Melt. Just let it happen. Soften. Enjoy.

Dear Friends,

As some of you know, we work with themes in the shop. They dictate our window displays and set the stage for the energetics that we will be discovering for that period of time. Our magic pouch gifts with each purchase become the mantra of the work that this theme asks of us. Sometimes they help us overcome the challenges of the themes, and other times they remind us that we don't need to be constantly "working" on ourselves. This holiday season our mantra has been, "Ground in to the pleasure of the holidays and release our burdens, so that we may be empty to receive Yule's dream seeds." These sweet words are said countless times each day as we gift this magic to our customers. It's why pleasure has been so much on my mind these last weeks, and why I'm taking stock of what feels good in my life and what doesn't.

Last week's railing around not having the pleasures of the body and physical experiences that I desire gave way to the understanding of the pleasures I have in abundance in my life. I'm so grateful and so blessed to have my life's work revealed to me and my dreams around it come true. This place, Cult of Gemini, and the beautiful souls that I work with remind me how blessed I really am. The feelings of support and love I am privileged to experience here are beyond any that I've known previously.

Even when I'm fucking it up or floundering around, I feel that support. From my sisters, from my brothers, and from the Spirits who seem just a bit less nebulous each day. When I let myself sit for a moment and really think of it, my eyes well with tears of gratitude. I'm grateful for Kat and Erika who hold this place in such a way that I never have to worry. Those who have come through and moved on to other endeavors: Carrie, our first and deeply missed addition to the team, Amalia who graced us with her beautiful astrological insights and deep tarot knowledge, Abby who shared her heart fully and vulnerably, and Nicola, who stepped in for a bit allowing the Cult to get her footing again (and lets be honest, to give me enough relief to know what I needed to do next). All have left their mark and blessings here at the Cult and I can not express my gratitude as deeply as it is felt.

Its this feeling of gratitude that carries me through each tough spot. Every time I help someone come to an understanding, every reading that I give, when I look to my right and my left and see a sister standing there holding this work with me I feel that feeling. That pleasure feels so good that it hurts a little. That slight stabbing feeling in the heart, the lump in the throat, the watery eyes that mess my contacts up for the rest of the day. That pleasure is something I've never know before. The loving of my sisters so much, that I get a tiny desire to make out with them. These are pleasures as potent as the sensual pleasures we think of when we cling to the idea of pleasure. They feed me on such a level that I can do without food, and sleep, and push myself hard in service.

I know how it can be especially at this time of year. We are so busy that we might not want to slow down to enjoy a moment because there is so much left to do. I invite you to allow the pleasure to come, each small one. Smile. Soften. Allow for the possibility that it might not all get done. Instead of trying to get to Christmas looking at a list of checked boxes, look your loved ones in the eye. Sit on the couch for a cuddle. Laugh when something goes wrong. Take the time to smile at that person you know. Really see them. Give that hug. Let those feelings wash over you, and see if that doesn't feel just so much better.

Sink in to the pleasures around you. Situations and family dynamics can be a challenging to say the least. If you can't find pleasure there, then give the gift of your presence. Give it willingly and fully. Gift the space in front of your car to the person that cut you off. Gift your obnoxious sibling control over a situation. Travel to places you'd rather not as a gift to your parent. How can you gift those things that typically make you stressed or tense. You just might find that your gift of presence allows pleasures to come when you thought it not possible.

With so much love and gratitude,
Ginger