When I was in middle school I became obsessed with secret codes and ancient alphabets. Luckily, the guy I was crushing on at the time had similar obscure interests and we both decided to memorize the Runic alphabet so we could pass letters to each other during class with no worries of our secret messages being read. Several years later when I purchased a big black notebook with the intention of starting my first Book of Shadows I knew immediately that I would write it in the Runic alphabet. I don’t know why I was so drawn toward the runes but I wasn’t the first and definitely won't be the last to become captivated my these sacred symbols.

Beyond their use as an alphabet, runes have also been used for centuries as a divination tool. Each collection of runes contains 24 individual stones, each with an inscribed letter from the runic alphabet. Each runic symbol is thought to be a magical talisman and has its own unique set of meanings. While several old texts contain sets of associations for the runes there is also space for the user to layer on their own intuitive feelings about each symbol.

Like many divination methods runes are not necessarily used to predict the future, but to provide guidance to the user. Runes are usually cast on an East-West axis or facing the sun. Traditionally a white cloth is laid down and then the user focuses on a particular question that they would like guidance on. Once the mind is quieted and focused the user can pull out a stone and interpret its meaning. While a single stone reading is the easiest form of reading runes, there are many different rune spreads that you can implement. If you would like to do a more traditional casting, you can take the whole bag of runes and cast all the stones onto a cloth. The runes that fall right side up are the ones that are read and the interpretations may be influenced if the symbol is reversed or not.

Do you ever use runes for divination? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Samhain is a celebration of the end of the harvest and the start of the colder half of the year. In the Wheel of the Year, Samhain is considered one of the Cross-Quarter days. While many Pagans celebrate Samhain on October 31, some Pagans choose to observe Samhain a bit later, to coincide more closely with the astronomical midpoint between the Fall Equinox and the Winter Solstice.

Samhain is considered a transitional time where the veil between the spiritual & mundane world is at its thinnest. With this transition it’s also celebrated as the beginning of the spiritual new year for practitioners, which is also why it’s nicknamed “The Witches’ New Year.” At its core Samhain is a time to honor the dead and our ancestors. There are many cultural celebrations around the world occurring this time of year that are associated with honoring our ancestors such such as Día de Muertos in Mexico or Obon in Japan.

One of the main ways I honor this holiday is by setting up a special altar. Here are the items I like to incorporate for my Samhain altar:

• Pictures of loved ones who have passed on

• Harvest foods, such as pumpkins, squash, or Indian corn.

• Candles - the colors associated with Samhain are black, white, orange, and red

• Items from nature that you find in your area such as pine cones, acorns or dried leaves

• Memento Mori, such as a skull or the Death Tarot Card

• Images or statues of Deities associated with death and the afterlife.

• An offering of a beverage for those that have passed on.

Keep in mind that these are just the items that I like to use to set up my altar. So what items feel right to you might be different and you should honor that. Paganism is about connecting with nature so if you live in a different climate you should use items that are local and seasonal to where you live. And remember with Paganism there is no rulebook, so you have the freedom to make your practice your own.

Share in the comments what items you like to put on your altar for Samhain.

While there are many ways to celebrate this holiday, I want to share four of the ways I like to celebrate Samhain. I hope this video inspires you to bring a little extra magic into your own Samhain celebration.

1. Make a Seasonal Meal

• Samhain is typically celebrated by preparing a dinner to recognize the harvest.

• The holiday is meant to be shared with those who have passed on as well as those still with us. So, I like to set a place at the table for those in the spiritual plane.

2. Take a Samhain Nature Walk

• For me Paganism is all about staying connected to nature and the cycle of the seasons. Talking a nature walk during Samhain allows you to observe and contemplate the colors, aromas, sounds, and other sensations of the season.

3. Set up a Samhain Altar

• On my altar I like to include various objects such as harvest foods, Memento Mori, representations of Deities associated with the afterlife, and an offering for those that have passed on.

4. Visit a Cemetery & Leave an Offering

• To me the most important part of Samhain is talking the time to honor and remember those that have passed on. I like to take a walk to my local cemetery and leave a few flowers on gravestones that might need a little extra love and attention.

These are just 4 ways that I like to celebrate Samhain and I’d love to hear from you how you like to celebrate this holiday. Comment below what your plans are for Samhain this year. 🎃

As a minimalist, I don’t have many collections but I make an exception for two things: tarot decks and omamori, or Japanese good luck amulets. I began this collection over ten years ago when I studied abroad in Japan and this collection has been slowly growing ever since. There’s something so genuinely cheerful about picking up a handful of good luck to bring back home with me each time I visit Japan.

These colorful pouches can be found all over Japan and are mostly sold in Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. The kanji for the term omamori means “to guide or protect” and these items are meant to be placed in places you interact with daily such as your wallet, your purse, your home, or your car.

There is one rule with omamori - don’t open the bag! Inside each cloth bag is a tiny piece of wood upon which a small prayer is written. If you open the bag all the good luck and protection is released and dissipates. There are many different kinds of omamori that you can find in Japan through you can commonly find ones dedicated to success, love, prosperity, education, and safety.

At this point I have a collection of different types of omamori picked up at various shrines and temples. Some locations even have a specialized omamori you can only purchase there, so in a way collecting omamori is a bit like a spiritual scavenger hunt. If you’re ever in Japan, I recommend picking up a couple omamori while you’re there. As the proceeds go to the shrines and temples it’s a great way to support the local spiritual community and it definitely doesn’t hurt to come home with an extra bit of good luck in your pocket.

Envision a winding path that takes you through trees before leading you to an opposing vermillion gate.  As you step through the gate you leave the mundane world and enter the world of ‘Kami’, or divine spirits. Following along the path you reach a large wooden shrine.  The doors and the heart of the shrine are closed - never viewed by visitors as it contains the Shintai or ‘divine body’ of the Kami. To the left you see a large pine tree.  You can tell that this is an Shinboku, or sacred tree, from the rope and paper tassels that hang like a belt along its sturdy trunk. In this moment you are immersed in the sacred; in the power of our natural world.

Shinto literally means “the way of the gods” and it is Japan’s native belief system.  Most cultures begin their spiritual development with animist beliefs, however most nature-based religions have diminished in popularity since the rise of monotheism.  What makes Japan so fascinating is that this ancient spiritual reverence for nature has not diminished among the population. Instead, it has remained an integral piece of the cultural heart of this nation.

The history and complexity of Shinto would be too lengthy to fully explain in the confines of this post so I would like to merely state the basics of this religion.  The practice of Shinto revolves around the seasons, the land, and its relation with the human inhabitants. This is similar to neo-pagan traditions that develop festivals and ceremonies around the changing seasons.  Shinto at its core is a nature-based spiritual system and these beliefs include recognition of various divine spirits (kami) within trees, mountains, waterfalls, and other aspects of nature. For the item being revered (such as an ancient tree) a rope garland is placed marking the presence of the kami within.  Usually a shine is also built next to the item of nature that is being revered.

Various purification rites are an important part of Shinto ceremonies, these rites are meant to overcome the polluting effects of decay and death.  Rites of passage, such as weddings are also a common ritual performed at Shinto shrines. Unlike most religions, Shinto does not have a moral code or any scriptures.  There is also no specific belief in life after death in Shinto.

As Buddhism entered Japan it did not eliminate the prominence of Shinto.  The pantheons of both religions were expanded so that Buddhist deities adopted Shinto identities and Shinto Kami were associated with the act of striving towards enlightenment.  In this way, new converts to Buddhism were not forced to give up their traditional beliefs.

So… is Shinto Pagan?  In the sense that it is a nature-based religion consisting of multiple deities I would say yes.  However, as a non-Japanese person I hesitate to lump this ancient tradition under the wide umbrella of Paganism.  It’s likely that many Shinto practitioners would like their religion to be viewed as its own thing, separate from the wider pagan movement.  I will say that I was deeply honored to visit many sacred shrines on my recent trip to Japan and I very much look forward to learning more about this beautiful nature-based religion. What are your thoughts about Shinto? Share your opinions and experiences in the comments below.

I also have a corresponding video where I go into more detail. You can view it here:

I’ve always loved the martian landscape of the Southwest. The big empty sky and cactus studded land brings a sense of otherworldliness and stark beauty. As someone who grew up surrounded by the lush trees and farmland of upstate NY, I don’t think I could ever feel comfortable living in this region, though I’m more than happy to travel here from time to time. This has been a particular tough winter for me and my skin was definitely begging for some vitamin D. So, as I was considering a long weekend trip, I happily decided on Joshua Tree for the destination.

Lately I’ve been thinking more about our National Parks. With America as divided as it is, sometimes it helps to revisit our best idea as a country, which in my view is our national parks system. So far I’ve visited Yosemite, Grand Canyon, and The Smoky Mountains, so I still have quite a long list of national parks to visit. My trip to Joshua Tree came at an odd moment. During the government shut down the park was closed briefly from the damage that was being done to the park so I wasn’t even sure this trip would end up happening. Luckily the shutdown did end and park reopened in time for my visit.

Joshua Tree is one of the many areas of the Southwest known as a vortex or a region for healing energy. I’m always a bit skeptical when it comes to energetic vortices, though I can say that I definitely felt a strong scenes of peace and calm throughout the park. It’s hard to know if that comes from an innate energetic force in the region or just the pleasant contrast in my own experience from leaving the hustle & bustle of Chicago and entering a uniquely different space.

Each day in the park began with a hike among the many trails available. As someone who spends most their working days in front of a computer, it was refreshing to spend full days outside experiencing nature. Despite being a dessert, the plant life was lush, with multitudes of different cacti and trees dotted along the mountain ridges and valleys. Us pagans often talk a big game when it comes to celebrating nature, but how many of us honestly put our words into action. This trip reminded me of the necessity to immerse myself in our natural world with more regularity. It is in these places that I truly feel connected to the divine spirit and the power within nature. It’s one of my goals this year to get outside the city more and remember that being Pagan means to actively celebrate spirituality though nature in its many forms.

As a Pagan I often feel pressure to build my collection of spiritual items so that I can create a more cohesive ritual or spell using all the proper correspondences of herbs, incense, candles and ritual items. And while building my collection has certainly been an enjoyable process, I find that often my best rituals are the ones that embrace simplicity. This is why I’ve been on a quest to minimize many of my spiritual items so that I can better connect with the foundational energy that is at the heart of any spiritual endeavor. Going through this decluttering process has revealed many items that I’ve realized I can happily live without. Here’s 5 items you can consider downsizing to refresh your own spiritual path.

BOOKS YOU HOPE TO READ SOMEDAY

My bookshelves house many spiritual books that I’ve been meaning to read but just haven't gotten around to it yet. Every time I look at my bookshelf I feel a twinge of guilt that I’ve let so many books go unread. Instead of leaving these books to collect dust, pick them up and quickly scan them to see if there is any information that you think would be valuable for your spiritual practice. If so, copy this information down into a journal or a Book of Shadows then pass the book on or donate it to your local library.

CRYSTALS YOU DON’T FIND USEFUL OR BEAUTIFUL

Over the years I’ve developed a sizable collection of crystals, minerals, and tumbled stones. However, when I think back to which ones I actively use in rituals & meditation I find that I keep gravitating to only a few. In my case, I regularly only use amethyst, rose quartz, and clear quartz. Consider which crystals or stones you connect with and allow yourself to pass on any unloved or unused specimens to fellow friends.

CANDLES IN DIFFERENT COLORS

While corresponding the color of your candles to a specific ritual or spell can certainly be fun it’s not necessary in order to achieve a positive result. Simple white candles are multipurpose and can work for any type of ritual you may have in mind. Sticking with simple white candles can also save you a fair bit of money. Even better - make your own candles to enhance the overall experience.

TAROT DECKS YOU DON’T USE

As a tarot reviewer and blogger I often get decks sent to me from publishers and deck creators. While some decks I immediately love, a lot of them I don’t end up using very often. If you are a tarot enthusiast like me take some time going through your collection and picking out the decks that you no longer feel connected to and pass them on to someone else.

GIFTS THAT DON’T SPARK JOY

Over the years I’ve received many witchy jewelry & decor items. While I’m of course pleased to receive these items some that are not really my style just end up in my closet. This year I’m giving myself permission to pass on these items on to someone who will enjoy them more.

You can view my corresponding video on this topic below. What items have you been decluttering lately? Share below in the comments.

I think a lot about the 4 classical elements of Earth, Water, Air, and Fire. Perhaps that’s rather strange, though it’s not the oddest topic I’ve covered and if you’re reading this odds are you’re a bit odd as well. My unique interest in the 4 elements began back in my teenage years when I first got interested in tarot. Fellow tarot readers know that the minor arcana is broken down into 4 suits and each of these suits correspond with an element.

Each of these elements in turn also correspond with a specific aspect of self. While interpretations vary my belief is:

• Air represents the intellectual & communicative self

• Fire represents the energetic & passionate self

• Water represents the compassionate & intuitive self

• Earth represents the physical & practical self

In my view, one of the overarching purposes of the minor arcana is to bring a balance of these 4 aspects of self into your everyday life. There are even tarot spreads dedicated to seeing how balanced or unbalanced you are in these areas. I have an earlier video about one of these tarot spreads that you can try if you’re interested in seeing how you balanced you are among the elements.

To me bringing balance among these 4 elements expands beyond the tarot deck and into my home. As someone who works from home as a full time tarot reader & instructor, I need my space to be intuitively inspiring, energetically motiving, and peaceful. This need is why I developed the idea of furthering the concept elemental balance by decorating the spaces in my home based on each element. This idea began as I was learning about Feng Shui. While I don’t resonate with all the ideas within Feng Shui, the underlying principle of decorating your space to create better energetic flow seemed like something I could benefit from. In my own elementally focused system I correspond each room of my home with an element and then use design details to further the expression of the element within that space.

While your system may vary, I choose to connect the kitchen with the Fire element. To further the influence of that element, I have several items in my kitchen in various orange and red hues. I associate my bathroom with the Water element and choose a blue tone for the towels and the color of the walls. I also brought in some seashell items to further the representation of water in the space.

As my office is a space where I need to be intellectually charged I often burn incense at my desk to connect with the Air element. I connect my bedroom with the Earth element as it is a space where the body comes to rest and rejuvenate. Correspondingly I like to incorporate plants and crystals into that space. My living room was a bit trickier as it performs many functions within my home. So, for that space I bring in all for elements - candles for fire, seashells for water, incense for air and plants for Earth.

Once I began thinking about my home within this context and decorating accordingly I definitely felt a significant positive change in the energetic flow of my home. Of course, this may be due to the placebo effect. Even if it is, the result is what matters and I can honestly say that this practice has made my home feel much more inviting and invigorating.

Have you ever considered decorating your home based on the 4 elements? Which rooms of your home would you connect to each element and why? Share your thoughts below in the comments. You can also view the video above for more of my thoughts on this topic.

*Note - This images for this blog post were sourced from Pinterest.

There are many types of crystals out there that can help you focus your energy on achieving your goals and desires. Here are 5 of my favorites to work with:

CLEAR QUARTZ

• Can be used for anything and everything.

• It resonates with the higher chakras, bringing in divine white light and connection to higher-self, higher consciousness, higher wisdom and unconditional pure love.

AMETHYST

• It resonates with Crown Chakra as well as the Third Eye Chakra, which opens up the gateway to divine consciousness and higher intuition.

• It also provides clarity when there’s confusion in the mind, and helps to relieve stress and anxiety.

ROSE QUARTZ

• This pink crystal is a very soothing and calming stone symbolizing love and harmony.

• It helps open your heart to give and receive love. It also encourages you to forgive others and yourself.

• Place Rose Quartz in your home or workplace to keep the atmosphere harmonious and peaceful.

ORANGE CALCITE

• Like clear quartz, it’s an enhancement stone.

• It has the ability to dissolve problems that are blocking you from your true potential.

DESERT ROSE

• Despite its rose petal like softness, Desert Rose is a stone that will help you stand your ground and confront any hardship.

• It will show you how to commit to a project with confidence despite the numerable obstacles.

• By staying focused on your outcome you can meet any challenges with an optimistic attitude.

What crystals do you like to incorporate into your own spiritual practice? Share your favorites in the comments below! You can watch the video below for more information about these 5 crystals and how they can be used for manifestation.