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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 demands specifics and verification
• stories of pennies, eagles, roses, tarot, and a jay
• practices for balancing intuition with skepticism
• reflection questions to test beliefs and sharpen discernment

Send your sign stories to: emily@bloomingwand.com or visit bloomingwand.com to share with the community

https://www.bloomingwand.com
https://www.youtube.com/@bloomingwand_emilyoneal

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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 warmth and respect.

With gentle honesty, we talk about boundaries in ancestral work—how to invite the healed and wise ones while protecting your heart—and why remembrance is strongest when it’s simple, personal, and true. You’ll get step-by-step guidance for creating an altar with photos or handwritten names, seasonal offerings like pomegranates and autumn leaves, and a place at the table for a presence you can feel. We share a spoken blessing you can read aloud on Samhain night, then invite you to say their names, tell a story, and leave a small offering that honors ongoing love.

We also bring tarot into the mix with a focused ritual using the court cards to connect with unknown ancestors. Learn how a single card—the healer, the adventurer, the builder—can illuminate lineage gifts and reveal practical guidance for your path. Reflection prompts help you journal, notice signs in dreams, and anchor insights into daily life. Along the way, we challenge the fear of aging and death by reclaiming them as part of belonging, reminding ourselves that love doesn’t end, it transforms.

Light a candle, create a quiet corner, and try the ritual with us. When you’re done, share the card you pulled and what you felt—we’re building a community of remembrance. If this spoke to you, follow the show, leave a review, and send it to someone who’s ready to honor their beloved dead.

https://www.bloomingwand.com
https://www.youtube.com/@bloomingwand_emilyoneal

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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 them as acts of love rather than barriers. We explore common misconceptions, like the belief that people-pleasing is selfless when it's actually a controlling behavior that prevents authentic connection. Through practical examples and clear signals (feeling drained after interactions, saying yes when wanting to say no, carrying others' emotional weight), you'll learn to recognize when boundary work is calling to you.

The real breakthrough comes in understanding that boundary-setting isn't about finding perfect words in difficult moments but developing a skill you can practice beforehand. Using frameworks inspired by Nedra Glover Tawab's "Set Boundaries, Find Peace," we walk through how to prepare for boundary conversations, anticipate emotional reactions, and maintain your stance when faced with inevitable pushback. For those connecting with symbolic imagery, we examine how tarot cards like the Six of Pentacles, Seven of Wands, and Justice reflect different aspects of boundary work.

Start your boundary practice with small, manageable steps—perhaps not checking work emails after hours or asking for time before making decisions. Download our free worksheet to begin mapping your boundary scenarios and prepare language that honors both your needs and your relationships. Remember, boundaries aren't about building walls but creating the space where authentic connection can flourish. Your boundaries are your birthright—a powerful tool for reclaiming your energy and showing up as your truest self.

https://www.bloomingwand.com
https://www.youtube.com/@bloomingwand_emilyoneal