self help with tarot cards

The Challenge of Easing Up

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, self-directed, and based upon the graphic by @twinkling.toad shown below and its words “If being hard on yourself worked… it would have worked by now.”

•    •    •    ◈    •    🐇    •    ◈    •    •    •

Neo Tarot's Eight of PentaclesToday’s draw is the Eight of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of hard work, expertise through practice, honing a skill, quality craftsmanship, handicrafts, and manifestations through skill and hard work. The card is often  the embodiment of the “practice makes perfect” adage.

I am spectacular at self-degradation and abuse. It’s a skill that was developed early, practiced often, and grown over a lifetime of practice and reinforcement.

These days I’m working on some new skills. Skills geared toward self-kindness and appreciation. I’m not going to lie… it’s hard going. But maybe, if I put as any years of effort into it as were put into self-recriminations and cruelty, I will become just as skilled at this new path as I have become at the old one.

Because, that old path? It’s just not working for me anymore. I came to that understanding a few years ago, and realized it was time to start breaking those long-ingrained habits, and to replace them with healthier ones.

What long ingrained unhealthy habits are you holding onto that aren’t working for you? Today’s card and meditation prompt ask if it isn’t time to start working on changing them into something healthier.

DECK USED:  NEO TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2025 Challenge
Prompt for April 21st, 22nd, 24th, and 25th :

Oracle Reading with the Human Spirit OracleWhat difficult truth do you need to acknowledge?

Baby I’m a Star – You are far more capable (and interesting) than you realize. It’s difficult to set that ingrained modesty aside, but others can see you shine even when you cannot.

How can you accept this truth more fully?

Master of Destiny – Look at all you have accomplished and acknowledge that you have the skills, experience, and thirst for knowledge needed to tackle any obstacle that may come your way.

What illusion is clouding your perception?

Bound for Boundaries – Your boundaries are are being tinkered with more than you realize, and therefore not as stable as you think. Take care not to allow little everyday things to stretch your boundaries even in small ways right now, because bit by bit they’ll end up stretched out of shape if you do.

How can you break free of this illusion?

Any Way (the Wind Blows) – Be flexible, but only within the scope of what feels right for you. Don’t ignore your niggles of discomfort, for they are telling you something you need to hear.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Mugo Pine Cone for Resilience and Longevity
Pressed Pansy Flower for for Hearing the Heart More Clearly
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: HUMAN SPIRIT ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I took time to actually make a grocery list instead of just “winging it” as I have been doing lately, which always ends up with me forgetting something.

Movement Needed

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🐇    •    ◈    •    •    •

Once Upon a Time Cards, and Dawn of Dreams Tarot - Two of CoinsToday’s draw is the Two of Coins, which is traditionally a representation of juggling responsibilities, work/life balance, and prioritization.

There is always movement in the Two of Coins (Pentacles), no matter the tarot system you use. (This particular card is of the Marseille variety.) This is because balance isn’t stagnant, but a constant shift of adjustments.

Sometimes we forget that balance doesn’t always apply just to the physical world it’s not all about work/life balance, or the things that we do and don’t do in our lives. It’s also about thoughts, intentions, and emotions.

When we try to balance these things out, whether through efforts toward optimism to balance out natural pessimistic inclinations, or instilling more kindness and understanding to balance out our self-judgements, it’s important to remember that what works today may be either too much or not enough tomorrow.

We all have a storyteller in our heads that likes to speak to us of our shortcomings and spill out “what if” scenarios with worrisome endings. Instead of sticking to a rigid plan or practice, we need to be able to adapt foster that balance as the storyteller in our head adapts to try and upset it. In this way, movement becomes a dance so that the balance can be maintained.

DECK USED:  DAWN OF DREAMS TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2025 Challenge
Prompts for April 17th thru 19th:

Oracle Reading with the Spirit Animals Message CardsWhat in life weighs you down?

Echidna – One of the things that weighs you down in life is the assumption that just because you need to remain vigilant and cautious for your safety means that you can’t be adventurous and explore new ideas. Stagnancy is not the protection that your fears and emotions tell you it is. Instead of trying to resist change and developments, work at adapting to them.

What in life lifts you up?

Rabbit – you are uplifted by your creativity and the ability to be inspired by new ideas at the drop of a hat. This is a sign of an agile mind and a healthy creative spark, and you need to make sure that you are remaining flexible to the world around you so that you can foster these qualities within yourself.

In what aspect of life do you need a new perspective?

Condor – Holding grudges gives people space in your mind and emotions rent free. Look at those that you continue to hold resentment towards and consider letting go. In purging these emotions and resentments, you can then allow yourself to move forward with a much healthier inner space.

What would this new perspective look like?

Mouse – This new perspective would allow you to turn your attention to a more mindful outward view as your inner space would feel more comfortable and less defensive. This in turn opens you up to a wider range of perceptions around you.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Cedar Heart with Feather Moss Sprout for Protection of Understanding
Citrine for Energy Lift (easing the weight of heavy energies)
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: SPIRIT ANIMALS MESSAGE CARDS

Daily Self Kindness

I shared with Gid my concerns of a new stalker development that I’ve been worrying over last night, and today, I made sure to put some thought into his responses and concerns. I also did a few precautionary activities to make sure this person will find it harder to find my exact location.

Emotional Intelligence and Growth

/ Twist the Leaf / 1 Comment

Today’s meditation was eleven minutes long, and was one of the #DailyCalm sessions from the @Calm app.

Today’s session was on the practice of observing one’s breath during meditation practice.  This is one of those things that I really struggle with during meditation.  As soon as I focus on my breath, I begin altering my breath.  I’m not sure why that is, but it’s not just during meditation but at any time.   I pay attention, and begin to breathe deeper, more even breaths.

This makes the practice of observing the breath without altering it nearly impossible for me, but I continue to try. One of the techniques mentioned in the meditation might work for me with a bit of practice, I think.  That is viewing the breath as the ocean waves lapping at the shore.  I’ll have to work with it a bit and see how it goes, but it felt like it might actually lead to some success.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🐇    •    ◈    •    •    •

The Chibi Tarot - Ace of CupsThe @GlitterbyInk #AprilFinds25 Challenge
Lost and Found Prompt for April 20 : Gratitude

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.

As someone that has spent a large portion of their life avoiding their emotions and burying those that couldn’t be avoided, I find getting in touch with them (now that I’m trying to treat my emotions in a more healthy way) often confusing and overwhelming.

I often find that I know I’m feeling something due to physiological responses, but have no idea what that something is or where it came from until Gideon sits me down to poke and prod at it and talk it through with me. During these discussions, when we finally hit the nail on the head, I feel a physiological sense of relief that I’ve begun to understand is my emotions finally being heard and seen. Validated as real.

This is how I’ve come to learn about my emotions, and my willing participating in this process is my efforts toward emotional growth and a greater sense of self-understanding.

Today’s card and prompt combo reminds me of this process, how grateful I am to be able to learn these things that I was so intent on neglecting for so long, and how grateful I am to have understanding participants in my life willing to help me in this journey.

The prompt and card today, therefore, are asking us to look at where each of us is beginning a new emotional journey, and to connect with a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the ability to explore ourselves in this way, and sometimes even bring others along with us on the journey.

DECK USED:  THE CHIBI TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2025 Challenge
Prompt for April : Do Spread 3

Dragon Scales Oracle Reading

You – Spiked Snatcher

Like a greedy dragon, you’re gobbling up everything you can grab that you think may be relevant or needed, regardless of its actual suitability.

Your Goal – Pine Drakes

A hoard that better represents the themes and aesthetics you connect with most strongly and truly enjoy.

What’s Holding You Back

Island Dragon – There is a very clear color coordination between the Spiked Snatcher (you) and the Island Dragon (the obstacle), speaking of a fundamental issue concerning how you’re going about things and the methods that you’re using.

Fomo is driving you to collect more than you really want.

Advice to overcome what’s holding you back.

Nano Drake – It’s time to start purging, but just a little bit at a time. Don’t go overboard.

Take Away – Well, little did I know that when I did this reading today, I would be doing a reading on my deck collection, but there it is. Although, I think this also could be applied to a couple of other places in my life as well, the deck collection being just the most glaring example.

Over the past year, I have been cutting back significantly in adding to my collection, but there’s still a good way as I can still go in this, and I could definitely be more proactive about purging those decks out of my collection that just aren’t suited to either my practice or my professional readings.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Bay Leaf for Protection From Negativity
Foraged Ponderosa Pine Needles for Resilience and Adaptability
Carnelian Agate for Inner Drive and Focusing On One’s Aspirations
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: DRAGON SCALES ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I feel like I didn’t really collect my thoughts well on the card of the day for today, but I let it go instead of futzing with it.

❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

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 Mystic Meg Tarot and Sweet Blossom Lenormand

Earth – Ten of Fire – Take special notice of your energy levels this week and make sure that you’re not overdoing it. You have a tendency to push in the area of work and finance, which ends up being a negative trade-off with your health and well-being when you become overwhelmed and burn out.

Air – Tower – Just because something isn’t going the way that you think it should or planned for doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. Stop catastrophizing and use that energy toward strategizing instead.

Water – Air King atop Star – Again, stop catastrophizing and start strategizing. This reiteration is a heavy stress on the need for this tactic right now. Falling into hopelessness and rumination just drags you down. If you put your sizeable focus and energy toward strategizing a way forward instead, you will avoid those messy pessimistic pitfalls.

Fire – Wheel of Fortune – Nothing lasts forever. Be ready for the shift that’s coming by not sticking your head in the sand. You are better able to ride things out with feet planted and your eyes on the horizon.

Waning – Rider and Snake – Movement is not your friend right now. Instead make sure you stand still, observe, and plan. Taking action at this time will only end up biting you in the ass.

Waxing – Key and Heart – Follow your heart and listen closely to what it has to say. Your heart and moral compass are the answer to this upcoming challenge.

Take Away – Clearly something you might perceive as disastrous is on the horizon this week, for this reading is all about schooling you in how to react when it arrives. The advice?  Stay calm and don’t let your negative inner narrative cause your emotions to go off kilter. Instead, analytically look for an acceptable path forward that feels right.

DECKS USED: MYSTIC MEG TAROT AND SWEET BLOSSOM LENORMAND

Finding the Positive for April 17 – 19

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

Card Captor Sakura Tarot's Wheel of Fortune, The Children of Ostara Tarot's Ten of Wands, Out of Hand Tarot's Three of Cups

April 17 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🐇    •    ◈    •    •    •

The @GlitterbyInk #AprilFinds25 Challenge
Lost and Found Prompt for April 17 : Courage

Today’s draw is the Wheel of Fortune, which is traditionally a representation of luck (both good and bad), changing circumstances, the ups and downs of life, and the cyclical nature of life and the world.

Courage doesn’t mean that we don’t feel fear. It means that we act accordingly to our values and moral compass despite being afraid.

This can be difficult when we are taken off guard by unanticipated setbacks and surprises. Sometimes these obstacles and unexpected events make us want to run or hide, burying one’s head in the sand until they pass.

Today’s card and prompt combination is a reminder that life is unpredictable and this fear is not just okay but perfectly natural… and that courage is in resisting the fight or flight response in order to stand strong in who we are and what we believe.

DECK USED: CARD CAPTOR SAKURA TAROT

April 18 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped. (Side note:  I really need to work on avoiding the sessions that point out the physical and psychological benefits that meditation provides. It appears to trigger my self-destructive tendencies, and this causes me to then react by avoiding meditation.)

•    •    •    ◈    •    🐇    •    ◈    •    •    •

The @GlitterbyInk #AprilFinds25 Challenge
Lost and Found Prompt for April 18 : Freedom

Today’s draw is the Ten of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of overwhelm, burnout, struggling under too much responsibility, and can indicate a need to do some prioritizing and delegation.

“Some battles may yet be worth winning, while others are not worth even beginning.” – Xia Hunt

…and isn’t it lovely that we have the freedom to choose what battles in life we choose to put out efforts into and those we don’t.

We can’t fight all the battles, explore all the projects, or take on all of the responsibilities. It’s up to us to execute our freedom of choice by choosing only those we deem most valuable, most important, or most interesting to pursue so that we don’t overwhelm ourselves by trying to pile too much on our plates at once.

Today’s card and prompt combination is a celebration of that freedom to choose, and a reminder that it’s there for you when you need it in order to allow you to avoid becoming overburdened or overwhelmed.

DECK USED: THE CHILDREN OF OSTARA TAROT

April 19 – Mental Health Card of the Day

The @GlitterbyInk #AprilFinds25 Challenge
Lost and Found Prompt for April 19 : Love

Today’s meditation was skipped.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🐇    •    ◈    •    •    •

Today’s draw is the Three of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of friendships, revelry, celebration, and collaboration between those that are linked or alike not just in mind but also in heart.

I am an introvert. This doesn’t mean that I’m particularly shy, scared of people, or even that I’m particularly uncomfortable around people in general. It simply means that I enjoy my own company far more than I do the company of others.  It means that I don’t particularly need social interaction, and thus I rarely seek it out.  In fact, most of the time I feel like I get too much social interaction, whereas I’m aware that an extrovert would feel like that same level of social interaction wouldn’t be nearly enough.

That’s where today’s card and prompt combo come in. It’s a reminder that for many… dare I say, for most, social interaction is an expression of love. It’s how they express their love for you, and how they feel that they receive love from you in turn.

Today’s message, therefore, is a reminder that even if social interaction with others isn’t really something you enjoy? Try to remember that participating is an expression of love that others easily understand and appreciate, and that them spending time with you is them telling you that they love you too.

DECK USED: OUT OF HAND TAROT

Smell the Roses

/ Twist the Leaf / Leave a comment

Today’s meditation was skipped.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🐇    •    ◈    •    •    •

Tarot Maregician - Knight of Diamonds, Knight of PentaclesThe @GlitterbyInk #AprilFinds25 Challenge
Lost and Found Prompt for April 16 : Beauty

Today’s draw is the Knight of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of an active, projective beta energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s finances, resources, health, home, labors, and manifestations. This often translates into a slow moving but determinedly forward moving energy, personality, or person that has their eye on the prize regardless of the slow and steady speed they may be moving at.

Move more slowly and smell the roses along the way. You’ll get where you’re going just fine at a slower pace. It doesn’t have to be a race to the finish line all the time.

The Knight of Pentacles with “beauty” as the prompt for today is a reminder that life is about the journey… not about the destination. That is why death lies at the end of life, so that we’ll take our time and enjoy getting there first.

So make sure that you are stopping along the way to “smell the roses” and dawdling on your journey in order to enjoy more of the beauty that life has to offer you.

DECK USED:  TAROT MAREGICIAN

#DiscordTarotholicsApr2025 Challenge
Philosophical Questions for April 16th and 23rd

Alfons Maria Mucha Oracle and Compos Mentis Tarot - The Hierophant and The EmpressWhat existed before our universe was created?

The Hierophant and Release Spirit – Death and destruction, followed by the need to start a new in an effort to not just direct life in a new direction, but with values and purpose.

These cards pose the idea that perhaps this universe was created (by whatever sentient process you wish to ascribe to it) in reaction to having done so before without providing “proper guidance”, and that this prior effort ended in destruction.

What is Divinity?

The Empress and Understand Limitations – Divinity, as defined with these cards, is ancient wisdom combined with the energy of nurturing creativity.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rosehips for Releasing Stress and Negativity
Foraged Red-Stemmed Feather Moss for Attentive Understanding
Ammonite for a Sense of Stability During Times of Change
Kambaba Jasper for a sense of Peace and Tranquility
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: COMPOS MENTIS TAROT AND ALFONS MARIA MUCHA ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

This is a catch-up post, which means I have no idea what my self-kindness was on this day.