The Introvert
Let’s burrow
under the leaves
and hide
from the day
and the noise
Find a soft spot
to curl up
and warm
to comfortable
Sleep away
the hours
until the sun sets
and we can then
return to bed
once more
Author: Twist the Leaf
🎨 Weekly Creativity Prompt – Picking Themes
Prompt : From your deck of choice, select one card for each of the themes listed below. Post the cards you chose, and share how you made the connection that you did between the prompts and the cards.
Note: I chose to pull the cards for this practice through random shuffle instead of picking them out.
A Christmas Gift Gone Wrong
Ace of Pentacles – Jack knew that the main motivation for his father-in-law to offer him the ER position as a Christmas gift was so that he wouldn’t be able to spend as much time with Clare. Not to mention it means he has to work on Christmas Eve and Christmas day, which prevents him from joining Clare and her family on Christmas. It’s still a good job, though! A prime opportunity for advancement, too.
And it turns out? He gets to see Clare and her family anyway, as dear old dad stubbornly tried to climb a ladder to fix a burnt out stringer of lights on the house (instead of letting Jack take care of it when he gets off work), and now they’re all here in the ER with Jack to enjoy Christmas as a family after all.
A Walk In Winter Snow at Night
The Emperor – Filled with pride, Mr Fitzgerald walks down his street looking at all the home decorations on the houses of all his neighbors. With so much going on this year and finances being strapped, a lot of people weren’t going to decorate this year. He pulled them all together, though, and helped where he could. In the end, everyone ended up decorating.
None of it is over the top, but everyone joined in with him at the helm to help keep things organized. Now, as he walks and enjoys the view on Christmas Eve, his boots crunch in the snow and the cold nips his nose, but soon other boots join in as the neighbors come together again to enjoy the beauty they’ve created, trailing after him along the sidewalk and chattering words of admiration and encouragement among themselves as they move from home to home.
A Perfect New Years Evening
The Empress – Sometimes you just have to create some boundaries and take a night for yourself, and that’s exactly what Marjorie is doing on this special night. With a bath tub filled with nice warm water and bubbles, a book to read, and relaxing music playing, she relaxes in a house that had been filled with noise since the eve of Christmas Eve until just a few hours ago.
Now, with everyone out to ring in the new year, she has the house all to herself and quiet reigns as she takes a sip of her wine then reaches for the plate sitting on the edge of the tub with the bit of chocolate cake waiting for her to enjoy. Leaning back into the warmth of the water and tickle of bubbles with a decadent sigh of pleasure.
DECK USED: SUN AND MOON TAROT
Partners in Crime… and Other Things
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 Seven of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of strategic thinking, “sneaky shit”, or getting away with something. It can also often be about taking only what one can carry.
The Seven of Swords has then been combined with one of the Cats Against Anxiety cards, which says, “You’re so cute.”
You’re missing an important aspect in your plan. Go back and look at everything again and consider what human aspect is not being considered.
The illustration in this Seven of Swords has a napping mama mouse below while a child mouse sneaks into the cupboard to steal some cookies, but what I saw when I -first- looked at the card was conspirators on a mission to steal cookies… and half the team fell asleep on the job.
This seems to say that you might trust those you choose to include in your efforts, and be attached to them in ways that are heart warming, but maybe they’re not the “conspirator” you need along for the ride for the plans you have in mind.
The message in today’s cards is about having the right tools for the job. You wouldn’t take a hammer to a gun fight, and sometimes you need to look at those participating as tools in your arsenal rather than just people you trust. Include those that will further your efforts and consider -not- including those that may leave you hanging when you need them most.
DECKS USED: MIMIT MINI MICE TAROT AND CATS AGAINST ANXIETY CARDS
@LightningWildflower December Arcana Challenge
Prompts for December 30th and 31st
Judgement: How can I answer my inner calling?
Bee Spirit and Cardinal Spirit – Respect and accept that hard work is how possibilities are turned into reality. Manifestation is not about wishful thinking, it’s about making a plan and putting in the work to create what you want from the ideas in your head. Focus on leaning into the things you love to make this hard work feel less burdensome, and you’ll enjoy the journey as well as the rewards.
The World: How can I honor something in my life that has reached a successful completion?
Cat Spirit and Lion Spirit – Look back at where you were before, and the times when you have been under the thumb of others, and celebrate the freedom and autonomy you’ve gained in your life through the years since. This independence has always been one of your greatest needs and has driven you through the years. It’s time to consider that you might be in a place now in your life where you no longer need to use the loss of your independence as a fear with which to push yourself harder. Consider working to sustain what you have accomplished in this area, rather than always striving for more.
DECK USED: SPIRIT ANIMAL POCKET ORACLE
@aplacetodock #YuletideOracle25 Challenge
Bonus Prompt : How shall I celebrate New Year’s Eve?
Reading Summary: By turning over a new leaf (both Aces) in how you tend to (The Empress) your health and well-being (Ace of Pentacles and Ace of Cups).
Take Away: As the New Year approaches, it’s the perfect time for reflection and resolutions. You need to celebrate the beginning of the New Year with a resolution to pay more attention to the needs of your body, mind, and spirit.
Now is the time to commit to prioritizing your health and well-being. This includes activities that allow you to enjoy life more, provide you with the opportunity to grow emotionally, and allow you to see your health as something that can be improved instead of merely maintained.
DECK USED: MIMIT MINI MICE TAROT
I had a nice long soak in the tub today. I swear, if the water could just stay the same comfortable warmth indefinitely? I’d never get out. I love a good tub soak.
Gideon’s Challenge – Amusement
Amusement
She picks
her teapot
like a teenager
picking out
a race car
with sleek lines
and vibrant hues
and a voice
that’s both
loud and
obnoxious
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Validation and Appreciation
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 Six of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of public accolades, societal expectations, people pleasing, and peer pressure.
The Six of Wands card has then been combined with one of the Daily Truth Oracle cards, which says, “Abundance is here, abundance is everywhere.”
Why are you working so hard to please everyone else, allowing their expectations to tax your energy just to hopefully receive a bit of praise?
Okay, yes. it’s nice to be acknowledged for hard work or a job well done. But how often are you actually doing the work because you need to…. or just because you’re striving for that praise from others? How often are you looking at what you’re doing and thinking “this person will really like this when it’s done” or “this person will be grateful”?
When we focus on pleasing others, it often comes at the expense of our own self care, health, energy, or well-being. Especially when we become so wrapped up in pleasing others that it becomes our sole source of validation.
The message in today’s cards is that it’s important to ensure you are validating yourself. Praise from others is great, but how do -you- feel about that project you just completed? How do you -want- to feel about it? Can you acknowledge that you did a good job and take pleasure in the completion without seeking out praise from others? True abundance comes from being able to appreciate our own efforts, skills, and progress… not when that validation comes from others.
DECK USED: HANSON-ROBERTS TAROT AND DAILY TRUTH ORACLE
Owl and Bones Tarot‘s End of the Year Weirdness Spread
December 29, 2025
Who am I right now?
Shark – Reflect upon what can be brought into balance through honest communication instead of ignoring that it’s bothering you. This focus on honesty and authenticity has always served you well, and is what you are leaning into to right now as the year draws to a close.
What version of me is dissolving?
Horse – You are beginning to understand that you can’t be the sole source of support for any of the people in your life. A source of support , yes, but not the only source. Letting go of this personal expectation allows you room to truly shine in the ways that you -are- best suited to lending support.
What still lingers from this year?
Butterfly – You are still in the middle of a period of transition. The transformation taking place feels like it has calmed, primarily because the beginning was so over-the-top turbulent, but there is still more to go at a (hopefully) more leisurely pace.
What feels strangely important?
Tarantula – Reflect and re-center upon your path and the life purpose you’ve chosen for yourself. Now is the time to prioritize this above side-quests, distractions, and unnecessary routines and practices. These extraneous distractions are starting to take a toll, and it’s time to commit yourself and your focus to what truly needs priority.
Where has my energy been leaking?
Elephant – You have been feeling “stuck” due to the obstacles on your path that you have chosen not to release. Old habits and routines are getting in your way, and because you’ve been trying to stubbornly hold onto them instead of letting them go, they are making everything far more difficult and taxing than it needs to be.
Where does my energy want to go next?
Whale – You idolize Gideon’s understanding nature and ability to make emotions look so easy to acknowledge and understand. His support shows you the path forward in this area, and your energy is ready to lean into learning more about your own emotions as a result.
What do I need to carry into the new year?
Cobra – Carry with you the “learner’s mind”, which will allow you to be open to new ways of doing things and new experiences.
DECK USED: THE WILD UNKNOWN ANIMAL SPIRIT DECK
@LightningWildflower December Arcana Challenge
Prompts for December 28th and 29th
The Moon: What instincts should I trust rather than dismiss?
Trust that the new methods you’ve applied to your business practices are going to work out (The Star). Just because they feel new and different right now (Page of Pentacles) doesn’t mean they’re wrong, only that it’s going to take some time to become accustomed to them and skilled at them (Eight of Pentacles).
The Sun: What aspect of myself shines the brightest?
Your ever present drive (Knight of Wands) to reach for new opportunities (Ace of Pentacles) is an aspect of yourself that shines bright. You are always looking ahead and seeking more (Two of Wands). This drive forward is something that others notice, and that always keeps you moving.
DECK USED: HANSON-ROBERTS TAROT
Still sick. Still working on lots of rest and taking the meds to help get through this a little more comfortably. Making sure to drink lots of water.
Gideon’s Challenge – Hopeful
Hopeful
A shimmering
moment of hope
as the descent
seems to slow
much sooner
than the others
as food
stays down
and lungs
fill
without coughing
and I hope
tomorrow
is better
Twisting the Leaf 