Finding What Fits

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

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The @GlitterbyInk #MayMoon26 Rise Root Return Challenge
As Within Prompt for May 17th
: Essence
Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Smithtiny Tarot - Nine of Wands

Today’s draw is the Wheel of Fortune card, which is traditionally a representation of luck (both good and bad), changing circumstances, the ups and downs of life, and the cyclical nature of life and the world.

Look how very unhappy the figure looks in this card’s imagery. Not only is he tired and battle worn, but he’s not looking particularly happy in his position as protector, either.

That’s what happens when we put ourselves in rolls that don’t fit who we are or what we want. We hang on and we protect, but we can’t really advance because we’re too tired doing the thing that we put ourselves in line to do that doesn’t match with who we are.

This is how we end up stuck in patterns that don’t align with our authentic selves. We integrate ourselves into these patterns, building them up until they are an essential part of our lives, even though they’re not an essential part of us. Then, we are so taken up with and preoccupied by this effort that we it feels impossible to escape to find something that fits us better.

The message in today’s Nine of Wands and the “essence” prompt is a reminder that when we are introducing new pursuits, endeavors, and cycles into our lives that it’s important to ensure they are something that we really connect with, and that connects with the essence of us as well. Otherwise, no matter how hard we work at it, we’re never really going to be satisfied with what we have.

DECK USED:  SMITHTINY TAROT

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 5 | Entry 12 – Health and Body
Affirmation : “I release habits that hinder my growth.”
Prompt : Do you currently have any habits that may have been a helpful coping mechanism at one time, but now impact your health negatively? Ask the tarot to help show you what habit is holding you back-and the underlying feeling that may be triggering it.

Tarot Activity from The One Card a Day Journal by Maria Sofia Marmanides - Tezuka Osamu Character Tarot Set - Wheel of Fortune

What feelings came up when I pulled this card?

“Well, it’s not the Devil.” (Said in a count-your-blessings kind of way.)

The thing is, I’m well aware of what my coping mechanisms are, especially the unhealthy ones. So this thought (above) was more a relief at not having to address the elephant in the room than it was about anything related to the message in this specific card.

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

One of my most pervasive coping mechanisms is pessimism. It’s been something I’ve used throughout the entirety of my life to protect myself from the harsher affects of disappointment. After all, preparation makes everything easier to handle, especially the bad stuff.

When you always expect the worst, the good stuff that happens comes as a happy surprise, and the bad stuff is something you already knew was coming.

Unfortunately, this pessimism instilled in every nuance of one’s life has a tendency to do more than just prepare you for the worst, but actually harm your outlook on life as a whole.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

The guy on top of the wheel sits on his own platform. He’s steady in his footing because he doesn’t have to run the wheel that turns and turns and turns in cycles beneath him. And yet, he is the least happy character of the three depicted on the card. His stagnancy makes him judgmental as he sits out on the ups and downs of experience that make life interesting for the other two.

My prompt response and reflections.

This pessimism is a something that I used to think was just a part of who I am, but I have learned over time to recognize it as a defense mechanism rather than an actual personality trait. It’s been a part of my life for as long as I can remember, but I am slowly working on easing up in this area.

Over the past few years in using the Card of the Day exercise that I post each day, I have begun to connect with optimism and positivity in healthy ways and recognize their value. Now, instead of blindly accepting the pessimism that whispers in my head, I often find myself debating with it or otherwise counterbalancing it with a bit of hope and positive self talk.

There’s still a long way to go, though, as this card’s appearance in today’s prompt points out.

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

DECK USED: 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF BIRTH TEZUKA OSAMU CHARACTER TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2026 Challenge
Prompt for May 17th
 : Do Spread 3
Summer is right around the corner! While this season is often well known for being a time to enjoy the good weather and fill your life with fun times and memorable moments, sometimes even summer has its stresses, struggles, and anxieties. Use this spread to take a look at those issues and how to surmount them.

Tarot Reading with the Smithtiny Tarot

What is the core stressor in my life at this time that is under my control to change?

Ace of Cups – Your emotions. You have a tendency to take on learning about your emotions as if it is homework or a battle to engage in. In truth, you don’t need to really engage at all other than not close yourself off, though. There’s no need to identify every little thing, as long as you’re letting them breathe in the open air instead of burying them.

What has allowed this stress in my life to take root and grow?

King of Wands – You have a tendency to go after the things you want full boar with single-minded attention and focus. This makes you feel like you always need to do more in order to succeed.

When it comes to learning and understanding your emotions, though, it’s not so much about active participation as it is about observation and sitting with how you feel.

What can I do right now to help ease my stress and anxiety related to this issue?

The Hierophant – Lean into the tried and true methods others have shared with you. This isn’t an area you know much about, but they do. Trust them to guide you well.

Other elements included in this reading:
Black Wood Kitsune Carving for Cleverness and Ingenuity
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  SMITHTINY TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I started the first steps in getting organized concerning the intention to do a bit of weeding on my deck collection.

Perspective Makes a Difference

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The @GlitterbyInk #MayMoon26 Rise Root Return Challenge
As Within Prompt for May 16th
 : Shadow
Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Sci-Fi Tarot - Four of Wands

Today’s draw is the Four of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of one’s passionate love for the security and welcoming energies of home. This often translates into themes that have to do with homecoming, celebrating home and stability, as well as relaxation in comfortable spaces.

Put away your stresses and worries for a time in order to enjoy your homecomings more.

There’s something to be said for leaving your work at work. It’s a mentality that a lot of people have forgotten about in today’s world, but it essentially boils down to considering your home a place to relax, unwind, and be safe.

I don’t really have that privilege in my home, because I work from home for two of my jobs. That said, it is possible to see my visits up north in this light.

How much more enjoyable could my visits north be if, instead of having a shadow of reluctance and obligation attached to them, I worked at seeing them as a carefree time when I can release my stress and let go of my worries for a while?

The message in today’s Four of Wands and the “shadow” prompt is a reminder that perspective makes a difference. If you enter into a situation or experience with a negative mindset, then you’re almost guaranteed to have a negative experience as a result. Today’s message encourages us to try shifting that perspective, and in doing so shifting our experience to something more positive and enjoyable.

DECK USED:  TODD ALCOTT’S SCI-FI TAROT

@ambitiouslyalexa May Journal Prompts
Prompts for May 18th and 20th

Tarot Reading with the Wind Rose Tarot, Sci-Fi Tarot, and Sacred Witness Oracle

What joy looks like on an ordinary day

Purpose & Values; King of Swords

Clarity and lack of discord when it comes to what you need to do for the day, and a lack of struggle and resistance in connecting with following your moral compass.

For you, joy on an ordinary day is the lack of friction and resistance to what feels right for you. Whether that resistance comes from external sources or (as is more often the case) from within, it has the ability to make things far more difficult than they need to be.

Something beautiful I noticed recently

Guardian of Innocence; Death

After someone has passed, we often remember the good things and forget the bad… or at least start to forgive the bad.

Often when we hold grudges or otherwise hold onto bad memories, they influence how we see other people and hold us back from the release we can experience by letting go of these negative emotions attached to those experiences and people.

And yet, when they pass away, it often seems like part of the grieving process naturally seems to include letting go of these things. It may take time, but they no longer stay fresh and strong. Instead, more and more we are able to soften towards these people that we once regarded as unforgivable.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Purple Heather Sprigs for Independence and Luck
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Gneiss Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Calcite for Gently Calming the Mind and Stimulating Insights
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: WIND ROSE TAROT, TODD ALCOTT’S SCI-FI TAROT, AND SACRED WITNESS ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2026 Challenge
Prompt for May 16th
 : What do you need to focus on for self-care for this month’s new moon?

Tarot Reading with the Sci-Fi Tarot

Reading Summary: Don’t give up (Queen of Swords) just because you are feeling defeated and disappointed (Three of Swords). This is not the end (Ten of Swords Rx).

Take Away: If you allow yourself to sink into feelings of defeat and disappointment, they will swallow you whole.

These feelings and the effects they can have on your mental health are the entire reason why you do your card-of-the-day exercise, and all the work you put into counterbalancing your negative self talk with positivity and optimism.

This means that in order to stay out of that slump that this mentality can drag you down into, you need to keep fighting. Keep doing those things that help and make sure you’re also going in to see your therapist as scheduled. All of these different things may feel useless sometimes, but when gathered up together and combined, they are a much bigger help than you realize.

Other elements included in this reading:
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
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  TODD ALCOTT’S SCI-FI TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I paid the housekeeper to come by to clean instead of putting it off for another week.

Adding Kindling to the Spark

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The @GlitterbyInk #MayMoon26 Rise Root Return Challenge

As Within Prompt for May 15th
: Integration

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

Spirit Keeper's Tarot Revelation Edition - Queen of Wands

Today’s draw is the Queen of Wands (The Golden Shield), 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.

It is through fostering our inner spark, that we find a clear path forward and protect ourselves from darker influences and urges.

A lot of people don’t understand what I mean when I say “inner spark”. This is that fire within you that lights the way, illuminating your passions and giving you the motivation and inspiration to pursue them. It’s the spark within our chest that flares to light when something strikes our interest and draws us in.

The more we foster this inner spark within us, the more interesting our lives become… not to other people, but to ourselves.

The message in today’s Queen of Wands and the “integration” prompt is an encouragement to seek out that spark within and allow it to flourish. Give it a place in your life instead of something that just sits in the periphery and is ignored. As a result, your life has the potential to become far more interesting and enjoyable.

DECK USED:  SPIRIT KEEPER’S TAROT REVELATION EDITION

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2026 Challenge

Prompts for May 14th

Tarot Reading with The Scrying Poetry Tarot and The Found World Oracle

What loss do you fear the most?

Air and Six of Wands

Your mind and intellect. There’s a lot of things that you can lose, and then recover from that loss. Losing your mind in your intellect, though, would not be as easy to recover from… perhaps not something you could recover from it all.

Everything in your life is supported by the foundation of having a well functioning mind. The things you do, the things you enjoy, those things you value. It’s all dependent upon this one fragile thing.

Your greatest fear, although one that you’re not struggling with currently, is that someday something like dementia or Alzheimer’s will steal your mind away. Even without people to take care of you, this is a terrifying situation for you to consider as a future possibility.

How can you begin to deal with that fear?

Fern; The World atop Two of Cups

Remember that you do have people around you who love you and will support you. You’re not as alone as you sometimes feel.

Not only that, but it’s important to also keep in mind that the universe works in mysterious ways. Even if this is an issue that may arise, it’s something that’s going to arise far off in the future. There’s lots of research and medical discoveries going on each and every day in this area, and just because you don’t know about what’s going on in that sphere of things doesn’t mean you won’t benefit from those discoveries at some future date if needed.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Foraged Purple Heather Sprigs for Independence and Luck
Foraged Lodgepole Pine for Resilience, Growth, and Renewal
Foraged Acorns for Protection during New Beginnings
Flower Agate for Opening the Mind to New Possibilities
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE SCRYING POETRY TAROT AND THE FOUND WORLD ORACLE

@ambitiouslyalexa May Journal Prompts

Prompt for May 14th
: Where I feel most at peace

Tarot Reading with the Spirit Keeper's Tarot Revelation Edition

Reading Summary: A place that you go to in order to foster your intellect (Knight of Swords/The Shining Gale), that instills limits upon its visitors (Temperance/The Angel), and provides a balm to your emotions (King of Cups/Archangel of Healing).

Take Away: The library.

I was expecting the answer for this to come up as something to do with being in nature, as I am often at my most peaceful when I am relaxing in nature alone and on my own.

This answer isn’t wrong, though. It’s just something I hadn’t thought of in a very long time, as I usually obtain most of my reading material through Libby instead of stepping inside the library.

This feels like a call to action, encouraging me to actually visit the library and soak in its atmosphere for a while.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Lavender Bundle for Calming and Comfort
Moss Agate for Attracting Opportunities for Growth
Clear Quartz for boosting Mental Clarity
Mookaite for Help with Weighing One’s Options
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  SPIRIT KEEPER’S TAROT REVELATION EDITION
Daily Self Kindness

I picked up some more of that nasty tasting yogurt that worked so well on my stomach when I was taking antibiotics.

Finding the Positive for May 12 – 14

Vanessa Tarot in a Tin's Ten of Pentacles, Whispers of Dreamcatching Tarot's Temperance card, Tarot of the Kingdoms' High Priestess card

May 12 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The @GlitterbyInk #MayMoon26 Rise Root Return Challenge
So Below Prompt for May 12th
: Creation
Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Ten of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of satisfaction and stability in the area of one’s finances, resources, home, health, manifestations, and the physical world. This often translates into themes that have to do with hard earned success, accomplishments, abundance created through patience and hard work.

Just because you succeeded at something doesn’t mean that there won’t be more opportunities to come. It just means that you have bolstered your confidence for the next step in your journey.

Sometimes that next step is starting over, while other times that next step is leveling up in those things that you’ve already been working on. In either case, just like we don’t want to linger in the stagnancy of failure… we don’t wanna linger so long that success also becomes stagnant and stale.

The message in today’s Ten of Pentacles and the “creation” prompt is a reminder that even when we are at the end of a successful journey, there’s still more to come that we need to stay open to. It’s great to enjoy your successes, celebrate them, and share them with others. Just don’t use them as an excuse to shut down your awareness of other opportunities still to come or the willingness to pursue them.

DECK USED: VANESSA TAROT IN A TIN

May 13 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was

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The @GlitterbyInk #MayMoon26 Rise Root Return Challenge
As Within Prompt for May 13th
: Introspection
Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Temperance card, which is traditionally a representation of moderation, balance, slowing down, practicing patience, and can at times represent a connection between the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

The Four of Pentacles really caught my attention in this deck, to the point that I was surprised that it didn’t pop out as the card for today until I realized that… it kinda did.

To explain, we have to look at my dragon-esque tendencies, especially when it comes to my deck collection. I mean, look at that smirk in the Four of Pentacle’s illustration. That’s me with my decks. That smirk inspired my introspection of the day, even before I knew it was today’s prompt.

The thing is, even if I don’t particularly like a deck? Once it’s in my collection it may stay there indefinitely regardless… and that’s a problem.

This is where the Temperance card steps in. The Temperance card speaks of moderation, which is (obviously) not my strong suit. It’s still needed, though, even if it’s not particularly easy for me to practice.

The message in today’s Temperance card and the “introspection” prompt is an encouragement to look at those things where moderation is difficult for you, and consider why that’s the case and what you can do to help foster the moderation that is not enjoyed but is needed.

In my case, I think perhaps it’s time to do a cull on my collection. Why hold onto the decks I don’t enjoy, after all? (Other than those that were added to the collection specifically to work with specific clients, at any rate.)

DECK USED: WHISPERS OF DREAMCATCHING TAROT

May 14 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The @GlitterbyInk #MayMoon26 Rise Root Return Challenge
As Within Prompt for May 14th
: Depth
Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the High Priestess card, which is traditionally a representation of intuition, secrets, sacred knowledge, mystery, the subconscious mind.

Look deeper.

In my opinion, that’s what the High Priestess card is almost always about in one way or another. It’s about looking deeper. Deep deeper within ourselves, deeper within others, and deeper within the universe at large. It’s about seeking out the secret knowledge that hides beneath what is readily and easily available to us.

This card encourages us to take the “deep dive” needed to explore the subconscious and the secrets that reside there. To get to know ourselves better, and in doing so, understand others and the world around us better as well.

The message in today’s High Priestess card and the “depth” prompt is an encouragement to be curious and open to exploration. Secrets and hidden knowledge awaits you, but only if you’re willing to dive in, do the work, and delve into the depths to find the information you seek. It’s not going to be handed to you on a platter, even if it’s already within you waiting to be discovered. Inner knowing and wisdom take time and effort, curiosity and exploration. Dip in and let your curiosity flourish.

DECK USED: TAROT OF THE KINGDOMS (trimmed naked)

Choosing Authenticity

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The @GlitterbyInk #MayMoon26 Rise Root Return Challenge
So Below Prompt for May 11th
: Rhythm
Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

The Bohemian Cats Theatre Tarot - The Fool

Today’s draw is The Fool card, which is traditionally a representation of innocence, carelessness, carefree enthusiasm, and new beginnings.

I have a tendency to do my own thing, write my own rules, and March to the beat of my own drum. This means that I’m often out of sync with the people around me, because they expect me to act, react, or respond in certain ways. Often oblivious to these expectations, I respond naturally, and they are set off kilter.

When I’m not oblivious to these expectations, sometimes I try to adapt my actions, reactions, or responses to meet them. In these moments, I always feel out of sync with myself, though. It’s uncomfortable and disingenuous, and I don’t like how it feels.

The message in today’s Fool card and the “rhythm” prompt is a reminder that we all have our own drum and our own rhythm to dance to. We don’t have to lead our lives trying to fulfill other people’s expectations of us… and the discomfort that we feel in doing so is because we are being disingenuous to ourselves. Today’s message encourages us to keep this in mind, and to worry less about meeting others expectations, and more about being true to ourselves instead.

DECK USED:  THE BOHEMIAN CATS THEATRE TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2026 Challenge
Prompt for May 11th and 12th

Tarot Reading with the Tarocchi Fini Montecchi Anima Antiqua and Hedgewitch Oracle

In what ways are you unhappy with who you are now?

Elderberry and Hare; Knight of Pentacles atop The Devil

You worry about how many of your bad habits and addictions, as well as your addictive personality as a whole, developed from the negative experiences of your youth.

After all, everything that you are now is a product of your past, your experiences, and the growth you have accomplished throughout your life. What you’re unhappy about is in regards to those places where you don’t seem to have grown at all, or where an unhealthy trait has grown in a place that could’ve been fertile soil for something healthier.

This is especially true when it comes to that addictive personality that you work so hard to mitigate in your day-to-day life.

How can you improve upon the person you are now?

Yarrow and Beaver; Three of Cups atop King of Wands

Remember that you can allow emotion to be a part of your healing journey as well as a part of your “leadership model” when dealing with others.

By allowing others in your life to come with you on your journey, you welcome healing of the wounds that people in your past have created within you.

This is because having these people along with you in the present helps to repair the damage from your past, and in the process also helps you to grow into a better person.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Gneiss Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Aragonite for Truth and Understanding
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: TAROCCHI FINI MONTECCHI ANIMA ANTIQUA AND HEDGEWITCH ORACLE

@ambitiouslyalexa May Journal Prompts
Prompt for May 13th
: What I’m not giving myself enough credit for

Tarot Reading with The Bohemian Cats Theatre Tarot

Reading Summary: Learning and adapting (Page of Swords) as the world falls apart (The Tower) and you don’t really want to give a shit about any of it (Four of Cups).

Take Away: Although it’s not true apathy, you have a tendency to try to appear as unaffected as possible when things start to fall apart. You don’t want people to know you’re struggling, let alone how much you’re struggling.

The truth is, though, that even when you hide your struggles, they’re still real and they’re still there. Through it all you continue to fight to learn and adapt and keep going… usually alone because you don’t want to show that you’re struggling in the first place.

This resilience and persistence is something you rarely acknowledge or give yourself credit for, and yet it’s a backbone of strength that you lean into again and again.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Red Oak Leaf for Fostering Unconditional Love
Gneiss Wishing Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Carnelian Agate for Inner Drive and Focusing On Aspirations
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  THE BOHEMIAN CATS THEATRE TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I caught myself up on orders today. It wasn’t really what I wanted to do with my day, but it needed done and instead of procrastinating, I got my ass in gear and did it.

Seeking Validation

Today’s meditation was skipped

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The @GlitterbyInk #MayMoon26 Rise Root Return Challenge
So Below Prompt for May 10th
: Nourish
Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

The Winding Tarot - Six of Wands

Today’s draw is the Six of Wands, which is traditionally a representation of public accolades, societal expectations, people pleasing, and peer pressure.

It’s okay to enjoy praise and admiration from others, as long as it does not become your soul focus for validation.

This is the struggle that comes with people pleasing, and my opinion. You want to please others, you want to feel that validation of their being pleased, but how much are you willing to sacrifice for it?

I think that’s where the line lies between healthy acceptance of admiration and praise, and the unhealthy need for it.

The message in today’s Six of Wands and the “nourish” card is a reminder that we need to find validation in other ways than just through others. We need to be able to nourish and nurture ourselves, instead of depending upon others to always fill that need. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of leaning more and more heavily on others for validation; today’s message reminds us that it’s extremely important to also validate ourselves instead of leaving it up to others alone.

DECK USED:  THE WINDING (TAROT)

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 5 | Entry 8 – Health and Body
Affirmation : “I release stressful situations I cannot control.”
Prompt : When you think about what stresses you out mentally or physically, what energy does the card you draw offered for you to tap in to when you are starting to feel overwhelmed?

Tarot Activity from The One Card a Day Journal by Maria Sofia Marmanides - Sea and Sky Tarot - Death card

What feelings came up when I pulled this card?

One of the things that stresses me out the most recently is the amount of clutter I have in my home. It’s always there, piled up here and there.

Yes, I know where everything is, and yes, a good portion of why it’s like this is because I’m running a business out of my home… a home that is not quite large enough to handle the amount of work I’m doing here. That doesn’t change the fact that it looks like a mess.

When I pulled this card, there was a feeling of hopelessness in seeing it and the image upon it, for it feels like a warning that if I don’t get this in hand, it’s going to inevitably come tumbling down on top of me.

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

Inevitability is a huge part of the Death card. There is no other thing in life that is absolutely guaranteed to happen in the future than the fact that sooner or later we die. It can happen in all different ways and at all different times, but we’re all guaranteed to experience it eventually.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

The towering “death goddess” looming over the woman below with her sword and shield. The dragon that looks like it might be in mid-fall from the skies.

This figure may fight the good fight, but one way or the other she’s going to be crushed. She may be taking into her own hands how things play out, but the end result is going to be the same either way because she’s too damn close to the fray to avoid it.

My prompt response and reflections.

This card says that whether I take control and take care of these things myself, or leave them to crush me when they become so out of hand that they can no longer be ignored… sooner or later I’m going to have to confront and deal with the fallout.

The energy this card offers to me is not to just give up and lay down and wait for my eventual downfall, though. Instead, it offers the hope that I can stave off this eventual downfall by trying to take control not of the situation, but of my actions concerning it. Much in the same way that someone who eats healthy can help prolong their life. It’s not guaranteed, but it can help.

If I want to solve this problem, I need to back up and take a look at it from a more objective viewpoint, instead of from the center of the chaos where it all already feels far too overwhelming.

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

DECK USED: SEA AND SKY TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsMay2026 Challenge
Prompt for May 10th
: Do Spread 2
Philosophical Question for May 13th
: What is the point of life?

Tarot Reading with The Winding Tarot

Reading Summary: Inspired creation (Ace of Wands) through movement and doing (The Knight), no matter how slow (Knight of Pentacles).

Take Away: The universe was not created in a day. Yes, they call it the “Big Bang”, but that explosion didn’t happen all at once (nor was it actually a single explosion, but more of an expansion). It happened over the stretch of 3.8 billion years and continues on, even today.

Whether we feel the spark to create as a flash in the pan, or as a slow burn over a lifetime, these cards indicate that the purpose of life lies in creation.

Creation comes in all forms from art and science to life itself. It can be quick sometimes, it can take a lifetime, or it can take much longer than that. The crux, though, is in the energy of creation itself.

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

DECK USED:  THE WINDING (TAROT)
Daily Self Kindness

I made myself a post-it note in the wee hours of the morning and stuck it to my monitor, right in the center, to remind me that today is Mothers Day and I have phone calls to make.