My dear friend,

Have you ever heard something, a word, that catches your attention, but you let it slip by? It intrigued you, but not enough to take action or to follow the curiosity. But then, you hear it again, and again, and then, you know it's meant for you. You can no longer ignore it. You need to know more.

This happened to me on Sunday with the term sympathetic magic. It appeared two times within five minutes from two completely different sources. I was being nudged, and not subtly.

It turns out, I already know what sympathetic magic is, though I'd never heard the term before. It's something I've been living for quite some time now. It is a way of being that is deeply intentional, connected to Earth and its bounties. It is the magic you are practicing when you add herbs to a pot on your stove to change the energy in your home. It's the magic you are practicing when you light a black candle for protection or choose to carry a rose quartz for self-love. It's the magic you are practicing when you create a magical blend of herbs for a tea to invite courage or to comfort a broken heart.

Acknowledging that I have become the living, breathing embodiment of this magic urged me to reflect. I've come a long way, and yet, the most progress I've made has been within the last few weeks.

Lately, I've been moving more slowly. More connected to myself, my inner knowing, and the connection I have to Spirit.

I light my candles, sometimes by color, but always with purpose.

I breathe and connect with Spirit, often speaking my desires and asking my questions out loud.

Sometimes, I pull an Oracle card to provide me with guidance.

Most days, I work with a crystal or two.

I've been infusing a little bit of magic into my everyday, through herbs, flowers, beeswax, and rocks dug up from the Earth. Even the dash of cinnamon in my coffee cup has been a moment of intentional magic.

I've been choosing candlelight in the evenings too. It changes the atmosphere. It creates a softness and warmth that I've been craving.

While none of this is brand new for me, the way I've been interacting with it is. I'm no longer trying to prove myself. I just am. And these are just things that feel right. And they are being done for no other reason than that.

As evidence that I am on the right path, I keep catching :11 on the clock...6:11, 7:11, 8:11... Every time I notice it, I smile and whisper, "thank you." My Guides are always with me and love to show me.

The animals have been showing up for me, as they tend to. The deer that stand and peer at me, calm and curious. The hawks, circling and communicating with me from overhead. The crows cawing, making their presence fully known. And the dozen or so blue jays crowding my yard, urging me to speak my truth.

All it is is presence. Magic-filled moments of intentionality through authenticity and alignment. And, it has changed everything.

Saturday morning, I realized that my house was fully cared for...no laundry to be done, floors to be cleaned, toilets to be scrubbed, counters to be wiped down. No errands to run or children to transport. I had the gift of spaciousness. A rarity for me. So, I went out to my garden, still offering me bright, vivacious herbs, and snipped some rosemary and thyme to infuse the local honey I recently bought. It was pure joy, truly. These are the things I dream about doing, but all too often find myself regretting the missed opportunity.

I'm following through on the little things these days. Not out of discipline, but out of deep alignment with myself and my intentions. The nudges have felt easy to answer. Ignoring them feels impossible.

I am experiencing a gentle tending to my life and what's really important to me.

I have reconnected with trust, long ago buried as a survival tactic. With an open heart, I traded my doubt for faith.

I feel like I've finally come home.

Why do I share all of this? Because if I can find my way back home, so can you.

With love,

Michele