Kissing the Red Witch

Pagan Spirituality, Divination, & Sacred Sexuality

[kissingtheredwitch]

Meeting Babalon

Thanks to Hellbound Witch for creating The Deity Identification Spread. This spread confirmed the identity of a goddess who has been on my mind over the past few months. I used the Rider Waite tarot for this reading which you can see below.

1. The Deity (VIII Strength):

In the Thoth deck this is known as Babalon’s card and is numbered eleven instead of eight.

2. Negative Qualities (8 of Cups):

The number eight is associated with death, rebirth and infinity. It also connects to Saturn, a planet linked with struggle and hardship. Babalon demands courage and action (the red cloak and shoes worn by the figure in the card), and a bone-deep commitment to discovering the truth about one’s own nature. Sorrow and disillusionment pave the way for detachment and highlight the structures in my life that are no longer appropriate.

3. Positive Qualities (4 of Swords):

The tomb in the card suggests a link to death, and to the potential for rebirth and transformation. The words ‘spiritual surgery’ come to mind. The stained glass window depicts the Madonna and child. Perhaps this represents a spiritual mother blessing a sleeping warrior and/or the transmission of spiritual teachings? Reflection and meditation would be useful. Learning to use the sword as a tool for peace, healing and harmony.

4. Rulership\Powers (2 of Swords):

Is Babalon the seated female figure in this card? If so, I see an intuitive goddess with a strong connection to wild feminine energy. Her solar plexus is open, her gut instinct active, and her heart is part of every decision she makes. Babalon is a guardian, a gatekeeper who sees way beyond the surface appearance of the physical world while at the same time being deeply connected to the physical world. She sits, patiently waiting to see what I will do, to see whether or not I will choose to approach her. She is still and changeable, fluctuating like the moon and tides… ever present.

5. Associations (4 of Pentacles):

Card symbols - city, wall, number four, pentacle.

Cities can represent large groups of people, and lots of energy or ideas. This might be a community, a globally oriented consciousness, or universal unity and love. The wall may represent barriers to these things. Blockages or limitations that need removing in order to experience something deeper and wider. The need to embrace an open state of mind.

The suit and number of the card are a direct link to the physical body and to the planet earth. This card is sometimes associated with legacies which suggests I’m dealing with a very old and ancient being.

I’ve seen the Four of Pentacles described as the four watchtowers. As far as I know, the first recorded account of the Goddess Babalon was written by Dr John Dee, an Elizabethan magician who developed a system called Enochian magick. The four watchtowers are part of his work.

Further Notes:

Interestingly the numbers on the cards drawn were 2, 4 and 8. In gematria 248 is associated with Uriel, one of the angels John Dee encounters during his magickal explorations.

My birthday is on the 24th and this year I turned 48.

The total sum of all cards drawn is eight - the number of the Strength card in the deck used for this reading.

2 + 4 + 8 = 14 = the Major Arcana Temperance, my card for the coming year. Temperance is a card that links to the angelic realm or to a spiritual guide. Themes for the year may include spiritual transformation, a breakthrough, things falling into place.

[archaicwonder]

Long Meg and Her Daughters

Long Meg and Her Daughters is a Bronze Age stone circle near Penrith in Cumbria, North West England. One of around 1,300 stone circles in the British Isles and Brittany, it was constructed as a part of a megalithic tradition that lasted from 3,300 to 900 BC, during the Late Neolithic and Early Bronze Age.

[kissingtheredwitch]

Working with Faery Part 1

Spirit of the Night by John Atkinson Grimshaw Here's a reading list I put together for faery work.  These are my favourite resources and I return to them time and again.  There are tons of other good books out there but I thought I'd stick to the ones I use the most. 

Books About Faery: Earth Light: The Ancient Path to Transformation, Rediscovering the Wisdom of Celtic and Faery lore by R J Stewart The author provides exercises and meditations that take the reader to the faery world (named the Underworld by R J Stewart).  One of these meditations guides the reader to a place where they can meet a potential companion.  I’ve had some very powerful experiences using the techniques described and recommend the book if you’re looking to find compatible faery companions. The Well of Light: From Faery Healing to Earth Healing by R J Stewart Contains a huge discussion about the various aptitudes for faery healing plus exercises to help the reader discover their own particular aptitudes.  The author includes a work programme at the end of the book (nine months), and there’s a CD to go with the book which you can buy from the author’s website.  If you would like to work with the fae for healing purposes this book will help you discover how to do that.

The Faery Teachings by Orion Foxwood The author discusses a range of topics such as: the Faery Seership Tradition, Worlds and Powers of Faery, Faery Gateways, Tribes of Faery, and Ancestor Spirits.  The book contains lots of exercises that help the reader attune to the Faery world.  Another powerful book with vivid guided meditations referred to as ‘visions’ by the author. The Tree of Enchantment: Ancient Wisdom & Magic Practises of the Faery Tradition by Orion Foxwood Visualisations and exercises that open gateways through which the reader can achieve a deeper connection to the earth and to the faery realms.  Does exactly what it says on the tin :)

The Sidhe: Wisdom from the Celtic Otherworld by John Matthews The author records his experiences and communications with a Sidhe who first made contact with him while he was inside an archeological dig somewhere in Ireland.  The book also contains a number of exercises to help the reader attune to the natural world and to the Sidhe. Faery Craft: Weaving Connections with the Enchanted Realm by Emily Carding A fabulous guide to faery work in the modern world.  Contains tons of exercises including an Underworld journey to find a guide, building a faery shrine, and becoming a faery tree. Druid Power: Celtic Faerie Craft & Elemental Magic by Amber Wolfe Describes the Celtic Otherworld, Druidism, and the gifts of faerie.  There are chapters containing exercises describing how to work with each of the five elements from a faerie perspective. 

Books About Shamanism If you want to journey to as well as meditate on the faery realms the following books might be useful.

Singing the Soul Back Home by Caitlin Matthews This book helps the reader understand what shamanism is and how to incorporate it into everyday life.  Not to be under-estimated… this book goes deep. The Psychic Protection Handbook by Caitlin Matthews What I love about this book is that it’s so practical.  Caitlin Matthews tells us that psychic disturbance is not always something that happens out there, it can come from within.  The reader is encouraged to examine their own attitudes, thoughts, actions, and perceptions when trying to ascertain the root cause for psychic disturbance.

Tarot and Oracle Decks for Faery Work I often use The Faeries Oracle by Brian Froud & Jessica Macbeth to explore my relationships with my faery companions, and to explore the energies around these relationships. Tarot of the Sidhe is a great deck for readings about earth energies, faery beings, and the nature of our connection to them.  It has a no-nonsense direct energy that is extremely useful for this kind of work. Ghosts and Spirits Tarot by Lisa Hunt is another great deck for otherworldly readings, and for exploring issues around meditation and journeying. The Wildwood Tarot is super for communicating with green energy, natural places, and the forces that exist within the natural world.

Websites R J Stewart’s other website - Dreampower Orion Foxwood’s Homepage Faery Traditions or the Faery Faith The Faery Tradition Youtube Links The Faery Faith, a documentary.  The rest of the series can be found in the sidebar on the right if you follow this link to youtube. Orion Foxwood talks about traditional witchcraft, faery seership, and Appalachian folk magic.  The rest of the series can be found in the sidebar on the right if you follow this link to youtube.

[bakwaaas]

[why-so-e-m-p-t-y-blog]

[kissingtheredwitch]

Here's a link to my other blog where you can find more discussions about tarot and faery work.  I also have a tarot reading service, and while I do general readings to cover all sorts of topics, I also read for issues around creativity, spirituality, and of course... faery work. Take a look at the link provided in the comments to browse the services on offer, and feel free to share if you know someone who might be interested. If you have any questions... just ask :)

[fairyuniverse]

[kissingtheredwitch]

Portal...

[kissingtheredwitch]

Full Moon Reading

The full moon is about to enter Cancer which means the lunar energy available at this time of the month can be used to focus on progress, stability, and overcoming obstacles.  I thought this would be a good time to check where I'm up to with my faery work and to see what I need to do next.

The Mary-El Tarot by Marie White.

The Ace of Cups represents my achievements, the King of Wands represents the highlights of the month, and The Magician tells me how to take the next step.

Earlier this month I felt I needed to set-up another blog so I had a place to talk about my faery work and other things more openly.  I was inspired by a number of ideas and began putting these ideas into action.  The next step is for me to start communicating my thoughts and experiences.

As usual I see a lot of connections to my faery work.  The Angelic Hermaphrodite is a nod to polarity - negative and positive, the male and the female, this world and the Otherworld.  I often see my male fae companion in the The King of Wands or the King of Swords.  Here we have a starman, a man of fire, a man who brings illumination and inspiration.  The Magician represents a traveller of all worlds... a traveller who channels or transmits important information. I know I want to write about my faery work but I don't know where to start and it looks like my fae companion is going to provide me with a bit of direction over the next few weeks.  The reading suggests a shamanic journey might be helpful so I need to make time for this.  The Magician is also linked to the four aces from the minor suits and it's possible I might find some inspiration there.  

[eastxbound-deactivated20130921]

[kissingtheredwitch]

Hello, I've been pretty lost in my spiritual path as of late. I feel that I'm being pulled back to my basics. That means my love of fairies. Do you have any favorite books? Recommendation for books? Or other resources?

Hi Erin!  Here’s a list of books and websites that might be useful to you.  Do check back here every now and then because I’ll be posting more faery stuff as I go along.  Anyway… this will keep you busy for a while :)Books About Faery:Earth Light: The Ancient Path to Transformation, Rediscovering the Wisdom of Celtic and Faery lore by R J Stewart The author provides exercises and meditations that take the reader to the faery world (named the Underworld by R J Stewart).  One of these meditations guides the reader to a place where they can meet a potential companion.  I’ve had some very powerful experiences using the techniques described and recommend the book if you’re looking to find compatible faery companions. The Well of Light: From Faery Healing to Earth Healing by R J Stewart Contains a huge discussion about the various aptitudes for faery healing plus exercises to help the reader discover their own particular aptitudes.  The author includes a work programme at the end of the book (nine months), and there’s a CD to go with the book which you can buy from the author’s website.  If you would like to work with the fae for healing purposes this book will help you discover how to do that.The Faery Teachings by Orion Foxwood The author discusses a range of topics such as: the Faery Seership Tradition, Worlds and Powers of Faery, Faery Gateways, Tribes of Faery, and Ancestor Spirits.  The book contains lots of exercises that help the reader attune to the Faery world.  Another powerful book with vivid guided meditations referred to as ‘visions’ by the author. The Tree of Enchantment: Ancient Wisdom & Magic Practises of the Faery Tradition by Orion Foxwood Visualisations and exercises that open gateways through which the reader can achieve a deeper connection to the earth and to the faery realms.  Does exactly what it says on the tin :)

The Sidhe: Wisdom from the Celtic Otherworld by John Matthews The author records his experiences and communications with a Sidhe who first made contact with him while he was inside an archeological dig somewhere in Ireland.  The book also contains a number of exercises to help the reader attune to the natural world and to the Sidhe. Faery Craft: Weaving Connections with the Enchanted Realm by Emily Carding A fabulous guide to faery work in the modern world.  Contains tons of exercises including an Underworld journey to find a guide, building a faery shrine, and becoming a faery tree. Druid Power: Celtic Faerie Craft & Elemental Magic by Amber Wolfe Describes the Celtic Otherworld, Druidism, and the gifts of faerie.  There are chapters containing exercises describing how to work with each of the five elements from a faerie perspective. 

Books About Shamanism If you want to journey to as well as meditate on the faery realms the following books might be useful. Singing the Soul Back Home by Caitlin Matthews This book helps the reader understand what shamanism is and how to incorporate it into everyday life.  Not to be under-estimated… this book goes deep. The Psychic Protection Handbook by Caitlin Matthews What I love about this book is that it’s so practical.  Caitlin Matthews tells us that psychic disturbance is not always something that happens out there, it can come from within.  The reader is encouraged to examine their own attitudes, thoughts, actions, and perceptions when trying to ascertain the root cause for psychic disturbance.

Tarot and Oracle Decks for Faery Work I often use The Faeries Oracle by Brian Froud & Jessica Macbeth to explore my relationships with my faery companions, and to explore the energies around these relationships. Tarot of the Sidhe is a great deck for readings about earth energies, faery beings, and the nature of our connection to them.  It has a no-nonsense direct energy that is extremely useful for this kind of work. Ghosts and Spirits Tarot by Lisa Hunt is another great deck for otherworldly readings, and for exploring issues around meditation and journeying. The Wildwood Tarot is super for communicating with green energy, natural places, and the forces that exist within the natural world.

Websites R J Stewart’s other website - Dreampower Orion Foxwood’s Homepage Faery Traditions or the Faery Faith The Faery Tradition Youtube Links The Faery Faith, a documentary.  The rest of the series can be found in the sidebar on the right if you follow this link to youtube. Orion Foxwood talks about traditional witchcraft, faery seership, and Appalachian folk magic.  The rest of the series can be found in the sidebar on the right if you follow this link to youtube.

[psychosavage-deactivated2015110]

[picsandquotes]

[color-blind]

[kissingtheredwitch]

Draw a tarot or oracle card to represent the first line of the first chapter in your book for 2014 today.

I drew The Laume from The Faeries Oracle

"A pinch of faery dust in just the right place at just the right time works wonders."

[kissingtheredwitch]

I am interested in your knowledge about faeries, I have always liked them and lately felt a better connection to them by my deck, but as any other i would love to be able to see them or feel them and i was wondering what you knew about this.

A few suggestions to help you on your way.

There are many types of faery ranging from small to extremely large.  Some are humanoid in shape while others aren’t.  Some appear solid while others seem more amorphous.  You might see them as small balls of light out of the corner of your eye, or as gigantic flowing crystalline entities, especially where natural energies are strong.  I’ve seen tall shining human-like beings, short dark twig-like creatures, and a whole range of shapes and sizes in-between.  Their appearance may startle you.  Be prepared for that and don’t judge.

If you haven’t seen them before then the best place to start looking for them is in nature.  If you don’t have a garden and/or live in a city try to visit a park at least once or twice a month and practise meditating there.  Even if you can only manage to meditate for 15 minutes at a time it’s better than nothing.  While meditating try to connect with the earth and the natural energies around you through your heart.  This will prepare your heart space, it will ground you, and your ability to sense other energies will grow.

People tend to encounter faeries in different ways.  You may hear music in the distance, you may feel someone blowing gently on the back of your neck, you might smell a particular flower or see a light out of the corner of your eye, and they may even enter your dreamtime at night.  Try keeping a journal where you can record these experiences so you become more aware of them.  This will help you discover the way faerie communicate with 'you.'  When you know this you can work on developing these senses so your communication improves.

Faeries love offerings so you can attract them by leaving gifts.  Traditionally speaking they love butter, milk, honey, sweet cakes, and a little alcohol.  They also love shiny stones, charms, and crafty items made from natural materials.  Don’t leave anything with iron in it… they don’t like iron.  Understand that what you’re trying to do is build a relationship and that they might not come to you straight away.  They might decide to watch you for a while, to get to know you a little before putting in an appearance.  If a stranger offered you a box of chocolates and then started acting like your best friend you’d think they were at best a bit strange.  It’s the same with the fae.  These are real beings with their own personalities, quirks, and desires. 

If you have a faery deck use it to help you develop your faery practise.  You can do short three card readings to explore your dealings with the faery world.  Ask your deck what you need to do to bring faery into your life.  Ask how you might better communicate with them.  You can ask what sort of faery are visiting you, and what energies they’re bringing too.  I developed the Faery Star Tarot spread to help with some of these questions… give it a try.  Here’s the spread in action in case you need an example to help you figure out your own reading.

Experiment with these suggestions and see how you get on.  Feel free to come back and tell me about your experiences and to ask me another question if you need to :)

[transcending-flesh-blog]

Queen of Cups - Jake Baddeley

The Queen of Cups is the Queen of the realm of emotions.

[kissingtheredwitch]

Draw a card for the first day of the new year.  What did you get? I drew G. Hobyah from The Faeries Oracle.  Time to liberate myself from the fears that hold me back from creating a new life for myself :)

[souldejavu]

Call to the God on We Heart It - http://weheartit.com/entry/80198198

[kissingtheredwitch]

New Moon Reading - January 2014

On the 1st January the new moon will be in Capricorn.  This tells us the energy available this month can be used to focus on work, money, home, family, and/or health.  I've done a short reading using the Fairy Lights Tarot to explore what I need to do around these areas in the month to come.

1. What do I need to pay attention to this month (3 of Cups)?

After the seasonal holidays my tummy is definitely full, and like most people at this time of the year I'm not feeling particularly energetic.  I've also been attracting a lot of illnesses in the workplace recently which has left me feeling tired and drained.  

2. What's my goal (4 of Cups)?

The oppressive atmosphere of this card and the restless faeries suggest the need to re-evaluate my energy levels.  I've been feeling listless and uncomfortable for a while.  I put off doing anything about it because I didn't want to restrict myself over Christmas.

3. Actions that will help me reach my goal (Strength)?

There's strength and there's overkill so while this card advises me to get a grip and take control, it also suggests I do this in a loving and compassionate way; in other words I need to be kinder to myself.  The best way for me to improve my health and energy levels is by nurturing myself through diet and exercise.