You’re not imagining it—the magic really did disappear for a while.

The world just takes from us, doesn’t it?

The bills. The to-do lists that never end. The constant pressure to keep up, show up, be more, do more. We’re so busy surviving the demands of modern life that we forget we ever had dreams. Forget what it feels like to be aligned with anything beyond just making it through the day.

And somewhere in all that noise and depletion, the sacred slips away. We lose touch with the part of us that used to believe in something bigger. That used to feel things deeply.

We burn out. We disconnect. And we convince ourselves that magic was never real to begin with.

But here’s what I know: you’re allowed to stop waiting for those dreams. You’re allowed to stop participating in the hustle culture. You’re allowed to pause and breathe. And most importantly? You’re allowed to start creating.

This morning reminded me of that.

“Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in your joints and very shabby.
But these things don’t matter at all, because once you are Real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand.”  Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit

Kalen was melting down in the car. I was drained, running on nothing. The kind of tired where you wonder if you’ll ever feel like yourself again.

I put on The Velveteen Rabbit.

His breathing slowed. Mine did too.

And as I listened, REALLY listened- for maybe the first time in years, I remembered something I’d forgotten: I can make my own magic.

Even now. Even exhausted. Even when it feels like there’s nothing sacred left in the world.

Especially then.

I’ve been listening to The Velveteen Rabbit on repeat this week because it calms Kalen more than music does. And as I listened this time, I realized: The Velveteen Rabbit is actually a story about energy.

It’s about a little boy who loves a toy so much that his love makes it real. He doesn’t just project affection: he imparts clear intention: “My bunny is real!”.And from that moment on, the rabbit becomes more and more real until eventually, he is.

Now, I’m not saying you can literally animate a stuffed animal. But it does make you think about the objects in our lives that feel deeply important to us. We imprint our energy onto them. We give them meaning beyond their physical form. They become talismans when we add both energy and intention.

You probably already have something like this. A piece of jewelry you wear for protection. A lucky shirt. A shell you picked up on a meaningful day. Maybe it’s a crystal, or a coin, or – like one woman I heard about—green socks you wear every Tuesday for luck.

It’s far more common than you’d think. And here’s the thing: I believe it actually works.

There’s real science emerging around this. In 1986, researcher René Peoc’h did an experiment that gives me chills. He imprinted newly hatched chicks on a robot; so they believed it was their mother. Then he put the robot on a table with a random number generator controlling its movements, so it would trace a completely random path. But when he placed those bonded chicks in a cage at one end of the table, something remarkable happened: the robot stopped moving randomly. It moved toward the chicks and stayed close to them.

The chicks’ longing -their energy, their intention- actually influenced the robot’s behavior. When he used chicks that weren’t bonded to the robot, it moved randomly again. That’s not coincidence. That’s measurable energy transference.

So yes, talismans work. Not because they’re magic on their own, but because we make them magic.

When you choose an object and anchor an intention in it (maybe something you’re calling in, like peace, love, or a new beginning) you create a signal. By holding it often. Praying over it. Keeping it close: in your pocket, your bra, your bag, under your pillow, on your desk. Wherever you spend your time: the energetic signal is created.

Then, it starts to hold your vibration. It becomes like an antenna, broadcasting to the universe: This is what I’m calling in.

And I truly believe the universe is designed to respond.

This time of year is especially powerful for creating or renewing a talisman. Here’s how:

  • Set an intention while holding it. Feel it deeply in your body. Repeat this daily for a few weeks to anchor the energy.
  • Carry it with you. In your pocket, around your neck, in your wallet. Talk to it. Whisper your hopes into it: Bring me courage. Help me trust. Show me love.
  • Sleep with it under your pillow to deepen the bond.
  • Pray or send Reiki into it if that’s part of your practice.
  • Bury it in the earth for a moon cycle if it carries heavy energy or a difficult history. To charge something with fresh energy—like luck or strength—bury it during a full moon.
  • You can even write a word on it if it’s a rock or something that can handle it: peace, luck, strength.

Talismans are one of the oldest human practices– older than farming, and perhaps even older than language itself. We’ve always carried trinkets imbued with meaning, prayer, and memory.

So if you’re reading this, you probably already have one. My suggestion? Charge it with fresh purpose. Or create a new one for what you need now. You can have many: one for luck, one for love, one for your dreams.

When you infuse it with true intention, you take it from being just “real” to being alive.

So here’s my hope for you this week: Create or renew a talisman. Carry it. Work with it. Love it.

Because when you do, it will begin to generate the very energy you need.

Why Most Vision Boards Don’t Work (And What I Do Instead)

Why Most Vision Boards Don’t Work (And What I Do Instead)

It starts with a slight itch. Like nothing quite feels right. Like when you have an itchy sweater on that you just NEED to take off. But once it’s off, that itch is still there.
That’s kind of what it feels like when you’re feeling ready for a new chapter… but unsure how to cross the threshold. Got the itch? Then keep reading ~ this is for you.
I write this from a place of lived experience… and then some. Many, many, MANY times I’ve changed directions (for my astrology peeps- that’s my intercepted MC hard at work!). And that “in-between” space? It’s a REAL place. Not only real, but a tender place where the old version of you is loosening(old routines, old roles, old identities) but the new version hasn’t fully been discovered yet. And if you’re an empath (or having a deeply ‘feely’ human moment), it can seem like: “Why can’t I just decide already?” “Why am I emotional for no reason?” “Why do I want change and also want to hide under a blanket forever?”

We burn out. We disconnect. And we convince ourselves that magic was never real to begin with.

But here’s what I know: you’re allowed to stop waiting for those dreams. You’re allowed to stop participating in the hustle culture. You’re allowed to pause and breathe. And most importantly? You’re allowed to start creating.

Why Most Vision Boards Don’t Work (And What I Do Instead)

Got the Itch? How to Start a New Chapter When You Feel Stuck

It starts with a slight itch. Like nothing quite feels right. Like when you have an itchy sweater on that you just NEED to take off. But once it’s off, that itch is still there.
That’s kind of what it feels like when you’re feeling ready for a new chapter… but unsure how to cross the threshold. Got the itch? Then keep reading ~ this is for you.
I write this from a place of lived experience… and then some. Many, many, MANY times I’ve changed directions (for my astrology peeps- that’s my intercepted MC hard at work!). And that “in-between” space? It’s a REAL place. Not only real, but a tender place where the old version of you is loosening(old routines, old roles, old identities) but the new version hasn’t fully been discovered yet. And if you’re an empath (or having a deeply ‘feely’ human moment), it can seem like: “Why can’t I just decide already?” “Why am I emotional for no reason?” “Why do I want change and also want to hide under a blanket forever?”

We burn out. We disconnect. And we convince ourselves that magic was never real to begin with.

But here’s what I know: you’re allowed to stop waiting for those dreams. You’re allowed to stop participating in the hustle culture. You’re allowed to pause and breathe. And most importantly? You’re allowed to start creating.

A Moon That Remakes You: November’s Crossroads

A Moon That Remakes You: November’s Crossroads

You’re not imagining it—the magic really did disappear for a while. The world just takes from us, doesn’t it?
The bills. The to-do lists that never end. The constant pressure to keep up, show up, be more, do more. We’re so busy surviving the demands of modern life that we forget we ever had dreams. Forget what it feels like to be aligned with anything beyond just making it through the day.

And somewhere in all that noise and depletion, the sacred slips away. We lose touch with the part of us that used to believe in something bigger. That used to feel things deeply.

We burn out. We disconnect. And we convince ourselves that magic was never real to begin with.

But here’s what I know: you’re allowed to stop waiting for those dreams. You’re allowed to stop participating in the hustle culture. You’re allowed to pause and breathe. And most importantly? You’re allowed to start creating.

Learning to Trust What You Already Know

Learning to Trust What You Already Know

Have you ever found yourself pondering over your deepest desires, visualizing how you want to express your life, and asking, “What is it that I want to attract and manifest?” It’s a concept that might seem bizarre to some, and one that is often met with a lot of doubt. This is especially true when it comes to the belief or concept of manifesting or attraction. You might have heard of “The Secret,” Abraham-Hicks, or Gabby Bernstein, and thought it all sounded a bit too “woo-woo.” However, it’s a concept that is definitely worth exploring.

Regardless of your personal beliefs, manifestation can be an incredibly useful tool for achieving your dreams. Whether you see it as a blueprint for action or a method of bringing your desires to life, the practice holds true value. And the best part? Its applications extend far beyond just achieving your goals – its principles can be applied to many areas of your life.

Manifestation is a powerful tool that can help you bring your desires and dreams into reality. While there are many techniques for manifesting, some of the most effective ones are often overlooked. Here are five tips for manifesting that will be sure to can bring you closer to joy:

Embracing the Soulful Growth and Expansion of Wintering

Embracing the Soulful Growth and Expansion of Wintering

Have you ever found yourself pondering over your deepest desires, visualizing how you want to express your life, and asking, “What is it that I want to attract and manifest?” It’s a concept that might seem bizarre to some, and one that is often met with a lot of doubt. This is especially true when it comes to the belief or concept of manifesting or attraction. You might have heard of “The Secret,” Abraham-Hicks, or Gabby Bernstein, and thought it all sounded a bit too “woo-woo.” However, it’s a concept that is definitely worth exploring.

Regardless of your personal beliefs, manifestation can be an incredibly useful tool for achieving your dreams. Whether you see it as a blueprint for action or a method of bringing your desires to life, the practice holds true value. And the best part? Its applications extend far beyond just achieving your goals – its principles can be applied to many areas of your life.

Manifestation is a powerful tool that can help you bring your desires and dreams into reality. While there are many techniques for manifesting, some of the most effective ones are often overlooked. Here are five tips for manifesting that will be sure to can bring you closer to joy:

Five Tips to Usher In Your Manifestations!

Five Tips to Usher In Your Manifestations!

Have you ever found yourself pondering over your deepest desires, visualizing how you want to express your life, and asking, “What is it that I want to attract and manifest?” It’s a concept that might seem bizarre to some, and one that is often met with a lot of doubt. This is especially true when it comes to the belief or concept of manifesting or attraction. You might have heard of “The Secret,” Abraham-Hicks, or Gabby Bernstein, and thought it all sounded a bit too “woo-woo.” However, it’s a concept that is definitely worth exploring.

Regardless of your personal beliefs, manifestation can be an incredibly useful tool for achieving your dreams. Whether you see it as a blueprint for action or a method of bringing your desires to life, the practice holds true value. And the best part? Its applications extend far beyond just achieving your goals – its principles can be applied to many areas of your life.

Manifestation is a powerful tool that can help you bring your desires and dreams into reality. While there are many techniques for manifesting, some of the most effective ones are often overlooked. Here are five tips for manifesting that will be sure to can bring you closer to joy:

Discover Your Inner Wisdom: A Beginner’s Guide to Intuition and Feeling Your Vibes

Discover Your Inner Wisdom: A Beginner’s Guide to Intuition and Feeling Your Vibes

In astrological terms, this is the start of a new year. We go from the heavenly and spiritual energy of Pisces; the slow watery sign that dreams and imagines, that is not so tied to this earthly plane as it is to the next, and lives half beyond the veil, to the Aries’ abrupt, rising, warrior energy.

Most of the ancient and modern astrologers agree that the year’s wheel is a metaphor to the lifecycle. We start out as babies with the high intensive energy of Aries, and make our way until we are in our later years (i.e. months) with the ending of the year in the wise, twinkling and elder spirit of Pisces.

The Aries temperament is similar to a young child’s in that it is fresh and vibrant, it has no fear, it goes after what it wants, it cries when it doesn’t get it -but- gets right back up again! This temperament may get angry, however, Aries has taught us to use that anger for production, and never to hold onto it.

…There are various other cultures and traditions that attach characteristics, emotions, energy, colors, and, even, taste and sounds to these transitional times. But, the majority would agree that this is the most impactful time of year, full of metamorphoses and change: the time leaving winter and entering spring. The opposition of these two seasonal energies create a vortex of possibilities in each of our lives…

Full and Freaky: the Lunar Eclipse Full Moon

Full and Freaky: the Lunar Eclipse Full Moon

In astrological terms, this is the start of a new year. We go from the heavenly and spiritual energy of Pisces; the slow watery sign that dreams and imagines, that is not so tied to this earthly plane as it is to the next, and lives half beyond the veil, to the Aries’ abrupt, rising, warrior energy.

Most of the ancient and modern astrologers agree that the year’s wheel is a metaphor to the lifecycle. We start out as babies with the high intensive energy of Aries, and make our way until we are in our later years (i.e. months) with the ending of the year in the wise, twinkling and elder spirit of Pisces.

The Aries temperament is similar to a young child’s in that it is fresh and vibrant, it has no fear, it goes after what it wants, it cries when it doesn’t get it -but- gets right back up again! This temperament may get angry, however, Aries has taught us to use that anger for production, and never to hold onto it.

…There are various other cultures and traditions that attach characteristics, emotions, energy, colors, and, even, taste and sounds to these transitional times. But, the majority would agree that this is the most impactful time of year, full of metamorphoses and change: the time leaving winter and entering spring. The opposition of these two seasonal energies create a vortex of possibilities in each of our lives…

Related posts…

Why Most Vision Boards Don’t Work (And What I Do Instead)

Why Most Vision Boards Don’t Work (And What I Do Instead)

It starts with a slight itch. Like nothing quite feels right. Like when you have an itchy sweater on that you just NEED to take off. But once it’s off, that itch is still there.
That’s kind of what it feels like when you’re feeling ready for a new chapter… but unsure how to cross the threshold. Got the itch? Then keep reading ~ this is for you.
I write this from a place of lived experience… and then some. Many, many, MANY times I’ve changed directions (for my astrology peeps- that’s my intercepted MC hard at work!). And that “in-between” space? It’s a REAL place. Not only real, but a tender place where the old version of you is loosening(old routines, old roles, old identities) but the new version hasn’t fully been discovered yet. And if you’re an empath (or having a deeply ‘feely’ human moment), it can seem like: “Why can’t I just decide already?” “Why am I emotional for no reason?” “Why do I want change and also want to hide under a blanket forever?”

We burn out. We disconnect. And we convince ourselves that magic was never real to begin with.

But here’s what I know: you’re allowed to stop waiting for those dreams. You’re allowed to stop participating in the hustle culture. You’re allowed to pause and breathe. And most importantly? You’re allowed to start creating.

read more
Why Most Vision Boards Don’t Work (And What I Do Instead)

Got the Itch? How to Start a New Chapter When You Feel Stuck

It starts with a slight itch. Like nothing quite feels right. Like when you have an itchy sweater on that you just NEED to take off. But once it’s off, that itch is still there.
That’s kind of what it feels like when you’re feeling ready for a new chapter… but unsure how to cross the threshold. Got the itch? Then keep reading ~ this is for you.
I write this from a place of lived experience… and then some. Many, many, MANY times I’ve changed directions (for my astrology peeps- that’s my intercepted MC hard at work!). And that “in-between” space? It’s a REAL place. Not only real, but a tender place where the old version of you is loosening(old routines, old roles, old identities) but the new version hasn’t fully been discovered yet. And if you’re an empath (or having a deeply ‘feely’ human moment), it can seem like: “Why can’t I just decide already?” “Why am I emotional for no reason?” “Why do I want change and also want to hide under a blanket forever?”

We burn out. We disconnect. And we convince ourselves that magic was never real to begin with.

But here’s what I know: you’re allowed to stop waiting for those dreams. You’re allowed to stop participating in the hustle culture. You’re allowed to pause and breathe. And most importantly? You’re allowed to start creating.

read more

Learning to Trust What You Already Know

Have you ever found yourself pondering over your deepest desires, visualizing how you want to express your life, and asking, “What is it that I want to attract and manifest?” It’s a concept that might seem bizarre to some, and one that is often met with a lot of doubt. This is especially true when it comes to the belief or concept of manifesting or attraction. You might have heard of “The Secret,” Abraham-Hicks, or Gabby Bernstein, and thought it all sounded a bit too “woo-woo.” However, it’s a concept that is definitely worth exploring.

Regardless of your personal beliefs, manifestation can be an incredibly useful tool for achieving your dreams. Whether you see it as a blueprint for action or a method of bringing your desires to life, the practice holds true value. And the best part? Its applications extend far beyond just achieving your goals – its principles can be applied to many areas of your life.

Manifestation is a powerful tool that can help you bring your desires and dreams into reality. While there are many techniques for manifesting, some of the most effective ones are often overlooked. Here are five tips for manifesting that will be sure to can bring you closer to joy:

read more

About the Author…

Shana is a New Yorker and a native to Long Island’s east end. A lifelong passion in food, health and wellness led her to become an advanced 500 hour registered Yoga teacher through Yoga Alliance, a Licensed Body Worker, a trained Herbalist, a Reiki and PEMF (Pulse Electro-Magnetic Field) Practitioner. She has studied abroad in India, as well as studying functional and integrative nutrition at IIN (Institute of Integrated Nutrition), is a National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC), and Certified Hypno-counselor.  She is well versed in ancient theologies and eastern healing systems such as acupuncture and Ayurveda. Working with these philosophies, and integrating holistic nutrition, yoga and meditation is how she serves and supports her clients to heal and transform their lives. Shana currently lives in Northport, NY where she works as a Holistic Coach.

 Did you know Meditation can reduce insomnia by 75%? It can reduce anxiety by 60%? It increases heart, hormonal and gut health!!

  The problem is… whenever you’ve tried it, a voice goes off in your head and the laundry list of to-dos rattles off, or there’s the train you need to catch or the dog that has to go out or the kid that’s late for school. Sound familiar That’s why I made this FREE Yoga Nidra recording. To make meditation EASY, ENJOYABLE and DOABLE so that you can gain ALL those benefits by literally just lying there!  An easy first step to ultimate health. Start with an “ahh….”
 
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