Mother’s Warning
“don’t eat
the yellow flowers”
my mother
once said
as we weeded
the garden
but I think
she was
talking about
scotch broom
and tansy
not dandelions
and mustard flowers
Author: Twist the Leaf
Pulling at the Strings
Today’s meditation was a self-directed ten minute session, focused upon the “Give It a Minute” card from the Nowbits Oracle (shown) by @Sunni_Chapman and the guidance that came with that card.
That guidance says, “When you share your tender heart and you meet silence… do not turn away from that void.
The silence is only a reflection.
A reflection of your silence towards that part of yourself.
And if you meet it with love, again and again, until it knows you’re really there for it, and not just faking, it will begin to trust you, and thus to trust life, and to let itself share EVEN MORE.
In this you are mining the gems of yourself, unearthing them from the shadows and bringing them into the light.
And as you allow them to sparkle in that silence, and to speak love into that silence more and more, that void will turn into the physical manifestation of every sweet thing that you ever wanted to hear.”
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The @GlitterbyInk #SeptemberSoul25 Challenge
Seeds of Intention Prompt for September 7th : Calling
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.
Today’s draw is the Queen of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, and intuition. Among other things, this often translates into themes to do with emotional support and advice from a trusted party that is easy to talk to.
When I first saw today’s card, my first impression wasn’t that she was lifting a cup to her lips for a drink, but eating an anatomically correct heart held in her hand.
I think it’s important to remember that even those who love you, care about you, and only want what is best for you aren’t above manipulating you to their own ends. And, while sometimes those ends might be in your favor? Sometimes they’re not. This does not necessarily mean that they’re out to get you, but what it does mean is that they are willing to use your emotions to manipulate your actions and reactions.
So the question becomes. Do you mind? Do you care? Is it more comfortable for you to go along with these machinations that, to be fair, probably aren’t harmful to you in the long run? Or are boundaries needed to ensure that this type of thing isn’t happening?
The message in today’s cards asks us to consider if we are allowing others to pull our strings, and if that’s truly what we want. If it is, that’s okay! Sometimes that string pulling gives us the direction we need. If it isn’t what you want, though… then today’s card is a wake up call that it’s time to take a closer look at your boundaries and do a bit of adjusting.
DECK USED: КОЛЕСО ГОДА МИСТИЧЕСКОЕ ТАРО (Buy Ukrainian!) AND NOWBITS ORACLE
#DiscordTarotholicsSep2025 Challenge
Prompt for September 7th : Do Spread 1
Wolf – How can I bolster my strength and bravery for hurdles yet to come?
Ten of Swords – Acknowledge that this is the ending of something. You may not know the extent of what’s going to be released yet, but it’s an ending all the same. Endings make room for something new to take their place, and you need to be open to that something new that’s coming. Mourn and let go now, so that you can be ready.
Owl – How can I learn to better trust my perception of the world and other people?
Two of Swords – Sometimes you just have to make a decision and take a leap. Only through these leaps of faith can you learn to trust more easily… not just the world and other people, but also that it’s not going to be the end of the world if you’re wrong.
Stag – Where in my life can greater dignity create a stronger sense of integrity?
The Star – Again we see an answer that is about having faith. That means believing that when you treat people with dignity and believe in their integrity, it in turn inspires them to have integrity when dealing with you.
Eagle – Why does good and successful leadership also require a modicum of grace?
Nine of Pentacles – When you lead with grace it inspires those that you are leading to feel as if they are valued, and as a result they then feel that they have something of great value in you and your leadership.
Salmon – In what direction have I been moving by instinct without realizing it?
Ten of Pentacles – You feel that you’re failing in your endeavors, but you are not. You’re still moving in a positive direction towards success and stability, even if it doesn’t feel like it at the moment.
Wild Goose – How have my past relationships and friendships taught me to be a better person?
Seven of Wands – Your past relationships and friendships have taught you how to stand strong when it’s necessary, and soften when it’s needed. They’ve also taught you how to appreciate differences of opinion and even listen to them, while still standing your ground in your own beliefs and values.
Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
DECK USED: WILD ARCANA
I did some long overdue tinkering with my website today in order to avoid doing the bookkeeping that I really didn’t want to do in the first place.
Gideon’s Challenge – Tug of War
Tug of War
Moving down
along the road
a decal
spotted
and oh so true
as prices
rise
it feels
as if
even with
a hybrid
the tank is
always
just half full
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 – Ten of Cups atop Eight of Pentacles Rx – You’re fixating on the cash. Remember that “they” are not taking away everything you’ve learned and accomplished. They’re just taking away your money. You can make more money, and you can find happiness that doesn’t so heavily depend on money. Your happiness may be tied into your sense of stability and security, but those things also involve far more than just money.
Air – Wheel of Fortune atop Queen of Swords – Stay sharp. The wheel of uncertainty is going to slow down eventually, and you’re going to want your wits about you when it does.
Water – Four of Cups – Your regular meditation practice is helping, even if it doesn’t really feel like it. Keep it up. Don’t worry so much about the extra sleep you’re getting, either. It’s good for you, and you should enjoy it while you have the chance.
Fire – King of Swords Rx – Keep your mouth shut and your ears open. You know nothing.
Waning – Heart and Fox – There’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing within your midst. Watch for the one that is trying to use your emotions to manipulate you, and distance yourself from them for the time being.
Waxing – Moon and Star – Your uncertainty during this time or understandable, just don’t allow yourself to give into the fear. Your emotional turmoil is going to need a healthy dose of optimism this week.
Take Away – No light at the end of the tunnel yet. While you wait, make sure you pay attention to the people around you and what they’re doing, especially if you’re feeling emotional nudges and niggles going on when around them. Continue to pay attention to the sources you’ve been monitoring while you wait for a solution to present itself. Keep working on that optimism and positivity… it’s working, even if you can’t see it.
DECKS USED: ECHOES THROUGH TIME TAROT AND WOODCUT LENORMAND
Explorations In Hope
Today’s meditation was fourteen minutes long, and was one of the #DailyTrip sessions from the @Calm app.
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The @GlitterbyInk #SeptemberSoul25 Challenge
Seeds of Intention Prompt for September 6th : Origin
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.
Today’s draw is The Star card, which is traditionally a representation of hope, faith, and the connecting of spirituality to the various aspects of our lives.
Where does hope come from? Is it just a part of being human? Is it hereditary? Is it taught and learned?
Hope comes from within. That I know. External forces may spark it to life or dampen its flame, but it’s something within us all. But… how did it get there in the first place? After all, even the most severe of pessimists, who squash their own feelings of hope at every turn, have to have hope in order to squash it.
Maybe where it comes from isn’t important, and what truly is important is learning how to fan its flames within us. Still, the question stands; possibly unanswerable, but there all the same.
The message in today’s card is that hope it is universal, but what we do with it varies from person to person. Today’s message encourages us to look at what you’re doing with yours, and if you don’t like how it’s going? Maybe consider why it’s there in the first place and do a little exploring with it.
DECK USED: SUPERNOVA TAROT
#DiscordTarotholicsSep2025 Challenge
Prompt for September 6th : What do you need to focus on for self-care for this month’s full moon?
Reading Summary: Those that betrayed you when you thought them your friends (Tribe of Rebels) are long gone. It’s time to address these wounds (Embrace the Scars) and begin moving away from the defence mechanisms that this experience created within you (The Quiet Rebellion Starts With You).
Take Away: The wounds created by these people were struck upon your insides over a decade ago. It’s time to confront those wounds and begin to break down the scar tissue left behind.
That experience was extremely painful, and it tore away a huge swath of your naivety, but it’s in the past. Allowing it to still hurt you for so very long means you are punishing yourself far more than the lesson learned warranted.
Other elements included in this reading:
Carved Bamboo for Positive Outcomes
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
DECK USED: QUIET REBEL ORACLE
@de_tarotjuf Time for Yourself
#detarotjufseptembertarotchallenge
Prompt for September 6th thru 8th
What can I take a fresh look at?
Six of Wands and The Cross – Whose regard are you holding above your own? It’s time to take a look at the negative influences that others opinions are having on you, and why you are allowing their words and opinions to hold such weight and importance.
What’s holding me back from truly starting with good intentions today?
The Tower Rx and The Gentleman – Your fear is holding you back. Current transitions taking place in your life and the chaos involved are stirring up fears. These fears have the ability to force you into stagnancy if you let them. You need to work at stepping past them so that you stay active in other ways during this time.
Which dream do I want to take seriously?
The World and The Lady – You wish to emerge from this time of struggle and uncertainty into a time of grace and abundance. You want a “soft landing” after the trials and tribulations. Instead of daydreaming about it, and telling yourself it’s not going to happen, hold faith that you have the inner strength to bring this dream into fruition.
Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Aragonite for Truth and Understanding
Black Tourmaline for Grounding and Protection
Carnelian Agate for Inner Drive and Focusing On One’s Aspirations
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
DECK USED: SUPERNOVA TAROT AND VALMOR ROARING ’20s FORTUNE TELLING CARDS
It took me three tries to actually manage to get through my meditation today, but I didn’t give up on it.
Gideon’s Challenge – Blood Moon Coming
Blood Moon Coming
Wildfire smoke
fills the air
tinging
the light
with an
amber hue
while turning
sunsets
an angry red
and moon rises
in shades
of pink
upon blue
Twisting the Leaf 