December 2021 Updates: | Shiny and New Plans for 2022, "Are you there, Evan?" + Instant Spirituality

2021 is preparing to excuse itself from the world’s table. But much like its younger sibling, can’t seem to find the manners to exit with grace. Regardless the wheel of time turns, and we prepare to once again embrace Baby New Year with hope for the best (fingers crossed he’s got a fresh set of diapers on this year).

Shiny & New

New items have made their way to the site alongside several other updates. Some may have noticed I added a new section for Figurals + Tapers. Currently on offer are these gorgeous, handpoured Skull Candles, but fear not- this section of the shop will expand over the weeks to come.

Pyrite chunks are now available in the Curios section. Currently on offer are the smaller size (approximately 1”) which pair well with the smaller lodestones for money altars and mojo bags. You can check them out here.

For those asking, yes Jezebel root is back in stock for a limited time! I also now carry Lucky Hand root for those looking to improve their financial and/or gambling odds.

High John the Conqueror will be back in stock mid January. I also have a new and very rare root coming to the shop next year! Stay tuned for updates!

“Are you there, Evan?”

If you’ve followed me on Instagram over the years, you may have noticed I haven’t posted in quite a while. As some have asked, I figured it’d be best to address everything in one post here:

Truth: I’ve never really been able to get into social media. Though I’ve attempted it multiple times, its always ended up feeling somewhat artificial. Personally I don’t like it, but at the time felt it was necessary for business exposure.

When I started this Instagram account in 2013, my main objective was to showcase my divinatory prowess and spiritual art. I wasn’t sure of the direction I wanted my business to take yet, but assumed it was a good way to network locally and (eventually) grow a stable following.

My first couple years of posts consisted of “Daily Divination” pieces: 1-3 Tarot pulls each day based on the energies most prevalent. Interspersed with random sigil art and the occasional oil/herb post, it was…fine. But it all quickly became a monotonous, daily chore instead of an enjoyable creative project.

A few years later when I grew more serious about opening my practice, I (as any overly enthusiastic entrepreneur-to-be might) made the mistake of assuming I had to “beat the algorithm” in order to rise to IG glory. As such, I let well-intentioned people “help” grow my profile (which resulted in tons of spam accounts and bot traffic) instead of cultivating the time to properly curate and manage my social media presence. Aside from that, I had yet to find my “voice”; getting people to connect to my brand with nothing to go on wasn’t gonna happen.

Then there was the issue of crafting “entertaining” yet original content: I cringed at the thought of doing the same same rinse/repeat, cookie cutter content some accounts seemed to enjoy but was too afraid of having my ideas pilfered to implement an alternative (also what I did at the time worked, so I saw little reason to fix it).

I also knew that if I didn’t change something soon, I’d grow stagnant. But how could I showcase my art without becoming yet another astro-memebot or “spell machine”?

Instant Spirituality

Through my time on IG and Facebook (soon to be מטא) , I’ve observed with much dismay the vulture-like mentality some have with regards to spiritual tips and practices (more commonly known as “spells”). This may come as a shock, but you’d be surprised how many people are only interested in what you can give them for free, regardless of how much time you invested to craft, test, and refine a technique! It’s just expected that your time, energy and effort should be free and always on, streamed to them endlessly like some kind of occult subscription service.

::sighs in rootworker::

I’ve seen burgeoning spiritual workers, many in their 30s like myself, burn out from the constant demands for free spells from their less-than-understanding audiences. While I’m sure it’s not the case for all, many of these gifted individuals (the ones that consciously create their own spells, I should say) work hard to create these workings and rituals. Why should they be expected to offer them for free?

My most watched/most commented video on my channel right now is this one: a Bay Leaf based working I designed about 4 years ago. It was a labor of love (mostly because my editing skills were terrible and I was nervous AF) and I appreciate the feedback it still gets. But every couple of weeks someone will message me asking when there will be “more spells”.

I wonder if they take into account the amount of energy that goes into formulating the perfect alignment of spirit and materia to make these spells effective, not to mention the time it takes to script, record and edit just a short, twenty minute video.

But, I guess if you’re solely in the business of consumption, it’s hard to fathom the cost of creation.

This isn’t a rant: I’m not angry at, blaming or attacking the people inquiring. As stated, I’m grateful for their engagement and in fact, will dare to say their lack of understanding is a side effect of the “instant spirituality” age we live in.

But what’s an Ev’ to do? (And why am saying with all of this?)

Well, firstly to let you know I’m still here, as is Lionhart. Though both are changing dramatically over the next year, neither is disappearing. With the world slipping farther into virtual dystopia, my old soul slips further in love with all things analog including tangible connections and natural realities (sans Facetune).

Secondly, to hopefully quell the requests for “free spells” (and free spell advice, at that). If I choose to offer a ritual or working gratis, that’s one thing, but my art and time have high value.

Unless you’re choosing to volunteer your time, no one in this day and age works for free. Please don’t ask or expect me to.

With that aside…

What’s in store for me in 2022?

Lots more:

-writing and revamps.

-content for my channel (other than astrology forecasts, promise)

-metaverse dodging and more downtime from social media.

-time to touch grass and pet cats.

-playing my cards closer to my chest.

Also, continuing my book (details to come) and…

a class (or two; details of the first class to come closer to Spring 2022) :)

Thank you to all who’ve supported me with your love, wallets and humanity throughout 2021. Happy Holidays and brightest wishes.