affirmation

How We Connect

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Happiness Chemicals Cards and Sleepwalker's Tarot II Golden Planet - Page of CupsToday’s draw is the Page of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive omega energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, or intuition. This often translates into themes that have to do with emotional growth, second chances relationships, or exploring one’s creative pursuits.

Confession. I don’t like to be touched. Not even by most of the people I’m close with. I’m not a fan of hugs or handshakes, kisses or arm touches.

With the exception of sex? I have a tendency to shirk away on the inside whenever someone touches me. That even includes my partner… although in his case, I can usually push past it. Now that I think about it, though? I wonder if that’s why I often misinterpret some of his touches as sexual overtures instead of just touching to touch.

The thing is? I know that this distaste is the “wrong” reaction. It’s a defense mechanism on overdrive that’s far too sensitive.

I know, too, that most people find touch to be comforting. They probably don’t realize it, but the fact that I allow them to touch me and, in fact, allow them to take the lead and not just when and where, but how long they touch me for… is a gift. It is because I love them and want to be someone they come to and feel comfortable with.

I wonder sometimes, though, if it’s confusing to them that I rarely seek out their touch. Instead, I simply accept/give it when they signal it’s needed. Does it make them think I don’t care or love them or trust them? I worry that it might.

Today’s message is about exploring the unexplored emotions within us. How do you express love and acceptance? How don’t you? Why? Look at how others express their emotions to you. Is the connection one you enjoy or just accept? Is there miscommunication of emotion going on between how you express our emotions to others, and how they express their emotions to you? Today’s cards encourage exploring those themes in your life.

DECK USED:  SLEEPWALKER’S TAROT II GOLDEN PLANET

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2025 Challenge
Prompt for June 30th : Grab a spread of your choice you’re curious about… and give it a go!
@Lionharts #TheJuneTarot Radiance Rising Challenge
Prompt for June 30th : The Flow Spread

Naturmomente für Deine Seele and My Goddess Provisions Deck Sets

How am I invited to step into the flow of greater personal freedom?

The Spruce atop The Fox; Sagittarius – Remember that it’s okay to pause and take care, even in moments where it feels like things are rushed and need to be spontaneous. It is a part of your nature to foster stability, and that means that sometimes you just can’t throw everything to the wind without a care in the world. That’s perfectly okay.

How can I deeply root this flow in the daily rhythm of my life?

Root atop Comfrey; The Hedgehog – It’s when things feel the most stable that you’re able to open up and let go. In order to find the freedom to go with the flow, you need to feel that there is stability in place to fall back on. This allows you to feel protected even in times when you are allowing yourself to be vulnerable.

What can this flow lead to for me in the months to follow?

The Mullein and Throat – Following this flow can lead to the ability to speak your truth more freely. When you feel protected, it allows you to communicate more openly instead of holding back.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Fuchsia Flowers for Stability in the Face of External Disruption
Tree Agate for Fostering Peace and Patience
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: NATURMOMENTE FÜR DEINE SEELE AND MYGODDESSPROVISIONS ORACLE PACK COLLECTION

Daily Self Kindness

I crawled around on the floor to dig through the bottom shelves and pull a collection of decks in rotation for July today, instead of putting it off as I was tempted to do.

Finding the Positive for June 27 – 29

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Gaian Tarot's Queen of Wands, Pop-Up Tarot's Strength Card, and Peanuts Tarot's Six of Cups

June 27 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was eleven minutes long, and was a self guided session focusing upon a little piece of affirmation art by @ve_kiss_klech that said “Wishing you a good day free from whatever hell you’re brain says should be happening.”

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Today’s draw is the Guardian of Fire (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.

I know what I’m supposed to be doing to day, but it turns out? I’m not doing it.

It turns out, in fact, that the world is not going to fall apart if I step away for a moment from what has to be done to enjoy something else that heals the ache and feeds the soul.

Sometimes? Structure is smothering, and without an occasional swirl of fresh air to feed our inner fire? That heavy structure can start to suffocate our inner spark.

The message here in today’s draw is a reminder that sometimes we need to break free from duty and structure in order to nurture that spark of inner fire within us all.

DECK USED: GAIAN TAROT REDFEATHER 2ND EDITION (trimmed)

June 28 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was one of the #DailyCalm sessions from the @Calm app. Today’s session dealt with grounding, and using the sensations in your hands as a focus in order to draw yourself back in when you’ve started to become distracted by thoughts or other stimuli.

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Today’s draw is the Strength card, which is traditionally a representation of inner strength, persuasion usually through means of compassion, influence and/or manipulation, and courage.

Play to your strengths… but not to the expense of trying something new.

We all have our own unique talents. The world is a vast kaleidoscope of differences among humanity, and its that variety of differences that make life interesting. That means that the skills, abilities, knowledge, and interests you hold make you unique. A piece of the massive puzzle that is humanity as a whole. You fit into this puzzle not by being the same as everyone else, but because of your uniqueness… just like jigsaw puzzle pieces.

We are all seeking that “perfect fit” in the grand scheme of things. The more we explore and learn about ourselves, the closer we come to finding that “perfect fit” in the world.  Today’s message encourages us to explore our strengths. Not just the ones we know about already, but also those we’ve yet to discover. Don’t be afraid to experiment, explore, and try new things. You never know what’s going to fit until you give it a try.

DECK USED: THE POP-UP TAROT

June 29 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Today’s draw is the Six of Cups, traditionally a representation of nostalgia, joyful memories, childhood experiences, and revisiting the past in some way.

When I was growing up, TJ (my parent’s pagan parenting mentor’s best friend) used to tell me wild stories about all the things that Z (my parent’s pagan parenting mentor, turned my spiritual mentor) got up to in  her youth.

Z has taught me a lot of things over the years, and has been integral in my (and my sister’s) development into the people we are today. But it was TJ that did the lion’s share of teaching me about “authenticity of self”.

All his walks down memory lane with me as his audience taught me the value of letting who we really are shine against all odds.  Because Z is an amazing woman. She’s strong, intelligent, empathetic… but even she made mistakes along the way. Even she had a wild side. And, despite her wild side being completely different than how everyone else was rebelling at the time? Even she experienced peer pressure as well.

Yet, through all of that, she became the amazing woman who has been my sister and I’s guide from a young age of 9 or 10 right through to today, decades later.

The message in today’s cards is a reminder that without the past, there is no future. Don’t try to erase the past. Within it resides not just how we’ve gotten to where we are, but how we’ve become who we are, as well as the foundation we need develop into the person we want to become.

DECK USED: PEANUTS TAROT

Make Smart Choices

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Time Tarot's Nine of Wands and Little Frog's Guide to Self-Care CardsToday’s draw is the Nine of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of boundaries, defensive maneuvers, and protection of what you hold dear.

So today I spent a good eight hours straight trying to fix some damn problem between the brand new update to my virus software and a program on my computer (TuneBlade). I tinkered on my own for a bit, then contacted support and let them tinker for a bit too.  I uninstalled and reinstalled software (TuneBlade, Bonjour, my VPN, and my antivirus/firewall). I switched “smart filtering” to “allow”, and all that crap.  And still, no joy.

I’m feeling discouraged, and frustrated, and very tempted to turn the antivirus/firewall and VPN off, just so I can have some earbud-free music.

Or… I was. Until I saw the Nine of Wands for today’s card.

Today’s combination of cards is a reminder that discouragement and frustration are not good reasons to let down your guard. There’s more at stake here than the pleasure of some music. There’s more at stake in your other current struggles as well.  So stay strong and take care not to blithely make frivolous decisions that could put you or what you care about at risk.

DECK USED:  TIME TAROT AND LITTLE FROG’S GUIDE TO SELF CARE CARDS

@LightningWildflower‘s June Tarot Challenge
Flow Prompts for June 28th thru 30th :

Oracle Reading with the Enchanted Forest OracleWhat am I struggling against? 

Let Go – When you invest yourself, your time, and your energy in others, it can be hard to accept that you’re better off letting go than trying to salvage things. You always want to give people the benefit of the doubt and try to , in turn, give them more chances than is healthy. That struggle in letting go gets you hurt more often than not.

What will bring more ease into my life?

Simplify Life – Simplicity has the potential to bring more ease into your life. When you overthink things, it just causes more unnecessary complications instead of actually fixing anything. This is counterintuitive, because it feels like over-thinking is helping in some way. Resisting the urge, though, will create more ease than letting yourself be pulled down the rabbit hole.

In what way am I being asked to go with the flow?

Energetic Pull – Let your intuition and your senses guide you instead of getting stuck in your head. Sometimes it’s okay to trust the universe to lead the way without asking a thousand and one questions.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Yellow Aventurine Dragonfly for Confidence During Change
Flower Agate Moon for Opening the Mind to New Possibilities
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: ENCHANTED FOREST ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I allowed Gideon to talk me into playing for a bit again tonight, even though I wasn’t really feeling it. In the end, I think it helped me feel a bit better than I would have otherwise.

Don’t Force It

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

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Baseball Tarot's The Empress Card and Happiness Chemicals DeckToday’s draw is The Natural (The Empress) card, which is traditionally a representation of the nurturing, female strength and empowerment without losing that “softer side” in the process, abundance, fertility, the divine feminine, and Mother Earth.

“Stop trying to make things happen through willpower or ego. Go with the flow and simply be yourself.” – Deck Guidebook

Abundance comes through playing off of your strengths.

Breathe and let things come to you at their own pace. There’s no rush. When you push too hard, you strangle both your own potential and the potential of the situation.

Today’s message is a reminder that slowing down is not stopping. This message encourages going with the flow instead of forcing the results you want. Instead, let the universe help you to realize what’s really possible and invite that abundance to flourish in your life.

DECK USED:  BASEBALL TAROT AND HAPPINESS CHEMICALS DECK

@LightningWildflower‘s June Tarot Challenge
Connection Prompts for June 25th thru 27th

Ocean Spirit OracleWhat do I value most in my relationships?

Clarity – Your relationships with others allow you to see not just the world through a different perspective, but also gain a greater understanding of yourself as well. This is because unlike strangers, these people are open to you asking questions, understanding that you seek to reframe your own perspective to include greater clarity through a broader outlook.

How do I usually engage with those around me?

Freedom – You have a tendency to let others do their own thing and make their own choices, and expect them to do the same for you.

What connections need to be improved?

Perspective – This card echoes back to the first question above, and speaks of a need to work on listening more and sharing less. Don’t disregard the details just because you’re distracted by inner narratives, overwhelmed, or feeling too busy to take the time.

Other elements included in this reading:
Random Beach Detritus for a Stronger Connection to the Sea’s Wisdom
Carnelian Agate for Inner Drive and Focusing On One’s Aspirations
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: OCEAN SPIRIT ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I made dinner tonight instead of just snacking my way through the evening as I wanted to do.

Rooted by Fears

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Devil In the Details Tarot's The Emperor Card and Little Frog's Guide to Self-Care CardsToday’s draw is the Emperor card, which is traditionally a representation of taking charge, responsibility, authority, structure, and focusing on the greater good.

It’s time to look at what is holding you rooted in place instead of moving forward. Where in your life are you sitting stagnant, and what is it that is keeping you there?

You have the strength and ingenuity to move past this stagnancy… but have chosen not to. Why? Is there fear involved?

The only way to overcome one’s fears is to seize control and confront them. Inevitably, when we do, we find that they weren’t half as bad as we’d imagine them to be.

Today’s message is to do just that. These cards are an encouragement for us to seize control of our fears by breaking free of the bonds they hold on us and confronting them, instead of continuing to hide or avoid them.

DECK USED:  DEVIL IN THE DETAILS TAROT AND LITTLE FROG’S GUIDE TO SELF-CARE CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2025 Challenge
New Moon in Gemini Prompt for June 24th : What do you need to focus on for self-care for his month’s new moon?

Oracle Reading with the Animal Messages DeckRhinoceros and Tortoise – Sometimes “let’s just try this for shits and giggles” is an invitation to adventure and an open door to change. This type of change without a reason behind it isn’t necessarily bad.

Make sure you watch out for the type of change that is, though. Change just for the sake of restlessness or boredom, especially that is proposed by others to further their own agendas, but not yours, is the kind of change you need to watch out for and resist against.

Owl – When you run into these more self-serving types of game changers in your life, make sure you dig deeper. Don’t just go with the flow, or balk for no reason. Instead, dig into what’s going on and where this drive for change is coming from so you have the power to keep yourself on track even if they stray in another direction.

Take Away – It’s okay to put on the brakes if someone is trying to push for changes that you’re not necessarily on board with.  It’s okay to ask questions and dig for reasons. Don’t lust go along with it because you don’t want to cause waves.  Be a little suspicious, and protect your own interests.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Silver Maple Key for Bouncing Back to Thrive
Foraged Wood Fern for Exorcising Negative Influences
Moss Agate for Attracting Opportunity and Abundance
Picture Jasper for Sense of Proportion and Grounding
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: ANIMAL MESSAGES ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I turned back to return  home when I realized I forgot my Shokz at home today, instead of telling myself to suffer without them through the day’s stressful activities.

Gratitude Isn’t a Curse Word

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

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Headless Tarot's Eight of Pentacles and Happiness Chemicals CardsToday’s draw is the Eight of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of hard work, expertise through practice, honing a skill, quality craftsmanship, handicrafts, and manifestations through skill and hard work. The card is often the embodiment of the “practice makes perfect” adage.

That “practice makes perfect” phrase doesn’t just apply to learning a new craft or skill, but also to how we se ourselves and the world around us.

If we are always feeding ourselves negative feedback, then it becomes harder and harder to see and acknowledge the positives. That’s why practices such as the one mentioned in the “Thanking You” card make a difference.

When we stop each day to appreciate something we are grateful for, happy about, or have enjoyed, it helps to train the brain to acknowledge that there is good in the world. That, in turn, helps to counter-balance negative thoughts, pessimism, and our focus on the more unpleasant aspects of life.

The message in today’s cards is a reminder that we all need a little balancing out in this area sometimes. Some of us more than others. The cards here encourage us that even a small thing like a moment of reflection at the end of the day can help provide that balance we need.  Over time, we then become better and better at creating that balance in our day-to-day lives.

DECK USED:  HEADLESS TAROT AND HAPPINESS CHEMICALS DECK

@LightningWildflower‘s June Tarot Challenge
Release Prompts for June 22nd and 24th

Oracle Reading with the Magic Mushroom Oracle and Dreaming Girl Highway Inner Vision OracleWhat am I holding onto that needs to be released?

Ruby Shoes and Absorb – Remember when you were little, and when things became too much, you would curl up into yourself and repeat the mantra “I want to go home” in your head over and over?

This mantra was the same whether you were home or away, because “home” wasn’t the house you were living in. What you wanted was comfort and stability, feeling of belonging, and a sense of safety. You have that now, if you’re willing to open your eyes and actually let it in fully. Therefore there’s really no need for that mantra to still live in your head or heart, even as a whisper from your inner child.

What resistance do I feel about letting this go?

Applied Force atop Heavy; Creation – It sounds so easy, like you should be able to just do it and it’ll be done.  Just let go, and the weight will drop. That doesn’t take into account that there is a lot of recreation of perspective involved in letting go of that weight, though. You acknowledge it can be done, it’s just finding a path to how that’s creating struggle and resistance.

What will help me release what no longer serves?

Love and Vision – The first step on any new path is imagining going there. Take the time to imagine what it would be like to let this go, and while doing so, work on replacing what’s being released with a greater sense of self love and acceptance.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Silver Maple Key for Bouncing Back to Thrive
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: DREAMING GIRL HIGHWAY INNER VISION CARDS AND MAGIC MUSHROOM ORACLE MIDNIGHT EDITION

Daily Self Kindness

I have, multiple times today (and far more so than usual, it seems), worked at turning around self-depreciating thoughts and quieting inner narratives with positive opposition.