If you're going to get into Tarot you're going to be needing a deck, thus prompting the question of which to buy. With so many different decks and so many different people trying to push their own to make a buck a green witch is often lost in the forest. That being the case, as someone who has been reading tarot for around 10 years I would like to compile a few things to look for when making your decision. My hopes is that by showing you what look for in a tarot deck, you can avoid buying a deck that does not serve you. Now, naturally i have to preface this by stating that if you have a deck that resonates with you or that you enjoy using by all means, I'm not hear to shit all over your favorite tarot. This guide is a simple easy to understand map to picking a tarot for a beginner. SO if you're new and cant decide on a deck to use there are a few things to consider. What kinds off images are on the cards, if the deck comes with a guide book, and what the cards are made of. When looking at the images on the cards you have to remember that each card has a corresponding meaning zodiac, ruling planet etc. While looking at the cards if you can, make sure that they have images that help you to remember their meanings. Because of its popularity the Rider Waite deck is normally used as the stencil for most decks today save for a few. This means that many of the images will try to relay the same messages as those of its relative the Rider. On the one had this makes finding an accurate learning deck simple. For example, Figure 1 Depicts The Labrinthos Golden Thread Tower. According to the guide book it represents upheaval, broken pride, disaster, and crumbling foundations. Depicted in Figure two is its wait counterpart and we can see that the images are, for the most part very similar save for a few minor details. The Waite general description of the card points to an equally similar meaning This card represents darkness and the destruction in the physical rather than the spiritual. Knowing this having a card image that represents this clearly will help the New Diviner in their learning and memorization of meanings. When speaking of the card meanings I made a brief mention of the guide book in the Golden Thread Tarot. Contrary to popular belief not every set of tarot cards comes with said guide books. On top of that, not all of the ones that do give accurate information. There are resources that help to subvert this issue both online and in your local library or bookseller. Some of those links can be found here. Furthermore, and I will continue to post this always have your own notebook / book of shadows / Book of tarot as each deck of cards may speak to you in a particular way. (more on this in out Interviewing your tarot thread) Lastly, make sure that the cards you pick are made of a material that balances the price with how long you intend to keep them. Most cards are made from basic playing card stock. The stock is easy to use and often times finished with a gloss or matte. These will last you so long as you aren't playing them like Pokémon cards on the playground. I like using cards that are plastic based because they have a far longer life with the daily use that I make of them. There are those decks out there that are made from all sorts of material and finding one that suits your aesthetic will always work best -TwT

So you've acquired your 1st Tarot deck and might be asking yourself. . . What now. There are many avenues that one can take including and not limited to just taking the tiny booklet and beginning your readings based off the information provided. There is nothing wrong with this and a lot of new witches dive into readings this way. The purpose of this post, however, is to teach the importance of interviewing your tarot before use. As you may know, there are a plethora of different stylized Tarot decks out there; not just the Rider set. That being the case, and assuming that each deck has its own *soul* we can only conclude that because of this each deck will communicate with you in its own way. And so we come to the road block of how one gets to know their tarot deck and luckily you get to know your deck the same way you might get to know a friend; Spend time with it and ask it questions in a ritual referred to as a deck interview. In normal cases a deck interview would be one of the very first things that you but this doesn't prevent you from doing one with a deck that you've possesses for any amount of time. How your deck communicates to you may change over time as well, so doing a deck interview regularly will make it easier for you to interpret the messages your deck may be relaying. The ritual Cleanse a space in which you will preform your ritual take your tarot and lay it out before you clear your mind of external thoughts as best you can so as to *hear* what your tarot has to tell you. Mix / Shuffle your deck "deconstruct the Universe" Bring your cards together and reform your deck keeping their orientation as it is when you gather them* This means if you can tell when card is turned up side down or otherwise, to keep it the direction you gather it in With the faces of the cards down begin asking your Tarot a question and pulling a card few questions about it: Some have been listed below What are some of your most important characteristics? What is your communication style? What are your strengths and weaknesses as a deck? What readings are you best suited for? Do you have limits? Is there anything that I shouldn't / cant ask about? What do you have to teach me? / What can I learn from you? Do you have a connection to my purpose? What line of magic / Element do you best represent? What is your preferred manner of cleansing? How do you want to be used? What do you think of me? / Do you have any questions? I normally ask these questions of all of my new decks and sometimes the responses can be confusing. Maybe your deck isnt comfortable answering a question that you have right then, or maybe you may need to rephrase your questions. At the end of the day your Tarot is your friend and there to help. -TwT

Tarot Correspondent: -The King of Clovers Yes / No Reading: -Yes Card Interaction: -Positive Polarity Clubs [Positive] Swords [Positive] Cups [Positive Coins [Positive] Cartomancy Meaning(s) "If they aren't married now, they will be soon. In essence the idea father figure. Not necessarily always a male, The King of Clubs represents someone who is enthusiastic, good with finances and business and may even be an young entrepreneur. This figure takes control and it seems that everything they touch turns to gold.

Tarot Correspondent: -The 9 of Coins Yes / No Reading: -No Card Interaction: -Negative Polarity Clubs [Negative] Swords [Negative] Cups [Negative Coins [Mute] Cartomancy Meaning(s) "Obscure without context, the 9 of diamonds is considered a toxic card as it sours the meanings of cards near it. Disputes in Love, Trouble with money, getting swept up in ones emotions in its solitude it finds success, wealth, and accomplishment.

Sometimes I get asked to preform a tarot Reading but I don't have my cards on me. (As rare of an occasion as this is, it does happen) And being the over achieving people pleasing Witch that I am, I often find myself attempting to accommodate. Luckily the more correspondences you know in magic, the easier accomodation is. You see, our favorite divination card system actually had a grandshild in your average playing cards. (Because originality is dead) Looking closely you may have already noticed some relations. Diamonds are easily Discs as both carry the materialistic connotation and Swords may look a lot like Spades. Perhaps a Club, like a Wand, is a little more than a very long stick. And what better way to describe Cups than the over so emotional Heart. This being the case one can easily preform a Tarot-esque reading after a short trip to your local mini-mart.

The Sun Mercury Venus Earth Mars Jupiter Saturn Uranus Neptune Pluto Aries Taurus Gemini Cancer Leo Virgo Libra Scorpio Sagittarius Capricorn Aquarius Pisces

/div/ination links & resources https://pastebin.com/sAkg9cMz Hijink’s (Jinxie’s) Divination Guide https://pastebin.com/Gv10KZUA Thoths Tarot and Rune Guide https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ciFuMOVDIkA18d9Rw-Zkklgigx-Y4XzJkGVeMTYWcic/edit?pref=2&pli=1

Fehu- Cattle Rune of Wealth Ruled by: Frey and Greya Keywords: Cattle Wealth Money Reward Personal Achievement Mirrored: Low self esteem Greed Failure Loss Disharmony Uruz - Wild Ox The Rune of Strength Ruled By:Urd Thor Keywords: Strength Willpower Healing Defense of self and of body Mirrored: Weakness Obsession Lack of Progress Brutality Thurisaz - Thorn The Rune of Chaos Ruled By: Thor Loci Keywords: Chaos A struggle Temptation A Warning Self Discipline Mirrored: Lesser Strife Hidden Evil A good omen / Bad News Ansuz - The Message of God The Rune of Gods Message Ruled By: Odin & Loci Keywords: Inspiration Knowledge Wisdom A message Mirrored: Lies Excommunication Secrets Manipulations Raidho - The Journey Rune of Adventure Ruled by: Thor Norns Keywords: Travel A journey The right action Support Mirrored: Stagnation Injustice Dislocation Delays (C)Kenaz - Tourch Rune of the Enlightened Ruled By: Musphllhen (Audit) ______ Keywords: Clarity of Thought Art The Craft Learning Honesty Mirrored: Danger in health Illusion A Break up Fights Gebo - The Gift The Rune of Gifts Ruled By: Gefu Keywords: Material Gifts The Trade Sex Love Mirrored: Over sacrifice Greed Bribery Loneliness Wunjo - Joy The Rune of Joy Ruled By: Frigg Odin Keywords: Joy Emotional Satisfaction Success in romance Light Parties Mirrored: Strife Melancholy Insanity Slow Fruition Hagalaz - Hail The Force of Nature Ruled By: Hemidar Urd Keywords: Sudden Loss Destruction Karmic Loss Crisis A Challenge Nathiz - A Need The Flame of Desire Ruled By: Skuld Noff Keywords: A Need Urgency Resistance Compulsion Limitations constraint Mirrored: Binding freedom Exhaustion Pain Pending Commitment Constrains Isa -Ice The Stillness of Ice Ruled By: Skuld Nelphheim Keywords: Focus Stillness Coolness Hiding Hidden Emotions Mirrored: (Audit) Jear - The Harvest Ruled By: Sif - Summer Keywords: The Harvest Reward for hard work Fertility The Season of Summer Mirrored: Conflict Poor timing No Reward Reverse of Fortune Eihwaz - Yes The Rune of Death and Rebirth Ruled By: Ulirr Odin Healing Deflection Defense Patience Prevention Change Mirrored: Destruction Confusion Nostalgia Death of a Loved one Pethr(o) - Fate The Rune of Chance Ruled By: Frigg Keywords: Fate Dice Sex Destiny Inc Probability Mirrored: Loneliness Stagnation Addiction Algiz - Elk The Rune of Protection Ruled By: Algiz Keywords: Protection A Shield Higher life Awakening Safety Mirrored: Danger External Danger Sickness Sowelo - The Sun Rune of the Sun Ruled by: Sunna Baldr Keywords: Healing Strength Success Light of the World Completion Mirrored: Destruction Failure Loss Retribution Inner Fears Tiewaz - Victory The Rune of Victory Ruled By: Tyr Keywords: Victory Success Sacrifice Bravery Balance Strength Mirrored: Loss of energy Frustration War Over sacrifice Arguments Berkana (Berkano) - Birch The Rune of Motherhood Ruled By: Hel Freys Keywords: Fertility Health Birth Regeneration (South) Mirrored: Family Problems Abandonment Loss of Control Sterility Ehwaz - Horse The Rune of Changes Ruled By: "The Gate of Death" Keywords: Motion Animal Harmony Expectations Mirrored: Becoming Lost Lethargy Lack of will to change Mannaz -Rune of Man The Rune of Man Ruled By: Odin Heimdar Keywords: Memory Projections of self The Soul Destiny Family Mirrored: Depression Blindness Lack of support Suicide Laguz - Waters flow Ruled by: Keywords: Love Emotions Dreams unconsciousness Memory Mirrored: Confusions Fear Perversion suicide Poison Blackmail Inguz - (ing) Ruled By: Frey Odin Keywords: Unity Agreement Rest Home Creativity Mirrored: Warning of Diligence Male Impotence Bad Harvest Dagaz - Day The Rune of Daylight Ruled By: Baldr Nerths (Audit) Keywords: Success Daylight Brightness The Bringer of positive outcomes Mirrored: Othala - Home The Rune of Inheritance and Possessions Ruled By: Othila Odin Keywords: Possession Acquisition Home Family Inheritance Dominion Mirrored: Family Disputes Break ups Loss Outcasts The Rune Poem Wealth is a comfort to every man, although every man must share it out greatly if he would obtain a portion of the Lord’s glory. The ox is single-minded and over-horned, most savage beast, fighting with his horns, well-known moor-stepper. That is a proud creature. Thorns are severely sharp. To any thane seizing it is an evil, measurelessly cruel to every man who comes to rest upon it. The mouth is the beginning of all speech, a support to wisdom and a comfort to the wise, and a prosperity and trust to every earl. Riding is a comfort to every warrior in the hall, and very trying to those who sit upon a powerful courser over the mile-paths. A torch is known by every living being to be on fire, white and bright, most often burning where the nobles rest themselves within. Gifts are an honor and praise of men, a support and a distinction, and to every wretch mercy and meat to those who are free from other possessions. Joy is enjoyed by those who little know of woe, pains and sorrow, and to those who have of themselves profit and bliss and also many citadels. Hail is the whitest of grains. It comes down from heaven’s breeze, the wind’s showers rolls it down, and after it becomes water. Need is a constraint on the breast, although it often comes to the sons of men a help and a healing of every one, if they hearken to his demands before. Ice is really cold, measurelessly slippery glistening clear as glass, most like gemstones a floor created by frost, and a fair face. The new year is the hope of men, when God allows, the Holy Heaven’s King, the earth to give her bright fruits to rich and poor alike. The yew is an unsmooth tree without, hard, fixed to the earth, a warden of fires, supported by its roots, a joy in the home. Peorth is always a play and laughter to the proud where warriors sit in the beer-hall, happy together. Elk-sedge keeps its home most often in the swamps, it grows in the water, and grimly wounds, it burns the blood of any man who grasps it. The sun is ever a hope to seamen, when they carry themselves over the fishes’ bath, until their brine-horses bring them to shore. Tir is a certain token, it keeps its troth well with noble men. It is always on its journey over the clouds of night, never wandering. Birch lacks fruit, even though it bears shoots without seed. It is lovely in its branches, high in its crown and fairly adorned, laden with leaves, pressing into the breeze. Horses are for earls the joy of noblemen, a steed proud in its hooves, where the heroes about him, prosperous on horseback, weave their speech, and ever a comfort to those on the move. Man is in mirth, dear to his brother; though every one must depart to another place, because the Lord wishes, through his own doom, that our wretched flesh be commended to the earth. The waters seem to men to be broad, if they should venture upon an unstable ship, and the sea-waves terrify them so, and the brine-horse cares not for his bridle. Ing was first among the Eastern Danes seen by men, until he soon afterwards departed over the ways, a wagon running after him. Thus bold men named this hero. A homeland is very dear to every man, if there he may enjoy in his household what is right and fitting, very often with its fruits. The day is the Lord’s message, dear to men, the renowned light of the Measurer, a mirth and troth to the prosperous and the wretched, useful to all. The oak is fodder for flesh on earth for the sons of men. It frequently ferries over the gannet’s bath. The spear-waves test whether the oak possesses reliability for noble men. The ash is very tall, dear to men, stout in its trunk, its hilt is rightfully fixed, although it fights against many men. A bow is for every noble and earl a joy and an honor. It is fair on horseback, support on a journey, some part of a warrior’s tackle. The gar is a river-fish, and though he takes his food on land, he owns a lovely home surrounded by water, where he lives in joy. The grave is terrible to every earl, when the fixed flesh begins, the corpse cooling, to choose the earth paleness as its bedmate. Fruits fail, joys depart, mankind ceases to be.

The Basics Release Key: Number: #1 in Wands Element: Fire Zodiac: Keywords: Inspiration, Light, A Spark Spirit: Sudden Illumination, Inspiration and Spiritual Hunger. Energy Mind: A false Start, Cancelations, Destruction through exaggeration Principal / Path: Fire in Kether (Crown) Ruling circuit: Non Local Quantum (#8) Spreads

The Basics Release Key: Number: #15 Element: Earth Zodiac: Capricorn Keywords: Anarchy, independence of mind, Freedom of Spirit Spirit: Wilfulness, Resisting Dogmas, "I do not serve" mentality Mind: Darkness, Loneliness, being misunderstood, and an outcast. Principal / Path: Between Tipareth (Beauty) and Hod (Splendor) Ruling circuit: Spreads

Many forms of magic use the moon in various ways. From cleansing water for elixirs, to capturing its light to energize crystals. One of the most common uses is as a way to tell time and in magic we can use the phases of the moon to tell us the best times to cast specific magics or spells. You may be familiar with the Wiccan Wheel of the Year. This Wheel is a lunar Cycle that can overlay a common 8 phase moon Calendar in terms of how each phase corresponds to the Season it overlaps, that is for example, how Yule and the New Moon both share Dark wintery cold connotations as well as being a time for banishing and Curse Magic -TWT Dark Moon {Yang(Audit)} Resting I set my intention. Destruction Magic Curses Banishing Soul Searching Divination Yule Waxing Crescent{Yin(Audit)} Cleansing I relax into my intention Planting Magic Attraction Wealth and Success Magic Friendship and Relation Luck Imbolic Quarter one Sowing (planting) I take action to support my intention Creativity Divination Motivation Calming Strength / Growing Ostara Waxing Gibbous (Growing) I trust that the perfect intention is coming into form at the perfect time. Motivation Attraction Success Good Wealth Beltane Full Moon (Thriving) I move ahead with my intention / I accept that the intent was not all there or not for me and I begin to release it. Love Magic Charging Healing Cleansing Clarity Litha Waning Gibbous/ Disseminating Moon (Reaping) I am grateful that my intention is coming into form. I receive with Gratitude Relinquishing Undoing Bindings Cleansing Undoing Curses Lughnastadh Final Quarter (Harvesting) I give back to my place of abundance Breaking habits Relinquishing Breaking Curses Banishing Mabon Waning Crescent (Preparing) I reflect with thanks, I rest, I restore Balance Success Attaining Wisdom Atonement Illness Samhain

The Basics Release Key: " Number: 1 Element: Earth Zodiac: None Keywords: Spirit: A creation, A chance or a material beginning Mind: Greed / Avarice, something created but unfinished. The Seed of Wealth Principal: The core of Earth & the realm of the Material Ruling Circuit: The Seraph of the Crown [Kether] Spreads

The Basics Release Key: "I find the balance." Number: #14 Element: Fire (And Fire into Water) Zodiac: Sagittarius Keywords: Dissolve and Combine, The adjustment Spirit: Balance and Harmony, Creation and peace/ Transforming one thing into another Mind: Extreme one sidedness, Destruction and division Principal: Ruling circuit: A Path between Left Brain Analytical Semantic & Right Brain Experimental Time Binding / OR Nero somatic 5 Spreads

Those who include the mixing of their tarot cards prior to their reading will no doubt come across cards that are turned upside down. These cards are normally called "reverse" and have separate meanings than their upright counterparts. There are those learners who take these cards in a spread and upright their positioning, only taking those meanings into account for the reading. There is nothing wrong with this and according to a pole taken on the Sleepy Forest Instagram there are quite a few of you who's technique omits the use the Reversed cards. Considering that the Reversed meanings of the cards are often times negative reflections of their Upright counterparts the fear is understandable but the refusing to include half of the system can also lead to the missing information the cards are trying to tell you. You can attribute reading tarot to psychic driving. While you are reading, you are the blind driver asking the cards for direction. Would you rather they let you know about the cliff you might be about to drive over or keep the more dangerous and negative aspects to themselves. Hermetic Principal of Polarity dictates that everything has its opposite. Night has Day, Up has Down, The Tree of Life has the Tree of Death or the Qlipoth, and Upright Tarot meanings have Reversed. Take a look through most sources on Tarot and you will find that many of the reverse meanings in the books are negative or lesser meanings, so much so that there are constantly people looking for advice on how to relay readings with particularly harsh messages. To those people I give the gentle reminder that The Tarot isn't exactly a divination system that has been known for sugar coating the messages it relays. If there is something to be said, the cards will tell it to you and new learners may shy away from the bluntness of Tarot. Every reader has their own style and if you have found one that works for you stick to it. Your magic is your own. Be aware though that there are Layers and layers of the tarot that not using the reversed meanings will cause you not to see. We believe that Cross training is important in Magic and having the knowledge of reversed meanings in your magic supply may come in handy. -TwT

Inspiration of the Fool is a what I refer to as a Pinpoint spread. The idea being that Card 0 (In this example, The Fool) can be the lenses through which the reader can understand the other cards. Card 0 represents the card that best corresponds to what you would like to know. As the title suggests, the Fool card represents inspiration in this spread, and the following cards From the left to the right represent the Trigger, the Cause, and the effect (loosely) The example depicted above was a reading from the Daily Tarot, on the @Sleepyforestacademy Instagram that is interpreted as Emotional capacity and the productivity using will, brings the ability to cast off those illusions that may blind you in your pursuit of deeper meanings and deeper knowledge. Card 0 The Fool (Inspiration to change, the search for a new journey) Card 1 Ace Cups (Emotional mastery. The seed of Emotional inspiration.) Card 2 7 Swords (Unmasking illations, piercing the veil so to speak. Not falling for deceptions) Card 3 7 Cups (Knowledge of inner worlds. The copious options. Dreamworlds and illusions) In order for the spread to work as intended there is an order of operations. Mix your cards as you see fit and clear your mind. This is the expulsion and banishing of things not associated with what directly relates to your reading. Mixing your cards is the symbol of mixing the universe. Collect your cards and focus, in your mind, on the image of your (Card 0). Again, in this example it was the Fool. Reveal cards from the top of the deck until you find (Card 0) Following (Card 0), Reveal cards from the top until you find 3 cards in a row that are NOT major Arcana in a row. This is the (Focus) part of your reading and what can lead to the reading lookin a lot like Example 2. The Focus is where you tune yourself to the issue or event in question and the requirement of no major arcana sets a parameter for your magic energies. It is what tells your mind or your muscles what effect you would like produced in response to doing this set of things. A Magic key to be frank If a spread contains a Major Arcana continue till the set of three is complete, and lay the next set on top of it. Once you have your (Cards 1-3) read the set as Card 1: The Spark or reason behind Card 2 Card 2: The Effect Produced or the necessary action required to bring about Card 3 Card 3: The Goal, the Aim, the Why -TwT

The following list is more accurately called "Kiss Correspondents" but as they can also evoke differing emotions based on location, and for the fun of it, we call hold them in the regard of a "Charm". As always, make sure to acquire permission before testing, or using any of your magic on others. Love spells of any form will (almost) always backfire. (Location) (Meaning) Hair Deep Affection Forehead Protection Friendship Eyelid Admiration Nose Cherishing Cheek Kindness Lips Love Neck Desire Neck (Back) Attachment Back Confirmation Top of Foot Dependency Wrist Lust Arm Tender love Hand (Back) Respect Hand (Palm) Supplication / To beg Finger-tip Admiration Thigh Control Wrist Control Hips A Bond Belly Memories -TwT

The "View from The Tower" is a searched card spread that gives insight to matters that correspond with The Tower Keywords Examples being: Sudden changes Releasing Falling down Sudden Awakenin

The Basics Number: 16 Element: Fire Zodiac Correspondent: Keywords: Destruction of the Old. Shaking up foundations. Sudden Realizations Spirit: Carving away the unwanted, Unexpected changes. The will to change. Mind: Sudden Enlightenment. Blinding Light. Upheaval Spreads: -The View from the Tower

Brigid was the most admired goddess by the poets of her time. To celebrate we are holding the Brigid's Poetic Confessions Contest. In this contest your secret confessions could win you cold hard cash along with over awesome prizes. In around 200 words or less create a confession or a poem to your special someone. Poems will be read and voted on by the judges as well as the community from February 1st (Brigid) to the 14th (St Valentines) when a winner will be selected. Entrants will remain anonymous with the sole exception of the recipient when read on the Sleepy Forest Academy's Official Morning Announcements from 2/1/2021 through 2/14/2021 Please keep confessions to around 200 words or less. Winners will be selected based on the following criteria: -Followers Opinion and votes (50%) -Poetic content (12.5%) -Emotional Content (12.5%) -Creativity will be considered but will not be the only factor when judging. (25%) If you are not a student (Enter by following this link~) Otherwise you may Submit your entry below