Keyword: Phone calls
Another communication card, this one usually indicates vocal communication like telephone calls but it sometimes comes up for other types of contacts like emails or texts. Sometimes it's any kind of talk that travels through the airwaves, you'll see it come up often for people who work in radio. Occasionally it can stand for gossip, so it might be a good idea to take things with a grain of salt. Sometimes it just means a hectic phase, passing stress or annoyance. This is actually one of the oldest meanings, there were no phones when the first Lenormand decks appeared. Card meanings evolve over time and adapt to the current era. It can mean thoughts, as well.
As a rule (but not always), this card shows two birds, so it's another traditional symbol for pairs: usually an older couple (especially if you favor a deck with owls) or siblings. And since there's often a nest pictured, I've heard of people using it as a pregnancy card, though I don't do it that way myself.
This brings up an interesting point, by the way - there's variations from deck to deck, does this alter the meaning of the card? From the standpoint of tradition, no. Birds or owls, nest or no nest, one, two, or several, it's the same meaning. But you can - and should! - flesh out the narrative with your own impressions.
Keyword: Conversations
The Whips card is sometimes called the Birchrods. The card above from the Dondorf Lenormand pictures both a flogger and a bundle of switches. Judith Bärtschi's Lenormand Whips gets whimsical and a bit kinky, but it has the same meanings and she's holding the traditional flogger and bundle of birch switches. Whips can be good or bad, they often indicate speech and language, passionate exchanges and heated debates, which can be constructive or playful on the one hand, but lead to arguments, strife and estrangement on the other. They can also stand for dancing (think of the movement), writing tools and signatures. It can sometimes mean pairs of things: Whips - Ring could mean two work contracts OR a broken marriage, so please pay special attention to context!*
Whips - Letter can be a document requiring a signature. Whips - Coffin can be someone who has a speech defect or who doesn’t speak your language very well. Whips - Garden is usually dancing, since the Garden stands for a public place where people gather, usually for pleasure.
As a person card (there's a Jack) it usually stands for someone thin and talkative.
*"Context" is why I always ask people if they have a particular question. I'm not fishing for information, I'm trying to give a better reading.
Keyword: Sex
The primary meaning is sex, but the Lilies can also stand for harmony, winter, and social welfare. Or a man, sometimes older, with a stable temper, a lover, boss, patron, family member or doctor. You can tie all these together in your mind if you think of a male elk caring for his herd of females and babies. This card reminds me of what the Lakota call an "Elk Man", magnetic, somewhat polyamourous, but caring.
Iris Treppner says in her wonderful Lenormand course that the best way to pick out the meaning of this catch-all card in a layout is to think about your question and what's important to you at the moment. Are you planning a romantic evening? Do you want to know if someone will support your project? Will your family relations be harmonious? The Lilies can answer all these questions and more, it's a fun card.
In a general reading where no question was asked, look at the neighboring cards. With the Snake, it's a woman and her lover. With the Sun, it's sexual bliss. With the Moon, you're supported by an important man. But with the Garden it might be a strip club or brothel, and be careful if the Lilies fall next to the Tree, Coffin or Mice...those combinations sometimes indicate STD's!
Keyword: Obstacle
Something in the way. The Mountain doesn't derail your plans, but it can cause a delay...think of having to climb over a mountain, or go around it, instead of making a beeline to your goal.
In some cases, the Mountain can be seen as a protective barrier if it's between a good card and a threatening one. In other cases it might be literal, like when it shows up for a person who is taking a trip to the mountains.
But more often than not, it just makes things difficult and frustrating. If it's above a card, it's "pressing down" on it...squashing the event indicated by the card. Above a card that represents a person, it shows that the person feels burdened, they have "the weight of the world on their shoulders".
If a person card is above the Mountain, they've completed the uphill climb...there's more work to do, but it gets easier since "it's all downhill from here".
Some cards can neutralize the Mountain. Tradition has it that the little Mice can eat away at it and reduce it to nothing, and in my readings I've found this to be true. :)
Keyword: New
Something just beginning, a new start. Can also mean "a little bit", you really don't want it after the Fish since that would be "a little bit of money" - poverty, essentially. Child - Anchor: literally a new job, but Anchor - Child, a part time job or temp work. (The new thing ends up being work in the first example, the job ends up being "little" in the second.) Can be an actual child...with the Moon, pregnancy. A young woman (yes, the inset shows a Jack, but Jacks are a bit like the Pages in Tarot, they point to someone young or "minor" of either sex, and most Lenormand decks feature a little girl as the Child) sometimes a rival, or someone short, naive, carefree, immature or childlike - generally, any of the qualities that children possess.
Keyword: Work*
The Anchor stands for work, since when a ship reaches the harbor and drops anchor, the crew begins unloading it. Also because jobs often tie people down, "anchor" them to a place. When someone asks about their job or career, look for the Anchor in the spread and see what's around it. If the Mice are facing it, possible job loss or hours cut. With the Stork, a new job, or changes at work. With the Birds, things could get hectic, with the Ring, an employment contract.
Some alternative meanings are stability, ones homeland, the seashore, a refuge ("safe harbor") and being tied down. Again, context is everything, look at it in light of the question and the surrounding cards. You don't have to memorize every meaning and combined meaning, just learn the basics and free associate. ;)
*When I started with Lenormand, I was faced with having to choose the French, Belgian or German method. The German method seemed to yield the best results and fit the cards like a glove, since they have a very no-nonsense sensibility about them. They can be blunt, almost brutal at times, like the Runes. I suspect they originated in Germany, in spite of the marketing strategy that attributes them to Mlle. Lenormand (who used playing cards, and later, Etteilla Tarot) All the French oracle decks I've run across have been "busier", more rococo, usually with multiple characters enacting a scene on each card. Never just an anchor, dog or tree. So I am posting the German attributions, which assign "work" to the Anchor, not the Moon or the Fox.
Keyword: Money
This is the main money card in the deck and the cards that surround it will tell you a lot about the persons finances. With the celestials (Sun, Moon and/or Stars) it's very good news and could indicate a windfall.
But sometimes it's no big deal, context is everything in Lenormand! Some secondary meanings are liquids - water, alcohol, etc. - the sea, or even literal fish. Just think "flow", whether it's cash flow or liquid. As a person card (King of Diamonds), it's a businessman. So if you're doing a health reading and it's got not-great cards nearby, it might be alcoholism or a hangover, nothing to do with money. Another meaning is "abundance", so it could also be overeating and obesity. Pay attention to nearby cards if it's next to the Heart or Ring, it could mean anything from marrying just for money to an abundance of loving feelings. So you want to be a bit careful with this one.
All in all, this card has a very Taurean feel, with just a touch of Pisces. ;)
Keyword: News
The Rider brings news (usually positive). And it's important - the card shows an upper-class gent coming to deliver it personally instead of sending an employee. You'll get a visit, or something tangible instead of the phone call that the Birds sometimes bring, or the letter/text/email indicated by the Letter. The news is often in reference to what's alluded to by the card the Rider is looking at. So with the Fish, news about money, with the Dog, news of a friend, etc.
Alternate meanings are transportation, like a car, bus, motorcycle, bicycle or even an actual horse, and sometimes a man: slim, athletic guy, active, outdoorsy, usually young.
Keyword: Ending
First of all, this is not an omen of death! You'd need a whole cluster of icky cards with it for it to even hint at that. The simple meaning is "that's it, the end". If your Coffin card has a drape like the one pictured, look at what the drape is pointing to, that's what's ending. I like to see the Coffin following a negative card, it means your troubles are over. Mice - Coffin, worries will end, Mountain - Coffin, obstacles will disappear. It can sometimes indicate a bad scare. And sometimes it just means "a box" or things that are "closed".
Of course it can still be unpleasant...if it follows the Rider, it could mean your car breaking down. Following the Dog, you're in danger of losing a friendship, following the Fish, money runs out. Of course it doesn't necessarily mean that these things will happen no matter what, it's usually a warning so you can take steps to prevent the occurence. Anchor - Coffin could be job loss. (I use the old German method where the Anchor represents "work"...in the Belgian method they use the Moon for work, in the French they use the Fox, so adjust this to whichever you're using.) After the Heart, a relationship ends...unless you're using the complete 36 card layout and Heart - Coffin are your last cards. In that case there's a tradition that says it's love that lasts your whole life, "until death do you part".
This is for both customers and readers - customers so you can see some of my process, and readers because I know sometimes space is at a premium when you're working! People may imagine us in a room full of incense with a nice table that's not used for anything else and a crystal ball, and I don't like spoiling the illusion, but often we're sharing space with others and have our phone and computer (for chat readings!) at hand besides. A big spread is great for theatrics, but you seldom need one...I'll show you why!
The above spread is for a woman in a long distance relationship (who was so kind as to give me permission to post this!) She wants to know if she will be seeing her man soon. The deck is Lenormand, and the cards are laid out thus:
1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9
The first vertical line, 1-4-7 (Ship Ring House) shows the past. It shows them travelling to visit each other, so we know the reading is on track. Traditional meanings for this combination also allude to business connections and contracts, and the client affirms that they do practical business-type favors for each other as well.
The next vertical line, 2-5-8, stands for the present. The cards are Letter, Cross and Mountains. The Cross often has to do with things that are fated, i.e., things that are just going to happen no matter what. Free will doesn't always reign supreme. But in this case it's good, it's a positive message. The Mountains at the bottom indicate that the problems are almost done, the client is more than halfway there.
The third vertical line 3-6-9, (Man, Sun, Bouquet) stands for the near future. The man in question has a sunny, optimistic nature, and is successful with things creative and artistic. This also indicates success for my client, since it's her reading. And the Man is in her near future. ;)
Now, the horizonal lines:
1, 2, 3 (Ship-Letter-Man) Message from a man regarding a journey
4, 5, 6 (Ring-Cross-Sun) This relationship cannot be broken. Luck and energy.
7, 8, 9 (House-Mountain-Bouquet) Shows no access to a house, but remember this is past-present-future...she hasn't seen him in awhile, but she will soon. Remember that the Mountain is only an obstacle that delays things for a bit and it's on the bottom, it's not "crushing" any cards. Besides that, the Sun melts the iciness of the Mountain. And Sun next to the Bouquet is DOUBLE LUCK.
Now, the diagonals:
1, 5, 9 (Ship-Cross-Bouquet) Current luck and satisfaction is destiny. There may always be some business about this couple (they're both very driven) and they might not be together all the time, but this relationship isn't going away.
7, 5, 3 (House-Cross-Man) The man's house is one's destination, i.e., she will be going to see him this time.
But wait, we're not done yet. The four corner cards summarize the reading:
1 3
7 9
Ship Man
House Bouquet
Man on a journey, likes to travel, romantic, lovable, knightly, lucky journey. The client validates this and hopes for a lucky journey! Looks like it'll be her going to visit him this time (Man and House AFTER Ship) but a superbly lovely and enjoyable trip (Bouquet).
But wait, we haven't read the diamond! 2, 4, 6, 8, Letter-Ring-Sun-Mountain. Ring-Letter, a contract...this could be their business dealings or their relationship. Letter-Mountain, no message at the moment, but it's coming, take heart. Letter-Sun: positive message from a man...see? :) Ring-Sun, lucky connection, Ring-Mountain, stress in a relationship and Sun-Mountain, better times soon.
Now, knighting isn't usually done in a small spread like this, but if you want to try, just read the cards the way a knight moves on a chessboard: 2 spaces, turn, one space, OR 1 space, turn, two spaces. For example, the Man could knight to the Ring and the Mountain, so you read those combinations. Some blockages, but a strong bond...such is life.
Now look at the card on the bottom of the pile you didn't use in the spread...in this case it was the Book, a secret. Something unrevealed. So we're going to find it by getting the Quintessence of the spread...see those numbers in the upper corners? Add them up and reduce them like in numerology. In this case they reduced to 16, the Stars. And if you add 1+6, you get 7, the Snake. Stars + Snake indicates a new start for a woman. Of course this could be taken a couple of ways, but looking at the overall spread things are positive!
All in all, a mostly happy reading, things are on-track and normal for this relationship, no worries and those few cards said a lot. This can be adapted to Tarot (just reduce the numbers for the Quintessence to 21 or less and find the corresponding trump) and lots of other oracle decks! Just play it by ear and find what works for you. ;)
In recent years, a great number of people have become interested in the Tarot. So I'm going to clear up some common misconceptions here, for beginners, clients, and in some cases, more experienced readers.
1) The deck must be wrapped in silk
Silk is lovely, but it's not necessary to shield your cards. Hold a piece of silk up to the light and you will see openings between the weave or knit...how can it keep anything in or out? A little common sense is in order here. Silk is fine for wrapping cards, but so is any other fabric or no fabric at all. A lot of people keep their decks in boxes. Some of these boxes are quite expensive, others are cardboard. Some just put a rubber band around the cards, some use drawstring bags...whatever you prefer.
2) You must say protection prayers or do protection rituals before consulting the Tarot
I think this one has its roots in all those Ouija Board urban legends that have been going around since the release of "The Exorcist". You know, the stories where evil spirits came through and attached themselves to people and caused horrible things to happen. Total hogwash, don't base your actions on a Hollywood plot device. Reading cards is no different from any other activity. Crossing the street can be much more dangerous! Tarot requires no special prayers or rituals that you wouldn't normally do for any other activity. If you want to, fine, just remember you don't have to.
3) The deck must be cleansed periodically
This one is kind of "yes and no". No, the cards don't pick up invisible astral gunk, but they might have bad psychological associations - in other words, if you have some kind of unpleasant experience with them, like reading for a person who is being difficult or hostile, then the deck may remind you of this every time you see it and feel "tainted". In this case it really is beneficial to perform some kind of cleansing ritual. You don't have to bother with the crazy ones you see on the net that tell you to dress up like Gandalf, recite mumbo-jumbo, rain salt water on them or bury them on a full moon night. Try just leaving them on a sunny windowsill for a day or putting them in order and then thoroughly reshuffling.
4) The meanings are the same for all Tarots
There are several different schools of Tarot, a Thoth is not a Marseilles and a Marseilles is not a Rider Waite. There are also many, many decks. And each of these decks may have multiple methods of reading. Find what makes sense for you and do that.
5) You can't predict the future with Tarot
Yes, you can, I've done it many times. Other systems like Lenormand tend to be more to-the-point for predictive readings while Tarot is more philosophical, but it can be done.
6) A Tarot reading "fixes" the future and it can't be changed
Tarot shows the most likely outcome if you continue the path you are on, but it can often be changed. One of the purposes of a reading is to show you where things might go off the rails so you CAN change them. Things predicted by the Trumps can be harder to change than things predicted by the Pips, but it often can be done.
On the other hand, don't take this as "Free Will reigns supreme" (another popular catchphrase you hear around cards). As you probably know from experience, some things are just out of your hands and can't be changed. But many can.
7) Tarot is evil
One of the earliest mentions we have of cards is from around Dante's time, sermons against the cards. This is because the philosophy of the cards cut through a lot of dogma and encouraged independent thought. There are no "evil spirits" involved. See #3.
8) Never let anyone touch your cards
Plenty of readers allow clients to shuffle, cut and/or pick out cards. It's totally up to you if you want people handling them or not.
9) You have to let the client shuffle in order for the cards to pick up on his/her situation
Again, not necessary. Any Keen reader will tell you that, we read over the phone!
10) You shouldn't buy your own deck, it has to be a gift
More hogwash. The decks I bought myself work as well as the ones people gave to me.
11) You shouldn't do third party readings
If someone is affecting your life, that makes it your business. Third party readings are perfectly acceptable in many cases, as long as your intent isn't to be malicious or simply nosy. Tarot ethics are no different than regular ethics.
12) Tarot cards don't predict death
Very rarely, they do. I've had it happen. HOWEVER, the Death card alone doesn't indicate an actual death, it takes a whole cluster of icky combinations and it doesn't always happen. Sometimes we're "meant to know", sometimes we're not. Also, it doesn't predict death on demand: best not to ask when someone is going to die, you'll probably get nonsense for asking a question like that.
13) Tarot is (Christian, Jewish, Pagan, Atheist, insert belief system here)
The oldest known Tarots came from Christian Europe and used Christian symbolism, but the Tarot expresses a universal philosophy that can be found in many times and places. Some people see Kabbalah in Tarot, some see Gnosticism. It's like a mirror. I have a Buddha Tarot deck in my collection, the Tarot structure lends itself to Buddhism beautifully. But the Tarot isn't any of these systems, or "based on" any particular dogma. If it had a true link to Kabbalah, it would be a part of the studies of Hebrew scholars. If it were Buddhist, it would be studied in the Buddhist monasteries. If each religion is thought of as a pearl, Tarot can be considered a thread that runs through all of them, but the thread is not any one pearl. Tarot belongs to all of us.
14) All Tarots have 78 cards
Not true. The Minchiate has 97. The Thoth has 80. As with anything else, exceptions exist.
15) You can't read when...
...it's raining, the moon is dark, you're having your period, etc. etc.
Of course you can. The only time you shouldn't read is when you're under extreme stress about something, and even then you can get a reading from someone else.
16) Never poker shuffle a Tarot, that's for games and will ruin your deck
Many readers use shuffling methods other than the poker/riffle shuffle, usually because they have small hands and Tarot cards tend to be larger than regular playing cards, making the poker shuffle difficult for them. Also, some decks are quite expensive and their owners don't want to risk bending the cards with a poker shuffle. But there's no reason not to use any shuffle you're comfortable with.
17) You need a birthdate to read someone's Tarot cards
You need a birthdate to cast an astrological chart, not to read cards. Knowing someone's birth sign might help the reader pick up something in the cards that they might miss otherwise, but it's not necessary.
18) You have to bond with a new deck
It helps to practice with it, yes. But there's no reason to sleep with it under your pillow or haul it around everyplace you go.
19) Tarot originated with Egyptians/Gypsies/take your pick
The earliest known Tarot decks are from Italy. The earliest cards of any kind that are known, are from China. No one knows exactly how, when or with whom the Tarot started. Anyone who says they do is fibbing or mistaken.
20) All Tarot readers are frauds and con artists
As with any profession, we have a few dishonest characters. But I would be inclined to say that the most and the biggest rotten apples are in politics, not card reading. Most of us will simply read your cards WITHOUT trying to convince you that you are cursed, and the only way to remove said curse is to empty your bank account. Many of the people who say we're ALL crooked make their living as professional skepics and debunkers. It is good to be a little skeptical, but taking it to the wall can be as blinding as the opposite extreme of believing everything one is told.
21) You have to use reversals when reading Tarot
No you don't. Each card has multiple meanings, shades of meanings, and different meanings when combined with other cards. Adding reversed meanings often only muddies the water. Again, it's a matter of personal preference.
The above card is from The Fantastic Menagerie Tarot. What they've basically done is take the art of J.J. Grandeville and try to fit it to a Rider Waite Smith style Tarot structure. But if you're using Rider Waite Smith meanings, why not use a Rider Waite Smith deck? There's tons of theme decks modeled after it, but they really don't have the same symbolism.
And if you're new to Tarot, you might be overwhelmed trying to memorize canned meanings, looking back and forth from your spread to your books, and generally ready to tear your hair out, but the cards still aren't answering your question.
I'm not saying you shouldn't studytraditional meanings - you SHOULD - but there's another technique you can bring to the table. Especially if the deck isn't a good fit to the traditional meanings.
Look at the card above - suppose the question is "When will such-and-such thing happen?" What do you see? A goose-pharmacist grinding medicine. Not much help, until you notice the scales behind him: Libra! Either when the sun is in Libra in the fall, or the next time the moon is in Libra, depending which answer fits the question. Or suppose the question is "Why didn't he call me?" The pharmacist suggests he might be feeling under the weather. Or, if there are negative cards nearby, it could be because of drug use, but don't jump to that conclusion from just the one card. Planning a trip? Geese can travel by land, air and sea, so mobility is no problem. The goose is working, though, so be sure your boss is aware you need the time off long before you're ready to start packing! If the question is whether someone wants to be "more than friends", you've got a mortar and pestle there...very Freudian!
Of course you might come up with something totally different, that's the whole point! You're not parroting other peoples' opinions, you're drawing on your own store of impressions...that's why this technique is sometimes called "intuitive reading".
Adding this technique to your reading arsenal not only helps a lot, it's fun. Try putting the books away for the weekend and see what you can come up with!
Here's a little spellwork you've done all along: putting on perfume! I'm going to give you some basic guidelines to make it work better for you. There's nothing "paranormal" about it...all magic works by natural laws, whether we totally understand them or not.
You've probably heard or read that you should pick a signature scent and stick to it - worst advice on the planet! Scents are by nature mildly intoxicating and they often work on a subliminal level. Sometimes you want to calm someone, sometimes seduce, sometimes excite, sometimes reassure...you need different scents for different situations!
The thing to remember is this: aromas evoke memories and associations. No matter how good that Shalimar smells on you, if your guy's mom wore Shalimar, well, you're going to smell like mom! You don't want to smell like mom, or auntie...or his ex who put him through the wringer! It's best not to go with pre-blended scents when you have a specific purpose in mind anyway. The formulas are closely guarded secrets, all you know is that they're floral, or spicy, or woodsy or citrus-y. When you have a specific goal on mind, go with essential oils or attars.
This is how it works: familiar florals like lilac, rose, etc. will make people remember things like childhood summers. Memories of sitting on the porch drinking in the aroma of lilacs will give people a kind of "grandma" impression: a no-nonsense yet nurturing woman who takes good care of her home and grounds. Perfect if you're applying for a job or trying to rent a house or apartment. You don't want to smell seductive! They don't want a woman who's occupied with men, men, men! They want someone who is mature, responsible and pleasant - no more. So for these situations, as a rule, go with domestic florals.
An exception to the domestic flower rule is jasmine, which can grow like crazy in any warm climate. Known as the Night Queen, jasmine can be extremely seductive, but try some other scents along with it. Don't just shake them up in the bottle together, try jasmine on the nape of the neck, with a dab of something else here and there. For a hot date, use something exotic and vaguely unfamiliar like ylang-ylang, bergamot and/or resin-y scents like myrrh and frankincense. Something your intended can't quite put his finger on, that makes him want to get closer.
I don't recommend cologne. It has a lot of alcohol in it and kind of floats away...you might not smell it yourself but it could be too strong for people nearby, especially in an enclosed space like a car. Essential oil is good and it's better tolerated by people who are sensitive to perfumes. It carries, but not as far as cologne.
For a date with someone very special, choose attars. They're actually the best quality scent out there, but tend to be much cheaper than essential oils and perfumes, since a lot of people just don't know about them! Their molecular weight is very heavy - they're steam-distilled, no alcohol is used in this ancient process - and a person you're having a normal conversation with will only get an occasional light whiff. You have to get VERY close to really appreciate them. Attars say "Come closer!"
These are just a few suggestions to get you started. Read up, and above all, experiment! Scents are one of the most enjoyable things you can make a study of, and the payoff is incredible. They really are magic!
Honey jars are a time-tested favorite that have seen many, many variations over the years.They sweeten people, causing them to be nicer to you, whether those people are lovers, bosses, judges, kids, friends, landlords or neighbors. No one is immune to the honey jar! What you'll basically need is:
- A jar of honey with a metal lid (you'll be burning candles on it, you don't want plastic! You can buy honey in plastic, just make sure the jar you put it in for the spell is metal-topped.)
- A piece of parchment paper or brown paper from a bag (traditionally considered "pure" paper)
- Magnets or lodestones - one to draw money, or two to bring you closer to a person
- A pen
- Some sugar, if you like, for extra sweetness
- Attar or essential oil in an approprate scent for your desired result - sexy florals for passion, frankincense for money and success, etc.
- Incense or a smudge stick
- A nail or sharp knife, for carving
- A saucer or small tray, to catch dripping wax
- Candles of the appropriate color (red for passion, pink for affection/romance, green for money, gold for success, brown for court cases)
- Something personal if you are working on a person: a hair, body fluids on a scrap of cloth, or nail trimmings. If you can't get this, you can still do the spell, but it's stronger if you've got this
- Whatever else you think would be good to add for your particular purpose: appropriate herbs or charms for love, money or success, appropriately colored ribbon or thread to tie your paper shut, let your intuition guide you
Take the paper and trace a circle on it. Carefully tear (don't cut) the edges so you have a round piece of paper. Write the person's full name (or as much of it as you know) an odd number of times: 3, 5, or 7. Now turn the paper 90 degrees and write your own name on top of theirs, covering it.
Think of a simple phrase that sums up what you want to happen and write it around the edges of the paper over and over WITHOUT LIFTING YOUR PEN, so it's in an unbroken line. "Paymepaymepayme" or "lovemelovemeloveme", or whatever fits.
Light the incense. Pass all the items one at a time through the smoke and pray over them. If you don't pray, focus your thought and intent on what you want to happen.
Now open the jar of honey and eat a little. Say "As this honey is sweet to me, so may ___ be sweet to me." Put the open jar on a saucer.
Fold the paper with the names TOWARDS you. (If you have personal items, fold them into the paper.) Fold it three times.
Pour a little sugar in the jar. Drop the paper in, then the other items. If you are using two magnets or lodestones, they should be joined.
Put the lid on the jar. Take your candle and inscribe it with the person's name and your intent using a nail or knife. Dress it with the perfume oil.
Put the candle on top of the jar, light it and let it burn. Of course you want to observe common-sense fire safety, don't leave the house or put it where it can catch the curtains on fire.
Inscribe a fresh candle and repeat this every Monday, Wednesday and Friday until you get your wish. Work the spell as long as you like if you're keeping a person sweet. For temporary situations that are resolved, bury the jar in your back yard when you're done. If you don't have a back yard, bury it in a planter that you keep in the rear of your home or apartment.
This spell has been popular for many years because it works so well. Results are usually gradual, but it always works if you do it right.
A Verbena woman stands close to an oak tree. An Ivy woman clings to a fallen male figure, possibly another tree.
Not the happy holiday message I was hoping for, but let's see what it's trying to tell us.
Today's card speaks of being dissatisfied, yet refusing to budge. Verbena plants are very picky in their growing requirements, and if things aren't just right, they won't thrive. In Victorian flower language, Verbena says: "I weep for you" and "Regret". The Revenge title for this card doesn't quite encompass the meaning of Verbena, since Verbena doesn't usually have an adverse effect on other plants, while the ivy can and will choke the life out them. I suppose one could make up a story about Verbena wanting revenge on Ivy because Ivy is killing the trees and destroying Verbena's home, but I still think she looks unhappy, not vengeful.
So I think today's card is a word to the wise...lots of you will be going to family gatherings today, where old resentments are apt to rear their ugly heads. Forewarned is forearmed. Keep a cool head and you can sail through these things much more easily and and emerge with flying colors.
I'd really hoped for a nicer card today, though. Are there bad cards? Of course!
In spite of the currently popular notion that there are "no bad cards" (and this feeds into the OTHER popular notion that says "you can't predict the future with cards" - if you blind yourself to every possible icky thing that's coming down the pike, I suppose you really can't) any oracle deck worth its salt has cards indicating misfortune, deceit, loss, illness and other things we don't want.
Anyway, to make a long story short, today's prediction shows possible turbulence but you can avoid a lot of problems by being prepared for it! Like Verbena Woman standing her ground with her pointy stick, staying close to her strong Oak and aware of the drama behind her back, but refusing to be drawn into it.