Category: Guest Authors

By Deborah Blake

Lots of people read their horoscope every morning, but for many of us, that is the only bit of “checking in” we do. After all, few people have the time (or inclination) to do a full tarot spread with their morning coffee. And mostly, we don’t need that much detailed information. Luckily, there are lots of fast and easy ways to get a quick hint at what your day holds, or what you need to know to make the most of it.

Years ago, when I was practicing with my first coven, my then-high priestess had us do an interesting experiment. Every day for a month, we pulled one rune stone at the beginning of the day. We wrote down the stone, and any flashes of intuition we got when we looked at it, and then checked in at the end of the day to see if there was, in fact, any relationship between the two. Not surprisingly, there often was.

This also turned out to be a great way of learning the runes themselves. I started out having to look up the meanings of each rune in a book [my favorite is Lisa Peschel’s A Practical Guide to the Runes—it’s old, but it is easy to use and understand], but by the end of the month, I was much more familiar with them. If you’re interested in becoming better acquainted with the stones or any other form of divination, try doing something like this. It’s a fun and practical way to learn. Either pull one out of a bag, if that’s what you store them in, or place them in a small bowl and just close your eyes and grab one.

If rune stones aren’t your thing, you can do this with tarot cards instead. If you’re not used to using the cards, I suggest starting with something basic like the classic Rider-Waite Tarot. That’s the one I started with, lo these many years ago, and I have been reading professionally for ages with this one pack. [It’s a bit battered by now, but it works so well for me, I’m rarely tempted to switch to something else, despite the bevy of beautiful decks out there.] However, there are lots of variations on the tarot card deck, and you can pick whichever one seems to “speak” to you the most loudly.

As with the rune stones, you can start your day by shuffling the deck and picking out a card at random. Sometimes one will even jump out of the deck at you. You can either ask a question (“What does my day hold?” “What do I need to know today?”) or just see what comes up. If you are dealing with something tricky, you can ask a specific question, like “Should I go out on a date with that hunky guy at the office?”

There are plenty of alternatives for those who don’t have or don’t like either rune stones or tarot cards. I have a number of interesting decks that I use for inspiration, answers, or just a way to get in touch with spirit quickly and easily.

One of my favorites, which I’ve used numerous times in ritual with my group Blue Moon Circle, is the Goddess Inspiration Oracle deck, by Kris Waldherr. She’s well known for her beautiful goddess-themed artwork, and this deck is filled with amazing images, as well as lovely descriptions of the 80 goddesses featured on the cards—yet another way to learn while being inspired and guided.

My current favorite was a Yule gift from my friend Rebecca Elson of this very blog, The Magical Buffet. The Conscious Spirit Oracle Deck by Kim Dreyer has lovely pictures and inspiring affirmations. I’ve taken to pulling one each morning, standing at my altar, and reading it out loud. Then I try to carry its message through the rest of my day. For instance, this morning’s card was number 18: Air Elemental. And the affirmation said, “I embrace the element of air and am open to all knowledge and wisdom.” Isn’t that a great way to start out the day? (Also, I have to do research today, so it makes a certain amount of sense.)

I’m not sure exactly what it is about the Conscious Spirit Oracle Deck that has me so captivated. Some of it is the sheer gorgeousness of the cards themselves. (Even the back of the deck is amazing.) The introduction says the deck was created “to honor, celebrate, and reconnect to Nature, Spirit and the Divine Feminine in all her forms: the angel, fairy, goddess, the maiden, mother and crone,” and it does just that. The deck (from U.S. Game Systems, which puts out many of my favorites) comes with a 44 page guidebook, and gives you the option of working through the cards from beginning to end, or using them randomly, as I have chosen to do. Kim Dreyer, who did both the illustrations and the writing, had done exactly what the introduction suggests, and created a deck that can help guide you, connect you, and inspire you. Little wonder it is my new favorite.

The simplest way to use either of these options is to choose one and simply pull one card each morning. Take a minute to focus on it, and you’re done.

To move a little more deeply (and I highly recommend trying this, at least for a month sometime), write down your card, and any thoughts or feelings you have about it, and keep track of them in a small notebook. (If you already journal, you can add this to your daily jottings.) At the end of a day, a week, or a month, take a look back and see if you can make out any patterns that could be helpful.

Asking for guidance and/or inspiration doesn’t have to be complicated or take a lot of time. You certainly don’t have to be an expert card reader to do it. And the Conscious Spirit Oracle Deck is just one option, but it is a great one.

About Deborah Blake:
Deborah Blake is the author of six books on modern witchcraft from Llewellyn Worldwide. Her seventh, “The Witch’s Broom”, will be coming out in April, and her first two novels (about a modern version of the Baba Yaga fairy tales) are coming from Berkley Publishing in September and December.

You can learn more about Deborah at her website, DeborahBlakeAuthor.com, and you can follow her exploits at her blog.

By Angela Kaufman, Moonlight Tarot LLC

The heart of winter is a great time for introspection. This month’s Querent, a woman we will call Marsha, writes to ask about whether her dream of owning her own business- a store that features services and goods-will come to fruition. Her reading indicates this dream involves life lessons and Spirit is taking the opportunity to point to these lessons as they are enacted in Marsha’s quest for her store.

In preparation for Marsha’s reading I perceive the presence of the fox, an animal guide known to her, who seems to be encouraging her to tap into her witty and outgoing nature. The cards that emerge present a message that in some ways contradicts their positions, the majority being reversed suggesting delays and obstacles, yet with meanings that suggest prosperity and advancement. The reading produced a “leaper” or a card whose fall from the deck signals time to proceed to the reading- it is the 6 of Hearts. Following this are the Two of Acorns, reversed, Empress reversed, and Five of Leaves, reversed.

A great deal is “up in the air”. This seems particularly true because the suits that present correlate with water and air, love and inspiration but lack of grounding and action. I sense there is room to overcome these obstacles. While Marsha has a lot of work ahead of her, it seems she is nevertheless being guided to fulfill her mission, though perhaps differently than she originally dreamed.

The Six of Hearts is a card of reunification and connection to people from the past. As the leaper suggests a warm homecoming for Marsha. I do feel it is with the assistance of another- or rather two others- that things will begin to take shape. One I sense as a business savvy young man, the other seems to be a mature woman. It is not clear to me if these two are related or in what time frame they present. I feel that the woman is in the periphery, and the Empress reversed points to this. The Empress is not only abundance personified, she is also the matron figure, the stable leader and she is prosperity. Her reversal does not negate her meaning, but it does suggest her essence not being fully utilized. A strong mentor, a potential source of materials or funding, a leader whose knowledge has not been enlisted thus far. Expansion is possible but I feel this character in particular is a keystone. This is an earthy person, a practical business minded woman who nurtures growth in others. She is in some ways larger than life and may also represent an institution or agency that provides startup service. The number three will be significant and it may require three attempts that initially seem unsuccessful.

I have jumped ahead to the Empress, but….well, she’s the Empress, and commands instant attention. Back to the Two of Acorns, reversed. The Two of Acorns holds the energy of indecision, lack of movement due to a stalemate. Marsha has halted necessary actions early on in this process. This stalemate can cast doubts but Marsha will need action to overcome stagnation. Even actions that take her dream down an altered path will still break up the energy and invite movement again. Before this vision can manifest Marsha has to come to terms with why her vision has stalled. If Marsha can see her options flexibly, the struggle can be released.

Then the final card, the Five of Leaves, also reversed. Conflicting ideas and conflicting messages have kept Marsha stuck, this time the focus is not so much on the stagnant energy, but on a breakdown in communication. If Marsha is able to be receptive to communication with others, she will find ways to carry her message and refine her mission. This may require her taking alternative routes to the end goal she has in mind. It seems there are potential sources of guidance but the lines are crossed, paperwork has not gone through, in general it seems like a “Mercury Retrograde” situation. Marsha may need to be the one to round up her available mentors and foster cooperation and understanding, and she should be mindful of being pushed to defensiveness, as this may be a natural reaction to her frustration with lack of results but will not serve bringing others on board to help make this dream a reality. It seems she has several valuable connections with influential people. Review the relationships from the past, colleagues, mentors, those who have a common understanding of her business’s mission and her own talents. The turn of events will happen as a result of relationships and networking, carry the message and be open to how others can help you implement steps to make it happen.

With so much hanging in reverse I wanted to see more clearly what is required to break through the barriers. The Empress repeats, she’s opinionated like that, and another Major card, the Hanged Man, presents as well as the King of Hearts. These cards again speak to making the connections that will bring opportunities. I sense this business will form in smaller stages than Marsha may originally imagine, thus opportunities for startup may be overlooked because they do not show the end result. That is because the Hanged Man energy is asking Marsha to look at things from a different angle. Imagine a movie in which the hero is trapped, about to be demolished by his adversary, the hero puts up a commendable struggle and then reaches a moment of surrender…realizing that perhaps they will not save the day this time, perhaps the treasure is lost forever…..and in that moment of acceptance a light shines down and the answer becomes apparent. In the moment of acceptance that control is lost, empowerment is found. Marsha is not being asked to abandon her dream, she is being challenged to step away from the vision of the trophy and contend with the nature of the win itself. What better way to be in the moment than when dangling from a tree by the foot? Well, maybe that is a bit extreme. The lesson however it to take stock of the opportunities now, the talents and relationships and outlets already in place but overlooked because they don’t seem to fit the puzzle. Surrender judgments about how the process should happen and open up to the ways your calling is being shaped in the present. I sense that an initial offer or opportunity will break the ice- it will bring exposure, a foundation and from this foundation the end result can be built.

The King of Hearts, reversed and the Empress reversed also echo the role two key figures, a man and woman, although the woman carries more influence. She may be intimidating but she has resources that will be helpful. The King of Hearts is a helpful connection, there is great happiness found in this relationship, this individual expresses themselves generously and compassionately and is more understanding than the Empress figure who may be more a detached authority- a lending office or financial institution. He is a mentor building confidence and fostering relationships that help Marsha get the start she needs.

The Hanged Man is numbered 12, which echoes the pattern of the Empress, 3, as the sum of the digits equal 3. Three is significant for expansion and growth. This business may take three years to materialize fully, but these three years are significant formative stages. The next 12 months the Hanged Man is requiring Marsha to observe with acceptance the barriers present. Don’t give up on the dream, but be flexible with expectations of how it will come about. Hang in there, literally, as the solutions exist but are easily overlooked. This coming year is surrounded by indicators of relationships. Networking will be the key to release from stagnation. Marsha need to promote herself through relationships and to accept guidance from sources that previously seemed intimidating. Taking every opportunity to promote her vision, Marsha can harness the energy of the Hanged Man to explore options that arise while the bigger goal seems to be “on hold”, as these small steps will lead to the larger opportunities ahead. Paperwork and calculations may need to be reworked and the immediate stages of this business adjusted to fit the present as a starting point leading to full development of her vision in its completed form. This is not a defeat, it is simply a smaller start that gives way to connections and support that will pave the way for the end result. Marsha may need to work in collaboration with others who have conflicting opinions or some digression in verbal or written planning may take place this year- she should keep careful records and copies of paperwork and not overlook aspects of this plan that involve putting ideas to paper covering all aspects of this business- it seems likely there is part of her written plan that needs to be revised but that getting assistance putting the details in writing will be helpful.

Best of luck to Marsha, and I eagerly await the ribbon cutting ceremony! Remember, no matter where you are reading this all readings are conducted for entertainment purposes in accordance with NYS law.

Interested in being the Querent in next month’s column? Contact Angela at Trionfi78@gmail.com.

About Angela Kaufman:
Angela Kaufman has been exploring divination through Tarot cards for over a decade. She is a Certified Professional Tarot Reader and formed Moonlight Tarot in 2009 which would become Moonlight Tarot LLC in 2010. Angela uses the Tarot to assist clients in exploring personal growth and development, and in accordance with New York State Law offers readings for entertainment purposes. Angela began providing readings on a professional, “Moonlighting” basis in order to provide affordable readings to those seeking guidance, inspiration and fun. Angela is also co-author of the new book “Wicca, What’s the Real Deal? Breaking Through the Misconceptions.” And the newly released “Sacred Objects, Sacred Space, Everyday Tools for the Modern Day Witch” (Schiffer Publishing, 2011). In 2006 she joined ISIS Paranormal Investigations and has accompanied the team on numerous investigations in private residences and businesses throughout the capital region, Adirondacks, Vermont and Massachusetts.

This month’s reading was conducted using the Fairy Tarots created by Antonio Lupatelli and by Lo Scarabeo and published in 2000 by Llewellyn. For more information visit http://www.amazon.com/Fairy-Tarot-Antonio-Lupatelli/dp/0738700061.

By Angela Kaufman, Moonlight Tarot LLC

Happy 2014 readers! In spite of the dark and cold, January is a great month to be inspired. This month’s Querent, whom we will call Roland, is hoping to make 2014 the year for a big transition- moving to a new home. He wants to know if this will be the big year for this move and if any indication can be given as to direction/distance. For this domestic question I feel compelled to consult the charming retro Housewive’s Tarot.

While conducting the reading I sense a great deal of pressure and anxiety, as if this is matter involves some emotional turmoil. Roland’s three cards are the 6 of Swords, reversed, the Chariot, and the Seven of Swords reversed. When conducting a reading I strive to focus on empowerment rather than fatalistic yes-or-no perspectives. Having said this, my sense is that while Roland may come very close to his goal this year, it is strongly advised that he consider altering his time table. The resounding impression from this reading is reminiscent of the old saying “close but no cigar”. In Roland’s situation however it would be more appropriate to say “you will come close, there will be a cigar, but you will find it most unsavory”. Of course we can see why the latter never became a catching adage. What does this mean for Roland? Should he give up, or try harder? Many times foreknowledge of a situation can provide the opportunity to take different actions and affect change to the overall outcome, but there is no guarantee that this will always be the case. While these cards do not seem favorable for a move happening this year, they likewise do not suggest an outright lost cause.

The first card appears reversed and is the Six of Swords. If this card were right side up and further in placement in the reading it would suggest that Roland would be likely to relocate but that it would come as a compromise, not as his first option. Placed as it is, it suggests that Roland’s itch to move on involves a desire to start over and put a messy situation behind him. He is seeking resolution to a conflict but will not be likely to get his clean start right away. Something is getting in the way. He will be likely to put effort into his goal only to find numerous dead ends and detours along the way….for now. Roland should understand that this does not imply that he should cease his efforts. He may do well to revise his time frame or re-examine his motivation and strategy. This is not likely to be a smooth transition if he insists on pushing forward according to current plans. Also, part of the emotional resolution he is seeking through this transition is likely to allude him. To reference another saying, if Roland is assuming the grass will be greener in another’s yard, he is likely to find that the yard is slightly out of reach for now and even if he had the means to reach it, he would find it is not the solution he initially hoped for. This card is in the recent past position suggesting there has recently been a move or attempt which was not successful. An attempt to relocate may have already been put into motion and then reconsidered, foiled or suspended. In fact the idea of suspension is a theme in Roland’s reading as each card echoes this concept of stalemate.

The second and most significant of the three cards is the Major Arcana card, the Chariot, numbered 7. This card speaks to the soul of the matter. Roland feels mostly ready to move on and has resigned himself to making this transition but is not fully committed on some level to the steps that will be required. He has conflicting feelings that prevent him from taking the necessary actions to make this transition occur. There may be an additional burden that is not so easily relinquished. This may be a lease, mortgage, obligation to a particular location or some type of fear or doubt that keeps him harnessed in place in spite of some efforts to move forward. This is not defeat however. It simply suggests Roland has a little more work to do to prepare himself.

In spite of his determination this card suggests some indecision, even on a subconscious level. There is something of personal significance keeping Roland tied to his present residence. It is more than a financial matter, it is one of personal acceptance. He has not yet come to terms with exactly what this move will entail for him personally and thus has not yet made a full hearted commitment. It also feels like there is something he needs to let go of. In terms of location this card also suggests a difficult choice faced further into the year regarding two very opposite lifestyles or geographic directions, both seemingly equal in terms of attraction and repulsion. As much as Roland wants to move on he still appears to see himself as committed to a particular area and an opportunity is likely to arise that challenges his rootedness to a certain community. He will be challenged to decide between taking a bigger risk and moving farther than expected or remaining and waiting it out to see about future opportunities.

Extra baggage stands in the way of this transition. As the year unfolds, Roland is likely to develop some progress toward his goal and then within 7 weeks or months, find himself at an impasse. It seems more likely that within 2-3 years this move will take place rather than in the immediate future. Roland needs to spend some time searching his conscious and unconscious motivations for this transition and ensure that he is being realistic in his expectations. He will likely devote more energy to preparing for this transition this year rather than taking the action and making the move. This is still a sign of significant progress as he will be more than half way there and will be opening up to finishing stages of this process that propel him beyond the plateau in which he finds himself stuck.

The final card echoes the plateau message as it is another seven, the Seven of Swords, also reversed. This card being reversed suggests a resolution found but with patience and work, and a little more time. In its normal presentation, this card suggests futility and stagnation. Representing the future steps and in a reversed position however, its meaning suggests resolution after overcoming an initially futile attempt. It suggests that Roland is currently stuck and will need to focus the majority of his efforts this year on resolving the plateau he faces, but that by the end of the next 7-12 months he will identify factors that have been sabotaging his goal and will be actively engaged in overcoming these obstacles. This may involve paying off a debt or resolving an issue that was draining his finances. It may also involve taking measures to pursue his goal more efficiently as the current situation suggests his efforts are not representative of a full commitment. The obstacle he faces will be overcome but he needs to take different action and be mindful to not repeat processes that are time and energy consuming without yielding positive results. It seems that if Roland proceeds without overcoming the obstacle represented by the Chariot he will find himself placing much effort to no avail and somehow sacrificing more time, energy, and perhaps even money in the process. There is some aspect of the present situation that if it remains unchecked will be a drain on his progress in moving this year, or will ultimately sacrifice his true goal in the effort to make things happen without a solid base.

Overall the reading suggests progression toward Roland’s goal as the numbers proceed from six to seven and then the number seven is repeated. This suggests action taken and then a stalemate beyond the halfway mark. Either difficulty selling his home or leaving his lease, difficulty securing the final stages of the moving process or a misunderstanding or ambivalence toward the final stages of the move are likely obstacles. These obstacles can be overcome with different action and perhaps a slightly different attitude. When a reading yields a number of reversed cards, it suggests unfulfilled potential. Consider what can be done to “right” the reversals. What energy, resources, compromises or potential assistance is available but not being utilized? View the reversal not as a wall that stands in the way, but as an idea that is emerging but not yet complete. What additional touches are needed to take this idea and put it into action? Interestingly the cards that emerge suggest that the greatest difficulty Roland will face is one of inaction or inability to take action as he originally desired. Anticipating a delay, Roland can be empowered enlist his creativity and flexibility to consider his goal in a different light. If he remains true to the inspiration for his decision and commits himself to the end result he will be better able to navigate through delays in his plans.

There is excess baggage perhaps emotionally and materially, that he needs to resolve and let go of before his plans are able to be executed, as the Chariot is the one card which is upright as if it holds the two reversed cards in the balance. This suggests Roland is at a pivotal stage in his development and before he moves further he must resolve some issues that continue to keep him stuck. By doing so he deepens his commitment to his future life and is ready to leave behind what no longer serves his lifestyle. The reversed Seven of Swords also suggests potential delayed as it is the final card in the reading. If the first reversal in the past suggests an idea that is formulating but not yet complete, a future reversal suggests untapped potential that emerges gradually. Roland is likely to shed his burdens and move away from what has been draining him but it will take some time to go through this process. If he currently rents or owns a home it may take a seven month time period to resolve this burden and in the process he may find himself exerting energy and spending money in the process.

With an open mind and willingness to make the full mind/body commitment to this change Roland will move forward personally and in residence but it seems that this year there are plateaus to overcome at least for the majority of 2014. Best of luck Roland, bring your focus to the ultimate goal and keep your hope your goal is closer than you may realize even when obstacles come your way.

Remember no matter where you are reading this from, in accordance with NYS law all readings are for entertainment purposes only.

This month’s reading was conducted using the Housewive’s Tarot by Jude Buffum and Paul Kepple, Quirk Books November 2004. http://www.housewivestarot.com/. This deck is just too awesome to not check out, even if you don’t plan on reading cards yourself. Its vintage style and subtle humor is worth a glance.

Interested in being the Querent in next month’s column? Contact Angela at Trionfi78@gmail.com.

About Angela Kaufman:
Angela Kaufman has been exploring divination through Tarot cards for over a decade. She is a Certified Professional Tarot Reader and formed Moonlight Tarot in 2009 which would become Moonlight Tarot LLC in 2010. Angela uses the Tarot to assist clients in exploring personal growth and development, and in accordance with New York State Law offers readings for entertainment purposes. Angela began providing readings on a professional, “Moonlighting” basis in order to provide affordable readings to those seeking guidance, inspiration and fun. Angela is also co-author of the new book “Wicca, What’s the Real Deal? Breaking Through the Misconceptions.” And the newly released “Sacred Objects, Sacred Space, Everyday Tools for the Modern Day Witch” (Schiffer Publishing, 2011). In 2006 she joined ISIS Paranormal Investigations and has accompanied the team on numerous investigations in private residences and businesses throughout the capital region, Adirondacks, Vermont and Massachusetts.

For more information on services offered by Moonlight Tarot LLC, visit http://www.moonlighttarotllc.com