Happy Snow Moon Friends!
Actually no.
I’m changing my intro for these updates going forward, as it has become harder to say friends even playfully online to no one in particular these days. But more on that below.
Snow Moon’s blessings to you dear reader.
I was going to post this last night, but decided I’d take advantage of my actual snow day (thank you union jobs) today to give it one final polish.
Igniting Intentions
Fury. My love and light phase in my personal practice did not last long, but my public profile certainly fell into that trap early, not wanting to bring any “bad attention” to the trans community. I’ve reached the point now where that is no longer a concern and I’m going to publicly embrace all of me, shadow included. There is much power, much gratitude yet to be found in embracing my righteous feminine fury and unlocking that door is my goal this month. I’ve already got a ritual in mind that’s going to be fun and freeing. Hopefully I’ll get a spell crafted during it, but I’m sure I’ll capture more than enough inspiration regardless.
Tarot Tale:
This moon’s Tarot Tale is a little different. As I don’t want to talk specifics (yet), but I’ll offer my reflection summarizing the notes captured in my spell tome for this reading…
Ten of Pentacles x Death
Preparing I really was intending to just lay single card. I thought I had a simple enough question, so I honed in my intent, visualized the situation troubling me and asked.
The Ten of Pentacles confused but also intrigued me… what could I point to having achieved in the realm of my inquiry ? Right now I was feeling like the dog in the picture, grateful to be getting the head pats, but yearning for so much more. I could not tie the whole card to my scenario in a meaningful way. It described an outcome I yearned for surely, but was it telling me to find it in the present? Or to stay the course I’m on and I’ll arrive there eventually? Or was my intuition right and a risk was needed to truly claim my desire. Better understanding my need, earnestly I beseeched my cards for clarification.
Enter Death. The perfect explanation when facing a “keep status-quo or be bold” scenario. It’s a scary card to some, entirely misunderstood if you ask me much like The Tower. Death is a very good, very powerful card. In fact it filled me with joyous energy as soon as it was drawn. It told me very clearly that what is now was not enough, this path would not bring me to satisfaction. Now was the time for bold and decisive action, blazing a new trail trusting my intuition fully, casting aside all that no longer serves me. Only then will I achieve my goals and arrive at the Ten of Pentacles.
There’s still a long path to reach that goal and I’m certain how I dream of it today is not exactly how it will end up being, but there is more confidence in my steps down this road. Knowing now that at the end, no matter any pain encountered, I will be opening the door for something so much greater in me.
Card of the Moon
XXIII – The Artist
I’ve mentioned before that decks that include additional cards, or alternate versions for some cards, are my favorite. This month’s card of the moon is a look at one such additional card. Because oh my goodness.
The Artist has been incredible at guiding me this past month. The person pictured is hunched over parchment capturing the infinite possibilities seen on the horizon, free from the concerns of the human condition, they open themselves to the limitless knowledge of the cosmos and draw forth fresh inspiration and creation.
When upright it represents a passionate visionary, interpreting the worlds magic into new forms, creating freely. When I’ve drawn the card upright, it has always directly related to my creative endeavors, always in an encouraging and motivating and energizing way.
Reversed, it warns that you are growing restless, greedy for your desires, your judgement clouds and your steps grow less stable. Caution: in other words, pause, ground and center, then reconsider the path you’re facing. It came up twice reversed, and both times the simple explanation would be I knew going down the path was stupid, I knew it would only waste precious energy, and yet, infinitely curious, I wanted to explore regardless. This lovely card was quick to save me both times.
Witchy Biz Updates
Blog Updates: Redesign that was supposed to be done two weeks ago is not done. Posts that were supposed to be shared last week, have not been finalized and edited. But my world kinda got lit on fire and some other things became priorities for a time. I sincerely hope that this marks the return to me posting regularly again.
Crafting Update: Ko-Fi shop is going to be down except for commissions until further notice. All of my chaotic crafting creations are going to be allocated for local events. I do intend to start posting more of my work in progress stuff either on Ko-Fi or Instagram.
Print on Demand: https://shywitchz.printify.me/ To quote V from Cyberpunk 2077 “I got one word for you: T-Shirts”. Sharing my Stay Safe, Stay Magic(k)al, Stay Spiteful message, it resonated with a number of folks stuck on hopeless or sad, and thus… I dusted off the old graphic design soft and made a design or two, or three… or four. Stickers, candles and a few clothing items available on demand now. Ultimately my goal is just to raise the funds to get a decent printer and Cricut (Looking at $~450) so that I can start producing all of these designs and more in house for WAY cheaper. I’ll be buying small batches to market locally to raise funds as well, but unfortunately I don’t have a better cost effective solution for non-local interest right now.
Other Socials: Still on insta and threads, Instagram I have started doing a “Burning Blessings” segment where a couple times a week I draw a scrap of paper with a short message, then burn it. Much of what is written and will be written on these scraps are paraphrases or modifications of things I’ve written here. Cause sometimes I have a reallllllllly good line or two-that gets lost in a 10 minute read time post. This is a fun way to bring that magic out in a flash to more people. I hate social media, I hate the algorithm, I hate the games they make us play, I really do… But… if you are on Instagram, a follow and a like when my stuff comes across your feed really does make a world of difference.
Closing Thoughts
Honestly? I’m tired, but okay. If you want to know more, read the Post Script beneath the next picture. It’s not graphic, but it is raw. If you know me IRL, I’ve prob already shared much of it with you. CW: Transpobia, mentions of violence, honest (dark) feelings about current world situation.
Till next time
Stay magical.
Post Script
So it’s a really weird sensation. All things considered I’m technically doing great, things in my life are in the best place they’ve been in a long time and looking solely in the vacuum of “me” I’m so grateful to be where I am today.
But the reality of today also scares me. I never thought my reality living in a cozy rural New England home could be this dark. I never thought my reality could include daily threats to my wellbeing from strangers I’d hopefully never see again. I never thought my reality would so suddenly collapse upon itself, to quote Inspector Javert “The world I have known is lost in shadow”.
I’m tired of those telling me to be grateful things aren’t bad yet. In the unfortunate event I’m killed in the name of hatred: that better be my epitaph. Because if we wait for it to be bad, it’s already too late. That is the sobering reality many are now facing.
When you tell us not to worry, or that you can’t imagine that happening here, or that “someone” will stop it… You do not recognize that many of us have accepted we need to either flee the country, or prepare to literally fight to defend our lives. For if they come for us first, history teaches us the “someone” or “something” to stop it will come too late.
It’s happened before, it’s happening again.
If you know a trans person in the States (or anywhere really) and they talk about any of their fears or concerns, just listen with empathy. It’s okay you don’t want to accept this reality, I wish I didn’t myself. You don’t have to share or understand our concerns or fears, just don’t dismiss them,
If you are a trans person and you need a trans person to chat with about just about anything* my inbox is open, I’m happy to text or call as well, hop on a game (if I have it), let me know your communication preference if/when you email. If there’s enough interest I may set up a discord to have a mini supportive safe community.
If you’re still reading this far,
Thank you friend,
Stay magical.
*general mental health/burnout struggle/venting like this post script is fine, if you need empathy I’m your gal. a compassionate friend for a virtual hug? You got it. But if you’re in crisis or need someone to talk to about local support or serious struggles, I can tell you you’re heard, seen, respected and loved, but I’ll insist you speak with someone better qualified and equipped to help. I highly recommend reaching out to Trans Lifeline. There’s no non-consensual emergency services, the operators are always Trans and they will only refer you to vetted resources in your area. Even if you’re not in crisis- they can be an incredible resource, I highly suggest you check out their site.
Z's Grimoire 