Today’s meditation was a ten minute long #DailyCalm session from the @Calm app.

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

Today’s draw is the Ace of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of the seed of new beginnings in the area of one’s thoughts, intellect, education, logic and reason, ambition, or communication

The Ace of Swords card has then been combined with an affirmation card from The Little Yogi Happy Notes affirmation deck, which says, “ Freedom is… when you just don’t care what others think about you.”

Don’t let what others think about you be a consideration when you are communicating your true self. Nobody has the ability to please everyone or be a good fit for everyone.

With diversity as the spice of life, it’s important for us all to present ourselves authentically to the world around us. In doing so, we open up potential to attract those who accept us as we are rather than expecting us to change to be what they want us to be.

The message in today’s card combo is a reminder to stop worrying so much about what others think of you, and worry instead about presenting yourself authentically so that those who are a good fit for you are drawn to you organically.

DECKS USED:  THE WONDERFUL TAROT OF OZ AND THE LITTLE YOGI HAPPY NOTES

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 1 | Entry 1 – Self-Care and Personal Development
Affirmation : “I have many strengths and positive qualities that I admire in myself.”
Prompt : Based on the card you draw, what is a talent or skill you can appreciate about yourself and continue to hone right now?

What feelings came up when I pulled this card?

I had a bit of an “oy” moment in response to this card on first glance. The reason for this is twofold.

First, the red and the alcohol. (More on this below, but suffice to say that they have self destruct connotations).

Second… I have to admit I was hoping for a light and breezy answer. A lot of the activities I’ve done so far with this book have come back with some pretty heavy hitters as far as answers go, and that was repeated here today. It’s not the book’s fault, just that the cards the decks have been throwing seem to tend to take the prompts in that direction more often than not in the past couple weeks.

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

The gist of the life path readings done for me, not once, but all three times and each a decade apart, is a theme of struggle, strife, and woe.

I can’t say that when I first heard this prediction in the cards that I was okay with it, but over time I have come to understand what it means.

It’s not about being a victim, it’s about being a survivor. It’s about being slammed down to the ground and crushed under the boot heel of fate, circumstance, and life… then getting your ass back up and keeping on moving forward.

That is what The Tower card is all about. It’s about destruction, and about where things go from there.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

Back to the red and the alcohol. Red, in this case, is an inflammatory color. Which corresponds well for me in reference to the bottle on the card.

I have been dry and sober for a long ass time. Alcohol has never been fun or entertaining for me. Instead, alcohol represents a descent into unhealthy behavior, and essentially “breaking” or “buckling” under whatever has created the self-destructive urge in me to reach for a bottle in the first place.

The urge to drink lies at the very bottom of a very deep well of painful experiences and hopelessness, under the mud in the muck at the bottom of that well. You don’t find it until you’ve reached bottom, and then been forced even deeper.

My prompt response and reflections.

One of my greatest talents and/or skills is the fact that no matter how many times I am knocked down and ground into the mud, I still get back up and keep going.

I am persistent. I am resilient. I’m a survivor.

I will turn that bullshit of pain and obstacles and failure that life hands me as it tears down what I’ve built into fertilizer, and use it to grow something new. Again and again.

Other elements included in this reading:
Amber Resin D25 Die
Banded agate D6 Die

DECK USED: THE HOUSEHOLDER’S TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2026 Challenge
Prompt for January 19th and 20th

What could you use more of in your life?

Seven of Swords and Ace of Cups – More selfishness without the negative emotional repercussions.

You spend an inordinate amount of time worrying about how your actions and words affect others. This is great when it’s about your partner or your loved ones, but you need to stop worrying about every little thing you do and say and how others are going to take it.

More spontaneity is needed, without beating yourself up over it during (and often after, as well).

What could you use less of in your life?

Judgement atop Seven of Wands – Less friction on the journey to becoming the person who you want to be.

You might want to consider the company you keep and how those around you create friction in moving in the direction you’ve chosen to take your life path and personal development. Who is fighting back against your goals and aspirations in this area, and why can’t you identify them easily?

Other elements included in this reading:
Hand Carved Buffalo Horn Raven for Protection and Guidance during Transitions
Japanese Cherry Leaf as a Reminder of Life’s Fleeting Moments
Deodar Cedar Cones for Fostering Clarity and Spiritual Connection
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: THE WONDERFUL TAROT OF OZ

I skipped going to the grocery store today in order to avoid a potential  hassle in the making. (Trouble spied in the parking lot prompted a change of plans.)