So looking forward to busting out the Crow Tarot for these autumn months! Listed below are the special secular, international awareness, and holy days of which I wish to be mindful and/or celebrate during the autumn season. If you’ve skimmed the list, you’re probably wondering… Toilet day? Why?! Well, I thought it was bizarre at first, but the more I think about what a privilege it is, the more I’m grateful for indoor plumbing. SEPTEMBER 2 September Last Quarter Moon 3 September Labor Day 5 September International Day of Charity (A/RES/67/105) 8 September International Literacy Day (UNESCO 14 ..read more

If you’re thinking I’ve posted this extremely late in the summer season, you would be absolutely right. Apologies, I totally spaced it. I have a tendency to be more forgetful around the solstices and an approaching equinox always kicks me back into gear…so here I am. Listed below are the special secular, international awareness, and holy days of which I wish to be mindful and/or celebrate during the summer season. JUNE 1 June Global Day of Parents (A/RES/66/292) 4 June International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression (A/RES/ES-7/8) 5 June World Environment Day (A/RES/2994 (XXVII ..read more

Lots of good soap opera plotlines in Part 2! Get oriented with the first part of this series here. Saint Lucy Saint Lucy has a couple stories, both of which include avoiding a forced marriage and losing her eyes yet regaining her vision — a true soap opera plotline. Naturally, Saint Lucy helps out with eye problems — but not just physical problems. Lucy will also aid those trying to throw off an Evil Eye or assisting if one’s supernatural visions are cloudy. Needless to say, the folk magic crowd loves her association with clairvoyance. Christians love her, witches love her; she’s a popular ..read more

Aside from general knowledge picked up from living in the Western Christian cultural tradition, I never learned much about saints. We were Methodists and most Protestants don’t look to the powers of a hail Mary unless it’s the final minutes of a football game. At one time, I had a St. Christopher necklace that I dutifully wore while traveling (though I’ve since lost it). I also remember when some fellow middle schoolers who attended the local Catholic church chose (or were assigned) saints to study for their confirmation; if I recall correctly, my closest friend had to study St. Francis of Ass ..read more

In order to jump right in, read the introduction to this series here. The court cards in the Suit of Pentacles are oriented toward building legacy. They place value in their dominion, present and future. The archetypal terms King and Queen are fitting; however, I find them a bit too archaic. Instead, I used more universal terms representing masculine and feminine dominance. King of Pentacles, the Patriarch Queen of Pentacles, the Matriarch Knight of Pentacles, the Heir Page of Pentacles, the Heiress This suit and its archetypes have staying power. They are committed to their roles, their place ..read more

A few years ago, I read King, Warrior, Magician, Lover: Rediscovering the Archetypes of the Mature Masculine (Robert L. Moore, Douglas Gillette, 1990) on a recommendation from a friend who shares my love of Jungian archetypes. I’m of the opinion that we all benefit from being curious about one another’s worlds, so if you’re wondering why a woman would want to read about male archetypes — there’s your answer. I feel the same way about religions I don’t practice and politics I don’t agree with. It may not be part of me (or it might be!), but if it’s part of you, that’s enough for me to be (at le ..read more

In order to jump right in, read the introduction to this series here. The court cards representing the Suit of Cups are busy nurturing that which develops and changes — relationships, children, the arts, and crafts. They are drawn to the subjective and experience emotions at great depth (and often dive in quickly). The King of Cups, the Creator Queen of Cups, the Creatrix Knight of Cups, the Lover Page of Cups, the Artist This suit has the giving flexibility of all that flows. Their strengths lie in union, vision, and sensitivity. All create. All have an eye for beauty. They see things others ..read more

In order to jump right in, read the introduction to this series here. The court cards in the Suit of Wands represent unending curiosity. They represent those who are enthusiastic about the world around them, see opportunity where others do not, and possess a knack for making things happen with a snap of their fingers. These archetypes have a flair for presentation. They can initiate change through pure willpower — and quickly without a second thought. They have magnetic personalities and attract what they set in motion. King of Wands, the Wielding Mage Queen of Wands, the Wending Mage Knight o ..read more

In order to jump right in, read the introduction to this series here. The court cards in the Suit of Swords demonstrate an ability to battle on any front. These archetypes show that wars are not often won by desire, but by a sense of detachment. Great warriors and heroes are generally supported by the tediousness in manipulating numbers, focusing thoughts, and weaponizing words. King of Swords, the Offensive Warrior Queen of Swords, the Defensive Warrior Knight of Swords, the Collective Hero Page of Swords, the Independent Heroine Conflict on the battleground and conflict in our individual liv ..read more

Who doesn’t have a favorite god(dess) from Greek/Roman mythology? As a kid, I remember doing a project on Athena for school and remained interested in her for a long time. In my 20s, I began feeling more connected to Artemis because of her association to the moon. That connection peaked with the birth of my child; since then, I’ve felt less in need of her protection. And there’s Hera, Demeter, Hestia, Aphrodite, Persephone, Hecate, Selene, Gaia, Rhea, Cybele, etc. Recently, I started reflecting on the role of messenger due to this spiritual journey, which has me reading a lot about how people ..read more