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Rune. The Oxford Dictionary states it is from the Old English word rūn, meaning a secret or mystery. Most of us are familiar with the Elder Futhark. There are many mass-market sets available, and a plethora of books available on the topic. While there are many great authors on the topic I do highly recommend Edred Thorsson. Today, though, I would like to talk about Witch’s Runes. If you haven’t heard of them before, and you are interested in runes as a form of divination, you may enjoy these ones. This rune system uses pictographs of 13 different concepts to provide the reader with a general reading. These concepts are Sun, Moon, Flight, Rings, Romance, Woman, Man, Harvest, Crossroads, Star, Waves, Scythe, and Eye. While, at first glance, these symbols may not seem to provide much of a reading, once the meanings are learned, you would be surprised. With only 13 simple, and easily recognizable symbols to learn, it would be easier than other larger rune systems. They can be used as a one rune draw, thrown onto a surface, reading only the ones that land symbol side up, thrown onto a cloth or grid sectioned into aspects of life/seasons/etc.. and read accordingly, or any other way you can imagine. While these runes are related to general concepts like partnerships, prosperity, change, power, etc.. they give the reader the general knowledge needed to gain the knowledge they seek. Like any divination system, answers are not absolute, and they do require intuition and personal interpretation. If you want to learn more about this topic I do recommend A Witch’s Runes by Susan Sheppard.
You can easily make your own set of Witch’s Runes. I have made many sets using crystals/stones that correspond to the meaning of that rune. However, you can make them our of anything you like. Wood discs, glass beads, any crystal or stone you like (including ones you find outside), clay, or any other material you like. The symbols are fairly easy to draw as well. The important thing is that you feel a connection to them. While I do love the more popular Elder Futhark, this simple system was a bit easier to learn; I even made a mini version that fits easily into my pocket or purse. One thing I do love about all runes, is that they can be much more portable than a deck of cards, and are less prone to damage.
So, do you use runes of any kind? What is your favourite rune system to use? Have you heard of the Witch’s Runes before, or was this the first you have heard of them?

Poppets, while usually associated with Voodoo, have actually been used for centuries in many cultures around the world. The Greeks (who called them Kolossoi), the Egyptians (Execration Figurines), and West Africans (known as fetich magic) all used them; just to name a few. They are used in sympathetic magic (influencing a person, or situation using an object that symbolically represents/resembles what you are trying to influence). Some, like in fetish magic, are used as talismans, rather than to create influence. The fetish housed spirits that had a connection to their owner. Like any magical object, poppets can be used to harm or to heal, though most people associate them with harm thanks to movies and media that portray them that way. They can be used in all kinds of magic for abundance, health, love (though I recommend against creating a poppet of a specific person for this purpose, as that goes against free will), binding (like Sarah tried to do to Nancy in The Craft), or protection.
Poppets are generally thought of as being made of cloth and then stuffed with some kind of filler along with any herbs, stones, or other objects used that correspond with whatever spell work you are doing. If this poppet represents a person, then something from that person (hair/nail clippings/etc..) or a picture is also placed in the poppet. While this is a popular method of poppet making, they were also made from sculpting wax or clay, or carved from wood. If you have ever seen The Witches of Eastwick you watched Suki, Jane, and Alexandra make one of wax and use one on Daryl.
Once upon a time I made/sold poppet kits complete with crocheted doll and hand sculpted pins inside a window box. I really enjoyed making these. I created sigils for each of the pins and painted them the colours that correspond to the different pins used in Hoodoo magic. They made nice display pieces, while also being fully functional. I have used poppets on occasion in my spell work, that said, it was the sigil magic that I felt a greater connection to. I guess my question for this week is, do you/have you use(d) poppets in your spell work? Would you consider using them if you haven’t?

Crystals come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. The shape of a crystal can affect how it emits energy, which can help determine how you choose to use it. You have probably seen shapes like spheres, pyramids, animals, hearts, and others. There is one special group of shapes, called Platonic Solids that are considered to represent the 5 basic elements of the universe. A platonic Solid is a 3D shape that is made up of multiples of the same shape, all stuck together by their sides to make a new shape. There are 5 platonic solids.

Hexahedron/Cube (6 squares) represents Earth energies. This shape is grounding and promotes stability. A pyrite cube (carved or natural) can be very grounding.
Tetrahedron (4 triangles) represents Fire energies. This shape helps with manifestation. The crystal used for this would depend on what you are trying to manifest. Quartz is a “master healer”, rhodonite attracts love, and green aventurine helps align money-making opportunities.
Octahedron (8 triangles) represents Air energies. This shape promotes love and balance. This shape would pair nicely with rose quartz.
Icosahedron (20 triangles) represents Water energies. This shape is about creative energies, and self-expression. Carnelian would be a good stone for this purpose.
Dodecahedron (12 pentagons) represents Spirit energies (or energies of the universe). Amethyst or celestite would be helpful for making this kind of connection.

They can be used to connect to certain energies, for manifesting, and even as markers for the corners when casting a circle. Do you look for specific shapes as well as crystals when trying to do specific work? Do you feel a connection to any of these shapes?

Fun fact: If you have ever played a game like Dungeons and Dragons you have seen all 5 platonic solids as dice.

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Other Uses For Tarot/Oracle

5/6/2024

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When most people think of tarot (or oracle), they think of discovering what their future holds. While that is a possibility to an extent (as the future is always in flux, and our thoughts and decisions help shape that), that is not the only reason to use tarot or oracle cards. Other reasons one might consult the tarot/oracle include (but are not limited to):
To see other possible outcomes if we change our path
To see the energies/influences surrounding a situation to see how we might change them (if we want to), or why they are happening.
To see the energies/influences surrounding a situation that has already happened so we may understand it better, or prevent a similar situation from happening again.
As a focal point for meditation or journeying. Not only is this a good way to get to know your deck better, it can help hone your visualization, meditation, and journeying skills as a whole.
In spell work to bring in certain energies, manifest something, to call on certain entities/deities/guides for their assistance. Really, your imagination in your only limit.
To do shadow work
This last one is about using tarot/oracle for introspection. Discovering parts of yourself you keep hidden, why they are there, what purpose they serve, and how you can integrate them into your whole self. The Major Arcana cards represent various archetypes of self that we could explore for such work. I recommend the Archetypes book by Caroline Myss, if you are interested in this concept. While most people don’t consider this option when they pick up a tarot or oracle deck, I have noticed an upward trend of shadow work decks hitting the market over the last few years. I am hoping that that means there is a demand for more shadow work tools, and more people are looking to do the necessary work by whatever means speaks to them. If you are one of them, there are many decks available with many themes (like Halloween, angels, ethereal creatures, etc..) that could appeal to you. One I would recommend is the Dark Wood tarot by Sasha Graham (art by Abigail Larson). The reason I recommend this box set is not just for the fabulous art, but the amazing companion book it comes with. A most compelling journey through the tarot (and the self). I would also recommend it as a beginner’s deck. Tarot really is a story, and this author tells it well. Oracle cards can also be used for this purpose, though not as much is written about that, since each deck is vastly different. Oracles like Dark Mirror by Laura Sava, Mausolea Oracle of Souls by Jason Engle, or the Lantern Oracle by Angelina Mirabito PhD are all good ones. Of course, if you are in to crystals, angels, or any other particular theme, as long as you get to know your deck, you can use it for any of these purposes.
So, how do you use the tarot? Would you use it for shadow work? Do you already?
When most people think of tarot (or oracle), they think of discovering what their future holds. While that is a possibility to an extent (as the future is always in flux, and our thoughts and decisions help shape that), that is not the only reason to use tarot or oracle cards. Other reasons one might consult the tarot/oracle include (but are not limited to):
To see other possible outcomes if we change our path
To see the energies/influences surrounding a situation to see how we might change them (if we want to), or why they are happening.
To see the energies/influences surrounding a situation that has already happened so we may understand it better, or prevent a similar situation from happening again.
As a focal point for meditation or journeying. Not only is this a good way to get to know your deck better, it can help hone your visualization, meditation, and journeying skills as a whole.
In spell work to bring in certain energies, manifest something, to call on certain entities/deities/guides for their assistance. Really, your imagination in your only limit.
To do shadow work
This last one is about using tarot/oracle for introspection. Discovering parts of yourself you keep hidden, why they are there, what purpose they serve, and how you can integrate them into your whole self. The Major Arcana cards represent various archetypes of self that we could explore for such work. I recommend the Archetypes book by Caroline Myss, if you are interested in this concept. While most people don’t consider this option when they pick up a tarot or oracle deck, I have noticed an upward trend of shadow work decks hitting the market over the last few years. I am hoping that that means there is a demand for more shadow work tools, and more people are looking to do the necessary work by whatever means speaks to them. If you are one of them, there are many decks available with many themes (like Halloween, angels, ethereal creatures, etc..) that could appeal to you. One I would recommend is the Dark Wood tarot by Sasha Graham (art by Abigail Larson). The reason I recommend this box set is not just for the fabulous art, but the amazing companion book it comes with. A most compelling journey through the tarot (and the self). I would also recommend it as a beginner’s deck. Tarot really is a story, and this author tells it well. Oracle cards can also be used for this purpose, though not as much is written about that, since each deck is vastly different. Oracles like Dark Mirror by Laura Sava, Mausolea Oracle of Souls by Jason Engle, or the Lantern Oracle by Angelina Mirabito PhD are all good ones. Of course, if you are in to crystals, angels, or any other particular theme, as long as you get to know your deck, you can use it for any of these purposes.
So, how do you use the tarot? Would you use it for shadow work? Do you already?

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Shadow to Light

Witch's Runes

Poppets

Platonic Solids

Other Uses For Tarot/Oracle

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