happy birthday!

I know it’s the third time this week. Maligayang kaarawan sa aking kaibigan na si Mhace! I know our schedules barely meet this week but I do hope you are doing really well on this special day. I wanted to be the first to greet when I realized the five-hour time differential which would make me wake up 5:00 A.M. You know it’s impossible for me right?

 

So I drop the idea. But hush my devoted minion, I dealt you a tarot reading and for the record I used my very special card for this reading. You are actually the first person I read using this card.

I was originally planning to do Celtic Cross spread when the first card I drew turned out to be one of the instruction cards I forgot to remove from the deck. It suggested that I do the Seven Day spread. So shall we?

The Seven Day spread calls for seven cards each to represent the seven days of the week. Each day/position has pre-determined nature or aspect which will be the guide in interpreting the card drew. But I employed different disciplines and influences such as numerology and the ruling deity and planetary influences of each represented day in this session.

Seven cards to tell a tale,
The Past and Present upon we sail;
Hopes, Fears and Dreams come next in line,
With conflicted paths that dogs with time;
Outer Forces prevail upon this theme;
With Suggestion and Result to end the scene.
– Zach Wong (Creator, the Revelation Tarot)

• Monday (The Past) – Usually is read in a reflective manner, and focuses on the issues of the past leading up to the question.
• Tuesday (The Present) – Can give a brief description as to what the current situation holds for the inquirer.
• Wednesday (Hidden Influences/Hopes Fears Expectations) – Highlights the complexities, which go on in the mind of the enquirer. These are driving forces, which usually go unsaid but are felt or thought of in the subconscious.
• Thursday (Obstacles to Overcome/Areas of Conflict) – This may reflect directly at the enquirer, or the situation. A card in this position offers advice on terms of deal with the current situation, leading up to a possible suggestion later on in the Saturday position.
• Friday (The Environment/Outside Influences) – This position usually brings to light the external forces, which the inquirer has no control over which will effect the situation or the inquirer directly.
• Saturday (What Should Be Done) – A suggestion as to a path, which could be taken
• Sunday (Possible Outcome) – A possible outcome or warning of may come as a result as to the path taken in the Saturday Position.

Mhace’s cards were:
Monday – King of Pentacles (reverse)
Tuesday – Ten of Cups (reverse)
Wednesday – King of Cups
Thursday – Two of Cups (reverse)
Friday – Three of Cups (reverse)
Saturday – Ten of Wands
Sunday – Two of Swords

Additional cards drew:
Seven of Swords (reverse)
Eight of Pentacles
Death (reverse)

I was actually confused as to which direction to interpret the spread. There is conflict of the emotional wealth and material wealth, of personal happiness and that of the family.

Somehow, I felt one’s heart longing to be special, to be taken cared off and yet there exist the responsibility to put others interest first.

The past showed financial struggles which could explain the current call to improve one’s way of living.

However, as the mentioned earlier, the thought attaining what the heart desires is in rival with what was originally aimed (financial improvement). There is a presence of a man which one perceived will answer the heart’s call. But beware of those who are good in words for it is their craft to weave deceit.

The conflict will continue unless one finds a way for the two ends to meet. Worry not of what one can’t control but that which is within reach. Although it may seem like a mountain-of-a-task, believing on one’s capability and focusing on the resolution rather than the result will be valuable tools.

At the end of the day, favorable outcome is foreseen. Balance is necessary and will be achieved. Trust will attest once again its fragility and will be the make-or-break factor of one’s feat over all of these issues.

Mhace be careful trusting anyone. It will shape you.

para kay Karl

For Karl’s reading, I used my first tarot deck since I was easier to interpret. I followed the Celtic Cross spread – one of the commonly used spread which provides a fairly in-depth look at a situation including past, present and external influences. It requires 10 cards, the first six cards are to be arrange in a cross like figure and the remaining four cards line up on the side of the cross.

1. Basis of the situation (beneath the second card) – It represents the general tone of the reading and identifies the problem for the querent.
2. Crosses the situation – This card shows the challenges or obstacles that are facing the querent.
3. Subconscious – The true nature of how the querent feels about the matter.
4. The past – Events of the recent past that will have influence or effect on the matter at hand.
5. Conscious – The querent’s known feelings, which should be read in conjunction with card 3.
6. The future – Something that will come to pass in the near future.
7. The querent – The attitude and influence of the querent, and the role they play in the situation.
8. The environment – The surroundings of the querent in this situation (possibly reflecting family, friends or work relationships).
9. Hopes and fears – This card shows how the querent is feeling about the possible outcome of the situation.
10. Final outcome – This is how the situation will play out.

As a matter of personal preference/practice, I exchanged the placement of cards nos. 4 to 6. My fourth card takes the place of the Conscious position, followed by the Past position and then the Future position.

Karl’s cards were:
The present issue – The World
What crosses it – Prince of Hearts
Subconscious – Four of Pentacles
Conscious – Ten of Swords
The past – The Hierophant
The future – Ace of Heart
The querent – Prince of Wands
The environment – The Star
Hopes & fears – King of Pentacles
Final outcome – Nine of Swords

Additional cards drew:
Nine of Wands
Nine of Pentacles
Eight of Wands

Karl has had a rocky start this year with a sudden shift in career which shocked the hell out of us.

The cards suggested very strong pursuit of financial benefits. There may be thoughts of going overseas but one struggle in leaving the comforts of a familiar environment, the lay back atmosphere one has grew accustomed in and individuals one has emotional attachments with. On a conscious level, one is contemplating failure and futility of efforts especially since there is a tendency of resisting changes and being a conformist and by the book. Although the past has proved this true, one is aware and mindful of being open new possibilities and adopting a less conservative approach to things. However, people around can help but think that one is rushing things to completion. The universe (for lack of better term) implies to let time work its wonder. The immediate future invokes sweet success but one needs to learn to phase his actions for haste is certain to follow the foot steps of a dreadful end.

Eostre – Oestre – Eastre – Easter

I can’t remember an instance where I observed or performed a special rite for this Sabbath. Frankly I have no excuse since I never really gave it much thought. More often, this Sabbath is overshadowed by Candlemas and Beltane. I am one of those guilty Wiccans who neglect the Lesser or Minor Sabbaths, as some termed them.

From what I know, Ostara or spring equinox is observed generally late March to the second week of April. Some conveniently hold it on March 20 to 21. Speculations have it that Ostara was originally dedicated to the Teutonic goddess Eostre (or Oestre or Eastre). She is believed to be the goddess of spring and of dawn. In the same light as this ancient deity, Ostara is the time when life is renewed, fertility and embarking on new endeavors. Some claim that Easter was actually derived from this festival, the validity of which I prefer not comment on.

In olden days, Ostara makes the start of spring when farmers start to sow the field, so explain the predominance of the color light green for this Sabbath. A simple rite runs on the same concept. Aside from the usual implements, a pot of soil, planting seeds, parchment paper and pen will be needed. During the ritual, write on the parchment those that you plan to start and accomplish for the year. Then offer this to you deity for their blessing then set it on fire until the entire sheet is turned into ashes. Combine this to the pot of soil where the seed will be planted.

You can make the above rite fancier if you so desire but focus on the intent rather than the form. Remember we do not perform magick on Sabbath, as much as possible. We commune with our deity and ask for their blessing (I know I’m weird).

But personally, I’ll just light a candle tonight and contemplate on the heights I wish to reach and the things I need to change in order to achieve those aspirations.

Blessed Ostara!

pagan festival of lights

Today, modern pagans (or at least some of them) all around the world are observing one of the old religions’ sabbaths – Imbolc. Imbolc can be define or describe in a number of ways as there are a number of pagan traditions nowadays. Even the date in which it is celebrated varies which I will not discuss in detail since it’s more likely that you won’t even bother reading through the technicals. Borrowing from the Celtic origins, Imbolc literally means “in the belly” which refers to the “pregnancy of ewes”. This is also a Celtic term for spring since this holiday marks the start of it. Celts traditionally dedicate this day in honor of the goddess Brigid, whom was later canonized by the Christian church to sainthood. This brought about the celebration of Candlemas in place of the original Imbolc feast as part of the reformation.

Coming from a Wicca background, I view Candlemas as a festival for the hearth and home. I tend to not conform to what is written in books published abroad since it does not depict the Philippines. Hence, the exercise of celebrating these Sabbaths serves as way of attuning myself with my physical environment and the cosmic universe.

I still follow a conventional ritual layout with implements and correspondences limited to what is available locally. Yellow is the prevailing color of my altar. However, I do not invoke other deities (goddess Brigit for example) than the Trinities I pledged myself to.

Since Imbolc is the celebration of the lengthening days and the early sign of spring, my typical ritual will include lighting of candles in every room of my house. Further, the group I am in traditionally celebrates Candlemas with a great number of candles which explains why we prefer to use Candlemas instead of Imbolc.

I also do divination and prosperity and blessing spells during Candlemas but not necessarily.

As for the date, I use the moon phases to gauge the observance of most Sabbaths. Incidentally, it is the full moon this evening so I’ll likely perform the ritual within the next three days, aside from the group ritual I was invited to attend tomorrow. I haven’t confirmed my attendance yet but Isis knows how I wanted to attend another organized ritual. It’s just that Aye still won’t understand. Anyway, blessed Candlemas to everyone!

that what is unknown

I am no Wiccan! Well I used to be, somehow. Ah what the hell!

Alright, I was into occult a couple of years ago (say five years ago), and to date I still meddle with the supernatural but not as dedicated as before. This strange fondness to what is considered taboo by others started during my childhood, like most occultists would claim. But I am not saying that I commune with nature spirits like gnomes, sylphs, fairies and other elemental entities nor I have the extraordinary “power” at my disposal. I was extra sensitive, to place it.

My sensitivity was limited to those within this plane of ours. I don’t claim that I feel or sense ghostly entities (as frequent as others do). I have this thing with other people’s emotions. Later on early in college, I can sense how my partner (that time) was feeling. Well to some it may appear pretty normal, but I find it extraordinary given that I know when my ex will call, the whatabouts, if the poor thing is sick. It was pretty easy for me to make a connection with anyone I wish to. Plain empathy to most, I beg to defer.

Likewise, I also did conjuration and spell casting with tangible results.

Those led me to research and formally study the meat of occultism. With the vast information in the web, I got into Wicca, one of the earth-based belief systems. For a year, I studied Wicca. Lived it. Became it. I was in the verge of reforming myself where I met several individuals sharing the same belief. Some were seasoned, most were dabbler. Paganism was picking its way to the Philippine populace, particularly the youth back then. It was pretty easy to make acquaintances and find groups which I did and I joined. I eventually broke away to practice solitarily.

I was at the pick of my practice when I had to lay it off to concentrate on the demands of my college, real world. Before knew it, the fire of Wicca died out in me. My mind was corrupted with mundane stuff, my body abused. I was totally lost and don’t even know where to pick up.

My former group is still there, some of the guys there are more seasoned than I am now. I do regret leaving and neglecting my practice. But craft or no craft at all, the belief that my exploration into the unknown had instilled in me remained and will remain with me no matter how mundane I stay.

The God I know knows no form. Knows no light nor darkness. Clichés as it may sound, I’ve grown less religious but more spiritual.

So am I wiccan or not? Does it matter?