Shadow Seekers’ Dispatch, Ed. 7
In This Edition
Index
Let Your Inner Empress Enter Your Flow
The Empress, a character of the tarot, represents the archetype of a creative nurturer. She embodies all that is true and wholesome, symbolizing creativity, abundance and quiet strength. When you get lost in the flow of creativity and realize that you are smiling for no reason, you can be sure the Empress is present within you. And if you take a minute to look at what you’re creating with fresh eyes, you will see your authentic self looking back at you.
Drawing the Empress tarot card typically means that you are ripe for creating the art, relationships, or life of your dreams. It is a time to push worry aside and enjoy what you’re doing to the fullest. You might not completely finish creating the dream before the world turns upside down again, but try. The Empress represents a wonderful time of ease and creativity, something I wish for all of us every day.
Or, the card means you are pregnant. And if that is the case, then you absolutely must put your feet up and take care of yourself (while eating grapes and being fanned with a large palm leaf because you are literally “The Empress” and everyone should treat you as such).
But right now, you might feel the opposite of creative. You could feel frustrated, stuck, and like you can’t do anything right. Your digestive system may be caterwocky and it might be hard to get a good night’s sleep. Perfectionism and procrastination might plague you, and it can seem like life will never be better, ever again.
If that is the case, I have something simple that can help.
- Grab the Empress from your favorite deck or print out the image of the Empress in the header of this newsletter.
- Imagine that you are her for five minutes.
- Put the image under your pillow tonight.
- Wake up and do a brain dump in your journal (words or sketches, whatever you like).
- Then bask in the warmth and glory of the Empress for just a bit.
Do this for three days and then let me know if you feel better. I think you will.
By thinking about the Empress as a creative, nurturing part of you, you’ll naturally conjure her energy and enjoy the authenticity and abundance that is rightfully yours.
If you’re already feeling in flow, try the following therapeutic art exercise and enjoy being The Empress!
Go Play in Your Garden
Gather Your Materials: Choose your favorite medium and paper.
Visualize Your Inner Garden: Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and imagine yourself strolling through a lush garden. Notice the smells, colors, shapes, textures, and the music the elements make together. Enjoy your time here for as long as you want.
Create Freely: Open your eyes and start creating your inner garden. Don’t be judge-y. Let your intuition guide you to plant seeds of intention and abundance on your paper.
Reflect: After finishing, take a moment to look at your artwork. Which parts of your garden feel vibrant and thriving? Are there areas that feel neglected or barren? What does your garden say about your current creative state?
Now go hang it on the fridge: Show it off, talk about it, think about it for at least three days. Edit it or leave it as is.
52 Weeks with the Dark
Indelicate Prompts from Your Shadow
Shadow work journal prompts for people who are done faking it. These seasonal questions guide you through what hurts, haunts, and still holds power.
52 dark journaling prompts crafted in the haunting voice of your Shadow. A seasonal, printable guide designed to uncover what still hurts, haunts, and holds power. Only $14.99.
From the Shadow Seekers’ Journal
April’s awareness topics are important to me, so I tried to write some posts that can help trauma survivors heal and feel good without wading too deep into the pain of it all. I know healing is hard. More often than not, it comes with tears and snot and ugly cries. But you deserve a break from that. Imagination and art can give you the break you need.
If you want to heal yourself from what happened to you, the first four blog posts can help you feel better, stronger, and more like yourself. You can have fun and be creative while reclaiming yourself and listening to the wise part inside you that already knows how to heal.
But be warned: the last one about shadow work is a doozy. Shadow work naturally scrapes the bottom of your psychic barrel, so if you feel tender, avoid it.
Your Inner Healer Has a Message for You
Discover how connecting with your inner healer through guided art can unlock emotional healing, deepen self-awareness, and awaken your innate wisdom.
The Wounded Healer: Embracing Your Story Through Creativity
Transform pain into purpose through the wounded healer archetype—learn how creativity helps you heal, grow, and inspire others on their journey.
Powerful Intuitive Rituals to Uncover Your Strengths and Virtues
Discover intuitive rituals using everyday objects to uncover your strengths, tap into inner wisdom, and explore the symbolic language of your body.
Powerful Intuitive Rituals to Uncover Your Strengths and Virtues
Discover intuitive rituals using everyday objects to uncover your strengths, tap into inner wisdom, and explore the symbolic language of your body.
Shadow Work Journal Prompts to Scrape the Truth from Your Soul
Shadow work journal prompts for people who are done faking it. These seasonal questions guide you through what hurts, haunts, and still holds power.
‘Til Next Time
I hope you enjoyed this edition of the Shadow Seekers’ Dispatch. Remember to follow @kelliejoart on social media for updates throughout the month. The buttons to click are right below my signature. I’ll see you next time.
Warmly,
Kellie Jo Close
Artist & Author
Transforms Shadows into Light
https://kelliejoart.com | https://linktr.ee/kelliejoart
P.S. If you made it this far, I will give you a free copy of “52 Weeks with the Dark: Indelicate Prompts from Your Shadow”. Simply contact me by April 28, 2025 and let me know you read this Dispatch all the way to the bottom!