Today’s meditation was a ten minute self-guided session based upon a quote by Thich Nhat Hanh that says, “To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.”

•    •    •    ◈    •    🎃    •    ◈    •    •    •

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

Today’s draw is the Queen of Wands (Flames), which is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s passion, drive, willpower, determination, values, and principles. This often translates into themes that have to do with being supportive of others projects and passions, or searching for inner truth within your own values and principles.

The card has then been combined with a card from the deck, which says, “Be patient with yourself. Even the moon needs time to be full.”

Stop being so hard on yourself for being in a slump… even a long slump. You’ve been in (and are still in) a depressive episode. Allow yourself the time you need to claw yourself back to the surface. At the moment that is where your focus needs to be. Not on beating the hell out of yourself for not meeting unreasonable expectations.

The message in today’s Queen of Flames and affirmation card is that your passions aren’t dead, you’re just experiencing a power outage. Be patient. It’s taken you a while to realize that you’ve been struggling in the dark. It’ll take still more time to pull yourself out of the pit so that you can once more reach the light switch.

DECKS USED:  HOPELESS MAINE TAROT AND LIGHTS IN DARK PLACES AFFIRMATION DECK

October Spooky Season Challenge by @MercuryTarot
Prompt for October 21st : What kind of magic works best for me?

Reading Summary: The kinds of magic that work best for you are solitary, nature infused magic (The Outsider and the green in the background of the card) where you don’t have to worry about external interference from other people (Anne Wilkes / Misery) or other entities (The Monkey).

Take Away: You are at heart a solitary witch. Your spiritual practice and your magic are uniquely your own, and you don’t work well with others very often as a result.

It isn’t that you aren’t happy to help others understand your practice, it’s that your mores, values, ethics, and practices don’t always match up with that of others, and you find that when working with others their intent sometimes doesn’t match your own in the workings.

This weakens the magic and makes it disharmonous, and for you that makes the magic not worth doing in the first place.

Other elements included in this reading:
Staghorn Sumac for Connecting with Nature and the Wild Within
Foraged Purple Heather Sprigs for Independence and Luck
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration, Clarity, and Determination
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  STEPHEN KING VILLAIN CLANS PACK I & II

October Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for October 21st : if Autumn was a life coach

get your act together now
winter is on the way
find you coat and gloves
and put the shorts away
(Three of Clubs and Seven of Spades)

make sure the gutters
allow water to flow through
for the chances are quite high
torrential rains are coming to you
(Eight of Hearts and King of Clubs)

take some time to go outside
and breathe some fresh clean air
because once winter is here
there will be no more warm days to spare
(Queen of Diamonds and Ten of Spades)

Other elements included in this reading:
Staghorn Sumac for Connecting with Nature and the Wild Within
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Japanese Cherry Leaf as a Reminder of Life’s Fleeting Moments
Flower Agate for Opening the Mind to New Possibilities
Carnelian Agate for Inner Drive and Focusing On Aspirations
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  VINTAGE HALLOWEEN PLAYING CARDS

@owlandbonestarot #OctoberinBetween Challenge
Prompts for October 21st

Remember – Knight of Crows (Swords) – To bring your clever mind into the equation when making decisions.

Acting impulsively won’t serve you well, but a little strategy mixed in definitely will. It’s not so much about whether you act quickly or not, but whether or not you’re taking a moment to think things through first before you act.

That pause may only need to be a moment, or may require stepping away and coming back later. The key is in taking it to get in a bit of forethought before you take action.

Forget – Seven of Flames (Wands) – Forget those that don’t share your values and are violently opposed to your point of view. You don’t need them.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Foraged Acorns for Protection during New Beginnings
Carnelian Agate for Inner Drive and Focusing On Aspirations
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  HOPELESS MAINE TAROT

I spent some time crawling around on the floor pulling a few decks from the bottom shelves today.

Today’s meditation was a ten minute self-guided session based on an affirmation that says, “Bees don’t waste their time explaining to flies that honey is better than shit.”

•    •    •    ◈    •    🎃    •    ◈    •    •    •

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

Today’s draw is the Ten of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of satisfaction and stability in the area of one’s finances, resources, home, health, manifestations, and the physical world. This often translates into themes that have to do with hard earned success, accomplishments, abundance created through patience and hard work, and reaching a point in that abundance and stability where it is comfortably shared with those around us.

The card has then been combined with a card from the deck, which says, “What makes you different makes you beautiful. Don’t hide who you are from the world.”

It’s because of who you are and your unique collection of skills and attributes that you’ve accomplished the things you have in life. Both your biggest and smallest achievements are a direct reflection of who you are.

The message in today’s Ten of Pentacles and affirmation card is that it’s important to both acknowledge and celebrate these successes in life, both big and small, for in doing so we provide ourselves validation and nurture ourselves.

This type of validation is much healthier than the kind where we depend upon others to be provided with it, and is strong medicine against self-consciousness and moments of flagging confidence.

DECKS USED:  IVA TAROT AND LIGHTS IN DARK PLACES ORACLE

October Spooky Season Challenge by @MercuryTarot
Prompts for October 19th and 20th

What brings me comfort?

Ningyo / Seimeiryoku – Nature and life of the forest and green brings you comfort. You find comfort in those things that connect you with a sense of refreshment and vitality.

Places in nature, especially those that connect roots to damp earth and forests to sea, give you this feeling of completion and life’s spark like nothing else can. Reconnecting with those energies then brings you both stress relief and comfort.

What scares me?

Ittan Momen / Jū yoku gō without seisu – It scares you that allowing your softness and vulnerability to be exposed will leave you open to betrayal or defeat.

You forget, when feeling exposed, that vulnerability is its own kind of strength. In seeing it as a weakness, you fear that it will be used against you, when you should be seeing it as a strength to use to your own advantage.

Other elements included in this reading:
Wasp Hive Segment with Parmeliaceae Lichen for Easing Defense Mechanisms
Foraged Driftwood for Connecting with Cycles
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  THE YŌKAI ORACLE

October Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for October 20th : I am seasonal

spring comes with a burst of energy
and an eagerness
for green things and blooms
as the return of sunlight
peeking among clouds
feels like sips of fresh air in the lungs
(Jack of Hearts)

summer sun means cranky days
with irritation climbing
higher and higher
with each day where rain is missed
a slow crawl through hell
with too much to do
and no relief in sight
(Ten of Clubs)

Autumn kisses skin with coolness
missed for months on end
where evergreens create a foil
for sparks of color as leaves turn
and the scent of decay
bend with rain and cool winds
(Queen of Diamonds)

Then winter arrives with downpours
and snow at the mountain peaks
with gray skies for months on end
and hibernation so sweet
(Four of Spades)

I ride the seasons year to year
they permeate my blood
with a cycle of discomfort and respites
celebrations and season’s songs
(Ace of Clubs atop King of Clubs)

Other elements included in this reading:
Staghorn Sumac for Connecting with Nature and the Wild Within
Foraged Red Oak Leaf for Fostering Unconditional Love
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration, Clarity, and Determination
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  CRYPTID CREATURES PLAYING CARDS AMERICAN MONSTERS EDITION

@owlandbonestarot #OctoberinBetween Challenge
Prompts for October 20th

Resist – The Devil atop Queen of Swords

Resist the temptation to allow sharp words to lead the way and erect unneeded defense mechanisms.

Soften your words when you are feeling like you have extra sharp edges to your energy instead of allowing those sharp edges to translate into an even sharper tongue.

Allow – The Hanged Man

Instead of giving those sharp edges free reign, allow yourself to pause and reflect.

Consider other’s perspectives with an open mind and open ears, rather than allowing paranoia and suspicion to dictate what you see and hear.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Black Spruce Needles to Boost Self-Confidence and Positive Thinking
Dried Rosebuds for Potential and Beauty Waiting to Unfold
Dried Purple Heather Flowers for Independence and Luck
Clear Quartz for boosting Mental Clarity
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  IVA TAROT

Another nap today. I’m not sure how much good they’re doing. I also went and got my flu shot done.

Today’s meditation was skipped.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🎃    •    ◈    •    •    •

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

Today’s draw is the Six of Cups (Oberon), which is traditionally a representation of nostalgia, joyful memories, childhood experiences, and revisiting the past in some way.

The card has then been combined with a card from Twist’s Halloween Affirmations Deck, which says, “You are strong. You are resilient. You will defeat this.”

I was a terror as a child. Not because I threw tantrums, misbehaved, or otherwise broke the rules. Rather, it was because I had a tendency to go missing. Put me near a wooded area, a bush, a tree, or even tall grass… and I would disappear, going missing for hours at a time.

I didn’t really realize or understand until I was much older how distressing this was for my parents. I was drawn into the green and played the hours away only to eventually emerge happy and hale to parents that were losing their minds with worry that quickly turned to anger at my reappearance. This (of course) just made the green spaces all that much more appealing.

The message in today’s Six of Cups and affirmation card is a reminder that those green spaces offer healing and are waiting for me. I need the peace and healing they hold even more during times of struggle, stress, and anxiety. These cards encourage returning to these green spaces more often at this time to help ease the stress of my current hurdles. Maybe these places could do the same for you, too.

DECKS USED:  MAGICAE DAEMONIBUS TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2026 Challenge
Prompts for October 19th through 21st

Bewitched: What lies beneath the mask that you show the world?

Newsboy (Blocked) – Beneath the mask that you show the world is someone that really doesn’t want anything to do with the world around them.

You yearn to be the recluse living deep in the woods, inaccessible and self sufficient.

Banshee: What inside you is screaming for release?

The Seance House – You have far more ability with mediumship than you allow yourself to explore. These abilities are seeking an outlet, and are getting harder and harder to ignore.

Philosophical Question: Is there an afterlife?

Brain Fog (Grounded) atop The Violinist (Grounded) – Yes, but we don’t remember the “music” once we are firmly back on the earth (in a body). That other place isn’t meant to be known by us during our time here on earth.

Other elements included in this reading:
Bird Figurine for Fostering Hope, Positivity, and Renewal
Desert Rose and Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  MIDNIGHT MURDERS GAME CARDS

October Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for October 18th and 19th : shivering hope / horrifically alive

it trembles on the edges
pushed away but still there
lingering like a shadow
stalking prey
(Two of Hearts)

that sliver of hope
persistent and eternal
like a vampire’s obsession
given sway
(Four of Diamonds)

it shivers alone
outside the window glass
looking for a crack to slip through
(Jack of Clubs)
eager to rise up and bite you again
the smallest invitation will do
(Ace of Clubs)

Other elements included in this reading:
Pressed Pansy Flower for Hearing the Heart More Clearly
Dried Rosebuds for Potential and Beauty Waiting to Unfold
Flower Agate for Opening the Mind to New Possibilities
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  FRANKENSTEIN PLAYING CARDS COMIC VERSION

@owlandbonestarot #OctoberinBetween Challenge
Prompts for October 19th

Seek – Strength – When you are seeking strength to carry you through struggles and hardship…

Find – Six of Cups atop Five of Swords – … look to the triumphs and defeats of your past to find it.

Take Away – It’s your successes and survival of the trials of your past that show you what’s happening in the present is something that you can also overcome.

Not only were you strong enough -then- to deal with the struggles that seemed insurmountable at the time, but you learned from them. As a result, you’re even stronger and smarter now than you were then, and far more capable of making it through than when you were dealing with the trials and tribulations of that time.

Your struggles didn’t break you then, and these new ones certainly won’t break you now.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Clear Quartz for boosting Mental Clarity
Citrine for Energy Lift (easing the weight of heavy energies)
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  MAGICAE DAEMONIBUS TAROT

I took a nice long nap at Ms B’s house today (and surprisingly, was allowed to by others. It feels like I didn’t nap at all, but I clearly needed the extra sleep.

Today’s meditation was a ten minute self-guided session based on an affirmation card that says, “The negative voice in your head isn’t worth your time.”

•    •    •    ◈    •    🎃    •    ◈    •    •    •

The @GlitterbyInk #OctoberAlchemy26 Challenge
Breathe Prompt for October 18th : Peace
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Ten of Pentacles (Diez de Oros), which is traditionally a representation of satisfaction and stability in the area of one’s finances, resources, home, health, manifestations, and the physical world. This often translates into themes that have to do with hard earned success, accomplishments, abundance created through patience and hard work, and reaching a point in that abundance and stability where it is comfortably shared with those around us.

It takes a long time to build lasting security that you can share with others. You have done what you can to prepare for the destabilization of the lives connected to yours, and now you are facing that situation.

Remember that you are not without resources. You also aren’t alone when you need some support. Don’t let your inner negative narratives tell you that things won’t work out. Your track record proves otherwise.

The message in today’s Ten of Pentacles, affirmation card, and Peace prompt is a reminder that your pessimistic and negative thoughts are lying to you. Community creates peace, and your backstory proves you’re more than capable of setting things back to rights with a bit of time, ingenuity, and effort.

DECK USED:  MARAVILLA TAROT AND TWIST’S HALLOWEEN AFFIRMATIONS DECK

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2026 Challenge
Prompt for October 18th : Do Spread 3

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

Nine of Spades – Stop allowing your fears and “what if” thinking to steal your focus and call the shots.Your anxiety is high right now, and that “what if” scenario thinking your inner narratives are trying to pitch to you needs to be rejected outright. Don’t play with it or consider what it’s saying… let it go instead.

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

Queen of Spades – You talk a good game but need to work on your follow through. Make sure that you’re actually getting the activity you need instead of just thinking and talking about it.

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

Seven of Spades – Work on not allowing others problems and actions to have so much influence over your own joys and perspective on the world. Remember that you can and -should- be more focused on what -you- believe to be right and true than what others think about it all.

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

King of Diamonds – Meditation provides the kind of grounding that shores up your foundation. It’s not a quick fix, but a long term maintenance type of thing that helps in keeping you grounded in the day to day.

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

Five of Diamonds – Again, remember that although other people’s scarcity can affect your own, this is not your crisis. Support them without taking ownership.

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

King of Spades – Your particular brand of creativity both exercises the mind and invites others to join you. Thus, including more creativity in your life invites both mental clarity and a greater sense of community.

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

Three of Hearts – More love, understanding, and camaraderie; less discord.

Other elements included in this reading:
Carnelian Agate Mushroom for Focusing On Aspirations
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Honey Calcite for Optimism and Motivational Boost
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  UNHISTORICAL PLAYING CARDS

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 5 | Entry 1 – Health and Body
Affirmation : “I value my physical form, even what I perceive as its flaws.”
Prompt : Use the card you draw to guide you as you write a gratitude letter to your body. Work keywords attached to this card into your letter.

What feelings came up when I pulled this card?

In my personal readings of late, I’ve had a lot of messages from the Hermit come through as a reminders of how to identify and avoid unhealthy alone time.

It took me a minute to get out of that headspace and consider the card free from that perspective today. Not that that perspective doesn’t play a part, more that it was blocking what else might be there for me to see and understand.

For this reason, there was a moment of disgruntled dissatisfaction before I picked apart why I was feeling that way.

What elements of the card’s meaning resonate with me and this prompt?

The Hermit is often about alone-time and solitary self-reflection. It’s about looking within and illuminating what needs our attention, soul searching for answers, and connecting with our inner shadows.

Alternately, it can often shed light on times when unhealthy alone-time is trying to masquerade as healthy solitude.

Bare bones, it’s about connecting with self.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

The lantern always hits in the Hermit card, for it speaks of shedding light in places where perhaps visibility is not at its best. We often lie to ourselves and deceive ourselves, and this lantern symbolizes pushing back the shadows to see what’s really hidden there.

The mountains behind the Hermit speak to me of hurdles and obstacles yet to be dealt with. With the Hermit standing at a place where he can cast his light over these mountains, to me it symbolizes using our ability to dig within to find the strength needed for these hurdles, and root out anything we’re struggling with internally that might make the journey harder than it has to be.

My prompt response and reflections.

Let me first apologize for the abuse. I know that you are doing the best that you can, and that my demands for more hurt you. I know that you are hurting, and yet even during these times I punish myself by punishing you with unreasonable demands and even more pain.

There is no excuse for this behavior. There are reasons, of course, but they excuse nothing.

Thank you for keeping going even when I am being cruel or unreasonable. Thank you for the mobility I still have, and for putting up with my demands for more. I could be in a wheel chair, but you continue to allow me to walk. I could be in a great deal more pain, but you do what you can to mitigate my abuse.

I can’t promise to do better, but I do promise to try. I appreciate you, scars and metal pins and all. I appreciate you through the pain and stiffness, I appreciate you through the days when just waking up and getting out of bed are an agony. I don’t just appreciate you on the days when I can move more easily, so please don’t think that is the case. I’m just an asshole at showing how much I truly am grateful for all you go through for me and all you give.

Other elements included in this reading:
Labradorite D20 and D6 Gemstone Dice

DECK USED: HALLOWEEN EPHEMERA TAROT

@owlandbonestarot #OctoberinBetween Challenge
Prompts for October 18th

Soften – Cuarto de Oros – Soften your need to grasp and grab and hold on so tightly. This instinct keeps you from moving on and moving forward.

White knuckling what you have solves nothing, for it’s only with letting go and letting things flow that you actually manage to make progress.

Strengthen – Siete de Bastos – As you let go of this need to grasp so tightly, take care to connect and strengthen your priorities, values, and beliefs. These things ensure you aren’t lead astray.

Look to those things you value and put effort into ensuring they are getting what they need to stay healthy and strong. Lean into the beliefs, values, and mores that are the bedrock of who you are and who you want to become.

Remember to push back against those that would try to draw you off the path and into the weeds. You don’t need their help or their interference.

Other elements included in this reading:
Black Wood Kitsune Carving for Cleverness and Ingenuity
Staghorn Sumac for Connecting with Nature and the Wild Within
Pressed Pansy Flower for Hearing the Heart More Clearly
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  MARAVILLA TAROT

I took the photo of the Maravilla Tarot on the floor instead of trying to fight with fitting those massive cards on a table and having to stitch together too many pictures to get the full image.