Using a pendulum for divination, though, is considered rhabdomancy, or dowsing. Though you might be more familiar with the use of dowsing rods to find things hidden underground, using a pendulum is another method of channeling or communicating with spirits.

Types of Pendulums

Almost anything can used as a pendulum, including a favorite pendant or bauble suspended from a chain or thin cord. 

When choosing your pendulum, you might want to keep in mind the properties of the object, particularly gemstones.

Here are a few ideas: 

Moonstone (my personal fave!)

• Qualities: Intuition, the unconscious, deep wisdom
• Good For: Inner work, understanding dreams

Bloodstone

• Qualities: Courage, ancestral healing
• Good For: calling on support of ancestors

Sodalite

• Qualities: Insight, divination
• Good For: reading energy, decision making, deepening wisdom

Optical Calsite

• Qualities: Divine purpose, clarity
• Good for: Self-reflection, finding your soul path  

How To Conduct A Reading

Open your séance by preparing your questions ahead of time. You might also want to cleanse your space with incense or by lighting a candle. 

Holding your pendulum loosely in your non-dominant hand while keeping still, one first asks the spirits “show me what yes means”. After a few moments, the pendulum should spin or waver. 

Next, repeat the question by asking “Show me what no means”. To be sure you are interpreting the message from the spirits correctly, ask them to show you their responses to both “yes” and “no” again. 

Keep in mind how your pendulum reacts so you can more easily interpret the messages you might receive. 

After you have determined how to read their responses, thank your spirit guides and let them know you’ll be continuing with your questions. 

Pause briefly between questions to wait for a response, repeating your question if you don’t receive one or need clarification.

After you finish asking all your questions, don’t forget to thank the spirits for their wisdom before snuffing out your incense or candle to signal your séance is closed and the spirits should depart.

What Do You Think?

Have you ever tried using a pendulum for divination? Did you receive any interesting messages? Share your experiences in the comments!

 SOURCES:

• The Book of Séances ; A Guide to Divination and Speaking to Spirits by Claire Goodchild
• Crystals: A Guide to Using the Crystal Compass for Energy, Healing, and Reclaiming Your Power by Aisha Amarfio

The Secret Oracle of the Green Witch
Author: Cecilia Lattari
Artist: Betti Greco
Publisher: US Games Inc.
Number of cards: 50
Card size: 3 in x 5 in
Guidebook: Perfect bound, 64 pgs.
Packaging: Rigid box, 2 parts (base and lid)

My Review

This deck is glossy, which makes the cards slide easily when shuffling, but I did find it slightly unruly when shuffling in term of the size of the cards (3×5 inches). I’ve been reading with various decks from Black & The Moon, which are all 2.75 x 4.75 inches.

Other than being slightly longer, though, they are easy to shuffle (maybe I just have small hands!).

The rigid box is matte and so pretty! I love the interior illustrations!

One matches the backs of the cards, and the other is the same image on the Belladonna card included in the deck.

Featured in the 50-card deck are various magical tools, plants & herbs, and witchy aesthetics to inspire you in your magickal workings.

There are 3 main guides, including the Green Witch, the Hedge Witch and the Kitchen Witch, as well as the Lady of the Woods and the Lady of the Herbs.

With such gorgeous illustrations, it’s hard to pick as favorite card. I really love the ones that feel as though you’ve stepped directly into the lives of the resident witches, taking a peek into their study, their ritual spaces, and their private exploration of the magical world around them.

I highly recommend this deck to those with a love of the dark and Gothic, to kitchen and hedge witches, and to those who love a deck with a dark fantasy vibe.

What do you think?

What are your thoughts on The Secret Oracle of the Green Witch? Don’t you just love the illustrations? I can’t wait to explore more of this deck!

The name for this full moon came from the frequent howls and other vocalizations heard from wolves during the cold winter months. But there are other names for this particular moon, including the Cold Moon from the Cree, and the Severe Moon from the Dakotas.

Even though we might associate wolves with nighttime, they don’t have the best eyesight during those dark hours, so it makes sense that they might be more likely to hunt during the full moon. And in the depths of winter, the pack will come together to do so, which explains the reason Natives gave the first full moon of the year this name.

Full Moon Potential

During the Full Moon, the full, bright appearance is said to be the optimal time to reap the rewards of the progress you’ve made toward the intentions you set at the New Moon.

Making Moon Water

When the moon is at its brightest, especially during the Full Moon, it’s the perfect time to make Moon Water! Fill a glass jar or other container with water and leave it in a window or outside under the moon’s light overnight. By morning, it will be charged with the moon’s energy, something you can use to enhance your spells and intentions.

Refresh & Recharge

The Full Moon is also the perfect time to cleanse and recharge your crystals. Place them in the window where they can absorb the light and energy of the Full Moon.

A Water Ritual

Another way to harness the power of the Full Moon is to gather a piece of paper & pen, some incense, and a glass or jar of distilled or purified water.

First, cleanse the jar with the smoke from the incense, then fill the jar with distilled or spring water. After placing your jar in a window or place where it will get direct moonlight, take out your piece of paper. Write down your intention and speak it aloud as you visualize your wish coming to fruition. Slip the paper under the glass and allow it to remain there overnight, absorbing the energy of the moon. The next morning, your manifestation ritual is complete. Not only are you well on the way to making your desires a reality. You also have a new source of moonwater for future spellwork.

Journaling for the Full Moon

If you want to get more out of the Full Moon, consider joining the Alder Moon tier, where I’ve posted a special journaling prompt for this Wolf Moon.

I swear, I see a new deck I want every day. But I can’t really complain. One of the things I love the most about oracle decks is how open to interpretation they are. Though Tarot decks generally stick to the usual archetypes found in the original 78 cards, the oracle deck is an entirely different thing.

Each deck is literally a reflection of its creator. Take a look at 100 decks and you’ll get 100 different interpretations.

Case in point – the newest deck added to my wishlist – the Plant Magic Oracle from Sweet Honey.

Don’t you just love those botanical illustrations? The magical properties are a cool touch. I definitely need to save up some mad money for this one!

The very first hints of spring are already happening, even if you don’t see them yet. Deep underground, shoots are stirring. Plants and trees are starting to wake from their winter slumber. This is the perfect time to shake off the cold months and prepare for the season of awakening.

About Imbolc
Imbolc marks the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. In the Pagan calendar, Imbolc is a cross-quarter festival. It’s name means “lamb’s milk”, as this is when lambs are typically born. It’s also known as Brigantia for the Celtic deity of light, and is associated with Ireland’s Brigid, the goddess of spring, fertility, and life.

Imbolc Superstitions
There are a few notable superstitions related to Imbolc. It might surprise you to know that some considered a bright & sunny day to be a bad omen, and that snow and cold would linger longer. Cloudy, dark days weer actually preferred, as some believed the rain would thaw the fields in anticipation of an early planting season.

Celebrating Imbolc

Here are some ways you can celebrate Imbolc!

CANDLE MAGIC

Gather 4 tea candles and recite the following while lighting each in turn:

• Candle 1: Even though winter lingers, new life stirs in the darkness
• Candle 2: I call to the sun and absorb its growing light
• Candle 3: Like the first flowers that stir in the ebbing winter, I welcome the wisdom and inspiration of the season
• Candle 4: May the light and heat of these flames cleanse and purify me and allow me to manifest new energy

While meditating on the words you’ve spoken, reflect upon your thoughts and feelings and how the energy of this ritual can help you to move into this next phase of the year.

Plant Seeds

Planting your first seeds, whether inside or outdoors, is a great way to celebrate the promise of the coming spring season. New beginnings and awakenings in your metaphorical intention-setting practices can also help usher in a new season of growth in your personal life.  

Brigid’s Cross

Take inspiration from the ancient celebration of Brigid by creating your own Brigid’s Cross.

In pre-Christian times, effigies of the goddess were created using bundles of oats tied with rushes. The cross was also created with rushes, with a diamond shape in the center. The blessing and protection of the goddess was said to protect those that hung one of these crosses from the rafters of their house.

How Do You Celebrate Imbolc?

I hope these ideas inspire you to honor this time of cultivating a new beginning for all that you desire, and that they bring you a new season of creativity and healing!

Sources:

• https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/imbolc
• https://www.almanac.com/quarter-days-and-cross-quarter-days
• https://theseasonalsoul.com/imbolc-rituals/
• https://www.thornandclaw.com/blogs/news/how-to-celebrate-imbolc

I’m still getting the hang of making videos, so other than a bit of a blip at the beginning, you should get a good overview of all the cards in this mini deck. I really love the linocut illustrations!