Sabbats and Sabbaths

Urban Crow Oracle

Posted on August 18, 2024 by David Taliesin

I am super picky about my tarot and oracle decks. I’ve tried a number of them that I thought would serve me well but ended up gifting them to others. The one oracle deck that stands heads above the rest for me is the Urban Crow Oracle by M.J. Cullinane. I’ve always had a special affinity for crows and a family of them lives in a giant evergreen ewe tree in my front yard. For me, they’ve always been the bringers of magic and hidden wisdom so this deck was a no-brainer for me to check out.

What sealed the deal was the simplicity of the deck’s design that contains 54 cards with one or two words on the bottom of each. The rest of each card is filled with vivid artwork of crows as they live and thrive in a urban setting. I often use this deck as a one card draw to know what I need to be on the lookout for in the coming week. This deck never fails to provide me with the insight I need. I also sometimes use it in conjunction with tarot and rune readings as well.

As some of my readers know, I work in a metaphysical bookstore with a large selection of decks. Choosing the right one is an intensely personal decision. Although I do make recommendations based on what kinds of images the customer feels drawn to, I always tell them to trust their instinct. When you feel the “pull” toward a certain deck, then definitely look it up online to see a sample off the images from it. That should help you decide if it’s the right deck for you.

The true test of any deck, however, is how you feel when you use it. If you’re drawn to crow imagery (any fans of Huginn and Muninn out there?) then definitely give this one a try. The imagery here will both surprise and delight you.

Posted in Tarot | Tagged crow, deck, Divination, oracle, urban | Leave a comment

Gebo: Balanced Exchange

Posted on August 12, 2024 by David Taliesin

Last week I drew a card from the Urban Crow Oracle by M.J. Cullinane. It’s my favorite oracle deck and I often consult it to get a sense of what I need to focus on in the coming week. The card I drew was Self-Interest which I have actually never drawn before. Seeking clarification, I reached into my Rune bag and out came Gebo. Taking these two together, I understood what the Divine was trying to tell me: I was extending myself too much and needed to focus on my own needs and goals in the coming week.

Traditionally, Gebo symbolizes the giving and receiving of gifts. When it appears in a reading it’s always good to ask ourselves if our relationships are in balance. Are we spreading ourselves too thin or are we too preoccupied with our own wants and desires? Either extreme is not healthy. Life is about balance and we will be happier and more satisfied with our lives if we learn this important lesson.

While studying the runes, I wrote a series to rune poems to help me understand their meaning. Here’s what I came up with for Gebo.

David Taliesin Rune Poem:
Equal exchange is rune GEBO.
Be generous with everyone you know.
Find balance in relationships
For this is the holiest of gifts.

Posted in Norse/Germanic Spirituality, Runes | Tagged Gebo, Runes | 2 Comments

Claiming Our Power During Difficult Times

Posted on July 22, 2024 by David Taliesin

Durng last night’s Welcoming Circle at Asheville Raven & Crone, we talked about how to stay strong during these tumultuous times we are experiencing in our nation. This was the closing ritual we did. Hope you find it helpful.

CLAIMING OUR POWER DURING DARK DAYS

PROTECTION OIL (David Taliesin)
7-9 drops of Hyssop Essential Oil
1/4 cup olive oil

Dark spirits fly away, let only peace and love remain—David Taliesin

CASTING THE CIRCLE—David Taliesin

Guardians and Ancestors of the East, Elemental Power of Air, of deep hidden mysteries, intuition and spirituality, be with us in the circle tonight. We are honored by your presence. Hail and welcome!

Guardians and Ancestors of the South, Elemental Powers of Fire, of passion, decisive action and courage, be with us in the circle tonight. We are honored by your presence. Hail and welcome!

Guardians and Ancestors of the West, Elemental Powers of Water, of compassion, peace and love, be with us in the circle tonight. We are honored by your presence. Hail and welcome!

Guardians and Ancestors of the North, Elemental Powers of Earth, of hearth and home, prosperity and health, be with us in the circle tonight. We are honored by your presence. Hail and welcome!

Great Mystery, who is known to us by many names, who gives us life and breath, be with us in the circle tonight. We are honored by your presence. Hail and welcome!

EMPOWERMENT SPELL—David Taliesin
Strips of paper, pen
Caudron
Red or white candle
Yarrow
Protection Oil

Write on strips of paper the things you worry about most during this tumultuous time in our nation. Place a pinch of yarrow in the flame of the candle.

Then, one by one, place each strip in the flame and let it burn as you verbally state the opposite of what’s on the paper, i.e. what you would like to see come into your life. Let it burn out in the cauldron. Ex. If you write “feeling overwhelmed” on the paper, say something like “I will be calm and peaceful.”

DISMISSING THE CIRCLE—David Taliesin

Guardians and Ancestors of the North, Elemental Powers of Earth, keep us grounded and surround us with people who make us feel nurtured and loved. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Guardians and Ancestors of the West, Elemental Powers of Water, keep us feeling positive and peaceful. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Guardians and Ancestors of the South, Elemental Powers of Fire, keep our minds focused on the sacred work you call us to do during this chaotic time in our nation. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Guardians and Ancestors of the East, Elemental Powers of Air, clear all the clutter and distraction from our lives so that we may focus on what’s necessary and important. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Great Spirit, who is known to us by many names, help us to stay focused on the work you have called us to do during these difficult times. Empower us to beacons of hope. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Our circle is now open but never unbroken
Because it is a circle woven in love.
Whatever energy is left in this space
We return to the earth with a spirit of gratitude.
Merry meet and merry part, and merry meet again.

Posted in Magic, Spirituality | Leave a comment

Divine Energy Ritual

Posted on June 17, 2024 by David Taliesin

Here’s the ritual we did to close Sunday night’s Welcoming Circle:

CASTING THE CIRCLE—adapted by David Taliesin

Use the following adapted form of the Protection Prayer. Cast the circle with your hands, athame or wand. Your choice.

Divine Light surrounds us
Divine Love enfolds us
Divine Power Protects you
Divine Presence watches over us
Wherever we are, the Divine is. All is well.

CALLING THE QUARTERS—David Taliesin

Guardians and Ancestors of the East, Spirits of Air, we ask for your presence in our circle tonight. May Divine Wisdom blow though our lives like a cool summer breeze. Hail and welcome!

Guardians and Ancestors of the South, Spirits of Fire, we ask for your presence in our circle tonight. May Divine Fire set our hearts ablaze with a desire to do what is good and right and true. Hail and welcome!

Guardians and Ancestors of the West, Spirits of Water, we ask for your presence in our circle tonight. May Divine Compassion fill us with love, peace, empathy and joy. Hail and welcome!

Guardians and Ancestors of the North, Spirits of Earth, we ask for your presence in our circle tonight. May Divine Strength keep us grounded in these difficult times. Hail and welcome!

Divine Presence, who is known to us by many names, speak to each person in this circle tonight. Strengthen our connection to you and the many forms you choose to embody. Hail and welcome!

SHAMANIC DRUMMING

Have everyone breathe deeply and settle themselves comfortably in the circle. Play a shamanic drumming track to help free the mind to receiving messages from the Divine. Make sure each participant has pen and paper to record any messages or insight they receive. If there is time, let those in the group share they they heard or discovered, if they wish to do so.

CLOSING—David Taliesin
Guardians and Spirits of the North, we thank you for your presence in our circle tonight. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Guardians and Spirits of the West, we thank you for your presence in our circle tonight. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Guardians and Spirits of the South, we thank you for your presence in our circle tonight. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Guardians and Spirits of the East, we thank you for your presence in our circle tonight. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Eternal One, whose verdant beauty is all around us, whose wisdom whispers trough the flowers and trees, thank you for your holy presence in our circle this night. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

The circle is open but never unbroken because it is a circle woven in love. Whatever energy is left in this space we return to the earth with a spirit of gratitude. Merry meet and merry part, and merry meet again.

Posted in Goddess, Spirituality | Leave a comment

Working With Divine Energy

Posted on June 17, 2024 by David Taliesin

Working With Divine Energy:
Do You Choose Them or Do They Choose You?

Be Open—It begins with a longing for something that is greater than ourselves. We may feel a tug or a pull toward a specific Deity. Maybe we read something that really resonated with us. Maybe we saw an image that spoke to us. Some people have dramatic spiritual encounters with Divine energy, but I think that’s rare. For most of us, it’s much more subtler than that.

Be Curious—This is the “dating” phase. Read about and research the specific Deity you are interested in. If you know others who follow this specific Deity, look to them for recommendations on good books, web sites, etc. Do not skip this step. For example, there’s nothing worse than a follower of Odin who bases their knowledge of him by watching Marvel comic movies.

Be Reverent—Begin working with this specific Deity. Take baby steps. Learn some spells, prayers, and rituals, associated with this Deity. You may want to start a spiritual journal chronicling your process. Above all, listen, REALLY LISTEN! Don’t make lots of demands. As more questions arise, go back and do more research.

Be Dedicated—You may reach a point where you feel led to do some kind of dedication to the Deity you are working with. Go with your instincts on this. Maybe you’ll place a statue or picture on your home altar. Maybe you will wear some kind of talisman or symbol of this Deity. Maybe you’ll undergo a more formal dedication.

Be of Service—Don’t be a whiny follower who only asks for stuff. You might feel led to do a specific project in honor of the Deity. Answer the call. Make the world a better place for all of us.

As a final thought you may work with a particular Deity for a lifetime but you may also work with a Deity for a season. Both are valid. Trust the spiritual path you’re walking.

Posted in Goddess, Spirituality | Leave a comment

Raidho: Getting Back on Track

Posted on June 8, 2024 by David Taliesin

Last week was one of those weeks I don’t care to repeat for a long time. It was tough emotionally and spiritually and left me feeling defeated and exhausted. I remember shouting out loud “Whoever or whatever is doing this to me…f&ck off!” Once the air was cleared and a new week began, I reached into my rune bag and drew the Raidho rune. As it turns out, it was exactly the message I needed to hear. Raidho, is a rune of travel (riding) and embarking on a journey. However, this rune of movement and momentum does not have to be understood in a physical way. The journey can be spiritual and emotional as well. As the week progressed I felt like I got “back on track.” I returned to the path I’m supposed to be walking and was my true, authentic self once again.

Some people use Raidho to ensure safety in travel. But if we only understand this rune in a physical sense we miss its true potential. Raidho is good for vision questing and seeing the bigger picture. When we feel a little bit lost as we travel the road of life, it’s the force that can gently guide us back to where we belong. Several questions this rune asks us are: What is holding you back on the journey of life? What is the Universe calling you to embark on? Perhaps it’s time to make a move!

While studying the runes, I wrote a series to rune poems to help me understand their meaning. Here’s what I came up with for Raidho.

David Taliesin Rune Poem:
RAIDHO is the journey you take.
It transports you from place to place.
A new adventure or spiritual quest
Awaits you now. No time for rest.

Posted in Norse/Germanic Spirituality, Runes | Tagged meaning, Raidho, Raido, rune | Leave a comment

Gjallerhorn: A Norse Oracle Deck

Posted on June 3, 2024 by David Taliesin

I am super picky about my oracle decks. In fact, I only have three of them, including the spectacular Gjallerhorn: A Norse Oracle Deck which I got a copy of this week. First of all, the packing is superb. The outside box is black with gilded embellishments. It also has hidden magnets in the cover which keep it secure. Inside, it contains a hard cover book of the same quality plus three different decks which can be used together or separately:

RUNES—It has a lovely set of runic symbol cards which are also gilded. They have a nice weight to them.

NORSE GODS AND GODDESSES—I love the pictures because they go beyond the over-used “Vikings with horn hats” that you usually see in pictures of Norse deities. This section also includes Fenrir, Huginn and Muninn and a few other surprises.

NORSE SIGILS—This is a nice collection of traditional Norse sigils to work with.

The book is very well written and the flexibility of the deck is fantastic. I’ve seen a few Norse decks that feel like nothing more than a cash grab. This one is leagues about the rest and they clearly took a lot of time and care in creating it. Honestly, it just doesn’t get any better than this.

I look forward to using this amazingly crafted deck. If you have any interest in Norse magic and mythology then this deck is definitely for you. It’s also reasonably priced considering the quality of the deck and packaging.

Posted in Norse/Germanic Spirituality | Leave a comment

May Full Moon: Flower Moon

Posted on May 23, 2024 by David Taliesin

Native Americans named May’s full moon (which occurs tonight, May 23) the Flower Moon for obvious reasons. May is the month when everything is coming into full bloom and there are flowers popping up everywhere. It’s a time for us to focus on spiritual growth where the seeds we planted on Imbolc have germinated and are well on their way to maturity. You may want to take some time this full moon to reflect on projects and activities that need a little TLC in order to come to full fruition.

It is also called the Mother’s Moon, Corn-Planting Moon and Milk Moon (from the Old Anglo-Saxon). All of these make sense since May is a time of increasing fertility, both in the animal and plant world.

If the weather is good and you have a fire pit, it’s a good night to light a bonfire in the spirit of Beltane which occurred May 1st. If you have some dried yarrow, throw a little bit of it in the flames for courage (or use other courage herbs if you don’t have yarrow) and ask your Divines for the strength to be a force of change and transformation in the midst of this global pandemic. Let the energy of that moon plant fertile seeds of change in your life. Blessed be!

Posted in Esbats, Uncategorized | Tagged Full Moon, May, names | Leave a comment

Mojo Bag/Sachet Empowering Spell

Posted on May 20, 2024 by David Taliesin

Here is the closing ritual we did at Sunday night’s Welcoming Circle. Our opening topic was creating mojo bags which we constructed in class and blessed them at the end of our time together.

EMPOWERING OF SACHETS/MOJO BAGS

CASTING THE CIRCLE—David Taliesin

Take an athame, wand or whatever you use to define sacred space and move it around the circle as you say the following. It’s a form of the traditional Protection Prayer:

Divine Light surrounds us.
Divine Love enfolds us.
Divine Power protects us.
Divine Presence watches over us.
Whoever we are, the Divine is.
All is well.

CALLING THE QUARTERS—David Taliesin

We face the East and call upon the elemental spirit of Air. May your hidden wisdom blow through our circle tonight and empower our work. Hail and welcome!

We face the South and call upon the elemental spirit of Fire. May you purify our intentions so they may serve us well, lighting the way forward. Hail. and welcome!

We face the West and call upon the elemental spirit of Water. May your peace become our peace, connecting us deeper to the Divine and to the world around us. Hail and welcome!

We face the North and call upon the elemental spirit of Earth. Keep us grounded in these troubled times and help us to prosper in ways that are just. Hail and welcome!

Great Mystery, who is known to us by many names, we ask you to be with us and bless our working tonight. We are honored by your presence. Hail and welcome!

EMPOWERING SPELL FOR OUR MOJO BAGS—David Taliesin

First, we anoint our bags with rue oil which is “rocket fuel” for any intention. You can also use any other oil that is blended for your specific intention.

Method 1—Use a clock wise circle if you are trying to draw something toward you, Use a counter-clockwise circle if you are trying to banish something from your presence.

Method 2—With the figure of the solar cross in mind, anoint the bag from the center outward in all four directions, saying “As above, so below” or “On earth as it is in heaven.” You can do this on only one side of the bag. If you are trying to banish something from your presence, anoint from the outside toward the center of the solar cross.

When everyone’s bags are ready, raise the energy in the room with the Om-Ah chant. While doing this, ask individuals to think about their intention for the bag.

When a sufficient amount of energy is raised tell the group to release it and direct it toward their bag.

SPOKEN BLESSING FOR MOJO BAGS—David Taliesin

Great Mystery, who is known to us by many names, bless these bags and the intentions we’ve attached to them tonight. My they empower us to do whatever work you have called us to undertake in our lives and in our community. So mote it be!

CLOSING THE CIRCLE—David Taliesin

We face the North and give thanks to the elemental spirit of Earth for their presence in our circle tonight. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

We face the West and give thanks to the elemental spirit of Water for their presence in our circle tonight. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

We face the South and give thanks to the elemental spirit of Fire for their presence in our circle tonight. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

We face the East and give thanks to the elemental spirit of Air for their presence in our circle tonight. Stay if you will, go if you must. We bid you farewell.

Great Mystery, who is known to us by many names.
We thank you for your presence in our circle tonight.
Stay if you will, go if you must.
We bid you farewell!

The circle is open but never unbroken
Because it is a circle woven in love.
Whatever energy is left in this space
We return to the earth with a spirit of gratitude.
Merry meet and merry part, and merry meet again.

Posted in Spirituality | Leave a comment

Scott Cunningham: A Tale of Two Biographies

Posted on May 6, 2024 by David Taliesin

When I was a young witching and enrolled in a Wicca 101 class at Asheville Raven & Crone, the first book that was placed in my hands was Wicca: A Guide For the Solitary Practitioner by Scott Cunningham. It was there that I was introduced to the man who would change my life forever. The most important thing I learned from Cunningham was to trust your own instinct and forge your own path. His approach to magic was simple and straightforward. He encouraged me to experiment and find out what did and didn’t work for me. Scott’s liberating words freed me to develop a style of magic that was an amalgamation of many traditions and practices. Now that I work at the store that gave me my start, Asheville Raven & Crone, I often place this same book in the hands of those who are curious about the Craft. I cannot think of a better foundation to build on than this.

During the past two weeks I made my way through two biographies about Scott Cunningham because I was curious about the man who continues to inspire me in so many ways. The first was Scott Cunningham: The Path Taken by his sister Christine Cunningham Ashworth (Weiser Books, 2023). It is a very personal take on Scott that’s heartfelt and full of family stories. It’s also a bit of a confession of some of the regrets Christine had in not getting to know her big brother better. It was an enjoyable read and if you’re interested in learning about Scott’s personal life, it’s well worth your time.

The second book I read was Whispers of the Moon: The Life and Work of Scott Cunningham by David Harrington and DeTraci Regula (Llewellyn Books, 1997). Unfortunately, it appears to be out of print. However, it’s easy to obtain a used copy online. This was the book I was really looking for. It was written by two of his closest friends who share lots of details regarding how Scott became the best selling author at Llewellyn. You get an intimate glimpse of a man who was deeply connected to nature and took a very scholarly, experimental approach to the Craft. It gave me a deeper appreciation for all the hard work that went into the knowledge he shared with all of us. It’s a great read.

If Scott Cunningham is to a name that is not familiar to you, I hope you’ll read some of his work. All of his books are simply amazing. If you know of his work and want to get to know him better, these two biographies are a great place to start.