with Michelle Manley Vol. 1, Issue 1 August 8, 2026

A Greater Awareness of Co-Creation

Welcome to the very first issue of The Inspiration! Future issues of this free monthly newsletter will only be emailed to "confirmed" subscribers.

I’ve often wondered about art in museum basements, on inactive websites, and in people’s homes that blend into the furniture over time. Also books either collecting dust on shelves or already consumed on e-readers, perhaps never to be revisited. All work is ephemeral, after all. If there's no lingering memory or further interaction with an artwork it ceases in a way to exist. Of course, some works command more continual review than others.

What's exciting to me is the idea of sustainable co-creation. When we view, read and interact with creations we're co-creating on some level with the artist or author and our impressions will be filtered uniquely. For this reason I'm compelled to create works that accentuate co-creation and engage our multi-dimensionality as rooted in all of nature.

Slowly, but surely, I’m creating a set of oracle cards for contemplation, intuition development and divination. There will also be an accompanying book. The themes for many of these cards which illustrate various landscapes and wildlife will be explored in future newsletters as I share my progress.

I began studying and using tarot cards several years ago, and how well they convey guidance and insight when used properly always amazes me. As grateful and fond as I am of The Tarot, it has a specific structure that doesn't allow the inclusion of other equally important concepts and messages. This was a big part of my decision to create oracle cards instead, which have a more open structure.

I recently painted the study above which explores the theme of "new beginnings" for one of my cards. It's partly inspired by The Fool, a major arcana (major theme) tarot card and the first card of the deck numbered "0." My study obviously doesn't have the dimensions of a hand-held card, but letting go of parameters for sketches and studies allows freer exploration.

A Portal of Potential

Regarding new beginnings, we're currently experiencing the Lion's Gate Portal which occurs every year over the course of two weeks from late July to early August during Leo season.

Although I'm very familiar with the energy of number 8, I began working with Lion's Gate Portal energy a few years ago when I first heard about it.

Likely due to the numerology of 88, August 8 is regarded as the peak day of this period. After a lack of visibility from our perspective in the northern hemisphere for about 70 days, Sirius, the brightest evening star, can once again be seen in the early morning at this time of year. Also referred to as our "spiritual sun" by modern new age practitioners, Sirius appears to rise just before the expanding luminosity of our solar system's sun on the horizon.

This is considered to be a potent time for manifestation and personal empowerment because the number 8, which also resembles the infinity sign, symbolizes power, abundance, sustainability and support for taking calculated risks.

However, its energy is best used to create balance between our desire for material things and achievements and not letting the results of those desires determine our contentment or individual value.

Personal empowerment develops when we move forward without attachments to results. Easier said than done, but it's a time to remember or discover our reserves of inner strength. Leo energy supports courage, the confidence to be vulnerable and authentic, bold lion-hearted actions and creativity.

Note that the energies of number 8 are further intensified today because in numerology today's date 8/8/2026 reduces to 8!

2026: 2 + 0 + 2 + 6 = 10 = 1 (in basic numerology you drop the 0 to reduce to a single digit)

88: 8 + 8 = 16 → 1 + 6 = 7 (also, two-digit numbers are added together to produce a single number)

By adding these two reductions, 1 + 7, we get 8.

We can begin to sense and apply these energies when contemplating the lines and shape of the number 8. Even writing or sketching 8's is helpful in connecting with its energy. We can also embody it with yoga and physical rituals in sequences of 8. Take note of objects or creatures with 8 of something like spiders that unexpectedly cross your path and observe your response.

Apart from auspicious times, we can work with the energies of numbers as they appear before us in our daily lives. The most powerful and clear messages often present themselves in ways that stop us in our tracks. You may realize that other numbers have been calling for your attention as well.

The Strength major arcana card, which is numbered 8 in the tarot deck alongside the spirit of new adventure of The Fool card shown above beautifully tie together today's themes.

I look forward to sharing more of "The Inspiration" with you!

Best wishes,

M.M.

A Couple of Resources:

• I've learned a lot from astrologer Jessica Adams' website over the years. She has extensive knowledge and unique interpretations of the tarot: https://www.jessicaadams.com/divination/the-tarot/smith-waite/​

• This is a well established site if you're interested in learning about numerology as well as the basics of tarot: https://numerologist.com​