Emotions vs Mental Health

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Gothic Moon Tarot's Three of Swords and a card from the Crone Power Oracle

Today’s draw is the Three of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of depression, grief, and disappointments. This theme often seems strange to people, being that it is seated in the Swords suit (which is often all about intellect and the mind), but it is important to remember that how we react emotionally is often rooted in how we think and what expectations we create for ourselves before everything falls apart.

The Three of Swords has then been combined with a card from the Crone Power Oracle and Affirmation Cards, which says, “I am knowing. I trust my inner guidance.”

There is a reason that depression is a mental illness and not considered an emotion illness. It’s our brains that create clinical level depression, and we’re not given much choice in it. We do what’s needed to shorten its span and ride it out with medication, therapy, self-care, etc, and hold on tight until it’s over… but it’s not like someone with clinical depression can just “choose” to cheer up.

Moods and emotions are also somewhat uncontrollable, and yet far more easy to budge and fluctuate.

The key with depression is catching it early. It’s listening to your mind and body, and making sure you’re aware when the slip down into depression’s pit starts to happen. It’s reacting with the care needed then and there in order to shorten its duration and weaken its effects.

The message in today’s Three of Swords and affirmation is a reminder that self awareness is important. These cards offer encouragement to not ignore warning signs with wishful thinking that what’s happening will pass you by.

DECKS USED:  GOTHIC MOON TAROT AND CRONE POWER ORACLE AND AFFIRMATION CARDS

September Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for September 30th
: cavernous for you

Writing Activity with the Art of Nature Reptiles & Amphibians Playing Cards

usually quiet and easy
with nothing much to say
(Four of Hearts)
happy to watch and listen
while others fuss and bray
(Queen of Spades)

I found myself at a loss
the first time I saw you
(Seven of Spades)
flustered and restless and
unsure what to do
(Ace of Clubs)

and as your stare found my gaze
and my body flushed in surprise
(Ace of Clubs atop Two of Hearts)
you reached deep inside
and carved out my insides
(King of Hearts)

Other elements included in this reading:
Moss Agate for Attracting Opportunities for Growth
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  ART OF NATURE REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS PLAYING CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2026 Challenge
Prompt for September 30th
: Pick a spread of your choice and give it a go!

Philosophical Tarot Reading with the Gothic Moon Tarot and The Black Bird Oracle

What is humanity’s greatest accomplishment?

The Fool – Intrepid exploration, enthusiasm, and eagerness to reach beyond one’s sphere.

Humanity’s greatest accomplishment comes in breaking new ground; whether that is in exploring the oceans, visiting the and moon for the first time, or discovering new and wondrous species on our own planet.

What are humanity’s 3 major strengths?

Four of Pentacles – To be independent in thought and action.

The Mirror – To self-reflect.

Ace of Wands – To catch the threads of passion and have the innovation to follow their lead.

What is humanity’s greatest mistake?

The Death’s Head – Taking for granted the fragility of life. Humanity as a whole and as individuals have a tendency to forget that life is precious and fleeting, and because of that we often lose track of what priorities are truly important and of value.

What are humanity’s 3 major weaknesses?

Darkness – Selfishness and apathy.

Nine of Wands Rx – Their reactivity to fear.

The Loom – Rigid adherence to structures that don’t always work as planned.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Garnierite for help in Releasing Anger, Anxiety, and Guilt
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: GOTHIC MOON TAROT AND THE BLACK BIRD ORACLE
Daily Self Kindness

I took a nap at Ms B’s today. It was sorely needed. I’m not sure the drive home would have been safely accomplished without it.

Focus on Self Care… Not Guilt

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Gothic Moon Tarot and Halloween Affirmation Cards@GlitterbyInk #OctoberCauldron24 Prompt
Cauldron of Warming Prompt for October 5th
: Focus

Today’s draw is The Sun card combined with the affirmation “It’s okay to just float along. It’s okay to just be.”

Stop barraging yourself with guilt for taking the time you need to rest. Instead of focusing on everything that you’re not getting done, train your attention to taking care of yourself for a bit.  You may be able to succeed running on empty, but that success will be hollow and you won’t enjoy it.

It’s Saturday.  Take a break.  Breathe.  Push the guilt aside and just enjoy.

DECKS USED:  GOTHIC MOON TAROT AND SELF-MADE HALLOWEEN AFFIRMATION DECK

@Lionharts #TheOctoberTarot Season of the Witch Prompt
Question for October 5th
: As the universe, so the soul, how can I let my magick flow?

Bats Blood Ink OracleReading Summary: When you are starting to think that you’re getting sick (Plague), don’t let it sneak up on you and take you by surprise (Jack). Instead, start taking care of it right away (Chicken Soup) and encourage others to do the same (Ed’s Head).

Take Away:   Just as when you are sick that it smothers your physical energy, so too does it muffle your magic and abilities.

The scratchy feeling eyes, the extra tiredness.  The headache that you’ve had the past couple days and the occasional sneezes?  Don’t ignore this.  It’s a warning to jump on taking care of things now to mitigate the impact of getting sick.

Make sure you are resting, hydrating, and taking your vitamins as well as the immune booster.  Let those around you know that you think you’re getting sick so that they can also take preventative measures.

Other elements included in this reading:
Serpentine Dragon to Bolster Heart and Emotions
Moonstone for Emotional Stability
Rainforest Rhyolite for Facilitating Calm Transitions
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: BATS BLOOD INK ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2024 Challenge Prompt
Question for October 5th : Window Candle : Where do you need to lean into the light (positivity/optimism)?

Gothic Moon Tarot - Five of Cups, Ace of Wands, The StarReading Summary: You have not been keeping up on your positivity practice of late (The Star).  In doing so, you are giving that natural inclination towards pessimism a chance to thrive (Five of Cups) and allowing it to dampen your enthusiasm for the world around you (Ace of Wands).

Take Away:  As a previous Card-of-the-Day recently advised, it won’t work if you don’t work it.  Make sure that you are staying on top of the positivity and optimism practices that help you counterbalance those negative inclinations.

You have a natural inclination towards negativity and pessimism that is unhealthy for your mental health. When allowed to go unchecked, it has a tendency to pull you into depression.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Douglas Fir Bark for Strength and Resiliency
Gneiss Wishing Stone for Patience in Unpleasant Situations
Citrine atop Growth Mandala for Encouraging Lift (easing the weight of heavy energies)
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: GOTHIC MOON TAROT

@HealingThruTarot’s #httOctoberTarotChallenge2024 Prompt
Prompt for October 5th and 6th

Angelarium Oracle of the FallenGifts to resurrect this season of the witch.

Penume – In your writing, you find the freedom to share yourself with others without fear, allowing them to get close enough to get to know the real you. Make a conscious choice to live in the moment, and savor the connection with others that your writing allows you to experience.

What troubles lurk in the shadows?

Sachiel – Coercion is sly and surreptitious, insidious in how it slips in unnoticed and roots itself in the soil of your life when you are not looking.  Make sure that when you are following the advice of others or allowing others to influence you, that these people have your best interests at heart.  There is a viper lingering in the grass that you are mistaking for a garter snake.

Other elements included in this reading:
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration and Clarity
Foraged Red Alder Acorns for Determination and Confidence

DECK USED: ANGELARIUM ORACLE OF THE FALLEN

Daily Self Kindness

I didn’t put an alarm on for my nap. I was hoping some extra rest might get rid of my headache. No such luck, but it was worth a try.