TOOL SERIES - Tarot

 Merry meet, friends.

Image from RosieLea - Pixabay

The tarot is an ancient art of laying out and interpreting illustrated cards to gain insight into your past, present, and future. (Mind, Body, Spirit)

According to the dictionary - 

1. playing cards, traditionally a pack of 78 with five suits, used for fortune-telling and (especially in Europe) in certain games. The suits are typically swords, cups, coins (or pentacles), batons (or wands), and a permanent suit of trump.

   "tarot is a powerful way of revealing the truth about your life"

There are many different tarot deck designs. Browse the shop on Llewellyn.com and you'll be scrolling for some time, so pour yourself a drink and enjoy the view. 

When I was about twelve, my (step) mom gave me an interesting little pocket book by Dell Purse Books called Your Destiny in 36 cards. (published in 1969)  You'll find a copy at Abe Books . This book uses a standard deck of cards. I haven't used this in many years but I did dig it off my cluttered bookshelf this morning to share with you.

I have two decks that I really love working with. One is the Everyday Witch Tarot by Deborah Blake with beautiful artistry by Elisabeth Alba. There is a standard size deck (complete with guide book) as well as a mini set I have my eye on. 

I also have a Color Your Own Tarot Deck I picked up several  years ago at Barnes & Noble. I love this set because when I draw a card, I can use colored pencils to color in the image as I focus on the message the card wants me to receive while infusing my energy into the card - making it my own. 

There are many ways to read Tarot. You could choose to pull just one card every day. I like to keep a journal of my cards. For this I use the journal pages from MyLifeMyPlans on Etsy.  With this digital, I was able to print the pages out in any size. I chose a personal planner size.  Keeping a journal of your readings allows you to look back and see if there've been any changes in your tarot practice. 

Don't think you can read Tarot or interpret the cards? No problem. A lot of decks come with guide books or there is a wide variety of books available. One of my favorites is Illustrated Tarot Spreads. Also, as I was collecting links I found this one on Amazon. The price $11.11 - you know the numbers had my attention! The book is called Tarot Spreads Workbook.

Whether you have a deck you love or want to test the reading waters, check out the article on Llewellyn about Reading and Ceremony for Charging A Tarot Deck.

If you don't own a tarot deck or haven't pulled yours out in awhile, I encourage you to become familiar with this medium in your practice.

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry Meet, friends!

Our last full week in July. August then fall celebrations are just around the corner. The Wheel seems to turn quicker as we age, doesn't it?

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

TOOL SERIES - Crystals : An Introduction

 Merry Meet, friends!

As I began researching for this post, I realized that while CRYSTALS are an important tool in our practice, like their facets, their are many different aspects to each one. So, I'm going to introduce CRYSTALS in this post and give you some book titles you might want to explore. I'll turn Crystals into their own series in the future.

I want to start with the Kitchen Witch's Guide to Magickal tools by Patricia Telesco.

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In the opening of Chapter 14 on Crystals, Patricia gives this background:

"In looking at our community, there's no doubt tat we love our pretty, shiny things not only in jewelry but as implements of the altar, components to spellcraft..... Humankind has always been drawn to stones and utilized them in a wide variety of ways."

She goes on to showcase a small selection of crystals and their meanings.

YA Fantasy author, Sarra Cannon always has a variety of crystals both on her desk at home as well as set up in her work area when she goes out to a coffee shop to write or retreat stay. 

    

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Melanie Marquis reminds us that crystals are a natural substance and that they, as well as other rocks have intrinsic magickal powers. They are an energy source. If you've ever walked into a rock & gem store or a New Age shop without cloaking yourself from the energy, you may feel a bit off-kilter (putting things mildly)  Some people react differently to the various stones and at varying levels. 

Artworks of Nature Website

While on my recent trip to Central Illinois, I felt off-balance while walking through the mall. Now, keep in mind this was before I found an amazing shop. I've seen shops like this in stand-alone brick n mortar but never in a mall. I was in love the moment I stepped into their doors. Follow the link above and check out their website.  Anyway, after taking a moment to cloak I wandered the store until I came across the Amethyst stones. Mind you, I didn't take any crystals with me. I only wore my protection amulet give to me by a friend but the amulet wasn't doing what I needed. I needed the 'balance' of the amethyst. I found a CHARMED Amethyst bracelet with a Triquetra charm. I don't know if it was the other stones in the shop or putting that particular stone close to my skin that did the trick. I felt much better. 

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If jewelry is your thing, check out Ms. Deborah Blake's book above. Beginning on page 32, you'll find instructions for a gemstone necklace. We'll explore more of each of the books mentioned during the Crystal Series.

In the mean time, I hope you'll add these books to your craft library (if you haven't already) and I'll see next week.

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry Meet, friends!

I spent a good portion of last week at the RSJ romance writer's conference. Lots of good energy coming into this week. How is your July going so far?

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

FULL MOON - Buck Moon

 Merry Meet, friends!

The Buck Moon peaks tonight. I'm ready to recharge my soulful batteries and continue with pitching more from my studio. A good cleansing is needed.

We still have heat here in southern Missouri. 

If you've not prepared for tonight, here are a few things to keep in mind:

*A Full Moon is great for charging crystals, charging boards (a board used to absorb energy outside so you can charge items inside the home if needed)

* Start a gratitude journal. Sometimes we get so busy focusing on all the garbage in our live, we forget all the good things we can be thankful for.

* Cleanse your space (and your personal entity) with sage. 

* Have something you on your mind you need to extinguish? Write the thought on a piece of paper and burn in your cauldron, adding a little incantation to send the problem on it's way.

* Dance in the moonlight, freeing yourself of all the things that are weighing you down.  (skyclad is an option) This will help ground you to the earth.

* Light a candle. Thank the Earth Moon for providing you with the cleansing energy, allowing you to move forward.

* Fill a bottle with spring water (preferably) and place in the moonlight for future ritual purposes.

* Meditate. I love to light a candle and meditate with the flame. 

* Drum. This is a great way to offer thanks.

* Take a cleansing bath. I recommend The Book of Sacred Baths:52 Bathing Rituals to Revitalize Your Spirit by Paulette Kauffman Sherman

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

TOOLS SERIES - Candles

 Merry Meet, friends!

I do apologize for coming in late today. I just could not stay awake this morning so I went back to bed. Then I awoke to rolling thunder and pounding rain, so no internet. I guess that means, I'm right on time.

AI generated from Pixabay

Candles have so many purposes in our magic tool box. 

Let's start with the colors. I LOVE colors. Like stones or the clothes we wear, each color has its own vibe and correspondence.  If you want to attract money, use a green candle. Love, red or pink are the colors to use, black for shielding or warding of negativity, and so on. White, a non-color can be used for anything. Just visualize the color and the intent and you're good to go.

If you've made a wish and blown out a birthday candle, you've been practicing magic. Though, we now know, you should never blow out a candle. Either snuff the candle or let the flame burn down, depending on the spell. 

Candles are great for those still practicing in secret, or 'in the broom closet'. If someone askes, just tell them you felt like using a purple candle today or a specific scented candle. No one will be the wiser. Remember, the intent comes from within. 

I'm in the process of revamping my magic area. Such a jumble of things, including a tub full or books I need to find shelf space for and a vintage wardrobe from the 1800's that serves as my altar - or should be.  I'll get there. 

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One of the books I love on candle magic is Magical Candle Crafting by Ember Grant. This is a great resource for creating your own candles for spells & rituals.

I love the 'chime' candles for spells. They're only about 4" tall and the size of your pointer finger. If you don't have some place local for chime candles or their small ceramic holders, do a search on Etsy for chime candles and holders. You'll be shopping for awhile. I especially like this Selenite holder. Adds a little something extra to your intention. 

You can also search for Candle Magic Guides if you'd like pintables for your BOS.

If you like things a bit more visual, there are several on YouTube. This one by Ethony has great basic information. Even if you've been doing candle magic for awhile, sometimes going back to basics sparks something you'd not thought of or forgotten.  I will say, she's a bit 'entertaining' but the information is there. 

When talking about intentions, colors are not the only thing to keep in mind. You can enhance the intention by carving sigels, rune signs or other images such as hearts or dollar signs into the candle for added umph. 

However you work with candles, always keep safety in mind. Your candle should be placed in a sturdy base, small cauldron, terra cotta dish or similar item. Adding a base of sand is also a good idea. Never leave a candle unattended. If you're doing candle magic that requires you to burn from one marking to another over a period of five days, for instance, always make sure you have the time to be vigilant with the candle the entire time it needs to burn. Always extinguish with a candle snuffer. I've picked mine up at Dollar Tree. 

Here are a few links to magical candle supply shops on line. NOTE: I've not shopped from any of them, so please do your homework - and shop local when you can.

Click the word to be taken to their shop:

Velvet Witch  

Until next time...

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry Meet, friends.

I hope everyone had a safe and pleasant holiday weekend.

Blessed Be!

~ Rain