Author: Twist the Leaf

Set It and Forget it

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

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

The Shakespeare Tarot - Seven of Pentacles

Today’s draw is the Seven of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of slow growth, sustainability, domestic harmony, hard work, and practicing patience while the fruits of your labors develop and take form.

The Seven of Pentacles has then been combined with the Exploration card from The Oracle of the Soul Healing Messenger, which says, “The key to personal growth and fulfillment is to be open to change and embrace new experiences.”

Keep in mind that you don’t have to stand sentinel and watch the grass grow. Not all endeavors and pursuits need your undivided attention 24/7. With many long term goals, there is not only an element of patience involved, but also the opportunity to “set it and forget it”.

This means that for a lot of long-term goals, you can set yourself on the proper path and let things unfold on their own, checking back every once in a while to course correct we needed instead of having to have you hands constantly in the mix.

This, in turn, opens you up to the opportunity to explore new things while maintaining the goal(s) you’ve already set, without getting overwhelmed by the combination of both.

The message in today’s Seven of Pentacles and affirmation card is a reminder that overwhelmed, isn’t always caused by adding too much on your plate, but sometimes by being too attentive to the things that are already there instead of giving them (and you!) some needed breathing room.

DECKS USED:  THE SHAKESPEARE TAROT AND THE ORACLE OF THE SOUL HEALING MESSENGER

@lightningildflower‘s August Reflections Challenge
Prompts for August 1st through 5th

Oracle Reading with the DIXIT MNK Expansion Deck

Opening – What energy am I carrying into this new month?

Interior with the Chimera Playing the Guitar (1908) by Jacek Malczewski [Top Left]

You are seeking to find a better balance of how you use your time in order to allow for more personal time to enjoy those things that have nothing to do with your responsibilities and obligations.

Softening – How can I offer myself more gentleness today?

Entführung (1881) Max Klinger [Bottom Left]

Stop forcing yourself through the obstacles in your path. Remember that there are easier ways to get where you want to go that will be far less destructive than the force you’re currently trying to apply to yourself in relation to your goals.

Listening – Where am I being called to pause and listen?

Caricature of Józef Mehoffer and Józef Pankiewicz (1909) by Leon Wyczółkowski [Bottom Center]

Take care this month not to “speak over” others, especially those closest to you. They need to be heard and have their thoughts, fears, and ideas appreciated and understood… not argued with or deflected.

Balancing – What would inner balance feel like right now?

Sierotka (1870) by Aleksander Kotsis [Bottom Right]

Solitary and bereft. Have you ever considered that if everything was easily and perfectly in balance you might find yourself at a loss for what to do with yourself? Would you not end up creating chaos just to have something to fix or do?

Adjusting – What shift might bring more ease into my day?

Forest Truck (1887) by Józef Chełmoński [Top Right]

Try playing follow-the-leader instead of striking out on your own. You don’t have to make every choice and decision yourself. Sometimes letting others take the lead can create that little bit of extra ease in your day that you need.

Other elements included in this reading:
Pressed Pansy Flower for Hearing the Heart More Clearly
River Rock for Resilience within Life’s Flow
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: DIXIT MNK EXPANSION DECK

@note.project August Journal Prompts
Prompt for August 3rd : A family tradition that still brings me joy

Tarot Reading with The Shakespeare Tarot

Reading Summary: The lending of support and encouragement during times of struggle and/or failure (Ten of Swords atop Six of Wands) without emotional entanglements (King of Cups Rx).

Take Away: My family is not particularly good at emotions, and neither am I. Although I continue to work on exploring my emotions and increasing my emotional intelligence, sometimes it’s nice to just get some support without having to delve into that side of things.

You don’t go to them (my family) for hugs or a shoulder to cry on, you seek them out to offer advice and/or remind you of how capable you are and that you can succeed if you try again with your persistence and determination bolstered.

I really love this about my family. I get the emotional support I need from my partner, and my family provides the practical support I need to hear when I need to hear it. When my partner provides this practical support, it’s sometimes easy to disregard because he is emotion driven and thus bias. My family members are not that way. It’s a contrast that works for me.

Other elements included in this reading:
Bird Figurine for Encouraging Hope, Positivity, and Renewal
Zodiac Wheel on Cancer as Representation of Emotional Connections
Cave Aragonite Stalactite for Fostering Tolerance and Understanding
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  THE SHAKESPEARE TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I took some time outside in the downpour when a sudden rainstorm hit earlier today.

Gideon’s Challenge – Entranced

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Common Holly (Ilex aquifolium), English Holly, Holly Tree

Entranced

sharp edges
soften
into
feathered flutters
when you
walk into
the room
and suddenly
the world
falls away
as my attention
is caught
and there is
no one
else
left

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

There’s Only So Much You Can Carry

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Today’s meditation was a ten minute #DailyTrip session from the @Calm app.

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

Solarpunk Tarot - Seven of Cups

Today’s draw is the Knight of Cups (Aguadora), which is traditionally a representation of an active beta energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, intuition, and creativity. This often portrays itself in a theme of going after what brings someone joy or following your imagination and creativity into new adventures.

The Knight of Cups has then been combined with the You Are Enough affirmation card from the Pass Around the Smile Guided Affirmation Cards, which says, “I love me! I am so grateful to be me! I am embrace who I am. I am unique, radiant, and powerful.”

Consider… a “traditional” Thanksgiving dinner. The abundance of food is mind boggling in its array of flavors and textures. A myriad of delights. You couldn’t possibly eat it all, though, no matter how hard you tried. Depending on the size of the family involved, an army couldn’t eat it all in one go. You have to pick and choose.

The same can be said for life as a whole as well. We have to pick and choose that which we decide to pursue in life, and that which we don’t.

At that hypothetical Thanksgiving dinner, if you don’t like dates, you wouldn’t fill up on the stuffed dates. If you don’t like sour cream, you wouldn’t put it on your potatoes. In this same way, if you don’t like math, why would you choose to become an accountant? If you don’t like the outdoors, why would you choose to become a forest ranger?

The message in today’s Knight of Cups and affirmation card is an encouragement to pass over the things you don’t like in life where you can in order to make more room in your life for the things you love and enjoy. Yes, sometimes unpleasant tasks are unavoidable. We all have to do (and pay) our taxes, for example. The point here is to look at how many things in your life -are- avoidable that you’re let cluttering up space that could be spent doing things that will bring you joy and happiness.

DECKS USED:  SOLARPUNK TAROT AND PASS AROUND THE SMILE GUIDED AFFIRMATION CARDS

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 5 | Entry 4 – Health and Body
Affirmation : “I love my body.”
Prompt : Think about a perceived flaw or physical insecurity you have. Instead of wishing to change it, what if you were forced to think the opposite about it – at least for the length of this prompt. How can the insight and keywords of the card you draw help you reframe what you say to yourself about your body?

Tarot Activity from The One Card a Day Journal by Maria Sofia Marmanides - Cyberpunk 2077 Edgerunners Tarot - Death

What feelings came up when I pulled this card?

My first reaction was a “yes, I know, we’re supposed to be changing how we see ourselves.” Dripping with sarcasm, of course.

I then told myself to take a step back from that initial reaction, which did not come from intuition but rather from the negative inner narratives in my head.

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

The Death card is all about change. Especially change that happens over time.

My chosen “flaw” is my scars. The thing is, though, that these scars aren’t as bad as they once were even if they feel in my mind as if they are still fresh and glaringly obvious on my flesh.

Scars fade.

Do they go away? No. But they do start to blend in after a decade or two, and people don’t notice them (or stare at them) half as much anymore as a result.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

What stood out to me in this imagery was the splitting of the tongue with the blade. It spoke to me of injuries, wounds, and how they take time to heal.

What comes from these wounds is different than what was there before, but it’s still functional, and speaks a story of survival and adaptation rather than failings.

My prompt response and reflections.

My scars are not as hideous as as my negative self talk tries to convince me that they are. Yes, when they were fresh, they were an eyesore and something that people stared at.

As I have aged, and these scars have begun to settle in and fade to a degree, I no longer get those horrified stares… even if my mind sometimes tries to tell me I do.

Other elements included in this reading:
Amber Resin D20 and Banded Agate D6 Dice

DECK USED: CYBERPUNK 2077 EDGERUNNERS TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2026 Challenge
Prompt for August 2nd : Do Spread 1
Focusing on the PHYSICAL aspects of your life and growth this season.

Tarot Reading with the Solarpunk Tarot and Way of the Wild Oracle

Seeds Sown: What seeds for my physical health & growth planted in the Spring have flourished and grown strong?

The Farmer (Empress) and Imbolc (Snowdrops)

Although a few of the things planted on the balcony this year faded due to a bit of neglect in the heat, the majority of the garden on your balcony is flourishing. In having taken the time to plant and tend to your garden early on in the spring, you are now reaping the benefits of being able to play in that garden as needed during these summer months.

The Chaff: What seeds have not flourished and need to be let go to encourage healthy growth in other areas?

Wilderness (Strength) and Waning Moon – It has been more difficult for you to get out in nature than you’d anticipated it would be throughout the spring and summer. This doesn’t mean you need to push harder and try and strong arm it into happening, though… but rather, find other ways to connect with nature so that you’re not left feeling bereft (like your time in the garden, as mentioned above).

The Harvest: How can I best prepare now to reap the benefits of a positive and healthy harvest in the Fall?

Three of Swords and The Morrigan – Pay particular attention to the messages you are receiving through your intuition and divination work in the present in order to prepare for the future. Even the disappointing messages hold great import. Don’t disregard them out of turn just because you don’t like what they have to say.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Bird Figurine for Fostering Hope, Positivity, and Renewal
Honey Calcite for Optimism and Motivational Boost
Yellow Jasper Acorn for sparking Interest in New Opportunities
Red Jasper for Awakening and Motivation toward Growth
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED:  SOLARPUNK TAROT AND WAY OF THE WILD ORACLE
Daily Self Kindness

I sat with a pair of tweezers, magnifying glass, and a headlamp and carefully plucked every sliver out of my feet that I managed to acquire walking barefoot on cedar chips in the garden at Ms B’s on Tuesday. It took a really long time.

Gideon’s Challenge – Amused

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Amused

blue eyes
blink
and wink
among the
shimmer
of silvery leaves
as they bob
in the breeze
damp
with raindrops
and laughing
merrily

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

❤️ 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 with the Cat Arcana Tarot and The King's Theater Lenormand

Earth – Nine of Wands – Keep an eye out for those things and people that try to get past your defenses. Be mindful that this doesn’t mean you need to harden your defenses, so much has to pay more attention to those that try to breach them.

Air – Queen of Wands – Take a step back and watch for when and where the passions of others run high. Temptation can be a tool used to breach defenses if wielded in the right hands. Don’t forget that you can show your support from the sidelines.

Water – Queen of Pentacles – By staying on the sidelines and showing your support from a place of stability, you will be able to help mitigate emotional chaos and upset that would otherwise come to call if you became more deeply involved.

Fire – The Hanged Man – Consider hanging back in this area as well, for sometimes things have to work themselves out on their own without your assistance. Tie your own hands and let things develop on their own without your input this week.

Waning – Fish and Scythe – Don’t depend on luck too get you out of difficult situations this week. Doing so will get you cut down far faster than your anticipated. Although both of the Queens above speak of standing back and watching while lending your support from the sidelines, these Queens also aren’t fools who would dare chance everything on luck alone. Be ready to step in with some nurturing words of support when needed to keep everything on an even keel.

Waxing – Key and Rider – You hold all the answers and have the ability to give them away as you wish. Make sure the course that you choose, you choose judiciously.

Take Away – Don’t allow others to goad you into taking on what isn’t yours to deal with this week. Instead, be stubborn in sitting on the sidelines and encouraging them to deal with things themselves. You can always step in if things get out of hand, but there’s no need to take on the burden of it all being your responsibility. Better to let them try to deal with it, and in doing so learn and grow from the experience.

DECKS USED: CAT ARCANA TAROT AND THE KING’S THEATER LENORMAND

Celebrating Qualities Shared

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Today’s meditation was a ten minute #DailyTrip session from the @Calm app.

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

Tarot of Her - King of Swords, Sage of Leaves

Today’s draw is the King of Swords (Sage of Leaves), which is traditionally a representation of a projective “alpha” energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s thoughts, intellect, education, ambitions, and communication. This often translates into themes that have to do with someone that has a way with words and is able to use those skills to lead others to their way of thinking, as well as those that are in authority on intellectual topics such as professors, doctors, etc.

The Sage of Leaves has then been combined with a Gratitude and Appreciation card from the Rethink 120 Learning Cards For Mindful Daily Life deck, which says, “Reflect on the blessings in your life and name three things that bring you joy and gratitude in this moment.”

I am Organized – it may not always look like it when I am in the middle of a creative endeavor, or even sometimes when you walk into my house, but I am highly organized; and, in being this way, it makes life easier for me in the day-to-day. I find a pure sense of joy and satisfaction when things are organized and put away as they should be.

I have Agency – I have the ability to walk away from what isn’t right for me. I can choose what I decide to participate in and what I don’t. In having the ability to make these decisions, I’m given the opportunity to mold and curate my life and experiences as I see fit.

I take Ownership – When I make a mistake or I am wrong about something, I have no problem admitting to this. I see these moments as an opportunity to learn something new, rather than an embarrassment or something to be ashamed of. After all, no one knows everything. Our entire lives are a learning journey.

The message in today’s Sage of Leaves and affirmation card ask us to look at the qualities of the King of Swords, and acknowledge what qualities we share with this card that we are grateful to have as a part of who we are.

Consider… which qualities do you share with the King of Swords that bring you joy and happiness?

DECKS USED:  TAROT OF HER 2ND EDITION AND RETHINK 120 LEARNING CARDS FOR MINDFUL DAILY LIFE DECK

@note.project August Journal Prompts
Prompt for August 1st and 2nd

Tarot Reading with the Tarot of Her and Seelengarten Orakel

Something I want to enjoy before summer comes to an end

The Lovers and Holla – You want to find a rhythm and routine that actually works for you.

Too often you feel overwhelmed and like you’re running around never quite catching up. You would like to find a rhythm that allows you to feel in sync instead of always feeling as if you’re falling behind.

A summer moment I want to remember for a long time

Monarch of Stems and Violette Flamme – You have been connecting more easily with your emotions this summer.

This includes during the drop and the activities that lead up to it, which (most recently) felt a bit like burning away cobwebs of disuse to reinvigorate a part of yourself that you didn’t even realize was feeling lost and neglected.

Other elements included in this reading:
Pressed Pansy Flowers for Hearing the Heart More Clearly
Clear Quartz Crescent for Amplification of Lunar Energies
Green Calcite for Finding Balance Within the Self
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: TAROT OF HER 2ND EDITION AND SEELENGARTEN ORAKEL
Daily Self Kindness

I officially deleted my back log of posts from July 23 – 31 to start over fresh in August.