optimism

Self Development In the Journey

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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.

Llewellyn Tarot's Five of Swords and Lavish Earth Crystal Affirmation Cards

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.

The Five of Swords has then been combined with the Third Eye Agate card from the Lavish Earth Crystal Affirmation Deck, which quotes Marcel Proust, “ discovery consist not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.”

It’s not in the winning or the losing that makes the game worth playing, but in the game itself and what you discover about yourself while you’re in play.

Many challenges in life aren’t about the outcome, but rather about how you deal with these challenges and/or how you react to them.

Many of us miss this in our life’s journey because we are so focused on winning, or accomplishment, or success that we forget about the self-development aspect that comes with moving through challenges and our responses to them.

The message in today’s cards is a reminder that there’s far more to life than just winning or losing. If you ignore these other aspects of life, it can end up reflecting badly upon you and your character. Instead of focusing on winning or losing and success or failure, try focusing more closely upon how you can deal with these challenges and obstacles with honor, integrity, and character. Then, even if you fail at your task, you still win in the end.

DECKS USED:  THE LLEWELYN TAROT AND LAVISH EARTH CRYSTAL AFFIRMATION DECK

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 2 | Entry 11 – Love and Relationships
Affirmation : “I accept love, especially unconditional love, in all the ways it comes to me.”
Prompt : Think about your concept of unconditional love. Do you take any of the love you received for granted? Based on the card you draw, how can you show more gratitude to a person who provides unconditional love to you?

Tarot Activity from The One Card a Day Journal by Maria Sofia Marmanides - Earth and Flame Tarot - The Hermit

What feelings came up when I pulled this card?

A sense of comfort and familiarity came first when this card came up, then quickly joined by a reminder that not all alone time is good for you. I may want to pretend that it is now and then, but sometimes I’m just hiding, and that can be unhealthy.

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

When things get difficult or uncertain, I have a tendency to retreat into myself instead of reaching out for other others.

The Hermit card is usually about healthy alone time spent in self-reflection. When you are hiding away from your problems instead of dealing with them, that is not healthy alone time.

My closest friends and loved ones know that I have a tendency to retreat when feeling overwhelmed, and are aware this is unhealthy for me. They accept that this behavior is a defense mechanism left over from my childhood, and are willing to be patient with me when it happens, rather than see it as rejection or that I am ignoring them over something that they may have done or said.

Instead, they try to reach for me and pull me back out of hiding in order to help me deal with what has caused me to retreat in the first place.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

The first thing I noticed in the imagery of this card is the coloring, which is dismal and grayish brown. This speaks to me of a bit of a “downtrodden” nature to the card, that is then reinforced by the junkyard in the background.

I then noticed that the figure in the card appears to be ill, with his tired baggy eyes, flushed cheeks, and bright red nose. When combined with the meaning of the Hermit card as solitude, it brings to mind times when we indulge in unhealthy alone time.

The seagull on the man’s shoulder also plays apart for me in the imagery and what I noticed in the artwork, for the seagull’s wing appears to be trying to shelter the man from the world of decay behind him, giving the impression that he is hiding rather than just retreating.

My prompt response and reflections.

When you retreat into yourself during times of struggle, you make it harder for people to love you, and much harder for those people to help you. That doesn’t mean that they don’t still love you and want to help. They love you regardless, and reach for you even when your defense mechanisms cause you to try to pull away.

The advice here is to be aware of your tendency to pull away from others when you’re feeling overwhelmed or otherwise challenged in uncomfortable ways. By being aware, you can catch yourself when these defense mechanisms trigger, and as a result be more receptive to allowing your loved ones to reach for you and help.

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

DECK USED: EARTH AND FLAME TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2026 Challenge
Prompt for January 25th : Do Spread 4
Sometimes we all need a little help discovering where we need improvement in our process. This spread is to help identify where we need a little more work to improve our reading skills.

Tarot Reading with The Llewellyn Tarot

How do you most commonly misinterpret reading the cards for yourself?

The Sun Rx – You have a tendency to take things too seriously.

What can you do to improve at reading for yourself so that it doesn’t keep happening?

The Empress – Make sure you are grounding before you do your readings, and place yourself in a nurturing and empowering headspace. Not everything is about progress and striving for success. Sometimes it’s about giving yourself a little space, grace, and kindness.

How do you most commonly misinterpret reading the cards for others?

Nine of Cups atop Three of Wands – You want to provide your clients with good news, actionable guidance, and empowering messages. Sometimes these things are just not there in the cards, and you struggle to deliver the message without looking for some sort of empowerment, message of hope, or silver lining attached.

What can you do to improve at reading for others so that it doesn’t keep happening?

Six of Wands Rx – Focus less on people pleasing. Disconnect yourself and what you (and they) want from the process more. Sometimes shock value and plain speaking are needed to get the message across to the person you’re reading for.

Other elements included in this reading:
Black Spruce Needles to Boost Self-Confidence and Positive Thinking
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Dried Rosebuds for Potential and Beauty Waiting to Unfold
Dried Purple Heather Flowers for Independence and Luck
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration, Clarity, and Determination
Moss Agate for Attracting Opportunities for Growth
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE LEWELLYN TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I took a break in my shift today to come home and shower and change, because someone spilled coffee on me. (You know, instead of just tolerating it and ending up with a rash.)

Eager Puppy Syndrome

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Spirit Tarot - Temperance

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.

The Temperance card has then been combined with an affirmation card from The Language of Letters Go deck, which says, “I will pay attention to my behaviors and actions as I form new friendships. I will notice whom I’m attracted to, and why, and not worry about whether the other person likes me or accepts me. If I make a mistake, it’s okay. I learned something valuable from every interaction with another person.”

Sometimes, especially for those that are introverted or not exposed to people on a regular basis, it can be hard to contain ourselves when we get among others. Especially if we feel comfortable enough to really interact.

This over eagerness can often be off-putting or come off as desperate to others.

It’s important, during these times, to make sure that we are paying attention to our behavior and self regulating when needed. It’s also important not to assume what other people are thinking and feeling in our presence, but rather be grounded and observant to their cues.

This is how we learn and adjust, and how we identify when people truly like us or are just pacifying us or pandering to us.

The message in today’s cards is a reminder that even introverts need a certain level of social interaction, and that it’s important to be self-aware during these times instead of just assuming what others are thinking or ignoring what’s going on around you. That extra little bit of anxiety that you feel as an introvert being exposed to people doesn’t help either. So take a breath when you notice yourself ramping up, and let the exhale out nice and slow. Then move forward with a little bit more calm.

DECKS USED:  SPIRIT TAROT AND THE LANGUAGE OF LETTING GO DECK

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 6 | Entry 19 – Spiritual Development
Affirmation : “I value time with myself.”
Prompt : Do you believe there is a difference between loneliness and being alone? What does your heart truly desire in relation to this concept? Draw a tarot card to help you integrate feelings of loneliness or isolation into empowering moments of self-discovery and spiritual practice. Journal about your process and what advice the tarot card is directing you toward.

愛されガールの かいこつ タロット - The Star

What feelings came up when I pulled this card?

This card made me grin, because it feels like so very often the answers to our problems seem to be to just to have a little faith. To trust that things happen for a reason, and that what’s happening in the now when we are struggling is only temporary.

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

As mentioned above, The Star card is often about trust, hope, and faith. It’s also about the connection of earth and water, stability and emotions.

I think that this particular aspect of The Star card is relevant in this prompt, as it reminds us that emotions are temporary, and that it’s through grounding that we find stability when our emotions are out of sorts or flowing a little too freely.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

To me, the maid uniform in this imagery speaks of subjugation, while the tiara she wears on her head speaks of being lifted up from that subjugation. Add to that that she’s also smiling, together with the tiara, and it really gives a sense of hope.

Also, in the imagery of the card what stood out to me is the pitcher that is pouring into a body of water creates ripples (aka struggles and disruption) speaking of emotion on emotion creating more emotion; whereas the water from the pitcher that is pouring onto the soil runs off in different directions creating not just grounding, but also options. This speaks to me of needing that grounding influence in our emotions in order for them to be useful to us.

My prompt response and reflections.

There is absolutely a difference between loneliness and being alone. Loneliness is an emotional reaction and can be felt whether you are alone or are in a crowded room. Being alone, on the other hand, is an actual physical experience of having no one around. For some people, this experience is a comfortable, and for others it brings rise to the emotion of loneliness.

I am alone often, but I have very rarely ever experienced loneliness. I enjoy my alone time and tend to always be craving more. In those times that I have felt lonely it has been due to my depression, and a major part of my process when working with that depression is to remember that it is temporary.

No matter how eternal or endless it seems, it is always temporary. This allows me to see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, even when I can’t reach it at the moment. That glimmer, in turn, creates enough hope to keep me going.

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

DECK USED: 愛されガールの かいこつ タロット

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2026 Challenge
Prompts for January 22nd through 24th

Tarot Reading with the Spirit Tarot and The Wild Urban Animal Oracle

What is a vice of yours that you’re not consciously aware of?

Two of Cups and Duck – You have a tendency to be easily distracted and pivot away from those things that you should be focusing on when something of interest catches your eye.

What is a positive thing in your life that you’re overlooking?

The Chariot and Goose – When you are focused on what you’re doing and where you’re going, you’re a forced to be reckoned with.

What do you take too seriously?

Knight of Pentacles and Swan – Yourself and where you’re going. You feel like everything has to be done perfectly and appear as if it’s easy. You push yourself to always look as if everything is being dealt with gracefully, while on the inside you’re often struggling more than you allow others to see or know.

Why?

King of Wands and Grasshopper – You like to inspire others, and you worry that if they see how hard things are that it’ll turn them off from the example you set with your efforts.

Other elements included in this reading:
Staghorn Sumac for Connecting with Nature and the Wild Within
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
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: SPIRIT TAROT AND THE WILD URBAN ANIMAL ORACLE
Daily Self Kindness

I spoke up about what I needed when talking to Gid… and he gave it to me.

Finding the Positive for January 21 – 23

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Sacred Witch Tarot's The Hermit, Chibi Terato Tarot's Seven of Cups, Little Pigeon Tarot's Ace of Cups

January 21 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was a ten minute self guided session wherein I visualized my lower body tangled in the roots of a tree as my upper body floated beneath the surface of a lake. The meditation focused on the languid movement of the water around me as I floated suspended in its embrace.

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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 Empress card, which is traditionally a representation of the nurturing, female strength and empowerment without losing that “softer side” in the process, abundance, fertility, the divine feminine, and Mother Earth.

The Empress card has then been combined with an affirmation card from the Language of Letting Go Deck, which says, “Accepting my imperfections.”

Everyone makes mistakes now and then and has things about themselves they don’t like. Perfection is a myth.

In my opinion, perfection cannot be reached -without- imperfections included, which in turn then means that it can’t exist at all. Still, we all strive for it. Okay, maybe not everyone, but I know that I do. I know many others that do as well.

Busting our asses and breaking our backs to achieve something that doesn’t even exist, though, then beating ourselves up for it when we don’t reach it? How is that healthy?

The message in today’s cards is a reminder that it’s not. Healthy, that is. It’s not healthy to expect perfection from yourself or others, and it’s not healthy to beat yourself up over it when you don’t achieve perfection, either. The encouragement here in this card combination is a reminder to lean into more nurturing behavior. Allow yourself to accept that perfection doesn’t exist, and cut yourself some slack when you need it instead of beating yourself up about it.

DECKS USED:  SAILOR’S ARCANA TAROT AND THE LANGUAGE OF LETTING GO CARDS

January 22 – Mental Health Card of the Day

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 Seven of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of themes having to do with having a plethora of options to choose from, all of opportunity’s doors being open upon one’s path, and at times being overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices available in the moment.

The Seven of Cups has then been combined with an affirmation card from The Little Yogi Happy Notes deck, which says, “Healing is like art. It needs time, it needs practice. It needs a whole lot of love.”

It also needs you to make a -choice- to pursue healing rather than focusing on defense. Healing requires vulnerability, because in order to heal our wounds, we have to expose them and clean them out, give them attention and the medicine they need. It’s unpleasant and it’s painful, and requires you to actually choose this path and process.

The message in today’s cards is a reminder that if we want to heal from past wounds, we have to choose to heal from them. That means choosing to confront that pain and be vulnerable enough to give it the attention it needs instead of burying it away and ignoring it.

DECKS USED: CHIBI TERATO TAROT AND THE LITTLE YOGI HAPPY NOTES

January 23 – Mental Health Card of the Day

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 Ace of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of the seed of new beginnings in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, and intuition.

The Ace of Cups has then been combined with the Mica card from the Lavish Earth Crystal Affirmation deck, which quotes, “Forgetting that which is behind, I pressed toward the mark which is my high calling.” – Philippians 3:13

I am on a journey of learning when it comes to my emotions. That means that a lot of times? I don’t know how to explain what I’m feeling. Emotions overflow sometimes, and I don’t have the words to name them or describe them because I was never taught the words for these feelings, nor what those feelings -mean- exactly.

It’s frustrating.

The message in today’s cards is a reminder that new things aren’t meant to be easy. Beginning something new, whether it’s a project or a new journey of self-discovery, is confusing and comes with the innate struggles that newness brings with it. That doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re learning.

DECKS USED: LITTLE PIGEON TAROT INDIGO EDITION AND LAVISH EARTH CRYSTAL AFFIRMATION DECK

Sharing the Light

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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.

Sacred Witch Tarot - The Hermit

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

The card has then been combined with the Septarian card from the Lavish Earth Crystal Affirmation deck, which quotes Thich Nhat Hanh to say, “Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful.”

Have you ever noticed that when you sincerely smile at others, they have a tendency to respond in turn? Even if they don’t really want to, often their corner of their lips will twitch a little bit anyway. 

A genuine smile and the joy that it holds is contagious. It spreads from one person to the next. Sometimes in the form of a smile that continues on, but other times in the form of your smile creating a softening in the other person that then causes them to be softer to themselves or to someone else later on.

Sometimes, in the Hermit card, I find myself wondering who it is that the Hermit is holding his lantern for. He’s on a solo journey of self-reflection, so what is the lantern (located externally) actually illuminating? In this particular card, his lantern illuminates runes on the rocks. These runes speak of safe travels, insights, and breakthroughs. There are also a couple of lizards among the rocks, indicative of passionate pursuits.

The message in today’s card combination is a reminder that when we step outside of ourselves a bit in order to share those smiles and small samples of joy with others, we are sending out something good into the world. Even when we are so wrapped up in ourselves, we can still do this. It’s a simple as giving someone a hint of a grin or a smile as you pass them on the street, in a store, or on a bus.

DECKS USED:  SACRED WITCH TAROT AND LAVISH EARTH CRYSTAL AFFIRMATION DECK

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 6 | Entry 16 – Spiritual Development
Affirmation : “I acknowledge both the light and dark parts of myself.”
Prompt : One of the easiest ways to discover your shadow side (the parts of yourself that you often view as “bad” or shameful) is to consider something that annoys or upset you about another person. Often those feelings are discarded parts of your own personality that you have “disowned.” How can you confront your shadow side, using the wisdom of the tarot card you draw?

Tarot Activity from The One Card a Day Journal by Maria Sofia Marmanides - Academic Tarot - The Moon

What feelings came up when I pulled this card?

One of the things that really bothers me in other people is favoritism and nepotism. I dislike that it creates an atmosphere of uncertainty for everyone else while also creating a sense of false security in those it is given to. It unbalances the scales in my opinion, and it is the immediate reaction that came to me when I saw the card here and it’s altered title from “The Moon” to “The Spousal Hire”.

Realizing this as the theme, I had a little internal war go on inside concerning how stringent I am with myself and those around me that favoritism is not okay. Reasoning this out, though, that little war going on inside me is because sometimes I am tempted… extremely tempted to play favorites, to the point where sometimes I have to step away and create some distance instead of making a decision at the time.

I strongly dislike this side of me that wants to play favorites from time to time and not be fair across the board. Even if I don’t give it free reign, it’s still there in the background now and then whispering in my ear.

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

As mentioned, when you create the imbalance that comes with favoritism and nepotism, whether they are qualified for the job or not, it creates a sense of uncertainty. Lack of stability becomes a part of the equation on anything that this person does, always niggling in the background.

There’s also an imbalance and uncertainty created in this dynamic because you can’t really correct or reprimand an employee that is a spouse or family member or friend in the same way that you would any other employee. At least, not without there being real life repercussions outside of work.

The Moon card is all about uncertainty, and combined with the renaming of this card, shines a light on the imbalance and uncertainty that such hiring practices create.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

Both of the figures in this card look disgusted and unhappy. This is because whenever we mix personal life and work life together, they bleed into each other just like these two figures are working and trying to enjoy a lobster dinner at the same time. The emotions get jumbled up, time management gets jumbled up, as sooner or later it creates a bit of a mess.

I have seen a dynamic where spouses working together actually works out, but only when they are equals. A “spousal hire” indicates that one of these figures ranks below the other, which is sure to eventually create conflict and sire uncertainty in one way or another.

My prompt response and reflections.

Favoritism and nepotism are a natural inclination that everybody experiences from time to time. This card encourages acknowledging the imbalance and the uncertainty that such behaviors create so that you are able to better resist those temptations.

It is absolutely possible to acknowledge these temptations without giving into them. That acknowledgment makes you more self-aware and creates a resistance that fosters greater stability. There’s no need to berate yourself for what you aren’t doing. Instead, congratulate yourself for self-awareness and avoiding the pitfall when this temptation rises to the surface and you’re aware enough to resist it’s lure.

Other elements included in this reading:
Copper D20 Die and Banded Agate D6 Die

DECK USED: THE ACADEMIC TAROT

A Simple Two Card Spread by @thetarotdiagnosis

Tarot Reading with the Sacred Witch Tarot

Yes, – Four of Pentacles

Yes, you can create a greater sense of stability beneath your feet by leaning into restraint and miserly behavior until you are saving nearly every penny you earn,

and… – Four of Cups

… and in doing so you will begin to alienate yourself into solitude. It’s important to remember that although some alone time is all well and good, too much of it can become unhealthy and create a disconnect between you and others that doesn’t need to be there.

Take Away : Your pursuit of stability is like anything else in life. It requires a balance.

Too much spending might in some ways increase your social life and the amount of fun you have with others, but doing this would be overindulging and create a problem. On the other hand, not enough spending has the opposite affect and isolates you away from others, because you are unwilling to pay your share of things and so you bow out instead of participating.

The “Yes, and…” here is an encouragement to bring your attention to making sure you are finding that balance, and not tipping too far in one direction or the other.

Other elements included in this reading:
Beech Pod for Realizations that Foster Personal Growth
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: SACRED WITCH TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I waited for Jer to get back from town to help me put back up Ms B’s curtains that got washed today, instead of trying to do it by myself.

Finding the Fit

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

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

The Wonderful Tarot of Oz - Ace of Swords

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

The Ace of Swords card has then been combined with an affirmation card from The Little Yogi Happy Notes affirmation deck, which says, “ Freedom is… when you just don’t care what others think about you.”

Don’t let what others think about you be a consideration when you are communicating your true self. Nobody has the ability to please everyone or be a good fit for everyone.

With diversity as the spice of life, it’s important for us all to present ourselves authentically to the world around us. In doing so, we open up potential to attract those who accept us as we are rather than expecting us to change to be what they want us to be.

The message in today’s card combo is a reminder to stop worrying so much about what others think of you, and worry instead about presenting yourself authentically so that those who are a good fit for you are drawn to you organically.

DECKS USED:  THE WONDERFUL TAROT OF OZ AND THE LITTLE YOGI HAPPY NOTES

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 1 | Entry 1 – Self-Care and Personal Development
Affirmation : “I have many strengths and positive qualities that I admire in myself.”
Prompt : Based on the card you draw, what is a talent or skill you can appreciate about yourself and continue to hone right now?

Tarot Activity from The One Card a Day Journal by Maria Sofia Marmanides - The Householder's Tarot - The Tower

What feelings came up when I pulled this card?

I had a bit of an “oy” moment in response to this card on first glance. The reason for this is twofold.

First, the red and the alcohol. (More on this below, but suffice to say that they have self destruct connotations).

Second… I have to admit I was hoping for a light and breezy answer. A lot of the activities I’ve done so far with this book have come back with some pretty heavy hitters as far as answers go, and that was repeated here today. It’s not the book’s fault, just that the cards the decks have been throwing seem to tend to take the prompts in that direction more often than not in the past couple weeks.

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

The gist of the life path readings done for me, not once, but all three times and each a decade apart, is a theme of struggle, strife, and woe.

I can’t say that when I first heard this prediction in the cards that I was okay with it, but over time I have come to understand what it means.

It’s not about being a victim, it’s about being a survivor. It’s about being slammed down to the ground and crushed under the boot heel of fate, circumstance, and life… then getting your ass back up and keeping on moving forward.

That is what The Tower card is all about. It’s about destruction, and about where things go from there.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

Back to the red and the alcohol. Red, in this case, is an inflammatory color. Which corresponds well for me in reference to the bottle on the card.

I have been dry and sober for a long ass time. Alcohol has never been fun or entertaining for me. Instead, alcohol represents a descent into unhealthy behavior, and essentially “breaking” or “buckling” under whatever has created the self-destructive urge in me to reach for a bottle in the first place.

The urge to drink lies at the very bottom of a very deep well of painful experiences and hopelessness, under the mud in the muck at the bottom of that well. You don’t find it until you’ve reached bottom, and then been forced even deeper.

My prompt response and reflections.

One of my greatest talents and/or skills is the fact that no matter how many times I am knocked down and ground into the mud, I still get back up and keep going.

I am persistent. I am resilient. I’m a survivor.

I will turn that bullshit of pain and obstacles and failure that life hands me as it tears down what I’ve built into fertilizer, and use it to grow something new. Again and again.

Other elements included in this reading:
Amber Resin D25 Die
Banded agate D6 Die

DECK USED: THE HOUSEHOLDER’S TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2026 Challenge
Prompt for January 19th and 20th

Tarot Reading with The Wonderful Tarot of Oz

What could you use more of in your life?

Seven of Swords and Ace of Cups – More selfishness without the negative emotional repercussions.

You spend an inordinate amount of time worrying about how your actions and words affect others. This is great when it’s about your partner or your loved ones, but you need to stop worrying about every little thing you do and say and how others are going to take it.

More spontaneity is needed, without beating yourself up over it during (and often after, as well).

What could you use less of in your life?

Judgement atop Seven of Wands – Less friction on the journey to becoming the person who you want to be.

You might want to consider the company you keep and how those around you create friction in moving in the direction you’ve chosen to take your life path and personal development. Who is fighting back against your goals and aspirations in this area, and why can’t you identify them easily?

Other elements included in this reading:
Hand Carved Buffalo Horn Raven for Protection and Guidance during Transitions
Japanese Cherry Leaf as a Reminder of Life’s Fleeting Moments
Deodar Cedar Cones for Fostering Clarity and Spiritual Connection
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE WONDERFUL TAROT OF OZ
Daily Self Kindness

I skipped going to the grocery store today in order to avoid a potential  hassle in the making. (Trouble spied in the parking lot prompted a change of plans.)

Home Is Where the Heart Is

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The @GlitterbyInk #JanJourney26 Embark to Renewal Challenge
The Arrival Prompt for January 18th : Renewal
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Liz Dean's Golden Tarot - Four of WandsToday’s draw is the Four of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of one’s passionate love for the security and welcoming energies of home. This often translates into themes that have to do with homecoming, celebrating home and stability, as well as relaxation in comfortable spaces.

In an echo of a reading done yesterday, this card appears to be indicating that it might be a good idea to stay home and relax today and enjoy your time at home, rather than going out into the world.

It is tempting, with the sun shining, to ignore this advice… as well as the far more blatant advice of the cards pulled yesterday on the topic. That said, home isn’t such a bad idea. There’s lots I can do to enjoy life here at home and ground myself without taking an excursion to fuck around elsewhere.

The message in today’s “Renewal” prompt and Four of Wands card is a reminder that “home is where the heart is”. That means that when you come home, and when you are at home, it should be a place of renewal and restoration. If it’s not, it’s time to look at what is preventing that from happening and consider some solutions that might help.

DECK USED:  LIZ DEAN’S GOLDEN TAROT (trimmed naked)

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 1 | Entry 15 – Self-Care and Personal Development
Affirmation : “While I value my opinions, they do not define me. I allow myself to grow, evolve, and change.”
Prompt : Think of a topic that prompts strong feelings or reactions in you. What does the card you draw? Say about those feelings/reactions (where they come from, why they are so strong)? Consider what advice it is sharing about how you can constructively communicate your thoughts on that topic without alienating others.

Tarot Activity from The One Card a Day Journal by Maria Sofia Marmanides - Interim Tarot Letters ExtensionWhat feelings came up when I pulled this card?

I winced. At first I thought that the upper horizontal line of the F in this card was piercing through the hip of the mermaid, and that the mermaid’s brains were falling out.

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

My chosen topic that prompts strong feelings and reactions for me is willful ignorance. (Cuz I got a good dose of it last night from a loved one.)

The meaning of The Fool is often about new beginnings, but it’s also about lack of caution and an abundance of enthusiasm. I feel like the meaning of this card is telling me that there is no way to actually broach the topic of one’s willful ignorance without alienating the person in question.

No matter what approach you take in getting to a place where you can point out that they’re being ignorant, once you get to that place that butts up against their choice to be ignorant, you butt up against the line where alienation lies.

You can strategize, or you can blunder in blindly, but either way there’s going to be unintended consequences involved.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

As mentioned above, my first observation was the (mistaken) observation that the F appeared to be piercing through the mermaid’s hips. She’s still smiling, and she’s still going, but that shit had to hurt. This speaks to me of consequences for one’s actions.

Next to catch my notice were the bared breasts, which brought up the whisper in my head, that “oh, somebody’s gonna be offended”. It’s that whole “you can’t make everyone happy all the time” kind of thing. Nudity is always going to offend somebody, no matter how artistically meant or done.

Then there’s the snake and her reaching, these two arrived in my awareness together and are aligned by their angles. This seemed to speak to me to say that, no matter how good one’s intentions are, there’s always potential for negative outcomes.

My prompt response and reflections.

I’m a little disappointed in the answer that there is no way in which to approach the subject of willful ignorance without it turning into alienation and/or a clusterfuck. That hopeful little shit that lives inside my heart really wants to be able to discuss this with the people in my life that I have noticed blatantly practice this tactic. I really want to help them see a bigger picture.

And yet, in all of the different approaches I have tried and ways I have strategize to try and have a discussion over this issue in the past, it never turns out well. So, perhaps the cards are right, and there really is no way to successfully (without tension and alienation) have this conversation with them.

Other elements included in this reading:
Petrified Wood D6 and D20 Dice

DECK USED: INTERIM TAROT LETTERS EXPANSION

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2026 Challenge
Prompt for January 18th : Do Spread 3
Separate your deck into the four individual suits and major arcana, then shuffle each of those piles separately. Draw a card for each position.

Four Elements Tarot Reading with Liz Dean's Golden Tarot

Major Arcana Card – Something important in your life.

The Tower – Your business. In the Fall of last year, you went through a serious “Tower Moment” with your business. You are still recovering from this experience, and your business is still recovering from the changes and restructuring that was needed to adapt and keep going instead of getting stuck in the mire.

Wands Card – How the essence of the Wands suit influences this important thing in your life.

Seven of Wands – The fight that you are entrenched in with getting your business back on track is not just about what you want in life, but also about what you feel is right. The subjugation that you experienced has lit a fire under you to fight that will continue to burn for as long as you’re willing to keep stoking those flames.

Cups Card – How the essence of the Cups suit influences this important thing in your life.

Knight of Cups – You have within your focus what it is you want, and are motivated to reach for it. This “Tower Moment” caused you to reevaluate not just the needs that your business provides for, but also the wants and desires that support you in being happy in what you do.

Swords Card – How the essence of the Swords suit influences this important thing in your life.

Ten of Swords – You know no firsthand what it feels like (and how much it hurts) to crash and burn where your business is concerned. This experience wasn’t the end of you, and you were able to pick yourself up from the ashes to begin again. It’s proven to you once again that as much as something hurts, that doesn’t mean it has to end you in the process. You just come back stronger.

Pentacles Card – How the essence of the Pentacles suit influences this important thing in your life.

Nine of Pentacles – This experience has encouraged you to seek more satisfaction in the journey rather than just focusing on some goal at the end of the road. You’ve come to realize that the end of the journey is not your goal after all.

Other elements included in this reading:
Goat Charm as Sympathetic Representation of Amalthea
Foraged Purple Heather Sprigs for Independence and Luck
Carnelian Agate for Inner Drive and Focusing On Aspirations
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: LIZ DEAN’S GOLDEN TAROT (trimmed naked)

Daily Self Kindness

I stopped by the butcher on the way home to pick up the farmer’s sausage that I’ve been craving.