13 Things Thursday: Vol 3
Oversharing about angel numbers, deck mods, more DIY experiments, and things I'm reading, learning, and thinking about
After being out of town last week, I’m back to my biweekly-ish cadence. Let’s get after it! :)
Fun fact: I love finding angel numbers in random places, like catching 11:11 or other repeating numbers on the clock. So I don’t know if anyone notices this, but I always publish these newsletters at angel number times. So if you catch the 3:33, 4:44, 5:55, there’s a little dose of magic and synchronicity for your day. :)
Tarot/oracle decks I’m using:
~Cosmic Cycles Tarot by Martina Razo and Miriam E.G.
~Modern Witch Tarot by Lisa Sterle
~Work Your Light Oracle by Rebecca Campbell and Danielle NoelLatest deck mod project: Trimming the Modern Witch Tarot. Ever since my sister-in-law gifted me this deck, I always loved the modern twist to traditional Smith-Waite imagery and symbolism, but the thick cardstock combined with the standard tarot size made it difficult for me to shuffle, and I didn’t reach for it as often. So, I trimmed off the borders to make it easier to handle. This is probably the most ambitious deck mod project I’ve done to date, and I’m thrilled with how it turned out! It’s been a fun creative outlet and a great way to “bond” with my deck, and I’m already drawn to use it more with these modifications.
Speaking of bonding with a deck, some people in the tarot community (specifically on YouTube) talk about the idea of a “soul deck,” or a deck that you connect with seamlessly, that just “gets you” and delivers messages clearly and easily. In some ways, it seems that the chase of finding a soul deck is what leads many down the rabbit hole of deck consumerism, amassing a large collection in search of that special connection. The jury is still out for me about whether I believe in the idea of a soul deck, but I have many decks that I effortlessly connect with and get beautiful readings. If I had to pick one right now to use for the rest of my life, it would be the Smith-Waite Centennial Edition, specifically the pocket version in a tin. I remember opening it and falling in love with the muted, vintagey colors, and it’s been a favorite ever since. Fellow tarot readers: Do you have a “soul deck”? Do you even believe in the concept?
Learning: I recently purchased access to Graciela Rasor’s Human Design notes, and it’s been so fun to dive deeper into the system. I have the full Definitive Book of Human Design, which is really dense and full of information. It looks like a college textbook, seriously. That said, I also really resonated with Graciela’s intuitive reading style, so I’ve loved learning more about the system through her insights and experience as a Human Design reader.
Thankful for: A great weekend in New Orleans with Bryan’s family celebrating his cousin’s graduation. It was so lovely to see everyone and take some time to explore the city, food, drinks, and some fun voodoo shops in the French quarter.
Thinking about: A future post on taking back our power by talking about things that feel scary or intimidating, like money, politics, etc. I’ve had a lot of great conversations about these things recently, and have realized that a lot of people don’t talk about it because they don’t think they know enough. I’m marinating on some ideas to bring this post to life. What are some things that you’re afraid to talk about? Let me know in the comments!
Watching: On that same subject, I’ve been watching Ramit Sethi’s Netflix series, How to Get Rich, which has been really enlightening. He focuses on money psychology, helping people talk about money and define what a “rich life” means to them. This doesn’t mean achieving a certain level of income, but that you have the means to spend money on what matters most to you, while ruthlessly cutting back on what doesn’t. It’s amazing to see the transformation people experience just by talking about money more openly and making a plan that works for them.
Random crap I’ve tried: Making my own lip balm, deodorant, and skincare with essential oils. This was yet another part of my DIY phase where I got a big kick out of making things myself. Here’s how those turned out:
~Lip Balm: This actually turned out really well, and I continued experimenting with different formulas for a while, gifting it to friends and family members in addition to having a healthy stash of my own. Bryan’s cousin told me recently that it’s still the best chapstick she’s ever used, which was a huge compliment! That said, I’ve stepped away from making it myself to save time and found some excellent alternatives, like these tallow-based fat sticks from Fatco.
~Deodorant: I did so. much. research. on deodorant ingredients and their odor-fighting properties, the pH of your skin, getting the right consistency, etc. Let’s just say that this is a category best left to the experts, at least for me. Hume Supernatural is my current fave deodorant, in combination with the Bella Skin Beauty underarm toner for extra staying power.
~Skincare: This also involved a lot of research into different carrier oils and essential oils for different skin types, their fatty acid profiles, etc. It went great for a while, but stopped working for me after my hormones and skin changed. I realized through experimentation that only oil-free skincare products work for me, sadly. Any oil-based formulas or creams, even non-comedogenic formulas, will make me break out. That said, I’ll still add a drop of essential oils to my moisturizers for an extra boost. I’m currently using and loving Tula’s acne heroes regimen, vitamin C serum, and sunscreen gel, and Thayer’s rose petal facial mist. I occasionally switch off with Beautycounter’s clear pore cleanser, toner, and spot treatment from their Countercontrol line, depending on what my skin needs.Current self-experiment: Increasing my water intake. I used to drink 2x my body weight in ounces and track it religiously, but after a while the strict formulaic approach felt too prescriptive. That said, I know I feel it when I’m dehydrated, and could definitely benefit from drinking more water, especially during the hot summer months. So, I get it in however I can with sparkling water, filling up my 32-oz emotional support water bottle multiple times throughout the day, herbal tea, etc. I’m not as vigilant about tracking it, but I’m trying to listen to my body more closely, taking breaks to drink more whenever I need it.
Recent Substack Discovery: Justin Amash, a former congressman from Michigan who I’ve mentioned before, recently wrote a really interesting take on the debt ceiling and how it’s misrepresented. I’ve seen some different perspectives on this situation and how it should be handled, and I learned something new from his post. Highly recommend checking it out!
A book at the top of my backlog: On Our Best Behavior: The Seven Deadly Sins and the Price Women Pay to Be Good by Elise Loehnen, who writes the Substack newsletter, Pulling the Thread with Elise Loehnen. She writes about spirituality and life in such a thought-provoking, compelling way, which I really respect and admire. This book uses the framework of the seven deadly sins to talk about the ways our culture has imposed self-denial (specifically on women) as a moral virtue, which keeps us from realizing our true power. I can’t wait to dive in!
Good Things: The long weekend ahead, beautiful weather, and the unofficial start of summer.