Category: tarot

What it Really Means to be an Empath

Jessica Ripley3 Comments on What it Really Means to be an Empath

To say that being an empath is a bit of a trend nowadays would be an understatement. I see online quizzes about how to determine if you’re an empath, lists of traits, and more circling around social media and other avenues. Most of the quizzes and literature I’ve seen to “identify” if you’re an empath have a lot of false information. Chances are, most of the people claiming to be empaths are not actually empaths. This post is all about debunking some of the myths about being an empath, and to shed some clarifying light on what an empath actually is.

Highly Sensitive Person, Introvert, Poor Boundaries, or Empath?

I figured I would just dive in to this one. Many of the people who claim to be empaths are often either highly sensitive people, introverts, or people with poor boundaries. It is possible and common to not be an empath and to “take on” the emotions of the people around you. It boils down to acting from the subconscious cues of others and sometimes, poor boundaries.

If you’re around a cranky person, often times that crankiness will spread to you or others around you. Same with being around someone who is joyful. It’s one mood acting on and influencing another in a psychological way- often subconsciously- but just because the mood of the folks around you affects you doesn’t mean you’re an empath. This is actually a psychological phenomenon called “emotional contagion.”

If someone you talk you leaves you feeling drained, it doesn’t mean you’re an empath. It just means that person doesn’t give you energy, but only takes. If this happens regularly it means you surround yourself with takers. This falls under poor boundaries.

Perhaps people go to you for a shoulder to cry on, and you are easily affected by violence and the pain of others, or other outward stimulation. This alone also doesn’t make you an empath. This is mainly an indicator that you are a highly sensitive person (and that people trust you and turn to you, which is really its own gift).

Finally- there are no defining personality traits of an empath. Being an introvert (a person who needs time alone to recharge) does not make you an empath. Being a person who loves animals or travel or hates lies does not make you an empath. Empaths are as varying in personality as the entire human race. No list written online can tell you if you’re an empath.

Ok, so what is an empath then?

The main trait of an empath is clairsentience (clear feeling). This goes well beyond having empathy (understanding the feelings of others as if they were your own or being impacted by the emotions of others). It is energetic sensing that takes information into the body of the empath. So for an untrained empath, someone else’s pain is your pain- literally.

For example: I will feel the symptoms of ill persons around me even if they don’t show outward signs of being ill. Sometimes, I will even feel the symptoms before they become fully ill. Sometimes, I will feel it when they aren’t even around me only to find out later that this person was ill. I could go to the doctor with these symptoms and the doctor would find nothing- because it isn’t my illness. Instead of recognizing that someone around is cranky based on subconscious cues or other recognition, I will just feel the crankiness like it’s my own mood out of no where.

Psychological fixes don’t work for empaths. For example, if you’re a highly sensitive person and you keep going over in your mind what someone else is going through, you can generally shift your attention and the matter will be put to rest. If you’re an empath picking up this person’s energy, you can do all the shifting of perspective and attention you want but that tie will still be there and you will still be feeling that person’s energy.

Empaths feel everything in their bodies. So if someone lies to me, I know it, and it feels like I just ate gravel. I know when people I have an energetic connection with are talking about me from a distance because I can feel it.

For untrained empaths, there are no energetic boundaries and they don’t know what is energetically theirs and what belongs to other people. Because of this life is miserable. I don’t think I can highlight this enough. It’s not some fabulous special unicorn experience of love and angel poop. It can be terrifying. It can be overwhelming. It is often quite painful. Many untrained empaths do get literally sick from the energy of others. An untrained empath doesn’t know what they really feel, need, or want because distinguishing the me from the we has so far never been done and the difference can be incredibly difficult to tell because it all feels like it’s theirs, even if it’s not.

In conclusion…

I hope this clears up what it means and doesn’t mean to be an empath. If you’re a highly sensitive person and not an empath, that in itself is great! The world needs your skills. If you’re an introvert only, awesome! If you just have poor boundaries, well, probably working on that would be good for your quality of life. Whatever the case, celebrate you!

My Experience at the 2018 Hoodoo Queen Conjure Fete

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This past weekend I traveled down south to Mobile, Alabama for the first annual Hoodoo Queen Conjure Fete hosted by Co Meadows. This entire trip was spiritually arranged and supported, from finding the right plane tickets at an affordable price, to the constant affirmations I was receiving from the world around me. My friends and family were a mix of supportive and uncertain about the trip and what it would mean for me.

As I approached the Carnival Museum where the Fete was hosted I was greeted and accepted into a wonderful group of individuals from all over America. Though I wasn’t the only person of European descent, I knew that in some ways I would be an outsider due to my lineage- though outsider isn’t really the right word- I was a witness. I witnessed Co empowering men and women to step into their power. I was empowered as well. I witnessed the beautiful history of how Africans kept their religion and magic alive after they were forcibly taken from there homes and brought to America.

I witnessed the power of Hoodoo when we began this day with a ritual cleansing and uncrossing. All of us in a circle, dancing and clapping as Co cleansed and uncrossed us one at a time, and each time a cleansing and uncrossing was completed the sun would come out and shine success down on us. It was supposed to rain all day that day, but the rain held off until well into the evening. When Co cleansed an elder and spoke of her wisdom, and when Co cleansed the children and spoke of the future, there was healing and connection and deepening. When Co cleansed and uncrossed me he had words for me that I keep close to my heart. I felt a lightness that revived me from the inside out.

(Conversing after the cleansing and uncrossing)

In some ways, I was jealous of the knowledge passed down to Co through familial generations. What a gift to have had this knowledge and wisdom kept alive through the family lineage. This experience highlighted again to me the way that our ancestors coming to America stripped us of our histories- or at least tried to do so, not just to the Africans and Haitians but to all of us. As a whole, as Americans, I don’t think we consider our roots often. So many people don’t even know why they celebrate the holidays the way that they do or what their traditions really symbolize.

Co also spoke about how Catholic saints were fronts for African gods and goddesses. I felt the connection of our lineages through that, as this is also true of my Celtic heritage and the gods of my ancestors. I have a deep understanding of how the Catholic Church incorporated much of my ancestral practices, and what these practices originally meant, and the magic behind them. So many of the saints were originally gods and goddesses in my lineage.

Co taught us about working with ancestors and spirits, and the spirits of plants, and the proper way to set an ancestral altar, and the importance of getting to the truth of things. Though Co is absolutely hilarious and an incredibly captivating teacher, he is also grounded and true. The truth that real magic is dirty and simple and symbolic and not at all what many think it is was beyond refreshing to hear from a spiritual leader. I got more from this event than I did from most of the books I have read throughout my lifetime- and quite honestly, that’s no small wonder, especially considering that many books on magic today are not historically rooted in practices that work.

(Co getting ready to teach us some hoodoo workings)

We learned about spiritual tools like divining with fire (which was not for me) and with water (this worked for me). We also made divination mats while Co spoke to us about spiritual development, and understanding that not everyone has every kind of spiritual gift. Even though many are waking up to spiritual reality and their spiritual nature, it doesn’t mean they are seers or workers or healers just because they want to be. He spoke truth above all, and it’s what we all needed to hear.

(Co showing us his divination mat as an example for the ones we made)

As a spiritual worker serving within community and working through my own lineage, I came out of this experience better for having attended and with greater confidence. For anyone who isn’t a spiritual worker, it’s just as beneficial. If you look at the core of what Co teaches, you’ll understand that it doesn’t matter what your lineage is: you still have roots, you still have ancestors to honor, and you still have spiritual experiences to understand.

Don’t misunderstand me, though. This was about African American Hoodoo and Conjure. I could extrapolate and apply much of what I learned within my own magical system because of some commonalities, but this was an event that I was blessed to attend and be part of due to what I learned about African American magic and religion. I was blessed to witness this beautiful, deep, powerful culture which isn’t mine but which enhances the greater American culture.

Not only did Co put together a fabulous, welcoming and truly worthwhile event for all of us, he also made himself available to answer our questions and go over the things we learned after the event. And I absolutely cannot leave out the immense generosity and thoughtfulness that Co displayed by having delicious cupcakes brought in for a couple who was there celebrating their ten year anniversary- and not just cupcakes, but cupcakes with the couples’ initials in the frosting.

I loved every minute of this experience. I have great love for everyone I met. And I’ve got my sights set on Co’s exclusive tarot deck not only because of its unique system but oh my goddess, the artwork is gorgeous!

(Co Meadows and me ❤️)

Six Reasons You’re Not Manifesting

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Just a shortish note on magic and manifesting and setting intentions. If you’re a person who sets new moon intentions every month but you don’t see changes occurring, or you’re having trouble manifesting in general, there are some things to consider:

1.) You’re not really feeling it

Being in the right head space/emotional space is imperative. If I were going to do some candle magic for someone, for example, but I just had a shitty day and I’m still fuming, you better believe that magic won’t work. This is why getting grounded, centered, and objective is so important when doing any magical work. You can have the best intentions but if you aren’t fully aligned with those intentions in body, mind, and spirit, that magic is going to fall flat or have terrible repercussions.

Real life example: I did magic for health when I wasn’t feeling very well, kind of headachy. This was how I gave myself a pretty wicked head cold.

Another thing: If your intentions are focused on growing as a person, expect learning lessons. For example, if you’re trying to manifest more patience, expect situations that test your patience. If you’re asking for peace, expect situations with conflict.

2.) You’re asking for something that isn’t meant for you.

The universe is abundant and Goddess is generous, but that doesn’t mean it’s in your best interest to be a millionaire. Check your motives, listen to your soul, not to your fear, not to your feelings of inadequacy. What is truly best for you? What’s for you is yours, my love.

3.) You’re turning it away when it shows up

If you have expectations of how something will or should manifest, it’s pretty easy to look a gift horse in the mouth. If you wanted to fill up your wine cellar and someone you know is offering you wine as a gift, but you turn it away, well, that’s on you. Goddess often gives through the hands of others. Accept it loves, with gratitude.

4.) You’re actively working against it.

Say you want to be debt free but you keep charging your credit cards. Honey, come on. You can’t manifest something you are actively working against. Your actions need to reflect what you want to manifest.

5.) You haven’t given it enough time

This seems self explanatory but I’m going to flesh it out a bit. Some things take more time to manifest. Some things will manifest quickly, some things will take so long you practically forget about them. But let me give an example. I was 18 when I decided I wanted to go to Hawaii. This didn’t actually come to pass until I was 27.

6.) You don’t have the oomph for it

Oomph. Mojo. Magic. Some people just can’t manifest for themselves because they don’t have the mojo for it. It’s ok. Not everyone is meant to do this kind of work. This is the time to petition someone else to do it for you. This is also the time to ask your ancestors to help you make it happen. Maybe you can’t manifest yourself, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have loads of spiritual help at your fingertips to help make it so.

Final note…

In popular society the word manifesting has become synonymous with money. The word abundance has also become synonymous with money. This is a grave error. It’s important to take care of you, and it’s good to have a lifestyle that supports your wellbeing, but money is a resource only. It’s not the all, so do your best to avoid making it your god and becoming enslaved by it. You are more than the things you have.

January 2018 New Moon Tarot Reading

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Our first new moon of the new year occurs Tuesday, January 16th at 9:18PM in the sign of Capricorn. New moons are lunar new beginnings and a special time of spiritual planting to increase our overall enjoyment and fulfillment in life. Your guidance for this new moon is given with the Joie de Vivre Tarot by Paulina Cassidy and the cards I pulled for you are The Nine of Coins, The Fool, & The Four of Cups.

With the Nine of Coins we see a woman riding a beautiful bird (carrying pearls in its beak) over her field of growing flowers and coins. We begin this reading with the guidance that you should take a look at all of your accomplishments so far and give yourself credit where credit is due. Look at the life you have created for yourself, and look at your abundance in all its forms. Remain unattached but observant to all that you have in your life, including your material rewards.

The bird in this card symbolizes that spiritual perspective that keeps you on a healthy track when you’re working toward worldly goals, and the pearls in the mouth of the bird represent the spiritual wisdom you have gained from all of your toils in this world as well. Ideally, you will experience a sense of satisfaction when you look at your life and how far you have come. If you don’t gather at least some satisfaction, this is a cue to look at your perspective on things and address any internal poverty of spirit.

You are encouraged, true to earthy Capricorn, to develop your sense of healthy ambition that feeds the heart and soul as well as body and supports your autonomy. This is also a time to develop a plan for your future security and for reaching your goals. The coins along with the flowers in this card show that true accomplishment leads to contentment, not to vying for more.

With The Fool a new journey begins, auspiciously supported by the phase of the moon. This is a time when myriad possibilities and potentials present themselves to you and you will find you have choices to make. Make sure you are grounded in reality so that you can confidently trust your intuition about the right direction to go. The little bat holding on to the cloth of the Fool’s waistband symbolizes the need to pay attention the signs around you and encouragement to follow the unfamiliar path, but also- to watch where you are going. Sleepwalking through life is unadvised. This is a time for you to keep your eyes open, drink from the cup of courage, and follow your heart.

The Four of Cups draws attention to any sense of emotional dissatisfaction you may be prone to experiencing at this time, as it is a sign of what needs to change. It can also be a sign of a faulty or narrow perspective. Sometimes, we create our own heartache by fixating on one thing we feel we don’t have. This is an invitation to look deeper. What does this loss you feel you are experiencing actually represent?

The Four of Cups is a bit of the shadow side of lovely Capricorn. Fear can be paralyzing, and we can become inflexible and joyless. Be careful not to isolate or cut yourself off from all of the blessings around you due to a limiting pattern of thinking or perspective. Don’t cut yourself off at the knees by refusing to believe you can have what you want or by being unwilling to be open to the many roads to get there. Don’t lose heart before the gods have the chance to deliver. Instead, guard your heart with gratitude and adopt an optimistic view.

This new moon is a time for you to go your own way and to remain open to the good that will undoubtedly unfold for you. The world really is your oyster.

—

Setting New Moon Intentions

The New Moon in earthy Capricorn is a fabulous time to consider Setting New Moon Intentions – and Capricorn especially supports intentions revolving around:

-Achieving Goals and Accomplishments

-Self Discipline

-Commitments

-Decision Making

– Using Opportunities

-Respect

-Letting go of an excessively controlling nature, which produces a lack of joy, inflexibility and fear.

Are Tarot Readers Psychic?

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In December I was part of an event at local spiritual shop A Beautiful Soul, giving tarot readings alongside my good friend who does straight psychic readings. Some questions about the nature of tarot readings came up as a result. Are tarot readings different than psychic readings? Do you have to be psychic to read tarot? Can anyone read tarot?

Depending on who you ask, you’ll receive different answers, so today I am answering for myself. First of all, yes, I am a psychic reader. I am an empath and clairsentient (clear feeling). I have clairvoyant and clairaudient capabilities as well, but my most developed psychic skills are the clairsentient and empathic. These are most natural and consistent for me in everyday, walking around life. When reading tarot, my clairaudient capabilities kick into high gear and enhance the rest. I do ask for guidance from Goddess, and from spirit guides, and faeries, to assist in the readings I give.

What is the difference between tarot readings and psychic readings?

Tarot readings are different than psychic readings in that psychic readings by themselves are simply the psychic channeling information and images through themselves, whereas tarot is a tool I use to ground the reading. I channel information through myself and the tarot cards. I love having a focal point to my readings, and I love the interaction of having clients pull the cards and look at the same images I am looking at while I read for them.

So, tarot readings are different (for me) than straight psychic readings in that I prefer to use the tool of tarot when channeling psychic information.

Do you have to be psychic to read tarot?

The short answer is no. I know many people who aren’t psychic who read tarot. Many use tarot for self-reflection, with a more psychology-based approach. Many use it for coaching. There are as many different views of how Tarot works as there are tarot readers. Most would say that although you don’t have to be psychic, you do need to learn to listen to your intuition. Tarot is often a tool that, when first learned, teaches a reader how to trust themselves.

Can anyone read tarot?

My honest opinion: No. You have to be willing to dedicate the time and energy to really learn this divination system, and learning to be a proficient reader is a much different process than learning in a traditional format (like how you learn things in school). You can memorize definitions, but that doesn’t mean that you can actually read the cards. It’s a skill and art form that is not a fit for everyone, just as not everyone can cook, or garden, etc.

In Conclusion…

I hope this cleared up any confusion there may have been about psychic readings & tarot readings. If you’re in the market for a reading and aren’t sure the reader’s style fits what you’re looking for: just ask.

By the by, I will be at A Beautiful Soul every Friday beginning next Friday for walk ins or appointments. You can stop in for a 20 minute, 30 minute, or 60 minute reading. You can also schedule anytime!

The Year of Justice

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2018 is in tarot terms, a year represented by Justice, card 11 from the major arcana. Many of us will find it to be a welcome change after the myriad curveballs thrown in 2017, which was a Wheel of Fortune year. Things certainly did change rapidly in 2017 and we met on a global scale with intense ups and downs that have often been difficult to weather. But, new year, new universal theme.

We will see the effects of how we handled the curveballs thrown at us, and the effects of decisions made in 2017. This is a year for righting wrongs. Justice is not punishment, it is not vengeance, and it is not unmerciful or unforgiving. We will experience a balancing out of energies after the upheavals of 2017. We will be confronted with the lines we have drawn between who is in and who is out, between right and wrong, between each other, between who does and does not count and get a fair shake.

“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing there is a field. I’ll meet you there.” -Rumi

There will be a universally driven challenge to burst outmoded ways of thinking and being. There a distinct groaning in the soil about the state of inequality amongst the people. There is a hunger for change to better the lives of everyone that has the real possibility of being satisfied this year. Can we move beyond our limited thinking?

To apply this theme individually, if you want to think about karma, think in terms of what you say and do. What you say and do doesn’t come back to you, but instead, it becomes you. Every action we take and word we speak grows us in one direction or another. Our eyes will be opened to these truths individually and globally if we are currently blind to them. We cannot escape ourselves, but we can forgive ourselves and we can forgive each other.

We’ll see the effects of this theme of justice in our world in 2018. It will affect us all, but we also have our own personal themes to contend with in addition to this which may differ, competent, or be challenging to the universal theme of Justice. Remember that you are only responsible for your own actions and words, and that you do have an influence- what you say and do matters. There is a time and a season for all things. This is a season of reckoning, for better or for worse.

Think about what you want to create for yourself, and have a blessed year. May we see the light of love breaking through the cracks of fear and oppression, signaling the impending destruction of injustice.

✨🌙 🔮

P.S. – if you want to learn about your personal theme for the year and receive helpful guidance on navigating the year ahead, click here 💕

Wolf Moon Tarot Reading 2018

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The full moon occurs on January 1st in the sign of cancer. Clear your mind, make a wish, and fall in love! For the Wolf Moon and first full moon tarot reading for January, I am using the Prisma Visions Tarot to share with you a message from the spirit realm. Our cards for this reading are the King of Swords, Nine of Chalices, and The Lovers.

We see here a progression: clarity of mind, followed by gratitude and hope, resulting in an exuberant love for life and a shedding of inhibition.

Well, there is no space for muddled thinking this full moon. Clear the air of your mind and let your thoughts transform like water in its many states, becoming clearer with each change. The King of Swords is regal with this nest of swans- more than a little aware of his ability to manifest and change things through the power of his thoughts and words. He encourages you to recognize that power within yourself and to behold your own life with a new clarity, and then proceed from there.

If ever there were a magical time, this full moon is it. Make a wish and enjoy with gratitude the abundance all around and within you. The Nine of Chalices shows a person relaxing and enjoying the natural world. Feel that true contentedness within yourself. Enjoy the moment and count all that you have accomplished, all the ways you have grown over the past year, and all that you are now as a result of living your life thus far. Keep your heart open for what is to come in this new year.

Romance is at hand and not just the romance between lovers, but the romance of life. Engage in your emotions, let others see your true self. The Lovers depict dancers in masks, uninhibited in their self-expression. Let this scene become you. Express yourself: your thoughts, your feelings, your emotions, your needs, wants, desires. In the world of faery there is the logic that sometimes you have to put on a mask first in order to reveal your truth, then take off your mask to inhabit your truth. The question becomes: what will it take for you to feel free? Break down barriers and throw yourself into life with all that you are. There is still so much to experience!

Brightest Blessings & A Happy New Year🌙✨

Gratitude for 2017

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2017 is winding down, and what a year it has been. True to form, this year has seen many rapid, unexpected and fateful changes on a global level. Victories and defeats. It was truly a Wheel of Fortune year (according to tarot) and we influenced our own luck by how we handled the things with which we were presented. This has been a year where it’s been easy to feel out of control because of what has been happening in our world around us. Did we learn that we get to control how we respond, and to look for solutions instead of covering ourselves in ashes and wailing?

2017 was for me personally, the year of The Hermit. On a macro level my life has been influenced by the Wheel of Fortune energy, on a micro, or personal level my being and growth has been influenced by Hermit energy.

I’m an introvert by nature, so lessons of solitude weren’t the focus, though I have indeed spent quite a bit of time alone this year combing through my subconscious. No, this year, my lessons had more to do with living according to my inner wisdom above the ruckus of the world’s opinions.

It was a year of developing greater inner strength, of remaining impartial and holding up a light for others, and it was a year filled with much confusion and turmoil (along with some really fantastic times), as I did my best to listen to my inner wisdom and follow it.

I’m grateful for the difficult lessons because they have shaped me for the better, bringing about a stronger resolve and prying my metaphorical hands off of viewpoints and opinions and ways of being that weren’t conducive to my growth or highest good. As Mary Oliver wrote:

“someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand that this too, was a gift.”

That sums up my year pretty well.

Some of the things I learned this year:

  • Other peoples’ opinions of me are none of my business. Much as I might have wished I fully believed that in the past, now I finally do.
  • Creating a sacred space at home is worthy work. Everyone who came into my home this year told me they felt immediately grounded, safe, and at ease. Being able to provide a haven for others has been one of the greatest gifts this year.
  • Generosity of spirit is a welcoming beacon.
  • I can collaborate with others without compromising myself or my integrity. It just takes finding the right people to collaborate with. This one was a difficult lesson indeed. I am more apt to entirely avoid collaboration because group projects have never been kind to me.
  • It’s possible to be both spiritual and petty. We can’t slice ourselves into pieces and then call ourselves whole. The light and the darkness must coexist for a true sense of unity.
  • It may be a good use of my gifts to begin teaching courses.

I’m very grateful for these lessons. Other things I’m super grateful for from this year are as follows:

  • Cats! Snow! Summer nights!
  • Full moon celebrations
  • Diversity in friendship
  • Meeting one of my pen pals of 18 years
  • Seeing San Diego
  • Traveling
  • Game nights with friends
  • The Rochester community
  • The tarot community
  • All the people I’ve met
  • All the clients I’ve given readings and have had the privilege to get to know
  • Officiating a wedding for two people who had to struggle against the world to finally be married to each other
  • Soulmates
  • Books
  • Small Kindnesses
  • Beauty
  • Reconciliations
  • Healing
  • Sleeping in
  • Magic

I had the privilege of reading tarot at the Kutzky Pop-up market, the Olmsted County Fair, the UU Handcrafted Bazaar, and the Healer’s Holiday Open House, among other events. Hosting my Grand Opening at Café Steam was total blast! Being on the Faith Talk Show was so much fun!

It has been a year of growth for me and for Owl in the Oak Tarot. I’m excited to continue to serve the Rochester community (and those who live outside of MN who I have the privilege of reading tarot for) and to see what the new year brings.

Thank you to everyone who has been in my life in big and small ways. Thank you to all who have been instrumental in my growth, and who have allowed me to be instrumental in yours. Thank you for being you!

💚🙏🏻🌙✨🔮

P.S. If you would like to know what tarot card represents your personal year for 2018, and if you’d like a forecast to help you navigate the year ahead, click here.

Yuletide Celebrations

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What a year it’s been! I’m already reflecting on everything that has happened and all the wonderful people I’ve met and gotten to know better. There’s so much to be grateful for, and as of now I’m also still holding out hope for a real snowfall in the next two days. Meanwhile, tomorrow is the Winter Solstice, or Yule. This is the holiday I observe for spiritual reasons, and there are many ways I celebrate.

One of the things I decided to do this year was the advent wreath. Advent simple means “arrival” and in my case, this would be the arrival of the sun. After the longest night of the year the sun is reborn and the days begin to grow longer again. So I will light all my advent candles tomorrow (I have been lighting one every Sunday for the past four weeks) as a symbol of hope for the light’s return in all its forms. Especially the light of peace in the world.

I gave handmade witch ball ornaments to a few friends and colleagues this year. They can be programmed for any purpose and it’s important to choose ingredients that match your intention. The ones I gave away were for prosperity or faery blessings.

My boyfriend and I will also exchange gifts tomorrow, and I’m making a bacon-red pepper-asparagus strata (which I love for the Yuletide color correspondence of red/green veggies) in the morning and a roast in the evening. Friends will stop by throughout the day, we’ll watch holiday movies and chat and probably do a puzzle. I’ll light some incense pertinent to the holiday (in my case, frankincense) and snuggle up with tea and hot cocoa throughout the day.

Magical work that focuses on transformation, renewal, or divination is especially potent during the Winter Solstice. You could do a simple fire ceremony or candle magic during this day.

If you’re looking to celebrate Yule and enjoy incorporating many natural elements, or are looking to do something a little out of the ordinary, here are some different correspondences you can use to add depth to your celebrations and/or magic work:

Yule Incense/scents

  • Frankincense
  • Cedar
  • Rosemary
  • Evergreen
  • Bay
  • Bayberry
  • Chamomile
  • Holly
  • Juniper
  • Mistletoe
  • Sage
  • Myrrh

Colors

  • Gold
  • Green
  • Red
  • Silver
  • White

Animals/birds

  • Bear
  • Deer
  • Pig
  • Squirrel
  • Owl
  • Wren
  • Eagle

Gemstones

  • Ruby
  • Garnet
  • Bloodstone

Yuletide Blessings to You! 💚❤️🎄❄️✨

Your Tarot Forecast for the Year

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I’m excited to announce a new, limited service that I’ve put a lot of care and effort into designing for you to help you go into 2018 with great confidence.

Are you wondering what the upcoming year has in store for you? With the tarot forecast you can get a jump on the year ahead and receive valuable information to help you make plans and achieve your goals. In this comprehensive forecast you will receive:

  1. Your karmic message for the year along with karma specific strengths you can use to your advantage, and karma specific obstacles you may face. Your karmic message is essentially your theme for the year- an ongoing backdrop to all of your experiences for the year. This theme will have distinct advantages and weaknesses to it. Knowledge of this will help you navigate the year ahead with confidence. I’ll need your birthdate for this aspect of the forecast.
  2. A breakdown forecast for each month of the year.  You’ll see what to look forward to and pitfalls to avoid on a month-by-month basis.
  3. A forecast for love, work, and finance for your year.

The yearly forecast is of limited availability. I’m only offering 10 of these readings through January 31st, and all of these readings will be completed by February 1st (at the latest. Usually it takes 1-2 days after you order). You’ll receive your forecast in PDF format in your email. It will be an excellent reference packet full of of predictions and advice for you.

Yearly Tarot Forecast

$450.00

New Moon Tarot Reading for December 2017

Jessica RipleyLeave a Comment on New Moon Tarot Reading for December 2017

Below is your New Moon Tarot Reading for December, 2017. I’m using the Joie de Vivre Tarot by Paulina Cassidy.

Tomorrow’s new moon in Sagittarius (occurring at 1:30AM) encourages you to put an end to all internal and external conflicts for this year. The Five of Wands is a reminder that although we may have issues within ourselves and with others, if we are creative we can find a solution that is respectful all around. This is the time to find the core of what really sets you spinning for better or for worse, and to make some necessary changes. Sagittarius will give an added boost to all conflict resolution and all wishes for peace of mind.

All new moons are opportunities for fresh starts, and we have the added energy of the Ace of Cups for fresh starts and new beginnings in love, all kinds of relationships, and spirituality. The Ace of Cups indicates a great opportunity for a heart-centered new beginning and a deeper rooted sense of self-love. If you have been struggling with loving yourself and others, and with forgiveness of yourself and others, this could be a breakthrough time for you.

Between the Ace of Cups and the Seven of Cups we have a unique window for finding real inner truth as well. If you’ve been toiling outside of your integrity, now is the time to hone in on who you are and what you really want- look not just to your ambitions, but to what they represent and what need you think they will fill. This reflection will encourage you to see clearly and to make better choices from your new understanding.

Overall between the three cards we have a theme of finding inner peace and deep, abiding love after solving and releasing conflict within ourselves and with others, bringing a new sense of clarity that will allow us to make better choices in the future for which we may be continuously fulfilled.

May you all take advantage of the opportunities presented to you, and be blessed! ✨🔮✨

The Nature of Generosity and Encounter

Jessica RipleyLeave a Comment on The Nature of Generosity and Encounter

“I closed my mouth and spoke to you in a hundred silent ways.” -Rumi

Last week was busy. I was on The Faith Talk Show talking witchcraft and tarot, then two days later I was at A Beautiful Soul giving 20 minute tarot readings from 10AM to 6PM. And it was a good day as far as it goes, though long as well. I helped the right number of people so that my attention and standards weren’t compromised. As an introvert these events can be difficult when the demand is too high. Encountering people is one of the best benefits of the work that I do, and feeling rushed is the antithesis to encounter, so I was grateful for the way it worked out. Still, after a 9 hour event my mind was fogged for the next two days.

Tonight I’m wrapping presents. I came to one I had been rolling around in my head for a while, unsure if I would give it to the person or not. It says just as much about me as it does this other person, but I’m not sure they would recognize that. I’m not sure they have ever recognized that in any of my gestures for them. I don’t know if I will be met with the half-hearted “thanks” or if there will be some indication of understanding. That’s always the bargain though, isn’t it? When you put real thought into something, or you give your full attention and presence, you still have no control over how or if someone else will receive what you’re giving. This is the vulnerability inherent to generosity.

We have this whole world before us- a constant giver of blessings, and we often treat it with the same disregard, though it continues to give. That’s the nature of generosity. It doesn’t depend on the reception, though the right reception can make it all the sweeter. All it really takes is a genuine encounter for generosity and gratitude to combine and amplify each other. To notice the world and enjoy it is the gift we give back.

We talk all day about the “important” things but so much of it is wheels spinning. There is more to learn by sharing space on the porch with a squirrel while he eats his lunch of walnuts. The walnut tree gives me infertile ground for many plants, while also giving a source of food. I could curse it or bless it depending on how I receive its presence- depending on how I encounter it.

Anyway, I decided to give the gift.