Citrine is known as the money stone. Continue reading “November Crystal of the Month – Citrine”
Black Tourmaline transmutes negative energy into positive, Continue reading “October Crystal of the Month – Black Tourmaline”
Q: I’m looking for a book that will help me dive deeper into the world of tarot. Do you have any suggestions?
A: Yes! There are many great websites & books for people who want to learn more about reading tarot cards. Here are just a few for you to start with.
Carnelian is a stone of courage and vitality. Continue reading “September Crystal of the Month – Carnelian”
Hail and well-met friends and members of White Oak Grove CUUPs.
I am happy to announce that after serving many years on the Board of Directors, I have become the Interim President for the White Oak Grove Chapter of the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans.
Q: Is there a special way I should take care of my tarot cards?
A: You can cleanse your deck in whatever method you have used for other divination tools. Some prefer to use stones, one specific element they have an affinity for, or the simple go to of smudging… smudge all the things. It is up to you and what you feel is right for your deck in how to store them. Trust your instinct and care for your tools the way you wish.
Continue reading “Two Minute Tarot: Charging, Cleansing, and Storing”
What is a sigil?
- Simply put, a sigil is a symbol, marked onto something else, that is believed to have magical properties
- Sometimes thought of as “high magick” by ceremonialists and occultists cf. the Lesser Key of Solomon, a widely known set of sigils used for controlling demons.
- Often much more organic and basic. The simple pentagram is one such sigil. Hex signs, often seen on old farms, are sigils.
Continue reading “Sigil Magick: What it is, how to use it, how to make your own”
Q: The same card keep popping up in all of my spreads, and I think it’s throwing my readings off. What does this mean?
A: A signifier card is not necessary for a tarot reading. Everyone has their own opinion about signifiers, their use, and how to choose them. A signifier represents the person who the reading is for, either yourself, or to use them as a placeholder for a person that isn’t “there” for their reading.
Continue reading “Two Minute Tarot: What’s this Signifier Thing?”
Blue Lace Agate
A translucent, banded quartz, Chalcedony of wavy white and light blue bands. Continue reading “June Crystal of the Month – Blue Lace Agate”
Q: How does the tarot deck know what I want?
A: Having a question is the best way to do tarot. It can be something as simple as: What should I look for today? Should I take the job offer? What do I need to know? You can ask as abstract or as focused of a question as you desire. Just keep in mind that sometimes the question you ask, is not always the one that is answered. You may have a question lingering in your subconscious that needs the answer more than whatever you asked. Sometimes the cards actually know more than you realize.
Continue reading “Two Minute Tarot: Asking Your Deck Questions”
During the 2020 annual meeting of White Oak Grove CUUPS our Board of Directors saw its first significant change in the executive leadership since the group’s inception as Betsy retired from her service as President. Continue reading “Changes in White Oak Grove Board of Directors”
Emerald is Green Beryl.
The stone of successful love.
Emeralds open the heart chakra to receive love in all aspects of life. Let go of negativity and create positive outcomes. Emeralds help us to find strength. A favorite gem since ancient days in Egypt, it was also sacred to the Aztec and Inca. Emeralds are associated with detoxing the body.
Crystal art journal by Kristen Nereis
Q: Is there a special way I should be shuffling my tarot cards?
A: When doing any tarot reading, it is helpful to clear your mind to the best of your ability. If you know it is a difficult thing for you to do, you may want to take a few preparatory deep cleansing breaths first. While shuffling the cards, I prefer to ask for assistance and guidance (use your spirit of choice) to offer the reading that is requested and needed. I personally tend to favor the number 3 and will shuffle 3 times, cut the deck into 3 portions, and shuffle 3 more times. How you shuffle and/or cut your deck is completely up to you. There is no WRONG or RIGHT way to do it! Through trial and error you will know what works for you and when the cards are ready for you to read them.
This Two Minute Tarot was originally presented by April Kane for White Oak Grove CUUPS August 4, 2019. ©2019 April Kane
Q: What are card rumors and misconceptions I should avoid?
A: Don’t fall into the trap of accessing popular modern dogma to your tarot readings. Just because they used a specific card attribute in a movie doesn’t mean that they got it right.
Upright vs Reversed: Generally is what it is… for example if the upright card means you should jump into this new venture with both feet, the revered may mean don’t count your ducks before they have hatched. Not all tarot card readers read reversed cards differently.
Death means someone will die!!!! No, no that is not what that card means… Yes, it does mean the end of something, but mortal death is rarely what it is alluding to. Upright can be there is a clear ending to a situation while reversed tends to mean that you are at a crossroads and need to make a decision.
The Lovers- bow-chicha-bow-wow! No, stop that… The Lovers appearing for you does not mean a new partner, blah blah blah. What it most likely means is that there is some sort of duality and the cooperation is needed to help.
Oh crap it’s The Devil!!! Yes, there is cause for alarm with this card, no you are not going to Hell. Well, even if you are, I’m not qualified to judge you. Upright this card may mean frustration with a situation. You have the means to free yourself if you are willing to do the work. Reversed can mean you need to look more internally than externally to figure out what is boxing you in.
This Two Minute Tarot was originally presented by April Kane for White Oak Grove CUUPS August 4, 2019. ©2019 April Kane
Aquamarine is Blue Beryl, a stone with flowing, soothing, and compassionate energy. It’s name means “water of the sea” in latin.
Boost courage and ease communication skills. Release anger and make positive changes in your life by using aquamarine. Embrace change and reduce tension, ease grief.
Place aquamarine beneath your pillow to aid with sleep.
Use in deep meditation to connect with spirit guides.
Crystal art journal by Kristen Nereis
Q: How do I know what the cards are trying to say. Is there a guide I can use to know what they mean in general until I am more comfortable with them?
A: There are general concepts that equate to specific cards. Most importantly though, listen to your intuition and look for patterns in your readings. If you get drawn specific cards repeatedly when asking the same sort of questions, you may have your own associations that differ from these.
Ace cards tend to key into timing:
- Wands: Autumn
- Cups: Summer
- Swords: Winter
- Pentacles:Spring
Minor Numbers:
- One: Beginnings
- Two: Duality
- Three: Self expression/ Communication
- Four: Clarity, elements/directions/seasons
- Five: instability, change
- Six: Service, compassion
- Seven: solitude, soul searching
- Eight: abundance, influence
- Nine: Wisdom through experience
- Ten: Ending and Beginning
This Two Minute Tarot was originally presented by April Kane for White Oak Grove CUUPS August 4, 2019. ©2019 April Kane
A form of quartz, amethyst is a bringer of intense spiritual growth. Strong healer of addiction. Quiet the negative mind, and clear negative energy. Connect with spirit.
A stone associated with the Greek God Dionysus, it was said that amethyst got it’s color from tears and wine spilled out of Dionysus’ cup. Ancient Greeks and Romans believed that you would not get drunk if drinking from a goblet made of Amethyst.
Crystal art journal by Kristen Nereis
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”
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
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
White Oak Grove CUUPS 