Dinosaurs
broken bones
and bent tires
are the
least
of your problems
should you cross
in a moment
of rumbling earth
and ear splitting
whistles
as dinosaurs
pass
too close
for comfort
Gideon’s Challenge – Dinosaurs
Author: Twist the Leaf
Selfish Motivations in Kindness
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 Eight of Wands (Spears), which is traditionally a representation of action, speed, alacrity, fast paced events or change, or having a target goal in your sights that you are charging towards.
The Eight of Wands card has then been combined with Warm Glow card from the Box of Emotions, which says, “Most of us walk off feeling a little bouncier after helping carry a stranger’s pram up the stairs, or bringing in a neighbour’s shopping. Random acts of kindness give a feeling of solidarity of the ‘we’re all in this together variety, even a swell of pride…“
In my family, there’s been a long re-hashed debate over if charity is still considered charity if you feel good about having given in some way.
It’s not about accolades of others and whether or not you contribute anonymously, it’s about the sense of personal pleasure or gratification that comes from the acts of kindness and charity that we give to others.
My theory on this is that we feel that sense of pleasure because we’re doing the right thing, and that whether or not the pleasure is there shouldn’t make a difference in how altruistic or good that kindness might be. Some in my family feel that if you feel pleasure when giving charity or doing a kindness, then it’s not truly altruistic at all, but a selfish act.
I’m not entirely sure who’s right here. Maybe we both are. What I -am- sure about, though? Is that whether you’re contributing to charity or giving a kindness to someone just to feel good about yourself, or without any pleasure on your side at all… it’s still a kindness given. It’s still -help- given. It still counts. So do it anyway, no matter if there’s something in it for you or not.
That’s the message in today’s Eight of Wands and Warm Glow card. Do it anyway. Be kind. Give of yourself to others in need, whether it’s through financial assistance, time, attention, energy… whatever way you are capable of and comfortable with giving. Just do it. It all counts.
DECK USED: LEGEND THE ARTHURIAN TAROT AND BOX OF EMOTIONS
The @ambitiouslyalexa July Journal Prompts
Prompt for July 20th : A comparison you’re letting go of
Reading Summary: That being soft, vulnerable, or tender (Tender) makes you weak (Endurance Rx) and/or separates you from your goals and happiness (Trapped Rx).
Take Away: You have spent a very long time viewing your vulnerabilities as obstacles or a detriment to your goals and happiness; effectively putting vulnerability on one side of the scale and everything you want and need on the other side.
You are beginning to understand, though, that this is not the case, and to let go of the assumption that it has to be one or the other when it comes to your vulnerabilities and your successes.
As you begin to understand and accept your vulnerabilities, you are instead coming to discover that they possess within themselves their own strengths, and allow you to learn and grow in ways you otherwise wouldn’t.
Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Lavender Bundle for Calming and Comfort
Norway Maple Key for Fostering Strength and Resilience
Moss Agate Leaf for Attracting Opportunities for Growth
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: COASTAL CURIOSITIES NATURALIST EDITION
#DiscordTarotholicsJul2026 Challenge
3-Card Spread Prompt for July 20th : About loneliness…
How to turn…
Loneliness (an emotional isolation from others and a subjective discomfort from that lack of connection)
Page of Cups – You most often feel loneliness when you want to share your feelings, creativity, and imagination with others but are unable to do so for whatever reason.
and Aloneness (the feeling of being “all alone in the universe” and empty inside due to emotional self-abandonment)
Two of Pentacles – You most often feel all alone and empty inside when you fall into the habit of seeing balance as a stagnant state and forget to (or refuse to) move and adapt.
into Comfortable Solitude (a peaceful and healthy embrace of solitude for healthy reflection and renewal)
Three of Swords – The two above experiences can be turned into comfortable solitude by refusing to listen to the negative self talk that works so hard to put an unhealthy spin on everything you do and experience. Stop listening to the “shoulds” that inner narrative pushes upon you and the unreasonable expectations attached to them.
Other elements included in this reading:
Holly Leaf for assistance in Gentling Negative Emotions
Deodar Cedar Cone for Fostering Clarity and Spiritual Connection
Foraged Acorn for Protection during New Beginnings
Hag Stone for Connecting with the Liminal
Red Jasper for Awakening and Motivation toward Growth
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: LEGEND THE ARTHURIAN TAROT
This is a catch up post, and I’m not entirely sure what the self kindness was for this day.
Gideon’s Challenge – Wilting
Wilting
berries
once ripe
wrinkle
on their stems
as plump skins
once
stretched taut
now wither
as fruit within
turns
from ripe
with promise
to decay
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Selective Hand Holding
Today’s meditation was skipped.
• • • ◈ • 🍃 • ◈ • • •
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.
Today’s draw is The Lovers card, which is traditionally a representation of love and relationships, long term contracts, harmonious unions, and making choices that are geared toward what is best for you.
The Lovers card has then been combined with the Holding Hands card from the Happy Little Things deck, which says, “If you hold the hand of someone you love, things will find their way to sweetness.”
Even in the strongest of introverts, it is rare to find someone that does not need at least a small amount of contact with others for their wellness and well-being. Sure, there are exceptions to every rule. But most introverts still want contact with people, they’re just very choosy about who with and how that contact happens.
That’s what today’s Lovers card and affirmation are all about. These cards encourage us to look at the people we surround ourselves with and be more selective about those whom we share our space, time, and energy with.
If you wouldn’t want to hold their hand, even in a platonic way (such as a high-five at the end of a race or helping them up a steep climb), why do you want them in your life at all; and what purpose are they actually providing towards your happiness, health, and well-being?
The message in today’s Lovers card and affirmation encourage us to take a closer look at the people in our lives and to create within our lives a collection of those people where holding hands becomes the norm instead of the exception.
DECKS USED: THE WONDERLAND TAROT IN A TIN AND HAPPY LITTLE THINGS DECK
One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 4 | Entry 19 – Career and Finance
Affirmation : “The best experiences in life are free.”
Prompt : According to the card you draw, what is one thing you can do today that will not cost any money, but will bring a lot of joy?
What feelings came up when I pulled this card?
Puzzled was the feeling that came up here, as there are very few addictions (The Devil) that I indulge in that don’t cost money in one way or the other.
It made this card pull into a bit of a “thinker” for me until I dipped into the imagery side of things.
What elements of the card’s meaning resonate with me and this prompt?
Addiction, obviously (as mentioned above). The Devil is often about taking those things we enjoy into excess, and thus having them turn from something joyful and healthy into something harmful like addiction.
I have an extremely addictive personality. If my dopamine receptors are triggered, the risk of addiction is there. It’s a problem, and one I have to carefully watch over or it can become damaging to me and my life on any number of levels depending on what I get hooked on.
What in the artwork spoke to me?
The imagery here looks like Mardi Gras. Alcohol, raucous fun, possible other substances, and anonymity. Dancing naked in the streets while flying so high that everything is hilarious. Freedom found through excess.
My prompt response and reflections.
The Devil card pulled for this prompt is a reminder that spending money isn’t the only thing to consider when seeking out fun, free activities. Adrenaline and dopamine also need to be added to the equation, as I find them both highly addictive.
This card doesn’t suggest an activity outright, but rather it helps in narrowing down my options while reminding me that free and carefree are both important elements to include in making this decision.
Other elements included in this reading:
Amber Resin D25 and Agate D6 Dice
DECK USED: METRO CARD TAROT
#DiscordTarotholicsJul2026 Challenge
Prompt for July 19th : Do Spread 3
Where am I on my path at this time?
The High Priestess – Feeling your way forward through consultation with your inner ken. Your eyes are closed and your “feelers” are out.
What have I forgotten that needs to be brought with me upon my path?
The Sun – Success isn’t a bad word, but be careful from whom you ask for help. There’s always a liability involved when you invite others in on a project or pursuit, so choose those who would give you a hand up in your successes wisely.
How can I begin to incorporate that back into my life?
Queen of Flamingos (Swords) – Don’t be shy about expressing yourself and communicating your needs. Be shrewd and watch for signs that they are not the right fit, and listen to those indications instead of ignoring them.
What should I prepare to harvest at the end of the month?
Two of Pentacles – Balance. Be aware that as the summer wears on, it’s easy to allow things to fall out of balance as business slows down, responsibilities elsewhere ramp up, and the heat makes you want to retreat from the world and hide away. Make sure you are making the adjustments needed to keep yourself from knocking things out of balance with those unhealthy inclinations.
How do I begin those preparations?
Ten of Swords – Begin now in letting go of the shit that’s come to the end of its life cycle. It’s not worth your time and energy to fuss over spilled milk. Just clean it up and keep moving.
Other elements included in this reading:
Handcrafted Sigil for Healthy Sustainable Energy
Staghorn Sumac for Connecting with Nature and the Wild Within
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Foraged Wood Fern for Exorcising Negative Influences
Citrine for Energy Lift (easing the weight of heavy energies)
Carnelian Agate for Inner Drive and Focusing On Aspirations
Cave Aragonite Stalactite for Fostering Tolerance and Understanding
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: THE WONDERLAND TAROT IN A TIN
I ate the nasty yogurt this morning to help keep my stomach at ease.
Gideon’s Challenge – Held Breath
Held Breath
beneath
the waves
where everything
is calm
there is a moment
where floating
and stillness
is everything
the world
is made of
before the peace
is broken
by the need
for air
and we must
surface again
to breathe
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)
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?
Earth – Three of Swords Rx / Lemon Balm – Discouraging news is coming. Don’t let it weight you down or drag you under. It’s a temporary situation that will resolve itself with very little effort on your part.
Air – The World Rx / Lemon & Thyme – Your inner self talk is going to continue to try and assert that you’re getting nothing done this week. Keep up your task log to counter those mental whispers. Just because nothing gets finished this week doesn’t mean nothing is getting done.
Water – Justice / Marigold – Take care with your expectations this week to protect yourself from upcoming disappointments. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Fire – Seven of Cups / Herbs de Provence – Pick and choose your endeavors wisely for the week ahead. You’re not going to be able to do (or get done) everything that you want, so make sure that your priorities are in order and you are checking in with them often.
Waning – Book and Fawn (Child) – The ability to focus on new interests and endeavors with the eager curiosity you’re used to is going to be lacking this week. Make sure not to beat yourself up about it. It will recover and return.
Waxing – House and Grasshopper (Stork) – Lean into recognizing and appreciating those things and people in your life that bring you a sense of comfort and stability.
Take Away – The hurdles and struggles of the week ahead are going to make it difficult to finish just about anything you want to get finished. Instead of worrying about finishing, appreciate that you’re making progress in the right direction, regardless of the fact these things aren’t completed right this moment. A little bit of progress is better than nothing. Lean into those around you and allow them to comfort you in your moments of disappointment.
