Highlights

Review: The Moonbeam Magick Oracle

By Susan Lynx

Here in the shop, customers often ask “What is the difference between tarot cards and oracle cards?” My answer is twofold: Oracle cards require less study and mastery in order to read with them, so they are more accessible to beginners. They offer insight but don’t necessarily address the tougher side of life or the shadow side of the human soul. It’s not that tarot is more negative, but tarot tends to offer a view of life that includes the challenges and the pain. Oracle decks are intended to comfort, uplift, and inspire.

The Moonbeam Magick Oracle, with its easy-to-grasp symbolism and appealing rainbow hues, demonstrates this beautifully. The images are by the artist Sapphire Moonbeam, who creates her “energy paintings” with direction from her Fairy Spirit guides. Each card offers wisdom in a reassuring way. The nicely-written guidebook invites you to work with each card in 3 ways:

Reflect on the direct meaning of the word on each card; and/or
Absorb the flowing images to evoke your intuitive and emotional response; and/or
Meditate on a card and repeat the affirmation offered at the end of each card description.

I recommend this deck for those times when you are looking for a positive, lighthearted, and inspiring session. But that doesn’t mean it’s only for “happy times.” You can use this oracle to challenge yourself to reach for the rainbow even when things look bleak.

The Moonbeam Magick Oracle is available through the Eye of Horus. Bring home your copy today!

Which Witchy Tarot is Right for You?

Posted By Susan Lynx

By Susan Lynx

Wicca and witchcraft are popular subjects for tarot decks, and there are several available here at the Eye of Horus. Three decks in particular have special appeal for folks who are interested in Wicca or other neo-Pagan paths. All of them include very good books, not just a “little white booklet”, and each of them have very distinct styles of art and commentary. We have open demo decks for each in the shop you can see all the cards in each deck and compare.

The Witches’ Tarot by Ellen Dugan, Art by Mark Evans
Ellen Dugan is the author of several books on witchcraft, and this deck reflects her emphasis on personal empowerment. The art is photo-realistic but still has a mystical flavor. The faces are well-chosen for the various cards and beautifully rendered. The book includes spreads such as the Triple Goddess layout, and even features spells using the cards.

My favorite card is The Moon, showing Hecate with her wolves. Eye of Horus did a full review of the deck when it first came out. (In fact, Ellen Dugan had her launch Party at Eye of Horus. Click here to read that article

The Green Witch Tarot by Ann Moura, Art by Kiri Østergaard Leonard
Ann Moura has done a great job remaking the Major Arcana for people who wish to deepen their personal relationship to nature, the elements, and Earth magic. At the same time the images are compatible with general Rider-Waite-Smith concepts. Every borderless card includes a plant and animal symbol, and each one is explained in the book, so it is a great way to expand your knowledge. Kiri Østergaard Leonard’s art is soft-edged and luminous yet captures plenty of detail. I appreciate that several of the images are racially diverse.

My favorite card is The Lovers, named here The Lady and The Lord.

The Everyday Witch Tarot by Deborah Blake, Art by Elisabeth Alba
Deborah Blake has authored several books on witchcraft, and she is known for her down-to-earth style and wit. The colors of The Everyday Witch Tarot are vivid and lively but not garish. The cards display the familiar symbols of witch’s hat, broom, cauldron and cat familiar in scenes ranging from medieval to modern. Some images are purposely androgynous, which I appreciate. The book goes beyond traditional meanings of the cards in a section called “Things to Consider” with questions and suggestions for applying each card to your life.

I couldn’t pick a single favorite card, because I like The Moon and The Tower so much. They reflect power and humor at the same time. Read Jane’s First Impressions of the Every Day Witch Tarot here>

Susan Lynx is available for tarot readings at the Eye of Horus. Schedule your appointment with Susan today through our website!

Three Essential Witchcraft Books from Copper Cauldron

Posted By Jane the Scribe

She was a witch long before Buffy or Charmed or any number of Hollywood versions of witchcraft exploded into the popular imagination. She is the Official Witch of Salem and author of several books on the craft going back decades, but the latest offerings, published by Copper Cauldron are her legacy and a must-have for any student of the Craft and Magick or (Majick.) People sometimes ask if witches are real. Laurie Cabot breaks the stereotype of the witch of imagination (woman, all in black, casting spells) with a living example of a priestess who not only embraces the stereotype, but embodies a Craft tradition that is rich, deep, compassionate and yes, real. She didn’t get to be the Official Witch of Salem for wearing black, but for her work with Special Needs children. Her two latest works are essential in the rich legacy of the Cabot Tradition.

Laurie Cabot’s Book of Shadows

If you are tired of ‘witchcraft lite’ titles, this 7.5 by 9.25 inch 512 page compilation of a life’s Craft work is a deep spring to renew your practice. The history, lore, rituals and recipes for incense, oils and more included in this opus are available for you to draw from to enhance your own craft.

If you are a working High Priestess or Priest, there’s advice on working alone or in a group. If you are a student, you will welcome the inclusion of the materials on the Science, Art and Religion of witchcraft. Available as both a Hardcover or a Paperback, Laurie Cabot’s Book of Shadows has a place on the essential witches book shelf. [Read more…] about Three Essential Witchcraft Books from Copper Cauldron