{ Magic Monday }

Hi Y'all! Have you had a good summer? It's been a hot minute since I've been able to write, but I've got a fresh, three-card spread to share with you - perhaps one which will be particularly helpful with Mercury all up in Retrograde again. Let's dig in:

Six of Swords, Knight of Wands and the King of Swords from the Pagan Otherworlds tarot deck by Uusi Design; gorgeous Iris printed pelt by Ash Miyagawa. 

- Six of Swords - This is where we are now. I'm not one bit surprised to see this card, which was the last card I pulled for us in June (a 'no shit, Tarot' type of card if there ever was one...) which represents a change for the better after a period of uncertainty. Through our own introspection, we may be seeing things a little more clearly and finding a new awareness. This card can also signify a journey for some, but is always a reminder that our transitions are cyclical and our experiences are transitory. 

- Knight of Wands - BUT! We may be feeling restless, impatient - eager to get this change of scenery (be it mental, physical or both) over and done with. Our sense of courage and desire for adventure is a useful tool for us here, but it can be causing us to act recklessly if we don't take some time to really contemplate our best steps forward. In short, we must slow our collective roll. 

- King of Swords - If we are able to measure our desire for change with rational guidance - and this type of thing takes time, patience and thoughtful evaluation - then we will be coming into our new passage with wisdom and fairness. It's about taking the higher road these days - no easy feat, not ever - and seeking out counsel when we feel unsure. The exchange of knowledge is one we can all benefit from so don't be too proud to seek it out and by all means share what you know! 

*The beautiful tarot cloth I am using is a printed rabbit pelt created by none other than our own Ash Miyagawa, who has opened an incredible shop wherein you will find botanical illustrations, prints and beautiful, unusual goods! You can visit this shop, here!

 *These tarot card readings are intended for us all as a community and are therefore broad. If you are interested in a more specific, in-depth reading - we offer individual readings at Oracle as well! If you would like to schedule an appointment for an individual reading, you can do that here or give us a ring at 816.982.9550. You can also join us for one of our monthly Tarot Workshop & Happy Hour events and learn more about cartomancy!    

{ ASH MIYAGAWA + JOHANNAH MILLER POP UP }

Y'all we are super excited to be hosting a pop up shop for artists Ash Miyagawa and Johannah Miller!! This First Friday, December 2nd from 6:00pm-9:00pm - come for handmade, illustrated cards, fine art prints and ceramics - all perfect for the holidays and other gift-giving occasions!! See you there!!

{ THREE YEARS! }

Holy smokes Y'all. 

This week marks our third year of being open for business - it's super hard for me to believe, three years sounds like a long time to me, but it has flown by. And I'm learning more and more each day - which maybe seems like DURR, OF COURSE - but truly, each day brings a new lesson and educational opportunity. You think you know what's up, and then Alessandra and Christina are in the back with a pile of python bones, or a wallaby, or a freaking cavy (a member of the rodent family and animal which previously I had never heard of before in my life) skeleton like it's no big deal.

A word on Alessandra, AKA The Bone Wizard, since I mentioned her. We thought she was incredible when we first laid eyes on her in 2013 and boy oh boy are we lucky she liked us back! Alessandra Dzuba, you may know, is not only the brains and dexterous hands behind many of our beautiful natural science specimens, but she is also a phenomenal fine artist (who somehow manages to exhibit her work regularly, probably because she is a wizard and can manipulate the Space Time Continuum). Check out her works here, and prepare to have your mind blown! 

This is also a fine time to mention Carrie, who continues to grow and evolve at a suspiciously inhuman rate (my money is on Aliens). When we began this adventure, Carrie was juggling a full-time gig as a therapist and raising two young children while also keeping natural science specimens in stock and the lights on at Oracle. Somehow during all this she has also managed to learn and integrate numerology and astrology into her counseling practice - a shining example of developing and following her intuition in a holistic way. If you know Carrie, you already know that she is a badass, but you may not know that she does THIS. 

We have been so fortunate to have so many incredible people intern and apprentice with us at Oracle. We appreciate your intellect, your creativity, your talent and your unflinching ability to get your hands dirty with animal remains. We are so grateful and happy that you found us!

A bunch of weirdos like us could only have thrived in this kind of environment, so we are pretty dang lucky. Cheers for three years!! 

Thank you to our interns/apprentice - We have been so fortunate to have so many incredible people 

{ Meet Ash MIyagawa }

I don't know what we did to deserve having such awesome people in our shop, but we struck pure gold with Ash Miyagawa - an artist, illustrator and science-enthusiast! Her work is badass and we want her to move in and stay with us forever. (We aren't creepy).

Ash Miyagawa, ink 2014-2015

ORACLE - What is your background? (this can be anything you wish to share; hometown, education, age, work experience before Oracle, etc)

ASH MIYAGAWA - I'm a 22 year old from Chicago, IL. I'm currently in my last semester at the Kansas City Art Institute, and I'm probably the only barista in the world who is not a morning person (which is what I do to pay for cat food when I'm not at Oracle).

O - What is your area of study/focus?

AM - Illustration and Printmaking, with a focus in scientific illustration.

O - What are your interests?

AM - The entirety of the natural world (but especially botany), nonfiction books & essays, eating A+ peaches (they're so rare) and finding very high places.

Ash Miyagawa, Ink + Digital, 2015

O - What is your favorite thing to do at Oracle?

AM - I really like getting to help with projects like the jawbone talismans or the wet specimens, but I really love deep cleaning the place. It gives me a quiet time to reflect on things and fall in love with all the organic shapes all over again. I always feel better when I finish.

O - Very important, serious and professional question, what is your favorite snack?

AM - (Very specifically) That dehydrated "just mango- no sulfates!" dried mango from Trader Joes. I could live on just that. 

O - What is your best, post-apocalyptic/pioneer-type skill?

AM - Based on past experience, I've found that I'm part cockroach when it comes to dealing with difficult times, so that. My cockroach-like tendencies. 

Ash Miyagawa, Ink 2014

You can check out more of Ash Miyagawa's excellent work here - or better yet, go have a wonderful snack/breakfast/lunch/coffee/tea at Mildred's Coffeehouse and see her work in person!!