Know Thyself

Summertime gets busy around here. There are events, family adventures, days by the lake, and a lot of time spent away from home.

A few weeks ago, I returned from the 2nd Annual Sheyap Menman Memorial Healing Gathering, where I was invited to offer tea leaf readings as one of the healers.

It was such a beautiful experience. We were on the land together, sharing meals, connecting, and doing a lot of healing. I sat with people as they shared some very deep memories and reflections, and I got to witness some of that release happening right there.

It is always such an honour to do this work.

The Flags

There were other healers and workshops happening throughout the gathering, so I also had the opportunity to participate, learn, and receive.

One of the workshops was making prayer flags and bundles. Each colour represents something different:

Black is the body.

White is the mind.

Red is the spirit.

Yellow is the emotions.

Green is the earth.

Blue is the sky.

Purple is the spirit within.

Each flag holds a prayer. It can be for yourself, for someone else, or for the world, and the prayer connects to what that colour represents.

When I went to hang my prayer flags, there was a tree nearby that immediately caught my attention.

It was all twisted and gnarled, with many different parts coming up from the roots, and it had the most magical energy around it.

It surprised me a little, but when I saw it, I knew that was where the flags wanted to be.

At first, I was going to tie them front and centre, right where everyone could see them. Then I was guided around to a less obvious place facing the mountains and the marsh.

So that is where I hung them.

It was not where I had planned to put them, but it felt right.

Next year, I will return and burn the flags, releasing the prayers they have held.

That whole experience stayed with me because this is often how intuition works.

It is not always a grand sign with flashing lights and a full explanation attached.

It is simply a knowing.

You look at the tree and think, there.

Then you walk around to the other side and think, actually, here.

There is no need to make it more complicated than that.

Knowing Yourself Changes Everything

During the gathering, I had a conversation that brought me back to something very important.

Know thyself.

The conversation touched on spiritual gifts, fear, and the ways we sometimes block parts of ourselves because it once felt safer to do that.

I will not share the details because they are not mine to share, but the message that came through was very clear.

When you know who you are, you are in charge of what you allow into your life.

Knowing yourself puts you in charge of your choices and the way you use your gifts.

Your Intuition Is Not Outside of You

People often look outside of themselves for answers.

They want another sign. Another confirmation.

I understand that. Sometimes we need help clearing away the mental chatter so we can hear ourselves again.

That is where tools like tea leaves, oracle cards, pendulums, and readings can be helpful. They can reflect something back to you and help you see what has been sitting there beneath the surface.

But the tools are not here to take your power away or make your decisions for you.

They are here to help you remember what you already know. Being intuitive does not mean you have to be open to everything all the time. You are allowed to have boundaries around your spiritual practice, your energy, and your life.

Actually, I would say boundaries are part of knowing yourself.

When you know who you are, you do not have to be afraid of every feeling, sign, or message.

The Spirit Within

I keep coming back to the purple prayer flag and what it represents: the spirit within.

We spend so much time looking outside of ourselves for answers.

There is nothing wrong with asking for guidance. Sometimes we need help seeing past our own fear, grief, old stories, or all the noise that comes with being human. That is part of why I love the tools I work with. They can bring something forward and help us see what we may already know but have not been ready to acknowledge.

But the answer is not really in the tea cup, the cards, or the person sitting across from you. Those things are there to help you connect with the knowing that already exists within you. The Spirit within you.

Knowing yourself is a lifelong journey. And at your core, you are who you are.

A spiritual being having a human experience.

The more you understand yourself, the easier it becomes to recognize your own voice, trust your intuition, and honour your boundaries. You may still question things and need support. And you may even know the answer and keep asking because you were hoping it would be something else. That is human too.

The point is not to have everything figured out. It is to keep coming back to yourself.

That is what the spirit within means to me. It is the part of you that remains beneath the fear, the noise, the expectations, and everything you have been taught you should be.

It is the part that knows.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tea Leaf Readings and Intuitive Guidance

What is intuitive guidance?

Intuitive guidance is insight that helps you understand what you may be feeling, sensing, or moving through beneath the surface. It can support you during life changes, emotional uncertainty, spiritual growth, relationship questions, career decisions, and personal transitions.

What is a tea leaf reading?

A tea leaf reading is an intuitive practice where symbols, shapes, and patterns in a teacup are interpreted to offer guidance, reflection, and insight. It can help reveal emotional themes, life patterns, spiritual messages, and possible next steps.

Can a tea leaf reading tell me the future?

A tea leaf reading can offer insight into the energy, patterns, and possibilities around you, but your choices still matter. The future is not fixed. A reading is meant to support your clarity, confidence, and connection to your own inner knowing.

When should I book a tea leaf reading?

You may want to book a tea leaf reading when you feel uncertain, overwhelmed, curious, spiritually disconnected, or in need of reassurance. Many people seek readings during life transitions, relationship changes, career decisions, grief, energetic shifts, or moments when they feel called to receive guidance.

Do virtual tea leaf readings work?

Yes. Virtual tea leaf readings can be just as meaningful as in-person sessions. You can receive intuitive guidance and spiritual support from the comfort of your home.