tarot for self care

🌑 New Moon in Taurus – April 2025

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Tomorrow is the new 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 @hermitsmirror

New Moon in Taurus Oracle Reading with The Bloodlands Oracle

CLEARING – What burning ache is it time to let heal?

Anthelion (Spirit) – You need to work on not worrying so much about upcoming changes so that you can flow with the changes more easily instead of trying to resist them when they arrive. Stop worrying that whatever changes coming are going to be catastrophic, for even if it is, you will recover from it and move on. It won’t be the end.

TRANSITIONAL PAUSE – Where do I have momentum to carry me forward with ease?

Crossroads (Air) – Instead of balking at changes, whether they be gradual or forced upon you in chaos, try to remember to look upon these shifts as new opportunities to seize upon that in the end could lead to something even better.

NEW SEEDS – How can I cultivate abundance in my own life and for others?

The River (Water) – Keep moving. Stagnancy is not your friend. This is why working to go with the flow of change rather than fighting against it is such an important part of growth. You harness the immense power and energy of change to your benefit when you go with the flow instead of resisting.

LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS – What self-indulgence is tonic for my weary soul?

The Dolman (Earth) – Ruminating on good memories that you have built into your history in the more recent past, rather than on the harder and more painful ones of your more distant past, can help to ease your soul when you are feeling “tight” and worn through.

PLANETARY BOON – How can I nurture the beauty in my world?

The Lightning Strike (Fire) – Keep in mind that cataclysm ultimately results in growth. If shit’s gonna hit the fan, go with it and let that shit become fertilizer for what you grow out of the rubble after everything else has fallen.

New Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea.

The Old Bridge (Earth) – Long-standing and trusted friendships are your ally at this time. Keep them close and appreciate their presence in your life.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Foraged Wood Fern for Exorcising Negative Influences
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration, Clarity, and Determination
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Goat Figurine as Sympathetic Representation of Amalthea
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: TTHE BLOODLANDS ORACLE

Finding the Positive for April 23 – 25

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The Fusion Tarot's Queen of Wands, Magical Messages Cards, The Gaucho's Arcana 1928 Tarot's Five of Pentacles, Once Upon a Time Cards, and Hexen 2.0 Tarot's Two of Cups

April 23 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Today’s draw is the Queen of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s passion, drive, willpower, determination, values, and principles. This often translates into themes that have to do with being supportive of others projects and passions, or searching for inner truth within your own values and principles.

Make sure that you’re letting creativity flow by encouraging exploration and curiosity both in yourself and others.

Your creative spark is one of the most magical things about you, and one of the qualities that others are most inspired by. When you let it wither, you are not the only one who suffers as a result.

Today’s card combo is a reminder that creativity is a treasure given by the essence of life itself, and when neglected, you neglect not just yourself but those around you that are inspired by you, as well as the world as a whole.

DECK USED: THE FUSION TAROT AND MAGICAL MESSAGES CARDS

April 24 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Today’s draw is the Five of Pentacles, 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.

Stagnancy does not protect you from scarcity (whether real or imagined). If anything, it will cause those problems and associated worries to grow like weeds planted in fertilized garden beds.

Movement is your friend. Don’t hide under the covers and tremble, but instead throw the covers off and deal with the issue. Adapt and keep moving forward. Be proactive in choosing your future instead of sitting back and letting it happen to you all because you’re too scared that more scarcity is coming.

DECK USED: GAUCHO’S ARCANA 1928 TAROT AND ONCE UPON A TIME CARDS

April 25 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Today’s draw is the Two of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of connection and unification, mutual attraction, and emotional connections.

Good stuff happens when you allow yourself to stay open to connecting with others. Sometimes empowerment requires back up from like-minded souls.

Not every goal or value can be reached or advocated for on your own. Make sure that you are connecting with others, and inviting them along for the ride on challenging journeys you decide to pursue. It will make the trek a little easier, as well as more enjoyable.

DECK USED: HEXEN 2.0 TAROT AND MAGICAL MESSAGES CARDS

The Challenge of Easing Up

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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.”

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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

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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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

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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.

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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)

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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 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