“You Don’t Need to Impress Anyone.”

It's enough to be your full self and to show up, starting exactly where you are right now.

Photo Credit: Anastasia_Makarevich (Pixabay)

I never mapped a route to here. Instead, a million baby steps. I’m pausing, full of gratitude for what’s been and curious about what’s next. It’s seven years since I tip-toed into sharing, five since I formed my business and self-published my first deck. My most significant strides always require a mini-death, usually of fear or attachment to what doesn’t serve. I’m completing one right now, molting and suspended mid-air. Can you relate?

This week, I hosted my first in-person workshop in two years. It’s the one I’ve offered most, an introduction to working with animal messengers that centers on my first original guided meditation and includes broader teaching and discussion. (You can listen to the meditation portion for free on my new website— just scroll down a bit.)

In preparing, I asked my spirit team for guidance. The message I received was at once personal and universal:

You don’t need to impress anyone.

You don’t need to prove anything to anyone.

What balm they offered me/us. Alongside this, an invitation to source all words from inside, drawing on the strength and stability I already hold.

Photo Credit: Gary Fultz (Unsplash)

It reminded me of tuning in to Grandmother Oak energy in 2017. I was nursing my youngest daughter one night, snuggled up and rocking. (What a surreal chapter that was! Intense healing, little sleeping, swimming in love.) I often felt depleted and overwhelmed by responsibilities. Grandmother Oak asked me to imagine roots growing out of my feet, to send them down, down, down. Eventually I felt mine intertwine with hers. “You’re one of us now. You belong.” She told me I could tap into this connection again anytime. (Try it for yourself and see what happens.)

Grandmother Oak is one of the “Growth” grandmothers in my WIP Song of the Grandmothers, an upgrade of my first deck. She spotlights the tremendous, wise vitality we carry inside, especially when we feel too small for the tasks at hand. By being ourselves and following our inner knowing, we grow into exactly what we need to become, both for ourselves and for our circles. Her haiku verse in the eternal song:

acorn becomes tree
take root, you hold the blueprint
strong enough to grow

Reclaiming that connection with Grandmother Oak inspired me to lead attendees through an impromptu exercise to open the workshop, as though we were a circle of trees gathering under the full moon. I felt myself come alive with the joy of routing and grounding as I became a conscious conduit, both electrified and stable.

The gorgeous Jester Park Nature Center. Walking in was a full circle moment since my last pre-pandemic workshop was also here.

The open lodge-style room on the upper floor where we gather is huge and stunning, surrounded by multi-story windows. It’s magical.

My happiest face. I’m feeling called to open more opportunities for these kinds of shared experiences, both virtual and in-person. More coming as logistics become clear on my end!

Stepping into this role has been as significant for me as birthing each of my children. While I can’t tell for sure where my feet will land next, I sense a shift in focus. During the last few years, social media has played a significant part. I’ve invested the most on Instagram, especially after starting an account for Prairie Majesty Oracle in earnest mid-2020.

I’ve learned so much and connected with amazing, inspiring, generous people. (If you’re reading this, hey! I love you!)

I’ve always aspired to share authentically without making it a chore. I mostly, but not always, land there. It’s getting harder to execute. Instagram continues to erode potential for small businesses to grow organically and to share content even with people who want to see it. There are no real protections against the prevalent scammer problem. Sara Calvarese of The 8th House has written extensively about the squeeze on her Hot Takes Blog. Check out these posts for details and watch for Sara’s ongoing insights:

• It’s Not a Witch Hunt, But It’s a Problem…

• A critical look at what the Metaverse Has Done to Small Business + Creators

Every single person I’ve talked to is struggling with Instagram, especially those who focus on tarot and astrology. It’s discouraging to pour time and energy into creating content (which I quite enjoy!) that reaches about 7-15% of the 2,500+ who follow my account. I’m still reflecting on how to engage in a way that feels healthy, aside from supporting my people through likes and shares. I’m not bailing. I couldn’t even convince myself to delete the app this week. I’d miss my friends too much. Regardless, this newsletter remains the best way to stay in touch, and I’m very glad you’re here.

Whatever my relationship with the gram looks like, I know I’ve got to stay planted in self-sovereign soil and remember that my worth is not up for debate or subject to proof. With Hay House releasing Prairie Majesty Oracle at the end of March, I’m staying open to every opportunity for helping more people discover this incredible deck. Sometimes it hits me all over again just how miraculous it was to sync up with illustrator Amy Putney Koenig in the first place. Collaborating with her was pie-in-the-sky, double-scoop-ice-cream fabulous.

Cheers to everyone taking that next right step in becoming . . . well, we’ll see.

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What shifts and strides are happening in your life? You know I’m chatty and want to hear.

QUICK NOTES:

This week’s new PMO card is Leopard Frog, who helps us tap into the feeling flow during metamorphosis.

Just because something is unfamiliar doesn’t mean it’s wrong. (Hmm, sounds like my essay from last week.) When he shows up, we’re acclimating to something new. Stay in the water and swim through it instead of yelping and running for shore.

Background Photo Credit: Mohann (Pixabay) / PMO Art by Amy Putney Koenig