 UPDATED 6-22-06! UPDATED March 2007  
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When I was in grade school, I asked her to order a book for me that is still in print to this day by two people from North Carolina. Their book is called: "The Magic Power of Witch Craft," and needless to say it fueled my mind. Inspiring me to ‘work’ on my ability to affect the things around me, but always in a positive way. Things you put out into the world, come back to you tenfold. The saying is true and that’s all I wanted to do was help myself, friends and family, by subtly influencing things around us. Looking back, I wonder if other parents would have honored a daughter’s request of that nature. Even helping her to get a ceramic bowl, ink and water to scry with. Needless to say, I had a tolerant and understanding Mother. Perhaps she saw in me a need to search for answers. Whatever her reason for getting me that book all those years ago, I have thanked her many times over the years. We both learned to read the Tarot when I was around 15, when a friend of hers gave her the most beautiful tarot deck I have ever seen. A replica of one from the 1400’s, originally given as a wedding present. Four cards were missing and there have been two different printings of this deck, the Visconti, where the devil, the tower and two other cards had to be made for the deck, based on the set style of remaining cards. I loved to do readings for my friends and was not surprised at the ability I was gaining to use and interpret the cards intuitively for them. I would carry them with me in my purse when going out to visit, because I never knew when they might be called upon. It is generally believed that a person can attain one accurate tarot reading for one person, per day and after use the cards must be put back into order. There is a discipline to any type of ‘practice’ anyone undertakes, and ‘magic’ or becoming familiar with your tarot deck is no different. You should decide whether you want to use a full deck, which is the minor arcana, the one that is most like the cards we see today used in games, and the major arcana, which is the cards most people associate with the idea of having their cards read. Such as The towers, the fool, the lovers, etc. If you wish to learn more about reading tarot cards, I suggest going to one of your local bookstores and leafing through a few that are out there and choose one you can live with that has the information you need. Next you should go to the counter there at that same store and ask if they carry cards and ask to see the ones they have. If you are not thrilled with the ones you see, then by all means shop around. I know just what decks I enjoy working with and can tell just by looking at the area the store displays them. I like to keep mine in a wooden box, wrapped in a black silk scarf. They should always be ‘discharged’ after using them and this is done by placing them all in order, and then putting them away in their special place. I have also used Viking runes for divinatory purposes, with good results. The set I have came with a lovely book called "The Book of Runes," which has two interpretations for the set that comes with it as well as directions on how to use them and make your own, personally charged set, which I have wanted to do, but have yet to make happen. I find the runes work well for getting a different perspective on things going on in life I want insight into. There are several ways to read them and the book tells the reader exactly how to do so. Other people use pendulums for divination and I have used them with a great deal of success. Making your own is as easy as plucking a hair from your head, taking a favorite ring, perhaps a wedding or class ring, and threading your hair through it and holding the ends between your fingers, while you steady your hands and ask away! Another thing to consider is using crystals. I have a lovely obsidian, & quartz, point, pendulum I made myself. You just need wire to wrap it with, I chose copper for its conductivity, then wrap it tightly, forming a loop at the top to slip a chain through to connect the two ends, or make it with one end and one point. Determine what will be used as ‘yes’ & ‘no’ by asking first if you are the opposite sex of what you are. That will establish the pendulum’s form for giving a negative response. Then ask if your what sex you are to get a positive response. I have found there are certain times of day that are better then others when trying to use the pendulum for answers to questions. I like to do it with candles and incense, but to each his own, hence the beauty of the divination ritual. It is a very important aspect gaining insight into the energies of things around you. Much more to come as the spirit moves me to write. Peace and love be with you, as you will, so mote it be. I hope you enjoyed sharing my experiences and I invite you to share yours with me through Email anytime!
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