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Deck Review – The Deck of Queens by Stephanie Guttenplan (Pookie)
Deck Review The Deck of Queens By Stephanie Guttenplan (Pookie) Self-published 76 card deck and 98 page guidebook The Deck of Queens is a divination deck created by Pookie, also known as Stephanie Guttenplan, and self-published via Kickstarter by Pookie Artistry LLC. The Deck of Queens comes in a very sturdy and extremely portable 3 inch by 4 inch by 2 inch thick cardboard box with a book-style lid. The box has a black matte finish with silver lettering on the front, and a hand-written message from the author along with her web address on the back. The first thing we see after opening the box is the…
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Road to Runes
Road to Runes: Ehwaz – A Journey in Trust I finally got a new set of runes. In fact, it’s one I’ve had for a long time that I was going to sell, years ago, but for some reason have clung onto. Now I know why! It’s a set of carnelian tumble stones (rocks shaken in a tumbling machine until they are smooth) each inscribed with one of the Elder Futhark. I don’t go in for a whole lot of crystal magic as mining crystals has a lot of negative impacts on the Earth and the people involved. However, I also don’t waste what I have, and these are…
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Deck Review – Pistis Sophia: The Goddess Tarot by Kim Huggens and Nic Phillips
Deck Review Pistis Sophia: The Goddess Tarot By Kim Huggens and Nic Phillips Published by Red Feather Mind, Body, Spirit 22 card deck and 144 page guidebook The Pistis Sophia is a very interesting majors-only Tarot kit that comes in a lovely 6 inch by 9 inch sturdy box with a magnetic closure easily opened in book-fashion with a handy ribbon tab. The box has a full color matte finish, with the deck name and a card image on the front of the box, and deck information and description and three card images on the back. The first thing we see after opening the box lid is the…
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Book Review – Flower Essences from the Witch’s Garden: Plant Spirits in Magickal Herbalism by Nicholas Pearson
Book Review Flower Essences from the Witch’s Garden Plant Spirits in Magickal Herbalism by Nicholas Pearson Publisher: Destiny Books 512 Pages Publication Date: April 5, 2022 Flowers have always been magical. Long ago, magic and medicine were intertwined, and here they are again. I am a witch who uses and has made flower essences. I am excited to find Nicholas Pearson has done something I haven’t seen anyone else do — merge the medical and the magical sides of healing flower essences that work on a spiritual level. “Flower Essences from the Witch’s Garden” is a tome that has it all — a comprehensive reference for the beginner…
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Notes from the Apothecary
Notes from the Apothecary: Blackberry The humble bramble or blackberry (Rubus fruticosus) is a common sight in British and Irish hedgerows and wild places. Blackberries are also found all over the United States, and may also be called caneberries. Blackberries grow on thick, fast-growing branches covered in thorns, making picking the fruit perilous – use gloves! Each berry is a collection of tiny balls called a drupe, and the taste ranges from sweet to mouth-shrivelling and sour if you pick the tiny, hard ones. In the woods near my house, once you venture away from the paths, the spiky branches trail riotously between tree trunks, making it impossible to create…
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WitchCrafting: Crafts for Witches
Magickal Eye Pillow Merry meet. I have used eye pillows filled with rice, sand, microbeads, beans, or flaxseeds for decades. Its gentle pressure signals the brain to relax, while also blocking out sleep-disturbing light. They have been found to ease stress and anxiety, promote better sleep, and provide relief from tension headaches and migraines. It wasn’t until recently I thought to make it magickal. When a corner of my favorite eye pillow opened, I took it as a sign I didn’t have to start from scratch and use the fabric I had cut out and put somewhere months earlier. Pouring out the contents, I washed the cover. Then I…
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Book Review – The Witchy Homestead: Spells Rituals and Remedies for Creating Magic at Home by Nikki Van De Car
Book Review The Witchy Homestead Spells Rituals and Remedies for Creating Magic at Home by Nikki Van De Car Publisher: Running Press Adult 144 Pages Publication Date: August 17, 2021 I’m always on the lookout for books focused on everyday magic that makes home and family life easier and, perhaps, that little bit more wonderful. This one is so eye-catching with its promise of spells, rituals, and remedies for creating magic at home. Yes please! The book is handily split into three sections: Enchanting Your Food, Enchanting Your Health, and Enchanting Your Home. I love the idea of enchantment as an everyday practice to weave into all aspects of…
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Book Review – Nature Spirits and Elemental Beings: Working with Intelligence in Nature by Marko Pogacnik
Book Review Nature Spirits and Elemental Beings: Working with Intelligence in Nature Marko Pogacnik Published by Findhorn Press 254 pages Publication date: February 1, 2010 (Second Edition) For over thirty years, Marko Pogacnik has worked with Earth’s energies to heal and balance places where trauma or violence has occurred. He uses a process called lithopuncture – placing large stones at specific points in the landscape – similar to acupuncture. Nature Spirits and Elemental Beings: Working with the Intelligence in Nature is the result of his first encounters during lithopuncture work with the intelligent forces and beings who shape and protect Earth and her processes. Pogacnik wrote the first…
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Book Review – Pagan Portals: Scrying- Divination Using Crystals, Mirrors, Water and Fire by Lucya Starza
Book Review Pagan Portals Scrying-Divination Using Crystals, Mirrors, Water and Fire by Lucya Starza Publisher: Moon Books 86 Pages Publication Date: March 1, 2022 This was the first book I have read on scrying. I liked that it is a shorter book, but don’t let the length fool you. There is a lot of great information packed in here. As an avid reader, and bit of a nerd, I loved how it opened with a Lord of the Rings reference. There are quite a few references to Lady Galadriel and her mirror. Lucya explains that scrying isn’t the same as using things like tarot cards, but you…
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Peeking in the Shadows: Crafting a Book of Shadows and Light
A Journey Through the Witch’s Wheel of the Year 2022! The Witch’s Wheel of the Year We Continue Our Journey Through the Witch’s Wheel and celebrate the Harvest of Lughnasadh…. Lughnasadh (aka Lammas) is here! We share the bounty of the Season and the Sacrifice of Tailtiu…. The blade is sharp Scythe swings in Flashing arc as Sheaf of wheat And apples fall The Harvest now begun. Gather the grain Leave what you must Fill carefully woven baskets With the overflowing bounty. Consume the energy Swallow the light Feel the great Blessing of living grain’s Sustaining of all life. No time to linger Fields…
