The Minor Arcana is the forerunner to the modern-day playing card deck. of 56 cards. In Tarot these are made up of four suits of 14 cards. In each suit the cards are numbered Ace to 10, plus four court cards: Page, Knight, Queen and King.

Incorporating numerology and symbology gives each card in Tarot a deeper meaning. This makes learning to read them quite easy. For example, each card has a simple image, which belongs to a suit, and has an element that represents that suit. Stories and journeys are created by each card in that suit adding to and building upon the previous cards. The descriptions of the cards are based on the Rider Waite tarot deck, while other decks may have different pictures, yet the basic meanings remain consistent.

Number One: New beginnings and action.

Aces are the first card in the suit. The number one relates to "independence, individuality, initiation," and an overall sense of new beginnings. When aces appear in a spread, it indicates what areas of the querent's life are ready for a change, big or small — and where to focus attention to take the steps to create those shifts. 

Ace of Swords - Element: Air 

The illustration of the Ace of Swords is a hand coming out of  a black cloud with a grey background, holding a sword with a crown on top. Swords represents truth, mental thoughts, actions and words. Drawing the Ace of Swords indicates a break through the fog that has clouded the querent’s ability to think clearly. This card also calls for the querent to be clear and assertive and to speak their truth when communicating with others.

Ace of Wands - Element: Fire 

The picture of the Ace of Wands is a hand coming out of the clouds holding a wand. The wand is sprouting new leaves. Wands represent drive, energy, motivation, passion, creativity. Drawing the Ace of Wands indicates that it is a good time to start a new project or do something interesting and creative. Depending on the querent's question it could mean a new possibility/ potential/ opportunity opening up. The Ace of Wands also encourages the querent to believe in themselves, trust their own instincts, find their own voice so that they can follow their own dreams.

Ace of  Cups - Element: Water

The image of the Ace of Cups is a hand coming out of the clouds holding an overflowing cup of joy and happiness. Cups represent feelings, emotions and intuition, so now is a good time for a fresh start and/or possibly a new relationship that is emotionally fulfilling.

Ace of Pentacles - Element  Earth

The suit of Pentacles represents physical manifestation - money, wealth, business and practical things. The Ace of Pentacles depicts a hand emerging from the clouds, open palm upwards holding a large coin. This card represents the universe offering a gift, a new way of making money or manifesting abundance. It could also signify a new financial or career opportunity.

Written by Verna

There are times in our lives we can find ourselves dealing with financial problems. 

Sometimes we only have ourselves to blame, but there are other times this lack of financial flow can be due to obstacles or blockages in our homes.  This can occur even when we are doing our best and watching our financial output closely.  Money doesn't buy happiness but it is a total necessity in our world. Money provides both sustenance and security and our lives are dependant upon it.

Here is a simple Spell to help resolve lack or blockage and help attract money into our homes.

This is what you will need.

2x small glass bottles 

2x handfuls of rice

6x black peppercorns

2x green candles 

This Spell is created on a Tuesday as the Moon waxes (is growing larger) Just ensure that you complete it by midnight.

Light your candles. If you wish dress them with a money attracting oil. - Pine, basil or patchouli for example, do this before you light them.

Take water. Spring or rainwater is perfect but tap water is ok if you've nothing else.  Pour it into a saucepan and bring it to the boil.  Boil for 3 minutes then let it cool and pour it into your small glass bottles.  

When the water is completely cooled add a handful of rice and 3 peppercorns to each bottle.  The water may likely overflow so do this on your kitchen bench or in the sink.

Dry the bottles. 

Place one bottle in your kitchen and one in your living room. Place them somewhere visible.   Take the lit green candles and place them in front of each bottle. Let these burn for an hour and then snuff out the candles. 

Place the candles in a paper bag with a few coins. Dispose of the bag at a later date, away from your home.

Don't blow out your candles, you can use a spoon to snuff them out if you have nothing else. 

It's best to do this Spell in private, other people's thoughts and opinions can shift the energy and the only thoughts you want in your bottles are yours of money flowing in.

Leave your bottles in a prominent place, keeping them dust free.  Change the rice and peppercorns monthly on a Tuesday and waxing Moon.  Like the candles, you can put the contents into a bag with a few coins and dispose of away from your home.  If you have a garden you can bury the rice and peppercorns if you wish.

With this Spell we are using a combination of three Elements.  Earth, Fire and Water.

Fire and Earth in combination create money.  This is the reason for creating this work on Tuesday, Tuesday is ruled by the planet Mars whose Element is Fire.

Element Fire is also brought in by our use of the candles.

Green is the colour of money and this is why we are burning green candles.  Dark green is best.

The dry ingredients bring in the Earth Element.

Rice guards against misfortune in the home and is added to spells for increased money and abundance.

Peppercorns are fiery and protective and they are added to ward off the evil eye which can create blockages brought about by the jealousy and negative thoughts of others. 

The Element Water in this Spell acts as a conductor. 

If you are familiar with the lunar calendar and it's possible to create this Tuesday Spell when the Moon is waxing in an Earth sign - Taurus, Virgo or Capricorn. This can add more energy but don't worry if you’re not. 

Written by Paula

On the 3^rd of May, Mercury moves into Gemini.

Air is the element of Gemini with Mercury being the ruler of Gemini itself, therefore Mercury is at home when it returns to the sign of Gemini.

Mercury is the messenger planet. It is the fastest planet in our solar system; representing communication, travel, thoughts, ideas, intellect, education and day-to-day expression. Mercury is an opportunistic planet -  quick, curious and logical.

In a birth chart, Mercury is the social director of your close relations with family, friends and those in your neighbourhood. It will also show how you communicate with others. 

Gemini is the sign of the Twins, whose communicative energy is quick, and their dialogue dynamic and witty. They are also charming, resourceful and wise. Gemini energy in the negative may appear as flaky, restless or distracted.

Mercury naturally rules Gemini, so when transiting through this sign, we can expect our communication and ideas to flow more freely or harmoniously.  When the planet of communication is in Gemini, the rapidity of our thoughts triple. We are especially communicative, sociable and curious. We may be more focused on many different topics instead of deeply researching a single topic. We are more quick with words, attracted to word-play, negotiations and exchanging ideas.

The way we exchange ideas at this time will be more logical, we can learn new things faster and we may find we have increased agility. Despite this, you may find yourself or others are more easily distracted and restless. It is easy to get overwhelmed with a Mercury Gemini transit - constantly multitasking or having a carousel of information spin in our brain. 

This transit of Mercury through Gemini may challenge us to time to step back and focus.

The same agility that makes Gemini so brilliant, also makes them change their mind constantly. We must make sure we are not directing our energy in a scattered way. 

However it is an excellent time for writing, publishing, negotiating or learning new things. It does encourage us to socialise and communicate or try new things. You may find you are more charismatic or have more energy for discussion. This is a breeze of fresh air as Mercury has just left Taurus - where we were more lazy and focused on relaxation. When Mercury was in Taurus you may have approached mental matters in a more practical, down to earth and realistic way. Now that Mercury is in Gemini, you can expand the visions that came to mind during the Taurus transit, and execute your thoughts and communication more effectively and efficiently. 

Look for where Mercury is currently transiting through your natal chart to see what area of life may have an increase in activity, opportunities and expansion.

For example - Mercury transiting in Gemini through your natal 7^th house.

The natal 7^th house represents close partnerships, marriage and public relations. When Mercury transits through this house, it is a pleasant period to spend time with your loved ones. You may be more indecisive as you are focused on other people and thinking about their wants and needs. Despite this, you will be more diplomatic and adept to work with others. Your thoughts will centre around a relationship or find yourself discussing topics of marriage or business partnerships. There is emphasis on communication with best friends or partners. It is a good time to talk one-on-one to resolve disagreements or difficulties that may have arisen in close partnerships. The 7^th house represents business relationships, and committed romantic relationships. You may have a business or love offer, or make plans regarding either. 

Written by Beth

About 70% of our Earth is covered with water and our body’s are around 60%. Water plays the most important role in our existence, without it there is no life. The Element Water in magick is connected with our emotions, our souls & our dream state. As an element used in magick water’s uses range from still & gentled mirrors to typhoons, from flowing energy to walls of ice. We can use it to connect & we can use it to remove. Spiritual Bathing (Magickal Baths) have been used for millennia in many cultures all over the
planet. We can take magickal baths to draw in business, bring good luck or love and to bring healing and a sense of well-being. They can be used to wash away evil and negative energies that affect our lives.

A variety of ingredients can be used in spiritual baths & all combine the regenerative and restorative power of water. There are a variety of ways to take these baths, much depends on the reason for it. Some are best taken on certain days or various Moon phases, these qualities will aid in amplifying the baths’ affect. However, baths can be taken anytime when they are urgent. For example, a bath to bring business or money is best taken on a waxing Moon (growing bigger) with the view of bringing the work or money you desire towards you. However if the Moon is waning (growing smaller) and the situation is really urgent, you can take the same bath but with the intent of banishing the lack of money or business.

There are two ways to take a magickal bath, one is full immersion in the bath, the other is pouring the water over your head and down your body while standing. Regardless, the results should be the same. It is always a good idea to be clean before you partake in a magickal bath. It is common practice to collect some of the water from the bath and either throw it away at a crossroads or away from your house at the eastern corner for best results.

If using fresh herbs to make your bath, bring about 3 litres of water to a rolling boil, then switch it off, put the herbs into steep and cover. Let it cool, strain the water into your bath & dispose of the herbs with a few coins. If using roots or bark bring the water to the boil and add them let them boil for 9 minutes & then switch off, cover and steep, again straining the water into the bath. Whilst other baths you can put your herbs or flowers directly into the bath and wipe your body down with them, It all depends on the directions. Always dispose of your plant material, in the garden or in a bag with a few coins. Best not to throw them into your household rubbish.

There are so many Spiritual Baths, here are three you may wish to try.

A Simple Cleansing Bath
Add these ingredients to 3 litres of boiling water. Allow to cool and strain into the bath to clear negative energies.
1 Cup flakey sea salt
1 Cup white vinegar
9 lemons cut into pieces

Success Bath
This is an old recipe from New Orleans. Add the ingredients to your bathwater and wash yourself in a downward direction. Keep some of the bathwater and throw it out early in the morning facing east.
Handful of sea salt
9 Drops of Geranium Oil

Attract Good Luck in Everyday Life
To attract and keep good luck, add these ingredients to a weekly bath.
Goats milk
Sea Salt
Fresh parsley

Written by Paula

Did you know that there is a Patron Saint of Fortune Tellers? There is!, February 13th is Feast Day for St Agabus.

St Agabus had the gift of prophecy and predicted an empire-wide famine that occurred in 49 _ the time of Claudius.

Agabus is also believed to have told Paul not to go to Jerusalem, but Paul did and wound up in the Big House.

You can call upon Agabus to help with your divination practices, using this simple ritual. Agabus prefers it if you acknowledge and give Grace to God before petitioning the Saint for his help.

Light either a purple or white candle in front of an image of the Saint, and place your tools (cards, crystal ball, etc) beside it. Ask St Agabus’s blessings that you may be given the gift of clear sight and divination, and that you may be of utmost hep to those who come to you for guidance.

Say this prayer as you pass your cards (or whatever you use) back and forth over the candle flame in the shape of the cross. "Glorious St Agabus, prophet and disciple, do not let my faith be weakened by my fears of what the future may hold. Amen."