Awakening the Witch Within, winning the Wisdom - the first steps.

After consecrating the Phyllis Curott's Witches' Wisdom TAROT Deck, i've taken the first steps to win the Wisdom and to Awaken the Witch Within.

I did 1-card read with this intention, the intention for the Deck to show me the way for Self-Development as a Witch.


The card drawn was '10 of Earth'.

Meaning of the image is wandering in the forest, easy to get lost. Mushrooms are magical flora, and sometimes hallucinogens. To me, the trees also represent disturbing emotions.

But according to Phyllis Curott's guidebook for the TAROT deck, the meaning of the Card is as follows:


10 of Earth,
- Web of Life -

1. WISDOM.

Seize the golden thread leading into the magic forest, a strand in the Web of Mushrooms and Mycelium, the conscious Web of Life. Lie upon the mossy ground and listen. Below the surface of soil and perception is a network of connection, alive and humming with messages, pulsing with the energy, nourishment, and healing flowing from one being to another. Everything is joined in this intervoven mystery, this hidden world within the world. It seems strange and other, yet familiar and ecstatic when you taste it on your tongue. Your DNA will recognize what your mind has forgotten: all beings are connected and depend upon one another.

2. ESSENCE.

Consciousness of Creation, interconnection, communion, green wisdom. You are never alone. Web of support.

3. COUNSEL.

You're called into deeper community and higher consciousness, beyond your current understanding. The Plant People are willing and wise teachers, and many are healers who will teach you about the medicine within the heart of every person. Commit to a path of beauty, harmony, and balance in body and soul. Recognize, revere, and celebrate your connections with Creation.

4. MAGIC.

Take a walk. Ask a plant to be your ally and teacher, to help you understand the greater consciousness of Life. It may be a weed growing in a sidewalk crack or the largest tree in the park. Whatever it is, observe it, listen to it, talk to it. Research its biology, folklore, and medicine. Cultivate your relationship with it and honor its wisdom.

--

I've understood that to develop as a Witch, i need to connect with other Witches, to learn and help each other. We are all interconnected, interdependent, which means that we depend upon each other to become what we want to be. Perhaps the Internet is a beginning, just a beginning. The central guidance, the higher consciousness - perhaps a Witches' Deity - is important too.

I've understood that i should have more time and attention for the Nature and for the World of Plants, and walked among the spring bushes and trees in my apartment block. I've chosen single tree as the most important one for me... perhaps it should be my Plant Teacher, but no rush... such relations need time to develop well.

The path seems to be obscured by confusion, disturbing emotions and conflicts, but in the forest there are clearings too.

Witches' Wisdom TAROT.

Introduction

There are many TAROT decks, some more and some less similar to 'classic' A.E. Waite's TAROT (also known as Rider-Waite TAROT).

I have some decks in my collection, but there's one special deck that i want to describe in a more detailed way, in this article.

Witches' Wisdom TAROT.

Created by Wiccan Priestess - Phyllis Curott, and Witch Artist - Danielle Barlow, this deck can be described as a 'Healing' deck.

This deck is meant to not have 'upside down' card draws and it's symbolism is gentler and 'less patriarchal' than in A.E. Waite's TAROT. More Wicca/Witchcraft, less of 'Abrahamic Religions'.

Unlike in most of other decks, the TAROT tools (Swords, Cups, Wands, and Pentacles) in this deck's Minor Arcana are replaced with elements they represent (Air, Water, Fire, Earth).

Curott's Deck can be used both for fortunetelling, as well as for spellcasting practices.

And more than that - it can be used as a way for self-development as a Witch, as a way to gain Wisdom and to awaken the Witch within. That's the main way of how this blog's author wants to use this TAROT deck.



'One doesn't have to be a Witch to benefit from Wisdom in this Deck.
This TAROT speaks to seekers of any spirituality, age, race, or gender identity
with culturally diverse imagery and universal wisdom'.


Personal Journey.

Complete with Deck, there's the Guidebook written by Phyllis Curott where one can find information about:
- How to make the Deck personal, how to Consecrate it and fill with one's own energies,
- How to do Elemental Journey with the Minor Arcana cards,
- How to do Soul Journey with the Major Arcana cards,
- How to do Divination with this Deck, the Witches' Wisdom TAROT will prophesize, foretell, and guide,
- How to perform Guided Visualizations, to enter a card and it's story, encounter the characters, creatures, teachers and Spirits, learn the lessons, and receive the blessings they offer,
- How to perform Journeying into the cards' imagery, to experience their magick and meaning,
- How to Meditate (on the imagery of TAROT cards) to alter consciousness and encounter Spirit,
- How to do Invocation, a powerful Magickal practice to call upon a deity or Spirit, etc ... to guide one or help, or whatever one needs,
- How to do Spellcasting, give divine energy flowing through caster a shape and form,
- Cards' meanings (both Minor Arcana and Major Arcana),
- Witches' Wisdom Deck's recommended spreads (1-card, 3-card, and 'Compass Rose').

How to calculate your Birth Tarot Card.

Firstly, break your birth date down into 4 digits.

Example: 18/10/1997 - 18 + 10 + 19 + 97 = 144.

14 + 4 = 18 - The Moon.

1 + 8 = 9 - The Hermit.

To find the card numbers, the link is here.


An exception may be that the equation ends in 19 meaning you will get a total of 3 cards. This is because 1 + 9 = 10, and 1 + 0 = 1, effectively making your cards The Sun, The Wheel and The Magician.


Source: How to calculate your Birth Tarot Card on Tree of Life.


Blog author's birthdate is: 13 + 09 + 19 + 77 = 22 + 96 = 118.

11+8 = 19 (The Sun).

1+9 = 10 (Wheel of Fortune).

1+0 = 1 (The Magician).

Mage: the Ascension TAROT ... & 'The Mage' Card.

Is a Mage: the Ascension TAROT a real TAROT ?

... i don't see why not.

Even if whole deck seems a bit 'unusual', it has Major Arcana & Minor Arcana, Swords, Cups, Pentacles & Wands.

Each of the cards is a symbol, details & meanings are available in a booklet as well.




Here's an example of 'The Mage' Card from M:tA TAROT:

I - The Mage. Meaning: Will. Communication, Inherent Ability, Memory, Clarity of thought and feeling, Organization, Invention, Originality. Reversed: Weakness, Indecision. Association: Virtual Adepts -- 'What is will but the projection of energy into the world of matter?' With an act of conscious thought, Dante grasps the wand of Prime, closing the link between the energy that gives him the power of magic and the tools that lie before him on the table of the world. The building blocks of his desires — the Primordial, Questing, Dynamic and Pattern Essences — contain within them the remaining eight Spheres of magic; The key to knowledge unlocks them all. The infinite hovers, crown-like, above him. Reality, virtual or otherwise, belongs to him.

Incense & TAROT in use.

... i have many types of incense sticks, not only witchcraft-related.

Buddhism-related i have:
- Chenrezig Incense (chenrezig is bodhisattva or buddha of compassion),
- Kalachakra Incense (kalachakra is wheel of time),
- Satya Karma Incense (i think that this incense potentially improves one's karma, by opening to friendships with Indian people - mostly buddhists, but also hinduists).

Today ordered also:
- Green Tara Incense (for calmness and general well-being),
- Mahakala Incense (for protection. mahakala is the protector of buddha's lessons in karma kagyu buddhism school and lineage. every living being is a lesson as well),
- Jambala Incense (for wealth - both inner and external wealth, for spending money wisely as well).


Today i've burned Satya Karma Incese stick, made mind contact with people from India, and talked (in mind) with one buddhist girl from India. We'll try to be friends. We agreed to call her Makalu, as is mountain in Himalayas named.

She wanted me to burn compassion incense stick and draw a card from Mage: the Ascension TAROT.

... i did as she wanted.

Compassion incense was burnt with intent for compassion within our mandalas (word mandala means powerfield) - with special emphasis for Indian Buddhism and Indian Hinduism mandalas.

... i read in a book 'Being Useful' with long review with Lama Ole Nydahl, that a being can be surrounded by powerfield. i understand it (not sure if i'm not wrong) that compassion within madalas is compassion within sanghas (buddhist communities) and/or other spiritual groups.

... is powerfield a form of energies generated by spiritual groups?


TAROT card drawn was: '2 of wands', with meaning of Union, Rulership, Power, etc.

... it seems we'll work together with her to unify sanghas and use power of our groups to fight against worst common foes.

... is it Nihilist groups?

TAROT - More than Fortunetelling.

When someone asks how he or she should start learning Magick, i say - buy a TAROT deck of cards.

TAROT is mostly known for it's fortunetelling uses, but i think it's far more.


Each card is a Symbol, different TAROT decks have different images and meanings. Magicians use symbols in their Spellwork.


There are also Ritual Tools of TAROT:
- Athamé,
- Chalice,
- Pentacle,
- Wand.

These are useful in Spellwork & Rites.


Also, i am noticing similarities between TAROT and Jung's Psychology.

Important ideas in Jungian Psychology are Archetypes - i've read that TAROT is not so much Occult as Archetypal. Archetypes worked far in past, before TAROT decks were created.


What exactly are Jungian Archetypes?

... i need to learn more.

eBook of Shadows.

Electronic Grimoire / eBook of Shadows suits a Computer-oriented Magician / Virtual Adept / that i am.

... it's a black Kindle 10, with a green/grey case and touch-pen.

... i'm storing there documents & media related to Arts & Sciences, to Buddhism & Esoterics.

See also, if You wish: [ A Book of Shadows ].


The magick-related files on electronic devices connect (symbolically) computers/devices to magickal lore, magickal art, magickal symbols & magickal power. This is also example of use of Correspondence Sphere (idea from Mage: the Ascension, from which term: 'Virtual Adept' originates). When symbols representing objects are put close to each other, energy flows more freely, quicker, without disruptions, without unnecessary intermediaries or barriers. A lot of Correspondence work is just that - managing where symbols are put, designing energy flow routes, designing which objects should 'play' with which objects.

One of ebooks stored in my electronic book of shadow's memory is 'Ghosts & Spirits TAROT' by Lisa Hunt.

Unlike printed paper copies, which tend to be misplaced - .pdf files can be backed-up - for example: in cloud storage and/or usb pendrive.

M:tA & TAROT.

Not since today i am styling myself as a Virtual Adept, a member of one of Traditions in Mage: the Ascension roleplaying game.

... i've called art-style that i'm creating: 'Art of Magick & Light'.

Then i've learned from Leaders of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn that roleplaying games have uses in real magick.

... either way, i bought Mage: Ascension TAROT Deck.

-=- Air & Water - Mist Together.-=-

-=- Holy Mist. -=-


This art piece joins Dynamism (air element, holy masculine thoughts) with Primordialism (water element, holy feminine feelings).

My TAROTs.

... i've collected a few of TAROT decks, each have different symbolics in its illustrations ... conveys more or less slightly different meanings.

1. A.E. Waite TAROT - classic deck,
2. Ghosts & Spirits TAROT by Lisa Hunt - explores ideas related with death, spirits & ghosts - perhaps good for discovering past lives, before current incarnation,
3. Fantastical Creatures TAROT by Lisa Hunt - got it for beautiful Arts within it,
4. Mage: the Ascension TAROT - mostly for Virtual Adept related activities,
5. Golden Dawn Magical TAROT - for fortunetelling, for magic, for rituals ... white magick mostly,
6. Aleister Crowley's THOTH TAROT - for black magick & sex magick mostly (well, i do not intend to do sex magick until i meet again a buddhist woman I love),
7. Witches' Wisdom TAROT by Phyllis Curott - for showing me the way to develop myself as a Witch, to win Wisdom and awaken my Inner Witch,
8-9. Marseilles TAROT - it is in two copies, because i first bought deck, then book ... and book came with second copy of this deck.

A Three of the Card 'Games'.

... i am not the best of card games players, but 3 of card 'games' are important for me.

- TAROT, it's not only a game,
- Magic: the Gathering - including the online version,
- Poker.


M:tG is short for Magic: the Gathering.

M:tGO is short for Magic: the Gathering Online.

i am using M:tGO Cards with Skrying to learn Real Magick as well.

See also, if You wish: Magic Game, Awakening Shadow Pentacle for Protection.


During first official tournament of M:tG in Poland, i was on 3rd place.

My friend from high school (Konrad Zalewski) was 2nd, he was good enough with 'Poker Tricks' to know when i have Counterspells still.

He used for a while 'Glasses of Urza' MtG card (it reveals hand) to learn me & my reactions to cards i have & his play.

Poker Face is important in any card game & not only, i think. Other of 'Poker Tricks' as well.

... what is '... hota play ?' and 'hold'em' as in 'Texas Play' ?

... i am aware of a facebook game: 'texas hold'em poker', but i don't know if it's good enough for people's needs.

;).

... i didn't play it yet ...




... spying is basis of strategy, and strategy let's win against greater forces.

TAROT Cards & Tools.

TAROT Cards & Tools.


Recently i have completed all of basic TAROT Tools & a Deck of TAROT Cards.


1. A Deck of TAROT Cards.

Associated with Spirit, as it joins Elements & Genders, Mind Aspects as well.


2. Athamé.

Associated with the Element of Air, Thoughts Mind Aspect & a Masculine Gender.

Magickal Power (by Element): To Know.


3. Pentacle.

Associated with the Element of Earth, Thoughts Mind Aspect & a Feminine Gender.

Magickal Power (by Element): To be Silent.


4. Wand.

Associated with the Element of Fire, Feelings Mind Aspect & a Masculine Gender.

Magickal Power (by Element): To Will.


5. Chalice.

Associated with the Element of Water, Feelings Mind Aspect & a Feminine Gender.

Magickal Power (by Element): To Dare.


The Circle is now Complete.


See also, if You wish or need, ... :
- Elemental Correspondences,
- Magic Tools: Elements, Gender & other Aspects.

A TAROT Scry #1.

A TAROT Scry-cast #1.

Question: How to protect my future daughter, what problems are there to overcome?
Spread Type: A Star.
Deck: Marseilles' TAROT.


Spread: A Star.

Spread: A star.

1: where am i?
2: my tasks.
3: my difficulties.
4: my strong aspects.
5: my goal.


A cast.

1: where am i? [ Reversed King of Swords ].

it's reversed - might be interpreted as fault overcome already & to overcome again and again, ...


meaning of the card is: 'Puppetmaster' for whom the spirituality is important.

main dangers are tendency to manipulate oneself & others - spiritual weapon should be used, Truth is important.

another danger is tendency to overlook unconscious, focusing too much on what is revealed.


2: my tasks. [ Knight of Pentacles / Coins ].

meaning of the card is: 'Seeds & Husk', suggesting there's lot of work, lot of inner faults to overcome & turn into inner wealth, richness, noble spiritual glow, a diamond-shine.

when thinking 'pentacles', one might look at thoughts, at earthly aspects of personality, at protecting aspects to refine.

when thinking 'coins' one might look at just seeking proper employment & honing the work skills, generosity as well.


3: my difficulties. [ Ace of Wands ].

meaning of the card is: 'Vitality', without fire (feelings) there's no driving motivation, no true will. associated tool is the wand, which should be mastered ... with a skill refinement vitality & control over fire grows after all. wand should be used to gain practice, despite 'burnt fears fire' experiences.


4. my strong aspects. [ Knight of Swords ].

meaning of the card is: 'Thoughts Race', going toward unconscious. there are 'treasures' to be discovered, as well as dangers of impulses that attempt to sway one's behaviours. challenge is to bravely delve into unconscious, to face one's dark side, to use disturbing thoughts & feelings as fuel, to return with discovered treasures of precious ideas & experiences.


5. my goal: [ A Nine of Pentacles / Coins ].

red is above blue part - it's not reversed - as i attempt to help in 'hells' more at this moment in life, than in 'heavens'. witchcraft, even 'of hells' is important for me afterall.

meaning of the card is: 'neccessity made conscious', every being is precious - including kids i fight for, my love & myself. every being brings something precious to earth, makes it different, often better. one should focus on what's important, on spiritual matters, on personality refinement, etc.

TAROT, Planets & Luminaries.

'Analysis Complete' by Nerialka.

The Sun. : The 'inner king'. Integrity — Self-Discovery — Action. Associated Tarot cards: The Sun, Strength.	The Moon. : The 'inner child'. Emotions — Self-Nourishment — Instinct. Associated Tarot cards: The High Priestess, The Chariot.
Mercury. : 'Messenger of the gods'. Reason — Communication — Self-Awareness. Associated Tarot cards: The Magician, The Lovers, The Hermit.	Venus. : 'Goddess of Love'. Relationships — Inner Strength — Personal Choices. Associated Tarot cards: The Empress, The Hierophant, Justice.
Mars. : 'God of War'. Assertion — Drive — Control. Associated Tarot cards: The Tower, The Emperor.

... and so on (not ready to share more).

Source: Tarot & Astrology: Planets.

- Mercury. -		- The Moon. -

Queen of Pentacles, The Card.

Suit of Pentacles (Coins).

In occult and divinatory usage the suit of Pentacles is connected with the classical element of Earth, the physical body and possessions or wealth.

Pentacle is also a Powerful Protection symbol.


The Queen of Pentacles.

The Queen of Coins is described as 'Sensual and earthy, she enjoys abundance in many areas of her life. A lover of luxury, she is quick to share her wealth'.

The Queen of Pentacles can indicate fertility or a pregnancy.

Like all court cards, the Queen of Coins is commonly interpreted to refer to a person playing some role in the life of the questioner; although it may represent the inquirer.

Queens are said to represent mother figures and adult women, or young women mature for their years; women of knowledge and wisdom.

She can also be a business woman, a patron of the arts, a provider, or one that works hard for material success.

She is a maternal, nurturing, down-to-earth person, who is concerned with the welfare of others, especially those she cares for.

The interpreted physical characteristics of the suit of coins include dark hair and eyes, dark complexions and sturdy build.

In the Reversed aspect, this Queen neglects her responsibilities, keeping up appearances regardless of circumstances.


Of the Mountain.

Associated with the Element of Earth, the Queen of Pentacles is also a power within us that carries us to 'the heights of living', where the heavens meet with earth, where spirit meets matter, where hard reality meets freedom.


See also, if You wish, or need, ... : Suit of coins on Wikipedia, Magic Tools: Elements, Gender & other Aspects, The Witches Pentacle, more as well.

Ace of Hearts, The Card.

Suit of Cups (Chalices).

... the suit of cups or suit of goblets is one of the four suits of latin-suited playing cards. these are used in spain ("copas"), italy ("coppe") and in TAROT. the suit of hearts is derived from the suit of cups.

these are sometimes referred to as chalices as well as cups.

Source: Suit of cups on Wikipedia.


(... still a unfinished article, will write more as soon as i can).

Queen of Cups, The Card.

Richness of Feelings.

When we meet with richness of feelings, we often think that we had too much ... or that our soul was changing too often to enjoy, to form beneficial relationships with ourselves & with others.

Often this is not the truth, for generosity in feelings helps to see the natural limits of our empathy, where our individuity ends ... & where other people's territory is.

After seeing these limits, cup closes itself & we can start building relationships where both our personal distances, as well as shared thoughts & feelings can be experienced.


Need for spiritual wholeness.

On card we can see seemingly-contradiction: a closed cup & whole, solid throne representing both solid-wholeness & openess of the soul.

There's the message to not be too soft nor too hard, to be able to both open oneself & to see the limits of everyone involved.

If one succeeds in this, the one can feel as whole, is well tuned & solid ... can have good mood & can speak as one even when representing many.


See also, if You wish: Queen of Cups (Tarot card), my First Mandala TAROT Reading.

Ace of Swords, The Card.

Spiritual & Material, Absolute & Relative.

Spirit reaches it's Prime, reaches it's full potential once it's free of relativity, once it heads towards Absolute.

There's the risk of losing roots, of alienation from relatives, of alienation from one's past.

Once joined however, absolute & relative, spiritual & material ... fruits of spiritual pursuit are within reach.


Spritual Weapon & Awareness.

The Crown, The Prize of Spiritual Way is Awareness.

Sword is the double-edged weapon, it protects as well as harms, both our enemies & us, etc ...

Awareness is shown on the Card, as closed circle, as the Crown that holds double-edges of the Sword within, of the Spiritual Weapon.

Mastery is Awareness, of how every move Protects, as well as how it harms & who.

i think that skillful, wise & compassionate moves Protect powerfully, while Harming the least.


Spiritual Weapon.

What truly is Spiritual Weapon, represented by Swords of TAROT?

i think it's both Knowledge of Absolute Truth, as well as the ability to Express, the ability to Speak.

There's accomplishment & reputation as well.

As one Criticizes certain type of behavior, preferably not aimed at someone specific, certain beings gain in Meaning, others are losing Meaning however.

Consequences of using Spiritual Weapon are either better or worse Karma, not neccessarily seen immediately.

i read that seeing this the Card, one should prepare & increase hers or his awareness to benefit fully of it.


Increasing Awareness.

how to do this?

... perhaps by aiming to be closer to Absolute, to learn what's needed at the given moment & learn the Way.

Divination, Scrying, TAROT.

... had insights, seems to make sense for me.


The Divination.

is asking the Knowledgeable, the Higher, the Divine beings a question(s).

... even if this Divinity comes from either Heavens or Hells.


The Scrying.

it's a Fore-Tell of a Future, it's based on observation(s) ...

Observed can be Cosmic Signs, Mind States, People or Places, other Beings or Phenomena as well.

... it's also seeing far.


The Scope.

both the Divination as well as Scrying form a Karmic Connection(s) with parts of the World,

... 'Beings' & 'Worlds of Ideas' are World's parts as well.

... this allows for a Supernatural Perception, of being Aware & more.

... this allows for a better Future's Understanding, at least a part(s) of it.

there are other parts however, that can interfere, the Future can play different that way.

knowing too much to handle, or too many connections ... might lead to insanity, be aware of that.


The TAROT Cards.

this works by forming Connections with TAROT Symbols, the Cosmic Signs.

Living Beings can speak for these Signs, can be Particularly Tied to One or Few.

Mind can be observed during a TAROT's a cast, these Signs can tell ...

Much depends on Interpretation, on Honesty, on a Self-Discipline, on Experience with that.


see also if You wish or need, ... : TAROT as a Mirror, Mind's Mirror.


Protecting Sanity.

had insight,

... perhaps protections can be built,

... from insanity coming from knowing too much,

... from having too much of karmic connections as well.

... could use this kind of Protection, i wish to participate in building them, for myself, for others as well.

... but not at all cost.

The Magician Card.

'Magic is when something occurs despite' (Suzanne Weymann).

There's Magic that is true, Really Occuring, Independent, Indivisible.

There's Magic that is not a fantasy.

The Number of 'The Magician' Card, of 1, is Indivisible.

'Indivisible' in Latin is 'Individuum'.

Flashy heroes & villains described in films, wielding flashy supernatural powers are without meaning.

It's about discovering a Real Magic, Supernatural Strength that Everyone can Wield.

Everyone has a Chance to Notice & Use that a Chance ...

... i think it is a Matter of Sensivity & Perceptions, a Matter of being Trained in Noticing Magic & Using it Properly as it Shows before us.

Mages are Individual, but groups of Individuals are a Community, in a way at least ...

No one can give, nor take away Magical Strength from us, Magical Strength appears in us by itself.

-- Quoted & Translated from the book 'TAROT dla początkujących' by Evelin Bürger, Johannes Fiebig.

see also, if You wish: The Magician (Tarot card).

The Sage Card.

The Sage hold the Lantern, it's used to return world to 'prime state', to better the world, to heal the world, to defeat Shadows (inner fears) of the Past, Now & Future.

Each of being brings something to the world, without them this would not exist.

Transforming inconsistences, in and outside us, the light becomes stronger.

It's not escape nor innocence that bring us Sage's Power, it's fulfilling one's tasks, solving our issues ... without hiding anything 'under carpet', that does so.

-- Quoted & Translated from the book 'TAROT dla początkujących' by Evelin Bürger, Johannes Fiebig.

see also, if You wish: The Hermit (Tarot card).