Explorations In Hope

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

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Supernova Tarot - The StarThe @GlitterbyInk #SeptemberSoul25 Challenge
Seeds of Intention Prompt for September 6th
: Origin
Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is The Star card, which is traditionally a representation of hope, faith, and the connecting of spirituality to the various aspects of our lives.

Where does hope come from? Is it just a part of being human? Is it hereditary? Is it taught and learned?

Hope comes from within. That I know. External forces may spark it to life or dampen its flame, but it’s something within us all. But… how did it get there in the first place? After all, even the most severe of pessimists, who squash their own feelings of hope at every turn, have to have hope in order to squash it.

Maybe where it comes from isn’t important, and what truly is important is learning how to fan its flames within us. Still, the question stands; possibly unanswerable, but there all the same.

The message in today’s card is that hope it is universal, but what we do with it varies from person to person. Today’s message encourages us to look at what you’re doing with yours, and if you don’t like how it’s going? Maybe consider why it’s there in the first place and do a little exploring with it.

DECK USED:  SUPERNOVA TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2025 Challenge
Prompt for September 6th
: What do you need to focus on for self-care for this month’s full moon?

Quiet Rebel OracleReading Summary: Those that betrayed you when you thought them your friends (Tribe of Rebels) are long gone. It’s time to address these wounds (Embrace the Scars) and begin moving away from the defence mechanisms that this experience created within you (The Quiet Rebellion Starts With You).

Take Away: The wounds created by these people were struck upon your insides over a decade ago.  It’s time to confront those wounds and begin to break down the scar tissue left behind.

That experience was extremely painful, and it tore away a huge swath of your naivety, but it’s in the past.  Allowing it to still hurt you for so very long means you are punishing yourself far more than the lesson learned warranted.

Other elements included in this reading:
Carved Bamboo for Positive Outcomes
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others

DECK USED: QUIET REBEL ORACLE

@de_tarotjuf Time for Yourself
#detarotjufseptembertarotchallenge
Prompt for September 6th thru 8th

Tarot Reading with the Supernova Tarot and Valmor Roaring 20s Fortune Telling CardsWhat can I take a fresh look at?

Six of Wands and The Cross – Whose regard are you holding above your own? It’s time to take a look at the negative influences that others opinions are having on you, and why you are allowing their words and opinions to hold such weight and importance.

What’s holding me back from truly starting with good intentions today?

The Tower Rx and The Gentleman – Your fear is holding you back. Current transitions taking place in your life and the chaos involved are stirring up fears. These fears have the ability to force you into stagnancy if you let them. You need to work at stepping past them so that you stay active in other ways during this time.

Which dream do I want to take seriously?

The World and The Lady – You wish to emerge from this time of struggle and uncertainty into a time of grace and abundance. You want a “soft landing” after the trials and tribulations. Instead of daydreaming about it, and telling yourself it’s not going to happen, hold faith that you have the inner strength to bring this dream into fruition.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Aragonite for Truth and Understanding
Black Tourmaline for Grounding and Protection
Carnelian Agate for Inner Drive and Focusing On One’s Aspirations
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: SUPERNOVA TAROT AND VALMOR ROARING ’20s FORTUNE TELLING CARDS

Daily Self Kindness

It took me three tries to actually manage to get through my meditation today, but I didn’t give up on it.

The Virtue of Patience

Today’s meditation was a self-directed ten minute session, focused upon the “Give It a Minute” card from The Az Oracle (shown) by @Sunni_Chapman and the guidance that came with that card.

That guidance says, “That thing you’re worrying about, or think has gone wrong, or that you have done wrong… give it a minute. Sometimes more can be solved by just going out to play or doing something else than could be with all of your tinkering. Relax child. All will be well. You’ll see.”

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Camena Tarot's The Sun Card and The Az Oracle ReadingThe @GlitterbyInk #SeptemberSoul25 Challenge
Seeds of Intention Prompt for September 5th
: Whisper
Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

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

Sometimes, “all things (really do) come to those that wait”. I’m not saying that this is a rule to live by for every occasion, but there are definitely times when it aptly applies.

Patience is considered a virtue for a reason, though. We are so inundated with instant gratification that it has become the new norm… and patience, a quality that has always been a struggle for humanity to begin with, has now become an enigma.

But sometimes? Patience is what’s needed most.

I’m currently in a situation where I’m stuck in a holding pattern, and I find myself struggling with the lack of action and agency. What hangs in the balance is, quite literally, my livelihood.

The message in the Sun card for today is a reminder that maybe we should work more at turning these times of waiting into times of enjoyment by doing things to take our mind off of it. Have a little fun and let the impatience and worry sit on the back burner for a while. Then, when we come back to it, we’ll be able to do so with a lighter heart and clearer mind; those nasty little impatient whispers in our head not quite as loud as before.

DECK USED:  CAMENA TAROT AND THE AZ ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2025 Challenge
Prompts for September 4th and 5th

Tarot Reading with the Camena Tarot, New Orleans Tarot Cats, and Grain CardsWhat are you ignoring that needs rooted out and dealt with?

Wheel of Fortune – You are not handling uncertainty and the concept of idle time well. That uncertainty spread out before you, and the lack of predictability involved, makes it feel like you’re spiralling out of control and that there’s no safe place to land.

Your Personal Pain

Australian White Cedar and Queen of Cups – Now that you are so much more open to your emotions, they are trying to have more say, and even step in to lead the way. This is causing a conflict to arise at times between you emotional self and your moral compass. (ie: There are things you could do to make your situation better and create more stability during this time of uncertainty, but they are illegal, unacceptable to your moral compass, or both.)

A Healing Action to Take

Walnut and Nine of Cups – Place your focus into staying positive. Things are in flux right now, and sometimes that makes an optimistic viewpoint hard to hold onto. Don’t let the negative creep in, but instead stay on top of developing that positive outlook and optimism you’ve been working towards. This continues to combat your pessimism and the influences of your negative inner narratives.

Possible Positive Outcome

Elm and The Hierophant – By being patient and learning how to do things the “proper way” by the book instead of taking shortcuts, you are then able to help others learn and guide them through it, too. This is a comfortable position for you that helps you feel more stable and secure, even during times of transition.

Take Away – Stop twisting in the wind. Use your work with positivity to help keep yourself calm and your hope alive. You can’t learn the right way to do things if you’re too busy with your focus on getting away with doing the wrong things. Not to mention, going against your moral compass has never worked well for you and the chances of it doing so this time are low.

Other elements included in this reading:
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECKS USED: CAMENA TAROT, NEW ORLEANS TAROT CATS, AND GRAIN CARDS

Daily Self Kindness

I didn’t cancel my shrink appointment, even though I really didn’t want to do it and had a feeling it was going to throw off my equilibrium (which, in fact, it did).

The Happy Place

Today’s meditation was a self-directed ten minute session, focused upon the “Take It Easy” card from The Az 2 Oracle (shown) by @Sunni_Chapman and a quote from guidance that came with that card.

That guidance says, “You know what you’re doing babes, take it easy on you.”

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The Unofficial Shel Silverstein Tarot and The Az 2 Oracle The @GlitterbyInk #SeptemberSoul25 Challenge
Seeds of Intention Prompt for September 4th
: Stillness
Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Nine of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of themes that have to do with contentment, accomplishment, and satisfaction in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, creativity, and intuition.

One of the things I find particularly appealing about meditation and mindfulness is that you can take it with you anywhere. You can quite literally do it everywhere.

This means that the potential to find some kind of peace and contentment is possible anywhere and in any situation. This is why combat soldiers are taught box breathing. This is how snipers stay so calm and focused. This is how free divers are able to be so effective with their breath control.

Yes. A cushy mat and some silence is an absolutely delightful way to practice. We practice in the spaces, though, so that we can then bring the skills learned there with us to be utilized in the busy and chaotic world where they can do the most good.

The message for today is that any place has the potential to be our happy place. If we learn how to bring that inner stillness and peace with us, we can bring our happy place with us wherever we go.

DECK USED:  THE UNOFFICIAL SHEL SILVERSTEIN TAROT AND THE AZ 2 ORACLE

@de_tarotjuf Time for Yourself
#detarotjufseptembertarotchallenge
Prompts for September 4th and 5th

The Unofficial Shel Silverstein Tarot and Kitten Oracle ReadingWhat can I do to increase my self-confidence?

The World and The Loaf – Don’t worry so much about the end of things and what you’re losing in moving past it. Instead, remember how far you’ve come, and that what you’ve built gives you a sense of security that will last beyond this ending and onto the next beginning. Relax and enjoy the ride, tuck away your defences, and put away your fears concerning what you can’t see and don’t yet know.

What new habit can help me flourish?

The Sun and The Storm – Take comfort in the fact that your current struggles and fears are temporary, and you will get the chance to start climbing toward your goals and aspirations again once everything has settled down. For now, just snuggle in with those things and people that give you comfort and wait out the storm.

Other elements included in this reading:
Black Spruce Needles to Boost Self-Confidence and Positive Thinking
Dried Purple Heather Flowers for Independence and Luck
Aragonite for Truth and Understanding
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE UNOFFICIAL SHEL SILVERSTEIN TAROT AND KITTEN ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I bought myself a box of chocolate muffins while at the store today.

It’s In the Presentation

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

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Tarot of the Old Forest - Nine of PentaclesThe @GlitterbyInk #SeptemberSoul25 Challenge
Seeds of Intention Prompt for September 3rd
: Presence
Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

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.

I know a woman who carries herself with elegance and poise. When she walks into a room, people take notice. When she walks into a bar, people stop cursing. At barely 5 foot, she’s not physically imposing. She’s not movie star gorgeous, nor does she dress in a way that would indicate great wealth or power.

What she is? Is a lady, and she is treated with respect wherever she goes. Not because of anything monetary or intimidating, but because she has presence.

It’s in her posture and in her smile, it’s in her eyes and in every step and movement. She’s kind and warm-hearted, approachable and… even “cute” sometimes. Yet no one ever disrespects her.

Today’s message is about our presence, and an encouragement to present yourself as you how you want others to see you; for that is exactly how they are going to see you.

It takes practice and work. It’s about posture and poise, presentation, and determination. Anyone can create the perception of being a lady or a gentleman. Anyone can create the perception of being an easy victim or someone not worth messing with.

What perceptions are you showing the world? How could you possibly change them to your advantage?

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE OLD FOREST

@de_tarotjuf Time for Yourself
#detarotjufseptembertarotchallenge
Prompt for September
3rd : What limiting beliefs am I still holding onto?

Tarot of the Old Forest's King of Swords and Crow Redux Oracle ReadingReading Summary: You have a tendency to take everything you can upon your own shoulders (Isolation), and that it’s your responsibility to do so so that those around you aren’t inconvenienced (King of Swords). You perceive this as a strength, even though what it actually does is make you weaker (Strength).

Take Away: Being a good leader means letting go of the idea that everything is all on you. A king is not a king without his subjects, a leader is not a leader without others to lead.

Doing stuff alone doesn’t make you stronger, it just wears you down and creates overwhelm. True strength is in finding how to involve others and delegate effectively.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
Foraged Purple Heather Sprigs for Independence and Luck
Gneiss Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Cream Quartz Stone for Amplifying Intentions and Mental Clarity
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: TAROT OF THE OLD FOREST AND THE CROW REDUX

Daily Self Kindness

I took a nap in the back of the car today when I had the opportunity.

The Importance of Stewardship

Today’s meditation was a self-directed ten minute session, focused upon the “Aliens In This World” card from the Alice’s Flowers Oracle (shown) by @Sunni_Chapman and a quote from guidance that came with that card.

That guidance says, “We are aliens in this world, you and I. All of us. Visitors for a time. Exploring this earthly realm. Learning about its ins and outs. Learning about our own. Try not to take it all too seriously. Soon, we’ll all be taking off.”

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Alice's Flowers Oracle and Sigilla Mediaevalia Tarot Reading - The Devil CardThe @GlitterbyInk #SeptemberSoul25 Challenge
Seeds of Intention Prompt for September 2nd
: Rooted
Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

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

The advice that came as the basis of the card I pulled for my meditation today speaks of how we are all aliens only temporarily living in this world.

I… don’t think this is right.

On a spiritual level? Perhaps. We all die after all. In that sense, we all do “move on”, even if not always away from this world. (Ie: reincarnation, ancestral visitors, ghost and spirits, etc.)

Also, if we aren’t of this world, wouldn’t things like grounding in nature and the healing aspects of nature not work on us? I mean, maybe there are some among us that are not of this world, but I’m pretty certain that I am.

Anyway, in the advice for this card, it says that we are visitors for a time, and to not take it all too seriously, because we’ll all be “taking off” soon. I think this is a dangerous line of thinking to buy into. It encourages not taking responsibility in life for… Well, anything.

After all, what does it all matter (the earth, other creatures, our own bodies) if this is just some kind of pit stop? I feel that this mindset encourages treating the world and everything in it like some sort of back road rest stop bathroom. And, if you’ve ever been in one of those, you know just how badly they are treated.

What I see in today’s message is about discernment and critical thinking. It’s a reminder that sometimes ideas and ideology sound good… but on close critical examination, they are foundationally flawed. The message for today is a reminder to always look for these flaws before you buy in to harmful and even possibly dangerous ideologies. Just because it sounds good doesn’t mean it is; and when something is too good to be true? There’s a good chance you’re not looking closely enough.

DECK USED:  SIGILLA MEDIAEVALIA TAROT AND ALICE’S FLOWERS ORACLE

@de_tarotjuf Time for Yourself
#detarotjufseptembertarotchallenge
Prompt for September 2nd
: Where lies a strength I can still discover?

Foxfire: A Kitsune Oracle ReadingReading Summary: Your sense of humor and wonder (Delight) is still there deep within you (Beneath the Surface). It is an integral part of who you are, hidden but not destroyed by what you’ve gone (Born with a Gift).

Take Away: A lot of the things you have gone through in life could have easily snuffed out the qualities of humor and wonder in you.  Instead, they remain a hidden part of who you are, waiting to be explored.

Not long ago, you read the book “Awe” by Dacher Keltner, that delved into the importance of wonder and awe in our lives. This book made it easier for you to connect with those emotions, and you now only need to give yourself the permission to actually feel them and enjoy them.

Other elements included in this reading:
Carved Bamboo for Positive Outcomes
Fox Figure for Fostering Adaptability and Cunning
Foraged Silver Maple Key for Bouncing Back to Thrive
Carnelian Agate for Inner Drive and Focusing On One’s Aspirations
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: FOXFIRE : THE KITSUNE ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2025 Challenge
Prompts for September 2nd

Almanac of Birds: 100 Divinations for Uncertain Days and The Primero Tarot's Seven of Pentacles, Eight of Swords, and Nine of WandsWhat makes you feel excited?

Common Tern and Seven of Pentacles – Discovering the fruits of your inner growth makes you feel excited. Getting a chance to enjoy and acknowledge the fruits of your labors in general is something to get excited about, but when it comes to your personal inner development, you find discovering those results and accomplishments especially exciting as they things usually go unnoticed and unacknowledged.

What makes you feel happy?

Large Ground Finch and Eight of Swords – The interactive writing you do with your partner gives you the gift of a temporary distraction from reality. It allows you to temporarily close your eyes to the world around you and your troubles. This time spent with him  lifts your spirits even when you are feeling at your worst, so that you can go back out to tackle the world with your eyes open once ore.

What makes you feel calm?

Common Pine Finch and Nine of Wands – One of the things that creates calm for you is the knowledge that your struggles and hardships have a purpose. The lessons you learn from these struggles and hardships allow you to better care for and protect what’s important to you. This, in turn, provides a sense of security that fosters calm within you.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Deodar Cedar Impression for Clarity and Spiritual Connection
Foraged Ponderosa Pine Cone for Resilience and Adaptability
Rainforest Rhyolite for Facilitating Calm Transitions
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE PRIMERO TAROT AND AN ALMANAC OF BIRDS: 100 DIVINATIONS FOR UNCERTAIN DAYS

Daily Self Kindness

I reached out to Gideon to let him know I’d be late tonight.

Forgiveness vs Forgetting

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

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Earthbound Tarot's Three of SwordsThe @GlitterbyInk #SeptemberSoul25 Challenge
Seeds of Intention Prompt for September 1st :
Remember
Daily Mental Health Prompt
: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Three of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of depression, grief, and disappointments. This theme often seems strange to people, being that it is seated in the Swords suit (which is often all about intellect and the mind), but it is important to remember that how we react emotionally is often rooted in how we think and what expectations we create for ourselves before everything falls apart.

Just because you refuse to forget, doesn’t mean you can’t forgive.

Some things in life stay with you. They leave permanent scars, or at least those scars seem pretty permanent when you carry them with you for decades after the fact.

The thing is though, sometimes in order for healing to begin we have to forgive. That doesn’t mean we forget what happened; nor does it mean that we start the offending party over from square one and decide that they’ve changed… because it’s very possible (and more than likely that) they haven’t.

It simply means that we no longer allow them and their past actions to make us angry and upset anymore. I’m not talking about burying your feelings either, nor pretending that you’re not angry when you really are. These feelings are valid and understandable. I’m just saying that in order to heal the wounds, sometimes we have to eventually let the hurt and anger go.

I am personally guilty of not letting things go. Hell, my main abuser in my life growing up has passed away, which means there’s really no one left to be mad at, and yet it still took me a long time after his passing to finally let go of that anger.

Today’s message tells us that as long as you allow those that hurt you to occupy your mind and control your emotions, you will not be able to heal the wounds that they have created within you. Take as long as you need to rant and rage, but eventually start looking towards letting go instead.

DECK USED:  EARTHBOUND TAROT

@de_tarotjuf Time for Yourself
#detarotjufseptembertarotchallenge
Prompt for September 1st
 : What would I like to evoke in my life this month?

Earthbound Tarot's Two of Cups and The Fermentation Oracle ReadingReading Summary: There needs to be some changes (Transformation) in your relationships with others (Two of Cups) in order to make them feel more stable (Grounding).

Take Away: You have fallen into the old habit of taking everything on your own shoulders, and as a result you are carrying too much of the load where responsibilities are concerned in your relationships with others.

Instead of keeping these feelings to yourself and letting the overwhelm eat you up, you need to sort things out with them so that the responsibilities, workload, and stress involved is more evenly distributed.

Remember that your friends and loved ones -want- to help you and are eager to contribute. The unpleasant feelings you are picking up concerning this aren’t coming from them, bur rather from your own reluctance to both inconvenience them as well release that tight grip on everything a little bit.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Cedar Bundle for Protection from Negative Influences
Aragonite for Truth and Understanding
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: EARTHBOUND TAROT AND THE FERMENTATION ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2025 Challenge
Prompt for September 1st
: What is something new you should try this month?

Earthbound Tarot's Strength card and The Flower Oracle ReadingReading Summary: Work on convincing yourself (Strength) to hold out hope and believe that a solution is forthcoming (Snowdrop). Consider your next steps with care instead of jumping the gun (Dahlia).

Take Away: This has to do with your business and the worries going on right now in that corner.

This is a message that’s currently repeating in your readings because it’s the main focus right now in your life, and so the advice keeps coming to remind you over and again… to wait.  To be patient.  To not lose hope.  To not give up.

Don’t allow your impatience to get the best of you, or your anxiety to create doomsday scenarios in  your head.  Letting that negativity in right now will just scatter you all over the place, and be a detriment to your later recovery from this time of uncertainty and struggle.

Other elements included in this reading:
Black Spruce Needles to Boost Self-Confidence and Positive Thinking
Dried Purple Heather Flowers for Independence and Luck
Foraged Driftwood for Weathering the Storm
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Gneiss Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: EARTHBOUND TAROT AND THE FLOWER ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

As was brought up in the card of the day reading above today, I spent some time in communion with the memories of my abuser today, and touching upon my own efforts toward sustained forgiveness.