Facebook Friends Giveaway!

Have you added me as a friend on Facebook? Have you "liked" the Tarot by Josephine fan page?? I post links to my blog, my website, and other cool stuff on facebook with my Fan page!

So here's the deal...
My fan page has 216 fans. Once it gets 250 fans, one of them will get a FREE Tarot or oracle card reading! So click that "like" button if you haven't done it yet! Not only will you get my blog updates directly on your facebook news feed, but you will have a 1 in 250 chance of winning a free reading! Suggest the page to your friends who are interested in Tarot, Oracle, or Astrology type stuff, and if they "like" it, they will be entered to win too!!

http://www.facebook.com/lady.josephine#!/pages/Tarot-By-Josephine/129999540288?ref=mf

I Write Love On My Arms

I have struggled with depression since I was a teenager. I have learned coping skills since then and for the most part I am a positive and happy person. But when life gets stressful and the depression kicks in, it can be hard to practice what I preach. I told a friend last night, "I can't throw myself a life jacket." I was sitting here considering whether or not to call a depression crisis hotline, as I just felt that I needed someone to talk to. But I was scared, I've never called one of those hotlines before. And I kept giving myself excuses. I'm not suicidal, I'm not crying, I'm not cutting myself or self medicating with drugs. But other signs of depression have been here. I'm so tired, but I can't sleep at night. At night I lay awake in near panic-attack mode, my mind spinning with the worries and stresses o my life. In the daytime, I can function, but it's a struggle just to keep myself out of bed. On the days I do go back to bed, I sleep all day. On the days I manage to stay out of bed, I feel that it is all I can do to take care of the kids and the daily household chores. Taking a shower or bath? Too much work. Making important phone calls? Too hard. Eating? Too much effort.
So I was stting here looking online at a list of Depresson Hotlines, trying to decide whether or not to call someone. Which one? What would I say? Would they judge me? Would I be wasting my time calling a hotline that says "Suicide Hotline" - when I'm not suicidal? Excuses. I picked up my deck of cards (at the urging of an online friend) and drew a card. The 9 of Swords. (Above). Okay... obvious, right?
I called a local Crisis Hotline. It was the best thing I could have done. The person I talked to was so compassionate and understanding, and seemed to know exactly what to talk to me about. I talked for an hour to a stranger about my life and my feelings, and this phone call was probably the biggest act of self-love that I have taken in a long time. Aside from talking me through my feelings, she gave me some ideas and hope, along with some community refferal numbers to call for further assistance. I guess I'm writing this because I want others to hear first hand that these hotlines can help. If you're feeling overwhelmed, stressed, or depressed, call someone. It was the best thing I could have done.

Today is "To Write Love On Her Arms Day". TWLOHA is a Depression Awareness and support group. Each year they ask people to write love on their arms to spread awareness about Depression. As I wrote "Love" on my arm today, I realized how far I have come over the years. Last night I reached out and asked for help. In the past, I wouldn't have done that. I would have silently suffered until I reached my breaking point. Here on my arm where the words Love are written, there used to be scars. The scars have faded and over the years I have finally learned how to Love myself instead of hurt myself.

Thursday's Thirteen - Starstruck!

I haven't done a "Thursday Thirteen" in a while now, but I figured since I am currently obsessed with the tarot card The Star, this would give me the perfect excuse to go web-hunting for different variations on this card! So I searched high and low and here are the 13 versions of The Star that I found to share!!

1) Beautiful in it's simplicity, here is a digital image of The Star, much like the Rider-Waite version, and including the imagery of a young maiden pouring water into a stream and onto the earth. The Sunrise represents hope and renewal, and the 8 pointed star, which represents cosmic order and radiant energy. Artist/Deck unknown.

2) Harry Potter Tarot - this is an unpublished deck by Laura Freeman. A bit different from the classic image, this artist choose the image and symbolism of The Phoenix - a mythical creature that is in a constant state of rebirth and regeneration - very appropriate for The Star card, although in this deck it is called "Hope". http://www.nasubionna.net/ 3) The Thoth deck shows the naked Egyptian goddess Nut. Her right hand is held high, and she pours water from a gold cup onto her head. Her left hand is held low, and she pours the immortal liquor of life from a silver cup onto the junction of land and water. Behind her is a celestial globe on which is a seven-pointed Star of Venus. In the left-hand corner is a seven-pointed Star of Babalon. This card represents hope and promise. The imagery suggests Jung's archetype of the star. According to von Franz (Boa, 1992) Jung taught that the star symbolizes that part of the personality that survives death; the spiritual part of the psyche. http://www.schuelers.com/chaos/chaos7.htm

4) Here is a photoshopped version of The Star, though I don't know the artist or the deck. Though it lacks some of the classic symbolism, the Maiden with her vessel of sparkling water of life is still present. Perhaps the 3-leafed clovers represent the feelings of Luck that come with Youth and Hope, but I have a hard time finding the sense of Purity and Renewal here - perhaps the city setting that looks like New York or Las Vegas just spoils the mood for me.


5) All I could find about this card is that it was created by an artist known as "14 Fourteen", but I don't know if she has created a whole deck or just a few cards. What I do know is that I LOVE this card! From the interesting star (suspended by a hook) that seems to be staving
off the darkness to the best of it's ability, to the maiden who seems to be haphazardly pouring her water, to the small creatures gathered around her, I could explore the imagery of this card all day!
6) You all know by now that I have an affinity for The Housewive's Tarot by Paul Kepple and Jude Buffum. Here we find The Star translated as Success and Victory, and finally getting the recognition for your hard work. Winning that blue ribbon sure looks invigorating, and I bet this housewife goes home with a renewed sense of self and finds inspiration to try new recipes!

7) 'The Stars' from The Fey Tarot, illustrated by Mara Aghem. Now this is refreshing. I can almost feel ans smell the crisp night air, and the inspired hope and vitality of this young Fey. The stars seem to be falling right into her skin, as she absorbs their light to take with her on whatver journey may lie ahead.

8) The Star / Aquarius from The Celestial Tarot by Kay Steventon and Brian Clark. I blogged more about this card last week, Here

9) The Voyager Tarot by James Wanless. I wouldn't know where to begin with the multitude of symbols in this multi-media creation. This deck is purely amazing!

10) Unknown - this simple artists sketch seems to capture Hebe, the Greek Goddess of Youth and Vitality, who poured the waters of life for the Olympians and mankind alike.

11) Beautiful, refreshing, and Hopefull, here is The Star from The Gaian Tarot. Gazing into the pool, and perhaps even drinking from it, I feel that this card represents the way that the Waters of Life are available to all of us... we can all find renewal and hope if we just look and ask. This deck is set to be published in September of 2011 by Llewellyn Worldwide... it will be on my Wish List for sure!

12) Another deck unknown to me, but very beautiful and I thought it deserved a place here. The Star is present, as well as the imagery of water... though it's hard to tell if the setting is above water or under water. Does our hope and vitality come from within us or around us? Does it matter?

13) I am trying to finout what deck this is... it may not be part of a whole deck but simply an artist interpretation of this card. The only clue I have is that the artist may be known as "Sanja", and I found her website at DeviantArt. Simple and Beautiful, the feelings of Youth and Hope are easily seen in this card.

Turn Around Tuesdays - The Idol Psychic!

In another attempt to continue with the Tuesday meme of Turn Around Tuesdays, I have an exciting blog to share with you today!

I first have a confession - I must admit that my family and I have all become Idol Addicts. We begin to get giddy and sometimes hyperventilate in December each year when the comercials and previews for the next season of American Idol begins. We all become voice and music critics for a few months out of the year as we watch the contestants and state our opinions; either agreeing with or disagreeing with the judges. I found myself having the tough job of comforting my 10 year old daughter when she found out that Paula Abdul would not be a judge this year. Yes, tears were involved - I won't say who's.

So, what better blog to "Turn Around" this Tuesday, as we enter Hollywood Week??

The Idol Psychic - of course!!

Corrine Kenner; author of "Tarot For Writers", and "Simple Fortune Telling with Tarot Cards", brings us a weekly live blog in which she will pull cards for contestants and give predictions in a fun and witty way. Now I can have my obsessions with Tarot and Idol satisfied at the same time! Thanks, Corrine!

((Don't forget, come check out Turn Around Tuesdays at The Soccer Mom's Guide to Wicca!))

Paper Fetish!

I like looking around at etsy shops. Even though I currently don't have the extra money to buy most of the things I see, I still like browsing around at what people are making and selling. Today I found this site called Paper Fetish. OMGs! Talk about something that is ALWAYS on my wishlist! Blank Journals and Notebooks... handcrafted... leather... or farbric.... this place has some beautiful hand made journals and I would love to get my hands on some of these! I always have journals laying around.... and when I go in a bookstore it takes a huge amount of restraint and self-control to not walk out with more blank journals! If you're interested in journals, or are looking for a gift for someone, I would suggest this etsy shop, Paper Fetish!!!

I found out about this site from the "31 Days of Yule Giveaway" at The Soccer Mom's Guide to Wicca!

Afraid of Halloween??... why I live in secrecy....

This article was posted in a religion debate group on CafeMom. I am reposting what was posted in that group, and my reply to that post... While the whole thing is rather disturbing to me, the parts highlighted in red are particularly amusing.

I found this article over at CBN. The article has since been taken down, but I'm including a link to the cached article.

The Danger of Celebrating Halloween
By Kimberly Daniels
Guest Writer

CBN.com - Halloween-October 31-is considered a holiday in the United States. In fact, it rivals Christmas with regard to how widely celebrated it is. Stores that sell only Halloween-related paraphernalia open up a few months before the day and close shortly after it ends. But is Halloween a holiday that Christians should be observing?

The word "holiday" means "holy day." But there is nothing holy about Halloween. The root word of Halloween is "hallow," which means "holy, consecrated and set apart for service." If this holiday is hallowed, whose service is it set apart for? The answer to that question is very easy-Lucifer's!

Lucifer is a part of the demonic godhead. Remember, everything God has, the devil has a counterfeit. Halloween is a counterfeit holy day that is dedicated to celebrating the demonic trinity of : the Luciferian Spirit (the false father); the Antichrist Spirit (the false holy spirit); and the Spirit of Belial (the false son).

The key word in discussing Halloween is "dedicated." It is dedicated to darkness and is an accursed season. During Halloween, time-released curses are always loosed. A time-released curse is a period that has been set aside to release demonic activity and to ensnare souls in great measure.

You may ask, "Doesn't God have more power than the devil?" Yes, but He has given that power to us. If we do not walk in it, we will become the devil's prey. Witchcraft works through dirty hearts and wrong spirits.

During this period demons are assigned against those who participate in the rituals and festivities. These demons are automatically drawn to the fetishes that open doors for them to come into the lives of human beings. For example, most of the candy sold during this season has been dedicated and prayed over by witches.

Even the colors of Halloween (orange, brown and dark red) are dedicated. These colors are connected to the fall equinox, which is around the 20th or 21st of September each year and is sometimes called "Mabon." During this season witches are celebrating the changing of the seasons from summer to fall. They give praise to the gods for the demonic harvest. They pray to the gods of the elements (air, fire, water and earth).

Mother earth is highly celebrated during the fall demonic harvest. Witches praise mother earth by bringing her fruits, nuts and herbs. Demons are loosed during these acts of worship. When nice church folk lay out their pumpkins on the church lawn, fill their baskets with nuts and herbs, and fire up their bonfires, the demons get busy. They have no respect for the church grounds. They respect only the sacrifice and do not care if it comes from believers or non-believers.

Gathering around bonfires is a common practice in pagan worship. As I remember, the bonfires that I attended during homecoming week when I was in high school were always in the fall. I am amazed at how we ignorantly participate in pagan, occult rituals.

The gods of harvest that the witches worship during their fall festivals are the Corn King and the Harvest Lord. The devil is too stupid to understand that Jesus is the Lord of the Harvest 365 days a year. But we cannot be ignorant of the devices of the enemy. When we pray, we bind the powers of the strong men that people involved in the occult worship.

Halloween is much more than a holiday filled with fun and tricks or treats. It is a time for the gathering of evil that masquerades behind the fictitious characters of Dracula, werewolves, mummies and witches on brooms. The truth is that these demons that have been presented as scary cartoons actually exist. I have prayed for witches who are addicted to drinking blood and howling at the moon.

While the lukewarm and ignorant think of these customs as "just harmless fun," the vortexes of hell are releasing new assignments against souls. Witches take pride in laughing at the ignorance of natural men (those who ignore the spirit realm).

Decorating buildings with Halloween scenes, dressing up for parties, going door-to-door for candy, standing around bonfires and highlighting pumpkin patches are all acts rooted in entertaining familiar spirits. All these activities are demonic and have occult roots.

The word "occult" means "secret." The danger of Halloween is not in the scary things we see but in the secret, wicked, cruel activities that go on behind the scenes. These activities include:

Sex with demons
Orgies between animals and humans
Animal and human sacrifices
Sacrificing babies to shed innocent blood
Rape and molestation of adults, children and babies
Revel nights
Conjuring of demons and casting of spells
Release of "time-released" curses against the innocent and the ignorant.
Another abomination that goes on behind the scenes of Halloween is necromancy, or communication with the dead. Séances and contacting spirit guides are very popular on Halloween, so there is a lot of darkness lurking in the air.

However, Ephesians 1:19-21 speaks of the authority of the believer and the exceeding greatness of God's power in us (the same power that raised Christ from the dead). It goes on to say that that Jesus is seated in heavenly places far above all principalities, power, might, dominions and every name that is named. The good news is that because we are seated in heavenly places with Jesus, the same demonic activity that is under His feet is under our feet, too!

People who worship the devil continue to attempt to lift him up. But he has already been cast out and down! Many are blinded to this fact, but the day will come when all will know he has been defeated once and for all.

When we accept Jesus but refuse to renounce Satan and his practices, we are neither hot nor cold but lukewarm-and the Word says that God will spit us out of His mouth. The problem with lukewarm is that it attempts to mix the things of the devil with the things of God. It is God's desire that we serve Him alone.

Second Corinthians 6:15 asks the question, "And what agreement has Christ with Belial?" As believers, we need to answer that question in our hearts. We must avoid the very appearance of evil. I would not want a demon spirit to mistake me for an occult worshiper.

There is no doubt in my heart that God is not calling us to replace fall festivals and Halloween activities; rather, He wants us to utterly destroy the deeds of this season. If you or your family members have opened the door to any curses that are released during the demonic fall festivals, renounce them and repent. I already have. Then declare with me: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!"

--------------------------------

WOW...

I mean really..... WOW! That is totally hilarious and totally scary at the same time. Sex with demons? Sacrificing babies? Cursing the candy??WOW... I am just flabbergasted (Yep.. I said "flabergasted" LOL!) that anyone could write this.. it is obviously just fear propaganda - and not even researched at all! I found it funny that while she wants to point out it's obvious roots in Pagan holidays, she mentions Mabon but makes NO reference to Samhain! I mean, if she really wanted to make a point about Halloween's "Pagan Roots" she could have at least done an internet search on the topic!

I know exactly the type of point of view she is coming from - was raised attending a Southern Baptist church with my mom. Now I'm not sure if they really bought into all of the stuff about witches in this article... but I do know that some of this is what was preached. Basically, they taught that anything that leads you away from the straight and narrow Christian path is a Lie created by the Devil and his Demons. If you follow any other religion other than theirs, it is because you have been tricked by the Devil into believing something else - and this trickery could have been avoided if you had been a more devout Christian. This is what my mom and her church believes. This kind of fear and propaganda is why I am still in the "Broom Closet", and after 10 years I still can't tell my mom that I am a Wiccan.

Here's an example - When I was 16, she found a deck of Tarot cards I had borrowed from a friend. I hadn't even used them because of fear, I had just looked at them once. She took them away, and instead of giving them back to my friend, she BURNED them, claming that they were a tool of the Devil, and if I were to give them back to my friend, I would just be allowing her to be lead astray. I would LOVE to be honest with my mother and tell her about the beauty of my Pagan beliefs, and about the healing I have helped others accomplish by giving Tarot card readings. But it would totally crush her world... she would never be able to accept it because she would just think that I am being tricked and tempted by the devil. She would never be able to see past this wall of fear that has been created by her church to see some of the beauty - or even find tolerance for - my beliefs. So, I live in secrecy when it comes to my family - but only because I really don't want to give up a functional and loving relationship with my mother.....

sorry this turned into such a long post. It just really hits close to home when I see stuff like this - because of this kind of ignorance and intolerance I am not even free to be honest with my own mother....

Check your boobies & lick your lids!

Just a reminder that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!!

Remember to give yourself monthly self-exams, and talk to your Dr about getting a mammogram! Early detection is the greatest thing you can do for yourself!

If you want to help out, you can always donate to the Susan G. Komen foundation, or send in your Yoplait lids to the Save Lids, Save Lives foundation. You can register here; http://www.yoplait.com/slsl/default.aspx#/default. You don't have to register or join a team to send in lids, but it might help you remember to do so! If you're interested in joining a team, I created one, so if you do register, click to join a team and search for Pink Pagan Moms (Arizona) and together we can keep track of how many lids we send in!

Anytime between now and Dec. 31 you can send your clean Yoplait lids to:

Save Lids to Save Lives®

P.O. Box 420704

El Paso, TX 88542-0704

And the award goes to.....

Me! LOL!
I was given this Blog award by "Little Ladybugs Boutique" - I was quite honored and thrilled at recieving my very first Blog Award (Blaward??) So THANKYOU Little Ladybugs! I would also like to thank....all my followers! It gives me great satisfaction to know that my thoughts are not just lost in space, they are first observed by my followers and then lost in cyber-space. See what a difference that makes??

But wait, there's more! In accepting this Award for "One Lovely Blog", I have been asked to, in turn, present this award to 10 more deserving "Lovely Blogs"! It is now my honor to present the following blogs with this award.....

1. College Mama Dorkiness - Your blogs make me smile. I love hearing about life of other moms, and I love Dorks. Because, well, I am one. (SSSHHhhhh, don't tell!)

2. Happy WAHM at In My Little World in OH - Another mom's inspirational blog. Feeling overwhelmed, in need of motivation? This is where to go. One look at this mom's busy life, positive attitude, and jam-packed daily schedules will either have you motivated or just happy that your life is a little bit slower.... :o)

3. Thorne's World - I love reading Thorne's blogs. They are informative, inspirational, and fun! Thorne helps remind me of why I'm on this path, and that spirituality can be found in the everyday world.

4. Willow Tree Tarot - Not just another Tarot blog :o) Great thoughts, ideas, and info here!

5. Laura Lynn Astrology - This author/astrologer/friend has a GREAT sense of humor!! I love to read aboutastrology, and Laura's humorous-yet-true descriptions has ad me ROTFL many times!

6. Earth Mother Astrology - This is a truly great blog for learning about Astrology; and how to apply this knowledge as a Mother! This as helped me learn the basics in delineating a chart, and what it all means!

7. Sloth womyn at ....snapshots of a spiral path - I have loved reading your thoughts, seeing your snapshots, and thinking deep thoughts with you.

8. Queen Mimi Pencilskit @ Mimi Writes - did you think I would forget you? Never, my queen!! Humor, wit, words, words words. oOh how I love what Mimi Writes!

9. Twilight Widowers Annonymous - A man who has become a "Widower" because of his wife's consuming Twilight Addiction.....This blog makes me laugh so hard!! Whether you love Twilight, hate it (God forbid!) or could care less, this blog will surely make you smile!

10. LotusMoonFlower at A Witch's Tale. Last, but not least. Girl, I love you! And since I can give this award to whoever I want, I give it to you! I love reading your opinions and rants; whether it be books, movies, life, or some idiot at the grocery store, I will always, always, read your blogs!

Please stop by and check out these wonderful blogs, who knows? You may find something you like!

To the Award Recipients; please leave a comment! Snag the award, post it on your blog, and then pass out up to 10 more awards to your favorite bloggers! Don't forget to link to them (and to me, if you would be so kind!)

Look ---> I've got a Blog!

I wanted a place where I can write my random thoughts and experiences, of all the random thoughts and experiences that I have. I'm all over the place when it comes to the internet. There's my Tarot website and Blog, but that is reserved for Tarot-ish talk. I'm really over MySpace. I mean, that is just so 90's, LOL!! I still use it for finding good bands and listening to music, but to tell the truth, I hardly log onto my MySpace at all anymore. I've got my FaceBook - but I don't feel like I can be totally open or "me" there, due to certain family and friends I have on my feed. (Don't judge me; yes I'm a semi-closeted witch, but I'm sure we'll get into the family thing eventually here) Then I have my alternate FaceBook - which I use for my Tarot Reading website / persona. While I am more open there about my beliefs, under my mask of anonymity, I doubt that those certain friends and clients would like to hear about my mundane and sometimes T.M.I. rants on parenting and housewife-ing. Then I've got my CafeMom - OMGs I LOVE CafeMom!! The perfect place for talking about the kids, getting or giving advice on parenting, and reading all about other mom's Baby-Mama-Drama. And while I'm quite addicted to and quite happy journaling away on CafeMom, I somehow still felt I needed my own space to be me.

I love to write, I think that sometimes I have something important to say. Sometimes what I say is unimportant but needs to be heard - or read, anyways.

So Here I am. What shall I talk about first?