tarot for self care

🌕 Full Moon & Lunar Eclipse in Pisces- August 2026

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Tomorrow is the full moon, and like all new moons and full moons, I did a spread aligned to the moon’s current themes as a part of my recognition of the moon’s cycle and influences upon us. Today’s spread is courtesy of @greenwitchcom on IG.

Full Moon and Lunar Eclipse Oracle Reading with The Listening Oracle Deck

What cycle is ending for me?

Don’t Fear the Outcome – You have spent a lot of time over the past year worrying about where things are going, and how to preserve what you have built. Instead of stressing so much about the future, do what you can in the moment and let the rest sort itself out later in its own time. There’s no need for you to have your hands in the pot making things more difficult than they have to be.

What illusion am I being asked to see through?

Chrysalis – Not all growth is visible or measurable, it is still valid though. Your need to “see results” in everything you do is holding you back from the growth possible to you at this time. Let go of the idea that everything you do has to have a purpose that pushes you closer to your goals. Pauses are also good progress.

What needs to be released?

Growth – So far all cards in this reading have pushed for you to let go of expectations, and work on understanding that your expectations aren’t just unrealistic but also unhealthy. It’s time to root out these expectations and release them in order to make room for healthier things to take their place.

What is trying to emerge?

Earth – A new form of stability is trying to emerge from your old unhealthy ideas of what that looks like. Letting go of the idea that stagnancy is a part of stability will allow a healthier version of stability to fit into the space the unhealthy version leaves behind.

What does my intuition already know?

Sadness – Sometimes emotions need riding out instead of fixing. They want to be heard and acknowledged, not buried and ignored.

Full Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.

Anxiety & Feeling – When your anxiety is out of control, it can cause your clairsentience to become hypersensitive. Don’t allow this extra sensitivity to close you off, as in doing so you are giving in to unhealthy past behaviors. Allow yourself to share with others what you’re feeling instead. Let them help you in shouldering the burden of your worries and fears.

Other elements included in this reading:
Goat Figure as Sympathetic Representation of Amalthea
Clear Quartz for boosting Mental Clarity
Honey Calcite for Optimism and Motivational Boost
Green Jasper and Caribbean Calcite Turtle for Calm within Progress

DECK USED: THE LISTENING ORACLE DECK

Ripples On the Water

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

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

Fairy Land Tarot's Justice Card and a card from The Oracle of the Soul Healing Messenger Cards

Today’s draw is the Justice card, which is traditionally a representation of balance, cause and effect, repercussions and consequences, give and take, and can often indicate the law or legal system.

The Justice card has then been combined with the Challenge card from The Oracle of the Soul Healing Messenger Cards, which says, “Being adaptable and flexible can help you respond better to challenges and take advantage of new opportunities.”

What goes up must come down. It’s the rule of our lives on this earthly plane not only in the area of physics, but in the cycles of life as well. There will be good times and bad times. There will be easier times and harder ones. As they say, the only true constancy in life is change.

Along that theme, it’s a natural part of life that our actions have consequences, and those consequences have consequences; like the ripples caused by dropping a stone in a lake, the consequences reach further than we realize, influencing far more than we know. In return other people’s consequences create ripples that influence us as well, and most of the time we don’t even realize it’s happening.

This constant shifting of elements, which is the nature of life itself, requires flexibility. We can’t always know exactly what the consequences to our actions will be. We need to be ready for there to be a surprise now and then. Nor can we know what the consequences of other people’s actions might have upon us from time to time, and we need to be ready to bend or adjust to those as well.

The message in today’s Justice card and affirmation is a reminder that stagnancy is not healthy and fighting against change helps no one. It’s far more healthier and more productive to pivot, adjust, and seek to guide changes in the direction we want them to go than it is to fight against them or brace for impact.

DECKS USED:  FAIRY LAND TAROT AND THE ORACLE OF THE SOUL HEALING MESSENGER CARDS

@lightningildflower‘s August Reflections Challenge
Prompts for August 23rd through 25th

Tarot Reading with the Fortunate Frogs Tarot and Flower Message Oracle Volume 2

Refinement – What detail needs my attention right now?

King of Lilypads and Kalanchoe

He appreciates the little things. Your love needs your attention. Not in the long visits and longer play sessions, but in the little moments when you check in just to check in, or send a picture of something you liked just because. These little morsels feed his heart and help him feel like all is right in the world.

Care – What small act of care would help me feel more grounded?

Four of Lilypads and Chinese Peony

Go easy on yourself. Stop playing the blame game with yourself as the scapegoat and piling burden after burden on your own shoulders. Reject unnecessary responsibilities to give yourself some time to just enjoy life instead.

Mercury enters Virgo – What mental clutter needs sorting?

Seven of Twigs and Climbing Rose –

You’ve done a lot of digital reorganizing lately. It would be good idea to have it written down somewhere what changes were made and why. Remember that even your struggles are valuable, and your memory isn’t that good all on its own.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Foraged Lodgepole Pine for Resilience, Growth, and Renewal
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Japanese Cherry Leaf as a Reminder of Life’s Fleeting Moments
Gray Agate Druzy Slab for Stabilizing Energies and Expectations
Calcite for Gently Calming the Mind and Stimulating Insights
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: FORTUNATE FROGS TAROT AND FLOWER MESSAGE ORACLE II

@note.project August Journal Prompts
Prompts for August 24th and 25th

Tarot Reading with the Fairy Land Tarot

Something I want to let go of before a new season begins

The Moon and Eight of Pentacles

I’m not sure if this is so much about letting go as it is about adjusting my approach and coping. There’s a lot of uncertainty in my artistic business right now, and it’s creating not just instability but a lot of stewing on the subject of directions and where I want to go from here.

Although letting go of all that uncertainty would be amazing, I’m not sure that’s possible. It -is- possible to reconsider how I react to and deal with those feelings of uncertainty, though.

A way I want to show up better for the people I love

The Sun and Queen of Swords

I want to be someone that helps those I love capture and enjoy the joy in their lives, not the naysayer that brings everyone down. There is a lighter and brighter side to the Queen of Swords that I can embody without losing my more grounded self in the process. A focus on these energies will help me better embody that spirit.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
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
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: FAIRY LAND TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I have made a concerted effort to go easy on myself today and not allow the negative self talk in my head to make me ill tempered and short with others.

The Pivot of Anxiety’s Voice

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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.

Questeros Tarot's Five of Pentacles and a card from the Pass Around the Smile Guided Affirmation Cards

Today’s draw is the Five of Pentacles (Orbs), 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 Orbs has then been combined with the Sensitivity card from the Pass Around the Smile Guided Affirmation Cards, which says, “ I embrace my feelings of sensitivity and know that I can protect myself from negative energy.”

Reminder! It’s okay to freak out now and then when things aren’t going the way that you think that they should be going. The key here is to make sure that you don’t fall into the negative thought patterns that turn a small or medium sized problem or hiccup into an end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it event.

Being sensitive gives our lives of depth and exposes us to an array of emotions that we avoid otherwise not have the opportunity to explore. In opening yourself up to being sensitive, though, there is also a trap waiting where anxiety can turn things from normal sensitivity into catastrophizing.

It’s such an easy slope to slide down too; suddenly some problem that may be peripheral, or maybe right in the center of things but isn’t particularly catastrophic, becomes the end-all of everything.

The message in today’s Five of Orbs and the Sensitivity card is a reminder to keep an eye on when agitation and anxiety begin to turn the tables for you, and that pivot begins to blow something out of proportion. By being aware of when anxiety begins to introduce negative influences into your emotions, you can help to circumvent these more extreme and chaotic reactions.

DECKS USED:  QUESTEROS TAROT

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 5 | Entry 2 – Health and Body
Affirmation : “I honor my mental well-being.”
Prompt : Under times of stress we all have certain coping mechanisms. Can you identify what yours are? What can the tarot show you about how helpful those strategies may or may not be to your mental health?”

Coping Mechanism : One of my biggest coping mechanisms during stress is to withdraw into myself and deaden my more vulnerable emotions.

Tarot Activity from The One Card a Day Journal by Maria Sofia Marmanides - Legend of Zelda Tarot - The Hanged Man card

What feelings came up when I pulled this card?

This card came out of the deck reversed, and while I don’t usually use reversal when working with the activities from this book, there are significance in the reversal in this instance.

Amusingly, I felt a sense of betrayal at the appearance of this card. I don’t usually get my favorite card in such a negative context as provided here in this reading. It’s a silly reaction, but then emotions are very rarely logical.

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

The Hanged Man card is about stepping back. It’s about distancing yourself from a situation in order to observe things from a different perspective.

While the defense mechanism mentioned above can absolutely be seen in this light, the fact that it was turned upside down indicates that while I am, in fact, distancing myself from the situation by stepping back emotionally… what’s missing is seeing the extra perspectives that should be picked up with this action.

Instead, with the card reversed, we see that in stepping back I am closing myself off instead of opening up. This means that I end up stuck with only my own perspective to circle around and around in my head and get mixed up with the negativity and anxieties that linger there, instead of seeking out more positive perspectives and outlooks that could be more helpful.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

The Hanged Man’s eyes are closed, at the same time the little furry gremlin on the ground at his head has its eyes wide open in an anxiety-like stare. Neither the Hanged Man’s close eyes nor the gremlins’ open ones seek any outside perspectives. Combined with the appearance of anxiety in the yellow eyes of the gremlin, this speaks of getting lost in one’s own perspectives and opinions, and allowing anxiety to hold sway rather than the seeking of alternate perspectives this card usually represents.

My prompt response and reflections.

The withdrawal and closing off defense mechanism may protect me from outside sources that could hurt my feelings or touch on my vulnerability, but it also closes me off with the most vicious monster of all which is my own mind and the negativity and pessimism that lie there. This negativity and pessimism is always ready to speak up and put a negative cast to anything and everything at the smallest provocation on a good day, let alone on a bad one where my anxiety then swing the door open wide for it to step in and make a mess.

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

DECK USED: LEGEND OF ZELDA TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2026 Challenge
Prompt for August : Do Spread 4
Focusing on the SPIRITUAL aspects of your life and growth this season

Tarot Reading with the Questeros Tarot - King of Cups, Six of Pentacles, Knight of Swords

Seeds Sown: What seeds for my spiritual health & growth planted in the Spring have flourished and grown strong?

King of Cups – You are connecting with and sharing more with Gideon. He is your “emotion guru”, often helping you to work through and sort out your feelings when they become overwhelming or confusing. Since the spring you have been working to open up more and withdraw less when things get emotional. In doing so, this helps you be less chaotic in your spiritual practices, for there is less stagnancy to work through.

The Chaff: What seeds have not flourished and need to be let go to encourage healthy growth in other areas?

Six of Pentacles Rx – All for one and one for all has not served you well. Remember that it is okay to lend your experience and formidable knowledge to others where able. Help them to grow and thrive through sharing what you have in abundance, instead of keeping your own council.

The Harvest: How can I best prepare now to reap the benefits of a positive and healthy harvest in the Fall?

Knight of Swords – Stay sharp and be ready to swoop in at a moments notice. Take care to think strategically, and not act on impulse.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Flower Agate for Opening the Mind to New Possibilities
Clear Quartz Point for boosting Mental Clarity and Focus
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: QUESTEROS TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I took a little time to just lie on the couch and space out. I can’t really call it meditation, but I needed a little silence and stillness, and was too scattered to manage an actual session.

❤️ 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 Oracle Reading with the Land Sky Oracle and Foxy Deck

Earth – Asmita – Breathe deep and let go of the blockages you feel building up inside you as you are confronted with difficulties this week. Not everything in life is pass-or-fail. Consider what the universe is trying to teach you in these experiences. For example, forcing you to outfit your account with admins is an inconvenience, but also allows you a chance to connect with others and examine your friendships and relationships in another light.

Air – Saucha – Focus on clarity and cleansing. Good mental health hygiene needs to be a priority right now, and increasing your diligence in this area is important when things become difficult or challenges arise.

Water – Ujjayi Pranayama – When you are feeling vulnerable, instead of listening to the negative self talk you have going on in your head, take a moment to pause, breathe, and remember your past accomplishments. Remind yourself of the survivor that you are and all the amazing things you are capable of.

Fire – Clear Quartz – Use the tools at your disposal to keep a clear and grounded view of what’s going on from one day to the next. No over-inflation from anxiety or doom-saying from your pessimistic tendencies allowed.

Waning – Two of Clubs and Eight of Diamonds – Sticking with what you know and being resistant to making plans would be a detriment this week. Be open to possibilities for future endeavors and opportunities to expand upon your skills and abilities instead of shutting down those options.

Waxing – Two of Diamonds and Eight of Spades – Take care not to ignore your limitations on how much you can take on and juggle. What doesn’t overwhelm you today could be the last straw tomorrow. Be vigilant in protecting your balance from ego’s enthusiasm and pride.

Take Away – Those inner narratives of negativity and pessimism are on the rise this week, and riding on their coattails is the influence of anxiety. Step up in your mental health care in order to cut these issues off at the ankles and keep them from coming in with unneeded chaos and uncertainty. Don’t bury yourself in work in an effort to hide, either, as that’s just going to cause more problems later on down the line.

DECKS USED: LAND SKY ORACLE AND THE FOXY DECK

Little Things and Pocket Change

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Today’s meditation was a fifteen minute long self-guided visualization session while listening to JW LoFi’s Fog track.

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

Ancestral Path Tarot's Sun card and a card from the Rethink 120 Learning Cards for Mindful Living

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.

The Sun card has then been combined with a Mindfulness Practices card from the Rethink 120 Learning Cards For Mindful Daily Life, which says, “Mindful Tea Ceremony: Mindfully brew, a cup of tea. Pay attention to the process of boiling the water, selecting the tea leaves, and steeping them. Sit down and savor each sip, noticing the aroma, flavors, and warmth. Engage your senses fully and embrace the moment of relaxation and nourishment. The goal is to create a ritual of presence and self-care, finding tranquility in the simple act of drinking tea.”

Not all goodness in life comes from career, success, or monetary rewards. Sometimes just spending time with another can create a sense of well-being, as can making a cup of tea.

The key in life’s celebrations and positive moments doesn’t lie in the accolades of others or the garnering of material goods. Instead, it lies in the mindfulness to acknowledge the good stuff… even the little stuff that’s good. In doing so you choose to brighten your day one nibble-sized piece at a time.

The message in today’s Sun card and Mindfulness Practice card is a reminder that like pocket change tossed in a jar, all the little good things begin to add up over time. As they do so, they change your perception of each day that passes into something a little brighter and lighter than before. These cards encourage us to take the time to be mindful of those small good things in our life instead of letting them pass us by unnoticed or ignored.

DECKS USED:  ANCESTRAL PATH TAROT AND RETHINK 120 LEARNING CARDS FOR MINDFUL DAILY LIFE

@note.project August Journal Prompts
Prompt for August 22nd and 23rd

Oracle Reading with the Life Design Cards

A choice that feels aligned with the person I want to be

Seek your inner wisdom

I don’t want to be someone who looks to others for validation, but neither do I want to be unfeeling to their opinions and perspectives.

Instead, I wish to tap into my intuition, inner moral compass, and gut instincts and allow them to have priority. Yet, at the same time, still listen to what others have to say with an open mind so that I see and understand their perspectives on the situation.

I want to know who I am, and be unshakable in that authenticity to the point where considering others perspectives, opinions, and ideas doesn’t change that sense of comfortable security, but broadens my horizons and understanding of the world around me and the people therein.

A relationship I want to nurture more intentionally

Make a plan and take action

I want to tap into the inspiration and motivation that creates action with a flavor of curiosity and interest, rather than approaching creativity with a feeling of reluctance and dissent.

Often it feels like I’m stuck in the mire of slow movement and stagnancy to the point where it sometimes seems like I’m not getting anywhere or doing anything at all. It’s hard to be mindful of one’s accomplishment during this time when it feels like nothing is getting done.

Writing down the things that I am doing helps to shut down that inner voice telling me that I’m doing nothing, but it does not inspire me with motivation and get me off my ass to change things up and do more. As a result, I would like to find a way to more deeply nurture my relationship with motivation, inspiration, and curiosity.

Other elements included in this reading:
Staghorn Sumac for Connecting with Nature and the Wild Within
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Moss Agate for Attracting Opportunities for Growth
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: LIFE DESIGN CARDS

@lightningwildflower‘s August Reflections Challenge
Sun enters Virgo
Prompt for August 22nd : How can I bring intention to my daily routines?

Tarot Reading with the Ancestral Path Tarot

Reading Summary: Don’t be tempted to run off with “a bunch of trinkets” you haven’t earned and that hold little meaning for you (The Devil atop Seven of Swords). That path only leads to more uncertainty (The Moon). Instead, seek out the things that make you truly happy (Nine of Cups), and share those things with others (Three of Cups).

Take Away: Hoarding things that hold very little sentimental value or meaning for you can easily take up a great deal of your time and attention if you let it. It’s important to remember that if something doesn’t bring you joy then there’s no point in having it. Nor is there much point in having it if all you’re going to do is stare at it and not share it with others or otherwise enjoy it.

The key to a greater sense of purpose and intention in your daily routines is to fill these routines with substance and meaning. If you’re just collecting stuff to do just for the sake of having stuff to do, but that stuff has no meaning to it, then of course there will be less intention within these routines. It is better to have less to do and more meaning, than it is to have more to do but less meaning.

Other elements included in this reading:
Japanese Cherry Leaf as a Reminder of Life’s Fleeting Moments
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
Norway Maple Key for Fostering Strength and Resilience
Calcite for Gently Calming the Mind and Stimulating Insights
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: ANCESTRAL PATH TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I ordered sushi at the place that never fails to always serve good sushi when we went out to dinner today.

Missing Flawed Trend

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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.

Erenberg Tarot's Eight of Swords and a card from the Art From the Heart Affirmation Cards

Today’s draw is the Eight of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of willful ignorance, self-imposed restrictions, turning a blind eye (especially when it can be harmful to self), and entertaining a victim mentality.

The Eight of Swords has then been combined with a card from the Art From the Heart Affirmation Cards, which says, “I have control over my perceptions, decisions, and actions. When you consciously choose to fill your day with the highest priority actions – those that truly matter to you – you created deeply meaningful and inspiring life.”

Sometimes it’s difficult to open ourselves up to our own faults and flaws. We lash out at others without realizing having done so, we allow snark to get in the way of genuine conversation, etc. These things happen. It’s a part of being human.

Stress, anxiety, or a hyper focus on a particular thing or theme can blind us to unhealthy ways of dealing that can leave us (and those around us) floundering instead of coping.

This is why it’s important to work at looking outside yourself and your own perceptions to enlist a greater perspective. In doing so, we are given the opportunity to adjust our approach into something more caring, kind, and open. The key is in wanting to do this, though, instead of falling back on unhealthy defense mechanisms.

The message in today’s Eight of Swords and affirmation card is a reminder that it’s important to open our eyes and look honestly at how we are treating ourselves and others. Are we leaning into abusive self defensive maneuvers? If so, it’s time to be honest about that and seek a better way do deal.

DECKS USED:  ERENBERG TAROT AND ART FROM THE HEART AFFIRMATION CARDS

@lightningildflower‘s August Reflections Challenge
Venus opposite Saturn
Prompt for August 21st : How can I honor both desire and responsibility?

Oracle Reading with the Runs of Sea and Sand Deck

Reading Summary: Don’t waffle (Haste) when asked to make a decision (The Boat), go with your gut (The Deep).

Take Away: Your intuition always knows. Think of how many times you’ve followed your gut and it’s been right… and how many times you’ve -not- followed your gut and looked back later to realize that you absolutely should have in the first place.

If you catch the whispers of your intuition when they speak deep inside you, it will tell you which direction to turn. The key, is in the fact that this guidance comes in a whisper. You have to listen for it.

Let that quiet intuitive voice be your guide, and take care not to allow logic and reason (or fears and uncertainty) to step in and usurp its position in the lead.

Other elements included in this reading:
Conch Shell Knots for Concentration, Clarity, and Determination
Great Scallop Shell for the Flowing with Beginnings and Endings
Cowrie Shell to Connect with Wealth and Fertility
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: RUNES OF SAND AND SEA DECK

#DiscordTarotholicsAug2026 Challenge
Prompt for August 22nd : Where in life do I need to be serious and buckle down?

Tarot Reading with the Erenberg Tarot

Reading Summary: Lean into those things that you have excelled at and still have more room to advance (Eight of Pentacles). This isn’t about winning or losing (Five of Swords Rx), nor about doing things the way they’ve always been done (The Hierophant Rx).

Take Away: It is in creating and sharing your artistry that you truly excel. These cards indicate it’s time to look beyond the ways you have heretofore been going after this pursuit, and to stop looking at it as a pass or fail endeavor.

Work at viewing your creativity an adventure and an exploration, for it needs to be treated as such. Dive in with the excitement of exploring something new and letting your curiosity run rampant, instead of tripping over feelings of obligation or responsibility.

Just because you make money through your creative spark doesn’t mean it has to feel like a chore.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
Green Calcite for Finding Balance Within the Self
Citrine for Energy Lift (easing the weight of heavy energies)
Carnelian Agate Mushroom for Focusing On Aspirations
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: ERENBERG TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I’m putting extra effort and mindfulness into tempering my negative inner narrative, especially in reference to how it starts to reflect how I see the world around me and those in it.