Uncle Fester's Magick by the Month Parcel : November

This month's Magick by the Month surprise parcel from Uncle Fester's focuses on late Spring. This is when the Air energies of Spring really heat up and convert to Summer's Fire energy.

The items offered reflect air energy, with a feather, incense and a herb pack including the traditional air herbs of Linden and Arnica. According to the accompanying information cards, Spring is a time of romance and happiness. The Cherry Quartz reflects this, as it is a stone of love and passion. There's also a stunning glass window-hanging etched with the symbol of the goddess.

This month's charm is a kookaburra, again picking up the Air theme. The herbs this month are meant for a potpourri or strewing, rather than burning.

I was given one of six differently-coloured feathers at random. It was interesting that the one selected for me was pink, representing the qualities listed below on the packaging. I like the colour pink, and I think it's a good colour to represent Spring.

Next we turn to the fiery energies of Summer, which we've been experiencing already here in Melbourne.

October Oracle Reading

Here is my oracle reading for the October Divination challenge. I know I'm posting it rather late, but I wanted to wait until after the event it refers to was over, then life got in the way, etc. etc.


1. My question for this reading is: “Please give me advice about my upcoming exhibition at the end of October.” I will be participating in an exhibition at an art gallery for the first time.

2. I used the spread from the Oracle Deck’s booklet: Black Swan, White Swan. The meanings are as follows:
1. The Black Swan: what could get in your way.
2. Magic Feather: what to do about this obstacle.
3. The White Swan: what could help you and what to pay attention to.
4. Magic Feather: how to use this solution.
5. Swan Flight: an aerial overview ; a wider perspective.

3. I am using the Sacred World Oracle deck. This is another deck I’m using for the first time. (I cleansed the deck with white sage incense a couple of days beforehand.) The cards I drew are:
1. II – CAT (earth): fertility ; beauty ; magic ; independence.
2. XXXVI – HORSE (fire): speed ; transportation ; focus ; intensity.
3. XL – SCORPION (fire): vengeance ; the unexpected ; harsh enlightenment ; intensity.
4. XVII – DOLPHIN (water): divine guidance ; greater intelligence ; unexpected help.
5. XXXIX – FIREFLY (fire): transitory beauty ; illumination ; inspiration.

4. Interpretation:
1. The Black Swan: what could get in your way.
CAT – As I was shuffling the cards, my cat came into the room and I thought: it seems a cat will literally get in my way while doing the reading. Then I drew the cat card! The cat symbolises beauty, individuality and expression. My fear of showing my true self and my feelings might stifle my art and make it harder for me to do what I need to do. I would then be unable to show the truth and the magic that I’m trying to imbue my art with. The cat card challenges me to express myself authentically.
2. Magic Feather: what to do about this obstacle.
HORSE – The horse represents speed and focus. I should concentrate on the job at hand and don’t let my doubts distract me. In this position, the image on the card spoke to me as well. The horses on the card are breathing fire – I felt it means that I should harness the fiery passion they represent to overcome my fears.
3. The White Swan: what could help you and what to pay attention to.
SCORPION – The scorpion represents the warrior with its weapon the sting. My first instinct is that surely this would be a negative card, but it’s in a position which indicates something of benefit. I believe it means that I should take a warrior’s attitude. I should be strong and don’t let anyone or anything hurt me. I should fight for myself and my art.
4. Magic Feather: how to use this solution.
DOLPHIN – Help is on the way from an unexpected source. I will receive guidance from a greater intelligence outside myself – or perhaps this refers to my intuition. I know that I can conquer any problems that come along. Cultivating the qualities of the scorpion – strength and invulnerability – will make me more knowledgeable and experienced for future exhibitions.
5. Swan Flight: an aerial overview ; a wider perspective.
FIREFLY – The firefly is a symbol of transitory beauty. The exhibition, while it will only last for a few weeks, will be a wonderful experience. Perhaps I will find inspiration from others who are involved. I will learn valuable lessons from it – and perhaps meet people who can help me in the future.

5. Overall, I think the Oracle gave me a reassuring yet realistic answer. While I will come across problems, my biggest obstacle could possibly be myself and my doubts and anxieties. If I take on a strong and determined attitude, I will prevail and have a positive experience. I will learn many valuable things that I can take with me into the future.

Uncle Fester's Magic by the Month Parcel : October

I apologise in advance for the
poor quality of the photos in this post.

October is the middle of Spring in Australia, with very strong Air energy. It's a time of new growth, movement and new ideas.

This month's parcel:

The air theme is reflected in the parrot charm (the native animal for October), and a yellow Jasper, which is a stone of travel. The parcel also featured a large tote bag with a pentacle, which also fits into the travel theme. There's a candle from Buddha Delights with beautiful beading and mirror decoration on the side. Three cards from the new Familiars Tarot deck are included for a mini tarot reading.

The Witches' Brew for this month is a mix of chamomile, calendula, cornflower and catnip. It can be used as a potpourri or drunk as a tea. It has a strong, fresh scent. One of the most intriguing items in the parcel is a beautiful glass rod. It reflects the light in a similar way to Selenite. Unfortunately though, I dropped it and the tip broke off.

As always, there are two cards with information about October Magick for my mini binder.

I quite liked this month's offerings. I was very pleased with the glass rod, and the tote bag would look amazing with a dark Mori or witchy-themed look. (I don't want to wait until next Autumn to use it -- perhaps I'll just be stubborn and use it through Summer!)

Dias de Muertos 2017

In my last post I wrote about why I don't (can't?) celebrate Halloween. That doesn't mean I don't do anything this time of year, though. I observe a version of Días de Muertos, a tradition that originated in Mexico and is becoming more well-known around the world.

Each year, I set up an altar in my lounge room -- some years it has a specific theme and other times it's more general. This year's has a couple of themes. I suppose I could say that I'm very lucky in that I don't know many people who have died, so my altar doesn't have many photos of relatives. My Opa (grandfather) is always in the centre. In front, there is a space to add items such as a cup of coffee or fruit. The only fruit from my garden that's ripe this time of year is oranges, so they often feature.

I added a pair of cat figurines and an image of a ladybug to represent animals, and a small pewter dragon to represent the spirit world. I purchased a pair of skeletal musicians to decorate the altar. They don't represent anyone or anything specific, but I've become interested in learning to play music lately, so perhaps that influenced my purchase. Another new feature is the two skeleton candles which are just too cute to burn. Husband and I are both allergic to flowers, so I substituted with some yellow candy cane poles to decorate instead of the yellow marigolds that are common on Dias de Muertos altars. Then there are the standards like candles and a pinecone and a shell because I like to have things from nature.

In the Southern Hemisphere it's Spring at the moment. It's a time of expansion and joy, of energy moving faster as we anticipate Summer. It might seem like a strange time to commemorate the dead, but it feels natural to me. Días de Muertos in Mexico is a time of joy and celebration. The dead are invited back to spend time with the living, so it's a time of happiness and parties. Spring seems like the perfect time for that. According to the information I've read, the holiday was originally celebrated by the indigenous peoples of Mexico in August and was moved to the end of October by European missionaries to co-incide with All Soul's Day in the Catholic calendar. August is high Summer in the Northern Hemisphere, certainly a much warmer time of year than October, and so I wonder if my intuition fits in with the original intention behind the festival.

Last years' altar.

In Mexico as well as many other cultures, it's tradition to visit the graves of the deceased. I try to visit a cemetery if I can, but I haven't been able to in the last few years. Spring is always a busy time for me with lots of events happening, and I don't have any relatives buried in a cemetery. (My Opa was cremated.) I do enjoy going to feel the general energy, but I'm only visiting strangers, so I don't feel so bad about skipping it.
I also used to make Pan de Muertos (bread of the dead), but haven't attempted it since I became gluten-intolerant. Unfortunately I won't have time to do any baking this year.

The festival officially goes for 3 days (31st October to 2nd November) but I will probably leave my altar in place for at least a week. It's more convenient to set up and dismantle when I have time on the weekend. Also, I've been known to leave Christmas decorations up for the whole year before because I thought it was a shame not to be able to look at them. I tend to go with whatever takes my fancy at the time, even if it doesn't adhere strictly to what's in season.