D a r k n e s s. 

Here in the northern hemisphere, in beautiful Colorado, the leaves are changing quickly, deepening into golden shades and dark crimson tones. The mornings are so much more crisp, and if you walk outside, the air greets you with soft kisses on your skin that leave a trail of goosebumps. But most importantly, the daylight is slowly giving away earlier and earlier to the darkness of night. Our evenings arrive more quickly, and last longer, moving us closer toward the cold darkness of winter. 

In Nature's garden, we see busy energy, but it moves slowly. There is a sense of preparation in the air for what is to come. Plants are moving away from producing fruit, but instead are producing seeds, giving way to the next generation that will arrive to meet us in the Spring. Plants are starting to furl inward, their energy starting to move downward, back to their roots, and into the soil from whence they came. 

On the Wheel of the Year (A C+A post coming on this very soon, witches), we are soon to celebrate the final of the harvest festivals, and the time of the year that was actually recognized as a beginning versus an end. We soon celebrate Samhain, a time of deep liminality, a time in which the veil of our world is thinnest and we may pass through and better connect with the Mystery and the Otherside. It is during this time we recognize and honor those who have walked before us, and no longer are with us on this mortal plane. We feel more sensitive, perhaps energetically and psychically at this time as we are called upon to deepen into this liminality. We are also called to explore the idea that darkness is not something to be feared, but instead something we embrace as deeply sacred. 

In Nature's garden, the darkness represents a state of almost intense self-awareness. The mightiest of trees have roots that grew from Below, shrouded in the darkness. It is this foundation from which we grow, and to which we return. We often are taught to fear states of deep introspection, but it is with knowing ourselves fully that we have the most power and can pursue the greatest growth. 

As Nature moves to dance with the darkness, we too can align with the energy of this time by turning inward. We can shift our focus away from what is happening around us, and instead focus on what is happening within us. Who are you at your most authentic self? From where does your root experience the most nourishment? Who is our shadow, and how do they shape your actions? 

I encourage you to explore why you might have a fear of the darkness. I also encourage you to contemplate how you might dance with the darkness as you do in the light. 

How might you see the darkness of this season as a beginning? 

A c e  of  W a n d s  |  Y a r r o w 

Beautiful Autumn Rest, we welcome you. We invite you to teach us the lesson of introspection, and exploring our deepest self. 

Autumn is a time in which we explore the concept of Sacred Death. While it may seem that the trees shedding their leaves are the end of a cycle, it is actually the opposite. The trees shed that which no longer serves them, so that they may begin freshly anew. It is this time in which we may feel called to explore Sacred Death the same way. Perhaps it is not the end of a cycle, but the beginning of one. It is a time in which our energies return to the Earth, reconnecting with that which connects us all, so that the next chapter may begin. 

How might our collective ToVA Community dance with the sacred darkness and this seasonal shift in October? ​

S h a y l e ' s  Thoughts: 

It makes me smile that Yarrow appeared to us when we asked this question of how to deepen into the liminal. She feels to me as though she is presenting the answer as being her, herself. Yarrow is a plant of deep mystery and is a guide to help us explore that which we may not understand. She holds our hand, and walks beside us as we seek intense truths, and can hold us and help us feel safe as we explore this within ourselves. 

I feel called to also give a reminder of nourishment. As we lean into sacred darkness, we should also lean into nourishment of our root. If we do not have a firm foundation from which to build upon and grow, we feel chaotic, unrested, and are prone to dis-ease. As the plants during this time shift their focus to roots, we too should seek ways in which we may feel firmly grounded. We can do this by taking more time to breathe, and finding moments of presence. We also do this by working with deeply nourishing herbs, particularly nourishing root herbs of this time such as Burdock or Dandelion roots.

We also may choose to let go of that which no longer serves us - taking a lesson from our eldest teachers, the trees.

Yarrow also reminds us that we, ourselves, are the Healer. By turning inward, we not only identify our deeper truths, but we learn who we are and what we most need. We identify our own personal root, but also the root of what might cause the greatest disturbances in our life, so that we may be able to address them at their source. 

You are so powerful, my loves. Happy dancing.

As Above, So Below, 

S h a y l e


Tarot Deck: The Herbal Tarot by Michael Tierra and Candis Cantin

O o o o f. What a month.

Hello again beautiful souls! 

Did anyone feel like the last month was just... a LOT? If so, know that I am right there with you. 

I'll be honest. I am a summer baby - and matter of factly this was my birthday month. And when I was younger, I LOVED the summertime. It always felt like a freeing, magical, and vibrant time of the year. However, the last few years have not felt that way. They have felt overwhelming, and busier than ever. And in a way that is nothing short of exhausting.

Sometimes the energy of summer can feel hard to embrace, as it almost feels like the energy is at an unbelievable peak that feels out of reach. And know that if you feel that way, it is okay, and you are not alone.

And yet, may we also be nimble and flexible, and take with us a mantra as we round out these months of summer. How may we explore the powerful energies of this time and identify ways in which to interact with them that better serve us? For example, perhaps we express gratitude that this time of year, we awaken to warm sunshine through the window and the beautiful songs of birds versus the dark and cold of early winter mornings? How does this raise our vibration? 

How do we infuse the energy of the solar peak we are experiencing and allow it to guide how we show up in our communities? 

The  F i v e  of  P e n t a c l e s | M u g w o r t

We begin the month of August with the blessed day of Lughnasadh (or also known as Lammas). This is a special event marking the first of the 3 harvest festivals as we move into the autumn months. In August, we express gratitude for the abundance in which we are about to receive, and the nourishment from the fields and gardens. We recognize during these sacred days that we live in relationship with our earth, and that without the reciprocal relationship of tending to the crops, we do not receive the blessings of abundant nourishment. As we seek guidance from the tarot, the herbs, from our guides, and from our ancestors, may we also reflect on ways in which we can further live in reciprocal relationship with the earth, and within our communities. 

regret, for these can be ruthless traps from which it is hard to break free. Have faith that all things that occur are for further enlightenment. Don't torment yourself about your relationships, money, home life, status, or friends that have left your circle. Look for the light at the end of the tunnel and affirm an inner faith as a new day unfolds. 

Mugwort: Mugwort is a powerful ally for cleansing and achieving clarity. Mugwort is incredibly sacred in this way, helping us connect to the deeper parts of ourselves. We have all of the tools to move through inevitable change at our disposal, but Mugwort can help to open and awaken us to our own empowerment. Mugwort also is incredibly grounding and has an affinity for the moon in all of its phases, reminding us that beautiful things come from consistent change, even when we feel darkness around us. 


S h a y l e ' s  Thoughts: 

It is interesting we receive this card after a month that felt chaotic for many of us. This card also feels particularly resonate for where I am sensing our collective society is at this point in a very fascinating time. 

The Suit of Pentacles has an affinity for the tangible, but moreover, asks us to evaluate our reactions to, and relationship with, our external environment. Often we tend to have a very confrontational relationship with our outer world, particularly when it comes to things that make us uncomfortable or feel outside of our control. Instead of pushing back, what if we see the external influences as a lesson or as a guide instead of that which is trying to hold us back? Perhaps we are pushing too much for something that does not truly serve our highest good and it might be a time to instead turn inward, and really evaluate what it is that is calling to our soul.

It is also interesting that we receive this card in August, being that this is the initiation of inevitable change, albeit change we are familiar with. While August still very much is a summer month, it is a month in which harvest begins, and we start preparing for the autumn and winter months that lie ahead. While we are still enjoying the final weeks of warmth and sunshine, the upcoming autumn season starts becoming prominent in our collective consciousness. Perhaps this card calls upon us to examine how we can approach the change that awaits us with grace, allowing ourselves plenty of space in which to prepare versus facing it abruptly as it arrives. 

May we be okay with starting over if need be, as all things that are beautiful and successful have a strong foundation. If we find that our foundation is missing, perhaps we need to again become students and build that for ourselves. 

And may we find roots that allow us to ground, knowing that our external influences may ebb and flow around us, but yet remain confident in knowing who we are, and that we are here for a reason, and that cannot be taken from us. 

Happy August sweet loves. Take a deep breath, and know that we will get though any challenge. Sending you love. 

Blessed be, 

​S h a y l e 
​