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The Mabon Harvest Moon Spread By Beth Allen

2024-09-14T10:16:51-05:00

The autumnal equinox, or Mabon, is almost here! September 22 is the first day of autumn and Mabon, when we honor the second harvest of the year and winter’s approach. Traditionally it’s a time to collect and celebrate the abundant harvest that comes from the fruits of our labor. September’s full moon, which is called the Harvest Moon, falls on September 17 this year.

Tarot can be an amazing addition to any ritual and Mabon is no exception. I created the Mabon Harvest Moon Spread to help you personally connect with the holiday. Choose two tarot decks or one tarot and one oracle deck. These can be seasonal decks you bring out at this time of the year or favorite and trusted decks you use regularly. I’m using The Green Witch Tarot by Ann Moura, art by Kiri Ostergaard Leonard, and Under the Oak Tarot by StregaDelleMele, art by Ofride. You will be pre-selecting three cards plus The Moon card (four cards total) from the first deck and reading from the second deck using the three questions below.

First, find The Moon card in the first deck and put it on your table face up, at what will be the top of your spread. The Moon stands alone and sheds light on our journey. It illuminates our path but more guideposts are needed when seeking clarity. With that in mind, choose three significator cards from that same tarot deck.

You will choose three significator cards that, for you personally, represent each one of the three questions you will be asking. You will place them face up from left to right under The Moon card.
Choose Card 1 to represent the question: What am I not seeing that I can be grateful for?
Choose Card 2 to represent: What hidden gift can I bring to the table to share with others?
Choose Card 3 to represent: What support am I not seeing that will help me harvest abundance?
After laying those three cards under The Moon card, you are done using that deck in this spread.

Now take your other deck and shuffle it. You will use this tarot or oracle deck like you would in a regular reading for yourself. Without looking at the cards and while shuffling,
ask the Card 1 question. Pull a card and lay that card face up underneath significator Card 1 from your first deck.

Shuffle and ask your deck the Card 2 question, pull a card, and lay that card face up underneath significator Card 2.

Shuffle and ask your deck the Card 3 question, pull a card, and lay that card face up underneath significator Card 3.

I’ve done a Mabon reading for the collective (please see the photo).Under Card 1,
What am I not seeing that I can be grateful for? I pulled the 6 of Swords. This is a perfect card for manifesting a needed change in your life under a full Harvest Moon. This is the card for necessary transition and a full moon is the perfect time for manifesting this. Take a moment to feel gratitude for this new season, a season in which you can make the changes that help transition you into a better place emotionally. Feel gratitude for shorter days, which provide us with more opportunity to go inward in darkness and thought to see the changes we want to make going forward. Ask your guides and ancestors for help, feeling gratitude for their support and asking them to help guide you toward what it is you want to accomplish.

Under Card 2, What hidden gift can I bring to the table to share with others?I pulled the Ace of Wands. At this harvest, take time to spread the joy of inspiration because just as things die, new things come to life. Think creatively and outside the box; share this energetic shift with friends, family, and community. Fan the flames and come up with a project you can do with others. It may get dark earlier but the spark from the embers of new adventures and ideas shed a powerful light.

Under Card 3, What support am I not seeing that will help me harvest abundance? I pulled the 4 of Wands. You are supported in many, possibly unseen, ways. The number four represents security, foundation. You literally have the support you need to launch those Ace of Wands projects and journey through the changing terrain in the 6 of Swords. You have the power of the shifting winds and you’re able to gather abundance to share with friends and/or family, as well as draw on your inner strength for stability.

It’s a joyful message, appropriate for the Mabon celebration.Enjoy your harvest!

Under the Oak Tarot Review By Beth Allen

2024-08-26T08:37:44-05:00

Most of us can remember that time in our lives when our senses were awake, our imaginations were fertile, and our hearts were so wide open we could see and feel magic all around us.

When I was a child I was obsessed with the fae. I spent most of my days playing in trees, often oak, building homes for them, chatting with them, and feeding them. My nights were filled with the longing to be outside frolicking under the moon with them. I felt connected to their world and to their wild ways.

But life happens — jobs, children, taxes, mortgages, and adulting keep us in the logical world. We close off our personal portals to those other realms we once traveled in so freely.
I’ve spent decades trying to recapture that connection and looking for a tarot deck that could act as a tool to help me.

When I saw Under the Oak I was cautiously hopeful. But once I got it in my hands and I felt the warmth of the familiar, I knew I would be able to use this deck for pathworking, and exploring my relationship with my inner child and with enchantment.

I think it’s safe to say that it’s the artwork that initially attracts all of us to a deck, but ultimately it’s our ability to connect emotionally with it that dictates how often we will use it. Under the Oak is no exception.

Yes, it was the art that initially drew me in, but it’s the world it creates and the inner doors it opens that hold my interest.
This deck follows The Fool’s journey of a character named Anima as she navigates her way through the archetypes of the Major Arcana and through each of the four suits: Wands, Cups, Swords, and Pentacles.

At first blush I was worried this deck might be too young for me. I mean, I’m a grown woman in her crone stage of life. But in reality, following the young Anima through this entrancing world only brings out feelings of childlike wonder and innocence that, in the end, are exactly what I’m trying to channel.

Personally, I’m not a fan of “cute” decks, which often have been my only options when seeking a fae or otherworldly deck.I would not describe Under the Oak as cute. It’s a Pagan deck in all its glory.
The deck has exquisite colors, which tap the senses; the art is fanciful, which sparks the imagination; and the subject matter is myth and folklore, which opens us up to the magical.
As we journey through the cards with Anima, we discover a plethora of magical beings, e.g., a Griffin (The Empress), a Minotaur (the Strength card), Galtzagorriak, which is a type of imp in Basque mythology (5 of Pentacles), and spirit guides such as the stag, the boar, foxes, hares, goats, and the owl.

The four suits are given elemental, symbolic, and divine associations.
Wands are the element of Fire, symbolized by flames. The Court cards contain deities from the Celtic tradition: the Page of Wands is Ceridwen’s cauldron, the Knight of Wands is Mercurius (Celtic god equated to Mercury), the Queen of Wands is Brigid, and the King of Wands is Cernunnos.

Cups are the element of Water, symbolized by flowers. The Court cards depict Greek deities: the Page of Cups is a youthful satyr, the Knight of Cups is Persephone, the Queen of Cups is Hecate, and the King of Cups is Dionysus.

Swords are the element of Air, symbolized by Norse runes. The Court cards represent Norse deities on the steles (tombstones with stories of cultural legends carved into them): the Page of Swords is Eir, the healing goddess, the Knight of Swords is Jormungandr, who can channel energy, the Queen of Swords is the goddess Frigg, who is clairvoyant, and the King of Swords is Odin.

Pentacles are the element of Earth, symbolized by crystals. The Court cards explore deities of the underworld: the Page of Pentacles is Galtzagorriak, who provides support to those in need, the Knight of Pentacles is the Lamia riding on the young bull Aatxe, embodying hard work and protection, the Queen of Pentacles is Mari, an incarnation of Mother Earth, and the King of Pentacles is Mari’s spouse, Sugaar, a giant serpent who lives deep in the Earth.

Anima is Latin for “soul” or “life.” Psychotherapist Carl Jung adapted the word to describe the inner personality that is within the subconscious mind.
Anima clearly references the role this deck wants to fulfill as a guide helping us discover hidden messages and forgotten connections. The character of Amina isn’t found on every card. Many of the cards in both the Major and Minor Arcanas are animals, real or mythological, otherworldly or from this world, yet all magical in their own right. Anima is illustrated wearing a blindfold except in the Judgement and The World cards in the Majors, and in the 9s and 10s in every suit. These are the cards that symbolize the end of her journey, indeed, the end of our journey, and the blindfold being lifted represents the knowledge and wisdom we’ve gained.

Written by StregaDelleMele with artwork by Ofride and published by Lo Scarabeo, this 78-card deck comes in a beautifully designed, sturdy, two-part box.

The cards are standard size with a luminous silvery edging and bewitching backs that aren’t reversible.
The card stock is so luscious that it deserves its own full review! It’s soft to the touch and flexible yet strong. It’s easy to shuffle, even for small hands, and makes that wonderful swooshing sound in the process.

The guidebook is in multiple languages and only the first 51 pages are in English. However, those pages pack a punch, so much so that I would recommend this deck to a beginner.
In spite of the fact that I don’t read Norse runes, the deck is an easy reader that essentially follows the Rider-Waite-Smith system.

This deck does it — it’s a joyful and fun deck that captures the heart even when relaying darker messages.

The cards transport us to those carefree days lying on the ground under an oak in the warmth of the sun on a summer’s day. We listen for faeries’ laughter, perhaps we see a flicker of twinkling light out of the corner of our eye, and we’re taken to a place where all things magical become possible.

Deck Alternatives to the OG RWS By Beth Allen

2024-06-29T10:27:33-05:00

It is the best of times for tarot readers, it is the worst of times for tarot readers. While the explosion of decks onto the tarot scene in the past 10 to 15 years is exciting, it also can create Seven of Cups moments for readers who feel overwhelmed by so many choices. This is especially true for new readers who are trying to learn tarot and are faced with so many decks, as well as so many books about tarot.

Since its publication in 1909, the RWS (Rider-Waite-Smith) has become the most popular style of tarot in the U.S., eclipsing both the Thoth and Tarot de Marseille. The original illustrations by Pamela Colman Smith, with meanings by Arthur Waite, contain a myriad of mystical symbols with references to astrology, the Kabbalah, and numerology. The RWS offers students, both old and new to tarot, endless hidden doors with divinatory secrets behind them, and the keys to unlocking these mysteries are intuition and knowledge. But what happens if you don’t like the original RWS — or its many clones?

You’ve dutifully bought a deck with the original art to pair with the many books you got to learn the RWS system, but you find you don’t resonate with it, and your enthusiasm, once clear and bright like a full moon, now wanes like a sliver in the sky. Don’t despair, there are some new and wonderful alternative decks to choose from that follow the RWS system closely, or closely enough, to use with the many existing teaching tools out there.

Old Style Tarot, created by Alexander Ray and published by U.S. Games Systems, combines the original RWS meanings of the cards with picturesque Old World settings. A reader can wander flower-lined paths and rolling hills in the gentle European countryside or feel the gleeful abandon of a rowdy Maypole celebration in the world found within these cards. Even when giving prickly messages, the deck’s vibe is soothing and kind. The cards offer solace in harried times, making you feel as though you’re getting sound, practical advice from a loving grandparent. The deck has the standard 78 cards, with one extra — The Blank Card. This card lets the querent know that either the current situation is ambiguous or that the timing isn’t right for the question. The cards are slightly larger than standard size, with a semi-gloss finish and backs as pretty as a lace doily. The 100-page guidebook that comes with the deck is full of helpful information, explaining meanings for: Upright, Card’s Advice, Reversed, The Warning, and Quick Answer. This deck is perfect for an old soul who prefers a peaceful vintage flavor.

In contrast, we have Star Maiden Tarot by Hannah Kirchen, also published by U.S. Games. Following the RWS meanings, the art is colorful and quirky, with a sly sense of humor that lifts the mood. Lighthearted and irrepressibly cheeky and fun, the deck feels modern, with bright and beautiful folk art. It will tell you what you need to know like a good friend spinning stories over a strong cup of coffee. As calming as Old Style Tarot is, this deck buoys the spirits and reminds us to lighten up. Named after the Greek goddess Astraea, the 78-card deck is standard size with a laminated linen card stock and iridescent turquoise edging. The chunky guidebook that comes with it is 179 pages, providing a full page of interpretations and meanings for each card.

A couple of honorable mentions for alternative decks that follow the RWS system are the Fyodor Pavlov Tarot by artist Fyodor Pavlov and Ethereal Visions Tarot: Luna Edition by artist Matt Hughes, both published by U.S. Games. Pavlov’s watercolor and ink illustrations are timeless and modern, fusing a classical art style with cultural inclusion. Pavlov creates a diverse and loving landscape with cards that illustrate people of color, switch traditional depictions of gender, and introduce non-binary characters. The 78-card deck has a limited color palette but the art is vibrant and lush. The deck has gold gilding and comes with a 175-page hardcover guidebook packed with information. The Ethereal Visions Luna Edition showcases Hughes’ Art Nouveau style in shades of soft lavenders, blues, and turquoise with touches of silver foil stamping that adds the perfect amount of bling to enhance the deck’s beauty. Celebrating and representing all people, in all stages of life, the deck comes with a 140-page guidebook and two extra cards: The Well and The Artist.

Both decks’ adherence to the original RWS meanings make them perfect study decks, while each artists’ individual points of view allow for intuitive flow. We can be grateful for the abundance of tarot decks available to us. Whether a beginner or an advanced reader, tarot is always The High Priestess unraveling secrets with a developed spiritual knowledge, as well as The Hierophant teaching through established, mundane systems. So if the OG RWS isn’t your jam, perhaps one of these four decks can inspire you on your Fool’s journey.

Review: Witch Sister Tarot: Taking Flight With Your Witch Sisters by Julia Jeffrey

2024-02-24T10:38:03-06:00

Review by Beth Allen

Witch Sister Tarot: Taking Flight With Your Witch Sisters by Julia Jeffrey is a beautiful deck, and moreover, it’s a powerful one.

After working with the cards I’ve developed an immense respect for them. I approach this deck like no other in my collection — with a reverence and almost devoutness that I feel the art and stories command.

When you use this deck, and its incredible guidebook, you’re not only getting tarot, you’re also gaining some understanding of Celtic lore, specifically Scottish magic.
The guidebook provides a treasure trove of tales that have circled around the storied witch/goddesses for centuries. From shape-shifters like the Queen of Elphame and The Morrigan, to the cauldron of Ceridwen, to the Well of Youth and the Cailleach, or the stormy powers of Gormshuil, the spirit and memory of those times stoke the fires of our imaginations like juniper rituals.

Hares, stags, rowan, and thistle, the symbols and meanings in these cards are infused with olde magick, protection, and as the full title of the deck suggests, flight.

The cards’ messages can be passionate or playful, straightforward or nurturing depending on the query, the context, and the Witch Sister who swoops in to assist.

Never dull, the readings may strike like an Elf-Stroke, be stern yet fair like The Great Mother, or soothe and calm like Chliodhna, the Witch of Waters and daughter of the Celtic god of the sea.

Whether tempestuous or mild, I‘ve found the readings to be spot on.
Steeped in Scottish history and the figures who make up the witch/goddess pantheon, this deck offers up a heaping plate of knowledge with a tempting invitation to feast further in your own studies.

Jeffrey has done a marvelous job of weaving the tales consistently throughout the 78 cards, thereby creating a cohesive tarot deck.

To accomplish this formidable task as completely and intelligently as she does, the deck departs from the original RWS meanings often, and in some cases drastically.
Throughout the deck the meanings exemplify a pagan perspective, rather than a colonial one.

The Majors, Minors, and Courts all contain some cards that diverge from the traditional RWS, while Jeffrey’s guidebook provides a summary of each “new” character with a bit of backstory.
After The Fool and The Magician, for example, we have Nicneven for The High Priestess. We learn that her domain is shadow and moonlight and that she, like Hecate in Greek lore, is mysterious, secretive, and connected to the night and to the realm of the dead.

The Empress is The Queen of Elphame, who like Mother Nature, creates beautiful things but can be “deeply unpredictable.”

The suits in the Minor Arcana are nature-based and elemental: Trees/Fire is Wands, Waters/Water is Cups, Skies/Air is Swords, and Stones/Earth is Pentacles.
These changes conform to the important role nature and the elements played in the everyday lives of the Celts.

The Minor Arcana is an interesting mix of cards: some vary a great deal from traditional RWS meanings, some stray off path just a little, others follow the RWS meanings with only a slightly different perspective, which mostly adds depth and layers.The Seven of Waters has a completely different meaning from the traditional Seven of Cups, for example.
The Seven of Cups is about choice, having options, or feeling overwhelmed by these choices and options. The Seven of Waters begins with a fascinating description of a magical cormorant referred to as the Cailleach Dhubh, or Black Hag, and its link to the goddess Cailleach Bheara.
As described in the guidebook, “With her wild sisters she is free to soar through the storm, or plunge headlong beneath the waves, unconstrained by earthly ties.” Her cowrie shells symbolize abundance, the card itself represents overcoming challenges and forming community with like-minded companions to empower ourselves and take flight.

An example of a Minor that strays from the original RWS meaning but gets the reader to the same destination is the Six of Trees (Six of Wands). Citing the Rye-Mother, this dark spirit presents herself as a beautiful young woman who preys on men working the fields at harvest. The Six of Trees represents the heat of the August harvest festival of Lughnasadh, where abundance and beauty are readily found. It reminds us to acknowledge the sacrifices we’ve made in order to manifest this abundance and to celebrate that.

Finally in the Nine of Skies (Nine of Swords) we have an example of a Minor that fundamentally follows traditional RWS meaning while staying true to the deck’s theme. Relating the card to the tale of Blodeuwedd, the card’s message is not to allow ourselves to feel robbed of our power, that we have choices and we can find solutions without feeling despair or a loss of control.

The Court titles have two changes: the Maid (Page) and the Witch (Knight), followed by the Queen and King of each suit.

Jeffrey lives in Scotland where she also illustrated The Tarot of the Hidden Realm. Her research into Celtic magic, especially that of her homeland, is impressive. Both illustrator and writer of this deck, Jeffrey‘s work is a testament to the historical importance of the witch/goddess as both archetype and ancestor.

Published by Llewellyn, the cards are standard size, and true to Llewellyn, they are a dream to shuffle, especially good for smaller hands. The guidebook is 200 pages with full-page color illustrations of every card.

This is not a deck I recommend if you’re looking for an RWS clone with witchy illustrations. However, if you’re looking for a deck that digs into myth, lore, and history, and pulls ancestral energy up by its roots and presents it through dramatic images of witch/goddesses who are earthy, intense, powerful, vengeful, forgiving, kind, and self-assured, then this is a deck you’ll want.

Hawthorn Berry: Herb of The Month

2023-04-29T11:39:56-05:00

Hawthorn Berry
ENERGY: Masculine
PLANET: Mars
ELEMENT: Fire

Some of the common names for Hawthorn include quickthorn, thornapple, whitethorn, Mayflower, May-tree or hawberry. Hawthorn berries are tiny fruits that grow on trees and shrubs belonging to the Crataegus genus. The genus includes hundreds of species commonly found in Europe, North America, and Asia. These nutrient – rich berries have a tart, tangy taste, and mild sweetness. They range in color from yellow to dark red.

For hundreds of years, people have used hawthorn berry as an herbal remedy for digestive problems, heart issues, and high blood pressure. In fact, the berry has been a key part of traditional Chinese medicine since at least 659 A.D.

Hawthorn has been used to help protect against heart disease and to help control high blood pressure. It has also been used to treat skin sores and boils.

Metaphysically, Hawthorn is used for protection, longevity, communicating with spirits and ancestors and working with the Fae. It is also good in love and sex magick as it has a strong association with matters of the heart. It works well to help heal from grief and release emotional patterns that no longer serve our highest good. The berries are especially useful for protective magick over the hearth and home.

Photo Credit Wikipedia

Hocus Pocus Tarot Review by Beth Allen

2022-09-26T08:12:17-05:00

“All Hallows’ Eve has become a night of frolic where children wear costumes and run amuck.” Recognize those words? That’s right — they were said with overriding authority and a hint of disdain by Sanderson sister Winifred to sisters Mary and Sarah in the iconic 1993 movie “Hocus Pocus.” And now there’s a tarot deck!

“Golden Girls,” “Friends,” “Game of Thrones,” and “Stranger Things” have all been made into decks with varying degrees of success. The problem with some mass market decks that are based on popular movies or TV shows is that publishers bank on the deck’s theme to bring in buyers but don’t pay enough attention to the tarot side of it. The Majors can be haphazard and the Minors can be phoned-in pips. Not all the time but often enough for both the tarot reader and fan to be wary.
So is this deck the real deal, an authentic tarot deck that also captures the magic of All Hallows’ Eve and the tale of the Sanderson Sisters? Or is it simply a candy-grabber dressed up in costume? Let’s dive in, shall we.
This 78-card deck follows the Rider-Waite-Smith system with name changes to the suits: Wands are Candles, Pentacles are Pumpkins, Swords have become Lightning, and Cups are called Potions. Published by Insight Editions for Disney, the creators/writers are Minerva Siegel and Tori Schafer and it’s illustrated by DreaD (sic). It comes with a thick, 127-page guidebook packed full of useful information. The bios at the back of the guidebook state that both deck creators are tarot readers and enthusiasts who have practiced and written about tarot for years. Their tarot knowledge is evident as you work with the deck and become familiar with the cards.

The cards themselves are surprisingly lush with a rose petal finish and they shuffle beautifully. The printing on the cards is clear and sharp and the production quality is good. I love the illustrations — they can be beautiful, atmospheric, or funny depending on the card. The color palette is so Samhain— greens and yellows, oranges, black, and purples. The deck comes in a sturdy two-piece box with thumb indents and a purple ribbon to lift out the cards that nestle inside the box. The cards are just a touch longer and wider than standard-sized tarot cards, still easy to manage if you have small hands.
Could you read this deck without having seen the movie? Yes, using the guidebook you definitely could. (My question is, why haven’t you seen this fabulous movie?)

Could you read this deck without knowing the RWS system? Again yes, the guidebook provides enough to go on but some of the Minors are pips, and that might make it difficult for a beginner to understand.
And that brings us to the cards themselves. I did a “scientific” test and sorted the cards into two piles: cards that I believe fit the traditional meaning and communicate that meaning within the context of the movie in a clever way, and those cards I feel lack clarity or can’t be read easily using intuition alone.

There are 61 cards in the “Yes, this totally works and I’m here for it” category and 17 in the “Come on now” category. Stand-outs in the first category are Winifred as The Magician, Sarah as The High Priestess, and Mary astride her vacuum cleaner as The Chariot. Also the Spellbook as The Hierophant when put to use and the III of Lightning when taken from its proper owner. The Page of Pumpkins is delightfully October 31 in the best way and the Queen of Pumpkins is Allison dressed resplendently at the top of the staircase. In addition, all the Aces are magical, the X of Candles depicts melted wax weighing down a rod iron window, the IX of Pumpkins shows an abundance of fat, jolly pumpkins merrily strung up against the night sky, the IX of Lightning is anxiety-inducing turbulent lightning flashing in the darkness as bats cross the moon, and the VIII of Potions is Mary walking away with bottles of potions that need to be discarded. And so many more.

Of the 17 in the second category, most are in the suit of Candles. Although beautifully illustrated and visually emblematic of the magic in Salem that fateful night, too many are melting candles in the corresponding card number and simply don’t do enough to honor the Sanderson sisters.

But don’t let those few cards dissuade you from enjoying this deck. I certainly haven’t! I recommend this deck to Hocus Pocus fans and All Hallows’ Eve fans alike. And I don’t see it as a seasonal deck either because just like pumpkin spice coffee, I can drink this up all yearlong. I love this deck and find it to be a good reader.
So with regrets to Billy Butcherson, it’s time again for Winifred to proclaim, “Lock up your children. Yes, Salem, we’re back!”

Get Yours Here

Parents Can Use This Guide to Diagnose and Treat Their Fatigue Levels by Gwen Payne

2022-08-25T08:28:05-05:00

https://www.verywellmind.com/t...This article explores the various causes of parental fatigue and provides several ideas on how to treat and combat it when your child has special needs.

Caring for a child who has special needs is often a joyous experience, but for many parents, it can also be mentally and physically exhausting. You might be coping with anything from depression and anxiety to poor sleep habits, all of which contribute to one another, or you might be straining yourself physically while helping your child with heavy equipment every day. Each of these things can affect your ability to be the best caregiver you can be, and they can create challenges for you as an individual as well. Assessing your level of fatigue is important, as is finding resources to help you through your daily responsibilities.

Use this brief guide to figure out what your personal needs are, how to cope with fatigue and boost your mental health, and how to prevent fatigue from setting in.

Take a look at your routines and lifestyle

When it comes to figuring out what your fatigue levels are, there are a few specific things you can look at that will give you some insight:

1. Do you suffer from anxiety or depression? If so, what are the indicators for those mood disorders and how do they affect your daily routine?

2. Do you sleep well at night?

3. Are you responsible for physically assisting your child on a daily basis? How does that affect your stamina and motivation levels when it comes to physical activity for yourself?

4. Are you able to interact socially with others throughout the week?

Writing down the answers to these questions can help you get a sense of the scope of your duties and how they affect you on a daily basis.

Make time for yourself

An important part of addressing fatigue is making time for yourself. It can be difficult to know where to look for making time, but one idea is to enlist the help of tutors to help relieve you of some of the burden of navigating your child’s schoolwork.

You can use the time you get back to pursue your own interests, whether it’s reading a book or starting a business. It’s important to protect your personal assets in a business, so forming your business as an LLC is ideal. You’ll also realize tax benefits as well.

Also, set aside some time so you can just relax. With some candles and incense you can set up a relaxing space where you can meditate, read, or just spend some time lost in thought. After all, there’s absolutely no harm in doing nothing for a little while!

Create a plan of action

Once you have a list of tasks and responsibilities that contribute to your wellbeing, think about how you can make some positive changes to your lifestyle. If your sleep routine needs some work, take a look at the things that are affecting it first; for instance, if you’re tired after a long day but have trouble unwinding, put down your phone or device and take a hot shower or read a book instead.

Practicing self-care before bed can help you relax and prepare your body and mind for rest. If the physicality of your job as a caregiver leaves you too tired to exercise or take part in activities, look for budget-friendly upgrades and modifications that can be made to your home to take some of the weight off your shoulders.

Prepare for the negatives

With every new action you take in your life, there is bound to be a downside. The good news is, you can prepare yourself for these negative outcomes in order to minimize them. For instance, taking more time for yourself through the week might mean spending less time with your partner. Focusing on treating your anxiety or depression can bring up painful memories or emotions. By keeping communication open with your loved ones, getting them involved in your care habits, and seeking professional assistance for some areas of your life, you can prevent those downsides.

Go for it!

After spending some time thinking about how you can improve your mental and physical health, it’s important to consider some goals for the future. Starting a new hobby or going back to school are just two ways you can make a difference for yourself and your family, and with an online program, you can work on your degree from home at an accredited institution while still taking care of your responsibilities.

Battling and preventing parental fatigue takes time to learn and implement, so be kind to yourself as you start on this journey. Look for support from friends and family as you go, and think of different ways you can focus on your own needs even in small measures.

picture from esveralife.com

In Dreams Oracle Review By Beth Allen

2022-08-19T08:03:20-05:00

This is an oracle deck for sipping tea and contemplation. This is an oracle deck for cloudy autumn days and cold nights. This is an oracle deck to go inward. This is a deck for people who love art.

Stylized and elegant, this 41-card deck is stunning. Artist and creator Boris Indrikov is a self-described surrealist artist. I would describe the art on these cards as a combination of Max Ernst and Alphonse Mucha; a natural and beautiful blend of surrealism and art nouveau.
Unlike many oracle decks, these cards don’t have keywords or phrases on them. While this allows you to hone your intuition and pull personal meaning from the cards, it does make the 56-page guidebook essential for those who want to peer into Indrikov’s mind to see the thoughts behind the meanings of the cards.

And what a mind it is. As a bit of background, Indrikov was born in Leningrad in 1967. He was introduced to art at an early age by his mother who taught drawing at school. Later Indrikov abandoned his college studies in engineering to pursue life as an artist. He credits the Renaissance masters (14th through 17th centuries) as being the biggest influence on his early studies. Currently he lives in Moscow and works as a book designer and artist.
The design of this deck does have a touch of the engineer. The cards are divided into four groups that follow the elements of the suits in tarot. These elements are designated by the color on the card’s border: a blue border is Air or external events; a red border is Fire or action; a green border is Water or feelings and emotions; and a yellow border is Earth, which is the material world.

At first glance these color differences can be difficult to distinguish because of the overall autumnal tones in the deck. But the palette becomes more obvious as you work with it.
Indrikov also divided the deck into what I call “categories” of roughly four cards each, with each card in the category assigned one of the elemental suits (Air, Fire, Water, and Earth). For example, cards 1 through 4 are in category “Play.” Play Air is “A message will change your life,” Play Fire is “Let go of your biases,” Play Water is “Welcome new feelings and emotions. Try something new,” and Play Earth is “A new beneficial offer brings unexpected gain.”
The other categories the cards fall into are: Look For Harmony And Balance; Renew; Stop And Get To Know Yourself; Love To Interact; Grow And Learn; Conceive, Create, Implement; Perceive, Learn, Be Aware; Make A Change, Transform; and Dream. The outliers are another Grow And Learn card (this might be a typo in the guidebook) and a Joker card, about which the guidebook states: “On a day that Joker comes into your life it is advised that you and the world just observe each other.” Lol — noted.

This aspect of layering in the elements gives the reader more flexibility because it allows the oracle to easily be read as a tarot deck.

Each card has a quote with it as well. For example, card number 6, under category Look For Harmony And Balance (Fire - action) has this quote: “Always forgive your enemies. Nothing annoys them more.” - Oscar Wilde.

The cards measure 3.5” x 5.2” and are printed on medium-thick card stock with a waxy matte finish. The cards aren’t too large for small hands and they’re easy to shuffle. They come in a sturdy two-piece box.

I love this deck. I love the way it seems complicated but it’s not. I love the way I can use it like a tarot deck but it’s not. And I love that the artist says, “On one hand, fate is predetermined, which means nothing is an accident. On the other hand, life is full of surprises, which means it is completely unpredictable.”
Appropriately, In Dreams falls somewhere between randomness and certainty.

May Herb of the Month: Birch

2022-04-30T11:39:00-05:00

Gender: Feminine

Planet: Venus

Element: Air, Water

A birch is a thin-leaved deciduous hardwood tree of the genus Betula in the family Betulaceae. They are a rather short-lived pioneer species widespread in the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in northern areas with moderate climates. These are generally small to medium-sized trees or shrubs.

The birch has simple leaves, and the bark of all birches is characteristically marked with long, horizontal pores. Medicinally, birch bark when made into a tincture, works well as an anti-inflammatory analgesic pain reliver. Birch has also been used for kidney and bladder stones, urinary tract infections and joint pain.

The oil from the birch tree may be useful in treating those with heart and kidney edema, rheumatism, arthritis, calcium spurs, chronic cystitis, high cholesterol. It can also be used as an astringent for the skin, helping with skin eruptions and wet eczema.

The metaphysical uses of Birch include inception, fertility, purification, and protection, especially psychic protection. It was used traditionally in the besom, Beltane fires and Maypoles as well as Yule logs.

Birch brings an abundance of strong, positive energy to magic. Appeal to the spirit of the birch for a promising start to new ventures. Combine birch into charms for love, protection, and wisdom.

Picture: getwallpapers.com

Growing Witchy Herbs and Flowers

2022-03-30T09:24:00-05:00

By Local Green Witch Cassandra Brasher

Ostara has come and passed and if you are anything like me, the spring equinox has you nothing if not excited for some warm weather and green plants. Planning out a new garden can be extremely overwhelming whether it's from the vast options from seeds alone, the cost or just finding enough space to grow at all. Fortunately, planting herbs in containers can not only keep certain ones from aggressively spreading and taking over your garden but give you the ability to grow in small areas like apartments!

These are some container friendly herbs and flowers to give you some ideas for your own magical garden here in Omaha and their magical attributes:
Rosemary- Purification, healing, nightmare repellant, faeries, handfasting & protection
Green sage- Cleansing, protection, wisdom, grounding, longevity, wishes & house blessings
Oregano- Joy, strength, vitality, energy & substanceMint- Abundance, fertility, protection, fortune, luck, prosperity, creativity, healing & love
Basil- wealth, love, abundance, protection, luck, safe travel, divination, banishing & luck
Thyme- Courage, affection, loyalty, purification, dreaming, healing & divination
Catnip- Love, beauty, dreaming, luck, happiness, binding, peace & cat workings
Hydrangea- Hex-breaking, fidelity, binding, intuition, love & faerie magick
Snapdragon- Protection, purification, beauty & dispelling gossip
Calendula- Dreams, legal, protection, wishes, psychic powers & luck with money
Dwarf sunflowers- Fertility, protection, happiness, energy, power, wisdom & sun magick
Marigold- Love, psychic power, dreams, admiration, protection & luck with legal matters
Lavender- Purification, sleep, dreams, healing, protection, peace, clarity & happiness

Make sure that when you are choosing to plant that you start out small to avoid being overwhelmed, you can always come back and add more to your collection. I like to start all my seedlings in biodegradable (Jiffy) pots because they are extremely cheap and when you choose to transfer your seedlings to a you don't have to worry about damaging it as you take them out. After it stays consistently above 50 degrees, feel free to leave your new plants outside or transfer them to an outside garden bed. Many herbs grow well on sunny indoor window sills too.

Candle Spell For Joy on Yule

2021-12-31T09:15:00-06:00

Joy Spell

To bring joy and happiness into your life, light a red or orange candle and say aloud your intention:

At this darkest time of night

It's time to welcome back the light

Light, joy and tranquility

Find their way to comfort me

I deserve the best of things

Happiness to make my soul sing

As this candle ends its burn

Light will have to now return

So mote it be!

Picture Grahics Fairy

Uses of Orange Peel Herb

2021-12-31T09:12:00-06:00

Orange Peel

GENDER: MASCULINE

PLANET: SUN

ELEMENT: FIRE

The orange is a hybrid between a mandarin and a pomelo, and it originated in a region encompassing Southern China, Northeast India, and Myanmar. The earliest mention of the sweet orange was in Chinese literature in 314 BC. Orange trees have been found to be the most cultivated fruit tree in the world. Dried orange peel has a concentrated orange flavor and is delightful in culinary dishes, infusions and as an extract.

In eastern medicine, orange peel has been used to help in supporting digestion as well as relieving congestions and excess mucus. It has been used to reduce nausea, increasing appetite and as an anti-inflammatory aid. It is an overall boost to the immune system to help fight off sickness, disease, and viruses. Orange peel and cinnamon sticks make a lovely addition to tea or as an uplifting potpourri.

Metaphysical uses for orange peel include energy, happiness, love, manifestation, luck, money, and divination. Adding two tablespoons of dried orange peel and some citrine to a skin care oil can be used as an anointing oil to uplift and bring a bright, abundant energy. You can add orange peel to an abundance spell to strengthen it or burn as an incense to increase divination skills and aid in meditation. Adding orange peel to a sachet and affixing it to your front entryway can attract good luck and fortune.

Picture from PCI Magazine

The Prairie Majesty Oracle Review by Beth Allen

2021-12-29T09:34:00-06:00

“Insights reveal themselves in their own time and at their own pace. Sometimes we must stop moving, and let them find their way to us.”
— Great Blue Heron from the Prairie Majesty Oracle

Exploring oracle decks is a very different experience from tarot. With tarot the systems usually are set, whereas with an oracle each deck creates its own system apart from every other oracle deck. Even the way a reader uses an oracle can change from deck to deck because it’s such a fluid and varied system.

In exploring the Prairie Majesty Oracle by Kara Simons, with illustrations by Amy Putney Koenig, I’m struck by the cohesiveness of the deck. The concept, the art, and the writing come together beautifully to bring messages of hope and inspiration, advice and guidance. The animals, trees, plants, and elements, all found on the prairie, have been carefully selected and thoughtfully researched, which brings depth to the deck and makes working with it all the more meaningful on a spiritual level.

The 48-card deck is divided into four color-coded sections with 11 cards in each of the sections, as well as four additional cards. The cards categorized under yellow are “Do” cards and ask that we actively approach a situation. The cards categorized under pink are “Know” cards and help us tap into our intuition. The blue section is “Feel” and these cards guide us to acknowledge our emotions surrounding an issue, and the green section contains the cards to “Claim” or reclaim our power in a situation. The four extra celestial cards are the Sun, Moon, Sky, and Star and these are used to show the movement of the energy in a reading.

The guidebook offers different ways to use the deck and different spread ideas. It’s a thorough little guidebook with an explanation of the flora, fauna, or element on each card and how their role or presence connects spiritually with the card’s message. Underneath the illustration on each card is a one-word summary for focus or meditation.
Artistically the deck is stunning, with a matte finish that doesn’t clump and shuffles like a dream, pink gilded edges, and if you’re a deck sniffer (come on, I know you are), it smells wonderful — I sniff it every time I use it. The quality of the deck is excellent and each depiction on the card is both fun and pretty, with a primitive and earthy art style.
At the top of each of the 44 cards is a question for the reader, for example, the Bison asks, “How can I know myself as absolute?” and at the bottom of the card is the focus word “BE.” The River asks, “Am I receiving peace?” and the focus word is “SOOTHE.” The Cottonwood tree asks, “What gift awaits?” and the focus word is “GLITTER,” and Wild Bergamot asks, “What enchants me?” and reminds us to feel “DELIGHT.”

WAYS TO USE THE DECK
This deck can stand alone as an oracle, but like partners in a square dance, it pairs nicely with a tarot deck.
Using the deck by itself, I like to pull a card in the morning as a guide to approach my day and to reflect upon its message at day’s end. Sometimes I choose a specific card to work with to form an intention or focus.

Working with the oracle and a tarot deck I will pull a card to clarify a specific tarot card in a reading or use the oracle to expand upon or deepen the meaning of a tarot reading. You also can pull one oracle card at the end of a tarot reading to summarize the overall message.

Most often I pair this oracle with a tarot deck in my readings. I’ve found it works well with The Prairie Tarot, Journey of the Sacred Bee tarot, and The Crow tarot. All of these decks are sold through Magical Omaha, but you certainly can use any tarot deck you already have.

I place the Prairie Majesty deck face down next to my tarot deck, also face-down, and lift a card from each deck together at the same time. You’d be surprised by the synchronicities in meaning you’ll get from these readings.
Another way I like to read is to first lay out my tarot cards in answer to a question and then pull one oracle card for each tarot card I’ve pulled and place it beneath the tarot card. This enriches the entire reading and provides me with more information. This free-form reading style also is great practice for honing your intuitive skills.
Willa Cather wrote that “anybody can love the mountains, but it takes a soul to love the prairie.” The Prairie Majesty taps into that, and like the song of the meadowlark, its voice is clear, unique, and unmistakable.

Samhain Spell for Summoning your Ancestors

2021-09-25T10:32:00-05:00

Light a black candle and sprinkle marigold or mugwort herbs around it, and recite the following:

Ancestors, I call to you

Speak to me of things true

Fill with your ancient ways

Knowledge of older days

May I honor our blood

In all the ways I should

So mote it be!

Let the candle burn until it is done, or blow it out and relight it the next day.

Which Witch?

2021-09-04T12:10:00-05:00

By Beth Allen

Autumn is almost here and so begins a magical time of changing colors and ritual.

If tarot is part of your celebration and practice, you may be looking for that perfect witch deck to use, especially for Mabon and Samhain.

But which witch deck?
Two tried-and-true decks to consider are the Witches Tarot by Ellen Dugan, illustrated by Mark Evans, and the Green Witch tarot by Ann Moura, art by Kiri Ostergaard Leonard. They are both beautiful decks but very different, so let’s compare!

If you’re looking for a deck that closely follows the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith meanings and titles, or if you’re new to tarot, you might want to go with the Witches Tarot. This is a deck you can read right out of the gate if you’re familiar with RWS or to learn how to read if you’re a beginner.

There are only four cards out of the 78 that differ from the original RWS titles, all in the Major Arcana: V changes from The Hierophant to a kind of Yoda-like figure called The High Priest; X becomes The Wheel of the Year, not the Wheel of Fortune; XV changes from The Devil to The Shadow Side; and XX is Karma instead of Judgement. In the traditional RWS these cards in particular use Christian iconography so it makes sense that the titles and images would be changed to be consistent with the deck’s pagan theme.

First published in 2012 by Llewellyn, the deck uses photographic digital art that blends fantasy with realism. The feeling you get from the deck is an interesting mix of Old World with Modern.

The backs of the deck are very pretty, however they are not reversible because of the coloration. They are a tad smaller than standard-sized cards so they are good for smaller hands, and the Llewellyn card stock makes them easy to shuffle.

I must admit that I have a sentimental attachment to this deck because it was the deck I first learned to read tarot with. The deck is straightforward and offers clear messages, and it’s a great all-round workhorse. My deck is well-worn and well-loved and I continue to use it after many years, especially when I have questions on practical or financial matters, as I find it really shines in those areas.

The Green Witch, with its fanciful pagan-village art, has a different vibe altogether. This deck puts more emphasis on pagan lore and practice and therefore, makes a good study tool. Many of the cards’ images and titles have been changed from the traditional RWS, for example, The Fool becomes The Greenman; The Magician is The Witch; Strength is The Crone; Judgement is Harvest, etc. The titles of the Minor Arcana follow the RWS, only Cups have been changed to Chalices and Swords are Athames. All 78 cards also depict a plant/herb and an animal that correspond to the meaning of the card. You can read the deck intuitively, but with the emphasis and information on herbs and the craft, to do it justice requires more of a deep dive.

This deck was first published in 2015, also by Llewellyn. The art is illustrated with lush folkloric and fairy-tale like images. It’s borderless and smaller than a standard-sized deck so it also is good for small hands. The backs are stunning and they’re reversible if you don’t look too closely at the points of the pentagram.

If you want a tarot tool to use for green witchcraft and pagan wheel-of-the-year practices and symbols, this deck would be a great choice for you.

I use this deck exclusively to read for myself. I find it to be a spiritual deck that helps me connect with Mother Earth. It’s a deck I recommend for gratitude practice or offerings and it never fails to remind me of what’s really important.

Both decks come with detailed, helpful guidebooks and both are available for purchase on this Magical Omaha site. You also can find a more detailed review of the Green Witch tarot on this site if you’re interested.

Neither deck offers much diversity if that’s important to you. The Witches does have some cards showing people of color and some older people, while the Green Witch shows more varied body types and ages but has no racial or ethnic diversity.

Comparing these decks is a bit like comparing ravens and mugwort. The Witches has a dark, mysterious feel, while the Green Witch comes out from under the shadows and lets us visit a community in harmony with nature.

So which witch calls to you? Both decks are wonderfully witchy so the answer really depends on what you’re looking for this season. Why not treat yourself and get two witch decks, after all, Yule is just around the corner?!

Real Moldavite Versus Fake Moldavite: How to tell the difference.

2021-04-10T13:55:00-05:00

We have several people coming in everyday asking if we have Moldavite. It has exploded in popularity due to a TikTok video. We have been selling Moldavite for over 20 years and it has gotten very rare due to the high demand and scarcity of availability. Some people are looking on Etsy or Ebay to find pieces and most of them are fake so I wanted to help you identify what to look for.

First of all, it should be expensive. Very expensive. If it is a $30 pendant on Etsy, you can be pretty assured it is fake. Moldavite has been almost mined out and the only open and legal mine is in Chlum, Czech Republic. The government has taken over that mine and are strictly monitoring who gets any of what is left and nothing is going to come out of the mine for a few months. Very little will ever be mined again so the supply is almost gone. There are only a very small number of people who get any. We have gotten our supply from TW Designs Moldavite and Robert Simmons of Heaven and Earth and they are two of only a handful who has ever gotten any quantity.

Secondly, it should not ship from China or Thailand. Fakes come from predominantly those countries.The ones from China are inexpensive.There are some sellers in Thailand that are selling fakes that are very good and they are charging high prices with fake certifications, so beware of those.

Authenticity certifications may not mean anything. Anyone can make up a certification. There are no forms that the mine sends out with the moldavite saying they are real. So if someone has one, I would be skeptical. This isn't a real thing!!! Our moldavite supplier TW Designs Moldavite has recently created a certification to send with his pieces but it just something he is including so people know it came from him and he has a good reputation. This is a recent thing that he is doing but the mine issues nothing.

Moldavite is not kelly green and glassy looking! The fakes are being made by melting down glass 7up bottles! Moldavite should look blackish green for the most part, some of it is lighter though. It may have small parts that look glassy but the whole thing won't.

If the seller has a large amount of Moldavite, I would be suspicious. The Czech government only allows small amounts to specific people to have any. All of the reputable dealers and jewelers have almost none right now so if someone has a large amount, they are making it!

If you are able to feel the energy of crystals, you will immediately know if it is real or not. Moldavite is really high energy. It feels like a jolt to me. It is actually too high energy for me. I feel nervous and jittery when I am around it but many people love it. If you like the energy of garnets and rubies, you would probably like it.

Journey of the Sacred Bee Review by Beth Allen

2021-03-15T16:10:00-05:00

Everyone has a type: a type of house you like; a type of food you don’t like; a type of clothing and music you like; and of course, a type of tarot deck you like, or don’t like, to read with.

Before, I was not a type who used collage decks much. Before, I was not a type who liked key words on her cards. But the operative word here is “before,” and typecasting got a reality check when Journey of the Sacred Bee came into my life. This deck is amazing, the art is amazing, and it’s an amazing reader for me.

I know next to nothing about sacred geometry and I would call myself an untrained but enthusiastic student of astrology. So given the nature of this deck, in which both disciplines are used, I wasn’t sure how well the deck would read for me. But as it turns out, it’s a great intuitive reader and not having knowledge in those areas doesn’t affect my ability to read with this deck or to appreciate it.

And how did my previous bias against collage-style weigh against this deck? Gone. With many collage decks out there I feel as though it’s a bit of a “Where’s Waldo?” to cut through all the images to get to the central meaning of the card. The message simply gets lost in all the layers. But this isn’t the case with Journey of the Sacred Bee. The visual message on each card is laser-focused, the eye is directly drawn to the main idea and the meaning is crystal clear.

If I had to describe this deck in one word, I would say “Luscious!” If I had to describe how it reads for me in one word, I would say “Bam!” It’s as powerful as it is pretty. With its high-quality matte card stock, its vibrant colors, and its brilliant turquoise edging, this borderless deck is like a long hike through an exotic, lush landscape filled with archetypes and iconic images.

Although the cards follow the Rider-Waite-Smith template, deck creator Kelly Burton adds an extra dimension with the key words in the Minors, which follow the Thoth. Burton makes just enough changes to the key words to successfully make a perfect fusion where the key words enhance the RWS-inspired imagery, and therefore become a help and not a hindrance in a reading. Another “type” notion gone.

Despite having the very specific theme of bees, I find it’s a great all-rounder. Not only does the deck speak to me when I read for myself, but I’ve also used it to read for four people and all four readings were spot on in both breaking down the issue(s), as well as advising how to overcome and understand obstacles. And despite having such a specific niche, the art resonated universally with all four querents.

I would be hard pressed to pick out favorite cards. It’s an unusual pleasure to be able to say that every card in a deck is a stunner, but I will spotlight a few: In the Majors there’s the mystical Priestess, the vintage Empress, the playful Lovers, the shamanic Hermit. In the Courts there’s the hot Knight of Cups (yeah, I said it, he’s hot), the mythical Queen of Disks, the majestic King of Swords, and the just plain awesome Queen of Wands. In the Minors there’s the evocative Two of Swords, the haunting Eight of Cups, the pained Nine of Swords, and my stalker card – the Three of Disks -- “Effort” “Mars in Capricorn” -- where a flower sends out its seeds or blossoms from a foundation of green disks. I personally am making some big changes in my life that are, at the moment, requiring much effort and a lot of Mars energy. Oh, and my Moon and Ascendant are in Capricorn.

I can’t recommend this deck enough. While the art is dazzling the messages are straightforward and direct. And if that’s not enough, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the deck go to The Bee Conservancy.

You can learn a lot working with this deck, it’s certainly opened doors in my mind that previously were closed and had limited my view of not only what can work, but what can make a deck great.

Spring Cleansing for the Soul By Beth Allen

2021-03-07T10:23:00-06:00

Ostara and the first day of Spring are just around the bend and that signals that it’s time for spring cleaning. No, not the boring one, it’s time to go through your tarot decks and switch things up. Even if you only have two decks – switch them in honor of the arrival of a new season.

Decks can be viewed as seasonal for a variety of reasons: the art depicted on the cards; predominant colors used in the deck remind you of a specific season or seasons; or maybe just the overall vibe you get from the deck. Some decks are begging for a deep dive, to be studied next to a cup of warm tea on a cold night. While others invite you to take them outside and enjoy a sunny day slinging cards with birds chirping all around you.
Here’s a list of some of the decks I plan to use this Spring and Summer. If you own these decks, maybe you want to try out this rotation method. If you don’t own these exact decks, maybe you want to analyze how you could use the decks you do own seasonally. Either way, it’s good to click Refresh every so often.
So let’s do a bit of a Spring cleansing for the soul.
1.)The Green Witch Tarot by Ann Moura, art by Kiri Ostergaard Leonard. In my review of this deck, which can be found with the deck on this website, I describe it as having “a fall/wintry feel.” Well, I changed my mind – a witch’s prerogative. Although the card depictions follow The Wheel of the Year, and therefore, all seasons and sabbats are represented, the more I work with it, the more springy and summery it feels to me. The deck just has a lot of green and a lot of plants and a lot of flowers. The Green Witch harkens to a sunny, harmonious village where the inhabitants are connected to Nature. Starting with The Greenman representing new beginnings and Ostara, the cards beckon us to get out of our rut and look around as the days grow longer and plants put out their buds.
2.)The Stolen Child by Monica L. Knighton. How can we talk about Spring without talking about the fae and the symbolic (or real) energy they bring to Nature this time of year?! The beautiful and fanciful art of The Stolen Child leads us into a different world and it has become my favorite fairy deck. In keeping with the deck’s theme, the images have a new-beginnings feel. Everything about this deck says new life and it’s filled with depictions of eggs, cocoons hatching, flowers bursting, and baby animals (you can find a full review of the deck on this website). One look at the joyful, energetic exuberance of The Magician or the wonder of the child suspended in ocean water in the 10 of Brine (Cups), and you know Spring has sprung.
3.)The Heartspun Tarot by Erin Haldane. You can almost smell honeysuckle and jasmine when you work with this sweet little animal deck – it’s got those summertime feels! It’s smaller than a standard-size deck so it’s perfect to grab and go. Put it in your backpack, beach bag, or purse and you’re ready to run off and enjoy a day in Nature. A crazy quilt of pastel colors, the deck’s art is soft and the messages are delivered on a summer breeze, but it can just as easily bring on the honesty like a sudden clap of thunder. Even the backs of these cards, with robin’s egg blue sky and flowered borders, won’t let you escape that feeling of a warm, lazy day.
4.)Journey of the Sacred Bee by Kelly Burton. This deck came out in 2020 and it’s already created quite a buzz! (Get it? Oh dear.) Anyway, it’s a collage-style deck of stunning beauty, steeped in turquoise, pinks, and purples. Even the sides of the cards are edged in a luxurious turquoise shimmer. And the theme – bees! Well, bees are to summer days what katydids are to summer nights. The vibrant, saturated colors in this deck give off major bright-summer-day heat vibes. The cards are full of images of hives, honeycomb, and flowers. Wings abound in every image. An added plus: a portion of the profits from deck sales is donated to The Bee Conservancy. This deck can be a deep dive for sure as it explores Sacred Geometry, but it’s a good intuitive reader as well. What a wonderful way to while away the hours on a hot summer day.

The Stolen Child Tarot Deck Review

2021-01-31T16:39:00-06:00

by Beth Allen
When I first saw The Stolen Child Tarot by Monica L. Knighton I thought, “What a sweet little deck.” And it is a sweet deck and as I continue to work with it, the messages and guidance the deck offers are delivered in a gentle way, holistic even. But it’s also a deep deck. The messages are infused with thought-provoking issues we humans grapple with: generosity, community, acceptance, inclusion, self-love, compassion, social justice, and conservation of our natural world. It stands to reason that because the deck’s title and theme are from the poem “The Stolen Child” by W.B. Yeats, that this deck would be more than simply beautiful art and that it would offer something slightly different than the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith.
The deck’s stunning art is both earthy and fanciful, with illustrations that have a vintage storybook feel. True to its inspiration, the word “enchanting” comes to mind. In the poem’s refrain Yeats wrote:
“Come away, O human child!
To the waters and the wild
With a faery, hand in hand,
For the world’s more full of weeping than you can understand.”
The poem itself is about children stolen by fairies, taken away from a world that too often is harsh and unfair, to a magicial place where all creatures live in harmony and respect. The cards reflect this with illustrations of children sheltering in a world filled with animals, fairies, and the occasional angel. The deck’s art and theme are layered with the idea of humans integrating and becoming a part of something bigger than ourselves, taking on the attributes of animals and truly becoming a part of the natural world, and the world becoming a safer place for all living things because of it. This would be a good deck for pathworking or inner child work, as well as meditation, because the cards invite you into that protected environment. And although the deck reveals her messages with care, I would not say they are sugar-coated, there is also a darker side, reverse meanings to this idyllic hideaway, which can be getting stuck or complacent and losing sight of purpose.
The cards themselves are slightly larger than a standard tarot card but not unwieldy. The card stock is strong yet flexible with a matte finish and a slightly laminated feel that makes shuffling – riffle or overhand – a breeze. The backs of the cards are beautiful too and fully reversible, if you read reversals. It comes in a sturdy box with two untitled bonus cards. I think this deck would satisfy the itch for an animal-deck lover as well as the lover of the fae.
When I begin reading with any new deck I go through the entire deck card by card, usually more than once, noticing different details, what jumps out at me, what’s slightly hidden, etc. Then I shuffle and begin reading intuitively for a few days. This gives me a personal feel for the cards, a connection. Then I turn to the guidebook. I definitely would recommend you download the guidebook, which is by Knighton and edited by Mia Fitzroy. The guidebook offers a lot of insight and meaning into each card, facts about animals, as well as the thought processes behind some of Knighton’s choices for her depictions.

The 78-card deck follows the RWS system, especially in the Major Arcana, however, there are some changes. In the Minor Arcana the suits are changed to Oak for Pentacles; Zephyrs for Swords; Brine for Cups; and Flame for Wands. Knighton switched some of the traditional meanings as well, for example, the 6 of Pentacles becomes the 5 of Oak because, according to what she writes in her guidebook, she associates the number 5 as being a chaotic number and she views the card as layers of class inequality, and therefore elected to shift the image to the 5. Another example is that all of the 2s have animals on them that have become extinct, the 2s representing concepts of duality of thought, cause and effect, choice of action or inaction, balance or imbalance. Frankly, I’m in love with this deck and was not expecting that I would be. This is a multidimensional, multilayered, life-affirming deck that both inspires and comforts. This is a deck I will be keeping in my collection. I can’t help but think that Yeats, a mystic and dedicated student of magic and alchemy, would feel honored.
“Till the moon has taken flight;
To and fro we leap
And chase the frothy bubbles,
While the world is full of troubles
And anxious in its sleep.”

Get your copy of this tarot here:

The Stolen Child Tarot Deck by Monica Knighton (magicalomaha.com)

Tarot Decks don't need to be a gift.

2020-12-29T09:43:00-06:00

Your first tarot deck does not have to be a gift. I don't know where this started but we hear it every week. It makes no sense. Pick out a tarot deck that speaks to you and do NOT wait for it to be given to you. If you get one as a gift, it may not even be one that you connect with the art. I think tarot decks are very personal so please get the one you like or collect several! Also, same with opals. Opal don't have to be given to you. If you want an opal, get one.

Dame Darcy Mermaid Tarot Review by Beth Allen

2020-01-11T12:12:00-06:00

If you take the San Francisco poster art style from around the turn-of-the-century that depicted bawdy saloon life, mix it with that same style, repurposed decades later for rock ‘n’ roll posters (again in the San Francisco area), throw in Andy Warhol’s Factory for good measure, and stir in a cartoon style that was popular in the ‘70s and ‘80s, you come out with the delicious Dame Darcy Mermaid Tarot deck. The deck is stunning and it is uniquely its creator, Dame Darcy.

Some cards, like the Moon, are mystical and deep, some cards, like the Chariot, are playful and whimsical. The Magician looks like he just left Studio 54, while the High Priestess looks timeless, reverent, and connected to spirt. The Nine of Swords illustrates a woman who is torn or distraught, the art in a style reminiscent of the comic strip character Mary Worth, and the Queen of Wands looks like a gal who’s full of fire and up for a good time somewhere along the Barbary Coast. There are pirates, showgirls, sailors, mermen, and, of course, mermaids.

In short, this is not a boring deck.

Despite its rebellious joie de vivre flair, the 78-card, independently published deck strictly adheres to the Rider-Waite-Smith system and for this reason, would make a great deck for beginners and a wonderful alternative for anyone looking for something other than traditional RWS art. It doesn’t come with a guidebook but you can go to Dame Darcy’s website for a deck guide.

I also recommend this deck for anyone who has astrological associations to water or for anyone who feels drawn to the ocean. If you’re a Cancer, Scorpio, or Pisces, or these signs are significant in your chart, I can’t help but believe these cards would make a perfect fit for you aesthetically and content-wise.

Originally published in 2012, there have been three editions of this deck that I know of. These editions include some changes in art, for example, the Moon and the Ace of Pentacles, and there have been changes to the border. The edition I worked with was published in 2018 and has gold gilding and thick cardstock. The cardstock is my one complaint. It is so thick that, with the gilding, overhand shuffling is quite a clunky affair; better if you’re a riffle shuffler.

I absolutely love the artwork in this deck (I literally gasped when I opened the box, it is that beautiful). So I was surprised to find that it isn’t a good reader for me. But the hard truth is, I’m not a mermaid person. My theory is that the people who do resonate with mermaids and ocean themes are Cups people (makes sense, water and water). I’m more of a Pentacles/Swords person who sometimes wishes she were a mermaid person. They seem so carefree, they seem bubbly and optimistic, always seeing a beautiful sunrise over the ocean in their minds. They’re all about the feels. I’m all about balancing my checking account and perfecting my gluten-free bread recipe. And I firmly believe it’s because I hold the dubious honor of being a triple Earth sign – Sun, Moon, and Ascendant all firmly rooted in terra firma – that reading with this deck, for me, is a little like trying to breathe underwater. But like art, that is the way with tarot, which is to say, it’s subjective. And in terms of reading the cards, again, this is subjective. You can be unsure about a deck, then you use it, and you fall in love with it; the readings come easily and the images click with your subconscious to elicit clear conscious meanings and thoughts. Then there are decks you absolutely love, like this one, that just don’t quite jive. It’s as mysterious to me as tarot itself. But that’s not to say it wouldn’t be a good reader for you. Not at all.

In spite of my landlubber limitations, or maybe because of them, I wouldn’t hesitate recommending this deck to others. The deck is exquisite, the artwork evocative and fun, and it has a diversity and hipness to it that somehow manages to make it feel both vintage and very modern at the same time. It’s not just a frolic in the waves; I’ve gotten some serious readings with this deck.

On the back of the box, Dame Darcy writes about growing up in the mountains but always being called to the sea. And within her deck, the Queen of Cups, fittingly, is a self-portrait of Dame Darcy herself. When you use this deck you can feel her love of the sea and you know it must have been the song of the mermaids that inspired and called to her. May you be inspired.

Giving Thanks: A Tarot Spread of Gratitude by Beth Allen

2019-11-16T10:59:00-06:00

This is a beautiful time of year to take stock of our surroundings, notice the seasonal changes, and feel joy in being a part of the greater Mystery. Of course, in the U.S. this is the time we gather to celebrate and share good food, good fortune, and love of family, friends, and community. With this focus on being thankful, what better time to use your tarot cards to explore feelings of gratitude in a deeper way.

Below is a simple spread that hopefully gives you a little different perspective on the subject.

Choose a deck and remove the 10s in each of the four suits. I use a Rider-Waite-Smith system deck for this purpose but please feel free to modify to your deck of choice. In the RWS, the 10s represent the culmination of effort or the end of something. However,even though this trek in The Fool's journey has ended, 10s also represent the beginning or start of a fresh, new journey, as paradoxically 10 is also numerically the number 1.

Lay out each of the 10s in a diamond shape by element and direction: Pentacles/Earth to the North; Swords/Air to the East; Wands/Fire to the South; and Cups/Water to the West. Pick up one card at a time and look at what that card represents to you. Starting with the 10 of Pentacles, think about ways you feel a sense of abundance -- food on your table, a roof over your head, a job that provides you with money. Think about security and what it means to you. Do you feel secure? If not, are you ok with that or would you like to make some changes in order to find more security? And what about your health? Do you feel good about your habits or should you look into changing some things to ensure you're treating your body well and with respect?

Next pick up the 10 of Swords -- a bit trickier, right? Life isn't always a box of kittens and that's what the 10 of Swords reminds us. Sometimes life can be tough, sometimes we are down, we feel betrayed by somebody or something. But be grateful because the 10 marks the end of the cycle and an Ace is right around the corner! You can be grateful that whatever the 10 of Swords represents in this spread to you, it's made you a stronger person.

Next go to the 10 of Wands. Remember the Buddhist philosophy that advises us to look at an obstacle or hardship as a lesson we need to learn and to be grateful to that hardship because it is your teacher? What is this card teaching you? Maybe it's teaching you to delegate responsibility, maybe it's teaching you to look up and see where you're going and ask yourself if perhaps there's a better way to continue on your journey at this juncture. Whatever you take from this card that applies to your life, be grateful because if you're aware, you can learn a valuable lesson and as the Wheel turns and you begin the next steps in your journey you will have this experience to draw from.

Now onto the 10 of Cups. Well this one's easy: be grateful for the love in your life, for the love you give and receive, whether it's family, friends, your dog, cat, or goat -- love is love and yes, it does make the world go 'round. But also don't take the love in your life for granted. Be grateful. The Cups are about compassion and grace -- maybe sitting at the Thanksgiving table this year you can feel compassion for that one relative (or the more than one), instead of letting him/her (or them) get to you.

After going through the four 10 cards and sitting with their messages, shuffle your deck and randomly pull one card for each of the 10s. These will be used to clarify or expand upon the 10s. For example, for the 10 of Swords I randomly pulled the Ace of Cups. What a perfect reminder that whatever tough situation is ending, there is a new beginning that holds the promise of emotional fulfillment and happiness. For the 10 of Pentacles I got the Two of Swords showing me that I may have some choices to make or some negotiations that are work-related and to remain open and willing to analyze options so I don't become trapped in indecision. And so on . . .

Enjoy this contemplative spread -- you may even want to keep the 10s out on your desk, table, or altar throughout November (or beyond) to remind yourself of all you have to be grateful for and all the different ways blessings appear in our lives.

Samhain Tarot Spread by Beth Allen

2019-10-09T12:09:00-05:00

The Year-Ahead Spread

The flurry of summer ends when the hours of sunlight and moonlight hang suspended in perfect balance at the Autumnal Equinox. This special time is celebrated by some as Mabon, which this year was from September 21 until September 29. From that time through the next coming months, the cool, crisp nights greet us earlier and earlier. It’s during these darker days that Samhain marks the New Year on the ancient Wheel. Samhain means “summer’s end” in Gaelic and it is the third and final harvest before the cold sets in. Traditionally, this is the night when the veil between the seen and the unseen worlds is at its thinnest; it’s a time to communicate with spirits, to honor ancestors, or to take time to appreciate the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

Every Samhain I do a tarot spread and I’d like to share it with you. It’s a very simple one, I call it my Year-Ahead Spread. First, I set up my space with incense or palo santo, candles, and music and tea (optional but I find it helpful). Next I choose a significator card. This card represents the focal point of the spread. It can be any card you want, for example, it could be your natal card, your astrological card, or a Court card you relate to. It also could be a goddess card you like working with, an ancestor card, or a constellation card, perhaps Andromeda, as this galactic empire climbs the eastern sky on October evenings. It’s whatever card in whatever deck calls to you. This year I’ll pull my cards from the Crow Tarot and I’ll choose my significator card from the Green Witch Tarot.

Place the significator in the middle and shuffle your deck (can be the same deck or a different one). When you feel ready, pull 12 cards and place them in a circle around the significator card without looking at them, starting with November through October 2020. Turn the cards over one by one (month by month). Write down the cards on a calendar or in your journal to remember them and throughout the coming year refer to the card you pulled for the month for meditation, study, pathworking, shadow work, or simply as a jumping off point for future readings. I set out the card for the entire month in a place I will see it. It’s also interesting to see if the card is a good fit for what’s happening in your life at that time.

In addition, I use an oracle deck and randomly pick out a card for each month to complement, deepen, and enhance the meaning of the tarot card.

Great Crystals for Beginners

2019-10-01T14:56:00-05:00

Beginner Rocks: These are stones that everyone should have, beginner or pro!

Rose Quartz

Rose Quartz is a lovely pink form of quartz. It is such a sweet stone that everyone should have at least one, or if you are like me, a whole desk full! Rose quartz helps you build self- esteem and self-confidence. It helps you to love yourself and others. It promotes joy and friendship. It helps soothe your heart if you are sad or lonely.

Amethyst

Not only is amethyst a beautiful stone, it is a real multi-tasker. It is a very protective stone. It will help you develop artistic ability and help with the creative process. It is good for helping with nightmares and addictions. It helps give you self-control and makes you feel whole.

Clear Quartz

Clear Quartz is a great all-purpose healing stone. Its energy amplifies the energy of other stones. Use it with any other stone. Clear Quartz can be set to your intention and help you manifest what you desire. Put a quartz crystal in with your tarot deck to clear it.

Garnet

Garnet’s energy is as fiery as its appearance. It is a very energizing stone (no coffee needed!) It restores vitality. It is a very passionate stone. Use garnet whenever you want a project to succeed. It is a very sensual stone so put it in your bedroom when you want to spice things up!

Citrine

Golden citrine is one of my favorites. It is called the “Merchant’s Stone” and shop owners should always have a piece in their cash register. Carry a piece in your pocket to attract success to you. Citrine is a good stone for students, it helps you learn and focus. Citrine never needs cleansing as it does not hold negative energies. It also helps with developing your intuition.

Hematite

Hematite is one of the most popular stones here at the store and with good reason. It is a very grounding, soothing and stress removing. Hold a piece of hematite and imagine all of your stress melting away.

Moonstone

We love moonstone! Every woman should own a piece. It is very protective of women and children. It helps with fertility and safe pregnancies. It can help you develop your intuition. Use a piece to help you with divination.

Tigers Eye

Tiger’s Eye is a bold and assertive stone. It can help you stand up for yourself and get the recognition you deserve. Have a piece in your pocket when applying for a job or asking for a raise. Tiger’s Eye also is a very physically strengthening stone too.

Red Jasper

Red Jasper is a very strengthening, nurturing stone. It is a stone of justice. Carry one in court for the most favorable outcome. Jasper helps with energy and motivation to get things done. If you tend to procrastinate, Jasper is for you! Jasper can keep people from invading your personal space which is helpful if you have a grabby coworker.

Labradorite

Labradorite is a very magical stone in both its appearance and metaphysical properties. It helps to awaken your mystical and magical abilities and psychic powers. It protects your aura and helps cleanse any negative emotions. It is powerful in revealing the truth and lies. Labradorite banishes fears and insecurities, and strengthens self esteem. It stimulates the imagination and helps you focus so you can start new projects and have new ideas. It is good for empaths as it can deflect others’ emotions.

Malachite

Malachite enhances creativity and artistic ability. It works well to help you hone your intuition. It is a great stone for the heart chakra. It is a great stone for abundance and prosperity. It is a protective stone. Carry one when traveling, especially by airplane. Malachite is very soothing and calming. Hold a piece and take a deep breath, ahhh, that’s better!!!

Onyx

Onyx is very protective, both physically and from psychically. It is grounding and soothing. Use it when you feel stressed, panicky, or nervous. Put a piece near your front door to keep your home safer from intruders. Carry a piece with you to protect you from psychic vampires. It may help shield empaths from taking on others’ emotional pain.

How to Find Your Sparkle: Five Unicorn-Inspired Tips

2019-09-25T11:19:00-05:00

By Angela Wix

"I saw this and it made me think of you," a friend said a year ago, handing me a cheery ceramic unicorn in the shape of a mini flower pot. A succulent was growing like a mane across its back. Along its side were the words, "Don't let anyone ever dull your sparkle." She wasn't aware of it at the time, but I'd just started writing Llewellyn's Little Book of Unicorns, and the synchronicity couldn't have been more perfect; this succinct message was the very heart of the book.

Unicorns are said to be courageous, fierce, and wild while also being gentle, compassionate, harmonious, and full of grace. They're passionate about themselves and the happiness of those around them. They're a symbol for standing out in all your uniqueness and being loved as your authentic self.

Sometimes we lose track of that authentic piece of ourselves, though. We grow up hearing subliminal (or even very direct) messages that tell us it's not okay to be who we really are, and we end up hiding our true selves away. Often we hide ourselves so well that we forget things we love and what makes us feel fully alive.

I remember when I first started dating my husband he would ask what I wanted to do and I would say that whatever he was interested in was fine. "But what do you like doing?" he asked in frustration one day. I stopped in my tracks, lost as to what my answer was. What did I like? Somewhere along the way I'd lost myself so much that I couldn't even respond to the seemingly simple question of what made me happy. It would take another twenty years and a dive into the world of unicorns before I could really figure it out.

What makes you shine? What brings you exuberant joy? If you've lost sight of those things, it's time to take a cue from our unicorn friends and find your sparkle. Here are five tips to get your started.

Tip #1: Find What's Blocking You
Write down the top blocks that may be holding you back from a more joyful experience. Try to think of things on which you're spending your time that don't really inspire you. These are areas where you can stop devoting your attention in order to make more time for things you're actually passionate about. Some examples include watching too much tv, spending time with people who deplete energy, or overworking and not allowing yourself enough rejuvenating down time. Like skimming through the closet to declutter your clothes, if you search hard enough you're likely to come up with at least a few ideas for where you can create space for things that make you feel inspired and alive.

Tip #2: Embrace Being Playful
No matter your age, playing is important, and breathes new life into the humdrum of everyday. Too often, as adults we get caught in our daily patterns: wake, get ready for the day, work, traffic, errands, home-tasks, bed. We need a reminder to shake things up and figure out how to insert playfulness into everyday schedules. Whatever these playful activities might be, they should get you really excited and leave you smiling. Maybe you decide to write one daily poem, so that throughout the day you're watching for inspiration worth writing about. Or maybe you decide to dust off your bike and take a ride on your favorite nature path every few days. One of my "embracing play" items was pulling out a giant sticker book I had as a kid and consistently adding to the collection. There are so many possibilities!

Tip #3: Figure Out Where Your Sparkle is Stuck
Usually there's a key time period where we've left our sparkle, and we need to return to that source. For many this ends up being some point in childhood. The good thing is that we can go back and reclaim those things that we've left behind. The bad thing is that this can be a challenge to pin down! Luckily, there are certain things to which we can pay attention that will help clue us into our joyful treasures. These include:

Gifts we give others. We often end up giving away the things we love most, thinking that if we can't enjoy it then someone should. Is it puzzles, coloring books, board games, or bouquets of flowers? See if some of the things you're gifting away are things you should be sharing with yourself, as well.
Things we find nostalgic. What makes you fawn over the past? Write a list of things you especially loved doing in years past and pick at least one item to bring back into your present!
Our wants and desires. Be mindful of when you feel that pull within you saying, "I would really love to do/be/experience/have xyz." We often get in a pattern of denying ourselves, but within these wants and desires you might realize things that will set your sparkle meter to full-on shine.

Tip #4: Look Into the Darkness in Order to Really Shine
Unicorns are the elusive keepers of the dark forest. To move through our own shadowy experiences and find our way back in the light, we may need to rebuild trust in ourselves, others, and life itself before we're able to appreciate the opportunities for joy in our lives. Things that can help support your journey through the forest include:

Talking with a friend, loved one, or professional therapist. Seek out the unicorn-people in your life. Look for those you're inspired by and find support when you need it. There's no reason to go it alone through dark times.
Practicing nurturing self-care through things like balanced nutrition, a type of exercise you enjoy, getting enough sleep, work-life balance, and positive social interaction. Maybe this means reading before bed, taking a walk with a friend, or getting a monthly massage.
Allowing yourself to play. When you're in darkness, the idea of "play" may feel like hollow action, but just try it. There's a practice called Laughter Yoga that can feel silly and false at first, but after a while of "fake laughing," the body thinks it's real and sends out feel-good hormones along with creating new positive neuropathways in the brain. Our physiology can follow intention and action. Pull out a coloring book, put together a puzzle, drive around a remote-controlled car, or dance around the room with your dog. You may be surprised with what a boost play ends up being for you.

Tip #5: Add Extra Glitter
Intentionally act to add in extra glitter to your life. This is like laying down a trail to lead magic your way. There are endless things you can try to increase your level of happiness. Some ideas include:

Spending time with animals
Engaging in creative activity
Social connection and community
Getting out in nature
Practicing acts of kindness
Consciously looking for beauty as you go about your days
Intentionally seeking out pleasurable and fun activities
Feeding whatever fills you with meaning or purpose
Attending to a practice that makes you feel spiritually connected

The world needs you for all the goodness and glitter that you are. Follow this unicorn-inspired wisdom to rediscover wonder and happiness. My hope is that these tips will lead you to a place of authentic joy and all the things that make you shine!

Source:https://www.llewellyn.com/

Picture found on Pinterest, if you know who the artist is, please let me know so I can credit them.