Expectations get in the way of magic

With my hand on my heart, I gaped in wonder as the red-tailed hawk soared through the pine trees overhead, its mid-flight body a twin to the Oracle card I had just drawn from the Animal Spirit deck. 

It was one of those magical moments of synchronicity that only happen when you are fully alive and in total surrender to the present.  

And that’s what made it even more magical to witness––

Only moments before, I was stuck in the “woe is me” story that I wouldn’t have enough energy for my plans because I hadn’t slept well the night before.

As the hawk flashed me his rust-colored tail with a sharp cry, he reminded me to listen and surrender instead:

The plans aren’t the point.

The gift is being free to honor my body’s needs and rest instead.

The gift is being here, in this sacred place in nature.

And most of all, the gift is understanding expectations get in the way of magic.

So many spiritual teachers offer the wisdom of non-attachment, but damn, is it hard to be human and not feel attached––attached to what we plan to do, what we want the weather to be like, how we will feel, who we will see, how someone will react…

But when we think about what happens when we have all those expectations, we’re mostly disappointed, or when they’re met, we're relieved and move on. We're neither delighted nor moved.

Expecting something to be a certain way doesn’t leave room for miracles––or hawks for that matter.

And that’s why I went outside that morning with my coffee in the first place: to reset and release all those pesky expectations. Sure, I was grumpy and tired and my brain was foggy from adjusting to the altitude...

But, I knew that I had the power––through ritual and practice––to shift my energetics, adapt, and have a beautiful day regardless of those failed expectations.

So, I took my deck and my journal, sat outside, took a few deep breaths, and then drew 3 cards.

The first card I drew was the hawk.

The next was the turtle––a powerful double-tap that I write my own story, or in other words, I create the reality I experience via my perception.

Lastly, I drew the scorpion––an opportunity to release frustration and bitterness at the surprise of waking up with no energy.

It was then that I felt the lingering disappointment melt away and called to place my hand on my heart.

In that moment, I was overwhelmed with deep, genuine gratitude for my ancestors for making it even possible that I could be here, sitting among the aspens and pines, their leaves glittering as the wind blew by in warm gusts.

And when I opened my eyes, the hawk appeared––right on cue––when, and only when, I surrendered.

That’s the power of having a spiritual practice: expectations and limiting beliefs lose their hold on you. 

When you have a ritual of finding anchor within yourself, and when you know how to source your own happiness regardless of your circumstances, you’re able to open yourself up to the magic of synchronicity and create your own experience of life.

If you’re ready to learn how to self-source and invite more magic into your modern life through the power of ritual and ancient wisdom...

Join us inside my new grounded spiritual academy, Modern Mystic Mystery School, which starts October 10th, 2022. In sisterhood and over the course of 7 weeks, you’ll watch your magic spark from ember to flame.

I'm working on a fancy landing page with all the details that'll be available for your viewing pleasure in a couple weeks, but I couldn't help my excitement about this new container, so I'm sharing a waitlist in the meantime.

Join the waitlist now to get notified of all the magical details >>

with love,

Emily