Happy Little Adjustments

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

Today’s meditation was a self-guided ten minute long session that focused on the “arch frenemies” oracle card and accompanying written guidance from Sunni Chapman’s Az 2 Oracle cards.

The guidance for this card had to deal with the people that irritate us, and why that’s the case. How sometimes it’s about them, reflecting back to us something in ourselves that we dislike, or other times that they are showing us something that we don’t want in our own lives And thus we are learning by example what not to do.

This meditation then led to a nap in which I dreamed about running into people (mostly strangers) I dislike or find irritating, and worrying in the dream that this meant their behavior and perceived flaws are things that I possess and dislike in myself.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🌻    •    ◈    •    •    •

The Crystal Magic Tarot - Two of Wands and The Az 2 Oracle@FatMumSlim August #FMSPAD Challenge
Prompt for August 8th : Something That Sparkles | #FMS_SPARKLES25

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 (paired with celestite), which is traditionally a representation of planning, decision making, looking ahead, and themes to do with progress.

“Be honest about what we enjoy doing and make decision based on that… If you’re not in love with what it is you do every day, then… Take ownership for making changes. The only bad decision is to not make a decision at all…” (ref: deck guidebook)

The sparkly celestite is a stone of calm and clarity, with energy that helps in avoiding overthinking on the things in life that can and should be simple. Combined with the Two of Wands, the message for today is to seek out those things you enjoy and begin the process of incorporating them into those things that you don’t enjoy.

Listen to some of your favorite music while trudging through your bookkeeping or doing your housework. Park at the back of the lot on a sunny day so you can enjoy a sun-filled walk in fresh air on your way in and out of the store. Go barefoot under your desk.

We’re not looking for you to go nuclear on your life here, but rather to take baby steps at making your days (and those tasks within those days) more pleasurable.

DECK USED:  THE CRYSTAL MAGIC TAROT AND THE AZ 2 ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2025 Challenge
Prompt for August 8th : What do you need to focus on for self-care this full moon?

Forest Tales Oracle ReadingReading Summary: Remember that this time of transition is a growth spurt (Reishi) and just work on staying true to yourself (Amanita Muscatia) as you go with the flow (Water Nymph).

Take Away: Life at this time is all about forcing you to make decisions, and transitions that will morph what you do and how you do things. Make sure you are following your moral compass and checking in regularly with what’s right for you along the way.

It’s okay to be pushed along the path as long as you’re checking in with yourself and making sure you’re not doing anything along the way that you’ll be unhappy with yourself for in the end. Just ride it out and stay true to yourself.

Other elements included in this reading:
Black Spruce Needles to Boost Self-Confidence and Positive Thinking
Dried Purple Heather Flowers for Independence and Luck
Abalone Shell for Soothing Energy and Emotional Balance
Gneiss Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: FOREST TALES ORACLE

@empressofthenightslight Roll the Tarot August Challenge
Roll : 10  Prompt : Where can I focus my energy next for my own best good?

Maya Mineo Tarot - Five of Cups, Six of Cups, King of SwordsReading Summary: Work on getting a handle on your rampant pessimism (Five of Cups) and try to shift the narrative to looking back on the past challenges you’ve experienced and how you’ve made it through them just fine (Six of Cups). Remember that you have the know how and support from others to come out on top of this challenge too, you only need to apply strategy and wisdom to the equation and remember you didn’t get where you are alone on your own (King of Swords).

Take Away: You have more control over your current situation and what’s coming in the near future (that you’re dreading big time) than you think you do.  That control lies in acknowledging that you have choices to make and others with you to help you on your journey through this rough period.  Place your focus on what you -can- control, and the rest will fall in line as a result.  You are the leader in this parade, so lead by doing what you can and letting go of what you can’t, instead of grousing over lack of control and letting frustration and fear get in your way as a result.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rosehips for Releasing Stress and Negativity
Foraged Hiba Tips for Grounding and Revitalization
Labradorite (Dice) for Mental and Emotional Healing
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: MAYA MINEO TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I cried. Twice. (Once on my own, and once with Gideon.) It seemed to help a little bit in easing some of the anxiety I’ve been feeling the last week.

Gideon’s Challenge – Anxiety Attack

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

Deception Pass BridgeAnxiety Attack

Tangled up
in need
and overwhelm
as too many
things
come together
at once
and leave me
unable
to catch
my breath
as tears fall
like rain

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

🌕 Full Moon in Aquarius – August 2025

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

Tonight is the full moon, and like all new moons and full moons, I did a spread aligned to the moon’s current themes as a part of my recognition of the moon’s cycle and influences upon us. Today’s spread is courtesy of @onyerbroom

Full Red Moon Tarot Reading with The Real-Life Tarot Oracle

Release – The Cult – Stay grounded in reality and make sure you’re thinking for yourself. Nobody else can make the decisions for you at this time.

Illumine – Third Nipple – Those quirky things in your relationships that people look askance at are the things that make your relationships work.

Protect – Mom – Take care with her fragile feelings right now. She’s feeling extremely unsteady on her feet emotionally and needs a little reassurance to strengthen her foundation.

Reflect – Three Heads – Just how much shit is going on in your head? And how much of it is actually useful? Maybe it’s time to clear some space by looking at just what your brain is doing and shutting down some of the extra narratives going on.

Connect – Coin – C’mon now. You know you have to get the bookwork done. It won’t take long if you just sit down and really get into the flow of doing it.

Fuel – The Gamer – What gets you hyped up and excited? What has in the past, but you’ve been ignoring recently? Maybe it’s time to reconnect to it, and as a result receive a little extra boost in your day.

Purify – The Magician – It’s time to sort out what’s working for you, and what doesn’t needs to be tossed in the trash. Your performance is lagging because you’re too weighed down by too many things that aren’t working for you. Toss them out.

Empower – Chasing Dollars – Be the miser. If you’re worried that things are going to take a rough turn (which you are worrying about), now is the time to start scrimping and scraping on every every single scent.

Nourish – The Poster – Hey! You like what you like, and that’s perfectly okay . Nobody else has to like what you like as long as they’re not trying to force you not to like it

Full Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.

The Road Trip – Make plans before you move, and leave extra time and space for shit to go wrong or distractions to come along once you get started.

Other elements included in this reading:
Black Spruce Needles to Boost Self-Confidence and Positive Thinking
Dried Purple Heather Flowers for Independence and Luck
Northern Red Oak Leaf Impression for Inner Strength
Black Tourmaline for Grounding and Protection
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE REAL-LIFE TAROT (ORACLE)

You’re Lying to You

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

Today’s meditation was a self-directed ten minute session, focused upon the theme of Other Lives from The Az 2 Oracle card (shown) by @Sunni_Chapman and a quote from the guidance that came with that card.

That guidance says, “If there’s something weighing on your spirit today… Just a simple ask for help should do it. There is a great secret power in “surrender” and that power is simply: TRUST.”

•    •    •    ◈    •    🌻    •    ◈    •    •    •

Jonathan Dee Tarot's Page of Wands and The Az Oracle@FatMumSlim August #FMSPAD Challenge
Prompt for August  : My Shadow | #FMS_SHADOW25

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 Wands, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive omega energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s willpower, drive, passions, motivation, priorities, values, and principles. This often translates into those that are beginning on a passion project and learning what is needed to start such a journey.

You know what happens a lot when you’re preoccupied with something else? Miscommunication. That’s what.

Miscommunication is the bane of my existence. It was a problem before mutism came into the picture, and it is a problem still today.

Reading people’s reactions and expressions is extremely difficult for me. When I am distracted by other things? That means that I miss little cues that might tell me I was somehow misunderstood. Then I miss if that misunderstanding hurts another’s feelings.

Then? When I finally realize the miscommunication has happened and the other person’s feelings are hurt; my inner shadow comes out and tells me that it’s all my fault and that I’m hopeless at speaking with others; that I can’t say anything right… blah blah blah.

I start beating myself up… because that’s what I’m good at. And, keep in mind, none of this actually resolves the situation, either. My silent flagellation just make things worse, because then I am reluctant to communicate and fix things. Why? Because what if I fumble things again and just make them worse?

Today’s message is a reminder that the voice in your head that’s busy beating up you isn’t helpful. We need to lean into learning to step past it and do what’s needed.

DECK USED:  JONATHAN DEE TAROT AND THE AZ 2 ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2025 Challenge
Philosophical Prompts for August 6th and 13th

Tarot Reading with the Minimalist Tarot and Soul Coaching OracleAre you more of a dreamer or a believer?

Peace and Eight of Wands – Dreamer, absolutely. Peace is one of those things that I believe isn’t really possible. We can dream about it, strive for it, even run towards it… but although we might be able to find it in temporary bits within ourselves, it’s yet to be seen externally on a world-wide scale. I don’t think it can actually happen… but I like to dream that it could.

Can we truly understand good without evil?

Focus and Ace of Cups – I’m not sure that I agree, but these cards indicate that yes, we are able to understand good without evil when good is perceived through the emotions instead of through the mind. By focusing inward, we are given that understanding without the need to compare it with an opposing force.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: THE MINIMALIST TAROT AND SOUL COACHING ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I took a nap in the back of the car while J drove today.

Gideon’s Challenge – Shallow Moments

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

Chinese HibiscusShallow Moments

Back and forth
and back again
we go
and go
and go
from one task
to another
without a moment
to spare
until all I want
is to pause
just
for a second
to close my eyes
and breathe

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

🎨 Weekly Creativity Prompt – Bestest Gift EVAH!!

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

Prompt: “You’re a young child, and have an idea of what gift you want for your next big birthday / holiday / occasion. However, you don’t know what the gift is called, only how to describe it. Pull (at least) four cards, and use them as the basis to describe what would your young self’s bestest gift EVAH! Please share with us your description from the cards and the answer to what that fun toy might be.”

Cat Star Tales Tarot - Ace of Swords, Six of Swords, Eight of Cups, Ten of Pentacles
Dear daddy, I wanna be a pirate (Six of Swords) with a super sharp sabre to cut down my enemies with (Ace of Swords), before I run away to a place where I’ll never grow up (Eight of Cups) and I can live with all my friends and never have to work again (Ten of Pentacles).

The Gift :  A Peter Pan book, complete with pirate costume for Halloween.

DECK USED: CAT STAR TALES POCKET TAROT