Author: Twist the Leaf

Sparking Creativity

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

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Victorian Faery Tarot - Queen of Spring, Queen of Wands and the Cats Against Anxiety CardsDaily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Queen of Wands (Spring), which is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s passion, drive, willpower, determination, values, and principles. This often translates into themes that have to do with being supportive of others projects and passions, or searching for inner truth within your own values and principles.

The Queen of Wands has then been combined with one of the Cats Against Anxiety cards, which says, “Focus on the positive.”

Positivity inspires creativity, and creativity inspires positivity. It’s like how smiles and laughter can be contagious.  Although it’s true that some of the most revered artwork in history was created during times of depression and illness, it’s the spark of hope and life within that draws these creations to the surface in the artist and gives them the spark of motivation to share them with others.

These creations then inspire others who are struggling to do the same. To create something beautiful.

The message in today’s cards is to lean into positivity and allow it to kindle your creative spark. It always feels a bit awkward and silly to me when I speak about positivity and optimism.  Like people will take it as some sort of toxic “you have to stay positive all the time and it will solve all your problems” bullshit.

Please don’t take today’s message that way. Positivity and optimism have benefits, but they can’t solve all our problems.  What it can do, though, is help make the harsh times, the struggles, and feelings of things being disproportionately bad a little better.  It can lift us up to help us be inspired, and assist us in finding the motivation to try and make things better. This exercise (daily positive message) isn’t to solve everyone’s problems, nor my own for that matter, but to provide a little bit of light in the darkness.

DECK USED:  VICTORIAN FAERY TAROT AND CATS AGAINST ANXIETY CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsDec2025 Challenge
Prompt for December 28th : Do Spread 4
Question for December 30th : Where in your life do you need to work on better boundaries in the year ahead?

Tarot Reading with the Victorian Faery Tarot and Mystical Shaman Oracle

Anchor Card / Earth – Stability. Doing those things that help ground you and foster a connection with the earth. Spending time in nature.

Seven of Spring / Wands – There is a “movement” correlation between the grasses in the Seven of Spring, and the vertical pattern in the background around the mouth of the figure in the Earth card. This suggests that instead of immediately going on the defensive with others, it would be better to hold your words. Pause and ground first instead of reacting.

Knight of Spring /Wands – Although there is a subtle color correlation between the Knight of Spring and the Earth card, the shades and hues are off. This suggests that leaping forward is not the answer. This includes observing with the intent of leaping forward to defend or refute.  Take a moment to examine the intent to why you are paying such close attention. Is it just for ammunition’s sake? Or is it true interest?

The Vicar / Hierophant – The golden light that shines over the rocks in the Vicar card connects to the glow of gold in the top right corner of the Earth card, speaking of a need to lean into the warmth that the future holds. The robes of the Vicar then correspond to the greens across the forehead and mouth of the figure in the Earth card, indicating a need to internalize that warmth, asking you to train your focus on your efforts toward positivity, optimism, and seeking moments of joy; especially in tried and true ways proven by time to lift you up.

Take Away: All together, these cards are a reminder that the wolf within you that you feed is the one that grows strong. If you feed all your attention to the negative, even in the efforts of protecting yourself, it’s the negative that will grow strong inside you.

Instead, it is important to create boundaries for yourself in this area, so that you can focus more on the positive and your efforts towards optimism and joy, so that this is what grows strong inside you.

DECK USED: VICTORIAN FAERY TAROT AND MYSTICAL SHAMAN ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I’m still sliding downhill in the sick and miserable department.  Getting lots of rest and drinking lots of water.

Gideon’s Challenge – Wet Winter

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Flooded Field at SunsetWet Winter

Lots of wet
and pretty cold
but still
no sign of snow
as the sun sets
on another day
and even
miserably sick
the beauty
breaks through
as a reminder
to pause
take a deep breath
and enjoy the show

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 Tarot Reading with the Hush Tarot and Roots & Wings Pocket Oracle

Earth – Five of Cups – Negative mindsets have the potential to bleed into your hard won stability this week if you let it. You’re sick, and that can make it hard to be upbeat, but remember, it could always be worse.  Instead of wallowing in misery, work at breaking free to count some blessings along the way.

Air – The Wheel – Be aware of the thoughts that are cycling around in your head, and if they aren’t healthy? Disrupt the cycle instead of letting them continue to go round and round. It can be just a momentary thing.  A glimpse out the window to enjoy the view, a momentary nuzzle with your partner.  Anything to provide a lift, even a small lift, will do.

Water – The Hierophant – Lean back into tried and true ways to support yourself emotionally this week. No need to reinvent the wheel or think outside the box. Take it easy and fall back on what you know works. The key her isn’t inventive change, but actually using the tools and methods you know will help keep you afloat.

Fire – Three of Cups – You’re not alone. Others are sick right alongside you, so let yourself enjoy the lack of pressure to perform. No one is expecting anything from you right now other than to rest and feel better, just as they are trying to do as well.

Waning – Storm and The Voice – Any impulsive words spoken right now are only going to make things worse. Make sure to keep that negativity you’re feeling from spilling out onto others.  They’re miserable too, after all.

Waxing – Intuition and The Void – Trust your intuition when dealing the uncertainty and the unknown. Your intuition never leads you wrong, so don’t doubt when it speaks, just allow it to lead.

Take Away – Take care of yourself this week and let others deal with taking care of themselves.  This week is about taking a break, and you getting sick?  It’s just forcing your hand in this area so that you can’t overburden yourself even if your self-destructive tendencies are feeling the urge to try. Do what you need to do to get the rest and recuperation you need, and take care not to take your misery out on others.

DECKS USED: HUSH TAROT AND ROOTS & WINGS POCKET ORACLE

Greasing the Wheels

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Today’s meditation was a ten minute long self-directed session focused on breathing exercises.

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Aquarian Tarot - Strength and Daily Truth OracleDaily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Strength card, which is traditionally a representation of inner strength, persuasion usually through means of compassion, influence and/or manipulation, and courage.

The Strength card has then been combined with one of the Daily Truth Oracle cards, which says, “When I take action, the motivation comes.”

It can be hard to get motivated sometimes. I think we all have those days.

Motivation is kind of like chronic pain, though. The more you move, the easier it gets. If you lay in bed doing nothing, the concept of getting up becomes heavier and heavier. You then linger longer and wallow a bit more.

If you can convince yourself to get moving, though, then it becomes easier to move (and motivate). The more you move, the easier it becomes. You just have to convince yourself to get going in the first place, and keep the ball rolling until it builds up a little momentum.  The joints get lubricated, and so do the mechanisms of motivation, all through movement.

Five… ten…. fifty more minutes dawdling in stillness isn’t going to make you feel better and won’t get you motivated to do more than you are motivated to do in the moment you’re now in.  Movement, though, will.

The message in today’s cards is encouragement to push yourself to get moving on those things you need to and want to do… and the things that maybe you’re not that enthusiastic about as well. Once you get moving, momentum will kick in and make things a bit easier one step at a time.

DECK USED:  AQUARIAN TAROT IN A TIN AND DAILY TRUTH ORACLE

@Lionharts #TheDecemberTarot Fruits of 2025 Challenge
The Seed Prompts for December 29th thru 31st

Tarot Reading with the Metanoia MarsielleWhat possibility is quietly gathering momentum beneath the surface of my days?

Queen of Swords – You have the ability to use your past experiences to advise and guide others. If you open yourself up to those that seek out your guidance, that is.   If you continue to close yourself off, though, all that good advice and help you could be offering goes to waste instead.

What inner signal becomes clearer when I stop trying to understand it and simply listen?

The Empress – You are more of a nurturer than you realize. You simply need to stop blocking that side of your nature and it will shine through. stop looking at it as a weakness, when in truth it makes you stronger.

What direction am I quietly ready to choose as I cross from 2025 into 2026?

Two of Cups – You are ready to invite in more collaboration on the things that matter with those that share the same vision and values that you do. This connection allows for a support system that you can trust, and they will trust as well.  You need simply to add a new (and healthy) mantra to your inner dialogue:  Together is better.

DECK USED: METANOIA MARSIELLE

#DiscordTarotholicsDec2025 Challenge
Prompts for December 27th and 29th

Tarot Reading with the Aquarian Tarot in a TinWhat needs to be purged and/or completed before the end of the year?

Eight of Swords and Judgement – Ease up on yourself and others. Your harsh judgements are blinding you to positive aspects that could be making things feel lighter and thus allow you to better align with the person that you some day want to become.

What last minute preparations for the new year need your focus?

The Hermit and Page of Pentacles – Some inner realignment towards your future goals is needed. It’s time to examine those things that are going to take time to accomplish, and do some soul searching to ascertain if they are still in alignment with your inner self and your chosen path.

DECK USED: AQUARIAN TAROT IN A TIN

Daily Self Kindness

I rested. I napped.  I took Robitussin.  I worked on giving myself the care I need to hopefully plow through my body’s succumbing to germs quickly, because I managed to catch the germs.

Gideon’s Challenge – Nighty Night

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Late Night TeaNighty Night

Tastes like
mugwort
but better
for sleep
the brew is
sipped slowly
with a few
sweet cookies
before bed
with instant regret
quick to follow
as warmth engages
the inner furnace
and even a sheet
is too much
for sleep

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

You Just Have to Ask

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The Yukika Tarot - Three of Stones, Three of Pentacles and Cats Against Anxiety CardsDaily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Three of Pentacles (Stone), which is traditionally a representation of teamwork, collaboration, working together, and themes to do with bringing in help and/or outside expertise in order to get something done.

The Three of Pentacles has then been combined with one of the Cats Against Anxiety cards, which says, “It’s all going to work out fine.”

Remember that you have resources beyond your own capabilities. Bring others in as a support system to help you, and not only will you get things done that felt impossible, but it won’t take as much out of you as if you tried to do it all on your own.

The message in today’s cards is a reminder that you are not alone in your endeavors, unless you force yourself to be. There are others around you willing an eager to help. You just have to ask.

DECK USED:  THE YUKIKA TAROT AND CATS AGAINST ANXIETY CARDS

@LightningWildflower December Arcana Challenge 
The Star Prompts for December 26th and 27th

Oracle Reading with The Theater of Life OracleWhat does peace feel like to me?

Shadow and Abundance – Enough abundance to help cast a light on my worries and fears, and allow me to see them as they really are.

It’s just as easy to be freaking out about scarcity issues when everything is fine as it is when everything’s falling apart.  Therefore, this isn’t actually about finding oneself in a particular situation that creates peace, but rather a feeling that everything is in-hand and abundant so that fears ebb and worries ease.

What wisdom from recent struggles can I share with others?

Attraction and Dream (both Rx) – Just because you like something or want something, doesn’t mean it’s for you. It can be hard to let go of the things that you think that you want, especially when those wants are disguising themselves as needs.

The truth of the matter is, though, that no matter how much you like something (or someone, for that matter) or want it in your life, sometimes it’s just not meant to be. Instead of continuing to struggle and hold on tight… let go and root yourself in the reality that perhaps what’s meant for you is being hidden by your stubborn insistence on holding on to what’s not meant to be yours.

Other elements included in this reading:
Scotch Pine Cones for Purging Negative Influences
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration and Clarity
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE THEATER OF LIFE ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsDec2025 Challenge
Prompt for December 26th : What self-care is needed now to help you recover from the holiday season?

Tarot Reading with The Yukika TarotReading Summary: Convince (Strength/Barbarian) others to help support you and create stability for you (Four of Pentacles/Stone) when things feel like they are going sideways (The Tower on its Side).

Take Away: As your card of the day for today previously mentioned, you are not alone. You have others to support you through times when things feel unbalanced or like everything is falling apart.

Don’t allow yourself to take everything on your own shoulders when others can help you find your footing. Now isn’t the time to be stubborn, as the help others can provide will keep everything from toppling into an even bigger mess than things already are.

Other elements included in this reading:
River Rock for Resilience within Life’s Flow
Beech Pods for Realizations that Foster Personal Growth
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE YUKIKA TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took a nap in the back of the car both on the way to our destination today, as well as on the way back from visiting.