The Alchemy of Joy
A ritual and a reminder that you are always allowed to have your joy
Hi friends! Happy Tuesday! I hope your day is off to a good start.
So let’s talk about joy.
With everything happening in the world, joy can feel… far away. Or undeserved. Or even unattainable.
But I want to remind you:
Joy is resistance.
Joy is ritual.
Joy is alchemy. It makes room for light without denying the dark.
Having joy doesn’t mean you’re not aware. It doesn’t mean you’re not heartbroken or angry or overwhelmed.
It just means you haven’t let the world—or what’s going on in your life, if you’re currently facing a difficult time—take everything from you. That’s what joy protects.
There’s power in joy. Not the kind sold to us, but the kind we reclaim. The kind that reminds you that you’re still allowed to laugh, to rest, to dance, to live—even now. Especially now.
Joy can be a playlist. A deep breath. A second cup of coffee. A good book. A walk with your dog.
Joy doesn’t ignore what’s happening—it refuses to let it take everything.
And you are allowed to have it.
A Ritual to Remember Joy
You’ll need:
A candle (any kind)
Your favorite song that brings you joy or comfort
A pen + paper (or your Notes app, if you’d rather)
Step 1:
Light the candle.
Let the flame remind you: joy doesn’t need to be big to be real.
It just needs to be embraced.
You’re just remembering what’s still alive in you.
Step 2:
Play your song—the one that makes you want to move a little, or smile, or cry in a good way.
Let it fill the space. Let it fill you.
Step 3:
Write or whisper the answer to this:
“When do I feel most joy?”
Let whatever comes be enough.
A memory, a moment, a scent, a place.
You’re not trying to fix anything—you’re just remembering.
Step 4:
Blow out the candle. Say softly:
“I choose joy. I protect it. I return to it again and again.”
If you’d like to explore more joy through an astrological lens, I also have an Audible Original called Happiness by the Signs—a cosmic guide to a more joyful life. It’s available now through all Audible memberships.
Sending you so much love today and always🖤
- Val
My 3 current reading offerings and they all have limited space:
PERSONAL ASTROLOGER EXPERIENCE— providing personalized cosmic guidance over 1, 2, and 3 months.
ARIES SEASON READING — make the most of Aries season with this powerful personalized birth chart reading
HOLISTIC BOOK EDITING & COSMIC CREATIVE STRATEGY — soulful storytelling, star-powered branding, making magic.
Book a 1:1 reading with me here
Read Cosmic Care, about the magic of astrology for self-care and empowerment
Listen to my latest Audible Original Happiness by the Signs, a cosmic guide to a happier life
Get my astrology deck Cosmic Magic Oracle
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Valerie Tejeda is the bestselling author of Self Care by the Signs, Self Care by the Moon, Good on Paper, Cosmic Care, Happiness by the Signs, Cosmic Magic Oracle deck/book, and is featured as a well-being expert guest on the new Audible Original podcast Self-Conscious with Chrissy Teigen. She’s also an astrologer with a degree in psychology and certificates in astrology and music therapy. Her bylines have appeared in publications such as Self magazine, Vanity Fair, Teen Vogue, Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Latina, et al, and she's been featured in Well+Good, Parade Magazine, did a reading for ABC’s Bachelorette, and was featured alongside Deepak Chopra and Mel Robbins for Audible’s best in well-being, and more. She is also the creator of the digital pop astrology brand Big Cosmic Energy. Connect with her on Instagram and TikTok and find more info here.
