As a lover and daily user of tarot and oracle card decks, I have amassed more than 60 physical card decks that I use for journaling, creative exploration, divination, spiritual empowerment, and intuition strength training. 

And even though I am (and probably always will be) someone who prefers the tangible connection to the cards, I also live a digital lifestyle that has me connected to my phone and computer a lot of the time. So it stands to reason that I would also have a few apps on my devices for the times when carrying 60 decks with me is just not feasible. 

So, as hard as it was, I've narrowed down my apps to FOUR that I think are worth taking a look. This was TOUGH because there are so many good apps out there. And let me say here -- this is an independent "review" of these apps. I was not paid or gifted anything in return.  Here's how I decided which ones to include here: 

First, I started with what app would give me the most bang for my buck. You'll see what I mean when you read the list below. But basically, some apps are free, some are free to install, but ask you to buy something once it's on your device, and then there are those that cost. So I've tried to share apps under $5. That was criteria one. 

Criteria two was whether or not the app had clear imagery. The cards had to be visible and "zoomable" so that I can zoom in on the imagery. One of the ways I believe the cards work with us is through symbols. Our subconscious mind understands symbols and images on the intuitive and heartfelt level which makes Tarot and Oracle cards a perfect tool for connecting to our deep inner wisdom. I need to be able to pull the image up close so I can see all that I need to see. 

Criteria three was based on whether the app offered more information than images and symbols. I selected the apps that I felt give a little something extra. Even though I am an intuitive card reader, I like having the information that the creator of the deck wanted us to have. With that in mind, I've selected decks that offer "more" than just the cards. 

NOTE: These criteria are important to ME, I encourage you to decide what matters to YOU when it comes to apps or decks so that you select ones with the features that will enhance your experience. 

So, here are three of the ones that fit all three of my criteria: 

I love that this app pulls from more than 60 different decks when giving you a card. So in a 7 card spread, you could potentially (and most likely will) have cards from seven different decks. That is just something I think is pretty cool. 

It also means you get to see different imagery and maybe even be exposed to a deck you may not have encountered otherwise. It's serendipity at its best. 

​CLICK HERE to learn more about this app. 

Okay, before you call me a cheater, let me explain why there are two here. The fine folks at Labyrinthos created the app for both The Golden Thread and the Luminous Tarot and they are pretty similar in how they work but different in the aesthetics. So I figured we could just get TWO FOR ONE. 

Both apps failed in criteria two, but I kept them on the list anyway because I really do like the look and feel of both apps. Clean lines, beautiful images (even though I can't zoom in on them), and easy to read font. 

The Golden Thread Tarot app even lets you keep a log of your daily one card pulls. I LOVE that feature because it means I can go back and see where there may have been patterns. When you log the card, it also asks. you how you felt about the card -- that's my language as an intuitive. 

​CLICK HERE to learn more about this app. 

This app made the list because I think everyone who wants to learn tarot -- I mean really LEARN tarot, needs to have access to at least one Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck. So if you can't afford to buy one or you don't know if you want to buy one, then this app by Fool's Dog is perfect...and FREE. 

It checks all the boxes. You can do a daily one card pull, journal about it, read the book meaning, zoom in on the images of the cards, and it has a list of other really cool features: 

• 20+ spreads you can do
• A free form spread where you can place the cards where you want them. 
• The ability to log/enter external readings done on your own outside the app
• You can turn off reversed cards 
• You can use only the major arcana if you want 
• You can select how it draws the card -- from the top of the deck, from a fan of cards, or from a list of cards
• You have the ability to say if you want your cards to be drawn face up or down

That's a lot of features, right? But wait, there's more:

• You can see all the cards in the deck and select one that you want to know more about. You can then flip the card to see the keywords and click a link to see to the full text about the card. 
• There are THREE ebooks included in the app:
  • The Concise Tarot Reader by Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone
  • The Pictorial Key to the Tarot by Arthur Edward Waite
  • The Tarot by S.L. MacGregor Mathers

Okay. I could go on and on, but you get the point, this is one worth checking out. 
CLICK HERE to learn more about it. 

YES!!! I had to put one oracle deck in the mix just for my non-tarot users and because I LOVE oracle cards too. So the one I selected -- the Goddess Power Oracle by Colette Baron-Reid (via Hay House). Similar to Fool's Dog, Hay House has a lot of deck apps, so be ready to go down a rabbit hole. 

I like this app because, well, Goddess Power and also because you can browse the entire deck, save and revisit a reading, read the guidebook, and get additional things like a complimentary audio and Brief Cultural History of the Goddess. 

This app is free for seven days, then it costs $9.99. 

I really like that each card has an empowerment message and an alignment message. If you can splurge on it, I recommend buying the app so you can unlock the features. 

Okay. That's it for now. I'd love to know what decks are your top five decks. And if you are new to tarot and oracle decks, come join us in Pull Pen Paint 2020 where we are learning how to use decks in a myriad of ways for our creative and spiritual practices. 

With love and gratitude, 

Happy New Year Lovelies!!
I don't think I can express how happy I am to have made it to 2020. It felt like touch and go there for a moment. Life was just feeling way too hard and I was really struggling with all the parts of being an adult. 

I had to make some really tough, but necessary, decisions last year in order to find my way back to myself. I was stuck in survival mode. Well, if I'm really honest, I've been in survival mode for about two years and that's just not how we re intended to live. Seriously, I know we are meant to thrive. Everything is set up on a natural level for us to do so. 

It's when we begin to live in a way that is NOT natural -- that's when we have to figure out how to survive. And when that becomes the norm, watch out...things get bumpy. 

About the middle of 2019 I had truly HAD ENOUGH of the bumpiness. I wanted to get off this roller coaster. I was determined to break the cycle of living in survival mode all day every day. Here's what I did: 
1. Set intentions for 2020 ( I did this back in June of 2019)
2. Assessed my relationships. (That's for another longer post or newsletter). 
3. Took stock of the ways my energy was leaking out excessively. (I'll do a longer post about this.)
4. Did an end of the year review for my business. 
5. Closed the physical studio space we were leasing. (Talk about an energy leak!!!). 
6. Spiritual Empowerment
7. Creative Empowerment

These are the things that helped me come up with my word of the year. I wasn't looking for it. In fact I had decided my word was going to be Clarity because this year is 2020 and I was thinking about eyesight and clear vision. But no matter how many times I wrote it down or tried to play with it as a word to travel the year with, it just didn't feel right. So I left it as a placeholder and allowed that to be it's job. 

Of course I had to start by deciding how I want to feel in 2020. And in this case, it started with how I don't want to feel. I don't want to spend this year in survival mode. So I asked myself. What is the opposite of Survival Mode? 

THIRVING!!!

And that's how my word of the year came to be. It encompasses what I want to feel and what I want to steer clear of. But like all good manifesting guidelines, I know to focus only on that which I want. After all, the Buddha teaches us that "what we think about, we bring about". 

So I'm making a commitment this year to thrive. That means I'm thinking thoughts of someone who thrives. I'm navigating my relationships as someone who thrives. I'm making decisions in my business from the stand point of thriving. Everything I do this year is somehow connected to my desire and ability to thrive. 

And whenever I pick a word of the year, I have a list of things I do with the word to make sure I'm revisiting it as often as possible and truly incorporating it into my year. I want to travel with the word. Really be with it in order to become it. 

People often ask me for the list. They want to know what I do to really BE with my word of the year. So in true entrepreneurial fashion, I created a class!!!

I'm super excited about this class and sure hope you'll join me and the hundreds that have already enrolled. The class will stay available for most of 2020, but to really get the benefits of it, I suggest you sign up TODAY and get started immediately. 

This is one of the many ways you can begin to create the life you most desire. One day at a time, one word at a time. 

I'm thriving when I get to connect with my students and workshop participants. It gives me great hope to know that I might be able to help you thrive too. 

What's your word of the year? 

​Let's meet in the classroom to see how you can journey with it more fully. 

I hope to see you there. 

Well hello out there. It's be a while since I've written anything here. I've had a tough year, but that's for another blog post. But for today, I'm sharing a little something to get us all ready for 2020. 

It's a FREE ONLINE EVENT hosted by the amazingly creative Amber Kuileimailani Bonnici. 

It's a beautiful gathering of creative souls who know the importance of carving out time to dream, refuel, and have some FUN. 

It's a way to access our FULL feminine power!

This spirit filling retreat is the kind you can do right from home?

I’m inviting you to come with me to the most popular online women’s retreat in the world…  for FREE! (So popular over 65,000+ women have attended previous seasons).

Welcome to the Woman UNLEASHED Online Retreat

During the retreat, we have sessions on art + journaling + movement + mini-workshops to help you tap into your passion, feminine power, intuition, and creativity. Sessions are led by world-renowned artists, teachers, speakers, authors and healers from all over the world (including me).

If you’re feeling called to nourish yourself and have some fun during this season, to fully awaken your feminine power and stoke to that creative fire to make a difference and inspire others...

When you sign up you’re able to:

• Attend the retreat sessions around your schedule.
• Wear your comfy yoga pants. No need to brush your hair or look pretty.
• Drink tea from your favorite cup.
• Be a part of a global sisterhood of women who are saying YES!! to themselves, who are choosing to do this time of the year differently.

Now, more than ever, women need to listen to their soul, their calling, and live a life inspired and UNLEASHED. 

My session focuses on the inner child and serendipity. I'll walk you through the process of painting a poem using Oracle Cards. I'm looking forward to painting a poem with you. 

P.S. I know it can be easy to feel like there is so much to do during this time. But what if this was the best season yet? What if you created a time that felt sacred and connecting for you? What if you started 2020 feeling nourished, rested and inspired. 

It's been a long time since I ran a giveaway so I'm excited to share this lovely offering. It almost feels like I'm giving away TWO things because in less than two weeks the FREE Art is Magic: Make Create Express Online Creative Retreat takes place. 

You're Invited. CLICK HERE to be added as a participant. 

After the 27 lessons during the free weekend (July 6 & 7) we will continue in a paid year long course with another 27 lessons. And I've got a seat to giveaway for the year long experience. Keep reading to find out more about Art is Magic: Make Create Express and learn how to enter for that spot in the paid class. 

In the past, I've been a participant in the free Art is Magic online retreat, so when Galia asked me to be a teacher, I did not hesitate to say YES!!! It's a fun-filled super amazing line up of teachers and the weekend is always a blast. I've cleared my calendar for the weekend. 

The last time I participated, I filled an entire journal in one weekend. That made me happy. 

We gather in a private Facebook community for the weekend and each day 12 lessons are released. We get access to the lessons for 24 hours (unless you sign up for the year long experience, then you get the free lessons for the full year). I just imagine all of us sitting around the world making art together for two days -- GLORIOUS!!! 

There is something super powerful about showing up to make art every month. My current way of walking in the world includes experimentation in all things -- art is no exception. So I love a class that allows me to dabble in a variety of styles. I like when I can learn from some of my favorite teachers and get to meet new-to-me teachers. 

In the year long experience, we basically get 52+ weeks worth of content. That's a year of making, creating, and expressing ourselves through art. 

I had a lot of fun creating lessons for the retreat and the year long journey. My first lesson --during the free weekend is called "Tidbits Journal" and it's a functional creation that you'll hopefully use throughout the weekend. 

My lesson in the year long journey is called "Painted Poetic Pages" and I share several ways to create powerful pages with sentiments you create with your inner muse. 

Here are a couple of sneak peeks of my lessons. :-) 

First, let me say that I am not the only one giving a seat away, there are 14 other teachers giving away seats. Hence the blog hop. So be sure to hop around and enter more than once. See the list HERE. 

Now, here's how you can enter to win the seat I have to give. 
1. INSTAGRAM FOLLOW & SHARE: Be sure you are following me on Instagram!!! I'm @kialagives over there and it's my happy place when it comes to social media. Go to THIS post - like and comment. 
That gets you one entry. 

2. FACEBOOK SHARE: If you want another entry, share this blog post on Facebook. Just copy the URL -- http://kialagivehand.com/blog/GIVEAWAY- Make-Create-Express and share it on FB. In the caption, be sure to mention me by using @kialagivehand. You can say something as simple as -- check out this free online art retreat. 

3. COMMENT HERE: To get another entry, leave a comment here telling me the kind of art you are most drawn to and why. 

I "for reals" hope I get to see you in both the online retreat and the year long journey. YIPPIE!!!! 

I'll announce my winner here on June 29th at the end of the day. Stay tuned. 

With love and light...

It happened y'all!!! 
It really happened. 
We held our FIRST mini art retreat at the new studio and it was a blast. The five women who trusted us with their creative journey came from as far as Sarasota, Florida and as close as five minutes from the studio!! Some of the ladies had taken online classes with me, but I had never met any of them in person (except my mother -- standing to the right of Tiare). It was spectacular. I learned a lot from this first experience and I'm gearing up to create space for the next group of special women creatives. Stay tuned for details. But for now, let's recap our Creative Freedom Retreat with Tiare Smith. 

One of the things I always said I would do if I ever got my own studio was to invite other artists to share their journey and their art with the community. My version of that is called the Artist Talks. These are one hour talks where the guest teacher gets to share their story and their journey to creative empowerment. It ends with time for Q&A from the audience and gives the workshop participants a chance to see the artist in a different setting before the teaching begins. 

Tiare Smith is an amazing artist and she's one funny lady. She shared her creative path with us and told us all about what inspires her art, what stifles her, what helps her feel more confident, and how she created her unique style. She even talked a little about the business side of being an artist. I loved seeing all of her art hanging on our walls! And I especially loved seeing people buying her art and enjoying the work and love she puts into each creation. It was a real treat to listen to her art story and how it continues to unfold. 

We had two days of art making. It was glorious!!! 
Tiare is an amazing teacher with detailed instructions. She shows you how she does it, then sends you off to explore, play, and create in your own way. She encourages you to pick your own color palette, to find your creative style and voice using techniques she has mastered over the years. This is the kind of teaching I love because that means we all end up with something similar in some ways, yet different in others. 

Something special happens when women gather to make art -- it's magical, it's therapeutic, it's transformational. 

I LOVE LOVE LOVE teaching and being a part of online classes and events, AND I am finding that every now and then I need to sit with women side-by-side, in real time, in the same space, so that we can hug, look each other in the eye, pass each other a tissue, double over with deep belly laughter together, and break bread over transparent discussions about art, life, fear, and triumphs. We need these moments. The kind of moments where we share our truths. The kind of moments where we aren't being called on by others to do for them, but instead we are able to nourish our own desires and dreams. 

This is, in part, why Healing Arts Creativity & Empowerment Studio exists. It's a place for me to create with abandon and to invite other women to do the same. It's a place where we can gather and show up for ourselves and our creative practice. It's a place where I get to see my years of hard work come together to create a soft place to land for other women who are creative (or those who aren't but know they need to heal). 

The other thing that I realized from this Creative Freedom Retreat is that I prefer the small, intimate gathering of 6 to 12 souls. The studio can definitely hold about 20 women if I open both sides, but I think I will be opting for the intimate experiences over the "pack-em-in-like-sardines" experience. I'd rather sit in circle with a few women who really want to use the time to share, heal, and transform together. I am, after all, attempting to create immersive art experiences, NOT trying to recreate what we do, get, and give online. The number one reason to come make art with me at the studio is so that you get MORE than what I can give you online. More time with me, more experiential learning, more hugs, and more attention. 

So I hope you'll continue to follow the events at the studio and that you'll eventually come over for a sip of sweet tea, homemade red velvet cake, and a bit of southern hospitality done my way. 

I'm in conversation with several of my favorite online artists about coming to the studio to offer an immersive creative experience and YES, we hope to bring Tiare back for another beautiful session. And OF COURSE -- I have solo workshops in the plans too. Stay tuned. 

Let's gather. 
With love,