optimism

Keep It Going

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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RWS Halloween Tarot's Six of Wands and Halloween Affirmation Cards@GlitterbyInk #OctoberCauldron24 Prompt
Cauldron of Motion Prompt for October 12th : Momentum

Today’s draw is the Six of Wands combined with the affirmation “You are absolutely worth caring for.”

You have begun to prioritize your needs after having put them on the back burner for a long stretch of time, but you need to keep the ball rolling. Instead of backsliding into putting others first at your expense, allow your new direction toward pleasing yourself first to pick up momentum and keep going.

Habits are only changed out for new behaviors when you stick to it, and putting yourself last is absolutely a habit in need of breaking. Keep up the good work and allow yourself to take it a step farther.

DECKS USED:  RWS HALLOWEEN TAROT AND SELF-MADE HALLOWEEN AFFIRMATION DECK

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2024 Challenge Prompt
Question for October 12th : Spooked : What scares you?

Morbid Mirror OracleLoved & Protected – You struggle to trust that others have your best interests at heart when your experiences with the past have taught you that even those that absolutely should cannot be trusted to see past their own agendas.

Doesn’t Have to Be Perfect – Although you understand and can often embrace the need for imperfection in order to achieve true perfection, you struggle with it in the things you do for fear of being judged lacking by those whose opinions you care about.

Dare to Be Heard – In defiance of the forced silence of your youth, you work hard to be open about your vulnerabilities as well as your strengths. As you do this again and again, you confront your fear of being judged harshly or as lacking, as well as your fear of others taking your vulnerabilities and using them against you.

Take Away – These are all echoes from your past and lessons learned through pain and abuse. All together these cards say that most of all, you fear betrayal of your trust and being deeply hurt as a result.

DECK USED: MORBID MIRROR ORACLE

@HealingThruTarot’s #httOctoberTarotChallenge2024 Prompt
Prompt for October 12th and 13th

RWS Halloween Tarot's and Mythical Creatures Deck Color EditionBest way to tap into my inner witch.

The Hierophant and Doppelgänger – You have never been one to do things “by the book” but rather to customize things to fit what you want and need.  This is true for traditions in your path as well.

Look to traditions of the past, but instead of copying them outright, alter them to make them your own just as you would recipes from a cookbook.

Cobwebs I need to clear from my vision.

King of Pentacles and Goofus Bird – You are allowed to do things your own way rather that staying stuck in long held tradition. It doesn’t mean you don’t hold those old traditions in great value, but that you honor them by carrying them forward in your own way that works for you.

DECK USED: RWS HALLOWEEN TAROT AND MYTHICAL CREATURES DECK COLOR EDITION

Daily Self Kindness

Often, I have a tendency to take the “I’ll just wait it out” route for discomforts like stomach aches, headaches, etc. Instead, I took some Nauzene instead of just suffering with an upset stomach earlier today.

Don’t Be Intimidated

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

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

The focus for the meditation session for today was on perfectionism and how important it is to focus so hard on perfectionism that you become unkind to yourself in the process. It encouraged focusing on acceptance, gentle, and self-compassion, rather than always trying to push yourself to the limit.

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Spooky Halloween Cat Oracle and Halloween Affirmation Cards@GlitterbyInk #OctoberCauldron24 Prompt
Cauldron of Motion Prompt for October 11th : Synergy

Today’s draw is the Look Around card combined with the affirmation “I am a candy cat, not a scaredy cat.”

Those things that feel intimidating to you can often cause you to retreat within and close yourself off to your environment and others around you.

If you take the energy you are using to close yourself off to instead connect with others and engage with your environment, your fears will ease and those things that intimidate you will no longer have so much power over you.

DECKS USED:  SPOOKY HALLOWEEN CAT ORACLE AND SELF-MADE HALLOWEEN AFFIRMATION DECK

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2024 Challenge Prompt
Philosophical Question for October 11th : What awaits us after we pass to the other side of the veil?

Cthulhu Mythos Tarot - Six of Wands, Seven of Pentacles, Three of WandsReading Summary: There is no more need to please others (Six of Wands Rx), just a reaping of what we’ve sown throughout the length of our life (Seven of Pentacles) that determines your movement in a new direction (Three of Wands).

Take Away: Whether you believe in heaven and hell, reincarnation, ghosts and spirits, or any other sort of direction after death, these cards indicate that there are definitely places to go.  The cards also indicate that where you go concerning those options is based upon what you’ve done with yourself and your growth in your life.

These cards say that what happens after death is all about reaping what you’ve sown, and indicate that what waits for us on the other side is dependent upon not just what we believe, but also the lessons we learn and the seeds we’ve sown in our lives up to that point.

DECK USED: CTHULHU MYTHOS TAROT

@HealingThruTarot’s #httOctoberTarotChallenge2024 Prompt
Prompt for October 11th : Truths the moonlight will illuminate.

Spooky Halloween Cat Oracle and Tarot of the Sweetest Twilight - Five of Cups, Knight of Wands, The HermitFive of Cups and Choose a New Direction – You can’t just run away from shit when it feels difficult or impossible. You can, however, change direction when needed. Just make sure that when you shift direction, it’s to find resolution, and not running away from a problem.

The Hermit and Improving Health – Your need for alone time is well-known, and is something that makes you feel balanced and less stressed. Remember that when add in spending that alone time outside, you have tendency to improve both physically and mentally.

Knight of Wands and Be Aware – Take stock of your motivations and why you are driven in a certain direction as you move forward. Don’t forget to glance down once in a while and make sure your feet are still on the ground. Be realistic in your efforts and endeavors.  It’s okay to dream, but you need that grounding in your life to help you find stability.

DECK USED: TAROT OF THE SWEET TWILIGHT AND SPOOKY HALLOWEEN CAT ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I worked at weeding out a few campaigns from KS that I decided weren’t for me.  Or rather, I guess they -could- be for me, but I decided I didn’t want to spend as much on them as was being asked in the campaigns in a couple of cases.

Don’t Hurt Yourself

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was a self guided meditation that lasted about twenty minutes, and was in response to the rise of a panic attack and the efforts to head it off and ease it down before it got out of hand.  It consisted of boxed breathing and focusing on the space between the inhales and exhales.

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Tarot des Os Two of Pentacles and Halloween Affirmation Cards@GlitterbyInk #OctoberCauldron24 Prompt
Cauldron of Motion Prompt for October 10th : Amplify

Today’s draw is the Two of Pentacles combined with the affirmation “Your body is a good body, and it’s doing its best. Please be nice to it!”

I don’t usually like affirmations that are about “doing your best”, but I like this one. That is because while doing -my- best involves overextending myself, my body doing its best?  Is true regardless of whether I am trying to overextend it or not.  My body has limitations to it that can’t be ignored or bad things happen (like losing the feeling in my legs and ability to walk, for example).  Over extending that doesn’t involve my body is far easier, those boundaries far easier to break than the ones my body puts upon me.

The message in today’s cards is a reminder to balance physical requirements with other tasks.  Don’t push so hard your body breaks.  Instead, work on amplifying balance. Give yourself some down time to recover, and in the mean time do other things that don’t require so much physical exertion.  Go back to the physical exertion later after recovery, instead of plowing ahead and risking injury.

DECKS USED:  TAROT DES OS AND SELF-MADE HALLOWEEN AFFIRMATION DECK

@HealingThruTarot’s #httOctoberTarotChallenge2024 Prompt
Prompt for October 9th and 10th

Between the Worlds Shadowcasting With Bone and Curio Oracle and Tarot des Os - Four of Pentacles, Six of Swords, Eight of WandsCrystal ball glimpse of my near future.

Four of Pentacles; Pen Tip atop The Doll’s Arm – Your time to wallow in stability is quickly falling to the wayside. That sense of security is something you need. Make sure to prioritize your time well, or you’ll lose the opportunity to enjoy these things as things begin to pick up with your business.

Winds of change arising from deep within.

Eight of Wands atop Six of Swords; Gold Coin – The holiday rush is fast approaching. If you want to make it a successful one, turn your focus in that direction. Although not as amped up and ready for it as some years in the past, you have the ability to foster a greater sense of enthusiasm through focusing on the end results you seek.

DECK USED: TAROT DES OS AND BETWEEN THE WORLDS SHADOWCASTING WITH BONE AND CURIO ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I had a very expensive shrink appointment today, and chose to keep it instead of cancelling it, even though I’d just talked to her about three weeks ago.  I feel like the anxiety of the upcoming rush needed a bit of extra support.

Look a Little Closer

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Lost Hollow Tarot's Two of Cups and Halloween Affirmation Cards@GlitterbyInk #OctoberCauldron24 Prompt
Cauldron of Motion Prompt for October 9th : Nourish

Today’s draw is the Two of Cups combined with the affirmation “Ghosting what no longer serves me.”

The cards for today are asking for reflection. What in your relationship(s) no longer serves you? Is it the person as a whole? Or, as is more often the case, is it something you do out of obligation, or even habit, that is no longer really contributing to your sense of well being and happiness in the relationship?

A lot of times when we feel like a relationship is struggling (or we are struggling within a relationship) it doesn’t mean it’s time to move on, but that there’s some aspect within the relationship that isn’t working. When you figure out what that is, it can turn things around and nourish your relationship back to health. Well, at least as long as it’s a thing, and isn’t the person as a whole that’s the problem.

DECKS USED:  LOST HOLLOW TAROT AND SELF-MADE HALLOWEEN AFFIRMATION DECK

@Lionharts #TheOctoberTarot Season of the Witch Prompt
Question for October 9th: And as I move down this winding way, what can help me through the fray?

Fantasy Night Theater Tarot - Five of Wands, Eight of Swords, The MoonReading Summary: When uncertainty rises (The Moon), don’t ignore what’s going on outside yourself (Eight of Swords Rx). Remember that others are have their own agendas, just as you have yours (Five of Wands).

Take Away: Look beyond the conflict in question. During conflict, it’s important to always seek out others perspectives and motivations. This doesn’t mean losing sight of your own, but when people feel heard, they often become less aggressive in response.

Unfortunately, there can’t always be a “meeting of minds”, no matter how much you’d like there to be. But, by putting effort into hear and understand where they come from, sometimes it can take some of the intensity out of the conflict as a whole.

DECK USED: FANTASY NIGHT THEATER TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2024 Challenge Prompt
Question for October 8th thru 10th

Lost Hollow Tarot - Strength, Temperance, Seven of PentaclesHaunted: What troubles are haunting you right now?

Seven of Pentacles – Although the holiday rush is rapidly approaching, you are not getting done as much as you would like in preparation for its arrival. Neither are you rallying as readily as you’d like this year.

Trick: What illusion is allowing this problem to thrive?

Strength – Others do not need to be convinced to help out. The prep work and holiday rush is not all on your shoulders alone, and you can ask and receive help without the need for explanation or persuasion.

Treat: What can you do to resolve this problem?

Temperance – Go for the simple, easy approach. Set your efforts in this matter to a minimum and just ask. There’s no need to stew over what to say, nor put too much on your own shoulders.

DECK USED: LOST HOLLOW TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I woke up early and spent some time out in nature today on a hike before anyone else was up and ready to get going.  I also took the ibuprofen today before I needed it… because I knew I was going to need it.

The Improvement Factor

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was twelve minutes long and was one of the #DailyCalm sessions from the Calm app. It was done in the car, and I had a lot of trouble concentrating because the music was too loud and people were talking in the front seat. I may try to give it another try later this evening.

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Cryptid Tarot's Six of Wands (Crazy Critter of Bald Mountain) and Halloween Affirmation Cards@GlitterbyInk #OctoberCauldron24 Prompt
Cauldron of Motion Prompt for October 8th : Power

Today’s draw is the Six of Wands (Crazy Critter of Bald Mountain) combined with the affirmation “Have a spook-tacular day.”

Remember to take some time to please yourself today. It’s going to be a big one, with a lot of travel involved and visiting places that you don’t really enjoy.  It’s important to make sure that you find time to give yourself a bit of what you need, instead of just pushing forward because it’s expected of you by others.

By providing yourself with a bit of what you need, it will help the day go a bit better for you, and be more enjoyable over all.

DECKS USED:  CRYPTID TAROT AND SELF-MADE HALLOWEEN AFFIRMATION DECK

@Lionharts #TheOctoberTarot Season of the Witch Prompt
Question for October 8th: Omens, signs, symbology, what do I follow, what do I heed? {Draw two cards, one for something to follow, and one for something to heed}

Luis Royo's Dark Tarot and Void: The Frontier Game CardsWhat do I Follow – Ace of Cups and Fossil Theft – Follow your gut when it comes to who you trust and who you don’t put your trust in.

Sometimes your emotions are hard to understand, and your brain has a tendency to try and get in the way. It’s okay for them to weigh in, but don’t mistake them for the truth.  It’s your intuition that speaks the truth and its messages need to be weighed in as first priority.

What do I Heed – Knight of Cups and Moving Idol – Fall back on previous experiences that have taught you when to be wary. Take care not to let your enthusiasm convince you to disregard caution. Trust what you’ve seen, and don’t get too close.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Bay Leaf for Protection From Negativity
Dried Red Maple Leaf for Adaptability and Connection
Gneiss Wishing Stone for Patience in Unpleasant Situations
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: LUIS ROYO’S DARK TAROT AND VOID THE FRONTIER GAME CARDS

@HealingThruTarot’s #httOctoberTarotChallenge2024 Prompt
Prompt for October 8th : Wisdom from beyond the veil.

Cryptid Tarot - King of Cups (Loveland Frog), Page of Wands (Cactus Cat), Justice (Jackalope and Wolpertinger)Reading Summary: Your partner still has lots to teach you (King of Cups / Loveland Frog) not just about your emotions but also your passions (Page of Wands / Cactus Cat). You get out of your relationship what you put into it (Justice / Jackalope and Wolpertinger).

Take Away: You are encouraged to work on finding ways to better balance your time so that you can spend more of it with him.

This will allow you to get more out of your relationship as a whole, as you will always get out of your relationship with Gideon a reciprocation for what you are put in.

Other elements included in this reading:
Deodar Cedar Impression for Clarity and Spiritual Connection
Foraged Japanese Yew Sprig for Resurrection and Rebirth
Foraged Deer Rib for Connection through the Veil
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: CRYPTID TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I didn’t bother going into the casino today with J and Ms B.  I ate dinner with them then skipped out to be outside instead, then went straight up to the room to relax.

A Gentle Touch

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Diabolik Tarot's King of Wands and Halloween Affirmation Cards@GlitterbyInk #OctoberCauldron24 Prompt
Cauldron of Warming Prompt for October 7th : Align

Today’s draw is the King of Wands combined with the affirmation “I am as gentle as a ghostly touch.”

The cards for today are a reminder that leadership isn’t always about force. Compassion and grace are needed for a role of leadership to not just survive, but thrive. It can’t always be “because I say so” or you lose the passionate enthusiasm of those that follow your lead.

By leading with a gentle touch, you align others to your cause with stronger bonds and greater enthusiasm, for that gentle touch breeds loyalty in a way that impatience and brashness cannot.

DECKS USED:  DIABOLIK TAROT AND SELF-MADE HALLOWEEN AFFIRMATION DECK

@Lionharts #TheOctoberTarot Season of the Witch Prompt
Question for October 7th : So down the witches’ road I tread, what will unfold on the path ahead?

Catton Candy Nightmare Tarot - Five of Swords, Six of Wands, Six of CupsReading Summary: When you refuse to choose (Six of Cups Rx) your desire to people please (Six of Wands), you come out on top in the end (Five of Swords).

Take Away: This is another warning about people trying to get you to go against your nature, which is a warning that you have been getting from the cards quite a lot lately.  It is a reminder to stay true to yourself during these situations and interactions outside influence may come into play.

You win nothing by conforming to the standards of others, as they will use your desire to please against you if given the chance to do so.

Other elements included in this reading:
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration and Clarity
Foraged Japanese Yew Sprig for Resurrection and Rebirth
Foraged Mugo Pine Cone for Resilience and Longevity
Rose Quartz for for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others

DECK USED: CATTON CANDY NIGHTMARE TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsOct2024 Challenge Prompt
Question for October 7th : Jack-o-Lantern : What makes you smile and lifts your spirits?

Chestnut's Oddities DeckLois – Times when introspection steps in before reaction can take over. There is a feeling of triumph that brings a smile to your spirit that comes from sidestepping the expected response by taking a moment of introspection and not going with your first reaction. It sidesteps not just manipulation, but the pitfalls of what would otherwise become an untenable situation.

David – The trust you have in Gideon and how safe he makes you feel. For over sixteen years, he has proven to you again and again, that you can trust him to always have your interests, safety, and well being as his priority.  Over time, you have learned a deeper kind of trust with him than you have experienced with anyone else in your life, and that feeling of security makes your soul smile.

Clay – Seeing beneath the masks others wear. Although you are often oblivious to the most overt of hints communication-wise, you are skilled at observing others and sussing out their secret selves to see them for who and what they are. Your nature may make you try to make excuses for what you see, or try to give them the benefit of doubt regardless of what you know is true… but it’s in the knowing that you find a true sense of satisfaction.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Wood Fern for Exorcising Negative Influences
Foraged Silver Maple Key for Bouncing Back to Thrive
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: CHESTNUT’S ODDITIES

@HealingThruTarot’s #httOctoberTarotChallenge2024 Prompt
Prompt for October 7th : How to infuse my magic with purpose.

Diabolik Tarot - King of Wands, Judgement, Knight of PentaclesReading Summary: Work slowly at advancing in your craft (Knight of Pentacles), and remember that what you put out there into the world (King of Wands) reflects back upon you and who you are (Judgement).

Take Away: There is value and truth in the phrase “Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.” This is true whether dealing with people, magic, or even your own needs and desires.

Take your time and do it right.

You can infuse greater intent and purpose into your magic by taking your time and making sure each step in the process is just right, rather than rushing through a half-assed job that could have been better if you gave yourself more time.

Other elements included in this reading:
Deodar Cedar Impression for Clarity and Spiritual Connection
Foraged Red-Stemmed Feather Moss for Attentive Understanding
Brass Compass Rose for Finding Direction

DECK USED: DIABOLIK TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took a nap and played with Gideon, even though I really didn’t have a lot of time for either.  I just… needed it.