My Blog is Moving!

Although I don't quite understand all the ins and outs of it  yet, I have decided to move my blog over to WordPress.  I have been hearing more & more on Facebook & elsewhere that blogs published on WordPress tend to place better in search engines.  I also like the format of the blog itself. It appears to me to be a bit cleaner. 

It's the same content written by yours truly.  The only changes are the URL and the nifty menu along the top of the screen that connects you to me on Facebook, plus there is also easy access to all of my wonderful (even if I do say so myself) Facebook groups.  You can click on the links at the top of the screen and request to join any or all of them.  I'll be happy to add you.

The new URL for my blog is:

http://www.magickalmusings.wordpress.com

I actually got the URL back in 2009, but then WordPress boggled my mind and I never attempted to go back until just a few days ago.  They have simplified things a bit since I was last there so it didn't take me too long to get my blog looking the way I like.

I've also changed the background image.  At blogger I had it set up for a background color and on top of that an image, which is a detail from one of my Soul Portraits.  However, I decided to change all that so at WordPress I now have a single tiled background image and the text appears in a colored box, as do all the links.

To give credit where credit is due, the tiled image is a photo taken by my good friend, Ruth Ibbotson, copyright 2012.  It's of a church door in Shelley, West Yorkshire, England.  I just love all the lavender in it and the door looks inviting so I hope that when new people come to visit my blog they will feel invited to step inside to discover what's there.

Thank you for following my blog to its new home and I hope you all enjoy it and tell your friends, too.

Many Blessings,

Nefer Khepri, Ph. D., R. M-T.
IsisRaAnpu@aol.com
(if no answer in 24 hrs) IsisRaAnpu@gmail.com
http://www.magickal-musings.com

The Ties that Bind

We all have them – toxic relationships.  There’s a person who consistently drags our energy down in various ways and sometimes you have to stop and ask yourself:  was my life better or worse before this person became a part of it?  If the answer is “better,” then you may wish to seriously consider limiting or cutting off communication altogether.  However, even if you do cut them off, oftentimes energy remains that keeps the two of you tied together.  

Did you know that even after cutting off a person they can still drain you of your energy and infiltrate your thoughts?  This is because we all have cords of energy that extend from our chakras to other people, and vice versa.  These cords form when relationships form and are made even stronger if there is any type of emotional attachment (love or dislike). These cords are hollow, which allows for your energy and for the other person's energy to travel along the length of those cords.  This is why some people seem to infiltrate your thoughts or dreams for no apparent reason.  These cords are unhealthy because they give another person free access to your energy and they result in draining you of your own personal energy.  

There is a safe and healthy way to sever these cords if you are serious about moving on and leaving this stagnant and negative energy behind you.   Archangel Michael excels at cutting “etheric” or energy cords.  All you have to do is ask him to use his Sword of Truth to severe all energy cords between the two of you.   This method is quick and painless to all parties involved.  I have done it a number of times myself and I assure you that you, nor they, will feel a thing, but in the end you will feel lighter and happier.

The prayer should be worded something like this:



"Archangel Michael, I have an issue with projecting their energy onto me. I ask you to use your Sword of Truth to severe all etheric cords coming from them to me and to also sever all etheric cords extending from me to them. Please sever these cords in all Space and through all Time. Thank you, Archangel Michael.  AMEN."

The space & time reference is included just in case this is a karmic situation. Michael can also cut karmic cords, as well.

Then, it is done.  Believe it.  Know it.  The most difficult aspect of this entire process is walking away from it once you’ve spoken to Michael.  Just know that he will take care of it and then take those steps that will help you to move on and into a better and brighter future.  

Many Blessings,

Nefer Khepri, Ph. D., R. M-T.

http://www.magickal-musings.com

IsisRaAnpu@gmail.com 

DECK REVIEW: Today's Journey Tarot

Today’s Journey Tarot

Expanded Dimensions

Artist: Christopher Wilky

ISBN #: 978-0-7643-3905-9

$24.99 USD, paperback

“Today’s Journey Tarot” consists of artistic renderings of aspects of everyday life of the 20^th – 21^st centuries.  The images are intricately detailed and I recommend for the first few uses of the deck that you use a magnifying glass.  The images are obvious and easy to  discern, but in order to truly appreciate all the work that went into creating this deck you will want the ability to see the finer details in the background of the images on the cards, but a magnifying glass is not necessary to your use of this deck.  Perspective plays a large part in every card giving the images on “Today’s Journey Tarot” a nice 3-D effect.

Scenes of everyday life to which we can all relate are included.  For example, featured on the box is the 9 of Air (fears, worries, nightmares).  This is a depiction of a woman seated at her kitchen table.  Her head is thrown back with a look of worry on her face.  Her check book pen, and 9 bills rest on the table in front of her.  She is clearly overwhelmed.  Most of us can completely relate to how she feels.   Death, a bridge we must all cross at some point, is illustrated as a bridge (also depicted on the box lid).  Another common experience most of us have had at one time or another either in person or on TV we’ve seen a runner proudly carrying the Olympic torch.  The 6 of Fire (victory, success) depicts this image.   On the 3 of Earth, a card of creativity, we see a man admiring the paintings in an art gallery. Once again, this is an activity in which many of us have participated at one time or another.  The artist, Christopher Wilky, included a self-portrait of himself as the man on this card, which I thought was a very nice personal touch. 

 

Suits are named for the elements that they represent.  Wands are Fire, Swords are Air, Cups are Water, and Pentacles are Earth.  The court cards are renamed Child (Page), Youth (Knight), Mother (Queen), and Father (King) to reflect the modern nuclear family.  Aces in “Today’s Journey Tarot” are called Ones. 

The cards of the major arcana are each renamed with a keyword traditionally associated with that card.  The major arcana are named as follows:

Fool = Beginning, Magician = Manifestation, High Priestess = Wisdom, Empress = Creativity, Emperor = Law, Hierophant = Tradition, Lovers = Union, Chariot = Control, Strength = Fortitude, Hermit = Guidance, Wheel of Fortune = Life, Justice = Karma, Hanged Man = Choice, Death = Transition, Temperance = Discernment, Devil = Materialism, Tower = Intervention, Star = Meditation, Moon = Intuition, Sun = Illumination, Judgment = Awareness, and World = Completion.  As with the minor arcana, the major arcana cards are illustrated with various scenes from everyday life.

The guide book and cards are the same size, 2 7/8 X 4 7/8”.  The guide book has 96 pages.  Card interpretations are accompanied by a 1 ½” black and white image of the card. Interpretations consist of keywords, a brief explanation of the image, and what the card would mean in a reading.  Interpretations for reversals are not included.

Colors are bright throughout the “Today’s Journey Tarot.”  Major arcana cards are bordered in purple, the color of the element of Spirit.  Fire (Wands) cards have a red border, Air (Swords) cards have a yellow border, Water (Cups) cards have a blue border, and Earth (Pentacles) cards have a green border.  This makes immediate identification of suits and major arcana quite easy, even for beginner readers.  Depictions of scenes from a typical everyday life also aides with interpretation and I would definitely recommend “Today’s Journey Tarot” to beginners.

Packaged in a 5 ¼” X 3 ¼” X 2” hinged box with magnetic closure, “Today’s Journey Tarot” is typical of Schiffer’s superior packaging of their decks.  The card stock is extremely sturdy and covered with a laminate so the box won’t show any signs of wear or tear for a long time to come.  The compact and sturdy packaging makes this an ideal travel deck and the additional investment of a tarot box or bag is unnecessary.  “Today’s  Journey Tarot” is a deck with mass appeal and is easy to use, so even beginners will enjoy it and find it useful.  

Nefer Khepri, Ph. D., R. M-T.

http://www.magickal-musings.com

IsisRaAnpu@gmail.com 

Working with Positive Affirmations

This is an excellent positive affirmation you can use every day. To be their most effective, affirmations need to be repeated aloud 5 times. It can take up to 5 repetitions for a statement to reach your subconscious. Also, it's best to repeat an affirmation in sets of 5 three times a day. I suggest upon waking, then around the middle of the afternoon, then once more at bedtime. I find that schedule works best for me, but a different schedule may work better for you. Find something that works, then stick to it.

It also helps to write out your positive affirmations on little Post-It Notes & stick them where your eyes will find them during the day. Good spots to place them include: along the edges of your computer monitor, on the mirror, the dashboard of your car, the refrigerator, and so on. I have a very long history of bad knees and one affirmation I have used that has a tremendously positive effect on my knees is: My knees ARE healthy, whole, & pain-free. That is now the truth for about 95% of the time.

Also, it's important to remember to always state your positive affirmations in present tense, as though they are ongoing or have already occurred. For instance, "I enjoy driving my new car" .  For example, another affirmation I only began to use in October & came true for me in December is, "I give thanks for the wonderful Mediterranean cruise I am enjoying with my family." 

For Christmas my father-in-law announced his plans to treat my daughter to such a cruise & he was nice enough to invite my husband & I along, but we're paying our way, except for the deposit on our cabin, which my wonderful father-in-law paid for us. HOWEVER, with this final example I've just shared with you I point out the danger of positive affirmations, and yes, they CAN be dangerous. 

There's the old saying, "be careful what you wish for because you just might get it." Note my affirmation for the cruise included that I enjoy it with my "family." At the time I was picturing in my head only my husband & daughter. However, the Universe heard "family" and decided that also included my IN-LAWS! HA HA! Joke's on me, but I'm sure I'll manage to have a great time, regardless of their constant presence!

How to Magically Protect Yourself from the Negative Thoughts of Others

A lot of people ask me what they can do to protect themselves from people whom they suspect are sending negative thoughts their way.  Here is an excerpt from a client’s Enchantment Report from the other day. I figure many of you may find it useful.

What I recommend you do is make a list of all the people you know are sending you negativity and also those whom you suspect.  Next to their name write their date of birth or where they live or work – just a piece of personal information to attach their written name to their personal energy.

Get a white candle – votive or taper, doesn’t matter.  You will also need olive oil and the following herbs (all dried & crushed or powdered): Garlic, Rosemary, Bay Leaf.

Put about 1 teaspoon of each herb onto a paper plate.  Give the herbs reiki (if you are reiki attuned) with the intention of cleansing and purifying the situation.  If not, just hold your hands over the herbs & imagine that intention flowing into them. Rub the oil onto the candle, then carefully roll the candle through the herbs so that some stick to the candle – just enough to be sure a bit of each herb is on the candle. You don’t have to completely coat it.  Set the candle in a safe holder.

Ask for your angels & guides to be in attendance and then read the list of names out loud and state your intention of clearing any negative thoughts or feelings they may have sent your way now or at any other point in Time and Space (as this may be karmic, so that statement includes past lives).  Light the candle and ask your Higher Power to cleanse the situation and heal it. Then place the list under the candle.  When the candle is halfway consumed re-read the list and then burn it in the candle’s flame. 

Allow the candle to burn completely out and dispose of ALL remains, even the candle holder so be sure to use one you don't care about & that is inexpensive.




Blessings,


Nefer Khepri, Ph. D., R. M-T.
http://www.magickal-musings.com
IsisRaAnpu@gmail.com

Tarot Message for the week of Feb. 13, 2012

WEEKLY TAROT MESSAGE from MAGICKAL-MUSINGS.COM:
Images are from the Infinite Visions Tarot, self-published by Gloria Jean.

First a note on reversed cards, of which there are 2, the 2 of Wand & the 5 of Pentacles. Many readers who use reversals see them as being “bad”, that they negate an otherwise positive interpretation. I don’t see them that way at all. In my experience, when a card appears in a reading reversed it is merely calling attention to itself. It’s telling me I need to place extra emphasis on that card, and that’s it. Now, on to this week’s energies.

The message begins with the 4 of Swords ~ a card of healing, recuperation, rest, and relaxation. This may be a time of storing up energy in reserve for something coming up that you know will require a lot of energy. Or, it may be emphasizing coming out of a difficult time, but letting us know that things look brighter ahead. I can’t help but think of all the posts I’ve been reading beginning in around early November by people who say they’re not feeling “right,” that their energy is somewhat off-kilter. Many light workers have been becoming sick with head colds, stomach viruses, and the like. Many haven’t been sleeping well. This is all tied into the Great Shift, as Archangel Michael described it to me. The Great Shift began back in 1998 and the energies are culminating now. This is what we’re all feeling and why it’s got us all out of sorts like the knight here on the 4 of Swords. We’re basically feeling like we’re simply laying around waiting for something to happen. Nothing big is going to occur. The energies just need to settle down into our auras and chakras, then we’ll start to feel more like ourselves, but we’ll be ourselves at a higher and more spiritually evolved level. Everyone is changing, some in small ways, some in large ways. The 4 of Swords is saying this process is going to take time so the advice here is to be good to yourselves. Treat yourselves with patience and kindness. The same goes for others, as well because we’re all in this together.

The second card is the 2 of Wands, which appears reversed, or upside-down. So it’s screaming at me for extra attention and is saying its energy is weighing heavily on this reading. The 2 of Wands represents looking off into the future hoping for better times, keeping an eye on the horizon for new opportunities, and the potential for great growth that is just beginning. The number 2 is the number of Partnership. We need to partner with the energy. What I’m getting from this card is that instead of viewing the new energies coming in as “new”, we all need to shift our emphasis into feeling that they are really the return of an old friend. Humankind was once much more spiritually evolved than we are now, but we somehow lost our way. This is a common theme in the stories of all the world’s religions. When you see the same story in more than one place – and some removed from one another by a great deal of time and space – then you need to realize there’s more than a grain of truth in it. Humans fell in some way and lost grip on their higher perspective.

The energy that is permeating the earth plane now is what we once had returning to reclaim us all. Once you realize that and open your arms to receive your old friend with love and trust, things will suddenly get so much better. We’re on the threshold of a brand new horizon of a brave new world. Be accepting of that and tell your angels and spirit guides you are willing to move forward now and ask them to make the transition as easy on you as possible. They will comply.

The final card of this week’s reading is the 5 of Pentacles, also coming up reversed. Traditionally, the 5 of Pentacles represents financial hardship, the possibility of depression, and the feeling of being left out in the cold, perhaps ostracized by those whom you consider to be friends. Appearing in this reading as being reversed, again, the 5 of Pentacles is asking me to pay more attention to it. I am taking the image literally here. We see a nun who is seated and there are two beggars next to her (a brother and sister, perhaps?). In medieval art, as well as art of earlier periods and other cultures, the figure who stands the tallest is the person of authority in the composition. Bearing that in mind, we would then see the nun as being in authority in this picture. However, she is stooped over and looks exhausted. She represents organized religion. She is resting her hand on her knee and isn’t trying to reach out and comfort the beggars. She may be speaking to them, that’s not clear. What I’m seeing here is the failure of organized religion to acknowledge this Great Shift and to come up with any type of coping mechanisms to help their congregations move through it and become more accepting of it.

What this card is telling me is the way to acclimatize to the changes on the horizon is not through organized religion at all, but to follow your own inner guidance. Open yourself up to your higher guidance by simply stating out loud that you wish to be connected more firmly to your angels and your spirit guides. Ask them to guide you through these trying times. They will be there for you, but you need to have faith in their presence and in their ability to help you. You’ll see once you open that door that things will start to feel better to you and your life will begin to flow more smoothly. Don’t forget to ask for their guidance during those difficult times and if you know of someone going through their own difficulties it’s okay to ask your angels to ask their angels to give them extra help and support.

Until next time, wishing you many blessings,

Nefer Khepri, Ph. D., R. M-T.
http://www.magickal-musings.com/
http://www.contact-spirit-guides.com/
IsisRaAnpu@gmail.com

Deck Review: Tarot Leaves

Beth Seilonen
Tarot Leaves
2011
http://www.schifferbooks.com
ISBN #: 978-0-7643-3903-5
USD $24.99

When you think of tarot cards, what do you usually think they look like?  I immediately think of the standard 2 3/4" X 4 3/4" size, rectangular, with pictures and/or symbols on each card that fills most of the front of the card, and most come with some sort of a border around the image. In terms of size, Tarot Leaves is much like most decks.  It measures 2 7/8" X 4 1/2", which is very close to the standard size.  The cards are rectangular, again, like the vast majority of decks available today.  The card backs have a completely reversible image of leaves done in watercolor against a black background with a light blue border.  So yes, you can read reversibles with this deck.

Ace of Wands

However, what makes this deck unique and has it standing out from all the rest are two things.  First of all, there is empty or "white" space on each card,meaning that the entire surface is not covered by an image or a set of symbols.  The card backgrounds range in color from a very pale translucent gray watercolor to a pale translucent blue-green on some of the cards. All cards then have a very thin border of medium gray.  The title is done in white script at the bottom of each card and all cards have a 1/4" (left & right sides), 1/2" (base), & 3/8" (top) exterior white border.  Secondly, symbols that helps to convey the meaning of the card are depicted in watercolor within the borders of the shape of various types of leaves, hence the name of the deck, Tarot Leaves.



Page of Cups

When I first viewed the deck my very first thought was, "oooh, pretty and how different!"  As an artist the use of color is very important to me so I am usually a sucker for a deck that was created using bright, vivid colors.  The colors here are bright, but muted watercolors.  This gives the deck a lovely etheric quality, which in my opinion, really helps to facilitate connecting with your higher consciousness when doing a reading. 

There are various types of leaves depicted.  I'm not a leaf person, but I easily recognized maple and oak leaves.  There are also a few other leaf shapes used.  The card symbols are then painted within the leaves and they move along with the naturally occurring veins within the leaves themselves.  This gives each image a lovely "flow" to it and also helps to convey the type of energy associated with that card.  The creator, Beth Seilonen, grew up in rural Maine and her love of the woods and of nature really comes through with her lovely deck.

Tarot Leaves is further differentiated from the vast majority of decks with regards to the elemental associations of the suits.  Beth Seilonen switched Wands with Swords.  In her deck Wands are associated with thoughts, ethics, and philosophy while Swords represent actions.  For some this may create a problem, but her switch does not make a great deal of difference, nor does it interfere with the use of traditional interpretations for the cards.  The guidebook conveys traditional interpretations so although she does switch the suits, the interpretations are not altered. 

7 of Wands

The cards have a very nice light laminate on them.  At first they stuck a bit when I tried to shuffle, but I always blame the humid environment of Houston on that.  After a few shuffles they were just fine.  They also shuffle easily as well.  The guidebook is a card-size paperback with a good binding that will last with years of use.  As always with Schiffer, this is a very high quality deck and it will last even the most active of readers a very long time.

The packaging - something at which Schiffer Publishing excels, is all self-contained.  There is a sturdy cardboard laminated box with a hinged lid that is attached to the box via two ribbons as well as the laminated surface treatment.  The cards and guidebook are both housed within the box and the lid has a magnetic closure.  The packaging makes it very easy to take this deck with you on trips or on visits with your like-minded tarot friends. 

Using this deck is very easy.  My thirteen year old daughter can use it, which tells me that people new to tarot would also be able to use it so I highly recommend it to newcomers and I think they and others will find this deck to be a delight, especially those of you who love nature.



 

Deck Review: Nature's Wisdom Oracle

Nature’s Wisdom Oracle
Mindy Lighthipe
http://www.schifferbooks.com
ISBN # 978-0-7643-3573-0
$24.99 USD

I’ll be honest.  Animal oracle decks and I don’t mix well.  All readers resonate with various types of decks and this is why there is such a vast variety in publication today.  There is a deck (or two, or thrity-five) for each of us interested in consulting and reading cards. In the past decks with animals or plants just haven’t jived with me, except for Lisa Hunt’s Animal’s Divine Tarot.  However, I have now found a second nature deck with which I resonate, Nature’s Wisdom Oracle.

Right out of the box, Nature’s Wisdom Oracle began providing me with clear and concise single-card answers to my questions.  I find that for me personally I only need to draw a single card using this deck, yet the deck can naturally be used for multi-card readings as well. 

The cards measure 3 ½ X 5”, printed on a firm yet flexible cardstock with a light yet durable laminate.  The colors are lovely and range from pretty muted pastels to bright and bold.  The energy of the colors used corresponds with the energy of the animal or plant depicted.  Borders are unique to each card and consist either of a muted larger version of the image on the card or a muted emphasis of one aspect of the image. For example, the card Sea Turtle (I really LOVE sea turtles!), has a larger version of the sea turtle in the border while a card like Pineapple has as its border an enlarged version of a small detail of the pineapple image.  Two cards, Honey Bee and Lady Bug, have a repeating motif of the insect along the card’s border.  Card backs consist of the image of a leaf and are not reversible, but this deck doesn’t offer reversed interpretations. 

   

The paperback guidebook is the same size as the cards and has 104 pages.  The introductory section includes information on how to use the deck, a daily meditation, and the 3-card Past, Present, Future spread.  Card interpretations are accompanied by a near-full page size black and white illustration of the card. 

The packaging consists of a very sturdy laminated thick cardboard box with fitted lid measuring 3 7/8 X 5 ¼”.  The cards nor the box should show any signs of wear for quite some time to come. 

I strongly recommend this deck not only to those of you who are animal and nature lovers, but also to anyone who is new to reading cards or desires an oracle that gives quick, easy, and concise answers to their questions. 

Wishing You Many Blessings,

Nefer Khepri, Ph. D., R. M-T.

http://www.magickal-musings.com

IsisRaAnpu@gmail.com