My Magickal Name

I took another class from a friend on finding your magickal name.  I've had a few over the years.  I used "shadowrose" from the very beginning, because I liked dark colors, such as black and purple, and the rose was my favorite flower.  Lately, as I've delved deeper into the craft I wondered if it was time to move on to something different, more in tune with where I am now.  However, I have found that the darker side of the path attracts me.  Not evil, but the darker aspects, the shadow work.  The darker deities, doing moon work.  I've always liked the night.  Also, I have acquired an old English rose, an apothecary rose.  That thing is indestructable.  It takes over and chokes out everything in it's path.  It is aggressive and assertive.  It is thorny and protective.  So, the idea of ShadowRose was reaffirmed for me, because that is what I am seeking on this path.  Through my meditation though, I have added a last name to reflect the call I feel from the Morrigan.  So officially my name is ShadowRose NicMor-rioghain.  "Nic" is gaelic for "daughter of."

I picked up some treasures this weekend.

This gorgeous hand-thrown mug spoke to me.  Each one was a little different in size and shape, truly unique.  I picked the one that called to me.

this medallion also spoke to me.  Reminded me of a theatre mask.

I found an 8 note thumb piano.  It's lots of fun to play!

Progress

Well, I've successfully completed my course on Book of Shadows.  I signed up for a course on candle magic.  I do need to finish my course on the tarot.  I think I've been intimidated.  I won a book on tarot and a deck called The Pathfinder's Tarot on Listia.  I also ordered a book on astral projection for beginners on half.com.  I'm taking a mini-course in choosing a magickal name, got half of it done.  Interested to see where this leads....

Tarot Wish List

Well, I've been experiencing tarot-block.  It's similar to writer's block.   I think I'm intimidated by the cards.  I'm going to give my homework another try.  I think I can do it this time.  There are other decks I'd like to pick up, though, so I've started a wish list:

1.  The Sorcerer's Tarot
2.  Anne Stoke's Gothic Tarot
3.  The Steampunk Tarot
4.  Corrine Kenner's Wizard's Tarot
5.  The Easy Tarot
6.  The Rose Knight manga tarot

First Tarot Spread

okay, so last night i was in chat and we drew tarot cards. i was using a brand new deck, The Llewellyn Tarot. I got this set because it came with it's own tarot bag, which was really pretty. As I looked through the cards I like the artwork, and the major arcana seems to be celtic gods. So, i laid aside the star card, which happened to be Branwen. then i was told to draw from the center of my deck. I drew the empress. however, the person just before me had been told to draw from the middle and if we had been following the pattern i should have drawn from the bottom, so i drew that card just out of curiosity. i got a four of swords, reversed. i found in my deck a card demonstrating a card spread i guess was designed for this deck. it's called "Llew's Spread" and it is intended to "illuminate a situation." it uses a total of five cards, so i picked out two more and put them in order. the center card is first, it is called the sun card and it says that the sun card brings hidden aspects of the situation to light. the second card goes to the left of the center card and is called the dawn card, it represents the situation that is manifesting. the third card goes to the top of the center card, it is the noon card and represents the issues that cannot be ignored. the fourth card goes to the right of the center card, it is called the dusk card and respresents the help you will receive. the fifth card goes to the bottom of the center card, it is called the midnight card and represents the resolution of the situation.

this is what my spread looks like. the star is in the center, the empress to the left, the reverses four of sword at top, the knight of wands to the right and the four of pentacles at the bottom.

i am inexperienced with tarot, so i am pondering over these cards and asking friends for insights. oh, and Rhiannon represents the empress....  i hope to have some insights soon!

Lovely Treasures

Well, I got some more goodies today.  My Italian glass writing set came.  It's gorgeous.  I can't wait to start using it!

I took a "mental health" day today where I took off by myself and went to a used book store.  I had found some good books there before, but today they didn't have any treasures :(  So then I did some shopping for ribbon for crochet projects, then I went to my local metaphysical center and traded in some books.  I got store credit and picked up two items I had been wanting.

It is a lovely, tiny, silver bell with the triquetra engraved on it, and the other is a black handled "bosom" knife.  Very exciting for me!

My First BOS

I love pink, so I was attracted to this book.

The end papers are what sold me on it.

My first entry.  I'm trying to learn the correspondences to the pentagram.  I had to include several other things in it for my first BOS lesson.  I'm sure I'll be adding to it regularly.

First Class

Well, I have started my first class, Book of Shadows.  So far it is really good.  I am working on lesson one, hope to turn it in on Wednesday.  The instructor introduces you to the concept of the BOS, gives a little history, then challenges you to think about how you will create and keep your own.  I had to list five things that I would keep in mine, and then the last assignment is to put items that fall into those five categories into my book and write about the experience.  I will have to track down some of those things and do that.