🌞 Joy as a Compass

A Mid-Year Invitation Back to Your Heart

This past weekend, something sacred unfolded.

I had the honor of guiding a beautiful group of people through a Mid-Year Magic cacao ceremony—our hearts opening in synchronicity, our breath slowing down, our intentions steeping like alchemy into every sip.

For many, it was their first experience sitting in sacred space with cacao. And what bloomed from that moment of presence was nothing short of transformative.

We stirred our own intentions into the cacao with love and reverence. We moved our bodies with intentionality, allowing stagnant energy to release. The sound bowls vibrated through the space—and one participant shared that it was the first time they had truly felt their healing power. Not just heard it—felt it. They didn’t know if it was the cacao, or the container, or the presence we all brought. But something shifted.

There were tears. There were journaled revelations. There was stillness, and also soul movement. It reminded me: this is my work. This is my joy. To hold space like this.It’s hard to put into words what it means to witness someone coming home to themselves—to watch a face soften, a breath deepen, a heart crack open just enough to let the light in.

Every time I lead a ceremony like this, I remember: this is it. This is what I’m here for. Not to hustle. Not to push. Not to force anything. But to create spaces where people can remember who they are. Where they can feel seen, safe, and sovereign. Where they can taste joy again—real joy, the kind that’s rooted in the body and spirit, not just surface-level smiles.

And joy… it’s been whispering to me lately. Nudging me, really. Today in my Facebook group, a card I pulled was all about curiosity—an invitation to come back to that childhood sense of wonder. And in a recent Shimmer session, the same theme surfaced: creativity, curiosity, joy. How do we rekindle them when we’ve been so deep in the noise, the grief, the grind?

This pattern is no coincidence. Joy is rising. It’s asking us to notice. And I believe, deeply, that now is the time to answer. The paradox is—joy doesn’t cancel out the grief. And grief doesn’t cancel out the joy.

There’s a shift happening in the world right now. A heaviness. A reckoning. We’re witnessing deep, collective heartbreak—genocide, displacement, hunger, and devastation playing out in real time all over the world. Families torn apart. Voices silenced. So much of what we thought we could rely on feels like it’s crumbling.

And for those of us who feel deeply—empaths, sensitives, soul-centered, light beings—the weight can be unbearable.

We can’t ignore it. We’re not meant to. But we also can’t live consumed by it.

This is what I keep learning, over and over: we hold both.

Joy is not denial. It’s not ignorance. It’s not turning a blind eye to what’s real and raw in the world. Joy is an anchor. A soft place to land. A breath of relief when everything else feels tight and heavy.

And then, there are the everyday anchors—the tiny, miraculous moments that tether me to now. Like my dog Tito’s pure delight as he sniffs the evening grass, his little tail curled so tightly, prancing with his little grin. The quiet comfort of walking beside my mom, our conversations meandering like the path beneath our feet.

The warmth of my bed in the early hours, the soft hush of a new day wrapping itself around me. The first sip of tea, fragrant and grounding. Watching bees find their rhythm among the blossoms, dragonflies dancing like sacred messengers through the yard. And the way wonder returns when I sit at my desk, letting my creativity pour into the journal pages I make for the goddesses I work with.

These are the whispers of joy that call me back to myself—again and again.

Joy doesn’t ask us to look away. It invites us to stay rooted in our humanity. To show up in the fullness of our compassion. To remember the light—our light—so we can keep offering it. Your joy is not frivolous.

It’s not a luxury or an indulgence or something you have to earn after you’ve checked all the boxes and done all the hard things. Your joy is a compass. A quiet inner pull toward aliveness, wholeness, and truth. It’s the signal from your soul that you’re on the right path.

In the Finding Joy program—and now in this mid-year gathering—I want to invite you into something radical: letting joy lead.

That doesn’t mean bypassing. It means softening into presence. It means noticing what lights you up and following that thread—not because it’s easy, but because it’s yours.

And let’s be real: for most of us, joy isn’t our default setting right now. We’ve been moving in survival mode for so long, it can feel awkward—even rebellious—to pause and ask: What would bring me delight today?

But that question… that’s where the shift begins. That’s where your deeper self starts to speak.

This workshop is an invitation back into that conversation. It’s where we pause, breathe, reflect, and ask the heart-opening questions that lead us back to the joy we’ve buried under the “shoulds” and “somedays.”

It’s time to reclaim that spark.

This is your gentle invitation into sacred space. A space to reclaim your joy.

On Saturday, July 12th from 11am - 1pm CST I’ll be holding virtual space for Joy as a Compass: A Mid-Year Virtual Retreat. This isn’t just a workshop—it’s a sacred pause. A soul check-in. A soft reset for your heart.

This event is free for paid Substack subscribers and is only $33 for everyone else.

We’ll gather in sacred circle, sip on your favorite cup (yes, cacao or tea is welcome!), and let joy lead the way. Through guided meditation, intuitive reflection, and intentional prompts, you’ll explore:

🌱 Where your joy has been hiding—and how to reconnect with it
🌕 What your soul truly desires in the second half of this year
🔥 How to move forward with softness, sovereignty, and clarity

Expect magic. Expect breakthroughs. Expect to feel like you again.

🎁 EXCLUSIVE BONUS for Attendees:
All participants will receive a $75 credit toward the full Finding Joy journey (either the regular or VIP tier). This bonus is only available to those who attend Joy as a Compass live or register in advance.

This is your invitation to soften into your next chapter. To let joy guide you home.

If the world feels overwhelming, know that your tenderness is not a flaw—it’s a compass.

One that doesn’t point toward burnout, people-pleasing, or perfection—but instead, toward ease. Wonder. Curiosity. Joy.

Let it guide you back to what’s real and good and grounding.

Joy as a Compass is a reminder that joy isn’t a frivolous luxury—it’s your inner guidance system. It’s what makes life feel rich, textured, and worth showing up for.

So if your soul is whispering yes…
If your heart aches for just a little more space to breathe, create, and feel again…
Come sit with us.

Let joy speak.
Let yourself be witnessed.
Let the healing begin.

🌿 Your seat is waiting:

And if you can’t join us live, know this: joy is still possible. Even in the smallest ways. Start there.

With love always,
Esmeralda Luna

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Upcoming Events

🌙 Moonlit Sanctuary Returns 🌙
Wednesday, July 9 | 7:00pm CST | Online Circle

You're invited to sink into sacred space under the summer sky. Moonlit Sanctuary is a gentle circle to breathe, reflect, and reconnect with yourself—no pressure, no performance, just presence.

Theme for July is Embracing Wholeness.

Mark your calendar, and join me in this shimmering pause. ✨

🌟 Coming Soon: Finding Joy – The Summer Series 🌟
Live Group Program beginning July 26th

This live 5-week group journey is for anyone needing a space to reconnect with joy—not the performative kind, but the soul-level, sacred joy that comes from coming home to yourself. It’s goddess-anchored, but this isn’t a goddess course—it’s a joy reclamation.

✨ Crystal Confidence: From Curiosity to Connection✨
Saturday, July 26 | 1pm - 2:30pm CST | The Soul Emporium, Goliad, TX

Hey crystal lovers, long-time keepers, and curious souls—come dive deep into the radiant world of crystals! This hands-on, beginner-friendly experience will leave you feeling confident, creative, and energetically tuned in—with your inner wisdom guiding the way.

✨ Shimmered Sanctuary: 1:1 Mentorship Invitation ✨

You don’t have to hustle to find your way home to yourself.

Shimmered Sanctuary is a sacred 1:1 mentorship space for those who are ready to reclaim their rhythm, soften into self-trust, and root into what truly matters.

If you’re longing for spaciousness, soulful guidance, and a container that honors your inner pace—this is your invitation.

✨ Come shimmer instead of shine. Let it be sacred. Let it be yours.