Exploring Awe in the World

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Catopia Tarot - Page of CupsThe @GlitterbyInk #MayTag25 Challenge
Celebrating Our Community Prompt for May 4 : Generous

Today’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.

I am currently reading “Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life” by Dacher Keitner, which scientifically explores the emotion of awe, what it is, and how it is triggered in others. With the fireworks going off in the background of today’s card, I can’t help but associate it with the stories of people’s accounts with the feeling of awe that are shared in the book, and the association made that it is awe that then inspires wonder, which is essentially awe with curiosity mixed in.

Although I didn’t have a name for this emotion  until now, I experience both of these emotions often when I am out in nature. The experience of awe, and corresponding spark to my curiosity and imagination, are a part of why being in nature is so refreshing for me and creates for me that sense of the sacred.

The message in today’s card is an encouragement to see out moments of awe. Be fascinated. Be curious. Let your imagination be awakened and have free reign for a bit. Too often, we neglect these things, and over time life then becomes boring and drab.

Sometimes to reawaken awe and it’s corresponding emotions within us, we need to be proactive in seeking it out. So, be proactive. Big or small, unique or everyday… be kind and generous to yourself and you’re well-being by making the choice to go find yourself a little bit of awe today.

DECK USED:  CATOPIA TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2025 Challenge
Prompt for May 4
: Do Spread 1

Tarot Reading with Tarot Yoga and the Animal Spirit Oracle

What positive quality do I have that others admire?

Phoenix and Knight of Cups – You are a survivor at heart, and no matter how many times life has knocked you down or driven roughshod over you, you continue to rise again with unflagging character and your creative spark still intact. You have not allowed these experiences to turn you bitter or change your character, but rather used them to grow and better understand the value in moments of hardship.

What positive quality do I wish I had that I admire in others?

Polar Bear and Five of Swords – Knowing when to give up is a quality that you wish you had more of. You are stubborn to a fault and at times this means you keep fighting for a cause even past the point of no return. Being able to identify when to step back is a skill you admire in others and want for yourself.

What step(s) can I take now to work toward developing that quality in myself?

Robin and Six of Pentacles

  • Work on being more generous with yourself when it comes to giving yourself moments of joy.
  • Connect with optimism and positivity in a way that allows you to see beyond the moment of conflict more easily so that you don’t have to fight for it quite so hard.
  • Remember that it’s okay to give people the benefit of the doubt, but only until it starts to hurt, and then it’s time to let go.

What step(s) can I take to make the positive qualities I already have shine brightly?

Rhino and Temperance – Continue to work on achieving a bit more consistency in your meditation practice, rest when you need to rest, and train your focus upon putting more time and focus into those things that help you to connect with a sense of calm and stability.

Other elements included in this reading:
Pressed Pansy Flowers for for Hearing the Heart More Clearly
Foraged Wood Fern for Exorcising Negative Influences
Selenite Tree of Life for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: TAROT YOGA AND ANIMAL SPIRIT ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I *might* have had raspberry swirl cake and chocolate chip cookies for brunch today.

A Friendly Greeting

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was one of the #DailyCalm sessions with the @Calm app.  Although I enjoyed today’s meditation this morning, I can’t for the life of me remember what the session was about.

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Floral Tarot - The HermitThe @GlitterbyInk #MayTag25 Challenge
Celebrating Our Community Prompt for May 3 : Friendly

Today’s draw is the Hermit card, which is traditionally a representation of inner exploration, self reflection, and healthy alone time.

Snowdrops are the first of the spring flowers to arrive. They come out eagerly before everyone else to announce that spring is on the way and pave the way forward for everyone else that then follows.

The flower on this card is actually a narcissus, probably in reference to the fact that it retreats into a bulb underground through winter to hibernate ’til spring. But, so too is the snowdrop that this card reminded me of on first glance. Its eager emergence after the time spent in restorative solitude an expression of friendly optimism for the spring months ahead.

The message in today’s card is that it’s okay to retreat into solitude for some much needed rest and healthy reflection. Just make sure that when you emerge that you are working to put on a friendly face and optimistic spin to what’s coming. Be open and look for the positive, and it will help others to do the same.

DECK USED:  FLORAL TAROT

#detarotjufmeitarotchallenge Tea With the Queens Challenge by @de_tarotjuf
Tea with the Queen of Wands : Creativity and Passion
Prompts for May 4 – 5

Oracle Reading with the Memento Homo Oracle CardsWhat in my environment motivates me to pursue my dreams?

Left Card – Trust. It takes a lot to trust someone with your safety and well-being. When you surround yourself with those you trust to do so, it allows you to be vulnerable in a way that opens you up to being honest about your dreams and gives you the bandwidth to pursue them with more vigor.

What can I do to bring more joy into my life?

Right Card – Play with abandon. Even if you feel you need to put on a front of composure or show a particular outward countenance… play anyway. Have some fun instead of internalizing that outward mask that is sometimes needed.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Silver Maple Key for Bouncing Back to Thrive
Omarolluk for Protection and Bridging Liminal Divides
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: MEMENTO HOMO ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I did the things I wanted to do today, instead of the things that were expected of me by others. That included playing with a few new decks I got in over the past couple of weeks, and taking a nap… oh, and having raspberry swirl cake for breakfast.

I Did a Thing!

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was a self guided meditation focusing upon the “just make it exist first” graphic by @growthbyvisuals shared alongside the card for today.

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Neuziet Tarot's Nine of PentaclesThe @GlitterbyInk #MayTag25 Challenge
Celebrating Our Community Prompt for May 2 : Optimistic

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 hard to remember at times that  accomplishment doesn’t have to be about perfection. Just the fact you created something or did something is enough.

When the cards say (as they often do) to “take a moment to reflect upon, appreciate, and/or celebrate our accomplishments,” they’re not talking about our big or perfect ones. The imperfect and small are just as important and need recognition as well.

“I did a thing,” no matter how small or seemingly insignificant holds just as much weight as “I created this perfect thing” does. The value, sometimes, is not in the results… but in the doing. Both in the fact that you are doing something, as well as the fact you are gaining joy or experience or knowledge during the task being done. So, “I did a thing” is absolutely valid, all on it’s own… whatever that thing may be or how it turns out.

DECK USED:  NEUZIET TAROT

#detarotjufmeitarotchallenge Tea With the Queens Challenge by @de_tarotjuf
Tea with the Queen of Wands : Creativity and Passion
Prompts for May 1 – 3

Oracle Reading with the Alchemy of the Spirit OracleWhat inspires my creativity?

The Sword – New ideas combined with a sense of balance. When there is no fairness, balance, or justice, you feel out of sorts and it will smother your creative spark and the impetus of new ideas. As new ideas are what your creativity thrives on, you need that balance to allow your creativity to be set free.

Reflect on a passion project. How can I make it grow?

Project – A wood burned casting tray made into the underside of my wooden reading tray with personally drawn design.

The Rainbow – Have faith that you will find the time to work on this project when the timing is right. You need time when you can slow down and really focus, which requires a number of different conditions to achieve. That time will come.

What energy do I bring into my work?

The Library – You bring into your work an openness to try new things, and the ability to know your worth in this area, regardless of being raised to think your efforts are worth nothing. Your work is all about things that you are good at and the exploration of those skills and abilities. This gives you a sense of worth that helps in rewriting the “not enough” narrative in your head.

Other elements included in this reading:
Bind Rune on Cedar for a Protected Home
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: ALCHEMY OF THE SPIRIT ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I spend a lot of time not listening to people today, and instead listening to the music or audiobook coming in through the bone conduction headphones hidden in my hair.

Self-Acceptance

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

The session for today discussed how acceptance is our greatest tool toward growth and self-improvement. When we pause to understand our flaws and flawed reactions, and open ourself up to accepting that they are a part of who we are as humans, it allows those parts of ourselves to soften and become more malleable. It feels a bit counterintuitive, and yet this is how through acceptance of ourselves and forgiveness that change is facilitated.

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Tarocchi by Michelangelo Rossato - The HermitThe @GlitterbyInk #MayTag25 Challenge
Celebrating Our Community Prompt for May 1 : Curious

Today’s draw is the Hermit card, which is traditionally a representation of solitude, self reflection and introspection, alone time, and inner guidance.

Even for an introvert like myself, spending time alone can be a blessing or a curse, depending on where your head is at at time time.

If we are in a mindset that allows our thoughts to run in circles around our mistakes, flaws, or these things that we don’t like about ourselves, then alone time becomes an unhealthy simmering of negativity.

On the other hand, alone time spent in self-exploration with a focus on curiosity, understanding, and acceptance allows for healthy solitude and eventual growth.

The theme of today’s card, meditation, and prompt combo is to remember that not all alone time is healthy or productive, and encourages us to discern the difference and choose our moments of solitude wisely.

DECK USED:  TAROCHI BY MICHELANGELO ROSSATO

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2025 Challenge
Prompt for May 1
: Do the Beltane Spread

Beltane Oracle Reading with the Apothecary Spirits Oracle

Dandelion: How can I use my inner strength to help me in healing old wounds?

Marigold – Instead of focusing on the pain of past experiences, explore their memories while working to recognize the gift that these experiences have offered you. Whether it has created within you a greater sense of independence, understanding of human nature, knowledge or skills you wouldn’t have otherwise developed, etc. these things are life’s offerings to you in appreciation and respect for what you went through. They are earned and hold great worth in and of themselves, but also in allowing you to see that those painful moments held value as well.

Bees: Where could I put in more effort to help my community?

Cayenne – Be bold and loud. Let your anger show when it stirs to the surface. In doing so you validate others and their own feelings, for not everyone is able to speak up as easily or freely as you can. You embolden others, in these moments, to share their own thoughts and feelings as well rather than staying quiet in the background.

Garnet: What do I need in order to foster a greater sense of self-empowerment?

Damiana – You need to be able to allow your vulnerability to shine through without shame or fear in order to foster a greater sense of self-empowerment. This not an easy task for you, and it is often done through the vulnerability that you offer to Gideon in the drown. Over time, he has helped you to see the submissive side of your inner self as a strength rather than as a weakness to be ashamed of.

Swallow: Where do I need to more openly display my love and loyalty to others?

Rosemary – Memories are important. With so many of them fleeting in your head and often slipping through your fingers like grains of sand through a sieve, it’s important to revisit those ones that you can when you’re able.

When you walk down memory lane with others, you allow them to help you remember things that you have forgotten. This takes trust and openness, for you are trusting in their memories to refresh yours and not distort the truth. Within this process of helping to recount happy memories and joyful moments with you, it also creates new bonding experiences.

Malachite: How can I better use intention to bolster the abundance in my life moving forward?

Roses – Roses take a great deal of care in order to not just thrive but become abundant in blooms. So do relationships. Love, romance, and friendships do not just “happen” and will not thrive on their own without your participation. Lean into the intent to keep your friendships and loving relationships happy and healthy, and they will grow to be abundant like the roses in this card.

Goat: How can I best overcome obstacles before me at this time?

Wisteria – Cling tightly, but with a gentle touch.  It is through your connection with others that you find strength in moments when obstacles become too heavy to handle on your own. Lean into them.

Primrose: How can I add more of the exuberance of young love into my life?

Borage – Don’t allow your uncertainty, nor moments of fear, to hold you back. There is no energy or exuberance in stagnancy. It is in motion and courage that we find those lighter and happier emotions associated with young love. If you want to instill that energy into your life, it takes courage and the willingness to take a leap with alacrity, rather than standing still in uncertainty.

Other elements included in this reading:
Orange Aventurine Leaf for Pause and Reflection
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Green Aventurine for Harmony and Balance of the Heart
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: APOTHECARY SPIRITS ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

Bah, I worked all day today from the moment I woke up this morning to just before bed time, and I feel like I haven’t given myself a single self kindness today.  I suppose I would count making sure that I ate on time using the timer on my phone as one, though. So there’s that.

Energy Leaks and Replenishment

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

The topic of today’s session was about what the neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett calls the body’s “energy budget”. It delved into how our bodies only have so much energy to work with each day, and how even something that seems as simple as talking on the phone can at times leave us feeling drained due to what kind of budget our body has for the day and how much of it is spent in the conversation.

The session spoke upon how its important to take times of quiet and peace for yourself on days you are feeling tired in order to “top up” our energy stores, and how meditation can in this way be seen as a “dose of replenishment” for when feeling drained.

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Gendron Tarot's Justice CardToday’s draw is the Justice card, which is traditionally a representation of balance, cause and effect, repercussions and consequences, give and take, and can often indicate the law or legal system.

Life is always about balance. You get what you give. This is true in all areas of life from how we act to how we treat ourselves, and even the little every day actions we take for granted. The universe seems to be built upon the premise of cause and effect… otherwise known as “balance”.

I feel that this is important to understand, as it effects so much in our lives including our own bodies and our energy levels. If we push and neglect our needs, then our bodies react by breaking down or running out of energy.  We are bombarded day in and day out by little energy leaks from the news, our phones, social obligations… even niceties.  It’s no wonder that we feel tired so often, and refreshed so rarely and fleetingly.

The card for today and meditation combined with it hold a reminder that we all need to do more to replenish our energy stores in order to combat all those little (and sometimes big) energy leaks in our lives. Whether that’s through creative pursuits, having fun, meditation, or just taking a few minutes to ourselves once in a while to breathe.

DECK USED:  GENDRON TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2025 Challenge
Prompt for April 30
: Grab a spread of your choice you’re curious about… and give it a go!
@Lionharts #TheAprilTarot Equinox Threshold Challenge
Prompt for April 30 : The Huntress’ Mark Tarot Spread

The Huntress Mark Tarot Reading with the Bird King Tarot and Growing Oracle

What instinct within me is calling to be honored?

Four of Wands and Energy – The desire to savor, or even celebrate, the time spent at home is an instinct within you calling out to be honored. That moment when you step through the door and take a sigh of relief as you take your shoes off is a moment that needs to be leaned into and acknowledged, savored and enjoyed. Focus on letting the bad parts of your day slough off at the door, so that you step through into your home with a greater sense of peace than when you’re outside of it.

How do I close the distance to what I seek?

The Lovers; Freedom atop Differences Rx – There’s always going to be differences of opinion concerning what you should be doing with your spare time. The great part is that it’s your spare time to do with as you please, so make sure that you were doing things that are good for you during this time… and not for others. Your spare time needs to be about you.

What lasting imprint will my pursuit leave behind?

The Magician and Worthiness – Working on these boundaries concerning your spare time will help you in combating those feelings of “not enough” that you often feel in relation to what you provide for others. It will help you develop the tools you need to see yourself as worthy of your own self-care and good regard, creating a better balance between the energy expended on others and what you keep for yourself.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Silver Maple Key for Bouncing Back to Thrive
Serpentine Dragon to Bolster Heart and Emotions
Ammonite for a Sense of Stability During Times of Change
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: BIRD KING TAROT AND GROWING ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

This is a catch-up post, which means I have no idea what my self-kindness was on this day.

Finding the Positive for April 27 – 29

The Stained Glass Tarot, The Moon Witch Tarot, Once Upon a Time Cards, Magical Messages Cards, and Prophesies Foretold Hades Tarot

April 27 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped (cuz I fell asleep).

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Today’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.

Needing to “buckle down” and work when we just aren’t feeling it can make the work we’re doing seem miserable and endless. It can even at times erase from our awareness the value that the work holds and why we’re doing it in the first place.

Today’s card combo reminds us that there’s good in the work we do, otherwise we wouldn’t be doing it. The message here is an encouragement that during these times when we are feeling less than enthused with our work, we try to focus on the good that is coming from the work, rather than on our discontent.

DECK USED: PROPHESIES FORETOLD: A HADES TAROT AND MAGICAL MESSAGES CARDS

April 28 – Mental Health Card of the Day

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

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Today’s draw is the Queen of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s resources, financial stability, health, home, labors, manifestations, or other aspects of the physical realm. This often translates into a supportive or nurturing energy or entity in the areas of one’s health, home, and financial responsibilities.

Only allow into your life those things that support your dreams.

Dreams are one of those things that help us to look forward to the future. They are the fertilizer to our growth and happiness. They are not silly, or stupid, and when things or people come into our lives that try to influence us into thinking that they are? Those are the things and people that have no business being in our lives in the first place.

Nurture your dreams by kicking these things and people to the curb. In doing so, you are supporting yourself and those dreams of yours, and living true to yourself in the process.

DECK USED: MOON WITCH TAROT AND ONCE UPON A TIME CARDS

April 29 – Mental Health Card of the Day

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

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Today’s draw is the King of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a projective “alpha” energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s thoughts, intellect, education, ambitions, and communication. This often translates into themes that have to do with someone that has a way with words and is able to use those skills to lead others to their way of thinking, as well as those that are in authority on intellectual topics such as professors, doctors, etc.

Stop discounting your abilities in sorting out issues and strategizing solutions. You have been using that clever mind of yours all of your life to stay on top of things and adapt from one moment to the next, piling on experience that only adds to your abilities.

There is no need to be modest, let alone disparage yourself. Instead, allow yourself to feel the confidence that hs been well earned. Lead with it, not just with others but yourself s well. When you trust in yourself, your experience, and your knowledge, others trust in you as well.

DECK USED: THE STAINED GLASS TAROT