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

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