The local witch shop in town here called The Broom Closet, stocks wonderful votive candles with spells included.  I've used the Evil Eye one and recently bought the Emotional Balance one.  I decided to make a sigil using the affirmation for that candle and share it below.

​The Fool's journey is set out to show the progression of life's experiences and learning from mistakes and successes. It is seperated into 3 blocks of 7 cards with the Fool on the outside. Set up your cards this way to see this journey and compare the keywords to the images on your cards to help make sense of the major arcana. (22 cards)

The minor arcana (56 cards) consists of 4 suits. I've broken them down and colour coordinated them to help you quickly find what you are looking for. Keep in mind, some decks change the names of the suits. I've tried to include as much info as I could to help you draw correlations and see emerging patterns without overwhelming you (I hope).​

My dad built me this box this past week after I had given him a terrible drawing with bad measurements.  It is 12" from edge to edge.  

The one side is the perfect fit for a tarot deck.  The one pictured is the Everyday Witch Tarot by Debora Blake,  The other side is a bit bigger and will be a god spot for a candle, herbs, stones, correspondences, anything really.  I've since added a key and some moonstone for Hekate. 

This upper ledge has room for some stones, and a little spot perfect for a tealight. I might move my selenite charging stone here.  He also made a slot along the back to place daily draws, images, or photographs.  Currently I have a card from the Work Your Light Oracle by Rebecca Campbell, one from The Everyday Witch Tarot and the business card I designed for the Sage Wind Temple (which you can also see in the side bar on this site).  I am also planning on putting in the image of the goddess for each month of the Awakened Soul Coven I belong to. 

Here is a peek of my space in my studio,  My table faces west so I get a nice evening glow in the summer months.  You can also see one of my tarot mats I made.

I'm really happy with how it turned out, I am so lucky to have a dad who can make anything for me.  This will also help keep my space a bit tidier and create some more consistency during this time. 

I wanted to share what I do when I get a new deck and want to use it regularly.  I find I can connect better with a deck once I have cleared any old energy and activated it in an intention ritual I learned from Avalon Cameron. 
This is the ritual I use to activate my deck:
I start by laying the deck on a tarot or altar cloth and surround it with crystals, herbs, and anything else my intuition tells me.  I then bless it with each of the 4 elements.  I place my hands over the deck setting my intentions and leave it be for at least 3 days.  

​Start by going through and looking at each card.  How does each image make you feel?  Read each affirmation.
To clear your deck, you have a couple options:
- Burn sage or a clearing incense and pass your deck through the smoke.
- Place a clear quartz, amethyst or selenite crystal with your deck.
- Charge your deck under the full moon.

This is the ritual I use to activate my deck:
​I start by laying the deck on a tarot mat, tray or altar cloth.  I surround it with crystals like clear quartz points, amethyst, lapis lazuli, labradorite or selenite.  

I then sprinkle the deck with herbs like yarrow, mugwort, thyme, or anything else my intuition tells me.

I then bless the deck with the 4 elements.  Starting with air I will light a palo santo stick, or sage bundle and say " blessed be by the power of air" as I wave the smoke over the deck.  Then with a lit candle I say " blessed by by the power of fire" circling the deck with the candle. I will take a dish or chalice of water and circling the deck will say "blessed be by the power of water" and then with a stone (usually one I've collected outside, or a hag stone) and wave it over the deck while saying "blessed be by the power of earth".

Some sneak peeks:

​My weaving tonight is for an extra boost for my husband. He has been working hard to find a new job where he is appreciated and paid well. Looking for success tomorrow.
Using the Magician (the manifestor), 3 of Wands (new opportunities), passing through a raw green adventurine ( for luck) to the 4 of Wands (success and celebration) and with a hope for the 10 of Pentacles (abundance and prosperity). All 4 elements including a gold candle for success and money and using Jessica's (The Tea Witch) money powder. Also focusing on the end of this waning moon phase moving into the new.