Feed Your Light

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

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

•    •    •    ◈    •    🎃    •    ◈    •    •    •

Midnight Boulevard Tarot's Queen of Wands and Sinister AffirmationsThe @GlitterbyInk #OctoberMagic25 Challenge
Crone Prompt for October 13th : Conviction
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Queen of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s passion, drive, willpower, determination, values, and principles. This often translates into themes that have to do with being supportive of others projects and passions, or searching for inner truth within your own values and principles.

The Queen of Wands has then been combined with an affirmation card from the Sinister Affirmations deck, which says, “You deserve to have it all – career, relationship, a collection of enchanted cloaks, a haunted castle guarded by a pack of faithful hellhound, and the ability to transform into a bat so that you can menace those that have crossed you.”

In order to foster what you want in life and inspire within yourself the motivation and passion to get there, you have to actually know what you want. This takes a certain level of exploration of self and deep consideration.

It’s those that have done the work in considering what it is exactly they really want in life and who that want to become that become an inspiration for others. This is because, in inspiring yourself, you inspire them as well.

Today’s message tells us that self-exploration is both scary and wonderful, and reminds us to not let fear of the unknown shy you away from the answers you seek. In seeking those answers to what is uniquely a part of who -you- are and what -you- need, you have been given the potential to live a richer and happier life, and encourage others to do the same.

DECKS USED:  MIDNIGHT BOULEVARD TAROT AND SINISTER AFFIRMATIONS

@LightningWildflower October Tarot Challenge
Fire and Air “The Fives” Prompts for October 13th thru 15th

Tarot Reading with the Totem Tarot and Sexcraft OracleFive of Wands

How can I navigate conflicts without making matters worse?

Queen of Swords and Authority – Use your authority to build people up instead of tearing them down. Your tongue can be sharp, and your moments of judgment can be harsh, but if you want to navigate conflicts without making matters worse, a softer approach is often needed.  Being blunt may be a way to expedite things, but it doesn’t make any friends along the way.

What lesson might a current challenge teach me?

Emperor and Luxury – Enjoy what you can when you can. It doesn’t matter if you’re the one calling the shots or the one behind the scenes, there’s always going to be issues, problems, and struggles involved. That can keep you distracted from pleasure and joy if you let it. The key is to look beyond those struggles to find pleasure and joy in the moment anyway.

Five of Swords

When is it okay to act in self-interest, and when is it selfish?

Temperance and Betrayal – Self-interest requires a modicum of moderation and balance. When you are acting in your own self-interest there is moderation, and when you swing beyond that moderation it can easily become selfishness.  An indication of the latter is in the results, as selfishness has a tendency to damage relations with yourself and/or others.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Purple Heather Sprigs for Independence and Luck
Foraged Silver Maple Key for Bouncing Back to Thrive
Pine Tips Ceramic Impression for Longevity and Sustainability
Clear Quartz Man in the Moon for Amplification of Lunar Energies
Flower Agate Moon for Opening the Mind to New Possibilities
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: TOTEM TAROT AND SEXCRAFT ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2025 Challenge
Haunted Prompt for October 13th : What is currently hanging over your head that needs attention?

Midnight Boulevard Tarot ReadingReading Summary: Gluttony and sloth (Nine of Cups imagery) have consequences (Justice) that include pulling you away (Six of Swords) from loved ones (Two of Cups Rx).

Take Away: “When you punish yourself you punish those you love right along side you.”

That’s the phrase that popped into my head when looking at these cards. The thing is?  Wallowing isn’t healthy. Not for me, at any rate. It leads to closing myself off and retreating inward, because when I wallow (even in the good stuff) for too long, I get too comfortable and then don’t want to move.  Then, stagnancy sets in.  What is pleasurable then becomes a form of punishment, because I’m withholding from myself what I need; which is movement.

This is a pattern I’m familiar with.  This reading is bringing that pattern to my attention (and maybe yours too, dear reader!) as something to watch out for, and to remind me that in giving into this pattern I’m hurting myself. Punishing myself… and not -just- myself, but (unintentionally) those around me that care about me as well.

Other elements included in this reading:
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration and Clarity
Gneiss Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Smoky Quartz for Introspection and Emotional Balance
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: MIDNIGHT BOULEVARD TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I gave in to a craving for veggies today and made stir-fry veg on rice, even though I didn’t really feel like cooking and wanted to just snack on junk instead.

Gideon’s Challenge – Take a Break

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

Cleanliness SignTake a Break 

Obsession
is a joy killer
and takes you
away from
those things
that flavor
your life with
moments of joy
trust me…
no one cares
if the
bathroom floor
is clean enough
to eat off of

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Better Weaving with Others

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

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

•    •    •    ◈    •    🎃    •    ◈    •    •    •

The Graveyard Bar Tarot's Two of Cups and Halloween Affirmation CardThe @GlitterbyInk #OctoberMagic25 Challenge
Mother Prompt for October 12th : Surrender
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 Cups, which is traditionally a representation of connection and unification, mutual attraction, and emotional connections.

The Two of Cups has then been combined with a Halloween Affirmation card that says, “I’m a master Weaver of abundance, spending a web of prosperity.”

You may be the master weaver of abundance, but unlike the spider? You can’t (and shouldn’t) do it alone. You have people in your life who depend upon you and the abundance that you create, but you need their support in order to spin that web of prosperity.

It can be hard to let go, surrendering control in order to invite others to help. Especially for someone who is used to being an in control, or uses control as a defense mechanism to protect them from disappointment or other issues.

The thing is? They know that you need their support. They’re just waiting for you to ask for help, because they’re already on board and ready to go, and don’t want to step in and step on your toes doing so without an invitation.

The message in today’s cards is a reminder that true prosperity is built together, not on your own. Lean into those closest to you that share your values and also benefit from your work, and draw them into the process to shoulder some of the burden.

DECK USED:  THE GRAVEYARD BAR TAROT AND TWIST’S HALLOWEEN AFFIRMATION CARDS

#DDSiscordTarotholicsOct2025 Challenge
Prompt for October 12th : Do Spread 2
@thetruthinstory #embracethemagical2025 Challenge
Prompt for Lantern (guidance) : Where is light being offered to me in the dark?

Tarot Reading with The Graveyard Bar Tarot and The Alchemist's OracleReading Summary: As you look towards your purpose (Seahorse Scales) and what will make you happy (Nine of Cups), make sure that you are keeping in mind that balance is needed (Two of Pentacles) in the plans you put in place (Seahorse Scales, again).

Take Away: You need to remember that you can’t just fall back on “this is how it worked before so it’ll work this way again”.

You were younger that first time around, and you had a lot more energy on your side. You need to do things in a healthier way this time in order to create a better balance upon your future path.

Again, we have a message reminding you to use your past experiences and knowledge gained there to your advantage in the present.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rosebuds for Potential and Beauty Waiting to Unfold
Dried Purple Heather Flowers for Independence and Luck
Black Spruce Needles to Boost Self-Confidence and Positive Thinking
Koi Spirit Paintings on Bamboo for Good Luck through Perseverance
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others

DECK USED: THE GRAVEYARD BAR TAROT AND THE ALCHEMIST’S ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I put acrylic back on my thumbnails today to make wirework easier. I’d removed it during September due to the jewelry shop being closed down. Now that I’m doing orders again, it’s much easier with reinforced thumbnails.

❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

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 Happy Halloween Tarot and Silver Acorn Lenormand

Earth – Knight of Pentacles – Don’t forget to move slow. Just because things are moving again with your business doesn’t mean that they’re going to move fast. Don’t push, and let things move at their own pace. As long as you’re moving, all is well.

Air – Ace of Wands Rx – As mentioned the other day in a different reading you did, too many good ideas at the same time as a bad idea. Make sure that you prioritize well and write down what you decide to put on the back burner so that you can return to them later.

Water – Two of Swords – Sometimes the emotions that you feel are a choice rather than out of your control. Maybe it’s time to examine which are which, so that you can get a better handle on those that you’re choosing, opposed to those you aren’t.  There’s a potential for a bit of control here, if you’re willing to look closely.

Fire – Page of Swords – Take care to stay on top of those things that help your ambitions move forward, just make sure you’re not going overboard. Remember that you’re still in the learning stages at the moment.

Waning – Crossroads and Mountain – Stop dithering over how to deal with your obstacles. Lingering in indecision isn’t good for you this week.  Be decisive instead.

Waxing – Stork and Scythe – Before things can grow in a healthy direction and give you the harvest you’re looking for, you have to put everything in its place.

Take Away – Get organized and write things down. Make plans and write things down. Explore… and write things down.  Everything gets sorted out better when things are written down, and it has the added benefit of allowing you to explore more in depth as well.  Focus on the stuff you’re dealing with now, write down the rest.

DECKS USED: HAPPY HALLOWEEN TAROT AND SILVER ACORN LENORMAND

Gideon’s Challenge – All the Love

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Halloween DecorAll the Love

Love
shines through
illuminated
in golden glow
by jack-o-lanterns
that smile
in the dark
so at night
it isn’t
the spooky
you see
but love
everlasting
on display

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Blood, Sweat, and Tears

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

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

•    •    •    ◈    •    🎃    •    ◈    •    •    •

Soul Splash Tarot and Sinister AffirmationsThe @GlitterbyInk #OctoberMagic25 Challenge
Mother Prompt for October 11th : Devotion
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Queen of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s knowledge, education, logic, ambitions, or communication. This often translates into themes that have to do with the people that foster you through tough love and sharp-tongued advice.

The Queen of Swords has then been combined with one of the Sinister Affirmations cards that says, “Don’t be too hard on yourself about your weaknesses. We all have them. Dracula can’t even go outside during the day and he’s still the immortal prince of darkness.”

Sometimes sticking with something in order to become adept at it requires a bit of injury and healing along the way. It’s those that, even when they fight through the pain come out the other side intact with experience gained, show their true devotion to whatever it is they were focused on achieving. The scars are simply proof of lessons learned along the way, as the pain of the experience begins to fade into memory.

The message in today’s cards reminds us that true success is never achieved without sacrifice. Blood, sweat, and tears go into our work, and when we come out the other side we are sometimes scarred by the experience, but triumphant in our achievements and/or what’s been gained along the way.

DECKS USED:  SOUL SPLASH TAROT AND SINISTER AFFIRMATIONS

@CrowSister #PreparingForTheDark Challenge
The Storeroom Prompts

Tarot Reading with the Nigredo Tarot and The Midwest Gothic OraclePreserve – Ace of Cups and The Swing – You may be looking for a bit of balance in your emotions, but don’t swing so far the other way that you end up not feeling anything because you’re holding yourself still and stagnant. Emotions need movement, even when that movement feels unsteady or uncertain.

Store – The Hanged Man and The Lonely Highway – Put away your judgment and stay open to others and their perspectives. Sometimes holding back on judgment can feel like you’re being smothered, but in truth, you’re not being smothered you’re just opening up to seeing more than your own point of view.

Protect – Justice and The Dunes – It takes longer to do things “the right way”. That doesn’t mean the right way isn’t the exact path that you need to take for the rewards that you seek. You need to make sure you are protecting that path, because the longer time period means it’s more open to problems and the negative impacts of intrusion by outside sources… or your own self-destructive tendencies.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Red Oak Leaf for Fostering Unconditional Love
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Septarian Stone for Physical and Mental Healing
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: NIGREDO TAROT AND THE MIDWEST GOTHIC ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2025 Challenge
Trick or Treat Prompt for October 11th  : What consequences await a choice yet to be made?

Soul Splash Tarot ReadingReading Summary: Avoid trying to be the “smartest guy in the room” (Knight of Swords), and instead hang back and pay attention (The Hanged Man). In doing so, you might discover something that sparks your own interest and passions (Knight of Wands), far more than whatever you were going to share in the first place.

Take Away: When you speak out of turn, you miss out on all that you could learn by staying quiet. Make sure as you move into your day (or week) that you are staying quiet more than you are speaking. You don’t want to lose out on that knowledge and perspective that’s going to be on offer to you if you stay open to it.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Silver Maple Key for Bouncing Back to Thrive
Ammonite for a Sense of Stability During Times of Change
Gneiss Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: SOUL SPLASH TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took a nap at Ms B’s today.  For some reason after I ate, I felt really flushed and it made me sleepy. Instead of fighting it, I chose to just go with it and have a nap.