July is Summer break… which somewhat ironically is hardly a break at all for many of us! This month we’ve pulled the Spoonbill + Labradorite card from the Obsidian Oracle deck by Megan Buccere.

This card is associated with taking a break and introspection. While it may seem counterintuitive to be thinking in terms of taking a break just as Summer activities are ramping up, it’s important to remember the value in rest.

“There’s no shame in retreating from the world to indulge in some introspection. Don’t be afraid to give your mind and spirit what they need . . . give yourself time to breathe and think.” (From the Obsidian Oracle guidebook by Trish Sullivan).

This month take a break here or there to center yourself and tend to your needs. Maybe wade through some shallow water and feel your way forward really connecting to your tactile senses.

The Spoonbill’s skull is so distinctive from other birds, including its close relative the Ibis, because of the flat spatula-like bill. The Spoonbill’s nostrils are close to the base so that it can breathe while the rest of its bill is submerged in water. Spoonbills forage by slowly wading through shallow waters and feeling for food with their sensitive bills. While they remain in large colonies, they are focused as they take care of their individual needs.

Labradorite is a stone associated with connecting to your inner vision and higher awareness. Labradorite has an iridescent quality known as labradorescence: “the peculiar reflection of the light from submicroscopical planes orientated in one direction.” Each piece of labradorite is a unique visual experience, a world of its own.

This month our friends from RitualCravt in Denver will be coming to KC for classes and a special market pop-up in Oracle! Friday, July 21st Jess Ellis (Atropos Curios) and Alessandra Dzuba will teach “The Magic of Spiders” workshop. Saturday the 22nd will be the pop-up market from 11am to 5pm here in the Oracle studio. And Saturday evening Missy Rhysing will lead a Beginning Past Life Meditation workshop.

And following our own advice… we will be taking a very small break ourselves. Oracle will be closed on Sunday July 2nd. (But back in the studio and open again on Wednesday July 5th!)

This July I hope you can find some time for yourself amongst the hustle and bustle of the Summer. — Laura Pensar for Oracle Natural Science