Oracles of April

April and Spring are here already! While the weather (in KC at least) is still up and down from day to day… the sun has been showing itself more often than not. Plants are blooming, animals (and people in cars) are acting wild.

We’ve all been hard at work in the studio getting so much new work ready! Our in-house made double-pane glass frames are back! These go so incredibly fast, so if you’ve been hoping for one you may want to visit us sooner than later. There are also plenty of new freeze-dried taxidermy pieces ready… cute chicks, dapper baby ostriches, a fancy sassy chicken. Ooo annnnnd… did you hear about our giraffe skull?!

April also heralds the official start of the Crossroads First Friday Art Walks! April 5th Melissa and I will be in the shop 11am to 7pm so come in and say hi while you’re out taking in the Arts District!

Meanwhile Alessandra will be heading up to Chicago. She’s taking some showstopper pieces with her up to The Oddities Flea Market! Oracle is so completely honored to be included in this nationally known show curated by Ryan Matthew Cohn (you may have seen him as an expert on The Science Channel’s show “Oddities.”) So if you are in Chicago April 6th and 7th, stop by and say hi! She’s been working on a series of taxidermy/articulation projects… the outer taxidermy only partially surrounds a completed skeletal articulation. They are stunning. But we’re looking for the right phrase to describe this process… Skeledermy? Skeleton Tax? Probably not… we are open to suggestions.

While Alessandra is on the road, the KC Studio will be open our regular hours (Wednesday through Sunday 11am to 6pm). So KC folks, be sure to visit Melissa and I in the shop! We’ve got some fun new projects we’re finishing up while the boss is away…

And just around the corner in May we will be heading to Denver for the Fauna Faire at RitualCravt May 11th, 12-6pm. The line-up is stellar and we are super excited to be joined by Atropos Curios, The Blacksnail Forge, Jane Almirall, Opal & Gold, Sweet Destructor, and Tyler Thrasher! No tickets necessary… just pop on in and see the unique works we’re all bringing!

While in Denver, Jess Ellis (of Atropos Curios) and Alessandra will be teaching three different classes together that weekend:

Friday, May 10th is “Lepidoptera: The Mystical Beauty of Moths and Butterflies” an educational and magical workshop led by these two entomology enthusiasts! You will learn about the ecological, environmental, and spiritual importance of moths and butterflies AND pin your own Sunset Moth in class that you will take home with you.

Sunday, May 12th is “Cicada Magic” a journey to the Underworld through the lens of a beautiful and mysterious invertebrate. In this workshop you will learn about cicada biology, behavior, and mythology while pinning a sustainably sourced cicada specimen of your own!

Sunday evening on May 12th Alessandra and Jess will teach their final class of the weekend, a definite fan favorite… “The Magic of Spiders!” Both of your teachers for this class are not only passionate arachnid enthusiasts, but are also spider caretakers! In this hands-on workshop you’ll learn about spider biology and ecology’s well as their mythology and spiritual symbolism while pinning your own sustainably-sourced Orb Weaver spider specimen.

And one final reminder/plea for anyone in Jackson County to help save the Crossroads Arts District on April 2nd by Voting NO on Question 1, the proposed Stadium tax. You can find our stance on this issue on our blog post here and more information and details on why this issue is incredibly important to Kansas City here: savethecrossroads.com

Happy Spring, friends! May your month be filled with rejuvenating time outdoors and the wonder of the natural world.

— Laura Pensar for Oracle Natural Science

Oracles of January

2024 is upon us!!! And my goodness it’s coming in with some Winter chill! The beginning of the calendar year has always been a time of ritual, traditions, and superstitions. We are closing out an old year, giving ourselves permission to move on from what has passed and open up our path forward.

Many traditions suggest that one should burn a candle over New Year’s Eve past midnight until it burns itself out for prosperity and good luck. Lighting candles to amplify an intention can, of course, happen any time of year. Simply choose a candle style that speaks to you.

We love all kinds of candles here in Oracle. If you love scented candles… Smells Like Spells has poured soy-wax candles with fragrances “based on old customs, traditions and the belief that every plant or aroma has its own magical purpose.” New to Oracle, we now carry Calamus & Honey!

Their 7-day Pillar Candles are dressed with oils, herbs, curios and prayed over by people practicing a variety of magical traditions including but not limited to Santeria, Southern Rootwork and traditional Witchcraft. Their oils are also perfect for anointing taper candles! And… although I’m most certainly not impartial here… the Moth & Candle limited edition Year of the Dragon tapers are pure hand-dipped beeswax ritual tapers dressed with cedar, juniper, palo Santo, and a dragon blood stone crystal.

If you’re like me, pen and paper play an important part in my new year preparations. Open Sea Design Co. has made these luxurious Spell Cards so you can track the various aspects of your ritual. And Arin Murphy-Hiscock (author of The Green Witch) has released a guided Grimoire… part guide, part journal and magical record book, this hard-bound volume gives you just enough guidance and ritual instruction to get you going in your spell crafting journey.

The Calamus & Honey oils are a fun and quick way to tap into your selected intention(s). This year I am focusing on Road Opening work… making space to move forward in the direction I hope to go. I keep my bottle of Road Opener on my bedroom shelf with my incense and crystal collection. When I feel like I’m going to be working on projects and need some extra ease in the process I dab a quick spot on my wrist and go about my day. So whether you too are seeking new horizons, open roads, a bit of fast luck, or your crowning success… Calamus & Honey has an oil for it! Plus the labels and floating ingredients look so magical!

An overwhelming majority of New Year’s traditions from around the world focus on driving out the old unwanted energies, calling in the desired energies, and protecting that balance throughout the year to come. This stunning Epidote and Quartz crystal cluster makes a unique addition to any collection. Epidote is often associated with abundance and prosperity while Quartz both clears energy while amplifying intention.

Our “paw”quets (dried floral bouquet with a taxidermy paw) act as lovely gifts of beauty and protection. As many of our parts are the result of conservation and abatement programs we do typically have plenty of paws. We take them through a full cleaning and mummification process before hand-sealing the ends and doing finishing touches. We dry the bouquets here in the studio ourselves before assembling these unique nature bouquets. The claws on the paw or foot, in this context symbolize protection while the flowers symbolize beauty. They can be hung on the wall, especially near doorways or windows, or can be displayed on a shelf or altar.

Or stop in and have us help guide you with your intentions for the new year!

The Oracle team, left to right:

Melissa, Alessandra, and Laura

What rituals or practices do you like to do to start the year? Let us know in the comments… we love to know how you all work with the items you get at Oracle!

- Laura Pensar for Oracle Natural Science

{ 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

{ Oracle News & Oracle's of the Month }

Dear Oracle Family,


Big Announcement!!!

We are moving - After 5 beautiful years at our current location, we will be moving on finding a new home  (back) in the Alley Shops of the Bauer Building. As many of you who have stuck with us since the beginning know; Oracle started as a small little boutique in the Bauer back in August of 2013. We have grown so much since those days, expanding as a business and focus into the natural sciences, introducing our workshops, classes, and community based gatherings... it feels like so much has changed yet we are just coming back home to our roots. We will be continuing our March classes as scheduled with upcoming classes with Mickey Alice Kwapis, Witch of the Midwest, and Bug Clubs with Alessandra; but come April 1st we will be moving everything over with a grand reopening April First Friday. It is bittersweet leaving our home of 5 years... but looking forward to seeing you in the new space. We have to say a super thank you to everyone who has supported us and stood up for what Oracle stands for the past 6 months, we couldn't have done it without you. But also can't wait to see how our community will grow with such amazing talented family at the Bauer.

{ March Oracle’s of the Month }

Curioscape Designs

Curioscape Designs uses ethically sourced insects and bones and blends them with natural ephemera to create environments that honor the cycles of life, death and rebirth. Created by Denver based artist Jess Ellis the assemblages reflect her desire to honor the imperfect and give new life to specimen that may have otherwise been overlooked because of a broken wing, faded colors or being already in decay. Ellis creates jewelry and small sculptures that are inspired by 16th-century cabinets of curiosity, magic, science and the natural world. We have a wide variety of styles in the shop from tiny vial to large glass domes. 

Piebald Peacock

The Piebald Peacock is one of natures wonders with patches of white feathers that are the result of a genetic anomaly. The term Peacock refers specifically to the brightly colored male birds while the females are grey or brown in color. The beautiful plumage of the male bird draws many associations to spirituality and the occult. The “eyes” of the tail feathers are a symbol of divine vision. In terms of appearance, the peacock is closely tied to the phoenix which rises from its own ashes to encapsulate the life, death and rebirth. 

Aragonite

Aragonite is a form of Calcium Carbonate that grows in an orthorhombic form. Aragonite in its star form is mined in Morocco and radiates its energy into the energetic fields and spaces it occupies. The energy it projects is serene yet energizing. It can be used for balancing emotions and healing energetic blocks. It is excellent for cleansing and opening the chakras in energy healing. This stone is a wonderful tool for releasing pain and fear because it enhances emotional strength. It is an ally for personal transformation and guidance over life’s thresholds. We all experience the life, death and rebirth cycle as we change and grow as humans and this stone supports deep emotional work and personal rebirth.

Hope to see you soon,

-xo Alessandra

{ Oracle's of the Month - Feb }

Starting the year back up with some of our favorites in the shop - the people and things that make Oracle who she is…

February Oracle’s of the Month

:: Moving Eternity ::

Moving Eternity specializes in creating handcrafted natural goods for your body and magical workings. Their natural wands are made with oak branches found in Kansas City, quartz crystals and is set in beeswax and leather. Each wand comes with a tiny zine. Their pins feature beautiful metallic elements and real snake skin. The beeswax candles are hand dipped and sprinkled with dried flowers and herbs. Each candle is dedicated to a planet or intention. Moving Eternity also creates custom candles with your own intention or deity.

:: Lapis Lazuli ::

Lapis Lazuli ha a rich history that includes being one of the favorite stones of ancient Egyptians. Lapis is a stone that strengthens the Divine connection to the high self. In our daily lives it supports honest communication, inner peace and freedom from negative thoughts. This stone is excellent for those wishing to deepen their intuitive knowing and self compassion. It ties to ancient cultures makes it excellent for connecting with ones past lives or ancestors. It’s dark blue color invokes a sense of calm and peace in ones home or aura. It activates the third eye and throat chakra making it a powerful ally in speaking ones truth from their higher self.

:: Bobcat ::

Bobcats invoke a sly and cunning energy. Their coat act as an invisibility cloak in their natural environment. This is a metaphor for us to live in our authenticity and we will find safety there. Bobcats are a solitary animal and they symbolize the strength in being alone. The bobcat is a patient and observant hunter, like we aspire to be in meditation when we develop our connection to ourself and the Divine. Bobcats are fast learners and that makes them a supportive guide to all students and those who wish to expand their knowledge. They use their fluffy ears and whiskers to detect the most subtle messages in their environment, making them a symbol of a deep connection to our intuition.