using tarot for guidance

Individuality and “The Flow”

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

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Seelenreise Tarot - TemperanceThe @GlitterbyInk #JanJourney26 Embark to Renewal Challenge
The Journey Prompt for January 7th : Flow
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

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.

There’s a difference between going with the flow or being a doormat. It’s a balance between your own personal motivations, and those of others.

If, for example, you lean too far into your own motivations (wants, needs, values, beliefs), then you become rigid and unable to “go with the flow”. On the other hand, if you lean too far into others motivations, to the point you are sacrificing your own? You are then swept up into a current beyond your ability to stay afloat.

The message in today’s “flow” prompt and Temperance card is that it’s okay to relax and go with the flow, just make sure you aren’t sacrificing pieces of yourself and your values along the way. This balance creates the opportunity to experience new things without losing yourself in the process.

DECK USED:  SEELENREISE TAROT

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 1 | Entry 11 – Self Care and Personal Development
Affirmation : I am hoping to reparenting my inner child.
Prompt : Draw a card and use its keywords or imagined persona to write a short letter to your inner child from a time you wish you had more comforting words or wise perspective to help you cope or understand a challenging time. What kind kindness would this card offer to your inner child?

Tarot Activity from The One Card a Day Journal by Maria Sofia Marmanides - TouHou Tarot Blossoming Chaos II - StrengthWhat feelings came up when I pulled this card?

A little girl doing “the man spread” sort of tweaks my “ew” button of inappropriateness. That said? It definitely fits the card that it’s on, so I reasoned it out to feel better about it.

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

Manipulation. The Strength card is often about persuasion, rather than brute force. It speaks of our inner strengths, and using them to our advantage.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

The “man spread” pose of the figure in the card speaks of dominance, as I mentioned above.

The horns on her head stood out to me second, representing stubbornness and determination to get one’s way.

Third, my attention was drawn to the weighted chains and the bowl she holds in her left hand. That bowl is perfectly balanced, no spills, regardless of the tug and pull of those weighted chains. This speaks to me of protecting one’s emotions so everything stays on an even keel, regardless of outside influences.

My prompt response and reflections.

Dear Young L

You have more power over your situation (and him) than you think you do.

Remember that he is reacting to you. He may be the authority figure in your life, but in truth? You are calling the shots here.

If you are more mindful of how you react, as well as what you say and do around him, you will be able to control his reactions.

You can’t change his mind. Consider, instead of trying to force him to accept you as you are and throwing that in his face, using your influence over him to make your life easier and better.

After all, there’s more than one way to skin a cat.

Your Elder L

Other elements included in this reading:
Lace Agate D20 and D6 Gemstone Dice

DECK USED: TOUHOU TAROT BLOOMING CHAOS II

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2026 Challenge
Philosophical Prompt for January 7th : Is it always better to have more choices?

Tarot Reading with the Seelenreise Tarot Reading Summary: Choices are empowering (The Magician). The problem comes in only when you decide to look back on the ones you’ve made that didn’t work out (Three of Swords) with recriminations and disdain (King of Swords Rx).

Take Away:  These cards indicate that yes, it’s always better to have more choices. It’s what you do with them that makes the situation bad. Remember that if you choose wisely and things don’t work out, that doesn’t necessarily mean you chose wrong.

It’s in picking on yourself and beating yourself up over the choices you -didn’t- make that creates a problem.

Other elements included in this reading:
Scotch Pine Cone for Purging Negative Influences
Foraged Lodgepole Pine for Resilience, Growth, and Renewal
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: SEELENREISE TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I decided to take a break and -not- ship out tomorrow.  Instead, I napped in the time that I would have been working on orders, and woke up feeling much better afterward.

Rekindling Motivation

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

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Inversion Tarot - Ace of SwordsThe @GlitterbyInk #JanJourney26 Embark to Renewal Challenge
The Departure Prompt for January 6th : Resilience
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.

It doesn’t matter how rough the road is, as long as you keep your eye on the prize.

When you set your eye on a prize, and your ambitions are flying high, it’s easy to work through obstacles and keep going. It’s harder when you’re enthusiasm is flagging. At these times, it’s important to keep your eye on the prize. What are you aiming for? What inspired that ambition in the first place?

The message in today’s “resilience” prompt, and Ace of Swords card is that you can breathe fresh air into your flagging motivation by revisiting the inspiration that started you out on the journey in the first place. What was it the triggered your ambition and flared your motivation to life? When you revisit through memory how you felt in the beginning, those feelings can then be rekindled in the present.

DECK USED:  INVERSION TAROT

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 1 | Entry 18 – Self Care and Personal Development
Affirmation : I am a consistent work process.
Prompt : Focusing on your perceived weaknesses can create limiting thought patterns and behaviors. Draw a card to see how the cards positive attributes can help you to find something that you perceive as a weakness to see how it’s actually one of your strengths.

Tarot Activity from The One Card a Day Journal by Maria Sofia Marmanides - JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Tarot - The MoonWhat feelings came up when I pulled this card?

Fascination. The imagery in this card really caught my eye. I was immediately pulled into the weirdness and chaos as my eyes were drawn to the small details.

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

The Moon is often about fears, uncertainties, and the illusions that the mind and emotions use to play tricks on us.

On the positive side of these attributes is learning how to identify these illusions as the trickery that they are, and the choice to keep going through dark and chaotic moments with trust that you’ll come out the other side instead of becoming lost forever.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

The classic RWS dog and wolf creating a sense of conflict. The pill on the tongue of the Moon in the sky feels like an indication of buying into illusions (like the choice of the red or blue pill in the Matrix). The lobster foaming at the mouth speaks to me of emotions in overdrive.

My prompt response and reflections.

When you look beneath your emotional reactions and the chaos and uncertainty you’re experiencing, you find that the path forward is still there. Your feet follow that path intuitively, even when you are distracted by the uncertainty of you emotions.

Other elements included in this reading:
Labradorite D20 and D6 Gemstone Dice

DECK USED: JOJO’S BIZARRE ADVENTURE TAROT & The Nine Gods of Egypt 5TH GENERATION

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2026 Challenge
Prompt for January 6th : How can you bring more of what you want into your world?

Tarot Reading with the Inversion TarotReading Summary: Align yourself with the kind of person you want to be first (Judgement), then push yourself past tendencies to languish (Strength atop Page of Wands Rx). Just do it (Three of Wands).

Take Away: You know what you like. You know what you want. It’s not about identifying these things. It’s about actually getting off your ass and doing them.

You have a tendency to languish a little too long when you allow yourself to indulge in the behavior, and it goes from a healthy treat into unhealthy behavior as a result.

Use your time of languish to reflect on what you want out of your life, and out of yourself.  Then push yourself out of that moment of stagnancy and get moving again instead of continuing to linger “just a bit longer”.

Other elements included in this reading:
Staghorn Sumac for Connecting with Nature and the Wild Within
Dried Purple Heather Flowers for Independence and Luck
Green Aventurine for Harmony and Balance of the Heart
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  INVERSION TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I went back to grab my earbuds after I’d forgotten them in the house, instead of saying “fuck it” and leaving them behind.

Life’s Tool Box

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

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Ancient Italian Tarot - The High Priestess - La PapessaThe @GlitterbyInk #JanJourney26 Embark to Renewal Challenge
The Departure Prompt for January 5th : Adaptability
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is The High Priestess (La Papessa), which is traditionally a representation of intuition, secrets, sacred knowledge, mystery, the subconscious mind.

What do you know that no one else knows? How can that knowledge help you adapt to changes and stay surefooted as you move along your path?

This includes the information that your intuition provides you, absolutely; but also is referencing much more than that.

Each of us is unique, and our experiences as well as our personalities make us each that much more so. This uniqueness provides each us with knowledge and cognitive reasoning that others around don’t have. A toolbox of adaptability and survival, personalized just for us.

The message in today’s “adaptability” prompt and High Priestess card is a reminder that these tools exist within you, and that if we use them to adapt to the shifting sands of change under our feet, we will stumble and/or fall far less often.

DECK USED:  ANCIENT ITALIAN TAROT

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 3 | Entry 15 – Family and Friends
Affirmation : I honor my friendships even as they evolved.
Prompt : Maintaining friendships takes work – just as much as romantic relationships do. As friendship change, you might have to put in even more work. Based on the card you draw, what is something you can do in the next month to invest more time, energy, or effort to show your friends how important they are to you?

Tarot Activity from The One Card a Day Journal by Maria Sofia Marmanides - Ex Animo Tarot - Le JudgementWhat feelings came up when I pulled this card?

When I first saw this card, I heard the words “just be yourself” in the back of my head down near the nape.

I then had myself a little snort and “okay mom” semi-amused moment of response. Not that this is anything that my mother would ever utter, mind you, but it’s such a Hollywood trope “mom” kind of thing to say.

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

The Judgement card is often about where we’re going. Not in the area of one’s monetary accomplishments, but about our own self-development. Especially self-development with the awareness that life is short and we all pass on at some point.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

I really like the colors in this card. With the setting moon in the background, they speak of calm transitions and the possible approach of a sort of serene enlightenment.

The skeleton obviously connects for me with death, the angel Gabriel above about ascension. I also found the veiling of the skeleton significant, speaking of each of our individual paths being different up to death’s door, making the advice in this card applicable to not just me but to everyone.

My prompt response and reflections.

Just be yourself.
Not just the self you are now, but the self that you are striving to become.

Other elements included in this reading:
Lace Agate D6 and D20 Gemstone Dice

DECK USED: EX ANIMO TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2026 Challenge
Prompt for January 5th : What are you clinging to that can be let go of without repercussions?

Tarot Reading with the Ancient Italian TarotReading Summary: Just because you have the tools and the knowledge needed to do it on your own (La Papessa), doesn’t mean that you should avoid reaching out for others (Re di Coppe Rx) when emotions become difficult, uncertain, or inscrutable (Fante di Coppe Rx).

Take Away: These cards encourage you to let go of your need to hide your emotions and the vulnerabilities they create from time to time from others.

You  have a tendency to keep your emotions to yourself, especially when you’re feeling uncertain or confused. The thing is, though, there’s a large amount of benefit to sharing these things with others.  In doing so, you allow yourself to get their input and learn from them how to process these emotions in more healthy ways.   On the other hand, when you don’t share, the only references you have to go by are the unhealthy methods you’ve used int he past.

Other elements included in this reading:
Black Wood Kitsune Carving for Cleverness and Ingenuity
Dried Rhododendron Leaf for Fostering Confidence
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: ANCIENT ITALIAN TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took a nap. Even though I really didn’t want to.  I was starting to cough so I did it anyway.

Watch Closely and Listen

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

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Neptune Power Tarot - The Hanged ManThe @GlitterbyInk #JanJourney26 Embark to Renewal Challenge
The Departure Prompt for January 4th : Balance
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is The Hanged Man, which is traditionally a representation of taking a pause, considering alternate perspectives, relaxing into difficult situations, surrender, or letting go.

Keep your mouth closed and your eyes open.

You know that saying that if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all?  Here it is.  Look at those super sharp teeth, hm?   Not only are they intimidating as hell, but they can’t be all that easy to speak through, either.

This image screams that being watchful is important.  The creature doesn’t just peer out at us from its head, but has extra observation abilities through its hand as well, and in both cases those eyes are pointed outward and watching.

The message in today’s “balance” prompt and card is a reminder that when we talk too much, we forget to listen and watch.  We don’t learn as much when our mouth is active, so when a situation seems out of your depth, rather than trying to reason your way into balance… try watching and listening instead.

DECK USED:  NEPTUNE POWER TAROT

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 3 | Entry 17 – Family and Friends
Affirmation : As I grow, I understand that my needs for companionship change.
Prompt : Making friends as you get older, can present different challenges from when you were younger. Reflecting on the card you draw, what is something you can do right now to welcome new friends or groups into your circle?

Tarot Activity from The One Card a Day Journal by Maria Sofia Marmanides - Elysium Art Tarot - The ChariotWhat feelings came up when I pulled this card?

I felt a slight “ugh, but I’m tired” slump, followed by the flash of a thought that “nobody is going to like that side of me”.

This caused me to realize that the advice I need to hear is not very often well received initially. There’s a moment of resistance that is almost always followed by me willfully forcing a softening and openness.

I wonder if there’s a way to create that openness before I pull the cards and skip the moment of opposition that seems to always come.

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

On reflection, the meaning of this card is often about will and aggressive advancement, but what it isn’t about is inflicting that willfulness and drive on others. The message portrayed by this card isn’t about how I approach others, but rather speaks on how I approach what I want.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

I personally find horses a bit terrifying. Beautiful, often majestic, and yet terrifying. (It’s a combination of their size and the hooves.) The image of the horse in this card, as a result, appears formidable. Placed with the sun in the background, the horse seems to be saying, “Be formidable, and success will be yours.”

My prompt response and reflections.

Keep in mind that the message is about your goal. This card isn’t saying “if you appear formidable to others, they will be drawn to you”. What it’s saying is that if you want more friends or a larger peer group, you need to put your significant will and drive into making that happen. You can’t just sit back on your laurels in the hope that good things will come, but get out there and actively pursue those good things.

DECK USED: ELYSIUM ART TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2026 Challenge
Prompt for January 4th : Do Spread 1
Take a bit of time during this new year to reflect upon how others influence your life and how you influence theirs as well.

Tarot Reading with the Neptune Power Tarot

Their negative influence on you and your life.

The Hermit – Their treatment and behavior towards you caused you to turn inward in unhealthy ways and seek out solitude when it was self destructive instead of good for you.

Your negative influence on them and their life.

Ten of Cups – You heavily tarnished their vision of life satisfaction. You were, in effect, the fly in their ointment.

Their positive influence on you and your life.

Page of Swords – They taught you how to stand up for yourself, and how valuable expanding your mind (and being open minded) actually is.

Your positive influence on them and their life.

Four of Wands – Their home wouldn’t have been home without you in it.

Someone important in your life who has and/or had a lot of influence on you.

King of Swords – This reading is about my father. His judgements were harsh and often centered on his own closed-minded goals. His tongue was sharp and he had a tendency to be ruthless with what he saw as the truth. He had a clever and strategic mind that he often used to make sure things went the way he thought they should go, regardless of the wishes of others around him.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Picture Jasper for Sense of Proportion and Grounding
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: NEPTUNE POWER TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I took a pain pill. I hate taking them because they make me tired, stupid, and super sluggish. Some times there’s just no other good option, though.

❤️ Self Care Saturday (On a Sunday)

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These Saturday readings are (not usually) bearing in on any one thing or event in my life, as the question used is asking for a more general outlook. This is a self care exercise, and is not meant as a predictive reading… although that, too, happens on occasion.

The question is… What do I need to focus for self-care through the week ahead?

Self Care Saturday Tarot Reading with the Fool's Mountain Tarot and The Cat Oracle

Earth – Nine of Cups – Be happy that you’re feeling better and take some time to really enjoy that fact instead of just passing it by too prioritize the busy work that’s waiting for you. Savor the ability to feel the contrast between sickness and health for the short amount of time before the memory of just how sick you were starts to fade.

Air – The Hermit Rx – Watch out for tendencies towards unhealthy alone time as you begin to slip back into your routines. Indulging in these unhealthy alone times will allow negative narratives a chance to rise up and get a stronger foot hold than they otherwise would.

Water – The Moon – When uncertainty tries to take over, make sure that you are going with the flow. Don’t try to take charge.

Fire – Three of Cups – Instead of allowing yourself to wallow in unhealthy alone time (as mentioned above), seek out others you enjoy spending time with when those urges begin to rise up.

Waning – Dream and End – It’s time to start moving instead of daydreaming about closing down your business. You know you’re not gonna do it, and although it was a nice daydream for a while, it’s time to return to reality.

Waxing – Quest and Struggle – Take time this week to look at where there are obstacles and hurdles in your way, and begin the process of plotting a course that will get you through to the other side as advantageously as possible.

Take Away –  Lean into movement this week, but not just in the movement of returning to work. Take joy and pleasure in feeling better and allow yourself some time to celebrate that with activities that bring home that you’re feeling well once more.   Alone time is not your friend this week, as it could easily slide into unhealthy alone time if you let it.  Reach for friends and loved ones to help keep you from indulging in those unhealthy

DECKS USED: FOOL’S MOUNTAIN TAROT AND THE CAT ORACLE

Set Your Own Pace

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Tarot of the Hidden Realm - Three of WandsThe @GlitterbyInk #JanJourney26 Embark to Renewal Challenge
The Departure Prompt for January 3rd : Momentum
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 Wands, which is traditionally a representation of the first active step in a journey, progress towards a goal, and the seizing of opportunities.

Pick your speed instead of letting things run wild.

I love the imagery in this card, and how the depiction of the family is twined with roots shared between them.  Trees grow slow, you know.  And, I bet tree people do too.

That’s the thing, yeah? A lot of times when we’re embarking on a journey, project, or even just our day… it can be hard to get going.  Other times, we land on our feet and feel like we have to sprint.  In truth, though? We set our own pace.  We choose whether we greet a project, journey, or our day with wild and chaotic energy that has us zipping around like the mad hatter, or with calm temperance that allows us to move through the day at a glide.

The message in today’s “momentum” prompt and card is that it doesn’t matter what speed we start at, as long as we start.  Once the ball is rolling?  We can figure out what speed and energy works for us. Sometimes, starting is the hardest part.  Once we’re over that hurdle, it’s all cake.

DECK USED:  TAROT OF THE HIDDEN REALM

One Card Tarot Journal Activity by @mariasofia_astro
Chapter 2 | Entry 1 – Love and Relationships
Affirmation : I love the qualities that my partner (or someone you admire) has in abundance.
Prompt : Traits you admire in other people can help you better understand what you seek to improve or accept about yourself. Meditate on a person you admire: a partner, a loved one, even a favorite celebrity. Then draw a card to understand where and how to take action in your life to cultivate this quality in yourself.

Tarot Activity from The One Card a Day Journal by Maria Sofia Marmanides - Axolo Tarot - The EmperorWhat feelings came up when I pulled this card?

A moment of confusion, which happens when my intuition doesn’t immediately jump in to say something. This means the answer in the card requires more reflection.

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

The Emperor is often about leadership and making decisions for the greater good.

Gideon always has the tendency to think about me first before taking action. How will I respond? How will I feel or see things. These things don’t just make him a good partner, but a good Dominant as well. It’s never about his selfish whims or desires, because he always puts thoughts of me into the equation, and puts us and our relationship’s health above his own wants.

What in the artwork spoke to me?

The posture of the figure in this card is relaxed with a grin on its face. He’s just chillin’, regardless of the responsibilities he may carry on his shoulders or the weight of the crown on his head. This speaks to me of how I’ve often admired Gid’s ability to take on the weight of responsibility as if it weighs nothing at all. Especially in the D/s dynamic of our relationship. I, on the other hand, can and do Top, but the full weight of responsibility in taking the Dominant role will cause me to buckle after a time.

I’m also struck by how neatly the round leaves at the bottom of the card fit into the space there with no overlap.

My prompt response and reflections.

You do enough and aren’t built to be in that Dominant role full time. This difference between the two of you isn’t about improving yourself or picking up a new skill you admire, but about appreciating your differences more. You aren’t lacking by showing your love and dedication in your own ways, those ways are simply different than his. Don’t worry so much about taking on more of this trait, for your own traits balance his like two puzzle pieces that fit together perfectly.

DECK USED: AXOLO TAROT

#DiscordTarotholicsJan2026 Challenge
Prompt for January 3rd : Pull your most and least favorite cards from your deck and explain why you feel that way.

Note: I specifically chose to take this prompts as most and least favorite in this specific deck, rather than any and all decks, making this prompt about the artwork and it’s representation of the card’s theme rather than about the meanings of the cards themselves.

Tarot of the Hidden Realm - Ten of Swords and The MagicianMost Favorite – Ten of Swords

She is just so fierce! Only death will force her to yield, and maybe not even then.

The Ten of Swords is about endings, but it’s also about the horizon beyond. This card speaks to me both about putting your all into the “battle”, whatever that battle may be, as well as picking yourself up after you’ve crashed and burned. It speaks of pain as an accelerant and motivator, instead of as the thing that makes you buckle. I like that.

Least Favorite – The Magician

It’s the porn ‘stache. Between that and the somewhat sultry expression and appearance that he’s removing his robe? It just feels a little… sleazy. It strikes me with it every time I see this card.

I mean, the Magician is the “man with all the tools”, sure. And in a porn setting (which is what this imagery screams at me every time I see it), it’s clear this guy’s ready to go and has got what it takes… including the ‘stache.  It just gives me a little “nose wrinkle” kind of moment each time I see the image.

DECK USED: TAROT OF THE HIDDEN REALM

Daily Self Kindness

I made sure to get everything put away when I came home instead of putting it off until tomorrow as I’d considered doing.