How to Tune in With Your Crystal

Disclaimer: This article alludes to crystal healing properties, however they should not be used to cure ailments, diseases, etc. They are meant to be used as a spiritual supplementary tool only. 

Want to hone your psychic abilities? Tuning in with your crystal is a great way to get started. Together, we will explore how to practice clairsentience to both divine the healing properties of crystals and feel a connection with them. If we trace its French etymology, we learn that clairsentience means “clear feeling.” This refers to the psychic ability to intuitively pick up subtle feelings and energies. Crystals are thought to have unique healing properties, which makes them the perfect tool to practice clairsentience with. In doing this, we also gain the ability to discern which crystals to buy, and to engage with them once they are in our home. 

Before you start: Find a few different types of crystals with a range of healing properties. Since crystals are said to absorb or redirect negative energy, it also helps to cleanse your crystal beforehand, if you are practicing this at home.

1. Find a Quiet Place to Reflect

The first step is to find a quiet place to reflect, so you can clear distractions and focus on your crystal. At home, you’ll want to get as comfortable as you can and get into a seated position. If you’re in a New Age Crystal shop, this can be a little more challenging to do. In this case, it helps to stand in a remote corner so that you are out of the way of traffic flow. 

 2. Decide on a Crystal, and Hold it in your Hand

For this exercise, it helps to focus on one crystal at a time, to avoid getting multiple signals. Let your intuition guide you to a crystal, or simply choose a crystal you feel curious about. Gently place the crystal in the palm of your hand. Get tactile with the crystal–if it is rough, feel its edges. If it is smooth, flip it a few times in your hand and feel it with your thumb.

 3.Clear your Mind

It is best to enter a clear and meditative state, to clear your mind and enter a focused state. If you have intrusive thoughts, simply observe them and let them pass by without judgment.  In this state you will be more likely to accept any intuitive sensations you receive about the crystal. 

 4. Close your Eyes

It has been observed that the loss of one sense can enhance another. Vision is often considered the strongest of the physical senses, because humans tend to rely more on it to gain information on their surroundings. Much like with meditation, the idea is to close your eyes so that you shift your focus from physical sensation to internal processes. Closing your eyes may enhance your abilities of psychic perception.

 5. Observe

Now that you have entered the ideal state of mind, it is time to observe. What sensations do you feel, and how are they different from your normal state? Do you feel a sense of calm, a quietude, or a surging sense of confidence? Do your best to define the sensation. It may be a nebulous sensation at first, such as warm or cool, but over time the sensation should become more clear, particularly as you gain more experience. You’ll learn what sensations are associated with different healing properties.

As an added bonus, you can play a guessing game with your crystals. Blindly choose a crystal and try to guess which properties it has based on the sensations that you notice. When you are finished, open your eyes to see if you got it right! 

May 2023 Tarot Forecast

May is the 3rd month in the Roman calendar we’ve been following thus far. This month is thought to be named after the goddess Maia. She is known to be the most beautiful sister of the Pleiades, and the most timid. Maia symbolizes the concept of growth. The etymology of her name hints at working with our ancestors and that which is larger and greater. Maia is worshiped on May 1st and 15th, which ties in very well with our modern day practice of celebrating Mother’s Day on the 14th. Whether male or female, the strongest energy we can tap into this month is that of the Mother. 

Energy of the Month: Reverse Knave of Wands ~Break Me Open by S. Carey~

In April, we received the 9 of cups and birthed a creation that had been in the making for nine months. Our vision became possible in a way that we never knew it would, and manifested into the physical world. This vision is still very much in its infancy and needs a lot of space and continual care in order to grow into fruition. Now that we have reached this goal–where do we go from here?

Like the Knave of Wands, we have a lot of eagerness and aptitude for learning, but its reversed position implies we are not feeling the most confident as students. This has been an arduous journey. It took a lot to get here, and our learning has come at the expense of surviving difficult experiences. We made a hard choice to end an old way of life and an old way of being. This can leave us feeling lost and wondering where to go from here. We may still be looking for the reasons, and fighting past the urge to pick up the pieces. We may feel that we are still falling and stumbling quite a bit. We want so badly to reorient ourselves and find direction and clarity.

Breathe. What we are going through is not a failure. We are breaking open–and this is something we should allow. To quote Brian Andreas: “When you start to crack open, don’t waste a moment gathering your old self into something like you knew before. Let your new self splash like sunlight into every dark place…let all your love spill out into the world.”

Love: Queen of Wands ~First to Love by Maia Friedman~

We have come a long way since last month in our relationship with platonic and romantic love, as well as the love we have for our creations. We’ve not only reopened our hearts to love, but we are proactively pursuing, protecting, and nurturing it. We are waiting for its roots to grow. Though our efforts may take multiple attempts as we head back to brighter skies, we know that will succeed and be okay. We (and our visions) are empowered to be whatever we like, knowing that love will remain by our side. Our eyes no longer flinch from the light.

Money: Temperance ~Guru by Júníus Meyvant~

In this area of life, we benefit most by working with that which is larger and greater than ourselves. This could involve working within a certain religion, with certain deities, and with our guides and ancestors. They will help us release any fears and uncertainties we have, knowing that we will be guided down a divine path that will allow us to be free. The interplay between the divine spirit and the material mundane is what will best bring abundance forward into our realities. A lot of power is given to money as the crux of our existence–the problem and the key. We want to get used to thinking of money as an energetic exchange, and one that works best when we are in a state of open flow. We want to work with patience, purpose, and moderation when we are approaching bigger, long-term goals in regards to our finances. Our guides are reminding us that a middle path is the best approach in spending and saving, and we want these dualities to work together so that we can find a fulfilling lifestyle that benefits our present and our future. 

Work: Ace of Wands ~Something Good Can Work- Two Door Cinema Club~

The work we did last month allowed us to fulfill a big milestone and made us realize that now we can be a real player in the field. Last month has given us the stable foundations and this month is all about being a fearless creator and mastering the art of manifesting our internal fire. We are mobilized to make empowered choices and make things happen one action at a time. A lot has changed in terms of who we are in the workplace or what our careers look like. We are the creator that can forge our own path, limited only by our own imagination. This is the time to pursue innovation, passion projects, and taking on more creative roles and tasks. This is where we will excel and these ideas will take off and prosper.

Health: Reverse King of Pentacles ~Nothing's Gonna Hurt You Baby- Cigarettes after Sex~

Somewhere along the way, we equated health with our routine, the food we eat, the vitamins we take…and we got very rigid with it. It is like we are afraid to stray from the plan, for fear that we will lose a hold of the health that we worked so hard to achieve. As though something could take it away at any moment. Even if we are not in perfect health or something has come along to challenge how we think about our help, it does our bodies no good to live in a fear state. It will only keep the body from doing what it needs to in order to self regulate. Something has made us feel destabilized and it is now more than ever that we need to remember to stick to the middle path–we need not excessively care for our health nor neglect it. We need not throw excessive money at our health nor become stingy with how we invest in it. Nor should we let work and money come at the expense of our health. Health is a form of wealth, but it is not a zero sum game–it is something that can exist in abundance for all. Wherever we are, we should ground ourselves and think about the ways in which we are empowered in health.

Spirit: Reverse Three of Pentacles ~Fisher Island Sound-Beirut~

This month, something is presenting itself as an obstacle to our spiritual growth and learning. It may not feel like there are enough finances to go around for everything that we are envisioning for health and this ripples out into spirit. We may feel quite on our own right now, immersed in a solitary practice and not sure where to go from here when left with only our own resources. This is another area we could benefit from working with a higher power, spirits and guides. They are willing to help guide us towards some answers and reach a breakthrough in our learning. We must also see if there are any internal obstacles within–is there a part of us that is reluctant to move forward on our spiritual path? This is something we will want to look into in order to foster our spiritual gifts and strengthen our motivation. 

The strongest flowers are the ones that grow through the cracks.

Angel Intentions

April 2023 Tarot Forecast

April is the month that is eagerly awaited, when the snow melts and the sun begins to bring warmth to our skin. Though spring equinox started in late March, April is the month that truly feels like spring. In the ancient Roman calendar, April is the second month of the year. The name for this month is thought to derive from the Latin word aperire, which means "to open." The ancient Romans may have been referencing plant buds opening around this time of year. Throughout the Gregorian calendar year 2023, we have been preparing to enter a new chapter and make significant shifts in our lives. The first three months were dedicated to cleaning last year’s slate, entering a period of stillness and inner cleansing, and finally taking action under the ruler Mars. April is here to open the way for what is to come.

Energy of the Month: 9 of Cups ~Story to Tell by Ambar Lucid~

We almost completely fulfill the emotional and intuitive cycle that we started in January 2023–from Ace of Cups to the 9 of Cups.  If we expand out to a greater macroscopic view, we see that April has so much more in store for us than it did last year. In April 2022, we had to experience growing pains before we could move forward in life. This year we tap into divine feminine energy to give birth to something new–a dream, a goal, a vision. Likely the divine child we are birthing has been gestating for 9 long months–in September 2022 in fact, the 8 of Cups presented itself. 

Our creation had been resting in the waters all these months but we may have felt distanced  somewhere along the way. We may have thought that it died when we were not actively attending to it—that we got interrupted and had to start all over again in January 2023, when our personal growth started to become more publicly apparent. In fact our subconscious psyche has been quietly working on our vision through our dreams and psyche. Now it is ready to be born in the manifest. It wants to see the light of day and be experienced directly. It will be helpful now to think of how we can best embrace this vision into reality. How can we best welcome it into the world? We need to prepare a space for it, nurse it, and care for it avidly for these next few years as it grows into fruition.

Love: Reverse Strength ~When the Lights Go by Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs~

Right now our sense of inner strength and confidence is likely hurting, due to a recent negative experience. The reverse Strength card appears to remind us that we need to build ourselves back up and resist coping with destructive habits. We could also be struggling to support a long-term, or a potential partner with a broken heart while they are in this space. Ultimately this is something they must ultimately take the initiative on or they will pull you both down. This is not the time to pretend everything is fine and hold everything tightly inside, or these emotions will burst out at a later time and may even blow up into an explosive fight. Remember that it is not love that hurts us–it is the greatest strength that can be experienced. What hurts us are the painful associations that come with not being able to truly give or receive love–whether that involves deceit, needs that were unable to be met, or playing into our shadow selves. This wound cannot be healed externally by another person however. We need to summon our inner strength and courage to confront these difficult emotions head on, lest they overwhelm us and those who love us. We need to let go of that which no longer is ours, in order to open our hearts to love so we can receive its full healing properties.

Money: Ten of Pentacles ~Orange Blood by Mt. Joy~

The Ten of Pentacles asks us to look into collective wealth as a partnership or a family unit, rather than individual short-term needs. How are we manifesting long-term wealth that sets up family planning or our currently existing family for success? This is the end of an individual cycle and the return to a greater sense of oneness. We are closing up our singular past in order to open up to a shared future. The wealth we are looking to share goes beyond material goods or monetary value. Abundance allows for a relaxed state of mind in which we can let go of our worries, and feel a sense of safety because we are in a stable situation where we get to feel like equals. We release ourselves to a deep sense of peace, contentment, eagerness, love and joy. We are hopeful and feel we are able to plant our tree roots. 

Work: 4 of Wands ~Burning Down the House by Talking Heads~

The four of wands appear when our dreams have a stable foundation to manifest into reality. Whether we have aligned with our ideal career path, or found an ideal balance where our work supports our passions, we are where we want to be. This path does not have to be traditional to succeed either– it can be off the beaten path or seem extraordinary to others. We are listening to our inner selves and burning our obstacles away with our actions. We are both on fire and prepared to fire away. Henceforth we will be doing very well in our work and may even feel unstoppable. We are well situated to get what we go after. Embrace this confident energy in work this month and move forward fearlessly. Don’t forget to celebrate each milestone along the way, as this will add positive fuel to the trajectory.

Health: Judgment ~María la Curandera by Natalia Lafourcade~

The Judgment card has shifted from last month’s primary energy to April’s health sector. This energy has stayed with us thanks to acting in our highest good, and we are reminded to keep up the good work in regards to our health. We want to approach health holistically and with a higher consciousness. When we pursue improving or maintaining our health with positive, healthy and constructive ways of thinking, we can be confident that we are building a sustainable practice. This can be in regards to fitness and healthy eating habits, but this also addresses our hearts and our psyches. We are asked to turn to nature’s powerful healing to address internal wounds. This can look like going outside and interacting with nature, using healing herbs, or listening to our intuition. Per the song, we can turn to the fire element to burn our pain into dust. The earth element makes use of the dust, from which flowers can spring. The water element takes on a soothing maternal energy that embraces us and we are asked to receive its love. The wind element blows us healing kisses (or perhaps even blows our obstacles away). And, as one last message, remember always that we are the medicine.

Spirit: Reverse Knave of Swords ~Nerves by Dianna Lopez~

Right now our spirits may be hurting and feeling ungrounded, likely as a result of the reverse Strength energy in our love sector. We are uncertain of how to use our sword–we may even be pointing it at ourselves and hurting ourselves with it. Now is not the time to try to bully our spirits with a tough love approach or to yield to our inner critics. We may be feeling very much on our own as a result of emotional pain, and we find ourselves unable to counter this idea logically. The mind is in a twist and convincing itself that this is true. The solution presents itself in shadow work, addressing trauma, and completing our emotional cycle. Rather than avoid the emotion and therefore allow it to have a perpetual hold on our psyche, we must allow ourselves to fully experience the emotion so that it may pass. We must also learn to challenge our negative thinking, be that with meditation, psychology, or meditation. We can also work with a professional, or turn to others who have our best interests at heart and can help us get out of this bind. 

April has much in store for us. We must work through our pain to open our hearts and minds, because that is the only obstacle that remains in this month of spring and abundance. We are on our way. Skies will clear, flowers will come, and our souls will bear fruit.

A musical supplement to this month’s forecast.

March 2023 Tarot Forecast

(Marseilles Deck)

If we continue to go by the old Roman calendar that we were following last month, we’ll see that March was the first month of the year. The month was named after the god Mars, who represents the divine masculine active principle. If February was a period of stillness and inner cleansing, March is the month of action. We can think of February as preparation for the deep spring cleaning coming up starting on March 26th. We will be asked to make difficult decisions on a literal and metaphorical level of what to keep and discard in our lives. If there are still areas of uncertainty, now would be a good time to start reflecting or journaling so that we can have greater clarity by the end of the month. We can continue to move forward in other disciplines in the meantime.

Energy of the Month: Judgment ~Black Water - Timbre Timbre~

In February, we practiced inner cleansing and wiped our slates clean in order to wrap up the end of the Roman year. With revived energy, we can start the new year afresh inspired and with redemptive breath. We have relieved ourselves of the weight of the year prior through the practice of forgiveness and can set things right now with levity in our souls. The Judgment card reminds us that in this state, there can be no action that does not derive from inner divinity. Our highest self is born into their most aligned life, without renouncing the lessons of the past. The spirit alchemizes the material into the divine. From this higher residing energy of the month, we can act confidently, knowing that what we do will be in our highest good.

Love: Two of Wands ~Muse - Lucius~

It seems we are meant to receive the exact same message about love that we did last month–the Two of Wands. This month, it speaks to us a little differently. Aside from practicing divine love through external creativity and actions, we are also asked to apply this back to romantic love. In love, we experience an overlapping of two consciousnesses or powers. Both should be on the same team and supporting each other’s highest path. Love asks us to expand as our partner expands, and that love continues to grow when we nurture our interests. We are being asked to expand our horizons in favor of long-term goals, through small but consistent changes in our routines and lives in support of those goals. Inspiration meets action in this card, and we may find ourselves thinking of joint travels, moving, or joining a particular program down the line. What is most important here is that we find divine inspiration in ourselves–as well as that of our partner. Continual exploration is pivotal when encountering the “muse” we find in each other.

Money: Strength ~Strength- Moonchild~

It took willpower to practice inner cleansing last month. This month that energy is continued and embodied in the form of Strength, which prepares us for battle. This card reminds us that we are not merely at the mercy of the Wheel; we can in fact take control of situations. If money is tight or we would like to save more, this card advises us not to get rid of our desires or lower instincts. Rather, we are asked to transmute them. They can be used to motivate us or to help develop our subconscious psyche. Spending too much money on vacations for example can be transmuted into something that motivates us to get through our work day or motivates us to find a higher paying job. It can be a lighthouse that gives us strength to go on through an otherwise Sisyphean lifestyle. Allotting a lot of money for food can be transmuted into taking an interest in healthy foods which then reduces costs in healthcare further down the line. 

Work: Reverse Knight of Pentacles ~Short Change Hero - The Heavy~

In work, we will likely be feeling ungrounded and misguided. We may be feeling stuck in a Sisyphean pattern, bored, or distracting ourselves with perfectionism. We are chasing a false sun that does not truly or fully address our inner needs. Likely we started out with higher ideals that degenerated over time and now we simply follow the path because it’s what we already laid out for ourselves. It is time to reevaluate –are we running away from something? Trying to please others? Faking it until we make it? It is time to find an ideal in which we can more suitably ground ourselves at work, and to follow a path updated to our current needs.

Health: Reverse Queen of Pentacles ~Bloodbuzz Ohio - The Nationals~

This month, there is a sense of lack of being able to provide for all our health needs. When it comes to providing all we envision, it is like a coin slipping out of our hands that leaves us feeling ungrounded. This could look like struggling to put enough food on the table, getting all the nutrients we need, or not being able to sign up for a class or trainer that we’ve felt called to. This could look like feeling deterred from seeing a doctor because of high out-of-pocket expenses, and delaying an appointment perpetually even though deep down we know we should not be disregarding the discomfort that our bodies tell us we are in. It may even be a psychological block that keeps us from meeting these needs. Whatever it is, we are asked to confront the issue head on so that we are properly able to care for ourselves the way we know we deserve.

Spirit: Two of Swords ~Pattern Doubt - Young Jesus~

Our spirits will likely struggle greatly at doing a thorough spring cleaning on a literal and metaphorical level. There is a finality involved in letting go of certain things even if we know they are not the best for us, or that we don’t need them anymore. It is one thing to identify what we need to let go of and to put them into a donation box…and quite another to slip them through the donation bin. It is one thing to determine that we need to let go of a connection or a job and cut cords with it…it is another thing to leave entirely. There may be contradictory values like loyalty and freedom for something new that may leave us at an impasse. It will be challenging, but it is work worth doing. Ultimately cutting ourselves free will create the space we need for our divine actions to take hold.

Happy Spring Cleaning! 

Simple February Practices

I hope you had a good Valentine’s Day loves, for those who practice–be that with another person or in the form of self care. Though the month is halfway through and Valentine’s Day is over, there are still some ways we can harness February energy for the rest of the month. Per this month’s tarot forecast, the primary energies we want to work with are love and inner cleansing. Working with these energies is rooted in ancient practice, which makes them all the more powerful to work with. Let’s look at some modern ways that we can incorporate practice into our daily (perhaps busy) lives. 

How can we practice love?

Enhancing love can be as simple as incorporating a few small practices into our daily lives. For example, it doesn’t require a cacao ceremony for us to tune into the cacao's healing energy. We can open our day by intentionally preparing our cacao and thinking of our visions for love, or drink chocolate flavored tea. If we wanted to broaden this out into a morning routine, we could bring out a rose quartz crystal and journal while we sip our cacao or chocolate tea drink. Another small way to enhance our love practice is to open our day with a heart chakra meditation. When starting a new practice, it is more important to incorporate small and sustainable practices than nothing at all. 

How can we practice inner cleansing? 

February used to be the last month in the year, and was used as an opportunity to spiritually wipe the slate clean before entering the new year which started in the spring. We can consider this month a “pre-spring cleaning” for our souls. One of the most helpful ways to practice inner cleansing is to do a cord-cutting exercise, guided meditation, or guided ASMR session. This can be done once, weekly, or however many times we feel called to do so. In terms of daily practice, a short 5-10 minute daily meditation–be it breathwork, guided, etc—is a great way to practice stillness of the mind. We learn to set aside our issues, if only for the moment, and they begin to release their pervasive hold on us. 

During our daily showers, we can imagine the water washing away our negative beliefs about ourselves. Baths are another excellent way to inner cleanse–we can make our own limpia, add a premade mix (Athena’s Candles at Chicago has some floor washes for specific intentions that double as a bath product), or add two pounds of Epsom salt to our baths. If using the premade mix, you can use one half of the bottle for your bath and the other half for cleaning the house. “As without so within” suggests our surrounding environment is reflective of our inner selves, so we can also benefit from a house clearing. While it is recommended to do a deep cleanse of the house first, a simpler way to go about it is to mop with the premade floor wash solution. Personally, I find it difficult to hold an intention silently while cleaning, so putting on positive frequency music is helpful during this exercise. Last but not least, we can smudge the house with incense for an added layer of cleansing. 

Even adding one or two small practices to our lives, for a few minutes a day, can make noticeable shifts in our lives. We may find ourselves making breakthroughs in areas where we previously felt stuck. This is the power of inner cleansing. It will be just the clean slate and the inspiration we need before stepping into the next month. 

Until March,

Angel Intentions

February Tarot Forecast

In honor of the month of love, I'll be reading with "The Golden Tarot of Klimt" deck. Each card is based on his art, but I've chosen this deck especially for his most famous piece, "The Kiss."  Interestingly in 1908 the art piece was exhibited under the title "Liebespaer," which translates to the lovers. This of course is the tarot card that the art piece represents in this deck. It is perhaps one of the most quintessential representations of complete surrender and acceptance of romantic love's embrace (and symbolically, divine love). 

The secondary energy of February is no longer practiced but perhaps can still be felt on an intuitive level. February was the last month of the Roman year. It is named after Februalia, an ancient Roman purification festival that lasted for ten days, to atone for and be purified from the sins of the whole year. It also parallels the Celtic celebration Imbolc, another celebration of purification which marks the beginning of spring. Whether we choose to integrate February as a new end or a beginning, it may be helpful to take inspiration from this practice and "clean house" spiritually. 

Energy of the Month: Ace of Cups ~I Promise - Peter Peter~

All our aspirations of love manifest as St. Valentine's Day draws near, a holiday said to originate in an ancient Roman festival called Lupercalia. On February 15th, fertility rites were performed partly in honor of the god Faunus (likened to Pan) who is typically depicted as half-goat and half-man. Youth would run about in goatskin, and any woman who was hit by the thong of a sacrificial goat (or dog) was said to become fertile. Though fertility is typically associated with love making, this word also brings to mind the creative fertility of ideas, which are bound to flourish in this month. This is a good month to follow through on any desires to join a creative class, start a new art project, or build up a loving and consistent practice with our craft.

The art portrays a couple in a very classical romantic embrace, reminding us that love at its beginning is exhilarating and full of promise. Everything is new and seen in an optimistic and beautiful light. We are asked to approach love with a youthful lens, towards others, and most importantly ourselves. This may look like taking a rich cacao bath and performing a little ceremony with rose scented incense, or wearing something that makes us feel excited about ourselves. This may look like going on the kind of first date that a younger version of ourselves would have always wanted to go on, or breaking routine completely to go on an adventure within a current partnership.

Love: 2 of Wands ~Für Hildegard Von Bingen - Devendra Banhart~ (Alt: Soul Love, by David Bowie)

Hildegard Von Bingen came forward for me in the form of music, when I had not thought of her in quite some time. I believe it is no coincidence that she is offering herself as an inspiration for this reading. She was a German Benedictine Abbess of many talents born in 1098, as a writer, composer, mystic, medical and botanical writer and practitioner. She received divine visions since she was a small child and can be considered an early feminist icon.

This month we are asked to approach love from a divine perspective, rather than limit ourselves to a mere romantic lens. We are asked to partner ourselves with the divine through visions, dreams, writing, and song. We should keep a dream diary and keep note of any messages that we receive. Moreover, we are asked to engage with what we receive and share it with others–through the creation of art, mandalas, song writing, blogging, singing, and writing. We find hope and healing when we practice and share divinely inspired art and projects.

Money: Reverse 7 of Wands ~(Feels Like) Heaven - Fiction Factory~

On the surface, it feels like a perfect monetary situation is within reach. However, there is still a lot that we are grappling with internally. It seems we are in great conflict with our inner critic, who questions whether we are capable of stepping up to fulfill the opportunities that present themselves. We may feel a lot of anxiety in this regard, and feel like giving up when the circumstances get too overwhelming. Resist the temptation to spiritually bypass this struggle, as this will only cause bigger issues further down the line. We would benefit greatly this month by embracing Februalia energy, and cleansing and absolving ourselves from any regrets or mistakes we feel we’ve made in regards to finances in the last year. Shadow work is needed, and it is important we spend time working through it and acknowledge it so that we may move forward.

Work: Reverse Knave of Swords ~Knights of Cydonia - Muse~

A knight without a vision is an aimless wanderer. Take care not to fall into old patterns, such as applying for a job for the sake of it. Take a step back and determine whether our work choices are serving a greater cause to further our sense of mastery; or the double-edged sword may cut us. We want our intellect to serve us, not the other way around. Contrary to what the modern work ideology would have us think, we do not have to sacrifice all our needs and wellbeing in order to progress in work. We are worth more than martyrdom and how much we can produce. This is yet another area in life in which we could greatly benefit from tuning into the Februalia energy. Those of us who practice new moon rituals are advised to focus on inner cleansing around money and work during this time especially. 

Health: Reverse Emperor ~The Man Who Sold the World - Nirvana (cover)~

There is a “New Year, New Me” mentality that tempts us to be very controlling with our health, nutrition, and exercise. Ironically, this causes us to be very stressed around our health which raises our cortisol and interferes with the goals we are trying to achieve. There is of course an opposite issue which can arise. When we stumble or we hit a wall, we can just as equally be tempted by letting go completely and losing all sense of discipline. We are at a big crossroads in terms of how we approach our health. Health is another area that is in need of inner cleansing. We want to get very introspective here, be it through journaling, therapy, or other methods. Where have we been too ruthless towards our health and body image, and where do we need to forgive ourselves? Where can we introduce compassion and honor our health in gentler ways? We must clean the slate and foster a healthy mindset, so that we can find stable and sustainable practices that honor our inner selves.

Spirit: Reverse 5 of Chalices ~Just for Now - Imogen Heap~

Our spirit naturally wants to resist difficult setbacks and challenges that seem to obscure our growth. We want to hold our face of grief, horror and shock apart from us. But that which is compartmentalized for our own survival can come as a shock when it inevitably resurfaces. Of course we should be grateful to our coping mechanisms for getting us this far. But February presents a unique universal moment of stillness and inner cleansing so that we can tend to our spirit above all. We seek our own forgiveness in the process of atonement. If we can do that, we can more readily move out of difficult patterns and move forward. We acknowledge our difficult trials and emotions as a part of our history, and rather than fearing that it defines us, we can use it as a helpful tool for growth. 

Happy Cleansing!

 Angel Intentions

Lunar New Year Reading

Happy Lunar New Year!

What makes the Lunar New Year different from the Western New Year? The Lunar New Year is a Chinese holiday based on a lunisolar calendar. The lunisolar calendar is based on astronomical observations or the sun’s placement and the moon’s phases, as opposed to the Gregorian calendar. The Chinese primarily use the Gregorian calendar, but they still refer to the lunisolar calendar for special holidays.

This year the date falls on January 22nd, 2023. Unlike Western astrology, which cycles through 12 zodiac signs within a year, Eastern astrology dedicates one Zodiac animal to a year. The Chinese system is further specialized into a stem branch system, working with the yin and yang (female and male) principle of each of the five elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. On January 22nd, we begin the Yin Water Rabbit cycle, also known as “the Year of the Black Rabbit.” The black rabbit represents sensitivity, intuition, and a sense of inner peace. 

Some say the Lunar New Year is a winter solstice celebration, meant to chase away the darkness with fireworks, lanterns, and candles. According to a legend dating back thousands of years, a terrible beast called Nian was believed to feast on human flesh on New Year’s Day. In addition to fire, he feared the color red and loud noises. Fireworks and red paper decorations were used to scare him away. 

Ten days before the Lunar New Year, families clean their homes to allow good luck to enter. Once the Lunar New Year begins, festivities continue for two weeks. For those of us who do not celebrate the holiday, perhaps we can still take inspiration from this special occasion and clean our homes. This will chase out negative and stagnant energy, and allow positive energy and good fortune to enter. The Lunar New Year is also our second chance to get a start on the new year. Perhaps we burned ourselves out by going too hard on our new year goal. Is there a way we can slow the process down, while still honoring our long term goals? 

Lunar New Year Reading

A Note: As a Western tarot reader, I have chosen to read with the Starman Tarot Deck, in honor of the recent anniversary of David Bowie’s birth and death. For an authentic Chinese Lunar New Year reading, I’d highly recommend looking into getting an I Ching reading.

The Wheel (reversed)

Song: Changes - David Bowie

The Wheel appears to remind us that all is in a state of ebb and flow. All things are an expression of universe consciousness; it is only the form that changes. This includes the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. It also represents our personality cycling through various facets and personas–all the things that we imagine ourselves to be on our road to self discovery. We cycle through these different representations of ourselves not just in the present but also across time—who we once were, who we might have been and who we will become. We see ourselves and our lives going through a series of evolutions and changes–but deep down there is an unchanging, eternal center of being. We struggle when we try to control, instead of meeting the present with no judgment, nowhere to be, and nothing to do. We can consider ourselves as the character on a stage, subject to a play for which we do not have the script; or we can shift perspectives to the stage in which the play takes place. 

The Wheel also reminds us not to be overly attached to the outcome of our fortune. That which seems like a wonderful opportunity, for example a new job or house, may not turn out to be as amazing as we thought it would. Contrary wise, an illness that might seem unfortunate could lead to a revelation about life or a remarkable dream that we can use as the foundation of our next big creative project.

In a reversed position, the Wheel is asking us to slow down and put any new projects on hold. We need to practice introspection and look at our life patterns, which might get us blocked or caught in another cycle that we could avoid. Is our next project truly deserving of all our efforts, passions, and life force? Or will we end up back where we started, as a more burned out version of ourselves? Sometimes we must accept the inevitable and ride the wave. Sometimes the only way out is through. 

Remember too that there is value in the yin (female) principle; stillness, introspection, receptive energy. All too often in a Western society we are taught in terms of opposing polarities and binaries; that light is preferable to dark, masculine to feminine, etc. But the spirit of the Wheel is best understood with an Eastern lens. Yin and Yang are both complementary and necessary components of life. One cannot exist without the other. 

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January Forecast

New Energy in 2023

January has a special meaning to us. It is our first foot forward into the New Year. We emerge from intentions we may have set in the Winter Solstice. Days get shorter and we learn to make the most of them. We wrap up 2022 in a celebratory way before ultimately parting ways with it. In some cultures we even burn the old year in a definitive way, to end an old chapter and hearken the new year. It is the first opportunity we get to shed a snake's old skin and either make new goals or rededicate ourselves to our goals, life's purpose, motivations, ambitions, and our true path.

Energy of the Month: Hierophant ~A Letter to my Younger Self-Ambar Lucid~

Recommended tools: Working with the Future Quantum Self in the Akashic Records, Writing a Letter from your Future Self, Visualization exercise

Astrological Correspondence: Creativity, Self-expression, recreation, relationships, offspring

This month, the Hierophant calls on us to embody our future selves in order to shorten the gap between the starting point and our desired goals. Imagine that you are already your most successful self and in the place where you want to be, with all the positive habits and routines that you've developed. Treat yourself the way you would if you were already happy with where you are. Now emulate those helpful habits and routines in your daily life. Perhaps this version of you takes daily vitamins, meal preps, reads half an hour before going to bed every day, and listens to classical music. It is time to start acting as this version of you and follow your own roadway to the success that this version of you already has. Write a kindly letter from your Future Self to the current you, so that you can read it whenever you falter or whenever you need a word of encouragement. This version of you is so compassionate towards you and whats the very best for you. 

The Hierophant also calls us to release the attachments that obstruct our path and get in the way of communication with the divine and our future self. We want to become a clean slate, an open cup for divinity to fill and speak to us. Then we can more readily transmit divinity message to us. This is how we can awaken to the power of the divine and our passion for conveying its message. Even if we don't feel like we know it all (in truth,  we never do), we may also step up to teach if a student comes our way or if we feel called to do so. Do not doubt the wisdom you have gained from experiences. 

Love: 5 of Pentacles ~Maybe October- Dekker~

Tools: Mirror Work, abundance, "I am enough."

The presiding energy this month in love is: "How can I be exactly what is needed. Maybe another  week, day, or year, I will be better or stronger." We may be feeling particularly lacking in the financial sense. We may be feeling that we are not contributing enough financially or domestically to the relationship. Or we may be wanting a relationship but feeling like we arent in a financially stable enough place to pursue one. We may be comparing ourselves to our partner's contributions and feeling down on ourselves for it.

But if the situation were reversed, we would be supportive of our partner in the same way they would be for us. It's okay to be experiencing setbacks and to accept lovingly given support. It is okay to build up our strength until we can contribute in a way that we would want to. It's okay to build ourselves up to a place to be able enter a relationship too.

Money: Chariot ~Chariot-Page France~

Astrological association: Social Life

Recommended tools: Parts Work (Internal Family Systems)

In money, you are asked to be the Bringer of your own future. To swing your way from dreams to happy endings. This can be accomplished when you achieve unity over your ambivalence. You must overcome the oppositions within, so that you can throw your entire being into the direction of your goals. Through strength of will, you can bring together contrary tendencies and have them work together as a team with you. You can make money the sphere of your personal action. This is the time to choose your financial path and autonomy, to become the triumphant master of your fate. The best way to harness this energy is to work with the Hierophant first, to follow the true path made evident to you when you become receptive to divine will. Without this guidance there is a risk of subjecting yourself to the Wheel of Fortune, but combined with the energy of the Hierophant,  the Chariot becomes unstoppable.

Work: 3 of Wands ~Into the Great Wide Open- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers~

Tools: Flow State, Creativity

In work this month, we have a lot of opportunities for personal development. This is the time for looking ahead, towards growth, expansion and exploration. You have a lot of creative enthusiasm,  and a spontaneous and intense energy. This is the time to seek and embrace enthusiastic work, to create from a State of flow and joy. If you do this, you will tap into relentless motivation. This is a good time to make plans for studies, travel, creative businesses and collaborations. Accept whatever changes life may have brought your way, and think in terms of the big picture. Embrace discovery and learning, and embrace the new. Be bold, have faith, and see you are able to create from this space. 

Health: 3 of Swords ~Loveletting-Sons of an Illustrious Father~

Recommended tools: Sacred tear energy, emotional release, trauma-based yoga, reading and learning 

Our health this month ties in deeply with our emotional state. We must resolve the our struggles in the emotional sphere so that they do not manifest in the physical sphere. There are many difficult emotions to be dealt with, particularly for those of us who have painful associations from the holidays. The holidays may accentuate grief, for that which we do not have. We may feel isolated in our experiences when we feel surrounded by others who do not share in this difficult experience. In this life we all must at some point experience pain, suffering, loneliness, sorrow, rejection and even betrayal. We must release this energy, and cry out. But we must also be wary of giving into the emotion so fully that we only identify with it and forget to let go and move on. We must accept loss and face reality in order to grow and move on. Growth is what results from pain. We learn how to overcome suffering. We learn through the consequences of our actions. We may also let go of what may have been comfortable but is no longer serving us...but it is necessary to have more rewarding experiences in the future 

Spirit: Hermit ~End of Beginning-Djo~

Astrological association: Personal beliefs, philosophy, religion

Recommended tools: Meditation, Solitude, Introspection

The Hermit signifies the end and the beginning. It represents who we are when we enter this world and when we leave it. The Hermit proactively ended the relationship with the old world (and the old year). With this, we can venture into a mysterious future that we have yet to master. The Hierophant serves as a bridge that leads to a known ideal, whereas the Hermit ventures into the unknown. It is the highest mission, birthed from deep crisis. It is a lonely but rewarding path that leads to wisdom, experience, and deep reflection of the path we've led up until this point. This inevitable crisis leads us to the profound change that we seek in our lives, to get to the goals and ideals that we seek to establish in the new year (of which January is a symbol). This step cannot be skipped. But we can choose whether to perish or to be renewed. Faced with nothingness, it is here that we release ourselves from the attachments holding us back. This spiritual pilgrimage is where we can overcome our doubts. We learn how to fight injustice, and we learn of our own errors that have shaped our past. This will teach us the prudence that we need when creating our own futures.

A blessed New Year to you all on this path. ✨️ 

A musical supplement to this month’s forecast.

Holiday Tarot Forecast

Hello dear community. 

This past month, I've done my best to practice what I preach and granted myself compassion. A loss occurred in the family and I was unable to bring myself to write November's forecast. I hope you all have been well, and if not, that you have been taking care of yourselves. One of the hardest lessons we can learn is to give ourselves the grace that we would give others. For some of us, December will be an exciting month full of holiday celebrations. For others, it can be a painful reminder of who or what we no longer have. No matter where you are, I send big hugs. I hope you enjoy the Thanksgiving and December general reading below. 

Energy of the Month: Ace of Pentacles ~Money by the Drums~

This is the month to recognize and step into your role as creator. Envision all your dreams, goals and ideals in their fullest detail. Now, envision what it might take to support that lifestyle, by means of your own creations and actions. It should be something that brings you a sense of wholeness and supports, rather than diminishes, your will. How can you exercise greater power over your life? If things are less than ideal, it is perfectly fine to start from scratch (from square one) at any time.

Love: Reverse Devil ~Lost in Yesterday by Tame Impala~ ~Bad Habits by eydrey~

In order to start from scratch, it is important to cultivate the skill of letting something go. This is not to say we have to throw an entire relationship away if something is not working out (this would be a last resort solution to turn to only if there is no other way to protect and honor yourself and your needs). Rather, we are looking to let go of unhealthy attachments or habits in order to make a breakthrough. Perhaps in a relationship you find yourself turning to escapist tendencies such as drinking, smoking, or other outlets in order to avoid having real conversations about needing to uphold certain boundaries or to avoid expressing things that you are afraid to delve into with your partner (or yourself!) The key here is not judge yourself harshly for your tendencies but rather to have heartfelt compassion for the root of your shadows. It is important to have our shadows accepted and understood, for to be human is to be flawed. Nevertheless, if we want to be free then we should look into where we are feeling tied or bound, and seek this opportunity to bring positive change by seeking habits that are helpful for your inner psyche. If you can detach from dependence on these tendencies, you can find greater joy in intentional habits and activities. Cord cutting is a helpful exercise to get you started, as well as meditation.

Money: 8 of Wands ~new body rhumba by LCD Soundsystem~

By what means can you achieve the energy of the month, that is, the manifestation of the coin? What actions will you take in order to achieve mastery of finances and to accomplish your ideal life and lifestyle? This is the month to dislodge yourself from belief systems that keep you stuck in regards to money. Taking new actions could lead you in new directions. Follow your passions and make them come alive. Enter a state of flow and purposeful direction. Lean into your work ethic and grit that makes realities come alive.

Work: 10 of Wands ~Indian Summer by the Doors~

Find the work that you love best (better than all the rest). This isn't a naive and immature love, but one that you've developed throughout seasons of hardship. It's the passion you always had, deeping deep within your heart. The rediscovery and self-excavation that you've had over the years only to find what you've had all along. The fire within is the work that you want to commit to, the work that will sustain you again and again. It makes you feel complete because it lights you up and animates you in a way that nothing else could. It is that which, if you looked upon the totality of your life, you would proudly say was your life's work.

Health: The Empress ~Feeling Good by Nina Simone~ 

This month you act as the Empress in your approach to and embodiment of health. You will be called to take actions towards increasing your health (this could be enrolling in a gym, starting a new routine, making healthier meals, joining a coop, etc). You'll also be looking to nurture your health. For example, you may feel like making comforting soups, bundling yourself up, drinking warm healthy teas, and getting plenty of sleep. Another energy that will come forward is to come up with an intellectual plan and approach to reach your health ambitions. This could involve drawing up a new routine and finding ways to track your progress, keeping a health log or diary, looking at numbers such as how many reps or sets you want to reach, etc. You'll also want to look for ways that you can prioritize some of your finances towards health, for example shifting some of your budget so you can take on a monthly subscription, hire a personal trainer, or join a gym class. All these aspects within yourself will be called to work together in a caring way to promote your healthiest, happiest self.

Spirit: Justice ~Respect by Aretha Franklin~

Your spirit feels fulfilled by the energy of Justice. This is the side of you that recognizes the law of balance, and that for every action there is a consequence. There is an element of fairness here which you seek in taking into account both sides of a story, but also an element of accountability. Your intuition is strong this month in regards to Justice. Your feet are firmly grounded, your head is held high, and your eyes are clear. Your heart is strong and protected. It is balanced by intellectual decision making. Your conscience is clear and you are confident in your choices. Justice is your domain. You have acquired a mastery of making cuts, protecting boundaries, of expression, and making the right calls. 

Just as each moon is an opportunity to enter a new cycle, each month represents its own cycle. The month of December is a wonderful opportunity to clear out any harmful habits and end the year on a strong, clean note. You can restructure habits and ways you support yourself with refreshed energy and zeal. You have a strong hold of your vision and now you can take new actions to create that which you envision. The energy you create in December will carry you into the new year, and you'll be able to start 2023 with a strong, healthy energy.

Blessings,

Angel Intentions

Spotify Angel Intentions Holiday Forecast Playlist

October 2022 Forecast

October calls, her orange eye peering in on us through the Hunter's Moon. The dark things usually hidden within and without are now sought and seen. We have a unique opportunity to tune into our shadow, mirror, and divine self. As the veil thins, our psychic sensibilities will increase. This is a particularly good time to look out for signs from our ancestors, to pay our respects and commune with them. 

It is in this light I break away from the usual Marseilles deck and try a new deck. I'll be using Lo Scarabeo's Ars Notoria cards, based off the esoteric Hebrew understanding of angels. They guide this fully upright reading with their unique message. Though this is a general reading, it is no coincidence each of us is receiving it.

Energy of the Month: 8 of Wands ~Angel: Nith-Haiah~

Our primary form of psychic contact this month is through the realm of dreams. Pay extra heed to dreams of schools, libraries, bookstores, or any other settings associated with learning. These dreams are likely to be Akashic in nature, and hold seeds of source consciousness wisdom for us to explore. Also pay heed to messages in dreams relayed by ancestors and departed loved ones. Lucid dreaming can be a good way to initiate these kinds of dreams as well. Before bed, use dim lighting or candles for enhanced dreamwork. Ideas and inspiration acquired through the muse of dream (Angel Nith-Haiah), are ones that want to become manifest in their own time. Follow the fire, the pulse, the will to create. Ideas move through you when you rest within the infinite. 

Love: The Moon ~Angel: Haheuiah~

The Moon is the mother who reaches out and pulls you up from the darkness. She is the illumination in the night sky. She is the full moon's orange eye, watching over you, speaking to you in dreams and intuitions. Though specters, ghouls and monsters haunt our psyche--we are protected in that they are restricted to the psyche before they are allowed to manifest into the external realm. We have an opportunity to transmute that which haunts us or seeks to drown us, into a source of ideas, images, and inspiration that we can draw from anytime. In transmutation we find salvation.

Money: King of Cups ~Angel: Aladiah~

In money, the King of Cups encourages us to use divine masculine qualities to promote divine feminine ideals. This entails taking external actions such as setting up action plans and enforcing them in order to ensure that an emotionally fulfilling intuitive lifestyle comes to fruition. This emotional balance will foster stable success and abundance. In addition, Angel Aladiah's energy will render our spirits innocent without requiring us to repent or change anything about ourselves. As long as we are willing to learn and don't repeatedly return to harmful old patterns in relation to money, we will expand in a way that honors concord between the polarities of our being such as the head and the heart.

Work: Five of Cups ~Angel: Yeialel~

In the work environment, we are challenged by negative emotions that threaten to hold sway over us. We have to decide whether we identify ourselves with these temporal emotions, or whether we can use them to inform us of needs and boundaries. Angel Yeialel helps us to filter these emotions as a catalyst rather than being controlled by them. Used as a catalyst, these intense emotions can help us find talent, sincerity, energy, healing, and passions in our work.

Health: Hanged Man ~Angel: Nemamiah~