The Great October Book Giveaway - Witch Work

The four names drawn this round were: Misty, Alex C, Corinn, and Rowan! Congratulations!

There are still plenty of chances to get some tricks or treats...stay tuned...as the moon rises tomorrow night another giveaway will appear!
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The warmth fled the day the exact moment the sun slipped down over the western hill. It was a breathtaking shift, the sort that gives a nod to the wintry tide ahead. Moisture hangs in the air tonight, an invisible curtain that is neither manifest or absent. The ghostly vapor is as much a part of the dark as the chill. And I can feel it all in the deepest part of me. 

It is my mother's people who sense precipitation in their bones. Any big storm coming, or when the weather cools enough to coax the dew into frost on the tips of the grass, will cause a ripple of ache to run up a leg or down an arm, a throb across shoulders or a pang in hip sockets. It's not uncommon, really. If you talk to an orthopedic doctor they will tell you that atmospheric pressure can affect the fluid around your joints, causing sensitivity or even pain. Some folks feel it. Others don't notice at all. In the old days, before we understood such things, it was just the knowing. I always thought it was magic when my mother would slowly rock, rubbing her knee, and say "must be rain." I started observing it in my own body when I was in my twenties. A twinge when the weather was going to take a dive. A dull ache in my hips before an icy drizzle or thick mist moved in. 

I am very much not in my twenties anymore, so there is poplar bud oil to rub into sore hips, and a mug of something warm to soothe the rest of me. Still, I rather like the signals my body gives me that connect me with the wider world. The joints that know when the weather is shifting. The senses that pique when something feels off. I have a keen nose (which can be a blessing and a curse) and I often catch scents that other people don't notice. These sensitivities might seem like odd, inherited family afflictions, but they can be beneficial in your witchcraft (or other spiritual or magical) practice, and the good news is many of them can be learned.

There are an enormous amount of books offering insight into direction and skill building when it comes to witchcraft. For this giveaway, I wanted to feature some of this year's releases that I think would be constructive for anyone mapping out their own practice. We have a book that navigates the pitfalls of this path and offers ideas for you to chart your own course, one that helps you work with your own inherent sensitivities, and another that gives you daily inspiration and ideas to explore. There's also a tool that can help you dig deep when you have a few too many questions. Let's take a look...

The Dabbler's Guide to Witchcraft: Seeking an Intentional Magical Path, was released as September faded away, and my pre-order appeared only days ago, so I am still happily consuming it whenever I have a chance to sit down. Even part way through, I can tell you that Fire Lyte has given us a treasure with this book. No topic is off-limits - he wants you to know exactly what you are getting into when you wander down this path. He weaves us through witchcraft in pop-culture and social media. Gatekeeping and hot takes. Scams, appropriation, and racism. He then leads us into the why of seeking witchcraft, and some of the tools, theory, and practices of the craft itself. If I were stumbling into the witch-verse today, fresh and innocent(ish), this is the book I would want thrust at me as a torch to help me see the way through the hazy maze of modern witchcraft, and to help me avoid some of the pitfalls. Even for those of us who have been on this path for many years, this is an informative, witty, and excellent read.

Anatomy of a Witch: A Map to the Magical Body, by Laura Tempest Zakroff, is a truly beautiful book about a topic that is often missing in witchcraft guides. The human body. From the lungs and our sacred breath, to the heart and the blood that moves through the whole of us, to the deep magic of our bones, Zakroff takes us on a holy tour of one of our most essential tools in working magic. There are sigils, exercises, prompts, and rituals included to further your practice, but the entire book itself feels like a wondrous spell. If you've ever wanted to connect more deeply with your body, or personalize your magical work in a more meaningful way, this is essential reading. I managed to snap up an autographed copy of this book for you, and Laura included a vial of her anointing oil, made specially for this work.

It is no secret that I love an almanac or a book of days. As a witch and fervent gardener I'm invested in the little daily rituals, celebrations, and important notes that mark the passing of time. Tell me where in the sky Venus is rising, and when the tide is coming in. Sing to me of best days for planting, and what mysterious saint has a feast day today. I adore it all. When I heard that Judika Illes had a new book coming out, I was excited. When I discovered that book would be a journey through each day of the year, marking stars, saints, and other observations, which included tidbits of history, folkore, spellwork, and magical recipes, I nearly fainted with joy. Daily Magic: Spells and Rituals for Making the Whole Year Magic is a witch's perpetual almanac, and it is a delight. Keep it handy and check in each day, or use it to track a series of days that are perfect for your current workings or projects. It also feels like the perfect tome for bibliomancy, if you are a fan of that sort of divination.

Speaking of divination...I have something special to share with you. The Sorcery Underground Fortune Telling Deck, by Brian David MacDonald is a privately created deck that was released in a very limited run (and is now sold out). It is a glorious blending of Major Arcana, Lenormand, and playing cards, into one wisdom-packed set that will delight even the most inflexible reader. You can separate the cards and work with the individual systems, or keep the lot together for a comprehensive look at your query. MacDonald has added a fascinating trio of extra cards into the mix, as well, to make things even more interesting. The little white book that was included with the deck offers up meanings for upright or reversal readings, as well as clever advice or methods for digging deeper into those cards. I've been running this deck in multiple combinations, and I know you will find so many ways to read with it!

Once again, your entry is your comment (including your email, listed in a safe manner). If you pass the word around (share to social media) then feel free to pop back and put your name in the hat again. As always, you can let me know which item tickles your fancy, and I'll try my best to match the winners to their choices. If you are just finding us and would like a more in-depth rundown of the mischief I'm up to here this month, you can scroll down to the bottom of the first giveaway post here and get filled in.

Please have your name in by the evening of Tuesday, October 12th. I will draw four names on Wednesday morning, contact the winners, and post the next giveaway on the evening of the 13th.

Legal Bits:

* This giveaway (or "sweepstakes") is open to all residents of Canada, (exluding Quebec residents) the USA, Great Britain, Europe, South America,  who are 18 years of age or older. This giveaway is void where prohitibited by law.  Please be aware of the contest/sweepstakes laws in your area.

*  Canadian residents will be subject to a skill testing question before being able to claim their prize (this is standard law in Canada).  The skill testing question will be in a form similar to: 1 + 2 - 1 =

*  This giveaway is not for profit and no purchase is necessary to enter.

*  This giveaway is sponsored/administrated solely by this blog/blog author and is not affilitated with or sponsored by Blogger, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or any other entity, nor can they be held liable.

* By leaving a comment intending to enter into the draw for the giveaway (or "sweepstakes") you are knowingly agreeing to these rules/conditions.

I have chosen all the books/cards featured this month myself.  I have not been paid to feature a book, nor have I been asked to advertise for anyone.  This giveaway is not endorsed or sponsored by anyone other than Rue and Hyssop.

Omens of the Darktide - A Trio of Tarot

The names drawn for these lovely decks were:

Tarot of the Divine: Laura S. Reading

Hoodoo Tarot: Maria's Blog

Modern Witch: Melisa G

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The deep grey has come to my village now. Low cloud, snow on the hills, mist on the water. We will wade through this bleakness for the next three months, until February begins to fade. It’s the price of living in a beautiful valley, surrounded by mountains. We forget during the year. Through the extraordinarily hot, dry summers, the lush springs and handsome autumns. But November reminds us. Winter here is little but grey. Unless you can get up the mountain, above the clouds into the sunlight, you need to find ways to weather the dark. Stacks of blankets and books. A fire. A stocked bar. Good snacks. And a host of friends (or a therapist) on speed dial. All are helpful.

The darktide offers much time, and the perfect ambiance, for introspection. It is the dark moon phase in earnest. We examine our depths. We call our power back to ourselves, cut cords, bump up wards, and might perhaps need to slap away a few pests that we've allowed to circle too closely. (This is, of course, work that we do all the calendar long, but it is especially suited for the shadowy phases of the year.) It is also the perfect time for prophesying. For looking ahead, and observing portents. The Omen Days, occuring around the darkest days in December, are an excellent example of this.

This next giveaway is meant to offer you some tools to look behind the curtain. Hopefully, the messages you receive will foretell of a bright future. We could use a happier 2021, for certain. 

This year I've found three tarot decks that have moved me in significant ways, and so I picked up a copy for you as well. They offer fairytales and magic. Black history, and BIPOC representation. Multiple cultures, and figures in all shapes and sizes. Let's take a look...

Tarot of the Divine - A Deck and Guidebook Inspired by Deities, Folklore and Fairy Tales from Around the World, by Yoshi Yoshitani

I'm completely enchanted with Tarot of the Divine. I was worried the art would be a bit too...soft...and the characters might lean toward quaint, but Yoshi has created substantial scenes and depth of feeling with her images. There were a few cards that touched me profoundly as I first flipped through the deck - one in particular made me gasp aloud. If I had any complaint at all with these cards it is that the cardstock is a little lighter than I would like (both in colour on the edges/frames, and in the weight). I know these aren't the cards I'm going to reach for in a rush. I wash my hands and shuffle them carefully when I pull them out. They are exceptionally fun to read with, in any case. 

Next up is The Hoodoo Tarot by author Tayannah Lee McQuillar and artist Katelan V. Foisy. This striking deck captured my attention the first time I saw it. I'm going to be honest - it is still in its box because I'm navigating some of my feelings about working with it as a white person with no Black or Indigenous heritage. This is entirely my own issue. Katelan Foisy is, from what I can determine from her online information, a white-presenting woman of Romani heritage, so this is certainly not a deck that speaks of being off-limits to people outside of the Black community.

"Celebrating the complex American Rootwork tradition, The Hoodoo Tarot integrates esoteric and botanical knowledge from Hoodoo with the divination system of the Tarot. Structured like a traditional Tarot deck, each of the 78 cards features full-color paintings by magical-realist artist Katelan Foisy and elegantly interprets the classical Tarot imagery through depictions of legendary rootworkers past and present as well as important Hoodoo symbolism.

In the accompanying guidebook, Tayannah Lee McQuillar provides a history of Hoodoo and its complex heritage, including its roots in multiple African and Indigenous American ethnic groups as well as its European influences. She explores the traditional forms of divination used by rootworkers, including cartomancy, explaining how pairing the Tarot with Hoodoo is a natural fit. For each card in the Major Arcana and the four suits of the Minor Arcana (sticks, baskets, needles, and knives), McQuillar provides an in-depth card meaning that draws on both Tarot and Hoodoo tradition. She shares the history of the rootworker or symbol featured, any associated magical plants, a related scriptural quote, and guidance and advice based on the card’s meaning. She also offers instructions on card spreads and shares sample card readings.

Offering a divination system rooted in the Indigenous and African experience in North America, The Hoodoo Tarot provides a hands-on way to honor and explore the magic of Hoodoo for personal growth and spiritual inspiration."

 

Lastly, we have the effervescent and delightful Modern Witch Tarot by Lisa Sterle. This deck takes the traditional symbolism of the Waite-Smith system and brings it into the modern era. The vibrant figures are all female or non-gender-specific, and of varying shapes and shades. The gorgeously inclusive art is a treat to behold!

I have one copy of each of these decks to give away. Do follow the links to the artist/author sites if you'd like a better a look at the cards (the weather has been so gloomy this week that I wasn't able to get out to my wooden bench to get good shots for you). 

Please leave a comment if you'd like your name in the hat, and ensure your comment links back to you in some way or you leave your email details (in a safe manner). Feel free to let me know which deck you might prefer, and I'll do my best to match up winners with their choices if possible. If you'd like to share this giveaway on social media or send folks my way, then I'll pop your name in the hat a second time - just let me know! If the comment form isn't working for you, or you'd prefer a bit more privacy, you can use the contact form in the sidebar. (Please note that I will be using your first name when I announce the winners.)

I will draw three names on Thursday, November 19th - good luck!

Legal Bits:

* This giveaway (or "sweepstakes") is open to all residents of Canada, (exluding Quebec residents) the USA, Great Britain, Europe, South America,  who are 18 years of age or older. This giveaway is void where prohitibited by law.  Please be aware of the contest/sweepstakes laws in your area.

*  Canadian residents will be subject to a skill testing question before being able to claim their prize (this is standard law in Canada).  The skill testing question will be in a form similar to: 1 + 2 - 1 =

*  This giveaway is not for profit and no purchase is necessary to enter.

*  This giveaway is sponsored/administrated solely by this blog/blog author and is not affilitated with or sponsored by Blogger, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or any other entity, nor can they be held liable.

* By leaving a comment intending to enter into the draw for the giveaway (or "sweepstakes") you are knowingly agreeing to these rules/conditions.

I have chosen all the books/cards featured this month myself.  I have not been paid to feature a book, nor have I been asked to advertise for anyone.  This giveaway is not endorsed or sponsored by anyone other than Rue and Hyssop.

The Great October Book Giveaway - Botanical Magic

The following folks will be taking home beautiful botanical goodies:

 Dionne B. - The Herbcrafter’s Tarot

 Crystal L. - Blotto Botany

 Emily P. - The Illustrated Herbiary

 Inari F. - Hedgewitch's Botanical Oracle

 Congratulations!

 For those who didn’t luck out this round, not to worry, there are more treats to be had! Soar by on your broom tomorrow eve and toss your name in the hat for the next giveaway!




 As I write this, there is a howling wind shaking the trees beyond my window. I'm always a little blue when the leaves are stripped from the trees too quickly by greedy gusts. I like to revel in the fiery autumn colours as long as possible. But tomorrow there will be piles of gold and scarlet to swish my feet through, and that is the sort of thing that offers up a good amount of joy. It's difficult to believe that this delicious month is half over already, but the fun is not nearly finished yet. There is still an armful of books and treats to be had around these parts.

I do want to make an important shift in the entry process for the remaining giveaways. I've pulled several names as winners this month that had no way for me to contact them when I followed their linked comment. It's terribly sad to toss a name away that could have received a lovely parcel. Starting now, you must supply either your email address in the comments (in a safe form such as "Jen AT gmail") or a way to contact you via a non-private social media account (for example: twitter.com/rueandhyssop). You may also enter the current giveaway by sending me a note via the "make contact" button up at the top of the page - this automatically provides me with a way to contact you if you win. (EDIT Oct 18/19: The contact form has crashed as of this post. Please leave your entry as a comment, or if we are connected on social media and you want to privately enter this giveaway, then feel free to DM me. I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and I'm working behind the scenes to fix this ASAP but the Blogger platform is being problematic.) Thank you for taking this extra step to ensure I can reach you if you win!

Now...on to the next giveaway!

This is the first year in some time that I haven't bought myself a large number of herbal books. I've been working with individual plants in my gardens and wilds, attempting to learn more about the plant friends I already know and love, one on one. I've brought a few new herbs into my toolbox this year too, but I've taken a short pause from stuffing my brain with information and wanting to work with all the plants I can get my hands on. I've craved some quieter, more personal study this year. (There are some gorgeous herbal books coming out next year so you know this won't last long.) My only purchases were two books and two botanical themed card decks, and the reason I bought them was because I saw them all over Instagram this year. The reviews were excellent and the artistry and design of each item were unique and beautiful. I've been thrilled with them, and I know you will be too. Let's take closer look...

First up is The Illustrated Herbiary: Guidance and Rituals from 36 Bewitching Botanicals, by Maia Toll, stunningly illustrated by Kate O'Hara. The book is a set that includes cards for each plant mentioned, which can be employed as an oracle if you so choose. The Herbiary is a visual delight and is primarily a journey of connecting with the herbs Maia has chosen to feature. If you are looking for a field guide or a medicinal or practical herbal to help you learn to identify and grow/harvest plants, this is not that book. At the risk of sounding a little flippant, this book and card set feels like ordering dessert before dinner. It's swoon-worthy and luscious, though it isn't going to keep you alive all on its own. I do think it would make a fetching gift for anyone who already has mad crush on the natural world, and I'm pleased to have my own copy.

Drink to your health, your ancestors, and your friends. Make zines, write daily, make plants and stay true to your own tastes and well-being.” - An excerpt from Blotto Botany

Photo by Gingertooth and Twine

Next up is an alluring tome that was hand illustrated, written, and assembled by Spencre McGowan of Gingertooth and Twine. Originally a self-published zine, Blotto Botany: A Lesson in Healing Cordials and Plant Magic, is Spencre's herbal log and list of yummy experiments that was serendipitously found and re-published as a book by Harper Collins. I found Spencre on Instagram after hearing folks talk about how charming and wonderful her book was, so naturally I had to pick up a copy (and one for you too). I've only just begun to try some of the recipes within but I've got a long winter ahead (if the birds and the caterpillars are telling the truth) and I can't wait to play with more!

The first of two enchanting card decks I have for you is the Hedgewitch's Botanical Oracle by Siolo Thompson. (Siolo is also the artist and creator behind the Linestrider Tarot which I've previously shared with you.) The Botanical Oracle seems both sharp and fluid at once. Thompson's art offers the realism you want when learning about plants, with a somewhat liminal feel that benefits divination systems. Though the beautifully hefty Field Guide that accompanies the deck gives you a very nice overview of the medicinal and folkloric uses of each plant/card, it also encourages you to sense the magic inherent in the plants yourself. I've found this deck very accommodating. It works beautifully alongside other decks and I've felt immediately comfortable working with it and interpreting its messages. I'm already very attached to this deck and wouldn't part with it.

This year I've tried to curb my tarot/oracle purchases. Instead, I spent time pulling out older decks that I wanted to give some love to and make better use of. I have only three new decks this year (thus far). A magical, personal-run deck that was gifted to me by a beloved friend, the above oracle, and this next tarot set. 

I don't know that I've fallen for a tarot deck this hard in a long while. 

The Herbcrafter's Tarot is a labour of love from Latisha Guthrie and Joanna Powell Colbert. These are stunningly drawn cards with powerful messages. The companion book is stellar (the sturdy box with internal ribbon-as-lift is one you'll want to keep) and gives you information about the card through the lens of the plant depicted. It also offers medicinal and magical histories of the plants, as well as giving you practical and ritual crafting ideas to work with the plant and energy of that card.

You'll experience tarot in a new way with the intricate system Latisha and Joanna have laid out. Please do yourself a favour and click through the links to see the gorgeous cards - my photo doesn't do them enough justice!

I have one copy of each of these lovely books and decks to give away. I'll draw the four names on Sunday, October 20th at 9pm Pacific. Please ensure your email address or contact information is included in your comment. Feel free to share this post or any of the author/artist's work online and return here for a second entry. You may let me know which deck or book you'd prefer and though I can't promise to make it happen I'll do my best to match winners with their choices.

Legal Bits:

* This giveaway (or "sweepstakes") is open to all residents of Canada, (exluding Quebec residents) the USA, Great Britain, Europe, South America,  who are 18 years of age or older. This giveaway is void where prohitibited by law.  Please be aware of the contest/sweepstakes laws in your area.

*  Canadian residents will be subject to a skill testing question before being able to claim their prize (this is standard law in Canada).  The skill testing question will be in a form similar to: 1 + 2 - 1 =

*  This giveaway is not for profit and no purchase is necessary to enter.

*  This giveaway is sponsored/administrated solely by this blog/blog author and is not affilitated with or sponsored by Blogger, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or any other entity, nor can they be held liable.

* By leaving a comment intending to enter into the draw for the giveaway (or "sweepstakes") you are knowingly agreeing to these rules/conditions.

I have chosen all the books/cards featured this month myself.  I have not been paid to feature a book, nor have I been asked to advertise for anyone.  This giveaway is not endorsed or sponsored by anyone other than Rue and Hyssop

The Great October Tarot Giveaway

October 5/18

Thank you so much for the incredible response to this first giveaway! I wish I could pass something along to all of you (do swing back around this month and drop your name in the hat again) but I pulled four names from the official October cauldron, and the winners are:

The Nomad Tarot - Jennifer from Sparrow Tree Journal

Antique Anatomy Tarot - Anne D.

The Magician candle - Conjured Cardea

The Empress candle - Johanna

I'll send a note off to you asap!

And the next giveaway starts...now!

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When I first picked up a tarot deck I was nervous. I grew up feeling as though I wasn't at all intelligent and that notion gave me pause when I looked at a stack of 78 images that had layers of meanings to commit to memory. I dove in, despite my concern, and I fell in love with the cards and never looked back. (I also learned that reading is much more than rote memorization, and traditional interpretations are just one part of a tarot practice.)

Some readers believe that there's a benefit to starting out with a deck rich in imagery. I have always gravitated toward detailed cards that kept with the Waite-Smith themes. I especially enjoyed having the Minor Arcana sketched out for me. It wasn't until I took a class with Camelia Elias and opened my first Tarot de Marseille deck that I learned to appreciate cards where the artist left the suits to figure themselves out, without an added story line.

The two striking tarot decks I bought this year are both artist-produced projects, and are as different as they are beautiful. The Major Arcanas are simple yet compelling and offer just enough detail for those of us who still get giddy over symbolism. However, in these decks there is little excess information in the Minor Arcana - they get straight to the point (but in such eye-catching ways).

I am really pleased to start this magical month of giveaways off with these two artists!

image by Yulia Volchok

The first deck I have for you is the fifth anniversary reprint of The Nomad Tarot, by artist Jennifer Dranttel. In her words:

The Nomad Tarot is a modern, nature-based interpretation of the traditional 78-card Tarot Deck. Featuring striking white-and-navy linework illustrations and indigo shibori-covered card backs, this deck combines Pacific-Northwest flavored imagery with elements of Norse mythology, Native American totems, herbology, botany, alchemy, and the Kaballah. 

The 22 Major Arcana cards feature lush, highly symbolic unique imagery, and the Minor Arcana are illustrated as "pip" cards in suits representing the four elements: earth (crystals), fire (moths), water (shells), and air (feathers). All illustrations are hand-drawn, and card layouts and text generated digitally.

The second artist featured is Claire Goodchild of Black and the Moon. If you were around a few years back then you might have spotted one of the editions of Claire's Oracle of Oddities deck that I passed along to a lucky visitor. This year she tackled an entire tarot deck and has given us the Antique Anatomy Tarot. This is her Ephemera Edition and gives a special nod to old time apothecaries.

"It’s no surprise that I love all things that fall into the oddities category and I have wanted to create something inspired by a Victorian Apothecary for so long. 

People would go to their local pharmacy for all kinds of ailments, including magical needs and even minor surgery!"

And if the deck wasn't amazing enough, Claire was inspired to add two vigil candles, dressed with specific cards, to her collection. I knew you would swoon over them, so I picked up one of each for you too.

The Magician, according to Claire, speaks to manifesting, creativity and spiritual power. The Empress is all about abundance, beauty and fulfillment.

Is your trick-or-treat bag ready?

I've got one deck each of The Nomad Tarot and The Antique Anatomy Tarot to give away (please note: these decks do not come with books - these are cards only). I also have one each of Claire's tarot-kissed candles. You can feel free to mention in the comments which one of the four prizes you prefer and I'll do my best to match up names with their choices as much as possible.

This draw is open until Friday, October 5th at 9pm Pacific time. You may enter by either leaving a comment below, or contacting me via the "make contact" form (third tab in from the left, at the top of the page). I need to have a way to contact you if I draw your name, so please ensure your linked comment takes me to your contact info, or leave your email with your entry in a safe manner (for example: Jen (at) someplace (dot) com).

If you'd like a leg up on the competition, please feel free to share this post on your favourite social media site and then pop back and let me know in a separate comment that you've spread the love around, and I'll toss your name in the witch's hat a second time.

Welcome back, autumn friends. 

*All photos in this post are property of, copyrighted to, and linked back to their respective websites and artists and are used only for the purpose of displaying the items purchased for the giveaway.

Legal Bits:

* This giveaway (or "sweepstakes") is open to all residents of Canada, (exluding Quebec residents) the USA, Great Britain, Europe, South America,  who are 18 years of age or older. This giveaway is void where prohitibited by law.  Please be aware of the contest/sweepstakes laws in your area.

*  Canadian residents will be subject to a skill testing question before being able to claim their prize (this is standard law in Canada).  The skill testing question will be in a form similar to: 1 + 2 - 1 =

*  This giveaway is not for profit and no purchase is necessary to enter.

*  This giveaway is sponsored/administrated solely by this blog/blog author and is not affilitated with or sponsored by Blogger, Facebook, Twitter, or any other entity, nor can they be held liable.

* By leaving a comment intending to enter into the draw for the giveaway (or "sweepstakes") you are knowingly agreeing to these rules/conditions.

I have chosen all the books/cards featured this month myself.  I have not been paid to feature a book, nor have I been asked to advertise for anyone.  This giveaway is not endorsed or sponsored by anyone other than Rue and Hyssop

The Great October Book Giveaway - A Trio of Tarot

The decks will be haunting the halls of the following folks:

Halloween Tarot: Rebecca
The Wild Unknown: Liz D
Santa Muerte Tarot: Johanna
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As this most magic of months inches toward a spirit-fueled (or spirits-fueled, if you partake, or candy-inundated, if you trick-or-treat) climax, I thought I'd pass along something to assist with your Samhain divinations. You may prefer to peel an apple in one long piece, and toss the peel over your shoulder to spy the initial of your love. Or perhaps you'd rather place chestnuts or apple seeds in a fire to see if you and your crush are meant to be together. I am hoping that you've grabbed yourself a deck of playing cards to experiment with, but if you are still looking for the predictive tool that feels just-right to you, I might have something to tickle your fortune-telling bone.

My very first tarot deck was The Halloween Tarot by Kipling West. It's the one I still go back to time and again, and is so well-loved that I've always got a new deck on standby. All the readers I knew back when I was just starting out were reading the Rider-Waite-Smith or the Thoth deck (which I think is fabulous too) but I was looking for something I could really connect with. I'm a Halloween girl at heart, a lover of fairy tales and monster stories, black cats and pumpkins, and any kind of ghostly yarn, so when I saw West's illustrations they made my heart leap. It is a Rider-Waite based system, with the suits swapped out for more seasonal fare. Pentacles are pumpkins, swords are bats, cups are ghosts, and wands are imps. Charming and whimsical, but still brimming with the symbolism of the RW and wild fun to read with. (I've learned that it is even a favourite deck of the fabulous witch and reader, Judika Illes.)

Originally self-published in 2012 by creator Kim Krans, The Wild Unknown Tarot was a furious success and was eventually picked up by publisher HarperElixir in 2016. One of the bestselling self-published (at the time) decks on the market The Wild Unknown struck a chord with tarot fans with its stark, nature-based illustrations in black and white with bright punches of colour. (Click through to The Wild Unknown site to see Kim's art.)

The last deck I have to share is a brand new release this month. Santa Muerte Tarot, by Fabio Listrani, produced by Lo Scarabeo and published by Llewellyn has been released just in time to lay out your spread for The Day of the Dead. I haven't even opened my deck yet - it's that fresh!

I have one copy of each of these decks to pass out. In the case of The Halloween Tarot and The Wild Unknown, these are tarot sets that include good-sized guidebooks. We are running out of days in October, so you only have until 8 pm Pacific on October 30th to get your name into the hat!

As always, your comment is your entry and if you are the sort who likes to get an extra entry in you can always share this post around to your favourite social media haunt and I'll add your name a second time. Feel free to send along an entry via the "contact me" button up top if you are a bit shy or if the comment form is being finicky.

Legal Bits:

* This giveaway (or "sweepstakes") is open to all residents of Canada, (exluding Quebec residents) the USA, Great Britain, Europe, South America,  who are 18 years of age or older. This giveaway is void where prohitibited by law.  Please be aware of the contest/sweepstakes laws in your area.

*  Canadian residents will be subject to a skill testing question before being able to claim their prize (this is standard law in Canada).  The skill testing question will be in a form similar to: 1 + 2 - 1 =

*  This giveaway is not for profit and no purchase is necessary to enter.

*  This giveaway is sponsored/administrated solely by this blog/blog author and is not affilitated with or sponsored by Blogger, Facebook, Twitter, or any other entity, nor can they be held liable.

* By leaving a comment intending to enter into the draw for the giveaway (or "sweepstakes") you are knowingly agreeing to these rules/conditions.

I have chosen all the books/cards featured this month myself.  I have not been paid to feature a book, nor have I been asked to advertise for anyone.  This giveaway is not endorsed or sponsored by anyone other than Rue and Hyssop

What the Hell am I Doing With My Life - The Tarot Spread

I'm not a fan of April foolery, so in these last few minutes of March 31st, I'm offering you a silly-yet-useful bit of fun:

For those moments when you are just not sure that the guy, the girl, the job, the trip, the naked fire spinning, was such a good idea.

Card 1 - Where am I at right now?  (What the hell happened?)

Card 2 - Where am I headed?  (And will I find my pants?)

Card 3 - If I continue on this path, what can I expect to encounter?  (Please no spiders.)

Card 4 - How will this play out in the end if I keep moving in this direction?  (Hopefully booze.)

Card 5 - What is the overall theme/sense of this situation?  (Probably booze.)


The layout shown is a quickie sample. If you want a little more symbolism, you can lay out the cards in a compass or crossroads style. Card 1 would be in the north, Card 2 in the east, Card 3 in the south, and Card 4 in the West, with Card 5 in the center or over-laying the spread. Whatever works for you.

I rarely read for "timing" because I'm weirdly drawn to sabotaging myself if I narrow down a span of time for something. (I will purposely stall or rush an action - just to be particular.) If you are not prone to tossing a wrench in something just for fun, like me, cards 2, 3, and 4 can be timeline cards. Card 2 can signify immediate future, Card 3 can be a little further out (weeks), and Card 4 can speak to the far off future (months).

Enjoy! And may your path be bright with good fortune. (And may you always find your pants.)



~ Tarot deck shown is The Wildwood Tarot

Spring & Taxes

Walking in the yard yesterday, I noticed something of a rather striking green colour poking out of one of the raised garden beds.  Turns out that a stray onion had been missed in last Fall's harvest, and is sending up a little shoot.  I was happy to see him, but warned him of the Spring frosts and suggested he take another nap.   Either way, it seems the earth is slowly waking up. 

Yesterday was a sunny day and I got a good, long walk in.  A few of the horses in the field have been corralled now, so I imagine they are going to have their babies at any time.  It's so much fun watching the foals run around the field once they are let out to pasture again!

In the meantime, my tax deadlines loom.  For a bookkeeper this is the least fun time of year.  To keep from going completely nuts, I've been having Friday morning breakfasts with a group of girls that work at the store I bookkeep for.  Let me tell you - starting your day with pancakes or a great omelette and a few laughs can cure a host of ills!

Also on my "Tackle Tax-Time Without Totally Losing It" list:

~Wine.  Okay - wine is on every list I make.  Or Daiquiris.  But this is what I'm drinking now - my brother's Reisling, from Hillside Estate Winery.

~Perusing seed catalogues and doing drive-by's at the garden center to see if they have spring flowers out yet.

~Working with a new Tarot deck.  Although I love my Halloween Tarot and use it year round, I'm feeling like I need something a little lighter for the Spring.  I'm using the Mystic Faerie Tarot right now, and enjoying the pretty imagery.

~Eating far too many peanut butter M&M's.  Perhaps not a healthy way of dealing with work-stress, but having a bowl on my desk keeps me from tearing apart anyone who comes near my office this time of year. 

Things are actually going pretty smoothly thus far (knock on wood) so hopefully by March I'll be back to my regular work routine.

Also, a note to Ms. Smirk of Under the Autumn Moon:  there doesn't seem to be a way to contact you, even though you have a Blogger profile.  Please get a hold of me by the weekend, or I'll have to draw another name for the Garden Dreaming Giveway.  Thanks!

 

Cards, Anyone?

The cards and a few books have arrived! What fun to unpack and "ooh" and "ahh" over the pretty boxes and lovely art! The worst part is, I think I may have spent my next paycheque now - but at least the money is going to my own business!

I am going to give away one deck of Oracle cards, and one Tarot deck. It's easy - all you have to do is leave a comment! I will draw the two names in one week - on Friday, March the 5th, and post the names here - and contact the winners.

These are the two decks I've selected to give away:

An Oracle deck called: Path of the Soul Destiny Cards. These have gorgeous pictures of fractal art on them. I'm really drawn to this art form. Fractal art is the image of geometric equations. I was never very skilled at math in school - but if math was visual like this, I may have paid more attention!

The other deck is my first Tarot deck, and still my favourite. The Halloween Tarot by Kipling West. This deck is great for Tarot enthusiasts who like to switch up their decks seasonally (or, if you are like me, to use year-round!) It's also a lot of fun for those people who just dig Halloween themed items! I just adore this deck!

Who Knew Shopping Could Be This Much Fun?

I had so much fun today. Guess what I did?

My sister in law and I spent quite a bit of time going through Tarot and Oracle decks and kits, and ordered about 40 or more different decks for our online store. Although the store isn't up and running yet - April 1st is our official start date - we should have boxes of cards showing up on our doorstep later this week.

My favourite find was Ciro Marchetti's "Legacy of the Divine Tarot." (Ryan talked about it here.) I have his "Guilded Tarot" and we have ordered some of each deck. I think one of these may be staying with me....

I also really liked these "Spirit of the Wheel" cards. I am interested in learning more about Shamanism and Native Spirituality, and these cards grabbed me. So we ordered some of these too.

If you are looking for some great Tarot info, do check out Lyon's Tarot Den - she has super info and readings for you! Also Lizzy, from Lizzy's Logic does a Tarot Tuesday post each week.

As soon as the decks come in, I'm going to grab two (not telling which ones!) and do a giveaway. So check back - by about Friday I should have them in my hands. Looking forward to sharing them with you!