tarot for self care

What “Rest” Really Means

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The @GlitterbyInk #JuneMessenger26 Challenge
Message From My Spirit Guide Prompt for June 5th : Instinct
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Sunlit Sprout Tarot - Four of Swords

Today’s draw is the Four of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of taking time to rest, recuperation after a trying time, and stillness for restoration and meditation on the events that have brought you to this place as well as where to go from here.

It’s a proven fact that your senses are dulled when you’re tired. If you’re not getting the rest that you need, your reaction times are lowered and your cognitive function decreases. Even when you feel like you’re firing on all cylinders, if you’re tired, then you’re missing out on providing an even better performance than the one you already are.

The thing is, sometimes getting all the rest we need isn’t easy. A part of that is because sometimes rest doesn’t have anything to do with actual sleep. The recreational activities that make you feel invigorated are also a type of rest. These activities, like sleep, take you away from your stresses and worries and allow you to focus on something that is completely pleasure based instead of anchored in responsibilities and obligations.

I think sometimes we forget that, and as a result when we feel that we need more rest, instead of following our instinct to do something we enjoy that lets us step away from our obligations for a bit, we lay down and try to take a nap or get some sleep.

Today’s Four of Swords card and the “instinct” prompt is a reminder that although sleep and naps are all well and good, we need to follow our instincts to fulfill what we truly need when we need rest and recuperation. Sometimes it’s not a nap at all, but something else entirely.

DECK USED:  SUNLIT SPROUT TAROT

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 1 | Entry 2 – Self-Care and Personal Development
Affirmation : “Although I strive to do my best in every situation, I acknowledge and accept where I have let myself down.”
Prompt : Forgiveness, especially of yourself, is an important step in healing. What is the card you draw saying that you can release in order to forgive yourself for a past mistake?

Tarot Activity from The One Card a Day Journal by Maria Sofia Marmanides - El Tarot de Katrina - The World card

What feelings came up when I pulled this card?

Shame and embarrassment were the first emotions to come up when The World card showed itself in relation to this question. That dog’s eyes looking at me from the imagery just seemed like a whole lot of expectation that I have failed to live up to.

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

I have tried many times to release my feelings around having never completed my education. I got so very close, and then life got in the way, and I was unable to finish.

This wasn’t because of money issues or work issues, all of which I feel I would’ve found a way around, but rather issues that have to do with experiences I was forced into and the trauma that I was trapped into by those experiences.

The World card is all about completion, and that judgemental dog face on the card feels like it’s all about the completion that didn’t get finished.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

I’ve already mentioned to the face of the dog and how judgmental it looks in the imagery here. This is perhaps because it kind of reminds me of my late father’s judgmental stare.

That head and stare stand out from the rest of the imagery on this card so strongly that it’s like there’s nothing else on the card except that and only that.

The thing is, though, in the background beyond the head on this card, what we see is a world of beauty and music and enjoyment. This speaks to me of what I’m missing by holding onto this judgmental viewpoint concerning my education.

My prompt response and reflections.

I find it interesting that I still judge myself so harshly for this issue, when I’ve already accepted to myself that even if I had finished my education, chances are very slim that I would’ve stepped into a career based in either of the degrees I was working toward. In fact, I’d probably be exactly where I am right now, regardless of whether or not I have those degrees under my belt.

Although the areas of study that I chose to follow in my educational career were a good fit for my interests, they weren’t a good fit career-wise. I have a feeling I would’ve been much more suited to an education and ecology, forestry, or something along those lines instead of the botany and horticulture that I pursued.

I have found a bit of closure in these realizations as I have gotten older, but I’m still working on the full forgiveness of having let go of the degrees that I had worked so hard to obtain.

Other elements included in this reading:
Amethyst D20 and D6 Gemstone Dice

DECK USED: EL TAROT DE KATRINA

The @lightningwildflower June Inner Journey Challenge

Prompts for June 1st through 5th

Tarot Reading with the Sunlit Sprout Tarot

Mercury enters Cancer: What truth do I need to speak from the heart?

Five of Pentacles – Share with those who care what’s actually wrong instead of trying to deal with the burden on your own. Those things you’re worried about and are dragging you down don’t have to be a solo struggle. Sharing with others that care allows you to ease the burden on your own shoulders.

Remember that other people do not perceive burdens in the same way that you do, just like Gideon shoulders being the dominant in your relationship as if it weighs no more than a feather, whereas you struggle under the weight of that type of responsibility. Just because you share your struggles with others doesn’t mean that they will be weighted down by them as you are.

Sun sextile Saturn: What structures will support my growth?

Six of Wands – Just because it’s unhealthy to allow others to be your validation, doesn’t mean that you can’t still enjoy their praise. Allow those around you to bolster your spirits with their input and admiration. It’s okay to enjoy being liked, as long as you’re not trying to transform yourself in order to garner that admiration or depending on it for your self-worth.

Mercury square Neptune: Where might I be confusing intuition with fear?

The Magician – You are more than capable of manifesting for yourself whatever it is that you desire. There’s no need to “fake it till you make it”. Just leap forward and do what needs done, and you’ll be happy with the results.

Pause: When am I being asked to pause before acting?

Two of Cups – When you are inviting new people into your life, even your online life, make sure that you are discussing it with others closest to you so that you are getting more perspectives than just your own. Those who love you also care about your well-being, and may see red flags that you miss.

Practice: How can I practice greater patience with myself?

Four of Cups – Resuming a regular meditation practice is a good place to start fostering a greater level of patience with yourself. As is ensuring that you are not secluding yourself away from those who care about you.

Other elements included in this reading:
Pressed Pansy Flowers for Hearing the Heart More Clearly
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  SUNLIT SPROUT TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I contacted my bank and put in a dispute for a charge from a tarot deck creator who was a dick to me and then cancelled/refunded my purchase, but for some reason decided they could keep the $32USD shipping charge.

Finding the Positive for June 2 – 4

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Shadowhunters Tarot's The Hierophant, Tarocchi Giapponesi's Knight of Wands, and Antique Aged Tarot's Two of Wands

June 2 – Mental Health Card of the Day

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

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The @GlitterbyInk #JuneMessenger26 Challenge
Message From My Spirit Guide Prompt for June 2 : Echo
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is The Hierophant card, which is traditionally a representation of traditions, spiritual guidance, long standing institutions, teachers and guides, and themes that deal with conformity and social norms.

Other element in this card: Brother Zachariah is (was) a Silent Brother (sort of like a guardian monk in the Shadowhunters series) that manages, through unique personal circumstances, to retain a portion of his humanity.

Remember that following the traditions handed down through generations does not mean you have to lose yourself in the process. These echoes of the past that are repeated from one generation to the next are meant to enhance an embellished one’s life, as well as teach. They are not meant to take the place of individuality.

The message in today’s Hierophant card and the “echo” prompt is a reminder that listening to and/or adopting long-held traditions is not meant to take away your individuality or authenticity. Rather, it’s often simply an act of honoring the past and what others have done, accomplished, or valued.

DECK USED: SHADOWHUNTERS TAROT

June 3 – Mental Health Card of the Day

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

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The @GlitterbyInk #JuneMessenger26 Challenge
Message From My Spirit Guide Prompt for June 3 : Play
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Knight of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of a projective and active “beta” 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 pursuing one’s goals related to their education, actively seeking one’s goals, action and decisiveness, and at times can indicate impulsivity without thinking things through.

Enthusiasm can get you a long way towards your goal, but don’t forget that including a bit of whimsy and fun to what you’re doing helps make things go a little quicker and easier. In the process, you also help make them go in your favor.

They’re not kidding that time flies when you’re having fun. Even the crappiest of tasks can go a little faster (and be a bit more enjoyable) if you mix in a little fun and whimsy into the mix.

The message in today’s Knight of Wands and “play” prompt is a reminder that everything is a little better when we mix a little play into the process. Adding this element of play doesn’t mean you aren’t taking what you’re doing seriously, it simply means you’re enjoying it a bit more.

DECK USED: TAROCCHI GIAPPONESI

June 4 – Mental Health Card of the Day

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

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The @GlitterbyInk #JuneMessenger26 Challenge
Message From My Spirit Guide Prompt for June 4 : Stillness
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Two of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of planning, decision making, looking ahead, and themes to do with progress.

Stagnancy isn’t really stagnancy if you’re making plans within the stillness. Not every moment can be spent “on the move” towards one’s goals. It’s necessary to plan as well.

The message in today’s Two of Wands and “Stillness” prompt is a reminder that taking time in stillness to plan is still movement, as long as you aren’t allowing yourself to “hold back” for “the right time” or because of fear. After all, a prepared excursion of any sort is far more likely to succeed than one embarked upon without preparation and a plan.

DECK USED: ANTIQUE AGED TAROT

Making Things More Interesting

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The @GlitterbyInk #JuneMessenger26 Challenge
Message From My Spirit Guide Prompt for June 1 : Mystery
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Ark Animal 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.

Do something that you enjoy today and it will help lift you up out of the doldrums you may find yourself lingering within.

For me, this type of advice always speaks of engaging my curiosity. Whether it’s experimenting with a new project or idea, digging through a pile of stuff to organize and explore, or trying out a new trail just to see where it goes.

The message in today’s Sun card combined with the “mystery” prompt is an encouragement to engage your curiosity. Allow the mysteries around you to enchant you. Seek to look at the world and those things in it with fresh eyes instead of your normal jaded perspective. In doings so, everything will seem just a little brighter and more engaging.

DECK USED:  ARK ANIMAL TAROT

@de_tarotjuf’s De Zomer In! #detarotjufjunitarotchallenge Challenge
Prompt for June 1 : My personal energy for this upcoming season.

Oracle Reading with the Witch's Window Oracle

Sacred Oil – “Practice acknowledging people, objects, and spaces as sacred. Consecrate, revere, and bless all you hold dear.”

This season brings with it a mindset of awareness and gratitude. You are more cognizant of those things and people that you enjoy, and of that enjoyment as a whole. In the process of this awareness and enjoyment, you make everything that much more sacred and special.

Willow Tree – “Envision the life and world you want. Believe that anything is feasible… immerse yourself in imagination.”

Your imagination is the first step to manifestation. It comes before ideas, before plotting and plans. It is the seed that sprouts the first root. Don’t allow your negative self talk squelch your imagination’s voice. Let your imagination flow freely instead, and follow the curious paths it leaves in its wake.

Third Quarter Moon – “Leftover residue is being swept away, preparing for what’s next… Ride the wave of the diminishing light, and surrender all that is dormant and lifeless.”

You can’t fill your life with more curiosity, imagination, and sacred moments if you’re unwilling to release the things that are getting in the way of these themes. Just like a rollercoaster, instead of holding on so tightly, let go and enjoy the ride.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
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: WITCH’S WINDOW ORACLE (W/ QUOTES FROM THE GUIDEBOOK)

@Lionharts #TheJuneTarot Follow Your North Star Challenge
Prompt for June 1 : My North Star Tarot Spread

My North Star Tarot Reading with the Ark Animal Tarot and Oracle

What new direction is opening up for me as June begins?

The High Priestess / Spider – It’s fair to say that spiders aren’t one of my favorite things. In fact I’ve been terrified of them for most of my life. That said? Just recently I’ve been noticing a diminishing trend when it comes to my reactions to spiders. Not necessarily the one on this card, though, because that bubbly back of spider babies is nauseatingly shudder worthy all on its own.

The message here, though, is that June has the potential to be filled with opportunities to open up to things that I’d normally be closed off to. In doing so, the rewards will come in the form of new information and a greater understanding of things previously only grasped on a surface level.

What personal quality can guide me through this month?

Eel – Strengthen your convictions while taking care to remain flexible. You can hold firm to your values, lead with strength, and also be soft enough to bend without breaking. None of these qualities are mutually exclusive.

What can keep me connected to myself throughout June?

Judgement / Whale – Instead of judging every little thing you do under a microscope, keep your eye trained upon the person you want to become and what you want to do with “your dash“. Life’s not about making every little thing perfect. Take a breath and let it go.

What is ready to grow if I give it my attention this month?

Queen of Swords / Jaguar – Your strength, self esteem, and ability to both see and communicate clearly.

Flow state is easily accessible to you right now, and activities or projects that slip you into this state have a great deal of potential for success this month.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Fuchsia Flowers for Stability in the Face of External Disruption
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Pressed Pansy Flower for Hearing the Heart More Clearly
Foraged Purple Heather Sprigs for Independence and Luck
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  ARK ANIMAL TAROT AND ORACLE DECK
Daily Self Kindness

I took some time to go hiking in the woods today.

📆 Transitioning from May to June

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Month End Check-In Tarot Reading with The Yellow House Tarot

Here and Now I Exist – Who you are now, in your entirety.

The Hermit – You are seeking alone time and feeling a desire to retreat from the world at this time. As mentioned in the blue moon reading done yesterday, the trick to this at the moment is in finding the motivation to engage in healthy alone time instead of the unhealthy variety.

The Slough – What is to be left in the past as you move forward.

Seven of Coins – Don’t over-complicate long term endeavors. Just because something takes a long time to accomplish doesn’t mean it has to be complicated, or need your full attention all the time. Like some plants, some endeavors thrive under neglect rather than constant attention to detail.

What Lies Ahead – An ideal state or ideal self you are seeking at this time.

King of Coins – Resource stability. With taxes done for both personal and business, your property taxes paid, the levy on your building paid, your accountant paid, etc., you are feeling the need to recover financially and work on reestablishing some solid footing.

Limitations – Negative influences, opposition, or ill will.

The Empress – Don’t pamper yourself to the point you become lazy or lackadaisical. Not all self-care is about languishing. Sometimes it means getting in the garden to work among the flowers and/or otherwise building up a sweat in the sunshine and shade.

The Boon – Positive influences, higher guidance, or divine intervention.

Time / Wheel of Fortune – Do some of the things that tend to cause you to lose track of time. Your time and attention is not strictly regimented right now, which means it’s the perfect time to lose yourself in the activities where time doesn’t really matter.

The Wound – An unpleasant past experience or event that is ripe for some support and healing.

Ace of Cups – Take time to revisit some of those emotions from the past that you found confusing or difficult to identify and deal with. You may find them easier to identify and/or deal with now that there has been some time and space between you and them. Sometimes a little distance helps put things in perspective.

Nostalgia – A positive past experience or event to acknowledge, reflect upon, and enjoy.

Page of Wands atop Ten of Coins – In both the present and the past, you’ve enjoyed feeding those you care about foods that you have grown yourself. This year that may be your teas and herbs, but don’t give up the dream idea of growing more on your balcony next year.

A Warning – Something coming that can be prevented or overcome.

The Hanged One Rx – Take care to pay attention to your initial reactions to things, and take time to observe and consider before you actually act or respond. You don’t want to jump the gun, as that won’t provide you with the results you desire.

Empowerment – A future opportunity to work toward.

Three of Cups – That togetherness you’ve been feeling lately with others holds a great deal of promise if you nurture it.

Message from the Spirit World – Take your time when in the company of those you enjoy spending time with. Linger and enjoy rather than taking these moments for granted or rushing through them.

Message from the Mind’s World – The stability you desire is going to take some time and soul searching. It will return, though, with a little perseverance to get you there.

Message from the Physical World – That new balcony garden plan you’re considering needs some more planning, and now is the time to do some of that planning. Don’t put it off til later, because it’s going to come together in fits-and-starts.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Wood Fern for Exorcising Negative Influences
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: THE YELLOW HOUSE TAROT

Being Lead Astray

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

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

Playful Heart Tarot - The Devil

Today’s draw is The Devil card, which is traditionally a representation of temptation, struggles with moderation, harmful excesses, addiction, and self-harm.

The Devil card has then been combined with a LOBILAT Rumi Quotes card, which says, “When you do things from your soul, you feel a river inside you, a joy.”

I feel that it’s important to examine one’s motivations. Not just the motivations of others, but our personal motivations as well. Are we doing the things we do from a place of love and connection with our true selves? Or are we doing them out of spite or some other negative emotions?

It makes a difference; not only on if we should do these things, but also on how they affect us personally. If they are an alignment with who we are and come from a place of love, then they help to further our growth and connect us more deeply with ourselves. If they come from outside of that source, they have the potential to pull us away from our authenticity and the values that we prioritize.

The message in today’s Devil and affirmation cards is a reminder that sometimes our emotions can lead us astray. Vengeance, retaliation, moments of spite, or lashing out in anger are all things that we are tempted to indulge in from time to time. It’s in looking at our motivations during these moments that we either align with our authentic selves, or deviate from that authenticity and weaken our connection to it.

DECK USED:  PLAYFUL HEART TAROT AND LOBILAT RUMI QUOTES DECK

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2026 Challenge
Prompt for May 31st : Grab a spread of your choice you’re curious about… and give it a go!

Full Moon in Sagittarius - Blue Moon Tarot Reading with the Faery Wheel Tarot

EXPAND : your horizons are calling

King of Wands – Use the bursts of extra energy you are experiencing to expand upon your goals. Instead of teeth clenching and anxiety attacks, repurpose this energy into branching out in those things you’re passionate about.

RELEASE : what outgrows you

Six of Pentacles Rx – Continue to work on letting go of that urge to do everything on your own. A king leads others, thus as you use these burst of energy to grow and expand, bring others in to assist you instead of closing them out.

TRUST : the path unfolding

Six of Wands – You need to learn how to work together with others and find joy in that journey. Despite what you were taught growing up, validation is sweeter when earned through togetherness instead of through individualism and spotlighting personal achievement.

MOVE : clarity comes with motion

The Star – Stop waiting for “the right time” to arrive when certain success is guaranteed. Sometimes you have to embark on something and just trust that it’s going to work out in the end. These moments of uncertainty are a test to your ability to foster hope and keep that hope alive during hardships and uncertainty.

CHOOSE : expansion over fear; freedom over doubt

Ace of Wands – It’s okay to get excited. It’s okay to play and have fun and feel joy. Give yourself permission to experience these things, and in doing so that creative spark within you will rekindle to life once more.

BECOME : the version you’ve been dreaming of

The Hermit – You long for more alone time, but are currently unmotivated to find healthy ways to indulge in it. Don’t indulge in unhealthy alone time just because you’re not feeling motivated to reach out for a healthier version. Quality control is important.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Purple Heather Sprigs for Independence and Luck
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: FAERY WHEEL TAROT

@ambitiouslyalexa May Journal Prompts
Prompt for May 31st : What I want to carry into summer

Tarot Reading with the Playful Hearts Tarot

Reading Summary: The new emotional connection you’ve been experiencing with long trusted friends and allies (Ace of Cups and Six of Cups) is something you would like to see not just continue but expand into a sense of true harmony (Ten of Cups).

Take Away: There’s been a lot less political talk, nitpicking, and button pushing going on of late around those that you care deeply for. This has equated to less resentment and harsh feelings for not just yourself, but for all involved.

The respite has made you feel like there’s some potential here for true harmony and happiness when all are spending time together.

You would like to see this sense of harmony continue into the summer so that you can spend time with these people without having to be confronted with those negative feelings and experiences that always arise when politics and nitpicking bet involved.

Other elements included in this reading:
Pressed Pansy Flower for Hearing the Heart More Clearly
Foraged Wood Fern for Exorcising Negative Influences
Citrine for Energy Lift (easing the weight of heavy energies)
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  PLAYFUL HEART TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I didn’t eat cake, trying to give my stomach a break, even though I -really- wanted to.

❤️ 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 Tarot Reading with the Tyldwick Tarot and The Marginal Lenormand

Earth – The Devil – Pay attention to your temptations this week and their possible pitfalls. If you’re going to indulge, ensure that you are fully aware and accepting of the consequences beforehand.

Air – The Hanged Man – It’s better to watch, wait, and gather information this week, than it is to jump ahead and be spontaneous. Make sure you’re thinking things through before taking the leap.

Water – The Magician – You have the tools to keep yourself where you want to be emotionally this week. It’s your choice whether you use them or not, but if you want things to stay balanced and at an even keel, it would be a good idea to start picking up those tools and using them as intended.

Fire – Six of Coins – Every endeavor you pursue requires a give-and-take. Make sure as you embark on these endeavors this week that what you have to give for them is worth what you’re taking away from the experience.

Waning – Clouds and House – Don’t allow your emotions to twist you out of sorts this week. Return to the familiar to find balance instead of allowing yourself to fall into chaos.

Waxing – Tree and Fox – Focus on devising ways to take care of yourself that make the process more fun. It doesn’t have to be a discordant activity that you don’t enjoy if you put your mind and cleverness into turning these activities into something more enjoyable.

Take Away – Why are you looking at your self care activities as chores instead of as enjoyable pursuits? Take time this week to look at where you are doing this, and seek out a solution that allows you to enjoy these activities instead. In doing so, you lay the path to being more eager to reach for them in the future. This includes your efforts toward positivity and optimism, meditation, etc. Find the fun.

DECKS USED: TYLDWICK TAROT 2021 REPRINT AND THE MARGINAL LENORMAND