{ Oracles of the Month }

When we get asked, "what is your favorite thing in the shop?" we always get tongue tied, hah... It is so difficult to answer, since everything in our space is hand picked.... we love everything! Although depending on the month, we totally do gravitate towards different items or new things we manage to get in stock (which is always so exciting!)... SO! We are going to start a little monthly blog of what we are extra feeling this month. Most of the time they are items that get over looked... Others times they are awesome show stoppers. But want to know why they are extraordinary? Or who are those precious little gems we have been giving lovey eyes to? Or even crystals we have been working with for whats been going on in our own lives? Lets get weird, ;)  

SPECIMEN OF THE MONTH
- Bats

Bats are unique, spiritually and physically. They are the only mammal capable of true flight. They are portrayed as messengers, gods, demons and familiars in mythology and folklore. There is also a belief in Chinese culture that says that seeing 5 bats flying together is symbol of the “Five Blessings”: long life, wealth, health, love of virtue and a peaceful death. Their use of echo-location makes them symbolic of perception and clairaudience. Bats are social creatures who stay close to their families making them a correspondence to community and nurturing.
- “I know Bat’s might be a little cliche for the month of October, especially if you are like me where bats are very much an all-year-long theme… but I have a soft spot for bats and especially, Halloween. No one can deny that their obsession of taxidermy and the macabre didn’t start here with all the pumpkins, bats, and cobwebs (and also can’t deny that they cut these iconic shapes out of paper and pasted it all over their rooms until I was able to acquire my own… i mean they… i mean I? i mean… who didn’t?).”

MINERAL OF THE MONTH
- Hematite in Quartz

These Quartz points are filled with inclusions of powdered hematite. It gets it’s name from the Greek word for blood, ‘haima’ but it appears in a range of colors from metallic grey to red-brown. As with any inclusion, Quartz amplifies the healing properties of the Hematite making it a powerful ally for grounding and manifestation. If you need help getting your “head out of the clouds” this is a great stone to ground you in your body. Wearing a piece of hematite daily is one way to feel its benefits as it calls you to pull your dreams and aspirations into reality. Hematite also teaches us balance, courage through tough times and to seek the silver linings in life.
- “I use quartz as a catch all stone, always making sure that I carry one with me everyday. I especially love inclusions. Inclusions are when a crystal has impurities or other minerals trapped within its form - growing together - a natural fusion - enhancing one another.”

ARTIST OF THE MONTH
- Amanda Lee of PleaseSendWord

Amanda Lee of Pleasesendword is an artist, activist and herbalist based in Kansas City, MO. She wildcrafts elixirs for our most delicate moments. The TAKECARE anxiety tincture is crafted with high quality spirits, this elixir uses the medicine of Milky Oats, Chamomile, Skullcap, Valerian Root and Lemon Balm. When you are feeling anxious and need help returning to yourself, take 2-3 droppers full of the tincture and you will quickly feel the benefits of these herbal allies. You can find more of Amanda’s carefully crafted work at pleasesendword.com.
- “This tincture is one that I am very proud about carrying in the shop. As a depressant anxious lady, I can say this one definitely comes in handy. Sometimes there is no time to take that breath to calm down or when anxiety takes over… this is where the tincture definitely does the trick. Highly recommended”

Let us know what you think! What is your favorite?
-xo Oracle

{ Upcoming Taxidermy Classes x2!!}

We are so excited to announce... We had to add more classes because the classes below sold out within 48hours! So exciting guys! Glad to see so many people are as excited about these classes and for the talented Mickey Alice Kwapis coming to Oracle! So, what did we add??:

Raccoon class with some exciting techniques on how to professionally taxidermy your own shoulder mount... skinning, fleshing, the whole deal... learning how to do mammal taxidermy can be hard, but Mickey will talk us through it (and once you learn how to do raccoon, it is pretty easy to bring that knowledge to other taxidermy projects)! Then her final class is a Cabinet of Curiosities class, where students will learn a little of everything; starting with wet specimens, botany with pressing flowers, and then finish off by identifying and dissecting an owl pellet. This is a great classes for anyone who has been fascinated with a little bit of everything... and you get two great specimens for your curio collection ;)

Raccoon Taxidermy
Saturday, July 7th from 12 pm to 3 pm
Deposit $200 (total $400)

Cabinet of Curiosities
Sunday, July 8th from 12pm to 2pm
Deposit $50 (total $150)

 

{ Upcoming Taxidermy Classes at Oracle! }

We are so excited to announce… Mickey Alice Kwapis coming to Oracle:
 

Mickey has taught classes here at Oracle before, a beautifully thought out workshop that she has taught for years all around North America. Last time we saw her here in Kansas City, she taught us how to press and preserve flowers, wet specimens, and an array of taxidermy classes... which was so inspiring to watch all the thoughtfully posed and well preserved wet specimens our students went home with! But for those of you who don't know her just yet, here is a little quick peak from her website about this lovely talented lady; 

"Hey there! I'm Mickey. I'm a Midwestern taxidermist and craftsperson. Born and raised in Michigan, I took an interest in nature and biology from an early age. My obsession with animals, coupled with a desire to hold onto tangible memories, led to an unexpected intersection. My passion for taxidermy was discovered one night with a dead squirrel, a bottle of wine, and an old biology textbook. I have been working in the taxidermy industry since March of 2012 and I'm recognized internationally for my pop-up taxidermy workshops for beginners. Additionally, I have practiced metalsmithing since 2004 and create handmade, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces inspired by natural history and the occult.

I practice sustainable taxidermy methods, am a member of the National Taxidermists Association, and have worked, volunteered, and taught at museums and universities all over the world. Last year I won a third-place ribbon for my peacock (his name is Kevin) at the NTA National Championships. I have also served as a consultant to novelist Lauren Beukes for the award-winning book Broken Monsters. You can read a bunch of articles and watch a bunch of short documentaries about my work here. My lectures are primarily targeted towards those with an interest in biology, science, and natural history and focus on the role taxidermy plays in understanding the past, present, and future of our ecosystem. I reside in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago with four living pets and a whole lot of dead ones.

Want to know more? Read my FAQ. Interested in seeing photos of the taxidermy process? Follow along on Instagram."

*Also stick around for July First Friday - Mickey will be showing off and selling her work and her jewelry during our First Friday Crossroads Artwalk! Join us Friday July 6th, 6-9pm for some beverages, art, and a good time!

{ Valentine Gift Guide For Black Hearts }

Valentine's Day is upon us, and for some of you, this fact may fill your black heart with dread. Admittedly, it's a schmaltzy holiday, replete with unwanted Teddy bears trapped in heart-shaped balloons, subpar chocolate offerings and heart-themed jewelry (as ubiquitous as it is repellent, shudder). If you have ever been on the receiving end of these crummy, landfill-destined gifts, it's possible you may loathe Valentine's Day just by that association.

I am here to offer several alternatives for those of you who like good presents and who want better things for your loved ones, to make Valentine's Day (or Friendentine's Day) great again (but for real, think Halloween For Lovers)!  

:: Framed Insects And Butterflies :: Each beautiful piece at Oracle is preserved and framed by the artists in the shop, making every single specimen a unique and special work. I am especially enamored of the dried flora pieces created by Alessandra Dzuba and Ash Miyagawa, they are romantic and timeless and would surely win the heart of the natural science lover that you know!

:: Jawbone Talismans :: Our jawbone talismans are intuitively created in shop and are imbued with blessings to bring protection and abundance to the recipient. Each piece is constructed with loving intention and care, and no one talisman is alike - perfect for the Brujas and Brujos in your life.

:: Witch Club ::  -  Witch Club is a monthly subscription box and makes an excellent gift for someone who is looking to amplify their spiritual practice! Available for purchase in monthly, three month and six month installments - each month our Witch Club members receive crystals, incense and resins, dried herbs and flowers, and a special, hand selected monthly bundle to incorporate into your ritual or meditation practice. Items are chosen with the lunar cycle in mind but can be used however you see fit! This is a wonderful gift that keeps giving into extra innings because Love should be celebrated all year round!

*We also carry specially crafted Witch Bundles which are available in shop and online, a wonderful gift on it's own!

++ It is our pleasure to recommend items from these other makers and sellers whom we love ++

:: Chocolate ::  - Fatally Yours Vegan Treats - Holy smokes y'all - when you have a black heart but a sweet tooth this gourmet chocolate box is everything!

:: Divination ::  - Vessel Oracle Deck - I am a huge fan of Mary Elizabeth Evan's Spirit Speak deck and I absolutely love her charming illustrations for this oracle deck. Mary Evans puts so much care into her work and her divination tools have wonderful energy - I want one (subtle hint *cough* gimme)!  - She Wolfe Tarot - This Tarot deck by Devany Amber Wolfe is beautifully rendered with photographs and digital collage - this potent, sexy deck makes an incredible gift for a witch you are into!

:: Jewelry ::  - Mercury Hour - Scarlett C. Dancer's work is so awesome, I would be hard pressed to choose just one piece, but her Love Ballad series is spot on for V Day. - Arcana Obscura -Kate Hockstein creates the most wonderful, occult-themed jewelry - each piece is a unique work of art, perfect for those who like to keep it dark, I love it all!  - Omnia Oddities Studio - Artists Keri Newton and Nate Allen have created this incredible jewelry studio and there is no shortage of excellent adornment here - seriously, have a look and try not to buy everything for yourself!

:: Perfume ::  - For Strange Women Perfume - Jill McKeever is botanical perfume genius, her scents are evocative of magical woods, fairy tale forests and the kind of memories you create by firelight. It can be difficult to buy scents for other people, so I highly recommend giving the gift of the Lunar Amulet series, in which the lucky recipient receives a new perfume every 29 days for 12 months to celebrate the new moon! 

:: Incense and Candles ::  - Ritualcravt - Literally every single thing in this shop is imbued with magic (made by witches for witches, y'all!) and you will find many beautiful offerings for your loved ones. Of particular interest for the upcoming holiday, is this sweet little Love Spell Kit - it has everything you need to bring love to you! That said, if you have gone through a breakup or just aren't feeling this particular holiday you will also find excellent potions for self-care and to mend a broken heart. Ritualcravt blends their incense, teas and dressed devotional candles in shop, by hand - and every single one of them is gorgeous.

{ Three Card Monday }

- Four of Cups - The Cups usually relate to our emotions and heart feelings and this is no exception. This card symbolizes a time for re-evaluation. You may have experienced some boredom, disillusionment and/or unfulfilled expectations. While feeling like this is always a bummer, it can also be a gift - look carefully into your personal value system and decide what needs to change.

- Six of Cups - I know we all didn't have the best childhoods, BUT! Remember what it felt like to go out and play and and have fun? It's time to get back to those childlike feelings and create ease and a gentle space for yourself. Use your imagination and take pleasure in simple joys. 

- Queen of Pentacles - This week we are called to embody the characteristics of the Queen of Pentacles - a calm, practical and charitable person. This Queen is a nurturer, particularly concerned with caring for the Earth, as well as all it's inhabitants. She cherishes family, security and comfort - her appearance in this reading reminds us that we need to care for our environment, as well as for our neighbors. 

So, I'm going to to kick this off with an UNDERSTATEMENT and say that last week was pretty terrible (elections always are...), with that out of the way, let's break this reading down, shall we? 

There's a saying that I love, 'you can either change your situation, or you can change your perspective about the situation.' If you are stuck in a rut or just feeling a let down, it's time for your to take an honest peek under the hood. It's always easier for us to point the finger at others and lay blame for our unhappiness (and sometimes it is totally their fault), but now is the time to look within. Are you engaging in a cycle of behavior that keeps landing you in a bad spot? Are you attracted to unhealthy patterns - or people? Fear and habit keep us in bad places - emotionally speaking - so it's good for all of us to re-examine our relationships and how we engage with others.

I'm super glad that the Six of Cups came up Y'all! We are so serious all the time and forget the simple joys of playtime and creative exploration. Give yourselves some space to have fun and donkey around. Sign up for that dance class that looks fun as hell but scares the crap out of you! Go outside for a walk or run, get some fresh air and keep your eyes peeled for hawks! You've been wanting to dye your hair purple for months now, and I think you should. Think about the things that really sparked you when you were a kid and then explore those things - and be gentle with yourself. 

I think the next card is an easy one to summarize thusly; DON'T BE A DICK. Recycle. Turn off the tap when you aren't using it. Work for a local environmental charity that you care about...and while you are at it, take a look at how your own actions affect the land (and people, and critters, etc) around you and make changes to be a better steward to your planet. For the love of all that is holy, be kind to your neighbor and use your skill set and talents to create a better place for those around you. We are all the same under the skin and we all have to share this planet together, so let's do our part to not make our limited time here so awful.

 *These three 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!