#thehouseoforion

[thehouseoforion]

Ostara Prep: Hot Cross Buns

There may not be a chance to get together with a large group of friends to celebrate the Spring Equinox this year, but luckily there are plenty of ways you can welcome the new season and get in the Ostara spirit.

One of the many ways witches celebrate Ostara is by baking. Most commonly, hot cross buns are associated with this Sabbat as the little cross on top of the bun represents the balance of day and night that occurs this time of year.

While this may be a little bit of a lengthy process, let's be honest, we all have a bit of time on our hands right now, and this witchy confection is sure to be a great comfort to you over the next few days.

With that said, let's get to it!

Hot Cross Buns Recipe

Ingredients

6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided

1/3 cup light brown sugar, packed

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon cardamom

1/4 cup warm water

1 package active dry yeast, (2 and 1/4 teaspoons)

1 cup milk, plus 1 tablespoon, divided

2 tablespoons honey

1 tablespoon orange zest,

1/3 cup butter, melted

3 large eggs, divided

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup raisins

Instructions

In a medium bowl, combine 5 and 1/2 cups of the flour, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and cardamom. Stir with a whisk to combine, set aside.

In a small bowl, stir the water and yeast together; let sit for 10 minutes until yeast is dissolved and foamy. Add 1 cup of the milk, honey, and orange zest to a small saucepan. Heat over low heat until it reaches 110°F.

In a large bowl, combine the yeast mixture, milk mixture, and half of the flour mixture. Beat with an electric hand mixer on low speed just until combined. Beat in the butter, 2 of the eggs, and vanilla. Add the raisins. Gradually add the remaining flour mixture, beating until a soft dough forms.

Pour dough onto a floured surface and work for about 4 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and no longer sticky. Be careful not to over-knead the dough! Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl, turning the dough to grease the top. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Spray a 9x13-inch rimmed pan with nonstick spray. Lightly punch down the dough and let it rest for 5 minutes. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into 12 equal size pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and place it on the prepared baking sheet. Cover and let rise for 45 minutes or until doubled in size.

Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a small bowl whisk the remaining egg and 1 tablespoon of milk together. Brush the tops of the rolls with the egg wash.

In a small bowl combine the remaining 1 cup of flour with 6 tablespoons of water, adding 2 tablespoons at a time until a thick paste forms. Using a piping bag fitted with a #10 piping tip, pipe the paste over the top of the rolls to form a cross over each one.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown.

[bri-luna-divination]

25th July 2021 Weeh Ahead Tarot Reading. Stay curious, strong and go with the flow. If you want to read the overall week reading look into my Weekly Tarot highlights! This spread is by @thehouseoforion and ngl, it hasn't completly drained my energy which is great for me! #tarotreadersofinstagram #tarot #tarotreading #weeklytarotreading #weeklytarot #divination #divinationwitch #divinationtools https://www.instagram.com/p/CRwezUqnEm_/?utm_medium=tumblr

[thehouseoforion]

Reading Tea Leaves for Beginners

Okay. I am just going to come out and say it from the get-go. Reading tea leaves was never something I ever actually considered trying. In fact, it wasn’t something I thought about at all other than when watching Harry Potter movies at the tender age of 13... and 23... and 29. Let’s be honest, we all wanted to be in Professor Trelawney’s Divination class. Regardless, it wasn’t until the other night when I was lying in bed, unable to sleep that suddenly the thought of reading tea leaves popped into my head.

So, I did what any of us who have unrelenting insomnia would do. I pulled out my phone and promptly read everything I could find on the subject until I inevitably smacked myself in the face with my iPhone (the usual sign that my brain is ready to shut off for the night).

Fun fact, the proper word for referring to the act of reading tea leaves is Tasseography. Say it with me: Tasseography. I like it, it sounds sultry and also sort of naughty in a fun way. I digress.

This is just one of the many things I learned as I scrolled through page after page on my phone as the blue light lit up my face, as gentle snores escaped from the lump below the blankets beside me. But there is much more to Tesseography than Harry Potter references and a fancy name.

As a form of divination, Tasseography is used by those who consider themselves witches as well as many who don’t. When using tea leaves in this many, the reader will look for both the placement of the leftover leaves, as well as the formations they are in so that information can be gained about the past, present, and future.

Using your intuition when reading tea leaves is the key. The same sort of deep connection used when you read tarot cards will be needed. On the other hand, when you are reading tea leaves, your potential outcomes are not restricted to a deck of 78 cards. However, just because there are so many symbols and images that could possibly appear, you shouldn’t worry. As you practice Tesseography more and more, you’ll start to get the hang of it. You will be able to start recognizing the different symbols, their placements, and you’ll know what they mean (I admit I am nowhere close to this point yet. But don’t worry, we can learn together).

Materials

The Teacup - Avoid using a coffee cup The sides of mugs are just too long and also vertical, making it hard to get a reading that would make any sense at all. Plain and simple, invest in a teacup. Don’t have one? Visit your local thrift store and pick from what I assume will be a menagerie of them.

Tea Leaves - 1 tsp. per reading Tea leaves that are coarse, dried, and loose are ideal for tea leaf reading. In a pitch, you can also use tea leaves from a bag but often, the accuracy of these readings isn’t great as these types of leaves tend to be much finer and will clump together.

Know What You Want To Know

Earlier I likened Tesseography to reading tarot cards and when it comes to setting an intention, the two are almost identical. You need to get in the right headspace to ask the question you would like an answer to. This can mean many different things to many different people. For instance, before reading my own cards(something I do often and do not feel bad about) I always light at least one candle and one stick of incense. I will then pick the perfect LP for the mood I am in and meditate for 2-3 minutes until my mind is clear of all but what I want to ask the cards about. When attempting to read tea leaves for the first time, I did the same.

Beginning Your Reading

To begin, drop your teaspoon of tea leaves into your teacup and pour hot water over the leaves, filling the cup.

As you drink the tea, use the time to meditate on your intention or inquiry. When there’s just a sip or two of liquid left in the cup, hold the handle in your left hand and swirl the liquid around clockwise in the cup three times.

Place a napkin on a saucer or, if you don’t have one, simply place the napkin on a table or countertop. Flip the cup over to allow the excess liquid and tea leaves to drain onto the napkin.

Turn the teacup right side up and position the teacup so the handle is pointing towards yourself. If you are reading for someone else, make sure that you have positioned the handle so that it is pointing towards them.

Interpreting The Tea Leaves

This is where the real fun begins, especially if you are a beginner like I am.

I have to admit, my first try I was a bit perplexed staring down at the leaves as they cowered in the corners of the cup, little cliques staring up at me asking me, “What are you looking at?” and truthfully, I had absolutely no idea.

The really amazing thing is, every single source I have read has said this is just the name of the game. Of course, you aren’t going to be able to just look at the cup your first time and immediately know what it’s telling you. The good news is, it’s all up to you and there are absolutely no right or wrong answers. However, by trusting your intuition you can figure out what is right and wrong for YOU. Gosh, who knew there was so much room for subjective interpretations in divination?

While I could leave (see what I did there) you here and wish you happy interpreting, I definitely needed a bit more advice during my first reading than a simple “do your best!” So, if you need help, here is a bit of it.

General Guidelines

Position of the Leaves in the Cup:

Notice where the formations of the leaves are in the cup. The position of the leaves is one of the most important aspects of a tea leaf reading.

Leaves to the left of the handle and closer to the top of the cup may refer to things that have occurred in the querent’s past.

Leaves to the right of the handle and closer to the bottom of the cup may refer to things that will be happening in the querent’s future.

Leaves on the bottom of the cup are usually read as events that will take place in the faraway future.

You can refer to the chart above for a closer look at what positioning means when you are attempting to read your leaves.

Lines and Dots:

When completing your reading you can begin by looking for any lines, dots, circles, or dashes. Sometimes small pieces of tea will form small lines that aren’t quite symbols. That doesn’t mean, however, that they aren’t significant. They definitely are and I found these were the easiest to identify in the cup at first glance.

Dots can indicate money or abundance in multiple facets of your life.

Circles tend to indicate the end of a cycle or completion of some sort.

Dashes read as opportunities. This could be in any area of your professional or personal life.

If the lines, dots, or circles are near other symbols in your cup, this is where you can begin to make connections.  

For example, if you see dashes that are surrounding what looks like a horseshoe in the future position, chances are you are going to be very lucky, very soon, when you are presented an opportunity.

Tea Leaf Reading Symbols

While it is intimidating at first, the best piece of advice I can give when you first start looking for and interpreting symbols is to trust your gut. Even if you don’t know what you’re doing, your intuition is stronger than you could ever imagine, so rely on it!

As I mentioned before, I like to liken this process to reading tarot cards. While you have a more concrete guide when using tarot cards, each card holds many meanings and at the end of any given reading, you left to interpret what it is about your life that any specific card is trying to tell you. Your tea leaves won’t likely offer you as in-depth of images as you see when you pull The Devil or The Magician, but your mind will be able to recognize shapes and symbols much more easily than you are thinking it will. Maybe a square in your cup immediately makes you think of a cottage. Perhaps you need to focus more time nesting in your home in order for you to feel more at ease in it. Whatever it is, your mind will tell you.

I’ve written down every symbol I have found in my teacups and keep a running log of what I think they mean. This way, I can spot recurring symbols and watch how my readings change as I move through different phases of my life.

Over time, you can look back over your different readings, and see which ones came to pass and which ones were referring to something other than what you originally thought. That’s the joy of tea leaf reading. It’s an art form, and like all great art, the interpretation is highly personal.

Don’t let this open-ended form of divination intimidate you, rather, let it give you even more freedom to make all kinds of abstract, intuition-based connections. When you’re first learning, only time will tell how accurate you are.

When you are finished with your tea leaf reading, you can discard the leaves, rinse out your teacup, and set it outside to dry in the sun.

REMINDER: This is all a learning process and it certainly comes with a curve. In a later post, we will be discussing common symbols and their meanings. But until then, try your hand at Tasseography! You may just surprise yourself!

[thehouseoforion]

Dark Moon Lilith: Sexuality in your Natal Chart

Sexuality and astrology go hand in hand. In fact, there are many aspects of your birth chart that contribute not only to how you express your sexuality but how your sexuality is perceived by others.

The easiest way to learn about your own personal sexual preferences, strengths, and weaknesses, however, is to learn more about where Black Moon Lilith is in your natal chart.

Also known as Dark Moon Lilith, this temptress in us all, asking us to shake off preconceived ideas of what it means to be ’proper'. She drowns our inhibitions and allows us to be our most authentic selves without the societal pressures that are put on all of us, but especially on females.

If you checked out my book review on ‘Circe’ by Madeline Miller, you definitely know how passionately I can feel about a good story, particularly those of mythic proportions. Lilith’s story holds parallels to Circe’s and it’s part of the reason I feel so incredibly connected with Lilith both in my chart and in the role she plays in my craft.

Lilith, as written in mythology was known as the right hand of the devil, a siren of sorts who would seduce and destroy as much as she possibly could. Men and children feared her as she gained pleasure in their pain. She was written to appear as a beautiful woman who could transform herself into a blue demon with butterfly-like qualities.

If that doesn’t pique your interest (come on, that’s pretty sweet), legend claims that Lilith was actually the first wife of Adam, previous to Eve entering the picture. Their marriage and subsequent biblical-times divorce came due to Lilith’s craving for independence and well...the freedom to be as sexual as she pleased. The first feminist icon, whether the legends are just that or not.

It is due to this reputation that Lilith is considered the beast within all women, the power and will, the being independent of the 'duty' of motherhood and marriage. She is free to choose for herself at every moment, and often she bends to the whims of her flights and fancies.

As the ruler of witchcraft and magick, Lilith calls upon feminine strength that is stored within. She encourages ideas of finding your voice, leaving the victim mentality behind, and living the very best and most authentic version of your life that you can formulate.

In Your Chart

There are two different ways you can learn where Lilith falls on your birth chart. The first is to simply look at your chart and identify in what sign Lilith is present. You can spot her by finding her symbol which appears as an inverted crescent with a cross attached to the bottom.

However, if you don’t have your birth chart on hand, there is a simple list of dates you can refer to that will give you the exact answer you are looking for: what sign Lilith was in on the day you were born. This list of dates, along with their corresponding sign and meaning can be located below.

Lilith in Aries

If you have Lilith in the sign of the Ram, you are a force to be reckoned with. You have the ability to ooze sexiness when you so choose.

But your real power is in going out and getting what you want. You probably like to be in social situations in which you are able to catch a glimpse of a brand-new love interest. And it doesn’t take you very long for you to convince them that where you are is where they want to be.

You don’t fear taking the lead, and most commonly this confidence gets you the outcome you are hoping for. You are competitive and ambitious but you can often be quick to anger, which is commonly your only obstacle when it comes to making deeper, more meaningful connections.

Lilith in Taurus

When Lilith is in the sign of Taurus, you are likely someone who frequently finds themselves at the will of their lust. Plain and simple, no one is going to get in the way of you getting what you want. Often, falling for someone means heartache for another person as the relationship between two people is not as important to you as getting the object of your desire. We’ve all been members of a love triangle from time to time, but you may have extensive experience.

Jealousy can act as quite a catalyst for you as you want what others already appear to have. This same envy can lead to the end of a relationship if you are not careful. Learning to balance your lust for love and your actual emotions can be a battle. And yet, it is one you have to attempt to achieve if you are going to get the fairytale ending you so crave.

Lilith in Gemini

Dark Moon Lilith in Gemini often indicates that you are quite sexually liberal and adventurous. The person with this placement in their chart is often very curious about different aspects of their sexuality and don’t necessarily feel the need for labels when it comes to relationships, as well as their sexual orientation.

There is something unattainable about you that your suitors find irresistible and you definitely have a very flirty side to you that keeps pulling potential partners back in. We just hope they don’t do anything to offend you, otherwise, your wrath will likely not end until you feel they have been punished for whatever discretion it is that they have made.

Lilith in Cancer

Cancers are often known for being sexpots in the bedroom so it will come as no surprise that when Lilith is in the sign of the crab things are going to get a bit steamy. However, as Cancer Suns tend to be on the submissive side when it comes to matters of sex, those with a Lilith and Cancer link tend to want to take back the control that Cancer Suns have relinquished.

Those with their Dark Moo Lilith in Cancer often find themselves attracted to younger men who they can maintain a certain level of control over. Those with this placement may also be interested in femdom sex acts as well as wrestle with the fantasy of being a dominatrix. In other words, those claws aren’t just for show.

Lilith in Leo

This placement exudes what we like to refer to as “the Greek Goddess mentality”. Leos are known for being attention-seeking and therefore, when Dark Moon Lilith is in Leo, you are likely one who wants to be adored and worshipped by as many as possible.

While this energy is magnetic to many and provides you with plenty of romantic options, you are known to throw quite the fit when things don’t go your way. Even worse, you tend to rebel in a quite outlandish manner when the attention you crave from a certain person is being offered to someone else instead of to you.

Lilith in Virgo

The sexual energy of Lilith and the pureness of chaste Virgo come together to create quite a contradictory attitude for those with this placement in their chart.

On one hand, you are pure, often looking at sex as though it is a step-by-step process rather than something shared to convey emotion. Alternatively, your virginal persona gives you an edge that you (and others) find quite sexy. You want to be conquered in the bedroom by someone who makes you feel safe, but most of all wanted. Plain and simple, there’s quite a naughty side lurking beneath your pure surface that only a few will ever be privy to.

Lilith in Libra

Those with their Dark Moon in Libra are what we would typically categorize as the Manic Pixie type that starred as the leading character in every romantic movie that was released between the years of 2001 and 2010. Only thing is, this isn’t as much of an archetype as people think. These people really exist and Lilith is almost always deep within Libra on their chart.

These people are likely the type of muse that every person meets and thinks “This is it, I've found the one.” This is because there is such an appreciation of life and all that is culminated in it by these types of people. If Lilith is in Libra on your chart, you will always find a way to get what you want and will do so in such a way that no one will ever think negatively about you. What an amazing gift.

Lilith in Scorpio

Sexuality is a fluid part of any person’s life whose Dark Moon is in Scorpio. These are the freaks of the zodiac as there isn’t much they won’t try at least once. There is nothing too taboo, too uncomfortable for these people to give a go, or talk about publicly. They are one with their sexual desires and seek freedom whether single or in a relationship to let their freak flag fly.

If Lilith is in Scorpio in your chart, you are likely a bit of a sadist, and you may have a somewhat unhealthy addiction to physical touch and sexual experiences. When rejected, your vengeance knows no bounds and you will do what it takes to get what you want whether it be revenge or a second chance to experience the touch of a much-wanted paramour. Do yourself a favor and don’t get caught up in the chase. What is meant for you will come.

Lilith in Sagittarius

Those with Lilith in Sagittarius have a magnetism about them that draws strangers in quickly. They often love being the center of attention, so it is no surprise that they are highly attracted to those who won’t stray from the spotlight. This is why many people with this placement in their chart have a history of dating and/or marrying musicians and other types of performers.

If your Dark Moon is in Sagittarius, you are likely game for anything, always looking for the next thing that will excite you. However, when things don’t go your way or cause you to feel insecure, your first method of defense is to throw out harsh insults that often are not based on fact, but instead are formed purely out of the emotions you are harboring at the moment. Try to think of things from others’ perspectives before jumping to conclusions.

Lilith in Capricorn

Business and pleasure form a perfect union for those whose Dark Moon is in Capricorn. Not only are people with this placement extremely attracted to those with power, but they are turned on by the idea of combining their personal and professional lives. Can you say ‘dating the boss?’

These people ooze confidence and are often observed to be intimidating, but in a very alluring way. However, caution is recommended to those who are interested in someone with this sort of magnetism. If Lilith is in Capricorn on your chart, you won’t hesitate for a second to step on others in order to make your way to the top, and nothing, not even a relationship you feel has potential will stop you from achieving your goals.

Lilith in Aquarius

Dark Moon Lilith in Aquarius is an interesting placement for two reasons. The first is that there is no doubt that these people have sex appeal, however, they do not put much energy into actively using it. The second is that they view sex as something that should be experienced rather than expressed.

If your Lilith is in Aquarius, you are probably a bit of an anarchist who deep down really loves your independence. While the idea of sex excites you, it is only in rare moments that you find yourself yearning for the touch of another. In other words, you are likely completely fine with ‘aiding’ yourself or having long spells during which you are not sexually active.

Lilith in Pisces

At the risk of quoting Kesha, we will just say that those with Lilith in Pisces have an addiction, and love is their drug of choice. Those with this placement are constantly having to be reminded that life is not a romantic comedy. This, of course, doesn’t do much but reaffirm to them that when they find the REAL right person, the spark will be so electric that there will be no doubt they've found their perfect match.

Your ability to be sure that you are going to find the perfect partner (sexual and more) is what draws potential suitors in. But they had better be careful. One wrong move and the mirage of the relationship will be ruined and you will return to hibernating and fantasizing until someone new (& better) comes along.

[thehouseoforion]

Tarot Guide: Soulmate Spread

After being friends for more than 10 years, we always joke about being one another's' soulmate. After all, we are both water signs, who love to write, with Life Path numbers of 11, who grew up in the same town and who have a connection that is out of this world. It got us thinking, what would the cards say about it?

Below you can find the Soulmate Tarot Spread, meant to give you some insight concerned who your soulmate is and more.

The questions you will be asking the deck include:

Who is my soulmate?

Where will I meet my soulmate?

What do the two of us have in common?

What issues do we have to overcome?

What relationship did we share in a past life?

How can we deepen our relationship?

It is important to remember to remain somewhat open while conducting this reading. Sure, you may think you know who your soulmate is, but there is always the chance you might not. Try and really understand what the cards are saying to you before you jump to any conclusions.

[thehouseoforion]

2 Paths Career Spread

We're all doing our best to manifest what we want out of life but sometimes having too many choices can cause us to go into decision paralysis.⁠⠀

When there is an important choice that needs to be made in the near future, we always find it best to sit down with our decks and have a heart to heart with the universe. ⁠⠀

Sure, you may not always get the answer you want. Our spirit guides tend to know how to knock the wind out of us in the most dramatic way sometimes, don't they? But at the end of it all, you will find what truly lies beneath the surface of your choices, the absolute right thing for you.⁠⠀

If you have been struggling lately to choose a path where your career is concerned, perhaps this is the help you have been waiting for.

[thehouseoforion]

Full Moon Tarot Spread

Just as the New Moon is an ideal time to draw a tarot spread and help the cards guide you on which intentions you should be setting for the period ahead, the Full Moon is the perfect time to check in on these intentions and see how they are going. Oftentimes, what we assume is the best for us changes as we grow and go through different phases in our lives. This can happen in a single lunar cycle, a six-month period, a year, or even longer.

Performing tarot spreads based on the phases of the Moon is a great way to track your intentions and see how they change with the energy of the Moon herself. Timing tarot spreads with the lunar cycle can be extremely beneficial if you journal your tarot spreads and allow yourself to go back and reflect on how you were feeling and what your sights were set on in previous phases.

This Full Moon tarot spread is meant to do just that. A simple, four-card spread that can be embellished with the use of an oracle card that you can choose at will or randomly. When I do this tarot spread, I tend to search for the Moon oracle card in my deck to draw more of the Full Moon's energy into my environment. If you don't have an oracle deck, you can leave this space blank or place a crystal, deity, or candle in its space as a substitute.

[thehouseoforion]

Lucid Dreaming for Beginners

Two years ago, my anxiety had gotten absolutely out of control and every single night I would lay in bed in a panic. I wasn’t sleeping and when I was, each slumber would end in a horrifying episode of sleep paralysis. There were numerous reasons at the time for my inability to get some soothing shut-eye. Suffice to say that everything from my love life to my professional life had sped out of control and I no longer wanted to be, well me, anymore.

If I did manage to drift off at a normal time, I would soon find myself seemingly waking to the rapid pounding of my heart, beating itself wildly in my chest, my bedroom door opening as someone entered.

I could feel the weight of the bed shift, one knee on the edge, then another, and the weight of a body settling itself beside me. I longed to open my eyes as the body stretched itself across the mattress. Finally, I would pull my lids apart, the suction of the dream loosening slightly enough for me to escape. Simultaneously I would erupt into tears and curl into myself, wishing for anything to make it stop.

I tried taking long hot showers at 2 a.m., pacing carefully-chosen paths throughout my apartment repetitively until I could breathe again, I even attempted to just stop sleeping entirely at one point, although that didn’t last very long as I am a Cancer through and through.

It wasn’t until I began reading about lucid dreaming that I finally felt as though I may have found something that could actually assist me and get me back to sleeping sound once and for all.

There had been many times in my life during which I would come-to in a dream. I would get a sudden surge of adrenaline as it would occur to my wide-awake brain, that my body was still sleeping soundly. When you know you are dreaming in a dream, it’s an empowering feeling. You can do what you want, say what you want, even change the entire landscape of the fantasy you are immersed in. The thing I had to learn, however, if I wanted to stop my nightmares, was how to actively lucid dream, rather than just stumbling into it by accident now and then. And that is exactly what I did.

What is Lucid Dreaming?

Lucid dreaming is the act of being conscious while you are sleeping. In other words, you’re dreaming and you know you’re dreaming. Lucid dreaming most often takes place during the REM cycle of sleep and can be achieved both with practice and without effort. Most of the time, those who are participating in a lucid dream can also change what is occurring in the dream at their will.

How Can You Learn to Lucid Dream?

There are many different ways to learn how to lucid dream. For me, however, there are a couple of ways I have found over the years that come easier to me than others.

Reality Testing

The first and most common way people learn to lucid dream is by practicing reality testing while they are awake. I know, it seems strange that something you do while you are conscious could affect your ability to recognize when you are in a dream, but trust me, it works. When you reality test, it’s a way of teaching your brain the difference between being awake and being asleep. You can do this in several ways.

For instance, every few hours you can look into a mirror and inspect that your face looks normal. When you see that you appear to look the same as you always do, you can surmise that you are awake. You could also do something as simple as pushing your hand against a table, wall, or anything solid to ensure that nothing out of the ordinary occurs, this is training your brain what reality is and what it is not.

Some people choose to set an alarm on their phone that will alert them every few hours so that they can complete their reality check and get into the habit of always being hyper-aware of their consciousness. After you become accustomed to these checks, you will also become much more aware when you are dreaming and your face doesn’t look the same as it always does when you look in the mirror, or when your hand can freely pass through and object that it normally would not.

By asking yourself, “Am I dreaming?” while you are awake, you will find that you become much more aware of your consciousness, even when you are sleeping.

Wake Back to Bed Method

Another common way people learn how to lucid dream is by interrupting their REM (Rapid Eye Movement) cycle of sleep. This can be done by setting an alarm for five hours after you go to bed. When you awake, you should take 20-30 minutes to complete some kind of task that requires your full attention, (so no television). Most commonly, people will use this time to read or to journal. After the time has passed, you simply turn out the lights and go back to sleep. The chances of you lucid dreaming will now be much easier as you will have the chance to reenter your REM cycle while you are still alert and conscious of your activity.

The Rope Technique

The last and final method I tried and the one that worked for me the most over time is known as the Rope Technique. This method is also used in astral projection, although, we will cover that later on. For now, let’s talk about what the Rope Technique is and how it allows you to enter a dream in a lucid state.

The entire process of this technique is very simple once you learn it but can be frustrating at first try. Plain and simple, once you lay down, you want to pretend you are climbing a long rope, like the ones they used to make kids climb in P.E. classes before they realized that kids hanging from a rope at the top of a 30-foot ceiling probably wasn’t the safest way to teach exercise.

Now, the key here is to only focus on the climbing of the rope with your mind. You do not need to visualize the rope, but instead, try and duplicate the mental anguish of the rope climb. Think of how your teeth would be gritted, how your movements would be strained, how you would doubt yourself or cheer yourself on, and all the while, keep your body still and relaxed.

Eventually, when done right, you will begin to feel your body buzzing as your consciousness exits your body and enters your dream. From here, you can choose how to proceed.

Trying It

If you cannot get the hang of one of the methods, choose another one and try that. You are most likely to find success lucid dreaming when you pick a method that feels as natural as possible to you. If you are uncomfortable in any way, you will be unable to find the concentration you need to awaken your consciousness in a dream.

Have you ever tried lucid dreaming? We would love to hear about what methods work for you!

[thehouseoforion]

The Heirophant: Master of Tradition

Being raised in the Catholic Church, it took me a long time to not solely connect The Hierophant to religion in general, especially ones I may have observed in the past. But the truth is, the Hierophant has much less to do with religion and much more to do with the pieces of our past that bring us joy and reassurance and remind us of who we are.

The Hierophant is the 5th card in the Major Arcana, placed between the Emperor and the Lovers, at the beginning of the Fool’s Journey through the first 21 cards of the Rider-Waite tarot structure. It is often also referred to as 'The Pope,' or 'The Priest' in many other decks.

This card, ruled by Taurus, is multifaceted in that it can act as a guide and also a query. The Hierophant is all about rituals both spiritual and beyond. While it is often associated with religion, it can also be a reminder to return to the roots from whence you came.

When the Hierophant appears in a reading, it is often because you have or will soon begin to experience the advantage of having some sort of mentor or guide in your life. This teacher has the authority to gain your trust and help you to nurture whatever skill or path they are coaching you on.

In the same vein, this card can indicate that you are acting as a guide for others. Either way, regardless of who the teacher is and who the student is, the knowledge being obtained is sure to be reliable and the experience transformative.

When you pull the Hierophant in a reading, it can also be an indication that it is time to bring tradition back into your life. Perhaps you have been living quite free-spirited and while that certainly comes with its benefits, we cannot know where we are going unless we know where we come from. This card could be urging you to do something as simple as making time for friends with a weekly dinner or explore an old path that brought you joy but that you may have neglected along the way.

In a tarot reading about love, the Hierophant often indicates nuptials to come. It is the commitment card of the Major Arcana and it can mean that your relationship is moving towards milestones, ie. moving in together, getting engaged, or married. It also tells us that the values and goals we hold are the same as our partner’s, making a long-lasting commitment very possible and likely to be successful.

When it comes to a tarot reading about career or money, this card encourages you to work with a team to get the best outcome. While you may be tempted to be creative, the Hierophant asks you not to stray from the tried-and-true method. Often using conventional methods can render the best results. Thinking outside the box has its time and place, just not when the Hierophant is present.

In a tarot reading about health, the Hierophant suggests that taking the route of using conventional medicine may be the best option for you at this time. Additionally, it can encourage introducing healthy activity into your daily life, especially if you have struggled recently with depression or anxiety.

The Hierophant is a really wise card, which is why I am always thrilled to see it in my spreads. Often I get so caught up in trying to inundate my life with new things, waiting for what's next, or simply neglecting the things that once brought me joy because they require work, that I lose the calmness that comes with the familiarity of tradition. If you pull this card in a reading, try and examine how you may have strayed from your roots and what you can do to return to them.

[thehouseoforion]

Ostara Approaching: Celebrating the Spring Equinox

The Spring Equinox is tomorrow, beginning at 11:49 p.m. EST as the Sun transits out of Pisces and into Aries, the sign of the ram and the first sign of the zodiac. Covens around the world will be celebrating Ostara, the pagan term for the Spring Equinox, on the 19th of March this year and The House of Orion will be celebrating with rituals of our own.

The Spring Equinox is the one day of the year when the Sun moves north across the celestial equator and the hours of daylight and darkness are equal across the planet. Throughout history and across cultures, the Spring Equinox has been celebrated as a day of renewal and rebirth. In Pagan culture, this sabbat is associated with themes of fertility and growth that are incorporated into spellwork and other rituals on this celebratory day.

While there are many ancient tales that recount the origin of the Spring Equinox, one of the favorites at The House of Orion is the story of Cybele and Attis which comes from ancient Greek mythology.

According to ancient Greek myth, Cybele was the goddess of wild nature and fertility, a well-versed healer, and an overall badass bitch who rode around in a chariot pulled by a pride of lions. She took a lover named Attis, who was her son raised at the bosom of another woman; however, Attis fell in love with a mortal and was pledged to be married to her. On Attis' wedding day to this mortal woman, Cybele descended onto the wedding party in all her glory as a goddess. The sight of Cybele drove Attis to madness and, in his insanity, he castrated himself before dying. Upon the untimely death of Attis, Cybele pleaded with Zeus to prevent Attis from decaying into nothing. Zeus granted her wish and allowed Attis to be born again at the season's change each year, creating the Spring Equinox that witches celebrate today.

As this year's Spring Equinox approaches, there are a variety of ways to harness the energies associated with Ostara that focus on renewal, rebirth, fertility, and fresh beginnings. From altar building to spellwork, Ostara-centric activities to tarot spreads, with just a little bit of planning the 19th of March can be a day full of lurid and subtle celebrations alike.

Ostara Altar Building

Whether you're the type of witch who maintains an altar year-round or one who builds altars for the various sabbats, honoring Ostara through the act of decorating an altar will bring the energy of Spring into your home and get your creative juices flowing in preparation for other Ostara activities. The symbolism associated with Ostara is deeply steeped in balance, the light of the sun, rebirth, new beginnings, and renewal. When building your altar, keep these themes in mind and use items that speak to your creativity, invoke your practice, and weave the symbolism of Ostara throughout your altar setup.

Colors to Use & Crystals to Place

Remember that Spring is the season of new beginnings and as the world around us sheds its winter skin, the new life around us brings with it bright, vibrant, and colorful energy. Capture that energy by using pastel yellows, greens, purples, pinks, and blues in your altar decor. These colors can be incorporated with the use of colored cloths or candles; however, we highly recommend bringing some of these colors into your altar through florals. Growth is highly significant when celebrating the Spring Equinox, so whether you're buying fresh-cut flowers or potted plants that you will care for until they can be transplanted into the Earth's living soil, placing hyacinths, daffodils, crocuses, and tulips will honor your deities and invite the positive energy of the Spring Equinox into your dwelling and practice.

Continuing the theme of growth, moss agate is a fabulous crystal to incorporate into your Ostara altar as it attracts the growth of new life to spaces it occupies. Citrine is another crystal popular when building altars to celebrate the Spring Equinox as it invokes the power of the Sun. Some other crystals that are often used on Ostara altars include moonstone to help balance emotions, aquamarine to reduce stress and recenter your focus, and rose quartz to increase feelings of love. These crystals not only attract energies to your altar that should be called on during the Spring Equinox but also coincide with the colors associated with Spring.

Ways to Invoke Balance & the Light of the Sun

One of the main themes of the Spring Equinox is balance. As the Sun and Moon once again battle for who occupies the majority of time in the sky, the balance between daylight and darkness shifts in favor of the light of the Sun over Ostara.

You can harness balanced energy within your altar design in various ways. Some of the most common ways to invoke balance include:

Placing a black candle and a white candle side by side or on opposite but equal points of your altar.

Setting up statues of a god and goddess that you feel drawn to or connected with to harness masculine and feminine energy.

Incorporating the symbolism of yin and yang into your altar set up.

Using items that represent the Sun and Moon through your altar decorations to acknowledge the balance between daylight and darkness.

The Spring Equinox celebrates the rebirth of the zodiac and the renewal of the Sun's energy, so it is important to attract the energy of our greatest celestial being to your altar. You can easily incorporate Sun symbolism into your altar's design through the use of yellow fruits, golden metals, warm-toned candles, and by placing The Sun tarot card among your altar decorations.

Not into building altars or unable to build an altar in your space?

If altar building isn't your thing or you're unable to build an altar in the space you currently occupy, that in no way means that you aren't able to celebrate Ostara in ethereal, witchy, Spring style. Each sabbat has its own theme based on the season it's celebrated during and the energy it calls upon. Over Lammas, which occurs at the beginning of August, the theme is deeply rooted in harvesting as Summer comes to an end and we begin to store up in preparation for winter. Over Ostara, the theme is strongly associated with rebirth, growth, and new life. There are plenty of activities that you can partake in on March 19th to celebrate these themes including:

Gifting seed bombs to your fellow witches for them to sow in spaces of their own.

Planning a garden for the summer or planting spring flowers in a bed.

Baking bread including hot cross buns which are steeped in Ostara symbolism.

Cleaning your home by decluttering your space and cleaning away the dust of winter.

Getting outdoors by taking a walk around and appreciating the beauty of nature.

Buying a bouquet of Spring flowers for your desk at work or a place in your home.

Spellcasting Over Ostara

There is something about sabbats, especially those that fall on Equinoxes and Solstices, that makes the air feel electric with energy and puts us in the mood for spellcasting. Spells that are cast over Ostara are often sent out into the Universe to spur the growth of a certain intention or to promote healing of the practitioner in order to start the new season with a fresh slate. There are a variety of spells that can be cast for these purposes, but over Ostara using spell ingredients that have dual roles as symbols of the Spring Equinox can strengthen the power of your spellwork performed during this sabbat.

Ostara Egg Spell

The egg is a common symbol in Paganism around springtime. Eggs have an abundance of symbolism associated with them that echo the symbolism of the Spring Equinox. An egg represents new life, fertility, and is a reminder to all of us of the circle of life.

Using eggs in spellwork isn't all that common, but they can be put to magickal use. This Ostara Egg Spell is meant to give new life to the intentions you set in the spring, as new life prospers around you, for the future. All you need for the Ostara Egg Spell is:

an egg

a marker

a flower or seed

a spade

Once you've gathered your ingredients, spend some time with your egg and your marker, writing your intentions for the season ahead on the egg and thinking about how those intentions coming to fruition will benefit your wellbeing. Once you feel that your intentions are strongly set upon the eg, find a spot of earth that you feel drawn to and bury the egg there. Plant your flower or seed above it. As the season progresses, your flower or seed, and the intentions you set, will grow.

Healing Your Heart Satchel Spell

The Spring Equinox doesn't only symbolize the season of rebirth or a new cycle of the zodiac. It also means the end of cuffing season which means that you're either bringing a new relationship into the new season with you or you're venturing into Spring on your own. If the end of the cuffing season has left you heartbroken, Ostara is the perfect day to heal your heart with a bit of satchel spellwork.

In order to perform this Healing Your Heart Satchel Spell you need a few ingredients from your apothecary stash. To complete this spell, gather the following items:

an empty satchel

fresh or dried rosemary

fresh or dried lavender

cinnamon sticks

bay leaves

Juniper essential oil

Once you have all the items together, light a candle and sift together the rosemary and lavender. Dab the essential oil onto the cinnamon sticks and bay leaves then, as you place the items into the satchel, recite the following incantation.

With the Earth below and the Sky above, Goddess, fill the future season with love.Ostara's light will heal my pain And in the new season, I'll be born again.

Keep the satchel with you and touch it, smell it, hold it to your heart when you find yourself feeling sad or lonely. Throughout the Spring season, your satchel filled with the magick of the Spring Equinox will bring you comfort and the resilience to get through your heartache.

Tarot Spreads for the Spring Equinox

it's a personal opinion here, at The House of Orion, that every sabbat should be celebrated with a tarot spread. And with all of the deep symbolism that Ostara carries, there are quite a few spreads out there that you can perform during the Spring Equinox. Some of the spreads are big spreads that use anywhere from six to nine cards and others are more straight forward using only three cards. Pick your spread depending on what you are wanting to learn from consulting the cards and what you want to bring into the new season ahead. Do you need some help with learning how to grow through the Spring season? Or are you in search of ways to welcome more balance in your life?

Whether you want to do a large spread to see what the time from now until the Summer Solstice has in store for you or a three-card spread to address the cold, hard truth and nothing but the truth about a specific question that you have, there is a spread for you. Take a look at the spreads we've shared below that we welcome you to try over Ostara.

A Spread for Growth

It isn't uncommon to feel the need to shed your winter skin (and your winter habits) as springtime approaches; however, it can be more difficult for some than others to know the best way to do that. This Ostara spread for growth will allow the cards to guide you in the right direction towards where you should focus your energy and allow yourself to flourish.

What changes are in store for me this Spring Equinox?

Which parts of myself should I continue to love and cherish?

Of the changes that I am considering or have already put into motion, which one will come to fruition first?

While these changes happen around me, how can I achieve inner peace?

What do I need to let go of in order to grow to my fullest potential?

Do the cards have any additional advice to give me during this time?

A Spread for Balance

As the wheel of the zodiac starts again in the first sign of Aries, the balance that may have been off-kilter over the past year is restored in the Universe (for the moment!) When using this spread, contemplate how the cards you pull had significance in your life over the last year. This spread will reveal to you the struggles you faced over the last year, what struggles are in store for you in the year ahead, and how to find balance among them.

An issue that you struggled with over the last year.

How you had control over that issue.

Any outside influences that contributed to the issue.

The spiritual guidance that helped you through the year.

An issue that you will struggle with in the year to come.

How you can best control that issue.

Outside influences to keep an eye out for.

Spiritual guidance to look for.

The balance you will find to overcome.

A Spread for Rebirth

As winter fades away and spring comes into focus, flowers are pushing their way towards the Sun, animals are leaving hibernation, and we humans are basking in the longer days of sunlight as the Earth comes to life around us. With all the positive energy and potential that comes with rebirth, it would be a waste to not see what that energy has in store for you. This tarot spread for rebirth is a great way to get to know yourself even better as you come out of your winter funk and see what sort of rebirth you should go through over Ostara.

The thing that keeps me grounded in this realm.

What nurtures my soul.

What will bloom if I continue to nurture it.

Where I find my strength in my day-to-day.

The goal or desire I need to stay focused on.

What I need to cut loose.

What I need to accept.

Where I need to put extra time and care.

A Simple Three-Card Tarot Spread

Sometimes there just isn't time for a large tarot spread, but that doesn't mean you have to miss out on incorporating a tarot reading into your Ostara celebrations. We love a traditional three-card spread because the format is easy to follow and the messages from the cards are clear and concise. This three-card spread takes the traditional linear three-card layout and spins the card's representations to mesh with the themes of the Spring Equinox.

What the cards are telling me I need to know as the zodiac calendar starts again.

How can I grow over the next year to become the best version of myself?

Which aspects of my life do I need to work on shedding and letting go of?

Blessed Ostara, Readers!

We would be glib to send this post out to you all without acknowledging that we, as a worldwide community, are experiencing some trying times. With everything going on in the world, we hope that over the Spring Equinox, you are still able to quiet your mind, take time for yourself, and celebrate the season of renewal.

Take care of yourselves, readers, and rest assured that we will always be here from equinox to solstice, solstice to equinox, and as the Universe carries on, we will, too.

[thehouseoforion]

Strengthening Spellwork Throughout the Week

When it comes to spell casting, it can be really easy to get caught up in details that end up muddling your intentions. While a clear intention for the outcome of the spell is all you really need in order to perform magick, there are certain rituals that can strengthen the power of the spell making it more likely to reap the rewards you’re reaching for.

One way to strengthen your spell work is by performing a grounding ritual prior to performing your spell. The ability to center yourself and quiet your mind is harder than it sounds, but mastering the art of grounding will improve your ability to cast pointed spells. Grounding can be as simple as meditating prior to spell work or can be a more complex act such as drawing a grounding bath.

Another way you can strengthen your spells is by casting a circle prior to performing your spell. Circle casting is a tried and true method of drawing a forcefield around yourself as you prepare to practice your craft and creates a space that blends the physical world with the spiritual.

Spell work can also be strengthened by aligning your magick with the day of the week that coincides with its intention. Each day of the week corresponds with a planet in the universe and the powers which that planet governs. When you perform spells with a specific intention on the day of the week that supports those intentions, you strengthen your spell casting abilities by aligning with the planet’s magickal properties.

Sunday & The Sun ☉ The Sun, the center of our universe as we know it, radiates solar power which aligns with success, empowerment, and wealth of the material variety. Spell work that relates to vitality, health, positivity, and an improved quality of life should be performed on Sundays.

Monday & The Moon ☾ The Moon, which waxes and wanes as it goes through its phases, supports spells related to the family, fertility, and going through cycles. While the Moon waxes, cast spells related to family and, as it wanes, turn your focus to banishing spells. Mondays are also a great time to focus on working with your dreams, developing your spirituality, and moon magick, of course.

Tuesday & Mars, The Planet of Courage ♂ It is helpful to align spells that require strong discipline and courage with Tuesday and the planet Mars. If you need help casting off a curse, breaking a habit, or conquering an addiction, planning the spell work related to your need so it can be performed on a Tuesday will be beneficial to your outcome. Tuesdays are also an appropriate time to cast spells related to passion, lust, and sexuality.

Wednesday & Mercury, The Planet of Communication ☿ As we all know, Mercury rules over our abilities to communicate; however, Mercury is also associated with astral travel and divination. Wednesdays are an optimal day to perform spell work related to your career, communication skills, professional success, and money.

Thursday & Jupiter, The Planet of Prosperity ♃ Jupiter, the planet of good fortune, is named for the Roman king of the gods and associated with Thursdays. Magick related to monetary prosperity should be performed on Thursdays to ensure a heightened chance of success. Jupiter brings growth, abundance, stability, and happiness into practitioner’s lives and can do the same for magickal practices.

Friday & Venus, The Planet of Love ♀ While Venus is commonly known for being the planet of love, it also rules over contractual agreements and legal matters due to being the ruler of Libra. If you’re about to make a big purchase, decision, or commitment and are unsure about the repercussions, perform spell work to predict the outcome on Fridays.  Spell work related to matters of love and affection can also be performed on Fridays to bring additional strength to the magick performed.

Saturday & Saturn, The Planet of Change ♄ Saturdays are associated with Saturn, the planet of change and disruption. Spell work that is intended to cleanse the practitioner of unwanted spiritual energy can use the energy of Saturn to strengthen it. Saturn is also known for being associated with longevity in regards to business. If you’re considering asking for a raise or making another move to climb the ranks in your current career setting, perform spell work that can reveal the outcomes on Saturdays for complete clarity.

[thehouseoforion]

A Spell for Luck and Gratitude

The law of attraction states that what you send out into the Universe is what the Universe brings back to you. In a time when it may be hard to find things to be thankful for it is important to remember that even the smallest things can instill a sense of gratitude in us. Sometimes you don't have to work to find those things and sometimes you really have to work hard.

Thankfully, there is spellwork out there that can help you recognize what you should be gracious for. This spell does a bit of that and a bit more. It's not only meant to help you feel gratitude for things in your day-to-day life. It's also meant to open your energy to the luck that is floating around in the Universe in hopes of bringing some into your life.

For this spell, you need four ingredients:

One White Candle

Seven Rose Petals or Dried Rosebuds

Coarse Salt

A Fire-Proof Bowl or Dish

If you are using a pillar candle, you will not need a candleholder but, if you are using a tapered candle, then we recommend finding a candleholder to ensure your candle stays upright.

To cast this spell...

To begin this spell, find a quiet place in your heart and focus your energy there as you place the dish or bowl on your altar.

Using the coarse salt, draw a circle on your dish to create a protective barrier.

Place the rose petals or rosebuds on the salt around the circle.

In the center of the dish or bowl that you chose place your pillar candle or taper candle and candleholder. Light the candle.

Sit with this candle for a while. Breathe in and out with your eyes closed and visualize the obstacles you've faced lately clearing away. See, in your mind's eye, all the paths ahead of you becoming easier and easier to traverse.

When you feel ready, say the following out loud:

For my gratitude and success, I thank my Higher Self. With the purpose and love within me, And the guide I have above me, I am one. So mote it be.

Blow your candle out when you are ready and leave the remnants on your altar. Repeat this same ritual for seven days. On the last day, let the candle burn out on its own and discard the spell ingredients by burying them.

[thehouseoforion]

When In Doubt, Smudge It Out

As each of us moves through our own magickal journey, we experience similar situations. From the highest highs to the lowest lows, if you’re a human with a spirit for magick or not, you’ve experienced a wide range of emotions and their repercussions. More often than not after a particularly negative experience we often feel like the space in which the experience occurred is tainted. And being in that space again leaves us feeling uncomfortable or sad.

Thankfully there’s a solution of sorts, for those times when you want to cleanse a space of negative energy and make room for more positive energy to flow.

Smudging, sometimes referred to as saging, is an ancient practice reborn in a new age. Smudging has cultural ties that date back thousands of years and is rooted in the lore of Indigenous American people. Native Americans used smudging techniques in a tradition known as Sacred Smoke Bowl Blessings. These blessing were powered by the intention to cleanse a space of negative energy and called upon respective higher beings to help with that cleansing. Smudging sticks were, and still are, bundled with dried white sage that produces a cleansing smoke; however, other herbs such as lavender, juniper, rosebuds, or sweet grass can be added. If you’re making a smudging stick of your own, white sage should be used as the base, but feel free to add whatever additional herbs and flora you like. (Make sure the herbs you’re burning don’t have any toxic traits.)

While the act of smudging may seem somewhat new age, the materials used, actions performed, and intended result of the ritual date back to ancient times and remain the same today. If you’re interested in incorporating smudging into your practice, or feel like you’re in dire need of a fresh slate, I’m here to help you get prepared, in the right mindset, and through a smudging ritual of your own.

Some of the most common reasons we smudge involve a negative experience happening in a space we frequent. Whether it’s a home, an office, or a vehicle, smudging usually occurs after an experience that’s left us with ill associations to the location. If you’ve recently gone through a breakup, had an especially tense argument, or gone through an unpleasant experience and are reminded of that when you return to the space then I highly recommend gathering the following materials:

Smudge Stick

Candle

Matches

Fireproof Bowl

Sand

Once you’ve collected the materials above, and I hope you already have most of them, it’s time to begin. As with most magick, the most important part of a smudging ritual is setting your intention. What do you want to address and clear up during this ritual? How do you want your space, and your soul, to feel after the ritual is complete? Take a few moments to reflect on what’s motivated you to smudge and how you want to feel when you’re done.

When I’m smudging, I like to prepare my materials while I reflect. I keep my intentions in the forefront of my mind while I pour sand into my fireproof bowl and collect my candle, matches, and smudge stick. Once you feel that you’ve spent enough time reflecting and have an intention set in your mind, take your matches and light your candle. Again, remind yourself of your intention. If the connection between your intentions and your actions is not strong, you jeopardize the effectiveness of your smudging ritual.

Intentions set? You sure? Okay, let’s continue.

Take your smudge stick and light it with the flame from your candle. You’ll want to get your smudge stick glowing red before it will produce the smoke necessary to capture the negative energy. Once your smudge stick is glowing, take it and your fireproof bowl of sand, and start smudging by focusing on yourself. Ridding yourself of negative energy is just as important as ridding your space. If your negative energy is not released, once the space is cleared of negativity, the bad energy you’re holding onto will simply fill it back up again.

There’s really only one way to smudge yourself, but two approaches. You an either start from your head and work your way down or begin at your feet and work your way up. Depending on which is more comfortable for you, start there and waft the smoke around your body. Be sure to keep your smudge stick over your bowl, wafting it towards yourself, so you don’t risk dropping embers and burning your floors or yourself. While you’re smudging yourself, take deep breaths and focus on your intentions. Say goodbye to the negative energy within you in your own way that tells the universe you are not a force to be reckoned with. You are powerful, energetic, and ready to embrace the positive energy you’re creating.

Once you feel that you are free of your own negative energy, start smudging your space. Position yourself at your front door and move from room to room in a clockwise direction. Smudge every corner of the room, wafting your smudging stick up ad down while using your hand to direct the smoke up walls and into corners. As you smudge continue to focus on your intentions. Allow the smoke to capture the negative energy in your space. Will it to grab onto the negative energy and absorb it. After you’ve made it through your space and have smudged every room, closet, nook, and cranny, snuff your smudge stick. This can be done by pushing the smudge stick into the sand until you’ve smothered the embers or by tapping the smudge stick against the edge of your bowl until it’s gone out.

When I’ve completed a smudging, I snuff my smudge stick into the sand that’s in my fireproof bowl and set it aside. Then I open all the windows in my home and allow the smoke to carry the negative energy out. While my space is airing out, I take my bowl of sand and cast it into my compost to make sure all the negative energy that was captured during my session is expelled.

As I write this, I can’t help but think back to the first smudge stick I bought. It was at a Tibetan new age shop in Colorado and I had stopped in to restock on Nag Champa when the curious bundles caught my eye. I had recently come across an article on smudging and, even more recently, moved into a new space, so I figured I would buy a bundle and give the ritual a try.

To this day I know I didn’t smudge my home “correctly” but my intentions were there and after I finished my first smudging ceremony, I did feel that the space was cleansed and ready for the life I was going to bring into it. Since that first experience, I’ve smudged the homes I’ve lived in again and again. With each practice that clean slate appears and I’m able to continue my journey with baggage that is a little less heavy.

[thehouseoforion]

The Magick of Foraging

Where witchcraft is concerned, there are certainly a lot of elements that come together in order to complete a full practice. Sometimes these elements cost money and as we’ve said before, we don’t think it should cost an arm and a leg to be a witch. Still, though, crystals aren’t cheap, sometimes specific items are scarce, and there’s always another tarot deck we have our eye on.

This is why it is important to identify ways you can get your hands on elements used in your magick that won’t break your bank. One of the ways many witches choose to do this is to go looking for spell ingredients and other items in nature.

But this practice isn’t just great for your wallet. Spending time in nature is also an incredibly important action for witches as it helps us to connect to the world around us, helping us to ground ourselves and grow the magick within. Nature surrounds us with solitude and beauty at once and gives us the ability to see the many aspects of the universe that are at work every second of every day, seemingly everywhere.

While foraging, you’re in an opportune scenario to witness the special magick the earth holds and from there, harness it in your own life.

What is foraging?

In the simplest definition, foraging is the practice of locating food, medicinal herbs, and tools in nature.

Foraging is far from a modern hobby. Our ancestors had to forage for all of their food for centuries before the invention of a convenience store or supermarket. This practice calls back upon the hunter/gatherer mentality that was used through civilization before agriculture.

Using foraging in witchcraft is something one may be inclined to do for a few reasons. First, Wicca, while not practiced by all witches, tends to bleed into most practices in one way or another. Seeing as how Wicca is a nature-based religion, having a symbiotic relationship with the outdoors is quite the no-brainer.

Additionally, having spell ingredients in their purest, most natural form is something that is known to enhance the power of a spell. What is in its purest form more than a plant growing in its natural habitat?

And lastly, and most importantly, items that are foraged are FREE. An economical advantage that many witches are happy to take advantage of considering the numerous items used in magick that are often not cheap.

The best news? There is always something to forage. Regardless of your geographic location, or what season you are currently experiencing, nearly all climates have plenty of items that can be foraged and used in spells, rituals, and on alters.

Through foraging, you can become one with the land, learning it intimately, and leaving your imprint on it (BUT only in positive ways...we will get to that).

You can find out what sort of items can be foraged in your state by completing a simple search on the internet. Here in Tennessee, we have an abundance of items that can be used in magick, black walnuts, and juniper berries spring to mind. Search for a foraging guide for your region to familiarize yourself with the foliage and more that you may come across while in the wilderness.

Ready to get started? Let’s talk about how to know what sort of spells or rituals you can build out of your foraged items.

Go Into It Without Expectations

You may wish you could know what you need to find and then go in search of it as if you were taking a grocery list into the wood. Unfortunately, this may not be the best route to take.

Rather than deciding what to look for ahead of time, we would recommend (especially when you are new to foraging) going into the forest or park or wherever you think some magick is lurking and find something new and unfamiliar. From there you can identify your item, become familiar with it and learn how to integrate it into your practice.

Beware Poisonous Plants

You may have the desire to visit areas that you may not otherwise in order to have access to herbs and plants that aren’t at your fingertips in the city or suburbs. Adventure away! Foraging is all about discovering new parts of nature.

However, knowing which plants to avoid is hugely important. When beginning to plan foraging, you may not know what you will find, but you need to know what to pass right by and let be. Dangerous plants, especially when ingested can cause serious illness or in some cases death.

We would highly recommend investing in a magickal herb guide such as the Herbs Sourcebook or a similar volume. Here you can quickly get to know about the plants that hold magick and the plants that hold poison.

Keep an Eye Out For Items Other Than Plants

While some crystals can only be located at a gem shop, you may want to do a little bit of extra searching for natural gemstones while you’re foraging. After all, nature is also the natural habitat of these shiny holders of energy.

Simply Google your area and ‘natural gemstones’ to see if there are any locations that would be optimal to search near you.

Additionally, snake skins, animal bones, feathers, sticks, and stones all can be easily incorporated into your witchcraft.

The Basic Rules of Foraging

Rule 1: Preserve and take only what you need

Don’t uproot an entire patch of flowers for your craft. Take one or two and leave the rest undisturbed so that what you did take has the chance to regrow.

Rule 2: Stay away from the root

Uprooting the plant immediately kills it! Use leaves, stems, berries, flowers, and seeds instead.

Rule 3: Recognize Mimicry Plants

For the most part, every edible plant has a look-alike. Some are harmless, but others are deadly! Make sure you know the difference before touching and especially before ingesting anything.

Rule 4: Observe your surroundings first

Foraging is only really effective when the items you collect are in a thriving environment. If you notice plants dying, the creek dying, or lots of animal carcasses in an area, retreat and find somewhere better to forage.

Rule 5: Every plant is special

Some plants are edible, some are medicinal, some have other uses. So long as a plant is fresh, not yellowing and is not poisonous, there is likely one use or 12 for it in your practice.

Have questions?

If you want to know more about foraging, feel free to reach out to us here at The House of Orion or subscribe to our newsletter for further information regarding creative ways to develop your magickal practice.

[thehouseoforion]

Saturn Enters Aquarius: The Bearer of Cosmic Karma

A couple of years ago, when Caroline was going through an incredibly rough time, I flippantly mentioned to her that the difficulties she was experiencing were somewhat normal (predictable, even) because she was experiencing her Saturn Return. Admittedly, when I made the comment, I had just recently learned the term “Saturn Return” myself. I knew it was an extremely tumultuous time in every person’s life as Saturn made its way back into the sign it was stationed in at the time of their birth and that it was something to be feared. However, it wasn’t until a year later that I realized my Saturn Return was quickly approaching and that I had a lot of work to do in order to prepare myself.

Over the last year, I’ve kept an eye out for articles explaining the Saturn Return, what to expect, how to approach it, and I’ve learned one thing – there is no preparing for it. Experiencing a Saturn Return is considered to be an astrological rite of passage. This view is taken very seriously by some (I’m looking at those Twitter astrologers who stand by the idea that you should not even practice astrology prior to your first Saturn Return) and more light-heartedly by others, but it is a unanimous opinion across the astrological community that a Saturn Return is a life-changing event and that your first is often the most difficult.

Saturn is the last planet in our solar system that is visible to the naked eye from Earth. The visibility of the ringed planet is significant in that it is thought to symbolize the finite aspects of our lives. When something is meant to end, it is likely to do so when Saturn returns to the sign it was in at the moment of your birth. Saturn is known for its karmic nature and its ruling over long-term efforts such as relationships and careers. Upon its return, the ringed giant forces us to observe where we are and how we’ve gotten there then ask ourselves what it is we want and commit to going after it.

When experiencing a Saturn Return, it is time to get serious about your goals and put all of your efforts into achieving them. If I’ve learned anything over the last year, it’s that it is crucial to understand there is no way around the hard work you’ll need to apply to your future in order to come out of your Saturn Return a stronger person. Saturn’s return makes it painstakingly apparent that the days of daydreaming of the future you think you deserve are over. You have to stop fantasizing that things will simply work themselves out without putting in any effort to ensure that they do. Gone are the days of starry-eyed youth. Now is the time to look back at the past three decades of your life and ask yourself, “what mistakes did I make? Where did I take the easy road because it was just that? How many times did I do this even when the more difficult path was clearly leading me in the right direction?”

If you were born between 1991 and 1993 then it is likely you’re about to experience your first Saturn Return, as well, as Saturn re-entered Aquarius on the 21st of March. If Saturn falls in the sign of the water bearer on your natal chart then now is the time to grow up, buckle down, and focus on the future.

Growing Up

It isn’t a coincidence that your first Saturn Return comes about the time you’re turning 30. This is the time to turn the page on your youthful 20s, trials and tribulations included, and start on a new chapter of your life. Your Saturn Return is here to challenge you. It’s going to cause waves under the bedrock of the foundation you’ve built that will have you questioning if the foundation you’re standing on is strong enough to support you for a lifetime. For most of us, the answer will be that it isn’t which means that it’s time to grow up, stand on your own two feet for a while, and wholeheartedly commit to starting the next chapter of your life.

Buckling Down

The choices made during your youth aren’t often made with much thought to how they will affect you in the future. At least, the choices that I made in my late teens and early twenties weren’t very well thought out. But, as Saturn returns, it’s going to force all of us with Saturn in Aquarius to look at the choices that were made in our pasts and decide on if we’re sticking with them or leaving them in the past. And Saturn will make it apparent what choices need mulling over by setting obstacles in our way that relate to these choices. Keep in mind that it’s much easier to see what is standing in our way and listen to the lessons Saturn is trying to teach instead of turning a blind eye or feigning a deaf ear. While it may not be easy or enjoyable, the hard work of reevaluating yourself will pay off… in two and a half or three years.

Focusing On The Future

More often than not, your Saturn Return finds you at a crossroads where it is important to consider all the possibilities that your future holds. In typical, Grecian fashion, there are two paths ahead – one that is relatively smooth and appears easy to travel down and another that is rife with challenges and going to take a lot of hard work to get to the end of. The looming question that Saturn poses is which one will you take? Discipline and focus may seem like a total drag, but these traits aren’t meant to keep your spirits low. Instead, they should be seen as the hope you need (the metaphorical lantern to help guide you) to see your journey through to the end.

Saturn in Aquarius

Saturn entered Aquarius on the 21st, returning to the sign of the zodiac it was it when I was born, and it seems that it couldn’t have chosen a better moment to make this transition. Saturn, named for the Roman god of wealth and agriculture, has made its way back into the sign of the water bearer just in time to show us all that the ways in which we’ve been living are neither right nor just and it is time for serious upheaval.

While the ringed planet occupies the sign of the water bearer, the planet’s focus is on social structure and raining justice on the unjust. When Saturn was last in Aquarius, in the early 1990s, a vast array of justice reforms happened around the world - some for the good of the world and others for the worse. In 1991, Apartheid ended in Africa, the Soviet Union began to dissolve the USSR, and a Cholera epidemic swept through Latin America. In ‘92, the Rodney King riots were on everyone’s minds and televisions while the United States refused to sign a United Nation convention on climate change. And, in 1993, NAFTA was signed into law and the European Union was formally established.

Recently, we’ve seen quite a few of these topics come back into focus in the present. The crisis that is climate change is still being denied and ignored by a variety of people with the power to make a lasting impact, racial tensions remain a topic at the forefront of people’s minds, the European Union that was formed less than a decade ago has lost Britain from its ranks, and we’re currently in the midst of a pandemic as Coronavirus infects tens of thousands of global citizens and takes the lives of thousands.

This shouldn’t come as a surprise. Saturn, when in the sign of the water bearer, focuses on social structure and bringing about karmic justice. With each transit into Aquarius, Saturn forces us to look at our needs as an entire community and that is what those with Saturn in Aquarius should focus on during their Saturn Return. For Aquarian Saturn placements, the idea of community can be a struggle, but your Saturn Return is the time to find your tribe. Perhaps that means joining a social movement and finding others like yourself who are passionate about a specific cause. Or perhaps it means finding a way to create your own tribe using the innovative traits that Aquarians are known for so that your community is part of your day-to-day life.

Over the next three years, Saturn is on a path straight through Aquarius, but around the beginning of July, the ringed planet is going to retrograde back into Capricorn for a brief stint. Come December of 2020, Saturn will remain in Aquarius until 2023 when it transitions into Pisces.

For those who also have Saturn in Aquarius on their natal chart, I’ll say this. Keep in mind over the next few years that Saturn is here to test you, but it does not want you to fail. The planet that rules over the harvest isn’t here to sow havoc and reap misery. It simply wants you to work hard for what you want and isn’t apt to let you forget it.

[thehouseoforion]

The Fool: Adventure at Your Doorstep

The Fool will always be one of my favorite cards of the Major Arcana. While I often find myself drawn to different cards throughout the tarot deck at different times in my life, I tend to revisit The Fool again and again. I think what speaks to me so loudly about this card is the idea of new beginnings. The idea that I will always be able to start over, despite the many foolish mistakes I’ve made in the past, is a comforting thought and one that I resonate deeply with thanks to Pluto falling in Scorpio and occupying my first house.

The Fool is the star of the Major Arcana and the other 21 cards of the Major Arcana are depictions of the journey The Fool goes through on his search for enlightenment. As the Major Arcana starts with The Fool, the Zero of the deck, all that is ahead of them is an exciting journey. Despite the inevitable highs and lows that life throws at us, The Fool is optimistic (even a bit ignorant) that trusting their gut is the right instinct to follow. Authority, love, money, death, and trauma are all in The Fools’ path and they are ready to take the journey one step at a time, learning more about themselves as they make their way towards the final card of the Major Arcana – the World.

In the Rider-Waite tarot card depiction, The Fool is standing on the ledge of a cliff with one foot raised instep and a knapsack over his shoulder. The Fool has a white rose in his hand, representing his innocence and his pure heart. There is a small white dog at his feet, a loyal companion who is encouraging The Fool to move ahead on his journey. The Fool has his eyes turned upwards towards the sky, not towards the mountains in the background, proving that The Fool is focused on the ideal journey he has in his mind and now the actual challenges that they may face in the future.

While it may appear that The Fool is telling you to jump off the cliff ahead ignoring any red flags in your line of vision, they are not. At least not literally. So, what does The Fool mean when they appear to you in a tarot spread? As with the other cards within a tarot deck, The Fool has a plethora of meanings depending on when and how they appear to you.

The Fool – Upright

If The Fool appears to you upright in a tarot spread, it’s time to take that leap of faith that you’ve been mulling over. Have you been considering quitting your job and taking a more entrepreneurial approach to your career? The Fool is encouraging you to do so. Do you find yourself in a rut relationship-wise? If The Fool appears to you, now may be the time to end that relationship or start a new one depending on your current status.

While the decision ahead of you may not be an easy one, the time to make a choice is now. The new journey ahead of you is one that will result in self-discovery, personal development, and an exciting adventure if you approach it with an open mind and a sense of curiosity, like The Fool. The upright Fool symbolizes a great opportunity for a new adventure and the possibility to unlock your untapped potential. Now is the time to take a step into the unknown with an open attitude and to have some fun along the way.

The Fool – Reversed

The reversed Fool is a bit more of a conundrum to interpret because it can have one of two meanings. On one hand, when The Fool appears reversed in a tarot spread, it could mean that despite the ideas you have in your head, now may not be the time to make that leap. Whether it’s self-doubt holding you back, a lack of resources available to you, or an itching feeling that the timing isn’t perfect, a reversed Fool symbolizes (like it does upright) that it’s time to trust your gut.

On the other hand, a reversed Fool can mean that your risk-taking is getting out of hand and could be coming to a point where it is going to cause pain to yourself or others around you. Decision making, especially in regards to your life which is so deeply interconnected to those around you, should always be approached with a consideration of the bigger picture. If The Fool appears to you in this sense and you feel that you’re coming to a boiling point of possibly hurting others with your choices, take a more personal approach to your spontaneity.

Now can you see why I love this card so much? The Fool is a symbol of untapped potential, both upright and reversed, and one that appears to us when the time for a new adventure is upon us. The appearance of The Fool in a tarot spread could mean that it’s time for the next leg of your journey or time to take a step back and reevaluate your next steps. Regardless of its appearance, your life’s path is about to get quite a bit more exciting and new experiences are just on the horizon. Now the question is, how will you approach them?