#MayTag25

The Simple Pleasures

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

The topic of today’s meditation was focused upon “What simple pleasures can I tune into today?”

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Tarot Arcanae The Earth Tarot's Hanged Man Card and Little Otter's Mindful Kids Emotions CardsToday’s draw is the Hanged Man, which is traditionally a representation of taking a pause, considering alternate perspectives, relaxing into difficult situations, surrender, or letting go.

Stillness is the blessing that allows you to notice what you would otherwise miss.

Sometimes it can be difficult to partake in that stillness. A moment of pause can feel unnecessary, a waste of valuable time, or even counter productive. This go-go-go attitude might get you places, but you’re missing a lot of really important things along the way.

When you pause instead, you are given the opportunity to experience more, explore in depth, and find pleasure in the process.

The message in today’s card combined with the theme of today’s meditation is a reminder to slow down and savor, even when you feel like you can’t afford the time. Do it anyway. In doing so you are allowing more richness into your current journey and your life as a whole.

DECK USED:  TERRA ARCANAE : THE EARTH TAROT

#detarotjufmeitarotchallenge Tea With the Queens Challenge by @de_tarotjuf
Tea with the Queen of Cups : Emotional Intelligence and Care
Prompts for May 22 – 24

Oracle Reading with the Glimmer Enlightenment CardsWhat does empathy mean to me?

Responsibility and Vigilance – You often see empathy is something that creates a responsibility in you to help. This is because you are experiencing their emotions on a personal level, which in turn triggers that “need to fix it” reaction within you.

For this reason you’re often extremely careful in how far you’re willing to dip into other people’s problems and emotions. This vigilance allows you to avoid getting too involved, and thus too invested.

You see sympathy is a better option, for you can listen to their problems without involving your own emotions in the process.

What dreams do I have that I can explore?

Integrity – Make sure you were seeking out those that are true to themselves, and appreciate you being true to yourself as well. Don’t give time to those that lie to you or use deception to get their way, as integrity is one of those things at the top of your list when it comes to valuing both yourself and others. Take care not to cut others slack in this area.

How can I further develop my emotional well-being?

Romance – Work on enhancing those rose colored glasses. Your down-to-earth dependency on logic often causes you to miss out on opportunities for new emotional experiences and the resulting emotional growth. Let your emotions flow and wear them on your sleeve, rather than keeping them bottled up inside.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Picture Jasper for Sense of Proportion and Grounding
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: GLIMMER ENLIGHTENMENT CARDS

Daily Self Kindness

This is a catch up post, and I’m not entirely sure what the self kindness was for this day.

Finding the Positive for May 20 – 22

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Phantasm of Life Tarot's Knight of Cups, The Mythical Creatures Tarot's Four of Swords, The Tarot by Caitlin Mattisson's Seven of Cups, and Affirmation Cards from Little Otter's Mindful Kids Emotions Deck

May 20 – Mental Health Card of the Day

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

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The @GlitterbyInk #MayTag25 Challenge
Celebrating Our Community Prompt for May 20 : Nurturing

Today’s draw is the Knight of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of an active beta energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, intuition, and creativity. This often portrays itself in a theme of going after what brings someone joy or following your imagination and creativity into new adventures.

Often, the word “nurturing” is associated with what we do for others or how we affect others. It’s seen as a gift to be given. Sometimes, though? The one that most needs to be nurtured is the self.

The Knight of Cups asks us what do you want? What do you need? It’s message is that sometimes it’s okay to be selfish. It’s perfectly okay, and even healthy, to nurture yourself and to at times prioritize your own wants and needs over those of others.

Today’s message is an encouragement to get in touch with those needs and wants, and give yourself the nurturing you need rather than expending all that energy on others.

DECK USED: PHANTASM OF LIFE TAROT

May 21 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Today’s draw is the Four of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of taking time to rest, recuperation after a trying time, and stillness for restoration and meditation on the events that have brought you to this place as well as where to go from here.

It’s hard to connect with joy when you’re not fully rested. This is why we need vacations, time off, and… well, sleep. Deprivation of rest isn’t just detrimental to our physical health and concentration. It’s also detrimental to our happiness.

The Four of Swords combined with the Joyful Sandpiper are a reminder that we all need rest. Even you. It’s important to make time for it even when there’s no time for it. Even if it’s fifteen minutes here or there when we just can’t fit more than that in.

Rest more. When we allow for recovery from the daily fray, happiness and joy are easier to reach in everyday moments.

DECK USED: THE MYTHICAL CREATURES TAROT AND LITTLE OTTER’S MINDFUL KIDS EMOTION CARDS

May 22 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Today’s draw is the Six of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of charity, generosity, sharing the wealth, asking for or accepting help, and balancing the scales between the “haves” and the “have nots” in life.

Let’s talk about “scarcity mentality”. This is an issue that I personally struggle with a lot. It’s the mindset or habitual assumption of not having enough. Not enough food, or money, or resources, etc. It keeps you in a constant semi-state of anxiety, pushing you to always work harder and earn more, often to the detriment of your health, happiness, and well-being.

The thing is? In many cases (such as mine), that fear that drives this mindset is unfounded. I have simply lived in a place in my life where scarcity was a very real thing, and fear returning there.

The message in the Six of Pentacles combined with the Scared Bear card is a reminder to check in with yourself and the fears that drive your unhealthy behaviors. Look at that fear objectively and ask yourself if things in this moment are really justifying the fears that are driving you. If not, maybe it’s time to ease up a bit.

DECK USED: THE TAROT BY CAITLIN MATTISSON AND LITTLE OTTER’S MINDFUL KIDS EMOTION CARDS

The Benefits of Holding Space

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

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Student Tarot v4's King of CupsThe @GlitterbyInk #MayTag25 Challenge
Celebrating Our Community Prompt for May 19 : Caring

Today’s draw is the King of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, emotional intelligence, creativity, or intuition. This often translates into authority figures that are emotionally supportive and understanding, possessing both compassion and strong leadership qualities.

It’s nice when they care, yeah? Whether it’s at work, or family, or social situations, being under the leadership of those that actually care about you and how you feel is nice.

Too often those in charge are so focused on productivity, profit, or their own agendas that they forget to see the people they are leading as anything more than a means to an end. They forget to check in on how others are doing and how they are feeling. They forget the human aspect of leadership involves connection and caring.

The combination of today’s prompt and card of the day is a reminder of that aspect. Nearly everyone leads others in some capacity. The message today is to seek out where we hold these roles in our lives and encourages us to take the time and effort to care about those we lead. Ensure they are okay… listen to their concerns. Hold space for them to share with you in the spirit of support and caring. In return you reap the rewards in the loyalty and trust such interest and caring fosters.

DECK USED:  STUDENT TAROT v4

#detarotjufmeitarotchallenge Tea With the Queens Challenge by @de_tarotjuf
Tea with the Queen of Cups : Emotional Intelligence and Care
Prompts for May 20 – 21

Oracle Reading with the Fateful Signs OracleWhat are my emotional pillars?

Odin’s Ravens – Connecting with those closest to you that know you well and know your secrets.

Thought and reason creates for you a sense of stability.

Spending time in nature and connecting with liminal spaces and the unseen.

How can I improve my relationships?

Donar, The Sky King – Stay true to yourself while seeking advice from others. These two things are not mutually exclusive, and combining them can give you clarity and direction. Remember that listening to others often creates a deeper connection than sharing with them, so speak less and listen more.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Cedar Tips for Protection Against Negative Influences
Lace Agate for Increasing Inner Stability
Clear Quartz Crescent for Amplification of Lunar Energies
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: FATEFUL SIGNS ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

Ginger tea today with my muffin, even though ginger tea really isn’t one of my favorite types. Even mixed with chamomile it’s just not a flavor that I find appealing in tea. I needed the benefits it could provide, though, so I had it anyway.

The Long Game

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was one of the #DailyCalm sessions with the @Calm app.

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Liminal Space Tarot's Five of SwordsThe @GlitterbyInk #MayTag25 Challenge
Celebrating Our Community Prompt for May 18 : Patient

Today’s draw is the Five of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of tests, trials, and conflict in the area of one’s thoughts, intellect, ambitions, and communication. This can often translate into themes that have to do with winning at any cost, disagreements, and occasionally defeat if you end up on the wrong side of the conflict.

If you want to win, then sometimes you  have to play the “long game”.

Not all achievements can be instant gratification, and sometimes it can look as if you’re losing right up until the end. I*t can be hard to stay motivated in these situations, as more and more in the present time we are being inundated with instant gratification and convenience.

The thing is, though? There really is merit to the saying that “the things worth having are worth working/fighting for”. And that means having the patience to wait and take things one step at a time, sometimes without any clear indication of success along the way, instead of rushing headlong or giving up.

How I Got There – I feel that my interpretation for this card may be less than obvious and need a little explanation.  When you look at the image in this card, this crooked hallway is dark and seems endless and uncertain as you can’t see what’s around the next bend.

You’re not here in this hallway to be here. You’re here to get somewhere else. Daylight. Food. Freedom. Your goal is somewhere ahead, but you have no idea how far. If you run, you could wear yourself out or get lost in the dark. So, you move forward… with patience. You’ll find your goal eventually, it just might take a while.

DECK USED:  LIMINAL SPACE TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2025 Challenge
Prompt for May 18 : Do Spread 3

Oracle Reading with A Hare's Odyssey Oracle and Venelestis Botanical Oracle

What is the core stressor in my life at this time that is under my control to change?

See How Far You’ve Come and Magic Mushroom (Psilocybe cubensis) – Your perception of your accomplishments is warped by outside influences and negative inner narratives, making it hard to see the good you’ve done or how far you’ve come.

What has allowed this stress in my life to take root and grow?

Frolic and Vervain (Verbena officinalis) – You spend far too much time focusing upon and judging harshly what you consider to be your “lazy moments”. These judgements are a combination of an echo from the past and judgements of others that have sunk deep into the wounds opened at that time, and your inner narrative that now uses those echoes to lash out at you (and at times also motivate you in negative and unhealthy ways).

What can I do right now to help ease my stress and anxiety related to this issue?

Transformation and Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) – Continue working on leaning into positivity and optimism. It often feels like a futile effort, but you are actually slowly training your brain to not always jump to the most negative narratives in self talk and world views.

Other elements included in this reading:
Pressed Pansy Flower for for Hearing the Heart More Clearly
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration, Clarity, and Determination
Wood Burned Bamboo marker for Luck and Foresight
Omarolluk for Protection and Bridging Liminal Divides
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: A HARE’S ODYSSEY ORACLE AND VENELESTIS BOTANICAL ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

This is a catch up post, and I’m not entirely sure what the self kindness was for this day

It’s Better Together

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was one of the #DailyCalm sessions with the @Calm app.

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The @GlitterbyInk #MayTag25 Challenge
Celebrating Our Community Prompt for May 17 : Enthusiastic

Empyrean: An ORV Tarot's Three of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Three of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of teamwork, collaboration, working together, and themes to do with bringing in help and/or outside expertise in order to get something done.

Sometimes adding the participation of others can make things more interesting.  We’ve all had those projects and jobs where no matter how hard we try, the interest just isn’t there. And, because the interest isn’t there, neither is the motivation or focus that the task in question needs.

The message in today’s card and prompt combo is that in these instances it can sometimes help to involve others in the process. This includes for introverts, by the way.  Their interaction and contributions can at times make all the difference and change the tone from the drudgery or a chore into something fun or interesting to be enthusiastic about.

DECK USED:  EMPYREAN: AN ORV TAROT

#detarotjufmeitarotchallenge Tea With the Queens Challenge by @de_tarotjuf
Tea with the Queen of Cups : Emotional Intelligence and Care
Prompts for May 17 – 19

Oracle Reading with the White Rabbit Oracle I and II, and The Deck of MushroomsHow can I take better care of myself?

Playfulness, Adventure; Golden Chanterelle, Golden Scruffy Collybia – Don’t you think it’s time to get outside and have a little fun in nature? Just make sure that when you do, you are taking care with your safety. Not everything is as it appears, and that means that not everything is as safe as it appears. Keep that in mind when you’re out and about delving into adventures with a playful spirit.

What emotions are coming up for me today?

Awakening, Dazzle; Yellow Stainer, Wavy Cap – Don’t let the worry of forbidden pleasures and danger in disguise keep you from stepping out into the sun and enjoying the day. You may feel hesitancy to seek abandon and really be yourself, but it’s during these times that you really need to shine your brightest instead of hiding away.

What does my intuition tell me about a current situation?

Surprise; Pyramid Builder Lepidella – Sticking with the familiar can sometimes suck. Remember that surprises aren’t always bad, so make sure that you step outside your comfort zone a bit and see what good may come of it.

Other elements included in this reading:
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration, Clarity, and Determination
Omarolluk for Protection and Bridging Liminal Divides
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: WHITE RABBIT ORACLE I & II AND THE DECK OF MUSHROOMS

Daily Self Kindness

This is a catch up post, and I’m not entirely sure what the self kindness was for this day

Crotchety Old Men

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

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May Day Faerie Festival Tarot's Death cardThe @GlitterbyInk #MayTag25 Challenge
Celebrating Our Community Prompt for May 16 : Kind

Today’s draw is the Death card, which is traditionally a representation of gradual organic changes, loss, slow moving transitions, and letting go.

Right… so, did you know that the leading cause of crotchety-ness in the elderly isn’t actually a dissatisfaction with how life has treated them, nor their (sometimes) in ability to adapt to modern changes?

It’s pain. Physical pain, to be precise.

As someone that has dealt with severe chronic pain over the past 20 years, I definitely get that. Pin makes irritants more irritating, inconveniences more inconvenient, etc. It’s hard not to let the pain drag you down and drown you in misery, and it’s equally hard not to fall into t he self-pity trap and begin to feel that life is picking on you.

Many don’t even realize it. The aches and pains come on so gradually that it’s hard to notice, especially when their average overall pain level rises a notch over the coarse of a few years.  A few more pass and another notch rises. A few more years… and they begin to realize that pain that was once occasional is now constant, and they have no idea when or how that happened because the change was so gradual.

The point is? Aging hurts. The older you get, the more it hurts, until it hurts a lot all the time.

So if you run across an elder whose a bit crotchety and unpleasant? Take a minute to react with kindness, instead of rolling your eyes or being uncaring. They are hurting, and chances are? They’re trying really hard to hide just how much.

DECK USED:  MAY DAY FAERIE FESTIVAL TAROT

#detarotjufmeitarotchallenge Tea With the Queens Challenge by @de_tarotjuf
Tea with the Queen of Swords : Intellect and Truth
Prompts for May 15 – 16

Oracle Reading with the Essential Oil Oracle Deck and Shapeshifter TarotWho or what helps me to live my truth?

Coffee and The Golden Eagle – I once read that there are two paths for the Scorpio. One is the high road of the eagle who is fair and just, and soars above conflict and retribution. The other path is the scorpion who skitters along the ground striking at anything that comes near.

These cards point to Z. Not only is she a Scorpio, but she works hard to tread the path of the eagle instead of the scorpion. She worked hard to teach me to do the same, even though I am not a Scorpio (although I do have it in my chart as my moon sign).

These cards speak of the need to rise above bullshit and not allow it to influence my emotional stability, and to play the “What would Z do?” game when needed.

What step can I take to create more clarity in  my life?

Juniper Berry and The Lion’s Lamb – Take care not to jump to conclusions. Hold back and see if those that are showing their true colors are friend or foe before stepping into the fray. Sometimes people surprise you if you just let them do things on their own while you stand back and watch, instead of getting involved too soon.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Hoya Leaf for Inward Exploration
Mandala Disk Charged for Serenity and Balance
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: ESSENTIAL OIL ORACLE DECK AND SHAPESHIFTERS TAROT (trimmed naked)

Daily Self Kindness

This is a catch up post, and I’m not entirely sure what the self kindness was for this day.