Wednesday, December 7, 2016

Shhh!... it's getting closer! *Mercury Retrograde*



It's that time again... everybody's favorite time of year: Mercury Retrograde!


                                     

OK... before y'all get your knickers in a bunch (much like I do during the Mercury Retrogrades), I am going to spare everyone from my usual "doom-and-gloom" diatribe, and feature a post by Tim Soaringwolf whom is an incredible Astrologer that has much more constructive things to say about the upcoming event:

MERCURY RETROGRADE
December 19, 2016 5:55 am EST

Mercury shifted into Capricorn yesterday where it will stay longer than usual with the upcoming Mercury Retrograde. Some have felt this shift stronger than normal as we have also entered into the pre-shadow phase of the Retrograde. Now is the time to pay attention to messages and cues, for we shall soon be revisiting many of the themes we travel over the next couple weeks. In Capricorn our thinking and communication is a bit more orderly, logical, practical and business like. Our conversations may be a bit more somber and realistic, and while normally less emotional displays are shown, the retrograde energies will soon be pulling up things from deep below, as the Sea Goat of the zodiac is also associated with the deep waters of the Sea. As we approach December 19th when Mercury will shift directions at 15º in Capricorn, Mercury will only be less than 2º away from being conjunct Pluto, the planet of power and transformation. Therefore expect to see some powerful energies at play as the two planets of Mercury and Pluto join to add power to our mind, our communication, and a reforming of our thoughts. Harsh words may be a common theme during this upcoming retrograde and a release of energies that have been buried away inside of us. When you combine the planet of travel with the planet of transformation, expect to go on a voyage of the Soul and experience some deep transformations. Enjoy the journey but take notes and learn from the lessons, or you will be poorer in the long run. Mercury rules communication on all levels including the internet, travel, contracts, verbal and even mental, so most of us know this is not the best time to make important decisions. Rather the re- words should all be considered. Revisit, reorganize, recycle, reuse, realign, reiterate, rethink, re-plan are all things favoured during a Mercury Retrograde. It is difficult to walk backwards; we use different muscles and neural pathways… but we also revisit things we have missed, and strengthen those parts of us that are usually neglected and see things from different perspectives. This is not a time to fear these energies or be angry, but in finding how to flow WITH the universe, learn that this is a shift of energy and allow yourself to shift and align with the Cosmos so you can learn the deepest lessons that you need to hear during this time.

~Soaring Wolf
www.soaringwolf.com

For those looking for a little bit of help during the Mercury Retrograde(s),  links to where my trusty Mercury Retrograde can be found and purchased:




www.themysticdream.com (It IS back in stock, you will have to contact the shop directly at this time)

**Note: This oil is NOT available through me. I am SOLD OUT and do not make any during the "Shadow Period (2 weeks before/after) or during the Retrograde**




Dates of Mercury Retrograde: 2016 Mercury Retrograde



Archived Mercury Retrograde Posts:



Blessings... and Good Luck!


Saturday, October 29, 2016

Showcase Saturday Featured Reader/Rootworker/Conjure Shop: Hoodoo SenMoise & Cresent City Conjure









 Crescent City Conjure.... where to start, where to start...? 
Normally, the individuals and/or shops I blog about I generally have a pretty good working knowledge of their products and services.  However, this time I am at a slight disadvantage as I have not sought out their services BUT I have consulted with some of their customers and I can safely say that there was not a single dissatisfied person in the bunch!

I perused their extensive line of spiritual products.... I could not help myself once I saw (and they advertised on Facebook) the Tough Sh*t Tarot.

I literally could not stop laughing at some of the cards pictured in this deck, and just HAD to add it to my collection. I mean who doesn't love "tough love" readings?! *again, with the laughter*

 I'll blog more about the deck itself a little later... it may just get it's own blog post in the future.
The jury is still out on that as I need to play around with it a little bit more, they incorporate into a reading more like an oracle card than a Major or Minor Arcana.

I just need to stop laughing long enough to use them in a reading 

I was gifted a bottle of their "Van Van oil" and WHOA NELLY! Potent, Powerful, EFFECTIVE stuff

 I dressed myself along with a candle (of course), and went to work one morning to find that not only was a "lackluster employee" let go, therefore opening up a more secure and solid position for me!
*toe curling squee!*

Dang Becky! (Sen Moise).... what did you put in that oil?! 
*maybe I don't want to know* probably a soul of some sort.... 
Gonna let that idea go.

Whatever it is, Everyone needs a bottle in their arsenal. This one is essential in my opinion.
Sen Moise... Feel free to send me a 5 gallon drum of this stuff ;) *LOVE IT*

OK, enough incessant babble on my part.....

 Ladies and Gentlemen, Hoodoo Sen Moise of Crescent City Conjure!




Do you belong to a professional association that requires readers and rootworkers to abide by a code of ethics?
No I do not.

What kinds of readings do you perform?
I read with tarot cards, playing cards, shells and chamalongos

Which of the reading styles you use are most popular with your clients?
Tarot cards and shells.


Who was or were your divination teacher or teachers?
My grandfather, my padrino in palo, my mother in Haitian Vodou and my spirits. 

Do you prescribe spiritual supplies for the people you read for?
I do, when necessary

Do you teach spell-casting or do magical coaching with your reading clients?
I do

How and when did you first hear about hoodoo rootwork?
I was raised in Southern Conjure and have been involved in it for 34 years.  Began at the age of 4 when one of my ancestors came to me and I asked my grandfather about her.



Who was or were your rootwork teacher or teachers?
My grandfather

How long have you been professionally practicing divination, psychic reading, hoodoo rootwork, or conjure doctoring for clients?
I have been practicing for 34 years.  I have done work for folks for 23 years (approximately)

What kinds of hoodoo spell-casting cases have you handled successfully in the past?
I have had success in love work, justice work, cleansing, prosperity, separation, curses, job finding, spirit work, graveyard work, etc.



Can you provide me with any references from among your clients?
Crescent City Conjure will have the latest testimonials.  Others can be found by asking my clients (should they provide permission)
*Actual Names have been omitted to protect privacy. Please contact Crescent City Conjure for a private listing * 
*Facebook Public Public Testimonials*

What are your strong suits as a magical spell caster and rootworker?
Justice work, spirit work, Curses, cleansings and prosperity work

What are your weaknesses as a magical spell caster and rootworker?
Love work typically is not my strong suit, but has panned out pretty well in some cases




Do you have any moral or religious limitations on the kind of magic spells you will perform for others? If so, what are they?
Nope


Do you work according to the precepts of a particular religion, and if so, which one?
That would depend.  I am a high priest (Hougan Asogwe) in Haitian Vodou and a Padre Nganga in Palo Mayombe.  I do work on those point but do not mix and match traditions.

How long do you think I should have to wait before I can see results from your spell casting or altar work if we are going to have positive movement?
7 days or less


What could I be doing at home in combination with your rootwork and prayers to improve the chances that my aims and goals will be achieved?
Depends on the type of work but I almost always suggest cleansing and the making of one's declarations regarding the work.  Maybe even praying some psalms, Isaiah or Daniel.

If the spell casting or altar work I hire you to do is not successful, how would you suggest that I proceed next?
I would find out what is going on, perhaps by divination to see if something was missed.  I would also refer to someone else if I know they are more skilled than I am in a specific work.


Do you provide magical coaching services?
Yes



As a Teacher, what would you advice would you give someone just starting out in Reading/Conjure Work?
HONOR YOUR ANCESTORS.  Establish a relationship with them.  They are your biggest allies and the very foundation on which you stand.  They also possess an incredible amount of wisdom that you can always grow from, no matter what you are doing.




As I stated before, I have no personal knowledge of their workings and services, I can say that they are amazing at Customer Service and lightning FAST shipping! I think it was 24 hours later I received my Tarot Deck from them; my bank card wasn't even cooled down by the time my package arrived.
Well done Crescent City Conjure! One could only wish all businesses would be this way. 
*le sigh*

Of course I ripped into that package like a freakin savage and was doubled over laughing for the rest of the evening. These cards are not depicted as a traditional Tarot deck, but as I stated before, more like oracle cards where you choose 1 or 2 to tie your reading together... Albeit in the most blunt-to-the-point-sarcastic-way possible.

0 Sugar Coating. These are not cards for the emotionally "weak" or "feeble" feeling.
You have been warned.

*Product Description

Tough Shit Tarot is an intervention for your soul. Use the deck to access your inner bad-assery by accepting what an asshole you can be.
Up until this moment, you probably believed that you have the right to NOT be insulted. Tough Shit Tarot is staging a little intervention for your soul, and it might not be pretty.
It’s hard to hear it, but some of your problems are actually your own fault. The good news is that somewhere under all that annoying shit that you call a personality, you have the wisdom to change. Just pull a random card from the deck and trust in the principle of synchronicity (it’s Jungian- look it up). Let the message on the card help you replace your social unrest with a little spiritual unrest.
Sure you might get a bit agitated, but self- awareness is your ticket to the depths of your inner bad-assery, and you won’t get there until you can explore the depths of what an asshole you can be.
What’s that? You’re not an asshole? Nah…of course not, but we bet you know a few folks who are. Tough Shit Tarot is an awesome gift to share with in-laws, co-workers, cable guys, and anyone who could use a little kick in the soul-crotch.
This deck is not a traditional tarot deck.
**Product Description courtesy of Google**

" Anyone who could use a little kick in the soul-crotch".... I am so done. ::dies of laughter::


Whether you are in the market for some crazy effective Van Van oil (or ANY of their products), a reading, spell work, or a hilarious deck of cards.... Be sure to visit Crescent City Conjure!
Their Facebook Page is very active with updates on products, videos, as well as announcements on event appearances; should you want to meet the talented individuals behind it all :)
Located in New Orleans, Louisiana... they are in the heart and soul of their work and IT SHOWS!


Crescent City Conjure can be found at:
http://crescentcityconjure.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crescentcityconjure/
On Instagram: @crescentcityconjure

Thanks so much Sen Moise for the interview and the cards.... words cannot express the sheer joy my "inner heathen" gets from them

My favorite card: "Hold My Weave"
*I lose it every time*


Blessings!

*Questions adapted from: AIRR Questionnaire *
*Photos are Property of Crescent City Conjure unless otherwise stated*


Sunday, October 23, 2016

Showcase Sunday Featuring: Milk & Honey of Sebastopol, Ca.

http://www.milk-and-honey.com/   





On a whim I had decided that I needed to head up to the  Lucky Mojo Curio Co. as I was in need of some supplies that my local shops did not carry, and remembered that Miss Phoenix LeFae had recently opened her own shop close by and had invited me to come visit to check it out and of course... take pics!

Don't have to tell me twice!... So with that, off I went :)


Milk & Honey is located in cozy downtown Sebastopol, California where you will find their cheerful sandwich board located just outside their open door :)
 *see above photo.. haha*

Upon walking in the shop, I was greeted by 2 very lovely ladies with equally enticing energies.
Very gentle, very healing, very approachable. I was treated as though I was a long time friend as well as a valued customer even though they did not know who I was, nor my previous knowledge and relationship to Miss Phoenix LeFae.

They literally rolled out the "spiritual red carpet" for me, and I observed this treatment towards every customer that had come in that day. 
Customer Service = Not enough stars in the galaxy to give, but definitely 5 out of 5!

More on those ladies in a bit!

I have to treat you guys to the same visual overload of "Goddess Goodies" and everything in between! This place is really a 1 Stop Shop and the BEST Metaphysical Store in the area.
I'll let the photos do the talking ;)

Enjoy!




















OK... now that you are probably suffering from some proper eye strain, possibly a few chest pains, or need to grab your inhaler, I will touch upon the staff who I had mentioned earlier.


As I stated before, these ladies really make you feel like family the minute you step through the door... I would equate the feeling of an adult walking through the gates of Disneyland and then transforming back into that childlike feeling of excitement and sheer joy.... but for the metaphysical.
Disneyland... YES I went there.
Don't believe me? Take a trip to Milk & Honey and find out for yourself :)

Meet Ariel!

Ariel was the first of the bright smiling faces that greeted me with warmth and positive gentle energy.
She loves her job, in addition to her stellar customer service, she enjoys tending to the shops various Altars.
 Lighting the candles, praying to the Goddesses, praying over the petitions that are left on the Public Altar, and also making sure the shop is cleansed of anything "Negative" and brings in a TRUCK LOAD of "Positive".
*Not Exaggerating there!*




 

She graciously allowed me to follow and photograph her while she moved herself into a "personal spiritual space" and do what she does best.
I appreciated that as some people consider that time to be sacred and my being there could be invasive and counter productive to their work.



She also generously shared with me the Daily Intention that is said at Milk & Honey, for which initially I was writing down but in the end, I passed her the pen & paper lol... I was still on a sensory overload from all the magical goodies around me.
Don't judge. Y'all have been there before.


Thank You Ariel for your kindness and time spent with me, it is much appreciated <3







 Now onto Polly!



Polly was the Reader on staff that day with an equally charismatic, gentle feminine energy.
OK... Phoenix, is there a Laboratory somewhere in the back where you are cloning these ladies???
They are simply lovely! The world needs more of these people... just sayin.

Back to Polly.... I had initially asked her if she would be interested in being photographed and interviewed for my blog and I got a very enthusiastic "YES!"
*my kind of girl!*

I was led to the back of the shop into the reading room where I was made to feel right at home and an excited interviewee awaited the questions I was to ask.
What I found out about Polly was that she is a very talented reader who doesn't just limit herself to just Tarot card readings, but also does Angel, and Animal readings too! Her passion lies in helping others seek the truth and effective comfortable solutions to their problems.



She isn't a reader that will tell you what you want to hear, but rather has the gift of delivering the bad news with a "velvet hammer".
She also refuses to leave her clients without options, or without showing them the light at the end of the tunnel. Not all hope is lost ever in her readings... You just might not get the answers you are/were attached to. Polly can help you see past what you just can't at the moment. And also help you accept something better! *Win Win*




When I asked for some photos of her with her cards, she turned the tables and asked me if she could give me a reading... WOW... OK! And boy did she ever!

But first... we of course bonded over our love of cards and cartomancy. I had told her about my "Ride or Die" Lenormand Revolution Deck by Carrie Paris, and she had not seen or heard of them before so of course I JUST HAD TO WHIP THEM OUT :D






I can safely say that Polly was impressed while happily thumbing through the deck, and transferred some of her fantastic energy into them as well :)
I never miss a chance to "pimp" those cards #ilovethemsomuch

While I will not share the details of my reading with Polly, I will say that it was nothing short of incredible. She connected with a loved one whom has been the focal point of my life and still very much is even in death. Delivered some hard to swallow messages that needed to be heard, but again, Polly was there with her positive energy cheering me onto getting past what has been holding me back and being the beacon of light very much needed.



Never once was I made to feel rushed, ashamed of myself, scared, angry, unwanted, nothing negative... Which if you have had been to as many Readers as I have over the years, you will have run into all of the ones that hit each and every negative hallmark just to make a buck. 

Polly is NOT one of those. 
Just writing this piece makes me miss these ladies, and if you haven't already caught on, they have changed my whole blogging/writing style as there is hardly ANY sarcasm or humor listed in this posting... That's how their energy influences those around them.

Gentle, Calm, Loving.

Thank You Polly for connecting with my loved one, and helping me get out of my own way. I'll keep you posted on the outcomes ;) Though having met you and Ariel, I have already seen some of those "Cups" runneth over :)


By the end of my visit, I literally wanted to fold these ladies up into my bag and take them home with me. I settled for a hug from each.
Pretty sure there are laws against tossing people into bags and taking them home with you... I think that would be construed as "abduction" and No. Not happening.

However, I will leave them in their "Happy Place" to make others happy too :) 

Side Note... This shop is a mecca for Ganesh devotee's and aficionado's alike. I'm sure there is some video surveillance footage of me literally losing my mind every 5 seconds upon discovering their many Ganesh items tucked away in that place.... Phoenix, Please don't leak that... I have a reputation to uphold. *dies of laughter*

This handsome guy was just claimed by yours truly and has a spot on my Ganesh Altar at home waiting for his arrival <3

No visit would be complete without coming home with some "goodies" from a place such as this!
So I grabbed a couple of cards that instead of giving to someone, I am going to frame to hang on my wall at home :)

*my haul*

There truly is something for everyone at Milk & Honey! If you are in the Sebastopol area, please stop by and say Hi! to the staff... You WILL get a warm welcome and may not want to go home. I sure didn't :)
Get yourself a Reading, some Crystals, a Ganesh.... cards, candles, oils.... the list goes ON!

Also, Miss Elvyra whom you may know from working at the Lucky Mojo Curio Co., featured on the Lucky Mojo Hoodoo and Rootwork Hour, AND at the Hoodoo Heritage Festival, is a Reader  at Milk & Honey as well!
 I love photographing her... she's so photogenic!

OK... I have waxed poetically long enough on this place, and the ethereal individuals that inhabit it.
Do yourself a favor and pay this place a visit. In person, online, or over the phone, it's an experience worth having.

Remember.... "Spiritual Disneyland".

Blessings!

Monday, October 17, 2016

Saint's Agatha and Peregrine *New Products*





When one hears of Saint Agatha and/or Peregrine, most people do not know who these Saint's are. They are not your more commonly heard of or venerated Saint's like that of Saint Jude, Therese, and Michael (which really is an Arch Angel).

Unless you or someone close to you has battled Cancer, you probably have not heard of these 2 individuals or why folks pray to them.


Most Saint's have more than 1 Patronage, and these two do as well, but I am going to leave it focusing on the main topic here: Cancer.

I am going to backtrack a little bit as I would like to touch upon a personal account of my own dealing with cancer years ago, and a battle someone very close to me is currently going through.
One that he has been given a diagnosis of "terminal" for which there is not much more that can be done.


I came to know Saint Agatha back in 1996 when I was diagnosed with Stage II Breast Cancer.
This is how most people find out about her is when they are dealing with this very disease.

I was initially misdiagnosed with what was told to be a fibrocystic lump when in fact a biopsy later revealed Stage II Breast Cancer.
Of course I was panicking and VERY upset at the fact I felt I was far too young to be afflicted with such a disease, and of course "why me"?

While we may never know the "whys", the only thing I can come up with is that there was a lesson here for someone. Whether that lesson was for me in the case of "Vanity", a lesson for a fledgling Oncologist getting their first cancer patient, or a lesson in Faith.
Or maybe, All of the above.


I can tell you that Faith is your biggest hurdle to overcome in times like these, but it is also one of your biggest allies.

St. Agatha gave me comfort in praying to her, asking for her intercession, asking her to bend the ear of God and help heal me.

In the end, I am here, alive, and writing this blog that you are reading at this very moment so I would have to say that along with the intervention of modern medicine, prayers to Saint Agatha certainly helped.

Because she would not submit to any man as a wife or sexually in any capacity, Saint Agatha was reportedly assaulted and abused for devoting herself to God instead.
As a result her breasts were ripped off (HOLY HELL... WTF?!) in addition to the many beatings and various methods of torture...
*I'm still wincing at the thought of having my breasts yanked off my body*

I'm going to need a minute....

She is commonly pictured carrying a Palm branch in 1 hand and a plate with breasts on the other. Because one of the tortures she supposedly suffered was to have her breasts cut off, she was often depicted carrying her breasts on a plate. It is thought that blessing of the bread that takes place on her feast may have come from the mistaken notion that she was carrying loaves of bread.

Loaves of bread with nipples... let that just sink in....
I will never be able to look at baked goods the same again. 
*Moving on*


*A pink ribbon is enclosed inside every bottle*


Prayer to St. Agatha 

St. Agatha, woman of valor, from your own suffering we have been moved to ask your prayers for those of us who suffer from breast cancer. We place the NAME(S) before you, and ask you to intercede on their behalf. From where you stand in the health of life eternal- all wounds healed, and all tears wiped away- pray for MENTION YOUR REQUEST, and all of us. Pray God will give us His holy benediction of health and healing. And, we remember you were a victim of torture and that you learned, first hand, of human cruelty and inhumanity. We ask you to pray for our entire world. Ask God to enlighten us with a “genius for peace and understanding.” Ask Him to send us His Spirit of Serenity, and ask Him to help us share that peace with all we meet. From what you learned from your own path of pain, ask God to give us the Grace we need to remain holy in difficulties, not allowing our anger or our bitterness to overtake us. Pray that we will be more peaceful and more charitable. And from your holy pace in our mystical body, the Church, pray that we, in our place and time will, together, create a world of justice and peace. Amen.

*Note: the Pink Ribbon is not associated with St. Agatha directly but that of the  Susan G. Koman organization*


Links of Interest:
http://www.romancatholicidentity.com/2010/02/st-agatha-patron-saint-of-breast-cancer.html

http://catholicfire.blogspot.com/2014/02/st-agatha-patron-saint-against-breast.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agatha_of_Sicily










OK... so if Saint Agatha isn't your "home girl" or you are wanting an overall Patron Saint of Cancer , Saint Peregrine is your man!

Legend has it that Saint Peregrine had an open wound on his leg that a surgeon deemed cancerous and had scheduled an amputation of the limb the next day.

That night Saint Peregrine had prayed and prayed to God for healing, had a vision of God touching his leg, and the next day there was no sign of a wound, laceration, nothing.
Completely healed from the cancer that afflicted him. Thus making him the Saint one prays to when they have cancer of any kind.



Did I myself invoke his aid? No. 
Honestly I did not know about him until recently. *I'm actually quite ashamed*

Weeks ago a close friend of mine had been given a diagnosis of Liver Cancer, and it was Terminal.

Of course they had and are still going through the standard regiment of traditional Western Medicine, trying everything to stay as "healthy" as one can going through chemo, and other treatments... but the one avenue that is most often overlooked is the "spiritual medicine". 

For me, that is my first line of defense. And I am NOT going to give up and give in to that death sentence; even IF that is what is to come.

 I added a white ribbon to signify the bandage that St. Peregrine had covering his wound


*Doctors have been wrong, And there has been miracles of "Divine Intervention" for which medical science has 0 explanation for.*

In addition to setting lights, hours of prayer and novena's on this person's behalf, I started to have dreams of Saint Peregrine.
In the waking hours he "appeared" in the form of his name (there is a Peregrine St. that I found whilst lost one day going to a home I had never been to before), his medal fell out of a box I had not seen in a LONG time and into my hand, and then there had been an influx of folks that were newly diagnosed themselves... It was apparent that this Saint wanted to be called upon, and I felt that in addition to the many hours of "hounding the guy" to heal my beloved friend, an exchange was to be made.




That exchange comes in the form of conjure oils for both Saint Agatha and Saint Peregrine. 
In addition to that, vigil candles as well. 

I feel that they both were out in the "crowd" waving their hands trying to get my attention, and it worked.
I am very proud of these 2 products as I am of everything I make. A lot of time, energy, Faith, and prayer has gone into them; I know there are people that feel these would make a difference in their lives,  and/or the lives of others.

Also, 100% of the proceeds of these oils will go to a Cancer charity 
Saint Agatha = Breast Cancer
Saint Peregrine = All other Cancers

This was an agreement that I made to both Saints for their intercessions and is non-negotiable.
Due to this stipulation, there will not be a Giveaway for this posting, for that I apologize.

Prayer to Saint Peregrine

Saint Peregrine, whom Holy Mother Church has declared patron of those suffering from cancer, I confidently turn to you for aid in my present need (mention your request here)

Lest I lose confidence, I beg your kind intercession. Please with Mary, the Mother of Sorrows, whom you loved so tenderly, and in union with whom you have suffered the pains of cancer, that she may help me with her all-powerful prayers and consolation.

Obtain for me the strength to accept my trials from the loving hand of God with patience and resignation. May suffering lead me to a better life and enable me to atone for my own sins and the sins of the world. 
Amen

The above is one of MANY Prayers you can find out on the Internet, in books, and the backs of Prayer Cards. Choose the prayer that you feel the best about.

Links of Interest:




These Oils and Vigils will be available through Papa Newt on his Website: PapaNewt.com, and possibly other vendors in the future :)

**St. Peregrine statue not included**


*These will not be available through myself as I will be extremely busy and continually focused on making the products and do not want to distract from that; it is very time consuming as I pray specific Novena's as I create them*

*Disclaimer*
I want to be clear and say that I do not endorse the practice of "Spiritual Medicine and Prayer ONLY" in situations such as this. Modern Medicine should be the front runner in your defense/battle with Cancer or when dealing with any disease/injury/ailment; Spiritual Practices should compliment your health care.
One should always seek medical attention from a qualified professional.
I am NOT that person.

Peace be with all those who have been newly diagnosed or currently suffering from these terrible diseases.... I hope this brings you some comfort as it has my friend and I.

Blessings