Magic Muse Interviews No. 2

Nicola McIntosh of Spirit Stone

Mar 07, 2024

I have known Nicola for a few years now, and greatly admire her incredible work. Her knowledge runs deep and is steeped in both Western and Eastern traditions, lending a very comprehensive and integrative approach to her herbal craft. Her unique visioning of the fae and celtic spirituality is offered in abundance through her beautifully well-written and illustrated books and decks, and I am so happy that we get to know her a little more through this interview! Grab a cup of tea, find your furry companions and settle in for a read.

Introduce yourself - who are you, and what do you do?

My name is Nicola and I am an artist, author and herbalist. I create art that is inspired by nature and Celtic history, whether that be oracle cards, ceramics or books

How did you get started on your path?

It’s been a gradual process of just taking up art hobbies, which then progressed into a passion to create everything! I was working in an office and was in a relationship that was breaking down. I turned to making things with crystals to help me through and discovered a drive in me that I hadn’t known before. By the time I moved to the mountain my life was really off the rails and doing creative things and getting out into nature became my therapy. My connection to nature made me realise how important it is in our lives and how this connection is lacking a lot in daily life.

I used to love drawing when I was little and in high school, but veered off the path in my early 20’s. Coming back to drawing has been the best part of finding my path. I realised that I could make a difference and educate at the same time with my art. I like to do things that have purpose, so this is what motivates me all the time.

What/who are your greatest muses and what/who do you draw inspiration from?

I don’t actually have any. I see the beauty in so many people’s work and draw my inspiration from nature and Celtic works. There are so many great artists these days, I try to draw my inspiration from everywhere and try to create my own unique way of doing things. I like a challenge, so the longer the project the better.

What little rituals do you have to start your day?

I always get up and spend time with my cat Willow on the mat in the lounge room where the first sun shines through the window. I think she loves it as much as I do. I believe in making precious moments and spending as much time as you can with your animals, as you are all they have.

I usually do a tarot or oracle card reading while I’m sitting on the ground with Willow to start the day and light some incense when I get up. If I am a bit out of sorts or needing some inspiration, I will meditate and ask my guides or spirit to help me with my projects. I love to do some smudging with Palo Santo as well.

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Do you have any little rituals to end your day?

I always write my to do list before I go to bed so I don’t have anything I need to think about when I go to sleep. I don’t have any rituals that I do because I am generally too tired, but my favourite thing in the world is when Willow comes to bed as soon as the lights are off and she gently feels around to find my leg or my foot and sits on it. It makes me smile and I realise how grateful I am of my life and the simple things.

Tell us what you like to do in your free time, do you have any hobbies?

Free time is a funny word for me because all my free time is taken up with all my hobbies. My hobbies have become what I do for business, so it is art, pottery and writing. I wish I had more time in my days to do everything!

Give us your best advice for either business or life (or both).

I do love Nike’s slogan ‘Just Do It’. You’ll never know if you don’t try and failure always means lessons learned, which means there is no such thing as failing.

I don’t like to have any regrets and if I do, I listen to that feeling and make the things I’ve always wanted to do happen. Regrets sometimes mean your soul is
trying to guide you in that direction.

Another saying I live by is ‘If not me then who and if not now, when?’ Have the courage to stand up for what you believe in and step in when something is unjust or someone is being treating unfairly. Stand up for the underdog and stand up when you know others want to but don’t have the courage. Be the leader, be the change, because you never know who is watching you and who you inspire.

Do you have a favourite plant, and if so, what is it and why?

I love Oak trees. Anything to do with Oaks, acorns…anything. From a Celtic perspective they were revered. They represent strength, wisdom and perseverance. They can also be used as a medicine for the spirit or for physical ailments and in Shamanism you can use the Oak tree as a door into the Otherworld. The Irish name for Oak is Duir (door).

Do you have any dreams that you are wanting to bring forth in the near future?

Yes! I want to create online courses to teach Plant Spirit Medicine making and everything herbal. I want to continue to grow my business and teach people about the importance of self-care and taking time out to have a cuppa and just ‘be’. Making ceramic cups, teas and oracle cards and my way of bringing my spiritual practices and my artwork together to help people with this, but also to help them find peace through finding nature and themselves in the process.

How can our community support your work?

Follow me on my socials or purchase my products from my website. I create my products around my current day job, so hopefully one day I will be able to do it full time and make many more creations!

If you do purchase my oracle cards online, make sure to buy them from a reputable source so you know you are getting an authentic copy, as there are counterfeit products out there with no guidebooks.

You can find Nicola and see more of her work on Instagram and via her website. If you want to purchase some of Nicola’s decks or books, make sure you find an authentic copy. You can find them all on her website too!