Enter: Tricia. Artist, intuitive channel, and monster whisperer.

Shadow Monsters and Curiosity Portals

Tricia Dietrich of Sacred Source Studios was holding space for something she called Monster Card Drawings. I had no idea what that meant. All I knew was I was curious — and apparently, that was the point. She channels your shadow “monster” through art. Think of it like spiritual collage meets oracle reading, but make it wildly personal and lowkey mind-blowing.

You start by choosing six seemingly random pieces from her table. Just what you’re drawn to. Then Tricia weaves those pieces into a card that reflects your shadow monster for the season — and channels a message through it.

My monster?
Curiosity.

Totally caught me off guard… and then came the mic drop: it was my sex monster.

The Magic of Surprise Shadow Work

I wasn’t expecting a sex magic chat over coffee and Halloween costumes. But that’s what I love about intuitive spaces. You don’t always get what you want. You get what your soul is ready for.

Tricia and I ended up having a deep, hilarious, and expansive conversation about desire, creativity, curiosity, and reclaiming power through the lens of sex magic. None of it was planned. She didn’t know anything about me. And I sure didn’t walk in expecting that to be the message of the day.

But it was perfect. Every part of it.

Why It Mattered

It reminded me that shadow work isn’t always heavy. Sometimes it’s funny. Sometimes it’s awkward. Sometimes it’s covered in glitter and staring you down like, “So… you gonna deal with me or nah?”

Curiosity — even the messy kind — is sacred. It’s how we uncover truth, magic, and those hidden parts of ourselves that are so ready to be seen.

This was more than just a Halloween event. It was soul work. Wrapped in witchy skirts, scissors, lanterns, and now… sex monsters.

Have you met your shadow monster lately?
Don’t be afraid of what lives in the dark. Sometimes, the juiciest parts of ourselves are just waiting for us to light a candle and say hello.

With curiosity and cauldrons,
Angie

Like the 10th Annual Halloween Anniversary Event at Heart Body & Soul.

Now, listen. I almost didn’t go. We’d just come off three straight weeks of travel, with a cozy but cramped RV finale, and I was teetering between burnout and ghost-mode. But something in my bones said, go anyway. And I’m so glad I listened.

A Witchy Fit for the Occasion

Saturday morning, I threw on my trusty tattered witch skirt, a cozy gray sweater peppered with skulls, and my ever-faithful combat boots. If I was going to be tired, I was at least going to look witchy doing it.

The event invited everyone to wear their Halloween best, so I leaned into the vibe. I arrived early enough to wander the store (dangerous, I know) before heading to the main event: Coffee & Conversations with the magical Mickie Mueller.

Meeting Mickie (and Finding a Local Coven Vibe)

Mickie’s talk was all about protection magick. But before she even started, we got to chatting. Turns out she lives in Sullivan, Missouri. Just 20 minutes from me. Cue the “OMG we’re neighbors” cackles. It felt like discovering someone else who speaks your secret language. The underground witchy connection you don’t usually name out loud in small towns.

You know the one.

Protection Magick and Rituals That Stick

Mickie’s wisdom was cozy and fierce. Like being wrapped in a velvet cloak with a blade stitched into the lining. She spoke about protection rituals specifically for this time of year. A few gems really landed for me:

• Old Iron Scissors Above the Door
  Apparently, hanging iron scissors above your door keeps the icky energy out. I’m heading to the antique mall ASAP. One pair for the front, one for the side door (because that’s the one we always use). Protection with a dash of aesthetic? Yes, please.
  
• Turnips Before Pumpkins
  Fun fact. People used to carve turnips (or rutabagas for the Midwestern witches among us) before pumpkins took over the Halloween throne. Carving them was part protection, part fun, part terrifying little faces.
  

Lanterns and Letting Go

After the talk, we crafted intention-setting lanterns for Samhain. We wrote down what we wanted to release. All those soul-heavy things we’ve been dragging around. Tonight, under the Halloween sky, we burn them.

Yes, I’m fully planning a backyard fire ritual. Burning the old. Lighting my lantern with intention. I’m done carrying what’s not mine. I’m ready to step into the next season lighter, clearer, and a little more lit from within.

Want More of Mickie’s Magic?

She’s got a book filled with protection spells, seasonal practices, and other witchy goodness. I’ll be sharing that soon, so stay tuned if you want to add it to your bookshelf or coven library.

Llewellyn’s Little Book of Halloween

Final Thoughts
Even in the chaos, we can make room for magic. Even when we’re tired, we can choose to show up and be surprised by what (or who) we find. This Halloween weekend reminded me that community, ritual, and even something as simple as a pair of scissors can be a powerful source of clarity and protection.

Until next time, keep your altars lit, your scissors sharp, and your energy clear.With magic and moonlight,
Angie

The New Moon always invites us to wipe the slate clean, set intentions, and step into fresh energy. In that same spirit, I want to tell you a little more about what this book is, why I wrote it, and what you will find inside.

Why I Wrote It

I have always been obsessed with learning. New topics, new experiences, new places, I am endlessly curious. A few years ago, I launched my website, Clarity and Crystals, with the idea that I wanted to create something around spirituality and self-discovery. At the time, I did not have a clear vision of what it would grow into.

That uncertainty turned into exploration. From that, this book was born.

What You’ll Find Inside

A Spotlight on the Metaphysical is made up of 13 chapters, each one exploring a different piece of the metaphysical world. You will find chapters on:

• Clarity
• The Moon
• Human Design
• Astrology
• Magick
• Tarot and Oracle
• Shamanism
• Grounding and Crystals

Each chapter begins with Whispered Words, personal reflections I wrote straight from my heart. My hope is that when you open the book, it feels like you are sitting across from me in a coffee shop, chatting like old friends while I share the latest thing I have been learning and cannot wait to tell you about.

But here is the part I love most: at the end of every chapter, I spotlight the mentors, experts, and guides who have influenced me along the way. These are the people I trust, respect, and have personally learned from, and I want to connect you with them too.

The Heart of the Book

This is not a textbook or a step-by-step manual. It is a conversation. It is an introduction to practices that can bring clarity, connection, and magick into your life. You might pick up something you already know or discover something brand new.

Ultimately, it is a collection of stories, insights, and tools meant to spark your own curiosity and help you carve out a spiritual path that feels true for you.

What’s Next

As I write this, I am on my way to a local bookstore and crystal shop to talk about carrying A Spotlight on the Metaphysical in their store. It is surreal and exciting to see this journey come to life in new ways.

So whether you are drawn to the moon, fascinated by tarot, curious about Human Design, or simply looking for clarity, I invite you to explore with me.

Happy New Moon in Virgo, and may your weekend be full of magick.

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We started in Spokane, Washington, grabbing an earlier flight that sent us through Phoenix without ever leaving the plane. By Wednesday morning, we were already chasing waterfalls: Spokane Falls, Mystic Falls, and then driving north until we hit a tiny dot on the map called Good Grief, Idaho. (Yes, Idaho, not Missouri, even though my brain wanted to rename it! )

Good Grief was literally in the middle of nowhere. No service. No maps. Just a little general store with a café, where thankfully Wi-Fi saved us. From there, we wound our way along the Moyie River, driving through cedar forests on a road that felt like it belonged only to us. We stopped at a quiet day-use area, grounded, breathed it all in, and soaked up the energy of the place. It was the perfect way to begin.

Next came Kootenai Falls, with its famous suspension bridge (aka my suspension bridge from hell ). Crossing it in 100-degree heat, surrounded by rushing water and towering trees, was unforgettable. By nightfall, we made it to our cabin near Columbia Falls, tucked away in a quiet corner of a resort. It became our sanctuary: peaceful, grounding, and the exact kind of retreat you need after being in the chaos of restaurants and crowds.

Glacier National Park

Thursday morning was our first true Glacier hike: Avalanche Lake. To get in between 7 and 3 you need a timed entry pass, but if you arrive before 6 a.m. you can slip in. We were at the trailhead before sunrise, and by the time we came back down, the parking lots were insane. Pro tip if you ever go: early mornings are everything.

That hike was pure magick. Waterfalls behind us, the lake in front of us, mountains rising around us. We kept going past the main trail and found quiet pockets all to ourselves. Just us, the water, the trees, the mountain air.

Friday brought rain, so we drove north to Polebridge for my must-have huckleberry bear claw (worth every bite ). Saturday, we wandered and explored the lakes, saving our energy for Sunday’s big hike.

And Sunday… oh, Sunday.
Hidden Lake stole my heart. We were up at 4 a.m., on the road by 4:15, and at Logan Pass by 6. The lot was nearly full, but we squeezed into one of the last spots. The trail was steep, climbing straight up the mountain, but when it opened up to the lake it was beyond words. We kept hiking until we found a rock, and then we just sat. For two hours, we watched the world wake up: the lake sparkling below, clouds rolling at our feet, the sun rising over the mountains. It was like being inside the heartbeat of the earth itself.

Monday, we hiked from Two Medicine Lake to Rockwell Falls. It was an 8-mile round trip that gave me the one thing I was determined to see: moose. Not one, but two. They were just there, grazing in the field, completely unbothered by us. Powerful, majestic, ancient. Seeing them felt like the universe whispering, “Here you go, this is for you.”

By the time we left Montana, we were tired but soul-full. We skipped the interstates on the way back to Spokane, driving the long backroads instead. Twice as long, twice as beautiful.

This trip reminded me of something important: when you say yes to spontaneity, magick happens. The trails, the mountains, the waterfalls, the animals… they all had their own energy, their own lessons. I grounded in rivers, stood above the clouds, and felt the pulse of the wild.

It was more than a vacation. It was a reset. A reminder to wake up early, to chase the stillness before the crowds, and to let the earth hold you when you need it most.

Montana, you were everything. And we will be back.

But then came April 2024. My 48th birthday. And with it, a little surprise I didn’t ask for: my body suddenly decided to audition for a role in The Hormone Chronicles.

Let me paint the picture:

• Energy? Gone. By 3 p.m., I was running on caffeine fumes.
• Brain fog? Oh, it wasn’t just fog—it was a complete whiteout. During my period, I couldn’t form a single coherent thought. It was like my brain just clocked out for the day, leaving me to stumble through conversations and tasks wondering what I was even doing.
• Motivation? Nonexistent. For the first time in years, I was running purely on discipline. The thought of skipping workouts or meal prep crossed my mind way too often, and I even entertained the idea of selling my business, By Design Media—a business I’ve poured my heart into. That’s how off I felt.
• Emotions? Anxiety decided to show up uninvited. And let me tell you, it was unsettling. I’ve always been the type to handle stress like a champ, but now I found myself questioning everything. My mind would race with worst-case scenarios that felt impossible to shake.

At first, I thought, Maybe I’m just stressed. Maybe I need more sleep or to meditate harder (is that a thing?). But then, one word kept coming up in my research: perimenopause.

Perimenopause? Wasn’t that something you worried about in your 50s? Surely, I wasn’t there yet. I felt like a teenager hearing about taxes for the first time—confused, unprepared, and very much not ready to deal with it.

And let’s talk about the elephant in the room: nobody talks about this stuff. It’s like perimenopause is this taboo subject that women are expected to just “deal with” in silence. There’s so much shame and stigma wrapped around it, like acknowledging it somehow means admitting defeat. Well, spoiler alert: it’s not defeat. It’s biology. And ignoring it doesn’t make it go away.

So, there I was, staring perimenopause in the face, completely unprepared for what it was bringing to the table. My body wasn’t just waving a flag; it was holding up a neon sign that said, “Hey, hormones are calling, and they want attention.”

What I realized, though, is that this journey isn’t about defeat. It’s about adjustment. For years, I’ve focused on showing up for my body, and this is just a new chapter in that story. One that’s about listening to what my body needs now, not what worked before. It’s about embracing change (even when it’s annoying), finding balance (again), and moving forward stronger than ever.

So here I am, diving headfirst into this next phase of my wellness journey. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s this: Your body always has your back—you just have to give it what it needs.

Grounding in the Chaos: How One Word Can Transform Your Family Gatherings

Family gatherings are a cocktail of emotions—love, joy, nostalgia, and, let’s be honest, a sprinkle of chaos. There’s the cousin who always has a hot take, the aunt who won’t stop asking about your love life, and the sibling who somehow still knows how to push your buttons. It’s a lot to hold all at once.

This year, I’m trying something new. I’ve written one word—just one—on my hand. It’s my secret weapon, my anchor, my tiny lifeline in a sea of big emotions.

The Power of One Word

There’s magic in simplicity. A single word can hold an intention, a memory, or a promise to yourself. For me, it’s like a little nudge from my higher self. When I glance down at my hand and see that word, I’m reminded of how I want to show up. Not how others expect me to show up but how I choose to.

Your word could be anything:

• Breathe – When the conversation gets heated.
• Compassion – When someone says something hurtful, and you want to rise above it.
• Joy – To focus on the good moments, no matter how small.
• Boundaries – A quiet reminder that it’s okay to say no.

The act of writing it on your skin is intentional. It’s not just about seeing the word; it’s about the ritual of choosing it, writing it, and carrying it with you.

Visual Reminders and Spiritual Anchors

If you’re like me, you know that little tools can make a big difference. Visual cues like a handwritten word or a crystal in your pocket aren’t just objects—they’re anchors. They pull you back to center when the energy around you gets wild.

I often pair my word with something tactile. A grounding crystal like black tourmaline or smoky quartz lives in my pocket, and its weight is another reminder to stay steady. Some of my friends prefer wearing a bracelet or a necklace charged with intention. The point isn’t what you use—it’s how you use it.

Turning Gatherings into Intentional Spaces

Family gatherings can feel overwhelming, but they can also be opportunities for growth and connection. What if, instead of dreading the tricky moments, you saw them as a chance to practice staying true to yourself?

• Start with an intention: Before the gathering, take a moment to ground yourself. Pull a card, meditate, or simply set a goal like, “I will stay calm and centered no matter what happens.”
• Keep it simple: Your handwritten word is a tool, not a chore. Let it be a gentle reminder, not another item on your to-do list.
• Reflect afterward: When the event is over, take a moment to reflect. How did your word guide you? Did it help you stay grounded?

What’s Your Word?

As we step into this season of connection, I invite you to try it. Choose a word, write it on your hand, and see how it shifts your experience. It’s such a simple act, but its effects can ripple through the entire day.

What word will you choose? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below—or share your story with me on Instagram. Let’s create a season of gatherings that feel intentional, grounded, and full of clarity.

For those who aren’t familiar, Human Design is a system that blends astrology, the I Ching, Kabbalah, and the Chakra system to offer deep insights into how we interact with the world. The conference offered workshops on aligning your energy and discovering your true purpose, and while the sessions were deeply enlightening, the setting itself added another layer of mystery to the journey.

The Haunted Antlers Hotel

The Antlers Hotel is not your average venue—it’s home to a few ghostly residents. Built in 1883, the hotel has been the site of numerous paranormal occurrences over the years. Legend has it that at least three spirits linger within its halls: a man who haunts the bar, a lady dressed in a long gown wandering the back stairwell, and a little girl whose laughter has been heard in some of the rooms. It’s easy to imagine that the energy of the past still echoes here, especially given the tragic events that unfolded on this site, including a prom night suicide and a maid’s mysterious death.

As I walked through the hotel’s corridors, there were moments when I couldn’t help but feel a chill—not the kind you get from air conditioning, but the kind that makes you wonder if something unseen is sharing the space with you. The energy in the hotel certainly felt alive, even in the quietest corners.

Connection to the Spirit World

During my time at the conference, the Antlers’ haunted history seemed to mingle with the themes of self-awareness and energy alignment. It’s fascinating how places like this, rich with history and a bit of mystery, can amplify our spiritual experiences. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, there’s no denying the power that such an environment brings to spiritual growth.

Leaving the conference, I’m filled with new insights and a deeper connection to both the seen and the unseen. Human Design offers a path to clarity, and this experience reminded me that sometimes, the energy around us—both past and present—can guide us in unexpected ways.

Until next time, stay open to the messages the universe (and maybe a few friendly spirits) has for you.

Hello! I’m Victoria, your guide through pet loss grief, fellow animal lover, and dog mom to a joy-giving Havanese named Gizmo. As a child-griever who grew up with grief, I have learned how to live alongside grief, albeit with a lot of lessons and what not-to-do’s under my belt. Society has taught grievers for decades that grief is best left swept under the rug.

Also, as an animal lover growing up, I desperately wanted an animal I could keep and call mine for longer than a few months. I wouldn’t get that wish until 2014, when we brought Gizmo into our lives. He has been the greatest gift that keeps on giving. He’s considered elderly now, and I know someday I will be faced with the heartache that brought you to this program.

Check out my newly launched program “Do Pet Loss Differently,” a heartly created program that is dedicated to providing support, comfort, and healing during a difficult time when it’s tough to find support.

“Do Pet Loss Differently” is a self-paced program designed to guide you through the unique and challenging journey of pet loss. This program is crafted to fit seamlessly into your life, allowing you to work through it at your convenience. It’s meticulously structured to keep you on track and focused, ensuring you receive the support and guidance you need.