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.

Weekly Creativity Prompt – Jason

Pull (at least) three cards and use them as the basis to write something that ends with the word “wrath”.

IMG_4423

Jason’s Story

One early spring day I was out for a walk with my girl (The Lovers) without a care in the world (Temperance) when an old man approached us and stopped us upon our path. Man was old and weathered, and yet he had a strange energy about him it made him feel as if he was in the know on many many things (The Hierophant and The High Priestess).

He told me that I would be tempted (The Devil) in the near future and that whatever choice I made in this that moment would be the choice to decide my fate (Wheel of Fortune), and so I should choose wisely and follow my heart (The Star).

At the time I thought he was talking gibberish (The Fool).

Later in the day when I was back at home alone (The Hermit), I got a phone call from an ex (Death) who wanted to get back together with me and I have to admit I feel really flattered and it was a huge ego boost (The Emperor) because she broke up with me… not the other way around.

Suddenly the temptation was before me and I remembered with the old man had said.

Thought about my girlfriend and how she would feel (Judgement)… and about how I feel about her and I realize that I already had everything I need. So I told my ex to take a hike (Strength and The Chariot).

Little did I know at the time, but a private investigator (The Magician) had been hired by my girlfriends father and he had orchestrated the whole thing!  Fortunately, I managed to pass his test and avoid his wrath (The Sun).

DECK USED:  THE BLUE BIRDS’ TAROT BY TADAHIKO KAWAGUCHI

Weekly Creativity Prompt – Ghost Story

Draw up to three cards and use them as a guide in depicting and/or
describing a day in the life of a ghost.

Alis Luminis Playing Cards

A Saturday with Father Andrew

Father Andrew couldn’t leave.  The church and his flock was his life, and he could not abandon them, even in death.   And so the father lingered in the church, watching his flock as the children grew and the elderly passed on.  He watched over the new priest that took his place, and the new priest after that as well.

Things change, plans change… but his flock continues to live on through the generations that came before, and now Father Andrew spends his days sitting with the grandchildren and great grandchildren of his flock.

On this Saturday morning, he stands with his predecessor at the altar.  The tall ghost lingers in the background, close enough to the young priest’s back to look over the man’s shoulder at the book lying open in the man’s hand.

Before them stands two young women, and as vows are spoken he glows with pride behind the living priest.  He glows with pride because the great grand-daughter of his brother’s wife is about to marry the love of her life… and he gets to be there to oversee the service. (Jack of Hearts)

Later in the day after the wedding party has moved on to celebrate the sacred union of love and commitment, those that come in next are tortured with guilt and struggle with the weight of the world upon their shoulders.  He joins these decedents of his flock in this as well.  He sits with them in the little booth, as they confess their sins to the priest on the other side of the divide.  Sits quietly to listen to their struggles and the trials of their life, he listens to the good and the bad and even the ugly with silent empathy. (Three of Spades).

In the evening after the confessionals are quiet and the chapel is empty, he waits. And she comes as she has always came… and as he knows she always will. His beloved’s grand daughter comes. Once young and sweet, now bend with age, she comes every Saturday to sit in the front pew and pay respects to her ancestors and the glory of God.  She comes and sits… and he sits with her each visit. Every visit.

Although she thinks she is alone in this time of quiet that fills her heart and soul with the gentle glow of joy and hope, in truth he sits at her side as she gives thanks for all she has had, all she has, and all that she will be blessed with in the days to come. (Nine of Hearts)

DECK USED:  ALIS LUMINIS PLAYING CARDS

Weekly Creativity Prompt – Home Connection

Draw three cards. Find something around your home (or where you’re currently staying) that you feel represents each of the cards. Draw, paint, artistically photograph, collage, or otherwise depict these items in some way.)

IMG_4266

The Magician – As you can see in the background behind this card, I really am the man with all the tools.  Having 900+ decks takes up a great deal of room, but in this picture you can see that behind the Magician card is a good selection of decks that I use somewhat regularly or keep out for specific clients.

The High Priestess – This card is placed upon my altar, which is where I connect via a daily devotional with the energies of creation, evolution, and balance as well as elemental energies and the energies of my ancestors and guides.  This is where secrets are whispered on exhaled breaths, gratitude is expressed with an open heart, and the invitation to bring the energies previously mentioned into my day begins.

The Star – I grow pansies on my balcony every year because their blooming faces make me feel light and happy as no other flower can.  I find them uplifting and I feel that the energy of the Star card fits perfectly with that happy and yet calming and hopeful energy that pansies create for me. In the picture here behind the card you see one of my balcony troughs full of pansies and, behind that, my lilac tree and the alley that runs behind my building.

DECK USED:  THE SOLIPSIST TAROT