The Four Suits

Each Tarot suit represents one of the four elements, Fire, Water, Air or Earth. The Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles each correspond to an area in life. Understanding these correspondences can give a quick sense of what the cards are trying to say.. All of us deal with thoughts, emotions, finances, health, and relationships on a daily basis. Even if you don't know the precise meaning of a card, combining the suit's symbolism with the energy represented by the number of the card you can grasp of the card's interpretation.

Swords (blades, athame's)


Element: Air
Playing card suit: spades
Zodiac: Gemini, Libra and Aquarius
Season: Winter


The Swords are often misunderstood due to their reputation. Admittedly, this suit can appear to have a somber tone but Swords are about movement and struggle associated with matters of conflict, both physical and moral. Many Swords in a reading indicate action of course, but can also indicate struggle since they represent the effort before the end result. Swords govern intellectual activity and is essentially male in character and represent the intellect in its best and most controlled aspect.


Wands (staves, batons)


Element: Fire.
Playing card suit: clubs
Season: Spring
Zodiac: Leo, Aries and Sagittarius


When you think of the Wand cards, think of fire. Some decks have images of burning objects on them . Wands indicate passion and desire, ambitions, creativity, vitality, self-development, growth, and perception. The Wands present future-oriented energy that is active and inventive. .The suit of Wands has both positive and negative aspects. The negative associated with the Wands is the scorching side of the fire - restlessness, anger, violence, pride, mischief, disruption and willfulness.


Cups (goblets, chalices, cauldrons)


Element: Water
Zodiac: Pisces, Cancer and Scorpio
Playing Card Suit: Hearts
Season: Summer




The Cups focus on emotions and matters of the heart. The meaning of each Tarot card in the Cups suit tend to guide emotional questions of almost any nature. If you have a number of Cups in a readings it may indicate that emotional issues have not yet physically materialized. The realm of the Cups is filled with new promise and can represent the desire for harmonious relationships.


Pentacles (Coins and Disks)


Element: Earth
Zodiac: Taurus, Capricorn and Virgo
Playing card suit: diamonds
Season: Autumn


Pentacles stand for the actual manifestation of an idea. They are about results, fruition, realization and prosperity. Pentacles represent abundance on all different levels....not just in your wallet, but also your status, the home you are able to obtain, the lifestyle you are able to lead, the work environment that you enjoy. They gauge how well you hit the mark set by your own inner self.

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Tarot Tuesday- Symbols

The Rider-Waite and Rider-Waite based decks are rich with symbolism from the Queen of Wand's black cat to the the boat in the Six of Swords. Many people are fascinated with tarot cards as well as with the tarot symbols printed on them and many tarot teachers feel that to better understanding those tarot symbols it is vital to learn them first, in order to be able to read tarot cards, but I believe that the symbols only add to the many layers of meanings that each card can have.

Like layers on an onion, each aspect of a given tarot card can create a comprehensive picture when you are able to put them all together into a complete picture, like putting together a puzzle. When we find a specific feature in a card that draws our attention, your intuition is bringing to light important issues. When this happens, consider some of the symbol meanings and how they add depth and insight into your interpretation.


Let's look at some of these symbols and see how their meaning blends in with the imagery on the cards.


Butterfly:

The butterfly is the universal symbol for transformation. Butterflies appear on the queen and king of sword cards, and typically indicate a change in thoughts of the person being read for, or someone close to them. Butterflies go through several transformations before they develop into their final state of beauty. They symbolize that we as human do the same thing to reach our end goal and to obtain a better way of thought and living.


Cat:

Cats symbolize watchfulness, awareness, and perception. Seen on the queen of wands card, the cat is a message that there are energies at work that we may not be aware of, but we can certainly tap into. Cats are also a symbol of psychic ability and in a reading, the queen and her cat indicate that you may need to keep your wits about you and be aware of all sides to the story in the situation relating to the card reading


Fire:

Fire symbolizes both creative and destructive power. Among its many cultural symbol meanings are: energy, transformation, passion, ambition, inspiration and power. Many faiths use fire as a symbol representing a test of faith or the measure of one's purity. Fire is featured in Devil and the Tower. In the case of the Tower card, those flames gushing out from the crown of the tower is a message of downfall due to anger. The fire of the Tower reminds us we can be our worst enemies in how we design our daily lives. But there's a silver lining in the remnants of the Tower (which in itself symbolizes ill construction of beliefs) it tells us we have the ability to start over and rebuild a better foundation.


Fish:

The fish is featured on all the cups court cards because fish symbol meanings deal with emotion, intuition and creativity. When considering the fish symbol meaning, we must first recognize the nature of the water in which it lives: in motion, unpredictable, and representative of the subconscious . The fish is a symbol of prolific abundance if we have the ability to harness our own passion responsibly.


Lizard:

Symbolizes renewal, vision, enlightenment, and rebirth, the lizard makes its appearance on the male court cards in the suit of Wands. The lizard, or salamander in some decks, suns itself on these cards to signify the importance of vision in the midst of action. In fact, in ancient times it was believed that the lizard renewed its sight by looking into the sun. The lizard is a tiny reminder that big results come from small, conscious efforts.


Lobster:

Also depicted as a crab or crayfish in other decks, the lobster symbol meanings deal with cycles, regeneration, and protection. These creatures are lunar symbols... they cast off their shells for new ones and this is where the rebirth/cycling association plays its part. The protective symbolizm is evident in the hard spiney exo-skeleton found with these creatures. When the Lobster in the Moon card crawls into our consciousness we're reminded of the cyclical nature in our lives and what protection we may need for the path on which we follow.


The tarot deck has been used for centuries for divination and to discover hidden truths. Symbols are key to tarot because they speak the universal language of basic human feelings, ideas and thoughts. Its helpful to remember that tarot symbols are subject to constant redefinition and their meanings evolve with the card reader.

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"What Is...?" Wednesday

String Theory

Imagine a wave of particles streaming out across space. Wouldn't that look like a great, long, wiggly string?  Is that string theory? Yes...well, sort of... However, it does demonstrate that particles.. any particles...can form long strings.


 There are long string streams emanating from the Sun right now, washing up against buildings and reflecting colours into your eye holes. There are strings of radiation particles bursting forth from your monitor, crashing up against your face, and running down cracks in your skin... There are streams of strings everywhere.

You may be thinking: "All this talk of streams is making me want to pee. Is that string theory?" No but read on...

Gravity is everywhere in the universe and as such it needs energy to keep it running. As luck would have it there is an awful lot of energy in all those particle strings all over the place. An awful lot. To demonstrate just how much energy is present in strings you can perform a string theory experiment of your own.

To illustrate this simply:

Step one: Decorate a tree with the christmas tree lights.
Step two: Undecorate the tree.
Step three: Put the lights in the bag.
Step four: Put the bag in your loft.
Step five: Wait one year.
Step six: Retrieve the bag
Step seven: Now, attempt to untangle the string of lights.

What you will discover is that a seemingly inoffensive string with plastic bulbs on it somehow stores staggering levels of energy within. Now imagine if you'd put two strings of lights in those bags. Pretty scary, huh? What about an infinite number of strings? A bit harder to imagine, but I'm sure you're getting the picture.


The universe is like that bag in the loft containing more christmas tree lights than you can imagine. Every planet is a bulb; some of the bulbs are broken, some are not. The person trying to unravel all those strings is the Space-Time Vortex Guy, Bob. The energy expelled by Space-Time Vortex Guy Bob, in unravelling the christmas tree lights is what we know as gravity. And that is string theory explained simply.

How, you may be asking, does this affect me...? Well, it shows that if this theory were to be proven...Science would explain how we affect our environment and how it affects us...kind of a pagan notion, eh?

Elementally Friday

Elementals are said to be various types of energies or spirits which inhabit nature but are a lower form of these nature spirits. The belief in their existence was almost universal in the ancient era of religions which practiced animism (a spiritual belief that souls or spirits exist not only in humans but also in other animals, plants, rocks and natural phenomena.) 


This belief still exists among people who believe that all natural things possess life. These spirits are often thought to possess supernatural powers. Nature spirits usually abide in trees, rivers, plants, bogs, mountains and minerals. Many cultures believe that these spirits attach themselves to practically every living natural thing such as in China, for example, they watch over the rice, silk, roads, gateways and other things. In the Shinto religion of Japan there is worship of nature, natural forces and nature spirits. 


Nature spirit worship was also practiced by the Greeks and Romans who believed spirits inhabited every glen, pool and even the air. As can be seen there are many examples of the universality of nature spirit worship. 


They are believed to exist as the life force in all living things such as the four elements of earth, air, fire and water and most see elementals as nice, friendly little creatures of nature but others share a different viewpoint. Although the elementals are classed as nature spirits, they are thought by some to be entities of the astral plane.

In ancient folklore, elementals were thought to be fickle, malicious and unpredictable spirits sent by a wicked witch in the form of familiars to trick people into accidents and traps and sometimes killing them. Still today, in contemporary Witchcraft, witches stress and emphasize that given to working with good and friendly elementals aids in producing positive magic. A colorful character from contemporary times that used a familiar was Sybil Leek (1917-1982). Her trademark was a cape, loose gown, and a pet jackdaw ( a member of the crow family) named “Mr. Hotfoot Jackson”.

Serenity Sunday

MAGIC FULL MOON OIL

~ 13 drops of sandalwood essential oil

~ 9 drops of vanilla essential oil


~ 3 drops of jasmine essential oil

~1 drop of rose essential oil


* Mix prior to a full moon.  Charge in a clear container or vial in the light of the full moon. Use to anoint candles or yourself for full moon rituals or just when you feel like you need the moons energy.






My List:

1.) My kids

2.) New tarot decks

3.) Cream cheese

4.) Supportive comments

5.) Great friends

6.) Umbrellas

7.) Snuggly pets

8.) Broccoli

9.) Bifocals....sort of

10.) Clear fingernail polish

Tarot Tuesday

When you want to make things happen, look to the Magician. He knows how to use all the tools at his disposal... to come up with innovative plans no one else would think of. He is a  strong-willed individual that can rise to face any challenge. The Magician, are cards of intellect and mental abilities... a healthy mind is likely far more important to this person than a healthy body.

The Magician tells us that we have the ability to take the power of the Universe and manifest our desires. Those desires may be spiritual, physical, emotional, or mental. Another interpretation of why his hands are in that position is that he's taking the power of the Universe, channelling it through his own body and directing it to the physical plane.

Skill and initiative can be applied to accomplish all goals. Happiness and optimism will indicate a new beginning. Decisions that are made will have positive results. Want to begin something new, to "do, act, or go forward" and are hoping for a miracle in your life or affairs. A situation has been (or soon will be) presented that has all the inherent components to the manifestation of your desires. Take the best from it or move on it, because it is through this that a new potential will emerge.

He can manipulate others for good or bad but if he chooses to do so for ill, he will eventually reap what he has sown. The wise magician will use his skills and talents carefully. This card represents the magic within the soul, the ability of everyone to find the resources within themselves to deal with everyday life. When it turns up in a spread it suggests there is creativity, intelligence, experience or the know-how to cope with whatever lies ahead. This is symbolised on the card by all the tools of the tarot lying on the table in front of the Magician: the Cups, Swords, Wands and Pentacles

Tarot Tuesday

Today I drew two cards that gave me a little ray of sunshine...the Four of Pentacles and the Two of Wands. The Pentacles are a suit of material possessions, industry, business, commerce, trade, finances, and security. They represent the Earth signs of Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. Earth covers the mundane material things of life, property, money, home and nature. They also represent manifestation, realization, proof and prosperity. 


Typically, the Four of Pentacles indicates security but is also the card of the miser, material possessions very important to him, showing that his thoughts are all about his "things". As we see in the card, it that he can't go anywhere because his feet are busy holding the coins down. He is so tied up with his possessions, that he can't do anything else. His possessions are so important it has affected his life view. 

The Wands, however, has to do with primal energy, growth, the will, inspiration, determination, strength, intelligence, intuition, and creativity.The Two of Wands represents a mature person who may provide you with assistance to obtain your desires. something good is about to happen and you may very well see it materialize. An offer is about to be presented.Always remember not sell yourself short or settle for less, though. There IS some thing better on the horizon.

I have struggled lately with (other's) personalities and viewpoints as well as digging up all the "icky rotten crud" from my past and these cards were absolutely a ray of sunshine for me today but that does not mean I can just sit back and wait for good news, it does mean that in order to have a happier outcome and brighter future, I must work for it. I must put in the effort and creativity to see the rewards ahead.

There are so many levels to these cards that build upon one another and they are oh so appropriate for my situation but it would take many more pages to describe and I really don't want you all overloaded. I'd like to say thank you to everyone for their kind words yesterday, I'm doing much better today.

Haiti

I am a HUGE fan of Fire Lyte and his blog and podcast Inciting a Riot and yesterday he put together a fantastic podcast about the recent tragedy in Haiti that absolutely tears at my heart! I really encourage you all to listen to him as he appeals to his listeners to help and speaks about recent conversations of those who place the blame for this horrible event on it's people and their supposed actions. I could never have stated the importance of helping more eloquently than Fire Lyte has, so PLEASE dear readers, give his latest podcast  "Haiti & Call To Action" a listen and I hope you all can help in whatever capacity that you can!

Links To Help Haiti

 Help For Haiti  Red Cross

From Mrs. B~ You can donate $5 by texting YELE to 501501 or get more info by visiting www.yele.org. 100% of the funds go directly to disaster relief. 

Tarot Tuesday

There are many books out there on tarot...many, many...but one of the "must have's that I always suggest to people just starting out is "Tarot for Yourself  a Workbook for Personal Transformation" by Mary K. Greer.  In this book, she discusses how to discover the number for a year and how it corresponds to a specific Major Arcana card. It's quite simple...just take the year, 2010, and  add up all of the digits...2+0+1+0= 3...So the new year will be a 3 year. The number three card in the Major Arcana is The Empress.

3

Social expansion, creative successes

This is a social, happy year and it generally tends to exude bright and cheerful vibrations. This is a year to check up on old friends and broaden social circles to include some new ones. Romance and love affairs may bloom. Life to its fullest now ( but don't get too carried away, you might have to pay the consequences later on.)  The mantle of responsibility will seem to have lifted a bit. 


Many things will be happening at the same time but so don't get too many irons in the fire. Take some time to enjoy what life has to offer but keep healthy goals in mind. A 3 year is a good time to expand personal creative talents, especially those related to the arts and verbal skills. Recognition in this regard is likely this year.

Tarot Layout For The New Year

1.) Influence(s) passing away with the year.

2.) Accomplishment(s) of the past year to reflect on.

3.) Goal(s) for the coming year.

4.) Obstacle(s) you may encounter in the coming year.

5.) Energies that will help you in the coming year.

6.) What is the over-all theme of the coming year?

*(s) ~in case you wish to draw a clarifying card to further understand the card drawn.*

Magical Monday

Inspiration can come in many ways and bringing a little magic into your daily life is not as difficult as most would think. What is it that moves or inspires you? The sound of ocean waves...the scent of a forest in the morning mist...the sound of birds chirping outside your window...the feel of fresh fallen leaves under bare feet? Sometimes it can be as simple as pulling weeds from the garden or watering flowers in your window boxes.

Sometimes though, we just can't find inspiration and just feel bogged down and stagnant... it can happen to the best of us and when we get focused on that which is not happening, we can miss the small moments of magical inspiration that occur quite often...we just need to listen with all our senses.

A great way to break through the occasional slump I can fall into is to get up, get out and take a walk. There's a terrific local park close by with lots of tall trees, soft green grass and soon...plenty of fallen leaves. I find a tree (preferrably an older, wise looking tree) and sit down at it's base and close my eyes. I listen to the birds chirping, smell the damp grass, I feel the energy of the tree resonating within me.

After spending a half an hour or so, I feel refreshed and renewed...ready to start aknowledging the everyday inspirations that I may have missed before. What are some ways that you  bring the magical, the inspiration of the natural world into your everyday life? I have found that the more I take time to just be still, to listen, touch, smell and hear what mother earth is presenting to me to inspire my life, the more sensitive I am when these little moments happen.

Waning Moon Release Ritual

This spell is designed to help release the stresses and worries of our day to day lives. Though best done during a waning moon phase, feel free to perform it anytime you feel blocked, sad, fearful, negative, angry or bitter.(Make sure your phone is turned off and you won't be disturbed.)


You will need:


2 white altar candles
1 black candle
1 pink candle
Sage, frankincense or myrrh incense (for clearing)
Many small pieces of paper & a pen




RITUAL BATH: add salt to the water or tie the following herbs in a small piece of cloth: hyssop, lavender and rosemary. Run under faucet.


As you inhale the aroma of the steaming herbs, visualize the steam breaking up any tension in your body, and exhale. Ask your body and spirit to release any thoughtforms that are not in accordance with your highest potential, and be willing to look at where you might be harboring doubt, suspicion, or fear.


With each inhale, affirm that you are breathing in the healing energies of the Universe, and that you can transform yourself through meditation, patience and faith.


With each exhale, affirm that the outmoded thoughtforms are transformed into new energy that can be utilized for growth. energy is neutral, so it is up to us to redirect it.


Light your white altar candles and incense. They are symbolic of peace, truth and protection. Meditate for a few minutes on what that means to you personally. Is there anything in your life now that is not in sync with your personal truth?


Light the black candle. The color black is an absence of color, and therefore absorbs... the black candle will represent the absorbing/transforming power of the dark moon, and as we work with it, imagine the pain or anger being pulled out of you and absorbed and transformed by the energy that is symbolized by the black candle.


Take a small piece of paper (and write with as much emotion that you can muster) one thing you want to release / transform.


Light one corner of the paper, and immediately drop it into a flameproof / heatproof dish (a large ashtray or a ceramic pot with some soil on the bottom would be ideal).


Repeat with any and all emotions, fears, resentments, gripes, angers, resentments, excuses, obligations, etc. etc. etc.


Until you feel CLEAR! If you still feel bad, keep going for a while!


When you've cried, griped etc as much as you can stand, put out the black candle.


Light the pink candle. Put on your favorite music: something that makes you feel energized, happy and motivated! Now you need to focus on filling up the spaces left wher the old pain was! Time to fill it in with the affirmations of your choice...


Always write affirmations in the present tense! Keep repeating them over and over until you feel great! Breathe in your new truth.


When you are finished, put out the pink candle, and save it and the black candle until the next time you do this exercise. For maximum effect or serious depression or apathy, do this spell 3 days in a row (finishing on New Moon day).

Altar Etiquette

In my living room, my altar is in plain view and is a prominent part of my decor. Sometimes it can be irritating to have friends or family come by for a visit and feel compelled to pick up my altar tools and other altar objects. A witch's altar is a sacred space and my tools and other objects are charged with my energy and when someone comes in and handles my things, it interferes with this energy and sometimes I have to charge them all over again. To put it in perspective, it would be like walking straight up to the altar in the local church and start picking things up and oo-ing and ahhh-ing.... not very polite behavior indeed.

Here are some general Do's and Don'ts:

* You don't need to touch anyone's sacred items. Always ask permission.

* Just because the owner of the altar has said yes once, doesn't apply to any other time or place. You are not free to handle things on the altar whenever you choose.

* Interpret any hesitation as a "no."

* And gracefully accept a "no." It may not be anything personal. Some things are simply too private to share.

* Ask before placing things on a group altar. Usually for group work, you will know ahead of time the kinds of things that might be appropriate. But sometimes very specific energy is being raised, and other items may not serve the ritual.

* Avoid talking about their sacred items and spiritual practices with "outsiders." People who don't use them don't understand, and it dilutes that individual's power to share sacred things . Especially if they turn out to be judgemental about it.

Cardinal, Fixed And Mutable...

The Cardinal Signs—Aries (cardinal fire), Cancer (cardinal water), Libra (cardinal air), and Capricorn (cardinal earth)—begin each season and symbolize activity, initiation, dynamism, speed, executive ability, crisis, self-assertion and creativity.

All the cardinal signs are self-assertive... Cardinal fire (Aries) is direct and uncomplicated outward energy; cardinal water (Cancer) is indirect, subjective, and emotionally assertive; cardinal air (Libra) needs unprejudiced action in regard to others and is mentally assertive; and cardinal earth (Capricorn) symbolizes action towards success and social prestige, and is materially oriented in action.

The Fixed Signs—Taurus (fixed earth), Leo (fixed fire), Scorpio (fixed water), and Aquarius (fixed air)—are the power or kundalini signs manifesting as will. They are latent, stable, reserved, planners, and reservoirs of energy. Hard aspects between different fixed signs symbolize lessons we have failed to learn over many lifetimes related to the misuse of our will.

The fixed signs are all power signs (and collectively known as the serpent signs of the zodiac.) In Taurus, fixed earth, the power is latent and the serpent is coiled up energy. In Leo, fixed fire, the power is active and the serpent is uncoiled, as can be seen in the astrological glyph for Leo; in Scorpio, fixed water, the power has gone into the subconscious and the shadow, and needs to be illuminated and made conscious through self-transformation and self-knowledge ; and in Aquarius, fixed air, the universal serpent of wisdom is reflected in the power of the individual will.

The Mutable Signs—Gemini (mutable air), Virgo (mutable earth), Sagittarius (mutable fire), and Pisces (mutable water)—are the final sign of each season, preparing the way for the next. They are flexible, versatile, harmonizing, adaptable, good with people, highly personal and good imitators.

Too many mutable signs in a horoscope, on the other hand, can indicate a lack of focus and will, and a propensity to negativity. Such individuals are very changeable and hard to pin down, like "the rolling stone that gathers no moss." Lacking the strength, will and persistence conferred by fixed signs, or the assertiveness of cardinal signs, the individual with too many mutable signs may allow external circumstances to control his or her life.

Hauntings And Ghosts And Spirits...Oh My!

YOU KNOW YOU ARE A GHOST HUNTER IF...

1.)Your calendar of events has more ghost hunting dates than birthdays and anniversaries.

2.)You have a closet dedicated to ghost hunting equipment

3.)Your computer is book marked with ghost hunt equipment stores and e-bay favorites for ghost equipment

4.)Your address book contains a notation of G.H. or a complete section of ghost hunters

5.)You have at least ten videotapes of ghost investigations.

6.)You have at least two digital cameras and an assortment of tape recorders.

7.)Your idea of a great night out is not dinner but a cemetery at midnight.

8.)You have more ghost and orb pictures than you have pictures of your friends and relatives.

9.)You take more pictures in the dark than in the daylight

10.)Midnight is your favorite hour


But seriously folks....What exactly is a ghost...? Where do they come from..? How does this widely reported phenomenon occur exactly? These questions have been residing in our psyche almost since the dawn of time. Yesterday, I wrote about Summerland....a beautiful place that our energy or soul, as some call it, goes after our bodies die. What we do there... what we experience while there... no one really knows but I have a theory about what happens in the strange and unusual cases of reported ghosts and hauntings.

It is my belief that after passing...our energy... spirit or soul (however you wish to call it) goes on to a higher plane, either that of a higher vibration or state of being and we become part of the collective consciousness, Akashik Record (or Universal Mind as I refer to it)... it is a vast repository of all that has ever been thought or said. But what if one were to leave this world that we exist in now in a violent or emotionally distraught state? Do they go into this Universal Mind or does part of their energy remain behind as place memories, greed or of a life not lived?

I firmly believe that sometimes those who are not satisfied in this world, who are greedy and want more life do stick around and can be rather disturbing and rude pockets of negative energy. I think that those who maybe are not aware that they are no longer alive continue to exist in a state of confusion and maybe even a dreamlike state...wandering; searching, not quite aware of what has happened. Then sometimes, I think that there are those memories of those who were so attached to an object or person leave traces of themselves behind and become what are called residual hauntings.

I have seen what most ghost enthusiasts call "Shadow People" and often caught myself scoffing at the idea that that was a real occurrence....but after starting to step from the bathroom and into the hallway, catching myself and stepping back because something was headed down the hall towards me on a collision course (had I stepped fully into the hall) and realizing it wasn't one of my children because they generally don't vanish in front of my eyes, I swiftly and shakily reevaluated my position and was not quite as taken by surprise the next few times.

I do not claim to know all the answers, these things I have blogged about today are simply theories that my rational yet spiritual mind tells me. I'm not sure what will happen to me after my body dies but I do know there is something out there beyond what our human minds can comprehend, there is so much more than our senses can tell us while we are in this state of being. Maybe one day after I pass on, I will write from the great unknown in a tell all book.

What Surrounds Me

Sometimes when dealing with the general public, I can be exposed to all sorts of energies and emotions that people can give off. I find that sometimes this exposure tends to leave me drained and just plain cranky when I'm around those who are negative or needy. One thing that I try to include in my morning and evening meditation is include a positive visualization called my "Protection Shield." This little ritual I perform helps me stay grounded and centered without absorbing too much of the emotions or energies of those around me.

Every witch has their own unique version of how they visualize a shield around them so I decided that I would write about how I see mine. What follows is a general outline of my protection shield ritual done just before I ground and center and continue with my meditation time.

The most basic technique for protecting myself magically is to simply imagining myself inside a ball of white light that turns away any energy before it can touch me. When I visualize this ball of light around me, I make sure it appears opaque but solid in my mind's eye and I see the surface as reflective and faceted like a crystal.

This bubble s extends about a foot above my head and below my feet. You don't have to visualize a perfect sphere, just make it fit around your body in whatever shape seems most comfortable or appropriate. I reinforce the energy in the areas above and below to be just as strong as the areas in front and behind me.

While holding this visualization in my mind, I say these words...."I charge this protection shield to protect me from all harm...on any level....and to reflect love back on the source of harm..." I repeat this until I feel a sense of calm and serenity (usually three or so times) and then follow it with "So mote it be." You can use these words or tailor it to reflect your own style, I follow Ariel's words as found on The Witches Primer, a great podcast if you want to see what witchcraft is all about.

Even after I come out my state of meditation, this bubble moves with me without hindrance. Any vibrations that touch it will simply pass over and around me shield like the wind moving around a mountain. In the rare circumstance that my shield comes up against someone else's... it will bend to compensate but not break, much like two balloons pressing together.

I try to hold the image of an impenetrable force field in my mind for at least a good solid minute or two before returning to my everyday life.

Tarot Tuesday

Today I drew a card from my Robin Wood deck and the Queen of Wands showed her sunny energetic face to me. I'd been feeling a little sluggish lately and was encouraged to see this queen come up as my Tuesday draw.

In this card, we can see a vibrant, blond woman in a bright orange and yellow gown...in her right hand she holds a golden scepter with a dazzling white crystal at the top. The landscape reminds me of an arid desert area with sunflowers on each side and next to the Queen of Wands is a stretching black cat at the hem of her gown.

This scene brings to mind a radiance and energy flowing outward and fills me with a sense of purpose almost as if to say "Get up and get moving, there are wonderful things in store and the day is wasting."

Although she's never arrogant or full of herself, the Queen of Wands has a deep belief in her own abilities. Her vibrant self-assurance comes from the knowledge that she can do whatever she sets her mind to. This tells me that those times I may lack self confidence, she will be there to cheer me on.

A Lost Goddess And My Plague

The last several weeks I have been so busy with appointments to keep, school activities for the children and daily housework that gets squeezed in between everything else, I managed to get myself so rundown and exhausted that I finally knew a trip to the family doctor was something I need to put at the top of the "to do" list. I found out that I have a sinus and respiratory infection on top of the asthma I've dealt with off and on since childhood.

I begrudgingly realized some down time was in order or I would not have a decent recovery by any means so I picked up my book "Practicing the Presence of the Goddess" by Barbara Ardinger and started reading....Wow...the very first pages are all about recovering the lost goddesses of transformation and the very first one that she speaks of is Serenissima...the Goddess of taking care of yourself....my goodness the universe works in mysterious ways, I exclaimed to myself and kept reading... my addled brain drinking in every word.

She goes on to say that when we reach the point that our lives are so filled with obligations and loaded appointment calendars that our little heads are spinning, it's time to call upon this goddess and soak in her blessings of "me time." I am so at that point right now, I sighed and read on...there is the perfect little ritual that she describes to finally get that "me time" and recover from what I like to (not so affectionately) call "The plague"

I plan on starting on this ritual this very evening and look forward to Serenissima's gentle hands blessing me with that sense of peace and refreshing energy that I need, as I take those horrible "horse pill" antibiotics and various medications to aid in my recovery. The first part of this two part ritual is all about finding time for yourself, just one blessed day, to do the second part of it and therefore enjoy that time I have for myself.

I'll let you know in a future blog about how it goes...just thinking about it seems to have removed some of the pressure of daily life that we can so easily get caught up in. Well, on to do some more reading, Bright Blessings to you all and always set time apart just for yourself....trust me!

Flower Moon

This Friday is the full cycle of the moon and is often referred to as the Flower, Planting or Hare Moon. Energies around this moon are ones of health, romance, love and wisdom.

We need to be encouraged to begin to take action on the things we’ve recently been planning whether it be one of the heart, meditation or taking care of one's self.

This full moon is a time when we begin to really notice more light in our lives.... the days are longer... the grass is green (and must be cut more often) and the flowers are starting to bloom. This is a time of playful , light and buoyant energy. Some ways to really celebrate this moon and the energy it brings, is do a fun thing like host a pot-luck with a spring theme or visit your local elementary school and volunteer during art class. If you are looking for something more “magickal”try lighting a green candle and meditate on being thankful for the feeling of renewal and rejuvenation you can feel at this time.

Gems to enhance this moon’s energy include ones like Malachite, Jade, Emerald, Peridot or any other green-hued stones. These gems help enhance the energy of the heart chakra, which governs our compassion, generosity, love and harmony. When I need a boost in any of these areas, I simply slip a green stone into my pocket ( I like a small piece of Jade) or I wear a necklace of green-gemmed jewelry.

Whatever you feel that moves you this Friday full moon, enjoy and rejoice at the energy of mother earth and the goddess!