The Boots
All decked out
and lit
in welcome
the warm glow
offers a reprieve
from the
long drive
and the cold
as it feels
like snow
even though
there’s not a flake
to be seen
so take
your shoes off
and come on in
Author: Twist the Leaf
Emotions are Fluid
Today’s meditation was an ten minute long #DailyCalm session from the @Calm app.
• • • ◈ • 🎄 • ◈ • • •
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.
Today’s draw is the Page of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive omega energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s thoughts, intellect, logic, ambitions, and communication. This often translates into themes that have to do with learning new ways to communicate with others, beginning new educational pursuits, exploring new ideas. and seeking to sate one’s curiosity.
The Page of Swords has then been combined with one of my Christmas Affirmation cards, which says, “These painful feelings aren’t permanent. There are better times ahead.”
You know, I never actually considered a lack of inspiration or lapse in creativity as something that is a painful feeling. And yet, today’s cards to bring this to the fore for me, and highlight the fact that there is actually pain involved in these moments of slump.
It’s the sensation of missing something vital. A piece of me that drives my ambitions and allows me to see the world around me as beautiful. That creative spark within me provides these things, and when it sputters and struggles to catch flame, I’m a bit surprised to discover upon reflection that feel that lack as an actual internalized wound.
The message in today’s cards is the repeat of a message that I have gotten several times of late. That is… It’s temporary. Discomfort is temporary. Sadness is temporary. Uncertainty is temporary. Our emotions are always moving and flowing and shifting beneath us like sand under waves.
That means that these unpleasant moments we find ourselves in are temporary by nature. Sometimes the key is to just wait it out, other times playing an active role can help us learn how to emerge from these times a bit quicker. There’s nothing wrong with being proactive about it.
DECK USED: THE VISIONARY’S TAROT AND TWIST’S CHRISTMAS AFFIRMATIONS
@aplacetodock #Yuletide Oracle Challenge
Prompts for December 21st and 22nd
What is rocking around the Christmas tree?
Fig and Cinnamon – You can be protective without aggression. Consider the power that resides in silence. Within silence there can be warmth and support, comfort and care… there can also be a statement never spoken with more than a glance or an expression on one’s face.
Silence is a tool. Use it to your advantage by exploring it’s power and the unique language it presents, rather than jumping in with words.
What message comes from the fireplace embers?
Candles and Reindeer – Bank your fire instead of letting it leak out into your disposition this holiday season. You will gain more by staying warm and inviting… and learn a lot more about those around you as well.
Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Acorns for Protection during New Beginnings
Mandala Disk Charged for Serenity and Balance
Carved Rhyolite Leaf for Facilitating Calm Transitions
Raccoon Figure for Problem Solving and Seeking Knowledge
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: YULE ORACLE
@LightningWildflower December Arcana Challenge
Temperance Prompt for December 22nd : How can I move toward a greater sense of equilibrium?
Summary: Stop trying to jump at every opportunity that comes along (Ace of Pentacles Rx). In doing so, you are overwhelming yourself (Temperance Rx), which is in turn causing stagnancy (The Hanged Man).
Moment of Reflection: Why was the Temperance card the one that came out, instead of the Ten of Wands? This is because we are talking about the potential for overwhelm, instead of an actual present predicament of overwhelm.
Take Away: It used to be that any opportunity that dropped in your lap, you jumped on, picking it up and inserting it into your life. When you were younger and had a crapload of energy, not to mention were ignoring your personal needs and self-care? This was fine, as you could just keep plowing forward.
Now, though, it’s not the same any longer. You aren’t the same any longer. The consequences of acting in this way now are much steeper, as you don’t have as much energy and you are trying to take better care of yourself. You don’t bounce back as easily, which means you can’t juggle as many projects and responsibilities as you once could as your recovery time after doing too much becomes longer and longer.
In order to maintain equilibrium, moderation is needed. You just -can’t- continue to jump on every opportunity that comes along, no matter how much you want to. The cost and consequences of doing so end up setting you back far more than the boons involved.
Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rosebuds for Potential and Beauty Waiting to Unfold
Foraged Lodgepole Pine for Resilience, Growth, and Renewal
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: THE VISIONARY’S TAROT
I told Ms B we wouldn’t be coming on Tuesday, since we’ll be coming up there on Wednesday to spend the night, then staying for a little over a week.
Gideon’s Challenge – Trees with Teeth
Trees with Teeth
It’s in the
crisp tingle
in the nose
and prickle
on the skin
that emerald hues
remain vibrant
through winter
for the miracle is
in the evergreens
that stay
lush and full
as winter
bites deep
Photo © ZenStatePhotography
Movement Over Stagnancy
Today’s meditation was an ten minute long #DailyCalm session from the @Calm app.
• • • ◈ • 🎄 • ◈ • • •
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.
Today’s draw is the Two of Wands (Candles), which is traditionally a representation of planning, decision making, looking ahead, and themes to do with progress.
The Two of Wands has then been combined with one of my Christmas Affirmation cards, which says, “Just because you can’t find your happiness today, doesn’t mean that you never will.”
If you’re unwilling, it’s never gonna happen.
Even in the depression, there’s the need to keep a little ray of hope going that will keep you moving forward. For me, that’s the phrase “it’s temporary”.
If something is temporary that means that sooner or later it’s going to end, I’m going to come out the other side, and if I don’t keep up on the things that need to be done during this temporary time of discomfort, I’m going to have to play catch-up once I manage to crawl my way out of it.
During these times, I might not get as much done because I’m not really enjoying what I’m doing. Even then, though, keeping in mind that the slump is temporary keeps a bit of momentum going during the lull so that there’s not as much to catch up on later when I’m ready to start really moving again.
The message in today’s cards is that just because you’re not enjoying the day, the activity, or the experience that you’re currently going through, doesn’t mean giving up. Sure, slow down, but don’t stop. The unpleasant moment is temporary. Treat it as such so that when you come out the other side, you have plans and movement already on your side.
DECK USED: CHRISTMAS CHEER TAROT TWIST’S CHRISTMAS AFFIRMATIONS
#DiscordTarotholicsDec2025 Challenge
Prompt for December 21st : Do Spread 3
Where do you need to practice more tolerance with others?
Six of Candles – Remember that you don’t have to fulfill other’s expectations, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to fight against them either. You can acknowledge them, and validate them with kindness and acceptance, without committing yourself and your energy to their fulfillment.
How can you foster more tolerance within your heart?
Two of Candles Rx – Keep in mind that even the best plans go awry now and then. It takes patience to adapt and keep going, so don’t get yourself so tied up in rigid plans that you can’t pivot when needed.
Where do you need to step up with your self-care over the holidays?
Queen of Candy Canes – Practice what you preach. You give good advice about self-care when speaking with others, but you need to make sure that you’re taking your own advice as well. Listen to that advice you’re giving others this holiday season, and take that advice to heart for yourself as well.
What do you need to focus on to keep your holiday cheer intact?
The Moon – Let others lead during times of uncertainty during this holiday season. Just as Santa lets his reindeer lead the sleigh through clouds and storms, you also need to allow others to lead sometimes when things feel uncertain or unclear.
How can you best respond to those that try to “stir the pot” this holiday?
King of Ornaments – Lead by example, and don’t allow them to upset your footing. Hold yourself above such pettiness and bullshit by grounding into your foundation.
How can you express your emotions with more love and kindness?
The Hanged Man – Consider how others best receive love. Not everyone’s “love language” is the same. Some people need different things than you do in order to feel loved. Make sure that you are paying attention to these differences, so that you can express your emotions in a way that communicates more clearly with them how you feel.
Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Acorns for Protection during New Beginnings
Foraged Branch covered in Parmeliaceae for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Foraged Lodgepole Pine for Resilience, Growth, and Renewal
Scotch Pine Cones for Purging Negative Influences
Moss Agate Tree for Attracting Opportunities for Growth
Serpentine Dragon to Bolster Heart and Emotions
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: CHRISTMAS CHEER TAROT
I let myself get pulled into some play today instead of doing the grumpy “stand alone in a corner” thing.
Gideon’s Challenge – Temporary
Temporary
A little of this
and a little of that
and focus
shatters
into a million pieces
sight obstructed
making it hard
to see
the light
I’m reaching for
and know is there
its temporary
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 – The Emperor Rx – Release control. Remember that over this Christmas week you are just along for the ride. Don’t try and control anything, don’t try and be in charge, don’t try and step in. Just sit back and enjoy.
Air – Strength – Be the strong silent type. Keep your opinions to yourself, and instead use this time to observe others. You may discover something useful for later on down the line if you do.
Water – Seven of Bells – Remember that nagging is not considered taking charge. Sometimes it’s just reiterating the same thing again and again to make sure that it gets through the thick skull of whoever it is that you’re nagging at. Nagging with your emotions attached will work even better.
Fire – Ace of Bells Rx – Again, this is a time to sit back and relax. This week is not the time to jump on new opportunities. If they are meant to be, they’ll keep until after the new year.
Waning – Mountain and Bear – Don’t worry about taking on obstacles or protecting yourself from setbacks this week. The week of Christmas is a lull, not just for you but for everyone. Set your worries aside for the time being.
Waxing – Scythe and Man – You reap what you sow. Make sure that you are paying attention to the words and energy that you put out there over the week ahead, because it will directly influence the type of energy and treatment you receive back in turn.
Take Away – Pay attention to the words you say and what spurs your actions. Sit back and relax instead of diving into the fray, and listen far more than you speak. There’s a lot of reminders here that you’re not supposed to be taking control right now, no matter how tempting it might be. Let it go. You can deal with whatever it is later on.
Twisting the Leaf 