25 July, 2020

What makes a Witch, a Witch?


Witch. Wizard. Wise woman. Magician. Healer. Sorceress. Hag. Crone. 


One and the same, known by many names. But what makes one a witch? Are all witches Pagan, and are all Pagans witches? 

Paganism is an umbrella term to describe a number of earth based religions. Over time, the term Pagan has been used to incorrectly describe Idolaters and Atheists, but etymologically, it means country dweller, or rustic. It therefore is a fitting term to describe a spiritual practice that is centric to nature. 


Witchcraft, on the other hand, is not a religion. You find many Pagans who are witches, yes, but you also find Atheist witches, Christian witches, and a plethora of witches belonging to a variety of faiths. 

In certain Pagan traditions that embrace magick as an intrinsic part of their practices, one would need to go through a number of initiations before they can claim such a title. 

In reality, to quote the wise words of Dianne West in Practical Magic, there is a little witch in all of us. 

So, how does one truly become a Witch? 

There is no right or wrong way to go on about it. You can ask several people, and everyone will have their opinion about it - so please bear in mind that my opinion does not necessarily reflect that of others. With that being said, this is my take on the topic. 

Solitary vs Coven


Scene from Practical Magic

Many people start off searching like minded people - or kindred spirits - when they set off on their path. This was true for myself as well way back in ye Olde days (some 25 years or so ago). I found no ready-made local community. At the time, there were plenty of international chatrooms, but meeting people in Malta with such interests seemed to be an impossible task. And so, my journey started as a Solitary. I read, read, read, and read some more. 

I'm the type of person who needs to understand the ins and outs of something before taking the plunge. I find playing it safe, especially when I am about to venture into unknown territory, works best for me - and it is what I would recommend to others. 

After a short while, I decided that if I couldn't find a ready made community, I would build one. And so  hanging out at bookshops and keeping my eyes peeled for little tell tale signs that a person might be of the witchy inclination was the order of the day. I set up a chatroom on the then popular mIRC platform, which I named #PaganMalta, and tried to spread the word. People started joining, and the foundations were laid. 

As time went by, and I researched and read more and more, I decided to organise what I called my first Open Circle - which meant it was open to anyone who wished to join. After a bunch of such circles took place, I started the Study Group. After that, the #PaganMalta Yahoo group was set up (and it still exists to a certain extent). Now, with the advent of social media, a Facebook group exists as the latest incarnation of Pagan Malta

Belonging to a Coven, whether formally or informally, isn't for everyone. Others, like myself, value both the Solitary path as well as group work. One does not automatically exclude the other. 

One challenge about finding a coven tends to be especially tough for younger people. Over time we have had minors wishing to join - when they do so with a parent, then it is fine. Should they wish to join on their own though, parental consent would be required - and that is the true hurdle. Many younger people would still be in the proverbial broom closet, so to obtain parental consent would be very hard. This is why most groups would be reluctant to accept minors joining. As adults, they'd be responsible for the minor should anything happen, and that obviously comes with a whole new set of risks. 

What risks? 

Thanks to the media, the Craft has been popularized with the general public. This does not mean that it is risk free to publicly identify as a witch. 

There are many misconceptions out there about what witchcraft is, and the demonisation of what it is and what Witches do is still very much alive out there. The Witch Trials and the Spanish Inquisition obviously come to mind - and although to the Western world these are things of the past, in other countries where superstitions are still the order of the day, witch hunts still happen, and people die because of it.

If you're living in the Western world, you still need to be careful - learn how to pick your battles. 

How do I go on about learning if I'm a Solitary witch? 


There are plenty of books out there that are specific to Solitary work - although most tend to be from a Wiccan perspective. Probably the most famous writer about this perspective would be the one and only Scott Cunningham - whose best known book is the following:


He has plenty more books that are equally as good, and the best thing about him is that even if you aren't Wiccan, or you're a seasoned practitioner, there is still plenty of practical knowledge you can reap. 

Another wonderful book you can refer to is Rae Beth's Hedge Witch:

But what if I want to only do Magick? 


Again, there are plenty of spell books out there for all tastes. A brilliant little gem of a book that is good for "baby witches" and "elder witches" alike is the following:


I first acquired my copy of this book as a teenager, and it went everywhere with me. It is a very practical book, and easily accessible to young people of all ages. 

Going to the other extreme then, is a mammoth of a tome:


This giant is a collection of spells from a vast variety of backgrounds - and it is not exclusively the "love and light" sort of grimoire. It is more suited for a bit of a more mature reader who is aware of the risks that go with greyer Magick. 

Speaking of which, does Magick have a colour? 


Colloquially, yes. In reality, no. What we call "white Magick", " Black Magick", "grey Magick" and so on is just an easy way to categorise the intentions behind such work. What gives Magick its power is the intention behind it. To give a practical example - if one prays, or does a rite, to seek justice, then it can be said to be "white Magick". On the other hand, if one prays or does a rite seeking revenge, that can be said to be " Black Magick". The intention is what sets the tone. 

What about men?


Witch is a genderless term. Many people might think that a Witch is female, and a Warlock is the correct term for a man. Warlock's etymology comes from the Old English wǣrloga meaning "oathbreaker" or "deceiver". Wizard is another commonly known word for a male witch, however tends to be associated more with the fantasy and fictional realms nowadays.

So what now?

In conclusion, there is no right or wrong way to go on about it. My advice here is to go forth, learn as much as you possibly can, be respectful, and, bear in mind the wise words of Rumpelstiltskin from Once Upon A Time:

Until next time!

Ros

20 July, 2020

Tarot or Oracle cards?



Many customers have been asking me the same thing lately, namely, 


"What is the difference between Tarot cards and Oracle cards? How do I know which one to pick? "


Let's start by examining the purpose of using such a card deck, to begin with. 

Both Tarot and Oracle cards are divination tools. Divination, as explained by the Cambridge Dictionary, is the skill or act of saying or discovering what will happen in the future. This is not to say that it is an absolute fact. It merely is the most possible outcome should one continue on the path they're currently on. The moment one makes a significant change in their life, that outcome will become less likely to happen, if at all. 

An important thing to mention, is that there is no devil or demon involvement in divination (unless the reader chooses for there to be. That, would boil down to their personal choice and is not representative of every single person out there who practices divination. 

Two Greek Deities linked to the tarot and Oracle respectively that instinctively come to mind are Hecate, and Apollo. 

Hecate or Hekate (/ˈhɛk.ə.ti/; Ancient Greek ἙκάτηHekátē) is a Greek Goddess, most often shown holding a pair of torches or a key and in later periods depicted in triple form. She is variously associated with the Crossroads,  entrance-ways, night, light, magic, witchcraft, knowledge of herbs and poisonous plants, ghosts, necromancy, and sorcery.


Apollo, on the other hand, barely needs any introduction. He is best known by the general public as the Sun God, however he is also God of Healing, Archery, Music and Arts, Knowledge, Herbs & Flocks, Protection of the young, and Prophecy, with the Oracle of Delphi being sacred to him.

As the Patron Deity of Delphi (Apollo Pythios), Apollo is what would be called an "Oracular God" —which in simple terms means he is the prophetic deity of the Delphic Oracle. 



Onto the differences between Tarot & Oracle Decks now - Starting with Tarot.





The Rider Waite Tarot is one of the most popular decks out there, and many other decks are modeled after it. 

A Tarot Deck typically is made up of 78 cards, which are split between Major Arcana and Minor Arcana. The Minor Arcana is then further divided in 4 suits - Pentacles/Coins, Wands, Swords and Chalices/Cups. Each suit is made up of 10 numbered cards, and 4 court cards. 

The Major Arcana consists of Named, Numbered cards. The Fool is numbered as 0, and is therefore both the first and last card. Each card in the Major Arcana is a life lesson/experience that The Fool experiences on his journey out into the world. 

The Minor Arcana's suits are reminiscent of a deck of playing cards, however each suit holds specific meaning. 

The Pentacles/coins represent the element of Earth, and are linked with the mundane, everyday life, family and work. 

The Wands represent the element of Fire, and are linked with Inspiration and Spirituality. 

The Swords represent the element of Air, and are linked with Intellect and Creativity. 

The Chalices/Cups represent the element of Water, and are linked with Emotions and Feelings

Each Court Card is said to represent either a significant person embodying the qualities of the respective suit, or that aspect of the person for whom the reading is being done. 



Tarot cards can be laid out in several different ways when doing a reading, and can involve as little as 1 card, or as many as may be necessary. My personal go to layout is the 3 card spread seen above. 



At times there may be the need for a clarifier card to be drawn (aka."pulled"), to elaborate further on a specific area, or a Course of Action card to help figure out the way forward. In the reading I did for myself below, the message was pretty clear to me, so no further cards were necessary. 

Each Tarot deck typically includes a little guide book, however there are much more detailed books out there that go into the nitty gritty. 


In some Tarot decks, the name of the suits of the Minor Arcana might be changed in order to fit the theme of the deck itself, and at times, there might also be some changes made to some of the Major Arcana cards for the same reason. With time and experience, these tweaks become trivial when interpreting the outcome of the reading, and can actually be a welcome new insight. 


Oracle cards, on the other hand, are more free format. Most Oracle decks range between having 44 and 55 cards - but there is no rule as to how many or how few cards such a deck should contain. 

When creating an Oracle deck, the author has the freedom to take whatever direction they wish - number of cards, theme, appearance, card names, description, meanings - you name it. 

Many people use Oracle Cards as a standalone reading - one such reason could be pulling a card to act as a Card of the Day. It would act as a theme or message to carry with them during the day, a little personal mantra or motivational message of sorts. 

Others, like I often do, use Oracle Cards in conjunction with Tarot. 

The Angels and Ancestors Oracle Deck features a mix of people from around the world taking on a variety of roles - Deities, Angels, Spirits etc. Included are also a variety of symbols and animals, and there are even the seasons included. The way that the imagery has all been tied together in one neat package is by no means an easy feat. Including a vast variety of imagery can come across disjointed at times - but the matte quasi-pastel, earthy tones in the artwork does a great job at giving this deck a consistent feel. 

This specific deck includes 55 cards, and a little guidebook. Truth be told, just by looking at the card, you can very easily get the gist of the meaning, as can be seen below:

The card I pulled for myself was the Fire Guardian, whose message is, "Ignite Your Passions". By observing the imagery of the card, it is easy to see Creativity, Passion, Strength and the peace of mind that comes from a place of confidence in one's skills. 

The Guidebook that comes with the deck gives a more eloquent explanation with regards to the meaning of the card, as can be seen below:


Ultimately, it is up to you which type of Divinatory deck you opt for. 

To finish off, let us address a question that pops up pretty regularly. 

Absolutely. 


Urban legend has it that your first Deck should be bought for you, given, or stolen but you should never buy it for yourself. If you do, the deck won't work for youor it'll have negative energy, or bad luck. 

That is definitely not the case. There will be times when a deck seems to be calling out to you, beckoning you. That love at first sight moment is a good indicator that it may very well be the deck for you. 

Most people would be stuck waiting for years to be gifted their first deck - it isn't exactly your typical birthday/housewarming/special occasion gift!

So don't worry - if you like a deck, go for it! 

Until next time, stay safe!

Ros



13 July, 2020

Good afternoon beautiful souls!

Welcome to Fata Morgana's INKLings! Today we are celebrating 2 years of Fata Morgana, and what better occasion than this to launch our brand new blog? 

There are times when I want to share lengthier, informative posts, but social media is not the right platform for such ramblings. I find myself skimming over long posts if they are on facebook or other social media. However, if I go to a blog, it is because I want to read. That, is why, I decided to take the plunge with this. 


This year, the shop's birthday celebrations have started early! We started them off with a Gozo Delivery Day - it was our 2nd such delivery day, and the plan is to continue delivering in person to our Gozitan friends on a monthly basis. 

Here are some snaps from the day:

Fata Morgana Gozo Delivery Day - July 2020
Photo credit: Lorenzo Belmonte, Edit: Ros

We ran into Lucifer Morningstar himself whilst in Qala. No, really!

[Not really, no. This was me offering someone to have his face hidden, should he wish. Given that we share a mutual love [or rather, a mutual love hate relationship] with the actor who plays the part, I said I'd swap his face with Mr Tom Ellis. And so, here we are!]

We finished the day with a little Full Moon Celebration, as can be seen below:

Full Moon celebration
Photo credit: Lorenzo Belmonte, Edit: Ros

We have also set up a 2nd Birthday Giveaway - which ran for a few days, and 2 winners were randomly selected! The prizes were 2 wire wrapped crystal necklaces made by yours truly.

#Teamjasper or #Teamamethyst
Left: Leopard Skin Jasper, Right: Chevron Amethyst. Wire wrapping, photo & edit by Ros

On Friday the 10th of July, two winners - Enn Gee for #teamjasper and Kirsten for #teamamethyst - were randomly selected, and their prizes will be delivered to them today:

Second Birthday Giveaway Winners
Winners of Giveaway announcement - Photos + edits by Ros


Finally, here is a bit of a background for those of you unfamiliar with Fata Morgana.

My name is Rosalind, and I hail from sunny Malta, Europe. I found my path in Paganism when I was maybe 9 years old? I forgot the exact age to be honest. Growing up in a country which was, at the time, predominantly Roman Catholic, it was a challenge to find books and other paraphernalia to allow me to practice my path as I desired. I yearned for a one stop shop, but there was none such place to be found. At age 18, I decided I would do something about it, and started what was then named Esoteric. That was short lived, as it was not the right time for such a business venture. And so, the concept was put on the back burner, whilst life happened. Fast forward to 8 years ago. 

I started my own little family, and it was quite a ride, to say the least! A couple of years ago, things calmed down enough to allow me to explore setting up shop, properly this time. 

I wanted to give the shop a Maltese flavour, and that, is how Fata Morgana came to be. 

I was still working elsewhere during the day when I set up Fata Morgana - but as of right now, I am now solely focusing on the shop! That opens up my daily schedule wide open - which means appointments and open days will be happening very soon!

Its'a me! Ros
Hello! Its'a me, Ros!

Essential Oil Spotlight: Bergamot

Bergamot Latin name: Citrus Bergamia Origin: Ivory Coast From: Fruit Peel Process: Cold Expression Consistency: Thin Perfumery Note: Top ...