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

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

Oracles of February

Here we are one month into 2024: February, the month of love and Winter weather. We’re all (somewhat) recovered from the holiday season and the multiple ice/snow storms. We are so happy to be back in the studio working on projects!

Feeling grateful for our community, our friends, our fans, our fellow artists. We made it through the past few years with hard work, quick pivots, true luck… and most of all, with your support! Thank you!

So obviously we’re feeling a little lovey-dovey and we decided to lean into the “month of love” theme. And we mean ALL the love (not just romantic partnerships). It seems like a great opportunity to make sure you let those in your circle know what they mean to you.

And if you’re like us (which given that you’re reading the Oracle blog, there’s a strong chance you are)… then the way to your heart is through science, nature, and magic!

So here are some gift ideas for the curious at heart:

  • Send a bit of fun in the form of a fortune scratch-off card.

  • Set the mood with Smells Like Spells incense. Beauty, intelligence, success, and vivacity.

  • Our bookish friends might enjoy Magic Flowers by Christine Blystone. Part plant folklore and ritual reference, part poetic memoir; Magic Flowers “asks us to dare to love a thousand times — especially when we don’t know if we’ll ever bring some of our deepest desires to fruition.”

  • Why give a regular bunch of flowers when you could honor your love with a beautiful Curioscape art piece by Atropos Curios. Beautiful glasswing butterflies alight upon poppy flowers and lavender over a bed of crystals and a skull cap nestled within a hinged glass curio box.

  • For the loved-one that truly has everything… the heart from the famous two-headed calf!

We’ve been working in the studio creating some fun Valentine-themed gifts. A sweet spin on our signature insect specimen mini-domes make lovely mementos. The Bee Sweet dome has a bee pinned in “mid flight” just above a small rosebud, a moment frozen in time while the Romantic Weevil cheerfully holds up his rosebud.

And because you all loved our Oracle Holiday Ornaments so much… we made Oracle Valentine Sets! Set of three specimen vials each individually labeled with a cute message card. Three styles: friendship, sweetheart, and just-for-fun/suggestive.

Love Oracle? (Awww… we love you too!) Now we can all rep our favorite taxidermy studio everywhere we go! “Science is Magic” illustration of a fox skeleton and dermestid beetles by our very own Melissa Chepren and printed at Oddities Prints in KC. Long-sleeve sweatshirt (with bone motif on the sleeves!) or T-shirt styles available. Warm weather or cold, we’ve got you covered… literally.

- 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

Holiday Guide - Staff Favorites & Holiday Market! (Part 3)

Continuing in our Holiday Guide - we have our Staff Picks! Between Laura, Melissa, and I - our choices magically aligned and hopefully speaks to you too! But we cannot stop there, since all our items in the shop our handpicked and curated to artists we truly love. We made a list of all our featured artists! Until then, here are our ‘Team Picks!”

Laura’s top pick is East End Press’s array of Paper Garlands; From dancing skeletons, to turtle doves, who’s to say they aren’t all Holiday themed? Beyond these picks, a cup of tea like a Ritualcravt Blend or a new tarot deck?! How could you go wrong…

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Melissa’s top pick is our adorable beetle domes! Especially our precious double beetle love bugs (link below) - we have so many choices you have to look at them all and there’s a price point that fits everyone’s budget. Beyond these picks, our crystal zine to brush up on some crystal or a cute taxidermy ornament (to be premiered!) might be the way to go!

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Alessandra’s (hello, it’s me!) top picks are a little all over the place; from Dreamwing’s real monarch necklace to our cockatoo skeleton - I really can’t choose! Honestly my best suggestions for gifts are either something made by hand (literally the most heartfelt gift imo) or something to do together (maybe a class or a craft/kit to do together?) OR something that would be a great help to their current collection or hobby; a tool can sometimes be the greatest gift (I know I still cherish a tweezer set I was gifted years ago), like a pinning board or ento pins! Our FSW Taxidermy Protection Spray (link below) is also a great tool to help maintain any avid collector collection. OR! A great birding book or new sketchbook to take on your next hike?? All great add ons to any naturalists’ lifestyle.

And of course, sometimes gifts are hard or budgets are tight - Best thing you can do this holiday season, especially to support your favorite small businesses is to like, share, and support <3 sometimes the best gifts are the support alone and the gift of quality time spent together instead of a physical gift - Happy Holidays and hope to see you soon. All gratitude and love to you all for being an integral part of the Oracle Family,

xo, A.

Cabinet of Curiosities Pin Set
Cabinet of Curiosities Pin Set
$57.00
Taxidermy Protector Spray
Taxidermy Protector Spray
$36.00

Holiday Market
:: Featuring Artists ::

ceramicist & illustrator Sweet Destructor, illustrator & zine artist Linnea Nierman, and jewelry & metalsmith Amuck Designs!
Dec 16th & 17th :: 12-5pm