May I Nourish…
Monday Mettā
a new + beautiful way to experience Mondays
May I know how to nourish the seeds of joy in myself every day.
May [insert someone you love without restraint] know how to nourish the seeds of joy in themselves every day.
May [insert someone you have neutral feelings for] know how to nourish the seeds of joy in themselves every day.
May [insert someone you struggle with] know how to nourish the seeds of joy in themselves every day.
May all beings know how to nourish the seeds of joy in themselves every day.
What little things bring you joy and delight each day? They don’t have to be big, life-changing events. Today, take notice and cultivate those small moments that spread a smile across your face.
These words, or this prayer, is attributed to Thich Nhat Hanh, and is the seventh line of his Nine Prayers. As you meditate on these words, start with yourself— the importance of self-loving-kindness is vital. Then, send mettā out to others. Begin with someone you deeply love, with no complications. Move to someone you simply know, with no expectations. Then send these words to someone you struggle with, imagining them with love. Finally, send out these words to the planet.
The Nine Prayers
May I be peaceful, happy, and light in body and spirit.
May I be free from injury. May I live in safety.
May I be free from disturbance, fear, and anxiety.
May I learn to look at myself with the eyes of understanding and of love.
May I be able to recognize and touch the seeds of joy and happiness in myself.
May I learn to identify and see the sources of anger, craving, and delusion in myself.
May I know how to nourish the seeds of joy in myself every day.
May I be able to live fresh, solid and free.
May I be free from attachment and aversion, but not be indifferent.
✨
So glad you’re here.
Intuitive Tarot Card Reading
Use your intuition to guide you to a specific card below. Choose the card with the crystal on it that calls to you.
At the end of this newsletter, you’ll see the cards flipped over, with a reading for each one. The card that you choose here will have your reading for the week.
Wait to scroll down to the bottom until you’ve chosen your card!
Reading today from Rider-Waite deck.
Card 1: Opalite Choose this card if you need some soothing words.
Card 2: Rhyolite Choose this card if you’d like some self-esteem boosting.
Card 3: Dumortierite Choose this card if you need some help speaking up.
Yoga Class Schedule:
*there will be no yoga classes this week
📚Rachel’s Recommendations
Auē by Becky Manawatu. The story follows two brothers, one eight and “abandoned,” one a young adult and in search of the truth about his parents. The word auē is Maori for “to cry, grow, groan, wail, bawl,” and “to express astonishment,” which accurately describes the tone of the book. I was really impressed by Manawatu’s ability to weave these stories together and to also tell a story of New Zealand through this one family. (Auē is pronounced “ah-weh.”)
Fever by Jonathan Bazzi, translated by Alice Whitmore. Did I think this book would have me on the edge of my seat? No, but it did. As each chapter ended I kept turning the page for more. Jonathan lives in Milan with his boyfriend of three years when he gets a fever that just doesn’t go away. As he tracks down the diagnosis, he also describes his childhood in Rozzano, the “ghetto of Milan.” PS- at one point he becomes obsessed with Tarot cards, which obviously I was into.
The Marmalade Diaries by travel writer Ben Aitken. Not much traveling to be done during lockdown in England in the fall of 2020, when Ben rents a room in the home of an 85-year-old woman whose husband has recently passed. This book is sweet and charming and shares daily life between Ben and Winnie. It gets action-packed only by page 285, which I loved—the rest of it felt like I was sitting at breakfast the three of us, day in and day out.
Reading the Water by Mark Hume. I have never been fishing, probably never will, and yet this memoir about fly fishing and fatherhood got me. Mark is an environmental journalist and author from British Columbia, and his writing was so good that even I was captivated reading about “casting” and “fly tying.” Plus, his descriptions of flora and fauna on the west coast of Canada are riveting.
We Support Each Other
There are three beautiful ways you can support my work writing and teaching!
Make a micro-donation, either through Buy Me a Coffee (or in my case, a love note), or after you’ve listened to one of my meditations on Insight Timer.
Book a class or an intuitive reading! Come to one of my online yoga classes, schedule a private yoga class, or email me for a Tarot or Akashic Records reading.
Forward this newsletter on to anyone who might want a little love! Ask them to subscribe! Tell them you love them!
Thank you thank you!
Much love and gratitude,
Rachel
xo
PS- I love hearing about the cards you pick and your related experiences! Please email me or comment below to let me know what comes up from your card reading this week! 🔮
Your Tarot Reading, Revealed!
Card 1: Opalite // Queen of Wands
Your soothing words are words of strength and accomplishment! The Queen of Swords opens up a new dimension of intellect, communication, and confidence. Be the queen today. Tap into your creative potential, that consciousness brimming at the surface. The sunflower represents creative growth. Perhaps all you need to self-soothe is to spend time in your creativity, to live a little with enthusiasm!
Card 2: Rhyolite // Three of Cups
Get together with friends and let them celebrate you. It doesn’t have to be for anything big (although it can be!), just for experiencing another day! Celebrate simply being together. Exchange compliments, ideas, experiences, and dreams. You’ll see, from them, how amazing you are, but you’ll also recognize that within yourself.
Card 3: Dumortierite // Strength
We had this card last week and it’s showing up again (this means many of you need to hear this message!). Your strength is your voice. Allow it to come through—the intent of your words will connect with people even if you haven’t perfected the art of conversation. It’s the power you have behind your words that matters.
✨intuitive tarot inspired by Sarah Greenman, who was in turn inspired by Chris Corsini, because inspiration is contagious✨