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Easy Imbolc Altar

Not all modern pagans celebrate Imbolc, but many wish to honor the cycles of nature in one way or another. It’s easy to pull together a simple altar space to cleanse and purify your home while encouraging those first inklings of new life from deep within the earth. Spring is beginning to stir. Small trays of crystals for healing and guidance, salt jars with purifying greens, and white candles can add a decorators touch to your home while still keeping the sacredness of your space in the forefront.

What will you put on your altar space this season? Here’s a peek at what’s on mine. Continue reading “Easy Imbolc Altar” →

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Two Minute Tarot: Meaning of the Suits

Q: What do the different suits of my tarot deck mean?

A:  In short, Staves/Rods/Wands equate to topics dealing with inspiration, creativity, tasks, goals, beginnings, growth. They are associated with the element and astrological signs of FIRE. Cups/Chalice are generally equated with emotions, relationships, feelings, desires, emotions, internal. They are associated with the element and astrological signs of WATER.  Swords are the tool of reason, truths, observations, actions, struggles, intellect.  They are associated with the element and astrological signs of AIR.  Finally Coins/Pentacles tend to refer to material goods, home life, career, manifestations.  They are associated with the element and astrological signs of EARTH.

 

This Two Minute Tarot was originally presented by April Kane for White Oak Grove CUUPS August 4, 2019.  ©2019 April Kane

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January crystal of the month is garnet. Linked to the heart chakra garnet supports the chi.

Earth and subtle, Garnet supports the Chi.

A protective talisman against negative energy garnet is a stone of romantic love.  Linked with the heart chakra, the deep red color brings and intensity to love,  Used in jewelry for protection since ancient Greece & Rome.  Garnet has a deep and lasting energy, and brings passion that burns slow and steady.

Garnet comes from the latin word for pomegranate.

Crystal art journal by Kristen Nereis

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I want to be magic. I want to touch the heart of the world and make it smile. I want to be a friend of elves and live in a tree. Or under a hill. I want to marry a moonbeam and hear the stars sing. I don’t want to pretend at magic anymore. I want to be magic.

~ CHARLES DE LINT, attributed, Creatureton High

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Two Minute Tarot: Major vs. Minor Arcana

Q: What is the difference between the tarot cards with numbers, and the cards named for people?

A: There are generally 78 cards in a tarot deck; and I say generally because some decks are only the Major Arcana or sometimes liberal with a few additional cards. The tarot deck is broken down into Major and Minor Arcana. There are 22 Major Arcana cards (usually numbered 0-21) and 56 Minor Arcana cards which are spread over 4 different suits Ace through 10, and Page, Knight, Queen, and King. The most common used are Staves (or Wands), Cups, Swords, Coins (or Pentacles).

Think of the Major Arcana as major happenings, milestones, events, and energy that one can use or call upon. The Minor Arcana can be viewed as smaller (daily) happenings, details, or events. The Minor lends insight into the steps needed to reach goals or changes that need to be made.

You can do a tarot reading with just the Major Arcana, but most will not do one with only the Minor Arcana. The Major helps to clue you into the large events that may be supported by the Minor.

 

This Two Minute Tarot was originally presented by April Kane for White Oak Grove CUUPS August 4, 2019.  ©2019 April Kane

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Yule Ritual Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Join us Wednesday, December 18, 2019,

at Rockford Unitarian Universalist

for a family-friendly ritual to celebrate the arrival of the shortest day and longest night!  

This Yule Ritual will be led by Allen and begins at 6 PM. Snacks and desserts served after the ritual.

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“Magic is a method of talking to the universe in words that it cannot ignore.”

~ NEIL GAIMAN, The Books of Magic: The Invisible Labyrinth

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Two Minute Tarot: Getting Personal With Your Deck

Q: Now that I have a Tarot Deck, what should I do with it?

A: Once you have your deck, now you need to get familiar with it. Remember that it is helpful to learn about your deck and look at the cards before you jump in and start reading for your friends. Do your homework!!!

My favorite way to do homework is this:
Take your new tarot deck, the book that came with it, a writing utensil, and paper…

You are going to start with the Major Arcana. If you are not familiar with what that is- your book will have it labeled. They are the cards that are not part of the 4 suits that your deck utilizes.
Locate the first card in the book and locate that card in your deck.

  • How does the book describe the meaning of that card? Do you agree or disagree?
  • Take a few minutes to think on its imagery. What do you see?
  • What is happening in the picture and why?
  • How would you interpret this card?

Write down your conclusions on paper. Now move onto the next card.

Work through at least the Major Arcana. Even if you have read tarot for decades, this process is helpful especially for decks that don’t follow the typical symbols or imagery you may be familiar with. It is also a great tool at handling your deck and getting it familiar to you.

Beyond this task, a daily card pull and study can be helpful as well. You can ask, What do I need to know today? or What do I need to focus on today? Pull your card and reason out what the card is telling you and why. It is helpful to write this down you may need that information later in your day and not necessarily when you pull your card.

This Two Minute Tarot was originally presented by April Kane for White Oak Grove CUUPS August 4, 2019.  ©2019 April Kane

 

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Sandra’s seen a leprechaun,
Eddie touched a troll,
Laurie danced with witches once,
Charlie found some goblins gold.
Donald heard a mermaid sing,
Susy spied an elf,
But all the magic I have known
I’ve had to make myself.

~ SHEL SILVERSTEIN, “Magic”

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