self help with tarot cards

Selective Hand Holding

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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.

The Wonderland Tarot in a Tin - The Lovers

Today’s draw is The Lovers card, which is traditionally a representation of love and relationships, long term contracts, harmonious unions, and making choices that are geared toward what is best for you.

The Lovers card has then been combined with the Holding Hands card from the Happy Little Things deck, which says, “If you hold the hand of someone you love, things will find their way to sweetness.”

Even in the strongest of introverts, it is rare to find someone that does not need at least a small amount of contact with others for their wellness and well-being. Sure, there are exceptions to every rule. But most introverts still want contact with people, they’re just very choosy about who with and how that contact happens.

That’s what today’s Lovers card and affirmation are all about. These cards encourage us to look at the people we surround ourselves with and be more selective about those whom we share our space, time, and energy with.

If you wouldn’t want to hold their hand, even in a platonic way (such as a high-five at the end of a race or helping them up a steep climb), why do you want them in your life at all; and what purpose are they actually providing towards your happiness, health, and well-being?

The message in today’s Lovers card and affirmation encourage us to take a closer look at the people in our lives and to create within our lives a collection of those people where holding hands becomes the norm instead of the exception.

DECKS USED: THE WONDERLAND TAROT IN A TIN AND HAPPY LITTLE THINGS DECK

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 4 | Entry 19 – Career and Finance
Affirmation : “The best experiences in life are free.”
Prompt : According to the card you draw, what is one thing you can do today that will not cost any money, but will bring a lot of joy?

Tarot Activity from The One Card a Day Journal by Maria Sofia Marmanides - Metro Tarot Cards - The Devil

What feelings came up when I pulled this card?

Puzzled was the feeling that came up here, as there are very few addictions (The Devil) that I indulge in that don’t cost money in one way or the other.

It made this card pull into a bit of a “thinker” for me until I dipped into the imagery side of things.

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

Addiction, obviously (as mentioned above). The Devil is often about taking those things we enjoy into excess, and thus having them turn from something joyful and healthy into something harmful like addiction.

I have an extremely addictive personality. If my dopamine receptors are triggered, the risk of addiction is there. It’s a problem, and one I have to carefully watch over or it can become damaging to me and my life on any number of levels depending on what I get hooked on.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

The imagery here looks like Mardi Gras. Alcohol, raucous fun, possible other substances, and anonymity. Dancing naked in the streets while flying so high that everything is hilarious. Freedom found through excess.

My prompt response and reflections.

The Devil card pulled for this prompt is a reminder that spending money isn’t the only thing to consider when seeking out fun, free activities. Adrenaline and dopamine also need to be added to the equation, as I find them both highly addictive.

This card doesn’t suggest an activity outright, but rather it helps in narrowing down my options while reminding me that free and carefree are both important elements to include in making this decision.

Other elements included in this reading:
Amber Resin D25 and Agate D6 Dice

DECK USED: METRO CARD TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJul2026 Challenge
Prompt for July 19th : Do Spread 3

Tarot Reading with The Wonderland Tarot in a Tin

Where am I on my path at this time?

The High Priestess – Feeling your way forward through consultation with your inner ken. Your eyes are closed and your “feelers” are out.

What have I forgotten that needs to be brought with me upon my path?

The Sun – Success isn’t a bad word, but be careful from whom you ask for help. There’s always a liability involved when you invite others in on a project or pursuit, so choose those who would give you a hand up in your successes wisely.

How can I begin to incorporate that back into my life?

Queen of Flamingos (Swords) – Don’t be shy about expressing yourself and communicating your needs. Be shrewd and watch for signs that they are not the right fit, and listen to those indications instead of ignoring them.

What should I prepare to harvest at the end of the month?

Two of Pentacles – Balance. Be aware that as the summer wears on, it’s easy to allow things to fall out of balance as business slows down, responsibilities elsewhere ramp up, and the heat makes you want to retreat from the world and hide away. Make sure you are making the adjustments needed to keep yourself from knocking things out of balance with those unhealthy inclinations.

How do I begin those preparations?

Ten of Swords – Begin now in letting go of the shit that’s come to the end of its life cycle. It’s not worth your time and energy to fuss over spilled milk. Just clean it up and keep moving.

Other elements included in this reading:
Handcrafted Sigil for Healthy Sustainable Energy
Staghorn Sumac for Connecting with Nature and the Wild Within
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Foraged Wood Fern for Exorcising Negative Influences
Citrine for Energy Lift (easing the weight of heavy energies)
Carnelian Agate for Inner Drive and Focusing On Aspirations
Cave Aragonite Stalactite for Fostering Tolerance and Understanding
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE WONDERLAND TAROT IN A TIN
Daily Self Kindness

I ate the nasty yogurt this morning to help keep my stomach at ease.

❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

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These Saturday readings are (not usually) bearing in on any one thing or event in my life, as the question used is asking for a more general outlook. This is a self care exercise, and is not meant as a predictive reading… although that, too, happens on occasion.

The question is… What do I need to focus for self-care through the week ahead?

Self Care Saturday Tarot Reading with The Ritual Kitchen Tarot and The Early Riser's Lenormand Fortunetelling Deck

Earth – Three of Swords Rx / Lemon Balm – Discouraging news is coming. Don’t let it weight you down or drag you under. It’s a temporary situation that will resolve itself with very little effort on your part.

Air – The World Rx / Lemon & Thyme – Your inner self talk is going to continue to try and assert that you’re getting nothing done this week. Keep up your task log to counter those mental whispers. Just because nothing gets finished this week doesn’t mean nothing is getting done.

Water – Justice / Marigold – Take care with your expectations this week to protect yourself from upcoming disappointments. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Fire – Seven of Cups / Herbs de Provence – Pick and choose your endeavors wisely for the week ahead. You’re not going to be able to do (or get done) everything that you want, so make sure that your priorities are in order and you are checking in with them often.

Waning – Book and Fawn (Child) – The ability to focus on new interests and endeavors with the eager curiosity you’re used to is going to be lacking this week. Make sure not to beat yourself up about it. It will recover and return.

Waxing – House and Grasshopper (Stork) – Lean into recognizing and appreciating those things and people in your life that bring you a sense of comfort and stability.

Take Away – The hurdles and struggles of the week ahead are going to make it difficult to finish just about anything you want to get finished. Instead of worrying about finishing, appreciate that you’re making progress in the right direction, regardless of the fact these things aren’t completed right this moment. A little bit of progress is better than nothing. Lean into those around you and allow them to comfort you in your moments of disappointment.

DECKS USED: THE RITUAL KITCHEN TAROT AND THE EARLY RISER’S LENORMAND FORTUNETELLING DECK

Healing and Time Tables

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🍃    •    ◈    •    •    •

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

Folkloric Waters Tarot - Eight of Wands

Today’s draw is the Eight of Wands (Fire), which is traditionally a representation of action, speed, alacrity, fast paced events or change, or having a target goal in your sights that you are charging towards.

Note: The Eight of Fire came out as reversed in this pull and is significant in this instance, depicting an aberration of the above traditional meaning.

The Eight of Wands has then been combined with an affirmation from the Miracle Mantras Affirmation Deck, which says, “Healing doesn’t rush – I move at my own pace.”

I have a friend who recently tweaked her knee, and it’s been hurting for a few weeks now as a result. Sometimes, she babies it as it needs to be babied, with ice packs and rest. Then? She gets impatient and tries to force it to let her do what -she- wants to do, regardless of where it is in its healing journey. As a result? Her recovery is taking much longer than it normally would, because she keeps re-injuring what’s trying to heal.

Just as you have the choice of moving through life at your own pace, you need to give yourself the grace to heal at the pace that is healthiest for you, whether these injuries are physical such as mentioned above, or emotional, psychological, or spiritual. That means don’t rush, don’t push, and don’t demand or hold unreasonable expectation on what “should” be happening.

Instead, let yourself go with the flow, taking the currents at the speed that they are meant to be taken at. There’s no rush because there’s no end goal here. The journey is itself a process of betterment that never ends.

The message in today’s Eight of Wands and affirmation card is a reminder that some things have to go at their own pace instead of being pushed along through determination and willpower. Healing is one of those things. Give yourself a little grace to heal at whatever pace is needed to make the healing that’s happening stick.

DECKS USED:  FOLKLORIC WATERS TAROT AND MIRACLE MANTRAS AFFIRMATION DECK

The @ambitiouslyalexa July Journal Prompts

Prompts for July 18th and 19th

Oracle Reading with the Messages from the Spirits of Nature Oracle

A pattern you’re rewriting

Stars and Cloud – You are allowing yourself to open up to new opportunities instead of shutting them down because they are frivolous or impractical.

In the past, you have always plotted your course through what is most practical and logical, most grounded and responsible. You’ve come to understand, though, that this is limiting your potential. In response, you have begun working on opening up to a greater range of possibilities.

A dream you’re ready to own

Sun and Volcano – You want the freedom and safety needed to believe that it is okay for you to go out into nature by yourself and not have to worry about needing an escort. Unfortunately, due to stalker issues, you have been unable to enjoy the deeper connection to nature that you need for a number of years now.

You accept your need to be able to let go of civilized constraints and be free among the trees by yourself, though, and have begun seeking out new ways in which to make this happen.

Other elements included in this reading:
Staghorn Sumac for Connecting with Nature and the Wild Within
Foraged Silver Maple Key for Bouncing Back to Thrive
Gneiss Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Clear Quartz for boosting Mental Clarity
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: MESSAGES FROM THE SPIRITS OF NATURE ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsJul2026 Challenge

3-Card Spread Prompt for July 18th : About differences…

Tarot Reading with the Folkloric Waters Tarot

Why do people so often find differences between themselves and others to be uncomfortable or repellent?

Three of Water – Humans are, at their core, a pack animal. They depend on connecting with others with similar values and goals for support and for comfort.

When they come across something that they consider aberrant to what is their norm, it breaks apart the world view that is created when one surrounds themselves with similarities.

The differences become an uncertainty that breaks from the norm they have created for themselves. This is compounded by the fact that all of those within the circle of this individual’s norm also find whatever is aberrant being apart from them, and thus breaking away from their shared values and goals.

How can I be more accepting of those who display differences that I don’t understand?

The Magician – Ask questions. Explore. Take the time to use the tools available to you to make these differences become something familiar.

Just because it becomes familiar through these explorations and inquiries, doesn’t mean you have to adopt it as your own. It just means that you then understand enough to no longer be repelled by it.

How can I best present my own differences in a way that is more palatable to others?

Queen of Earth – You can make your differences more palatable to others by fostering a sense of stability through also allowing them to see the side of yourself that is similar to them. Because they are able to then relate to you through similarities, they will be more open and accepting of your differences.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
Dried Rosebuds for Potential and Beauty Waiting to Unfold
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration, Clarity, and Determination
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  FOLKLORIC WATERS TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I did some bare feet on bare earth time today.

Tradition vs Exploration

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🍃    •    ◈    •    •    •

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

Le Tarot Tricolore - Three of Wands

Today’s draw is the Three of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of the first active step in a journey, progress towards a goal, and the seizing of opportunities.

The Three of Wands has then been combined with an affirmation prompt from the Animantras Chakra Oracle, which says, “Be Unique”.

When the time comes to act, and you must choose between doing things your own way, or toeing the line of conformity, consider the value in authenticity.

Yes, there is something to be said for tradition, learning from the past, and how things were done before… but, there is also value in accepting your unique differences and adapting to them instead of mindlessly going by rote.

The message in today’s Three of Wands and affirmation prompt is a reminder that we are meant to be unique individuals. We are not meant to be clones of each other, all doing the exact same thing in the exact same way. It is through exploration and experimentation that new discoveries are made and we get to know our unique selves better. With a respectful nod of acknowledgement and understanding to how things were done before? It’s okay to allow yourself to experiment and explore.

DECKS USED:  LE TAROT TRICOLORE AND ANIMANTRAS CHAKRA ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsJul2026 Challenge
3-Card Spread Prompt for July 17th : About similarities…

Oracle Reading with The River: Sailing the Stream of Consciousness

It’s said that the qualities you dislike in others are a reflection of what you dislike in yourself. What one similarity (of the many available to choose from) do I share with others that pokes at my misanthropic tendencies?

The Volcano

Image Interpretation: Greed and excess.

From the Book: Silver-tongued and able to manipulate others and the world around me through words, as well as willing to do so to suit my purpose and intent.

Take Away: I am not always as altruistic and forthcoming in my goals and intent as others might assume. Sometimes these hidden agendas and the manipulations used to further them are entirely selfish.

What one similarity (of the many available to choose from) do I share with others that can help soften my misanthropic tendencies?

The Sfumato

Image Interpretation: Vulnerability

From the Book: The kindness of wanting to support and foster the well-being of others.

Take Away: I see the kindness I bestow from a pure place within myself onto others in the kindnesses that they also bestow upon me. Although this sometimes makes it difficult for me to spot ulterior motives in the kindnesses of others, it allows me to also see hope in my views towards humanity and the people around me.

Sometimes opposites attract, and other times that’s not the case at all. What one similarity (of the many available to choose from) do I share with others that helps me to bond more easily with those I feel a connection to?

The Lightning Tree

Image Interpretation: The broken bits

From the Book: Understanding and acknowledgement of life’s trials and tribulations.

Take Away: We all have broken bits and jagged edges within us left behind by life’s hardships and struggles. I find connection to others in the idea that we are all a bit battered in one way or another, but none of us are truly broken.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Dried Rosebuds for Potential and Beauty Waiting to Unfold
Scotch Pine Cone for Purging Negative Influences
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration, Clarity, and Determination
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE RIVER – SAILING THE STREAM OF CONSCIOUSNESS

The @ambitiouslyalexa July Journal Prompts
Prompt for July 17th : A limit you’re respecting

Tarot Reading with Le Tarot Tricolore

Reading Summary: You are working to give your negative inner narratives less credence (Page of Swords Rx) in matters that take time to develop (Seven of Pentacles) in order to free yourself up for more free spirited moments (The Fool).

Take Away: The negative narratives in your head work to weigh you down and make you feel guilty for any free time you manage to find. That free time is often given to you through long term efforts rather than instant gratification, but your inner narratives do not see long-term effort as acceptable. They instead demand results and perfection now.

You are beginning to draw the line more often and give less credence to your negative self-talk in this area. In doing so, you are beginning to discover more opportunities for joy and more free spirited moments to enjoy.

Other elements included in this reading:
Staghorn Sumac for Connecting with Nature and the Wild Within
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration, Clarity, and Determination
Gneiss Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Clear Quartz for boosting Mental Clarity
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: LE TAROT TRICOLORE
Daily Self Kindness

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

Seeking Pearls In the Mud

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🍃    •    ◈    •    •    •

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

The Tarot of the Grand Hours of Rohan - Five of Pentacles

Today’s draw is the Five of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of tests, trials, struggles, and setbacks in the area of one’s finances, resources, health, home, work, or manifestations. This often translates into themes that have to do with scarcity and times in life when one needs to seek out help from others instead of suffering through alone.

The Five of Pentacles has then been combined with the Pearls of Gratitude card from The Life Navigator deck, which says, “It’s easy to feel thankful when the seas of life are calm. But storms have their uses, too. They clear the air and often bring up treasure from the deep. Look for the pearl beneath the storm.“

I am a major advocate of “finding the silver lining”, which is what these cards are all about today.

What would we appreciate less (or not at all) if we hadn’t survived some trial or tribulation in our past. The sunshine and warmth of summer wouldn’t be as sweet without the winter’s bite that came before, and the cold of winter not such a pleasure if it wasn’t relieving us from the swelter of summer heat. Same can be said for being able to walk after experiencing having been in a wheelchair for a time, or having money for necessities after having experienced having none.

The message in today’s Five of Pentacles and affirmation card is a reminder that the trials and tribulations we go through have value. It doesn’t mean they don’t suck, but they also don’t have to be a waste as long as we can find and appreciate the value they’ve also added to our lives.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE GRAND HOURS OF ROHAN AND THE LIFE NAVIGATOR DECK

The @ambitiouslyalexa July Journal Prompts
Prompt for July 16th : A “should” you’re dropping

Tarot Reading with The Tarot of the Grand Hours of Rohan

Reading Summary: Don’t force yourself to go slow and wait for change (Death atop Knight of Pentacles) when it comes to those things that truly matter to you (Seven of Wands). Instead, lead the charge (King of Wands).

Take Away: Write to your building manager about what is bothering you concerning the last owners meeting. Your values concerning right and wrong are raging. Be proactive instead of sitting back and watching how things unfold.

This advice can be taken for a lot of situations where your inner voice is up in arms about something, it just so happens that -my- inner voice is up in arms about the misuse of proxy votes during the last owner’s meeting.

The cards are right. I need to sit down and write a letter to the building management company about it. Even if it doesn’t change anything about what’s already happened, it can make a difference in what happens in the future if the behavior is called out now and brought to the attention of all involved.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Red Maple Leaf for Adaptability and Connection
Staghorn Sumac for Connecting with Nature and the Wild Within
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration, Clarity, and Determination
Orthoceras Fossil for Supporting Transformation and Growth
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: TAROT OF THE GRAND HOURS OF ROHAN
Daily Self Kindness

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

Tripping Over the Line In the Sand

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🍃    •    ◈    •    •    •

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

Victoria Regina Tarot - Four of Cups

Today’s draw is the Four of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of dejection, refusal of assistance, contemplative moments, meditation, and feelings of apathy.

The Four of Cups has then been combined with the Shame card from the Box of Emotions deck, which says, “While guilt is an emotion associated with hearing the wheedling voice of conscience, shame is usually associated with wanting to (and) about who we are… It might be that to forge identity in the face of disapproval, the existence of shame must be recognised – even celebrated.“

Don’t hold yourself apart from others due to shame you may be feeling. Instead, consider looking more closely at your shame and why it’s there in the first place.

Delve into its source and pick it apart. Shame isn’t something to hide from, nor hide ourselves away from others because of. It’s an emotion that tells us something about ourselves and our values, teaching us where our own mores and ethics lie and where the line is when overstepping has happened or is near.

The message in today’s Four of Cups and Shame card is about approaching our shame with understanding and acceptance, not to make whatever it is we’re ashamed about okay, but to embrace it as a lesson on when our internal moral compass says we’ve gone too far so we can course correct as needed moving forward.

DECKS USED: VICTORIA REGINA TAROT AND BOX OF EMOTIONS

The @ambitiouslyalexa July Journal Prompts
Prompt for July 15th : A tension you’re softening

Oracle Reading with The Inner Child Oracle Deck

Reading Summary: Instead of allowing your nearly obsessive need for stability (Nyki) to get in the way of life’s joys (Hazel), you are beginning to seek out the source of these anxieties that drive your need for stability and tend to them (Na’este).

Take Away: That death grip on the concept of stability and security is easing a bit as you work to explore its roots and give yourself the understanding and kindness that has been lacking in this area.

It’s difficult for you to see stability in perspectives that don’t have to do with stillness and even stagnancy. As you explore your fears, you are coming to find that you can discover and build stability through other means than bracing for impact and unhealthy stillness. This relaxing of your personal definition then allows for more opportunities for joy in your life rather than allowing everything to be ran by your fear and anxieties.

Other elements included in this reading:
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Wood Burned Rabbit Disk for Approaching Life with Gentle Awareness
Wooden Bird on Branch for the Stillness Needed to Approach Fear with Kindness
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: THE INNER CHILD ORACLE DECK

#DiscordTarotholicsJul2026 Challenge
Philosophical Questions for July 15th

Tarot Reading with the Victoria Regina Tarot

What is courage?

The Star and Ten of Pentacles Rx

Courage is continuing to hope, even in the face of failure.

Courage is the indomitable spirit that allows us to continue on, even when things seem hopeless, and to start over after everything has fallen apart.

Where does courage come from?

Eight of Cups Rx atop Two of Swords

Courage comes from within, in that moment where we choose to stay instead of walking away. It’s born from our values and how we choose to prioritize those values in the day-to-day of our lives.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Foraged Wood Fern for Exorcising Negative Influences
Moon Pendant as Sympathetic Representation of Uncertainty
Quill Jasper for Nurturing Comfort through Grounded Stability
Citrine for Energy Lift (easing the weight of heavy energies)
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: VICTORIA REGINA TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

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