Oracle's Card of the Month: May '23

The King of Clubs is our card for May! The archetype for the King of Clubs is Protector of Fortune (Luck). With a force as unpredictable and uncontrollable as Fortune, this king has a large order cut out for them. So what’s the most safeguarded approach to navigate the winds of fate? The King of Clubs likes to align with the odds and learn from history.

When reading playing cards you aren’t necessarily looking to the images for intuitive prompts… but if you use an illustrated deck, you absolutely can get extra meaning to guide you along. The deck we’re drawing from this month is from the fully-illustrated playing card deck Cabinetarium by Armando Veve.

This King of Clubs features a surrealist carnivorous plant growing in a minimalist-style planter, what appears to be a human arm reaches out of the pitcher body of the plant and towards a fly zooming dangerously close to the fingertips.

One of the things I love about this deck is that the illustrations clearly tell a story, but the circumstances and ending are completely undetermined, making them perfect intuitive prompts. Pairing this wild carnivorous-plant tale with the King of Clubs archetype can go a couple ways…

Are we the fly? In which case, the precautionary approach is to take what we know about the potential “reach” of our adversary and make sure our course remains just out-of-bounds.

But if we are the plant/hand… the lesson to be taken is strike quickly and with precision. If you miss, that fly is not likely to make the same mistake twice.

And perhaps the most bizarre interpretation… what if that hand belongs to a third party rather than being part of the plant? We’ve already established that this plant is in a planter and the fly also appears to establish a relatively normal size for the scenario… but then that hand (and the being attached to it) would be unnaturally small. And then we must wonder, are they trapped inside the plant and reaching desperately for some sort of help? Or are they themselves the predator and simply hiding within the body of the plant? The former is a cautionary tale and the fly becomes a symbol of decay. The latter, will reinforce the need for timing and precision on the side of the predator and awareness and caution on the side of the fly.

So how are we to know which scenario to incorporate into our reading? Well, take a moment to consider which role most accurately fits your current situation. Not that you are a fly or a predator, but… Are you in need of an opportunity? Then the message for the predator applies best here: The soundest way to work with luck is to be prepared to act quickly and with clarity when the opportunity presents itself. On the other hand (ha… sorry) if you are currently working towards something the message would be from the fly’s perspective: keep working towards your goal while being aware of the potential hazards and giving yourself plenty of wiggle room. In other words, this is not a time to be cutting things close, even if it means taking slightly more time or effort, go ahead and exercise caution.

Overall, the King of Clubs asks you to know your own situation and to be aware of what, given your knowledge and previous experiences, will be most likely to help you succeed. Honestly, for a card in the suit of luck and fortune, this King is exceedingly practical.

Since we’re talking about the suit of Luck, deer are often considered symbols of good fortune and abundance. North American Mule Deer antlers are typically wider and taller than those of the Whitetailed Deer.

The book “Walking in the Woods” by Professor Yoshifumi Miyazaki covers the Japanese way of shinrin-yoku or ‘forest bathing.’ In order to be alert and aware of our surroundings (whether as the fly or as the hand…) we need to be centered and calm. A charming book that goes into the practice of being fully present in nature.

In the spirit of our surrealist carnivorous plant scenario from above… the Tevaplanter is a terracotta vessel that acts as a water bank for plants. Water is slowly diffused through the material to the cells. Roots have constant access to water and air. A great way to grow small carnivorous (and other less predatory plants) in your home!

And if you’re interested in learning to read with playing cards… I’m teaching a class on 5/21 here at Oracle: Learn Divination with Playing Cards. A world of insight opens up when you consider regular playing cards symbolically and solitaire becomes more than a game to pass the time.

May, no longer the beginning of the year… but still so much of 2023 is laid out before us. Now is a good time to take stock of where you are. Are you working towards something specific or are you in need of some fresh opportunities? Either way, be alert and be ready. — Laura Pensar for Oracle Natural Science

Oracle's Card of the Month: April '23

For April we went ahead and chose Lulu’s Lucky Lenormand deck because it has such a Spring feel. The Clover card speaks of luck and auspicious opportunities. But the essence of Clover is fleeting. Your ship has come in, but there IS a departure time. This luck won’t just wait around for you to decide whether or not you’re on board. This is a seize the moment card.

So much of the way we work here in the studio at Oracle is reliant on what becomes available to us because we source our materials as sustainably as possible. That means when we are presented with and purchase certain items there is no guarantee that we will get it again. The trick is knowing what to say “yes” to and what to let go. As a small business we just can’t say yes to everything after all… and as an individual you need to be discerning with your time and energy too!

So recognizing the opportunities that line up with your best interests is key. Taking time to assess not only where you want to go but also the things you’re enjoying and benefitting from in the here and now is essential.

Practice checking in with yourself as you make simple day-to-day decisions. Trying to decide on what to order at the cafe? Ask yourself “what is the best option right now?” And whichever choice flashes through your mind at that second… order that one! (Narrow it down to 2 or 3 viable options before you ask yourself this question…) Figuring out which sweater to grab before heading out the door? “What is the best option right now?” And without rationalizing it… the one that flashes into your mind first is the sweater for the day!

By flexing your intuitive muscle this way regularly and with low-stakes choices helps you gain confidence in knowing which opportunities are right for you. You don’t always have control over what options you are presented with, but you can be confident that you will make the best possible choices you can with what you’re working with.

Much like the challenge of playing a card game, we have to work with the cards we’re dealt. If you know me, you know I LOVE playing card metaphors… almost as much as I love playing cards themselves! And Oracle has added a few GORGEOUS decks to the shop and I will be teaching a Divination with Playing Cards workshop next month!

Some believe skunks to be a lucky omen and are often viewed as messengers of Spring. Skunks remind us to trust our intuition and move with quiet confidence in our own power and ability to defend ourselves. The striking beauty of black and white stripes in the skunk’s tail is a visual reminder of balance and patterns. The small skunk skull reminds us that big power can come in tiny packages.

Setting up a crystal grid is a stabilizing meditative practice. When you feel like you need a little extra boost of intuition, setting up crystals in a formation to help you feel connected to spirit can be helpful.

April brings with it, if not warmer weather and sunshine, at least the promise of sunnier times soon ahead. As the world “springs” back to life keep your eyes open for opportunities as they emerge! Like the skunk, move calmly and with confidence knowing you have the capacity to handle what comes your way. And when you see that lucky clover, pick it up and carry it with you! — Laura Pensar for Oracle Natural Science

Oracle's Card of the Month: March '23

This month we’ve pulled the Spanish Luna Moth + Rose Quartz card from the Obsidian Oracle deck by Megan Buccere. The associations for this card are appreciation of self and getting to know yourself. The luna moth as an icon of cycles and impermanence coupled with the universal love and harmonious nature of rose quartz makes this a balm for the soul this March. As Trish Sullivan says in the guidebook for this deck,“You are a never-ending journey of self-discovery.”

March gets its name from the Roman god of war, Mars. Perhaps the stir-crazy cabin-fever from waiting through the months of winter lead to amped up aggression just waiting to burst forth at the first thaw? Personally, the frustration of navigating the fresh crop of potholes in the streets after all of the midwestern ices and thaws definitely leaves me feeling… emotionally itchy. And when that tendency towards conflict arises (hello, Mars) sometimes what we really need to do is take a step back to look at what needs of our own are not being met. If we can fill our own cup or reinforce our boundaries reasonably, most of the time the friction will be eased before escalation.

Here in the studio, when visitors ask us what they should get for a particular need we generally suggest as a first step, “Take a look around and notice what you are drawn to.” Almost always when we look up the associations for those items they line up with the energies that we were needing to call in anyway!

Allowing yourself (within safety and reason, of course) to linger with the things or experiences that we are drawn to is a way to honor ourselves and our intuition. Go to a greenhouse or garden center and allow yourself to be drawn in by the plants that are intriguing to you. Visit a museum or gallery and rather than trying to “take it all in” or go to the “important” pieces… go where your eyes take you. Spend extra tie with the things which spark your curiosity or amplify certain feelings for you. Rather than worrying about looking at, being near, or having the “right” things… give yourself some moments of exploration.

Rewild Yourself by Simon Barnes “features numerous spellbinding ways to bring the magic of nature much closer to home … you will discover new creatures and with them, new areas of yourself that had gone dormant.” There is plenty of research backing up the assertion that experiencing nature is a key component to cultivating a sense of awe and happiness. (Article 1 / Article 2 / Article 3 ) We feel more ourselves by actually getting outside of ourselves… and experiencing the interconnectedness of life.

Rose Quartz is a stone associated with gentleness and calming energies. A member of the Quartz family it is a strong mineral and carries amplifying characteristics, while trace amounts of (generally) titanium, manganese, and/or iron give it that sweet rosy hue. These rose quartz towers make a lovely addition to your desk or personal alter as a way to focus and amplify a soft connection with your spiritual aspects. For a touch-stone of calming and release of stress, these deep pink rose quartz palm stones are perfect pocket companions during difficult times.

While I know they aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, I am personally biased towards moths (and butterflies). And I love looking at the ways various artists choose to depict them. The Luna Moth Card by Moth & Myth highlights the inherent “painterly” feel of real luna moths and places it in a lush laser-cut Art Nouveau inspired background.

Fawns are a quintessential symbol of the beginning of Spring. This sweet vintage taxidermy fawn stands peacefully by as a reminder of the coming equinox. Deer are often seen as messengers of the heart, gentle and wise. And the tasty plants in my garden often prove too tempting for these amazing creatures to pass up in the warmer months… darn it. But in March, we have a peaceable understanding.

March may feel like a strange time in-between seasons, somewhat unsettled. And if you find your inner Mars all armored up holding a spear and tapping on your shoulder ready to go to battle over every minor aggravation… remember to take a moment to care for your needs. Sometimes what we really need to do is draw better boundaries and make sure our heart has been nurtured. Tap into the fleeting artistic beauty of a moth and ground yourself in the comforting smoothness of rose quartz. May your March be filled with things that draw you gently and curiously into the world.

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

Oracle's Card of the Month: January '23

To start off this year we chose The Rainbow Heart Tarot deck by Rachel Rosenkoetter. The Hermit card leads us into the new year, with its message of slowing down, turning inwards, and self-reflection. As the new year is often a time for setting intentions and making plans The Hermit encourages us to take our time and be mindful with our goals.

Here at Oracle, the retail-side slows down a bit in January (after the holiday rush) and we buckle-down in the workshop.  We spend some time planning out our projects for the year and the calendar fills up surprisingly quickly!

Part of our year-transition ritual involves acknowledging what we accomplished throughout the previous year. Looking back over the goals we had set for ourselves in the last year and seeing how it compares to our current plans. Taking this extra time to reflect may seem counter-intuitive to the go-go-go nature of our culture, and especially of small-businesses. But without taking time to contextualize, you may find yourself veering off course or even demoralized thinking you haven’t progressed when, in actuality, you truly have.

Finding ways to let the dust settle and get some clarity is a nice way to direct your energy beginning your year. (What energy you may have remaining after ringing out 2022!)

Spending time settling into the season and reflecting on what has happened while also looking forward to what is to come can be a tricky balancing act. Things which ground us will help bring a sense of stability. And things which inspire us will help spark optimism as we look to the future. Small and simple things can act as anchors and guiding lights. What helps you feel grounded? Breathing exercises? Holding a stone in your pocket and feeling it’s surface and edges? Does a beautiful insect inspire wonder? Or maybe the intricate details in a flower or leaf? Re-centering can happen in humble ways. Don’t feel pressured to make grand gestures.

Pink Amethyst is a stone said to bring emotional balance and overall peace through calm, understanding, and grace.

How to Make Space by Dr. Arlene K. Unger is an inspired guide to a clearer mind and home. A lovely hard-bound book filled with practical exercises to clear your home, calendar, and mind.

Using divination cards is a nice way to bring your mind into focus. The Rainbow Heart Tarot by Kansas City-based artist Rachel Rosenkoetter is a bright and psychedelic twist on a traditional Tarot deck. Uplifting and insightful.

Animals can be a helpful example of how to embed certain qualities. Nothing feels quite as grounded as a strong horse hoof planted firmly on the earth.

January can feel like a sudden “dead stop” after the hectic end-of-year hustle and bustle. The heart of Winter and the turning of the calendar are intense. Whether you feel it as an intense chill or an intense sense of optimism… Take time to settle into your present moment. Acknowledge all you’ve come through from the previous year while allowing yourself to feel hope and look forward to what comes next. May your new year be full of insight. — Laura Pensar for Oracle Natural Science

Oracle's Card of the Month: December '22

What could be more appropriate for welcoming the official start of Winter than this Mountain Goat scaling a snow-covered peak under a nighttime rainbow? Navigating icy terrain (literal and emotional) with ease and confidence, this master climber looks to us with reassurance and encouragement. Watch your footing and keep going. This is the King of Cups card from the Gentle Tarot deck by Mari in the Sky. From the Gentle Tarot’s guide book: “My spirit is already at the top of this mountain. I simply have to meet it there.”

Moving into the hectic wintery months, in the studio we get more requests for ideas that help foster an atmosphere of comfort and grounding; looking for ways to support that inner mountain goat with his emotional maturity and sure-footed progress.

Maintaining a connection to nature can feel more difficult in times when the outside world goes into hibernation and the chill feels unwelcoming. Honoring both the quiet and internal nature of the season while also keeping up with hectic end-of-year schedules and commitments can feel daunting. Remember to take time for yourself and small quiet activities.

Making small bouquets of dried leaves, picking up a pinecone you find on your walk, or hanging a simple chime in your window to draw your eye towards the sky now and again are simple ways to feel more aligned with the season.

The Witch’s Book of Self-Care is filled with tips and ideas for reconnecting with yourself and honoring your spiritual and emotional health.

Lighting a beeswax candle can lift the spirits while cleansing the air and bring a gentle warm glow to your room. The Mirth Pillar Candle by Alyssia Mazella provides 40 hours of burn time.

Rose Quartz is said to be a stone with gentle and nurturing energy. These smooth palm-sized Rose Quartz Moons make perfect pocket companions or a lovely desktop piece. Also a sweet token of affection for a friend or loved one.

Aragonite is prized as a crystal aid in emotional healing. Aragonite Star Clusters are a beautiful reminder to stay calm and confident in self-healing work and emotional growth. They make a lovely meditative focal point as you can stare into the crystal points forever!

December brings many challenges; between harsher weather and heightened social expectations it can be difficult to keep grounded. Take time to tap into your confidence and make solid steady progress at whatever pace is manageable for you at the moment. The mountain can be climbed. One step at a time…

— Laura Pensar for Oracle Natural Science