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

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The @GlitterbyInk #FebYOUary26 Moments & Memories Challenge
Prompt for February 3rd : Longing
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Eight of Swords (Quills), which is traditionally a representation of willful ignorance, self-imposed restrictions, turning a blind eye (especially when it can be harmful to self), and entertaining a victim mentality.

When I was little and my father was cruel to me, there were many times when I would run away to hide somewhere and cry afterward. During these moments of crying, I would hug myself and repeat the phrase “I want to go home” again and again.

This is a curious phrase, as I was home. I was in the only home I’d ever known being treated the only way I knew to be treated. And yet the phrase came back each time this happened. “I want to go home.”

I still don’t know what I was referring to when I said these words. I am blind to the understanding of where this “home” actually is, and when I focus on this phrase now, I still feel that sense of intense longing for… I don’t know what.

The thing is, in my adult life now, I have a home that is safe and comfortable, and I have people who fulfill that sense of “home” for me as well. My partner, my closest friend, my twin sister. And yet, that longing persists.

The message in today’s Eight of Swords card and “longing” prompt asks us about what we’re not seeing. Are we refusing to see these things that remain hidden from us, or is it just that we have not found the path forward to self-discovery we need as yet?

Today’s message encourages self-discovery. It asks us to look within ourselves to figure out what it is we’re missing; what it is we long for deep inside. After all, we can’t begin the journey towards fulfilling that longing until we identify it in the first place.

DECKS USED: COTTAGE MAGIC TAROT

@de_tarotjuf’s Love Is All We Need Challenge
#detarotjuffebruaritarotchallenge
Prompt for February 3rd

What is an important lesson I’ve learned from a previous relationship/friendship?

Honeymoon Phase, Knight of Pentacles, All the Stars – Just because everyone has their good side or positive qualities doesn’t make them a good fit for you. It’s really easy, at the beginning of a friendship or relationship, to only see the good side of people. That’s why it’s important to go slow when getting to know someone and deciding if they are your friend or not.

Whether or not they are a good fit for you can’t be decided in the first few days or weeks (or even months, sometimes). It takes time to get past that surface level presentation and see their negative qualities for what they truly are, and to then decide whether or not those negative qualities are something that fit with you, your path, and your values.

Other elements included in this reading:
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
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: TAROT OF THE LITTLE PRINCE AND THE LITTLE PRINCE LETTERPRESS BOOKMARK SET

@ambitiouslyalexa’s February Journal Prompts
Prompt for February 3rd : One way I’ve grown without noticing

Reading Summary – You have become far more nurturing and grounded (Queen of Biscuits) when it comes to emotional upheaval (Eight of Teacups Rx) in your life. You pause to listen and try to understand instead of just flying off the handle and walking away from your emotions (Queen of Teacups atop Eight of Teacups Rx). This has created a greater sense of stability for you (Queen of Pentacles and Eight of Biscuits bracketing either side of the emotions/teacups within), furthering your skills in working with your emotions as well as your emotional intelligence (Queen of Teacups and Eight of Biscuits).

Take Away – Your efforts to learn about and work with your emotions are not going unrewarded. You are just not noticing how much you’ve grown because you are distracted by the fact that you are actually experiencing your emotions instead of hiding from them and burying them.

This distraction can often make it hard for you to see how you’re doing on this path, but here we see that you are doing well and advancing, even if it doesn’t always feel like it due to the emotions involved.

Other elements included in this reading:
Japanese Cherry Leaf as a Reminder of Life’s Fleeting Moments
Foraged Silver Maple Key for Bouncing Back to Thrive
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: COTTAGE MAGIC TAROT

I pushed myself to meditate today even though I wasn’t really feeling it.

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The @GlitterbyInk #FebYOUary26 Moments & Memories Challenge
Prompt for February 2nd : Innocence
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is The Hermit card, which is traditionally a representation of solitude, self reflection and introspection, alone time, and inner guidance.

This card depicts Mr. Bennett from Pride and Prejudice reading in his study, a room that is uniquely his from the furnishings to the books, all the way down to the smallest of details. It is his retreat and his sanctuary, and no other’s tastes or opinions hold sway here.

This card begs the question… Why are you allowing other people’s judgments to be the deciding factor on how you feel about yourself?

Like Mr. Bennett study is an expression of himself, and thus where he feels most comfortable, it’s important to have a place where you are just yourself and feel comfortable. The very best place for this is within yourself.

Too often we try to mold ourselves into what others expect from us, and what makes us uniquely us becomes something to be ashamed of or lost along the way. It’s naïve to believe that everyone else knows you better than you know yourself, or knows what is right for you more than you yourself do.

The message in today’s Hermit card and “innocence” prompt is a reminder that it’s okay to listen to other people’s opinions, but authenticity to yourself needs to be prioritized over bending to what others expect of you or expect you to be.

Sometimes this means that you need to spend some alone time with yourself and do some self reflection and self exploration to “find yourself” again. Especially if you’ve been conforming to other people’s expectations for far too long.

DECK USED: JANE AUSTEN TAROT 2026

@ambitiouslyalexa’s February Journal Prompts
Prompt for February 2nd

What feels tender for me right now

Le Colibri – You’re struggling right now to see the positive aspects of things and focus on the little things that make you happiest. Caught any sort of “haze”, you struggle to see the joy in every day with clarity of mind.

This is because you have retreated, putting yourself in a precarious position in the process. You are starving yourself of the love and affection that could nourish you back to a healthy balance.

What can I do to help support myself and this tenderness?

Le Scorpion – Remember that (for you) isolating yourself is not a boundary, but rather a method of self neglect and an unhealthy way to try and protect yourself from unpleasant experiences.

Instead of holding yourself apart, reach out to those that you love and trust to help you through your darker moments when you struggle with your emotions.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Purple Heather Sprigs for Independence and Luck
Gneiss Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: ORACLE DES ANIMAUX GUÉRISSEIRS

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2026 Challenge
Prompts for February 2nd and 3rd

How can you connect to the theme of hygge in your life at this time?

Six of Coins and Yes – Don’t back away from opportunities you are being given to spend time with others that care about you, nor refuse the gifts that they offer. Remember that you are an introvert in the process of trying to learn to be more of an extrovert with your loved ones. Saying yes more often when they choose to include you in things, as well as when they try to include themselves in things that you usually do alone, will help you in becoming more comfortable with this endeavor.

Where would it be wise to practice the mindset of gluggaveður in your life?

Wheel of Fortune and Quite Likely – When things turn upside down. It’s okay to step back and observe instead of inserting yourself in the middle of things.

The cycles of life include both ups and downs. It’s okay to be cautious during these moments of transition and uncertainty during changes and shifts. Instead of diving in to try and fix things, step back and observe, and wait for the opportunity for something new to present itself.

Other elements included in this reading:
Japanese Cherry Leaf as a Reminder of Life’s Fleeting Moments
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration, Clarity, and Determination
Agate Stone for Slowing Down and Finding Balance
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: JANE AUSTEN TAROT 2026 AND TINY TEACUP POCKET ORACLE

I splurged on sushi tonight for a bit of a treat.

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

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The @GlitterbyInk #FebYOUary26 Moments & Memories Challenge
Prompt for February 1st : Origin
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Seven of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of strategic thinking, “sneaky shit”, or getting away with something. It can also often be about taking only what one can carry.

Did you know that the human body, in the moments prior to fertilization, views the sperm meant to fertilize the egg as an intruder and attacks it? Add to that the fact that thousands of sperm are released at once, but only one makes it, beating out all others in order to be the one that makes the baby.

And yet, there are over eight billion people in the world, all born by confronting adversity.

The message in today’s card and prompt combo is a reminder that good things come from adversity. Confrontation can be scary, and competition as well. In the end, though, when we keep our focus on what’s important, it’s in these moments that good things are born.

It’s okay to be afraid of adversity, competition, and confrontation… just be courageous enough to keep going anyway, despite your fear. Stand strong for what you believe and the values that are important to you.

DECK USED: THE DREAMERS TAROT: VISIONS FROM THE CLOUD KINGDOMS

@ambitiouslyalexa’s February Journal Prompts
Prompt for February 1st : How I’ve been talking to myself lately.

The Chariot, First Snow, Two of Pentacles – You are upsetting your own balance and stability by pushing too hard at times when you are still adjusting to new conditions and experiences.

The terrain in your life has changed both in your social life and activities, as well as more recently in your business. It’s okay to not be okay at first. It’s okay to slip and fall and take your time adjusting. Pushing yourself so hard only makes things harder, because it creates a sense of instability that doesn’t need to be there.

Six of Swords, Magnolia Blossoms Beckon, Eight of Wands – You have been forcing yourself to ignore your need to step out in nature and away from the day-to-day, by overburdening yourself with all the other things that “just have to be done first”.

Neglecting your needs to connect with nature by overwhelming yourself with everything that needs to be done “right now” is born from your self-destructive tendencies. This particular tendency is the same one that gets in the way of your meditation practice, which is also good for you and your body, but you avoid when your self-destructive tendencies rise up.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: JONASA JAUS TAROT 2ND EDITION AND THE EARTH SPEAKS ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2026 Challenge
Prompt for February 1st : Do the Imbolc Spread

What seeds need planted in my life right now?

The Magician – Autonomy and independence. You spent a lot of time recently flinching away from the blows that have come your way both in your personal life as well as your business. It’s time to reconnect with that part of yourself that knows what it wants, and is confident enough (and ingenious enough) to find a way to get there.

What preparations do I need to begin making to prepare those seeds for growth?

Nine of Swords – Confront your fears instead of allowing them to rule you. Accept the worries and the “what if” thoughts, then step forward into the the fray to prove to yourself that those fears are nothing to actually be afraid of after all.

What in my life is beginning a phase of reawakening and renewal?

Nine of Pentacles – It’s often only after you lose something that you realize just how much you valued it in the first place. This is true about people and things, and it’s also true about your accomplishments.

The awakening happening right now in your life resides in the knowledge that you did it once (accomplished these goals that are currently facing setbacks), and you can do it again.

How can i best foster that awakening?

Death – Don’t fight against change. It’s in accepting and moving with the flow that you find a rhythm that works. Standing against the tide only gets you swept away into the riptide.

Other elements included in this reading:
Carved Jade Japanese Kitsune for fostering Wisdom and Cunning
Foraged Northern Red Oak Leaf for Strength and Determination
Japanese Cherry Leaf as a Reminder of Life’s Fleeting Moments
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE DREAMERS TAROT: VISIONS FROM THE CLOUD KINGDOMS

Rather than pushing through, I skipped a couple of personal readings I had planned to do today. I was feeling a little overwhelmed.

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The @GlitterbyInk #FairyTales25 Challenge
Once Upon a Time Prompt for February 3 : Forest

Today’s draw is the King of Pentacles combined with the affirmation “Everything I desire is on its way to me at warp speed.”

Alright, so warp speed is not good for my anxiety, just sayin’.  It’s just not something I handle well.  And that’s part of the King of Pentacle’s make up as well.

The King of Pentacles is a type of stability that comes with slow growth. His foundation is stable and strong, built over hard work and time.

A lot of my readings so far over the past handful of days have encouraged standing back, waiting, and watching rather than acting. Here is a reiteration of that message.  If what I desire is coming at me at warp speed, that means I need to stop trying to run in that direction and let it come to me. Otherwise, someone’s going to get hurt.

I am struggling with that. A lot. These cards are a reminder as well as encouragement.  Stay still.  Wait. Not all progress is made through speed and force, or even under your control at all. So stop trying to control everything and let things develop at their own pace.

DECKS USED:  WHITE WINNY TAROT AND SWEET-ASS AFFIRMATIONS

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2023 Challenge
Prompts for February 3rd and 4th

Where in your life are healthier boundaries needed?

The Hermit and Here’s That Sign you Asked For – As readings over the past few days have indicated, you have an opportunity at the moment to turn things around in a healthier direction in a number of areas in your life, and that includes when it comes to how you spend your alone time.  You’ve been trying to reform your alone time for a while now, and struggling with it.  Now is the time.

How can you begin to establish better boundaries in that area?

Seven of Cups Rx atop Queen of Swords; If It’s Out of Your Hands Don’t Keep It In Your Head – Don’t make any major decisions right now, just keep your mouth shut and observe. You are not currently in control and you don’t need to be. This means don’t work yourself to death trying to fix things that aren’t broken. Alone time is not meant to be a time to abuse yourself by pushing yourself too hard while others can’t see, but rather to rest, recuperate, and enjoy.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Hiba Tips for Grounding and Revitalization
Rainbow Moonstone for Creativity and Intuition
Copper Palm Stone for Energy Flow and Optimism
Orange Aventurine Leaf for Pause and Reflection
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE NIGHT VISIONS TAROT AND FROM ROOTS TO BLOOMS

I had myself a good cry today, and didn’t try to  hold it back or force it down.