#httOctoberTarotChallenge2024

Joining Forces

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Today’s meditation was 10 minutes long, and was one of the #DailyCalm sessions from the Calm app.

The message in today’s session has been one that has been coming up quite  a bit in my cards lately. That is to say, it dealt with the fact that growth is painful.  As a kid, growth spurts hurt… especially for anyone gaining any significant height.  Puberty is a bitch and a miserable experience for everyone.

Growth doesn’t come any easier as we get older, it just becomes more individualized as we begin paving our own path through life. But, no matter how hard it is, it’s still better than the alternative. Stagnancy is not just unhealthy for the body, after all, but for our spirit as well.

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Incromancy 5 The Bizarre Carnival Tarot's Three of Pentacles and Halloween Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Three of Pentacles combined with the affirmation “I trust that the universe has my back, even when the path ahead is foggy.”

Remember that when you are feeling uncertain, you are never alone. This is the message in today’s cards.  You may -feel- alone, but you are never alone. Not really.

There are people there to support you, and the often possess skills that you lack.  When they contribute to your struggles, this means they contribute something unique that you do not possess on your own.

These people are willing, and in fact are delighted in most cases, to contribute those skills to what you need in your time of need. You just have to ask.

DECKS USED:  INKROMANCY 5 THE BIZARRE CARNIVAL TAROT AND SELF-MADE HALLOWEEN AFFIRMATION DECK

@Lionharts #TheOctoberTarot Season of the Witch Prompt
Question for October 25th : Through blood and bone, through thick and thin, who guides me now until Samhain?

Mother Mort's Carnival of Souls OracleThe Amazing Sluagh – Not all those who seek to guide you are interested in your own well-being.  There is one that comes through this Samhain that is of that ilk. Keep a close eye on those who reach through and be discerning and who you trust.

Ludas the Wag – Someone from your past who is generous and kind, and who inspired you to laugh and enjoy life rather than taking everything so seriously.

Mother Mort – A matriarch. This woman is the foundation of family, and seeks to keep everyone connected. Remember that a family can be a hodgepodge of different people who are unrelated, just as easily as it can be a collection of those who are connected by blood.

DECK USED: MOTHER MORT’S CARNIVAL OF SOULS

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2024 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question for October 25th : Do ghosts exist?

Incromancy 5 The Bizarre Carnival Tarot - Death, Three of Cups, DevilReading Summary: When the passing happens (Death), some stay to party (Three of Cups) while others just can’t move on (The Devil).

Take Away: The answer here is a clear “yes”. Ghosts do exist.

While some may stay simply because they don’t want to go, others linger on this side after death because they can’t go due to something that holds them here and refuses to allow them to move on.  The Devil card indicates that a lot of times, that “something” is their own issues, hang ups, and obsessions.

As I practice mediumship and am sensitive to energies, I always find this question to be interesting when it comes around.  I’ve yet to get a ‘no’ from the cards when asking this particular question.  What lies on the other side may vary from person to person, but the ability for some to linger after passing on never seems to be contested.

DECK USED: INKROMANCY 5 THE BIZARRE CARNIVAL TAROT

@HealingThruTarot’s #httOctoberTarotChallenge2024 Prompt
Prompt for October 25th : A haunting warning from the spirits.

Voxsilentii Tarot by Dominic MurphyReading Summary: By continuing to allow your mind to return to the past again and again to relive unpleasant experiences (Repudium), you lose the progress with the calm you’ve gained in your meditative practice (Noctis). Instead, reflect upon past experiences by looking at the good that has come out of them, rather than focusing on the pain you have endured (Ventri).

Take Away: Your painful experiences from the past are best looked at as learning experiences that provided you a boon, rather than something that you’ve endured and remembering only the pain of the experience. Make sure that you are looking at things through this lens of perspective rather than allowing your past to open up old wounds and drag you down.

DECK USED: VOXSILENTII TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I had myself a little crying tantrum when I dropped my phone in a puddle earlier today instead of holding it in and using that energy to beat up on myself.

Chasing Your Own Tail

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

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

To be fair, although I half-listened to the session? I was listening more to the drone of the voice than I was what was actually said.  Sometimes, I find the voice of the guy that does the Daily Trip sessions very soothing.  Because of that, there are times that this is how it goes.  The timbre of the voice becomes my focus rather than the words being spoken or even my breath.

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Grim Noir Tarot and Halloween Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Ace of Cups combined with the affirmation “It’s all going to work out fine.”

Emotions are not really “easy” for you, and new ones can be extremely difficult to understand.

You have people in your life that you can reach out to that can help explain these emotions to you in terms you can understand, where they stem from, and assist you in processing them.

The cards for today suggest that maybe you should consider reaching out to these people in your life more often… instead of waiting until after you’ve stirred yourself up about not understanding and talked yourself in circles trying to work it out on your own.

DECKS USED:  GRIM NOIR TAROT AND SELF-MADE HALLOWEEN AFFIRMATION DECK

@Lionharts #TheOctoberTarot Season of the Witch Prompt
Prompt for October 24th : Maiden Mother Crone Spread

Eldritch Arcana - The Tower, The World, Two of Cups, Ace of WandsThe Maiden stands at Samhain’s door, what does she encourage me to explore?

Ace of Wands atop The Tower (of Irons) Rx – Work to balance out the helplessness and hopelessness you are feeling concerning current trials by leaning into your creative spark and passion projects. It’s important to stay engaged and not retreat into hiding.

The mother gathers fruits of fall, what wisdom grows within it all?

The World / Deliquesce – You are not alone, nor walk your path alone. Your life and experiences are an amalgamation of a myriad of people and places that have all become a part of who you are. Each person that touches your life becomes a part of you, and each person that touches their life and becomes a part of them is also now handed down to become a part of you. In the end, this is how we are all connected.

The crone peers through the Veil so thin, what energy dwells deep down within?

Two of Cups – Those that reach through the veil this season are here to offer mutually beneficial assistance. They seek connection, and wish to work hand in hand with you to a positive end.

DECK USED: ELDRITCH ARCANA TAROT

@HealingThruTarot’s #httOctoberTarotChallenge2024 Prompt
Prompt for October 24th : How to awaken my spirit this autumn.

Grim Noir Tarot - The Tower, King of Cups, Six of CupsThe Tower Rx – Remember that calamity and catastrophe are temporary. The changes that are necessary to allow you to adapt are what need you focus, not the crisis of the moment.

King of Cups – Lean on Gideon as needed during these trials you are going through, and allow him to provide for you a sense of stability. He will always make time for you when you need it.

Six of Cups – Be mindful of the past and what you have carried forward with you from past experiences. Those skills and abilities remain a part of who you are today, and are at your fingertips to assist when needed.

Take Away: This slow time in your business is a moment for adaptation. It’s not permanent, but it is showing you that there are things that will need to change in order to move forward. Let loved ones help support you in your moments of uncertainty. Remember, you have survived much worse. You’ve got this, and are more than up to the challenge.

DECK USED: GRIM NOIR TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I allowed myself time to lie down for a bit when my stomach really started acting up, instead of pushing myself to plow on through the pain and discomfort.

Do Not Engage

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Fortuna Tenebris Tarot's Seven of Wands and Halloween Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Seven of Wands combined with the affirmation “I am a friendly ghost, spreading smiles and cheer.”

Today’s cards are a reminder that not every conflict has to be a fight to the death in order to stand your ground. It can feel like it, especially when you are feeling defensive or vulnerable.

The thing is, though, that the best action isn’t always an aggressive one in these situations.  Instead, sometimes when you stand your ground, all you have to do is smile and say “Okay. Not for me, though” and walk away.

A lot of times when people step in and challenge your values, it is simply to start a conflict or to make you feel small.  By choosing to walk away instead of engaging, you not just preserve your own values, but make it clear where your boundaries lie in a way that fighting can’t… because it’s the challenge and/or fight that they wanted all along.

DECKS USED:  FORTUNA TENEBRIS TAROT AND SELF-MADE HALLOWEEN AFFIRMATION DECK

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2024 Challenge Prompt
Question for October 22nd thru 24th

Fortuna Tenebris Tarot - Seven of Wands, The Devil, The EmpressAncestors: What is your relationship with your ancestors at this time?

Seven of Wands – You are still making your ancestors fight to get through. As much as you are open to the idea of exploring mediumship more in depth, there is a part of you that continues to be resistant.

Spirits: How can you improve upon your relationship with your ancestors?

The Empress – Nurture your discoveries in the area of mediumship as you explore your abilities. Instead of just sitting on them and forcing them into stagnancy, allow them to flourish and grow in abundance.

Seance: What guidance do your ancestors offer at this time?

The Devil – Your ancestors remind you to take care not to fall into unhealthy patterns at this time. Make sure, as you work on exploring and developing these skills and abilities, that you don’t develop harmful practices alongside them that could become a problem later.

DECK USED: FORTUNA TENEBRIS 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.

Exploration Ahead

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

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

Sometimes, when we meditate, it’s difficult not to try too hard.  We push for serene and a blank mind, we try to push out distractions instead of accepting their presence, etc.  Other times, we may become too lax and allow our minds to become too distracted and wander too far.

The session for today is a reminder that there is a middle ground that lies between trying too hard to focus and being too lax on your focus, and how it is in that middle ground where the benefits of meditation lie, and where we can find them and thrive from those benefits.

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StringerArts Tarot's Knight of Wands and Halloween Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Knight of Wands combined with the affirmation “I am connected to the spirits of those who came before me, and their wisdom guides me.”

Take an impulsive leap forward in pursuing your passion for mediumship and connecting with ancestors.

Dive in and do a little exploring, seek out new paths and adventures on this path and look for new ways to connect.  As the veil becomes more and more thin this month, now is the time for developing and strengthening these connections.

DECKS USED:  STRINGERARTS TAROT AND SELF-MADE HALLOWEEN AFFIRMATION DECK

@HealingThruTarot’s #httOctoberTarotChallenge2024 Prompt
Prompt for October 21st thru 23rd

StringerArts Tarot - Seven of Wands, Three of Wands, The Empress, Page of Wands, King of CupsHow to prepare for any coming darkness.

Seven of Wands atop Three of Wands – Your progress will be blocked by defensive behavior. Take care to stay loose and not get your back up, or it will hinder you from making progress in the months ahead.

Whispers from my Ancestors to guide me.

Page of Wands atop Previous Cards – To keep moving you need to do more than “stay loose”, but be open to making changes to your process in order to keep things moving. Don’t get stuck in old practices and let them them hold you back. Embrace new methods instead.

How to balance the shadow with my light.

King of Cups atop The Empress – Gideon is always going to be the answer to creating a nurturing place for yourself, as well as alleviating subdrop. Take care to stay connected to him and lean into him for help with your emotional stability needs.

DECK USED: STRINGERARTS TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took a nap in the back of the car earlier today while J drove.

Temporary Trials

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Tarot Obscura's Judgement card and Halloween Affirmation CardsToday’s draw is the Judgement card combined with the affirmation “All difficult days come to an end. You will get through this.”

Don’t judge yourself so harshly when you are struggling or make a mistake. Mistakes can be recovered from and struggles are a temporary condition that we all go through from time to time.

The people we grow into and become (hopefully, better people than the people we are today) are formed out of our trials and challenges.

Those struggles and mistakes are simply growth spurts. Small ones and large ones, uncomfortable as hell… but  but temporary. After we make it through them, there is then time for recovery, rest, and to bask in the sunlight for a bit before the next growth spurt begins.

Rough days and difficult struggles will pass, and we will be better for them… no matter how uncomfortable we are in the moment.

DECKS USED:  TAROT OBSCURA AND SELF-MADE HALLOWEEN AFFIRMATION DECK

@Lionharts #TheOctoberTarot Season of the Witch Prompt
Prompts for October 21st thru 23rd : The Spell

The Infernal Oraculum by Monica KnightonMirror, mirror, show or tell, what intention do I give this spell?

Canities – With offerings of acorns and oak, a spell for strength of body and determination of will, that bolsters the body and mind, and lends spark to the energies of one’s “prowess”.

Now is the time, this is the hour, show me what this spell will empower?

Triskaidek – In wet dirt that clings to heavy stone a sigil comes and is reborn to remove obstacles from one’s path while traveling through prejudice and wrath. Giving the recipient the ability to bear the weight of the stares and slight with strength and ease.

And as I cast my spell tonight, what rooted magic will take flight?

Bulbitis – To purge is the answer needed this night, bile’s sigil earns this spell flight. It’s in not caring what others think and disgorging from within the need to please that this spell is manifested, and on its recipient’s shoulders rested.

With judicious strength bestowed at last, so mote it be, this spell is cast.

DECK USED: THE INFERNAL ORACULUM

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2024 Challenge Prompt
Question for October 21st : Gravestone : What part of your past needs dug up and examined?

Tarot Obscura - The Tower, Page of Pentacles, Six of SwordsReading Summary: Look back upon the methods you have learned (Page of Pentacles) to take advantage of (Six of Swords) moments of catastrophe (The Tower).

Take Away: Often, when we move away from comfort, it leads to chaos and struggle. That doesn’t mean that struggle isn’t good for you and exactly what you need.

It’s important to look back at these times in the past when you have gotten through trials and tribulations, and acknowledge that it’s these times when you have learned the greatest of life’s lessons and skills that have gotten you through and allowed you to “up your game”, so to speak.

Steel is forged through fire, and so are we.  At this time, dig up some of those fires of your past to take a look at what you gained from them and remind yourself that the trials are worth what’s been earned along the way by going through them.

DECK USED: TAROT OBSCURA

Daily Self Kindness

I took a nap even though it was orders day and I couldn’t really afford the time.

Validation vs Abuse

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The Strange Beast Tarot Eight of Swords and Halloween Affirmation Cards@GlitterbyInk #OctoberCauldron24 Prompt
Cauldron of Wisdom Prompt for October 20th : Reflection

Today’s draw is the Eight of Swords combined with the affirmation “Brewing success daily. No tricks, just treats.”

Instead of ignoring your accomplishments, take time to enjoy them. You spend far too much time stewing over what might happen next or what needs to be done.  You discount your accomplishments, and instead always try to look forward toward the next moment, the next responsibility, the next thing  you need to get done.

This leaves a life filled with lackluster moments and a ton of little cuts and wounds caused by all that lack of validation. Instead, take time to reflect on your accomplishments, even the little ones that seem insignificant.  They aren’t as insignificant as you feel that they are, and by celebrating them, you draw yourself out of the cycle of abuse that ignoring them causes.

DECKS USED:  THE STRANGE BEAST TAROT AND SELF-MADE HALLOWEEN AFFIRMATION DECK

@Lionharts #TheOctoberTarot Season of the Witch Prompt
Question for October 20th :When ghoul and ghost come creeping near, what am I to embrace, not fear?

Goblin Antics CardsReading Summary: The discomfort that you feel toward cultural appropriation (Tiki Goblin) virtue warriors (Warrior Goblin) that sweep in to bash others (Goblin and Goliath) is not because you are feeling awkward, but because it is in these situations and people that you feel a sense of fear. It’s that fear that causes you that discomfort.

Take Away: Virtue signaling and aggression in the area of cultural appropriation has a tendency to piss you off and make you uncomfortable. Too often people pile on with any little thing, whether it’s the recent shifting of terms once common and now taboo, or the demand to no longer hold in your practice something that has been integral to it since childhood.

Remember to do your best to see beneath their snotty and entitled “justice warrior” or “karen-type” behaviors, and hear what lies beneath. Don’t fall into a battle with them. Just listen and do research to look for actual –legitimate– sources. Then, be open to adapting if verification can be obtained.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Wood Fern for Exorcising Negative Influences
Amazonite for Self Awareness and Facing Truths
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: GOBLIN ANTICS CARDS

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2024 Challenge Prompt
Prompt for October 20th : Do Spread 3

The Strange Beast Tarot - Five of Coins, Ten of Wands, Five of Cups, Two of Wands, King of Cups, Judgement, Three of Swords

Smoky Quartz – How can you best clear negativity from your life and in turn gain greater stability?

Five of Coins Rx – Abandon your tendency towards feelings of scarcity. Remember that these thoughts and feelings are a habit, and thus not necessarily a reflection of the truth.

Apple – What insight is needed to improve your physical health at this time?

Ten of Wands – Remember that overwhelm is not your friend. When you overburden yourself, you break yourself down, not just mentally and emotionally, but also physically.

Chrysanthemum – Where do your defenses and boundaries need some bolstering?

Five of Cups – That negative inner narrative and natural inclination towards pessimism need more boundaries and defenses in place. Make sure that you are working for the optimistic view and leaning into positivity whenever possible, instead of falling into old negative habits.

Aquamarine – In what ways can meditation promote more calm and confidence in your life?

King of Cups – A regular meditation practice helps you in finding more calm and stability in your emotions, giving them a stronger foundation that then leads to less overall uncertainty.

Mint – What factor in your relationships needs some reevaluation and perhaps adjustment?

Three of Swords Rx – Don’t worry so much about disappointments. All relationships have ups and downs, and even those who are closest to each other have differences of opinion and beliefs. This is a natural part of relationships and not something that you need to worry about. It won’t be the death of these friendships and relationships.

Carnelian – In what ways can including more creativity in your life brighten your daily outlook?

Judgement – For you, striving to be a better person includes creativity being a part of your life. When you include more creativity in your day-to-day, it helps you in seeing yourself eventually becoming the person that you want to grow into.

Pomegranate – What wish of yours is ready to be manifested into reality at this time?

Two of Wands – Flip back in the pages of your ideas book and take a closer look at the lists of future plans that you wrote down “for a rainy day”. Now is the time to find the ones that look appealing and begin taking steps to bring them into reality.

Other elements included in this reading:
Ceramic Pine Tips Impression for Protection
Carnelian Agate for Warmth and Courage
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE STRANGE BEAST TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I am doing what I can to not force myself into overworking, and keep my anxiety under control as the holiday rush approaches.