Book Review: Buddha Tarot Companion

It's already been a more than few days since I've posted, and since April is pretty much upon us I wanted to get this book review out as my last post of the month. Unbelievable that it is already April....

So yes, on to The Buddha Tarot Companion by Robert M. Place.

First off, I would like to say that this is the first deck and book set that I have ever purchased from this artist and author. I have pretty high standards when it comes to books on Tarot, and this book totally blew my expectations out of the water. Mr. Place did more than examine and relate the Western concepts of the tarot to Eastern Buddhism, he went a step further and delved more into the roots of the tarot and how the ideologies of Plato and Pythagoras, Gnosticism, Hermeticism, Alchemy, and Tibetan Buddhism correlate with the standard Tarot deck symbolism that we know today and his new deck of the Buddha Tarot.
I am not entirely familiar with Gnostic and Hermetic teaching, but this book really gave me more of an explanation to what they are and has roused my interest into learning more about. As for Plato and Pythagoras, I am more than familiar with The Republic and other Classical Greek works, however Mr. Place also put these teachings in a new light for me as far as they related to the Tarot and its modern symbolism.

I really, really loved reading this book, and for its more than illuminating discourse into Buddhism symbology as well. I do not really practice Tibetan Buddhism, which has a very mystical side to it. I'd probably consider myself more of a Chinese Buddhist, something between the Chan (Zen) schools and Pure Land schools. But I'm just weird like that...

Anyways, in a nutshell, this would be a wonderful book for someone looking to understand the deeper meanings and history behind the Tarot, as well as someone that may want to better understand Tarot and Buddhist mysticism. The bottom line is, if you really love Buddha and the Tarot and have waited your whole life to see the two combined. Get this book and this Tarot deck. I'm more than happy that I did, and I know I learned more than a thing or two from reading this book alone.

Until next time, blessings and namaste.

Tarot Review: The Buddha Tarot

I was only recently blessed with being able to purchase this Tarot deck from Amazon at a very decent price. Having spent many years longing for Asian-themed Tarot decks and not liking any of the ones still available on the market (alas, the Ukiyo-e Tarot!) I was happy to come upon the Buddha Tarot. Being of the Buddhist-Witchy persuasion I could not pass up the golden opportunity to own this deck.

I did read a review of this deck before I took the lead of purchasing it sight unseen, not that I cared really. I got a good feeling from the review, and I was even more pleased after I was able to see the entire deck in my own hands.
The artwork is lovely, crisp lines with bright but not harsh colours, and so much Buddhist symbolism in the cards themselves. I was more than impressed. Robert Place did an excellent job recreating the journey of the Tarot with the story of Siddartha Gautama (whom most of us know as the Buddha) and his own journey to Buddhahood.

The Major Arcana is in the same order as traditional decks, but the cards have been renamed to represent the stages of understanding that led Siddartha to becoming the Buddha.

I love this deck. I'm not sure if I would use it for regular readings; maybe on the odd occasion or for spiritually-oriented spreads this deck might be better than a traditional deck. They give a few examples of spreads with the deck, I may try those out and see how they feel with my reading style.

Isn't tarot fun? I think so.

Stay tuned for the companion book review! Blessed be.

Making Prayers

Like most witches out there, I have a crafty streak. Not crafty as in cunning (though I can be when I want to), but crafty as in I like making stuff. My boyfriend thinks I'm nuts because I could easily drop a couple of hundred dollars at a craft store and spend an entire week just making things. I guess I don't need to mention he is not into making things....but I am.

If I could, I would even trying making clothes, but alas, my sewing technique is horrible.

Over the years I've made soaps, pottery, paintings, knitted items such as hats, scarves, mittens, baby blankets, and even some modelling clay altar items. So I like to make things. It's more a point of liking to work with my hands than a money issue. And I'm sure those of you that do the same amount of crafting know that you end up spending more making your own things than buying them. At least for me it works out that way.

Anyways, there came a time when I felt the need to pray in a Pagan way. I already had my mantras and Buddhist prayers, but I needed something more Pagan as a medium for my prayers. In came the wonderful YouTuber named the Moon Mother, and she really opened me up to using the rosary as a form of prayer.
I had never used a rosary before, but being a Catholic school girl I had seen them and knew what they were.
So I wanted to make my own. And I wanted it wire wrapped because I knew the technique already and had all the tools.

Off to Michael's I went, bought the appropriate supplies, and got started. My first rosary took ages, and it was very, very long, over 30 inches from top to bottom. I didn't really like it, and still had leftover beads, so I made another one. And another. And another.
I made 4 rosaries in one week, and I really liked doing it. So I bought more supplies to make more of them.

I know have made over 20 rosaries, and have yet to sell them. I would love to sell them on Etsy, and Ebay is also an option. I have no idea if a Catholic would buy a rosary from a Pagan, so I'll be keeping hush on that front.

Making those rosaries was the most wonderful experience. Doing each bead, one by one, designing which beads for the 'our father' and the 'hail Mary' beads, took me to a very calm state of mind. It was an active meditation and thoroughly enjoyable.
So yeah, I love making rosaries. My family thinks I'm crazy for making rosaries because I'm originally half Protestant and half Jewish, but I don't care. Rosary-making is fun.

Celebrating with the Hearth Goddesses

One thing I've learned throughout the years is that spring is truly the best time for cleaning. The freshness of the breeze and the warm sun are very good impetus for kick starting the cleaning process.
Open up a few windows, get a nice candle burning, and grab the broom and all-purpose cleaner. Right now we have fresh snow on the ground, but taking the time to bust out the elbow grease and make my space sparkle is still going to happen, snow or no snow.

Before the sweep'n'spray begins, I like to dedicate my cleaning efforts to a hearth Goddess. Anyone will do, but I especially like Hestia, the Grecian Goddess of the hearth and home.
Vesta, her Roman counterpart is good too, though I feel more attached to Hestia just because I feel she is more no-nonsense and gets down to business. None of the fancy stuff, just good hard work, if you get my drift.

I don't really say a prayer for Hestia-  in my mind she's not really conducive to ritualistic efforts. I just light a candle with her named carved into it and go, channeling her energies into my cleaning.
Sometimes I also put some lavender or rosemary essential oils in my oil burner for some fragrance, but it really depends where and how deep of a cleaning I'm doing. For kitchen cleaning its a definite yes, but places like the bedroom and study not so much.

So the next time you clean, I hope you'll trying channeling some Goddess energy into your cleaning. It makes the job so much easier you might not even notice you're having a bit of fun.

So much for out like a lamb...

I usually do not complain about things beyond my control, such as the weather. Yes, I do get a tad bit annoyed on days that I cannot go outside, but this winter has been pretty harsh, which made me not want to leave the house if I'm being totally honest.

Now I wrote in my previous post that Ostara was gloriously bright and sunny. It was. I honestly thought that winter was over.
Wrong! Winter is apparently not over. Since early Monday morning we've had snow. Lots of it. It did rain as well, which I guess was due to the temperature not being cold enough for snow.

Winter is still going. This year in my area March did not "come in like a lion". It came in like a snow monkey. And with the way things are going now, weather-wise, I have no doubt that it will go out like one, too. We did get a week or two of nice weather this March, but temperatures were still quite cold for this time of year.
Oh well, I guess that's what global warming will do.

It doesn't feel like spring is in the air today, and I still haven't done my Ostara ritual. I couldn't do it on Sunday night, so I thought I'd wait for Monday. Monday came with snow, and totally smothered my spring excitement.
I guess I'm just going to have to wait it out, or do with the snow. Sigh.

Happy Ostara Everyone!

Today is an absolutely beautiful day. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and all the plants have gotten shoots and leaves- seemingly overnight.

This Ostara could not honestly have come on a more glorious day. The air is still cool, but that spring freshness is definitely there.

To all my Pagan and non-Pagan friends, I wish you all the best for this spring season. As summer approaches, may your health be good (even if it already is), and may your allergies be few.

Take the opportunity today or sometime this week to walk outside and see the buds of springtime come alive.

Love and blessings!

Claddagh Love

Since yesterday was Saint Patrick's Day, I felt like writing about something related to Ireland, so I've chosen to write about the claddagh.

Named after an Irish fishing village, the claddagh has become a symbol of love and endurance for the Irish people. I am not Irish myself, but I've worn a claddagh ring on almost a daily basis since I was in 12th grade, which is now nearly 8 years ago. Boy, did I ever get older. But anyways, on to the ring.

The design of the ring is what first drew me to inquiring what it was. Noticing rings on the hands of several friends, I later looked up the meaning of the ring and why it was worn. Delighted with what I read about the history and symbolism behind the design, I looked online (as there was nowhere nearby to purchase such a ring) and bought one for myself. From then on a claddagh ring has been a permanent fixture on my right ring finger, and sometimes my left, depending on how I feel.

The symbolism behind this ring really resonated with me because I especially love wearing jewelry that has meaning to me. Personal significance makes jewelry so much more for me, and the claddagh ring was just perfect. It fit with me both emotionally and, in a way, spiritually.
I was in my last year of high school and taking my first journey into Wicca. I felt my life changing drastically, moving up another level of life, and so I wanted to have a token that I could look at to remind me of the steps I would be taking closer to adulthood and my own path.

The claddagh design is two hands holding a crowned heart, meaning love (heart), loyalty (crown), and fidelity (hands). At the time I found that claddagh rings existed, this symbolism really made sense to me as something I was lacking slightly in myself. I didn't have good self-esteem and had issues with my appearance (I still do), so I saw this ring as a message to my inner self about what I needed to bring into my life. I needed more self-love, to be loyal to my own thoughts and views of the world, and fidelity to finding my path in life and my own true self.

Looking back, I still need all those things in my life. My life is still changing and new steps are being taken everyday. My future is still ahead, with new things beginning and old things ending everyday. That is why I am still in love with the claddagh, and why that ring will still be on my fingers until they are wise with age.

I Need To Cheer Up- Let's Talk About Incense

After finishing my last post feeling quite depressed, I needed to lift my spirits. There are enough downers out there for everyone to get their fill and more of doom and gloom. So let's get happy (somewhat) and talk about incense.

I, for one, adore incense in almost all its forms. Except that weird powdered incense they sell in Botanicas. Not so into that.
I adore Japanese incense most of all; therefore, I will not even begin to start thinking about how the tsunami may have ruined the flow of my precious incense supply into the United States. Not going to think about that....no.
Thankfully, my incense drawer is *very* well-stocked, so there's no chance of running out for at least a year. But I certainly be buying more before then.

Anyways....on to the happy stuff

I've mostly tried the main brands that are available in America, such as Nippon Kodo, Shoyeido, and Baieido. I would love to branch out and find more obscure Japanese brands, and there are many places online to find those sought-after niche Japanese incense brands.

My favourite scents so far are: Shoyeido's Nokiba (softly gorgeous with lots of benzoin), Kyo-zakura (cherry blossom), Haku-un, and Mainichi Byakudankoh; nearly all of Nippon Kodo's Morning Star series, especially the lotus and amber fragrances; Baieido's Kobunbokku, an incense called Zuiun, made with aloeswood (which is amazing); Kokando Rangestsu; and finally Rei-ryoko.

I've also tried various American brands, as well as the famous Sai Baba's Nag Champa agarbatti from India. They were alright, highly fragranced and long burning as well. The only unfortunate thing about those types of incense is the overpowering smokiness of the wooden sticks. Japanese incense, being stickless and made from pure incense paste, is superior in that respect. There is no wooden core to burn off and release an unpleasant fragrance. However, Japanese incense, and Chinese incense as well, do not burn for very long periods of time compared with American/Indian incense sticks, and their respective fragrances are not as pungent. That can be a good or a bad thing, depending on how you wish to use your incense. Some prefer incense to sent the entire space, whilst others just wish for a hint of fragrance in the air to stimulate the senses. Which is why Japanese incense is wonderful for meditation. Some companies even make longer sticks that burn for one hour, the usual time of a Zen practitioners meditation session.

Chinese incense is also excellent, and there are a few varieties available online. Chinese sandalwood incenses are, in my opinion, the best smelling. Nothing beads a sandalwood incense coil from China, except the really expensive Japanese Junenko coils (but those are a bit too pricey for me at the moment).
I would love to try Korean incense, so that is on my "to-try" list as well.

Recently, I began a foray into the traditional method of incense burning- resins on a charcoal disk. That was a very interesting experience. It made me understand why that was the method of choice for most Pagans in their ritual practice. Resins, not only smelling very earthy and sensual, give off a lot of smoke, and do put one in a more focused state of mind. Just the act of sprinkling resins and herbs on a piece of burning charcoal feels ancient in itself, so there is a connection in that method with aligning ourselves with those gone before us as practitioners of the "Old Ways".

So that, is all I have to say right now on the matter. There's much more floating around in my head, but I don't have the stamina to get it all down in this post. At least I feel somewhat distracted from my worries at the moment, and I'm now off to look at the many websites I frequent to make note of my future incense purchases.

Love to all, and blessed be!

Paganism and Nuclear Engergy

I have always been against nuclear energy, even before I was Pagan. I felt that there was too much of a risk using such a dangerous substance to give us power. Yes, it is cleaner than petroleum, but look at the damage and devastation it causes when things go wrong. As a child, seeing pictures of Hiroshima and Nagasaki after the bombing changed my perception of the human race somewhat. I knew wars had been fought in the past; that humans have died in combat for thousands of years if not more. But seeing pictures of the devastation and ruination of two cities that didn't even have the chance to go into combat, to be able to protect themselves from this force, was horrifying. Nothing can stop the power of unleashed nuclear energy. It destroys everything in it's wake and even afterwards it damages the delicate tissues of life. As a 10 year old I knew that. I knew deep in my heart that nuclear energy usage was wrong.

We are humans, and there is always room for error. Not one of us is perfect all the time, and considering the amount of information that we still do not entirely have about the world, our bodies, the universe- is it right to harness something so powerful that a few bombs created with it here and there could destroy all life on earth? No. There is nothing right about it, and there never will be.

Looking at the last 4 days of chaos happening in Japan, my heart bleeds for the Japanese people. What happened over half a century ago in Hiroshima and Nagasaki was more than enough for Japan and the world. And now, again, there is a threat to human life because of radiation released into the atmosphere. The diligent and immensly brave workers that have been at the plants exposing themselves to radiation to save the rest of the population from harm have my full support and more than my respect. They have my complete admiration and love.

With absolutely no disprespect to these brave people, did we not learn from Chernobyl? From Three-Mile Island? Why are we still doing this to ourselves? These question we need to ask, but to whom do we ask them to?

I hope Japan can heal from this horrible disaster. The power of nature can be both beautiful and horrific at the same time, and this is sadly is one of the more horrific times.

As a Pagan, I see even more the need to get humanity away from nuclear power. Yes, nuclear energy comes from the earth; uranium deposits are found in many places, including my own hometown. But there are so many other powerful forces that are found naturally as well. Air power, Water power, what of these? It is so easy these days to make hydroelectric power, and wind turbines are becoming more and more popular as energy makers. We even have solar power available.

The world is interconnected now more than ever. We cannot prevent global problems as much as we could hundreds of years ago. Isolation, for most of the world's population, is a thing of the past. So we must find healthier alternatives together, 'for the good of all' as we Pagans and Witches tend to say. For the good of all, we must help Japan come back to normalcy. For the good of all, we must band together and find new ways of keeping this lifestyle we have created for ourselves going. For the good of all, we must love each other and learn to agree to disagree.

I will continue to pray as I have and do what I can to help with this disaster. Japan is in my heart, just like it has been for the last 12 years. I spent some time growing up there, you see, and it is a part of me that I cannot separate from. What I know of my soul was formed there in the new experiences I had living in Japan. Being in Japan made me what I am today, and I am grateful for those life-changing experiences. Which is why seeing the carnage there now gives me a feeling of despair and sorrow to the core of my being. So pray with me for the Japanese in this, the hardest of times.

To Japan and everyone else on the planet, blessed be.

A Sad Day Has Come

In honour of the lost lives and damage inflicted by the earthquake and tsunami that suddenly hit Japan yesterday, I have written a prayer to the Bodhisattva Guanyin, or as the Japanese know her, Kannon.

Kannon, mother of compassion, bring the people of Japan comfort and guidance in this time of great need. Through destructive forces they have suffered so many losses, and need to find their way.

As the Bodhisattva of that hears the cries of the world, so shall you hear their sorrow and soothe it.

Help them find safety in the aftermath of this disaster, and lead those that have lost their lives to the higher realms of Buddha's Paradise.

那末观世音菩萨

Shrine to the Gods (and other Spirits)

Since I was already uploading pictures for my Ostara altar, I might as well bring my main altar/shrine out to show you guys.

Here it is in all it's glory....but the photo has been lost!

There are quite a few Buddha statues on there, Chinese-style and Thai-style, as well as Shou Xing (the Chinese deity of Immortality) , and Guanyin (three statues, one framed papercut). The flowers are fake, but I don't think the deities mind. I chose camellias because they fit in with the Asian theme; they look very Japanese.

In the lower left corner you can see the bell I found a few weeks ago at Marshall's, and my chalice comes from there too. $2.99, you can't beat that.

This was the only photo I took of it, but I will take some more tomorrow to give close up views. Everything on this altar looks so much better from close.

See you tomorrow!

Happiness is a burning candle...

On my Ostara altar!

Here are some pics to show you guys my Ostara altar, which was previously the spot where I was doing my tarot and oracle readings. Enjoy!

So this is my Ostara altar as of yesterday morning. It's one of the more simple altars I've made this year, but I love it. The colours are perfect for springtime, and just looking at it makes me happy. The bunny dish is from Michael's craft store, and I'm pretty sure it is made to hold candy, but I might use it to hold tea lights for my Ostara ritual. I love that it's shaped like a pentacle!

And this is that same table, but instead it has been set up for tarot readings. For anyone wondering, that's the Aquarian Tarot deck. I haven't met anyone else that owns the Aquarian Tarot; it seems to be one of the less popular tarot decks out there. But I think the retro illustrations are gorgeous. Plus, it matches the fabric I bought to use for the tablecloth. Not that I buy tarot decks to match my home decor *wink*.

Finally, just a little closeup of my fairy statue. I've had her for so many years- 15 at least. She definitely likes watching over my tarot readings. I really need to get into the fae. They're so cool.
I also keep a little pentacle I made from clay, for protection, and an amethyst point to bring psychic awareness. Can't do a good reading without a piece of amethyst somewhere.

Well, that's all for now folks. Blessed be!

Happy International Women's Day!

To all my female readers, be you mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, godmothers- celebrate your femininity today!

No matter where you live, what you do, or where you are going, women are a universal force in every aspect of life. Life itself comes from us, and we are the ones that bring forth the loving energy and motherly energy of the universe.

Celebrate today by doing something you love, feminine or otherwise. Get your nails done, do some gardening, do a spell for empowerment, give the women in your life hugs, spread love and kindness, go see a car show, watch some baseball....Whatever you love, do it and feel good doing it as a woman!

Blessed be, sisters around the world, and Goddess be with you.

It's Coming

Spring is fast approaching.

The weather today was cool and windy, but otherwise spectacularly sunny. There are a few small patches here and there of snow that will probably be melted by the end of today, and the birds are slowly returning to grace us with their morning chirps.

The sunset last night around 6 pm, so the days are really getting longer now. I'm so excited for spring. There is no better time to go outside and feel the energy of renewal all round you; the sky, the ground, the trees, even the rainy days have a vibration of newness and freshness to them. A washing away of the remnants of winter to bring the clear, bright spring days.

In response to this fresh energy, I have gone and refilled my bird feeders, swept outside the front door, and have set up out my simple Ostara altar. My spring cleaning is coming along nicely, and I want to get some sun catchers for my windows. My bedroom faces South, so I want to make the best of all that sunlight.

This evening, I will sit outside and watch the sunset. A day like this deserves at least that.

Enjoy the sunset wherever you are, too. These simple acts can be the most beautiful ones.

Blessed be.

Needing Some Balance

Okay, so I need to work on balancing my chakras. Badly.

I never think much of chakra work these days, but recently I ran into an issue with some strange dreams I've been having over the past few weeks. Very vivid and disturbing dreams, at that. After doing some extensive research I found a website that referenced a few alternative healing systems and ended up taking little quiz to determine whether my chakras needed balancing.
According to the test my lower chakras were totally under-active, and my third eye was way over-active. I read the information given according to the test results, and I was very surprised. The descriptions related to my test results fit exactly how I've been lately. My third eye is in over-drive and I feel like I'm seeing things everywhere. Between that and the messed up dreams, I am not a happy camper. Plus, I have no stamina at all and cannot get grounded. I tried meditating the other day and just couldn't get in the mood. I haven't had that happen in over two years.

There is definitely a problem here, so chakras, get ready for some balancing.

I've been doing research on stones that correspond the chakras, and I've thought about either making a bracelet or a necklace to wear. I'm start off by carrying some hematite on me as a worry stone. From what I have read, hematite is very good for grounding, so I'm going to keep that near me or the next few days. The jewelry-making can come later.

I also found a few chakra meditation videos on YouTube, so my plan is to use balance the lower chakras individually first, and then do an all-together chakra balancing. Maybe it will work, maybe it won't. I'll just have to try it and see.

Until next time, blessed be.

The Seed Moon

It is said that the month of March is a time to start sowing the seeds of coming harvest. Taking that into consideration, I began to think of all the ways that I could manifest new beginnings into my life this month. What can I do or concentrate my inner power on to create a fresh start in this month of March?

Having spent this past week contemplating things to do, I came up with two answers for myself.

Firstly, I want March to be a fresh start for myself. My life changed this past 12 months, and its still changing....Many good things have come from this new turn in my path, but there are other changes that still need to come. I spend most of my teenage years and early twenties cultivating my mind. Yes, education and study are important to me, but through all those years I neglected the rest of me. And that is the truth.
So I want this March to bring about a season of physical change, because I am in great need of physical change right now. Things are happening to me, health-wise, that I feel I cannot control because of the way I am physically. Bringing about changes in my physical health will give me more control over my body and the ability to treat it better through healthier living.

Secondly, since I began this blog in January I have been a roll of sorts. My journal is still pretty bare, but this blog is flourishing. Two nights ago it finally came to me- why my blog is doing so well while my journal has stayed pretty bare. I realized my impetus for writing comes from others. My blog is being read by other people, and my journal is not. Therein lies the difference! My Book of Shadows is, for me, not a journal. It's more of a reference book really. And that is why I like my blog. I can write things, and other people can read them. I was never one of those people that liked to write down things for their own benefit. I don't even write grocery lists if I don't have to. So I am making this blog my journal as of today. Yay.

So, back to my question of how to do make these things manifest? The journal issue is taken care of and in process. As for the physical cultivation? Well, for a start the weather is getting quite nice. I think it's time to start taking walks. Walking is good. As the ancients said, "A journey of a thousands miles starts with a single step". They knew what they were taking about in those days.

The month of March will be a single step. And so begins a thousand miles.

A word on Laozi and the Tao

I recently got back into reading about Daoism, or Taoism. For my own sake, I will be spelling it 'dao' instead of 'tao' because I hate the Wade-Giles system; it sucks.

So I have read the Dao de Jing many times before, and I got the underlying messages somewhat. It is a difficult philosophical text to understand, especially at the time I was reading. I had not yet visited China, and my understanding of Classical Chinese culture was more rudimentary then, so I didn't really absorb the writings of the Dao as much as I wanted to.
Since the new year began I wanted to get back to my 'roots', so to speak, and so I bought the entire Thomas Cleary anthology of Daoist texts. Four huge volumes of classic Daoist writings that cover topics like the Dao, to Daoist health advice, to the Daoist divination system (and I use that term loosely) the Yi Jing (or I-Ching as many know it). So my bookshelf is well-stocked now until the end of the summer.

I just finished reading the Dao de Jing last week, and I think I'm beginning to get it. The whole micro/macro-cosm of what the Chinese term the 'way'. Daoism really is a way. Perhaps not to live by, because not everyone wants to be a hermit living quietly at the top of a lone mountain with only the trees to keep them company. Or maybe they do?....but that is besides the point. I know that Dao is definitely about balance; not to over- or under- exert in any area of life, or spirit. It is about tactfulness and firm but flexible leadership. That may not make sense, but the Dao is full of contradictions. So is life, I might add.

Anyways, I love reading about classical Chinese philosophies, so I'm thrilled to the gills with my books.

P.S. Thomas Cleary is an amazing author and translator **love**.