Offerings For Lucifer

The Divine Feminine in the Left Hand Path WITHOUT appropriation

When it comes to demonolatry, satanism, and luciferianism, most people tend to gravitate towards Lilith, which isn't great, considering that she is from Judaism, which is a closed religion.

So you're probably thinking "well shit Phi, who am I supposed to venerate as a feminine figure" and to that the answer is... read anyone BUT Lilith. Yeah, that doesn't sound to helpful does it?? Well, its actually more helpful than you think. There are MANY figures in the left hand path that can be venerated as your divine feminine.

Want an absolute Bad Bitch who doesn't take any shit? Look into Vepar, Astaroth, and Babalon to name a few!

Want someone who directly went against God? Eve! Shes the one who first ate the fruit of knowledge and got Adam to follow suit.

Want someone who could be motherly and deals with love? Gremory and Unsere are both wonderful choices!

Want someone who you could consider the consort of Lucifer? Diana in Stregoneria is considered to be Lucifer's consort. They have a daughter named Aradia who is considered the first witch!

"But I wanna worship someone that can be considered a succubus and help with sexuality!" Babalon. You're gonna wanna want Babalon.. like. She literally rides upon a 7 headed beast with a chalice of wine. Classy as all hell. People do tend to conflate her with Lilith but in my experiences Babalon is very distinctly different. If shes syncretized with any demon, it would likely be Astaroth. You could also work with Unsere and Gremory!

"Yeah but none of them call to me" and thats fine! If you keep searching through various hierarchies im sure you'll find someone that vibes with you! Plus, demons aren't bound by gender so for example, let's say you feel drawn to Sitri, a demon thats traditionally depicted as masculine, if she feels feminine to you, nothing is stopping you from venerating her in that way!

"But Lilith genuinely calls to me and I feel drawn to her" I get it..I really do. But if you wanna truly get the most out of working with her, look into Judaism. See if it resonates with you. If it truly does, look into converting. But don't convert solely so you have a free pass to work with Lilith.

"But I don't wanna be part of an Abrahamic religion!!! God sucks!!" Too bad buddy. Plus, the way God is portrayed in Judaism is VERY different than how they're portrayed in Christianity. If you don't wanna put in the effort to actually genuinely understand Lilith's source, why work with her?

"But I still hate Abrahamic religions!" Then check yourself. Do you really hate all abrahamic religions or just Christianity? Obviously its ok to hold resentment towards stuff that traumatized you, but to conflate all abrahamic religions together and act like they're the same is both antisemetic and Islamophobic. If your trauma is causing you to be a dick about stuff that didn't even tie into your trauma, do some soul searching and get help. Period.

Its easy to have a divine feminine figure in your LHP practice without appropriating closed cultures. Just use common sense.

Hello there! I am still pretty new to Luciferianism and I would like to do some reading on it and the Left hand path. Can you recommend any works? Thanks to you in advance.

I apologize for taking so long to get to this. It’s been a mixture of sick, work, and video games. The problem with Luciferianism is that there is not much of a tried and true book. I am going to recommend books I have read and books others have read (whose word I value). This is also a list that is found in my discord server as well.

The Birth of Satan: Tracing The Devil’s Biblical Roots by T. J. Wray and Gregory MobleyAn excellent read that goes in-depth the Biblical origins of Satan.

The Devil: A New Biography by Philip C. AlmondAnother really good read though it covers briefly what The Birth of Satan does with the Bible. This book covers more ground.

The Origin of Satan by Elaine Pagels This book traces Satan’s origins, how first the Jews and then Christians developed the idea of Satan and the concept of demonization in order to create a unique identity and a basis of us/them. She presents the history of early Christian community and make it accessible to non-academics, so do not worry about academic jargon! She gives a whole picture of political, cultural, religious, and sociological climiates of the first two centuries after Jesus’ death. Some of these insights come from the Nag Hammadi scrolls.

Children of Lucifer: The Origins of Modern Religious Satanism by Ruben van Lujik This book is academic and it covers a broad, intelligent, and thorough understanding of how Satanism evolved into what it is today. It documents various form of Satanism and is not hysterical in its portrayals. It also argues that the figure of Satan marginalizes political enemies and reflects social concerns.

The Devil’s Bible by Lianne Satanas DiaboliqueThis is a good introduction level but treat it with a grain of salt.

Satanic Feminism by Per FaxneldA really amazing book about the emergence of the Lucifer in Romantic Satanism and his value as a figure of liberation within the early feminist movements. This book is very much an academic read but it does not get lost in academic jargon.

The Devil’s Dozen by Gemma GaryThis book is not so much a research paper by a how-to with witchcraft. This book is more of a traditional witchcraft bent.

Wisdom of Eosphoros by Michael FordI am not a big fan of Ford (check out post tagged with michael ford or such this blog) but this book is not half bad. It is also a representation of the Greater Church of Lucifer.

Paradise Lost by John Milton This is a classic but also incredibly influential as some of our understanding of Satan/Lucifer can be directly correlated with this. I.e. Eve eatting an Apple or that the Devil was the serpent in the garden. In the Bible it says none of these things.

The Luminous Stone A diverse collection of writings on Lucifer from a number of Western occult and historical perspectives. A mixed bag. But hey, it’s writing specifically about Luciferianism that wasn’t done by Michael Ford, and therefore it is precious.

The Book of Adam and Eve (Latin version) Contains an early version of the fall of Satan which probably inspired the account of the fall of Iblis in the Qu'ran

Lords of the Left Hand Path by Stephen FlowersThis is what got me really exploring.

The Devil’s Party: Satanism in ModernityWhile I have yet to read this one, I include it on my list due to its editor being Per Faxneld. His work in Satanic Feminism has thoroughly impressed me.

The BibleGotta read that handy dandy bible. I prefer the NSRV with Apocrypha. Heck, I would suggest crack open the Qu’ran too!

What I would also suggest is read up on anarchy! Bakunin and Proudhon expressed sympathy for the devil.

Read philosophy and question everything, break your brains open with science, dive into the psychology of the human mind! I encourage to read up on both sides, go out and explore.

The Aspects of Satan/Lucifer

I’ve talked about this before, but I’ve never made a full post about it. And since it’s important, it’s a bit overdue.

The one we know as the Devil has two main aspects that represent His very being and presence in our Universe. These two aspects divide His forms and make it easier to understand His dual-nature as both Adversary and Liberator.

These aspects are of Satan and of Lucifer.

Satan

Satan is representative of human life through the lense of animalistic existence. He is feared and hated by those who don’t understand Him. Yet, He is the embodiment of mankind’s most human qualities, and thusly, should be celebrated.

Anton LaVey wasn’t wrong in his 9 Satanic Statements. Satan does represent vital existence, vengeance over forgiveness, and indulgence. Lord Satan freely partakes in, what by many, is considered sin, proving to the world that the human nature to sin isn’t evil at all, but completely natural and blameless.

Satan encourages the willingness to dabble in the strange and exciting for the sake of one’s gratification. For without the sweet taste of indulgence and forces of life, what true life are we living? We’re not. Without indulging in life, we’re dead.

The Satanic Aspect also embodies war, more specifically offensive attacks. For how is one to ever challenge the status quo by simply accepting authority? Taking authority into question is an action most loved by Satan. He admires those who don’t accept defeat, and continuously fight for what they desire.

Darkness is often associated with Satan, and not without mistake. For He is the Lord of Shadows. He is the Master of Mysteries. Satan doesn’t require the light for His followers to write in His book. For He already knows what it reads. He knows all, yet of Him little is known by the masses.

Satan represents the application of both magick and force to change a situation in one’s life. He acts on whim and with great power to get things done. He is the down and dirty type of magick. The methods of the Left Hand Path. And He’s certainly not afraid of cursing.

Satan is synonymous with emotions and feelings. He isn’t fearful of one knowing their feelings or stance on a subject and certainly would never suggest the repression of one’s emotions. Part of the Dark Lord’s teachings is to “know thyself” and with knowing one’s self, comes knowing and coming to terms with how one feels.

Satan is most definitely characterized through sexual and vital presences. He is extremely masculine and exudes an aura of dominance. The Devil teaches that one should never suppress one’s sexual desires, no matter how society weighs in. For sex is the basis of all life and vitality, and without enjoyment of one’s own body, how can one enjoy their spiritual side?

Satan shouldn’t be feared or rejected, as in a sense, one would be rejecting a part of themselves. There is a rebel within each of us. A part that revels in taboos and things society isn’t exactly comfortable with.

Hail Satan!

Lucifer

The aspect of Lucifer represents spiritual freedom and knowledge. He is the Light Bearer. The Bringer of Knowledge. He is the Great Teacher of all magickal and spiritual ideas. And for His knowingness and beautiful presence, He is deserving of the greatest respects.

The Morning Star, our glorious Lucifer, liberated humanity from the the Tyrant, giving all people the ability of choice and free will without punishment. He taught great secrets to Lilith and tempted Eve to partake in the Knowledge of Life. Without the Lord of Light, we would never know the great magickal secrets of the earth, and therefore be separated from our true potential.

Lucifer is representative of wisdom. He teaches that one should know of the world around one’s self, and do their best to always seek knowledge, both spiritual and otherwise. Without knowledge of the world, how does one perform successful magickal workings or great acts of science to affect change?

Lucifer embodies logical ability and intellect. He declares that one is able to make their own decisions through logic and reason in order to survive. He doesn’t encourage superstition without proper thought. For without the application of logic and reason, one is just following blindly what they’re told to do, and that never ends well.

The Aspect of Lucifer is associated with Light. Light of Knowledge, Light of Day, For He is the Guiding Star. He is the intuitive spirit in each of us, as well as the Omiscient force that drives humanity toward discovery.

Lucifer teaches careful consideration before one commits any damning action. For if one decides to cast a curse, or get revenge, they should consider how to do it and plan accordingly. Is it worth the trouble? Logic and reason accompany this lesson, as well as many of The Morning Star’s teachings.

Lucifer is an embodiment of philosophical awakening. One should question the way things are, in pursuit of correcting error along the way. If one should see another suffering, one should do one’s best to rectify it. For if it wasn’t for the great charity of our Lord Lucifer, humanity would be bumbling idiots.

Lucifer is the encompassment of the spiritual world. In order for one to know physical life, one must know the spiritual plane for the sake of balance. Without this, the scales are tipped, and consequence follows.

Lucifer, the glorious God of Light, should be most appreciated for His great teachings. Our Liberator defended our nature, and so in His Honor, one should strive to learn the ways of magick and science.

Ave Luciferi!

In conclusion,

One should understand the importance and need for both Aspects of the glorious Satan Lucifer. Without the dark how will we have the light? Without carnality, how does one appreciate the complex philosophies of life?

While Satan is the darkness and Lucifer is the light, this doesn’t mean one should favor one over the other. We all have these Aspects within us. The lustful and the charitable. The warrior and the thoughtful. If we didn’t, we wouldn’t be complete. And so, by honoring these parts of ourselves, we are closer to divinity and infernality. We are accepting our nature.

Satan Lucifer seeks to help those who understand themselves AND the world around them. For how is He supposed to help someone who won’t help themselves by just looking around. To be analytical and know yourself, and the world, and your place within, is to have a wealth of knowledge, and therefore, power beyond belief.

Patreon

Samhain Sorcery is creating Witchcraft content, divination services, and YouTube videos. | Patreon

Become a patron of Samhain Sorcery today: Read 17 posts by Samhain Sorcery and get access to exclusive content and e

Luciferian Basics

So the bread and butter of Luciferianism falls around

- A central admired figured that represents qualities/values but are usually a character that is considered a bringer of knowledge/wisdom. They are considered revolutionary, went against the “norm,” and are sometimes even “demonized” for it.

- The core of Luciferianism falls around knowledge/wisdom. It is about always having a questioning, skeptical mind, never accepting things at face value, but also always being open to learning because learning never stops. It’s never about being stuck in beliefs/value/knowledge when its wrong (i.e. God creation theory). Science is as only good as the latest finding after all! Part of this knowledge/wisdom is also in knowing yourself which… -Being your personal best is the other leg of Luciferianism. Some people call it achieving “godhood” or “divinity” or “enlightenment”

- Rebellion or Revolutionary. If you look at the stories of the various Luciferian figures, literary works, and scripture…there is often a form of “rebellion” or “revolutionary” figure there. Iblis rebelled against God. There is a common thread of the pop culture Satan rebelling against God because God is “unjust.” There is Eve eating the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge. Jesus Christ himself was a figure that went against the current religious doctrine of the times. Mary Magdelena was important, then dismissed, but she was also an important Luciferian figure. Then there is Prometheus defying Zeus for humanity. Buddha is another figure with his revolutionary practice that was nothing the Hindu’s had seen. It was radical. So it would be safe to say that the Luciferian can be “radical.” Of course, can be both good and bad change depending upon different factors, different perspectives.

Anything I miss? This is an incredibly broad sweep and not the essay I am working on. This is just the bare bones. Luciferianism itself is like water, it has form…but it also does not. It is a personal path that one must discover for oneself.

Faces of Lucifer #2

Fallen Angel

As one of the Fallen, Lucifer has been through Hell. And yet he survived, and he lights the way of those who go through Hell of their own.

Lucifer knows sorrow, he understands pain and grief. He is there for the hurt, the outcast, the oppressed. He understands those with religious, family, or any kind of trauma, and he will be there for them.

He knows how is it to be hurt, vulnerable and angry, and will teach protection and baneful magic to those who need it. He knows maleficium is not synonymous with malice and doesn’t expect anyone to be nice to their oppressors.

Some say he has become a monster consumed by hate, wishing only suffering on human beings. But it is so far from true. He knows what suffering is like, and has compassion for those who are in pain.

His light could not be extinguished, and it is warm. And he understands.

Luciferian Journal Prompts

What does the story of the Fall mean to you?

Do you relate to it in some way? How?

What are your thoughts on the idea and symbolism of Hell?

Ritual Acts

Contemplating falling stars.

Reading / watching a catharthic story.

Expressing feelings through music.

Offering ideas

Feathers.

Blackberries. He is said to have fallen in a bush of bramble on his way to Hell, and since then, they are one of his plants.*

A cup of nice, warm tea and a place at your table. He gives so many his warmth and kindness, he deserves some too.

*Source of the bramble lore piece: Plants of the Devil, Corinne Boyer. More demonic lore about blackberries and other plants can be found in the book.

Can you tell me something about the symbols of Satanism? I mean, for example the meaning of the inverted pentacle; or of the inverted cross. Sorry my bad English and thank you.

Hi anon! I worked with @aspiringghostt on this since he's more knowledgeable on Satanism than I am.

There's a decent amount of disagreement (I guess??) on what symbols mean, since satanism tends to splinter off and isn't just one single thing.

I'll try to include images!

Inverted cross

Bastardisation of christ, mockery of christianity, rebelling from god.

There's some discourse on if this is actually the cross of St Peter but like... Personally I use it.

Inverted Pentagram

The 4 points represent the 4 elements (fire, earth, water, air) and the bottom point points to the spiritual place, hell.

Sigil of Lucifer

This is just simply the sigil of Lucifer! Pretty self explanatory!

Baphomet Pose

Two fingers up and two fingers down mean "It is above as it is below. It also represents harmony and justice.

Hopefully this helps! Symbols like the goat pentagram aren't actually associated with theistic satanism, so I didn't include them.

A List of Websites About Theistic Satanism

Learning about Satanism has kind of become a hyperfocus so I decided to compile a list of websites that have a decent amount of information on them. A lot of these are old websites but the information is still useful. If you have a website to suggest feel free to DM me and I'll add it!

Last updated 3rd May 2021

In Satan's Honour - This website is pretty regularly updated and even has a patreon! There are a lot of thought provoking articles and great resources on there.

Spiritual Satanist - The website and blog is a great resource and the author is vocally anti nazi. She made a blog post about how nazis don't belong in the community a few years back.

Spiritual Satanist Blog - The blog for the above site! Lots of interesting and useful stuff here too.

Theistic Satanism - An older site, but plenty of worthwhile stuff on there. Several other sites are also maintained via this site!

Black Goat Cabal - Now shut down but the websites maintained by the above site. Lots of essays, rituals and advice.

Your Friendly Neighbourhood Devil Worshipper - Maintained by the same person who maintains the BGC and theistic satanism website. LOTS of great advice, sermons and even has a section for new theistic satanists.

Satan's Den - A lot of information on satanic magic & Satanism in general! There's also a blog attached to the website, so even more content.

Aleister Nacht - A lot of videos and information on Satanism. Has a list of Satanic holidays you can follow if you wish! Also has a Patreon!

In Praise Of Satan - A website about someone's personal journey with Satan. There is an FAQ section along with some other useful information.

Various Powers of Mermaids 🌊

Weather Magic - whether it’s because a mermaid was captured and inclement weather dooms and follows whoever took them, or simply a power the mermaid has, this is something that happens often in mermaid lore. the weather and mermaids are almost intrinsically tied to one another. (ex: Sea Mithers, Ningyo, Cecelia)

Disguise - many mermaids have the ability to disguise themselves as something appealing to humans, or to hide themselves from humans entirely. the ability to transform comes in many shapes, from a cap or coat to mystical powers.  (ex; Melusina,  Merrow, Finfolk, Ceasg, Selkie)

Enchanted Voice - perhaps the most famous quality of a mermaid is the voice, as throughout mythology they are known for their beautiful singing. it is also a common theme that their voices can bewitch the listeners, though sometimes for less than virtuous reasons. (ex; Siren, Merrow)

Drowning - drowning can be interpreted in both the physical and metaphysical sense, to drown the spirit of a person and surround it with negative energy that is hard to rid.

Granting Wishes / Prosperity - just as a mermaid might curse varying types of doom and damnation and bad weather on those who harm or threaten them, there are those that will bless those kind to them, often with wealth and good weather. (ex; Ben-varrey, Ceasg)

Prophecy - some mermaids, though less heard of, may even prophesize the future for a human, though their reasons for doing so are often unknown. (ex; Siren, Amabie)

Crying Pearls - though it is little more than a curiosity that pops up in lore, the idea that mermaids are able to cry tears of pearls is present, though its purpose or reason is unknown. (origins in chinese lore, but doesn’t refer to any specific kind of mermaid)

Communicating with Spirits

On this blog, we’ve talked about why witches might want to work with spirits, types of spirits they might work with, and the proper etiquette for establishing a relationship with a spirit. What we haven’t yet talked about is one of the most important, but sometimes most frustrating, elements of spirit work: communication.

There are several methods you can use to communicate with spirits, depending on your skills, preferences, and comfort level.

Signs and Synchronicity

The most organic way to receive messages from spirits is to wait for physical signs in your environment.

The concept of synchronicity was first introduced by Carl Jung. A synchronicity is a “meaningful coincidence” — a seemingly random event that feels meaningful to the individual. For example: crows have a lot of spiritual significance to me, and whenever I see or hear one it has a very specific meaning for me.

Another way a spirit might send you a sign is by surrounding you with physical reminders of them. I’ve most often experienced this with deities. If a new deity is reaching out to me, I’ll see images of them in places I wouldn’t expect to and may hear their name mentioned over and over again around me.

In her book The Angel Code, Chantel Lysette encourages readers to ask for physical signs when they connect with spirits, as a way to confirm that this is a genuine spiritual experience. This is something that has really stuck with me, and has become common practice in my spirit work. It can be very powerful to see signs in your mundane life that validate your spiritual experiences.

Divination

One easy way to communicate with spirits is to use your favorite divination method. (I’ve already done a whole post on divination, so I’m not going to spend much time on it here.) When using divination to communicate with a spirit, address your questions to them by name. From there, proceed as you normally would.

One thing to keep in mind when using divination to communicate with spirits is that the communication will be limited by the divination method you use. If you’re using a pendulum, you can only ask yes or no questions. If you’re using a tarot or oracle deck, the spirit will be limited to the cards in that deck when they’re trying to answer. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it is something to keep in mind.

Automatic Writing or Channeled Writing

This is a little bit different than other divination methods, because in this case you’re actually connecting directly with the spirit in order to write down messages from them. Automatic writing is the act of allowing your hand to write out a message without focusing on the words — the idea is that your hand will be guided by the spirits in order to write down their message for you. Some people believe that you should use your non-dominant hand for automatic writing, as this is your “receptive” hand. Channeled writing is the act of receiving a message through your psychic senses, which you then write down. Automatic writing is a type of channeling, but not all channeling is automatic writing.

I personally prefer channeled writing, simply because I find it more comfortable. Some witches prefer automatic writing because it bypasses your conscious mind, thus making it less likely that you’ll unknowingly “edit” the message. However, automatic writing can be a little bit harder to learn, so I’m going to focus on channeling here.

To channel a message from a spirit, you will need something to write with — a notebook and pen/pencil works, but so does a laptop with a word processor or even the notebook app on a smart phone. You will also need to enter a light trance state (this is the same state of consciousness experienced in meditation), so you might choose to use trance triggers like incense, shamanic drumming, or binaural beats. Begin by creating a protective space around yourself. (This is just to make sure only one spirit comes through at a time.) Invite the spirit you want to receive a message from into your space. Enter a trance and open yourself up to whatever it is they have to say. Don’t think about the words that come to you — simply write them down. You can analyze the message later, after your trance has ended.

Meditation

If you have a specific question you need an answer to, you can receive an answer to that question in a meditation. Likewise, if you want to connect with a certain spirit, you can do so through meditation.

This is fairly straightforward. Prepare for meditation in the way you normally do — light incense or candles and play music if you’d like, and make sure you have a comfortable place to sit or lay down. Before you begin to meditate, speak your intention out loud. This could be as simple as saying, “My intention for this meditation is to connect with [insert spirit’s name],” or “My intention for this meditation is to receive an answer from [insert spirit’s name] about [insert topic here],” or it could be an elaborate prayer.

From there, meditate as you normally would. Focus on the spirit you’re trying to connect with or, if you have a specific question, focus on that question. Whenever I do this, I often receive an answer in a sudden information download — suddenly the answer to my question is clear and obvious.

Pathworking

A pathworking is a specific type of meditation where you go on a psychic journey, usually with a specific goal in mind. I like to think of pathworking as the halfway point between meditation and astral travel. With pathworking, you are still anchored to your physical body, but your consciousness is able to make a journey into the astral world.

There are two important elements to a pathworking: a clear entrance/exit point and a way to retrace your steps. Pathworking journeys are typically cyclical — there is both a journey out and a return where you go back the way you came. This makes it easier to fully return your consciousness to your body, and failing to do so can cause you to feel disoriented upon the return.

A very common entrance/exit point is a door or gate which you use to enter and exit the astral realm. Sometimes it’s more of a home base — for example, my entry point is a rocky beach. I’ve also heard of people using a tree, or even The World Tree, as their entry point. Whatever imagery you choose, make sure you’re able to find your way back to it. If you’re worried about getting lost, author Thea Sabin recommends using “the Theseus trick.” Like in the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, you can tie a golden thread or rope to your entry point and the other end to your astral body. If you get lost, you can follow the thread back.

If you want to try pathworking, make a rough “road map” of your journey beforehand. This doesn’t have to be super specific, but it should contain the following: a goal for the pathworking (such as to connect with a certain spirit), an entry/exit point, and a general idea for the route you’re going to take.

Astral Travel/Spirit Flight

Perhaps the most direct route, astral travel (also called “spirit flight,” “soul flight,” or “hedge riding”) involves sending your spirit or consciousness into the astral realm/spirit world. Astral travel is not a beginner technique. This method should only be used by witches who have experience with meditation, pathworking, and other altered states of consciousness. The major advantage of astral travel is that you’re visiting the spirits on their own turf, which means you can communicate with them much more clearly and directly.

I’ll talk about both pathworking and astral travel at length in my next post. In the meantime, know that it is an option but that I only recommend it for intermediate to experienced witches, and even then only after some serious research into how to do it safely.

Some Basic Precautions

No matter which method you use, here are some basic rules to keep you safe and comfortable during your communication.

Cleanse before you begin. The best way to make sure you’re talking to the spirit you want is to clear out any other nasties before you begin. There are lots of ways to cleanse your space, from incense to sound baths to sweeping with a ritual broom. Use your favorite method to energetically tidy up before you try to contact anybody.

Use protection. A few safety precautions never hurt anyone, and they’re a good idea if you’re going to attempt one of the more involved methods of communication, like channeled writing or astral travel. The salt circle is an oldie but a goodie — once you’ve set it up, only spirits you invite can enter the circle. (But please don’t sprinkle salt on the ground outdoors — this hurts plant life! Use another protective substance, like rosemary, to form the circle instead.)

Know who you’re talking to. It may not be in your best interest to chat it up with whoever presents themselves. Not every spirit has good intentions. I speak from experience when I say that opening the lines of communication to whoever is around is not the best idea. Be clear and specific with which spirits you invite into your space, and don’t open the door to spirits who make you uncomfortable. This is part of the reason that having an established relationship with spirits that you know and trust is important.

Don’t take things at face value. Something that doesn’t get brought up enough in the New Age community is the fact that spirits can and do lie. They can also be wrong, and may give you false information in good faith. Just because a spirit tells you something doesn’t make it true. Always do your own fact-checking outside of spirit work.

Don’t be the idiot in a horror movie. Use common sense when working with spirits. Use safety precautions (see previous notes about cleansing and protection). Don’t intentionally contact negative entities — don’t be that guy who buys a Ouija board so he can talk to Jack the Ripper’s ghost. If a spirit gives you bad vibes, tell them politely but firmly to leave. When in doubt ask yourself, “Would a character in a horror movie do this?” If the answer is yes, don’t do it. You’re smarter than that.

Resources:

The Angel Code by Chantel Lysette

Wicca for Beginners by Thea Sabin

Southern Cunning: Folkloric Witchcraft in the American South by Aaron Oberon

New World Witchery podcast (several episodes, including “Episode 164 — Irish Folklore and Magic,” “Episode 161 — Practicing Safe Hex,” and “Episode 152 — Honoring Ancestors”)

“My Goddesses: How and Why I Work with Mary and Hel” by Kelly-Ann Maddox

Why You Should Keep Track of the Tarot Cards You Pull

People will often notice patterns to the cards they pull - you’ll notice that certain cards come up more often. This tends to be based on a feeling though, rather than any real data about which cards you’ve pulled - and the real data may surprise you. 

I’ve kept track of the cards I’ve pulled in my single card readings over the past three months, and here are some things I’ve noticed: 

I pull one card more frequently than any other card. In my case, that card is The Magician. It’s really useful to know - not just suspect - that one card turns up constantly for me. 

Some cards don’t actually appear as frequently as I think they do. I recently pulled the Nine of Pentacles and thought, “Again?? Why do I pull this card so much??” but when I look at the actual data… I’ve pulled other cards way more frequently. I think it’s a form of the Baader-Meinhof effect - a card can stick in your brain for some reason and you remember it as appearing more often than it actually does!

There are interesting things about the cards that I don’t pull. In three months, these Major Arcana cards have never come up at all: The Emperor and The Devil. I can look at the data of what archetypes don’t appear in my life and draw some interesting conclusions. I’ve also not drawn a single court card (page, knight, queen, or king) from the suit of swords - swords tend to deal with conflict, which I maybe have less of during this particular time in my life

I can identify which suit and which numbered cards appear the most and the least in my readings. While the totals of Swords, Wands, Cups, and Pentacles I pull are pretty close to even, Wands eke out a little bit higher total than the others. Cups and Pentacles are tied, with Swords coming in last. If I didn’t have this data, I’d probably assume I pull Swords the most - because they leave the biggest impact on me when I do pull them! Of the numbered cards: I pull Aces of any suit the most, and Twos of any suit the least. This makes for some interesting patterns: The Magician is sort of the “Ace” of the Major Arcana, as well. Aces are about a very singular willpower whereas Twos are about partnership and duality. Through this pattern I can identify the focus the cards have on my life at this particular point in time.

I pull Major Arcana cards more than is statistically likely. The Major Arcana makes up 28% of the deck, but 39% of my pulls. The Major Arcana are more associated with long-term messages, and so my life may have more long-term type changes needing to be made during this period.

This is a quick guide to how you might interpret some of the overall themes you notice:  Minor Arcana: temporary, easily changed, daily life, current situation Major Arcana: long term, archetypes, themes, life lessons, current lesson Wands: spirituality, inspiration, determination, strength, intuition, creativity, ambition and expansion; energy, motivation and passion. Cups: love, feelings, relationships and connection; emotions, intuition and creativity Swords: action, change, force, power, oppression, ambition, courage and conflict; thoughts, and words Pentacles: work, business, trade, property, money and other material possessions Aces: new beginnings, news, movement in a positive direction Twos: duality, connection Threes: creation, creativity, growth, action Fours: stability, structure Fives: tension, conflict, challenge Sixes: relaxation, harmony, reevaluation Sevens: mystery, disruption, adjustment Eights: action, movement, growth, change Nines: contemplation, reflection, looking to the next step Tens: conclusion, culmination, new beginnings, complexity Pages: youth, vitality, fascination, learning, and focus Knights: adventure, energy, missions, conviction, willfulness, recklessness Queens: curiosity, openness, expressiveness, creativity, flexibility Kings: authority, leadership, expertise, mastery, inflexibility