When I find something that is great I want to share!

I don't know how many of you saw the blog post a few days ago by September Witch about her free Tarot readings. Well I took her up on it and the reading blew me away! It was involved and accurate to a point that there was no way she could have known the things she came up with. She did not ask leading questions. I found her to be very intuitive and knowledgeable about the cards, not to mention very professional. And I feel I got a great deal of insight on a some issues in my life right now. I will be going back again in the future, even if I have to pay.

I have paid well over $60 at times for readings that have not even been that good. This one was free and very good. I also had one of my friends email her for a reading and she was shocked. I can't believe it was free... and good! I can't imagine she will be giving free readings for long so I am passing the word around to all of my friends but thought it was worthy of a blog post of my own here on Covenspace.

She says on her Tarot site that her reason for the free readings is because she is still practicing and wanting to gain experience so she wants as many people as possible to read for. If she is still practicing she is going to really be great one day! I am always skeptical when it comes to people wanting to give me something for FREE but this is the real deal.

I have her on my friends list so you can get to her blog from my site (just click on Septemberwitch) or you can just go to her site (where the link for free reading is) at Septemberwitch.Covenspace.com. I think the actual site where for her tarot readings is freewebs.com/tarotquests. So if you don't find it there go to her Covenspace blog. I'd love to hear if you guys had good readings too.

Blessed Be

I don't know how many of you subscribe to the About.com Pagan/Wiccan Newsletter. If you don't, I highly recommend it. Just Google "Patti Wigington - About.com Paganism / Wiccan Guide" and hit subscribe and follow the instructions. It is very informative and enjoyable to read.

Yesterday as I read the latest newsletter "British Shop Shuts Down After Protests" I was infuriated by the article. It is about a small Occult shop in England which is struggling to stay in business due to harsh protests and lack of business from the Pagan community. Reading this really made me think about myself as a Pagan Witch and about the people who were attacking the shop. I felt sadness, sad for the owners because when any shop closes it isn't just a building folding; it is someone's hopes and dreams dying. I felt sad for the people in the area who are losing a place they can go that represents them. I felt anger towards the people who were protesting and putting flyers in the books in the shop that spoke against what the store stood for - they were even throwing bibles at the store. How crude and ignorant, not to mention disrespectful to their own religion.

As my anger subsided and I began to think more clearly, I realized that the people attacking the store are a small part of the problem. I have befriended a few store owners and love these places of business. I also find the more Witchy the store the harder time they have staying open. Where are the patrons of these businesses? Are we all just sitting at home hiding in our electronic worlds, fellowshipping online and ordering supplies from the Internet (Paying shipping!)? Now don't get me wrong, I love Internet shopping and will continue to shop online. However, I am going to start supporting my local Occult shops more. I buy things; I buy herbs, candles, incense, books, etc. It is just as convenient to go to my local Witchy shop as it is to go to the nearest Whole Foods or health food store. If enough people each make a small difference it can mean a HUGE change for our world!

And no shop should have to deal with protests, but until people find the source of their fears and try to understand what they have no knowledge of, it is something that will continue to happen. Where are we when there is a protest like the one that happened at that little shop? I wonder what would happen if a lot of us showed up at an Occult store to shop every time a protest was going on? I feel it would make a big statement and a difference. I just think we could all work a bit harder to keep our stores alive and to offer to be there if ever a protest is happening or time of need arises. Can you imagine if the shop owners had a long list of volunteers they could call in those times of trouble and if people just started showing up every time that happened? Not with sharp words or to fight, just to be kind and shop and ignore those who are... um... uneducated and just plain mean. How alone does a shop owner feel when someone invades their space and attacks them verbally and throws things at their store?

When I picture this little store in England it makes me think of my favorite store in Austin, Texas called Ancient Mysteries. It is run by a woman named Midnight and every time I am in Austin I try to go in there and buy something. It is a store for Witches! She has everything, clothes, conical hats, cauldrons, everything a witch could want or need. The space is really small but there's lots of stuff in there. She also sells online so I am sure she has a good clientele there. However, the first time I was in her store Midnight mentioned that she was struggling. She did not say anything about protests but said sometimes people would come in, freak out and leave. But the reason she was having a hard time was because people were not coming in to buy. Her prices are great, the store is incredible. It is advertised because I found it online. Austin is a community that is full of all kinds of people and I have to think there are many Witches. Where are they to support this shop? I think we need our stores. I know for myself, I feel so good going into a store like Ancient Mysteries, knowing I belong there. It is a place of fellowship and friendship. But as much as I need to have a place like this to shop, I also need to buy things so that it will be there for me.

I am going to make a commitment to go to my local stores first. I live in Dallas and we have some great stores like Labyrinth and Silver Pyramid. I would be so sad to see them close. So, when I need something I am going to go there first or to the shop in Austin. Each one of us can make a real difference in our acceptance as a group in this world.

Blessed Be

Hi all.

My name is Leana (or at least for online pursoses). The picture in my profile is of my cat. He found me about 4 years ago - his timing was perfect as I had begun studying about Witchcraft and trying to decide if this was right for me. I did not know what I was doing at all and had heard about familiars. One day I was outside looking at my plants and asked for a familar. I heard a voice in my head tell me to look for an orange cat. Not much time passed and there he was. He moved in and made himself at home. Coincidence? He seems to read my mind and is a wonderful friend. He is quite smart and he wears a a lovely black and white colar with moons and stars.

My interests include bicycling, gardening, art, tarot, reading. I found Covespace when I searched for "Witches Tarot" and liked what I saw.

Professionally I am in sales and an artist. I am rambling so will sign off for now.

Leana