Watch Closely and Listen

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

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Neptune Power Tarot - The Hanged ManThe @GlitterbyInk #JanJourney26 Embark to Renewal Challenge
The Departure Prompt for January 4th
: Balance
Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is The Hanged Man, which is traditionally a representation of taking a pause, considering alternate perspectives, relaxing into difficult situations, surrender, or letting go.

Keep your mouth closed and your eyes open.

You know that saying that if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all?  Here it is.  Look at those super sharp teeth, hm?   Not only are they intimidating as hell, but they can’t be all that easy to speak through, either.

This image screams that being watchful is important.  The creature doesn’t just peer out at us from its head, but has extra observation abilities through its hand as well, and in both cases those eyes are pointed outward and watching.

The message in today’s “balance” prompt and card is a reminder that when we talk too much, we forget to listen and watch.  We don’t learn as much when our mouth is active, so when a situation seems out of your depth, rather than trying to reason your way into balance… try watching and listening instead.

DECK USED:  NEPTUNE POWER TAROT

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 3 | Entry 17 – Family and Friends
Affirmation
: As I grow, I understand that my needs for companionship change.
Prompt : Making friends as you get older, can present different challenges from when you were younger. Reflecting on the card you draw, what is something you can do right now to welcome new friends or groups into your circle?

Tarot Activity from The One Card a Day Journal by Maria Sofia Marmanides - Elysium Art Tarot - The ChariotWhat feelings came up when I pulled this card?

I felt a slight “ugh, but I’m tired” slump, followed by the flash of a thought that “nobody is going to like that side of me”.

This caused me to realize that the advice I need to hear is not very often well received initially. There’s a moment of resistance that is almost always followed by me willfully forcing a softening and openness.

I wonder if there’s a way to create that openness before I pull the cards and skip the moment of opposition that seems to always come.

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

On reflection, the meaning of this card is often about will and aggressive advancement, but what it isn’t about is inflicting that willfulness and drive on others. The message portrayed by this card isn’t about how I approach others, but rather speaks on how I approach what I want.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

I personally find horses a bit terrifying. Beautiful, often majestic, and yet terrifying. (It’s a combination of their size and the hooves.) The image of the horse in this card, as a result, appears formidable. Placed with the sun in the background, the horse seems to be saying, “Be formidable, and success will be yours.”

My prompt response and reflections.

Keep in mind that the message is about your goal. This card isn’t saying “if you appear formidable to others, they will be drawn to you”. What it’s saying is that if you want more friends or a larger peer group, you need to put your significant will and drive into making that happen. You can’t just sit back on your laurels in the hope that good things will come, but get out there and actively pursue those good things.

DECK USED: ELYSIUM ART TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2026 Challenge
Prompt for January 4th
: Do Spread 1
Take a bit of time during this new year to reflect upon how others influence your life and how you influence theirs as well.

Tarot Reading with the Neptune Power Tarot

Their negative influence on you and your life.

The Hermit – Their treatment and behavior towards you caused you to turn inward in unhealthy ways and seek out solitude when it was self destructive instead of good for you.

Your negative influence on them and their life.

Ten of Cups – You heavily tarnished their vision of life satisfaction. You were, in effect, the fly in their ointment.

Their positive influence on you and your life.

Page of Swords – They taught you how to stand up for yourself, and how valuable expanding your mind (and being open minded) actually is.

Your positive influence on them and their life.

Four of Wands – Their home wouldn’t have been home without you in it.

Someone important in your life who has and/or had a lot of influence on you.

King of Swords – This reading is about my father. His judgements were harsh and often centered on his own closed-minded goals. His tongue was sharp and he had a tendency to be ruthless with what he saw as the truth. He had a clever and strategic mind that he often used to make sure things went the way he thought they should go, regardless of the wishes of others around him.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Picture Jasper for Sense of Proportion and Grounding

Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: NEPTUNE POWER TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took a pain pill. I hate taking them because they make me tired, stupid, and super sluggish. Some times there’s just no other good option, though.

The Tired Traveler

Today’s meditation was skipped, although I did have a nice long soak in the tub.

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Idiosyncradeck Tarot - Ten of Wands, Ten of ArrowsThe @GlitterbyInk #JanJourney26 Embark to Renewal Challenge
The Departure Prompt for January 1st
: Embark
Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

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

When you pack a bag to go on a hike or camping trip, you have to weigh what you need vs what you want, and what you’re willing to sacrifice to do the trip you want to do. If your pack is too heavy, you’ll tire too soon.  If your pack is too light? It means you probably left behind something that you’re going to need.

This is the case in life as well. Our responsibilities and obligations are weighted, and we carry that weight on our shoulders day in and day out.

The message in today’s card and “embark” prompt is a reminder that as you move forward into a new month… and a new year, to be mindful of how much you are choosing to carry. Don’t look at that burden through the eyes of a refreshed soul, but rather, through the eyes of the tired one you will at some point become. Discard now what is going to be too heavy then.  For healthy regulation, this is a system of weights and balances that need to be considered whenever we decide to take on something new, whether it’s a new month, a new year, a new project, or any other responsibility.

DECK USED:  IDIOSYNCRADECK MINI TAROT

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 1 | Entry 13 – Self Care and Personal Development
Affirmation
: I am always striving to better myself.
Prompt
: The Universe wants you to succeed. Look into the card you draw as a special message of what your highest self and “the powers that be” want you to know about yourself in this moment and ways you can improve.

Tarot Activity from The One Card a Day Journal by Maria Sofia Marmanides - Starlight Arcana Astral TarotWhat feelings came up when I pulled this card?

I admit, there was a slight eye roll and a sigh when I first pulled this card. I had a feeling that this was the card that would come up, as temperance and moderation are one of my biggest struggles. It’s the obvious answer.

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

As I said, moderation is not my strong suit. I have a tendency to push for more, whether because of past trauma that caused me to feel like neither I or anything I do is never enough, or because my addictive tendencies keep me striving for that next hit of dopamine. Either way, that drive to push beyond the limits of what’s healthy is not easy for me to temper.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

The soldier in this card is ready, but at rest. His shield is at hand, his sword is unsheathed, and yet his posture is almost lackadaisical. It’s clear there’s no rush, and just as clear that he has no intention of taking on any more than he has to.

My prompt response and reflections.

Soldiers have a very clearly defined job. They are expected to do exactly what they are trained to do, nothing more and nothing less. They train for that specific job, they wait for orders related to that specific job, they obey orders pertaining to that job. They aren’t running around doing extraneous jobs, making decisions unrelated to their purpose, or stepping on the toes of the higher ups. They stay in their lane with measured precision.

The soldier in this card is essentially doing just that; staying in their lane. This cards advice is that you remember to do the same. Don’t take on what isn’t yours to handle.

DECK USED: STARLIGHT ARCANA ASTRAL TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2026 Challenge
Prompt for January 1st
: Do the First Quarter Spread

First Quarter Year Tarot Reading with the Starlight Arcana Astral Tarot, Idiosyncradeck Tarot, Amethyst Oracle, and Pawsitive Vibes Affirmation Cards

Year Ahead Theme : The Devil

The Devil card is traditionally a representation of temptation, struggles with moderation, harmful excesses, addiction, and self-harm. Temptation is not always bad for you, but neither is it always good. It’s through grounded and sound judgement that we are able to make healthy decisions when choosing what temptations we indulge in and which ones we leave behind.

Theme for January : Three of Cups

Enjoy your time with others this January. This is a time for building stronger connections with those around you, especially through an atmosphere of fun, play, and revelry whenever those qualities can be included in your time with them.

Focus / Advice for January : Lava Lamp

Go with the flow. Instead of trying to bend everything to your will, let go and allow things to flow around you organically. Be easy… or as easy as you can be.

Ray of Hope for January : “I look forward to new horizons with Hope and excitement.”

Remember that sometimes our most treasured adventures are the unexpected ones we didn’t even know were coming, let alone had time to plan out.

Theme for February : The Devil

Be aware of the temptations that rise up this month and where they are coming from. Not all of them are innocuous, and you need to take care to pay close attention instead of just doubling down on old habits and latent desires.

Focus / Advice for February : Nostalgia

Don’t let them back in just because you have a tendency to want to see the good in people. Good and bad are not mutually exclusive. Pay attention to why you cut them out in the first place, and whether what you’re seeing now is wishful thinking or not.

Ray of Hope for February : “I protect my mental space with strength and courage.”

Boundaries are important, and just as important is that you enforce them. Remember that your boundaries are there to protect your heath and well being.

Theme for March : Queen of Arrows (Wands)

Because you enjoy inspiring others, there will always be a social aspect to your creative endeavors. This March is about sharing that inspiration, and helping others find it as well through sharing your own efforts with them.

Focus / Advice for March : Order

It might be challenging to stay organized while in the grip of inspiration. Creativity often breeds chaos, after all. Make sure you train your sights on not letting the chaos that’s intrinsic to creation get out of control.

Ray of Hope for March : “I stand firm in my beliefs and values.”

The social aspect of this means that you are opening yourself up to other’s judgements. Keep in mind that they are entitled to their opinion, and that doesn’t mean you have to either share it or internalize it. Stand tall in your creative spark, and don’t allow naysayers the space to cast shadows.

DECKS USED: STARLIGHT ARCANA ASTRAL, IDIOSYNCRADECK MINI TAROT, AMETHYST ORACLE POCKET EDITION, PAWSITIVE VIBES AFFIRMATION CARDS

Daily Self Kindness

I had another very relaxing soak in the bath today. The bathtub here at Ms B’s really is the most comfortable tub I’ve ever been in.