Good morning! This looks like a nice week.
Sunday is a day of action and passion. If you have nice weather like I do, get out and do something!
You're expecting obstacles for Monday. Hold your ground, take this period to pause and prepare.
There are lots of things in front of you to consider on Tuesday. Daydreams aren't always a bad thing, just remember to bring your focus back when you need to.
Wednesday marks the end of a journey, but it wasn't what you expected it to be. Take heart, it could just be a delay.
Thursday is another time for dreams. Sometimes, we need to see our past to see where we're going.
Keep your feet on Friday, or your foundations will crumble beneath you. Don't be afraid of change.
Expect good news about finances on Saturday. Remember that good can just be better than you were expecting.
This whole week is about your relationships with the people in your life. Cherish your friends, they can help you see things you may be missing.
26 April 2009
21 April 2009
Something New
Well, new for this blog anyway.
Shadow Grove is planning a festival for Beltane again. It's the same festival that brought me to that great community a year ago. The festival has expanded to span four days and will include a number of wonderful guests. Like last year, I will be leading a workshop on learning the tarot. Unlike last year, however, I can't be there for the entire festival. We were unable to get the park for our first choice of Beltane weekend, so our festival will be the following weekend, the weekend of Mother's Day. Knowing my mother, she'll want to kayak, and she'll want me to be there. Also, my aunt is visiting from Utah that weekend and it will be nice to see her (not to mention I will be expected to be at my grandmother's home for dinner on whichever day they're having it). This works out ok, as I can hold two workshops on Friday morning and evening, and still have time to experience the opening ritual and spend some time offering my Reiki services at the Healing Garden.
New this year, we will be offering tarot readings. Since I can't be there all weekend, the ministers were able to book a new member of the Grove for the readings. In a recent turn, this person found she was pregnant and ordered on bed rest (best of luck and health to you!) which leaves the position of tarot reader vacant. Perhaps I am the logical choice to fill that position, except that I will only be there the first two days. We still need a reader for Saturday and Sunday.
I am happy to do this, even though I'm a little nervous because I haven't read for others in years. I think it's much like riding a bike; I know the cards and the things they can mean and I know the spreads I am comfortable using. There are just a few snags, all of practicality and logistics. The first is that pesky weekend where I won't be there because of family obligations. The second is the simple fact that no two readers read the same way. The original person we had coming listed a couple spreads that she uses and based pricing for service on those (she is a professional reader, actually, and has more experience in that regard than I). The thing is, I hate the Celtic Cross spread, one of her features. I stopped working with it more than a decade ago. No matter if I read for two days or we find someone else to read for the duration of the festival, the content of what we offer will have to change.
It feels like a small set-back to me, which is a very good thing. The biggest problem is filling Saturday and Sunday. I've been working on an elemental spread. The idea came from my friends at Goldentree Wands, though I admit that I never got a reading from her and didn't really pay attention when she was reading at GoddessFest. The idea came from them, but the actual spread, how I work it and what it means, are my own because of that fact. It needs some refining to bring it to a place where I can work with it for others. I have a few weeks to do this. I could always focus on a pyramid spread as well. I'll find something comparable that works.
I'm excited about doing this, but the truth is that I need to exercise my skills. So, in the spirit of getting myself comfortable in reading for others again, I'm going to work with my deck every day. It will start with one card in the morning that I will define, think about, and reflect on for the course of the day. I will then do a weekly reading of eight cards, one for each day of the week and a card for the week in general. Then the daily cards throughout the week will modify that. On the first day of a new month, I will pull an extra card for that month. Starting next week, I will post my weekly spread, and I will pull them with general purpose: that is, so they will apply to most people instead of a specific question or situation of my own. I have a lot of preparation to do for the festival, for my workshop and possibly taking this over. This feels like a good place to begin.
The card of the day, because I know you are wondering, is the Four of Pentacles Reversed. This is the miser, signifying that I am holding on to something when I should be letting go, when it's ok to let it go. It might be money, or maybe an idea, or maybe something as basic as uncertainty. This is what I have to think about today.
Shadow Grove is planning a festival for Beltane again. It's the same festival that brought me to that great community a year ago. The festival has expanded to span four days and will include a number of wonderful guests. Like last year, I will be leading a workshop on learning the tarot. Unlike last year, however, I can't be there for the entire festival. We were unable to get the park for our first choice of Beltane weekend, so our festival will be the following weekend, the weekend of Mother's Day. Knowing my mother, she'll want to kayak, and she'll want me to be there. Also, my aunt is visiting from Utah that weekend and it will be nice to see her (not to mention I will be expected to be at my grandmother's home for dinner on whichever day they're having it). This works out ok, as I can hold two workshops on Friday morning and evening, and still have time to experience the opening ritual and spend some time offering my Reiki services at the Healing Garden.
New this year, we will be offering tarot readings. Since I can't be there all weekend, the ministers were able to book a new member of the Grove for the readings. In a recent turn, this person found she was pregnant and ordered on bed rest (best of luck and health to you!) which leaves the position of tarot reader vacant. Perhaps I am the logical choice to fill that position, except that I will only be there the first two days. We still need a reader for Saturday and Sunday.
I am happy to do this, even though I'm a little nervous because I haven't read for others in years. I think it's much like riding a bike; I know the cards and the things they can mean and I know the spreads I am comfortable using. There are just a few snags, all of practicality and logistics. The first is that pesky weekend where I won't be there because of family obligations. The second is the simple fact that no two readers read the same way. The original person we had coming listed a couple spreads that she uses and based pricing for service on those (she is a professional reader, actually, and has more experience in that regard than I). The thing is, I hate the Celtic Cross spread, one of her features. I stopped working with it more than a decade ago. No matter if I read for two days or we find someone else to read for the duration of the festival, the content of what we offer will have to change.
It feels like a small set-back to me, which is a very good thing. The biggest problem is filling Saturday and Sunday. I've been working on an elemental spread. The idea came from my friends at Goldentree Wands, though I admit that I never got a reading from her and didn't really pay attention when she was reading at GoddessFest. The idea came from them, but the actual spread, how I work it and what it means, are my own because of that fact. It needs some refining to bring it to a place where I can work with it for others. I have a few weeks to do this. I could always focus on a pyramid spread as well. I'll find something comparable that works.
I'm excited about doing this, but the truth is that I need to exercise my skills. So, in the spirit of getting myself comfortable in reading for others again, I'm going to work with my deck every day. It will start with one card in the morning that I will define, think about, and reflect on for the course of the day. I will then do a weekly reading of eight cards, one for each day of the week and a card for the week in general. Then the daily cards throughout the week will modify that. On the first day of a new month, I will pull an extra card for that month. Starting next week, I will post my weekly spread, and I will pull them with general purpose: that is, so they will apply to most people instead of a specific question or situation of my own. I have a lot of preparation to do for the festival, for my workshop and possibly taking this over. This feels like a good place to begin.
The card of the day, because I know you are wondering, is the Four of Pentacles Reversed. This is the miser, signifying that I am holding on to something when I should be letting go, when it's ok to let it go. It might be money, or maybe an idea, or maybe something as basic as uncertainty. This is what I have to think about today.
20 April 2009
More Than a Pet
I've never really had a familiar. That is, a creature that is my magickal partner, who works spells and rituals with me and lends its energy. It requires asking, dedication, and something in the creature, if it started as a pet, will change. I like my pets as they are and so never tried to make one my familiar.
On the other hand, I often don't have animals with me in ritual other than to simply be there. On occasion, my cat has chosen to help, and I could feel her energy working with mine, but those were always her choices and I like it to remain that way.
In Autumn of 2007, I purchased two anoles. My brother and I each had one as children, but I don't remember much beyond their names. These creatures were marketed as tame pets who enjoy being handled. The truth is that this is not so, but that was perfectly ok for my situation. If they were to escape my hands, it would mean death (specifically, death by cat).
So, I didn't handle them much at all, and they seemed happy. I joyfully watched them hunt crickets and bask in the warmth from their little tank light. The set up of my previous living arrangements put their tank within my ritual and spellworking circle. That's just the way it happened to work out. Somehow, I felt their fiery lizard energy in my workings. I got used to them being there, sometimes it seemed they would lend their energy, sometimes they would not. It was a choice, just as it was for my cat.
I felt a closer bond with the male, named Lord Nagafen. Maybe it was because he was less skittish around my hands and would occasionally sit on my fingers for warmth. Maybe because it was he who lent energy to my work. He was definitely the first one I picked in the store. The female, Lady Vox, mostly just came with him as a mated pair, though I learned to love her too.
In recent weeks, they had both shown a lot of activity. Nagafen molted and grew and they both looked full of life. Last Sunday, I woke to find Nagafen dead. His body showed evidence of terrible distress but, not being an expert on anole health, I could not really determine a cause of death. Of course, I worried that it was some negligence on my part. One of my roommates helped me remove him from the tank and bury him under the soft vines outside. Then, he kindly left me alone to cry as I cleaned the cage for Vox's safety.
It's heartbreaking to lose a pet, to lose a pet with no certain cause, and to lose a pet that you were particularly attached to. That night, I started a 7-day ritual. I burnt dragon's blood incense to help set my focus. I placed a blue candle on my altar and charged it with peace, that Nagafen may find peace where he is, and that Vox would find peace in his absence. The first three nights were focused on Nagafen's farewell, the last four were for Vox. On Wednesday, I took a piece of quartz that I had harvested from the local quartz vein and charged it with energies of peace, grounding, and good health. On Sunday morning, with the candle burnt out and the energies sent as directed, I placed the quartz under the tank so Vox may draw upon its energy when she needs it.
I learned a lot more about the care of anoles since trying to solve the mystery of Nagafen's death. I hope I have improved my knowledge enough to keep Vox happy and healthy for many years to come. All we can do is the best we can with the knowledge we have at time. Nothing has ever come closer to being my familiar than these little lizards. I wish Nagafen an easy journey to his next cycle, and I will honor him by doing my best to take care of Vox. It is my duty to them.
On the other hand, I often don't have animals with me in ritual other than to simply be there. On occasion, my cat has chosen to help, and I could feel her energy working with mine, but those were always her choices and I like it to remain that way.
In Autumn of 2007, I purchased two anoles. My brother and I each had one as children, but I don't remember much beyond their names. These creatures were marketed as tame pets who enjoy being handled. The truth is that this is not so, but that was perfectly ok for my situation. If they were to escape my hands, it would mean death (specifically, death by cat).
So, I didn't handle them much at all, and they seemed happy. I joyfully watched them hunt crickets and bask in the warmth from their little tank light. The set up of my previous living arrangements put their tank within my ritual and spellworking circle. That's just the way it happened to work out. Somehow, I felt their fiery lizard energy in my workings. I got used to them being there, sometimes it seemed they would lend their energy, sometimes they would not. It was a choice, just as it was for my cat.
I felt a closer bond with the male, named Lord Nagafen. Maybe it was because he was less skittish around my hands and would occasionally sit on my fingers for warmth. Maybe because it was he who lent energy to my work. He was definitely the first one I picked in the store. The female, Lady Vox, mostly just came with him as a mated pair, though I learned to love her too.
In recent weeks, they had both shown a lot of activity. Nagafen molted and grew and they both looked full of life. Last Sunday, I woke to find Nagafen dead. His body showed evidence of terrible distress but, not being an expert on anole health, I could not really determine a cause of death. Of course, I worried that it was some negligence on my part. One of my roommates helped me remove him from the tank and bury him under the soft vines outside. Then, he kindly left me alone to cry as I cleaned the cage for Vox's safety.
It's heartbreaking to lose a pet, to lose a pet with no certain cause, and to lose a pet that you were particularly attached to. That night, I started a 7-day ritual. I burnt dragon's blood incense to help set my focus. I placed a blue candle on my altar and charged it with peace, that Nagafen may find peace where he is, and that Vox would find peace in his absence. The first three nights were focused on Nagafen's farewell, the last four were for Vox. On Wednesday, I took a piece of quartz that I had harvested from the local quartz vein and charged it with energies of peace, grounding, and good health. On Sunday morning, with the candle burnt out and the energies sent as directed, I placed the quartz under the tank so Vox may draw upon its energy when she needs it.
I learned a lot more about the care of anoles since trying to solve the mystery of Nagafen's death. I hope I have improved my knowledge enough to keep Vox happy and healthy for many years to come. All we can do is the best we can with the knowledge we have at time. Nothing has ever come closer to being my familiar than these little lizards. I wish Nagafen an easy journey to his next cycle, and I will honor him by doing my best to take care of Vox. It is my duty to them.
10 April 2009
The Raven Moon
I was contemplating the name of this month's Esbat in preparing for my ritual. In many cultures, ravens are signs of death or an ill omen. They are scavengers, birds of mischief. They are said to be the guardians of the dead and can tell when death is coming.
Ravens are solitary or travel in pairs, unlike their smaller crow brethren that often flock. Perhaps it is their resilience as scavengers or their loyalty to their mates that give power to this Esbat.
My casting this month was simple, and drew on that power of resilience. I'm still putting the finishing touches on the store that I plan to open. I decided to set a crystal grid in my bedroom, where most of my crafting, ideas, and administration take place. A crystal grid is a number of crystals, placed in a specific pattern or geometrical shape that enhances and channels their energy. I used chunks of quartz that I gathered from the local quartz vein in the forest. I placed the four largest pieces in the corners of the room. Four smaller pieces bisect each wall and one piece was placed in the center of the room, which is under my bed.
With my grid in place, I meditated upon it and felt the energies of the quartz connect in the grid. The quartz will help keep me centered, grounded, and focused on the task at hand, be it creating or sleeping.
I hope this Esbat finds you with strong foundations under your feet.
Ravens are solitary or travel in pairs, unlike their smaller crow brethren that often flock. Perhaps it is their resilience as scavengers or their loyalty to their mates that give power to this Esbat.
My casting this month was simple, and drew on that power of resilience. I'm still putting the finishing touches on the store that I plan to open. I decided to set a crystal grid in my bedroom, where most of my crafting, ideas, and administration take place. A crystal grid is a number of crystals, placed in a specific pattern or geometrical shape that enhances and channels their energy. I used chunks of quartz that I gathered from the local quartz vein in the forest. I placed the four largest pieces in the corners of the room. Four smaller pieces bisect each wall and one piece was placed in the center of the room, which is under my bed.
With my grid in place, I meditated upon it and felt the energies of the quartz connect in the grid. The quartz will help keep me centered, grounded, and focused on the task at hand, be it creating or sleeping.
I hope this Esbat finds you with strong foundations under your feet.
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