Today’s meditation was skipped.

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

Today’s draw is the Nine of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of boundaries, defensive maneuvers, and protection of what you hold dear.

The Nine of Wands has then been combined with the Resolution card from the Love Affirmations deck, which says, “I seek resolution, turning challenges into stepping stones for our growth.”

I wonder if dealing with the sentinels that terrorize our cities might be approached in a different manner. One that puts them off guard and at ease.

Instead of ducking our heads and quickening the step, what if we nod congenially and give them a smile or a grin. Would it set them off kilter? Would it create a sense of “this guy is okay” instead of spurring the suspicion that they come wearing like a glove?

Sometimes how we approach people makes a difference, after all. Today’s cards made me wonder if this might be the case in more situations than I’ve first realized. This isn’t to say I’m comfortable testing the theory… at least not with them. Maybe with others in my life, though, yeah?

The message in today’s cards is to reflect upon how you approach challenges (and challenging people), and consider if there isn’t a better way to interact that might get you where you want to go with them with less push-back in the process.

DECKS USED: MY LITTLE PONY TAROT AND LOVE AFFIRMATIONS

@ambitiouslyalexa’s February Journal Prompts
Prompt for February 21st

What I want to feel proud of

Three of Swords and Siberian Fir – You would like to be proud of how you handle disappointments in healthy ways.

This isn’t to say you always do, but rather that this is something you would -like- to do more of so that you can be proud of yourself for it more often.

How to connect with that sense of pride in this area

Page of Cups and Women’s – If you want to deal with disappointments in healthier ways so that you can be proud of yourself for how you handled it, you need to focus on being kind and compassionate to yourself.

Make it a point to remind yourself that you are still in the process of learning about your emotions and how to deal with them. Allow that compassion to be a part of the process, and be mindful to celebrate the small wins along the way (pink fish gave me the impression of fireworks).

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Acorn for Protection during New Beginnings
Deodar Cedar Ceramic Impression for Clarity and Spiritual Connection
Bird Figurine for Fostering Hope, Positivity, and Renewal
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: MYSTIC CATS TAROT AND ESSENTIAL OIL ORACLE CARDS

@de_tarotjuf’s Love Is All We Need Challenge
#detarotjuffebruaritarotchallenge
Prompt for February 21st : How can I be more patient in my relationships?

Reading Summary – Instead of allowing yourself to fall into the pessimistic views that are your habit (Eight of Swords) when chaos and destruction reign (The Tower), work on connecting to the nurturing side of your nature (The Empress).

Take Away – You have a tendency to save the nurturing side of your nature for others, and treat yourself to a lower standard than you do them. This harmful treatment creates disparagement in your relationships when hardships come calling, because you end up allowing that darker side you usually only safe for yourself to bleed out and start inflicting itself on others as well.

Work on turning it around in the other directly and allowing you nurturing nature to bleed out to be bestowed not just on others, but also on yourself. In doing so, it will soften the harshness that tries to come calling during times of struggle and chaos.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Beech Pod for Realizations that Foster Personal Growth
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Ferruginous Quartz Crescent for Enhancing the Evolution of Self
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: MY LITTLE PONY TAROT

I pulled the simmer pot back out, because the humidity was getting so low in here and my sinuses were hurting.