House Blessing

Dear Lexa

Just wondering if you had any suggestions of spells that I could use to create and attract positive energies to the new house and guest houses we are building in Marrakesh. I want protection from evil spirits as well. Thank you for any help you can provide. And thanks for your supportive comment on my blog;-)

Maryam in Marrakesh

Hi Maryam

Thanks for all your wonderful comments on my blog. In answer to your request, I would suggest adding cedar wood to your new homes. It is one of the best woods for positive energy and always invokes prosperity, protection, and light. If it is possible, I would use this wood for foundation beams. Or for the construction of some key pieces of furniture. The oil can also be added to floorwashes or incense of cedar wood burned to bless the home. Rosemary is also a good protective herb and can be sprinkled around or grown in the garden to ward off evil spirits.

On a new moon, I suggest cleansing and blessing the homes. After doing a physical cleaning of the house, begin by sweeping with a new broom in a counterclockwise direction starting at the front door. Complete the circle by returning to the front door, and open the door. Sweep the broom briskly 3x over the threshold towards the outside while saying 3x: "I rid this home of all negative energies. So mote it be!" Close the front door.

Next you will carry the four elements around the home in a clockwise direction also beginning at the front door to consecrate and bless the home. You will use salt to represent the element of earth. Incense to represent the element of air. A white candle to represent the element of fire, and spring or holy water for the element of water. As you carry each element around say: " I bless and consecrate this space with the element of (earth, air, fire, water) removing all negativity and invoking good herein. May this home be a sacred space and protected by the power and light of *Hestia; goddess of hearth and home. So Mote it Be."

Finally, Tuesday is considered the best day to move in to a home. Bread, salt, sugar (or honey), and pennies (or coins)should be brought into the home with you to bless and protect the inhabitants.

best of luck and I'll check in with your blog to see how it's all developing.

*although Hestia is the traditional goddess to invoke for matters of the home, you may call upon any name of Divine Spirit that you wish.

Gnostic Tarot

Dear Lexa,

Thanks for the kind-words at my blog. I have a question about the tarot: do you think there is a connection in their origin to the Cathars/Gnostics?
Best wishes for the holidays!
warm regards,
Matt Janovic

Dear Matt

I believe there are definite ties between the Cathars/Gnostics with regard to the development, study, and design of the Tarot.

We know that some of the most illustrious modern occult figures such as Dr. William Wynn Westcott and MacGregor Mathers (Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn), Aleister Crowley (Ordo Templi Orientis), Arthur Edward Waite (Fellowship of the Rosy Cross), and my favorite guide and teacher, Paul Foster Case (Builders of the Adytum/B.O.T.A.), dedicated their work and lives to connecting the dots and retracing the mystical origins of the tarot cards. These roots include ancient Hermetic, Kabbalistic (both Christian and Jewish), Rosicrucian, Masonic, and Gnostic teachings.

The closest direct connection I have found between the Tarot and the Gnostic/Cathars comes from a work entitled Occult and Mystical Freemasonry (1643 - 1943) MARTINISM History and Doctrine by Robert Ambelain. Ambelain includes a discourse on an esoteric signature used by the occultist Martinez de Pasqually which is referred to as "figure four":

"This mysterious sign figures frequently among the inscriptions discovered by O. Rohn in the grottoes of the Aude region, in the heart of the legendary region of the Albigensian see, in the grottoes of Ornolac, most notably of Lambrives. These inscriptions were attributed by all the examiners to the Cathars who took refuge in these caverns.
When the Cathars, gnostic survival in the Middle Ages apparently disappeared, the same "figure four" was then adopted by another great society of thought, which we have named the Agla. Agla was an esoteric society in the Renaissance period, grouping together apprentices, companions and masters of Guilds associated with Books, librarians, engravers, printers, stationers, and book-binders, as well as card makers who created the first playing cards and the first Tarots."

It is interesting to note that the Cathar/Gnostic mysticism and teachings were deeply rooted in France and the oldest surviving deck, the Paris Tarot, is housed in the Bibiothéque Nationale in Paris. I doubt this is a coincidence.

Thank you for your most intelligent question and may the Gods and Goddesses of Fortune and Wisdom bless you with illumination, enlightenment, and prosperity in the New Year!
In Lux
Lexa

A Solstice Spread

Dear Lexa
I know you are a great psychic and priestess of the wicca. I am wondering if you know of any special readings that can be done for the Yule or Winter Solstice. With the cold months coming, I am wishing for some insight and wisdom to see me through until the spring. Any guidance you can offer will be quite appreciated.
blessed be
a friend and fan in Great Britain

Dear F&F
thank you for your inquiry. Below is a wonderful tarot spread
that I would love to give you as a gift for the season.
Have a cool Yule!
blessed be
Lexa

A SOLSTICE SPREAD
by Lady Venus

At the Solstice we greet the new born Sun King; the wheel turns and the days begin to wax full. The sun is the central life force of our solar system. This tarot spread combines the sun and planetary energies with the 78 sacred symbols of the Tarot.

Shuffle and cut the cards as usual. Place four cards in a vertical line, beginning at the bottom of the line. Place the fifth card across the fourth card. Then add six cards above the fourth card. You should have ten cards in a vertical line and one card crossing over the card in the fourth position.

• The first or bottom card represents the Sun. Its' meaning will connect to and shed light on all the other cards. It represents the self or what is central to you at this time.

• The second card is the Mercury position, the planet closest to the Sun. This card reveals your creative and communication skills, as well as what others are saying about you.

• The third card is Venus and shows the love energy around you. (what you are giving out as well as receiving.)

• The fourth card is the Earth position and represents your health, wealth, and material well being.

• The fifth card (card crossing the Earth) is the Moon and symbolizes the emotional life and feelings connected to the Earth card. The moon position can also reveal psychic awareness.

• The sixth position is Mars. This card reveals your ambition and/or sexual energy. If the card is negative it may mean you have sexual blocks (the Devil),trouble releasing your anger (eight of swords), or perhaps you are too combative (five of wands).

• Jupiter is the seventh card and shows your potential growth (spiritual and financial), and the strength or weakness of your physical and psychic protection fields.

• The eighth position, Saturn, shows the lessons you are learning and the restrictions placed upon you at this time.

• Uranus in the ninth position informs you of unexpected events (positive or negative). It also reveals how much raw untapped creative energy you have at this time. Compare this card to the Mercury card. If they compliment each other, you are receiving Divine guidance and utilizing it properly.

• Neptune in the tenth placement represents your dreams or fantasies. Compare it to the Venus card to understand whether you are expressing your love energy or suppressing your true desires.

• The eleventh and final card is Pluto and unveils the darker issues in your life. It shows your spiritual power as well as the demons you must face and conquer. If the card is positive it means you are on the regenerative side of a disturbing issue in your life. If the card is negative it may mean you are spiraling downward and letting your inner demons have the upper hand.

This spread can be used to ask a question or to examine an issue, but I recommend it more as a general checkup to look at your planetary aura. If you want the reading to be of the highest spiritual or meditative order, use only the 22 Major Trump cards. If you are asking a question of a more earthly nature, use all 78 cards. Look for similar suits and which positions they fall in as that will indicate a relationship between those planets. Here are some examples:

• Ace of Wands in the Mars position, Seven of Wands in the Mercury position, and Ten of Wands in the Saturn position indicate a relationship between these three planets. Perhaps your Mercury energy is moving in many different directions or people are offering you many different opportunities. Mars is saying to single out a particular goal and move on it. Saturn tells you the lesson is to be responsible and carry that goal out to its conclusion.
  
• Two of pentacles in the Earth position, Three of Pentacles in the Moon position and Four of Pentacles in the Jupiter position. You are debating whether or not you should make a change. You feel good about your work, yet the Jupiter card is telling you to wait before making any kind of expansion, especially if it's financial.
  
• Seven of cups in the Venus position and Three of Cups in the Neptune position. Looking at the seven alone, you might conclude that there is disillusionment in love. However the three and seven together mean that wishes will come true and inner needs and desires will be fulfilled. You are definitely on the right track in love, and probably overwhelmed that your inner needs are finally being met.

This spread uses eleven cards in all. Eleven is the number of Nuit, the Egyptian sky goddess. Her body encompasses all the stars in the heavens. The Solstice is also a time to honor the Goddess; Great Mother of the Lord of Light. Blessed Yule.

Dilemma Revisited

Dear Readers
If you recall, witchypoo was recently requested to help KW with a dilemma. She is losing the connection she once had with her lesbian lover and thinks she may want to get back with her ex husband (who is now married with children). Many of you have expressed an interest in this case and so the witch dr. has contacted KW with a proposition:

Dear KW

According to the string of comments on the original blog post, people are interested in you. I am willing to offer you a full consultation (astrological/psychic tarot) free of charge if you are willing to go public with it. Of course we don't have to use your real name. The readers know you as KW. I have to think this through, but for now what I have come up with is to do the reading over Microsoft Messenger or Gmail chat or Meebo* so that I have a text record of it. It would be even better if it could be an audio recording but as of now, I don't think that is doable on blogger beta. I would also need feedback from you on the progress of your relationship and life. You would be the first to participate with me in such a magickal undertaking.
Let me know what you think.

many blessings
Lexa

*do any bloggers know if text messages on Meebo can be saved?

Here is the response:

Dear Lexa~

Wow, I think that is an amazing proposition! I can engage in something like this tomorrow, which is Saturday, Dec. 10 between 10:45 and noon (-- time). I doubt that I will have much more time to spare without 'prying eyes', if you know what I mean :)

You would need to walk me through the techno process as I am somewhat limited in my knowledge of the chat world.

Thank you so much for this opportunity and if the above date and time are not doable for you, I will give you another option and we can set something up.

This tells me that SOMETHING mystical is happening in my life!

Thanks.
KW

Ok Readers, hang on to your broomsticks because we're gonna fly. Maybe not tomorrow...but stay tuned...It will be soon... :)