 You've likely heard of the original Alleyman's Tarot, which is made of over 130 mismatched cards by all different artists. This campaign soon became the highest backed tarot deck ever in Kickstarter history! Decks made up of a melange of cards isn't new but the Alleyman Tarot really brought it into the forefront. There is a group on Facebook that I discovered recently called The Alley where many fans have gathered to swap cards to create their own themed decks which are called Magpie Decks - or Patchwork deck (which I love). I have recently become OBSESSED which doing this myself and have already started to trade a buy individual cards.  This is also a great way to collect your fav cards from your fav decks that you may not have been able to get a hold of. Or are special/rare like this Lovers card of Matthew Ryan Cohn and his wife Regina Marie Cohn that I got from the Oddities Flea Market in Chicago this year.
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 Stella's back with advice for your Wheek Ahead. Today she's using the Ragnarok Sunset Sea Tarot Dice from Triosmore
🐹 Take it slow at the start of the week, you may want to pay attention to your needs before others. Be gentle with yourself and approach issues with common sense. You will have to make a decision mid week that you perhaps have been putting off for a while. Make sure you weight your options and and again, do what's right for YOU. Look for missing information and don't be afraid to ask questions to gain more clarity. You won't go wrong this week if following Stella's advice. She sees happiness and contentment heading your way. By following your heart and showing appreciation, you will see the love grow exponentially.  Stella has some wisdom from the Strange Lands Oracle for your Wheek Ahead.
Begin this week with transformation on the mind, how can you bloom in your situation working with what you have and your strengths. With the turning of the wheel and the changes in the season, time to break out of the darkness and welcome in the light. Make an effort to do things that bring joy and make you smile. Nearing the end of the week, you will see this growth happening and it will only get better. As long as you are making progress forward there's no telling what adventures await. Be open to new opportunities.  Stella's advice for this upcoming Wheek is from The Rebel Deck.
 Yesterday my day was made when I received my second tarot certification in the mail! I signed up for the Master Advanced Tarot Certification last July through the Tarot Readers Academy. We work through 8 weeks of calls and then there is homework for each module we cover. I was able to finish all my homework in January this year with the help of many of you who allowed me to give you readings based on what I had been learning. I am proud of myself for finishing this course and can add this certificate to my wall.
If you are interested in taking any tarot certification courses I HIGHLY recommend any of the ones taught through the Tarot Readers Academy as Ethony supplies you with SO MANY resources and the homework is both challenging and fun. I have also been able to meet like minded people throughout these lessons and create friendships as a result. Certification is not necessary but I decided to pursue this path because I wanted to challenge myself and because I look at tarot as a life-long learning process I always want to learn more.  Stella had a bath today and wanted to continue with her Wheek Ahead Spreads.
You'll be starting this week with a lot on your plate. Much of this stems from being overwhelmed last week and not getting everything you intended done. But don't fear, this will all pay off mid week and you will be able to relax with family and feel more on track. Near the end of the week you are going to have a lot more clarity and new ideas to fill the month of March up.  In my latest podcast I discuss using tarot for connection to your ancestors and wanted to share some spreads which I found helpful. They are from Nancy Henrickson's book Ancestral Tarot. The Journey Spread (pictured above) starts at the left, travels across the top and circles around the bottom: 1) Me today 2) The bridge I will be crossing to meet the ancestors 3) What do the ancestors think of me? 4) What do I think of the ancestors? 5) What is the goal of my journey 6) The unexpected 7) How will ancestral tarot affect my life?
Ancient Ones Spread: 1) How can I best communicate with the ancient ones? 2) What message to the (collective) ancient ones have for me? 3) How can I best honour those of my blood who lived a millennia before me?
I have had an ancestral altar for a couple years now and also have a special one for my cats. There are lots of ways you can create a special place in your home for your ancestors which can be as simple or elaborate as you like. Some ideas are:
- candles - pictures - things that belonged to your loved ones - offering plates - incense - crystals - tarot cards - so much more!  Coming up in Dec I will be teaching a new workshop about sigil magick. Sigils are a simple yet direct form of magic where you transform an intention into a single symbol. You don't need to be an artist to use sigil magic in your practice. There are many ways to create sigils and we will look at both modern and traditional methods. We will also talk about the history, how to create them, how they work and why you should add them into your practice. I hope to see you there! Get your tickets here I've locked in my 2023 dates for tarot readings at the Broom Closet / Jessups General Store at 1811 Quebec St. I prefer that appointments are booked in advance but I do accept walk ins if time allows.
In my last podcast I talked about different archetypes in the Major Arcana as well as the 16 archetypes in the Modern Goddess Oracle. While looking at my shelf of decks I forgot about one I acquired recently in a trade. The Ancestral Oracle of the Celts by Caitlin Matthews.
Each card has an affirmation associated with it. For example: The Prophet "I foresee the images hidden within the greater pattern and how they were seeded in the past." The spreads included with this deck are more about working with the ancestors using the archetypes within each card which I find super cool. Not only are my ancestors Celtic but working with ancestors is something near and dear to me. Caitlin includes guidelines for gathering the ancestors, as well as a circle of welcome ritual. You start by making a welcoming semicircle of cards around a candle which represents the hearth, to which the exiled ancestor is invited. Have a glass or bowl of water near. - Place a Divine Ancestor behind (or under) the flame. These cards have family gifts associate with them and an image of the Gundestrup Cauldron. I chose the Lady of Life because looking at the Sun Cycle. I associate with the Maiden, Spinner and Seer. - Next choose some female clan cards for the Line of Mothers and some male clan cards for the Line of Fathers. - Place a stone to represent the exiled ancestor you are welcoming (I chose Gabbro) and say "This stone represents..." - Hold the stone. What does the exiled ancestor need most? Look through the line of mothers and fathers to select one card from each to act as sponsors of the exiled ancestor. Which of the clan cards welcome the exiled ancestor unconditionally? What do they say to the ancestor? Speak these words aloud. - Place the exiled ancestor between one of the mothers and one of the fathers as sponsors who support them. How does this ancestors stone feel now? Moisten the stone with water from your glass in token of the ancestors cleansing and long thirst. - What welcome does the Divine Ancestor make to the exiled ancestor? Speak this aloud. - Finally, make your own welcome, saying " As one of your descendants, I witness your return to the family hearth. I am holding you in my heart as one of the family. May you find the welcome you have longed for." - Move the stone to the hearth and leave it there overnight with the glass of water.   There are many ways you can use this deck. The archetypes included are both common and unique. I really like the Initiator and the Restorer. They may be topics I explore more as I get more comfortable with this deck.
These are the 2 casting boards I created for my Witch Runes workshop. I just printed off these pages and laminated them so they can be used over and over. If you'd like to do the same, I have a digital download of each available in my Etsy shop. Casting boards can be used in a myriad of ways. You can ask questions and then cast your method of divination or hold your pendulum over the board to find your answers. Depending on where your material fall will help you intuit the guidance. Try them out with:
- Charm casting - Pendulums - Runes - Bones - Crystals - Dice  This weekend I am teaching a class on using Witch Runes. We will each make our own set of 13 runes and learn what each means. I have also created 2 different casting boards that we will use to learn how to use and read our runes in different situations. Just click the picture for the link to sign up. Just $30 which includes a handout, 2 casting boards, your own set of Witch Runes and a box to put them in.
October is the perfect time for divination and if you haven't tried Witch Rune why not attend? This class will happen at the Broom Closet / Jessups General Store at 1811 Quebec Street  Mabon is my favourite Sabbat because it is that beginning of fall and the feelings of gratitude, sweater weather, boots, leggings, pumpkin pie, london fog, soups and reading under a blanket with a cat. I'm sure you all know that feeling too. I wanted to share a couple things with you; my must make recipe this season as well as a tarot spread.  This is one of the pages in the Hexcellent Handbook Vol 2 Since this is prime apple season, this pound cake and its drizzled icing make it a great way to connect with the season. Enjoy it with your favourite hot beverage.  This is a spread included in my Wheel of the Year Zine If you are looking for more ways to celebrate this time of balance, I have a few extra treats for you. In the Awakened Soul Coven, other mentors and I created a year long course all about the Witches Wheel of the Year. We offer, crafts, rituals, spells, history, divination, correspondences and more! You can find more about it here: Celebrating the Sabbats  I also invite you to join myself and the Sage Wind Temple for an outdoor ritual this Sunday. You can see more details at the Facebook event page. Hope to see you there!
I made a spread today to coincide with the Sage Wind Tarot Circle's topic this month: Building Resilience with Tarot. We all experience difficulties and have to work though hardships. How we deal with change can be worked in such a way that we can start to take control and shift our perspectives to a much more positive, helpful and healthy way. We can learn to find our strengths and use them to bring resilience and protection for ourselves in overwhelming circumstances and also learn from mistakes, accept change and keep things in perspective. I hope you find insight within.
I am currently taking an Master Advanced Tarot course through the Tarot Readers Academy and part of our creative homework this week was to create a couple looks for 3 major arcana cards. These are my submissions.  Elements of this look: Leo, natural colours (yellows, green and browns), velvet for innocence/self indulgence, but a fur collar for that wild side. Infinity sign, army boots and backpack to represent being prepared for challenges. Crown for power/leadership. Who is this look for? Anyone who wants to look fierce and graceful at the same time. Natural born leaders. Sportsman or fitness aficionados.  Elements of this look: Capricorn (horns), chains, being bound/limitation/domination, lust/sex, black and red, opulence, snakes, smoke in the background for fire/transformation, wallet for money. Big boots for stomping (or shit kickers lol). Claws to represent fear. Who is this look for? Anyone who wants to show off their assets and powers of dominance and control. Someone who may be materialistic. Someone who is embracing their shadow side.  Much to the dismay of my parents (yes I'm 40) I have delved into the world of tattoos with my first tattoo done after I visited Harry Potter World in Orlando this year - I got the Deathly Hallows symbol. I then got a tarot related tattoo I made using the suits of the tarot. All of these symbols hold a lot of associations and they are also found within the Magician card. The Magician is all about taking action and manifesting your goals and dreams.
I also wanted the sword and the wand to face different directions to represent 'As Above, So Below' which means that what happens in the cosmos, is drawn down like a lighting rod through the Magician and into the material realm. What we think, we can do. What we desire, we can create/manifest. There is always a connection between the various planes of being and life. We can do whatever we put our minds to.
 She says that you will have some choices to make at the beginning of the week that will affect your emotions throughout the weekend. Look for what makes you happiest and don't focus too much on what you wish you had instead.
 For those who would like a tarot reading from me but maybe aren't in Regina or wanting to schedule a time that works , I am offering online readings on Jitsi Meet. Evenings and weekends are best. Email me to book. I would prefer payment via PayPal or e-transfer upon booking. Each reading is at least 10 cards and last about an hour. Let's connect.
 For Yule, my brother got me "A Year in the Wildwood" by Allison Cross. It had been on my wishlist for a while ever since I got the Wildwood Tarot. This deck - while still being fairly traditional follows the Wheel of the Year and a lot of Celtic Druidry. I decided to use this as a study deck to compare tarot with the changing seasons and rhythms of the earth. I started working my way through the book and deck with Imbolc. Each suit is connected to different elements and seasons where the Arrows (Air) are the time of spring and now I am moving into Bows (Fire) as Beltane approaches. These make sense to me as this is also how I use timing for seasons in my own tarot practice. The book discusses each card in depth and asks questions based on the lesson/meaning of each card while also connecting it to nature and the natural rhythms of our bodies. So far I have found a profound impact with just how perfectly the correlation between my life, the cards and the environment connect. I have been journalling each step of the way which is helping me pull out patterns and learn more about myself in the process. There is also a Facebook Study group devoted to the book where you can discuss with others also meandering their way in the Wildwood.
I have been very consistent in my journey with this deck and will continue until the end of the year. If this is something that interests you, then by all means begin! You can start at any time of the year and both the book and deck are very affordable. This is one of many way to connect with a deck and if you are interested in Druid mythology or the Celtic Wheel of the Year then you will absolutely find knowledge. If you were wanting to start a tarot journal this is a great way to do so and also help you learn more about yourself and how tarot and its lessons play out in our daily lives.   Karli of Jessups General Store has been hosting a collab project and this is my contribution. Karli made 25 prints with the top portion open for adding our part.
This is the first time I've embroidered on paper and it was a lot of fun. I put my image on the back of the paper and punched holes in the spots I was planning on stitching. Making sure to pierce intersecting lines and not making the holes too close which might cause the paper to pucker. After that it was like connecting the dots.
 I have confirmed my 2022 tarot reading dates! I am available for in-person readings at The Broom Closet / Jessups General Store at 1811 Quebec Street as above. You can email me or send me a message on Instagram or Facebook to book your appointment. You can find out more about my reading style and check out my code of ethics here. Hope to see you soon!
 I have compiled a few printed versions of my digital zines. I have 4 volumes at the moment which include original tarot spreads, as well as some helpful tidbits and recipes. Wheel of the Year
Unraveled
Moon Phases
The Elements
   William Blake fan here :) I am SO happy to share my new deck I got yesterday! It's the #penumbratarot by Ethony and Eris Elizabeth. If you've ever owned a deck made by Ethony then you know that it's a super high quality deck drenched in tarot wisdom and creativity. Penumbra is a space of partial illumination between the perfect shadow and the full light. This is an elemental deck that follows the traditional RWS system.
The cards are matte yet so vibrant as you can see! The card backs are black with a copper design and the card edges are gilded copper 🖤🤎 The gorgeous guidebook is over 340 pages! Not only are the card meanings (legacy) listed in the book but also insight into the influences of the images (apogee & perigee) by Eris. And also a song that relates to the feeling/meaning of the card! I was amazed to see Rasputina mentioned along with other more obscure artists. Really cool! The guidebook also has a deck blessing ritual using all the elements, different spreads and also activities you can do to help deepen your understanding of the cards.
Look how vibrant the colours and images are! These are a few of my favourite cards from the deck.
The suits are swords, torches, cups and pentacles and the court cards are labeled as the element, the agent, the crown and the throne.  One of the extra cards that come with the deck is a spread for interviewing your new deck and these are the cards that I drew. This deck will help me when looking for insight into dealing with stress, chaos and conflict as well as anything that is weighing on the mind. The strengths of this deck for me will be helping me learn how to use my intelligence and communication to learn how to work through problems. One problem with this is the readings may be more blunt and not include a lot of emotion. This deck is here to teach me to level up and always grow and get better with each use. Here I am adding in the emotion I was lacking in card 2. The best way the deck will connect with me is by respect. I believe this is important when working with a tool. When you take care of your tools they will serve you well for years to come. My tarot cards work the same way. Finally, what card sums up this deck the best - the card of happiness. I was really happy to see such a positive card in this position in this spread. Also just look at that sky!
While on vacation in Florida, I wanted to try the novelty of ordering on Amazon and getting it that same day and The Yarn Tarot has been on my wishlist since a friend had mentioned it to me. As a fibre artist and tarot reader this is a must have deck for me.   The Major Arcana This deck follows the traditional RWS system which is the one I really prefer. The Strength card is my favourite within the Major Arcana because it pictures a ginger kitty as the "lion" and I call Watson (my ginger kitty) my lion as she roars when shes happy and purrs really loudly with her mouth wide open. I also LOVE the dress in the angel in the Lovers. Beautiful. I also really like the figures in the images as this deck is inclusive and I am very jealous of all the kitted outfits the people are wearing.
I work in all aspects of these fibre arts on a regular basis and I feel this deck is very personal for me. The cards are matte yet very easy to shuffle. The box is a hard shell that when opened has beautiful images of the suits on it. There are 2 extra cards included with affirmations. The guide book is basic but it has a hard cover and is of a very good quality (much like the Modern Witch Deck/Guidebook). If you are a fibre worker and you don't have this deck already - what the heck are you waiting for?!!  The Yarn Tarot would also pair perfectly with my Unraveled Oracle to add even more depth to your readings.
 This is the Tarot Disassembled by Jennifer Cooper Steidley. Its is a very unique deck using JUST symbols and colours. I backed this deck on Kickstarter a while ago with a few extras. There was a choice for the box to be black or yellow and I chose black which is the "moon" version. I also got 4 postcards, 4 holographic stickers and a cool bookmark!  This deck follows the traditional RWS system but you can see similar symbols throughout the cards and this may help some to delve deeper into this aspect of tarot. I have also been using this deck when it comes to dream interpretation as symbols and archetypes are the language of our subconscious. I really love the vibrancy of the colours and the rose petal feel is a favourite of mine. The cards are matte which I also like and this makes it easier to take pictures with them.
  The guidebook is very in depth covering the common symbols as well as each card meaning, keywords, associations and spreads. Jennifer's mind set with this deck was to disassemble all the parts in an image so that when you piece them back together you learn as you go. I'm really happy with this deck and it will be a great addition to anyone's collection.
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