tarot for self care

Exploring Awe in the World

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Catopia Tarot - Page of CupsThe @GlitterbyInk #MayTag25 Challenge
Celebrating Our Community Prompt for May 4 : Generous

Today’s draw is the Page of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive omega energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, or intuition. This often translates into themes that have to do with emotional growth, second chances relationships, or exploring one’s creative pursuits.

I am currently reading “Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life” by Dacher Keitner, which scientifically explores the emotion of awe, what it is, and how it is triggered in others. With the fireworks going off in the background of today’s card, I can’t help but associate it with the stories of people’s accounts with the feeling of awe that are shared in the book, and the association made that it is awe that then inspires wonder, which is essentially awe with curiosity mixed in.

Although I didn’t have a name for this emotion  until now, I experience both of these emotions often when I am out in nature. The experience of awe, and corresponding spark to my curiosity and imagination, are a part of why being in nature is so refreshing for me and creates for me that sense of the sacred.

The message in today’s card is an encouragement to see out moments of awe. Be fascinated. Be curious. Let your imagination be awakened and have free reign for a bit. Too often, we neglect these things, and over time life then becomes boring and drab.

Sometimes to reawaken awe and it’s corresponding emotions within us, we need to be proactive in seeking it out. So, be proactive. Big or small, unique or everyday… be kind and generous to yourself and you’re well-being by making the choice to go find yourself a little bit of awe today.

DECK USED:  CATOPIA TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2025 Challenge
Prompt for May 4 : Do Spread 1

Tarot Reading with Tarot Yoga and the Animal Spirit Oracle

What positive quality do I have that others admire?

Phoenix and Knight of Cups – You are a survivor at heart, and no matter how many times life has knocked you down or driven roughshod over you, you continue to rise again with unflagging character and your creative spark still intact. You have not allowed these experiences to turn you bitter or change your character, but rather used them to grow and better understand the value in moments of hardship.

What positive quality do I wish I had that I admire in others?

Polar Bear and Five of Swords – Knowing when to give up is a quality that you wish you had more of. You are stubborn to a fault and at times this means you keep fighting for a cause even past the point of no return. Being able to identify when to step back is a skill you admire in others and want for yourself.

What step(s) can I take now to work toward developing that quality in myself?

Robin and Six of Pentacles

  • Work on being more generous with yourself when it comes to giving yourself moments of joy.
  • Connect with optimism and positivity in a way that allows you to see beyond the moment of conflict more easily so that you don’t have to fight for it quite so hard.
  • Remember that it’s okay to give people the benefit of the doubt, but only until it starts to hurt, and then it’s time to let go.

What step(s) can I take to make the positive qualities I already have shine brightly?

Rhino and Temperance – Continue to work on achieving a bit more consistency in your meditation practice, rest when you need to rest, and train your focus upon putting more time and focus into those things that help you to connect with a sense of calm and stability.

Other elements included in this reading:
Pressed Pansy Flowers for for Hearing the Heart More Clearly
Foraged Wood Fern for Exorcising Negative Influences
Selenite Tree of Life for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: TAROT YOGA AND ANIMAL SPIRIT ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I *might* have had raspberry swirl cake and chocolate chip cookies for brunch today.

❤️ 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 Forest Spirit Imprint Tarot and Rainy Oracles

Earth – The Emperor – Take time this week to make sure all is right in your “kingdom”. You have a lot of responsibility on your shoulders, and it’s time to check in to make sure that you are gearing your priorities towards the greater good, rather than your own selfish pursuits.

Air – Five of Pentacles Rx – Not all scarcity is “in your head”. Some of it is very real. Be sure to reflect this week upon which feelings of scarcity are based on reality, and which are simply the habitual message of your negative inner narratives. Only then will you know which need your attention and care.

Water – Nine of Swords – Allowing yourself to be overwhelmed by fear is not going to be at all productive. Like the advice in the Air position above, you need to take a realistic look at what you’re flinching away from, which fears are unfounded, and where they are driving you.

Fire – Queen of Cups – Now is not the time to shut down your emotions. When they rise up, instead of avoiding them, take time to examine them. In doing so, you nurture your ability to see them more clearly in the process. Not dealing with them will be harmful to you.

Waning – Sanctuary and Ascent – Your comfort zone is not the place to hide away in this week. No growth can take place when you’re stuck in stagnancy. Keep moving instead, even if it’s uncomfortable or a bit scary.

Waxing – Distill and Sage Spiral – Pare down to the bare roots of what is real and what is not, and cleanse away the illusions to give room for healthy themes to flourish.

Take Away – It’s time to deal with the unknown, and clear away any illusions that you are entertaining that may be stirring up fear and worry. Only deal with the truth this week, and reject assumptions and worries without substance.

DECKS USED: FOREST SPIRIT IMPRINT TAROT AND RAINY ORACLES

A Friendly Greeting

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was one of the #DailyCalm sessions with the @Calm app.  Although I enjoyed today’s meditation this morning, I can’t for the life of me remember what the session was about.

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Floral Tarot - The HermitThe @GlitterbyInk #MayTag25 Challenge
Celebrating Our Community Prompt for May 3 : Friendly

Today’s draw is the Hermit card, which is traditionally a representation of inner exploration, self reflection, and healthy alone time.

Snowdrops are the first of the spring flowers to arrive. They come out eagerly before everyone else to announce that spring is on the way and pave the way forward for everyone else that then follows.

The flower on this card is actually a narcissus, probably in reference to the fact that it retreats into a bulb underground through winter to hibernate ’til spring. But, so too is the snowdrop that this card reminded me of on first glance. Its eager emergence after the time spent in restorative solitude an expression of friendly optimism for the spring months ahead.

The message in today’s card is that it’s okay to retreat into solitude for some much needed rest and healthy reflection. Just make sure that when you emerge that you are working to put on a friendly face and optimistic spin to what’s coming. Be open and look for the positive, and it will help others to do the same.

DECK USED:  FLORAL TAROT

#detarotjufmeitarotchallenge Tea With the Queens Challenge by @de_tarotjuf
Tea with the Queen of Wands : Creativity and Passion
Prompts for May 4 – 5

Oracle Reading with the Memento Homo Oracle CardsWhat in my environment motivates me to pursue my dreams?

Left Card – Trust. It takes a lot to trust someone with your safety and well-being. When you surround yourself with those you trust to do so, it allows you to be vulnerable in a way that opens you up to being honest about your dreams and gives you the bandwidth to pursue them with more vigor.

What can I do to bring more joy into my life?

Right Card – Play with abandon. Even if you feel you need to put on a front of composure or show a particular outward countenance… play anyway. Have some fun instead of internalizing that outward mask that is sometimes needed.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Silver Maple Key for Bouncing Back to Thrive
Omarolluk for Protection and Bridging Liminal Divides
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: MEMENTO HOMO ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I did the things I wanted to do today, instead of the things that were expected of me by others. That included playing with a few new decks I got in over the past couple of weeks, and taking a nap… oh, and having raspberry swirl cake for breakfast.

I Did a Thing!

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Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was a self guided meditation focusing upon the “just make it exist first” graphic by @growthbyvisuals shared alongside the card for today.

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Neuziet Tarot's Nine of PentaclesThe @GlitterbyInk #MayTag25 Challenge
Celebrating Our Community Prompt for May 2 : Optimistic

Today’s draw is the Nine of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of solitary satisfaction, a job well done, self-sufficiency, abundance, financial independence, and luxury earned through hard work.

It’s hard to remember at times that  accomplishment doesn’t have to be about perfection. Just the fact you created something or did something is enough.

When the cards say (as they often do) to “take a moment to reflect upon, appreciate, and/or celebrate our accomplishments,” they’re not talking about our big or perfect ones. The imperfect and small are just as important and need recognition as well.

“I did a thing,” no matter how small or seemingly insignificant holds just as much weight as “I created this perfect thing” does. The value, sometimes, is not in the results… but in the doing. Both in the fact that you are doing something, as well as the fact you are gaining joy or experience or knowledge during the task being done. So, “I did a thing” is absolutely valid, all on it’s own… whatever that thing may be or how it turns out.

DECK USED:  NEUZIET TAROT

#detarotjufmeitarotchallenge Tea With the Queens Challenge by @de_tarotjuf
Tea with the Queen of Wands : Creativity and Passion
Prompts for May 1 – 3

Oracle Reading with the Alchemy of the Spirit OracleWhat inspires my creativity?

The Sword – New ideas combined with a sense of balance. When there is no fairness, balance, or justice, you feel out of sorts and it will smother your creative spark and the impetus of new ideas. As new ideas are what your creativity thrives on, you need that balance to allow your creativity to be set free.

Reflect on a passion project. How can I make it grow?

Project – A wood burned casting tray made into the underside of my wooden reading tray with personally drawn design.

The Rainbow – Have faith that you will find the time to work on this project when the timing is right. You need time when you can slow down and really focus, which requires a number of different conditions to achieve. That time will come.

What energy do I bring into my work?

The Library – You bring into your work an openness to try new things, and the ability to know your worth in this area, regardless of being raised to think your efforts are worth nothing. Your work is all about things that you are good at and the exploration of those skills and abilities. This gives you a sense of worth that helps in rewriting the “not enough” narrative in your head.

Other elements included in this reading:
Bind Rune on Cedar for a Protected Home
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: ALCHEMY OF THE SPIRIT ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I spend a lot of time not listening to people today, and instead listening to the music or audiobook coming in through the bone conduction headphones hidden in my hair.

Self-Acceptance

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Today’s meditation was twelve minutes long, and one of the #DailyTrip sessions in the @Calm app.

The session for today discussed how acceptance is our greatest tool toward growth and self-improvement. When we pause to understand our flaws and flawed reactions, and open ourself up to accepting that they are a part of who we are as humans, it allows those parts of ourselves to soften and become more malleable. It feels a bit counterintuitive, and yet this is how through acceptance of ourselves and forgiveness that change is facilitated.

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Tarocchi by Michelangelo Rossato - The HermitThe @GlitterbyInk #MayTag25 Challenge
Celebrating Our Community Prompt for May 1 : Curious

Today’s draw is the Hermit card, which is traditionally a representation of solitude, self reflection and introspection, alone time, and inner guidance.

Even for an introvert like myself, spending time alone can be a blessing or a curse, depending on where your head is at at time time.

If we are in a mindset that allows our thoughts to run in circles around our mistakes, flaws, or these things that we don’t like about ourselves, then alone time becomes an unhealthy simmering of negativity.

On the other hand, alone time spent in self-exploration with a focus on curiosity, understanding, and acceptance allows for healthy solitude and eventual growth.

The theme of today’s card, meditation, and prompt combo is to remember that not all alone time is healthy or productive, and encourages us to discern the difference and choose our moments of solitude wisely.

DECK USED:  TAROCHI BY MICHELANGELO ROSSATO

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2025 Challenge
Prompt for May 1 : Do the Beltane Spread

Beltane Oracle Reading with the Apothecary Spirits Oracle

Dandelion: How can I use my inner strength to help me in healing old wounds?

Marigold – Instead of focusing on the pain of past experiences, explore their memories while working to recognize the gift that these experiences have offered you. Whether it has created within you a greater sense of independence, understanding of human nature, knowledge or skills you wouldn’t have otherwise developed, etc. these things are life’s offerings to you in appreciation and respect for what you went through. They are earned and hold great worth in and of themselves, but also in allowing you to see that those painful moments held value as well.

Bees: Where could I put in more effort to help my community?

Cayenne – Be bold and loud. Let your anger show when it stirs to the surface. In doing so you validate others and their own feelings, for not everyone is able to speak up as easily or freely as you can. You embolden others, in these moments, to share their own thoughts and feelings as well rather than staying quiet in the background.

Garnet: What do I need in order to foster a greater sense of self-empowerment?

Damiana – You need to be able to allow your vulnerability to shine through without shame or fear in order to foster a greater sense of self-empowerment. This not an easy task for you, and it is often done through the vulnerability that you offer to Gideon in the drown. Over time, he has helped you to see the submissive side of your inner self as a strength rather than as a weakness to be ashamed of.

Swallow: Where do I need to more openly display my love and loyalty to others?

Rosemary – Memories are important. With so many of them fleeting in your head and often slipping through your fingers like grains of sand through a sieve, it’s important to revisit those ones that you can when you’re able.

When you walk down memory lane with others, you allow them to help you remember things that you have forgotten. This takes trust and openness, for you are trusting in their memories to refresh yours and not distort the truth. Within this process of helping to recount happy memories and joyful moments with you, it also creates new bonding experiences.

Malachite: How can I better use intention to bolster the abundance in my life moving forward?

Roses – Roses take a great deal of care in order to not just thrive but become abundant in blooms. So do relationships. Love, romance, and friendships do not just “happen” and will not thrive on their own without your participation. Lean into the intent to keep your friendships and loving relationships happy and healthy, and they will grow to be abundant like the roses in this card.

Goat: How can I best overcome obstacles before me at this time?

Wisteria – Cling tightly, but with a gentle touch.  It is through your connection with others that you find strength in moments when obstacles become too heavy to handle on your own. Lean into them.

Primrose: How can I add more of the exuberance of young love into my life?

Borage – Don’t allow your uncertainty, nor moments of fear, to hold you back. There is no energy or exuberance in stagnancy. It is in motion and courage that we find those lighter and happier emotions associated with young love. If you want to instill that energy into your life, it takes courage and the willingness to take a leap with alacrity, rather than standing still in uncertainty.

Other elements included in this reading:
Orange Aventurine Leaf for Pause and Reflection
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Green Aventurine for Harmony and Balance of the Heart
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: APOTHECARY SPIRITS ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

Bah, I worked all day today from the moment I woke up this morning to just before bed time, and I feel like I haven’t given myself a single self kindness today.  I suppose I would count making sure that I ate on time using the timer on my phone as one, though. So there’s that.

Beltane 2025 – May Day

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The last evening of April through the first day of May is Beltane, which is also my sister and I’s birthday. Like Halloween is a time when the veil between the land of the living and the realm of the dead is thin, this holiday is the time when the veil between our world and that of the Fae is at is thinnest.  I personally often find myself amped up with extra energy around this time of year, which I most often use to spend more time playing in that thinning veil as much as possible.

May Day

Like with new moons and full moons, I usually do a spread to check in with myself and give myself some direction for the next couple of months for each solstice, equinox, and other Sabbats. This spread is an adaptation of my Self Care Saturday spread, so there are sure to be  some similarities in how it is read. The focus of this spread, though, is not about Self Care, but rather about progress and my path. The time period is also longer, reaching through the next handful of weeks until the Midsummer celebration in June.

Beltane Tarot Reading with the Pagan Otherworlds Tarot, Compendium of Witches Oracle, and Healing Herbal Cards

Theme of the Season – Welcome the May, Waxing Crescent, Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris)

The phrase “Welcome the May and the Greening of the Land” speaks of the change of season that happens around May Day / Beltane.  Finally, the trees are budding with new leaves and the world is turning green again. The deciduous trees and bushes are once again leafing, the evergreens are sprouting new tips, and wildlife is stirring to life, coming out to enjoy the sunshine.  It is a time of awakening, where those plants that have been stirring to life since March finally begin showing the fruits of their labors invisible ways.

The Waxing Crescent Moon is a moon phase that is often considered a time of growth and determination, associated with making plans on what you want to accomplish and taking those first steps in that direction. It is a time when the moon’s energy is building, and with it we can use that energy to our advantage in strengthening our own resolve.

The herb Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris) is often seen as a weed, but exhibits antibacterial, anti-fungal, and antiviral properties that has had it being used in folk medicine around the world to treat a wide range of maladies that span from diarrhea to diabetes, from skin disorders to inflammatory conditions, as well as many forms of menstrual and gynecological issues. The last of which connects with its metaphysical properties as well, where it is seen as an herb used to connect with feminine energy, create flow and growth of the feminine within us, and encourage creativity.

When looking at these three cards together, the message seen here is that now is a time in your spiritual path when reawakening your “feminine” side and setting goals in that direction is in its prime.  Take time to connect with your creativity and intuition, as well as those softer and warmer sides of your personality. Remember that it’s okay to be vulnerable, and that this vulnerability does not make you weak, but merely stronger in a different way.

Earth – Ace of Cups – A lot of your focus right now is on learning how your emotions affect your body and the physical world around you. It can be hard sometimes to look outward when something new and confusing is trying to draw your focus within, but it’s a part of the process of learning about your emotions to understand in what ways they influence your body and the world beyond yourself.

Air – Seven of Wands – Take care not to let others bait you into going on the offensive. You are susceptible to this right now. Remember that there is no need to defend yourself, your beliefs, or your values to others. As long as you are secure in them yourself, that’s what matters. 

Water – Knight of Pentacles – Don’t twist and turn trying to fight against the slowness of your progress. Just taking things as they come is enough. Pushing for more is just putting a great deal of unnecessary strain on you that doesn’t need to be there and won’t help.

Fire – Queen of Cups – Instead of continuing to pick apart and berate yourself for what you’re doing wrong or isn’t working, try a little more radical self-acceptance and encouragement.

Waning – The Crossroads and Light – Stop looking for a guiding light to lead you out of the darkness. That’s not what this lesson is about.  Although we aren’t speaking of “embracing the dark” here, what is needed is acceptance rather than banishment. Understanding rather than rejection.

Waxing – The Comforter and Standing Stone – By giving yourself that acceptance and understanding mentioned above, you create a space of strength within you that you can lean on when needed and others find safe and secure.  It’s something that has to come from within.

Take Away – You are in a vulnerable place right now where emotions are taking the center stage. If you feel like you are twisting in the wind? It’s because you are in fact doing just that. It’s in connecting with your values and finding the strength to accept and be kind to yourself that you will build the inner strength needed to carry through.  This is a time of growth and vulnerability, not a trial or a test.

DECKS USED: SABBAT THEMED ART CARD, PAGAN UNDERWORLDS TAROT, COMPENDIUM OF WITCHES ORACLE, HEALING HERBAL CARDS VOL 1 & 2