affirmation

Celebratory Treats

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

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Anime Food Tarot's Six of WandsThe @GlitterbyInk #JuneSun25 Challenge
Summer Sunlight Prompt for June 14 : Heat

Today’s draw is the Six of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of public accolades, societal expectations, people pleasing, and peer pressure.

Your successes don’t need public acclaim or peer approval. You don’t need others to validate your abilities or accomplishments. They still need to be celebrated, though, even if it’s a quiet meal of your favorite treat or having a good time doing something you love.

Temari Sushi? Is gorgeous and delicious, and an absolutely huge pain in the ass to make. It’s a celebratory treat, not everyday fare. It’s served during times of celebration because sometimes something special is just what hits the spot when it comes to celebrating whatever it is you are celebrating. That time spent?  That is the gift. It makes the Temari that much more special.

The message in today’s card is that sometimes it’s not enough to acknowledge your accomplishments.  Instead, try celebrating them, no matter whether it’s with others or on your own.

As for the heat prompt?  Well, I don’t know about you, but I felt like I was being roasted by this one. Maybe you did too.

DECK USED:  ANIME FOOD TAROT

@LightningWildflower‘s June Tarot Challenge
Gratitude Prompts for June 13th thru 15th

Oracle Reading with the Expansive Animal Oracle - Iconics DeckWhat simple blessings do I often overlook?

Butterfly – You are often so focused on what needs to be done in the future, struggling with change, or what has to be done to reach your goals, that you forget there are a myriad of fleeting moments to enjoy in the present.

It’s important to remember that things happen when they happen for a reason, and often that reason is to slow you down and bring into focus what you can enjoy and appreciate in the present.

How can I honor the gifts I’ve been given?

Turtle – Again we are brought to focus on the rhythms and cycles of life, and how slowing down helps us to appreciate what’s going on around us in the present. Don’t be in such a hurry to move forward. Instead, work on savoring where you are now.

What daily experiences bring me joy?

Hawk – You enjoy being able to step back and see things from different perspectives instead of depending on just your own. This allows you a broader picture and helps you to better understand not just yourself, but also others and the world around you.

You also enjoy the empowering aspect of being decisive in a crisis.

Other elements included in this reading:
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration and Clarity
Orange Aventurine Leaves for Pause and Reflection

DECK USED: EXPANSIVE ANIMAL ORACLE ICONICS DECK

Daily Self Kindness

I used this evening to work on catching up on back-logged blog posts.  I was falling behind, which is a bit silly since everything was already written up and just needed proofreading in order to be posted.

Why Is He Sitting?

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Today’s meditation was nine minutes long, and one of the #DailyTrip sessions from the @Calm app. Active listening and falling into sound.

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King of Coins from the Tarocchino al Soldato Anima AntiquaThe @GlitterbyInk #JuneSun25 Challenge
Summer Sunlight Prompt for June 13 : Rest

Today’s draw is the King of Pentacles, 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.

Notice that it is extremely rare to see the kings of any suit in the tarot standing.  They are always seated. This is because their responsibility resides in delegation. They create stability by making sure everyone works together, that those with something to say get heard, and by overseeing more than doing with their own two hands.

The message in today’s card and prompt combo is that a leader delegates. They aren’t out there working their knees and fingers to the bone, but rather they are creating stability through sharing their long earned knowledge with others, then delegating them to take over the tasks involved with those skills that have been shared.

DECK USED:  TAROCCHINO AL SOLDATO ANIMA ANTIQUA

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2025 Challenge
Philosophical Question for June 11th : What is something you believe but cannot prove?

Oracle Reading with the Squirrel CardsSummary: You believe that once uncertainty comes calling (Doubt), retreating into alone time (Protect) creates an environment for healing (Leaves).

Take Away: I’m actually pretty sure that the reason that I cannot prove that this is true is because it’s actually not true.

And yet, again and again when I feel a sense of doubt and uncertainty, I retreat into myself to hide away from the world until I feel better. It’s more likely that the eventual “feeling better” could simply be because I’ve riden out those unhealthy emotions, though, instead of that the alone time is actually creating a healing environment for me.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Foraged Wood Fern for Exorcising Negative Influences
Ammonite for a Sense of Stability During Times of Change
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: SQUIRREL CARDS

Bonus Reading:
Friday 13th XRoads Spread by The Unfaithful Nightlight

Friday the 13th Tarot Reading with the Feng Shui Tarot

What you need to release.

The Tower atop Red Phoenix 10 (Ten of Cups) – Let go of the idea that happiness only comes after the chaos has passed. True happiness is found within the chaos and uncertainty. Happiness is something that you must consciously connect with in the day-to-day, no matter what else is going on in your life.

What crosses your path to help you.

Red Phoenix Ace (Ace of Cups) – You are on a journey of self discovery, where you are learning about all the emotions that you didn’t have the opportunity to learn about when you were younger. You can’t learn about these if they aren’t going to come to the fore. Thus, looking at them as foreign invaders is detrimental to your growth.

What you need to do to protect this new opportunity.

The Lovers atop Black Tortoise 8 (Eight of Wands) – Don’t give yourself time to second guess. Instead, move toward what is right for you with a alacrity. That means not just with speed but also joy. Accept what is right and good for you without question. You’ve always been good at knowing instinctively what those things are.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Orange Aventurine Leaves for Pause and Reflection
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: FENG SHUI TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took some time to myself outside to myself to take some pictures of roses.

Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Givenchy's French Tarot - TemperanceThe @GlitterbyInk #JuneSun25 Challenge
Summer Sunlight Prompt for June 12 : Growth

Today’s draw is the Temperance card, which is traditionally a representation of moderation, balance, slowing down, practicing patience, and can at times represent a connection between the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

Sometimes to reach your targets “slow is smooth, and smooth is fast” is the way to go. (Yes, I grew up in a US Navy town.)

This means that by taking that extra time for a pause and a breath, you actually gain your objective quicker than if you had skipped it and plowed ahead.

Today’s message tells us that there is always time for a breath. There is always time for a pause, even when it doesn’t feel like it. There is always time to set one’s intention, to check in with yourself and your inner moral compass, to pause a moment to calm the mind. You just have to take it instead of buying into the idea that there’s no time for anything but immediate and thoughtless reaction.

The message for today is about mindfulness, encouraging living life more mindfully, even when things are hectic or chaotic.  Maybe? Especially then.

DECK USED:  GIVENCHY’S FRENCH TAROT

@LightningWildflower‘s June Tarot Challenge
Expansion Prompts for June 10th thru 12th

Oracle Reading with The Dreaming Waves OracleHow can I move beyond my comfort zone?

The Lobster – Growth requires release. This is why some of our greatest moments of growth happen during uncertainty and chaos, for it’s when we let down our protections and defenses (or they are torn away from us) and we are vulnerable that we are at our most malleable. The lobster makes a choice to discard its old shell so a new one can develop in its place that fits the lobster better. You don’t have to wait for life to throw destruction and chaos at you. Choosing to change works just as well.

In what way am I being asked to accept new growth?

The Albatross’ Voyage – You are learning to take new growth at a slower pace. So much of your life, you have plowed forward into each challenge with the mindset of devouring, obliterating, or just plain out-running anything in your way. Now you are at a point where patience and perseverance are key rather than the force of a wrecking ball’s pure determination.

What horizons are opening up for me?

The Abyss – Inner exploration is your path forward. These types of challenges and opportunities take time, patience, and perseverance, as well as a willingness allow your vulnerabilities to be unearthed and exposed.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Fuchsia Flowers for Stability in the Face of External Disruption
Flower Agate Moon for Opening the Mind to New Possibilities
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE DREAMING WAVES ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I put my nose to the grindstone to make sure that I got all the orders done so that I could shift the dates of my time off to start this weekend instead of mid-week of next week.

You’ve Earned It

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The Spiritual Tarot's Nine of PentaclesThe @GlitterbyInk #JuneSun25 Challenge
Summer Sunlight Prompt for June 11 : Fun

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.

It’s okay to enjoy your rewards. You worked hard to get to where you are. There’s nothing wrong or shameful in enjoying it.

The suggestion in today’s card and prompt combo is that instead of furthering your self-inflicted perceptions of scarcity that push you to always do (and be) more, try to allow yourself to take that security and stability you’ve earned and have some fun with it.

DECK USED:  THE SPIRITUAL TAROT

@Lionharts #TheJuneTarot Radiance Rising Challenge
Prompt for June 11th : The Current Spread

The Current Oracle Reading with the Wild Unknown Animal Spirit Oracle

What deeper truth is rising like a tide I can no longer hold back?

Octopus – Your weak boundaries can easily become a detriment to you. Stop ignoring the cracks in your boundaries. Instead of turning a blind eye, work with your therapist and Gideon to find ways to strengthen them that you are comfortable with and can accept.

What energy is quietly shaping the silhouette of who I’m becoming?

Spider – You are “the earner”. To balance this out you need to have more fun and introduce more playfully creative activities into your life. Steer the ship in the direction that you want it to go, because if you let it steer itself it’ll crash on the shoals. If you want to add more fun and joy into your life, you need to begin instilling that into your life today… not down the road when there’s more time or opportunity to do so.

What unseen current is beginning to turn the wheel forward?

Dragonfly – Pay attention to how often you are skipping your meditation practice. Work on giving yourself those few minutes each day just to breathe. You are gaining a better sense of balance and clarity through this practice. Keep it up.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: WILD UNKNOWN ANIMAL SPIRIT ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I intentionally stalled my doc long enough after he gave me the freezing shot that by the time he started working on me in earnest, the stuff had actually kicked in.

The Honeymoon Phase

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Summer Tarot - The LoversThe @GlitterbyInk #JuneSun25 Challenge
Summer Sunlight Prompt for June 10 : Clarity

Today’s draw is the Lovers card, which is traditionally a representation of love and relationships, long term contracts, harmonious unions, and making choices that are geared toward what is best for you.

The other day a friend and I were contemplating why someone we know stays with, puts up with, and even ended up marrying another someone we know.  He treats her like crap, is rude to both her and her mother, and doesn’t do anything to help around the house or marriage other than bring home a paycheck that he more often than not blows on moronic stuff.

The concept of the “Honeymoon Phase” came up in our discussion, and that is exactly what the illustration in this card reminds me of.  The Honeymoon Phase, for those that don’t know, is the phase in a relationship (romantic, platonic, or even with inanimate objects or ideas) where that “new and wonderful glow” distorts our perception. Some call it “rose colored glasses”, although, in the “honeymoon phase” it always eventually wears off, inevitably giving way to reality and clarity.

Today’s message is that we are all susceptible to time in the  Honeymoon Phase, and a reminder that this is why it’s often a good idea to take your time. Let that dazzle that is hindering your full understanding and clarity of sight to ease off before taking a leap you may later find becomes a huge regret.

DECK USED:  SUMMER TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2025 Challenge
Full Moon in Sagittarius Prompt for June 10th : What do you need to focus on for self-care for this month’s full moon?

Oracle Reading with the Helia's Daily Pet Bookmark SetReading Summary: Rest. (All three cats are in lounging positions.) We see you trying to wiggle out of time off. (All three cats are focused intently on the reader with a watchful stare.)

All that chaos going on in your head (the unruly paisley design above both end cats) won’t ease up and shift into some semblance of order (the mandala above the center cat) until you take some time to enjoy the beauty of the world around you (vibrant rainbow hues above center cat vs dull hues in paisley swirls) and give yourself the rest that you need (again, all three cats are lounging).

Take Away: Just because you’ve been doing taxes instead of filling orders over the past week doesn’t mean you don’t still need time off. Make sure that you get your orders done and give yourself the time off that you need instead of talking yourself into skipping it, as you’re trying to do in your head.

DECK USED: HALIA’S DAILY PET BOOKMARK COLLECTION

Daily Self Kindness

I got the business taxes done today!!! They’re ready to be dropped off tomorrow.

The Freezing Point

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Tarot de Luz - Two of SwordsThe @GlitterbyInk #JuneSun25 Challenge
Summer Sunlight Prompt for June 9 : Storm

Today’s draw is the Two of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of crossroads, difficult decisions, needing more information, seeking inward for answers, weighing one’s options, and sometimes avoidance.

Don’t freeze. They all teach us about fight or flight, but no one tells us about the freeze. Maybe3 they think that if you have two options to choose from that freezing won’t happen? The thing is though; it does.

Fear, uncertainty, surprise, chaos, change… all of these can trigger that freeze response, making it difficult to move forward or make decisions.

It’s important that we recognize and acknowledge this natural tendency, as it can cause us to end up stuck in unpredictable or even dangerous moments and situations. When we are aware, it allows us to more easily move past that reaction and start making the choices needed to bring us back to (figurative or literal) safety.

Today’s message is to look at these places where indecision reigns and keeps us from moving. Look at why we are struggling, and recognize that the indecision or “freeze” we are experiencing very well could be an emotional response, and that it’s time to move past those emotions to make a decision.

DECK USED:  TAROT DE LUZ

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2025 Challenge
Philosophical Questions for June 4th and 25th

Tarot reading with the Tarot de Luz and Wyrd Sisters Deck of Spells and RitualsDo people need other people for true happiness?

Astral Help Sigil and The Chariot – Although people have a tendency to want to do things themselves and be the one leading the ship, sometimes everyone needs a little outside help. These cards indicate that yes, people do need other people in order to find true happiness. This doesn’t mean that they need other people all the time, but that having a trusted support system also supports happiness in the individual.

Are we ever morally obliged to take action?  If so, under what circumstances?

Fertility Sigil and The Hanged Man – Sometimes taking action looks like waiting to see what develops rather than stepping in. It also involves reflection.

These cards indicate that each person’s answer to this question will differ, depending on their personal perceptions of the world and whatever value they put in letting the other party go through the experience they’re considering interrupting.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rosehips for Releasing Stress and Negativity
Foraged Red-Stemmed Feather Moss for Attentive Understanding
Clear Quartz for a boost of Intentional Energies
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: TAROT DE LUZ AND WYRD SISTERS DECK OF SPELLS AND RITUALS

Daily Self Kindness

I spent time getting to know my new gems that I picked up at the gemshow, including photographing them to add to my “collection” app that helps me keep track of them all.