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Tarot Tuesday May 28th.

Tarot Tuesday

Take a moment and take a deep breath. Get centered, and grounded, then pick a card. By get centered I mean to get calm, focused, and to be present in the moment.  By get grounded I mean to uncross your feet and arms, with feet flat on the floor. It 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  breath is needed to feel ready. Often three nice, slow, deep breaths are just right. Do what feels best for you…

When you feel ready pick the card that you feel the most drawn to. I am using crystal pendulums this week as markers, and I will include them in the following mini-readings. From left to right the pendulums are Rose Quartz, Smoky Quartz, and Amethyst. The deck this week is the Universal Waite published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. In this deck the drawings of Pamela Colman Smith have been recolored by artist Mary Hanson-Roberts.

The Reveal

From left to right we have Rose Quartz above the Page of Pentacles, Smoky Quartz above the Four of Cups, and Amethyst above the Ace of Cups. Pay attention to your initial reaction when you see the card that you were drawn to. You may feel differently after the mini-reading, or you may not. The first step in developing your intuition is to be aware of your thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Once you are comfortable with identifying how you are reacting, or how your intuition is speaking to you, then you can further strengthen and use this awareness.

Rose Quartz

This silicon dioxide crystal is a variety of the Quartz family found all around the world. Rose quartz is called the heart stone, it corresponds to the heart chakra. This stone is also said to inspire love and beauty in all forms. Used for developing or attracting loving relationships with others, and even the self. In divination this stone is about forgiving yourself, and not allowing others to lay blame on you that you do not deserve. This stone also serves to help nurture a positive self-image, release emotional wounds, and learn to joyfully give and receive love. In divination Rose Quartz suggests that it is time to forgive yourself for past mistakes, and to ensure that you are not taking on the blame for others.

Page of Pentacles

This card is a court card in the Minor Arcana suit of Pentacles. It carries the energy of Earth of Earth, with an astrological correspondence to the Earth signs of Capricorn, Taurus, and Virgo. The image is of a youth holding a pentacle aloft  surrounded by the yellow-sky representing the Life-Breath. This card might represent an actual young person in your life, or it may just be a message that you will receive. Some keywords and ideas for this card include work, practicality, natural student, money, finances, growth, nature, and disciplined, responsible, and diplomatic. It may be that this card is a young person in your life that you can assist with learning some Earth lessons, or it could be messages that you are receiving that you learn some Earth lessons from this week.

Smoky Quartz

This is another silicon dioxide mineral variety of Quartz. Readily found all around the world. Yet many crystals on the market are clear Quartz that have been treated with x-rays, or radium to turn the crystals dark. It is the national gem of Scotland. It is used by metaphysical practitioners to ground, shield, and protect. It is known to activate and purify the Root Chakra, and is used in many healing tools and grid layouts. It is also used to protect the Earth Chakra that is slightly below the feet. In divination this stone suggests that any worries that have been around for some time are finally going to be improving, even if it seems they do so slowly.

Four of Cups

This card is the fourth card in the suit of cups in the Minor Arcana. It carries the astrological energy of Moon in Cancer and the modality and element of cardinal water. The image shows a figure sitting cross-legged and with arms crossed under a tree. There is a hand emerging from a cloud offering a cup, and three cups in the foreground. Fours are about foundations, stability, balance and authority. Cups represent the  emotions, intuition, creativity, and subconscious. Some keywords and concepts for this card include opportunities offered, contemplating a decision, dissatisfaction, passivity, brooding, inaction, or indecision. If you have been drawn to this card this week you may have been procrastinating on taking action or making a decision because you don’t feel emotionally ready, or emotionally satisfied about what your choices or the opportunities are. With the cups involved it may be that  mood is holding you back from thinking clearly. Create a pros and cons list so you can look at things in a more rational way. Remember that usually once we take some action even if small things start to feel better emotionally. Even coming to a decision can sometimes be enough of an action to start feeling better in a situation.

Amethyst

Amethyst is a variety of quartz made up of silicone dioxide, it gets its color from iron and aluminum deposits as well as natural irradiation. Found in places like Brazil, Bolivia, Mexico, Africa, Canada, Russia, U.S.A. and Europe. It has a long history of use by humans. For some it was merely decorative, but the ancient Greeks were known to use it as  protection against drunkenness. It has also been known for it’s healing and protective properties. It resonates with the Crown Chakra, and helps connect it to the Third Eye, or Brow Chakra (Ajna Chakra). It is called the “All- healer” and said to be one the most effective for healing plants, animals, and people. It is a calming and soothing stone. Dreaming of this stone is a good omen as it is said to mean that you are safe, or free from harm (or will be safe and free from harm if you are not currently). In divination this stone means that you will be able to be satisfied with things as they are without need for extremes.

Ace of Cups

This card is the Ace card from the Cups suit in the Minor Arcana. It is the element of Water, with astrological correspondence to Cancer and Cardinal in the Suit of Water, Scorpio and fixed modality, and Pisces and Mutable modality. The image is of a hand emerging from the clouds holding a golden chalice overflowing with four streams of water into a lily pond with a dove dropping a Communion host into the center of the cup. Cups element of water equates to emotions and feelings, as well as intuition, and creativity. Aces are all about the new, new beginnings of all kinds. This card is most often an indicator for new love coming into your life. This may be a new romance, but it may also be a new art project. Anything that activates the feeling of love, and stimulates the flow of intuition, nurturing, and creativity could be considered. If you were drawn to this card this week expect to enjoy a new phase of loving energy flowing into your life.

I hope that this mini-reading has been helpful for you. If you have any questions about this, or would like to book a full personalized reading please feel free to contact me at april@lodestarphx.com

 

 

 

 

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Tarot Tuesday May 14th

Tarot Tuesday

Take a moment and take a deep breath. Get centered, and grounded, then pick a card. By get centered I mean to get calm, focused, and to be present in the moment.  By get grounded I mean to uncross your feet and arms, with feet flat on the floor. It 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  breath is needed to feel ready. Often three nice, slow, deep breaths are just right. Do what feels best for you…

When you feel ready pick the card that you feel the most drawn to. The Tarot deck used this week is the Morgan-Greer published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc. There are crystal hearts above each of the cards used as markers and they will be included in the mini-readings that follow. From left to right the hearts are Amethyst, Chrysocolla, and Preseli Bluestone.

The Reveal

From left to right we have Amethyst above the Page of Swords, Chrysocolla above the Five of Cups  , and Preseli Bluestone above the Fool. Take note of your initial reaction to the card that you were drawn to, compare it to your reaction to the card after the mini-reading. Awareness of our thoughts, feelings, and emotions is the first step in knowing how our intuition is communicating with us.

Amethyst

Amethyst is a variety of quartz made up of silicone dioxide, it gets its color from iron and aluminum deposits as well as natural irradiation. Found in places like Brazil, Bolivia, Mexico, Africa, Canada, Russia, U.S.A. and Europe. It has a long history of use by humans. For some it was merely decorative, but the ancient Greeks were known to use it as  protection against drunkenness. It has also been known for it’s healing and protective properties. It resonates with the Crown Chakra, and helps connect it to the Third Eye, or Brow Chakra (Ajna Chakra). It is called the “All- healer” and said to be one the most effective for healing plants, animals, and people. It is a calming and soothing stone. Dreaming of this stone is a good omen as it is said to mean that you are safe, or free from harm (or will be safe and free from harm if you are not currently). In divination this stone means that you will be able to be satisfied with things as they are without need for extremes.

Page of Swords

This card is a court card in the Minor Arcana suit of swords. It is Earth in the Suit of Air with astrological correspondences to Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. The image of the card is of a youth holding a sword with cloudy skies behind him. The element of Air is concerned with thinking, mental agility, observation, communication, and learning. Some keywords and phrases associated with this card include intellect, mediation, idealistic, energetic, and strategy. Due to the fact gathering and learning component of this card it is also connected to ideas of spies and spying, gossip, and prying into affairs of others. Pages can be actual children in your life, or sometimes they are messages or messengers. If you have been drawn to this card this week you may find yourself needing to use strategy and awareness in a current situation. Pay particular attention to any messages you are receiving and the source of these messages, take your time to consider what any implications and consequences might be before responding.

Chrysocolla

Chrysocolla is a copper stone often found growing with Azurite and Malachite, and sometimes contains Cuprite. It can be found in the form of Gem Sillica, a crystallized form where the Chrysocolla is fused with Quartz. It ranges in colors from blues to greens. This crystal is known as a stone of empowerment for feminine energies, a stone for wise women, and as a Goddess stone. It is also known as a crystal that encourages people to stay home and not feel negative effects from seclusion. A stone for monks, hermits, and even prisoners. Helpful for public speaking and teaching, for sharing your knowledge. It is associated with the throat chakra, and the heart chakra through its blue and green coloring. In divination this crystal may mean that you need to be generous or allowing with someone whom you don’t particularly like. It may call on you to be diplomatic or tactful with someone at this time.

Five of Cups

This card is the fifth card in the Minor Arcana suit of Cups. It has the astrological energy of Mars in Scorpio, and the modality and element of fixed water. The image of the card is of a robed figure looking sadly at three spilled cups, seemingly unaware of the two cups standing behind him. Cups represent feelings and emotions, as well as intuition, and even creativity and artistry. Some keywords include mourning, loss, disappointment, and not healing or coping after change or trauma. If you were drawn to this card this week it may be that there are changes occurring in your life that are painful for you. The message of this card is to remember that no matter what has been lost, when we work through the grief there still will be something left. The two cups are hard to see through the pain, but they will be cause for gratitude once your awareness can return to them.

Preseli Bluestone

This stone is spotted Dolerite which contains feldspar, with inclusions of illmenite or Hematite intergrown with titanium oxides. Most stones also have inclusions of white minerals like quartz or chalk in them as well. They are named after the area where the stone originates, the Preseli Mountains in Wales. This stone is the same stone as the stones in the inner circle at Stonehenge. This stone resonates with the Solar Plexus Chakra, activating willpower and courage.  It is said to enhance psychic gifts and aid in connecting to past lives in Celtic Britain and ancient Egypt. This stone is also said to connect you to the mystical archetype of Merlin and his magic. This is a good stone for grounding and for deepening connection with the Earth. In divination this stone may suggest that you may need to stay grounded and trust in your abilities to channel the wisdom of your past to inform your future.

The Fool

This Major Arcana card is numbered zero in this deck. In different decks it is placed in different positions, sometimes zero, sometimes twenty two. In the Rider-Waite- Smith deck for example Waite placed it after Judgement numbered twenty, but left it numbered at zero. In astrology it is attributed to Uranus, and the element of Air. Zero can be thought of as the unlimited absolute, or nothingness. The image of this card shows a youth traveling with a dog ( animal nature, instinct) holding a white rose of a passion that is pure and innocent in one hand and a wand with his sack of belongings ( or experiences, or karmic baggage) in his other hand. When this card shows up it often can point to the beginning of an adventure, or any new undertaking or thing that may enter your world. It can also mean innocence, idealism, risk taking, trusting, seeking, spontaneous, and imaginative. Many see this card as the seeker starting the Hero’s Journey through the Tarot. If this is the card that you have been drawn to this week it is likely that you should go ahead and start something new, take the leap of faith in yourself and do whatever it is you have been afraid of. This is a time of unlimited potential.

I hope that the mini-readings this week have been helpful for you, if you have any questions about them, or would like to book a full personalized reading then please feel free to contact me at april@lodestarphx.com

 

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Tarot Tuesday April 9th.

Tarot Tuesday

Take a moment and take a deep breath. Get centered, and grounded, then pick a card. By get centered I mean to get calm, focused, and to be present in the moment.  By get grounded I mean to uncross your feet and arms, with feet flat on the floor. It 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 l breath is needed to feel ready. Often three nice, slow, deep breaths are just right. Do what feels best for you…

Once you feel ready pick the card or crystal that you feel the most drawn to. The Crystal hearts above each card from left to right are Chrysocolla, Pietersite, and Amethyst. The deck this week is the Rider-Waite-Smith deck published by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.

The Reveal

Try to notice your first reaction when you see your card. Is it what you expected? How do you feel about it? Compare this to how you feel after the mini-reading for the card. Awareness of your feelings and emotions is a big first step in learning how your intuition works and is speaking to you.

From left to right we have Chrysocolla above the Four of Swords card, Pietersite above the Three of Swords, and Amethyst above the Four of Cups. Again pay attention to how you feel upon seeing your card, and then compare that to how you feel after the mini-reading. Do you feel better or worse after the interpretation of your chosen card? While most people will get their intuitive messages from their emotions and feelings, some get actual physical feeling, or even hear messages, or they may receive these messages as their own thought rather than words from someone else.

Chrysocolla

Chrysocolla is a copper stone often found growing with Azurite and Malachite, and sometimes contains Cuprite. It can be found in the form of Gem Sillica, a crystallized form where the Chrysocolla is fused with Quartz. It ranges in colors from blues to greens. This crystal is known as a stone of empowerment for feminine energies, a stone for wise women, and as a Goddess stone. It is also known as a crystal that encourages people to stay home and not feel negative effects from seclusion. A stone for monks, hermits, and even prisoners. Helpful for public speaking and teaching, for sharing your knowledge. It is associated with the throat chakra, and the heart chakra through its blue and green coloring. In divination this crystal may mean that you need to be generous or allowing with someone whom you don’t particularly like. It may call on you to be diplomatic or tactful with someone at this time.

Four of Swords

This card is the fourth card in the suit of Swords in the Minor Arcana. It carries the energy of Jupiter in Libra with the modality and element of cardinal air astrologically. It signals a time of renewal and expansive thinking. The image on the card is of a weary knight reclining on a stone slab in a chapel, he appears to be in deep meditation. Some keywords for this card include solitude, rest, withdrawal, reevaluating perspectives and strategies,  setting goals, opening to guidance from higher energies, optimistic, expansive and balanced. Swords represent the energies of our thinking and thoughts, communications, breathing, speech, and discrimination. The number four in numerology holds the energy of foundations, balance, sturdiness, the four directions, four elements, and even the energy of home, roots, and ancestry. If you were drawn to this card this week you may need some time alone to reflect on some things, and become clear about what steps to take next. It also might point to a need to simply begin or deepen a meditation practice at this time.

Pietersite

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. It is a fairly recent discovery made by Sid Pieters in WIndhoek, Namibia. In divination this crystal means that you will see things in a new way, usually after something is brought to light.

Three of Swords

This card is the third card in the Minor Arcana suit of Swords. Astrologically it carries the energy of Saturn in Libra with the modality and element of cardinal air. This card image is one of the most striking in the tarot deck as three swords pierce a heart with storm clouds raining down in the background. The keywords and concepts for this card include that of severe distress, the heart tried by pain, painful advancement, upheaval, negative or hurtful thinking and communications, despair, and depression. While there is some consensus around this card pointing to pain, it is usually caused by and can be mitigated by our thinking, and perception. Swords are thoughts, thinking, communication, learning, and discernment. Three is a number for growth, and creativity, this can be good or bad. It is good if we are growing thoughts that increase our happiness, not so good if we are in a depressive spiral with our thoughts. If you have been drawn to this card this week it is likely that you will have some disappointment to work through. What you learn from it, and how you decide to move past it are going to be important. It may do well to remember this week that there is no failure but only lessons. Like Thomas Edison who is credited with having said about the light bulb before getting one to work successfully “I have not failed, I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work”.

Amethyst

Amethyst is a variety of quartz made up of silicone dioxide, it gets its color from iron, and aluminum deposits as well as natural irradiation. Found in places like Brazil, Bolivia, Mexico, Africa, Canada, Russia, U.S.A. and Europe. It has a long history of use by humans. For some it was merely decorative, but the ancient Greeks were known to use it as  protection against drunkenness. It has also been known for it’s healing and protective properties. It resonates with the Crown Chakra, and helps connect it to the Third Eye, or Brow Chakra (Ajna Chakra). It is called the “All- healer” and said to be one the most effective for healing plants, animals, and people. It is a calming and soothing stone. Dreaming of this stone is a good omen as it is said to mean that you are safe, or free from harm (or will be safe and free from harm if you are not currently). In divination this stone means that you will be able to be satisfied with things as they are without need for extremes.

Four of Cups

This card is the fourth card in the suit of cups in the Minor Arcana. It carries the astrological energy of Moon in Cancer and the modality and element of cardinal water. The image shows a figure sitting cross-legged and with arms crossed under a tree. There is a hand emerging from a cloud offering a cup, and three cups in the foreground. Fours are about foundations, stability, balance and authority. Cups represent the  emotions, intuition, creativity, and subconscious. Some keywords and concepts for this card include opportunities offered, contemplating a decision, dissatisfaction, passivity, brooding, inaction, or indecision. If you have been drawn to this card this week you may have been procrastinating on taking action or making a decision because you don’t feel emotionally ready, or emotionally satisfied about what your choices or the opportunities are. With the cups involved it may be that  mood is holding you back from thinking clearly. Create a pros and cons list so you can look at things in a more rational way. Remember that usually once we take some action even if small things start to feel better emotionally.

I hope that these mini-reading have been helpful for you. If you have any questions about this, or would like to book a full personalized reading please feel free to contact me at april@lodestarphx.com

 

 

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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.