Vetrnætr/Winter Nights Altar 2025

Winter Nights begins on the first full moon after the Autumn Equinox and lasts three days during which three blots, or sacrifices, occur: Alfablót, Disablót, and Haustblót. Last night was the first full moon after the Autumn Equinox and therefore the first day of Winter Nights! Others chose to celebrate 28 days after the Autumn Equinox, which this year falls much closer to Samhain. I considered postponing my celebrations by a couple of weeks, but considering everything that has been going on, I figured I needed to celebrate earlier rather than later.

Alfablót and Disablót were believed to be celebrated more privately, while Haustblót was a community event. There is some suggestion that Disablót was also celebrated publicly, and in some parts of the world, it still is. I, however, have chosen to make this a private celebration. Alfablót and Disablót are both celebrations of our ancestors, local spirits, and deities, each focusing on a different group. Alfablót celebrates our male ancestors, spirits, and Álfar, while Disablót celebrates our female ancestors, spirits, and Dísir. Haustblót, on the other hand, is more of a thanksgiving celebration to acknowledge the abundance of the final harvests, express gratitude, and honor the spirits and deities that made such a bountiful harvest possible. One last hurrah before the cold sets in and the earth withers.

The themes and symbols represented by this holy tide are the harvest, abundance, cycles, family, heritage, and sacrifice. This is a time to give thanks, celebrate the fruits of our labors, and request continued protection and abundance. With these themes in mind, I created the base altar featured below. Please know that this is the base, not the complete altar. Each night, I added new items and conducted short spells and rituals not featured for privacy reasons. This year, I had many more photos and items to add, as I have lost several people in my life in the last year. I've included an expanded note about this at the end of the post to give you a better idea of what you won't see pictured and why.

1. Harvest Candle Holder with Blue Candle- Like last year, I placed my harvest candle holder in the center of my Winter Nights' altar as it represents the bounty of the season with its pears, apples, grapes, and berries. The earthen tones and colorful leaves represent autumn and the changing of the seasons as the Wheel turns yet again toward winter. While in previous years I have used a green candle, this year I chose blue. Blue is associated with calmness, communication, spiritual awareness, truth, and healing, perfect for honoring one's ancestors. It was also the favorite color of the person I lost last December, so it is an ode to them as well. Nestled around the candleholder are sunflowers, representing the final dying strength of the sun, as well as joy, abundance, adoration, and loyalty. (Where did I get it: Goodwill & Dollar Tree; Cost: $3)

2. Incense Holder with Stick Incense- Incense has been used across cultures to communicate with the gods and send messages to the Otherworld for centuries. It is one of the best ways to trigger a magical response in your brain and let it know it's time for ritual. Furthermore, incense is commonly used as an offering, a gift to those we wish to commune with. For all these reasons, I have incense on my Winter Nights altar. I picked a scent that resonated with me, that felt 'right' for the season. Each night of Vetrnætr I lit new incense to carry my prayers, stories, and thoughts to those I was speaking to. I used it to cleanse and clear the space around my altar and to summon the spirits of those I wished to honor each night. (Where did I get it: Five Below; Cost: $3)

3. Clear Quartz Tower, Bloodstone, and Carnelian- Clear quartz is a natural amplifier and has often been used to communicate with one's ancestors. I placed it next to my offering dish to attract spirits, amplify my prayers, and protect against unwanted entities joining in my festivities. Around the offering bowl as also carnelian and bloodstone. Carnelian is associated with the sun and strength, as well as memory and warmth. As the nights get cooler, carnelian reminds us that the sun will return. It also stimulates memories of our loved ones who have passed over. Bloodstone represents grounding and protection as well as the blood that ties us to our ancestors. I placed these around the offering bowl to honor the changing seasons and my ancestors, spiritual guides, and deities. (Where did I get it: Various; Cost: ~$8.50)

4. Jera, Othala, and Mannaz Runes- Since this is a Nordic holiday, no altar would be complete without some runes. Jera is the rune of the harvest, representing reward, fruition, commitment, and fertility. It signifies the cycle of life, from birth to death, and abundance to come. As Winter Nights is a celebration of the final harvest, it only makes sense to pay tribute to the harvest through Jera. Othala, however, is the rune of heritage, inheritance, and home. It represents your family roots, your genetics, and your spiritual heritage. This is incredibly important during Winter Nights, as both Alfablót and Disablót are celebrations of our ancestors and heritage. Finally, Mannaz is symbolic of community, introspection, and awareness. Hausblót, which I celebrate on the final night of Winter Nights, is a time of coming together and celebrating the final harvest together. Mannaz is the perfect rune to symbolize our reliance on each other during difficult times. (Where did I get it: Won; Cost: Free)

5. Corn Dolly- The corn dolly/maiden represents the harvest and the spirits of the fields. Corn, from which the dolly is made, is also associated with growth, vitality, strength, and fertility, blessing the future and my home with abundance throughout the coming cold months. While there is no evidence that the Norse used or created corn dollies, its strong connection with the harvest and abundance led to my decision to place it on my altar this year, as Winter Nights is not just a time to honor our ancestors, spirits, and deities, but also to celebrate the final harvest of the season. (Where did I get it: House of Rituals Box 2018; Cost: ~$5)

6. Offering Bowl- Blót means sacrifice, and that is exactly what is to occur during Winter Nights. Each night, I make a sacrifice and offering to say thank you to those who have helped me, honor those who have come before me, and connect with those whom I have lost. What I sacrificed each night was different, dependent upon the spirits I was thanking or honoring, but it was made nonetheless. The bowl I used is an earthen bowl gifted to me by my best friend on my birthday two years ago. What better way to use it than to give thanks? (Where did I get it: Gifted; Cost: Free)

7. Fox Skull- The fox skull represents my animal guide or otherworldly familiar. She has been a staunch companion and ally for many years, and this skull is used as a spirit home for her during my magical workings and spirit flights. She is honored here during Vetrnætr as one of the feminine spirits I celebrated during Disablót, and she helps to ferry my ancestors into our realm. I honestly couldn't do what I do without her. Not pictured are her offerings, which shall remain private. (Where did I get it: Gifted; Cost: Free)

TOTAL COST: ~$8.50

Like my other altars, most of the items I use are found, made, or purchased for around $1, although if the items must be purchased by you, then the cost will be higher. This altar is more expensive than some of my previous altars because I wanted to include some new items I purchased this year. I hope you find this sort of breakdown helpful, especially for those of you looking to create Instagram-perfect altars on a budget!

It's important to note this is not my full altar for Winter Nights. Each night, I added new things, the majority of which are very private. This includes pictures of my ancestors, notes, letters, and personal belongings, even cremains, sacrifices, and offerings. These are private and between me and the spirits I work with, hence their absence from these pictures. I encourage you to do the same with your altar. Remember, part of witchcraft is "to remain silent." This doesn't mean not sharing your knowledge and craft, but being wise in what and how you share. Not everyone has your best interests in mind. Furthermore, the connection you share with your ancestors and how you honor them is a private affair. As much as I love all my readers and followers, I do not want you witnessing all my private moments. I am sure you feel the same.

I hope everyone has a blessed winter and that it is nothing but light in the darkness.

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Magical Properties of Amber

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A Spell to Protect One’s Livelihood: How to Keep Your Career Safe and Secure in Uncertain Times

In light of recent events, we are seeing a large number of people put on administrative leave or fired for expressing their thoughts on the death of a certain podcaster. Furthermore, we are seeing a significant increase in layoffs and unemployment as economic uncertainty grows. Since the beginning of 2025, there have been over 800,000 job cuts, representing a 76% increase compared to the same period last year. These layoffs and job cuts are the highest it has been since 2020 and are expected to continue. Needless to say, we could all use a little job protection. This spell, along with the accompanying daily invocations/charms and mundane actions, will help you stay safe, secure, and employed in these uncertain times.

Unlike some of my other spells, I have written two different variations of this spell. The first is a deity-neutral spell that anyone can easily use and adapt to their own practice. The second version invokes three Norse deities for those on a Heathen path, such as myself.  As before, I break down what you need, what to do, and why you did it.

As always, take what you need, change what you want, and leave what you don't want behind. Magic is always best when it's personal.

What You'll Need

Deity-Neutral Version:

• Green Candle
• Salt
• Bowl of Water
• Match or Lighter
• Bay Leaf
• Writing Utensil
• Pyrite, Tiger's Eye, or Citrine

Nordic Deity Version:

• Green Candle
• Iron or Nail
• Key
• Bell
• Bay Leaf
• Writing Utensil
• Match or Lighter

What to Do

Deity-Neutral Version:

This spell is best performed on Sunday or Thursday. Begin by cleansing your space and tools using your preferred method. If you wish, cast a circle and call quarters. Place the candle in the center of your space with the bowl of water in front of it. Draw a circle of salt around the candle and bowl, and light the candle.

On the bay leaf, write your name and the phrase, "Secure in my work; valued in my role." Hold it between your hands and focus on your desire to remain safe, secure, and protected in your job. Visualize money flowing into your life, your boss and coworkers minding their own business, and you controlling your future job prospects.

Once you have completed your visualization, pass the bay leaf back and forth between the flame, being careful not to catch it on fire or burn yourself (tweezers will come in handy here), while chanting, 

"Steady flames, steady ground,
My work is safe, my worth is sound.
No harm, no threat, no unjust end,
Protection surrounds, as I intend.
My job is safe, my finances secure.
I shall not be fired; my job shall endure.
So I wish it, so shall it be."

When the bay leaf is completely charged, lay it in front of the candle and place your crystal of choice on top of the bay leaf. Hold your hand over the bay leaf and crystal and continue your visualization as the candle burns down.

Once the candle has burned out, or when you feel the bay leaf and crystal are adequately charged with your intention, place the bay leaf in your wallet or work bag and bring the crystal to work to sit on your desk. The water can be left on your altar and replaced once a week to avert unwanted attention, or poured outside. Recharge the crystal and bay leaf as needed.

Warnings/Modifications/Alternatives:

• Remember, visualization is not necessarily seeing an object in your mind, but instead an incorporation of all senses to bring about the object or intention. When visualizing, it's more about creating those feelings than necessarily seeing the object or outcome in our mind.
• If you are unable to light candles, charge the bay leaf and crystal in full sunlight.
• Do not leave a lit candle unattended, and always have water or another fire extinguisher nearby.
• The bay leaf can be swapped with a piece of paper, preferably green or brown.
• The water can be replaced by a mirror, which can remain on your altar or be brought to work with you to redirect unwanted attention.

Nordic Deity Version:

This spell is best performed on Sunday or Thursday. Begin by cleansing your space and tools using your preferred method. If you wish, cast a circle and call quarters. Place the candle in the center of your space, with the iron/nail to the left of the candle, the key to the right of the candle, and the bell in front of it.

On the bay leaf, write your name and under your name, draw Tiwaz (ᛏ), Othala (ᛟ), and Algiz (ᛉ) runes. Pass the bay leaf back and forth between the flame, being careful not to catch it on fire or burn yourself (tweezers will come in handy here) while invoking Tyr, Frigg, and Heimdall to protect your job.

To call upon Tyr, say:

“Tyr, steadfast one, who gives for the greater good, 

Protect my role, let fairness be my shield. 

May no false word or unjust hand unseat me.”

To call upon Frigg, say:

“Frigg, Lady of the Hall, keeper of hearth and thread, 

Guard my labor, guard my bread. 

May my work remain strong, my place secure.”

To call upon Heimdall, say:

“Heimdall, ever watchful, keen of ear, 

Hear my call, let no harm draw near. 

Keep my post, my worth well seen.”

Finalize the charging of the bay leaf by saying,

“By Tyr’s hand, Frigg’s care, and Heimdall’s guard,

I stand protected in my work. 

So it is, and so it shall be.”

Holding the bay leaf in your hand, focus on your desire to remain safe, secure, and protected in your job. Visualize money flowing into your life, your boss and coworkers minding their own business, and you controlling your future job prospects, all while the gods watch over you. When ready, snuff the candle if necessary, place the bay leaf in your wallet or work bag, place the iron/nail on your desk or workspace, and keep the key at home, preferably in the area where you manage your finances. Recharge the objects and bay leaf as needed.

Warnings/Modifications/Alternatives:

• Remember, visualization is not necessarily seeing an object in your mind, but instead an incorporation of all senses to bring about the object or intention. When visualizing, it's more about creating those feelings than necessarily seeing the object or outcome in our mind.
• If you are unable to light candles, charge the bay leaf and crystal in full sunlight.
• Do not leave a lit candle unattended, and always have water or another fire extinguisher nearby.
• The bay leaf can be swapped with a piece of paper, preferably green or brown.
• Other deities you can call upon include Lugh (justice & fairness), Brigid (protection of the home and livelihood), Morrígan (awareness), Themis (justice & fairness), Hestia (protection of the home and livelihood), or Hyperion/Argus Panoptes (watchfulness).

Both of these spells can be followed up with daily affirmations. Below are some examples that you can easily adjust to fit your needs. I have called upon the same Norse deities for these affirmations, but you can easily remove their names and modify them as needed.

For Confidence

“With Tyr’s courage in my hand and Frigg’s wisdom in my heart, I step into my work strong and sure.”

For Protection

“Frigg shields my labor, Heimdall guards my steps, Tyr holds me steady. I am safe in my work.”

For Career Growth

“With Tyr’s justice, Frigg’s care, and Heimdall’s watch, my efforts are seen, my path opens, my future grows.”

Why You Did It

Understanding the whys of a spell (or ritual or recipe) is just as important as performing it. It helps you understand the process so you can modify the spell or ritual to suit your needs, and helps guide you in writing your own. It's my intention to provide these explanations so that you can build a better understanding of how spells are written and executed, so you can modify and build your own spells (the goal of my Spellcrafting Series). 

First and foremost, both versions of this spell are best performed on a Sunday or Thursday. Sunday is associated with strength, resilience, personal power, prosperity, fortune, and work, while Thursday is associated with money, prosperity, manifestation, wealth, and business. Both of these days are perfect for spells and rituals for keeping your job and remaining employed.

Both spells also employ the use of the bay leaf, which is associated with success, victory, ambition, goals, prosperity, and protection. Bay leaves are often carried in one's wallet or purse to attract good fortune, wealth, and financial success, which reinforces the intentions of both spell versions.

Finally, both spells use a green candle, which, like the bay leaf, is associated with success, prosperity, and wealth, all things steady employment brings. Fire, on the other hand, is associated with strength, courage, power, protection, achievement, and action. Passing the bay leaf through the flame imbues it with these properties, creating a potent charm for success and protection.

Despite their fundamental similarities, there are some differences between the spells that need to be addressed.

Deity-Neutral Version:

The deity-neutral spell also includes salt, water, and pyrite, tiger's eye, or citrine. A ring of salt was drawn around the candle and bowl of water to represent stability and protection. Salt is deeply associated with purification and is representative of the element earth. The element earth is associated with stability, grounding, and consistency, which is exactly the energies you want to attract when it comes to maintaining your employment. It also helps to banish any negativity or unwanted energies that could disrupt your spell.

The bowl of water is used to bring balance and calm to your spell. It is there to absorb any doubts, fears, or negativity that you harbor and acts as a reflective surface to redirect unwanted attention. You do not want your coworkers or your bosses looking too intently into your life, especially if you are actively opposing an oppressive government. Maintaining this water on your altar helps redirect this energy away from you. A charged mirror does the same thing and can be easily brought to work to redirect unwanted attention.

Finally, pyrite, tiger's eye, or citrine were used to create a charm that could be brought to work, as all of these crystals are associated with confidence, success, and job security. Pyrite is also associated with money and financial stability, while tiger's eye is associated with grounding and luck, and citrine with motivation and positivity. No matter which crystal you choose, they will all help maintain a stable and safe work environment and can be easily recharged to maintain your intention.

Nordic Deity Version:

In the Nordic deity version of this spell, we use a piece of iron or a nail, a key, and a bell as well as invoking three Norse deities to empower our objects. First among these deities is Tyr, who is represented by the iron or nail on the altar. Tyr is the Norse god of justice and fairness, and the iron or nail represents his steadfastness. Tyr and his iron/nail ensure you are treated fairly at work while maintaining financial and career stability. Tyr also helps to silence rumors, lies, and ill will that may be directed toward you, thus protecting you from slander.

Next, we called upon Frigg, who is represented by the key. Frigg is the Norse deity of the home, aiding in keeping one's livelihood safe. The key represents Her protection of the hearth and home, which you need job security to maintain. She is called upon to protect our jobs and guard our "bread," aka finances, helping to maintain security.

Finally, Heimdall, represented by the bell, is called upon to lend a watchful eye and protect us from unwanted attention. He helps us be aware of our surroundings, aiding us in protecting ourselves from unwanted attention while simultaneously bringing attention to our worth. Together, all three deities ensure a safe, stable career, even in uncertain times.

This version also employed the use of runes, particularly Tiwaz (ᛏ), Othala (ᛟ), and Algiz (ᛉ). Tiwaz is associated with justice and rightful standing, Othala with home and security, and Algiz with protection. Written with your name, these three runes ensure your career is safe.

Want to break this spell? Both versions of this spell can be broken using the same method. Burn the bay leaf while saying, "I release my intent. Your protection, watchful eye, and steadfastness are no longer needed."

Remember to record this spell in your Book of Shadows or use my Spell/Ritual Worksheet for reference later.

***

As always, this spell should be followed up with mundane actions to keep you safe. 

• Set your social media pages to private.
• Do not add or befriend co-workers on social media, even if you think you can trust them. In my area, it was co-workers who reported, not random people. 
• Change your name to make it harder to search for you (e.g., replace an L in your name with an upper-case i) or use a fake name. 
• Do not add where you live or work on your social media. Most companies' social media policy only holds up if you associate yourself with the company. I would remove your LinkedIn profile, too. It isn't worth it, especially now that they are using your resumes to train their AI.
• Do not post about rallies, protests, or actions you are taking against the government, and do not bring your phone with you to such events unless you have a Faraday bag. New spyware being used by our government can access your phone and encrypted apps. There are already concerns about lists being made. Don't put yourself on one.
• When in doubt, keep your actions silent. When fighting a revolution, it's best that you don't tell anyone what you are doing. We have a saying in the witch community, "To know, to will, to dare, and to keep silent." It's a great mantra to live by. Use it.

I know none of us wants to be having this conversation, but unfortunately, this is the world we are living in. Keep yourself safe out there.

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Magical and Medicinal Uses of Pine

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Mars
Element: Air
Powers: Exorcism, Fertility, Immortality, Longevity, Peace, Protection, Resilience

Magical Uses and History: The pine tree is an evergreen gymnosperm, meaning it doesn't lose its leaves during the winter months and produces cones instead of flowers. The genus Pinus evolved sometime at the end of the Cretaceous in Laurasia, a supercontinent that broke into North America and Asia. There are numerous species of pines, each with its own unique folklore, but some of their correspondences overlap heavily among different cultures. One of these correspondences includes longevity and everlasting life.

As previously mentioned, pines are evergreens, keeping their leaves throughout the winter months instead of losing them like deciduous trees. This perpetual state of vibrant life, even in the harshest conditions, gave rise to the idea that pines were a symbol of immortality, longevity, and perseverance. In Chinese culture, pine is regarded as one of the "Three Companions of Winter," as it was able to survive the harsh, unrelenting cold and wind of winter, standing upright in even the worst of conditions, leading to its association with perseverance and integrity. According to Confucius, "Only in the cold winter does one know that the pine and the cypress are the last to shed their leaves," meaning that harsh environments are a test of human character.

Across the continent in Phrygia (modern Turkey), the pine was deeply connected with the mortal-become-god Attis. According to some myths, unbeknownst to Attis, Cybele fell in love with him as she watched him grow. Eventually, Attis fell in love with another, King Pessinus' beautiful daughter, which made Cybele incredibly jealous. As punishment, Cybele drove Attis mad, causing him to run crazy through the mountains, where he finally stopped at the base of a pine tree, where he castrated himself and later died from his wounds. From Attis' blood arose the first violets, while the pine tree watched over Attis' spirit as Zeus resurrected his body as a favor to Cybele. Attis then becomes Cybele's consort, representing death and resurrection in the yearly cycle. To celebrate his rebirth, the priests of Cybele and Attis would cut down a pine tree, cover it in violet, and bring it to the shrine at Mt. Dindymus. This myth was later adopted by both the Romans and Greeks, further integrating the pine as a symbol of everlasting life.

In more recent history, the pine has become a symbol of perseverance among the Japanese as they have survived both the earthquake and the tsunami in March of 2011, which left the city of Rikuzentakata in ruin. The surrounding forest of roughly 70,000 pine trees was completely destroyed except for one lone pine, which became the national symbol of resilience and strength. Unfortunately, the tree later died due to root rot caused by excessive salt buildup, and it was cut down in September 2012, but the symbolism still remains.

Older Japanese pine myths also speak of the pine's association with immortality, more specifically with their use as homes to the kami, Shinto gods and goddesses. According to Shinto belief, the kami use the branches of pines to descend to earth and often reside in the branches. As such, it is customary to see at least one pine in every Shinto shrine. Furthermore, the pine is viewed as a watcher who brings people together and watches over their lives and souls in death. Despite the fleeting life of humans, the pine remains steadfast, fostering its association with longevity and immortality. Because of its connection to the spirit realm, pine makes a great addition to altars, spells, and rituals to honor deities or ancestors, for spirit communication, or during funeral rites.

In Egypt, pine resin was used as a component in embalming mixtures, helping to preserve bodies long after death. Across the Mediterranean, pine resin was used to waterproof ships and seal joints, while the wood of pines was prized for its ability to withstand decay. As such, pine became associated with Poseidon, god of the sea, and was often included in festivals and rituals dedicated to said deity. Needless to say, each of these uses further supports pine's correspondences with immortality, resilience, longevity, and perseverance. As such, pine can be used in spells and rituals to promote immortality and resilience, or to enhance the longevity and resilience of a spell. Pinecones collected during midsummer were believed to make a person bulletproof, and therefore can be used in protection spells as well as immortality spells. Furthermore, its ability to resist decay and water damage makes pine ideal for spells and rituals to protect travelers, particularly those who will be traveling on the water or swimming. Pinecones and needles can be fashioned into protection charms and hung about the sea vessel or given to the person to wear.

While many cultures view the pine as a symbol of immortality, others regard it as a symbol of peace and prosperity. In North America, the Haudenosaunee, known in the West as the Iroquois, recount the story of Dekanawidah, who united the five warring tribes with the aid of a white pine known as the Tree of Peace. According to the stories, which combine both reality and myth, Dekanawidah called the warring tribes together to meet under the Tree of Peace, which was uprooted so all who attended could cast aside their weapons into the gaping hole left behind by the giant white pine. An underground stream carried their weapons away as the tree was replanted. Its roots stretched far and wide out into the cardinal directions, while its branches grew to encompass all those below. The needles grew in groups of five, representing the five nations that had come together in peace. On top of the tree perched an eagle who acts as a protector of the Peace. If any other nation wished to join the League, they would have to follow these Great White Roots of Peace to the source and shelter beneath the tree. As such, pine, specifically white pine, has become associated with peace.

Because of the pinecone's phallic shape, some cultures viewed the pine as a symbol of sexuality and lust, particularly masculine sexuality. The Greeks and Romans used pinecones to tip thyrsus wands or staves of the maenads, or women followers of Dionysus, the god of prosperity, fertility, and hedonism. These wands and staves were used during sacred religious rituals and fêtes, and are believed to have represented Dionysus's potent masculine sexuality. Across the continent, pine was commonly planted after a couple was wed, sometimes near the door where the wedding was taking place, to encourage a healthy and fruitful marriage. As such, pine needles and cones can be carried to increase fertility and sexual potency, particularly for men, or used in spells and rituals for similar purposes.

Finally, the pine is associated with protection. While I cannot find specific lore detailing where this lore originated, it is likely because of the pine's association with immortality. If the pine encourages an extended life, then it stands to reason that it can protect the user as well. Pine needles are often burned or scattered on the floor to drive away evil or unwanted negative energy, or used in baths to cleanse. Pine needles can also be burned to reverse spells and even send them back to their caster. Placing pine needles above one's bed is said to prevent illness, or placing them above doors, windows, and fireplaces to keep unwanted entities out. Because of its association with protection, it is partially believed that the pine was brought inside during Yule or Christmas, not only as a symbol of joy and immortality, but also to protect the inhabitants of the home during the long and dark winter months when untoward spirits were said to roam freely in the night. Needless to say, pine is the perfect addition to protection spells and rituals.

Pine can be used in a number of spells, including:

      Lust Spells

      Protection Spells

      Exorcism

      Immortality Magic

      Peace Spells

      Fertility Rituals

Medicinal Uses: Many varieties of pine can be used in herbal medicine, but for the sake of this article, I am going to focus on the medicinal properties of Pinus sylvestris, also known as Scots Pine, Scotch Pine, Baltic Pine, or European Red Pine. If you wish to use a different pine variety, please consult reputable sources or an herbalist before creating any remedies. Scots pine needles, young buds, and twigs can be used to treat respiratory infections such as bronchitis, upper respiratory infections, and sinusitis, and some studies have found it useful in treating asthma symptoms. This is due to the needles' anti-catarrhal properties, which help relieve inflammation of the mucous membranes and reduce and remove mucous from the body. Its stimulating nature also makes it good at treating arthritis and rheumatism, both internally and externally. Traditionally, Scots pine needles have been added to baths to relieve fatigue, anxiety, and insomnia. It is also naturally antiseptic, making it a great wash for minor cuts and scrapes.

Preparation and Dosage: To create an infusion, combine 1 cup of boiling water with 1/5 teaspoon of needles. Allow to infuse for 10 to 15 minutes. Drink up to three times a day. As a tincture, take 1-2 milliliters up to three times a day. To create a steam inhalant, bring 2-3 cups of twigs to a boil with 4 pints of water. Simmer for 5 minutes before draping your head with a towel over the pot and inhaling the steam for 15 minutes. Repeat as needed. To create a bath tea, combine 3 handfuls of twigs and needles with 1.5 pints of water and soak for one hour. After an hour, bring the infusion to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes before adding it to your bathwater.

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Book Review: Tarot Spreads by Meg Jones Wall

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Seems like tarot is experiencing a boom this year, which isn't entirely surprising given the state of the world. People often turn to divinatory practices, such as tarot, in times of uncertainty, seeking answers in the chaos. While I am not super into tarot myself, I have read enough tarot books and own enough decks to have a fairly decent understanding and respect for the art. Furthermore, it is through my experiences reading tarot that I have a pretty good idea of what makes a good tarot book versus a bad tarot book, and Tarot Spreads: How to Read Them, Create Them & Revise Them by Meg Jones Wall is among the good ones. Not only did I have the joy of reading Wall's work in Tarot in Other Words, but I got to enjoy an entire work featuring her expertise and unique perspective.

Tarot Spreads is divided into parts or chapters, each of which dives into topics needed to create and use your own tarot spreads, as the title of the book suggests. Part One opens with a basic introduction to tarot, from its history to the card meanings themselves. Wall makes it clear, however, that tarot is not a closed practice and therefore open to all walks of life. However, she does mention that some interations are closed and that respect should be given to those practices and traditions unique to the Romani people. I loved the inclusion of this statement right in the beginning because, just a few years ago, everyone was all up in arms about whether or not tarot was culturally appropriated. To err on the side of caution, I briefly stopped including tarot spreads on my full moon ritual worksheets, as well as some other places, but after some additional research, I decided this caution was largely unfounded. Wall does include a brief history of tarot, being sure to mention that much of what we believe today is based on lies, much like witchcraft itself. It's a shame so many occultist opted to make stuff up to legitimize their claims and practices, instead of being honest.

Wall approaches the read through conversation, with headings being questions the reader might be asking her. I thoroughly enjoyed this approach as it makes it easy for a reader to find the information they are looking for quickly. If you already know tarot is for everyone, you can jump ahead to more pertinent information, such as how to read tarot for yourself or for others. This approach also makes sense in light of Wall's view of tarot. Wall states that "tarot is a language," one that takes practice to learn.

The following parts or chapters then delve into reading and creating your own tarot spreads, which is really the heart of the book after all. Wall makes it clear that spreads are not necessary for reading tarot, but they help clarify our thoughts and questions, allowing us to dig into what we really want to know. Tarot spreads, whether they were written by others or yourself, offer insights into the questions we want answers to and how we want to receive those answers.

What I found most interesting, however, was that Wall argues the shape of the spread ultimately doesn't matter, at least in most regards. Instead, the shape offers structure to the reading, not necessarily insights into the meaning of the cards themselves. Obviously, there are exceptions, specifically if you built meaning into the placement of the cards, but at the end of the day, you could read all your spreads in a straight line and get the same answers. The spread is really there to offer clarity, discovery, insight, advice, and support, not to direct the meaning of the cards. Just like tarot is a language, a tarot spread is a conversation between you and the cards. They support a richer and nuanced conversation, but aren't required to read tarot. Wall makes it clear that sometimes spreads aren't needed, especially if you are unsure of what you actually want to know and ask.

Not only does Wall offer insights into when and why you should create your own spreads, she also details how to do it yourself. She opens Part Three, however, by making a note that you do not have to write your own spreads to be a great tarot reader. There is nothing wrong with using spreads written by others, and I appreciate her including this. It's not cheating to use other people's spreads, and it doesn't make you less of a tarot reader or witch to use what others have created. Besides, we have so much we can learn from each other, so why not take advantage of what others have already done? However, writing your own spreads is a skill and can help you develop as a tarot reader.

Wall offers three different methods or approaches with examples for writing your own tarot spreads: Magician, Hierophant, and Priestess. My personal favorite was the Magicina approach, which is chaos unleashed. Basically, you lay everything out there, dumping everything from your mind into one spot, and then basically fitting things together until it works. I am not going to lie, this is often my approach to life. I have a plan, but I have to get everything out before I can put all the fine details together. The Magician approach is just that.

The Hierophant, however, takes inspiration from others, looking at spreads you have already found and favors, and mashing them together into something that is useful to you. I also love this approach, and it's one I often use when creating lessons for my classroom. There are so many amazing resources out there, but they very rarely cover everything exactly how I need them to, so I beg, borrow, steal, and heavily modify to make things right for my classroom. This same approach can be used when writing your own tarot spreads.

The last approach, Priestess, is much more complicated and relies heavily on the tarot cards themselves. This is definitely an approach that should mostly be used by those already adept in tarot, but that doesn't mean it's closed to novices. Basically, the reader uses tarot cards to help determine the question they answer or how they help you answer your question. This seems too unstructured to me, but I can definitely see the whimsical approach working for certain people; I, unfortunately, am not people.

Once you've created a tarot spread, Wall suggests testing it on a hypothetical person with a hypothetical question that is far removed from your own and then revising as needed. What is so great about all of this is the inclusion of examples, exercises, and practice. Wall doesn't just tell us how to create our own spreads; she invites us to practice creating and reading spreads before sending us off into the world on our own. These exercises are lengthy and well worth the work through. Honestly, these are some of the best exercises I have seen in a book in a long time, and I highly recommend spending time doing them before jumping into writing your own spreads.

If you are interested in reading tarot or taking your tarot reading to the next level, I highly recommend picking up a copy of Tarot Spreads: How to Read Them, Create Them & Revise Them by Meg Jones Wall. This will likely become a tarot staple in the future because it offers so much more than traditional reading. Instead, Tarot Spreads invites readers to chart their own course in self-discovery, spreading their wings to find clarity and peace in this chaotic world.

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