Send us a text In this episode I weigh personal signs and evidential readings against cognitive science, asking how much is guidance and how much is bias. I share specific stories, practical discernment tools, and a stance that welcomes both wonder and rigor without sacrificing either. • critique of Tara Swart’s “new science” claims and gaps • overview of essentialism, dualism, and the hard problem • how cognitive biases shape pattern recognition and meaning • why evidential mediumship...

Send us a text The year turns, the nights lengthen, and a quiet invitation rises: make room for the ones who shaped you. We lean into Samhain as a living practice of memory, building a simple ancestral altar, speaking a heartfelt blessing, and exploring how candles, food, and storytelling become bridges between worlds. Rather than casting the season as grim, we highlight cross‑cultural traditions like Día de los Muertos that celebrate joyful remembrance and teach us to greet the unseen with w...

Send us a text Boundaries are the cornerstone of authentic self-care, yet many of us struggle to understand what they truly are and how to implement them effectively. Drawing from five years of readings, mentorship sessions, and moon-centered insights, this episode dives into why boundaries matter for your spiritual growth and everyday wellbeing. The transformative definition from Prentice Hemphill frames boundaries as "the distance at which I can love you and me simultaneously"—revealing th...

Send us a text Standing at the autumn equinox—that perfect balance point between light and dark—we're invited to pause and honor the deep wisdom of those who walked before us. This threshold season has traditionally been recognized across cultures as a time when communication with ancestral realms becomes more accessible, offering unique opportunities for healing, guidance, and connection. For many of us raised without ancestral practices, this work might feel unfamiliar or even uncomfortabl...

Send us a text Ready to break free from the invisible prison of your own thoughts? This powerful exploration of limiting beliefs reveals why you feel stuck—and how to finally move forward. Have you ever noticed that tight feeling in your chest when faced with an opportunity? The shallow breathing when considering a big change? That's not random—your body is speaking to you, signaling the presence of limiting beliefs long before your conscious mind catches up. As someone who guides others thr...

Send us a text What truly matters in your life? The answer to this question likely goes far deeper than you might initially think. In this illuminating episode, Emily O'Neal delves into the concept of understanding what's essential—not just as a practical exercise in prioritization, but as a profound journey toward authentic living and intuitive connection. Drawing from both Western psychological frameworks and indigenous wisdom traditions, Emily explores how our understanding of essential n...

Send us a text Five years ago, Blooming Wand began with simple tarot readings. Today, as we celebrate this milestone, I'm reflecting on the powerful journey that's transformed both my practice and the community we've built together. What started as card readings has evolved into evidential mediumship, intuitive healing, life coaching, and ancestral medicine work—all aimed at providing you with the highest level of spiritual support and guidance. The most remarkable pattern I've noticed over ...

Send us a text The summer solstice arrives with a whisper of ancient wisdom, calling us to pause in our busy lives and honor the moment when the sun reaches its peak power. There's a profound magic in recognizing that humans have marked this day for thousands of years—at Stonehenge where the sunrise aligns perfectly with massive stones, along the Nile where floods brought life-giving water, and in countless indigenous communities celebrating the sun's generosity. My own connection to this sp...

Send us a text Between the luminous full moon of June 11th and the radiant summer solstice lies a magical threshold brimming with potential for emotional renewal and spiritual insight. Drawing the Ace of Cups from the Lightseer's Tarot reveals a powerful message perfectly aligned with this cosmic moment: it's time to fill your own cup first. This card's symbolism couldn't be more perfect - a chalice radiating divine light, simultaneously receiving and offering cosmic energy. It speaks to our...

Send us a text What happens when our spiritual practices collide with the harsh realities of a world in crisis? This raw, thought-provoking exploration challenges the comfortable spirituality we often cling to when faced with overwhelming global suffering. I've spent years examining how my own spiritual practice served as an escape hatch from difficult emotions and world events. The truth I've discovered is both uncomfortable and liberating: real spiritual work isn't about transcending the w...

Send us a text The power to transform reality lies in your words. This profound truth emerges as we explore the Enchanter card from the Forest of Enchantment Tarot—an archetype revealing the ancient magical practice where spells were cast through the intentional use of voice. Discover how the etymology of "enchanter"—meaning "to sing upon" or "chant over something"—teaches us about being impeccable with our speech. When we craft our words thoughtfully rather than carelessly, we literally cas...

Send us a text Have you ever considered that you are simultaneously cultivating your life and being cultivated by it? This episode delves into a powerful metaphor that transforms how we approach personal growth and spiritual development – the sacred art of being both the gardener and the garden. As the gardener, we claim agency by cultivating fertile conditions, planting intentional seeds, weeding consistently, pruning with purpose, and watering faithfully. Yet simultaneously, we are the gar...

Send us a text May Day or Beltane marks the halfway point between spring equinox and summer solstice, representing a time when ancient European ancestors celebrated the beginning of summer and honored the world's sudden burst of life and fertility. • Traditional Beltane celebrations included lighting community bonfires, dancing around the Maypole, gathering flowers, and protecting thresholds • The Wheel of the Year serves as a map not just for changing seasons, but also for recognizing inner...

Send us a text Spring marks a time of renewed devotion as nature's awakening mirrors our own spiritual stirrings, inviting us to recommit to our deepest values and aspirations through mindful tending of what matters most. • Spring as a season of devotion, when we figure out what we want to devote ourselves to • Connection between tending physical gardens and our inner spiritual gardens • Five journal prompts to explore what deserves our devoted attention • Importance of journaling as a spiri...

Send us a text The April full moon invites us to embrace the slow, methodical energy of growth through the Seeker of Boons tarot card. This Knight of Pentacles archetype reminds us that valuable discoveries come not from hasty action but from careful observation and consistent effort. • Intention for this moon cycle: honoring the deliberate pace of growth through daily mindful steps • The Seeker of Boons card (Knight of Pentacles) symbolizes patience, purpose, and finding treasure through sl...

Send us a text Spiritual practices don't eliminate hardship but can cultivate resilience, helping us develop the capacity to recover from difficulty rather than avoid it. Simple, accessible techniques can create physiological shifts that interrupt anxiety spirals and build emotional flexibility. • Minute breathing - placing a hand on your heart and taking one deep breath activates the parasympathetic nervous system • Compassionate touch - acknowledging emotions by placing your hand where you...

Send us a text Ready to embark on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth? Join me as we explore the profound wisdom of tarot and the transformative power of moon cycles. Through the sacred spiral of self-reflection, guided by the cards Contemplation, Five of Cups, and Four of Pentacles, we unravel the mysteries of our emotions and learn to embrace release and renewal. This episode invites you to connect with your innermost truths, using the symbolic imagery of a spiral labyrin...

Send us a text Feeling confined by comfort? I found myself in a similar position as the New Year loomed, surrounded by routines that felt safe yet stifling. By intentionally leaving my home altar spaces empty after the Yule season, I stumbled upon a powerful sense of freedom and possibility. This episode takes you on a journey through self-reflection and embracing the natural ebb and flow of our energy cycles. With the guidance of the Star Seeker Oracle and Tarot decks, we uncover the ...

Send us a text Unlock the mysteries of the tarot as we journey through the transformative power of threshold moments, guided by the profound insights of the Wild Unknown Tarot Deck. What if you could navigate life's pivotal changes with the wisdom of Judgment, the fierce gentleness of Strength, and the profound transformation of Death? Join me, Emily O'Neal, as we explore how these major arcana cards illuminate our paths during the new moon on December 30th, offering a guiding l...

Send us a text Discover how chaos can be the unexpected muse for creativity and transformation. Join me, Emily O'Neal, as I guide you through the labyrinth of the full moon cycle using the Modern Witch Tarot deck. Together, we'll draw insight from the Empress, Five of Wands, and Ace of Wands to decipher how tumultuous times can lead to fertile beginnings, productive conflicts, and bold new ideas. Whether you're an experienced tarot reader or just tarot-curious, these cards offer a road...