Frustrated
cling a little tighter
as stem withers
and decay
takes hold
and you try
to still hold on
when the branch
seeks to set
you free
and still you cling
grip tightening
knuckles white
unwilling
to break free
and fly
Today’s meditation was Today’s meditation was a ten minute Daily Calm 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 Eight of Wands (Sticks), which is traditionally a representation of action, speed, alacrity, fast paced events or change, or having a target goal in your sights that you are charging towards.
The Eight of Sticks has then been combined with the See the Screen card from the Mindfulness Cards, which says, “When we’re watching TV, at a movie, or using our devices, we tend to focus on what’s on the screen rather than the screen itself. Next time you’re watching something on the screen, try including the screen itself as a part of what you see. Notice what it feels like to include the screen in your viewing experience. The simple practice is a powerful metaphor for how our minds can get sucked into the content of our thoughts rather than taking a bigger view and looking at the nature of our awareness itself.”
It can often be difficult to look beyond our own sphere of experience and influence. We see what our brain tells us to see, and our brain is influenced by our history, our experiences, our opinions, and our beliefs. This, in turn, changes our perspective from that of the person beside us, even when we’re looking at the exact same thing.
This is a big part of the reason that police officers cannot depend upon a single witness to an event. Especially if there is more than one witness available to interview.
The messaging today’s Eight of Sticks and affirmation card is a reminder not to jump to conclusions. When we rush to assumptions and conclusions, we are missing a portion of the picture… and sometimes that portion is extremely important to how we end up seeing the whole. These cards encourage us to slow down and look at things more closely and from more than just the initial angle of perspective we first see.
September Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for September 25th : the price of a sign from the universe
the pendulum swings from side to side
momentum and gravity creating cause and effect
(Eight of Spades)
an exchange played out by the universe and her rules
in her never ending pursuit of balance
(Two of Diamonds)
and when we ask for a boon or favor
she’s happy to bestow upon us what we need
(Ace of Clubs)
but don’t be surprised when she wants in return
more than you want to give
(Seven of Spades)
Other elements included in this reading:
Japanese Cherry Leaf as a Reminder of Life’s Fleeting Moments
Gray Agate for Instilling Gentleness, Calm, and Stability
Green Aventurine for Harmony and Balance of the Heart
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
#DiscordTarotholicsSep2026 Challenge
Prompt for September 25th : What do you need to focus on for self-care for this month’s full moon?
Reading Summary: Focus on the strength needed (Strength) to step away (The Hermit) when temptations are trying to get the better of you (Devilish Eggs).
Take Away: There is a lot of temptation in your life right now, mostly surrounding your finances and self restraint, that you need to make sure you are paying attention to and not falling under it’s spell.
Make sure you are pausing to look within and drumming up inner strength to resist these temptations as they arise rather than giving into them. You won’t be sorry in holding back at this time, and a little self reflection can go a long way in helping you find the strength to do so.
Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Scotch Pine Cone for Purging Negative Influences
Moss Agate for Attracting Opportunities for Growth
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
I went in for a therapeutic massage today instead of bearing through with the pain in my back.
Tomorrow 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 @teaandrosemary
What part of my life is asking for more courage?
Dunlin / Abundance – “More is not automatically better. Sometimes what gathers begins to take over… Celebrate what nurtures and supports you, but pay attention to excess.”
You flirted with the idea of doing a cull on your collection earlier this year, and even took a few steps in that direction. It’s time to revisit the idea. Not just concerning your collection, but concerning the clutter in your home as well. There are places that need clearing out, and others that need sorting. You’ve been avoiding these activities out of your discomfort in “letting go”.
What needs to be gathered or finished before winter?
Virginia Rail / Secrets – “… not all information needs to be exposed immediately. Some things are best kept hidden until the time is right.”
Take care with the secrets you hold. Secrets can be a form of protection, but pay attention to what it is that’s being protected. Discard those secrets that are tainted by dishonesty, and hold close those that are rooted in care, timing, and privacy.
What do I want to carry with me into the darker months?
Belted Kingfisher / Proportion – “… right-size your response. Sometimes the wise response is smaller. Sometimes it needs to be much, much bigger.”
Moving into the darker months, you would like to find greater ease in responding from a place of self confidence and authenticity, rather than feeling as if you are being pushed around by your emotions and/or smothered by your need to people please.
Full Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.
Red-Breasted Sapsucker / Ephemeral – “… some opportunities are brief by nature.”
Be wary of the fear of missing out. Connect with that well of intuition and authenticity within yourself to determine what opportunities are right for you, and which ones you should let pass you by.
Other elements included in this reading:
Crow Medallion for Clarity and Connection
Dried Rosebuds for Potential and Beauty Waiting to Unfold
Norway Maple Key for Fostering Strength and Resilience
Gneiss Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Green Aventurine for Harmony and Balance of the Heart
Rainforest Rhyolite for Facilitating Calm Transitions
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
Wrung Out
when back spasms
so close to quitting
and legs wobble
with weakness
of pressure on nerves
that shouldn’t
be pressed
the time comes
to make the choice
to sit down
or fall down
for the body
won’t break
but it will reach
a point
where it will simply
quit
Today’s meditation was a ten minute Daily Trip session in 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 Three of Wands (Torches), which is traditionally a representation of the first active step in a journey, progress towards a goal, and the seizing of opportunities.
The card has then been combined with The Vervain card from the Listening to Flowers Cards, which says, “ I relax and allow life to unfold peacefully. I transform tension into calm. I soften my views and trust in a higher power.”
Look at the adventures to come as just that… adventures! New journeys hold a wealth of unknowns, but if that’s what you focus on, then the journey becomes a fear-filled voyage instead of a high seas adventure.
Instead, focus on the potential before you, just within your reach. Pursue this potential with eagerness and alacrity. In doing so, you leave little to no room for doubts and naysaying to slip on and draw fear and uncertainty to the surface.
The message in today’s Three of Torches and Vervain card is a reminder that it’s in how you approach the unknown that transforms it into either something to fear or something to celebrate. Choose wisely the attitude you approach the new unknowns in your life, for it’s your approach that decides the flavor of the journey ahead.
September Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for September 24th : my throat is a graveyard
so many words left unspoken
(Eight of Spades)
silenced to keep the peace
or avoid inconveniencing others
(Nine of Clubs atop Ace of Spades)
that they become like pebbles or polyps
stuck to the inside of the throat
(Five of Diamonds)
slowly cutting off air
and choking the life out
one word at a time
(Seven of Spades)
until the words decay into halitosis
closing my mouth for good
(Ten of Spades)
until one day it is merely
dust and bones left behind
(Ten of Clubs)
coating my throat
with the ghost of who I once was
(Five of Hearts atop King of Spades)
Other elements included in this reading:
Staghorn Sumac for Connecting with Nature and the Wild Within
Gneiss Wishing Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
@lightningwildflower‘s September Self-Talk Challenge
Prompts for September 24th and 25th
Openness – Where am I being invited to be more open-hearted?
Eight of Torches and Eight of Ravens
Instead of rushing around focused on your own little world and the perspectives it provides, it’s time to slow down and look outside yourself.
Pay attention to what’s going on around you. Work on putting on the back burner that need to push yourself, for it’s getting in the way of allowing you to see and feel more of what’s going on.
Sun opposite Neptune – How might I be idealizing a situation or a person?
Five of Chalices atop The Sun
Remember that you can’t possibly know the trials, tribulations, and struggles others are going through. Their innermost thoughts and feelings may not match the mask that they show the world.
Look deeper instead of taking the people around you at face value.
Other elements included in this reading:
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
Rainforest Rhyolite for Facilitating Calm Transitions
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy
I bought chocolate muffins on the way home today as a treat.
Relief
leaves whisper
in excitement
as autumn slips
through the fingers
of summer’s grip
like sand
and color pops
from branches
until leaves
are released
to flutter away
finally free
