Gideon’s Challenge – Meditation and Mindfulness

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The Buddha and Miss LunaMeditation and Mindfulness

Recently, someone asked me “How often do you meditate?”, and I had a hard time answering this question. The thing is that I do multiple types of meditation every day; but I don’t count them.

I pause multiple times a day to just slow breathe for a few minutes, and focus on those breaths. These breathing exercises are a coping mechanism, and help with my nerves and moments of anxiety. It is meditation, but I don’t count it as such.

I do grounding meditations before client readings. These help to ground and center me for the reading and put my head and energy into the right space. But, I don’t count them as meditation, even though that’s what they are.

I pause for moments of gratitude. I paused for moments of enjoyment from my senses and/or from my synesthesia. I don’t count these as meditation either, although they are in fact a brief mindfulness meditation.

What I count as a meditation is usually a 10 minute or longer stretch of mindfulness meditation and breathing exercise that’s done strictly for me and only for me. This is why we often see my posts saying that my meditation is skipped, even on days when I’ve actually done multiple meditations during the day.

The other types of meditation, I don’t think really count. Not that they don’t do their job or aren’t a type of meditation. I just don’t consider them to be time that was aside for that purpose and just for me.

So with this in mind, I ask to the question “How often do you meditate?” Do I answer multiple times a day? Or do I answer few times a week? I’m still not sure.

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Finding the Positive for July 15 – 17

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Stunning Tarot 5th Edition's Page of Swords, Tranquil Night Wisdom Tarot's Judgement card, and Atomic Cat Tarot's Death card

July 15 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The @GlitterbyInk #JulyJoy25 Challenge
Celebration of Joy Prompt for July 15 : Relaxation
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.

I’m still learning. Rest and restoration is a relatively new thing to me. Relaxation is a somewhat foreign concept that I’m trying to familiarize myself with. I understand that such things are important and healthy. I understand, too, that the guilt I feel over trying to insert a bit more of these things into my life is a part of the learning process.

I was taught in my youth, and have accepted throughout my life, that everything I did was not enough and could be better if I just try harder and push myself for more. I still believe this is true… but, I also have come to a point in life where I now accept rest is a necessary thing. Needed. Essential.

Today’s message is an encouragement to consider what in life you are still learning. What concept do you know is essential to how life works, but you are struggling to grasp or insert into your life? By considering these things, we bring with them to the surface and give ourselves room to work them out a little at a time in our subconscious, instead of allowing them to stay buried and ignored.

So… The question is; where are you still learning?

DECK USED: STUNNING TAROT 5TH EDITION

July 16 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was one of the #DailyCalm sessions in the @Calm app.

Challenging our automaticity (mindlessness, being on autopilot, habitual reactivity), and learning to notice when we are on autopilot and soften the reactivity ingrained in these moments.

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The @GlitterbyInk #JulyJoy25 Challenge
Celebration of Joy Prompt for July 16 : Appreciation
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Judgement card, which is traditionally a representation of judgements, one’s inner calling and chosen life path, and looking back on one’s life to consider how they feel about the path they’ve taken and who they have become.

In Chinese mythology, when Xing Tian’s head is severed, he lives on by changing his nipples into eyes and his navel into a mouth. In this way, he manages to move on from the judgments of others through growth and adaptation.

Humans are resilient. We learn and grow. We fail and bounce back. Through these lessons and growth, we have the capacity to become better people. Sometimes this means some pretty significant adaptations.

This is a quality that is unique to humanity. The message for today encourages us, in moving into your day today, to take time to appreciate just how valuable this quality is in your life; as well as where you are in your own development and where we want to go from here. 

DECK USED: TRANQUIL NIGHT WISDOM TAROT

July 17 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The @GlitterbyInk #JulyJoy25 Challenge
Celebration of Joy Prompt for July 17 : Supportive
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Death card, which is traditionally a representation of gradual organic changes, loss, slow moving transitions, and letting go.

She doesn’t need the same level of support as she once did.

A few years ago, an elderly friend shattered both her shoulder and her opposite wrist, and I became her primary caregiver. I experienced a sudden and surprise ice bath of a plunge into what elder care is all about. 

For years after, I braced for impact every time the phone rang, and even sometimes when it didn’t. Even today, I’m still in a bit of recovery from that experience.

Fact of the matter is, though? She is well past that need for my care now. Not that she still doesn’t need support; especially emotionally, but also an errand running and certain house upkeep. But, the emergency is over. She is back to doing most of the things she wants to do (other than driving), and all of the things that she needs to do to take care of herself.

The card and prompt for today is a reminder that she is no longer the center of my world… and it’s time to let go of that mentality that she is or needs to be.

Where in your life are you putting someone or something at the center of your world to your own detriment? Today’s message suggests that perhaps it’s time to make a change in this; even if it’s just a change in personal perspective.

DECK USED: ATOMIC CAT TAROT

Gideon’s Challenge – Paradise Found 

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French LavenderParadise Found 

Sweet scents
of lavender
and sweetgrass
blend with sage
cedar
and furniture polish
as footsteps
carry
through the door
and black fluff
rubs
against ankles
in greeting

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Living Alone and Self-Care

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Today’s meditation was eleven minutes long, and was one of the #DailyTrip sessions in the @Calm app.

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The Craft Felt Tarot - Four of WandsThe @GlitterbyInk #JulyJoy25 Challenge
Celebration of Joy Prompt for July 14 : Sharing
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Four of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of one’s passionate love for the security and welcoming energies of home. This often translates into themes that have to do with homecoming, celebrating home and stability, as well as relaxation in comfortable spaces.

Sometimes, I miss living alone. Not that I think it was particularly healthy for me, as I get away with a lot more self-neglect when living alone.

The thing is, though? I don’t live alone. I haven’t for the past 15 years. That’s when L moved in… or rather, more like transferred from our parents house to mine. It was supposed to be temporary; but let’s be honest… it’s totally not temporary. And honestly, even if she moved out there would still be J to contend with, and he spends far more time here than at his own place.

This means that as much as I don’t like sharing my space, I’m stuck with it; and that is a good thing for me.

Sharing space means you look out for each other, care in someway for each other, and learn from each other. There’s truth in the old adage that “sharing is caring” after all. Especially when it comes to sharing one’s space and resources.

The message for today is about the value of sharing your space and resources with others, even when it’s sometimes aggravating as well. This message encourages us to take the time to consider and acknowledge the benefits, especially in those times when you are chafing under the contact with others.

DECK USED:  THE CRAFT FELT TAROT

@LightningWildflower‘s July Tarot Challenge
Reclaim Prompts for July 13 – 15

Wild Dreams Animal Oracle ReadingWhat power have I given away that I need to reclaim?

Buffalo atop Bull – You are yielding to the stubbornness of others instead of allowing your own hardheadedness to shine through and take the reins. You will make more progress with your goals and holding strong in your boundaries by reclaiming this power from those you have been handing it over to. Be the bull.

What label(s) have I outgrown?

Octopus – You were once considered a clever child, but you have grown into a wise adult. No one really considers you “clever” in that way you once were labeled. As you have matured, you have grown into being considered “smart” or “wise” instead. You would think that these terms are interchangeable, but they are not.

What would it look like to live more fully as my authentic self?

Monkey – It would be more carefree and fun. This is a side of yourself that you’ve ended up clamping down on as more responsibilities have crowded into your space.

Other elements included in this reading:
Black Spruce Tips to Boost Self-Confidence and Positive Thinking
Gneiss Wishing Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Carnelian Agate for Inner Drive and Focusing On One’s Aspirations
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: WILD DREAMS ANIMAL ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I took a nap today, even though I really didn’t want to. Apparently, I need it, because I slept for quite some time.

Take Your Time

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Today’s meditation was fourteen minutes long, and was one of the #DailyTrip sessions in the @Calm app. The session for today addressed the topic of embracing defeat and giving up.

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The Radiant Essence Tarot : The Prophesy of Chaos Tarot - Temperance cardThe @GlitterbyInk #JulyJoy25 Challenge
Celebration of Joy Prompt for July 13 : Emerging
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Temperance card, which is traditionally a representation of moderation, balance, slowing down, practicing patience, and can at times represent a connection between the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

When a butterfly emerges from its cocoon, it does so slowly. Little by little it shifts and stretches, adjusting in minute, sometimes indecipherable ways. It figures out how to use its legs to push and pull and grip. It feels the air on its body and wings for the first time, even before those wings have unfolded. Once free of the cocoon, its wings are still scrunched up and molded to its body, and it sits in stillness as bit by bit they begin the process of unfurling.

This process can take hours, which to a butterfly probably feels like an eternity. In the end, they must then learn to fly.

We too are emerging. Every day we learn new things and grow. Today’s message is that, like the butterfly, this process can’t be rushed. When we push and rush, we often lose far more than we gain.

Our lives are a journey of discovery on a path meant to be meandered down and enjoyed.

Take your time.

DECK USED:  THE RADIANT ESSENCE TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJul2025 Challenge
Philosophical Question for July 16 : What makes something moral or immoral?

Herbal Inspiration Cards Oracle ReadingReading Summary: The wisdom gifted to us by calm moments (Bupleurum chinense DC) of contemplation in a time of clarity (Mentha canadensis L) combined with love and caring for others well-being (Rumex acetosa L).

Take Away: My normal answer to this is society. Here, we see another answer entirely.  It’s about contemplation, thoughtfulness, and love.

These cards suggest that what makes something moral vs immoral is the love and caring involved in helping others combined with clarity of thought on the motives behind these judgements. In fact, it doesn’t really consider moral vs immoral as judgements at all, but more as acts of good vs not good.

Other elements included in this reading:
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: HERBAL INSPIRATION CARDS

Daily Self Kindness

I had a “do nothing” day that included a nap (although, obviously I still pulled cards for myself).

❤️ 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 Boadicea's Tarot of Earthly Delights and The Anatomy of Healing Oracle

Earth – The Empress – You take care of everyone else, but who takes care of you? You are no longer “maiden fresh” with energy that abounds, and you should not be putting out more than you are receiving. Abundance, like everything else, is a balance of give and take. Consider taking more this week in order to foster a better balance.

Air – Two of Combustion (Wands) – Continue with getting your ducks in a row this week. Make plans, but with the caveat that they might be for naught if something unforeseen enters the picture. Rough drafts are great, just don’t carve them into stone.

Water – Eight of Æther (Swords) – Don’t panic. You do more harm than good when you’re in a panicked state. No matter how much you want to fix things or help, the best thing you can do in these moments is to close your eyes, take a breath, and stay calm.  If you can’t manage that?  Step aside and wait, then try again.

Fire – King of Combustion (Wands) – No micromanaging this week allowed. Instead, work on delegating effectively and with authority. You aren’t alone in this, so don’t act like you are.

Waning – Lump In My Throat – Keep your mouth shut. When you feel that tension in your jaw and neck? Don’t speak up. There is nothing you can say in this moment that’s going to make things better.

Waxing – Digesting Life – Careful what you ingest this week. Let your gut guide you on when it’s worth speaking, and when it would be better to listen. Remember that just because you don’t speak your mind, and choose to listen instead of contribute, doesn’t mean you are agreeing with (or to) anything. You’re simply choosing not to engage.

Take Away – Keep your mouth shut and mind your own business this week.  It’s all about staying the course and making plans based on where you want things to go.  There’s nothing here about actually -acting- on anything.  Instead, use this week to focus on taking care of -you- and giving others the opportunity to help in that regard.

DECKS USED: BOADICEA’S TAROT OF EARTHLY DELIGHTS AND THE ANATOMY OF HEALING ORACLE