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The most I ever hear about Talking/Spirit/Ouija boards are urban legends and warnings to 'stay far away'. This, of course, draws my notice and creates an almost irresistible urge to learn more and try it for myself.

My thinking for the past year or so has been that this really doesn't seem all that different from pendulum work. Ask a question, get an answer. I'm not so sure that it matters if you are asking an outside source or asking your own subconscious (or rather, I'm not convinced that the corporeally-challenged sit around waiting for someone to crack out the ouija board so that they can possess/haunt/poltergeist them - I mean seriously, wouldn't you have better things to do with your afterlife?)

At any rate, I have been poking around online, and I found that there is an online museum of Talking Boards from their inception to the present. Very cool stuff if you're interested (the link takes you to the site map, otherwise you have to deal with a planchette chasing your mouse cursor).  Some of the custom made boards are absolutely gorgeous!  This one is my favourite.

My question for all those out in cyber/lj-land is this:  have you ever used a talking board as a means of divination?  How successful was it?  Any stories (no urban legends, please - I've heard all of those ones already) to share?

--Phae

I've been reading some stuff that elfwreck  has collected over the years and sent to me. I know that a lot of it is of questionable origin (much of the Crystal Wind stuff is possibly plagiarized), but I have been noticing references to 'drawing' a circle or visually laying a circle. I have read this in a couple of other places, but for some reason I had it in my head that since the border of the circle was energetic, it didn't require drawing. If you were doing it right, you would know where the edge was.

Does anyone lay out or draw a circle out visually? For those with altar rooms, do you have one painted on the floor? My mind is spinning the with possibilities for drawing a circle in an altar room. Tiles or paint or stain ... I am in artist mode, and I don't have anywhere to draw a floor circle! lol

--Phae

I have been pretty quiet over the last while. Mostly because I have been fighting (and losing) a yucky chest cold. It finally got me right in the middle of my Yulemas holiday. I am starting to feel better, but I am at that stage where I start to wean off the drugs and I suddenly feel a lot worse (but functional, where I wasn't before).

Turns out that I didn't get the promotion at work. I am finding that I am actually ok with that. If I am promoted before my one year review, then I miss out on an opportunity for an extra raise (the way it works at our office is that the clock starts again at each promotion. So, if you move up fairly quickly, then you never get a year review or the raise that goes with it).

I have been thinking a lot about the new year and where I want to be at this time next year. I have been inspired by this post by dbmyrrha
Compared to other years, a lot has happened to me in 2007.  I finally got out of retail, and I am working full time for the first time in a long time (I am still a little undecided on if I like that - I do miss having the free time, but the money is nice).  The whole scandal with trying to recapture a sense of community that ended with obscene amounts of drama at Pagan Crossroads site, and helped to give birth to Wickets (Sana, I am gonna need some help moving Wickets out into the daylight).

I've made some new friends, and I have gotten back into knitting with a passion (complete with Ravelry account).  There has been some yuckiness health-wise, but I also finally lost a whole lot of weight, and have gotten healthier than I have been in a long time.  WD broke his ankle and was finally broken of his Warcrack addiction.

I am slowly making my way back to properly tending my house and kitchen.  It isn't easy with being so worn out and having only a few hours a week to spend with my other half.

I am great at making resolutions, but not all that great at keeping them.  I want to lose the last few pounds that stand between me and size 10/12.  I think that pilates is the way to that goal.  I have picked up a book in the hopes of designing an easy routine that will get me more active now that it is cold and yucky out.

But, above and beyond all else, this year I am going to finish Jet's course.  It has been on hiatus since the issues with PC.  I guess I was getting a bit weird without realizing it.  But I am ready to move forward again, and I am not going to let lack of time or energy get in my way.  This is something that I feel I have to finish.

Secondary goals are to get in better shape, move to a bigger place, and get the little green car running again.  I'd also like to get back into the habit of reading the tarot again.  I am not sure that I could keep up with a daily or a weekly reading.  But I could probably do a full spread every month.

I am also going to try and add more celebratory elements to my practise.  I am actually pretty excited about Imbolc this year.  I am not sure what I am going to do yet, but I have a good feeling ;)

I have high hopes for 2008.  I think that what I have set out for myself is perfectly attainable.  And if I am lucky, then we will be having a good long vacation and maybe a nice road trip (I am hoping for a cross Canada trip this year).

Happy January, everyone!  I am going to go and sleep now.  Let's hope I wake up feeling somewhat human tomorrow.

--Phae  

Yesterday's card was:

Four of Wands

Indications Include: prosperity, celebration after labour, a chance to rest, a harmonious relationship

Today's card is:

Five of Wands

Indications Include: getting carried away by selfish concerns, obstacles, challenges, ungrounded

--Phae

I did to the draw yesterday, but didn't really have time to post it (only 4 more days until I can rest!!! Yay!).

Yesterday's card was:

Two of Cups

Indications Include:  harmony and polarity, a balanced relationship, cooperation, and reconciliation.

Today's card is:

The Macigican

Indications Include:  confidence, creativity, skill and change.  Take matters into your own hands.  Don't wait for fate to change life for you.

--Phae