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Tarot Tuesday Reveal

Tarot Reveal

If you didn’t get to see the original post on Facebook, you can find it here at Lodestar Phoenix-Tarot with April Mari , to pick a card.  There is a different crystal wand above each of the cards. From left to right we had a Stromatolite wand, an Onyx wand, and a Pietersite wand. Take a moment and take a deep breath. Get centered, and grounded, then pick a card. By get centered I mean to get calm and focused, to be present in the moment.  By get grounded I mean to uncross your feet and arms, with feet flat on the floor. I is also beneficial if you can quickly imagine roots shooting down from your root chakra and feet into the Earth. Allow these roots to anchor you in a supportive way that neutralizes negativity and draws up nurturing Earth energy for stability. Sometimes more than one deep breath is needed to feel ready, Often three nice, slow, deep breaths are just right. Do what feels best for you.

 

Reveal

From left to right we had a Stromatolite wand with the Judgement card. Next was the Onyx wand with the Eight of Wands card. Finally we had the Pietersite wand with the Ace of wands. Which card and wand combination did you choose? What is your initial reaction to the card when revealed? Many times our initial reactions have pertinent information for us. Some might be pleased, or even relieved, while others might feel anxiety, or disappointment. Take note of the initial reaction you encounter. Don’t feel like you need to judge this initial reaction, just observe it for now. Later with more information it might make more sense, or it might be a message about some work that needs to be done, on say procrastination, or fear of moving forward for example.

Stromatolite Wand and Judgement Card

Stromatolite is an excellent stone for transformation, and evolutionary change. It assists in removing or changing deeply ingrained blockages, patterns and programs. It is also known to encourage new patterns, and flexible thinking. Stromatolite is created from fossilized algae that were the predominant form of life on Earth for more than two billion years, and are said to have created the oxygen on our planet. This stone is also said to be helpful for reading the Akashic Records, and delving into past lives through techniques like past life regression.

The Judgement card is number twenty in the Major Arcana of the tarot deck. It’s element is fire, and the ruling planet is Pluto.  A card for endings and new beginnings, resurrection and awakening. Redemption, and reincarnation are also keywords associated with this card. In a reading one could imagine feeling judged due to the imagery and usual descriptions of this card. Sometimes yes we are being judged by others, but even more often we are judging ourselves. Now especially with the year wrapping up, it is a good time to take stock of where we find ourselves, what we have accomplished, or not accomplished, and where we would like to go from here. If this is the card you have chosen then it seems very likely that the time is right for you to take inventory and make changes that will lead to a happier, and healthier new you in the new year.

Onyx Wand and Eight of Wands

Onyx is an ancient stone used for many magickal and mundane purposes by many cultures throughout history. Black Onyx is a powerful stone of protection for the mind and body. It is useful as a sort of shield against harmful energies, often used by those who do energy work like psychics, and mediums. It has a very earthy, grounding energy to it that might be depressing for some if used for too long.  Helps develop emotional and physical strength and stamina. It is helpful in times of stress, confusion, and grief. With time and thoughtful workings this stone can help lead one to mastery of one’s self.

Eight of Wands is a Minor Arcana tarot card (or Pip card). This card’s element is fire, and is said to have the planetary energy of Mercury in Sagittarius. It’s number is eight, which resonates with power and strength. Eight is also about combining physical and spiritual energies. This card is interesting as it has no animals or people in it. The wands are in flight, showing forward movement. Often this card represents communications coming soon. It can also point to travel or advancement of some kind. It is a card of action, things already in motion.

If you chose this card right now, with the Onyx wand’s energy assisting it, it could point to a need to ground and protect yourself in preparation for an influx of activity and energy. This energy could be either positive or negative depending on where you find yourself in this moment. If negative, use the idea of the Onyx to slow down and think before responding to what is coming. Also remember Onyx’s protective qualities, it absorbs and transmutes negativity as well as repelling it to begin with. If this new cycle of energy is positive in nature, there is still cause to be aware and not burn yourself out by taking on too much. Pace yourself, and set up good boundaries. In either case this period of time is offering you the chance to move forward, even if what it offers does’t seem ideal, you have the power to change how you perceive it and respond to it to create the best possible outcome.

Pietersite Wand and the Ace of Wands

Pietersite is known as the Tempest Stone. It can clear the emotional air like a thunderstorm is known to do leaving the aura and emotions feeling calm and renewed. It grounds physical energy centers to the etheric realm instead of to the Earth. It increases intuition, the use of the will, and the focus of one’s aim in life. It is also a powerful protective stone, especially against the elements, storms in particular. This crystal is also good for boosting confidence, creativity, and supports overcoming addictions. It is a blend of Tiger’s eye, Hawks eye, and Jasper with incredible chatoyancy (shimmery shine) that makes it seem to swirl like a storm brewing.

The Ace of Wands is another Minor Arcana card. It’s element is fire but is not assigned a particular planet. It does resonate with all the fire signs however, Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. Aces are all about new beginnings. This ace contains keywords related to creativity, spirituality, intuition, will power, and desire. If you have chosen this card at this time it is time to start something new, to take action to achieve a desire. The more creative, and spiritual the desire, the faster it will manifest. Take action on that dream that you have been afraid to let yourself go for. If you need to use the energy of Pietersite to clear the air first, then now is the time to do so. Take a moment and check in to see if it is really fear you are feeling or excitement, then get on with the business of creating the life you want.

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Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice

Friday the 21st. of December 2018 will be Winter Solstice. This day is also known as Midwinter. This is the day with the shortest period of daylight and the longest night of the year. The Earth’s poles are tilted as far away from the Sun as they can be. This happens twice a year, once in each hemisphere.

The Winter Solstice is also known as Yule or Yuletide and marks the growing length of days and shortening of nights following this day. Yule is a festival observed by Germanic peoples. This celebration has connections with the god Odin, and the Wild Hunt (a ghostly procession in the winter sky). The Wild Hunt itself is said to be led by many different gods, or goddesses depending on where you are celebrating. The hunt may or may not also include fairies, elves , or even the undead, again dependent on where in the world you are celebrating.  In pre-Christian times Yule, or the Feast of Juul would last twelve days celebrating the return of the Sun, and included the burning of the Yule log. Yule was reformed by Christians into Christmastide.

Yule Symbols

Many of the symbols that might be thought of as Christmas symbols started out as Yule symbols. Evergreens, Holly, and Mistletoe are traditional Yule symbols. So is the Yule tree, it would have been decorated with berries, fruits, and pine cones, and symbolized the world tree. The Yule log has held it’s place in many celebrations to this day, as well as candles, wreaths, bells, gingerbread, elves, wassail, and even the use of the colors red and green. Red is the waning Holly King, and green is the waxing Oak King.  Other colors such as white which holds the idea of purity,  silver which represents the Moon, and gold for the Sun would also have been used, and of course still are.

Full Moon

On the 22nd, the day after Yule the Moon will be full at zero degrees in the sign of Cancer. As the last full Moon of the year it seems fitting that it should be in Cancer. Cancer is a cardinal, water sign that is ruled by the Moon. Some key words for Cancer include emotional, intuitive, and imaginative. The family, and the home are important to Cancer, it is a nurturing, sign.  The symbol for the sign Cancer is the crab, being a sensitive soul the cancer wants to armor itself with a hard shell.

The full Moon occurs when the Sun and Moon are in opposition to each other. The Sun will be in Capricorn in opposition to this Cancer moon. Capricorn is concerned with hierarchy, authority, and status. Cancer is more concerned with how it and others feel, than with being in charge. This is an axis though, neither sign is operating in a bubble, so there may well be tension between emotional desires and what is expected at this time. A desire to mother or be mothered can be nurturing, or too much depending on the situation.

Full Moon Magick

This full Moon is a great time to work with a Mother Goddess, or lunar deities. It would also be a good time for protection work(think about the shell of the crab). The full Moon in general is good for divination, dream work, releasing, banishing, overcoming obstacles, and making moon water (to use in your spells). Any spells or rituals for family, friends, and home would be particularly powerful right now. In the spirit of Cancer use the colors violet, white, and silver. For gemstones Moonstone, Selenite, clear quartz, white coral, and pearl. Metal should be silver.  Body parts related to Cancer are the chest and stomach.   Plants like moon flower, lotus, jasmine, iris, poppy, almond, mallow, milkweed, mugwort, wild yam, passionflower, and willow.

Tarot Cards

The Moon is the ruling planet for the High Priestess card in tarot. The High Priestess is the second Trump, or Major Arcana card in most Tarot decks. The High Priestess is identified with the Shekhinah, the female indwelling  presence of the divine. The lunar crescent at her feet is a clue to the connection this card has with the Moon. Some keywords include Intuition, mystery, secrets, things hidden, spiritual insight, and often in romance spreads indicates the ideal woman. Reversed keywords might include secrets, disharmony, information withheld, and deception. The element for this card is water. Often said to be a card of passivity and retreat, being still and listening to your inner guidance, and intuition. This card may indicate that things are not as they seem, like the saying “still waters run deep” there is a lot going on under the surface and you may need to “feel” your way through the situation at hand.

The Chariot is the seventh Trump, or Major Arcana card in most Tarot decks.  It’s element is water, and is said to correspond  to the sign of Cancer. It is ruled by the Moon. The Chariot is a powerful figure in a Chariot usually being pulled by two sphinxes, or sometimes two horses.  Keywords include willpower, drive, overcoming obstacles, moving forward, a journey, confidence, and ambition. Reversed keywords might include self doubt, lack of direction, scattered energy, or being stuck. This card is about overcoming fears and conflicts, and moving forward. This card often points to a need to “stay the course” and make it through any issues or challenges. Hard work and commitment will ultimately lead one to success.

These cards seem to sum up well some good general advice for this period of time. Meditate, or sit with any problems and gain clarity from your intuitive inner guidance. Then stay the course, moving past any fears to a place of self-confidence.  I have found the Chariot card to be a lot like the sign of Cancer’s symbol the crab. The rider would seem to be tough, as he is protected by the shell of the chariot, and in some decks even armor. He takes this protection with him as he ventures out into the world, so he may get to where he wants to be while staying safe. Sensitive water types could use this imagery to help themselves navigate a sometimes harsh outside world.

 

 

 

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Pendulums

Pendulums

Historically Pendulums have been used for dowsing of everything from water to gold and other important metals, and minerals. Dowsing, also known as divining was done with many different tools. Dowsing twigs, or metal rods were often employed. Currently Pendulums seem to be winning the popularity contest for dowsing. The wide variety of attractive shapes and materials, especially crystals that pendulums can be made of is helping with their popularity.

Pendulums are also easy to use and fairly portable as well. Most people have at least heard of them, even if they haven’t used one themselves. There is a lot to like about them, and only one downside. You need to ask your questions in a yes or no format to get answers. This small inconvenience is easy enough to work with though. It can lead you to think about developing clear questions in such a way that you might find yourself gaining insight into an issue before you even start asking the questions to the pendulum.

Pendulum Board

A pendulum board is not really necessary to use a pendulum. It is a helpful accessory that might help a beginner to gain confidence more rapidly. And really they are just nice to have. I have found that some of these boards can also do double duty as a place to set up small crystal grids when not in use with the pendulum. Like pendulums, nowadays pendulum boards come in all manner of shapes, styles, and even materials. Most are set up to easily identify yes and no, and many will have a maybe, or not now (don’t want to answer) heading. Some elaborate boards may have alphabets, numbers, moon phases, seasons, or any number of other items included on them. If you can’t find one that will work for you, you could of course craft your own.

Using a Pendulum

While a pendulum is easy to use, it does require some groundwork to using it. Before you start dowsing with your pendulum you will want to program it. This is more like getting to know it than telling it how to do it’s job. You will ask it to show you yes, and to show you no. You might also want to ask questions you already know the answers to like “Is my name Jane Doe?” If that is your name then the pendulum will show you yes, if it isn’t you name it should show you no. Also ask a question you know will get a no answer as well (use the Jane Doe one if that isn’t your name). I am sure you get the point and can come up with your own yes and no questions. Most pendulums will either move toward and away from you, in an up down kind of motion, or clockwise for yes. For no most will either move from side to side, or counterclockwise. These are just the most common motions, yours may be different. As long as it moves the same way when you ask a yes question, and another way for a no question then you will know it has been “programmed”. Now you are ready to ask your real questions.

Dowsing

Dowsing is best done in a setting like you would use any other divination tool, be it tarot, oracle decks, or even runes. You want to be in a place where you will not be disturbed, that you find calming. If you want to set up an altar, light incense and candles, smudge yourself or your space, then please do. Whatever steps you would take to prepare to contact your higher-self or the divine should be taken.

Like other types of divination it is a good idea to refrain from asking questions if you are too upset, or emotionally charged as this might have an impact on your dowsing. It is best to place your arm on a table top, bending your elbow at a ninety degree angle. Gently hold the end of the chain, or the fob itself, allowing the pendulum to hang freely, over your pendulum board, if using one. Now concentrate and ask your question, either aloud or silently is fine. You might need to ask a whole series of questions to get the exact information you are looking for. Just remember to phrase them as yes or no types of questions.

Additional Uses

There are so many different kinds of things you could decide to look into and ask about, really the only limit will be your imagination, and ability to put a question into a yes or no format. Some people have more than one pendulum. With so many different types of pendulums available you might decide to have a Rose Quartz pendulum to do love readings with. Or maybe an Amethyst pendulum for spiritual or healing work.

Once you get comfortable with dowsing you will likely want to explore some of the other exciting things you can do with your pendulum. An example of more advanced use might be energy work, like Chakra balancing. It is a relatively simple procedure to clear and balance Chakras. It is even possible to do this from a distance. Along the same line you can do space clearing with your pendulum as well. It really is a wonderful, multi-functional tool to have at your disposal.

Pendulum Kits

Lodestar Phoenix currently has pendulum kits available that include a unique pendulum, a pendulum board, a storage bag, and a downloadable PDF guide book for $25.00. You get to choose your very own pendulum and board to go with it. https://lodestarphx.com/products/ 

Pendulums are clear quartz, rose quartz, or amethyst with a variety of fobs to choose from. Some fob options include: shell, coral, and pearl, skull bead, jasper, fluorite chips, coral and bone skull bead, howlite, and turquoise and skull bone bead.

Custom leatherette Mat types: Circular Moon Phase Mat or Square All Seeing Eye Mat. Colors available: black/tan, gray/black, sand/black, oxblood/black and deep blue/black.

Please contact April at april@lodestarphx.com with any questions you may have.

 

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December New Moon

New Moon in Sagittarius

This week the Sun will be conjunct the Moon at 15 degrees of Sagittarius. This New Moon will also form a square aspect to Mars conjunct Neptune at 13 degrees Pisces. This can be a challenging aspect, but often the challenges that are encountered lead to finding a resolution, or fixing a problem. It may seem like the challenges drive you to come up with solutions. Mars being in Pisces conjunct Neptune may take some of the rawness, or anger out of this driving force. It may just turn the drive toward helping others, or using our energies to fight for a cause or ideal instead of our egos. With Neptune involved being sure that we are clear on who we are fighting for and why is something to be aware of. Are we simply going to be fighting to keep our family healthy during a flu outbreak, or are we going to a protest march to show support for or anger about something?

Mutable Signs

Sagittarius is the truth seeker,  as well as the freedom seeker. Sagittarius can also be idealistic, and also changeable, and boisterous among other things. Pisces, like Sagittarius is a mutable sign, meaning they easily change their minds, especially when presented with new ideas that make sense to them. Sagittarius’ element is fire and Pisces is water so how they explore and come to new conclusions, and transform their beliefs and points of view may be slightly different. Fire can be excitable, and water can be hard to hold to one position in the first place. They can both be counted on to change and adjust though no matter how fast or slow they manage it.

Fixed Star

The energy is accentuated by the new moon also being conjunct the fixed star Ras Algethi. According to the website Constellations of Words , it is a double star and both irregularly variable, 3.1 to 3.9 and 5 to 7 orange, red and bluish green in the head of the kneeling man. This kneeling man is the constellation Hercules. It is said to posses a character of Mars-Venus with a blend of Mercury. The influence of the constellation of Hercules according to Ptolemy is said to be like Mercury. Strength of character, tenacity and fixity of purpose. By the Kabalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter of Daleth and the fourth Tarot Trump The Emperor.

Emperor Trump

The Tarot card the Emperor seems appropriate for this period of time. It is traditionally associated with the planet Mars, and the element of fire. Some keywords for this card are authority, power, law and order, father figure, and leadership. When this card shows up it typically means that you are experiencing stability and security, things are under your control, you are in a position to set up your own boundaries, and rules. You have a solid foundation and are in the drivers seat so to speak. The reversed card might point to either a loss of this type of position, or being manipulated by others. Reversed it could also show someone being a control freak, or the other end of the spectrum as a lack of discipline. Figuring out how this fiery, dynamic card might be expressing for this period of time could include looking at where Mars is and what it is doing. It is in Pisces, and conjunct Neptune. This might soften some of the harsher meanings, but also call for care against manipulation or losing control.

New Moon

As a New Moon it is the perfect time for some magick. Any rituals or spells that are for anything new or that you might like to start, drawing magick, growth, or increase. This is also the perfect time for any cleansing of yourself, your home, your altar, or tools, physically cleansing as well as any ritual cleansing that might be needed or wanted. This is also a good time for dedicating or re-dedicating tools, altars, yourself if desired or needed. A New Moon can also be used for enacting a rite of passage. With the mutable sign energy now recognizing a change in your life like a change in what life stage you are in would be appropriate. In addition to honoring any changes that have happened, now is a good time to set intentions for changes you would like to have happen. If you are thinking of planting literal seeds now, wait for the full moon to plant perennials.

Temperance Trump

Sagittarius is associated with the Tarot card Temperance. Temperance keywords include connecting with your higher self, or guides, alchemy, balance, moderation, and harmony. This card is of the fire element, and associated with the planet Jupiter (Jupiter rules Sagittarius). This card is about learning to avoid extremes, as well as maintaining a sense of calm. I particularly love the association with alchemy for this card, this can include balancing or blending any aspects of your life to make it more enjoyable.  Reversed this card may point to disharmony, or an imbalance, also a lack of patience, or a need for any one of these in your life.

Sagittarius

Magick for healing the Sagittarius ruled parts of the body in particular like the thighs, pelvis, and liver are good right now. Spells and rituals for anything related to travel, publishing, or even legal issues are timely. This is good energy to help us aim for and reach goals, start new things, transform, and evolve.  Expansion, growth, movement, and with the fire element the ability to burn away the unwanted, or burn through barriers or obstacles. Colors to use include reds. Metal is tin. Crystals include Diamond, Azurite, Lapis Lazul, Topaz, Sapphire,  Pyrite, and Amethyst. The symbol for Sagittarius is the Archer, the Centaur, and the arrow. Animals for this sign include the horse, lion, and centaur. Plants include carnation, pink clover, sage, mulberry, chestnut, rose hips, sugar cane, rhubarb, mint, apricots, and almonds.

Last New Moon of the Year

This is going to be the last New Moon of the year for 2018, so it would be wise to use it. Direct your energy and focus toward clearing away the old, unwanted, and anything else holding you back or keeping you stuck. Replace this stuff with fresh, new intentions for not just the rest of this month, but for the new year ahead. If you choose to take aim with the archer energy you could ride the centaur to entirely as yet unexplored territory for yourself.