Try Again

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The Robin Wood Tarot - Page of PentaclesThe @GlitterbyInk #JanJourney26 Embark to Renewal Challenge
The Journey Prompt for January 11th
: Courage
Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Page of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive “omega” energy in the area of one’s finances, resources, health, labors, home life, and manifestations. This often translates into themes that have to do with work apprenticeships and learning a new ability or skill.

Starting over takes courage.

The Page in any suit is often a representation of a “learners mind”. It is also the cycling back to one from the Ace of that suit. (The journey moves from Ace through Ten then recycles back to One with Card 11/The Page.)

This often creates themes of starting over or going back to the drawing board. The nice thing about the Page, though, is that you’ve already gone through the beginning, the middle, and the end. That means that you already have experience to add to your next try.

The message in today’s “Courage” prompt and the Page of Pentacles card is a reminder that when you pick yourself up to try again, you’re not really starting from scratch. You carry with you the experiences you’ve gained the first time around. This means that with an open mind directed toward changing how you did things is the first time, you have a better chance of succeeding when you then try again.

DECK USED:  THE ROBIN WOOD TAROT

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 2 | Entry 8 – Love and Relationships
Affirmation
: I am a loving and kind, energetic soul, and I attract like-minded people to me.
Prompt : according to the card you draw, what positive qualities does your partner most admire in you or you in them?

The Anonymous Tarot - Wheel of FortuneWhat feelings came up when I pulled this card?

I always get a bit of a rosy turbo feeling when I see the Wheel of Fortune card represented by a spoked wheel. It brings back memories of old and well worn childhood playgrounds, and the spinning wheel toy often included in them. They were both super fun, and dangerous as hell.

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

We never know what life is going to throw at us, and what surprises lurk around the next corner. Even the best laid plans go awry now and then.

The Wheel of Fortune card doesn’t just speak of good luck and bad luck, but on the vast variety of experiences that we go through in life. It is the epitome of the saying “variety is the spice of life”, and reminds us that ups and downs are how the world goes round.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

The different colors positioned around the wheel in this card speak to me of a wide variety of different experiences. Not all of them are good, not all of them are bad.

My prompt response and reflections.

Gideon has watched you ride the rise and fall of fate’s whims again and again, and has often told you that he admires your survivor spirit. No matter how many times you are knocked down or what life throws at you, you’re willing to get up and keep going. You might at times need to take a breather first, but you don’t give up.

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

DECK USED: THE ANONYMOUS TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2026 Challenge
Prompts for January 8th thru 11th

Tarot Reading with The Robin Wood Tarot and Hilma Af Klint Oracle

What is a negative thing in your life that you don’t need to stress over?

Self-Portrait 1890 – It’s okay not to know everything right now, and not be ready to make a move. Even the greatest companies and brands in the world have to take time to do market research, after all. There is no success without time spent in research and reflection, so stop trying to push yourself so hard to always be moving forward and doing more.

What is a positive thing in your life that you need to spend more time focusing on?

The Atom Series No 8 – Don’t forget to ask for help. You aren’t alone, and you need to work on not functioning as if you are. Consider how you can involve others to a greater extent in your endeavors. What delegation can you do that they will be thrilled with participating in?

Do Spread 2
Question
: What in your life needs started now for it to be ready when you need it?

Reading Summary: The angle of the head in the portrait of Hilma Af Klint and the angle of the head of the figure in the Nine of Swords is identical. This speaks of your worry and uncertainty. Because you are in a situation where you don’t have enough information (partially because that information is not accessible at this time), it brings rise to your anxiety and “what if” thinking.

The Queen of Wands does not match either of the Hilma Af Klint cards that I am using as an anchor card in this reading. Instead of making her appear as an outlier,  though, the lift of her wand, centered position, and straightforward countenance make her the leader. She embodies the encouragement to keep going after those things that are important to you, rather than sitting on your laurels and doing nothing.

The Ace of Pentacles somehow holds a shape correlation for me with the squares in the Atom Series No 8 card, as well as a color connection with the Queen of Wands beside it. This speaks to me of a need for new beginnings that include others in the process. Inspire not just yourself with these new endeavors, but others as well. Get them on board for a greater chance of success.

Take Away: Don’t worry right now about having all of your ducks in a row, or knowing everything that needs to be known to make things a success. There’s a lot of uncertainty out there, and it’s not just affecting you. Instead of allowing it to make you fall into a pattern of stagnancy and waiting, do what you can and involve others in the process and keep things moving a little at a time. You may have to reassess later, but you’ll be able to use the momentum of having started already to your advantage regardless.

DECK USED: THE ROBIN WOOD TAROT AND HILMA AF KLINT MESSAGES FROM THE OTHER SIDE ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I didn’t really want to, but I took a nap. It wasn’t about want, but need.

❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

These Saturday readings are (not usually) bearing in on any one thing or event in my life, as the question used is asking for a more general outlook. This is a self care exercise, and is not meant as a predictive reading… although that, too, happens on occasion.

The question is… What do I need to focus for self-care through the week ahead?

Self Care Saturday Tarot Reading with the Fairy Lights Tarot and Time Lenormand Arcanums

EarthTen of Wands Rx – Overwhelm is trying to sneak up on you. You may be feeling like you can’t put your burdens down in order to take time to reassess, but you’re wrong.

AirThree of Cups – Communication with your friends and loved ones is key this week. Focus on being open and engaging, and on enjoying your time spent with others instead of taking it for granted.

WaterJustice – As you move through this week, instead of reacting without thought, take a moment to look at what is triggering your emotions, and consider the healthiest and most effective way to deal with those triggers.

FireTwo of Swords – Before making decisions (or taking action), pause to look over all your options. It’s easy, when triggered or otherwise sparked by an internal flame, to just bound forward without thought. Remember to pause and take a good look around first, instead of jumping in head first.

WaningBear and Mountain – Sometimes one’s protective instincts and defense mechanisms create more problems than they do protection. Take care that you’re not allowing your defense mechanisms run the show.

WaxingFish and Anchor – Being a bit miserly this week will serve you well.

Take Away – Water and Fire in this reading, along with the Waning position, are echoing off of each other this week, creating a reminder that it can be extremely difficult to not immediately react when we’re triggered.  These two positions play off of each other, speaking of the potential for some seriously triggering emotions to rise to the surface, and cause you to want to react without thought of repercussions or what better reactions might be an option for you.

Aside from this, be aware of the overwhelm that’s coming and start setting down what you can in order to head it off, rather than holding on as hard as you can to try and “ride it out”.   This especially includes any financial obligations that are not absolutely necessary.

Lean into those you enjoy spending time with to help you through the hard parts.

DECKS USED: FAIRY LIGHTS TAROT AND TIME LENORMAND ARCANUMS

Finding the Positive for January 8 – 10

Wonderland Jeu de Tarot de Marseille's Ace of Swords, The Tarot of the Bastard's King of Coins, Delos Tarot's Ace of Swords

January 8 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was an eight minute self-directed session focusing on a phrase posted by @poetryrise which says “Some of us don’t ascend – we root. Like heaven isn’t above, it’s within”.

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The @GlitterbyInk #JanJourney26 Embark to Renewal Challenge
The Journey Prompt for January 8th : Wisdom
Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Ace of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of the seed of new beginnings in the area of one’s thoughts, intellect, education, logic and reason, ambition, or communication.

In order to start a new journey, sometimes we have to leave the old one behind.

The butterfly girl in this card is crying. And therein lies the truth in letting go, right?  As wel as in new beginnings.   When we have to let go, sometimes it hurts.  Sometimes it feels like we’re not ready.  Hell, sometimes it feels like we’re being pierced right through the heart (see that needle pinning her down?)

The thing is, though, we have to go through these emotions in order to move on to something new and different.  Growth hurts (seriously, think of puberty, yeah?).  Letting go hurts. That doesn’t mean we don’t do it.  It means we process these feelings of pain as we do it, and keep going.  Sometimes that means communicating our pain to others.  Sometimes that means taking a little time to lick our wounds.   Regardless, we can’t linger there forever.  Sooner or later we have to pull the pin out and step into the new thing we’re letting go of the old in order to reach for.

The message in today’s “Wisdom” prompt and the Ace of Swords is a reminder that we don’t lose the stuff we’ve already learned and experienced, even when we move on to something new. It just means we’re turning our attention in a new direction.  Just because letting go of the old hurts doesn’t mean it’s not time to let go.

DECK USED: WONDERLAND JEU DE TAROT DE MARSEILLE

January 9 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was a ten minute long #DailyTrip session from the @Calm app.

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The @GlitterbyInk #JanJourney26 Embark to Renewal Challenge
The Journey Prompt for January 9th : Control
Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the King of Pentacles (Coins), which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s financial security, resources, health, home, labors, manifestations, and other elements of the physical realm. This often translates into leadership that creates a grounded sense of stability for others.

You choose, and then others fall into line behind you.

Because you create the stability that so many others depend on, they tend to allow you to lead and follow without question.  Remember that it’s important to encourage them to break out and do their own thing now and then, though.  Like a parent with a number of children, you can’t be their entertainment all the time.  You provide a safe space and food for their bellies, then they provide their own entertainment.  Don’t run yourself ragged trying to be the entertainment as well as the stable force in their life.

The message in today’s “Control” prompt and the King of Coins is a reminder that your role in other’s lives might hold a strong element of leadership, but that isn’t an all-encompassing role. You choose what is your responsibility and what’s not.  Part of the reason that you sometimes feel overwhelmed is when you try to do too much for others.  Today’s card is essentially a reminder to “know your place” and excel at it without worrying about what -more- you could do.

DECK USED: DECK OF THE BASTARD

January 10 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was an eight minute long #DailyCalm session from the @Calm app.

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The @GlitterbyInk #JanJourney26 Embark to Renewal Challenge
The Journey Prompt for January 10th : 
Release
Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Ace of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of the seed of new beginnings in the area of one’s thoughts, intellect, education, logic and reason, ambition, or communication.

Clearly, I’m missing the message, as this is the third time I’ve pilled this card in a week. So, let’s try breaking down this card into the basics.

The Ace of any suit is the seed of that suit. For Swords, that means it is the seed of communication. The seed of ambition. The seed of expanding one’s knowledge. The seed of a battle yet to be fought.

At the seed stage, there are a lot of unknowns. How things will go. What will happen. How you’ll react. What obstacles may come up along the way.

What cuts through this uncertainty is ambition. What assist you in moving forward is communication with self and others.

The message in today’s “Release” prompt, and Ace of Swords card is a reminder that reticence is the saboteur of new beginnings. If you’re unable or unwilling to communicate your ideas, then you’re already lopping your feet off before you’ve even started to walk the path and potential that awakened your sense of curiosity and ambition. Write your ideas out in a journal, share them with others, or otherwise get them out into the air instead of trapped within you. In doing so you give the seeds of your idea, a chance to spread, germinate, and then begin to grow.

DECK USED: DELOS TAROT 2ND EDITION

Individuality and “The Flow”

Today’s meditation was an ten minute long #DailyCalm session from the @Calm app.

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Seelenreise Tarot - TemperanceThe @GlitterbyInk #JanJourney26 Embark to Renewal Challenge
The Journey Prompt for January 7th
: Flow
Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Temperance card, which is traditionally a representation of moderation, balance, slowing down, practicing patience, and can at times represent a connection between the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

There’s a difference between going with the flow or being a doormat. It’s a balance between your own personal motivations, and those of others.

If, for example, you lean too far into your own motivations (wants, needs, values, beliefs), then you become rigid and unable to “go with the flow”. On the other hand, if you lean too far into others motivations, to the point you are sacrificing your own? You are then swept up into a current beyond your ability to stay afloat.

The message in today’s “flow” prompt and Temperance card is that it’s okay to relax and go with the flow, just make sure you aren’t sacrificing pieces of yourself and your values along the way. This balance creates the opportunity to experience new things without losing yourself in the process.

DECK USED:  SEELENREISE TAROT

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 1 | Entry 11 – Self Care and Personal Development
Affirmation
: I am hoping to reparenting my inner child.
Prompt : Draw a card and use its keywords or imagined persona to write a short letter to your inner child from a time you wish you had more comforting words or wise perspective to help you cope or understand a challenging time. What kind kindness would this card offer to your inner child?

Tarot Activity from The One Card a Day Journal by Maria Sofia Marmanides - TouHou Tarot Blossoming Chaos II - StrengthWhat feelings came up when I pulled this card?

A little girl doing “the man spread” sort of tweaks my “ew” button of inappropriateness. That said? It definitely fits the card that it’s on, so I reasoned it out to feel better about it.

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

Manipulation. The Strength card is often about persuasion, rather than brute force. It speaks of our inner strengths, and using them to our advantage.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

The “man spread” pose of the figure in the card speaks of dominance, as I mentioned above.

The horns on her head stood out to me second, representing stubbornness and determination to get one’s way.

Third, my attention was drawn to the weighted chains and the bowl she holds in her left hand. That bowl is perfectly balanced, no spills, regardless of the tug and pull of those weighted chains. This speaks to me of protecting one’s emotions so everything stays on an even keel, regardless of outside influences.

My prompt response and reflections.

Dear Young L

You have more power over your situation (and him) than you think you do.

Remember that he is reacting to you. He may be the authority figure in your life, but in truth? You are calling the shots here.

If you are more mindful of how you react, as well as what you say and do around him, you will be able to control his reactions.

You can’t change his mind. Consider, instead of trying to force him to accept you as you are and throwing that in his face, using your influence over him to make your life easier and better.

After all, there’s more than one way to skin a cat.

Your Elder L

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

DECK USED: TOUHOU TAROT BLOOMING CHAOS II

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2026 Challenge
Philosophical Prompt for January 7th
: Is it always better to have more choices?

Tarot Reading with the Seelenreise Tarot Reading Summary: Choices are empowering (The Magician). The problem comes in only when you decide to look back on the ones you’ve made that didn’t work out (Three of Swords) with recriminations and disdain (King of Swords Rx).

Take Away:  These cards indicate that yes, it’s always better to have more choices. It’s what you do with them that makes the situation bad. Remember that if you choose wisely and things don’t work out, that doesn’t necessarily mean you chose wrong.

It’s in picking on yourself and beating yourself up over the choices you -didn’t- make that creates a problem.

Other elements included in this reading:
Scotch Pine Cone for Purging Negative Influences
Foraged Lodgepole Pine for Resilience, Growth, and Renewal

Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: SEELENREISE TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I decided to take a break and -not- ship out tomorrow.  Instead, I napped in the time that I would have been working on orders, and woke up feeling much better afterward.

Rekindling Motivation

Today’s meditation was an ten minute long #DailyTrip session from the @Calm app.

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Inversion Tarot - Ace of SwordsThe @GlitterbyInk #JanJourney26 Embark to Renewal Challenge
The Departure Prompt for January 6th
: Resilience
Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Ace of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of the seed of new beginnings in the area of one’s thoughts, intellect, education, logic and reason, ambition, or communication.

It doesn’t matter how rough the road is, as long as you keep your eye on the prize.

When you set your eye on a prize, and your ambitions are flying high, it’s easy to work through obstacles and keep going. It’s harder when you’re enthusiasm is flagging. At these times, it’s important to keep your eye on the prize. What are you aiming for? What inspired that ambition in the first place?

The message in today’s “resilience” prompt, and Ace of Swords card is that you can breathe fresh air into your flagging motivation by revisiting the inspiration that started you out on the journey in the first place. What was it the triggered your ambition and flared your motivation to life? When you revisit through memory how you felt in the beginning, those feelings can then be rekindled in the present.

DECK USED:  INVERSION TAROT

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 1 | Entry 18 – Self Care and Personal Development
Affirmation
: I am a consistent work process.
Prompt : Focusing on your perceived weaknesses can create limiting thought patterns and behaviors. Draw a card to see how the cards positive attributes can help you to find something that you perceive as a weakness to see how it’s actually one of your strengths.

Tarot Activity from The One Card a Day Journal by Maria Sofia Marmanides - JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Tarot - The MoonWhat feelings came up when I pulled this card?

Fascination. The imagery in this card really caught my eye. I was immediately pulled into the weirdness and chaos as my eyes were drawn to the small details.

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

The Moon is often about fears, uncertainties, and the illusions that the mind and emotions use to play tricks on us.

On the positive side of these attributes is learning how to identify these illusions as the trickery that they are, and the choice to keep going through dark and chaotic moments with trust that you’ll come out the other side instead of becoming lost forever.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

The classic RWS dog and wolf creating a sense of conflict. The pill on the tongue of the Moon in the sky feels like an indication of buying into illusions (like the choice of the red or blue pill in the Matrix). The lobster foaming at the mouth speaks to me of emotions in overdrive.

My prompt response and reflections.

When you look beneath your emotional reactions and the chaos and uncertainty you’re experiencing, you find that the path forward is still there. Your feet follow that path intuitively, even when you are distracted by the uncertainty of you emotions.

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

DECK USED: JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE TAROT & The Nine Gods of Egypt 5TH GENERATION

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2026 Challenge
Prompt for January 6th
: How can you bring more of what you want into your world?

Tarot Reading with the Inversion TarotReading Summary: Align yourself with the kind of person you want to be first (Judgement), then push yourself past tendencies to languish (Strength atop Page of Wands Rx). Just do it (Three of Wands).

Take Away: You know what you like. You know what you want. It’s not about identifying these things. It’s about actually getting off your ass and doing them.

You have a tendency to languish a little too long when you allow yourself to indulge in the behavior, and it goes from a healthy treat into unhealthy behavior as a result.

Use your time of languish to reflect on what you want out of your life, and out of yourself.  Then push yourself out of that moment of stagnancy and get moving again instead of continuing to linger “just a bit longer”.

Other elements included in this reading:
Staghorn Sumac for Connecting with Nature and the Wild Within
Dried Purple Heather Flowers for Independence and Luck
Green Aventurine for Harmony and Balance of the Heart

Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  INVERSION TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I went back to grab my earbuds after I’d forgotten them in the house, instead of saying “fuck it” and leaving them behind.

Life’s Tool Box

Today’s meditation was an ten minute long #DailyTrip session from the @Calm app.

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Ancient Italian Tarot - The High Priestess - La PapessaThe @GlitterbyInk #JanJourney26 Embark to Renewal Challenge
The Departure Prompt for January 5th
: Adaptability
Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is The High Priestess (La Papessa), which is traditionally a representation of intuition, secrets, sacred knowledge, mystery, the subconscious mind.

What do you know that no one else knows? How can that knowledge help you adapt to changes and stay surefooted as you move along your path?

This includes the information that your intuition provides you, absolutely; but also is referencing much more than that.

Each of us is unique, and our experiences as well as our personalities make us each that much more so. This uniqueness provides each us with knowledge and cognitive reasoning that others around don’t have. A toolbox of adaptability and survival, personalized just for us.

The message in today’s “adaptability” prompt and High Priestess card is a reminder that these tools exist within you, and that if we use them to adapt to the shifting sands of change under our feet, we will stumble and/or fall far less often.

DECK USED:  ANCIENT ITALIAN TAROT

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 3 | Entry 15 – Family and Friends
Affirmation
: I honor my friendships even as they evolved.
Prompt : Maintaining friendships takes work – just as much as romantic relationships do. As friendship change, you might have to put in even more work. Based on the card you draw, what is something you can do in the next month to invest more time, energy, or effort to show your friends how important they are to you?

Tarot Activity from The One Card a Day Journal by Maria Sofia Marmanides - Ex Animo Tarot - Le JudgementWhat feelings came up when I pulled this card?

When I first saw this card, I heard the words “just be yourself” in the back of my head down near the nape.

I then had myself a little snort and “okay mom” semi-amused moment of response. Not that this is anything that my mother would ever utter, mind you, but it’s such a Hollywood trope “mom” kind of thing to say.

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

The Judgement card is often about where we’re going. Not in the area of one’s monetary accomplishments, but about our own self-development. Especially self-development with the awareness that life is short and we all pass on at some point.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

I really like the colors in this card. With the setting moon in the background, they speak of calm transitions and the possible approach of a sort of serene enlightenment.

The skeleton obviously connects for me with death, the angel Gabriel above about ascension. I also found the veiling of the skeleton significant, speaking of each of our individual paths being different up to death’s door, making the advice in this card applicable to not just me but to everyone.

My prompt response and reflections.

Just be yourself.
Not just the self you are now, but the self that you are striving to become.

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

DECK USED: EX ANIMO TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2026 Challenge
Prompt for January 5th
: What are you clinging to that can be let go of without repercussions?

Tarot Reading with the Ancient Italian TarotReading Summary: Just because you have the tools and the knowledge needed to do it on your own (La Papessa), doesn’t mean that you should avoid reaching out for others (Re di Coppe Rx) when emotions become difficult, uncertain, or inscrutable (Fante di Coppe Rx).

Take Away: These cards encourage you to let go of your need to hide your emotions and the vulnerabilities they create from time to time from others.

You  have a tendency to keep your emotions to yourself, especially when you’re feeling uncertain or confused. The thing is, though, there’s a large amount of benefit to sharing these things with others.  In doing so, you allow yourself to get their input and learn from them how to process these emotions in more healthy ways.   On the other hand, when you don’t share, the only references you have to go by are the unhealthy methods you’ve used int he past.

Other elements included in this reading:
Black Wood Kitsune Carving for Cleverness and Ingenuity
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: ANCIENT ITALIAN TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took a nap. Even though I really didn’t want to.  I was starting to cough so I did it anyway.