Winter Waite Tarot

Anchor in the Storm

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Winter Waite Tarot 2021 Glitter Edition - King of Cups and Christmas Affirmation CardsDaily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the King of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of a projective alpha energy, personality, or person in the area of one’s emotions, relationships, emotional intelligence, creativity, or intuition. This often translates into authority figures that are emotionally supportive and understanding, possessing both compassion and strong leadership qualities.

The King of Cups has then been combined with one of my Christmas Affirmation cards, which says, “Like a snow globe shaken up, life can settle into something beautiful.”

What, where, or who is your emotional anchor? When things get out of hand, is there something you reach for or someone you reach out to that helps you to find perspective and keep your emotions in check so that they don’t fly out of control?

For me, this is my partner, Gideon. He is my anchor in the storm that keeps me from being tossed around by the turbulence of my emotions. The key to this, though, is that I have to actually reach out to him to get this benefit from him. Sometimes I forget… and sometimes I am reluctant due to misguided pride or other unreasonable expectations placed upon myself.

The message in today’s cards is a reminder to use your anchor wisely during holiday turbulence (and the rest of the year). Reach out to it or them when needed instead of stubbornly insisting you can do it yourself. Life is far more beautiful and pleasurable when you reach out for help when you need it… especially when emotions are involved.

DECKS USED:  WINTER WAIT TAROT 2021 GLITTER EDITION AND TWIST’S CHRISTMAS AFFIRMATION CARDS

@Lionharts #TheDecemberTarot Fruits of 2025 Challenge
The Scythe Prompts for December 21st thru 24th

Oracle Reading with the Holiday Magic OracleWhat boundary will shape my energy more than any goal I set next year?

New Heights – Knowing when it’s okay to move on a new opportunity or advance on a current project, versus when it’s time to rest and recover.

These boundaries and awareness can help you to not push yourself when you need this time of recovery, as well as not to sink into stagnancy at the end of recovery instead of getting back up and moving again.

What personal vow am I ready to uphold or make without hesitation?

Thoughtful Act – Vow to show your appreciation more; not just for others, but also for yourself. Express your gratitude. Allow yourself to show just how much their presence in your life means, and just how much you value yourself. This might not be your strong suite, but is a promise you can make without hesitation or reservation, as it aligns with both your path and personal growth.

Which old version of myself is ready be released with gratitude?

Simple Pleasures – That long-in-the-tooth part of yourself that is too busy to truly appreciate the small things, and therefore takes them for granted. When you’re too busy and always striving for more, your anxiety and your adrenaline kicked up to a high level. That then causes you to miss out on the small and lovely things in life.

Which emerging version of myself is ready to take the lead from here?

Magical Spirit – The version of yourself that appreciates those around you more, and is willing to come together with them to show that appreciation. This includes appreciating yourself more, for you also need to celebrate your own accomplishments.

Other elements included in this reading:
Japanese Cherry Leaf as a Reminder of Life’s Fleeting Moments
Foraged Lodgepole Pine for Resilience, Growth, and Renewal
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: HOLIDAY MAGIC ORACLE OF CHRISTMAS

#DiscordTarotholicsDec2025 Challenge
Prompt for December 21st thru 23rd

Tarot Reading with the Winter Waite Tarot 2021 Glitter EditionWhere should you direct your focus this week to foster your understanding towards others?

Page of Pentacles – Patience is going to be key this week, as is remembering that you don’t know everything. Listen more, speak less. Pay attention to not just what’s going on around you, but also what is right in front of your face.

How can you better foster your relationship with friends and loved ones?

The Magician – Set the tone. Be helpful, but don’t allow others to dictate your own actions, thoughts, ambitions, or goals. Even when you’re sitting back to watch instead of taking an active role, continue to be yourself instead of one of the sheep.

What could you be more grateful for?

Six of Swords – Consider fostering more gratitude for the fact that you can step out and get a breath of air when you need it. You can also walk away from the conversation instead of allowing it to continue. Be sure to eep these things in mind through the week ahead.

Other elements included in this reading:
Black Spruce Needles to Boost Self-Confidence and Positive Thinking
Dried Rosebuds for Potential and Beauty Waiting to Unfold
Dried Purple Heather Flowers for Independence and Luck
Carved Bamboo for Positive Outcomes
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration and Clarity
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: WINTER WAIT TAROT 2021 GLITTER EDITION

Daily Self Kindness

I pulled a few of the decks for January to be prepared for when I get back after my stay away.  That way I’m not struggling to get them pulled when I return home, and it can be a bit more of a relaxed return as a result.

Smaller Than They Appear

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

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Tarotgazing Deck - Nine of SwordsThe @GlitterbyInk #DecemberDays25 Beyond the Solstice Challenge
The Archetype Prompt for December 16 : Bold
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Nine of Swords, which is traditionally a representation of nightmares, anxiety, insomnia, and negative thoughts and inner narratives.

Fortune favors the bold, or so they say.

That means even when you’re scared or worried or plague by anxiety… you still move forward and keep going. When you remain still and entertain these fears and anxieties, it allows them to grow and become bigger and bigger, taking over more and more of your life.

The message in today’s card and prompt combination is a reminder that your fears are not as big as you think they are, but you actually have to confront them in order to prove that to yourself.  If you don’t?  Then they’ll just continue to grow and grow in your mind.

DECK USED:  TAROTGAZING DECK

@Lionharts #TheDecemberTarot Fruits of 2025 Challenge
The Magician Prompts for December 16th

Tarot Reading with the Winter Waite Tarot 2019 Revised EditionA turn of the tide

The Fool – Consider the ways in which you have been foolish or naïve this year, and consider how you can shift this mindset into safer territory. There are better places to allow that foolishness and naivety full reign.

A part to play

Eight of Pentacles – Try looking into at how you can instill fun and play into your work without losing the responsibility aspect in the process. They don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

A truth that can’t hide

Queen of Cups – You need more nurturing than you’re getting, and you may need to provide it for yourself if no one else can step up fill that gap (or get past that natural resistance you have to accepting it in the first place). This is why you continue to crave “mother energy” in your life.

A choice to weigh

Four of Cups – Do you really want to be alone, or is it just what you’re used to? You’re never going to be an extrovert, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t take comfort in the presence of others and enjoy their company when it’s offered.

Other elements included in this reading:
Wood burned Bear for Strength and Fostering Protective Instincts
Foraged Lodgepole Pine for Resilience, Growth, and Renewal
Scotch Pine Cones for Purging Negative Influences
Rose Quartz for Gentle Kindness to Self and Others
Citrine for Energy Lift (easing the weight of heavy energies)
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED: WINTER WAITE TAROT 2019 REVISED EDITION

#DiscordTarotholicsDec2025 Challenge
Prompts for December 16th and 17th

Tarot Reading with the Tarotgazing DeckHow can you better connect with your intuition and decrease self-doubt?

Four of Swords; Ten of Vessels atop The World – Everything feels better and works better when you get the rest you need. That includes your intuition. You are able to move forward with greater certainty when you have an appropriate amount of rest under your belt and hope in your heart.

Philosophical Question: Is a “wrong” act okay if nobody ever knows about it?

King of Coins and Ace of Staves – These cards first and foremost ask you to define “wrong”. They ask… who decides?

Beyond this, they also speak of keeping in mind that when you start a journey, it’s usually best to start on the right foot. What you build from these beginnings is growth from a seed planted at the start. Thus, when you start with a “wrong” act, the seed that the foundation of what you are growing will be corrupt, and the foundation will not be as strong as that otherwise could be.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Parmeliaceae Lichen for a “Breath of Fresh Air”
Dried Red Maple Leaf for Adaptability and Connection
Conch Shell Knot for Concentration and Clarity
Selenite for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  TAROTGAZING DECK

Daily Self Kindness

I took a nap.  I also officially switched my packaging processing company so that I don’t have to travel north to ship out my orders any longer.  The company will disperse them to ship from different locations along I-5 for me (a stalker precaution that I’ve been doing myself up until now).

Looking at New vs Old

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Today’s meditation was skipped.

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Laughing Eye Weeping Eye Tarot - Seven of CupsThe @GlitterbyInk #DecemberDays25 Beyond the Solstice Challenge
The Artisan Prompt for December 8 : Vintage
Daily Mental Health Prompt: Seek a positive message to carry with you throughout the day and offer perspective.

Today’s draw is the Seven of Cups, which is traditionally a representation of themes having to do with having a plethora of options to choose from, all of opportunity’s doors being open upon one’s path, and at times being overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices available in the moment.

Sometimes new isn’t better.

I watched a commercial from the 80s recently that had a bunch of cars bumping into things, showing how the bumper protects the car from damage and creates a safer experience on the road.  And I just have to honestly say that I’ve -never- seen a modern car take a bump like the older cars in this commercial did.  It was impressive.

It’s not just with cars that new isn’t always better, though. Think about the erosion of privacy, education systems,  and life skills in our youth.

The message in the card for today combined with the “vintage” prompt is a reminder that new isn’t always better. Instead of allowing ourselves to be enchanted on the novelty of new, today’s message encourages us to pause and ask if the “new” is realistically an improvement. What we are sacrificing in the update, and is that new shiny feeling really worth what we lose in the process?

DECK USED:  LAUGHING EYE WEEPING EYE TAROT

@aplacetodock #Yuletide Oracle Challenge
Prompts for December 7th, 9th and 10th

Tarot Reading with the Winter Waite Redux Tarot 2024What is on my Christmas list for Santa?

Two of Cups – Copacetic union. You would very much like for everyone to get along this season. There’s going to be a lot of people gathered together from different backgrounds and different parts of the world, and you would like there to be an effort on everyone’s part to let things go off smoothly and conflict free.

Finish the sentence: “This Christmas I hope..”

Six of Cups – … will be diverse and bountiful.

In an echo of the previous question, there’s a hope here for a harmony, even during times of collected diversity.  Lots of different people (and options) gathered around, and no shit stirring or anxiety involved, would be lovely.

What direction comes from the Christmas Star?

Death – Don’t allow your resistance to change fuck up your holiday happiness.  Change isn’t really your strong suite and you have a tendency to be stubborn and try to hold on as long as possible.  The direction given by the Christmas Star this year is to take care not to balk to much.  Go with the flow where you can in order to allow for changes to come and go with ease and the holiday season be less of a struggle.

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

DECK USED: WINTER WAITE REDUX 2024

@LightningWildflower December Arcana Challenge 
The Emperor Prompts for December 7th and 8th

Tarot Reading with the Laughing Eye Weeping Eye TarotWhere in my life do I want for more stability?

The Fool Rx and The Sun – You want to have your cake and eat it too. You crave stability in all things, but need the ability to cut loose and have some fun. These two contrast, in that in order to really cut loose and be care free, you have to loosen your grip on that stability that you covet so fiercely. You need to find a way to instill stability in this area that won’t hinder your enjoyment in the moment.

What does healthy authority look like to me?

Judgement and Death – Direction towards obtainable future goals while providing guidance through change. No when is particularly comfortable with change. In your opinion, health authority involves someone who is willing to help people move through change in healthy ways. Guiding them towards a future goal, instead of allowing them to get stuck in the stagnancy of resistance and grief.

Other elements included in this reading:
Foraged Acorns for Protection during New Beginnings
Bird Figurine for Fostering Hope, Positivity, and Renewal
Gneiss Wishing Stone for Patience in Moments of Discomfort
Desert Rose for Purification and drawing in Positive Energy

DECK USED:  LAUGHING EYE WEEPING EYE TAROT

Daily Self Kindness

I cut myself a break on meditation today, because I was really struggling to focus. I did lie there for about ten minutes, it just wasn’t particularly successful.

Finding the Positive for December 4 – 5

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The Storybook Christmas Tarot, The Christmas Tarot, and Christmas Affirmation Cards

December 4 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The @GlitterbyInk #DecembersChild24 Challenge
Healing the Inner Child Prompt for December 4th : Wonder

Today’s card is the Lovers card combined with the affirmation “You make Christmas feel like a warm and cozy hug.”

This affirmation card triggers a specific memory for me.  Last year (I think it was last year?) Gideon gifted my sister with a weighted axolotl plushy, which she absolutely loves.  Because the ends of it’s long arms are weighted, she says when she snuggles with it she can wrap its arms around her, and it feels like a real hug. I also have a weighted plushy from him (a fox) that I snuggle with often, because it’s size and weight makes it feel somehow… more substantial than a pillow or regular stuffie. Mutually, when we snuggle with these plushies, we feel a miraculous kind of release and easing in our chests and solar plexus.

Which brings us to the message in today’s cards and the wonder prompt for today.  For when we find things that make us feel good and soothe us on the inside, it feels like a kind of magic. Something wonderful to wallow in for a moment, and return to again and again.

In life, there are times when we need that connection. Not so much to a person, but to that feeling of peace and soothing. Today’s cards are a reminder to return to what helps us in connecting with that feeling.  It’s important to untie the knots inside now and then, especially when stress in life is high.  Doing so is a healthy choice, and a kindness.  An act of self love that we all need from time to time.

DECK USED: THE STORYBOOK CHRISTMAS TAROT AND SELF-MADE CHRISTMAS AFFIRMATION CARDS

December 5 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The @GlitterbyInk #DecembersChild24 Challenge
Healing the Inner Child Prompt for December 5th : Healing

Today’s card is the Four of Wands combined with the affirmation “Tis the season to be jolly. Fuck jolly.”

A few days ago, I had a COTD that encouraged seeking out the magic in the holiday season, even when it’s not your favorite part of the year.  Today’s card is a reminder that sometimes it’s okay to retreat when you need to… even when others hold expectations over you to not do so.

Healing takes time, and isn’t always convenient. Whether you find refuge in being home alone, or refuge in the embrace of family or friends… the cards for today are encouraging us that it’s okay to give yourself what we need. If that means celebrating?  Then celebrate.  If that means retreating and being a Grumpus over the holiday season?  That’s perfectly okay too.  The key is that whatever you choose, it is a healing process, and not just letting old wounds fester.

DECK USED: THE CHRISTMAS TAROT AND SELF-MADE CHRISTMAS AFFIRMATION CARDS
Note: This particular affirmation card was made from a Christmas Card gifted to me. I don’t know the artist’s name as it wasn’t on the card.

Finding the Positive for December 1 – 3

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Winter Magic Tarot, Snowland Tarot, Winter Waite Tarot, and Self-Made Christmas Affirmation Cards

December 1 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The @GlitterbyInk #DecembersChild24 Challenge
Healing the Inner Child Prompt for December 1st : Nostalgia

Today’s card is the Devil card combined with the affirmation “Have an ice day and stay frosty!”

A lot of the cards in the affirmation deck I’m using this month hold a great deal of nostalgia for me. Not because the characters are familiar, but because I remember these corny little cards (like valentine cards kids exchange at school) that we used to have for different holidays.

It reminds me of feelings and fun and childhood moments of hope.  It reminds me of bushing hotly as I made little cards to give out because my parents wouldn’t buy the store-bought ones for me, and how fascinated I was with each of the little sayings on the store bought ones given to me on the day.

There’s danger in nostalgia, though.  The same danger that lies hidden in pretty much anything pleasurable. For  if you dip too far into it, you lose sight of reality.  You forget about the bad parts, just as if you lean too far into thinking about the bad parts of your past that you lose sight of the good parts.

Today’s cards, for me, are a reminder that too much of a good thing is no longer a good thing. Balance is important.  Take the bad with the good and vice versa in order to keep the scales balanced in your life and your memories based more solidly in reality.

DECK USED: WINTER MAGIC TAROT AND SELF-MADE CHRISTMAS AFFIRMATION CARDS

December 2 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The @GlitterbyInk #DecembersChild24 Challenge
Healing the Inner Child Prompt for December 2nd : Magic

Today’s card is the Page of Swords combined with the affirmation “Have an elf-cellent holiday season!”

There is a lot of really amazing things happening this time of year.  Charity ramps up and kindness with it. There’s community events like parades and holiday bazaars. Gift giving and generosity rise.

It can be hard to enjoy, though, if you spend too much time in your head.  Doing so can separate you from the warmth of the season and the bits of fun that it has to offer.

I hear a lot of people that bitch about the music or the crowds, etc.  Fair.  We all have things we don’t like about the holiday season.  But what do you *like* about it?  And more important yet, what do you feel ambivalent about that you might actually like if you gave it a chance?

Today’s card (combined with the Healing the Inner Child prompt) reminds us to stay open to the joy and the fun that this time of year has to offer.  Don’t get caught up in the negative aspects, but reach for the positive ones to make these busy weeks ahead feel happier and warmer, lighter and more magical than they otherwise might.

DECK USED: SNOWLAND TAROT AND SELF-MADE CHRISTMAS AFFIRMATION CARDS

December 3 – Mental Health Card of the Day

Today’s meditation was skipped.

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The @GlitterbyInk #DecembersChild24 Challenge
Healing the Inner Child Prompt for December 3rd : Curiosity

Today’s card is the Queen of Swords (landed on the table reversed) combined with the affirmation “There’s no need to be so hard on yourself, you’re managing as best you can.”

I have met a few people in my life that have a woe that I personally have a hard time understanding. I’ve been thinking about them a lot the last little bit, because I ran into another one just the other day.  These are people who have come to the belief that they have no true talent or skill. That they are a waste of space and time because they have nothing that they are good at, no hobbies or interests, nothing at which they shine.

And then… today’s cards brought to light an understanding of this mindset that I hadn’t considered before.

What drives inspiration? Curiosity does.  It’s the spark of fire that gets inspiration started and us moving to explore whatever has caught our attention.  And what kills curiosity? Internally directed negativity.  It is the voice within us that tells us we can’t do something, that we’ll suck at it, that it’s a waste of time. That inner voice may have been created by someone else, but by the time we get to the point where we believe we are talent-less and without merit?  It’s playing on repeat in our own heads.

The key to breaking this pattern comes in turning to that negative voice and saying “fuck you, I’m doing it anyway”.  Not worrying about if you’re good or not and just sating that curiosity anyway. Letting yourself have fun with it, play with it, and mess things up.

Even when you -know- you might fail, it’s in doing it anyway in order to gain experience and just -see- what happens.  Because if you don’t do that?  You can’t learn.  And if you don’t learn?  You never find those things you enjoy and are good at.  And yes… sometimes that negative voice in your head is going to whisper away in the background those things you don’t want to hear, but the idea is to not listen.  To have some fun.  To let your curiosity flourish.  Experiment and explore.

Then… our of nowhere?  You might just some day you just might surprise yourself by ending up being good at something you once were bad at… or good at something you didn’t ever even consider you might be good at.   That’s how you find where personal talents lie and those things that you enjoy.  Dive in, and have fun… and don’t worry so much about if you’re good at it or not.

DECK USED: THE WINTER WAITE TAROT REVISED EDITION (2019) AND SELF-MADE CHRISTMAS AFFIRMATION CARDS

Where Has My Energy Gone? Tarot Reading

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Where Has My Energy Gone Tarot Reading with the Winter Waite Tarot 2022 Santa Helper's Edition

What Has Been Weighing On You

Two of Swords – Decisions on direction. There’s a lot to sort through and decide upon this time of year, when you are transitioning from the drastic difference between the holiday rush and the rest of the year. It is sort of a “fresh start” moment for you and you want to put your best food forward towards a positive, productive, and enjoyable future in the next year. With so many things to think about and decide upon, sometimes it can be difficult to avoid getting stuck in the quagmire of indecision.

How to Face It

The Fool – Just plunge forward and have some fun. Everything doesn’t have to be so serious all the time, and it’s okay to just “wing it” now and then and see what happens.

First Step to Get Back In Action

Six of Pentacles – Be generous with yourself and others. Don’t be a hypocrite when it comes to the differences between how well you treat others and how badly you treat yourself.  And, make sure that you are not holding back when there is a need to be met.

DECK USED: WINTER WAITE TAROT 2022 SANTA’S HELPERS EDITION