Patience as Skill Development

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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

The Green Tarot - Seven of Pentacles and a card from the Crone Power Oracle and Affirmation Deck

Today’s draw is the Seven of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of slow growth, sustainability, domestic harmony, hard work, and practicing patience while the fruits of your labors develop and take form.

The Seven of Pentacles has then been combined with a card from the Crone Power Oracle and Affirmation Cards, which says, “I am peaceful. I find calm within myself.”

I have a tendency to rush. Not just in pushing myself in my endeavors, but also in everyday life. Like a dragonfly zipping from task to task and place to place, never pausing for long and rarely slowing down.

I’ve found, though, in my efforts to ease off in this behavior, that life’s little joys are enjoyed far more if you pause longer and move a bit slower.

The key is in learning to practice patience. In finding patience within yourself and encouraging it to flourish. In giving yourself permission to linger instead of rush. As a result you are then able to notice more instead of disregarding everything as a distraction. And that… is a major aspect of mindfulness.

The message in today’s Seven of Pentacles and affirmation is a reminder to slow down. Practice (as in try, fail, and try again) patience, and use that extra time to notice the things you normally wouldn’t. The more you practice? The more you will become better at bringing that patience up from within yourself when you need it most.

DECKS USED:  THE GREEN TAROT AND CRONE POWER ORACLE AND AFFIRMATION CARDS

September Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for September 9th
: before we fossilize

Creative Writing with the Dunhuang Duyumen Playing Cards

Let’s pick apart the issues
(Nine of Spades)
Let’s celebrate our joys
(Nine of Hearts)
Let’s connect heart to heart
(Two of Hearts)
And create confidence from the noise
(Four of Hearts)
So that what we carry forward
(Jack of Clubs)
Is solid and strong
(Four of Diamonds)
Immortalized into the future
(King of Diamonds)
To help them to fix what’s gone wrong
(Queen of Hearts)

Other elements included in this reading:
Beech Pods for Realizations that Foster Personal Growth
Foraged Oak Branch with Moss and Lichen for Perseverance
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: DUNHUANG DUYUMEN (THE NINE-COLORED DEER) PLAYING CARDS

@lightningwildflower‘s September Self-Talk Challenge
Prompts for September 9th and 10th

Tarot Reading with The Green Tarot

Reset – What part of my routine needs a reset?

Four of Swords and Ace of Wands Rx

You need to stop looking for new things to get excited about, and instead take some time to assess and what you’ve already explored that is working for you, as well as ascertain what isn’t. Looking for new interests and ideas is simply a way for you to run away from those things that aren’t working for you instead of dealing with them.

Venus enters Scorpio – Where am I craving intensity, honesty, or deeper connection?

IntensityAce of Cups – You don’t like feeling as if he’s lost interest or is no longer enthusiastic about learning new things about you. You are used to his emotions keeping him invested (and obsessed). As a result, when he’s not as invested as he once was you equate it to a waning of emotion.

HonestySeven of Pentacles – You don’t want to be pandered to when it comes to those things you’ve invested your time, energy, and patience into. If something isn’t working out or needs changing you’d rather know right away than have it sprung upon you later on down the line or have to discover it for yourself.

Deeper ConnectionQueen of Pentacles – You miss the nurturing energy that you used to get with more frequent trips out into nature. Find the time to get out among the trees and lichen more often and this craving will ease.

Other elements included in this reading:
Mandala on Cedar for Anchoring to the Present
Dried Red Maple Leaf for Adaptability and Connection
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE GREEN TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I brought home cupcakes from Ms B’s for a treat to snack on over the next few days.

🌑 New Moon in Virgo – September 2026

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 @auragami.la

New Moon in Virgo Tarot Reading with The Garnet Witch's Tarot and Willowseeds for the Wild Soul Oracle

A powerful reset in your daily life

Seven of Pentacles – You are in the process of learning how to allow things to move at their own pace instead of constantly pushing them forward with unreasonable demands and expectations. This change will allow you to take more time for the things you truly enjoy, and see life less as a race and more as a journey of growth and development.

The desire to simplify, organize, and create more structure

The Lovers – It’s time to look more closely at those things you continue to tend in your life that aren’t suited to you. Whether bad habits or self destructive behaviors, this moon’s cycle offers you a chance to objectively look at what these things are doing for you and how they are holding you back.

A stronger awareness of where your time and energy are going

Four of Cups – Where are you wasting time resisting others and holding yourself apart? Consider how life might be different and/or easier if you were connecting more closely, and what things might make those closer connections problematic. Your interactions with others need work in order to smooth out moments of resistance and rectify unhealthy patterns.

A renewed focus on health, healing and overall well-being

The Emperor Rx – Your focus on everyone else’s well-being is restricting you from taking better care of yourself. You are allowed to give yourself the care and attention needed. The needs of others can wait while you do that.

Clarity around what needs to be refined, released or improved

RefineGuide – Consider examining more closely who and what you are listening to. Hone in on those you really want to follow or align with, instead of just allowing yourself to be pulled in multiple directions.

Release Rooted – Consciously make the choice to get out in nature more instead of trying to ground yourself through “shortcut” means. Plants need soil, and so do you.

Improve Keeper – Remember that the only person you are truly responsible for is yourself. Take time to enjoy and sink into the little wonders in the world instead of sacrificing these things to the demands of responsiblies and the needs of others.

New Moon advice from the Minoan Goddess Amalthea

Page of Pentacles atop Four of Pentacles Rx – Make sure you are focusing on your new understanding of stability (developing one’s sea legs) and balance (the tip and sway of scales) through movement. Don’t get sucked back into your outdated views of stability and balance as still or stagnant. You are learning, at this time, how to incorporate this new understanding into your life.

Other elements included in this reading:
Goat Figure as Sympathetic Representation of Amalthea
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
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
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE GARNET WITCH’S TAROT AND WILLOWSEEDS FOR THE WILD SOUL ORACLE

It’s a Step by Step Process

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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

The Good Karma Tarot - Eight of Pentacles and a card from the Create Brave Deck

Today’s draw is the Eight of Coins, 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.

The Eight of Coins has then been combined with the Dreamscape card from the Create Brave Cards, which says, “When I imagine my future, I turn it into a reality.”

Today’s cards feel like a carryover from yesterday’s card of the day, which spoke of the need for more than wishful thinking in order to build the future one wants as opposed to the entitlement of expecting it to be given to us.

Today we see a card that represents working hard to hone one’s skills and abilities in a specific area combined with an affirmation that talks about turning what one imagines they want into reality.

This speaks not just of the work involved in building the reality that we want to experience, but also the fact that this process takes time. It takes time to develop one’s skills, including both successes and failures along the way. Sometimes the things that we do don’t work out, and from these things that don’t work out we learn how to do them successfully the next time.

In this way, failure is never actually failure unless you give up. Instead, failure becomes a learning experience on how to improve.

The message in today’s Eight of Coins and affirmation card is a reminder that instant gratification might seem nice, but it doesn’t really give us anything of value.It’s those desires that we worked towards and earn through trial and error, curiosity and exploration, that give us the sweetest things in life that we find most fulfilling.

DECKS USED:  THE GOOD KARMA TAROT AND CREATE BRAVE CARDS

September Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for September 8th
: I carry the ash in both hands

Creative Writing Exercise with the Thornwood Playing Cards

As the man, I was falls away defeated by new ideas and new perspectives (Ace of Spades atop Five of Clubs), I find myself less focused on balance created by stagnancy (Two of Diamonds) and let go of the need for plans to be starched rigid with strategy (King of Diamonds).

These expectations are burned to ash by trial and error (Five of Spades) while I find a better way (Nine of Diamonds).

And yet as I move on, I carry the ashes with me, coating the palms of both hands, for they serve as a reminder of what came before and was lost along the way as I move on to better things (Jack of Hearts).

Other elements included in this reading:
Bird Figurine for Encouraging Hope, Positivity, and Renewal
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Foraged Acorn for Protection during New Beginnings
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THORNWOOD PLAYING CARDS

@jourie.co‘s An Imaginative Life Journal Prompts
Prompt for September 10th
: Who are you when no one needs anything from you?

Tarot Reading with The Good Karma Tarot

Reading Summary: Someone whose entire world (The World) becomes driven by their addictions (The Devil), who is never satisfied with how much they have accomplished and is always looking for more to do (Two of Swords atop Nine of Coins).

Take Away: This is interesting, as it’s a question I’ve never really considered or looked at before. In fact, it was this question and how intrigued I was by it that convinced me to do this particular challenge for September.

These cards make a good point. Before I had others depending on me, I was working myself into the ground while heavily flirting with my addictions.

Although I often find myself perceiving my responsibilities to others as a struggle or a chore, the truth of the matter is that if these responsibilities weren’t there, I would be finding other ways to not just keep myself busy but keep myself overwhelmed with too much and distracted by addictions whose urges are currently dimmed by my focus on other things.

Other elements included in this reading:
Norway Maple Key for Fostering Strength and Resilience
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Flower Agate Moon for Opening the Mind to New Possibilities
Tigers Eye for Protection and Fostering Confidence
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE GOOD KARMA TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

Even though I hate the stuff, I took a benadryl when I had an allergy flare-up earlier instead of trying to “tough it out” until it was over.

Delusions of Entitlement

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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

Greenwood Tarot's Sun Card and a card from the Tao Book and Cards Pack

Today’s draw is The Sun card, which is traditionally a representation of success, optimism, positivity, fun and frivolity. In my practice, the Sun is also a symbol of masculine vitality, virility, and warmth.

The Sun card has then been combined with a card from the Tao Book and Cards Pack, with a Lao Tzu quote that says, “A thousand mile journey starts with one step.”

I don’t understand the mentality of entitlement. The idea that “I suffer, therefore I am owed”, or worse yet “I exist therefore this is my due.”

I see it all the time, and it never fails to bother me, surprise me, and disgust me. Where the hell did the idea that everything should be given to us come from? And why do so many believe it?

Life is a journey of lessons and work. In my opinion, if you want something then you go after it, work for it… earn it. You don’t just sit back and expect it to just happen, and then have the nerve to blame anything or everything else when you don’t get it.

The message in today’s cards is a reminder that we take ownership of our lives and our futures through action, not through waiting for things to be handed to us. These cards encourage us all to take the first step. Then another… and another. This is how we end up in the life we want to live; by building that life and living it, one step at a time.

DECKS USED:  THE GREENWOOD TAROT AND TAO BOOK AND CARDS PACK

September Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for September 7th
: the space between us measured in time

Creative Writing with the Inner Eye Oracle

When I discovered the real you beneath the mask (Jack of Spades), I realized I’d never really known you at all.

It took twenty years to discover you didn’t care, and what I’d mistaken as caring and love was simply you playing devils advocate (Five of Diamonds atop Six of Hearts) to his reign (King of Clubs).

And with each year that passes since then, I see more clearly how little our values mesh (Ace of Diamonds), as we grow further and further apart (Seven of Hearts). Until even when sitting across from each other the chasm between us grows ever larger (Five of Hearts).

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
Black Spruce Needles to Boost Self-Confidence and Positive Thinking
Dried Rosebuds for Potential and Beauty Waiting to Unfold
Dried Purple Heather Flowers for Independence and Luck
Norway Maple Key for Fostering Strength and Resilience
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: INNER EYE ORACLE

@lightningwildflower‘s September Self-Talk Challenge
Prompts for September 7th and 8th

Tarot Reading with the Greenwood Tarot

Patience – Where can I practice patience with myself?

Ten of Stones Rx – Remember that hurdles on the way to one’s goals are simply a part of the journey. We are supposed to be enjoying the journey, not beating ourselves up for not reaching our goals as quickly as we think we should. Growth takes time, and is the entire point.

Perspective – What is a new perspective I’m beginning to adopt?

Wanderer of Cups – Emotions aren’t such a bad thing after all, and they can be a strength instead of seen as a vulnerability. They only feel so vulnerable because you find them uncertain and unfamiliar, not because they’re an actual weakness.

Add On Question – Why did you toss yourself all over the place earlier?

Balance – Because you were rushing things and weren’t fully grounded. By the cards ending up going every which way instead of behaving in your hands, it provided you that little bit of extra time and a touch of aggravation. This, in turn, allowed you to center and ground more deeply through the breathing exercise you used to activate your patience and the movement of your body to collect what fell on the floor.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Acorn for Protection during New Beginnings
Foraged Lodgepole Pine for Strength and Growth
Pressed Pansy Flower for Hearing the Heart More Clearly
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

DECK USED: THE GREENWOOD TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I picked up my pants from the seamstress on the way to the garden center so I could do laundry tonight instead of waiting until Wednesday.

Finding Validation and Stability

Today’s meditation was skipped.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🌾    •    ◈    •    •    •

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

Gravity Tattoo Tarot's Four of Pentacles and a card from the Rethink Self Care Anxiety Relief Cards

Today’s draw is the Four of Pentacles, which is traditionally about stability and gratitude (sometimes to excess, which can turn miserly) for what you have. This is a stagnant sort of appreciation that speaks of not reaching for more, but instead being focused on what you have in the now.

The Four of Pentacles has then been combined with a Grounding Exercises card from the Rethink Self Care Anxiety Relief Cards, which says, “Self-massage… relieves tension, calms your mind, and promotes a soothing sense of well-being.”

I recently did an exercise where in the process of a calming meditation, you place your hand over your heart as you speak to yourself, patting gently and giving yourself comforting words. At the end of this exercise, you then reach up and pat yourself on the shoulder, breathing in the sentiments of comforting energy.

Hyunjin "When the Party's Over" Dance Shoulder Pat

I admit. I was skeptical.

And yet? It did in fact feel different than exercises I’ve done that didn’t include these physical actions. I was surprised by this. There was, in fact, an added level of comfort there.

The message in today’s Four of Pentacles and activity card is a reminder that, like validation, stability and comfort are nice when they come from others, but essential when provided for oneself. Don’t confuse the nice of someone else’s offerings as a necessity you can’t do without. Establish a steady foundation of self love so that true comfort, validation, and stability come from within.

DECKS USED:  GRAVITY TATTOO TAROT AND RETHINK SELF CARE ANXIETY RELIEF CARDS

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 3 | Entry 19 – Family and Friends
Affirmation : “Some of my most cherished memories are moments spent with friends.”
Prompt : Think of a person you miss. Reminisce about some of your favorite memories with that person. According to your chosen card, is there a certain friendship you should spend more time nurturing?

Tarot Activity from The One Card a Day Journal by Maria Sofia Marmanides - Solipsist Tarot - The Moon card

What feelings came up when I pulled this card?

Disappointment combined with a rueful feeling of acceptance.

Also a hint of amusement specifically in reference to the figure in the card’s derriere appearing as if they just experienced a vigorous spanking.

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

The Moon card is often about uncertainty, which is how this friendship eventually fell apart. The drinking turned into erratic and disrespectful behavior, which turned into something that hurt.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

The red cheeks mentioned above spoke to me of the repeated offenses and disrespect that had me “course correcting” him more than once in an effort to teach him better behavior.

The crab holding up a leaf like some sort of olive branch while simultaneously pinching the figure’s toe hard enough to draw blood reminds me of all the apologies that seemed so sincere, yet weren’t sincere enough to keep them from repeating the behavior again and again.

The figure’s back is turned, as if they are trying to look serene and pretend like noting is wrong.

My prompt response and reflections.

It’s hard not to forgive and try again. Especially when the memory of the pain starts to fade. History has shown that this friendship isn’t a friendship at all, though, but a harmful and unhealthy cycle. It doesn’t need nurturing, but rather handled at arm’s length with kid gloves and a mindset of caution and wariness.

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

DECK USED: SOLIPSIST TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2026 Challenge
Prompt for September 6th
: Do Spread 1

Tarot Reading with the Gravity Tattoo Tarot

Wolf – How can I bolster my strength and bravery for hurdles yet to come?

Knight of Wands – Connect with your enthusiasm, and allow that focus on what excites you to blind you for a time to the things that don’t

Owl – How can I learn to better trust my perception of the world and other people?

King of Pentacles – Actions speak louder than words. Use previous experiences as a guide, and trust what these people actually physically show you instead of what they say.

Stag – Where in my life can greater dignity create a stronger sense of integrity?

Page of Pentacles – Patience. Patience is a tool that can be used to create stability. It expresses dignity with quiet strength while showing others you won’t compromise yourself or your values.

Eagle – Why does good and successful leadership also require a modicum of grace?

The Emperor atop The Hermit – Because in order to know others and understand their needs, you need to know thyself. The understanding of our own inner workings and motivations helps us to not just understand others but better connect with them on a deeper level.

Salmon – In what direction have I been moving by instinct without realizing it?

The World – You move towards the future and the completion of your goals by instinct without realizing it. Proof positive that you don’t need to control every moment of every step on the path you choose. You will continue to move in that direction even during times when you aren’t paying close attention or controlling every little thing.

Wild Goose – How have my past relationships and friendships taught me to be a better person?

The Devil – By watching the struggles and hurt that others go through, you are able to learn by example instead of trying everything out for yourself and suffering the consequences on a more personal level.

Other elements included in this reading:
Bird Figurine for Encouraging Hope, Positivity, and Renewal
Foraged Acorn for Protection during New Beginnings
Foraged Lodgepole Pine for Strength and Growth
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
Calcite w/ Conichalcite for Amplifying Intuitive Messages
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: GRAVITY TATTOO TAROT
Daily Self Kindness

I have (with obvious efforts) course corrected negative thinking and inner narratives numerous times today.

Anger As a Conduit

Today’s meditation was skipped.

•    •    •    ◈    •    🌾    •    ◈    •    •    •

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

The Slow Tarot - Two of Cups and a card from The Nourished Heart Oracle

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

The Two of Cups has then been combined with the Anger card from The Nourished Heart Oracle, which says, “Anger is fuel. Recovery is rebellion.”

Sometimes it can be difficult to weed out those that have your best interests at heart from those that don’t. Observation during unguarded moments is a good way to do this; and nothing leaves someone as unguarded as anger.

In these moments we get a true glimpse of what’s going on inside a person as their true selves peek out from behind the mask they generally show the world. (The same thing happens when people get drunk, in fact. Both anger and alcohol have a tendency to lower inhibitions and allow us to get a peek at those hidden parts of others.)

The message in today’s Two of Cups and affirmation suggests when seeking true connections that we choose those who will be angry for you and angry with you, and not those who choose to be angry at you. These cards tell us that these are the individuals that will stick by your side through thick and thin, and lend you the support you need when you need it.

Connecting through anger may be an unorthodox approach to making friends, but it can give us a glimpse at those who truly -are- out friends, and those who use their friendship as merely window dressing.

DECKS USED:  THE SLOW TAROT AND THE NOURISHED HEART ORACLE

September Prompts by @forgotten.dumpling & @ml.mecham
Prompt for September 6th
: an obituary of the moon’s orbit

Writing Exercise with the Inuit Art Playing Cards

When fears come true and the bickering is over
(Nine of Spades atop Five of Clubs)

When he finds somewhere else to be
(Jack of Hearts)

We will look back on the times he watched over our dreams
(King of Clubs)

And express mourning of the light lost that was once he
(Three of Spades atop Ace of Spades)

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences

DECK USED: INUIT ART PLAYING CARDS

@lightningwildflower‘s September Self-Talk Challenge
Prompts for September 5th and 6th

Tarot Reading with The Slow Tarot and Protection Spells Deck

Discipline – Where do I need a little more discipline to achieve a goal?

Queen of Swords atop Ace of Wands Rx; Aphrodite

It’s in the things you are already well versed in that you need to train your focus upon right now. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted by the new and shiny.

Whether this is in matters of the heart or preparing for battle, don your armor with care so that your softness can shine through. It’s okay to care.

Insight – What inner message deserves my attention today?

Page of Wands and Boundary of Protection

Take on new challenges with calm and enthusiasm. Life is an adventure. Be bold and steadfast, gentle and wild of heart.

Other elements included in this reading:
Pressed Pansy Flower for Hearing the Heart More Clearly
Clear Quartz for boosting Mental Clarity
Honey Calcite for Optimism and Motivational Boost
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE SLOW TAROT AND PROTECTION SPELLS DECK
Daily Self Kindness

I considered discontinuing this daily self-kindness part of my posts, but decided that I might be getting benefit from it that I’m not readily or easily noticing. Thus, I’ve decided to continue for the time being.