Oracle's Stance on The Current Stadium Proposal

((This post is taken from some of Laura’s social media comments on the subject and we felt as a team that it represented our position well. So we are reposting it here to share with all of you.))

Ok. For those of us who work and/or live in the Crossroads the past several weeks have been a constant non-stop discussion about the stadium and hustling to advocate for our community. In a friend's post I addressed someone's "Vote Yes" when he claimed that P&L is what made the Crossroads... I kinda snapped and responded. So here is my stance as someone who has lived in KC my entire life, and spent a good majority of it working in some capacity or another within the Crossroads Arts District: (TLDR: Vote NO)

"I am so sorry. But every time there is a large Chiefs or Royals related event... all of the small businesses in the Crossroads suffer. Power and Light did NOT "revitalize" the area... it has been a problem in the community since it's been here and is a failing business model... it contains only non-local businesses itself and has filed bankruptcy multiple years in a row. If stadiums "revitalize" the city they are in... then why is the area around the current stadiums not thriving? Displacing businesses IS displacing people. Large corporations are oblivious to the realities of artists, small businesses, and the service industry. Relocating is MORE than just getting a new location and a few thousand to keep quiet. We all have worked decades to create this ARTS district. The Crossroads ARTS district is what has put KC in the national spotlight for well over a decade now. Parking IS going to be a problem. We will all lose clients and customers because of no parking. And their survey of 30,000 parking spots is insane. All of us who live and work down here can tell you that parking is hairy on even an AVERAGE weekend night. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE listen to the people who actually live here and work in LOCAL KC businesses that this is not ok. I love the Royals... but they don't need to steal our already thriving district out from under our feet.

P&L opened the end of 2007... this district has been building and developing an identity for way longer than that. People who go to P&L are not really the same crowd that support and shop the Crossroads. A good number of the clientele for the small businesses actively avoid the P&L area as they come into the district. They tell us this. Often. People who go to P&L tend to stay within that section which means their money is going to non-locally owned businesses. Baseball fans when going to a game will go to the game. They aren't also going to get brunch, have their nails done, shop for jewelry and lingerie, or visit galleries. They will go to the game, eat and drink either within the stadium, go home. Perspective of those on the ground working here every day without the extra-resources of owning land and buildings with which to bargain... our livelihoods are on the line. They truly are. Not to mention the beautiful culture and community we have worked hard to develop and build to what it is now and what we hope to continue to nurture within our community as a whole. Our historic buildings are beautiful. Our small grassroots unique businesses are beautiful. We are a hometown with heart and we do love our Royals history as well... they need to try a DIFFERENT less disruptive space and the finances need to be really reevaluated because the numbers do not work in the community's benefit at all." - Laura Pensar

Oracles of March

Spring is almost here!!! It’ll be official on the 19th, as a matter of fact. The shift into Spring generally heralds warmer weather and fewer wintry storms, and naturally tends to be a time of renewal and fresh starts. We can finally throw open the doors and windows, sweep out the dust of the winter months… (Persephone’s Broom Closet covers all your basic Spring Cleaning rituals!)

And although the weather patterns have been (ahem, sob) a little unpredictable lately… the sense of renewal and new beginnings that Spring brings is definitely here. We’re looking forward to propping open the front door and watching the block come alive! To celebrate, we’ll be doing our custom candle-dressing bar on the 20th! Come in and pick out the adornments for your Equinox ritual candle or as a gift for a friend.

Which, while we’re on the topic… make sure to sign up for the Spring Equinox Witch Club! Curated by Alessandra and filled with items connecting science, nature, and magic through traditional rituals, new crafts, and intentions that help you reconnect with the natural world. This season’s kit also includes a special new bundle by Atropos Curios! (Kits ship out on the 14th.)

Speaking of Atropos Curios… We’re super excited about their new mini DIY Spell Kits! Thoughtfully created and beautifully packaged little all-in-one rituals. Choose between Prosperity, Self Fortitude, Boundaries, and New Beginnings. They make a great little gift for a friend or a quick pick-me-up when you need one! I, personally, am taking home a Prosperity kit to do on the New Moon.

Dani Brown is the artist behind the amazing evolving art-wreath installation in our shop. Sunday the 17th, Dani will be teaching her “Art of Wreathing” class at Oracle! In this class, participants will learn the basics of safe and respectful harvesting, craft their own unique wreath out of wild-foraged materials, and learn how to begin and maintain their own “Wheel of the Year” wreath practice.

Later this month,  Chicago-based artists Mickey Kwapis and Zen Hansen will be visiting! Mickey will be leading a Cyanotype Workshop on the 23rd (space is limited… so don’t wait if you are interested.) Zen will be teaching an Intro to Hair Table-Braiding Art workshop on the 24th (again… don’t wait if you want to sign up!) Their other workshops have already sold out! But they will be popping up in the Oracle studio on Saturday.

If you’ve been in the studio this past month you’ve probably seen some beautiful new art on our walls and in the print bins… our very own lead illustrator, Melissa Chepren, is a full-fledged artist in her own right. And her work is stunning! Just look at this Blue Morpho butterflies piece!

The Oracle team has been hard at work in the studio getting some projects ready for this season! We’ve freshened-up our Animal Guide kits… currently available for Bobcat, Coyote, Fox, and Raccoon. These are great starter kits for a personal collection or as inspiration for incorporating animal energy into your personal practice.

And one last request for anyone who votes in Jackson County, Missouri… Please vote NO on the proposed Royals Crossroads District Stadium Tax. It will have devastating effects on the ENTIRE Crossroads Arts District. The stadium location as proposed will negatively impact small businesses and countless jobs in Kansas City. Please protect one of the most special districts in KC… we need your help!

The Oracle team!

Team selfie in the studio mirror. Left to right: Laura Pensar, Alessandra Dzuba, Melissa Chepren.

— Laura Pensar for Oracle Natural Science

Oracle's Card of the Month: February '23

The Ocean from For Strange Women Oracle: “Deep feelings and emotional depth. There is more to explore and learn on an emotional level. This may also refer to someone who is a water sign.”

February brings us into the “season of love.” This month we chose a shop favorite, the For Strange Women Oracle deck featuring illustrations by Ash Miyagawa. The Ocean card was a fitting draw speaking to “deep feelings and emotional depth.” The deck’s guide says “there is more to explore and learn on an emotional level.” So while we often think of love as a relational experience (between individuals whether it’s romantic or friendship) and as being “about” us with another person… here we are being asked to consider the experience of our emotions themselves. (And all the Pisces in the room nod and raise their hands.)

One of our favorite things to do here in the shop is help people create care packages, for themselves or loved ones. Finding just the right items to communicate their intentions and wishes. The first step is often identifying the emotions involved, underneath every intention there are accompanying emotions whether they be challenging or positive.

Being in-tune with (not swept away by, but aware of) our emotions helps us identify our needs. And like the Ocean, our emotional world is deep, teeming with life, and largely mysterious. We are not beings in a vacuum. Emotions are relational, giving us information about the way we are within our environment. This month we suggest focusing on activities and your local community.

Here at Oracle we’re feeling the love for our community (in Kansas City and virtually!) and have been getting our calendar filled with lots of fun events and we kick it all off this month!

First off, the Crossroads in Kansas City (our neighborhood) is filled with a ton of wonderful small businesses that make this community unique and magical. It’s no secret that the past few years have been extra hard for independent and local businesses. So this month we want to encourage those of you who find yourselves in KC, to support your favorite local businesses and to explore some you haven’t been to before! All throughout February, if bring in a same-day receipt from another Crossroads business and we will take 10% off of your in-store Oracle purchase! (*consignment items excluded)

Our custom bundle bar is also coming back! February 10th through 12th come into the shop for a custom love kit for you, a friend, or a partner for the season of love and care. We will have lots of special items to choose from including custom dressed candles.

That same weekend on Saturday the 12th we will be hosting a couple of our favorite artists, Prairie Thistle Co. with bone jewelry and still life art!

And for the autodidacts, bug lovers, and nature-lovers… Alessandra will be teaching her Tarantula Magic: Pinning Class on Friday the 24th. A two-hour long class over the fundamentals of pinning tarantulas and a bit of spider magic! Every student goes home with their own set of pins, a zine, and their own tarantula, along with the knowledge they will need for any future project - so be prepared for some hands-on experience!

We’re so happy to be able to bring back more of our in-shop events, classes, and activities this year! The “waters have been turbulent” and the “waves have been harsh” but it’s time to nurture ourselves and our community by doing what we love. May you too find comfort through doing what brings you joy. — Laura Pensar for Oracle Natural Science

{ No Public Studio Hours }

Hello friends! We’re on our second week at home and continuing to survive with you all… we wanted to share our stay-at-home offices, as blundered, little, frantic, and (lots o’) hodge-podged as they are! But overall, trying to bring a little solidarity to you. As we struggle to find our rhythm and lets be honest, trying to re-find ourselves, we threw together our online shop (some things we only offer through the brick and mortar) and move our hands-on projects home and online. It has been a drastic change and for sure was a struggle for all of us. But our makeshift lives have been interesting to watch fall together, acting like little sneak peeks into our personalities…

Our dear Quinn had to move homes on top of everything else! So while having so much on her plate, she beautifully pulled together her work space. I see her motif of classic pastel pinks and turquoise, plants, and planets? Quinn’s astrologist is showing! ;) And are those more beautiful #wip bundles on that table? Can’t wait to see!

Laura’s work space looks so cozy… makes we want to come over and sit with a cup of tea! It is funny to see how we all have our little color palettes and personalities in these. Anyone who knows Laura well, this exemplifies her hard work and study. She has been hard at work coming up with some ‘at home - whatch ya go in the pantry’ diy’s and tips - so stay tuned! Excited for what she has in store for us.

Thankfully my art studio is already in my home! I can still continue to work on my custom orders and articulations. But as I always have multiple projects going… this is my make-shift office in my plant/cat room where we have been taking online orders, stock, and do all the fun (not fun) back-of-the-house work. Mine, for sure, is a glimpse into my brain; chaotic mash-up and eccentricity, with little things, trinkets, art work; reminders to stay present and stay positive. *My cats for sure have not been happy about me taking over their space, hah! But they are also good cheerleaders.

Overall, this period has been hard for all of us. Changing our tactic, our ways of life, and immensely missing each other and our little studio (especially working together IN our studio!) But during these hard times we realize what we are grateful for and the ability to be here. We miss you all the most and hopefully you are hanging in there; but remember, these times are not easy. We keep saying things like, this is so surreal or how is this happening… But it’s true, these are difficult and triggering times. If you are having a hard time producing work - it’s ok. If you are having a hard time getting out of bed - it’s ok. If you are struggling - it WILL be ok. Remember your community, reach out, get excited about little things, (ex. baking something new, getting a small studio space set up, working on a diy, trying something new, doing some doodles, keeping a journal, etc.) However lame or small, look at all that you’ve accomplished. Something tiny can build to something big. We pray for everyone who is sick and light candles for everyone to stay healthy and safe. We can do this. You can do this. Can’t wait to see you again soon.

- xo Alessandra

{ Holiday Gift Guide }

The holidays can be stressful - but hopefully we can help with a little gift guide, easing at least one decision in the chaos of the season. Here are some of our picks for the witch, the scientists, and the people in your life that are caught in between (just like us). There are options in any price range - most are in shop grabs or click on the link to see our online options

- xo Oracle

{ New Location Guide }

We’ve been in our new shop for about a month now and we love the new space. We celebrated our Grand Reopening on April First Friday with our friends and community. We participated in the W 18th Street Block Party and it was a hit! We look forward to more events like that in the future.

If you haven’t been to the new shop yet or if you are an out of town guest we are super easy to find! When you arrive on W 18th street you will see the front of the Bauer Machine Works Building. From the front you can access our friends at For Strange Women, Foxtrot Supply Co., Dear Society, the second-floor studios, and the Hair Parlour. You cannot access our shop from the front entrance. To find us, you are going to want to look for the Alley Shops located to your right if you are facing the building. As you go down the alley you will see our neighbors Coki Bijoux and Kanso and then you’ll find us right around the corner! Our door is located on the back side of the building. We are also accessible from 19th street and the Papa Keno’s Patio. 

Make sure to visit our alley way friends & neighbors - especially Papa Keno’s patio that we share
across the way for some great late night snacks