Sowing & Reaping: A Tarot Spread for Spring

With the arrival of spring, practitioners may adapt their magical rituals and spells to align with these strong themes of growth, transformation, and new beginnings. As the earth awakens, so too does the magic within each of us, and divination becomes a powerful tool for uncovering the opportunities ahead and navigating the path to personal growth and fulfillment. A spring Tarot reading offers insights into the fresh beginnings, new challenges, and the potential for personal development that this season brings, providing a mirror to reflect the magical essence of springtime.

DivinationJohannaMarch 1, 2024tarot spreads, tarot spread, tarot, divination, spring divination, spring, new beginnings

Divining in Darkness: Methods of Divination Perfect for Winter

Winter. The word evokes a sense of chill, of cold, crisp air, and of dark, long, quiet nights. Darkness is often seen as a symbol of confusion or unfamiliarity, of uncertainty, of not knowing the way forward, but darkness can, indeed, be a powerful ally in the art of divination. Darkness can be the backdrop for some of the oldest and most varied forms of divination still known to us, and it can also be a tool itself, a key player in our divinatory practices. Two such realms of divination that rely on darkness in their own ways will be explored in this piece, two schools of divination that are perfect to welcome into our winter practices and traditions.

DivinationKeziahDecember 13, 2023divination, winter, winter divination, pyromancy, fire, libanomancy, scrying

Trust the Trees: Dendromancy & Autumn Leaves in Divination

In the Northern Hemisphere, the Autumn is in full bloom, so to speak, and Winter is right around the corner. The leaves have not only turned from greens to fiery oranges, golden yellows, and rusty reds, but, in many areas, they’ve already been falling to the ground for a number of weeks now. Some take to raking up the fallen leaves and disposing of them – don’t! Not only are you doing your yard and the environment a great disservice by ridding the land of fallen leaves, but you’re robbing yourself of an opportunity to partake in seasonal divinatory fun! Yes, fallen leaves can be a useful tool for divination, and the bare branches they leave behind can also be read for omens. In this post, we’ll take a look at dendromancy and a few methods of divination that make use of the autumn leaves.

DivinationKeziahNovember 29, 2023dendromancy, divination, autumn, autumn magic

Horn of Plenty, and Other Autumn Tarot Spreads

Tarot as a means of divination has long been used to aid those seeking guidance and is ideal for those who question how they move forward, how they can let go of the past, and what may await them further up the road. In this piece, you’ll find three spreads that are perfect to incorporate into your autumn readings – the Horn of Plenty (for those thinking about or hoping to start a new project or endeavor), the Witch’s Tree (for those looking to grow or change in their practice, or those questioning where their magical journey should be focused), and the Starburst (for those who are leaning into change). Though these spreads use up to eight cards, beginners need not be intimidated. You can customize your spread, cutting down on the number of cards pulled to shorten your reading and get down to the meat of the matter. Feel free to alter your spreads to meet your needs.

DivinationKeziahNovember 24, 2023tarot, tarot spread, tarot spreads, divination, cartomancy, autumn

the Dumb Supper: A Divination Rite

While the Dumb Supper has come to be more commonly known today as a ritual used to honor the dead and our ancestors, its origins are said to lie in a divination rite used to foretell one’s future spouse, and in some rural regions of the United States (particularly within the Appalachian, Southern, and Ozark regions), the use of the term Dumb Supper is still mostly used when speaking of the divinatory practice. Believed to have been brought Stateside by immigrants from the British Isles, the Dumb Supper was practiced in the United States at liminal points in the year, with the hope of revealing the identity of one’s future spouse or beloved.

Crystals for Divination & Spirit Work: Enhancing Your Practice When the Veil is Thin

When the veil between the physical and spiritual realms becomes thinner, practitioners of magic are presented with an opportune time to enhance their divination and spirit work practices. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or just beginning your journey, crystals and gemstones can be powerful allies in connecting with the spiritual world and gaining deeper insights into the mysteries of the universe.

Study & Practice, Divination, Curios of MagicJohannaOctober 18, 2023crystals, gems, stones, spirit work, spiritwork, divination

Into the Unknown: Celebrating Friday the 13th as a Witch

Friday the 13th is a date that has a long history of association with superstitions and fears, but for witches and practitioners of magic, it can be a day filled with enchantment, mystery, and opportunity. Rather than hiding from black cats or broken mirrors, practitioners of magic can embrace the unique energies of this day to enhance their spiritual practices. Let’s talk about a few ways in which you can celebrate Friday the 13th as a magical practitioner and tap into its energy.

Samhain Divination: Divining the Unknown at Samhain

Samhain is one of the four major festivals within the Gaelic calendar, and easily the most widely known of the lot. The festival marks the end of harvest season, the transition into winter, and the beginning of the dark half of the year. Samhain is a time when the walls between our world and the Otherworld – the realm of spirits of all kinds – are down. During this time, it is easier for the Otherworld folk to walk among us, and easier for the living to see and commune with these spirits. For many, this time of year is when the connection to the spirit world feels stronger than otherwise. Because of this Samhain is considered an auspicious time to practice divination.

How to "Calibrate" a New Tarot Deck (or Recalibrate a Used One)

I tried for years to learn to read Tarot cards—and faced a lot of frustration and disappointment. It wasn’t part of my familial practice and it didn’t come naturally to me. I had already been a practitioner of magic for more than 10 years when I finally had my aha! moment with Tarot. Suddenly, it seemed so obvious and so simple. I could read Tarot because I hadn’t applied my personal rituals and beliefs to reading Tarot. I had tried, instead, to condition myself to read with the rote memorization of books, rather than seeking to connect to the spirit of the Tarot deck like I would any other tool I used in my magical workings. I had never tried to bond with a Tarot deck, or with each card. I had never worked to create a link between myself and my Tarot the way I had with my runes.

How to Break In Your New Tarot Deck Before You Use It

There are few things better than a new Tarot deck. Whether you are a diviner or a collector, sitting down to open and explore a new Tarot deck is a thrill unmatched by most things. A possible exception might be going to the art museum to see a brand-new exhibit. There is no second chance for a first impression; no way to recreate the feeling of the first time you flip through the cards and look at a fresh take on your favorite method of divination. Brand new art, brand new ideas, brand new opportunities.

Study & Practice, Rites & Rituals, DivinationJohannaApril 29, 2020tarot, divination, tarot decksComment