#paganbeads

[thebalkanwitch]

I planned on posting my “Temperance” tarot study today but spirit/intuition/whatever you want to call it compelled me to write this post instead.

What does it mean to fully come into your power? To (and as much as I hate this phrase, it applies) live your best life? I am a libra, raised by immigrants who did the best they could with what they had. This means, as a child, I barely spoke and was on constant damage-control mode. It also means that, as an adult, I am now unlearning decades of trauma wrapped in the guise of tradition and social mores.

I have *almost* always taken the middle ground, very conscious of everyone else’s needs and emotions and never wanting to rock the boat. Naturally, this left me with a mixed bag of overall shitty feelings. Sadness, resentment, guilt, feeling unfulfilled, all of that. Until now.

I had a very long, very candid conversation with my favorite #bruja in the entire world, @thesolerebel the other day. We discussed seemingly innocuous experiences that we each had, which quickly turned into an epic phone call of discovery and self-realizations (because let’s be honest, what kind of friends do you have if they’re not helping you becoming the absolute best version of yourself and vice versa?).

This is our time. This is a high-energy week. That doesn’t necessarily mean “exciting,” in this case I’m referring to the amount of information being transmitted and received. This translates to emotions, epiphanies, healing, all the nitty gritty good stuff setting us up for our future. There’s a full moon coming up on Thursday so be prepared for even more harsh truths coming your way, if you haven’t gotten the message already. This is the last stop before we jump on the transformation train. If you’re not ready to let go of bad habits and all the shit that’s holding you back, you’re getting left behind. #sorrynotsorry but this is a real-life tough love scenario, and we gotta rip the bandaids off ourselves.

With this new information, with this clearer sight, you cannot doubt yourself; that’s why it is imperative to strengthen yourSELF. You are your first ally, and your greatest strength. Do the work! Use this time and spring energy to work on your game plan. Our habits now decide the direction our lives will take for the next 20 years.

All this to say, be your truest self. While that’s easier said than done, it doesn’t make it any less true. You got this 💜

[thebalkanwitch]

Divination 👁

Defined as the attempt to gain insight by ritualistic, paranormal means

From the Latin “divinare,” to be divinely inspired, to foresee

There are many types of divination, and all cultures have them. Coffee readings, palm readings and tarot cards are the most popularized in media. Anything can be “read,” it just depends on which particular method works for you.

Growing up in a religious home, any form of divination or superstitious belief was looked down upon; even coffee reading, which is practically second nature in the Balkans, was taboo in my father’s house. As someone who often had prophetic dreams, and an ironclad sixth sense, being told that my intuition was essentially a sin proved difficult for me, on a personal level. I struggled with the religious teachings, tried to bend myself far enough that I fit the mold that was expected of me, but failed, and failed miserably.

I suffered from anxiety, depression, questioned my self-worth and lived in a constant state of limbo. To put it mildly, I was unhappy. I started losing my intuition, stopped having dreams and lived a mechanical, albeit religious life.

It wasn’t for me.

It isn’t for me.

This is not an anti-religious post. Not by any means. I have often said, and will continue to say that spirituality is a deeply personal belief. No one can dictate what you should or should not believe. You know what speaks to your heart and you should absolutely follow that. It is the only way to be truly happy, and when we are happy we can achieve so much, and help others. I know this on a personal level, I believe this on a visceral level. It wasn’t until I started moving away from organized religion, and started listening to myself, that I started finding myself, and being happy with myself, finally happy.

What works for me doesn't necessarily work for everyone else, and vice versa. That's the point, we are all individuals, and we all have individual needs.

I am often asked if I can read someone’s coffee, because it’s a popular method in the Balkans. However, that’s not my thing. Besides my dreams (which have returned in all their prescient glory), I was always drawn towards runes, and other more solid forms of divination (geomancy for the win!) I have a lot of air and water placements in my chart, so I naturally am attracted to the opposite, which is earth and fire.

Here’s a short list in case you’re curious about different types of divination. As always, this is just an example, again SHORT LIST! If you find yourself drawn towards something, do the research, and follow that instinct. Google is your friend! Use it!

Tasseography: reading tea leaves, coffee grinds, wine sediments

Palmistry: reading palms

Geomancy: reading the earth (rocks, soil, sand)

Cartomancy/taromancy: reading cards

Scrying: a broad term meaning reading by gazing, this encompasses reading mirrors, crystal balls and water

Osteomancy: reading bones

Pyromancy: reading fire

Follow your intuition, your gut, your dreams, your heart, whatever direction it pulls you towards. Trust it, that's where you are meant to be 💜

[caffeine-conjurings]

Just sent out these beads to a repeat customer for #aphrodite and I'm so pleased with them! The customer requested gold, rose quartz, aquamarine and she'll be incorporated if possible and I managed to incorporate all elements :) . . #paganbeads #prayerbeads #aphroditebeads #pagancrafts #pagansofinstagram #witchesofig #witchesofinstagram🔮🌙 #witchcrafts #witchcraft #witchbeads https://www.instagram.com/p/CMI0b7rH9nq/?igshid=1ltyw3gpsqssu

[caffeine-conjurings]

Not of a fan of the #usps right now, they seem to have lost a custom set of beads. I remade them for my customer :) . . Actually snapped a picture of this set, since the past two sets, I've forgotten to. :) . . #prayerbeads #paganbeads #witchesofig #witchesofinstagram🔮🌙 #custombeads #etsywitches #etsysellersofinstagram #etsyshop #etsy https://www.instagram.com/p/CI1tYwkHcdj/?igshid=1skns0xwcy8ak

[caffeine-conjurings]

Not of a fan of the #usps right now, they seem to have lost a custom set of beads. I remade them for my customer :) . . Actually snapped a picture of this set, since the past two sets, I've forgotten to. :) . . #prayerbeads #paganbeads #witchesofig #witchesofinstagram🔮🌙 #custombeads #etsywitches #etsysellersofinstagram #etsyshop #etsy https://www.instagram.com/p/CI1tYwkHcdj/?igshid=1skns0xwcy8ak

[lost-and-rambling]

Big, huge, gigantic shout out to @spiritualpagan for making this custom order for me! My matron goddess Rán is more than pleased with this, and I am completely over the moon with them. Thank you thank you thank you! Many blessings to you, my sister. #rán #deity #devotion #devotional #beads #pagan #paganbeads #witchcraft #wicca #wiccan #witches #witch #pagansofig #witchesofig #witchesoftumblr #witchesofcalifornia #witchesoflosangeles #pagansofcalifornia #pagansoflosangeles #blessedbe #norse #norsepagan #beauty