Series - The Tarot

 

The Universe- from Thoth Deck

Men and women have consulted tarot readers as early as the mid 15th century, most seeking out this form of divination for one reason - guidance and reassurance on major life issues.

Tarot cards were originally used for playing cards. Playing cards first entered Europe in the late 14th century, probably from Mamluk Egypt, with suits very similar to the tarot suits of Swords, Staves, Cups and Coins (also known as disks, and pentacles) and those still used in traditional Italian, Spanish and Portuguese decks. Tarot would soon be assocted with mysticism and magic towards the 18th century.

On our website, we find that about 90% of our customers for tarot cards are women, but there would seem to be an increasing number of men who are also finding comfort and reassurance from the Tarot. Consisting of 78 cards the Tarot deck has two parts:

the Major Arcana consisting of 22 'trump' cards
the Minor Arcana consisting of 4 suits of 14 cards (Wands, Cups, Swords, Pentacles)

Yule: Origins and Customs

by Lisbeth Cheever-Gessaman

Celebrations During the Winter Solstice, Yule Log and Mistletoe

Yule is the name for the pagan festival which celebrates the Winter Solstice and many present day customs originate from those traditions.

Yule Correspondences:

• Incense: Pine, Cedar, Rosemary, Bayberry, Juniper, Frankincense, Sandalwood, Myrrh
• Metal: Gold
• Stones/Gems: Sapphire, Turquoise, Serpentine, Peridot, Jacinth
• Colors: Red, Green, White, Silver, Gold
• Foods: Nuts, Apples, Oranges, Mulled Wine, Turkey, Goose or Ham , Popcorn
• Herbs and Flowers : Holly, Mistletoe, Rosemary, Oak, Spruce, Pine, Ivy, Fir, Poinsettia
• Animals: reindeer, the stag, mouse, deer, horse, bear

Yule Customs and Origins

Nearly every ancient culture held a celebration to mark the shortest day of the year and the return of the Sun. Celebrated annually on the

Samhain and Halloween in Britian and Ireland

by Marc Latham

 

Millions of people still celebrate the Halloween festival that takes place on October 31st, and this article describes its history and traditions.

At the end of October and early November people all over the world celebrate the end of summer with festivals of fire and tricks. In Britain and Ireland the celebration has been taking place for centuries.

From Samhain to Halloween
 Samhain means summer's end, and was the Celtic New Year. It was the second major fire festival of the Celtic Year, and ran from sunset on 31 October to sunset on 2 November. In Ancient Wisdom (Parragon: 2002), Cassandra Eason wrote that 'It originally marked the onset of winter, when the cattle were brought from the hills...The Celts believed that with the onset of winter the ghosts of the departed would come shivering from the woodlands and bare fields for the shelter of their former cottages. Food would be left in the kitchens or parlours for them.'

British Paganism came under attack from Christianity after the Romans invaded in the first century AD, with many holy sites destroyed, and the old traditions frowned upon.

Fall Equinox - Autumn Harvest

by Janis Masyk-Jackson

The fall or Autumnal Equinox celebrates harvest time, the changing of the colors of the leaves, the first day of fall, and the Wiccan holiday Mabon

There's something very unique about the fall equinox. It's one of  only two days in the entire year in which night and day are of the same length everywhere in the world. The other day is in spring. It's also a time for harvesting crops and depending on where someone lives in the world or their religious background, a time of giving thanks.

Autumnal Equinox

As the hot days of summer end, the leaves on the trees begin to burst into color as they begin changing into tones of yellow, orange, and red, signifying that fall is here. It's also harvest time. In the United States, some people celebrate the equinox with festivals and street fairs. The equinox usually takes place either on or by September 22.
The United States isn't the only country that celebrates a harvest. Similar celebrations take place in various Asian countries. Korea has the celebration known as Chusok, while Japan's celebration is called Obon. In China, Harvest Moon is celebrated.