Dana Wright did a review of my book, “Tarot: A Witch’s Journey”, which includes a book give-away, and an author interview. Here’s a link:
http://onthebroomstick.blogspot.com/2011/12/visit-with-amythyst-raine-giveaway.html
This is a reminder that I’ll be giving Live In-House Tarot Readings at the Ameristar Casino, Council Bluffs, Iowa
Saturday, December 31,
6:30pm-12:30am
These readings are *Free*…courtesy of Ameristar.
Happy New Year!
Reminder… Live In-house Readings: This Saturday, December 31 (New Year’s Eve), 6:30pm-12:30am, I’ll be giving tarot readings at the Ameristar Casino in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
These readings are ‘Free’…compliments of Ameristar!
http://www.ameristar.com/Council_Bluffs.aspx
_____________________
Amythyst Raine is available to do live in-house readings at your party, book store, shop, or corporate event in the Omaha/metro area. Follow this url for more info: http://ladyamythyst.webs.com/tarotreadings.htm
Deck: Golden Tarot of Klimt
DEATH…KNAVE/CHALICES…7/PENTACLES
He (the Knave) looks on without emotions as her feelings play themselves out. Behind him, hidden, are all the treasures he longed to give her. Behind him lay the one that death took, yet he faces her; before him, at his back, stands the strong one.
10/PENTACLES…7/PENTACLES…KNIGHT/WANDS
She runs the gauntlet to keep what she has or to gain what she longs for. She thinks she’s happy, but this is only an isolated moment, a surreal conclusion. Behind her is the man who will shake her from this illusion, either jarring her from her fantasy, or catapulting her into insanity.
9/SWORDS…10/CUPS…THE EMPORER
Unity has come with a price. On one side the anguish of doubt and emotional stress; upon the other side strong arm tactics of a man. And between them both lay the crumpled pile of wounded personalities and cliques that use to masquerade as a family.
click Here
I receive a lot of email from a lot of people. Some of it is predictable and mundane, some of it is feedback from my clients, and some of it is completely unexpected and totally out in left field. And let’s get one thing straight here before I continue…It’s okay to be out in left field, everyone has to be somewhere.
The most troublesome messages for me come from people who admit to being under psychiatric care and on medications. Red flags go up, not because I feel anything negative or threatening from these individuals, but because I’m immediately aware of the fact that I may be dealing with a very fragile human being. This means that I should be very careful of what I say, very careful of the types of choices and actions that I present to them, and very cautious about any statements that could lead them to stop the mundane medical/psychological care they are receiving. However, this does not mean that I should not be truthful with them, while at the same time giving them as positive a reading as I can, and leaving them with something to go forward and to build on.
The most unusual messages and requests I receive are from transsexuals, almost always men, all of them wanting to know if there is some magic spell to make them a woman, or to give them the power to go back and forth between being male or female. First, no, I tell them that I’ve never heard of this type of spell; and if there was one, it would most likely involve some sort of ‘shape-shifting’, rather than any solid permanent ‘in-the-real-world’ physical change. I also encourage these individuals to seek counseling, to get in touch with clinics who specialize in surgery for transsexuals, and to spend time examining their inner feelings and motives about this issue.
The most difficult messages and clients to deal with are people having mundane problems in their life, usually involving love or money, and they expect that a reading from me will solve these problems. I try to emphasize that I can give them an idea, and usually an amazingly accurate idea, of what the future will hold, what the road blocks will include, and which routes will be to their advantage. In almost all of these types of readings, any self-imposed stumbling blocks are usually exposed as well, and it’s very difficult to know when to reveal this information and just how much to emphasize it. It can be a very sensitive area for some people.
A woman hopelessly in love with the wrong man would rather have all her teeth pulled with no anesthetic than to be told that her true love is a scum bag and if she doesn’t ditch him and heal from the negative contact and abuse she’s suffered through his hands, she will continue to decline both physically and emotionally, and happiness will be something that everyone else gets to experience, but not her. Sometimes a reader can point out the obvious, but someone blinded by the strength of their emotions may not be willing to look at it. These people usually have to learn the hard way– and many of them have drug me along as their psychic, giving me a front row seat to this process.
People caught up in financial difficulties can be heart wrenchingly desperate. And unless you have experienced this predicament in life, you will not understand the depth and gravity of it. Johnny Carson was speaking on his show one time about wealth. He said,“The only thing that being rich does is to alleviate the worry about not having enough money.” Of course, what he was trying to emphasize is that all of the other usual human problems are still there. However, my thought was that he had been wealthy so long he had forgotten what a horrible burden it is to worry about money. All other human problems pale in comparison if you can’t pay your rent or buy food.
In situations like this, as with any other, the ups and downs, the possibilities and the pitfalls, will come through a reading. What will not come through a reading is a magical and instant fix to your financial situation. The tarot cards give us a picture of what was, what is, and what may be coming for the future– but we will still have to stumble along and live through this human condition one day at a time, and sometimes it’s a damn long rough road.
I’ve met some incredible people through my work, often people who have no idea how frustrating– or how inspiring– they are. As I continue to use my gift to enlighten and to enrich lives; I whole-heartedly accept the gift of enlightenment and enrichment that I receive back.
This week I changed my user-name on Facebook, dropping the Wiccan title, so that my FB user-name is the same name being used on my books (Amythyst Raine). I thought it would make it easier for people to find me. I also changed the name on the url to my Facebook page before I realized that it would break the link everywhere I might have it posted– oops! So I’ve been trying to make the internet rounds and correct this, but I’m sure I’ve missed some links… My new FB url is: http://www.facebook.com/amythystraine
I’m working on my December newsletter, and this newsletter will be my last one. Because of other writing obligations, I’ll be discontinuing The Witch’s Corner newsletters indefinitely. This blog has become so successful (Magickal Connections), that I will be using this spot for updates, stories, inspiration, networking, promoting, and otherwise shooting the breeze. The links to all my newsletters, including the older archives, can be found in the sidebar (right side) on the home-page of The Witch’s Corner. Churning out newsletters on a regular basis, first monthly and later on quarterly, has been an experience in determination and perseverance!
For anyone who might not have heard the news, my next book is on the way! “The Gray Witch’s Grimore” was accepted for publication by Moon Books, an imprint of John Hunt Publishing. Production is expected to take approximately six months. I’ll be posting updates, including cover art and release dates, as this information becomes available. I’m thrilled!– this project is one that is close to my heart. It is, in essence, my own brand of magickal practice.
Complete:
A 7 Chakra Engraved Pendulum Set
This gorgeous set of pendulums is available at my website– click Here. I find this set of pendulums perfect for chakra balancing. They feel wonderfully trembling and ‘alive’ in your hands. Each pendulum is unique to a particular chakra, through both the stone used and the symbol engraved on each stone. After I received this set of pendulums in the mail and realized how much I like them, I decided that I’d have to have a set for myself– and you have no idea how often this happens for me!
I drew the following card specifically for myself…but this doesn’t mean that it won’t apply itself to other individuals who come upon this post…
Tarot Card of the Day: Ace of Cups…reversed. This card, when appearing in this manner, let’s me know that a relationship or friendship has ended. It is ironic that this card has showed up at this time, but not surprising. The universe, the All, or whatever spirits or energies work through these cards, always seems to be in tune with me and my life. Someone has left my circle, through their own desire, through mine, through fate, through a series of synchronistic events, however it happened, the bottom line is that they are no longer a part of my life, and I assumed that they would be for decades t
o come. It just goes to show that nothing in this world can be counted on as permanent, because life is a series of continuous transitions. As the old saying goes, “When one door closes, another shall open”, and this is true. It also brings to mind the magickal rule– when a space is emptied, it creates a vacuum, and the vacuum will not stay empty, it will be filled. And this is also true. It’s best to remember that people often come into our lives for a season, at a time that we are meant to connect with them to share and learn and grow. But there might come a point when it’s time to move on, when the lessons are learned and all that’s meant to be shared has been. It is a natural progression of the seasons.
I have been thinking about giving local tarot readings by appointment only. The main issue I have here is that I’m not sure I would want to open my home up to total strangers. The fix to this issue would seem to be simple– find another venue. I was thinking that I could simply meet a client for coffee somewhere, but I’m not sure that just any establishment would allow a customer to spread tarot cards on the table and give readings– although personally I would consider this a private conversation between two individuals, not every restaurant or coffee shop owner might look at it this way. I have a couple of people that I have to talk to, owners of coffee spots here in town, and I’m going to see how they would feel about having a tarot reader and a client enjoying a cup of coffee at their establishment. If I find the ideal spot to hold tarot pow-wows, you’ll see my advertisement in the local paper. Stay tuned.
Dreams…I only remember a snippet: I’m on the phone, talking to someone on the east coast from the Scifi program, TAPS. In my dream I’ve been invited to be a guest on the program for an episode. The thing is that I will have to fly on a commercial aircraft in order to be there on time for taping. I actually felt the sinking feeling in my stomach at this thought– even though I was only dreaming. The last part of this dream that I remember, I am reluctantly asking someone over the phone, “Isn’t there any other way to get there?”
And this is what happens when you watch a whole day of TAPS reruns on Scifi.
I’ve received an increased number of phone calls from people this week with questions, requests, and all kinds of things. I have to say that most of you must have paid attention to those ‘guidelines’ for contacting me, which I posted to this blog. Almost everyone identified themselves, and they were all very polite, and no one called at the crack of dawn or at the witching hour…thank you!
Links: For Tarot Readings: click Here
Enchanted Jewelry: click Here
Metaphyscial Supplies & Goodies: click Here
Specialty Items/Avant Garde Art Etc.: click Here
Remember, my new Facebook url is: http://www.facebook.com/amythystraine
Past Life Tarot Reading
(for M.)
1. Basic Soul Nature
Eight/swords
You tend to limit yourself by not being very adventurous when it comes to trying new things. You are confined and defined by other people’s opinions. You allow yourself to be restrained and contained by circumstances and people in your life, and you allow this mostly through apathy and laziness– you tend to follow the path of least resistance. This can mean that you withhold honest opinions, or any opinion at all, and you will never side with the underdog because that would mean more work and effort. This often sets you apart from those you would otherwise share a connection with.
You are a soul trapped by mitigating circumstances, and to relieve yourself of the inner nature that allows this, that is– in order to change, you will have to find your voice and strength of will.
2. Environment
The Hermit ®
You lived in isolation, which is a circumstance that led to an inability to verbally express yourself with success or ease. You lived in a manner that didn’t require a lot of interaction. I’m seeing a staff and feel that your life revolved around agriculture, livestock, the outdoors. You were connected to the earth and it’s cycles so closely that this aspect of your past life has carried over for many lifetimes, and to this day, this is your connection. Sometimes the environment in this past life was harsh; you faced the elements at their most basic. Winter seems to have left an indelible impression in this aspect, as it was the most rugged to survive.
3. Eary Years
Page/pentacles ®
You were wild in the youth of your past life. You were earthy and felt no qualms about satisfying your whims and urges. For many reasons, some of them being your unorthodox behavior and your inability to make solid emotional connections to people, you were isolated– or you felt isolated– from those close to you, those within familial or community settings. However, there’s one thing that you had no doubts about, and that was your connection to the earth and the lifestyle that accompanied the farmer or the peasant in a rural setting. Through the haze that has been your experience with human relationships, this is the one contact that has always been strong and clear. You knew early what it was you wanted to do and where you belonged.
4. Education
The Moon
Your education was sketchy, often based on superstition, as well as ancient wisdom and practices. This past life reaches far back into ancient times, before the dawning of the Renaissance, before the first ages of ‘enlightenment’, even before Christianity had reached the vast majority of what we now call Europe– but just on the cusp of this change. You lived by the laws and knowledge of nature, rather than the precepts and wisdom of the early scholars.
5. Accomplishments
The Magician ®
Many of your attempts to accomplish goals in this past life were thwarted by a lack of power, incentive, energy, direction, or the acceptance of those around you. What you did accomplish in this past life was connected to the elements– and the Elements. One problem was that you often found that your ideas, which may have been ahead of the times, were not readily received or accepted by friends, family, or community. Because of your nature, it was just easier to follow the general path and forget about those goals and dreams that only you could see as worthy and attainable. This may be an issue that plagues you all the way to your present life.
6. Occupation
Four/Swords
Your occupation centered around a rural and agricultural setting. You may not have been as successful in your occupation as you could have been because you often lacked ambition, but also because you suffered from some sort of physical infirmity which often prevented you from successfully completing physical tasks. You tired easily, were sick often, and lacked a strong constitution. You were also an individual within the community whose job it was to help dispose of the dead. Your life was touched by those spirits in numerous positive, as well as negative, ways.
7. Social Status
The Chariot ®
Although you were not at the top of the social ladder, you were well within the upper echelon. In spite of any hindrances you might have faced with your occupation– both those brought on by your own nature and those beyond your control, you were well respected within your community and you made a fairly good living for the time that this was. You lived slightly above the average standards and provided well for your family. It appears that within your community, you were often called upon to help make important decisions, implying that you were counted among the leaders of this particular area or village.
8. Relationships
The Hierophant
Your stubborn personality and terrifically conformist views made relationships in this lifetime difficult, and it’s possible that this type of behavior has carried over into many lifetimes. You had difficulty seeing a world outside of black and white, or defining personal boundaries of freedom for your partners. Within this past life you had more than one mate, possibly several– some lost to illness, some to wars and famine and other catastrophes of this age. You were plagued in this lifetime with a series of broken relationships, and this pattern may still continue with each incarnation. You’ve spent an eternity seeking your soul mate, and it is a search that has so far been unsuccessful, but a search that you refuse to abandon.
9. Family Life
Eight/cups ®
The most frustrating thing about family relationships in this past lifetime is that someone was always leaving, whether it was because of death or personal decisions. This leads you to a feeling of abandonment, or a fear of abandonment, that may persist to this day. It’s also indicated that you have a tendency to abandon a relationship when it becomes difficult, when it requires more verbal interaction and emotional depth than you are prepared or able to give. It also seems that you were forever ‘seeking’– seeking approval, seeking love and connection and attention, seeking some aspect of a relationship that you were never quite able to find. This search is most likely still underway.
10. Death
Seven/swords
Your death in this lifetime was brutal and violent, possibly death by the sword, as would be befitting this ancient era. The perpetrator was a thief or someone who owed you a great deal of money, land, or goods– possibly a business partner. The sad thing is that it seems he was most likely successful at the end and either kept those things which were your due, or robbed you further from your estate posthumously, carrying away many of your belongings, livestock, etc. The odd thing is that this individual may very well touch your life in the same negative way in the present lifetime, not quite as dramatically as in this past life, but more as someone that you may have connected with through business deals of a very negative nature, business deals that led to bad financial decisions and outcomes.
Lessons Learned During Your Past Life:
11. Eight/pentacles
One of the most important things you learned from this past life is to have a strong work ethic; to concentrate on developing your occupation, to apply yourself where needed to learn your craft, and to grow in your ability for whatever career you have chosen in this lifetime.
12. Nine/wands
You’ve learned, through unfortunate events in your past life, to not be quite so trusting of everyone who comes along. You’ve learned to protect yourself and stand up for your opinions, beliefs, and decisions. This is all very well and good, as long as you don’t become overly suspicious and paranoid about people and their motives.
How This Past Life Affects Your Current Life:
13. King/pentacles
There is an individual who you keep meeting from one lifetime to the next, and you’ve not yet learned how to protect yourself from this individual’s negative control and influence. You will keep meeting this character until you gain enough self-respect and self-confidence to stand up to this person; you will keep confronting this individual from one lifetime to the next until you loose your fear of them.
14. Seven/swords ®
You’ve learned well the importance of working diligently to create a financial nest egg to support your future. You’ve learned the value of the dollar; you’ve learned the virtue of hard work; and you’ve learned to accept success with grace.
http://ladyamythyst.webs.com/tarotreadings.htm
Online tarot readings– these readings are hand written and emailed to you. Choose the reading that’s just right for you: 12 Card Spread/Three Card Spread/The Horoscope Spread/The Traditional Horoscope Spread/Directions & Trends/Gypsy’s Magick Spell/The Pentagram/Desires & Fears/The Path of Desires/Partnership & Relationships/Past Life Reading.
http://ladyamythyst.webs.com/tarotreadings.htm
I’m offering my Introductory Online Tarot Class
at a special price:
$15.95
http://ladyamythyst.webs.com/onlineclasses.htm
Online Tarot Lessons
to begin Your Tarot Journey!
I’ve developed an online tarot class comprised of three lessons to start you down the road to tarot interpretation. The first class touches on a card a day in a way that literally dismantles how you look at tarot cards, how you view traditional meanings, and the art of intuitive reading. You’ll quickly move on, learning how to put the cards together in a simple spread, discovering the story the tarot tells, as well as learning how to write your own interpretation through the cards. The third lesson will teach you how to broaden your tarot connections and add unexpected insights into a reading.
My book, “Tarot: A Witch’s Journey”, is the textbook used for these online tarot classes. You can purchase this book at amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, or Labyrinth House Publishing.
These tarot classes will be emailed to you in rich text format.
Through the magick of the tarot and the intuitive ability of the reader, learn about your past life. Who were you? What period of history did you live in? How did you make your living, and how did you relate to the people around you?
By learning about your past life, you add to the experience, knowledge, and wisdom of your present life. You may discover why you’re drawn to particular historical times and places; why you experience incidents of dejavu; why you keep attracting a particular type of partner or friend in this life.
For more information, follow this link:
http://ladyamythyst.webs.com/tarotreadings.htm
I’ll be giving tarot readings today at Next Millennium in Omaha, Nebraska: noon-4pm
I’m looking forward to seeing the NM gang and meeting all the wonderful people who come through this shop. It’s been a long and busy week for me, and this is the the perfect way to spend a Saturday. As usual, I’ll most likely take the time to pick up a few magickal necessities and an item or two that might not be a necessity, but sure makes life pleasant. 🙂
For more information, follow this link:
The reading that I’m doing this morning is for you. I don’t know who you are, how the circumstances in your life stands, or whether you will even find this reading. But I woke up this morning with the distinct feeling that someone needs this. I’m going to draw three cards for you, and these cards will be a window into your life, the people who inhabit it, and those issues that are important to you. You will recognize yourself, you will recognize the people who may show up within this group of cards; and you will know, with absolute certainty, that these cards are speaking especially to you, specifically to you, for you and you alone.
The cards: Ace/cups……3/wands……2/pentacles
You’re just beginning a new relationship, perhaps you’re even in transition yet, moving from one relationship to the next. This process can be frought with indecision, that type of second guessing that makes your movement through life feel jerky. There are times that you may even carry around a rock in the pit of your stomach. So many of life’s big changes are like that, and relationships are one of the biggest. But you will get through it. That heavy stone-like feeling in your mid-section will go away, and what seemed new and slightly scary will become routine so quickly that you almost won’t notice the transition.
In order to successfully make this transition, and in order to work towards this new relationship with hopes that it will grow into something lasting and important, you will have to work through issues of defensiveness and insecurity– the scum that’s usually left over from previous experiences. This will take time and patience, both on your part, and on the part of your new partner, or your potential partner. This can also be a measuring stick for the character of this new person in your life. They should be sensitive enough to your feelings that they respect your wishes, whatever those boundaries may be at this time.
Eventually life will come full circle, it always does…right up until the end. This is one of those things we can be sure of, just like death and taxes, as the old saying goes. The most important thing to remember is not to hinder your own freedom with your own hangups. It’s bad enough when other people impact our lives with restrictions and invisible boundaries we don’t want and didn’t ask for; but it’s even worse when we do this to ourselves. How many things in life we might never accomplish or leave unfinished, because we didn’t allow ourselves to proceed naturally. Proceed naturally now…what else can you do?
The number three is relevant to you and your life at this moment; and I feel that this has to do with the area of relationships. It’s very possible that you can’t move forward because you are still staked to one spot, to one person, or point of contact. If you don’t learn to let go, to move on, to forgive, to give up and get on with it, to slide on by to the next level…you will stagnate. Life is a series of progressions. Life is constant movement, sometimes so swift and unrelentless that it makes us dizzy. But life is never suppose to be still– at least not the type of still that prohibits new growth. Lift one foot and take that first step. The second step will be easier. I promise. It always is.
Though you may keenly feel life’s burdens at this moment, that will change. You’re at the threshold of a new day, a new dawn. Once you take that first hesitant step towards your future, the rusty cogs and wheels of life will begin turning again. They might be a little stiff and noisy at first, but the more they move, the smoother the journey will become. Sometimes it’s just getting started that’s the hard part.
You struggle with finding balance now, but your struggle is with that which will smooth out naturally, all on it’s own. Don’t fight it so much. When you do this you are actually working against your own energy. This will make you tired. The last thing I’m going to tell you, and maybe the most important, is not to take off on life’s grand adventure without a game plan, your game plan. When you start a journey, you should have a destination in mind, otherwise how will you know when you’ve arrived?
Tarot Readings
with Amythyst Raine
Hi, Everyone!
My September newsletter from The Witch’s Corner has gone live this morning. You’ll find that I’ve changed up the format a bit with the addition of some new sections, including one entitled “Pagan Highlights”. You’ll find information about pagan authors, artists, activists, and other unique individuals that need to be brought into the spotlight so that we can all benefit from their wisdom, their sense of humor, their talent, and their eclectic pagan views. This month features Lunea Weatherstone, Susan Weed, Mickie Mueller, and Witches Rising.
There’s an essay on“Autumnal Holidays” and links to an article on interfaith marriage,“A Christian & A Witch”, learn how this couple handles both interfaith and inter-racial issues in their relationship. We’ll be “Makin’ Magick ‘Round the Kitchen Table” with some “Workplace Mojo”– bosses beware! And “From the Witch’s Kitchen” is a recipe for “Full Moon Biscuits”, it’s easy as pie.
I’ve also edited a photo slideshow called “Nebraska Autumn” with some new pics.
You’ll find updates and news from The Witch’s Corner with links.
The Wykid Wytch Newsletter
September 2011
click Here
Hi, Everyone!
On Saturday, August 27, noon-4pm, I’ll be giving live in-house tarot readings at Next Millennium in Omaha, Nebraska.
Come on down! Not only can you get a reading with me, but you’ll have a blast shopping at this wonderful metaphysical shop, and I’ll be shopping right along with you, I guarantee. I need some more crystals, and I wanted to see what kind of crystal wands they have available. And of course, I always check out the tarot decks– nice selection– I can’t resist. 🙂
If you have one of my books and you’d like it signed, I can do that for you. If you don’t have one of my books but would like a copy, you can purchase that right here at Next Millennium.
It’s going to be a fun day– it always is. Can’t wait to see you.
Blessings,
Amythyst Raine
For more info, including an address, follow this link:
(from my garden pics– I think I caught a Fairy in the yellow glass fairy-catcher, see it twinkle? 🙂
Online Tarot Lessons
to begin Your Tarot Journey!
I’ve developed an online tarot class comprised of three lessons to start you down the road to tarot interpretation. The first class touches on a card a day in a way that literally dismantles how you look at tarot cards, how you view traditional meanings, and the art of intuitive reading. You’ll quickly move on, learning how to put the cards together in a simple spread, discovering the story the tarot tells, as well as learning how to write your own interpretation through the cards. The third lesson will teach you how to broaden your tarot connections and add unexpected insights into a reading.
My book, “Tarot: A Witch’s Journey”, is the textbook used for these online tarot classes. You can purchase this book at amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, or Labyrinth House Publishing.
These tarot classes will be emailed to you in rich text format.
Online Tarot Lessons 1, 2, & 3
$30.00
click Here
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| This picture slideshow customized with Smilebox |
“Short & Sweet” readings are quick three-card-spreads that are meant to get right to the point. I came up with this concept to provide brief and entertaining tarot videos. It should be noted that my online (emailed/handwritten) three card spreads, although much more brief than the longer more in-depth readings offered, are not nearly this brief. I was also very aware that each of these readings will click with someone out there, and sure enough, I’ve already heard from people who told me the reading they watched could pertain to them…this is just the way the tarot works.
Right now I’m reading a book by Sherrie Dillard,
“Discover Your Psychic Type:
Developing and Using Your Natural Intuition”
click Here
So far, I love the book. Ms. Dillard has all of the psychic types nailed down pat, making them easily identifiable: the emotional intuitive, the mental intuitive, the physical intuitive, and the spiritual intuitive. She’s included questions, guided meditations, and exercises in order for the reader to identify what kind of psychic they are and to build on those skills. She also includes personal stories and anecdotes that add interest and personalization to the psychic and the process.
Ms. Dillard says, “Our intuitive development can help us to stay connected to the deeper meaning of what occurs in our lives.”
Tarot Special!
For an undetermined period of time, I’m offering a three-card tarot reading at $20.00. For more information, or to purchase a reading, follow this link:
click Here
I grow a lot of my own herbs and dry them in my kitchen. These herbs are used for my own personal magickal purposes, as well as in the oils and spell bags that I create for Wytchy Wares. My list has grown to include mint, sage, lavender, rose, lilac, lemon balm, thistle, catnip, wormwood, and goldenrod. I can’t wait for the weather to warm up so that I can replant many of the herbs that are annuals in our location– especially rosemary and lavender.
After the herbs are clipped from the garden, the stems are tied together and they’re turned upside down and tacked to the kitchen ceiling to dry. From there, it’s a short journey into one of many magickal pots and jars found all over our house.
There are new items available at Enchanted Jewelry.
To enter this magickal realm, click Here
I’ve also added a special sales page for Wytchy Wares,
and you’ll find Clearance Items on this page, click Here
Where are you from? I was born in Gardena California on September 24, 1957. My parents went back to Mitchell, South Dakota, three months after I was born, for my grandfather’s funeral. They stayed, and this is where I was raised. I’ve spent the last twenty-two years here in Fremont, Nebraska, about forty miles northwest of Omaha, raising a family of seven children.
Tell us your latest news? I’ll be at Next Millennium in Omaha, Nebraska, in April, May, and June for book signings. I’ll also be giving tarot readings. I’ll be posting more information on this, including dates/times at my Facebook author page. You can also find this information at my website, The Witch’s Corner: ladyamythyst.webs.com
When and why did you begin writing? I’ve been writing since I started my first journal when I was 12-years-old. I was inspired by Anne Frank, and I wanted to record my life and times in order to relish everything and to forget nothing.
When did you first consider yourself a writer? It finally dawned on me that I was a writer when I stood in the middle of my kitchen staring at a check in my hand that I had received for a short story I submitted to a magazine in Colorado. This was in the early/mid 1990s, when I was still in the process of having babies and running a very busy household. The idea that someone would actually pay me for something that I had written was mind-blowing.
What inspired you to write your first book? I believe that it was the enlightenment and love of my spiritual path that inspired me to write my first book. The path of the pagan is so inspiring and so misunderstood by so many. I decided to write this book after a very dear high school friend, someone I thought I would be friends with the rest of my life, ended our friendship when I finally revealed to her that I collect tarot cards.
There was dead silence on the other end of the phone, and then in a very small voice she said, “That’s very dark.”
Well, no, divination and the tarot are not dark at all. The tarot is such an inspiring tool, not only for divination, but to venture into your psyche through meditation and magick. I wanted people to know this. I wanted people to understand the process of divination, how it works, when it can actually be useful in unexpected ways, and how enlightening life’s journey can be with it.
I realized that the way to do this was through a book.
Do you have a specific writing style? I’ve been told by readers that my style is very ‘chatty and natural’. Basically, I write pretty much the way I speak– well, for the most part. The formality of style depends on who I’m writing for, what the subject needs in order to be understood; and how entranced, inspired, or magickal I feel.
How did you come up with the title? For my last book, “Tarot: A Witch’s Journey”, it was really pretty easy…I’m a professional tarot reader, it’s been a long round-a-bout route getting to where I am today, and I’m a witch. There ya’ go!
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life? The experiences in my book are all real events from my life and the people/circumstances that I’ve encountered over years of professionally reading the tarot for the public. You meet all different kinds of people seeking answers to life’s questions, and their expectations of the tarot reader and a psychic reading are very diverse and sometimes unexpected.
In my book I’ve actually included real tarot readings I’ve done for clients, publishing them anonymously of course, to give an idea of exactly how this process works and what the end results will be like.
What books have most influenced your life most? When I was a teen-ager, the book that most touched me and influenced me was, “The Diary of Anne Frank”. I was twelve years old the first time I read it, and I just naturally assumed it would have a happy ending…it didn’t. I was stunned. I re-read it then without the haze of innocence to shade the harsh reality.
Years later I discovered another ‘Anne’…Anne Morrow Lindbergh and her series of diaries and letters. Again, there was a tragedy included in the author’s life and these books, the kidnapping and murder of her infant son in 1932. But this time I got to read past the tragedy to see how the author learned to live with her sorrow and to rebuild her life. Anne’s books contained very poignant insights on life and how we cope so as to be able to live.
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?Definitely Anne Morrow Lindbergh. I lent a friend one of Anne’s books once, and when my friend had finished reading it, her amazed response was, “This lady is pure thought.” I also greatly admire Ann Moura, as well as Ly de Angeles and her beautiful literary style.
What book are you reading now? I’m doing research now for my third book, “The Book of Magick” (working title), so my reading consists of books on topics relating to my research; books on crystals, stones, correspondences, animals, herbs, and such.
What are your current projects? I recently finished my second book, “The Gray Witch’s Grimoire”, and have it under submission with a publisher at this time. This book deals exclusively with magick from the perspective of the gray witch, which might rattle a few chains. I believe the modern witch of today, greatly influenced by a mostly Christian society, has lost site of the true wise-woman of ancient times. This book includes information on not only magick that falls in the shady area of witchcraft, taking advantage of a darker and often misunderstood energy, but it also deals with touchy Wiccan subjects, such as self-initiation.
I intend to write a companion book to “The Gray Witch’s Grimoire” sometime in the very near future, most likely a study guide..
Right now, as I’ve said, I’m working on “The Book of Magick”, which attempts to gather correspondences for all types of magick, from a variety of paths, to make it easier for the magickal practitioner to coordinate their spell work and gather the items they need to make their magick a reality.
Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members. The Mother Goddess…it’s the strength, resolution, and peace I find as a practicing witch and member of my coven that inspires me.
Do you see writing as a career? I have a feeling that very few writers, except those who’s novels are destined for movies, can depend on a writing career as their sole income. As a free-lance writer, with no other source of income, you will also run into issues and concerns such as health insurance and retirement plans.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book? Overall– no. I think my editor, Starr Price, did an amazing job at creating a wonderful book from my piles and piles of manuscript pages, coordinating all the information I presented into a magickal experience. I think an artist or writer would never stop tweaking their work if someone didn’t gently take it from their hands and say, “Okay, it’s done now.”
Who designed the cover? The cover for “Tarot: A Witch’s Journey” was designed by Starr Price. I had no idea what she was going to do. She phoned me one day, saying that the cover was finished and she wanted me on the line when I looked at it for the first time for feedback– it blew me away! My girls were behind me squealing in delight. I can’t tell you how many comments and compliments I’ve received about the cover to this book. I tell these people I take no credit for this, it was all Starr Price’s artistic talent and magickal muse.
What advice would you give aspiring writers? I’d tell them to keep writing, keep writing, keep writing. It’s so easy to come up with a million ideas that you never put down on paper. Don’t just dream about being a writer, but actually do it. This requires determination, discipline, and perseverance, but the rewards are worth it in the end.
During the month of March, I’ve been offering telephone readings– 15 minutes for $30.00. This offer will end when March ends.
Thank you to the people who’ve allowed me to read for them, it was certainly my pleasure, and it’s amazing what a connection like this can bring through.
One thing I have to mention– *Please* don’t call this number until after you’ve purchased this reading by clicking on the paypal widget and following through. Only after you’ve purchased a reading should you call this number to set up an appointment for your telephone reading. My schedule is busy and appointments must be made. I don’t give impromptu readings to strangers over the phone.
For more information on tarot reading by Lady Amythyst, or to purchase a reading, click Here
Magickal Connections 