Finding the Positive for November 18 and 19

The Storyteller's Tarot, Dark Reflections Tarot, and It's Going to Be Okay 2024 Day-to-Day Calendar by Kate

November 18 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Today’s card is the Ten of Coins combined with the affirmation “These overwhelming difficulties will pass with time. There will be life after this.”

The affirmation for today is a reminder that hard times are temporary. When combined with the Ten of Coins, the reminder takes on new meaning as it promises that there is good ahead, if you’re only willing to wait through it and keep moving forward. Sometimes it can feel like the bad stuff is never ending, and there’s a reminder here, too, that even in those times we need to try and acknowledge the good.  Even if it’s the fact that something tastes good, smells good, or feels good like a good food, hugging a stuffie, or a moment alone in the shower.

It’s hard to acknowledge these things when everything feels like it’s falling to shit. It’s hard to -see- them at all when you’re feeling at your worst, let alone see that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. That’s what these reminders are about.  They are a reminder that even when you can’t see the light up there ahead in the dark?  It’s there.  It really is there; you just have to keep going to find it.  And those tiny pleasures along the way?  They’re there to help you take the next step… and then the next.

DECK USED: THE STORYTELLER’S TAROT AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

November 19 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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@GlitterbyInk #November24Challenge
One Word Book Title Prompt for November 19th
: Mindset

Today’s card is The Hermit card combined with the affirmation “It is better to handle life alone rather than stay with others who mistreat you.”

It can be hard to let go. Even when we know it’s what’s best for us. This is true not just for when it’s things that we partake in that are unhealthy, but especially true when it has to do with people in our lives.  Most especially when it has to do with people in our lives we feel obligated to or dependent upon.

Its that obligation and/or dependence that holds a lot of us back from taking steps to make our own lives better, along with a healthy dose of fear of the unknown (and for some, fear of being alone).

Truth be told, though? Being alone isn’t really that bad. Especially when the alternative is unhappy togetherness, unhealthy connections, or abuse.  It’s all in how you look at it.  If you look at yourself as incomplete without another there to complete you, then sure, being alone is horrible.  But, if instead, you turn your perspective to one of love and acceptance of yourself and self confidence in yourself and who you are?  Alone is not so bad. It lets you spoil yourself as you like, enjoy the things you enjoy, and experience the things you want to explore.

This is true whether you are in a relationship or not. It’s true whether you are simply spending a day on your own, or living alone long term.  It’s all in how you look at things, and how you approach that time alone, on whether it’s something healthy and happy… or a fear that holds you back and traps you in an  unhealthy situation.

DECK USED: DARK REFLECTIONS TAROT AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

Finding the Positive for November 15 and 16

Dark Crystal Tarot, Runescript Tarot, and It's Going to Be Okay 2024 Day-to-Day Calendar by Kate

November 15 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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@GlitterbyInk #November24Challenge
One Word Book Title Prompt for November 15th
: Grace

Today’s card is the Four of Cups combined with the affirmation “I will do my best to value myself today.

It’s important to remember that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, it just looks that way from a distance, but up close? It’s just as messed up as your own lawn. Sometimes having (and valuing) what you already have is enough.

I feel that grace is a misunderstood concept.  Something “old fashioned” that no one really thinks about anymore.  It is a blend of poise, simple elegance, refinement, courtesy, and goodwill.

I see this theme a great deal in the Four of Cups, for in this card there is always an offer made, and a rejection of it. Yet, this rejection is not harsh or unpleasant.  In this card, too, the offer is in the cups that surround the center figure, and yet the focus of that figure is on what is already in their possession.

The reminder in these cards is we need to appreciate what we have. To value ourselves. Who we are and what we have going for us.  Don’t take these things for granted, always looking for something better or the next improvement.  You are whole now… right now in this moment. Make sure to appreciate that… appreciate you.  Your mind. Your personality. Your body.  Your strengths.  These things are yours and hold value far beyond the “what if” scenarios of the future and the daydreams of what “could be”.

DECK USED: RUNESCRIPT TAROT AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

November 16 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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@GlitterbyInk #November24Challenge
One Word Book Title Prompt for November 15th
: Shadow

Today’s card is the Seven of Cups combined with the affirmation “Just because you are struggling now doesn’t mean that you always will.”

Sometimes our struggles are chosen for us by others or happenstance.  It happens, and it sucks.  But more often than that, our struggles are our own. We have made the choices that lead to them, even if we didn’t know that is what the result would be when those choices were made.   We are also who chooses whether to bear them out or leave them behind, to learn from them or repeat them when we don’t learn from them, and how we react to these struggles in the moment.  Do we make things easier on ourselves? Or do we pile on the hardship through self abuse and recriminations?

Today’s cards are a reminder that we don’t have to let the dark urges within us take the lead. We can take struggles and hardships with grace and make the best out of things, or we can do the opposite and throw a pity party while we cast blame.  The latter gets us nowhere, and leaves us with the need to once again try to learn the lessons that this hardship and struggle is trying to teach us.  Better to instead choose to look for the boon, seek out the lesson, and do your best to stay positive as you deal with what needs dealt with so that you can move on.

DECK USED: DARK CRYSTAL TAROT AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

Rest Is a Need, Not a Want

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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@GlitterbyInk #Novelember24 Challenge
One Word Book Title Prompt for November 9th
: Remember

Aurora Tarot Blue Edition's The Devil Card and It's Going to Be Okay 2024 Day-to-Day Calendar by KateToday’s draw is the Devil card combined with the affirmation “You deserve full, entire rest days.”

As one of yesterday’s readings mentioned, it’s very easy to lose sight of how important it is to fulfill your needs when things become busy and chaotic.   Your natural inclination is to close out your own needs in order to pour more energy and time into what needs to get done.

This doesn’t work, though, as it forces you to eventually block off time to deal with those needs… and there’s no choice on when that block of time will come.   Better to take care of yourself from the start and make it to the end of the trials ahead rather than pushing too hard and having to step out of the race entirely when you hurt yourself in the process.

In other words?  DO give yourself times of rest. Even when it feels like you don’t have the time for it.  A few hours now is better than sacrificing a handful of days later on.

DECKS USED:  AURORA TAROT AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

@Lionharts #TheNovemberTarot Queen of Swords Challenge
Question for November 9th
: What aspect of myself am I ready to reclaim, igniting my rise with renewed strength?

The Shaman's Way OracleReading Summary: Beauty comes through imperfections, rather than through perfection (Wabi Sabi). In accepting this truth you draw to the surface those parts of yourself (Soul Retrieval) damaged by the harshness of perfectionism and give them a chance to be pieced back together and healed (Health).

Take Away: You have spent a massive amount of your life pushing yourself towards perfection again and again in everything that you do.  Instead of making you happy, it has made you miserable, self-conscious, and anxiety filled.

It is time to take the Japanese wabi sabi mentality to heart.  Nothing ever lasts forever. Nothing is ever completely finished. Nothing is ever perfect. Accepting transience and imperfection is the path to your strength and reclaiming confidence lost through a life striving for perfection.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Lichen for Perseverance
Foraged Cedar Tips for Protection Against Negative Influences
Gneiss Wishing Stone for Patience in Unpleasant Situations
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE SHAMAN’S WAY ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2024 Challenge
Question for November 9th
: Advice you need to hear at this time concerning your ambitions.

Aurora Tarot Blue Edition - The Hanged Man, The Devil, Queen of SwordsReading Summary: When you foster a focus on your own perspectives (The Devil and Queen of Swords), you miss out on obtaining a true understanding the perspectives of others (The  Hanged Man Rx)

Take Away: If you want to understand the perspectives of others, and in turn have a better understanding of the world around you as well, you need to step back on being so willful concerning your own opinions.

Yes, you have good advice to give and the ability to help others see things in your perspective, but if your mouth is talking?  Chances are that your ears are not paying as close attention as they should be.

Be quiet, and listen.

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

DECK USED: AURORA TAROT

@empressofthenightslight #SweetnessWithTheEmpress #SweetnessofLife Challenge
Question for November 9th : What piece of my magic can I more deeply embrace now?

The Sylvankind OracleReading Summary: Let go of your insecurities of what the future may bring (Insecurity), and instead allow those around you (Guidance) to help keep you focused on your goal (Focus).

Take Away: It’s time to more deeply embrace the magic of what others can do for you. Not just how they help you with your work, but also how they help to keep you focused and inspired along the way so that you don’t lose track of your goals.

Allow others to guide you into a more positive headspace and keep you focused on what’s important.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Pin Oak Leaf for Strength and Endurance
Clear Quartz for Energy Amplification
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE SYLVANKIND ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

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

Fear and Self Sabotage

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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@GlitterbyInk #Novelember24 Challenge
One Word Book Title Prompt for November 8th
: Greenlights

Cordein Tarot's Death card and It's Going to Be Okay 2024 Day-to-Day Calendar by KateToday’s draw is the Death card combined with the affirmation “Even though they may not express it to you, people are grateful you’re in the world.”

Self sabotage is a thing that I think most of us deal with from time to time. For some, like myself, it’s chronic.  For others?  It happens now and then when feeling particularly vulnerable, undeserving, or afraid.  In either case? Sometimes we don’t even see that we’re doing it.  In fact, I would imagine that being oblivious to this tendency in the moment when it’s happening is pretty common.

Today’s cards (and prompt) ask us to take a minute and look at where you have been self sabotaging? Where has change been knocking on your door, and instead of answering the call, you have tried to step back and hide?  What are you afraid of?  Why are you avoiding?  Dig deep and really seek out that vulnerable feeling inside that is driving your resistance and see if you can ease it’s tension enough to give yourself the go-ahead to embrace the changes that need to occur.   It doesn’t have to be a trial by fire.  Promise.

DECKS USED:  CORDEIN TAROT AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2024 Challenge
Prompt for November 8th
: Think of a problem that needs solving and pull cards in relation to…
Problem : The upcoming building levy and financial strain involved.

Oracle Reading with the Fairies OracleWhere to BeginOberon / King – Don’t ignore it. You know it’s coming and you need to be responsible about it in order to lead your people through the hardship of the moment. Take care not to shoot yourself in the foot.

What Half Way Looks Like Mab / Dream On – You are going to be feeling like you have everything under control, but make sure that it is not an illusion. Don’t bet the bank on the fact that you feel this way.

How to End Things Sprites / Stage of Play – Allow the relief of getting it done to wash over you and lighten the weight on your shoulders. It’s okay to feel accomplished when you’ve managed to accomplish something. Paying off this levy would be one of those things.

Long Term Ramifications The Aziza / Mind Your Own – It will bring a deeper closeness to those things and people that are yours, binding you together through hardships faced side by side. This in turn strengthens the boundaries between your inner circle and those outside of it.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Foraged Pin Oak Leaf for Strength and Endurance
Smoky Quartz for Grounding and Stability
Raku Bear Medallion for Protection and Stalwartness
Mandala Disk for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: FAIRIES ORACLE

@empressofthenightslight #SweetnessWithTheEmpress #SweetnessofLife Challenge
Question for November 8th : What steps can I take today to help myself move forward?

Cordein Tarot - Nine of Cups, The Moon, The Hanged ManReading Summary: Take time to reflect upon (The Hanged Man) those things that help lift you up out of uncertainty (The Moon) into a place of ease, comfort , and satisfaction (Nine of Cups).

Take Away: With the holiday rush right on your doorstep, it’s easy to lose sight of your own needs and making sure that they are being fulfilled.  If you allow yourself to ignore your own needs, though, you will end up having to slow down (or stop entirely) to deal with the consequences later.

Instead, make sure that you are taking time to really look into what you need, and taking measures to ensure you get those needs met.  It makes everything feel just that much better when you do.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Lichen for Perseverance
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: CORDEIN TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

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

The Joy Stealers

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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@GlitterbyInk #Novelember24 Challenge
One Word Book Title Prompt for November 7th
: Kindred

Cattitude Tarot's Seven of Swords and It's Going to Be Okay 2024 Day-to-Day Calendar by Kate AllanToday’s draw is the Seven of Swords combined with the affirmation “A person doesn’t have to be bad to be bad for you.”

If they steal your joy, or make you feel alone… that is enough of a reason for them to not be allowed to be a part of your life.

That saying “Life’s too short”?  It’s true.  Not everyone is a perfect match.  Why force yourself to spend your precious time on people who just aren’t a good fit for you.  Even if you want them to, sometimes things just don’t fit.

Life is better when these people are no longer stealing your joy.  Let them go on their way and find others that bring you joy instead.

DECKS USED:  CATTITUDE TAROT AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

@Lionharts #TheNovemberTarot Queen of Swords Challenge
Prompt for November 7th
: What unseen fire within me is fueling my choices and shaping my path forward?

Oracle Reading with the Diversity DeckReading Summary: You seek out harmony and balance (Harmony) through your efforts to be nurturing to yourself and others (Nurture) while following your intuition and inner moral compass (Insight).

Take Away: You have a passionate need for things to “feel right” while at the same time balancing a need to nurture others (and yourself).

It’s in seeking this balance between these two needs where you find the fire that fuels your drive concerning the choices you make that shape your path forward.  You need and want both in your life, and in seeking out and finding it is where you really feel like you shine brightest.

Other elements included in this reading:
Cedar Smoke Cleansing Bundle for Protection
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: DIVERSITY DECK

#DiscordTarotholicsNov2024 Challenge
Question for November 7th
: Advice you need to hear at this time concerning your personal happiness.

Cattitude Tarot - Ten of Cups, Seven of Cups, Five of Pentacles, Nine of WandsReading Summary: When you spend too much time behind the protection of unhealthy defenses (Nine of Wands Rx), it leads you to a place of scarcity where happiness is difficult to find (Five of Pentacles). Happiness (Ten of Cups) is a choice that you make (Seven of Cups).

Take Away: In order to find true personal happiness, you need to be able to let down your defenses and allow others in.  Where your defense mechanisms rearing up to get in the way is often out of your control, the lowering of them is a conscious act.  A choice that allows others to step in and get closer and provide assistance in finding those moments of happiness and joy.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration and Clarity
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: CATTITUDE TAROT

@empressofthenightslight #SweetnessWithTheEmpress #SweetnessofLife Challenge
Question for November 7th : What self-care do I need today?

Oracle Reading using the New York Botanical Gardens' Botanicals Post Card SetSweet Orange Tree – Purification of the mind, body, and spirit combined with a healthy dose of Vitamin C to bolster your immune system.

Cattleya Orchid – Time with Gideon is a must. He helps keep you uplifted, and you do the same for him. He needs that lift this year, and in giving it to him you will give yourself a lift as well.

Pineapple – A symbol of welcome and hospitality, this card encourages doing what needs done to make your home feel welcoming.  Although it is  your work place, it is also your refuge. Make sure you take care of any impediments to that sense of welcome you feel when you walk in the door.  Also… again.  Vitamin C is stressed here.

Take Away: There is a prevailing call high levels of vitamin C in these cards (I swear to you that orange is not a prevailing color in this deck) speaking of a need to continue with your autoimmune boosters for the time being, as well as do the preventative maintenance needed to keep yourself healthy (ie: getting your flu shot and vaccines done).

Other self-care actions to take today include making sure you get some time with Gideon in order to bolster both your moods, and taking some time to clean and organize where it feels things in your home have gotten out of control.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Bay Leaf for Protection From Negativity
Western Hemlock Cones for Balance During Disruptions
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration and Clarity
Carnelian for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: NY BOTANICAL GARDENS’ BOTANICALS POSTCARD SET

Daily Self Kindness

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

Finding the Positive for November 4 – 6

Hush Tarot, Mana-Fest Dark Weave Tarot, Majick Cottage Oracle, and It's Going to Be Okay 2024 Day-to-Day Calendar

November 4 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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@GlitterbyInk #Novelember24 Challenge
One Word Book Title Prompt for November 4th
: You

Today’s card is the Ten of Cups combined with the affirmation “The future will not be a disaster. You have anxiety, sorry.”

Anxiety is a bitch. It’s one of those things that makes the world feel out of control.  Unfortunately? It’s also one of those things that comes from within.  Anxiety, in my experience, is created by our own inner narratives and allowing ourselves time to dwell on the “what if” scenarios that situations in our life present to us.  “What if” is a fine line.  It can be a saving grace that helps us prepare for what lies ahead, but it can also be anxiety inducing and create a feeling of helplessness or powerlessness within us if we let it get out of control.

The message in today’s cards is that the power lies within you to moderate these tendencies to focus on “what if” scenarios. The Ten of Cups is a reminder that when we instead turn our focus to pleasurable thins that we enjoy and seek out support from others in indulging in those things… we have the ability to win the battle with the anxiety that “what if” can cause.  Maybe not 100% of the time, but small step by small step and, over time, those steps can then become larger and last longer.

DECK USED: MANA-FEST DARK WEAVE TAROT AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

November 5 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was approximately fifteen minutes long, and was self-guided based upon the Lindsay Kite quote “Loving your body isn’t thinking your body looks good. It is knowing your body *is* good regardless of how it looks.*

I don’t think there are really all that many people out there in the world in this day and age that don’t struggle with body image. Whether you feel you are too big or too small, too tall or too short. Whether you wear scars or you deal with a disability, don’t like your hair or your skin or your teeth or your eyes.  In today’s society where the “image of perfection” has become more and more unrealistic, society has created a sort of pandemic of body image issues.

My topic in my meditation practice today, I focused on how my body serves me instead of on all the ways it doesn’t or can’t.  It feels really impossible to get past all those things it can’t do sometimes, and I felt that it was important to work at setting them aside and, instead, appreciate that I -am- in fact still mobile and have a decent amount of flexibility. That I can still work, and that those things my body doesn’t allow me to do I can adapt to and get done in different ways.

It felt good to look at my body in this way, even if it was a struggle.  I’ll keep trying, though.

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@GlitterbyInk #Novelember24 Challenge
One Word Book Title Prompt for November 5th
: Brave

Today’s card is the Knight of Swords combined with the affirmation “It’s a big old world. There is absolutely room for you here.”

In today’s card, my eyes keep being drawn down to the Dionaea muscipula (Venus Flytrap) in the lower corner, and the ant that is far too large for it to take a bite out of.  A’right… and the fact that our knight has forgot his pants also did not miss my notice.

I mean, just sayin’?  But what kind of chaos has to be going on here for someone to go running out to confront the world with their hat, face shield, and spear in hand… but no pants? I mean, that shawl is half-assed protection at best. Clearly, this guy didn’t think things through.  Everything else has sharp teeth and hard shells, and here’s the knight charging forward into the fray all squishy and juicy with very little protection.

What these cards say to me is that everyone makes mistakes. Sometimes? We’re impulsive… and that’s okay.  At least as long as no one gets hurt, at any rate.  Don’t beat yourself up for your mistakes and impulsive moments.  There’s no reason to call yourself names and berate your existence. Instead, learn from these experiences so that you can do better next time.

DECK USED: HUSH TAROT AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

November 6 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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@GlitterbyInk #Novelember24 Challenge
One Word Book Title Prompt for November 6th
: Trust

Today’s card is the Align card combined with the affirmation “You can be grateful and depressed at the same time. You are not a bad person for struggling to find joy in things right now.”

There are times in life when it feels like you are all alone against the world, backed into a corner and without recourse as the universe seems to stand against you.  This is, sadly, a part of life, and it’s natural to feel depressed during these times and struggle with seeing the good in these situations.

It’s important, though, to always connect with those things you -are- grateful for, even when you feel like you’re at your wit’s end. Sometimes, we have to take a breath and just trust that the situation we’re in and the depression and disenchantment we are feeling is temporary, and that in the long run? The world will keep on moving forward and everything is going to be okay.

DECK USED: MAJICK COTTAGE ORACLE AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN