Non-Transactional Kindness

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Brute Tarot - Five of Hearts, Five of Cups and Lobilat Fluffy Advice Oracle & Affirmation CardsDaily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Five of Hearts, which in tarot correlates to the Five of Cups. As the Brute Tarot is in fact intended as a tarot, the Five of Cups is traditionally a representation of pessimism, regrets, doomsday thinking, disappointments, and occasionally, failure (or at the very least, the perception of failure).

The Five of Cups has then been combined with the an affirmation from the Lobilat Fluffy Advice Oracle & Affirmation Cards, which says, “Let self-care become a PRIORITY in your life.”

Don’t let a pissy mood or sour outlook keep you from providing for your needs.

Sometimes when I’m feeling pessimistic and out of sorts, I have a tendency to make things worse by punishing myself instead of being kind to myself. It’s almost as if in my mind, I feel that because I can’t be positive or uplifting I don’t -deserve- to be treated kindly… especially by myself.

The message in today’s cards is a reminder that this mentality is false and abusive.  When you are feeling out of sorts is an especially important time for self kindness. These cards encourage this kindness, reminding us to take care of our needs even when we don’t feel happy or particularly deserving.

DECK USED:  BRUT TAROT AND LOBILAT FLUFFY ADVICE ORACLE & AFFIRMATION CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2025 Challenge
Grief Prompts for November 26th :

Tarot Reading with the Mystic Psyche TarotCleanse This – Ace of Wands Rx – Your inspirational blocks require some cleansing in order to break free. Clean your surroundings, and do some centering and grounding exercises to provide your inner landscape some cleansing as well.  Things are too cluttered, and more fresh air is needed.

Ground This – King of Pentacles – It’s time to work on shoring up the foundation under your feet with practices that help you ground and center more easily. That means meditation is needed, and time in nature as well.  These things, as well as breathing exercises and mindfulness moments, give you the grounding needed to help you keep your balance during both simple and complicated times.

Release This – Page of Cups – Your emotions aren’t meant to be tucked away, and neither is your imagination. Let them out so that they can flow freely.

Other elements included in this reading:
Carved Bamboo for Positive Outcomes
Foraged Acorns for Protection during New Beginnings
Staghorn Sumac for Connecting with Nature and the Wild Within

DECKS USED: MYSTIC PSYCHE TAROT AND ENCHANTED EARTH ORACLE

The @owlandbonestarot #78DaysOfTarotSpreads Challenge
The Moon Spread

The Moon Tarot Reading with the Brute Tarot

What illusions are obscuring your inner knowing?

Two of Clubs – The illusion that everything is going to go according to plan.  Plans don’t go as planned. They are there to give you an “outline” to work with, not a step by step detailed set of instructions to follow to the letter.  No matter how much planning is involved, it’s never going to go as planned. Stop expecting it to and allow yourself to loosen up instead.

What unconscious part of you is hiding in the dark?

Strength – You’re stronger than you think you are.  The words may sound cliché, but that doesn’t make them any less true. Don’t sell yourself short.

How can you lead your shadow self to the light?

Jack of Clubs – Put forth your formidable willpower and focus to the task. Your daily positivity card, and other efforts toward optimism and positivity aren’t for naught. It’s not easy, and sometimes feels foolish, but you’ve already proven it works if you put in the work.

How can you best use the bewitching electricity of the Moon?

Ten of Diamonds – Use the energy of the Moon to help in boosting your drive as you work toward your goals of stability for yourself and those you love.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration and Clarity
Bird Figurine for Fostering Hope, Positivity, and Renewal
Mookaite Stone for Help with Weighing One’s Options
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: BRUT TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

It was far too busy for a nap, but I at least allowed my back a few breaks throughout the day.

Gideon’s Challenge – Connected

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Orca Topiary in Victoria BCConnected

We move
together
through tides
and times
side by side
year after year
connected
supported
and never
alone
for our hearts
are connected
as one

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Unusual Teamwork

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Celtic Tarot: Fate of the Norns (Oracle Deck) and the Mushroom Affirmations DeckDaily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Three of Swords (Air/Reed), which is traditionally a representation of depression, grief, and disappointments. This theme often seems strange to people, being that it is seated in the Swords suit (which is often all about intellect and the mind), but it is important to remember that how we react emotionally is often rooted in how we think and what expectations we create for ourselves before everything falls apart.

This card depicts the oppression of the Fir Bolg (Children of Builge) by the Druids.

The Three of Swords card has then been combined with the Purple Pinwheel affirmation card from the Mushroom Affirmations deck, which says, “Make yourself seen, no matter how small you think you are.”

Sometimes you have to make some noise, and even align with people that you may not normally align with, in order to be seen, acknowledged, and taken seriously. Sadly, it’s not always enough to try and stand alone, and you need the help of others with a louder voice than yours is.  In these times, the adage “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” rings true, and it can be beneficial to align with these others for a time to get done what needs done.  Just as the Fir Bolg teamed up with their enemies to force the Druids to acknowledge them.

The message in today’s cards is a reminder that sometimes you have to think outside the box… and connect outside the box, in order to be heard. There’s always going to be people out there that will tread all over your rights, boundaries, and needs if you let them.  These people will disappoint you again and again.  The key is to make sure you can enforce these boundaries and rights, and stand up for yourself.  Sometimes that means getting help from others that can help bolster your own voice.

DECKS USED:  CELTIC TAROT FATE OF THE NORNS AND MUSHROOM AFFIRMATIONS

The @owlandbonestarot #78DaysOfTarotSpreads Challenge
The Star Spread

The Star Oracle Reading with The Nereid Oracle

What hope guides you?

Drymo – The hope that guides you is that the struggles and strife, woes and pains we go through in life actually have meaning and lift us up, providing us with the opportunity to become better, stronger, more enlightened souls.

Where does your inner light shine?

Amatheia – Your inner light shines brightest in those times when you stand strong for your values and defend those things and people that you deem worthy of self-sacrifice to protect.

How are you being called back to your true self?

Euarne – You spend far too much time bending and contorting to avoid the discomfort of change. Let go of your reluctance, and allow yourself to float and flow instead of fighting against the tide.

What path are you ready to follow?

Galene – In an echo of the previous card’s advice, you are ready to experience less struggle and less strife, while leaning into going with the flow more often. You’ve come to understand that fighting against the currents ushering you along your path only creates more struggle and more strife than what you’re already going through.

Other elements included in this reading:
Polar Bear Raku Medallion for Going with the Flow and Alacrity
Japanese Cherry Leaf as a Reminder of Life’s Fleeting Moments
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration and Clarity
Predated-Upon Oyster Shell for Acknowledging Weaknesses
Shiva Shell for Wisdom and Discernment
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE NEREID ORACLE

@thetruthinstory #embracethemagical2025 Challenge
The Deep Prompts 25 thru 26 :

Oracle Reading with Celtic Tarot: Fate of the Norns (Oracle Deck) and Spirit Animals Journey into the Wild OracleBlood (Lineage) – What flows in my veins that binds me to kin and story?

Cú Chulainn / Birch and Beaver – I read a book recently (How to Love a Forest: The Bittersweet Work of Tending a Changing World) that spoke about the life and death of forests. In this book, it mentioned the beaver and how, along with its creativity and unique industriousness, it is also a harbinger of destruction.

This is because the beaver blocks up waterways and sometimes starves certain areas of water while routing the water and other directions that feed the forest and other areas. This speaks to me of a foundation of give-and-take. There’s always good there’s always bad, and they play off of each other depending on the choices we make and the repercussions of those choices.

This theme carries into the story of Cú Chulainn and his choice as a child to take on the role of the blacksmith’s loyal guard dog after he killed the man’s dog.

Combined with these two factors is also the birch ogham, which is one of the tools that the beaver uses in his work, and joins the beaver in the first card to the story of Cú Chulainn in the second.

Take Away – What flows within your veins that binds you to your kin and their stories is ingenuity and industriousness combined with an innate need for fairness and balance. These things are a part of who you are that are inherited from those in your past that you may not have personally met, but whose blood still runs in your veins.

Cauldron (Alchemy) – What is being broken down, mixed, and transformed within me?

Ogma / Vine and Hedgehog – Ogma is the god of eloquence, poetry and speech. He is a warrior of great skill, but he has a tendency to use his words more than his sword.

When I see hedgehogs, they always appear so vulnerable to me. They have these tiny little fingers and toes, and the fact that they roll up in a ball to protect this soft little pink belly is adorable to me.

The vine ogham on the Celt card then connects the animal card to the Celt card, speaking of a need to cling to safety and protection.

Take Away – You are becoming more adept at expressing your vulnerabilities in ways that don’t leave you open for them to be used by others. This is allowing you to cling to your safety net a little less and be more open with others instead.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Scotch Pine Cone for Purging Negative Influences
Japanese Cherry Leaf as a Reminder of Life’s Fleeting Moments
Aragonite for Fostering Truth and Understanding
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: CELTIC TAROT FATE OF THE NORNS AND SPIRIT ANIMALS JOURNEY INTO THE WILD ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I stayed away from home this afternoon to avoid the deafening noise of jack-hammering going on right outside my door today.

Gideon’s Challenge – Decorated

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Autumn LeafDecorated

A moment
of distraction
and a spark
of pain flashes
as knees land
in soft soil
and a stone
digs in
The curse let fly
as feet are gained
and hands brush
at stains
left behind

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Skewed Prioritization

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Today’s meditation was a ten minute long #DailyCalm session from the @Calm app.

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The Constellation Tarot's Three 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 Three of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of friendships, revelry, celebration, and collaboration between those that are linked or alike not just in mind but also in heart.

The Three of Cups has then been combined with the an affirmation from the Lobilat Rumi Quotes deck, which says, “Peaceful is the one who is not concerned with having more or less less. Unbound by name and fame, he is free from sorrow from the world and mostly from himself.”

It’s our friendships and the time we spend together that matters most. Pursuits towards popularity, fame, consumerism, and monetary wealth, distract us from those things that are truly important in our lives, like spending time with loved ones and enjoying celebrating life with those around you.

The message in today’s cards is a reminder that societal pressures sometimes have a way of skewing our perspectives and nudging us “off track” in our values when we’re not looking. These cards are an encouragement to pause a moment and check in with our values so that we can make sure we are prioritizing what’s truly important above what isn’t.

DECK USED:  THE CONSTELLATION TAROT AND LOBILAT RUMI QUOTES

The @owlandbonestarot #78DaysOfTarotSpreads Challenge
The Tower Spread

The Tower Tarot Reading with the Coronatarot

Where is a storm brewing?

The Sun – This is a message that has been repeated multiple times recently in the cards… too much of a good thing is not a good thing. It’s time to look into those places where you are overindulging and pay attention to the potential for cataclysm that these areas could go through unexpectedly. And for fucksake, don’t forget to put the cover back over your crystal ball!

What can no longer be ignored?

The Magus Rx – You have a tendency to ignore the things that are bothering you until they either go away or come to a head. In this case, it would be better to deal with the fact that you are feeling powerless, and seek ways to improve that situation rather than ignoring it and hoping it will go away.

What foundation is crumbling?

Prince of Cups – It’s time to pay attention to where your trust is feeling a bit wobbly and unsteady. Look at what’s gotten past your defenses and under your skin, and consider if this sneaky bit of erosion is deserved or simply overlooked and needs dealing with.

Where is release necessary?

King of Wands – You need a passion outlet that will allow you to involve others in the process. Something that allows your creative spark freedom to flare, and at the same time allows others to be with you along the way so that you don’t feel so alone in the journey.

What can you rebuild with a clean slate?

Trump – Communication. You work hard to avoid talking politics with others. Especially those close to you that you know have an extreme contrast of opinion to yours. This has managed to preserve those relationships, but for how long when you refuse to communicate with them?

Instead of shutting them out, consider hearing what they have to say. You may be surprised at the shifting tide that’s been going on beneath the surface while you weren’t listening and we checked out.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
Gneiss Wishing Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: CORONATAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2025 Challenge
Prompt for November 24th : Advice I need to hear at this time concerning my work life.

Tarot Reading with The Constellation TarotReading Summary: Decisions are needed (Two of Swords). The winds of change are requiring you to make a choice in what things you leave behind and which ones you take with you as you move forward (Seven of Swords). Make sure that you are making choices that are in line with the kinds of success that you truly value (Nine of Pentacles).

Take Away: What are you leaning onto so determinedly, that instead needs to be let go? That is the question being posed by these cards. Where does true satisfaction lie for you, and what is most important to take with you in reaching those goals?

Once you figure this out, you will be better equipped to leave behind the stuff that is not fostering the goals that you wish to achieve, no matter how attached you may have become to the “stuff” in question.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Lavender Bundle for Calming and Comfort
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE CONSTELLATION TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

This is a catch up post, and I’m not entirely sure what the self kindness was for this day.

Elements in My Practice

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The prompt for this reading came from one of the Discord servers I’m a member of.

Prompt: Rank the elements based on how often you use them in your practice/how much you connect with them.

elements

This answer differs depending upon which aspect of my practice that we’re speaking about.  For this reason, I’ve split this post into three different aspects.

Affinities and how I connect to the elements:

earth – This is the element that I’ve always connected with the strongest. Soil and trees, forests and mountains. Plants and growing things. Grounding and stability.

water – I find comfort here, but not stability. As I crave stability over all else, comfort comes in second. There is an emotional attribute here, but not the sharp emotions that survived the eradication during my childhood years. Instead the emotions here are soft and welcoming.

air – Adaptability lives here for me. I can connect to it and bend to it, but I can’t say that it’s exactly comfortable.

fire – Destruction lives here. This is the element that facilitates the changes that hurt the most and make the most room for new things to come in and grow. Being someone who connects with and constantly craves stability, fire and I don’t have the greatest of relationships.

How often I use the elements in my magical practice:

In my magical practice, they all have their place, and each element is included in one manner or another for all of my spellwork. They are a foundation that requires each of them to contribute to create a “whole” spell.

In this magical practice, there is a fifth element that is not present in my list for affinities, for the element of “spirit” is me. Spirit is the spark within me and the spark within others. It’s the individuality that makes each person different, and makes up the threads that connect each and every living (and not living) thing together.

How the elements present in my divination practice:

In divination, the elements represent different aspects of life.  I’ve ordered these in this post in the order of what element is most under our control to what element is least under out control.

earth – The earth element relates to the Pentacles suit in the tarot, and in my divination practice is a representation in divination of the physical world. This includes things like health, hearth and home, money and resources, physical labor, concepts of stability, etc.

air – The air element relates to the Swords suit in the tarot, and in my divination practice is a representation of one’s thoughts, strategies, ambitions, and education. Although our thoughts sometimes run away with us, our plans and strategies are under our control. We choose what we want to learn and plan where we want to go.

water – The water element relates to the Cups suit in the tarot, and in my divination practice is a representation of one’s emotions, intuition, and imagination.  Emotions aren’t really something that we have a lot of control over, and our imagination has a tendency to run wild sometimes, seeping through the cracks just like water has a tendency to do.

fire – The fire element relates to the Wands suit in the tarot, and in my divination practice is a representation of one’s “inner spark”.  This is our quality of inspiration and enthusiasm. We like what we like.  Deep inside we feel what is right or wrong for us.  It’s the home of our values, our motivations, and our passions.

spirit – The “spirit” element relates to the Major Arcana in the suit of tarot, and in my divination practice is a representation of the spiritual. It’s about our life journey, the larger picture, and how elements in that larger picture affect us.

As you can see, although the answer differs depending on the aspect of my practice that we’re talking about?  There is a theme throughout each element that connects them. That is what makes them a foundational part of my practice as a whole.