You Are Likeable… Honest

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Today’s meditation was a ten minute long self-directed session based upon the Mirror Work Affirmation card that says “I am loved for who I am, not what I do.”

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True Sunbright Soul Tarot's The Sun Card and Mirror Work Affirmation CardsThe @GlitterbyInk #SeptemberSoul25 Challenge
Seeds of Intention Prompt for September 15th : Awaken
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is The Sun card, which is traditionally a representation of success, optimism, positivity, fun and frivolity. In my path, the Sun is also a symbol of male vitality, virility, and warmth.

Do you ever wonder, “Why do these people stick by me?” Your mind going through all the possible things that they might be getting out of the relationship, or from you specifically, that motivate them to stay?

I do. Maybe I was just raised to be suspicious of other people’s motivations, or to see myself in an unpalatable light, or both. But, regardless of why? My mind goes there nearly every time someone is nice to me or I’m enjoying someone’s company.

It took my partner to help me see that this is not necessarily how others see the world and those around them. He helped open my eyes to the fact that sometimes people hang out with me just because they like me. It’s a really weird thought for me, even now, and difficult to wrap my head around. But, he’s awakened me to the fact that weird or not? It’s probably true.

It goes to show that you just can’t predict what might make others happy or comfortable. Sometimes those qualities in yourself that you see as faults are actually another person safe place, or what makes you interesting to to someone else.

The message in today’s cards is a reminder that happiness is subjective. The people that like you for you can make you happy too, if you’re willing to give them a chance and accept their love.

DECK USED:  TRUE SUNBRIGHT SOUL TAROT AND MIRROR WORK AFFIRMATION CARDS

@LightningWildflower September Tarot Challenge
Prompts for September 9th through 15th

Tarot Reading with The Celestial Folklore Tarot, Intimacy Cards, Ukiyo Tarot, I-Ching Oracle, Journey to the Crossroads Tarot, Witches Through History Oracle, True Sunbright Soul Tarot, and The Healthy Witch Oracle

Knight of Cups

How can I express my feelings authentically, even if they’re messy?

The Lovers and Rapid Fire – Get it out. Spill them out on the floor like a dropped glass of water and let them splatter out all over the place. Just make sure that you are doing so with someone safe and trusted, who can provide you the support and care you need.

Where might I be romanticizing a situation instead of seeing it clearly?

Knight of Cups and Success – Look back on past experiences of success where things went in the direction you wanted them to go, and make sure that you’re not forgetting all of the hard work, stress, and struggle that went into the process. Acknowledge that it wasn’t as easy as you’re remembering it to be.

Knight of Swords

Where do I need to communicate or listen more effectively before acting?

Four of Cups and Limping – Retreating into yourself for some solitude may feel like what you need, but it’s not always the healthy choice. Instead of keeping to yourself how much you’re struggling, make sure that you’re communicating with others so that they can help you. There’s no point in limping along on your own and struggling under the weight when there’s others that are willing to take part of the load from you.

What truth might I be overlooking in my haste to charge forward?

King of Cups and Biting – Putting all of your focus on what you can’t control right now is leaving your partner feeling neglected and alone. This allows the emotional side of the drop to bite deeper than it would normally. Don’t be surprised if you feel a little bit of backlash from this when it overflows beyond his control.

Knight of Pentacles

How can I show up for myself consistently, especially when progress feels slow?

Five of Coins and The Owl – Be aware that your negative thoughts and self talk are lying to you about scarcity issues. It’s important to remember that there are always going to be times when you feel like you’re playing catch-up, even when things are at their best. When things are moving slow, though, it allows your inner thoughts more room to try and stir up trouble. Use your cards, your intuition, and your spiritual practice to help keep you from falling too far down into that rabbit hole of lies and the resulting panic they bring with them.

What long-term goal needs steady attention and care?

Six of Wands and Belladonna – Achieving success is not going to take just time and hard work, but will also require you to stay on top of those negative narratives going on in your head. This goal in particular requires constant attention and validation. You need to be able to give yourself the reassurance of positivity and optimism whenever those voices speak up to try and poison your perspective.

Knight of Wands

What risk feels exciting right now but could use a little more direction?

Ace of Wands; Blood Flow – Be vigilant in ensuring that any new “brilliant” ideas and projects that come up right now aren’t something that’s going to feed into your addictions and self-destructive tendencies. You don’t need these extra obstacles right now, so make sure before you start that you look at things clearly and closely, and that you’re not creating more problems by picking it up.

How can I balance impulsive action with more thoughtful care?

The Moon; Arms and Legs – It’s important that the things you take on right now are within your wheelhouse. Don’t overextend yourself , nor let the uncertainty of the current situation make you freeze in place and stop moving entirely.

Other elements included in this reading:
Black Spruce Needles to Boost Self-Confidence and Positive Thinking
Dried Purple Heather Flowers for Independence and Luck
Amazonite for Self Awareness and Facing Truths
Carnelian Agate for Inner Drive and Focusing On One’s Aspirations
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE CELESTIAL FOLKLORE TAROT, INTIMACY CARDS, UKIYO TAROT, I-CHING ORACLE, JOURNEY TO THE CROSSROADS TAROT, WITCHES THROUGH HISTORY ORACLE, YRUE SUNBRIGHT SOUL TAROT, THE HEALTHY WITCH ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

We had rain today!  And I went for a walk in it.

Gideon’s Challenge – Feelings of Failure

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Cloudy DayFeelings of Failure

How is it
that in a day
filled with
hard work and
physical labor
at the end
of the day
somehow
failure
seems to be
the feeling
that weighs
heaviest
on the soul?

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Do Nothing, Know Nothing

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Today’s meditation was a ten minute long self-directed session based upon @thelatestkate’s affirmation that says “It’s okay to not know the next steps. It’s enough to hang in there.”

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The Witch's Cat Tarot - The Moon card and The Latest Kate AffirmationThe @GlitterbyInk #SeptemberSoul25 Challenge
Seeds of Intention Prompt for September 14th : Celestial
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is The Moon (Lunar Cat) card, which is traditionally a representation of uncertainty, illusion, anxiety, fear, the unknown, and the subconscious.

Looking at my meditation card for today and The Moon card with the cat lazing within the moon’s embrace… and my brain says, “Well, that’s September for me this year.”

They’re not wrong.

The thing is? This is an extremely uncertain time for me. My jewelry business (where the lion’s share of my income comes from for the past five years) is in dire straits at the moment due to the new US tariffs.

I can’t get the supplies in that can’t be purchased anywhere else than overseas, and because my business is US/CAN (I’m a dual citizen and my business partner lives north of the border), we had to shut down sales for the moment to the US while Etsy figures out how to allow international sellers to charge tariffs (because moving the CAN side of the business to the US just isn’t feasible).

This means that my thriving business went from 100% down to… 3%? Maybe a little less. I essentially went from around 60+ sales a week to 2-3. All because of trade issues between US and Canada, and Etsy’s lack of solutions for international sellers needing to collect tariffs at point of sale.

So… Uncertainty abounds, and being one of those “Mr. Fix-it” types? My wheels are spinning to do something about it. Of which, for the time being? There’s nothing I can do.

The cards for today are a reminder that sometimes it’s just not possible to be in control. For a control freak like me, this brings up all kinds of anxieties and uncertainties, but all you can do sometimes is wait it out until the stars (and obstacles) align in your favor once more. And that’s okay. Give yourself permission to do nothing, know nothing, and wait.

DECK USED:  THE WITCH’S CAT TAROT AND THE LATEST KATE AFFIRMATION

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2025 Challenge
Prompt for September 14th : Do Spread 2
@de_tarotjuf Time for Yourself
#detarotjufseptembertarotchallenge
Prompts for September 14th : How can I improve my self-image?

Tarot Reading with The Witch's Cat Tarot and Chubby Witch's Night In Oracle Reading

Reading Summary: The issue lies in your defense mechanisms, indicated by that there are no obvious orange or red hues shared between the anchor card and the Nine of Tails (Nine of Wands), making it both the outlier and the obstacle.

The foundation color of the floor in the anchor card matches to the the background of the Cosmic Cat card (The Star). This connection speaks of a need to root into a foundation of hope and take care to lean into positivity for a sense of stability.

The Witch of Claws (Knight of Swords) card’s colors align with the clothing that the witch in the anchor card wears. This speaks of a need to be proactive in dealing with your thoughts. You can’t be positive and optimistic while draped in negativity and pessimism. Instead, you must drape yourself in the determination to lean into that more positive experience.

Take Away: The message in these cards is a reminder that in order to feel more confident in yourself you need to avoid listening to your negative inner narratives and self talk, and instead use positivity and optimism to combat the imbalance and discord that those negative thoughts create within you.  Remember that what your brain tells you about yourself is “perception”, and not fact. Changing the narrative will change your perspective.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Grand Fir Sprig for Help in Finding One’s Natural Rhythm
Foraged Ponderosa Pine Cone for Resilience and Adaptability
Bird Figuring for Fostering Hope, Positivity, and Renewal
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE WITCH’S CAT TAROT AND CHUBBY WITCH’S NIGHT IN ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I had an apple with peanut butter today… which was healthy and good and really “hit the spot” when I was needing a snack.

Gideon’s Challenge – Restlessness

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Hinoki CypressRestlessness

Sharp edges
and prickle points
wherever
skin touches
and irritation
results
as red welts
rise on the skin
like the
restless irritation
that rides
upon the soul
and won’t
let go

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

❤️ 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 Baddeley Tarot and Shamankae Lenormand

Earth – The Star – “Hope melts the snow of your despair so you can climb towards wholeness.” – Guidebook

Use this time to reconnect with your true self and the direction in which you want your life to go. Instill hope into your process of rebuilding, in order to create something that is aligned with your true self and soul.

Air – Nine of Batons atop Ace of Cups – Listen to your intuition and take care concerning who you offer your love to and caring to this week. If it feels right, it’s right and you can move forward with confidence. If your intuition and instincts feel something is wrong, take care to hold back on providing that emotional support or connection.

Water – The Hermit – Remember that needing time alone is healthy, as long as you are partaking in it in a healthy manner. By the same turn, taking some time for self exploration and soul searching is also healthy, as long as you aren’t focusing solely on negative aspects and perspectives.

Fire – Page of Cups atop The Moon – You can’t help others unless you’re willing to help yourself. Listen to your intuition as you navigate these uncertain times, and get yourself out in nature for some much needed exercise. Everything will feel clearer once fresh air has had a chance to clear your head and nature has had an opportunity to soothe your emotions.

Waning – Dog and Fox – Some people think they’re soooo clever, and that your emotional connection to them and loyalty will help you turn a blind eye to their bad actions and behaviors. Make sure you aren’t doing that this week. Now is not the time for ignoring such things.

Waxing – Book and Child – Accept that at this time, you know nothing. It’s okay to be rudderless and blind at the moment.  Instead of twisting in the wind, sink into the understanding that you are “waiting for class to start” and prepare in the ways you can so you can absorb new knowledge quickly and easily once that new information is available to you.

Take Away – There are other things you can be doing instead of chafing under what you can’t do and don’t know.  Instead of focusing on the unknown, work on getting the healthy alone time and self-reflection you need, the self-care you’ve been neglecting, and necessary preparations done.  Also, be sure to keep an eye out for someone trying to use your loyalty and good nature to manipulate you.

DECKS USED: THE BADDELEY TAROT AND SHAMANKAE LENORMAND

Taking It With You

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Today’s meditation was a self-directed ten minute session, focused upon the “The Alternative” card from The Az Oracle (shown) by @Sunni_Chapman and the guidance that came with that card.

That guidance says, “I wonder if you’re considering the alternative, deary… it’s not a matter of going forward or backward, onward or back home… it’s a matter of knowing what HOME really is to you, and taking that with you wherever you go.”

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Elemental North Tarot's Nine of Pentacles and The Az OracleThe @GlitterbyInk #SeptemberSoul25 Challenge
Seeds of Intention Prompt for September 13th : Gateway
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Nine of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of solitary satisfaction, a job well done, self-sufficiency, abundance, financial independence, and luxury earned through hard work.

I feel my greatest sense of “home” in the woods among the trees and the moss and the damp soil. Here is where my heart unclenches most easily and my head can be tamed into silence. The thing is though? I can’t get to the woods even remotely as often as I want or need.

So instead, I bring the woods to me. I grow fern and pine on my balcony, I gather forest detritus to bring home and use these items in my decor and daily practices (divination, devotionals, altar, etc.) I carry rocks in my pocket… not crystals, but beach stones and rocks unearthed from moss beds and rich forest soil. I use scents of cedar, pine, and fir in my meditation, and often will carry them with me on my clothing.

All of these things help me to stay in touch with “home” no matter where I am. These things help me to create and foster a greater sense of stability and confidence, aiding in relaxing more easily during tense or uncertain situations.

The message in today’s cards asks us to consider how we can bring with us that sense of “home” when we’re out into the world. What things or actions can we do to connect us with these places, providing us with a momentary gateway to touch those feelings of “home”, even when we’re away?

DECK USED:  ELEMENTAL NORTH TAROT AND THE AZ ORACLE

@de_tarotjuf Time for Yourself
#detarotjufseptembertarotchallenge
Prompts for September 13th : How can I improve my self-image?

Discovering Beauty Tarot ReadingReading Summary – Slow down (Voice of Earth), and stop trying to make choices that you have no business making right now (Four of Air atop Seven of Water). Remember that you’re supposed to be gathering information to support your ambitions (Voice of Earth and The Magician). You will be learning these new skills that you need eventually, it’s just going to take a little time (back again to Voice of Earth).

Take Away – You’re supposed to be resting and using this time in productive ways that allow you to relax. You often forget that slow movement is still movement in the right direction. There’s no reason you can’t keep up on the information gathering and preparation without going overboard and overwhelming yourself.  The more languid pace is going to pay off later when you can jump back into the fray again, for you’ll have the tools you need to move forward quickly once this time of rest and slowness is over.

Other elements included in this reading:
Amethyst Moon for Serenity in Spiritual Connections
Onyx Stone Fox for Identifying and Connecting to Truth
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: DISCOVERING BEAUTY TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2025 Challenge
Prompt for September 13th

Elemental North Tarot Reading with the Animal Totem Guides OracleWhat helps when  you’re angry?

Empress and Spider – It helps you to turn inward to seek out what you need and create the space needed to give those things to yourself. When you’re truly angry, you need to step away and find that calming influence that self-care can provide. This is why stepping outside to work in the garden helps you so much, as it gives you that time alone and allows you to connect with energies in the soil that you find soothing.

What helps when  you’re sad?

Five of Wands and Otter – Hash it out with others. When you’re sad, others in your life are able to give you a different perspective than that of the darkness you’re stuck in, and thus help lighten your mood better than you’re able to do on your own. Sometimes time with others when you’re sad feels uncomfortable or even unpleasant, but it still helps even when you’re not really feeling up for it.

What helps when  you’re needing to relax?

Ten of Swords and Dragonfly – Accepting that there’s nothing you can do right now except take a step back helps you to relax when you need it. This distance can allow you to see things more clearly and give you the space needed to work out what’s really going on not just around you, but also in your head.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Aventurine Leaf Medallion for Harmony and Balance of the Heart
Selenite Tree of Life Disk for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: ELEMENTAL NORTH TAROT AND ANIMAL TOTEM GUIDES

Daily Self Kindness

I made steak for dinner with taco rice and steamed veggies… instead of eating ramyun.