ahhtherapy ~newsletter ~june 2026

Living Better. Living well. It begins with the exhale ~"Ahh"

Dear beautiful soul,

So we are now in the second half of the year. The solstice has passed, although it feels like we're just starting the summer. And in our modern tradition, we are.

But energetically, the sun is at its height. And in this really lovely, luscious, abundant time of year, sometimes we, as empaths, sensitive souls, and heart-centered people, can feel a little overwhelmed. The energy is big. It's intoxicating. It's high energy. We may find ourselves pushing through things, rushing things, taking on more than we can, and going to party after party or event after event. And as sensitive people, that can definitely wear us down.

So this is a time to really step back and ask: What is your energy like? What are you doing? Where are you giving too much? Where do you need to pause, restore, and come back to yourself?

The Sun at Its Height

The other thing is the sun's energy itself. If we look at what the sun is all about, the sun is about clarity. It is about strength. It carries a divine masculine energy.

And what does the divine masculine look like? I know in recent years we've been really in touch as a society with what toxic masculine looks like, but have we given much thought to divine masculinity? We all carry masculine and feminine qualities within us. The masculine within us is our leadership, our courage, our bravery. It is the part of us that protects those we love, stands up with integrity, and acts from sovereignty. It's the part of us that moves like a devoted dad, a steady coach, or even a quiet superhero — the kind that loves, supports, helps, inspires.

The Oak King and the Holly King

There's an old tale on the Wheel of the Year about the Oak King and the Holly King, usually told as a battle, the two meeting at the solstice to fight for the season. But I find myself less drawn to the battle version this year, and more to a gentler reading: what if it isn't a story about defeat at all, but about fulfillment?

By the time the Oak King reaches Litha, his work is already done — the gardens are full, the nests are built, the world is thriving because of what he tended since spring. So when he meets the Holly King beneath the solstice sun, he doesn't lose. He hands off the light freely, brother to brother, knowing his season was a success and trusting the next one to carry on.

That's the sacred masculine I want to talk about — not power over, but responsibility for. Not control, but stewardship. The steady hand that tends the fire, keeps its promises, and shows up again and again, long after the excitement of the beginning has worn off.

Healthy masculine energy can look like doing the right thing, helping others, taking extra steps to support someone, or taking on something that is good for the overall community. It is a leadership stance. It is doing the right thing and being a hero for others, without the pomp or the pats on the back. Just doing it because it is right.

The Empath as Leader

For empaths, sometimes that can feel a little scary. We don't always like to be in the spotlight. We don't always like to take on too much. And sometimes it scares us to be the leader, because leadership can feel like being overly seen.

But here's the part most people miss: a healthy empath doesn't just lead — they lead in a way that heals and transforms everything they touch. And yes, that often starts with the work — shadow work, deeper inner healing. It means protecting your soul, finding your ground, reconnecting with your strength, and rooting yourself before stepping fully into your solar plexus and your passions.

Once we begin to heal, once we start moving beyond our trauma, we can begin to act from empowerment instead of victimhood. That doesn't mean the trauma disappears completely — it transforms. It alchemizes. The wounds and scars become the beauty marks of our souls. We begin to relate to our pain differently. We begin to stand in our strength instead of our wounds.

And when we do that, we hold a unique stance. We are intuitive and sensitive, and we can use that sensitivity to lead others in a way that builds their confidence and supports their healing. Because of our heightened sensitivity, we can sense things others miss. Because we have done the work ourselves, we know how to help, how to heal. Because we know what it means to walk through the fire of our own pain and still find our way back home to ourselves.

We are born nurturers, born caretakers — and, returning to the inner divine masculine merging with the divine feminine within us, we are born to protect others and give them strength. We can hold space for pain because we hold strength within us. The noble and the nurturer, woven into one.

The Noble and the Nurturer

This is a powerful time of year to acknowledge that. To empower ourselves. To be grateful for all the work we've done. To step back and ask: What have I given my community? My family, my friends, the people I love? And — just as sacred — what have I given myself?

Maybe this is also a time to accept a little praise. To be grateful for your own generosity. To recognize that what you give matters.

Where have I been generous? Where have I shown up?

Or, if you've been given to, this may be a beautiful time to give back — to be the provider in some way. Ask yourself: Where do I still have energy? What can I offer from fullness rather than depletion? Maybe it isn't about physical strength at all. Maybe it's time. Maybe it's holding someone emotionally, letting them be vulnerable with you, and promising to safeguard what they share as sacred.

Where have I grown since Yule, and what strides have I made toward the intentions I planted there? Where do I need to course-correct? What's my plan for the next six months? How can I give myself more of the feelings and experiences I crave?

This is also a beautiful time to look at your dreams and desires. Do you still carry the intentions you set at the start of the year? How far have you traveled with them?

The Strawberry Full Moon in Capricorn

We're moving toward the Strawberry Full Moon in Capricorn — a moon that feels both sweet and serious. The Strawberry Moon speaks to ripening, fullness, what's ready to be gathered. It asks us to notice what has grown, what's become more alive, what deserves to be celebrated.

But Capricorn brings a different wisdom. This isn't just dreamy moon energy — there's earth beneath it, structure, backbone. This moon asks: What are you building? What needs more commitment? Where are you ready to take your dreams more seriously?

So this isn't only a moment to reflect. It's a moment to add fuel to what's already alight — to get clear on what's ready to mature, what needs stronger boundaries, what deserves your steady devotion.

The sweetness is there. So is the invitation to become more grounded, more honest about the life you're creating.

And this is a good time to release what no longer works. To realign your energy. To ask what needs to shift so you can move forward with more clarity, strength, and intention.

Coming Up: Fourth of July Special

✨ Fourth of July Special ✨

Don't we all need a little more freedom? Not just the kind we celebrate with fireworks — but the kind that happens inside of us.

Freedom from second-guessing. Freedom from spiraling. Freedom from carrying everyone else's energy. Freedom from standing at the crossroads and not knowing which way to go.

Sometimes what we really need is not another opinion. We need a sacred pause, a moment of clarity, and space for our own intuition to be heard.

This offering feels especially aligned with the energy of summer, because summer is all about illumination, expansion, confidence, visibility, and freedom.

Summer asks: Where are you ready to stop dimming your light? Where are you ready to feel more alive? Where are you ready to stop second-guessing yourself?

Tarot helps shine light on what has felt foggy, hidden, confusing, or emotionally tangled. For empaths and sensitive souls, summer can feel exciting but overstimulating — full of plans, people, decisions, energy, and expectations.

This Fourth of July, I'm offering:

Two 50-minute Zoom tarot readings for $99.

Readings are intuitive, supportive, and tailored to whatever is unfolding in your life right now. All readings must be scheduled within two months of purchase, and once you purchase, I'll reach out to book your sessions.

Here are some things people have shared:

"This reading gave me a lot to think about. It helped me be mindful and in the present. I cried through the whole reading, but in a good way… it felt like a release. Shana did a beautiful job. It definitely made me feel more open to new opportunities. It gave me peace of mind about going forward and reminded me to keep working on things. I felt very seen. Shana was very detailed and explained everything piece by piece, which was great, especially for people who are newer to it.” CL

“Working with Shana felt comfortable in a way that caught me off guard. She has a composed presence that makes it easy to open up...What stood out most was how tuned in she was. She noticed things I did not even say. She helped me trust the things I had been sensing but hesitating to acknowledge. The way she reflected my feelings back made them feel valid and aligned. It helped me see that I already knew the direction I needed to go- I just needed the right kind of clarity to step into it.” - EM

Lead from Your Light

So as the sun climbs high and the moon ripens overhead, may you find the courage to lead from your own light, the tenderness to tend your own garden, and the clarity to know which parts of your story are ready to be alchemized into gold.

Shine brightly and feel the warmth of this solstice sun,

Shana