Accepting the Good With the Bad

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The @hippiepixie333 #Escapril2026 Challenge

Prompt for April 24th
: a way forward 

Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Ferdinando Crippa I Tarocchi 1978 - Wheel of Fortune

Today’s draw is the Wheel of Fortune card, which is traditionally a representation of luck (both good and bad), changing circumstances, the ups and downs of life, and the cyclical nature of life and the world.

Acknowledging that things aren’t always going to go our way is not pessimistic. It only becomes pessimistic if we refuse to also acknowledge that sometimes things will go our way as well.

That’s called balance.

The Wheel of Fortune isn’t just all downs (bad luck, crappy circumstances, etc), but has an equal amount of ups. Its motion is cyclical, after all.

The message in today’s Wheel of Fortune card and “a way forward” prompt reminds us to make sure we are acknowledging the bad and the good. Acknowledging just the bad is pessimistic and excessively negative. Acknowledging just the good is toxic positivity. We need to work on acknowledging both, and accepting that both have a place within our lives.

DECK USED:  FERDINANDO CRIPPA I TAROCCHI 1978

@Lionharts #TheAprilTarot Root & Rise Challenge

The Rise Prompt for April 24th
: What am I willing to stand behind consistently?

Tarot Reading with the Gustave Doré Tarot

Reading Summary: Traditional knowledge (The Hierophant) developed over generations (Seven of Pentacles) through slow progress and experience (Knight of Pentacles).

Take Away: It’s easy to trust what works when what works has worked again and again through the tests and trials of time.

New information, new efforts, and new methods are always an interesting avenue to explore. When it comes to trust, though, there is nothing that stand strong and trustworthy better than the traditions that we have carried down through generations and know to be true and work well, standing the test of time.

For this reason, you consistently tend to stand behind traditional methods when it comes to those things that you feel are important. You trust these tried and true methods first, holding them above the experimental adventures of new methods.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Green Jasper and Tiger Eye Turtle for Confidence within Progress
Aragonite for Fostering Truth and Understanding
Green Aventurine for Harmony and Balance of the Heart
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: GUSTAVE DORÉ TAROT

@lightningwildflower‘s April Energetic Shifts Challenge

Venus enters Gemini Prompt for April 24th : How can I bring more play into my relationships?

Tarot Reading with the Ferdinando Crippa I Tarocchi 1978

Reading Summary: Allow your creative passion pursuits (Knight of Wands) to take the reins (The Chariot). Sitting things out in feigned disinterest serves no one and nothing (Four of Cups).

Take Away: If you’re unwilling to participate, you’re not gonna get very far and instilling more play into your relationships. Instead, you have to be open to engaging, as well as involving the people and things that inspire you to connect with them.

To bring more play into your relationships requires engaging in those relationships and allowing your creative spark to have a say in the things you do with these people you choose to share your time with.

This means speaking up to propose ideas and adventures you’re curious about exploring and, in doing so, inviting others along with you on these adventures. It means opening choosing what -you- want instead of letting everyone else choose. It means being engaged and involved instead of standing on the sidelines simply waiting things out.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Lodgepole Pine for Resilience, Growth, and Renewal
Dried Red Maple Leaf for Adaptability and Connection
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  FERDINANDO CRIPPA I TAROCCHI 1978
Daily Self Kindness

This is a catch up post, and I’m not entirely sure what the self kindness was for this day.

Gideon’s Challenge – Bashful

Persian Cyclamen (Cyclamen periscum)

Bashful

A blush rises
as eyes
cast down
and head dips
as if to hide
from the world
behind
silken strands
that falls forward
as if to conceal
delicate skin
with a hue
of pink
that spreads
toward the ears

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Stability Through Acts of Kindness

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The @hippiepixie333 #Escapril2026 Challenge

Prompt for April 23rd
: starvation 

Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

This Might Hurt Oracle - The Scales, Six of Pentacles

Today’s draw is the Six of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of charity, generosity, sharing the wealth, asking for or accepting help, and balancing the scales between the “haves” and the “have nots” in life.

Balance is important… not just within oneself but in all things. For example; diets fail because people feel restricted and like they’re missing out, thus those that succeed long term are those that allow a little treat nor and then. By the same mechanism of balance, a society may have the “haves” and “have nots”, but that only works if the “haves” are willing to help out the “have nots”.

Each aspect of life seeks balance, sometimes swinging wildly out of balance in its effort to find it, like a pendulum swinging back and forth toward a balanced center has to swing many times, each time reduced in intensity until it finds that center.

In my experience, we help these efforts of the universe to find stability through acts of kindness. Just as the “haves” bestow kindness on the “have nots”, and dieters bestow a little kindness on themselves in order to not feel like they are missing out or neglecting a need.

The message in today’s Six of Pentacles and the “starvation” prompt asks us to consider where we can instill acts of kindness into our own lives and actions. Even if it’s smiling at someone to lighten their day or making time or space for someone who needs it.

DECK USED:  THIS MIGHT HELP ORACLE

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro

Chapter 1 | Entry 8 – Self_Care and Personal Development

Affirmation : “Time is a gift and that is why I prioritize what is most important and valuable to me.

Prompt : As you juggle multiple priorities and competing deadlines in your routine, you may struggle with prioritization. Draw a card for insight into what needs should take top priority in your day so you can release any obligations that don’t serve you.

Tarot Activity from The One Card a Day Journal by Maria Sofia Marmanides - The Beginner's Tarot - The Star

What feelings came up when I pulled this card?

I was a bit worried about what might come up in this pull today. When the Star card showed itself to be the answer, that tension eased as I had an “of course, that makes perfect sense” response.

What elements of the card’s meaning resonate with me and this prompt?

The Star card is often about hope and optimism. These are elements that I work hard to instill into my life, because they don’t come naturally to me.

Also, this card is a representation of seeking balance between practical stability (Earth) and the emotions (Water). Both are needed in a healthy and happy existence, and just as I seek to instill more hope and optimism into my life to counterbalance the negative self talk and pessimism that comes so naturally to me… so too do I seek to learn and connect more strongly with my emotions while keeping a stable and balanced foundation beneath my feet.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

The vulnerability that is so obvious in the nudity of the figure on the card.

The large northern star above with its offspring surrounding it, speaking of how once we start an endeavor it can sometimes take on a life of its own if you let it. This specifically speaks to me of optimism and positivity, and how they begin to come a little bit easier over time when taken in bite-size pieces.

The pitchers of water being poured both into the body of water and onto the Earth, and how the water poured onto the Earth trails back towards the body of water. Not only does water absorb into the Earth, but is trailing along top so that what isn’t needed returns back to the source.

My prompt response and reflections.

My efforts towards positivity and optimism, as well as towards exploring my emotions while creating a stable foundation, need to take priority.

Often, I have a tendency to get wrapped up in money matters and business, and lose sight of these goals. Today’s prompt and the response from The Star card is a reminder on where my priorities really should lie, in an effort to help orient me back in that direction when I stray.

Other elements included in this reading:
Moss Captured Resin D20 and D6 Dice

DECK USED: THE BEGINNER’S TAROT

@lightningwildflower‘s April Energetic Shifts Challenge

Venus conjunct Uranus Prompt for April 23rd : Where am I craving excitement or novelty?

Tarot Reading with theThis Might Hurt Oracle

Reading Summary: Social situations are very uncertain for you, and the emotions involved are extremely easy for you to misinterpret. (The Garden and The Mask)

This gives you more than enough excitement, and is only a positive experience when you feel safe and uplifted by those involved. (The Ibises atop The 12-Star Crown)

Take Away: The excitement you crave has nothing to do with adrenaline or persuits such as going out to party among strangers at clubs or raves. It’s all about getting together with those you know well to spend time with them in a safe and somewhat predictable environment instead.

These smaller get-togethers with those you are comfortable and familiar with allows you to feel the excitement of being around others without the chaos of uncertainty that can otherwise often put a damper on the experience of being social with strangers.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
Japanese Cherry Leaf as a Reminder of Life’s Fleeting Moments
Black Spruce Needles to Boost Self-Confidence and Positive Thinking
Dried Rosebuds for Potential and Beauty Waiting to Unfold
Dried Purple Heather Flowers for Independence and Luck
Green Jasper and Caribbean Calcite Turtle for Calm within Progress
Black Tourmaline for Grounding and Protection
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THIS MIGHT HELP ORACLE
Daily Self Kindness

This is a catch up post, and I’m not entirely sure what the self kindness was for this day.

Gideon’s Challenge – Longing

Mountain Landscape

Longing

The heart aches
as eyes gaze
to horizons
far away
and long for
moss draped
branches
and spongy ground
covered in
pine needles
and
evergreen fronds
fragrant
in the moist air

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

No Better Time Than the Present

Today’s meditation was skipped.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🐇    •    ◈    •    •    •

The @hippiepixie333 #Escapril2026 Challenge

Prompt for April 22nd
: waiting room 

Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

BlueDogRose Tarot - Nine of Cups

Today’s draw is the Nine of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of themes that have to do with contentment, accomplishment, and satisfaction in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, and intuition.

What are you waiting for?

A lot of times in life, we look at the things that we want and those things that would make us happy, and we put off going after them, telling ourselves that it’s not the right time or that we’re waiting for a better time than the present is offering.

The thing is though, that “better time” is a cage that holds you back. It steals your freedom and it steals your happiness, leaving you just waiting forever for a “perfect time” that never comes.

The message in today’s Nine of Cups and the “waiting room” prompt is a reminder that when it comes to pursuing your happiness and savoring the things that you enjoy, there is no better time than the present. Don’t wait. Otherwise, the opportunity may pass you by and never return.

DECK USED:  BLUEDOGROSE TAROT

@Lionharts #TheAprilTarot Root & Rise Challenge

The Rise Prompts for April 22nd and 23rd

Oracle Reading and Cartomancy Reading with The Chicken Oracle and Street Art Playing Cards : Rise & Shine Edition

What step can take today that moves something forward?

Four of Clubs, Henrietta, Five of Spades

If you focus more on trusting things will fall into place without you having to fight your way into their development, those things will grow in their own time.

You’ll still get where you want to go, but at a much more comfortable and healthier pace with far less angst and disruption.

Stop pushing. Most things are going to get there in their own time with just a small bit of direction now and then on your part. There’s no need for such a tightly clenched fist upon every moment.

What deserves my full attention right now?

Five of Clubs, Margot, Three of Diamonds

Don’t worry so much about what others are thinking or feeling. Your life is to be lived your way. Others are always welcome to offer advice and input, but don’t let them manipulate you into stepping away from what is right for you.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Wood Fern for Exorcising Negative Influences
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration, Clarity, and Determination
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: THE CHICKEN ORACLE AND STREET ART PLAYING CARDS RISE & SHINE EDITION

@lightningwildflower‘s April Energetic Shifts Challenge

Practice Prompt for April 22nd : How can I practice more patience?

Tarot Reading with the BlueDogRose Tarot

Reading Summary: Let yourself sit with it first (Ace of Birds). You don’t always have to share every little thing with others (Chained Dog Rx and Three of Birds Rx).

Take Away: Sometimes it’s better to let new emotions “percolate” a bit before sharing them with others.

This allows you to feel these new emotions out on your own and start to make your own conclusions before you seek out help with the interpretation. As a result, you explore more instead of depending on others to “do your homework for you”.

If you run everything out to others first, you never gain the experience and practice at exploring these emotions on your own provides. This is a useful skill you don’t want to miss out on developing.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Lodgepole Pine for Resilience, Growth, and Renewal
Gneiss Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  BLUEDOGROSE TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

This is a catch up post, and I’m not entirely sure what the self kindness was for this day.

Gideon’s Challenge – Breathless

Evergreen Landscape

Breathless

Hard rocks
scrape
beneath
boot treads
as the climb
takes us
further
from the sea
and closer
to the
peaked tips
of green giants
standing sentinal
in the sun

Photo © ZenStatePhotography