Welcome!

As an artist, hiker, spiritual seeker, and writer living in Marin County, California, I bring my interests together in this weekly email.

I love working in a series, and after 24 Flag Oracle posts in the first half of 2024, I took a summer pause.

Subscribe to be among the first to find out what’s next.

Here’s the background on the Flag Oracle. Feel free to dip into the archive for a dose of inspiration.

What is the Flag Oracle?

The Flag Oracle is a deck consisting of 48 cards; 4 for each flag that appeared in the 2022 art exhibition Flags in Mind at the Bay Model in Sausalito, California. It also includes text for a booklet to accompany the cards.

Oracle decks are divination tools based on the idea of Tarot, but more fun and flexible. If you’re not familiar with them, this list demonstrates the variety of Oracle decks that exist.

The Flag Oracle is more than a divination tool, it is a complete teaching based on the lessons received from the artistic process, the Mt. Tamalpais watershed, and nearly two decades of serious spiritual study.

The Flag Oracle is a tool for attuning to the wisdom of nature and surrendering to the universal heart. It is a soul expression dreamed up by a tree elf of 1981 who was obsessed with collecting things, observing the world, sewing, and creating whole worlds for her dolls. The collection of images in the Flag Oracle is a world of its own.

Currently, only one homemade copy of the Flag Oracle exists. By offering these weekly readings, I hope to grow demand and secure the means to get a physical copy into your hands one day.

January - June Series

I designed several reading layouts for the Flag Oracle based on natural phenomena. The simplest reading is a Day/Night layout, and for the first 24 weeks of 2024, you will receive a two-card reading for the week in this layout. A new series will begin after the June Solstice.

The name of the flag in the image appears in italics at the top right of each card next to a flag symbol. Combining it with the name of the card offers additional depth—and often paradoxes—that might cause you to see a situation in a new way. The number at the top left corner of the card is a reference that will guide users to the card’s description in the booklet. 

You can use these readings to set the tone for your week. Remember that the readings do not contain professional or medical advice; they are simply ideas and concepts you can attune to if you choose. Always stay true to you. 

You may choose to take note of the cards and check back in to see if they can offer additional insight at the end of your week.

How to look at the cards in the layout

DAY

The day position holds everything that the sun shines upon in the daylight hours. It’s what’s seen, what’s obvious, and what you can know with your senses. Remember that sometimes in the density of a natural landscape, it takes a few moments to look closely and understand what’s there. As you look at the card, get still to see what feels true for you, and what you might have overlooked on first glance.

The day position shows what’s visible in the situation. If it doesn’t immediately make sense, just wait and see. Often what the card points to will emerge as the day progresses. 

NIGHT

Nighttime in nature is full of activity. Nocturnal birds and mammals prowl for food; bats come out looking for insects. While the trees and plants take their rest from photosynthesis under starlight, the waters keep running and the winds keep blowing. What’s not obvious to the naked eye without a flashlight is no less important than what happens during the day. 

The card in the night position represents what’s not seen—and might be seen through the course of events. It’s an essential part of an unfolding, and possibly the resolution of an issue. This card encourages you to look closer at things outside of your immediate line of vision as events unfold. If needed, look for more insight by taking in the meaning of the card and closing your eyes—or just wait and see what happens during the week.

Subscribe and never miss an update

Emails go out every Sunday because I hope to catch you when you have a little downtime to read thoughtful reflections and look at interesting photos.

There’s a community here

The Substack platform allows you to comment on posts and find a community of people who share your interests and inclinations. For the full experience, download the Substack app.