Seeking Celebration

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

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Storybook Christmas Tarot - The Sun cardThe @GlitterbyInk #DecemberDays25 Beyond the Solstice Challenge
The Artisan Prompt for December 9
: Festive
Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

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

There’s always something to celebrate. Sometimes we don’t feel like it, and sometimes our negative inner narratives keep us from being able to see it… but there is always something to celebrate.

Today’s message from the Sun card combined with the “festive” prompt is a reminder to not sink so far into the negative self talk going on in your head that you forget to look for the good stuff all around you. Sometimes looking for these things takes more work than others times, but it’s there for you to find if you work at it. Not only that, but like so many other things in life, the more you work at it, the easier it becomes.

DECK USED:  STORYBOOK CHRISTMAS TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsDec2025 Challenge
Prompts for December 8th and 9th

Tarot Reading with The Mystic Gnome TarotWhere could you direct your focus this week to be more understanding?

Nine of Swords Rx and Ten of Pentacles – In a repeat of the message in the card of the day pulled for today, these cards are a reminder not to listen to the negative inner voices telling you about everything that’s wrong and everything you’re doing wrong, that you’re not enough, or everyone else is stupid, etc.

Instead, look at those things that you are being given the opportunity to celebrate and where abundance lies in your life. When anxieties and depression are are weighing you down, it can be hard to find and appreciate these positive things in your life, but they’re still there. You just have to look for them and take a moment to appreciate them. Don’t disregard them to listen to that negative inner voice instead.

When harsh judgments and fear lead thoughts are pushed to the back, it allows you to be more open and understanding, both to yourself as well as other others.

What can you do to feel more fulfilled in your day-to-day life?

Five of Swords Rx and Knight of Wands Rx – Stop looking at everything you do as a battle that you have to run into full speed ahead. Yes, some difficult things in life do feel that way. You don’t have to turn everything you do into that kind of a dynamic, though.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Acorns for Protection during New Beginnings
Foraged Lodgepole Pine for Resilience, Growth, and Renewal

Rainforest Rhyolite for Facilitating Calm Transitions
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE MYSTIC GNOME TAROT

@Lionharts #TheDecemberTarot Fruits of 2025 Challenge
The Wheel / Transition Prompts for December 7th thru 10th

Tarot Reading with the Storybook Christmas TarotWhat is ready to move the moment I stop resisting?

Six of Candy Canes (Wands) atop Five of Icicles (Swords) – A lot of the times when you people please you are participating in a self-defeating cycle. Although you aren’t a people pleaser for everyone and everyone, you are for a select few. When you let go of this need to please them, you will better be able to give yourself what you need.

What cycle is closing with or without my permission?

Six of Icicles (Swords) – If you don’t start moving on your own concerning those things that it’s time to let go of, life is going to rip them from your grip instead.

What timing can I trust instead of trying to control?

The Moon – When feelings of uncertainty rise up, instead of jumping into action right away, take a pause and see if it will work itself out instead. You can always step in once you’re sure that your hand in things is needed, instead of jumping in from the start.

What change has already begun beneath the surface?

The High Priestess – Your intuition is already working to try and balance out your need to please others and your own personal needs that you’re not fulfilling. You merely need listen a little more closely.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Die-cut Fox Figure for Strategic Thinking and Clarity
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration and Clarity
Gneiss Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  STORYBOOK CHRISTMAS TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took a nap to recharge today after finishing up some spellwork done as part of a holiday gift.

Finding the Positive for December 4 – 5

The Storybook Christmas Tarot, The Christmas Tarot, and Christmas Affirmation Cards

December 4 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The @GlitterbyInk #DecembersChild24 Challenge
Healing the Inner Child Prompt for December 4th
: Wonder

Today’s card is the Lovers card combined with the affirmation “You make Christmas feel like a warm and cozy hug.”

This affirmation card triggers a specific memory for me.  Last year (I think it was last year?) Gideon gifted my sister with a weighted axolotl plushy, which she absolutely loves.  Because the ends of it’s long arms are weighted, she says when she snuggles with it she can wrap its arms around her, and it feels like a real hug. I also have a weighted plushy from him (a fox) that I snuggle with often, because it’s size and weight makes it feel somehow… more substantial than a pillow or regular stuffie. Mutually, when we snuggle with these plushies, we feel a miraculous kind of release and easing in our chests and solar plexus.

Which brings us to the message in today’s cards and the wonder prompt for today.  For when we find things that make us feel good and soothe us on the inside, it feels like a kind of magic. Something wonderful to wallow in for a moment, and return to again and again.

In life, there are times when we need that connection. Not so much to a person, but to that feeling of peace and soothing. Today’s cards are a reminder to return to what helps us in connecting with that feeling.  It’s important to untie the knots inside now and then, especially when stress in life is high.  Doing so is a healthy choice, and a kindness.  An act of self love that we all need from time to time.

DECK USED: THE STORYBOOK CHRISTMAS TAROT AND SELF-MADE CHRISTMAS AFFIRMATION CARDS

December 5 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The @GlitterbyInk #DecembersChild24 Challenge
Healing the Inner Child Prompt for December 5th
: Healing

Today’s card is the Four of Wands combined with the affirmation “Tis the season to be jolly. Fuck jolly.”

A few days ago, I had a COTD that encouraged seeking out the magic in the holiday season, even when it’s not your favorite part of the year.  Today’s card is a reminder that sometimes it’s okay to retreat when you need to… even when others hold expectations over you to not do so.

Healing takes time, and isn’t always convenient. Whether you find refuge in being home alone, or refuge in the embrace of family or friends… the cards for today are encouraging us that it’s okay to give yourself what we need. If that means celebrating?  Then celebrate.  If that means retreating and being a Grumpus over the holiday season?  That’s perfectly okay too.  The key is that whatever you choose, it is a healing process, and not just letting old wounds fester.

DECK USED: THE CHRISTMAS TAROT AND SELF-MADE CHRISTMAS AFFIRMATION CARDS
Note: This particular affirmation card was made from a Christmas Card gifted to me. I don’t know the artist’s name as it wasn’t on the card.

Weekly Creativity Prompt – King of Pentacles

Prompt: “Pull the King of Pentacles card from your deck(s). Compare the imagery between the card provided below and the card(s) from your own deck(s). How would you read them differently and why?

King of Pentacles - Tarot of the Hidden RealmTarot of the Hidden Realm – The man in this card reminds me of Santa, which isn’t really at all out of character for the King of Pentacles. The imagery says to me that it’s okay to take comfort in those that make you feel safe and stable. Security is important, and spending time with those that help you in feeling secure is a valuable thing. It’s something to savor and cherish and enjoy while you can.

King of Pentacles in the Storybook Christmas Tarot, Christmas Cheer Tarot, and Xmas Elf Tarot

Storybook Christmas Tarot – You know that saying “Come to the Dark Side, we have Cookies”?  That’s where this card takes me, although it isn’t so much the “dark side” as it is a recommendation to follow in the footsteps of those that have shown they have the skill and acumen to build a stable foundation and surround themselves in wealth.

Christmas Cheer Tarot – You know what is of value, how to obtain it and how to enjoy it. You know it’s worth, and will neither squander it, nor hoard it to yourself. Instead, share it with others, allow them to see the fruits of your labors, and use this to inspire them to follow your lead.

Xmas Elf Tarot – This elf seems just a bit cranky with his tight fist grip and upturned nose. The card appears to me to be a reminder that there’s a difference between stability and hoarding, and that can sometimes be a very fine line.  This card reminds us to turn over a new leaf in how we see wealth (the snow drops in the foreground), and asks us to examine more closely what we perceive as stability and security.

DECKS USED:  TAROT OF THE HIDDEN REALM, STORYBOOK CHRISTMAS TAROT, CHRISTMAS CHEER TAROT, XMAS ELF TAROT

Finding the Positive for December 16 – 18

Christmas Storybook Tarot, Xmas Elf Tarot, Christmas Tale Tarot, and Christmas Affirmation Cards

December 16

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Nine of Cups – “Your kindness is the best present anyone could receive.” Strum up within you a wellspring of good cheer.  Sometimes it takes time by yourself to look over all that you’re grateful for and happy about, but we can’t sit there and wallow in all that goodness all by ourselves forever.  Make sure that you take that time… and then step out to share your happiness with others.  Let them know how you feel about them, and how grateful you are to have them in your life.

DECK USED: STORYBOOK CHRISTMAS TAROT AND CHRISTMAS AFFIRMATION CARDS

December 17

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Ten of Wands – “Self-care the crap out of yourself and you’ll get through this just fine.”  It can be hard when you’re feeling overwhelmed to make sure you are prioritizing your needs. Right now with everything so chaotic and busy, this is even more the case.  Today’s cards are a reminder that you -are- in fact overwhelmed, and need to give yourself a bit of self care and understanding.  In doing so, you bolster your energy, your resilience, and your mental health…. which allows you to keep going.

The finish line isn’t that far now.  You’re almost there.  Give yourself what you need in order to make the last leg of the journey.

DECK USED: XMAS ELF TAROT AND CHRISTMAS AFFIRMATION CARDS

December 18

Today’s meditation was skipped.

Queen of Cups – “You need to give yourself time to heal, no matter how long that ends up being.”  When scheduling your time off, do the self-kindness of making sure to give yourself a bit of extra time.  An extra thirty minutes at the coffee shop, an extra half hour early to bed or late to rise… an extra few days tacked on to the time off over Christmas.  Don’t cut it short out of the sense of responsibility you use to beat yourself into submission whenever you are tempted to “act out of line”.   Do something different and let yourself have that bit of extra time instead.

DECK USED: CHRISTMAS TALE TAROT AND CHRISTMAS AFFIRMATION CARDS