We’re going to dive into the quaint and delightful world of the Kitchen Witch. Her world is filled with aromatic and delicious dishes whipped up with secret ingredients… copious amounts of natural witchery, and perhaps a cackle or two.
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We explore all kinds of esoteric connections with the tarot in my big chunky tarot book, The Ultimate Tarot Guide for Your Personal Tarot Journey. Here’s examples of some of the information that can be found in this five star book including: stones & crystals; health, Kabbalistic health correspondences; astrological sun signs, moon signs, and rising signs; gods and goddesses; the numbers; calculating the numbers for yourself; the planets; and the elements.
I love the tarot, and I love crystals and stones. The only thing better than any one of these things is these three things all together. To mix the energy of a tarot card with the corresponding energy of a stone or crystal is to invite magick into your life. I’ve already added one favorite stone to each major arcana card correspondence in the major arcana section, but this energy is so overwhelming, so connective, so inspiring, so creative, that I’m devoting this space to more information and connections on this topic. Let the magick find you!
The Fool/Green Tourmaline ~ wonder, joy, openness, patience
The Magician/Quartz Crystal ~ concentration, life force, balance, expansion
The High Priestess/Agate Geode ~ psychic power, complexity, esoteric knowledge,
etc. etc.
10/swords ~ death, acupuncture, internal bleeding, nervous disorder, back surgery, slipped disk, immune system, exhaustion, chiropractic issues
2/cups ~ fertility/infertility, venereal disease
4/cups ~ alcoholism, diet, circulation, dehydration, depression
etc. etc.
The Fool ~ respiratory organs
The Magician ~ cerebral nervous system
The High Priestess ~ lymphatic system
etc. etc.
You’ll find a chart similar to this under the section for the suits, listing all the astrological connections, suit by suit – card by card, for pentacles, swords, wands, and cups. However, I’m leaving this section here, as you might want to locate a card for a particular zodiac sign, and this chart will make it very easy to do so.
Aries ~ Major Arcana: The Emperor
Minor Arcana: —
King of Pentacles ~ Aries/Taurus
Queen of Wands ~ Pisces/Aries
Two of Wands ~ 1st decan of Aries (Mars)
Three of Wands ~ 2nd decan of Aries (Sun)
Four of Wands ~ 3rd decan of Aries (Venus)
etc. etc.
I believe that tarot works through Spirit and our connection with the Divine, in whatever pantheon or framework of spirituality that we follow and find comfort with. The following chart is created using the major arcana cards and the pantheons of Egyptian, Sumner-Babylonian, Greek, and Roman gods and goddesses. However, always remember that no matter how many charts and confirmed correspondences there may be for the tarot, once you’ve developed your own relationship with the cards, you may discover unique connections that come to you personally. Don’t question their validity, embrace them as a gift from the Universe.
The Fool: Egyptian/Bes; Harparkrat; Shu ~ Sumner-Babylonian/Enkidu; Enlil; Ellil ~ Greek/Pan; Zeus; Aeolos ~ Roman/Pan; Silvanus
The Magician: Egyptian/Ptah; Thoth ~ Sumner-Babylonian/Enki; Ea; Nabu ~ Greek/Hermes; Roman/Mercury
High Priestess: Egyptian/Isis; Khonsu ~ Sumner-Babylonian/Innana; Ishtar; Nannar; Sin ~ Greek/Demeter; Selene; Artemis; Hecate ~ Roman/Ceres; Luna; Diana
etc. etc.
Numbers contain energy, and associations, and power, and magick, and potential. Do you have a favorite number? And how did you come by this number? What does it mean to you? How does it make you feel? All of the numbers in your life are important and have a direct effect upon you in some manner and at various levels. The entire universe is built upon and works around and through a numerical system, from the number of days it takes Earth to rotate around the sun, to the number of days it takes a fetus to come to term in the womb. Numbers are an integral part of our life and the world around us. The tarot is immersed in numbers. It’s built on a numerical system. The numbers of the tarot cards takes you on individual journeys through higher realms and through your own psyche. In order to more fully understand this journey, we need to have at least a rudimentary look at the numbers themselves.
1…One
Planet: Sun
Element: Fire
Letters: a, j, s
The character: the individualist
Energies: Developing the self, the All, wholeness, unity, beginnings
etc. etc.
I’ll use myself as an example for this exercise, Amythyst Raine, born on September 24, 1957.
1) Soul Number ~ calculate your soul number by reducing the day of your birth to a single digit:
2 + 4 = 6
2) Fate Number ~ calculate your fate number by adding all the digits of your birth date (day, month, year) and reducing it to a single digit:
2 + 4 + 9 + 1 + 9 + 5 + 7 = 37
3 + 7 = 10
1 + 0 = 1
etc. etc.
When I first began my own tarot journey, the one thing that I was most struck by was the inter-connectedness of everything. I was amazed to discover that it all works together, all of it, and it’s all tied to the cards: the energies of the planets, of colors, and herbs, and crystals, even to the letters of the alphabet, numbers, and zodiac signs. This realization was an eye-opening “aha” moment.
Below you’ll find the basic energies and correspondences for the planets. You should know, and some of you will realize, that these correspondences not only relate to the tarot, they also relate to a variety of pagan spiritual paths and are incorporated into the practices of many of us.
I wanted this book and the information contained here to specifically focus on tarot, and I even toyed with the idea of paring these sections down and trying to keep them solely focused on the cards. I soon realized this was folly. Certain connections exist and cannot be denied without diminishing their energy and their power.
Sun
The Sun is filled with healing and hope, warmth and the promise of growth. It’s imbued with masculine energy and is closely connected to the god. As it pertains to tarot ~ for clients male issues often come to the forefront, their health, happiness, fulfillment, optimism for the future. But it’s energy is also all encompassing for everyone. You’ll find an abundance of strength, unwavering support, and ridiculous amounts of in-your-face positive energy. The future can only be looking up, and if healing is needed in some aspect of your life, you’ll know it’s coming up with the Sun.
Day of the Week: Sunday
Color: yellow, gold
Herbs: angelica, bay, carnation, cedar, chamomile, eyebright, frankincense, ginseng, goldenseal, juniper, marigold mistletoe, peony pineapple, rosemary, St. John’s Wort, sandalwood, sunflower, tea, witch hazel
Stones: amber, carnelian, diamond, sunstone, tiger’s-eye, topaz (yellow)Element: Fire
Energies: magick for the god, male health issues, passion, healing, spiritual connection, transformation, relationship issues
etc. etc.
All four elements, Earth ~ Air ~ Fire ~ Water, are also connected to the tarot on a variety of levels… physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. I’m not going to list long paragraphs of general correspondences for these elements here, as I’ve already done this in two of my books (The Gray Witch’s Grimoire & Natural Magick the Gray Witch Way). I’m going to concentrate here on their connection to tarot and perhaps a personal choice I have for an herb and stone that connects their energy to me.
Earth ~ Pentacles
Manifestation
The Physical Realm
Tarot: pentacles
Zodiac: Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Planet: Earth
Color: green
Direction: north
Herb: patchouli
Stone: moss agate
etc. etc.
Happy Winter Solstice!
December
Named for: “Decem”, meaning ‘ten’
Anglo-Saxon: Midwintra-monap
Birthstone: turquoise, zircon
Flower: holly, narcissus, poinsettia
December Moon Magick:
Oak Moon
Herbs: cedar wood, juniper, sage, star anise, carnation
Stones: lapis, smoky quartz, lazulite
Scents: violet, patchouli, frankincense, myrrh, rose geranium
Colors: red, white, black
Trees: pine, fir, holly
Deities: Hathor, Hecate, Athese
Elements: Fire/Water
Astrological Influences for December:
Sagittarius:
ruled by Jupiter, projective/masculine, mutable/fire
Capricorn:
ruled by Saturn, receptive/feminine, cardinal/earth
Pagan Holiday:
Winter Solstice/Yule
December 21
Winter Solstice…the longest day of darkness in the year; and with the darkness comes the promise of light, the rebirth of the Sun. It is no wonder, because of the importance of this date to the ancient pagans and the symbolism involved, that the Roman church chose this date to celebrate the birth of Christ.
This is the time that the brothers battle– the Holly King & the Oak King. The Oak King will win this fight with his brother, and light and warmth will return to the Earth.
Herbs: frankincense, myrrh, sage, bayberry, rosemary
Altar Flowers/Herbs: holly, mistletoe, pine cones, evergreen, thistle, cedar
Feast Foods: fruitcake, gingerbread, cranberries, dried fruit, eggnog, cider/wine
Animals: white buffalo, stag, weasels, owls, squirrels, blue jays, cardinals, doves
Incense: bayberry, cedar, frankincense, myrrh, orange, sage, rosemary
Rituals/Spells: hearth and home magick, lighting the Yule log, hopes and dreams spells, wishes
(The information above is from, “Natural Magick the Gray Witch Way”, by Amythyst Raine)
© Natural Magick the Gray Witch Way, Amythyst Raine, 2011
Magickal Herbs for the Holidays:
Holly
Gender: Masculine
Planet: Mars
Element: Fire
Powers: Protection, anti-lightening, luck, dream magic
Magical Uses:
Holly is a protective herb used to keep you safe from lightening, poison, and evil spirits. Planted around the home, it keeps the occupants safe from black magic. Holly is said to tame wild animals, and holly water sprinkled on newborn babies will protect them.
This herb is carried to promote good luck– especially when carried by men, because its energy is masculine. At Yule time its hung around the house for good luck.
Its said that holly leaves added to a mojo bag and kept beneath your pillow will make your dreams come true.
Ivy
Gender: Feminine
Planet: Saturn
Element: Water
Powers: Protection, healing
Magical Uses:
Ivy is carried by women for good luck in general, and is traditionally carried by brides for this reason.
Where Ivy is grown or scattered, its suppose to guard against negativity and disaster. Its also used in fidelity and love charms and spells.
Ivy is magically “paired” with holly as a potent charm.
____________________
Magickal Stones for the Holiday Season:
To commemorate the season, we’re going to look at stones that promote “Peace”.
Sapphire
Energy: Receptive (feminine)
Planet: Moon
Element: Water
Powers: Psychism, love, meditaiton, peace, defensive magic, healing, power, money
Magical Uses:
Sapphires are worn to awaken the third eye chakra and increase your psychic powers. This stone is said to be the ‘guardian of love’, promoting positive feelings and fidelity between couples. The sapphire also banishes envy, promotes positive social interaction, and is said to reconcile foes.
Sapphires are worn during meditation to induce a peaceful state.
Sodalite
Energy: Receptive (feminine)
Planet: Venus
Element: Water
Powers: Healing, peace, meditation, wisdom
Magical Uses:
Sodalite is a healing stone used for emotionally related diseases, such as those caused by stress, nervousness, anger, or fear. This stone is said to dispel fear and guilt and to calm inner turmoil.
This is also a popular stone for meditation, said to promote wisdom.
Magick…it’s as easy as striking a match and lighting a candle– it is, really. It’s called ‘candle magick’, and there is a rhyme and reason behind it.
(I know, this post might be boring for all the practicing witches out there who do this type of magic all the time, those who’ve done it for years, those who can do it blind-folded. But there are so many new witches on the horizon, so many emails and questions coming in, bear with me– and definitely feel free to leave your own advice in the comments below. Everyone has their own little way of doing things, everyone has discovered magickal little tweaks that work for them, there is a gazillion ways to do magick. Pass your information along.)
First…Intention
What do you want? What are you trying to change? What’s your magickal intention? You have to know; you have to be specific; you have to have thought this out, have it squared away in your head. It has to be strong and definite in your mind, or you will not be able to successfully move the energy along to manifest this intention into the world.
Second…Candle Color
Once you definitely know what you want, what you’re trying to accomplish with this magick, you have to decide on what color of candle you’ll need. This is important. The color of the candle is associated with very definite images, intentions, magick; connected even to the elements (earth, air, fire, water); connected to the planets (astrological/magickal associations). Everything is so connected it’s unreal; most people have no idea.
Red Candles
For the element of Fire, for the planet Mars– it’s all about hot sizzling passion, whether your intention is for physical passion with a prospective mate, or just that wild over-the-top passion for justice or a particular cause. Red candles will create the kind of energy that moves things along like gang-busters. Think of those phrases: “too hot to handle”, “red-hot”, “I’m seeing red”; there’s a reason for these confirmations.
Green Candles
For the element of Earth– health and money, two basic necessities of life. Face it, you won’t be living very well if you don’t have enough of either one. The green candle for planet Earth– Mother Gaia, the embodiment of our world, a metaphor for the Mother Goddess, representative of our physical world (our bodies). Just as people of other spiritual paths request healing and prosperity from their god(s), so the witch turns to divinity, but in her case, it’s not a request, as divinity is part of the witch and the witch is part of divinity. It’s a different relati0nship within the metaphysical realm.
Yellow Candles
For the element of Air, for the planet Mercury– communication, creativity, mental endeavors. it’s all about pure thought, our mind, that intangible part of ourselves that make us who we are. Those cliques that are coming to me right now: “thoughts move mountains”, “what we think is what we are”. The mental aspect of us is the most powerful, some believing that it embodies our soul, our spirit, that which will survive eternally. It’s also about communication– communication with other human beings, with divinity, with ourselves. Use the yellow candle when you have something to say, something that needs to be heard.
Blue Candles
For the element of Water…light a blue candle to invoke the Goddess, to enhance your dreams and intuition. Use the blue candle to come to terms with your emotions, for understanding, for resolution, for enhancement. The blue candle for the heavenly body, the Moon: pagan spirituality, the goddess (all three aspects), magick, blessings, running with the tide (waxing and waning– drawing in, sending away). Use the blue candle for women’s issues, with the knowledge that you are tapping into something indescribably ancient and indescribably wise.
White Candles
You can use a white candle as a substitute for any other color. But the white candle is also used particularly for cleansing and purification. Use a white candle for House Blessings, or for cleansing any space. Use a white candle for invoking and honoring divinity. Use a white candle for pure energy. Use a white candle for inspiration, for clarity, for peace.
Black Candles
The black candle, for the planet Saturn…use the energy of this candle to return-to-sender negative energy, bad thoughts, curses, ill-wishes sent your way. Use the energy of the black candle for retribution and justice. Use the black candle to catch the bad guy, to banish something (or someone) nasty. Use the black candle to regain personal power taken from you through injustice.
The following information is a paragraph taken from my online book, “Natural Magick the Gray Witch Way”:
You can work with tea candles, votive candles, pillar candles, or hoodoo seven day candles. You’ll allow these spell candles to burn themselves out at one sitting, or you’ll light them at appropriate times over the course of a period of time. You will save the wax from these candles to be used in mojo bags; you’ll bury it; throw it into running water; or toss it in the trash. You will prepare these candles to work their magick when you anoint (dress) these candles with a variety of magickal oils– or a little olive oil, if you don’t have a stock of magickal oils on hand. You will use your athame, or another sharp object, to carve into the spell candle the name of your target, sigils and symbols relating to your intention, or designs of your own creation. You will roll these oiled candles in a variety of pulverized crushed herbs depending on your intentions and the desired outcome you wish for your magick.
(Excerpt)…
Saturday: boy, oh boy, the planet is Saturn, the color is black, and this is “THE” day for revenge and retribution. I consider Saturday “Hoodoo Day”, and I can almost hear jazz music playing down the street and smell the incense burning while some old priestess is hunched over her bowl of chicken hearts cackling to herself. This is the day to magickally ‘clean house’. If there’s an idiot in your life, you can get rid of him today, just give Saturn a kick to wake it up and stand back so you don’t catch the fallout.
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I knew that there was something ‘different’ about me before I was old enough to know that there was a name for it. One of the earliest magickal experiences that I remember took place when I was about four years old, hidden in the cool shade of a grove of trees on a terraced hillside at my grandmother’s farm.
The day was very hot, but beneath the canopy created by the large grove of trees that covered the hillside, it was very cool; and I squatted on one of the wide terraced ‘steps’, beneath a tree that had small round leaves lining it’s branches. I took hold of one of the small new twigs at the base of the tree; and I slid my hand along it’s length, filling my palm with the cool green leaves.
As my head was bent and I was examining these leaves, I heard a noise. I looked to my right, through the fence lining this edge of the grove, into the world of brilliant hot sunshine, to see a large white cow grazing in the field beside me, only a few feet away.
The wind came then, through the tops of the trees. I froze as I listened to it, the roar starting at the opposite end of the grove and working it’s way through the tree tops towards me, till it was directly overhead. I realized that this wind sounded like voices, voices that seemed to come directly from the trees.
It was then that a realization dawned on me, leaving an indelible print so strong that this memory is still starkly vivid to me fifty years later. It was a realization that I was too young to form into words…but I knew.
This blog post is an excerpt from my online book,
“Natural Magick the Gray Witch Way”
© Amythyst Raine 2011
Other topics covered in this book includes:
How Does Real Magick Work; Forms of Magick; The Mysteries of Magickal Manifestation; Creating Magickal Space; Magickal Supplies; 12 Months of Magick; 7 Days of Magick; Animal Magick; Magick for Love n’ Money; Mojo Magick; Magick Oils, Potions, Powders; Crystal Magick; Candle Magick; Magickal Alphabets & Symbols; Witches’ Bottles; Essential Oils; Kitchen Magick, Good Luck Charms; Questions & Answers; Magickal Substitutions; Terms & Lingo
Tarot:
Card of the Day
Eight of Swords
Someone is feeling trapped in a situation they see no resolution to. Does this mean that you give up trying to find the right answer? No. I believe that part of this problem could actually be too much introspection and not enough honest evaluation. Stop thinking of yourself, and start looking at what this situation is doing to the other people involved. Once you become aware of it, your concern for someone else may help you to arrive at the right conclusion faster.
Today’s Correspondences:
Tuesday…planet, Mars; element, Fire; color, orange, herbs– hot (peppers, cloves, cinnamon, etc.), red or orange flowers.
Today’s energies are aggressive, warrior like, in your face, strong and persistent. This doesn’t seem very conducive to Valentine’s Day and romance, does it. But actually this is the day traditionally used for magic and spells connected to marriage. You would think that Venus would have this honor, but it makes sense. Friday/Venus is connected with that first fairy tale/prince charming aspect of love, it’s always gentle, obsessive, slightly insipid, and very fragile. Marriage, on the other hand, takes a lot of work and courage to stay successful. It’s earthy, sometimes messy, often tumultuous, and definitely not for the faint of heart. It often takes a warrior like determination to make it work. Mars is the perfect energy.
The Witch’s Corner:
Updates
Small but powerful. These adorable
poppets are packed with magickal energy,
and they come in a spell bag that includes:
the poppet
3 coffin nails
3 straight pins
1 taper candle
herbs & incense
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Alpaca silver bracelets have been restocked and the enchantments have been updated:
1. To Clear Crossed Conditions
2. Money Mojo
3. Guardian Angel Enchantment
4. Domination Enchantment
5. For Better Business
6. True Love Mojo
7. Keep Evil Spirits at Bay
8. To Trouble Your Enemies
9. Enchantment of Self-Empowerment
10. Good Health Mojo
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Natural Magick
the Gray Witch Way
This book is a magickal formularia for the gray witch. The information found here will help you to successfully follow your pagan path, cast your spells, empower yourself, protect those you love, and work your magick…
the gray witch way.
After you purchase this online book through Paypal,
I will email you the link, along with the login
information and the password.
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Magickal Connections 