*play me*

🔮 May Energy Reading 🔮

OVERALL: GNOSIS – What do you know without proof? What do you believe without seeing? What is undeniable against reason? Read card summary below:

TO RELEASE: The Hanged Man – With the hanged man in this position, it could be a reflection of the cards literal meaning to release or let go of control. But I think it’s here because the universe is asking us to get out of stagnation and take control of what is within our power to. It’s pointing to a period of time or pattern where you ruminate, overthink, intellectualize your feelings, or indulge the voice in your head that says you lack agency in your life, the belief that life is happening to you and you play no part. Maybe you’re constantly looking to others for insight instead of the truth you know is within you. This month is not about putting our head in the clouds and getting stuck in Neptunian illusions. You’re asleep at the wheel and going the wrong way…

TO EMBRACE: The Devil – I know, I know, embrace the devil?! Just hear me out.. through The Devils connection to Saturn we know that it can represent structure, commitment, not just karma and toxic patterns. The devil also can hint at selfishness, and in this position it says to me that we need to embrace a little selfishness if it means bringing structure to our lives and deeper commitment to our personal pursuits. Lean into this energy to take control of your life. Basically we’re not people pleasing this month. We’re following inner knowing whether people like it or not. Also stop being so humble!

Through clarifying cards I’m also getting reminded of a consistent message we’ve been getting about trying to make something work or balance two things that are not meant to work together. It could be relationships or career or creative pursuits, multiple things you’re putting a lot of energy into and probably pouring into financially and it’s just not supposed to work in harmony, you have to choose. This message is saying you maybe have to choose the selfish option.

TO LOOK FORWARD TO: The Chariot – Woohoo! I LOVE THIS! We can look forward to positive momentum in our lives when we take action and decide to be a little selfish in areas where we’re over extending or people pleasing. From clarifying cards I’m seeing movement forward in career, or relationships, or communication. There is a happiness and joy this momentum brings you, maybe healing your inner child or again maybe someone is getting pregnant! (I talked about this possibility last month!) Buying a house or car you’ve been saving for or getting through a creative block. There’s definitely a nod to movement in romantic partnerships too 😉

SPIRIT GUIDE: Wachuma or San Pedro Cactus – This is such an interesting component to this message. The Wachuma is connected to the grandfather archetype in Andean culture. You may literally have a grandfather guiding you, willing you to quiet all the noise so you can hear him. It represents communing with divine and looking to our ancestors for guidance. You’re maybe being called to get more in touch with your guides or ancestors. The plant is used in rituals, for healing, and is meant to guide us to the universal truth. What is your truth?

CHARM: The Hummingbird – This is a special charm as hummingbirds always remind me of my grandmother. She constantly put out feeders and watched for them, but also thinking about her, she embodied the spirit. She buzzed around every room, filling it with laughter and joy. Never have I seen someone so present in the moment and alive. The hummingbird asks this of us, to live in the moment and have faith. If you see a hummingbird this month, know my Umma is winking at you.

SUMMARY: I feel like the TO LOOK FORWARD TO section really sums it all up, but basically there is a deep knowing in you, a path you desire and deep down know you’re meant to take. There is something your guides have been pushing you towards but you avoid it with excuses or cloud your thoughts with other people’s opinions. When it’s exactly what you need to do you’re just scared to do something for yourself. There is little we can control in this existence, but we do have agency, choice, and willpower enough to craft the life most fulfilling. You just have to be brave enough to do it

🌛 Movie(s) of the Month 🌛

{beauty & brains}
Legally Blonde (2001) & Miss Navajo (2007)

So for May we’re looking at the overlapping energies of Taurus and Gemini to inspire our movie picks. Last month we leaned more into the traditional and loyal side of Taurus, but for May we’re tapping into her Venus energy of beauty and femininity. Then thinking about Gemini the intellect and teacher, I formed this idea of a theme around beauty and brains. Of course along those lines my mind immediately went to one of my favorite movies of all time: Legally Blonde, which coincidently revolves around Elle Woods, a Gemini vegetarian 😉

Looking for a companion movie I stumbled upon Miss Navajo a documentary about the Miss Navajo Nation beauty pageant, listed in the Criterion Collection. My interest was immediately peeked learning that not only is the pageant about beauty but also brains and strength, these girls literally butcher a sheep from start to finish.

People, and women in particular, are shoved into boxes by society where duality often cannot exist. We see the Maddonna-whore complex in media and at our dinner tables, conditioning us that these attributes are meant to be pitted against each other. In there own ways, both of these movies reject these gender norms and attempt to show a woman in all her multitudes. It will also be interesting to use these movies to contrast how an indigenous culture defines gender norms and the woman’s role in her community versus a westernized, patriarchal society.

🌀Dandelion Magic🌀

It’s spring my babies and the perfect time to go dandelion picking! The once thought weed or pest, is actually the herald of spring. Often the first color to show as the weather warms, it’s also the first bit of sustenance for the bees and other creatures. So don’t spray, PLEASE! Instead FORAGE! I slowly pick dandelions as they begin to spout, making sure to leave more than I take. They can be edible right away or you can dry them for tea (please only do this if you live or forage in an area you trust to be untouched by pesticides, chemicals, or lawn treatments). The whole plant is edible and people usually use the root to make a sort of coffee drink. My mother vouches for it’s tastiness!

Dandelion Benefits:

• Source of Vitamin A, C, & K, Folate, Calcium, and Potassium
• Provide antioxidants
• reduce inflimmation
• manage blood pressure
• control blood sugar
• lower cholesterol

I pick and dry them to store for spells or rituals. Dandelions can represent happiness, abundance, new beginnings, wish fulfillment, luck, and transformation as the flower does just that. I’m doing something I’ve been hesitant to do and sharing a bit of my magic with you. Here is an easy and low effort spell from me to you:

Meant for the Summer Solstice, but can be used for any positive intention setting

Need

• Orange Candle
• Cinnamon
• Dandelion Flowers
• Salt

Do

1. Cleanse space, ingredients, and utensils
2. Carve your protection/intention specific runes or words into the candle
3. Create a salt circle and place the candle in the center
4. Spread your cinnamon and dandelion around the candle within the salt circle
5. Light the candle
6. Speak your intentions
7. Let the candle burn till it’s out, and so it is.

🌸 reading club! 🌸
nature nonfiction spring

What I’m curious about:

• What indigenous wisdom and plant knowledge have we lost through colonialism?
• What are some concrete ways we can live in a more reciprocal relationship with the land?
• Where does scientific knowledge and indigenous wisdom converge?
• What are the differences between Kimmerer’s idea of reciprocity and the sustainability movement?
• How has capitalism and consumer culture impacted our health and nature?

Supplemental Material:

• Marist Library “Braiding Sweetgrass” reference guide
• Penn State Library Braiding Sweetgrass Companion Guide: Further Reading
• PBS Potawatomi History (video)

📓College Dropout No Longer📓

As of the 5th, I will have officially completed my first semester back in school after 7 years!!! Wow, it’s almost surreal to think about because it’s now just apart of my life and no longer this mythical demon hanging over my head that I was scared to face again. This semester I took 4 classes, they were accelerated 8 week course online, and in the first half I took three and during this second half of the semester I took one. Making it so I took a full semester course load 🙂 My final grade isn’t in yet, but unless I tank this final paper I’m look at finishing with 2 A’s and 2 B’s.

It was daunting leading up to it, I had a lot of anxiety about how I would handle it, afraid I would slip into old bad habits. But once I started, it was like riding a bike, but no longer on a tight rope. Instead I was prepared with a helmet, knee pads, and a wide open road. Because I’m in the place I am mentally and emotionally, I was able to for the first time to really learn and immerse myself in the process. I still procrastinated a little and took a few short cuts for the sake of my sanity, but I didn’t bullshit my way through and found myself enticed by the prospect of learning more.

If this is something you’re considering, I say don’t be scared! And also don’t do it if you don’t want to. I think maybe that’s why I enjoy it, because I don’t have to go back to have a successful life, I go back because I want to. And if you do here’s my advice to you:

1. Thoroughly go through your syllabus and plan out the entire course, as adults we have lives outside of school and this way you can be prepared if there’s a paper due the same week as family or work commitment. And you can plan out dedicated time for school and not get overbooked.
2. Go to the library! Especially if you are doing school online, I found that there’s something about being in a learning environment outside of home, where you can almost co-work with other focused people that helps get you into the zone of learning.
3. Plan for everything to take longer than you think.
4. Ask for help! Take advantage of professors, tutors, and success mentors.

If this resonates, this blog post will too:

Confessions of a College Dropout

xoxo,

Ali Ann