PREPARING FOR THE FULL MOON

 Merry meet, my friends.

I've been on the go since Samhain. I'll have a video for you tomorrow of a few items I picked up at the Enchanted Haven Open House in Rolla Missouri on Sunday. 

In the mean time, I wanted to remind you of the Super Moon tomorrow night. This is the Snow moon. American Colonists also refer to this as the Beaver Moon, recognizing this is the time when beaver retreat into their dens. The moon will be closest to the earth so it will appear larger and brighter. 

Here in the Ozarks we're to have beautiful conditions, albeit very chilly. I'll be charging moon water as well as a new tarot deck I purchased on Sunday. I tried to find a link. I'll keep looking. 

For more information on how to celebrate the Full Moon, check out this article from ABC.

You can also revisit THIS  blog post.

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

Merry Meet, friends!

This month is all about gratitude.

Courtesy of Country Living Magazine

Blessed Be

~ Rain

SAMHAIN - A Celebration of Life

 Merry Meet, my friends.

As we approach another turn of the wheel and the thinning of the veil, Samhain is the perfect time for reflection and celebration.

As with anyone else you would visit, start with a cleansing bath or shower. Meditate on who you want to communicate with. This can be a single person or multiples; though I do caution not to over indulge. There will be other Samhains. Is there someone who left you with questions on their passing? Or perhaps someone you never had the opportunity to meet? This is the perfect time to bring them closer and tell them how much they've meant to you, even in their absence. Remember, they're never far away and have always been watching over you.

If you've not already done so, change your altar setting. Give the surface a good cleansing then bring in all the Samhain vibes of celebrating loved ones. Include any pictures you might have.  Include any personal items, such as jewelry. This lets them know you are honoring them. 

One of my favorite witch YouTubers is Magical Crafting  In THIS video she talks about Samhain Rituals and Altar ideas.

Another way to honor them is to host a 'dumb supper'. I've never cared for that term, so I call them 'empty chair'. Set a place for an honored guest at your table. This is a silent meal where you allow space for a passed loved one to take part in a meal with you. They will communicate in their own way if you keep the silence and allow them the opportunity to do so.

Your supper might include their favorite meal or items that celebrate the end of the season such as fresh vegetables (particularly root vegetables), meats such as venison, pork, or beef. Nothing says welcome in like a hearty stew and fresh bread. The Witch's Cookery provides great instruction on rustic breads as well as cakes and other treats for your guest, and for you. HERE is her post from three years ago on celebrating Samhain.

Take time for yourself. This is the perfect time for reflection over the past year. Journal to reflect on your year. Write down things you no longer want to focus on and burn the paper during your ritual. You can write them on paper or even a leaf you might have picked up from a quiet walk.

I love this simple ritual from Alwyn Oak. Once you've written down the things you wish to let go of - on a leaf or even a leaf cut from paper, Like the trees, I can let go. 

You can do all of these things, even if you're still in the broom closet. You might need to do a visual burning of the paper/ leaf, but everything else can be done and no one the wiser. The silent supper might be the tricky one but you can serve the foods, celebrating the people you have in your life. Let them know what they mean to you. 

 

A Tarot reading is always a good idea. At this point in the wheel, lay a spread asking what you need to face before the new year begins. You might even find out what you need to let go of. 

Carving pumpkins dates back centuries when root vegetables were traditional carved with scary faces to ward off any evil spirits that might cross the thinned veil. In today's history, those scary faces have morphed into anything from funny to absolutely macabre. A Jack-O-Lantern is a great way to keep those spirits away during a ritual.

The thinning of the veil is a great time for divination work; allowing past souls to guide you on your journey. To help guide spirits to your home, place a candle in the West window.

Take time to rest and to rejuvenate. You want to step into the new year refreshed and ready to accept whatever may be in your future. 

For me:

I hope to start the morning with a walk in our woods as dawn approaches. Listen to what the forest has to share. A quiet breakfast of apple cake and coffee with Bob before I head out to celebrate a friend's birthday. Sadly, she'll be working but that means my day is spent in my favorite coffee shop. On the way, I plan to visit a Civil War encampment to do some soul searching and let them know my thoughts on their sacrifice. 

If you've never been soul searching, take your camera to a cemetery and watch for facial recognition boxes in your view finder. They are there. When you find anyone, talk to them. 

Chinese Buffet for supper before I head home, looking at all the spooky decorated houses. 

Above all, have a safe Samhain

Blessed Be!

~Rain

A BIT OF HALLOWEEN HISTORY - Plus A Samhain Special Post Coming Soon!

 Merry meet, friends!

Coming in a bit late today. I had to get potato slices on the dehydrator this morning after having them cure in lemon water overnight. Homesteading and Family always come first.

I'm finishing up a project for a special post on Thursday. We are greeted with a turn of the wheel on Friday so I wanted to do something a little different this year, a day ahead so you might include some of the ideas into your celebration. 

I know there is controversy about how Halloween began as well as how the event relates to us. I also am aware that there are several types of witches, giving each a different view of how this came to be and how we celebrate. For this reason, I'm including a couple of different videos for you to watch. I'd love to have your comments below.

Full History Channel Special

Halloween History Channel - YouTube

Blessed Be!

~Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry Meet, friends!

Now is the time to put final touches to your Samhain celebration. Please leave a comment below - what is one of your favorite traditions on this magical night?

background courtesy of pixabay

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

TOOL SERIES -Runes

 Merry Meet, friends!

Thank you so much for your patience. Today's New Moon seems like the perfect time to get caught up.

Courtesy of Earth_Magic on Pixabay

The New Moon today is the perfect time to do a little divination work. Whether you use Tarot, Runes, or other forms, now is the time to think about what you want to attract over the next twenty-one days. Since we're focusing on the Runes as our tool this week, let's dive a little deeper.

Runes are an ancient Northern European system consisting of twenty-five runes, including a blank one. You can find the basic meaning of each one in the Appendix of Deborah Blake's Witchcraft On A Shoestring as well as other reputable sources. If you purchase runes, often they come with a guide to help you identify and interpret their meanings. Each stone has a unique property that makes them effective tools in divination or meditation.

Runes began as a sacred writing system from Scandinavia and Germany, as well as Great Britain. Each sign of the runic alphabet holds it's own energy property which can be used to restore harmony with the natural world. This is why the best stones are inscribed/ engraved on stone, wood, or metal. 

When used as divination, like Tarot, Runes provide fresh perspective of the situation in question. You may also choose a single stone from the bag to become your personal rune. By researching that symbol, you can apply the meaning to your life situation and state of mind.  A single rune may provide an overview of a specific question or situation. 

Another way to use the runes is to select three stones and create a triad to represent your personal hopes and ambitions. Place in a triad, they become a sigil you can place on your altar or area of your home where you will always be rooted in your mind's eye and focusing mental energy on your desires. You can even use runes to chart your future.

EBAY

You can either purchase or make your own runes. I purchased the above set from Spirit Halloween on a trip into the city last week. I may need to get another as a gift for a friend. Her birthday is on Halloween.

In the past I've painted mine on glass stones from $Tree as well as stamped in clay using a metal stamp set for decorating leather. You can use either of these two methods as well as purchasing or harvesting sliced discs from wood and use a permanent marker or a wood burning tool. 

One last tip. When you choose your personal rune, consider making it into a keychain or something you can keep on your person to guide you on your life journey.

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry Meet, friends!

background image courtesy of pixabay

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

TOOLS SERIES - Delayed A Week Due To Tech Issues

 Merry Meet, friends!

I wound up last minute tacking on a few extra days to spend with my sister. I am not kidding when I say there was not a single clear surface for me to work at her house! I couldn't work the laptop on my lap because I have to use an external keyboard. Trust me, it's a thing LOL.

We will be talkin RUNES next Tuesday. I promise. 

I'm headed home today.

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry Meet, friends!

background image courtesy of pixabay

Blessed Be!

~Rain

TOOL SERIES - NEXT WEEK

 Merry Meet, everyone!

I'm scrambling to get creative and author stuff wrapped up before I leave for the writer's conference in Eureka Springs AR on Thursday. Bob's holding down the fort & taking care of the critters. I'll be back in time for next week's series when we'll be talking RUNES.

Thank you for your patience.

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

 I thought I'd bring in some witchy quotes for the month. Thanks to a little help from The Wholesome Witch and one of her posts. I hope you'll check out her channel.

Also, please take time to enjoy the FULL MOON aka The Hunter's Moon. What will you be sending on its way?

background courtesy of Pixabay

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry Meet, friends!

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

TOOL SERIES - Cleansing

 Merry Meet, friends!

Cleansing is the topic for this week. I thought this was appropriate as we begin Fall cleaning for Mabon. I hope you took time to enjoy Mabon however you chose to celebrate.

Mabon is all about balance. No wonder we Libran's thrive during this time! This is also the time to think about finding balance and cleansing your spaces. But what is cleansing? Why is the ritual important?

While a cleansing can help us center ourselves in preparation for spell work, cleansing of our tools and space is also important. The last thing you want to do is bring tools into a space full of negative energy. Keep that in mind when you purchase items for your space at thrift stores or estate/ yard sales.  Eee gads! 

Think of cleansing as preparing for company, but on a more relaxed scale. 

First, you want to use your besom to clean your space from top to bottom. Hearthwitch just posted a great video for this.

Once your space is cleared, use a smudge stick bundled with Sage or Rosemary. If you're not sure what a smudge stick is, it is a bundle of herbs used to create smoke for spiritual cleansing, healing, protection and purification of spaces, objects and people from negative energy. You can tire your bundle with coordinating colors of fabric strips, or string to match your intention.

Some also refer to this as SMUDGING. The practice has been around for centuries. The Native Americans as well as Egyptians and other countries have been smudging their entire existence and often cleanse themselves by using a sweat lodge with a center fire consisting of woods and herbs.

After using your besom, you can walk from room to room, letting the smoke get into corners and over objects. If smoke of any kind bothers you, a bowl of the herbs sat in the room can also help though IMO not as affective. You can also light incense, such as Myrrh, then walk away. The smoke will do the work and dissipate. Better Homes & Gardens  has Sea Salt & Sage wax melts. I also purchase 'back flow' incense cones in White Sage from Walmart. 

Cleansing tools such as athames, charms, singing bowls, chimes, cups, etc can also be cleansed in the same way. Stones, too, though I prefer to put them out on Full Moon nights. They'll cleanse then absorb all the good energy.  Remember, from Full Moon to New Moon is the perfect time to cleanse anything you don't want the negativity to return or re-attach. Then, use the New Moon to Full Moon period to attract all the positive energy into your tools. I do this with my crystals.

AMAZON

This takes some planning. If you know what workings you're going to want to do, which tools/ crystals you'll want to use then cleanse them ahead of a New Moon then let the Full Moon charge them for your spell work. I'm still working on my book connecting to this planning but you can use the Llewellyn Calendar, the Farmer's Almanac or The Real Witches' Year by Kate West.

By the way, that link to the Llewellyn calendar is for the 2026. Order your copy then spend some time thinking ahead to rituals in the new year. Remember, our New Year is Samhain... just over a month away. Where does the time go?!

Also, there may not be a post on the 30th. I will just be home from a 3 day crafting retreat, followed by a 6 day writing retreat. Trying to finish Book 2 in my Planned to perfection series. If you like Hallmark movies and sweet contemporary romance then I think you'll enjoy An Ozarks Christmas - set in Eureka Springs Arkansas. 

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry Meet, friends!

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

TOOL SERIES - Athames

 Merry Meet, friends!

Thank you for your patience yesterday. By the time I found my pillow, the storm front had passed through. Leaving me without the migraine but tired. I'm used to the pattern by now but when I want to accomplish stuff, it really irritates me.

This week, we're taking a look at athames and their uses. First off, what is an athame? Well, an athame by any other name is still an important tool in your supplies. Whether it's a knife, a boline or an athame, you still need one. The athame symbolizes the god or masculinity. Any style will work, as long as it fits your needs and budget. 

The key to finding one (or several) is to look for one that you feel a connection to, has a personal string to someone or something in your life or that just feels 'right' when you hold it. 

For example, I have a couple that my husband gave me. I told him what I wanted a knife for and explain their uses in my practice, he brought out a wooden box full of all styles, shapes, and sizes and told me to pick what I wanted. That is the 'personal string'. For the connection, I have one that was given to my by a police officer over forty-five years ago. He wanted to make sure when I was walking alone at night, I had protection when he couldn't be there. He taught me how to use it if I had to. Then I have one that just feels right, comfortable in my hand. That one is a smaller version of this one:

While not a fan of the handle itself, which we'll talk about next, I do love a double-edged athame. Just seems so sleek to me; elegant even. While I don't like the open-air handle, you could incorporate wraps of some type; particularly if you are using it for a specific purpose where ribbon/ cloth colors could bring more ump to your workings.

This one is a great utilitarian style. You can use a single blade for any spell work.  

So, what do we use an athame for?

As I mentioned earlier, they can be carried for protection. Careful of the 'harm non', factor. But if you are in mortal danger, know how to use one correctly. 

They can be used as a wand - an extension of yourself in any ritual. Remember, the power of any tool comes from within you. You can use an athame to open or close or circle, to draw and point. Whatever you would use a wand for, an athame is a perfect substitution. As Melanie Marquis points out in her book, The Witch's Bag of Tricks, often times the athame is preferred over a wand for cutting negative energy. You can also use it in the kitchen when doing a little kitchen witchery.

In her book, Everyday Witch A to Z, Deborah Blake offers up fun info from the web on why you should have a black athame. She also has the Everyday Witch Book of Rituals where the athame is used.

So tell me in the comments. Do you have an athame? Do you have more than one; one you favor over another for certain things? Inquiring minds. 

In the mean time, I invite you to check out this beautiful Selenite athame at 13moons

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

TOOL SERIES - Delayed to Wednesday

 Merry Meet, friends!

I have been battling a migraine since Sunday evening. I think it's weather related. The front should move through tonight and I can write the post later today and have it posted on Wednesday.

Thank you for your patience.

Blessed Be!

~Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

Merry Meet, friends!

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

 

TOOL SERIES - Charms

 Merry Meet, friends!

Seems Tuesdays roll around more frequently. I thought today's topic fell right in line with Besoms and Ribbons/ Threads/ Yarns.

I love to add charms to all of my junk journals as well as my besom, wands, and anything else I can attach them to, adding significance to how I intend to use the tool or art piece.

For this post, when referring to charms, I'm talking about pieces of metal (usually) that are either in a representative shape of something or have inscriptions on them. You'll find a wide variety in jewelry making supplies. I usually shop for  mine in either Hobby Lobby, Amazon or Etsy. Even Pandora charms hold a significance for the person wearing the bracelet; each chosen to represent a memory.

THIS particular 100 pack bulk charm set has a wide variety of charms representing all kinds of things from eye glasses to musical notes. 

If your tastes run more to the 'fun' aspects of Halloween, then you might like THIS SET from NIHAO Jewelry.

The Charmed Hare on Etsy

But when it comes to all things witchy, one of my favorite shops on Etsy is TheCharmedHare. I've purchased from them a couple of times. You might also check out TwinCharms66 on Etsy.

So, what do you do with charms?

*Add to your besom twinning

*Add to wands (either by permanent attachment or dangle with fibers)

*Add to a spell bag

*Create your own pendants

*Small windchimes for your altar

Select a charm that best matches your intention, whether it be a protection spell, money spell, etc. 

I do want to caution that anything you purchase, please cleanse before adding to your magic. Impart your intention into the charm by holding it in your hand and envisioning what you want the charm to represent and it's purpose. 

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

Merry Meet, friends!

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

TOOL SERIES - Color

 Merry Meet, friends!

Welcome to a new installment of the Tool Series. Today, I want to talk about color.

For as far back as I can remember, I've been in love with color - all colors of the spectrum. I didn't understand the passion until I realized I was a witch. As I began my study of the craft, color melted into every aspect of the practice. 

My favorite way to spend a Saturday was to wander the isles of JoAnns Fabrics looking at all the colors of fabric, yarns, ribbon, papers, inks, and threads. The colors drew me in. I have a warehouse of fabrics and a studio full of yarns, ribbon, and fibers to attest to my addiction. 

When I learned that those colors had correspondences to magic and the things I could create, I was enamored with the concept that color and energy created a strength, a binding, for my spell work. 

If you're new to the craft, colors have different meanings and correlate with whatever intention you want to impart into a spell or candle magic. I purchased THIS digital from Etsy to include in my Book of Shadows as a quick reference guide. The cool thing with purchasing digitals, is I can print this as an entire sheet to put in the BOS, and I can also print a copy to punch out each color individually for single pages.

Here is a great article from Witch and Wand on different ways to use color magic. 

To incorporate colors into your magic, you can use ribbon, yarn or thread into a binding spell, decorate a besom handle, braid a bracelet (remember those friendship braids?), or bind a smudge bundle. You can use specific colors of candles for whatever your intention is for a spell. 

Ms Deborah Blake uses colors in various spells in her Everyday Witch A to Z , Everyday Witch A to Z Spellbook, as well as her Witchcraft on a Shoestring. The Witch's Bag of Tricks by Melanie Marquis also has a substantial amount of information. One last reference is Sew Witchy: Tools, Techniques & Projects for Sewing Magic by Rachel Henderson. I've not read this one but it is available on Kindle Unlimited so I'll be checking this book out soon. 

Another great thing about working with fibers and ribbons is if you are not yet out of the broom closet, you can incorporate intentions to anything without anyone around you being the wiser! Who knew something as simple as color could pack such a punch?

I hope you're finding this series helpful and if you have thoughts to add, please leave them in the comments.

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry Meet, friends!

Welcome to what I hope is the beginning of a long stretch of fall-like temperatures!

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

TOOL SERIES - The Besom

 Merry Meet, friends!

Thank you for your patience last week. My husband and I celebrated our forty-first anniversary yesterday. Since I was setting up posts for the week on Sunday, I wasn't sure this post was going to happen on time. I have an amazing husband. He is cleaning up the kitchen so I can be here for you. 

Growing up, I knew I was a witch but I didn't know anything about tools. A broom was something I used on Saturday mornings during my housekeeping duties.

Unlike what television and movies show us, unless you can levitate you are not going to be riding a broom any time soon. But it would be cool, yes?

Spiritual besoms are used for sweeping. Not for everyday use but as a spiritual tool for ridding a space of negativity. They don't need to be a full-sized 'house' broom. While I do have a favorite broom I purchased once for a gathering, you can use any size or style. I also have a small broom from a child's housekeeping set. 

THE HOME DEPOT

Another great option, with other properties, is the cinnamon broom. This particular style is easy to find around the fall months. While I've always purchased a couple for their scent, and have a couple of old ones that have lost their cent to create smaller brooms, I just learned there's more to this broom than meets the eye. 

According to Art of the Root LINK the cinnamon has protective energy (which I knew but never thought of in this particular case). Aside from cleansing a space, you can also BRING IN positive energy to a space. 

While I'm not a fan of AI information, I do believe the following is an accurate description. The handle up/ handle down reminds me of the meanings behind horseshoes. Please leave your thoughts in the comments below. 

How to hang a broom:

Handle Up invites in positive energy and a symbol of welcome

Handle Down wards off negativity

You can also place a small broom on your altar, decorate them with charms, crystals, colorful ribbons, or twine. 

Some sources for you:

Everyday Witch A to Z by Deborah Blake

     Page 14 

       You'll find information and instructions for making your own Besom

Kitchen Witch's Guide to Magickal Tools by Patricia Telesco

    Pages 89-94 

      She talks about the history as well as construction and a lengthy list of spells using the besom

Witchcraft on a Shoestring by Deborah Blake

    There are two sections - Pages 19-20, 104-106 as well as Witch's Herbal besom - Page 104

If you're really feeling crafty, check out the youtube video below.

Remember, any tool you make is influenced with your energy and energy. 

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry Meet, friends!

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

TOOLS SERIES - Delayed

 Merry Meet, friends!

I had to leave the house unexpectedly yesterday, for the entire day. No tools post this week. 

Instead, I invite you to check out this video ahead of next week's Tool post. Do  you have a besom?

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry Meet, friends!

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

TOOLS FOR WITCHES SERIES - Herbs/ Plants/ Garden

 Merry Meet, friends. Happy Tuesday!

Another essential tool in any witch's cabinet are the herbs. Plants on a window sill or an entire garden, Their medicinal properties as well as their connection to the elements are important in our practice.

Courtesy of Cristina Ferringno - Pixabay

I want a real witch's garden at some point. I intend to make it happen next spring after I revamp the garden this fall. I have three books on my shelf that have been there for years. Two of my favorites are by Kate West. The Real Witches' Garden and The Real Witches' Kitchen. I'll link everything down below with both Llwellyn and Amazon links where available. The other is Garden Witchery by Ellen Dugan (Book 1 in a series).That one also includes a gardening journal. I'd probably photocopy those and put in my garden planner. I'm not a fan of writing in the actual books. I think it would have been nice if she'd printed a gardening journal companion. I did notice she has an entire series dedicated to Garden Witchery so be sure to check out her page on Amazon.

One of the best things, for me, is the patience required to nurture plants and put my own energy into the plants. Whether I intend them for spells or for cooking, I like knowing where the plant came from and that the energy I've infused into its growth will further empower the use. 

You'll often find fresh herb plants at a local farmer's market or even in a big box store. For dried herbs, there are several options both in the big box store, natural food stores and on-line. When shopping on-line, please pay attention to any reviews. Sometimes, at the very bottom of the website home page, you can see how long they've been in business. Also try Etsy or Ebay and look at the reviews. Just type 'dried herbs' in the search bar of any of those last two for a plethora of options. My only concern with purchased dried as opposed to growing my own I'm not always sure how 'fresh' the ingredients are. That said, I do understand that we may not always have the ability to grow our own. 

Keep in mind... your herb garden can be as small as a few pots on your window sill, pots on the deck, or table in front of a sunny window. You don't need a large plot of ground to have an herb garden.

I plan to do an entire series on the individual herbs so stay tuned. I just wanted to get you thinking. If you have herbs you keep on hand, please leave them in the comments below and I'll be sure to include them in the Gardening series this fall.

Here are those promised links:

Ellen Dugan Amazon Page - LINK  (Note: she also writes witchy fiction!)

Garden Witchery by Ellen Dugan - LINK  - Llewellyn Link        

Kate West Amazon Page - LINK

The Real Witches' Kitchen - LINK 

The Real Witches' Garden - LINK 

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

Merry Meet, friends!

Our thought for the day:

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

TOOLS SERIES - Journals and Book of Shadows

 Merry Meet, friends!

Today we're talking about journals as well as our Book of Shadows.

Photo courtesy of garten-gg

Pixabay

I've kept journals in some form since I was young. I think I got my first lock & key diary about the age of ten. I still have that journal. I also have journals that I have made and written in off and on over the years. Journals are an important way to track the changes in our lives but also for keeping notes about spell work. What the conditions were during the spell work, tools used, notes of what did (or did not) work, and thoughts on the over-all process.  These journals are not your book of shadows, though you could keep some of the same information in them. They are more for education, and even sometimes, venting. Places to let out your thoughts no one else needs to know. 

 

You can use anything for your journals. They can be notebook paper in a binder, a composition notebook, a plain journal from the store or one you've made. They can be permanently bound or put together like a traveler's notebook where you have one cover but can add in new pages as you fill them up.

While you can do the same for a Book of Shadows (BOS for short), or Grimoire, when I think of a BOS as more of a recipe book. I have a couple of videos to share from witches I follow on YouTube. They both have great videos on starting a Book of Shadows.

Natural Witchery - Grimoire Making Books, Materials, and Resources.

The Way of the Witch - Starting A New Book of Shadows

If you're really in to creating a junk journal style, check out the following video from Priscilla 

@Releasethecraftin. I believe this is one she made/ sold but you'll get some ideas.

Junk Journal Grimoire

For the longest time I didn't think I could make beautifully artistic pages then I saw a video where a witch uses one of those tracer projectors and blends different images into a cohesive page design. That may be in the second link. I've not watched them in awhile.

I've not watched all of this video but looks interesting. We can discover this one together.

SpiritSpellsMagick - Book Binding a Book of Shadows For Beginners

That should keep you busy. In the mean time, please let me know in the comments if you have a Book of Shadows, a Grimoire, or have you held off starting one for some reason.  Let's inspire and encourage one another.

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry Meet, friends!

A new month full of promise. Like each day, each month and each phase of the wheel can be a new beginning. 

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

TOOL SERIES - Reference

 Merry Meet, friends!

Aside from ourself, I think one of the best tools a witch can have in his/ her arsenal is a great reference library. Whether you build hard copies on your book shelf or internet sights you trust, Having a place to look something up that is unfamiliar to you is a must. 

Face it, my witchy friends... we don't know everything. I know, surprised, right? 

Image by Jarmoluk - Pixabay

I have a vast collection of books that I value. However, I do not count on just one to give me the information I'm searching for. I will go through several, searching for consistencies in what I want to know. If I come across a piece in one book that doesn't jive with at least two others, than I discount the information and move on. You will find inconsistencies. That's okay. Part of the information is gleaned from other sources to write one book, while others will impart their own 'wisdom' into the topic. 

I have sources I trust. Here is a short list (in no particular order) and Amazon links when I could find them:

Scott Cunningham

Silver RavenWolf 

Deborah Blake

Kate West

Silja

Dorothy Morrison

Please tell me in the comments below what your favorite reference books are. I'd love to add to my bulging book shelves!

Okay, books aside, there are also some great YouTube sights as well as websites. I've linked to many on previous blog posts. 

A couple of my favorite Youtubers are:

The Witches Cookery. She is so relaxing to watch and informative on basic things. I wish I had the ability to attend one of her annual gatherings. 

The Green Witch She also has a VIDEO sharing her favorite books.

The Witch of Wanderlust Olivia is very relaxed. I love her forest wanderings.

Forest + Fawn though she hasn't done any videos since having her baby a couple of years ago. The little tyke keeps her busy!

Please share any YouTubers you love in the comments below. I love meeting new people.

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

MINDFUL MONDAY

 Merry Meet, friends!

Another month comes to a close. We can still look forward to hot weather here in the Northern Hemisphere but we are so close to another turn of the Wheel.

Blessed Be!

~ Rain

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