Peace is a horse barn, a makeshift feed-bucket table setup, and the kindred spirit of a magical friend whose encouragement expands well beyond her worldly religion to an energy rooted in ancient truths, natural connectedness, and soothing curiosity. She’s a corporate baddie in a two-piece suit by day and a grounding healer for all creatures when the sun rises and the day settles on a soft breeze. Energy has become sacred. It is certainly not up for bargain anymore and mighty beautiful to tune into when it quiets the mind and calms the soul. Three generations of women philosophizing about so many facets of life, old and new, rational and supernatural, wondrous and instinctive to the sound of munching horses and chiming wind is beautiful poetry reminding us where we come from, where we belong, and where we are going.

I was first introduced to the Goddess Cards by Doreen Virtue in the summer of 2024, when life had no sure direction but my own drive for truth and peace. They were a nonchalant, surprising extra layer to an already wonderful evening of conversation, and I rarely turn down an opportunity to listen, learn, and broaden my horizon. ‘If you’re up to it, let’s see what they hold for you. Direct your energy, think of three questions for your past, present, and future, and draw three random cards in that order.’ The questions that came to mind were:

What should I remember?
What should I connect with now?
What should I manifest? 

And the cards that fell and felt true for me on that summer evening certainly did not ring true for the person next to me, and vice versa. Under a starry sky, to the shine of camping lanterns and the purr of a barn cat, they created a tiny, collective wow-moment that had everyone’s attention. Somehow, three cards, out of a deck of forty-four, rang significant and profound enough to hold undisputed, curious meaning in a time when clarity was hard to come by. They too became a comforting hug of encouragement and self-empowerment, curious reflections and reminders of hope. Above all, they were positive energy that stayed with me all throughout the year, journaled down into one of my notebooks and reread whenever anxiety was closing in on the heart. Summarized, they read:

Past – Damara – Guiding Children – “One can be gentle and a fierce protector simultaneously. My vigilant focus on keeping harmony within households stems from my desire to maintain their youthful awe and sense of wonder. How else will we foster the continuation of children’s healing laughter?”
Present – Artemis – Guardian – “Like me, you have a sacred mission to spread love and light. Yet this isn’t a position that comes from tension or worry. Instead, the gentle essence of a joyful heart and lighthearted laughter sets your power into motion.”
Future – Freyja – Bold – “Don’t play it safe right now. Instead, take bold action in the direction of your true heart’s desire. Success comes not from timidity but committing yourself fully to realizing your dream.”

For the longest time, a lot of my energy was spent on the thought of who I want to be, this new clean slate of mine, and another reinvention. A new women in the making. When in reality the direction and boldness that felt most true was returning home to myself. For myself. Home to the girl that has always been. To the girl that existed so beautifully long before she dutifully started adapting to the world around her, becoming an emotional hustler for everyone else with very little inner rest. And with that authentic adjustment, everything shifted and has fallen more and more into place. Speaking and living my own truth clearly and kindly has become such an act of brave (but tough) conviction. Life is still plenty uncertain and scary, but the heart is feeling more at peace with each beat and the soul is soothingly returning home to calmer waters. Growth isn’t linear, but the direction is steadfast.

Over a year later, back again at the horse barn, we spontaneously repeated our little ritual. This time, the December sun was shining warm and relaxing in a perfectly blue coastal sky. A soft wind was blowing, and the world felt gentle with our feet firmly planted in sand. Animals, nature, and honest conversations have a way of expanding a small moment in time to something bigger, universal, authentic, and old. All three open up a space that lets us breathe in vulnerability and human connectedness as old as time itself. And so, the cards read:

Past – Ixchel – Medicine Woman – “You are a channel of divine healing power, and you are a lightening rod that can conduct the power. Don’t waver for a moment in the sure and steady decision to be a conduit of the power that already resides within you.”
Present – Green Tara – Start Delegating – “You need to ask for help to ensure that you have private time for contemplation and rest. One of the reasons why I am able to sit so peacefully is that I know the secret of true productivity. It doesn’t come through struggle or strife. Rather, it comes from a clear and focused mind that’s unchallenged by indecisiveness.”
Future – Maat – Fairness and Honor – “This situation will be handled in a fair and just manner. Hold a firm vision of a just and peaceful outcome, and let the pieces fall into place in a harmonious manner.”

Life reveals most answers when we are willing to sit and listen. Alone but more so in the company of our dearest ones. When we let the chips fall as they may while remaining undoubtedly true to ourselves. I am endlessly grateful for these calm, magical specks during life’s storms. They are almost always found in the simplest of moments. Moments that hold so much life and humanity, they are certainly easy to miss when the channel to receive them isn’t turned on. It is my kind of magic certainly worth sharing here.