We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley Garcia and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Ashley, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I don’t think I saw the importance of balance in work life and personal life until I realized I was burnt out. I try to express the importance of self love and boundaries to my clients and I noticed I wasn’t practicing what I was preaching and ended up emotionally and physically drained. This forced me take a break from reading tarot and creating my intention products. Since then I def try to listen to my body, my emotions and my feelings and implemented a schedule for self care, rest and work. I only allow myself a certain amount of readings during the weekdays, I works specific days and hours on my products and I ensure I spend time in my healing, self love and connection to spirit. As in all things life has there is balance – day and night, good and bad, light and dark – therefore I believe to stay in a positive and non stagnant state we must have balance within our own lives.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
So much keeps me busy! Making my products and putting good intentions and energy definitely keeps me busy, being able to ensure my energy is right when I create products is important. So mentally, physically and spiritually I make sure I a good before I do any type of spiritual work. Let’s not forget to mention sourcing the herbs and oils that go into my products. My clients who get guidance and advice from their ancestors, spirit guides and passed loved ones through tarot readings are a huge part of my busy schedule. I meet people in person in and around the Houston area and I also offer virtual readings for my clients in other cities and states via IG, zoom and FaceTime. I also like to participate in local pop-up markets including the Witches’ Night Out Conjuring Market offered only four times a year and Trendsetters Market which are held monthly.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
This is a difficult question! Houston is so diverse and there are so many amazing hidden treasures around the city! I would first start off by getting some amazing lunch at Second Slice Sandwich shop in the Second Ward area of Houston. Owned by Lucia and Jesse – people with great energy, serving some amazing, made with love sandwiches – The College Dropout, Pizza Melt and PB&J are just three of my go to favs on their menu. They are located inside the Cameron Iron Works building which is unique within itself since its a renovated historical warehouse that has storage containers as retail shops inside – a few of my favs are Simply Vintage, Coco Select, Segundo Coffee Shop, Cargo Houston and so many more! After that I def would take my friend down to Buffalo Bayou and walk through downtown Houston. We’d def stop at my favorite metaphysical shop Moon Magic, located in Spring Branch. They cater to all spiritual walks in life, they offer spiritual cleansing for monetary offerings once a month and all employees are knowledgeable of different spiritual paths. Since we are in the area I would stop next door to Space City Ink and get a tattoo from Jesse or Demon and piercing from Tony or Big Boy – they’ve been in Buissnes in the area for over 20 years and are very knowledgeable on aftercare and any concerns you might have. I love the outdoors so some great outdoor spots I would stop out throughout the week would be the houston arboretum & nature center to go on a beautiful nature walk to check out the beautiful animals you would be surprised to see right in th heart of the city. We’d have to stop at the Houston Galleria to go Ice Skating and then stop a few blocks down at Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park to take some great pictures! Sometime during the week would would have to fit in Cool Runnings Jamaican Grill off W Belford Ave, A must stop spot for some Mexican food would be Dona Maria off Navigation! If you are out on the weekends in that area I would definitely stop and take a walk on the Navigation Esplanade where you’ll find some of Houston’s local vendors! Another favorite food spot (can you tell I like to eat?) is District 7 Grill, which has 3 different locations around the city. If you want something a little more formal nicer I enjoy Houston’s on Kirby, Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse and a MUST is Xochi an Oaxacan restaurant off Walker. Okay we definitely have to stop and grab a drink to celebrate just being in this wonderful city – I would go to my favorite little chill spot, a hidden gem really Sassafras, located off Pinemont Dr., bar with spacious patio seating offers a pool table, jukebox tunes & sports on TVs. If you like a bigger crowd we could stop at a few of th local breweries around town like Karbach Brewing Company, 8th Wonder, Saint Arnold Brewery, Buffalo Bayou Brewing and Holler Brewing Company. If you’d like a nice Wine and lounge setting, How to Survive on Land & Sea is a great wine bar that have a huge collection of wine and a diverse selection of vinyl record music! We can’t forget to hit up the amazing museums like The Graffiti & Street Art Museum of Texas, Harrisburg Art Museum and The Houston Museum of Fine Arts and so many more! Discovery Green is also an amazing place to take visitors when in town. I mean I could sit here and name so many places and go on and on and on but that list would definitely get you started.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost I want to thank creator, Mother Earth, father sky, my angels, my ancestors, my spirit guides and all my past loved ones for creating me, for guiding me, for loving and protecting me along this journey. So many people play an important role in my success and growth in my story. If I had to dedicate my shoutout to anyone, I’d want to dedicate it to all my clients, followers and supporters! Those who entrust me with their energy, in their healing journey, those who trust the energy I put into my intention items; without them Velas Del Soul would be non-existent.
I have great support system and group of friends who deserve credit in my journey and success as well. My good friend and mentor Aventura, owner of Space City Ink and Moon Magic; encouraged me to do my first pop up market where I successfully sold my dressed intention candles. I also was asked to read tarot publicly and shortly after I started reading tarot and selling my candles and other intention items at Moon Magic located in Houston Texas.
Website: www.velasdelsoul.com
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Twitter: @velasdelsoul
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