❤️ 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 Bonestone & Earthflesh Tarot and Echoes of the Wood Oracle

Earth – The Emperor – Sometimes when you take on the mantle of leadership, even though there are others that follow you, you still feel like you’re alone. It’s important to remember that when you lead well, others will be there to pick you up when you need it.

Air – Queen of Swords – It’s absolutely always okay to stand up for what matters to you. Method is important, though. Use strategy to get things to go your way instead of just “being a bitch”. That sass and spark attitude is not always the shortcut that it seems like it’d be.

Water – King of Cups – Emotional support from others, especially from Gideon, is going to be a high priority this week in order to keep your emotional balance. Make sure you are reaching out for that support when you need it.

Fire – The World atop Death – Sometimes endings are just that… endings. Other times they are a doorway to something else. Try considering endings as a liminal space. There’s a lot of potential there if you’re open to it.

Waning – Harvest and Germination – This week ahead isn’t about what you can get out of it, nor about what you can begin to sprout in your life.

Waxing – Song and Frost – Instead, put your focus on preparing for a time of dormancy and keeping things lighthearted.

Take Away – The depression you just started to recover from is still looking for a way in. You need to take care to lean on your support instead of trying to shoulder everything yourself. Look for ways to lift yourself up, and be open to experiences that you will enjoy.  These experiences will help you in your recovery and in recuperation as well.

DECKS USED: BONESTONE & EARTHFLESH TAROT AND ECHOES OF THE WOOD ORACLE

Gideon’s Challenge – Grumpy Gus

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Angry JeepGrumpy Gus

Pouty
grumpy
full of sass
I really just wanna
kick some ass
and stomp my foot
and then sit down
and scowl
and sulk
with an unhappy frown
until I’m able to
finally calm down

maybe I need a nap?

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Inadequacies and Accomplishments

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Cleopatra Tarot - Ten of Cups and Lobilat Rumi Quotes CardsDaily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Ten of Cups (Tepisatosoa/Sun in Gemini), which is traditionally a representation of feelings of completion, connection with others and harmony in those connections, and is often considered as the “happy family” card.

In this deck, the definition in the guidebook says “Need to stand out from the crowd. Risk of arousing dislike. Disputes with people who are intellectually diverse.” Although this is not a traditional definition for the Ten of Cups, it introduces the aspect of the Egyptian decan that is depicted on this card, as well as the zodiac sign assigned to it.

The Ten of Cups has then been combined with the an affirmation from the Lobilat Rumi Quotes deck, which says, “You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the ocean in a drop”

I struggle with feelings of not being enough.  Not being enough, not doing enough. Just… not enough.  This feeling is a motivational shove that keeps my drive pushing for more and better… and in some ways?  That’s not necessarily a bad thing.

It becomes a bad thing, though, when it starts to harm myself or others.

These feelings are a byproduct of how I was raised.  I know this, and yet somehow I still manage to carry them with me into adulthood.  Decades from being a child?  They still drive me even when I try to change and heal.

Today’s cards are a reminder that in order to get past these feelings of inferiority, it’s important to appreciate not just all that you’ve accomplished, but also all those things you do in life that you enjoy. The message is also a reminder that if you don’t have many of those things in life you enjoy?  It’s time to start looking a little deeper at why that is, and start seeking out more of those things.

DECK USED:  CLEOPATRA TAROT AND LOBILAT RUMI QUOTES

The @owlandbonestarot #78DaysOfTarotSpreads Challenge
Judgement Spread

Judgement Tarot Reading with The Cocaine Tarot

What calling do you hear?

Knight of Cups – There has been a lot of messages lately that focus on authenticity and going after what is truly of interest to you (as opposed to what you feel that you -should- be doing). The Knight of Cups is a reinforcement of that message, encouraging you to prioritize seeking out what makes you happy, instead of always trying to fill obligations and responsibilities first.

What truth can no longer be ignored?

The Hierophant Rx – You’re becoming stuck in your ways as you age. That stubborn streak is coming out more and more, and making it harder for you to adapt to new methods, technology, and concepts. You’re really not -that- old, but you’re being left behind all the same.

What past are you ready to release?

The Temperance Rx – You have gotten to the point in your life where you have begun to appreciate moving at a slower pace and taking your time. This used to be something you could not tolerate in your life, but has become more important to you over the time, allowing you to release the need to push and shove and rush quite as much.

What awareness arrives?

Three of Swords – You were once naïve, and every little cut from others felt like a travesty of emotion. You are getting to the point now where you understand more what these cuts are about and why they happen. It still hurts, but you’re processing it better now than you did before.

What new self is emerging?

Ten of Coins – You are redefining accomplishments and success, and in the process you are finding that you have far more of both than you thought you did. This creates a greater sense of stability within you, and inhow you perceive your life.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
Foraged Ponderosa Pine Cones for Resilience and Adaptability
Onyx Stone Fox for Identifying and Connecting to Truth
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Foraged Branch covered in Parmeliaceae for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Japanese Cherry Leaf as a Reminder of Life’s Fleeting Moments
River Rock for Resilience within Life’s Flow
Carnelian Agate for Inner Drive and Focusing On Aspirations
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: COCAINE TAROT

@thetruthinstory #embracethemagical2025 Challenge
The Deep Prompts 29 thru 30

Tarot Reading with the Cleopatra TarotEcho (Resonance) – What pattern is returning, asking to be heard again?

Seven of Cups (Aharph/Saturn in Taurus) – “Struggle against melancholy. A period of tiredness or depression. News that generates apprehension.” – LWB

You are not as far out of depression’s pit as you think you are. Make sure you are making choices that bolster your mood and encourage positivity. Otherwise, you may find yourself drawn back into the darkness for a second round.

Weave (Integration) – How do the threads of this descent come together in me now?

Two of Pentacles (Sothis/Venus in Cancer) – “Capacity to attain benevolence thanks to one’s abilities and niceness. A period of socialization.” – LWB

People pleasing is going to set things more and more off-kilter right now. Instead of trying to make everyone else happy, focus your energies on your own happiness. By doing this you can help restore and preserve a balance within yourself and your life that will help immensely in keeping you out of depression’s pit.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
Dried Red Maple Leaf for Adaptability and Connection
Foraged Acorns for Protection during New Beginnings
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: CLEOPATRA 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 – Morning Walk

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Gray Day at the WaterfrontMorning Walk

Wet boots
and dripping hair
as the chill
tries to
sneak in
and cause
shivers
to rise
but the furnace
is running
and hands
are warm
as barnacles
crunch
underfoot

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Begin Again

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Today’s meditation was an eleven minute long #DailyTrip session from the @Calm app.

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Common Thread Tarot - Ace of Pentacles and Lobilat Rumi Quotes CardsDaily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Ace of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of the seed of new beginnings and new opportunities in the areas of one’s finances, resources, health, labors, manifestations, and the physical world.

The Ace of Pentacles has then been combined with the Fairy Inkcap affirmation card from the Mushroom Affirmations deck, which says, “Learn to notice the stuff around you. Slow down and be mindful.”

I struggle a bit with consistency.  That’s probably  not a surprise to anyone that pays attention to my efforts on my blog or on social media.  Occasionally, things fall off and I then have to play “catch up” (like I’m doing right now).  It’s not always procrastination, either.  Sometimes it’s just that I’m too busy with other things and something has to give.

That said?  I always try again.  I always pick things back up and give consistency another go.  It may not be my strong suit, but it’s one I work at and put effort into trying to improve on.

And then, something happens to pull me off track and I start over once again.

The message in today’s cards is a reminder that you can always begin again.  You can always take a look around, realize what you left behind, and pick it back up for another try.  Life happens.  Distractions happen.  Eventually, we become aware that we’ve been pulled off track.  Don’t despair.  Just pick what was left behind, and revisit what’s been lost.

DECKS USED:  THE COMMON THREAD TAROT AND MUSHROOM AFFIRMATIONS

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2025 Challenge
Prompts for November 27th and 29th

Tarot Reading with the Cowboix Hevvven Tarot and The Black Ritual TarotGratitude : What are three things to be grateful for?

The World – Endings. Sometimes endings feel like a blessing, and sometimes they don’t. In the end, though, it’s only through those endings that you find new ways to move forward, and your world changes to suit you more and more as a result.

Seven of Cups – Options. Although you sometimes feel like you are hemmed in, your options are plentiful. So much so that sometimes you get a little caught up in trying to figure out which direction to go. Those moments of waffling and indecision are better than having no options at all, though.

Six of Cups – Positive memories. You have good memories to look back on if you are willing to seek them out. This requires a conscious effort on your part, but often allows you to see things in a more positive light when you decide to revisit them.

Humble Heart : What my heart needs to hear right now?

Reading Summary: Indulging in your addictions (The Devil) is not going to give you anything more than you already have (Six of Pentacles). Instead, you’re at the cusp of it turning into something unhealthy (The Lovers Rx).

Take Away: Any of your addictions can be indulged in in small ways without it becoming unhealthy for you. The danger is in the fact that sometimes you miss the warning signs that things are headed in an unhealthy direction. You are at that cusp now, and need to take a close look at what you have indulged in of late that you now need to back off on for a while.

DECK USED: COWBOIX HEVVVEN TAROT AND THE BLACK RITUAL TAROT

@LightningWildflower November Tarot Challenge
Earth and Water “The Nines” Prompts for November 25th thru 27th

Tarot Reading with the Common Thread Tarot and Pulp Fantasy OracleNine of Pentacles

How can I take more pride in my accomplishments?

The Moon and Astro Grave – Stop letting uncertainty rain on your parade. Moments of uncertainty have a tendency to cause you to hold back.  They make you feel that you are “not enough” or haven’t done enough, and thus you set aside the appreciation of your accomplishments to prove yourself.  Instead of letting your uncertainty direct you into pushing yourself, use mindfulness to pause a moment and really look at what you’ve done.

What abundance can I celebrate?

Strength and Starlight Oath – You are not hemmed in by time. There are no deadlines, and there is no need to rush. Make a commitment to yourself to slow down and spend more time appreciating the moment, rather than always striving for more and more.

Nine of Cups

What does satisfaction mean to me beyond material success?

Two of Pentacles – It’s not so much about how much you have, but about feeling like you have enough. This is only accomplished through balance and the reassurance of having people close that understand you, and that you trust to be at your side and follow you to the ends of the earth if need be.

Other elements included in this reading:
Japanese Cherry Leaf as a Reminder of Life’s Fleeting Moments
Oregon White Oak Leaf for Strength, Stability, and Longevity
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Septarian Stone for Physical and Mental Healing
Picture Jasper for Sense of Proportion and Grounding
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: THE COMMON THREAD TAROT AND PULP FANTASY ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I called today to make an appointment to get my flu vaccine.

Gideon’s Challenge – The Pause

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PeacockThe Pause

A moment
of fear
as startled
eyes widen
and muscles
tense
and the body
freezes
heart stopping
for a beat
before giving
a sudden
hard
THUMP
to begin again

Photo © ZenStatePhotography