don’t try to change you, but yet inspire you to want to be a better person regardless.

Those other people who are trying to change you into some version that they can accept? They may think that they love you, but what they actually love is a version of you that doesn’t exist.

It’s important to not confuse the two.

The message in today’s card and “almost home” prompt is a reminder that sometimes we choose our friends and sometimes we choose our family… and that is perfectly okay as long as you were making healthy choices in doing so. Because sometimes? The friends and family that were handed at birth just aren’t a good fit.

DECK USED:  LUNA’S CINNAMOROLL TAROT

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 5 | Entry 11 – Health and Body
Affirmation : “I face my fears with courage.”
Prompt : Think about something that you’re afraid of where that creates a sense of trepidation in you. How can the tarot help you face or release this fear in order to maintain a more balanced state of mental well-being?

Tarot Activity from The One Card a Day Journal by Maria Sofia Marmanides - Little Twin Stars Tarot - The Hermit

What feelings came up when I pulled this card?

At first, I thought I was looking at the Moon card. It really brought home to me, in that moment, just where this fear is coming from. The topic being my fear of losing stability in my life.

The fact is that this particular fear is rooted in a fear of the unknown. When I panic in relation to that fear as the anticipation of instability bears down upon me… what I am really fearing is the unknown, and what I am reacting to are nebulous shadows that are bred from that that fear of the unknown; not solid reality.

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

The Hermit card is often about solitude and self-reflection. It’s about looking inward for answers. The prompt asks how to release my fear for a more balanced state of mental well-being… and the answer lies in the fact that this fear comes from within and the illusions that the mind throws out when triggered. It is not reality.

Tarot has the ability to guide me in reflecting with more depth on where these illusions and fears stem from, and how to address them in effective and healthy ways.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

Although the Hermit card is generally a card of solitude, even in this card, the twin stars are still together. This speaks to me of the fact that I don’t have to confront these fears alone, nor do I need to work with them alone. Self reflection is required, but I also have support from others that I can lean on along the way.

My prompt response and reflections.

My fear of instability is a lie born from jumping at shadows and “what if” thinking. Using tarot to explore these inner narratives and the fears they create can help self-reflection go deep deeper and be more effective.

It’s important to then take these discoveries found during self-reflection to those in my support system to further discuss and seek a greater understanding.

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

DECK USED: LITTLE TWIN STARS TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2026 Challenge
Prompt for April 2nd : Do the Second Quarter Spread

Second Quarter Tarot Reading with the Little Twin Stars Tarot, Luna's Cinnamoroll Tarot, Nature Quest Oracle, The Latest Kate Affirmation Cards

Year Ahead Theme : The Devil

The Devil card is traditionally a representation of temptation, struggles with moderation, harmful excesses, addiction, and self-harm. Temptation is not always bad for you, but neither is it always good. It’s through grounded and sound judgement that we are able to make healthy decisions when choosing what temptations we indulge in and which ones we leave behind.

Theme for April : The Empress

You are awakening into a time when you will be able to better focus on the things that you need for your self-care and well-being, and making sure you are getting the nurturing necessary to feel life’s abundance more fully.

Don’t ignore your needs right now. This is the time to indulge in them. Just make sure that it’s only the healthy indulgences you’re participating in.

Focus / Advice for April : Glow

You will find greater peace and tranquility through movement than through stagnancy. Make sure you’re moving your body; regularly and often.

Ray of Hope for April : I don’t know where I’m headed, but I can figure it out when I get there.

April is going to present you with plenty of opportunities to get out in nature and enjoy yourself. The key here is to actually snatch up these opportunities, regardless of whether you feel there’s a purpose or not in the moment. Just embrace the experience and let it be what it is.

Theme for May : The Hermit

You may find yourself moving a little slower this month. Use this time for self-reflection and understanding. There’s plenty of things you can do during slow moments, just as there’s plenty of things you can do during the fast ones. Take advantage of this time to check in with yourself and the direction you’re heading in.

Focus / Advice for May : Awe

There’s a great deal in life still to be discovered and enjoyed. It’s easy during the slow times and solo moments to allow yourself to become jaded and lackadaisical. Instead, take this time to look for potential and see the miracles that life provides from that perspective.

Ray of Hope for May : Hey, you don’t need to face tomorrow, or next week, or next year right now. Just get yourself what you need today.

Seeing potential does not necessarily mean you need to jump forward and seize it. It just means enjoying that it’s there and how amazing it is that it’s there. Don’t worry about future opportunities or seizing the potential you see. Just appreciate it and take only what you need.

Theme for June : Death

Over the past couple of months, you have watched a change beginning to build up in the background. April gave you a chance to shore up your resources and feel as if you are better prepared. May then gave you the opportunity to align yourself with the direction you want to go in and observe opportunities and potential.

This month you are now given the chance to put both of these preparative experiences into action as what has been building toward change comes upon you.

You have been set up to succeed. Take what you’ve learned and experienced and use it to your advantage.

Focus / Advice for June : Expansion

Make sure you focus on staying true to a need for moderation as you look to step into this change and deal with it in a productive way. Don’t overwhelm yourself or put too much on your plate. It can be fun and exciting, as long as you don’t try to do too much at once.

Ray of Hope for June : Just a gentle reminder – feeling stressed out ≠ being incapable. Anxiety lies about what you can handle!

Take a breath and step away when you need to or when you feel your anxiety and up a bit too high. You don’t have to do everything at once and you’re not going to be left behind if you don’t move fast enough.

Other elements included in this reading:
Staghorn Sumac for Connecting with Nature and the Wild Within
Japanese Cherry Leaf as a Reminder of Life’s Fleeting Moments
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Goat Figure as Sympathetic Representation of Amalthea
Gneiss Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Moss Agate for Attracting Opportunities for Growth
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: LUNA’S CINNAMOROLL TAROT, NATURE QUEST ORACLE, LATEST KATE AFFIRMATIONS, LITTLE TWIN STARS TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I got some play time with Gideon today, -and- a nap in as well.