self help with tarot cards

The Small Wins

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The @GlitterbyInk #FebYOUary26 Moments & Memories Challenge
Prompt for February 18th : Gratitude
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

The Sacred Circle Tarot - The Sun

Today’s draw is The Sun card, which is traditionally a representation of success, optimism, positivity, fun and frivolity. In my practice, the Sun is also a symbol of masculine vitality, virility, and warmth.

Small wins and successes are still wins, and need recognition and celebration… maybe even more so than the big ones, because they bolster our spirit along the journey instead of forcing us to focus on only the end and the goal sitting there waiting for us.

Drudgery. Honestly? That’s sometimes what trying to achieve goals feels like. Just trudging forward day after day, struggle after struggle, eye always trained on the prize.

Today’s Sun Card and “gratitude” prompt challenge us to consider that maybe that -isn’t- how it has to be. By celebrating our small wins along the way, it doesn’t have to feel like a long slog through mire to get to our reward at the end… because we’re getting little rewards along the way and that bolsters our spirits, making the journey lighter and more enjoyable instead of grueling and miserable.

The message for today is a reminder to celebrate your small wins. In return, you are rewarded with a better experience over all.

DECKS USED: THE SACRED CIRCLE TAROT (aggressively trimmed)

@ambitiouslyalexa’s February Journal Prompts
Prompt for February 18th

Tarot Reading with the Tarot of Sexual Magic and Deck of Many Insults

A pattern I’m starting to notice

Six of Pentacles and Wasn’t Listening – Maybe the reason it’s become a struggle to find those willing to communicate with you is because most people are too concerned with their own crap to take the extra effort needed to do so.

I run across a lot of impatience and irritation when trying to communicate with others, especially strangers like store clerks, customer service, and just random people. My communication difficulties are a hurdle that they see as a burden they just aren’t interested in bearing in order to communicate with another person.

It’s too inconvenient so they react with impatience and/or irritation.

Anything I might need to do concerning this pattern

Four of Cups atop Eight of Swords; Not the Dumbest and Boot Flask – It’s a futile effort to get them to pay attention or be receptive to you. The extra effort is something they’re just not willing to put into the situation, and it’s their loss. So let them walk away and find someone else.

Other elements included in this reading:
Staghorn Sumac for Connecting with Nature and the Wild Within
Tree Agate for Fostering Peace and Patience
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: TAROT OF SEXUAL MAGIC AND DECK OF MANY INSULTS

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2026 Challenge
Philosophical Prompt for February 18th : Is the desire to be loved an innate human desire?

Tarot Reading with The Sacred Circle Tarot

Reading Summary – Sex and procreation is an animal drive (Ace of Pentacles and the erect phallus in the Six of Wands), but connecting emotions to such things is innately human (Three of Cups and Six of Wands).

Take Away – These cards indicate that the desire to be loved is, in fact, innately human.

It’s not about sex or comfort or security. It’s about finding love, which is something that unique to humanity.

That’s not to say that there aren’t those out there that try to equate sex and love, safety and love, security and love, or comfort and love. But, the emotion itself? That is uniquely human, as is our desire for it.

Other elements included in this reading:
Holy Leaf for fostering Strength, Endurance, and Boundaries
Foraged Acorns for Protection during New Beginnings
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: THE SACRED CIRCLE TAROT (aggressively trimmed)
Daily Self Kindness

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

Run Away, or Stay

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The @GlitterbyInk #FebYOUary26 Moments & Memories Challenge
Prompt for February 17th : Forgive
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

The Medieval Scapini Tarot - Six of Swords

Today’s draw is the Six of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of leaving the past in the past, moving on, letting go in order to welcome in something better, and transitions towards something better.

Walking away isn’t always the answer. Sometimes the work has to be done staying right where you’re at.

It can be really easy to get into the habit of running away from one’s problems. And to be fair, sometimes that is the best answer (as recently discussed in the card of the day pull on the 14th).

The problem is that that when it becomes a habit that we repeat again and again, we end up running away from our problems not because it’s the best answer, but because it appears to be the easiest answer or the least scary solution.

The thing is, though, that that isn’t always the best answer. Easy isn’t always our best choice. Take the imagery on this card, for example. The man has clearly fallen off his horse; is the answer to kill the horse? No. It’s to pick your ass up off the ground and try again, or perhaps give the horse some more training so that you don’t end up in the same situation again… you know, if it wasn’t user error in the first place, that is.

The message in today’s Six of Swords combined with the “forgive” prompt is a reminder that we have to stay and fight for the things that we want sometimes. Yes, there are untenable situations where walking away is the only option available. This is especially true in abusive situations or situations that are unhealthy for us. There are just as many situations, though, where staying to forgive and work things out can be the better choice… especially if both sides are willing to put in the effort.

DECKS USED: THE MEDIEVAL SCAPINI TAROT

@ambitiouslyalexa’s February Journal Prompts
Prompt for February 17th

Tarot Reading with the Soprafino Dellarocca and the Love Oracle of Eden

What I’m learning to trust myself about

Four of Cups atop Four of Wands; Openness – When it’s time to reach out and connect with others, and when it’s time to spend time relaxing alone. A lot of this has to do with learning how to understand when it’s safe and comfortable to be open with others, and understanding when it’s better to keep to yourself and take a breath.

It used to be that you spent all of your time closed off, and even those close to you weren’t allowed to really be all that close. Over time you’re learning how to allow yourself to be open more and discern when it’s better to step back for a bit.

How I can better connect with that trust

Seven of Coins and Explore – You learned to trust by doing. The more experience you gain through exploration and experience, the more you are able to trust yourself to identify the healthy path for you in the moment when making these types of decisions.

Other elements included in this reading:
Gneiss Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Mookaite for Help with Weighing One’s Options
Carved Rhyolite Leaf for Facilitating Calm Transitions
Green Aventurine for Harmony and Balance of the Heart
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: SOPRAFINO DELLAROCCA AND LOVE ORACLE OF EDEN

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2026 Challenge
Prompt for February 17th : Something to look forward to.

Tarot Reading with The Medieval Scapini Tarot

Reading Summary – You may always be an introvert (the man’s arms are crossed in the Three of Coins, and that he’s looking decidedly grumpy), but there’s a lot to be said for the time you spend with others both in work (Three of Coins) and play (Three of Cups); not to mention the inspiration that they provide you through their presence in your life… and the inspiration that you provide them in turn (Queen of Wands).

Take Away – Stop automatically dreading social time with others. By anticipating it won’t be enjoyable, you put a pall over the experience. It tinges your time spent with others.

You could be enjoying this time more by letting go of your resistance and expectations. Even more so if you put an effort into looking forward to these times with others.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: THE MEDIEVAL SCAPINI TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

Two words… Häagen-Dazs 😋

Building Wisdom

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Today’s meditation was a twelve minute long self-directed session that used the quiet tick of the ceiling fan as a focus.

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The @GlitterbyInk #FebYOUary26 Moments & Memories Challenge
Prompt for February 16th : Wisdom
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

The Little Light Tarot - Temperance

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.

There’s truth in the adage that “only fools rush in”. They wrote a whole song about it, in fact (although I’m pretty sure that song is about love in particular). That’s because wisdom takes a modicum of moderation. After all, it takes time to think things through and weigh the different aspects and choices involved in a situation.

When we just rush forward to solve something, we don’t give ourselves time to weigh all the aspects involved and choices that are available to us. We’re just reacting.

The message in today’s Temperance card and the “wisdom” prompt is a reminder that wisdom comes from growth. It’s not fast, and the situations requiring wisdom are not the sort of things that you can instantly resolve or immediately fix. True wisdom takes growth through contemplation, and contemplation takes time.

DECKS USED: THE LITTLE LIGHT TAROT

@ambitiouslyalexa’s February Journal Prompts
Prompt for February 16th

Tarot Reading with the Modern Hue Tarot and FATUM GM Oracle

How I handle disappointment

Sea atop Kill Someone; The Emperor – You handle disappointment with emotional turmoil that has the tendency to turn into something that hurts others and damages relationships.

The bigger the repercussion that come in the aftermath of these moments demonstrates to you the level of emotional reaction you had to the disappointment you were experiencing.

This is often how relationships end for you, and how people end up unceremoniously cut out of your life. You reach the end of your rope, you tell them about themselves, then remove them from your life without further consultation.

There are a lot of stages, steps, and second chances that lead up to this, but this describes the last rattling breath of life in a relationship with someone that manages to disappoint you to the point of letting go.

How I can better handle disappointment

Ally Help atop Construction; Two of Wands – Instead of living purely in the present moment of the disappointment in the emotions it has elicited, consult on the situation with others that you trust to have your best interests at heart, and have them help you to incorporate into your response where you want things to go. Their council can help you in building better responses to disappointment that can then turn into healthier habits in this area over time.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Foraged Acorns for Protection during New Beginnings
Mookaite for Help with Weighing One’s Options
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: MODERN HUE TAROT AND FATUM GM ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2026 Challenge
Prompt for February 16th : What do you need to focus on for self-care for this month’s new moon?

Tarot Reading with The Little Light Tarot

Reading Summary – Make decisions (Two of Swords) to lead yourself towards (figure in Two of Swords is looking towards the right/future and Ten of Cups) what makes you happy (Ten of Cups), and then go for it. No hesitation (Eight of Wands).

Take Away – Stop hesitating to act when you identify something that has the potential to make you happy. This isn’t about your aspirations toward stability or your dedication to your responsibilities.

It’s about joy, happiness, and enjoying things just because you enjoy them or like them. Stop putting these things off in deference to all those other things you need to do.

Your happiness is important and should belong in the “needs” category, instead of a “want” that can be continually shoved off and ignored for other things.

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
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE LITTLE LIGHT TAROT

Crossroads Daily Topic Question for February 15, 2026
Topic: Shadow Work

Tarot Reading with the Modern Hue Tarot

What is a lie you tell yourself?

The Chariot and Strength – Telling yourself that powering through obstacles and setbacks with determination and a hard focus on your goals, which causes you ignore your needs in order to get to where you’re going, makes you stronger.

How is it holding you back?

Empress and Seven of Wands – This behavior puts your needs in the back seat (or trunk, for that matter), which causes you to be unable to reach for the self-nurturing you need when you need it.

As a result, neglect becomes a pattern that breaks you down over time, as you’re too busy seeing these needs as another obstacle in your way that has to be battled and overcome.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Red Maple Leaf for Adaptability and Connection
Bird Figurine for Fostering Hope, Positivity, and Renewal
Gneiss Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: MODERN HUE TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I did a little research into Matrix/Element… but might have allowed myself to sort of (at least for now) give up when it became confusing.

Not Just Words

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Today’s meditation was a ten minute long self-guided session visualizing a college-ruled notebook flipping through blank pages.

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The @GlitterbyInk #FebYOUary26 Moments & Memories Challenge
Prompt for February 15th : Becoming
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Tezuka Tarot - King of Swords

Today’s draw is the King of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a projective “alpha” energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s thoughts, intellect, education, ambitions, and communication. This often translates into themes that have to do with someone that has a way with words and is able to use those skills to lead others to their way of thinking, as well as those that are in authority on intellectual topics such as professors, doctors, etc.

Take care how deep you cut with your words.

An important part of being a good leader is taking responsibility for the care of those under your stewardship. Too often, constructive criticism and moments of impatience can turn into abuse if you aren’t careful with what you say and how you say it.

Communicating from a place of authority can be tricky. The message in today’s King of Swords and the “becoming” card is a reminder that to become a good leader and sustain positive partnerships, it’s important to watch your tongue.

Words aren’t just words. Words hurt. It’s up to the one in the power position to not just recognize that, but also take care that the words they use, and the tone they deliver them in, don’t slip into unhealthy communication that could be harmful to others.

DECKS USED: TEZUKA TAROT

@ambitiouslyalexa’s February Journal Prompts
Prompt for February 15th

Tarot Reading with the Raincoast Tarot Borderless Edition

What I want love to feel like

Five of Cups Rx, Knight of Pentacles, Page of Cups – You have a tendency to want (and occasionally even expect) love to feel hopeful and encouraging, slow and stable, with a spark of imagination. A safe place to feel your emotions and share them with others where they (and you) will be supported.

What love actually feels like

Page of Pentacles and Page of Wands – Because our lives are constantly changing, so is love. This means we are always learning and always adapting where love is concerned.

Love is a continuous learning journey where you are blindfolded and then asked to pick out where stability lies and what will make you happy. This “beginners mind” type of mentality means that it’s a journey of discovery… every single day.

Take Away : I don’t feel like these two aspects (between what it feels like and what it is) are mutually exclusive. What I was expecting when I was pulling the cards was that I would get some sort of a contrast between the two perspectives. Instead, it’s more like one expands upon the other.

Other elements included in this reading:
Holy Leaves for fostering Strength, Endurance, and Boundaries
Orange Aventurine Leaves for Pause and Reflection
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: RAINCOAST TAROT BORDERLESS EDITION

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2026 Challenge
Prompt for February 15th : Do Spread 2
@de_tarotjuf’s Love Is All We Need Challenge
#detarotjuffebruaritarotchallenge
Prompt for February 15th : What shadow side of myself can emerge in relationships, and should I be mindful of it?

Tarot Reading with the Tezuka Tarot

Reading Summary – The figure in the Seven of Swords appears to be looking up at the harlequin in the Anchor Card and her jackals, the wink speaking of being in cahoots with each other.

The figure in the Anchor Card and the figure in the Queen of Cups appear to be displaying a polar opposite. Sort of like looking in a mirror or a reflection in a pond to see yourself as someone else entirely.

The laughing jackals in the Anchor Card and the animal in the Nine of Swords all have their mouths open, indicating the yapping of fears in one’s ear until you can’t hear anything else.

There’s a lot of laughter in the Anchor Card (imbalanced as it is). The combination of that manic laughter combined with the Nine of Swords speak of fears, anxieties, and inappropriate reactions. Then joined by the Seven of Swords, there’s a message here about the theft of one’s emotional stability when fear gets involved.

Take Away – You have an emotional imbalance. It’s not just that you’re sad sometimes or struggle to experience joy. It’s not just that you’re an emotional person on the inside where you try to hide it (out of fear) from others. Rather, it is a clinical condition that makes it hard for you to invest yourself as much as you or your partner would like during times when that imbalance is at its greatest.

Yes, this is absolutely something with which to be aware of (note the Queen of Cups listening to the shell), as well as something to share with your partner. This way the two of you can be on tap with what is going on, and understand that the fluctuations in your attention are not due to lack of interest, but simply a part of your (sometimes clinical level) imbalance.

In other words, your mental health challenges are the shadow in question here. They can steal your joy and diminish your attention from time to time, as well as your capacity to feel pleasure and joy. As a result, they can and do have an influence on your relationship. Both of you being aware of this issue allows you to both work at mitigating the negative influences these challenges can create in your relationship.

Other elements included in this reading:
Deodar Cedar Ceramic Impression for Clarity and Spiritual Connection
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others

DECKS USED: GALLERY IN A BOX UNMENTIONABLES AND TEZUKA TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I didn’t fill my afternoon with another shift of work today, but instead took the afternoon off.

❤️ 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.

(Yes, I had to choose PINK for Valentines Day.)

Self Care Saturday Tarot Reading with The Lovely Omens Tarot and Lilac Lenormand

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

Earth – King of Cups – Your emotional stability lies within the company you keep this week. Make sure that you are getting enough time with Gideon to keep yourself on an even keel, and allow those you trust with your emotions to step to lend a little extra support to keep everything feeling on an even keel.

Air – Two of Swords – Some important decision-making is coming up in the week ahead. Make sure that you don’t jump the gun when the time comes, but instead take the time needed to linger and think over things before making a final decision. A little extra time to make sure you’re making the right choice isn’t going to hurt anything.

Water – Four of Wands – Savor the people and places in your life that feel like “home” to you. Like spending time with Gideon as mentioned in the “Earth” position of this reading, putting a bit of extra focus into savoring these people in your life is going to help you to find greater stability in your emotional well-being.

Fire – Eight of Swords – Sometimes when you are feeling overwhelmed or emotional, you like to bury your head in the sand and retreat. Make sure you don’t do this right now, or you may end up missing something important that you really need to know. You don’t have to act or interact right now, but make sure you’re at least paying attention so that you can take action later.

Waning – Tower and Star – No matter how much it feels like it might be, solitude is not your friend this week. Don’t hold yourself apart and think everything will be okay if you just hide and let things pass on by. Retreating is not the answer.

Waxing – Clover and Grave – Find hope in the void left behind by letting go of something that felt important to you. There’s a boon in freeing up space in your life. Make sure you’re not taking that boon for granted.

Take Away – You may spend most of this week feeling tender and emotional. You are going to need the presence of others in your life to help lift you up and keep you from slipping into solitude and unhealthy stagnancy. Make sure they know you need the help this week, and ask them to help you find the boon in letting go of those things that are no longer sustainable.

DECKS USED: THE LOVELY OMENS TAROT AND LILAC LENORMAND

When to Walk Away

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Today’s meditation was an eleven minute long #DailyTrip session from the @Calm app.

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The @GlitterbyInk #FebYOUary26 Moments & Memories Challenge
Prompt for February 14th : Release
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Kanji Tarot - Eight of Cups

Today’s draw is the Eight of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of withdrawal, abandonment, or letting go of things, situations, or people in your life that are just not working out for you emotionally.

Look at the rejection in the moon’s facial expression. The card couldn’t have said “I’m done with this shit” any better if it wrote the words out on the card.

Everyone has that line in the sand. Some reach it far faster and easier than others, but all of us have it. That line where things are just too much. Our emotions have been so invested, and we come to the realization it’s not working out, and have to say “fuck it” and walk away.

It boils down to boundaries. Boundaries give us the ability to walk away when we need to, sometimes even if we don’t -want- to. Because if we don’t? Then they learn that they can walk all over your boundaries and treat you however they want.

The message in today’s Eight of Cups and “release” prompt is a reminder that sometimes we have to walk away even when we don’t want to. If it’s not working, it’s not working. Let go and find something better suited… or someone who will respect you and your boundaries instead of constantly pushing them, challenging them, and sweeping them under the rug.

DECKS USED: KANJI TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsFeb2026 Challenge
Prompt for February 12th and 13th

Tarot Reading with the Macalon Tarot and Golden Age of Romance Comics Oracle

Where you need a little extra support at this time.

Knight of Cups and New Beginnings – You are struggling to find direction, which includes struggling with even identifying what you want in the first place. This is leaving you feeling both stuck and a bit listless at a time when new opportunities are on offer and choices need to be made.

Someone or something that can offer you the support you need.

Six of Cups and Protection – Look to those you have long standing relationships with and have proven themselves through their past actions.

J, in particular, fits this description. Consider discussing with him how you’re feeling, and see what nuggets of wisdom and/or support he might be able to offer to you.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Red Maple Leaf for Adaptability and Connection
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Clear Quartz for a boost of Intentional Energies

DECK USED: MACALON TAROT AND GOLDEN AGE OF ROMANCE COMICS ORACLE

@ambitiouslyalexa’s February Journal Prompts
Prompt for February 14th : A way I can soften my expectations

Tarot Reading with the Kanji Tarot

Reading Summary – Make the changes necessary (Death) to stop prioritizing those things that create overwhelm (Ten of Wands) above self-care and healthy choices (The Lovers).

Take Away – This is an echo of a previous reading I did recently… and, it’s honestly something I need to hear. Maybe hearing it a few times will help drill it into my head?

The thing is, our needs are not luxuries to be doled out as rewards. I have a tendency to treat them that way, pushing myself until I’m ready to break, then giving myself the bare minimum needed to ensure I can keep going.

I’ve gotten better about this over the past couple years or so, but I still have a long way to go in this area.

Other elements included in this reading:
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration, Clarity, and Determination
Gneiss Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: KANJI TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I took a nap in the car while J drove some of today.