Try Again

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The Robin Wood Tarot - Page of PentaclesThe @GlitterbyInk #JanJourney26 Embark to Renewal Challenge
The Journey Prompt for January 11th : Courage
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Page of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive “omega” energy in the area of one’s finances, resources, health, labors, home life, and manifestations. This often translates into themes that have to do with work apprenticeships and learning a new ability or skill.

Starting over takes courage.

The Page in any suit is often a representation of a “learners mind”. It is also the cycling back to one from the Ace of that suit. (The journey moves from Ace through Ten then recycles back to One with Card 11/The Page.)

This often creates themes of starting over or going back to the drawing board. The nice thing about the Page, though, is that you’ve already gone through the beginning, the middle, and the end. That means that you already have experience to add to your next try.

The message in today’s “Courage” prompt and the Page of Pentacles card is a reminder that when you pick yourself up to try again, you’re not really starting from scratch. You carry with you the experiences you’ve gained the first time around. This means that with an open mind directed toward changing how you did things is the first time, you have a better chance of succeeding when you then try again.

DECK USED:  THE ROBIN WOOD TAROT

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 2 | Entry 8 – Love and Relationships
Affirmation : I am a loving and kind, energetic soul, and I attract like-minded people to me.
Prompt : according to the card you draw, what positive qualities does your partner most admire in you or you in them?

The Anonymous Tarot - Wheel of FortuneWhat feelings came up when I pulled this card?

I always get a bit of a rosy turbo feeling when I see the Wheel of Fortune card represented by a spoked wheel. It brings back memories of old and well worn childhood playgrounds, and the spinning wheel toy often included in them. They were both super fun, and dangerous as hell.

What elements of the card’s meaning resonate with me and this prompt?

We never know what life is going to throw at us, and what surprises lurk around the next corner. Even the best laid plans go awry now and then.

The Wheel of Fortune card doesn’t just speak of good luck and bad luck, but on the vast variety of experiences that we go through in life. It is the epitome of the saying “variety is the spice of life”, and reminds us that ups and downs are how the world goes round.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

The different colors positioned around the wheel in this card speak to me of a wide variety of different experiences. Not all of them are good, not all of them are bad.

My prompt response and reflections.

Gideon has watched you ride the rise and fall of fate’s whims again and again, and has often told you that he admires your survivor spirit. No matter how many times you are knocked down or what life throws at you, you’re willing to get up and keep going. You might at times need to take a breather first, but you don’t give up.

Other elements included in this reading:
Prehnite D6 and D20 Gemstone Dice

DECK USED: THE ANONYMOUS TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2026 Challenge
Prompts for January 8th thru 11th

Tarot Reading with The Robin Wood Tarot and Hilma Af Klint Oracle

What is a negative thing in your life that you don’t need to stress over?

Self-Portrait 1890 – It’s okay not to know everything right now, and not be ready to make a move. Even the greatest companies and brands in the world have to take time to do market research, after all. There is no success without time spent in research and reflection, so stop trying to push yourself so hard to always be moving forward and doing more.

What is a positive thing in your life that you need to spend more time focusing on?

The Atom Series No 8 – Don’t forget to ask for help. You aren’t alone, and you need to work on not functioning as if you are. Consider how you can involve others to a greater extent in your endeavors. What delegation can you do that they will be thrilled with participating in?

Do Spread 2
Question : What in your life needs started now for it to be ready when you need it?

Reading Summary: The angle of the head in the portrait of Hilma Af Klint and the angle of the head of the figure in the Nine of Swords is identical. This speaks of your worry and uncertainty. Because you are in a situation where you don’t have enough information (partially because that information is not accessible at this time), it brings rise to your anxiety and “what if” thinking.

The Queen of Wands does not match either of the Hilma Af Klint cards that I am using as an anchor card in this reading. Instead of making her appear as an outlier,  though, the lift of her wand, centered position, and straightforward countenance make her the leader. She embodies the encouragement to keep going after those things that are important to you, rather than sitting on your laurels and doing nothing.

The Ace of Pentacles somehow holds a shape correlation for me with the squares in the Atom Series No 8 card, as well as a color connection with the Queen of Wands beside it. This speaks to me of a need for new beginnings that include others in the process. Inspire not just yourself with these new endeavors, but others as well. Get them on board for a greater chance of success.

Take Away: Don’t worry right now about having all of your ducks in a row, or knowing everything that needs to be known to make things a success. There’s a lot of uncertainty out there, and it’s not just affecting you. Instead of allowing it to make you fall into a pattern of stagnancy and waiting, do what you can and involve others in the process and keep things moving a little at a time. You may have to reassess later, but you’ll be able to use the momentum of having started already to your advantage regardless.

DECK USED: THE ROBIN WOOD TAROT AND HILMA AF KLINT MESSAGES FROM THE OTHER SIDE ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I didn’t really want to, but I took a nap. It wasn’t about want, but need.

Gideon’s Challenge – Sweater Weather

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Straight of Georgia SunsetSweater Weather

Lets savor
the limbo
of quiet moments
as the patter
of raindrops
whispers
over the senses
and  temperatures
hover
in sweater weather
territory
creating cozy
pockets of time
to linger in
together

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 Fairy Lights Tarot and Time Lenormand Arcanums

Earth – Ten of Wands Rx – Overwhelm is trying to sneak up on you. You may be feeling like you can’t put your burdens down in order to take time to reassess, but you’re wrong.

Air – Three of Cups – Communication with your friends and loved ones is key this week. Focus on being open and engaging, and on enjoying your time spent with others instead of taking it for granted.

Water – Justice – As you move through this week, instead of reacting without thought, take a moment to look at what is triggering your emotions, and consider the healthiest and most effective way to deal with those triggers.

Fire – Two of Swords – Before making decisions (or taking action), pause to look over all your options. It’s easy, when triggered or otherwise sparked by an internal flame, to just bound forward without thought. Remember to pause and take a good look around first, instead of jumping in head first.

Waning – Bear and Mountain – Sometimes one’s protective instincts and defense mechanisms create more problems than they do protection. Take care that you’re not allowing your defense mechanisms run the show.

Waxing – Fish and Anchor – Being a bit miserly this week will serve you well.

Take Away – Water and Fire in this reading, along with the Waning position, are echoing off of each other this week, creating a reminder that it can be extremely difficult to not immediately react when we’re triggered.  These two positions play off of each other, speaking of the potential for some seriously triggering emotions to rise to the surface, and cause you to want to react without thought of repercussions or what better reactions might be an option for you.

Aside from this, be aware of the overwhelm that’s coming and start setting down what you can in order to head it off, rather than holding on as hard as you can to try and “ride it out”.   This especially includes any financial obligations that are not absolutely necessary.

Lean into those you enjoy spending time with to help you through the hard parts.

DECKS USED: FAIRY LIGHTS TAROT AND TIME LENORMAND ARCANUMS

Finding the Positive for January 8 – 10

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Wonderland Jeu de Tarot de Marseille's Ace of Swords, The Tarot of the Bastard's King of Coins, Delos Tarot's Ace of Swords

January 8 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was an eight minute self-directed session focusing on a phrase posted by @poetryrise which says “Some of us don’t ascend – we root. Like heaven isn’t above, it’s within”.

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The @GlitterbyInk #JanJourney26 Embark to Renewal Challenge
The Journey Prompt for January 8th : Wisdom
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Ace of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of the seed of new beginnings in the area of one’s thoughts, intellect, education, logic and reason, ambition, or communication.

In order to start a new journey, sometimes we have to leave the old one behind.

The butterfly girl in this card is crying. And therein lies the truth in letting go, right?  As wel as in new beginnings.   When we have to let go, sometimes it hurts.  Sometimes it feels like we’re not ready.  Hell, sometimes it feels like we’re being pierced right through the heart (see that needle pinning her down?)

The thing is, though, we have to go through these emotions in order to move on to something new and different.  Growth hurts (seriously, think of puberty, yeah?).  Letting go hurts. That doesn’t mean we don’t do it.  It means we process these feelings of pain as we do it, and keep going.  Sometimes that means communicating our pain to others.  Sometimes that means taking a little time to lick our wounds.   Regardless, we can’t linger there forever.  Sooner or later we have to pull the pin out and step into the new thing we’re letting go of the old in order to reach for.

The message in today’s “Wisdom” prompt and the Ace of Swords is a reminder that we don’t lose the stuff we’ve already learned and experienced, even when we move on to something new. It just means we’re turning our attention in a new direction.  Just because letting go of the old hurts doesn’t mean it’s not time to let go.

DECK USED: WONDERLAND JEU DE TAROT DE MARSEILLE

January 9 – Mental Health Card of the Day

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

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The @GlitterbyInk #JanJourney26 Embark to Renewal Challenge
The Journey Prompt for January 9th : Control
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the King of Pentacles (Coins), which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s financial security, resources, health, home, labors, manifestations, and other elements of the physical realm. This often translates into leadership that creates a grounded sense of stability for others.

You choose, and then others fall into line behind you.

Because you create the stability that so many others depend on, they tend to allow you to lead and follow without question.  Remember that it’s important to encourage them to break out and do their own thing now and then, though.  Like a parent with a number of children, you can’t be their entertainment all the time.  You provide a safe space and food for their bellies, then they provide their own entertainment.  Don’t run yourself ragged trying to be the entertainment as well as the stable force in their life.

The message in today’s “Control” prompt and the King of Coins is a reminder that your role in other’s lives might hold a strong element of leadership, but that isn’t an all-encompassing role. You choose what is your responsibility and what’s not.  Part of the reason that you sometimes feel overwhelmed is when you try to do too much for others.  Today’s card is essentially a reminder to “know your place” and excel at it without worrying about what -more- you could do.

DECK USED: DECK OF THE BASTARD

January 10 – Mental Health Card of the Day

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

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The @GlitterbyInk #JanJourney26 Embark to Renewal Challenge
The Journey Prompt for January 10th : Release
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Ace of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of the seed of new beginnings in the area of one’s thoughts, intellect, education, logic and reason, ambition, or communication.

Clearly, I’m missing the message, as this is the third time I’ve pilled this card in a week. So, let’s try breaking down this card into the basics.

The Ace of any suit is the seed of that suit. For Swords, that means it is the seed of communication. The seed of ambition. The seed of expanding one’s knowledge. The seed of a battle yet to be fought.

At the seed stage, there are a lot of unknowns. How things will go. What will happen. How you’ll react. What obstacles may come up along the way.

What cuts through this uncertainty is ambition. What assist you in moving forward is communication with self and others.

The message in today’s “Release” prompt, and Ace of Swords card is a reminder that reticence is the saboteur of new beginnings. If you’re unable or unwilling to communicate your ideas, then you’re already lopping your feet off before you’ve even started to walk the path and potential that awakened your sense of curiosity and ambition. Write your ideas out in a journal, share them with others, or otherwise get them out into the air instead of trapped within you. In doing so you give the seeds of your idea, a chance to spread, germinate, and then begin to grow.

DECK USED: DELOS TAROT 2ND EDITION

Gideon’s Challenge – Tiny Triggers

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Fading HydrangeaTiny Triggers

Some days
start smoothly
but like
dominoes
one small thing
triggers
another
and the shit
rolls downhill
and you
go toppling along
in its wake

Photo © ZenStatePhotography

Gideon’s Challenge – Recovery, Not Rest

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Farm LandscapeRecovery, Not Rest

The flooding
is gone
and the fields
will recover
but maybe
some repairs
are needed
before spring
slips in
to steal
the extra time
needed
to recover

Photo © ZenStatePhotography