PUMPKIN SPICE & WHAT'S NOT SO NICE ABOUT FEAR: A collective reading for Spooky Season

Illustration by Angela Fernot.

Hi there besties,

It’s me again. October's here with all its pumpkin-spiced glory, and everyone's talking about what scares them most. Clowns? Heights? The state of our economy? Valid, all of it. But let's talk about the real horror show—fear itself, and how it's been living rent-free in your head.

As your friendly neighborhood eclectic, I tapped into what I hoped you needed to hear most right now (because the universe and I have regular coffee dates where we discuss your business). When I say "tapped in," I mean I ask the universe to tell me what the collective needs to hear, and the message came through loud and clear: fear is keeping you stuck. Same. So, what do we do about it?

Before we dive off the deep end, remember, take what resonates, leave the rest. Not everything has to fit perfectly for it to move something within you. Ok?

You've Got the Juice, But Where's the Direction?

Listen, you've got energy for days. Like, enough to power a small village or at least get through your to-do list without three existential crises. But fear's got you spinning like a broken GPS—"recalculating" every 5 seconds because you're terrified of picking the wrong route.

Fear wants you to believe that narrowing down your focus means giving up possibilities, but actually? It means giving yourself permission to go all-in on something that matters...

Here's the tea: your current plans are showing some cracks, and maybe it's time to stop patching them over and start fresh. Fear wants you to believe that narrowing down your focus means giving up possibilities, but actually? It means giving yourself permission to go all-in on something that matters instead of half-assing 17 different dreams.

Snake Energy Says: Shed or Stay Dead

Our slithery friend showed up with a message that's equal parts wisdom and warning. You know how snakes shed their skin to grow? Yeah, well, you're basically a snake right now, and staying in your old skin isn't "playing it safe"—it's suffocating.

Where can your possibilities actually bloom when you stop lying to yourself about what you've outgrown?

The shedding process is vulnerable as hell. You're literally naked and soft until the new you hardens up. But here's what I need you to ask yourself: what do you need to step INTO fear instead of running away from it? Where can your possibilities actually bloom when you stop lying to yourself about what you've outgrown?

Because spoiler alert: everything you want is on the other side of getting real with yourself.

Time to Question Your Own Rules

Speaking of getting real, let's talk about those rigid little beliefs you've been carrying around like designer baggage. You know the ones—the "I should do this" and "people like me don't do that" rules that sound suspiciously like someone else's voice in your head.

The most rebellious thing you can do right now is trust yourself.

The whole established order of things is getting a cosmic audit right now, and you're being asked the uncomfortable question: are these beliefs actually serving you, or are you just following them because you're scared of what happens if you don't?

The most rebellious thing you can do right now is trust yourself. I know, wild concept.

You Don't Have to Do This Alone (Thank God)

Through all your hard work and determination (and yes, those panic spirals count as work too), you're actually manifesting some pretty incredible stuff. You've got more stability than you think, more support than you realize.

Find your people—the ones who'll witness both your wins and your "what was I thinking" moments without judgment.

Find your people—the ones who'll witness both your wins and your "what was I thinking" moments without judgment. They're not just cheerleaders; they're proof that your fear is normal and excitement for whatever beautiful disaster comes next.

Horse Medicine: Break Free or Stay Penned

Horse energy is galloping through this reading like it owns the place, and honestly, it kind of does. This is about power, strength, and that wild yearning for freedom that keeps you doom-scrolling at 3 a.m.

You've got the resilience and drive to absolutely thrive, but first you need to break free from whatever constraints are keeping you small. Fear loves a good cage—keeps you "safe" and contained and completely unable to run toward what you actually want.

So what would happen if you set yourself free?

So what would happen if you set yourself free? (Ah ah ah. Where’s my squirt bottle? Before you say "disaster," consider that maybe disaster is just another word for "plot twist." Trust the process.)

When Doubt Shows Up Uninvited

Here's the thing about leaning too hard on everyone else's validation—sometimes it becomes your excuse to give up on yourself. There's this French phrase, je n'ai pas peur—I am not afraid. Channel that energy when doubt whispers its familiar garbage.

You might be juggling too many projects (guilty as charged, probably), but don't let overwhelm become your reason to abandon ship.

You might be juggling too many projects (guilty as charged, probably), but don't let overwhelm become your reason to abandon ship. Everything you want—that dream, that conversation, that leap, that version of yourself you're scared to meet—it's all waiting on the other side of fear.

The Dreamer's Beautiful Problem

Your imagination is both a blessing and a curse right now. So many ideas, so many shiny possibilities calling your name like sirens trying to shipwreck your focus. But here's where Warbler medicine comes in clutch.

Warblers represent balance—between dreaming and doing, between instinct and reason. Your unique voice matters. Your creative expression matters. Your dreams deserve to see daylight, even if they're not perfect, even if your hands shake while you share them.

Your dreams deserve to see daylight, even if they're not perfect, even if your hands shake while you share them.

The warbler's song is different every time, just like yours. It's a reminder that you don't have to sound like anyone else to be heard. You just have to open your mouth and let it out.

The Real Talk

Fear isn't going anywhere, besties. It's not a monster to slay; it's more like that anxious friend who means well but needs to be told to sit down sometimes. You can feel afraid and still do the thing. You can be terrified and still create. You can shake and still step forward.

This spooky season, instead of hiding behind what scares you, what if you used it as a compass? What if the thing that makes your stomach flip is actually pointing toward exactly where you need to go?

What old skin are you ready to leave behind? What cage are you ready to unlock? What song are you finally ready to sing?

The snake doesn't shed because it's comfortable—it sheds because staying the same size would kill it. The horse doesn't run because the path is clear—it runs because freedom is worth the risk. The warbler doesn't sing because it knows who's listening—it sings because silence is the only real failure.

What old skin are you ready to leave behind? What cage are you ready to unlock? What song are you finally ready to sing?

Your answers are waiting on the other side of that fear you've been carrying around like a security blanket.

Time to put it down and see what you're really made of.

Just don't burn the messenger, okay?

Love you deeply and dearly, Seph 

P.S. If this stirred something up, good. Fear means you're getting close to something that matters. Now go do something about it.