Magickal Happenings with Oshuyn...

I have so many tarot books sitting here unread, decks screaming for my touch and projects dancing around in my head wildly but not a drop of time.  I recently added a couple little gems to my collection of reads such as 'Tarot Flip' by Marcus Katz & Tali Goodwin, 'Tarot Lovers' Diary 2011' by Karyn Easton at Paranormality.com, 'Tarot Journaling' by Corrine Kenner and 'Psychic Tarot' by Nancy Antenucci with Melanie Howard.  Add those to my vast supply of neglected tarot books sitting lonely on the shelf desiring the touch of my hands and the gaze of my longing eye. 

I seem to eat, sleep, breath, live and dream tarot but it seems like I never have time to sit down and DO IT!  I carry books with me in my purse when I go out just in case I can sneak a moment in and it never seems to happen.  I have my bookshelf next to my desk in quick reach just in case I have a break and that's not working either.  I have my 'read now's' on a special place on my desk designated just for my magickal 'stuff' and I grab them for a couple minutes and get pulled away.

I think I need a tarot vacation!  Days..maybe even weeks (I WISH!) to do what I LOVE and yearn to do full-time.  It will happen with time, some rearranging and re-organizing, some putting-my-foot-down action.  Hubby... kids... you'll have to wait...it's time for me and TAROT!

I just heard the most amusing comment...that I should stop practicing witchcraft because I have opened the door to the devil and brought out bad energy in everything around, that I need to get rid of my witchcraft stuff and not just throw it away because all the evil spirits that are drawn to it will never leave then, that I need to burn it.

If you could have seen my face or my fists clenching in rage you would have sworn I was going to blow like a corked volcanoe...'stand back dad, she's gonna blow!'.  My daughter was standing there for this conversation I was having on the phone.  She heard what the other person said to me and got the look on her face like 'oh sh*t, mom is gonna loose it'.  With her knowing who I was talking to and me knowing my gifts and beliefs as I witch I calming and nicely asked if they they actually know what 'practicing witchcraft' meant.  "It means bad things".    Nice comeback, seriously. 

If you want to call someone's beliefs out then you better be prepared to discuss what you think or know to be their beliefs.  I don't run around and call you out on your beliefs  I don't question why you carry on about who was nominated as the head of your lady's aid group of your church "did you see what she had on when she stood up to give her speech, and she is our new lady's aid president", "did you taste what they brought for the potluck, we should ask them to come back", "you need to dress nicer everyone is going to see you at church look like that".    I'm not too sure God cares what I wear, I think he cares what I believe and how I act and where my heart and spirit is. 

I think someone needs to make a reality show based around the life of a witch, an everyday witch.  Here is my schedule:

5am:  alarm

5am - 6:15am: make breakfast, start coffee, pack lunches

6:15am - 6:50am:  start sorting through work email while making sure kids get their teeth brushed and have bookbags and get them to the bus on time

6:50am - 8am:  if I have tons of work then work, maybe surf a little on the web, etc

8am - shower, breakfast for me, clean up what was left from the morning in the kitchen and then back to work

9am - 5pm - logged in for work and work my butt off

5pm - 8:30pm -  out to the ranch for chores and to ride some horses

8:30pm - home to get everyone fed, laundry, clean and finish up more work

In all the in-between time I am a mom, wife, daughter, work full time, horse trainer, tarot reader, I find time to cuddle with my kitty and pet my daughter's dog, grocery getter, chef and friend.

My day is no different than most.  I may read a different kinds of books than you in my spare time.  I always have tarot cards, runes and rocks in my purse but who cares I'm sure you have strange things in yours too.  I may burn incense for reasons other than 'just to smell pretty', I may say a prayer at night to my Goddess and God who may be different than who you give thanks to, if you give thanks at all.  But at the end of the day I've accomplished what I need to without any ill will towards anyone.  I have put forth all that I am in thanks for all that I have and is to come.  I may be a little quirky, a little odd, a little free spirited and giggly but if all the above things that make up my day point to me being a witch and 'practicing witchcraft' then My Goddess Bring It On!

Educate yourself before pointing fingers and calling someone out.  It just makes you look less intelligent than you are trying to be...and it's just plain silly.

Be In Your Brilliance!

Oshuyn

For the past couple years I had a client who I did some VA work for that was a handful, and that is putting it nicely.  A few months ago I had the pleasure of terminating her contract with me due to finding a stable, full time client. 

This woman, along with her husband, were pastors of their own church.  They have 7 children.  She and her husband are also full time real estate brokers/agents who have their own real estate company.  Working for this woman was a very trying and testing situation!  Daily emails on religion and if you did not do what you were told by her then you were going against God and would suffer in hell, that the devil had taken over your soul and that is why you were not responding to her emails at 2am when she wanted something.  (At 2am there's an excellent chance you'll find me in my bed and not at my computer!)

I always felt sorry for her children.  Every aspect of her life, all the possible issues, she made very public.  She sent out daily email's to her followers.  I am not a follower but she took it upon herself to include my email address.  They have very beautiful girls who compete in beauty pagents all the time and win.  The 2 oldest daughters are out of high school and are trying to make a life but their mom (and dad) have so much to say on this...

The oldest daughter and her boyfriend have been together for 2 or 3 years, live together against her parents wishes.  Her dreams are to be a horse trainer and do something in photography.  She is a truly gifted girl and is more than so many parents could ask for in a child. 

The second oldest daughter graduated high school and received a full ride scholarship to attend college which meant moving into dorms.  Again, a very beautiful and talented girl.

Their mother's daily emails would go on about how the devil has taken over her daughters and how they were such sinners and were going to hell.  Pages and pages of preaching and prayer requests for her daughters.  Over the course of the 2 or 3 years I had her as a client she progressively dove into her religious beliefs like wildfire!  When her and her husband were not getting along we all knew about it, the emails would come flying out claiming he was possessed by the devil and was trying to kill her.  That the fire of the lord was in her and you couldn't put it out, that every word she spoke was the word of God and if you went against her you were sinning against God himself. 

All this time I kept my mouth shut about my beliefs and how incredibly insane she was starting to sound.  I love the passion in which she lovers her God, but to start forcing it upon peope in such ways and to start claiming you yourself are God and to sin against you is a sin against God - very unhealthy.  I have so many emails with such harsh words and accusations or preachings, I'm not sure what God is really that mean or hateful or rude, it would make your jaw drop if you read them no matter what religious belief you are of.

About 2 months ago I was told her business was failing and she was unable to pay bills.  I was informed a few weeks ago that her husband left her.  She openly called him out on Facebook stating that the devil has taken him over and wants bad things to happen to her now.  Then yesterday I was told that she got to spend 5 days in jail.  She found out that her oldest daughter is pregnant and went bonkers, must have been physical to spend 5 days in jail.  No one would bail her out and now she has to take anger management classes.

I feel this is her God's way of trying to put her in her place a little.  I don't think he is too happy that she has put her self on the same level as him, an equal.  It's one thing to strive to be god-like but it's another thing to claim you are just as good as god.  An example of The Law of Three at work?  Karma at play?

Be In Your Brilliance!

Oshuyn

The extreme humidity is somewhat saying good-bye, a blessing of crispness is entering the air and windows can be opened to enjoy the slight, fresh breeze.  A few signs that Fall is making its entrance into my aura, so the wheel turns.  I love the colors that start to emerge as the sun seems to take a deeper, rich shade this time of year, casting its golden beams upon the once vibrant green leaves that are now deepening in color also, welcoming the resting colors of golds and browns.  Soon they will do their beautiful dance and entertain me, drifting and floating and twirling from their treetop homes to the cool ground below as Mother Earth welcomes them with caring arms.  She hugs them and embraces them, also thankful for the dance they perform and they rest with her and give her the nutrient and energies they have so willingly collected. There seems to be an energizing peace this time of year.  An awakening to what lies ahead of us.  A warning to the animals to finish up their tasks of gathering and playing because soon a blanket will cover their playground.  For me this is a time to start my journey inward, a time of reflection.  A time to take a long look into what was, what is and what will be.  A time to gather, a time to let go, a time to learn and embrace. 

May you turn with the wheel, as the wheel waits for no one.

Be In Your Brilliance!

Oshuyn

I have taken a very strong liking to author Ly de Angeles, love her book Tarot Theory & Practice.  Pretty powerful writer and a very gifted reader to say the least.  I would highly recommend reading up on her, picking up some of her publications and seeing what she is about.

From her book Tarot Theory & Practice by Ly de Angeles

Tarot

Ominous...

This built-up haze of rage upon a people!

Weave softly through it...

They do not know I taste them when they're lying;

On teh surface they pretend, inside they're dying

And all the while they say how hard they're trying

But trying doesn't work - to live you do it!

They fear me for I tell them what they're hiding

Deep beneath the well-kept faces of the young;

I tell them every buried song unsung;

Every sight and every slander of the tongue;

Of the hell into which, slowly, they are sliding.

I am Tarot; revolution...

I'm the Raven that sits, and whispers, on your shoulder;

I can name the savage beast that lurks behind you;

I'm the mirror of the Thing you hope won't find you

And you fear me, for I cannot but remind you

That you're older now...and will get so much older.

She comes to see herself in my reflection

In the hope that I will tell her nothing's wrong;

That behind the weak betrayal she is strong;

That she can change the places where she can't belong...

That she can handle life without love's lost affection.

How I want to set them free;

See them treat life tenderly;

Have them know that they are me!

Malevolent...

The stealing hand of "How do I survive?"

That chokes him life the grief of Lilith's daughter;

That takes his breath away and makes him fear;

"Is there anybody," begs he softly, "who can hear?

Someone who won't make me 'goat-to-slaughter'?

Because I'm drowning but I cannot see the water."

I beg them "Dance;"

I cry "Alive!"

I scream out "Live it more,

don't merely just survive!

You have the Name of it within -

to waste life is the only sin...

to taste the holy bloody feast of life's creation

is your fist and last - and only - obligation."

I am the song of you that calls you to awaken;

the archer and the bow, not just the arrow.

She speaks for me, but I am you, forsaken'

I am you, always was, down to the marrow -

the deep and ancient future,

      I am Tarot.

Be In Your Brilliance!

Oshuyn

We all experience the occasional case of the blues, but sometimes we can lift our mood with herbal remedies.

Anxiouness, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping and lethargy may be symptoms of depression or anxiety.  many people just accept such feelings as part of modern life, but there are simple and effective ways to boost your mood using herbal remedies.

Holistic Healing

Herbal remedies have been used for thousands of years to relieve depression.  Some that have been traditionally taken to chase away the "winter blues" are now known to be as effective and potent as western medicines, with fewer side effects. 

A healing approach that is "holistic," incorporating a healthy lifestyle wiht aromatherapy and the healing powers of herbas can help you to regain your strength, joy and enthusiasm for life.

St. John's Wort - "Natural Prozac"

St. John's Wort has been regarded as a miracle herb for the last 4000 years, and is now being rediscovered by the medical world as nature's alternative to Prozac.

People taking St. John's Wort report a sense of well-being and serenity.  The herb calms the spirit and sharpens perception, helping people to enjoy life to the full.  Scientific studies show it to be as effective as conventional antidepressant drugs in treating mild to moderate depression, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and anxiety.

St. John's Wort works by altering levels of serotonin and melatonin, chemicals in the brain that regulate energy levels, alertness and mood.  The herb also increases "theta waves" that only occur during sleep and meditation.  For the effects to be therapeutic, St. John's Wort must be taken regularly as a incture or infusion.

"Winter Blues' may be caused by the pineal gland secreting too much of the hormone melatonin.

Natural Mood Lifters

Whether you've got the winter blues or are suffering from stress and anxiety, these easy-to-prepare herbal remedies can be used to chase away the symptoms of depression

Revitalizing Herbal Tea

A warming herbal tea will help to chase away the blues without giving you the caffeine jitters of coffee.  To make your own herbal tea:

1. Take half a teaspoon each of the dried herbs St. John's Wort, vervain and licorice.  Add to a handful of fresh borage flowers.

2. Place mixture in a teapot and add boiling water.

3. Steep for 10 minutes, then strain the liquid into a cup.

4. Sweetn with honey as desired, and drink instead of your usual tea or coffee.

An herbal tea infusion including St. John's Wort will lift your spirits.

Soothing Valerian

Valerian, which grows in abundance in damp meadows, has been an esteemed herbal remedy for centuries.  Nicknamed "all heal" by herbalists, the joice of the root has a soothing and quieting effect.

Prescribed to soldiers suffering from shell shock during both world wars, it is now recommended to combat nervous exhaustion and emotional upsets.  It can be taken as a cpsule or an herbal extract from the fresh root.

Valerian is known as nature's Valium.  It has been used as a natural tranquilzer for thousands of years.

Healing Hops

Hops are another effective remedy for treating tension and anxiety.  They promote restful and refreshing sleep without the side effects of sleepign pills.  For a blissful night's sleep, rest your head on a pillow filled with dried hop flowers or take a cup of hops tea for a soothing naturla nightcap.

A small pouch of hops placed under your pillow will help you to sleep soundly.

Beautiful Borage

Borage has a long association with joy and courage; its bright blue, star-shaped flowers are popular in many herb gardens.  It is often added to cold summer drinks as its slighly cucumbery taste is a perfect complement to many party favorites.

Young fresh leaves and flowers can be used to drive away the blues, restore energy and lift the spirits.  The herb works by stimulating the adrenal gland to produce adrenaline.

Add some borage flowers to lemon balm and iced apple juice to make a refreshing summer drink.

Flowers That Shine Like The Sun

We all know that a big bunch of bright, beautiful flowers can work wonders in lifting our mood.  In magick and folklore, flowers that resemble the Sun take on its attributes, giving out light and life energy wherever they are found.

Cheerful birhgt yellow and orange flowers, such as those of marigolds and gerberas, drive away negative feelings, leaving a spirit that is warm and refreshed.

The ancient Egyptians valued marigold as a rejuvenating herb.  In traditional Chinese medicing it is used to bring people's spirits back into harmony.

Float fresh flowers in a bowl of spring water and leave in sunlight during the day.  This infuses the water with the Sun's light, which you can sip as a flower remedy.

Be In Your Brilliance!

Oshuyn

I woke up with a pot of coffee in mind and then maybe a couple hours of work...then play, play, play.  It's now 3:51pm and I finally logged off from work stuff.  Yuck!  Going to settle down to some tarot work.  Been gathering all my notes from over the years, all my ideas and 'ah ha' moments, all my feelings and revelations.  I've been putting them all into my computer for easy access at my fingertips.  My goal is to create my own deck, it's always been a dream.  So...time to soak into my tarot world and enjoy the rest of my day...

Be In Your Brilliance!

Oshuyn

Lammas is the beginning of the end of summer.  It heralds the gathering of corn, wheat and other crops for the annual harvest.

Lammas falls around August 1, when summer is at its height and the long harvest period is beginning.  "Lammas" means "loaf mass" - it celebrates the bread made form the first cut "corn," an ancient term for wheat.

At this time of year it feels like summer will go on forever, but this is the first warning of the coming winter, and food must be gathered.

The Corn Mother

According to Pagan beliefs, the corn mother's energy retreats into the last sheaf of grain as the corn is cut.  This sheaf is then made into a small figure known as a corn dolly.

Lugh is the Celtic Sun god, who dies as the Sun begins to wane.  He is also "John Barleycorn," whose energy has gone into the grain and is cut down as a sacrifice to the fertility of the land.

Lammas In The Modern World

In Europe, harvest festivals, although usually held at the very end of the harvest period, include offerings of sheaves of corn and even bread made in the shape of grain.  Churches might even have corn dollies, and certainly they still appear in stores and at craft fairs.

In ancient days, the prosperity of the tribe relied upon the fertility of the land and the people who lived on it.  Harvesting grain was laborious work and each grain was considered to be precious.  Threshing floors had a board nailed across so noe was lost and this is remembered nowadays when a couple are newly married - the husband carries his wife over the threshold!

Lammas Celebrations

Lammas is a celebration of summer, and so you should celebrate it outdoors to truly soak up the bountiful harvest from the gods of hte corn.

Lammas Loaf

Bake your own celebratory harvest bread.

1. Use packaged white bread mix or your own favorite recipe to make enough raised dough for one loaf.

2. Knead the dough for one minute, then divide into thirds.  Roll each section into tapered strands ten inches long.  Place strands, an inch apart, on a greased baking sheet and braid loosly to the ends, pinching together.

3. Cover the dough and allow to rise until almost double the size.  Brush with mild and sprinkle with poppy seeds.

4. Bake for as long as your recipe suggests, and tap the base to maek sure it sounds hollow.

Wrap your Lammas loaf in a pretty cloth.

Summer Picnic

Cutting the crops used to involve the whole community.  Scores of people would work in the same field, swinging their scythes in rhythm and then stopping to socialize for an outdoor meal.

Continue the tradition by organizing a picnic with friends at the local park.  You can all bring seasonal foods:  fresh, ripe tomatoes; a sunny-looking quiche made with eggs and fresh, chopped herbs; a salad of grean beans; and use bright yellow flowers a a centerpiece for the talbe or picnic cloth. 

Bring a Lammas loaf and enjoy with butter.  Treat yourselfs to a glass of beer to commemorate John Barleycorn, the grain god.

Traditional Lammas Corn Dolly

The last corn (wheat) sheaf cut was traditionally made into a dolly.  By continuing this ritual you can pay homage to the corn mother an spirits of the land. 

All you will need is a sheaf of wheat and some strands of red ribbon.  You could ask a local farmer if they have a small sheaf to spare or, alternatively, you can buy some dried wheat or pick long grasses.  You can also make a corn dolly using dried husks of corn. 

1. Arrange your sheaf so that the ears of wheat are at the top of the bundle.

2. THen tie a red ribbon just below the ears and you will have made a head for your dolly, with an interesting hair style!

3. Tie another strange of ribbon a few inches lower down from the first - this should form the rough shape of a body.

4. Make a pair of arms for your corn dolly by taking a few short lengths of wheat.  First tie another ribbon just below the one beneath the ears and again a bit farther down to make an impression of shoulds.  THen stick the short lengths of wheat horizontally into the dolly - and you have made a corn mother.

Make this activity more of a social ritual by taking wheat sheavex along to a picnic with your friends. 

Be In Your Brilliance!

Oshuyn

I had to share my mommy-proud moment.  Our local TV station holds an audition and the winner gets an all expense paid trip to an actual audition and the ability to walk to the front of the line and audition in front of judges.  She didn't make the cut but held her head high and has her eyes set on next year...

Brai's American Idol Audition

Be In Your Brilliance (just like my daughter was!)

Oshuyn

A magickal representation of your wishes, made from everyday objects, can help turn your dreams into reality.

The tradition of making a wishing bundle is as old as the hills and can be adapted easily for your modern-day society.  All you have to do is gather together items that are assocatied with your wish and place them in a box, tied up with a silver ribbon.

Flowers For The Garden

If your wish is assocated with a house move, gather together items that represent your new home.  These could include flower seeds and grasses you would like to grow in your garden.  You might include a small model of a house or photos of colors and styles you like.  If you want to move from the city, include tems assocated with the country.

Gather your wishing items together and place them in your box until you have all you need.  Before you can actually cast your spell, you will need to gather together all of the items you need to place within your box.  Don't rush collecting your items - take time to find the things you really want.  You can always replace them as you go along.

Keep to Realistic Goals

Remember to keep your wishes realistic - casting a simple spell cannot deliver a 20-bedroom mansion on acres of land right off the bat (but you can work up to these things if you work your spells in progression and stick to the reality for that moment).  More realistic wishes would be for your new home to be filled with love; for friendly neighbors; or for your garden to be beautiful - no matter what site it is.

You Will Need to Collect:

* A shoe box or other box of appropriate size to contain your wishing items.

* A silver ribbon to bind the box and your spells.

* Items that represent your wish (these can be anything that you assocated with the fruition of your desires).

* A silver candle.

1. On the night of a Full Moon, take all the items that you've chosen to symbolize your wish and place them on the table in front of you.

2. When you feel ready to begin your spell, light your silver candle.

3. Center your thoughts and focus your mind completely upong intent.  Try not to let other distracting thoughts enter your mind.  Try to concentrate on your wish as clearly as possible.

4. One by one, place your items within the box repeating the chant, "This (item) to bring to life my wish for (name twhat the item represents, such as flowers in the garden)."

5. Once all items are within your box, close it completely and begin to bind it up with the ribbon.  As you do so, recite, "With this ribbon I do bind, that it may my heart's wish find."

6. Now that your spell is complete and your box of items has been secured with the ribbon, place your wishing bundle somewhere safe.  Do not open it or touch it until your wish comes true. 

You can make a wishing bundle to bring to life anything you desire - a new home, career or even love.

The Significance of Silver

When you're choosing the items you will put in your wishing bundle, always make sure that you include something silver - the candle you will light when you make your wish, and the ribbon with which you bind the spell are ideal.  Silver objects are used to represent the magickal light of the Moon.

The Silvery Moon

Silver is the color of the Full Moon, when magick is at its strongest.  IT is especially appropriate as we are hoping that the powers of our magickal spirit will bring our wishes to "light" - silver shimmers in the light.

The Light Within

Silver is also the color of intuitive visions, and can help to bring out yoru latent potential.

Be In Your Brilliance and May All Your Wishes Come True, So Mote It Be!

Oshuyn