Weekly Divination - Fairy Fortune 1 Card Draw

I have always enjoyed divination.  My favorite Aunt, Maddy was a palm reader and introduced me to tarot cards as a young girl.  She feigned that she could not make heads or tails of the cards, but I was like, "Don't you see the story here?"

Much later I was introduced to Nordic runes and my Scandinavia DNA hummed with the songs of the runes.

A few years ago I had the pleasure of meeting John Michael Greer.  He was teaching a class on Geomancy Divination at the Occult Bookstore in Chicago, IL.  I was simply enthralled with the mathematical process of Geomancy.  I put away my tarot cards and my runes.  I only wanted to chart geomantic figures.

Then for the 11th year of the World of Faeries Festival, the theme was "A Journey Through Time."  So, my character Ruby Ruse, who is half pooka, looked into the future for the patrons and made prophecy to make her pooka padre proud.  I created Fairy Fortunes by infusing Fairy Folklore with Geomancy figures and principles.  I really meant for them to be a light-hearted affair, but the Fairy Fortunes (like any other form of divination) do a great job of providing a bit of creative wisdom.

Tuesday's Fairy Fortune: 

A Vila like Via loves change. 

Her home any road she can range. 

A whirlwind this sprite 

Her weakness is spite, 

But vigor and vim her exchange. 

The winds of change have arrived. Although it seems that not everyone is welcoming this. It is very difficult to give up things. Old habits especially die hard. Even when we know that our past behaviors are not good for us, we resist the changes that we know will bring us health and even happiness.

What is comfortable is not always what is beneficial. In fact comfort can in fact be our doom. Via the Vila is offering her hand to you this Tuesday. She is taking you on a journey, and yes, it is going to be pretty harrowing at times, and Via the Vila will not always be the most companionable of companions. However she is pulling you out of the muck of your comfort. You may not know yet where you are going, but it is better than where you were.

What form of divination do you favor?

Book Spotlight: Conscious Dreaming by Robert Moss

One of my favorite books is Conscious Dreaming by Robert Moss.

What Drew Me In

1. Mr. Moss introduced the idea dreams are a way for me to access my creative source.
2. Personal experience is heralded as paramount.
3. Nightmares are addressed as "aborted dreams."

How I Think I Can Apply It Magically

1. I have observed that when I am a diligent "dream catcher" I am rewarded with helpful precognitive information
2. Dreams are a bridge between all religions.  Many of my non-magical friends come to me with help on dream imagery.
3. There are wonderful exercise to try and apply.  Many are shamanic in nature and stretch me spiritually and magically. 

Do you remember your dreams?  Do you find that the images help you process the events in your life?

Other Book Spotlights you might enjoy:

Option B 

U.S. Psychotronics Conference in Deerfield, Illinois

Astrologer Alan Salami recommended this conference to me.  The idea of combining technology with the metaphysical is a fascinating concept to me.

USPA Conference

Are you attending?  Why or why not?

Book Spotlight: Option B by Sheryl Sandberg

I'm currently reading Option B by Sheryl Sandberg and Adam Grant. 

What Drew Me In

1. I was drawn in by the idea the resilience to adversity was a skill that can be developed.
2. I was introduced to the idea that the concept of permanence - the belief that the state of grief will last forever - can hinder resilience.
3. The comparison of dealing with grief and physical stamina.  It's something that builds with practice.

How I Think I Can Apply It Magically

1. Magic is all about taking a creative approach to a difficult situation.  If nothing is permanent, then I really do have the ability to change something about my circumstances.  I have power.
2. Magic is a skill.  You can practice it.  I had never thought to apply that concept to grief and resilience.

Have you ever read a great book that the author had no intention of being applied to a magical life and yet inspires your path?  

Check out Patheos.Com and Mankey's Article on Summer Festivals

I hope you enjoy Summer Pagan Festivals 2018: A Guide by Jason Mankey.  I was doing some research on Summer Festivals and feel Mr. Mankey's article on Patheos is one of the best I've found. 

I had the privilege of meeting Jason Mankey at Paganicon 2017.  I love his presentation and writing style.  He's very matter of fact, provides pertinent information on the topic at hand, and throws in just the right amount of humor!

What is your favorite summer festival?

Amissio the Alfar

Amissio Alfar is wise. 

Her beauty and voice mesmerize. 

Desire she gives; 

A true love that lives. 

You’ll find yourself lost in her eyes. 

Favorable For: Love, Health, Truth
Unfavorable For: Wealth, Maintenance

Associations: Taurus and Venus
Elements: Earth and Fire

Latin Translation: Amissio = Loss

The Alfar (also known as elf) is featured in Nordic myths originally but are known by many names in Celtic Mythology and have been incorporated into folklore stories around the world. Amissio the Alfar has a near human appearance and will intermingle with them. She is willing to share her vast knowledge of architecture, navigation, mathematics and (of course) magic with a human student. However she will demand to be courted for this wisdom. One must be persistent to obtain the notice of the Amissio the Alfar and then, be willing to prove themselves worthy of her tutelage. She will not bestow her gifts lightly; patience is a test that must be passed when seeking to learn from Amissio the Alfar. She will also want to know your reason for seeking her knowledge and she will expect the truth. It would be unwise to attempt to lie to Amissio the Alfar. She has the ability to see deception. Be warned, the Alfar are also well skilled in warfare, and she has the physical ability to make you regret any ruse.

Amissio the Alfar is a profoundly emotional being. She is drawn to witness love that is deep, true and sustaining. To see Amissio the Alfar at the beginning of a new relationship is positive sign that it will be a deep and intimate affair. The feelings of each partner involved a resonating in partnership. Amissio the Alfar has appeared to tell you that you are falling in love, in case you didn’t already know. A long-term relationship is budding. Amissio the Alfar also appears when the heart has broken. To see her after a painful parting is an omen that your healing has begun. Amissio the Alfar has arrived to remind you of your beauty and your gifts. If you focus on those skills you are likely to meet new friends and move forward along your life journey.

Soothing broken hearts is only one part of the healing talents of Amissio the Alfar. The medicine of the Alfar is unrivaled. To see Amissio the Alfar after a physical illness is a favorable omen that one may welcome health in the nearing future. It can be a joyous occasion to lose one’s heart or lose an illness, however it can be difficult to lose a possession. If something is lost, Amissio the Alfar is an omen that it will not return or is perhaps better left to the unknown. With all of Amissio the Alfar’s talents the one thing she falters with is wealth. Perhaps her focus on giving and generosity may explain her inability to maintain her coffers.

Don't Forget about Leshiis for Literacy
If you would like to read more about Alfars I heartily recommend these books:

• Diterlizzi, Tony and Holly Black.  The Spiderwick Chronicles (Book Series).  Simon and Schuster. Recommended reading age:  7 years and beyond.

• Hamilton, Laurell K., Merry Gentry (Book Series).  Berkley. Recommended reading age:  NOT recommended for UNDER 18

• Paolini, Christopher.  The Inheritance Cycle (Book Series).  Knopf Books for Young Readers.  Recommended Reading age:  12 years and beyond.

• Pini, Wendy and Richard Pini.  Elfquest (Comic Book Series).  Warp Graphics.  Recommended reading age:  14 years and beyond.

• Tolkien, J.R.R.  The Hobbit.  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.  Recommended reading age:  12 years and beyond.

• Tolkien, J.R.R.  The Lord of the Rings (Book Series).  Mariner Books.  Recommended reading age:  12 years and beyond.

Folklore Resource Books

• Briggs, Katharine. The Vanishing People: Fairy Lore and Legends. Pantheon Books. 1978. 

• Rose, Carol. Giants, Monsters and Dragons: An Encyclopedia of Folklore, Legend and Myth. New York: W.W. Norton and Company. 2000. 

• Rosen, Brenda. The Mythical Creatures Bible: The Definitive Guide to Legendary Beings. New York: Sterling Publings. 2009 

• Young, Simon and Ceri Houlbrook. Magical Folk: British and Irish Fairies, 500 AD to the Present. London: Gibson Square 2018

If you enjoyed this post be sure to check out these similar posts:

Puer the Pooka

And please visit the Fairy Fortunes website for more content!

Introducing Fairy Fortunes with Puer the Pooka

I was inconsistent in the best of times at regular blog posts.  However, this time, I have an interesting excuse for my absence.

I am very pleased to announce that I have a brand new website:  www.fairyfortunes.com

Ruby Ruse the Musical Muse and Pranking Pixie is back!  And she telling fortunes.  Not only that but Ruby Ruse will be returning to the World of Faeries Festival in South Elgin August 4 and 5, 2018.  For more information, visit Ruby Ruse's Facebook Page:  Fairy Fortunes by Ruby Ruse.

Fairy Fortunes is a divination system of my own design.  It allows me to combine my love of mythology and folklore, my musical and performance talents, and my intuitive gifts.  There are 16 cards, each featuring a being of the fae.  Today, I'd like to introduce you to Puer the Pooka.

Beware of the Pooka Puer!

A shape-shifting beast who will dare.

He offers a change.

Prophetic exchange.

It's risk when you seek out his lair.

Favorable for: Transformation, Quests, and Sensuality
Unfavorable for: Peaceful resolution, and Diplomacy

Associations: Aries and Mars
Elements: Fire and Air

Latin Translation: Puer = Boy

The Pooka is featured in Irish folklore. He is a shape-shifter who most commonly appears in the form of a rabbit or horse or sometimes a garish human-animal hybrid. It is said that if he is offered the last harvest of blackberries, he will reward the giver with prophecy for the coming year. But there is great risk involved in seeking out Puer the Pooka as he can be unpredictable. Not to mention the fact that he is rather fond of causing trouble, delights in pranks, and relishes in terrorizing the countryside. 

Puer the Pooka can choose to be helpful if he feels the cause is just. This shape-shifter is an omen of transformation and he appears when a quest is afoot. He will demand a commitment to one choice over another. Puer the Pooka will never mock a seeker for turning down a quest for veracious reasons, it is the regret for what “could have been” that is sure to anger him. The path not taken is useless to Puer the Pooka. He is not a creature of regret. He is independent and reclusive and as such, he favors the solitary quest. In fact, when he appears, seeking help from others may be unwise as he is an omen that those others should not necessarily be trusted. Even if they mean well, others may be motivated to derail the seeker from their quest in order to maintain the comfort of the status quo. 

Seeing Puer the Pooka is a favorable omen where conflict has already begun or an immediate (and perhaps violent) change is desired. He will lend his courage and strength for the battle ahead. He can also be helpful in social matters when one wishes to appear confident, sensual and engaging. However, Puer the Pooka can be rash. He is a creature of action and may not think things through. He is an unfavorable omen if the desire is to avoid conflict. Trouble may be ahead. In this case, it is best to face the danger head on. Accept no handouts or free rides. In his horse form, the Pooka (like his cousin the Kelpy) was said to lure travelers to ride upon his back. Once the ride had been accepted the victim was magically fixed and could not free themselves as the Pooka then galloped into the lake to drown them.

Ruby Ruse and her fairy friends are also starting Leshiis for Literacy! 
So for more information on Pookas, Ruby Ruse heartily recommends these great stories, books, and resources:

• DePaola, Tomie.  Jamie O'Rourke and the Pooka.  Puffin Books. Recommended reading age: 4-8 years. 
• Diterlizzi, Tony and Holly Black.  The Spiderwick Chronicles (Book Series).  Simon and Schuster. Recommended reading age:  7 years and beyond.

Resource Books for Fairy Folklore:

• Briggs, Katharine.  The Vanishing People:  Fairy Lore and Legends.  Pantheon Books.  1978.
• Rose, Carol.  Giants, Monsters and Dragons:  An Encyclopedia of Folklore, Legend and Myth.  New York:  W.W. Norton and Company.  2000.
• Rosen, Brenda.  The Mythical Creatures Bible:  The Definitive Guide to Legendary Beings.  New York:  Sterling Publings.  2009
• Young, Simon and Ceri Houlbrook.  Magical Folk:  British and Irish Fairies, 500 AD to the Present.  London:  Gibson Square 2018