tarot

Finding the Positive for June 16 – 18

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Two Bugs Tarot's Page of Swords, Yoga Tarot's Eight of Pentacles, and Tarot Emblemata Chromata's King of Swords

June 16 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped (because I fell asleep in the middle of it).

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The @GlitterbyInk #JuneSun25 Challenge
Summer Sunlight Prompt for June  : Play

Today’s draw is the Page of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a receptive omega energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s thoughts, intellect, logic, ambitions, and communication. This often translates into themes that have to do with learning new ways to communicate with others, beginning new educational pursuits, exploring new ideas. and seeking to sate one’s curiosity.

OOph! Okay, so I’m just sayin’… but things are going to get awfully messy in a hurry if that ostrich figures out how to pick up that sword.

That’s the point, though, isn’t it?  Play is messy, and learning is a type of play. Learning is messy. Hell, even Life is messy.

When we set our sights on something new, there’s a high potential that we’re going to create change. In our minds. In our lives. Even, very possibly, beyond that into the lives of others.  And, like play? With change comes a certain level of chaos and mess.

The message in today’s card and prompt combo is that it’s all part of the process of growth and learning, so don’t be afraid of the mess. It’s temporary. Just have fun, and take a bit of care to not injure yourself or others in the process. (You know, unlike that ostrich and his sword.)

DECK USED: TWO BUGS TAROT

June 17 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was eleven minutes long, and one of the #DailyCalm sessions in the @Calm app. Learning how to challenge and soften your judgements of yourself and others.

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The @GlitterbyInk #JuneSun25 Challenge
Summer Sunlight Prompt for June  : Summer

Today’s draw is the Eight of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of hard work, expertise through practice, honing a skill, quality craftsmanship, handicrafts, and manifestations through skill and hard work. The card is often the embodiment of the “practice makes perfect” adage.

That adage is the thing, yeah? If you want to get better at something, persistence is the key.It means doing it horribly at first. Then doing it badly. Then doing it “sorta okay”.  It means going through the stages and steps of growth that eventually lead to being skilled at it.

As someone who spends a good deal of their time teaching others a skill, it sort of drives me nuts how many people come in looking for shortcuts, or some way to get around the actual -process- of building a new skill for themselves. They want to be good at it now, and if they can’t then they want a way to either shortcut it, or outright fake it.

To be fair?  There have been (and still are) things in life that I wish I could shortcut on too. So I get it. Learning a skill, though, is not a pursuit in instant gratification.

Today’s message is a reminder that there are no shortcuts in becoming skilled at something. It takes patience, practice, and persistence to get there. Just because you are impatient won’t change this.

DECK USED: YOGA TAROT

June 18 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The @GlitterbyInk #JuneSun25 Challenge
Summer Sunlight Prompt for June  : Warmth

Today’s draw is the King of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of a projective “alpha” energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s thoughts, intellect, education, ambitions, and communication. This often translates into themes that have to do with someone that has a way with words and is able to use those skills to lead others to their way of thinking, as well as those that are in authority on intellectual topics such as professors, doctors, etc.

Although it’s said that the pen is mightier than the sword, and I tend to agree in some cases… there are more and more times of late that I wonder if it’s really still the case.

Nuances in writing once easily interpreted seem to be missed more often, ignored and responded to with impersonal form letters or cursory replies rather than a true connection and understanding. While truly listening to others seems to have taken a decline, the respect and “listening” given to the written word seems to have fallen off some remote cliff.

While I don’t claim to be Shakespeare or some kind of great wordsmith, writing is in fact my primary way of communicating with others. And so I ask… Is it too much to ask that when I am writing to someone that they actually take a moment to read what has been written, instead of skimming the highlights and replying cursorarily (yes, I did just make up a word) or with some for letter that (invariably) doesn’t even apply to what I’ve written? And if that is too much to ask, why is that the case?

I’m not saying that from time to time I’m not also guilty of this disregard. When I am overwhelmed or struggling, it can be difficult to read with “open ears” and empathy. It just seems to me that instead of becoming one of these things that happens now and then, I’m confronted with this issue far too often these days.

The message in today’s cards is about listening to others, whether in written word, or in conversation. It’s not enough to “hear” their words. That disregards the person behind them. True communication happens when we seek true understanding of what someone is trying to express. It makes them feel seen and heard, rather than disregarded. It creates a feeling of warmth, connection, and depth that often feels missing from interactions with others these days.

DECK USED: TAROT EMBLEMATA CHROMATA

Nothing But Footprints

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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TERRA: Botanical Tarot's Eight of CupsThe @GlitterbyInk #JuneSun25 Challenge
Summer Sunlight Prompt for June 15 : Nature

Today’s draw is the Eight of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of withdrawal, abandonment, or letting go of things, situations, or people in your life that are just not working out for you emotionally.

This card and prompt combination reminds me of a quote by the famous conservationist John Muir that says, “Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time.”

It feels like a reminder that just because we may feel like we are walking away with nothing doesn’t mean that’s necessarily the case. Sometimes our perspectives are colored by whatever it is that we are leaving behind, and at other times colored by where we are heading next.

These perspectives can make leaving where we are a bittersweet and even at times painful experience.

The message for today encourages us to consider what we truly take away from the experiences we’ve had, instead of relying entirely on our emotional perspectives (and emotional baggage) to write the narrative for us.

DECK USED:  TERRA BOTANICAL TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2025 Challenge
Prompt for June 15th : Do Spread 3

Uncertainty Cartomancy Reading with the Quack Deck

What does uncertainty feel like to you?

Four of Spades – Uncertainty causes you to want to retreat from the world and hide away. You seek stability in these times because it feels like the world becomes unstable beneath your feet. As you consider other people to be quite unpredictable, they cannot usually provide that sense of stability for you, and thus you retreat from them in these moments of uncertainty. The exception to this is that you do find stability in your partner, but old habits have a tendency to die hard.

How do times of uncertainty impact your  physical body?

Five of Clubs – Physically, uncertainty creates a lot of conflict for you internally, which then transforms into anxiety. You then find yourself flinching more readily and hesitating more often, instead of moving forward with confidence.

How do times of uncertainty impact your physical reality?

Ace of Clubs – Times of uncertainty often create the opportunity to discover something new and exciting. Unfortunately, the anxiety you experience during these times makes those opportunities hard to spot, dive into, or enjoy. You’re just too busy trying to hide.

What do you need to say to yourself to help you in acknowledging and alleviating your feelings of uncertainty?

Five of Hearts – You need to hear (especially from yourself) that you’re doing a good job. It may not feel like it at the time, but you’re doing a good job and you’re going to get through this just fine.

What do you need to accept about others to help you in acknowledging and alleviating your feelings of uncertainty?

Seven of Diamonds – They’ll come around eventually. You just have to have the patience to wait for them to catch up.

Focus on your feelings of uncertainty. Pick a color that stands out strongest in the card you’ve pulled. How does this color (and how it’s used in the card) make you feel?

Red in the Jack of Diamonds – Defensive. It looks like the little chick is trying to defend itself from outside forces… and the only outside forces in this card are the red ones. This rings true to how you try to retreat during uncertainty, because a lot of that retreat has to do with trying to protect yourself from the sharp edges of the outside world during a time when you are feeling vulnerable.

Other elements included in this reading:
Lemon Quartz Bowl for Filtering Out Distractions
Fuchsia Flowers for Stability in the Face of External Disruption
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Clear Quartz for a boost of Intentional Energies
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: QUACK DECK

Daily Self Kindness

I took it easy today and worked at doing just little things around the house today instead of anything pressing or major.

Celebratory Treats

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

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Anime Food Tarot's Six of WandsThe @GlitterbyInk #JuneSun25 Challenge
Summer Sunlight Prompt for June 14 : Heat

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

Your successes don’t need public acclaim or peer approval. You don’t need others to validate your abilities or accomplishments. They still need to be celebrated, though, even if it’s a quiet meal of your favorite treat or having a good time doing something you love.

Temari Sushi? Is gorgeous and delicious, and an absolutely huge pain in the ass to make. It’s a celebratory treat, not everyday fare. It’s served during times of celebration because sometimes something special is just what hits the spot when it comes to celebrating whatever it is you are celebrating. That time spent?  That is the gift. It makes the Temari that much more special.

The message in today’s card is that sometimes it’s not enough to acknowledge your accomplishments.  Instead, try celebrating them, no matter whether it’s with others or on your own.

As for the heat prompt?  Well, I don’t know about you, but I felt like I was being roasted by this one. Maybe you did too.

DECK USED:  ANIME FOOD TAROT

@LightningWildflower‘s June Tarot Challenge
Gratitude Prompts for June 13th thru 15th

Oracle Reading with the Expansive Animal Oracle - Iconics DeckWhat simple blessings do I often overlook?

Butterfly – You are often so focused on what needs to be done in the future, struggling with change, or what has to be done to reach your goals, that you forget there are a myriad of fleeting moments to enjoy in the present.

It’s important to remember that things happen when they happen for a reason, and often that reason is to slow you down and bring into focus what you can enjoy and appreciate in the present.

How can I honor the gifts I’ve been given?

Turtle – Again we are brought to focus on the rhythms and cycles of life, and how slowing down helps us to appreciate what’s going on around us in the present. Don’t be in such a hurry to move forward. Instead, work on savoring where you are now.

What daily experiences bring me joy?

Hawk – You enjoy being able to step back and see things from different perspectives instead of depending on just your own. This allows you a broader picture and helps you to better understand not just yourself, but also others and the world around you.

You also enjoy the empowering aspect of being decisive in a crisis.

Other elements included in this reading:
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration and Clarity
Orange Aventurine Leaves for Pause and Reflection

DECK USED: EXPANSIVE ANIMAL ORACLE ICONICS DECK

Daily Self Kindness

I used this evening to work on catching up on back-logged blog posts.  I was falling behind, which is a bit silly since everything was already written up and just needed proofreading in order to be posted.

Why Is He Sitting?

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Today’s meditation was nine minutes long, and one of the #DailyTrip sessions from the @Calm app. Active listening and falling into sound.

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King of Coins from the Tarocchino al Soldato Anima AntiquaThe @GlitterbyInk #JuneSun25 Challenge
Summer Sunlight Prompt for June 13 : Rest

Today’s draw is the King of Pentacles, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s financial security, resources, health, home, labors, manifestations, and other elements of the physical realm. This often translates into leadership that creates a grounded sense of stability for others.

Notice that it is extremely rare to see the kings of any suit in the tarot standing.  They are always seated. This is because their responsibility resides in delegation. They create stability by making sure everyone works together, that those with something to say get heard, and by overseeing more than doing with their own two hands.

The message in today’s card and prompt combo is that a leader delegates. They aren’t out there working their knees and fingers to the bone, but rather they are creating stability through sharing their long earned knowledge with others, then delegating them to take over the tasks involved with those skills that have been shared.

DECK USED:  TAROCCHINO AL SOLDATO ANIMA ANTIQUA

#DiscordTarotholicsJun2025 Challenge
Philosophical Question for June 11th : What is something you believe but cannot prove?

Oracle Reading with the Squirrel CardsSummary: You believe that once uncertainty comes calling (Doubt), retreating into alone time (Protect) creates an environment for healing (Leaves).

Take Away: I’m actually pretty sure that the reason that I cannot prove that this is true is because it’s actually not true.

And yet, again and again when I feel a sense of doubt and uncertainty, I retreat into myself to hide away from the world until I feel better. It’s more likely that the eventual “feeling better” could simply be because I’ve riden out those unhealthy emotions, though, instead of that the alone time is actually creating a healing environment for me.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Foraged Wood Fern for Exorcising Negative Influences
Ammonite for a Sense of Stability During Times of Change
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: SQUIRREL CARDS

Bonus Reading:
Friday 13th XRoads Spread by The Unfaithful Nightlight

Friday the 13th Tarot Reading with the Feng Shui Tarot

What you need to release.

The Tower atop Red Phoenix 10 (Ten of Cups) – Let go of the idea that happiness only comes after the chaos has passed. True happiness is found within the chaos and uncertainty. Happiness is something that you must consciously connect with in the day-to-day, no matter what else is going on in your life.

What crosses your path to help you.

Red Phoenix Ace (Ace of Cups) – You are on a journey of self discovery, where you are learning about all the emotions that you didn’t have the opportunity to learn about when you were younger. You can’t learn about these if they aren’t going to come to the fore. Thus, looking at them as foreign invaders is detrimental to your growth.

What you need to do to protect this new opportunity.

The Lovers atop Black Tortoise 8 (Eight of Wands) – Don’t give yourself time to second guess. Instead, move toward what is right for you with a alacrity. That means not just with speed but also joy. Accept what is right and good for you without question. You’ve always been good at knowing instinctively what those things are.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Orange Aventurine Leaves for Pause and Reflection
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: FENG SHUI TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took some time to myself outside to myself to take some pictures of roses.

Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Givenchy's French Tarot - TemperanceThe @GlitterbyInk #JuneSun25 Challenge
Summer Sunlight Prompt for June 12 : Growth

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.

Sometimes to reach your targets “slow is smooth, and smooth is fast” is the way to go. (Yes, I grew up in a US Navy town.)

This means that by taking that extra time for a pause and a breath, you actually gain your objective quicker than if you had skipped it and plowed ahead.

Today’s message tells us that there is always time for a breath. There is always time for a pause, even when it doesn’t feel like it. There is always time to set one’s intention, to check in with yourself and your inner moral compass, to pause a moment to calm the mind. You just have to take it instead of buying into the idea that there’s no time for anything but immediate and thoughtless reaction.

The message for today is about mindfulness, encouraging living life more mindfully, even when things are hectic or chaotic.  Maybe? Especially then.

DECK USED:  GIVENCHY’S FRENCH TAROT

@LightningWildflower‘s June Tarot Challenge
Expansion Prompts for June 10th thru 12th

Oracle Reading with The Dreaming Waves OracleHow can I move beyond my comfort zone?

The Lobster – Growth requires release. This is why some of our greatest moments of growth happen during uncertainty and chaos, for it’s when we let down our protections and defenses (or they are torn away from us) and we are vulnerable that we are at our most malleable. The lobster makes a choice to discard its old shell so a new one can develop in its place that fits the lobster better. You don’t have to wait for life to throw destruction and chaos at you. Choosing to change works just as well.

In what way am I being asked to accept new growth?

The Albatross’ Voyage – You are learning to take new growth at a slower pace. So much of your life, you have plowed forward into each challenge with the mindset of devouring, obliterating, or just plain out-running anything in your way. Now you are at a point where patience and perseverance are key rather than the force of a wrecking ball’s pure determination.

What horizons are opening up for me?

The Abyss – Inner exploration is your path forward. These types of challenges and opportunities take time, patience, and perseverance, as well as a willingness allow your vulnerabilities to be unearthed and exposed.

Other elements included in this reading:
Dried Fuchsia Flowers for Stability in the Face of External Disruption
Flower Agate Moon for Opening the Mind to New Possibilities
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE DREAMING WAVES ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I put my nose to the grindstone to make sure that I got all the orders done so that I could shift the dates of my time off to start this weekend instead of mid-week of next week.

You’ve Earned It

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The Spiritual Tarot's Nine of PentaclesThe @GlitterbyInk #JuneSun25 Challenge
Summer Sunlight Prompt for June 11 : Fun

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 okay to enjoy your rewards. You worked hard to get to where you are. There’s nothing wrong or shameful in enjoying it.

The suggestion in today’s card and prompt combo is that instead of furthering your self-inflicted perceptions of scarcity that push you to always do (and be) more, try to allow yourself to take that security and stability you’ve earned and have some fun with it.

DECK USED:  THE SPIRITUAL TAROT

@Lionharts #TheJuneTarot Radiance Rising Challenge
Prompt for June 11th : The Current Spread

The Current Oracle Reading with the Wild Unknown Animal Spirit Oracle

What deeper truth is rising like a tide I can no longer hold back?

Octopus – Your weak boundaries can easily become a detriment to you. Stop ignoring the cracks in your boundaries. Instead of turning a blind eye, work with your therapist and Gideon to find ways to strengthen them that you are comfortable with and can accept.

What energy is quietly shaping the silhouette of who I’m becoming?

Spider – You are “the earner”. To balance this out you need to have more fun and introduce more playfully creative activities into your life. Steer the ship in the direction that you want it to go, because if you let it steer itself it’ll crash on the shoals. If you want to add more fun and joy into your life, you need to begin instilling that into your life today… not down the road when there’s more time or opportunity to do so.

What unseen current is beginning to turn the wheel forward?

Dragonfly – Pay attention to how often you are skipping your meditation practice. Work on giving yourself those few minutes each day just to breathe. You are gaining a better sense of balance and clarity through this practice. Keep it up.

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

DECK USED: WILD UNKNOWN ANIMAL SPIRIT ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I intentionally stalled my doc long enough after he gave me the freezing shot that by the time he started working on me in earnest, the stuff had actually kicked in.