totem
Divination Tools 101
Every psychic has a different set of gifts and abilities, and because of this different psychic tools work better for different individuals. Let’s take a closer look at some of the more familiar divination tools used by readers today.
Tarot cards date back to the Renaissance and represent different archetypes and symbols. Each card pictures a specific individual or action, and the cards are used in different layouts, or spreads, to provide insight and meaning. Usually, a specific question is asked, to which the cards help provide an answer.
Angel oracle cards are similar to the Tarot. As the name suggests, each card features a different image of angels and archangels. Angels cards help us to communicate with our spirit guardians, as they look out for us. Each card typically has a short message, which help us figure out what our guardians are trying to say.
Crystals are very popular metaphysical tools. They come in many types and colors, and each has a unique set of properties, For example, rose quartz is used for love energies, and hematite for strength, and so on. No two crystals are alike. They can be used to channel, intensify, deflect, or purify energy sources, depending on an individual’s needs.
Many practitioners have an entire toolkit of just crystals. The crystal ball is often seen in depictions of psychic readings. A crystal ball is used to scry, in order to practice seeing the past, present, and future. They are also useful in finding missing persons or objects.
The Spiritual Symbolism Of The Pelican
When a bird flies directly onto your path, or you see images or photos of the same bird repeatedly, within a relatively short space of time, this is often a spiritual sign that the energy of this bird is calling or guiding you.
I live on the coast and I am lucky to be able to watch various seabirds, and encounter other birds drawn to the local water ways. The pelican is one bird that has specifically caught my attention. The day I was inspired to paint this amazing bird, he literally strutted down the hallway of my home!
Even to this day, pelican continues to literally soar into my experience whenever I need to draw on his wisdom. Even though they seem large and clumsy, there is something gentle and caring about their nature. If pelican has waddled or soared onto your path, let his wisdom and symbolism guide your way.
I started building my connection with the pelican’s energy by observing and sketching the local birds. Through the process I found a sense of awe for the pelican’s beauty, which was a shift in my perception, as I had never before considered them to be very attractive birds.
I also noticed they followed a set routine, and similar flight paths, depending on the weather. It inspired me to become more aware of my own patterns and habits. At this time my work schedule had become somewhat unbalanced and dysfunctional, without me being aware of the impact. Pelican taught me that it is vital for my self-care to ensure that I work within a routine and structure that better supports my creative outlets and energy levels.
Signs, Sigils And A Solstice Frith
As we arrive at the mid-year this weekend, with the solstice on June 20th, we have an opportunity to consider what needs to unfold next, for the remainder of this unusual year. The solstice is the ideal time for signs, sigils and spiritual messages.
This has been a curious time for everyone on the planet. It is as if we’ve been trapped in an alternate reality, where we can no longer accurately sense what lies ahead. With this much upheaval and uncertainty, it’s natural to experience a range of extreme emotions. We’ve had to adapt, and reflect, and confront our inner demons.
During these interesting times it’s important to nourish what we know feels good and true in our lives. The situation also opens up the space to be curious and be willing to try new things.
We have been living with one foot in the past, and one foot in the future. The good news is, however, that there is a change in the wind. We can’t successfully continue living between two worlds forever. There is a shift coming. When the winds starts to blow in a new direction, one can feel it ‘in your bones.’ There is anxiety, excitement, anticipation, a sense of renewal. For me, when this happens with the changing winds, I look for signs and spiritual guidance.
Recently, on the day a new wind blew for me, my first question was, “What’s next?” I was drawn to step on the threshold of my door, touching the door frame. The first thing I saw and heard was a murder of crows sitting on the fence around one of the rose bushes, cawing loudly. Then I noticed a significant change in the rose buds.
The day before I was pruning the bushes, and it looked as if many of the buds were not going to open this season, as several branches seemed to be dying. Fortunately, I had some other chores and didn’t finish the pruning, and left them as they were. Now, I saw a few of those buds were actually beginning to open, and new leaves were sprouting.
The Spiritual Symbolism Of The Peacock
The masculine energy of the peacock emanates self-assurance and confidence, and also represents pride and vanity. In the spiritual context, masculine energy is understood to be the active and doing part of nature – it is the force that compels us forward.
Given the uncertainty we are currently facing our world climate, we could all call on the energy of this spirit animal to provide us with the courage to step forward in new ways.
The peacock was the first bird to every appear in my artwork. Each time I was drawn to paint the peacock, I experienced major changes in my life, which involved either moving home or relocation, or taking another step to progress in my career.
The peacock (Pavo cristatus), also known as the Indian peafowl, has a long tradition of spiritual symbolism in many cultures and belief systems. The peacock (in contrast to the peahen) is known for the beautiful array of iridescent colors in his tail feathers, featuring the well-known mystical designs that look like eyes. Some of the key spiritual messages of the peacock include:
Confidence
As the vision for the peacock came to life on that first canvas, I gained a renewed sense of confidence with my own artwork. He reminds us all of the need to feel free, joyful and confident in how we express ourselves. When we have appreciation for our abilities, it gives rise to self-confidence.
Let Us Meditate On The Butterfly Spirit
Have you had a butterfly dance into your life? Can you remember the issues happening in your life at that time? Butterfly Spirit usually deliver a wonderful message that you are leaving your cocoon and will be experiencing the joy of transformation in your life.
The butterfly spirit represents rebirth and freedom from despair. Next time butterflies show up in your life, consider looking at your relationships, career, living situation, and your finances. Take some time and meditate on the meaning of the presence of the butterfly in your life. The reason will soon unfold. You are truly blessed if it is the first butterfly you see of the season, as it is surely a sign of good fortune throughout the next year.
The butterfly has many stages before it reaches its final form, and its spiritual symbolism is especially significant during this time of global crisis. The egg stage represents a thought, idea or intention for a new manifestation. The larva stage is the decision to move forward with the plan. The cocoon stage symbolize the actions required to manifest the intended new reality. Then finally the birth stage arrives, which represents the manifestation.
This delicate, sweet-winged spirit can appear in many different colors and patterns. Up to the 1600s, the white-winged butterfly was protected by law in Ireland because it was said to be the souls of children that had passed away. Still today, some of Irish decent believe this to be true, and are considered blessed when the white butterfly spirit comes into their life.
Your Spirit Animals
Many wisdom traditions and cultures features some form of animal symbolism. Animals are thought to be guides, teachers, messengers, or protectors for a person as they journey through life. They are referred to as spirit animals, familiars, animal guides, power animals, or totems.
Our spirit animals provide guidance or insight when we most need it, if we are paying attention. These animal guides can appear in our lives in many unexpected or interesting ways. Typically, an animal that appears over and over, or that one feels a special affinity to, should be considered a possible spirit animal.
There are animals that are life-long guides, which are typically more reflective of our own personality and unique gifts. Those animals that show up briefly, or only at certain times, are thought of as messengers or wayshowers to help us along our path. They often provide comfort, or convey an important message.
We can also call on animals to empower us in times of need, when we need a particular quality or inspirational or healing energy in our life, such as strength (lion), joy or playfulness (dolphin), vision (hawk), awareness (eagle), or peace (dove).
To discover your totem animals, think about animals you have always been drawn to, especially as a child, and consider the qualities of these animals. Then consider how these might apply to you, or how they have played out in your life.
Frankie, My Furry Protector In Spirit
I often say, if there is a cat in your house, you are never alone. And this reassuring notion not only applies to cats that are in this life, but also those who have passed on to the next. Just recently, I have received another wonderful visitation from a dear furry friend of mine who passed 25 years ago!
Frankie, a beautiful Blue Point Siamese, was my fur friend and my only ‘sister.’ Growing up she was always there. I picked her out of a litter when I was only two years old. Frankie lived a long, happy life, and in her final days her meowing sounded to me like she was saying, “Maryella.” So, that is what I named my next kitty: Maryella.
So, Frankie came to me the other night and told me that she is friends with the four cats that I own now, and that she is still around after all these years. She even showed me where she hangs out these days. It is a colorful place with a bridge. I will leave it at that.
Frankie told me that she has been my spirit animal for a very long time. I was not surprised, as I have seen her from time to time over the years. She always seems to show up during times when life seems to not be going so well for me. I have certainly felt her warmth and her compassionate, loving energy around me when times are tough.
I have also dreamt of her many times, but the other night was not a visitation dream. It was a full-on apparition. I was looking out the large picture window in my living room, and there she was… walking casually across the deck outside. Then she stopped, sat down, and looked directly at me. She stared right at me.