🎨 Weekly Creativity Prompt – Autumn Themes

Prompt: “From your deck of choice, select one card for each of the following themes: 1) A wander in the Autumn woods; 2) Guidance from the Past; 3) The Beginning of the End. Post the cards you chose here, and share with us how you made the connections that you did with the prompts above.”

Rings of Fortune Tarot - Four of Wands, The Hierophant, Judgement

A Wander in the Autumn Woods

Four of Wands – Stepping into the woods and among the towering trees is like coming home, the energy of the forest welcoming me in as a celebration bursts to life in my soul.  Energy flows and welcomes me deeper, and with each step I take into the shadowed embrace of earthy greens, the soil under my feet sings its welcome and eagerly reaches to welcome me home.

Guidance from the Past

The Hierophant – When we listen to our ancestors, they teach us lessons about what is important and the value of traditions. In their guidance comes age old skills and methods that have been proven through the tests of time and carried forward to be shared with new generations. Sometimes, the “new ways” of doing things “work just as well”, but yet dilute the power and meaning old traditions keep strong. Guidance from our past keeps those traditions strong, and their power rich and potent.

The Beginning of the End

Judgement – As children, we rarely think about the -kind- of people that we will become. We think about the things we want to do and experience, but not really about if we want to be good, or wise, or generous, or kind.  We don’t think about this until later in life, when we begin looking toward the ends of our lives and realize perhaps we don’t yet “measure up” to our potential.  This is the beginning of the path to the end.  That place where self awareness connects with the kind of person we want to become before we move on.

DECK USED: RINGS OF FORTUNE TAROT

Bad Starts Don’t Mean Bad Days

Today’s meditation was ten minutes long, and was one of the #DailyCalm sessions in the Calm App. And… I fell asleep.  I know I made it at least half way through the session, but I didn’t make it to the whole “moral of the story for today” end part. It was primarily just a relaxation and breathing exercise, to which I relaxed into just a little too deeply.

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Enchanted Mushroom Tarot and It’s Going To Be Okay 2024 Day-to-day Calendar By Kate AllanToday’s draw is the Page of Pentacles combined with the affirmation “Today kind of sucks, but you don’t. Hope your day gets better.”

So, when I drew this card this morning, I figured it would just be a rhetorical topic to keep in mind, but it actually turned out to be something that I really needed to hear.

That is because I managed to receive the fluke injury of all fucking time this morning. Driving with the window down, while passing a semi-truck on the highway, the truck’s tire threw a stone (you know, like the ones that crack your windshield). This particular stone comes IN the open window and hits me in the shoulder, and holy CRAP did it hurt. (I’m okay. Just bruised and sore.)

So, as you can imagine, my day really didn’t start off all that great, although I DID manage to not swerve or jerk the steering wheel, so that’s good.

Today message in the cards are to not let one bad experience screw the rest of your day.  That may mean that you have to adjust how you do things in order to accommodate and/or work within the parameters of the unexpected when it jumps in.  That’s why humans are adaptable, though. So when shit happens? Do your best to work at lightening your mood, give yourself a little comfort, and keep going.

DECK USED:  ENCHANTED MUSHROOM TAROT AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

@tarot_juf Een Uitnodiging voor de herfst #SeptemberTarotChallenge
Prompts for September 22nd, 23rd, and 28th

Enchanted Mushroom Tarot and Divine Nature OracleHow can I hold on to the warmth in the coming period?

Page of Swords and Garden the Heart – Use your intellect and curiosity to find ways to nurture that softer side within you. Explore things that interest you and allow yourself to learn through experimentation.

This is soft and tender.

Four of Pentacles and Burn Sacred Fire – Your tendency to hunker down and hide in order to obtain a sense of stability is keeping you from the connection to nature that you need. Do not let this habit born out of vulnerability thwart you from fulfilling you needs. Even that vulnerable place inside you needs time out among the trees.

This is becoming more intense.

Nine of Swords and Submerge – Worries, fears, and anxieties are rising as the holiday rush gets closer. Remember to pull yourself up for a breath of fresh air once in a while.  Wallowing in those anxieties and fears are not going to help you, but will drag you down into a pattern that is unhelpful and unhealthy.

DECK USED: ENCHANTED MUSHROOM TAROT AND DIVINE NATURE ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I used ice packs and ibuprofen today.

Instant Gratification

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Oracle of Wong Tai Sin and Soul Creatures OracleToday’s draw is the Patience card combined with the affirmation “I ignite the flames of creativity and inspiration, and inspire and uplift those around me.”

The message in today’s cards is that just because you feel inspired and that creative spark is kindled within you, doesn’t mean that you have to charge ahead full speed.

Remember that every cool and interesting idea doesn’t have to immediately come into fruition. Take your time. Share your ideas with others and invite them in to help you, brainstorm with you, and let them get their hands dirty too.

DECK USED:  THE ORACLE OF WONG TAI SIN AND SOUL CREATURES ORACLE

@tarot_juf Een Uitnodiging voor de herfst #SeptemberTarotChallenge
Prompt for September 24th and 25th

Kumacchi Oracle ExpressThis is how I can hold on to myself during the autumn storms in my life.

The Fool and Luggage Car – Let go of that heavy baggage from your past that you’re carrying around. It’s too heavy and you will feel much freer and more at ease without it weighing you down.

The nights are getting longer; this is how I can deal with that.

The Magician and Passenger – Remember that you have the power and independent streak needed to not just be “along for the ride” Either in life or with others. Use the tools at your disposal to adjust your direction in the way you want to go. Others will fall in line with you if you don’t fall in line with them.

DECK USED: KUMACCHI ORACLE EXPRESS

@mercurytarot #SensualSeptemberTarot Challenge
Prompts for September 22nd and 23rd

Floral Enchantments Tarot and Oracle of Wong Tai SinHow can I honour my needs?

Six of Pentacles and Avoid Extremes – Although generosity and fairness are important, even in difficult times, it is not the end-all-be-all of a satisfying sexual experience.

Instead of focusing on fairness to the point of it feeling like you are straining yourself, work instead to find a balance that works for both you and your partner. That balance will not look so much like an even weighing of scales, but rather will be more like fitting two very different puzzle pieces together into what works for both.

In other words, you don’t have to try so hard to do the things there are not a part of your nature as long as you both are happy.

What tempts me?

Ace of Swords and Letting Go – Inspiration that distracts you from your responsibilities. Sometimes it’s difficult to stay focused on the things you “should do” when you are inspired by something new and exciting. Okay… more than sometimes. These new ideas are always tempting, and make the balance between what needs to be done and what you -want- to do difficult at times.

Note: With the theme of this challenge, this is talking about my desire to spend time exploring new characters in play with Gid and being creative with him online rather than doing the work that I need to get done for my business. Although I usually manage to lean into my responsibilities? The temptation to say “fuck it” and go be with him instead is always there.

DECK USED: FLORAL ENCHANTMENTS TAROT AND THE ORACLE OF WONG TAI SIN

Daily Self Kindness

I made sure not to push myself too hard on orders, even if it meant that it took me a bit longer to get things done.

Ill Fitting Masks

Today’s meditation was (yet again) skipped.

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The Mantra Oracle and Soul Creatures OracleToday’s draw is the JAPJI 33ᴇ PAURI card combined with the affirmation “I am the master of my dreams and my reality.”

It is too much work hiding your true self behind masks in order for others to find you more “acceptable”.  The message in today’s cards is encouragement to let your true self free and allow the world to shift to fit you instead of the other way around.

When you stop trying to conform to what others expect of you, you shed those that don’t “fit” the true you and find others that truly do.  The world around you adjusts, and you are no needing to expend so much energy on appearing to be what others want you to be, but instead find acceptance within your heart for who you really are.  This acceptance carves a you-sized niche in the world that is all yours and a perfect fit… as opposed to the ill fitting ones those masks are providing.

DECK USED:  THE MANTRA ORACLE AND SOUL CREATURES ORACLE

#DiscordTarotholicsSep2024 Challenge
Prompt for September 22nd : Do Spread 3

Autumn Oracle Reading with the Seasons of the Witch Mabon Oracle

What gifts from Summer are ready to be harvested?

Kitchen Witchery – Make good food and share it with those you love. Nurture not just them, but also yourself. There is healing in the act of tending to one’s needs and in sharing that care with those you love.

Where is your attention most needed between now and the upcoming last harvest of the year?

Darkness Falls – Make sure you are not flirting with your depression. If it’s creeping in, you need to acknowledge it rather than try to ignore it. Keep an eye on your mood and emotions, and make sure that you are doing what you can to counterbalance.

What seeds need to be planted now to be ready in the Spring?

Campfire – Work on opening up to others more. Appreciating camaraderie and sharing with others will allow for a closer bond between you and those you care about in the year to come.

Take Away:  On the whole, there is a great deal of encouragement here to connect with and bond with others over the next handful of weeks.  Make sure you are not just communicating with others, but sharing good food and quality time with them as well, and enlist your help on darker days when the depression starts to encroach.

Other elements included in this reading:
Pressed Pansy Flower for Hearing the Heart More Clearly
Foraged Pin Oak Leaf for Strength and Endurance
Picture Jasper for Sense of Proportion and Grounding
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: SEASONS OF THE WITCH MABON ORACLE

Daily Self Kindness

I wasn’t really planning on napping today, but I let myself have one and I definitely feel better for it.

Finding the Positive for September 20th and 21st

September 20 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Orenda Tarot and It’s Going To Be Okay 2024 Day-to-day Calendar By Kate AllanToday’s card is the Five of Wands combined with the affirmation “You will survive this.”

The message in today’s cards is a reminder that conflict happens. It’s a part of life, and isn’t the end of the world, no matter how stressful it might feel at the time.

Don’t let fear of conflict hold you back from the things that are important to you. It’s through conflict that we show the world (and ourselves) just what is important and where our values lie.

The conflict itself? Is short lived.  Either those that you are in conflict with will accept you as you are… or they won’t and will move on. If it’s the latter? That doesn’t fall in your lap as your “fault”, but rather is a sign that they aren’t a good fit for you in the first place.

DECK USED: ORENDA TAROT AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

September 21 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Thirty-Six Stratagems Inspiration Cards and It’s Going To Be Okay 2024 Day-to-day Calendar By Kate AllanToday’s cards are The Plum Tree’s Sacrifice combined with the affirmation “Your future is worth seeing.”

Don’t take the easy way out. Losses and struggles are inevitable, but even in the face of painful moments we need to remember to hold on and keep going.

Some of the affirmations that deal with suicide, I admit to having a difficult time with. Prior to finding a medication that helped control those thoughts and urges, suicide was a very prevalent theme in my inner dialog and a very real effort to -not- act on.

The message in today’s cards is that there’s more than just you in the world.  Sometimes? We have to sacrifice what we want for the betterment of others. Whether or not you -see- that they need you?  They do.  So set your thoughts and urges of not seeing tomorrow aside and sacrifice them for the need of others.  If you can’t live for yourself? Live for them.

DECK USED: THIRTY-SIX STRATAGEMS INSPIRATION CARDS AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

Who’s Holding the Reigns

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Universal Folk Tarot's The Chariot Card and It’s Going To Be Okay 2024 Day-to-day Calendar By Kate AllanToday’s draw is The Chariot card combined with the affirmation “That voice inside that tells you you’re unlovable must not know you at all; we’re lucky to have you.”

The Chariot is all about direction and empowerment. You hold onto the reigns and you control where the Chariot goes. That, combined with the affirmation for today, is a reminder that you can’t counterbalance your negative impulses and that negative inner voice in your brain if you aren’t going to actively use the tools you’ve developed to make that counterbalance happen.

Make sure that you are leaning into positivity and optimism wherever you can. That counterbalance is needed. Without it, it’s not you holding the reigns, but your pain and depression.

DECK USED:  UNIVERSAL FOLK TAROT AND IT’S GOING TO BE OKAY 2024 DAY-TO-DAY CALENDAR BY KATE ALLAN

@mercurytarot #SensualSeptemberTarot Challenge
Prompts for September  18th thru 20th, 27th, 28th

Universal Folk Tarot - Four of Cups, The Hermit, Ten of Wands, Eight of Wands, King of CupsWhat brings me shame?

King of Cups Rx – That you don’t measure up to Gideon and are undeserving of his love, support, and adoration. Although you know that this is not true, it is something that sticks with you and never entirely leaves, no matter how illogical it may be.

Where does it stem from?

Ten of Wands (Turned Left) – This feeling of inadequacy stems from putting too much on yourself and expecting too much from yourself, which is a product of your past.  Doing this blocks you from being able to see that you are enough as you are. Just because you look up to him for different qualities than you personally possess doesn’t make you less then.  On the contrary, it makes you two puzzle pieces that fit together perfectly.

How can I release this?

Eight of Wands (Turned Right) – Work on moving on from these feelings and let go of these expectations you hold over yourself. Focus, instead, on the things that make you happy and begin to gravitate in that direction moving forward.

What is my relationship with jealousy?

The Hermit – Jealousy often feels like a vulnerability, and thus is kept close to the vest. You don’t like to share these feelings with others, whether that’s with your partner or with the world at large, as it makes you feel as if you are exposing open wounds for others to possibly poke at or otherwise hurt you with.

How can I break negative cycles?

Four of Cups Rx – Even though it’s your natural inclination to do so, don’t keep these issues to yourself, even when it feels like you need to in order to protect yourself. Share them with others instead, and allow others to step in and help you find themes of positivity and optimism when you’re unable to do so on your own.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Western Red Cedar Tips for Casting Out Negativity
Foraged Lichen for Perserverance
Labradorite for Mental and Emotional Healing
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: UNIVERSAL FOLK TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I let myself have the drown I was craving, and acknowledged the need to lean on Gideon in the subsequent drop to come.