I may have to put an iPod touch
Goddess Tarot App for Iphone and Ipod - available in Lite free version or full version for $2.99. Some of the features: four spreads (1 card, 4 card, 8 card, and 10 card); browse all 78 cards and 22 Goddesses (includes text and art); save readings.
Bright Blessings, Lady Rose
For the past week I’ve been doing a bit of experimenting with a pendulum. The pendulum I am using was a gift from Mama Kelly. It is a lovely orb of amethyst hanging from a delicate chain.
I would never use the pendulum to make big decisions, nor would I use whatever response I get from a pendulum or any other divination tool as the final, absolute answser to a question. But it is a useful tool and the simple yes-no answers can be part of all the overall considerations and infomration that go into making a decision or choice. I use it as a tool to get in touch with my subconscious and\or higher self.
Since it was recently my birthday (turned 54 on Oct. 30th) I have been once again thinking about what direction my life should go and what I should focus on. I have many interests and tons of ideas, but that often means I bounce from one thing to the next, leaving a lot projects unfinished and never starting others, and not focusing on completing or accomplishing bigger goals.
I decided to use the pendulum as a tool for some insight into where I should focus my time and energy. I cut up some paper into several pieces that were all the same size. On each piece I wrote a different interest that I have often thought about pursuing, (i.e. writing a book, various crafts, classes to take, etc.) and folder the pieces in half. One at time, I held the pendulum over each piece – if the pendulum swung side-to-side (for me that meant – no) I put that piece of paper in a pile to my right; if the pendulum swung in a clockwise circle (for me that meant – yes) I put that piece of paper to my left. All together I have about 20 pieces of paper; only three were a yes (write a book about being a witch; take an introductory class in Qi Gong; and blogging on Diet Pulpit and here at 2 Witches).
Reviewing all the choices one at time, I examined my “gut” reaction to not focusing too much time and energy as I thought about each one. The three choices selected using the pendulum are the ones that I have been working toward the longest and seem to be the ones that I am most deeply connected to.
A couple of days later I decided to use the pendulum again to narrow down some choices – this time to select a working title for a book on being witch. By selecting a working title, I feel it will give a “direction” and “focus” to getting started with writing. I again took several small pieces of paper with a single potential title on each and this time the pendulum only swung yes for one of them (“Out of the Broom Closet – the confessions of a witch”).
So for now, I plan on focusing on jotting down some ideas and notes as the inspiration comes, looking for a Qi Gong introductory class, and of course writing on both blogs. As far as my other interests, I will still dabble a bit with various crafts and interests, but the main focus of time and energy for now will be on blog writing, ideas for the book and my health (Qi Gong). I will re-evaluate things in a few a months if I feel I need to move in a different direction. Whether the book is ever finished or actually ever gets published is not necessarily the goal – the process of writing is an excellant method of self-exploration and self-awareness. Also, whatever I do get written and organized will be useful if I decide to lecture again, and also for blogging about.
Have you ever worked with a pendulum? What sorts of questions do you use a pendulum for?
Bright Blessings, Lady Rose
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Brief Overview Of Pendulum Divination:
A pendulum consists of a weight, or bob, which hangs freely from a chain or string, with an optional loop or small handle at the upper end. Depending on one’s belief system, the answers come from the subconcious, or intuition or the Higher Self, or Guadian Spirits or Angels, or other Spirits. Since the pendulum, like any other divination tool may be influenced by lower spirits (who may lie, misdirect, and try to cause harm), it wise to take precautions and take the advice with a grain of salt the same way you would use your common sense and good judgment when accepting advice from any one.
Preparation:
The pendulum should be blessed before using it for the first time to decrease the influence of any lower spirits influencing the outcome. Chose a blessing that suits your belief system and that you are comfortable with. Include a statement or prayer of intent that only higher beings (or Angels, Guaurdians or whomever you wish to contact) may influence the pendulum. Two simple purification and blessing technigues are smudging (passing the pendulum through the smoke of a cleansing and\or blessing incense), and\or sprinkling the pendulum with blessed water. The pendulum may also be purified after each session to remove any residue that may have been left behind so that it does not influence the next session. Another option is cleanse and bless the pendulum at least once a month. It also recommended to begin each session with a prayer or visualization (i.e. a circle of white protective light around you and the your area) and to end each session with a prayer or blessing of thanks to your Higher Self, Guardian Spirits and\or Angels (this can be done silently or spoken aloud).
How To Use The Pendulum:
Hold the top end or handle of the string\chain of the pendulum loosely between the thumb and first finger. If using circle diagram with “yes” written top & bottom and “no” written on either side, the pendulum bob should be held approximately 1 inch above the paper. If using a pendulum without the diagram, just specify (or let the pendulum specify) which direction means yes and no. To let the pendulum specify what direction is yes and no, ask at the beginning of eash session for it to show you, saying “show me yes,” and “show me no.” What works for me using my personal pendulum that I’ve used several times before, once the direction is established, is to continue to use that for each session, and also have it stop in the center and stay still if the question is not answerable or unsure.
It is recommended (especially when first learning to work with a pendulum) to begin each session asking if the pendulum wishes to work with you today. Also asking a few trial questions may also be useful (such as Is my name George?).
As with any divination method, it a good idea to use it only when you are in a calm and centered state of mind and feeling well physically and emotionally.
Phrasing A Question
When asking a question using a pendulum, the question needs to be something simple that can be answered with a yes or no. A pendulum can be used to answer questions about past and future or in making a choice between options, and some use them as a tool to speak with spirits. It is also important to be as specific as possible. For example, asking “will it rain tomorrow where we are going?,” is better than asking “will it rain?”
If the pendulum starts swinging in random directions or feels uncoorperative, or you start to feel uncomfortable in any way, or your intuition says it’s time to stop, then end the session.
Pendulum Divination – nice overview of history and use of the pendulum.
Set up your altar or table with appropriate incense, your crystal orb or scrying mirror, and a candle on either side. If you find it helpful play music that assists you in achieving a meditative state.
You may want to grab a notebook so you can jot images down as soon as possible after your ritual to minimize what you forget. Alternately set up a voice recorder and simply speak aloud describing what you see as you go.
Brew a mug of mugwort tea – use a bit of the brew to annoint your crystal or mirror – and sip the remainder to enhance your ability to tap into your psychic ability.
Use this verse, or write something of your own:
Hear these words
I speak in rhyme
I ask to see
another timeIn this orb/glass
candles shine
show me now
memories mine
Allow yourself a period of time where you can sit undisturbed for at least 10-15 minutes and allow the images to simply flow like water across your inner vision, do your best to neither force them to come nor edit or censor them.
Blessings
Mama Kelly
Note: Pregnant women should avoid taking mugwort or mugwort tea.
This past weekend, while lounging in the sun at the community pool, I did something I haven’t done in public in a very long time. I pulled out my tarot cards and did a reading. I used my Revelations Tarot
.
Despite the fact that Litha was only a few weeks ago I used a spread that the book corresponds with Samhain.
8 of Cups – Rev
Wheel of Fortune – Rev
Knight of Cups
10 of Pentacles
Page of Swords
Death
As always when I do a spread the first thing I look for is patterns. The fact that two cups cards appears in a 6-card spread would indicate that the situation is closely tied in to my emotional state. Having the Wheel of Fortune and Death cards being the sole representation of the Major Arcana for me point to change and upheaval (or a need for them to occur) and that these changes may not necessarily come by my own hand.
The first card speaks to my being mired down in a vicious cycle. My depression is leading to inertia, but part of my depression is triggered by the fact that I am not making any meaningful progress toward my hopes, dreams, goals. It points to my being comfortable in the hell that I know and scared to break free from where I am hidden and take risks again.
The next card reminds me that relying on luck when choices are required only works so long as luck lasts (and friends let me tell you that my luck has been lousy for years). However, it also reminds me that even the worst string of bad luck eventually runs out and the wheel can and will again turn in my favor. Fear of what may come can be wise in dangerous circumstances, but being afraid to take any chances at all has led me to the place in which I stayed hidden for so long. It is time to take risks again.
That being said, the third card points out that it is time to look within (and without) and appreciate all the blessings that I enjoy and to also look realistically at all the crap I am carrying around. It is time to resume work on purging all that no longer serves – hobbies, habits, activities, people, places, etc. that are preventing me from making progress on the journey I am meant to be on. Only as I “make room” in my life will I be able to find the “space” to work on the creative tasks that call to me and the spiritual growth that I have let slide for so long.
As I do this work the fourth card tells me that while the work will be long and hard that I do not need to do it alone. In fact it speaks clearly of a need to be willing to accept help, even financially assistance, if needed. It reminds me that security is about more than money in the bank (though certainly getting those ducks in a row can only help) but is also about gathering my friends and family around me and remembering that they are truly the biggest priority of my life.
The final two cards both show me hope for what is possible if I simply do the work. They speak of feeling renewed and energized, of endless possibilities for the future, of changes ahead that leave pain and sadness behind. Of course I have to be willing to accept those changes, I have to be willing to step out of my cave and embrace activities that challenge my boundaries and stimulate my mind and spirit. And with the help of the Divine, my friends, and my family that is exactly what I plan to do.
Blessings
Mama Kelly
Want your own reading? – over 20 years experience, reasonably priced (willing to barter as well, just make an offer)
The winners have been chosen by random.org.
The first winner – recipient of the New Moon earrings is LunaWolf
The second winner – recipient of the Golden Sun earrings is Janet F
Please send your physical mailing address to Mama Kelly who will in turn forward it to our contest sponsor Lady Amaranth of Eternal Stardust Jewelry
Congratulations to both winners!! Wear your new earrings in good health!!
And now, of course its time for another contest, another free tarot reading giveaway.
You may choose one of the following spreads:
As with our free earring giveaway there will be ways to earn multiple entries so as to increase your odds of winning. Please remember that each entry will require that you leave another comment as we will once again be using random.org to pick the winners.
Entry #1 – leave a comment simply indicating that you want an entry in the contest (required)
Entry #2 – link to us in your sidebar and then come back and tell us you have done so, if we are already linked there just leave a comment advising us of this fact
Entry #3 – tweet about our contest, just cut and paste the following
I just entered for a chance at a free tarot reading over at 2 Witches Blog http://tinyurl.com/dcj86c
Then come back and advise of of your tweet, also listing your twitter ID
Entry #4 – post something on your blog about tarot … your own thoughts, feelings, skepticism, or even memories of previous readings you’ve done or received and link back to us at http://2witches.com/blog anchored to the words free tarot reading … like this <a href=”http://2witches.com/blog”>free tarot reading</a>. Then come back and let us know your post is up.
Entry #5 – write another post reviewing our blog and link back to us at http://2witches.com/blog anchored to the words pagan blog … like this <a href=”http://2witches.com/blog”>pagan blog</a> Then, again, come back and let us know your post is up.
So yes this means that you can earn up to 5 entries in our giveaway. Entry #1 is required, after that you are free to do all of the other 4 or simply pick from among them to earn the additional chances you desire.
Just remember that each entry requires that you come back and leave a separate comment. In other words if you want all 5 entries you need to make 5 separate comments. I am not responsible if you erroneously put all your entries in one comment.
Additionally, if this post gets more than 100 comments I will choose 2 winners.
The winner(s) will receive their choice of spread via email in an attached word document within 5 days of sending me their question.
And speaking of contests, have you checked out the Ultimate Blog party with all of its wonderful prizes to be won?
Now most of these prizes are geared toward parents of babies and young children. Obviously any prize I win would more than likely be used as a gift for one of the ladies I work with who are becoming grandmothers this summer. But, if I could win anything I would pick …
Good luck to all and let the fun begin.
Blessings
Mama Kelly
PS Entries will be accepted starting the evening of Saturday March 21 until midnight (Eastern time) on the day of the next full moon, April 9th. So you have plenty of time to get all your entries in.
PPS Please keep in mind that tarot readings are also available for purchase
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I started reading tarot at the age of 14 when a friend gave me an “extra deck” which was a basic Rider Waite deck which had 2 “Lovers” cards and was missing The Chariot. So yes, I learned to read cards on a misfit deck, LOL. For the most part my readings have been on myself or on friends/family. A time when this was different was a period in high school & the 2 years of sleep-away college I attended where my cards went with me everywhere in my pocketbook and I would do readings for anyone who asked. In that process I learned to listen to that little inner voice and to take risks when relaying impressions I was getting off of the cards and to not worry about “being wrong.”
Reading for strangers is a unique experience as you have no clues, no point of reference, you have to go with your gut and accept that the direction you take in a particular reading can be totally, utterly wrong. But, at the same time it is a wonderful challenge. It pushes me outside of my box and allows me to touch, albeit briefly, a part of myself that isn’t as much a part of my day to day life as it was when I was 19.
Our tarot reading giveaway gave me the gift of touching that part of myself. The winner in our free tarot reading giveaway received her prize late last night. I do not yet know if she has read it as I have not yet heard from her. I am hoping though that she took at least something from the reading as I truly enjoyed doing it. Her question and spread choice resulted in a 5 card spread (based on one found in Illustrated Tarot Spreads: 78 New Layouts For Personal Discovery
I am looking forward to another reading giveaway being posted soon, I am however waiting for our free earring giveaway to be completed first. Entries are being accepted until the equinox, and don’t forget to get all 3 entries in the contest to increase your odds of winning. In the meantime don’t forget that readings are also available for purchase starting at only $6. Your reading will be sent to you via email within a few days of receipt of your request via an attatched word document so that you can easily print it.
Blessings
Mama Kelly
*** Images are taken from the deck I used for this reading (not cards however that came up in her spread of course), Revelations Tarot
Last weekend when Lady Rose visited she and I went to the bookstore. One of the books I picked up was Tarot for Your Self
Personality Card – life purpose, aspirations, lessons to be learned
Soul Card – soul purpose, qualities that will assist me
For me, both “cards” are represented by The Hierophant
teaching and education; spiritual discipline; rules and conformity
OK talk about a 2×4 … I have recently re-enrolled in college with the goal of becomming a teacher. So I am appartently finally working in tandem with my “life purpose”. Part of my lesson will be being forced, to some degree, to conform and follow the rules, in order to succeed in this goal. Additionally I can be aided by regaining a spiritual discipline.
Teacher Card – qualities I either fear or don’t recognise in myself which can be helpful
enthusiasm, confidence, optimism, organization
If I possess these strengths they are long buried and quite stagnant.
Zodiac Card – what I need for self-expression
combining the head and the heart, emotion and intellect; working with a partner
Very much on target. Not only do I need to feel engaged both with my mind and my heart but I do work better working WITH someone else. Especially when I can share the work with either a friend (like Lady Rose) or a romantic partner. I need to not feel ALONE in whatever task I have before me.
Destiny Card – my impulses, desires, and reactions
depression, suffering, guilt, self-loathing, illness, anxiety
WOW …. As someone who has multiple health issues and who has dealt with anxiety and depression since my youth this probably is the one card I could use to represent myself if I was truly honest.
I am often that woman sitting up in the dark of the night, hands over my face.
Personal Potential Card – sun sign
comitted to thoughts and ideas, assertive and courageous, headstrong and impatient
Inner Teacher Card – moon sign
responcible and trustworthy, craftsperson, practical, slow to change
Mode of Expression Card – rising sign
recognizes personal power, spontaneous, quick-tempered
Certainly this book is full of food for thought!!!
Blessings
Mama Kelly
This past weekend was ….. well ….. odd in many ways. I am not yet in a place to blog about all of it but I did want to share one tid bit. Much of Lady Rose’s weekend was spent with us, in one way or another, dealing with various scholastic issues that Miss Artistic is having. At one point, while she sat in another room working on math, spanish, etc. Princess Nibbles sat at the kitchen table with Lady Rose and myself.
I asked if she wanted to look through my Tarot cards to which she happily agreed. She then surprised me by taking the time to look through each and every card … quietly and intensely. She asked a few thoughtful questions about “how the cards work”, listening and nodding to our responces. I was so taken with her seriousness that I asked if she wanted to “try them”.
My younger daughter is only 7 … Tarot is something I have so far only worked on with her older sister. But, I fanned the cards out in front of her … instructed her to ask a question silently and pick whatever card felt right.
When I saw what card she drew … I immidiately got all misty. Lady Rose talked to her – asking her what she thought the card could mean while I composed myself.
Years and years ago as a teenager I used to play with the ouija board ALOT, most of the time with my friend “E”. Only one “statement” by that board stayed with me into adulthood which was when the board spelled out that one day I would have a daughter who “would bring people back to God”.
Now, at the time as a Christian I only had one interpretation for that. Today, as I approach my 2 decade mark of being a Witch my definition of “God” does not fall into any one particular theology as much as serve to identify the Divine Truth.
Anyway, the card she drew was :
Now as a Witch this card is always powerful for me when it appears in a spread. I have led circles in the role of High Priestess. I have oathed my life to the God and Goddess. When that card appears in a reading it is very meaningful.
Oh and her question?
My little girl ….
- who used to talk about meeting my late mother before she was born
- who used to talk about when she “used to be a grown-up”
- who has always spoken with wisdom beyond her years
- who speaks of the desire to be a teacher
asked the cards what she was going to be when she grows up.
I may just get all misty again!!!
Blessings
Mama Kelly
I have not yet bought this deck but it has certainly added to my wish list.
Features that appeal to me include:
There’s something just so appealing about the cards I’ve seen.
See more images
and
and
Tarot of Gemstones and Crystals
I got this deck a few weeks ago but waited to do a reading with them until my visit Mama Kelly (which was this past weekend).
The cards are lovely photos of various crystals and gems, some raw, some polished, some gem quality. They are simple and uncluttered images. The only reference to the Tarot on the card itself is a simple line reference on the bottom naming the Tarot card the gemstone card relates too. The small booklet that comes with it gives the meaning of the gemstone pictured on the card, the tarot interpreation, and shadow aspect (we assume this means reversed meaning – but that is not stated the booklet).
I enjoy the deck for its imagery and glad to have it as part of my collection, because I just love crystals and stones. However, I don’t really relate to it as a tarot deck for a reading (but perhaps more as an oracle deck using 1 to 3 cards). Mama Kelly and I agreed the deck offers a wide variety of magical uses. The deck would also be useful as a “flash card” study device to learn the various stones.
Some of the uses we thought of:
(back of the cards)
Mama Kelly and I each did a one call draw focusing on the question “What should be the theme-focus of our vacations that are coming up soon”. She will be posting about her reading when she gets back — but the general meaning of her card was “happiness.”
For my vacation I drew Silver (seven of swords) – symbology of silver: fantasy, intellectual quests, dreams, love, malleability, and sensibility. Stengthens the intuitive, emotional and feminine qualities, which can help develop new plans based on dreams.
Tarot meaning – new concepts, courage, hope bluff, well-devised plans.
I had planned on taking time for myself to relax, reflect, and make notes and plans for getting my life organized, improving my health, renewing my spiritual path. The reading supported this plan and added the insight that I need to be true to my dreams and open to my intuition. I will be sure to wear a bit of silver while I’m on my vacation too, to keep me focused on staying in touch with my inner voice and to remind me to stay open to love and to be flexible as well (which is always a good thing to be to avoid stress).
Bright blessings, Lady Rose
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