Music can be mesmerizing. I frequently get wired into a song and canāt let it go until Iāve heard it dozens of times and can sing it in my head. It is such a good feelingā¦ and it is very similar to when I connect when meditating. I canāt do both at the same time since Iām using the music for a different reason - but the feeling is very similar. My latest obsession is āFairytale of New Yorkā which I managed to discover 30 years after it was released. 
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Thank you 
Iāve thought about giving them away, but I just havenāt done it. As pretty as they are, Iād rather them get use than sit her collecting dust 
haha thanks! I think my friend is having an actual dice jail 3D printed 
we all need it, for sure. Iām not the only one who has bad dice lol weāll see how they roll next session after being cleansed!
It absolutely is 
I havenāt been able to find a word or phrase that describes what I feel when I listen to some songs, but Iāll keep searching!
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Oohhh. That is an interesting idea. I did a quick jump over to Thingiverse and found one. Now Iām obsessing about using something similar for some other stuff.
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I love these threads, so inspirational! @MeganB I just bought a set of DND dice yesterday to use with my tarot cards, and you post a picture of yours 
Iām taking it as a good sign!
I had planned on doing elemental mastery for my final challenge, but Iāve been doing some Shadow Work lately and I thought Iād keep going.
CHALLENGE ENTRY 5 - Shadow Survivor
I decided to use the cards to zero in on the shadows relating to my Mind, Body and Spirit. I used OH (original human) cards (a tool normally used in therapeutic situations) to ask about the energy of each, a character Oracle card to represent the character of the shadow (I used the Spirit Animal deck), a topical Oracle card to represent the core of that shadow (I used the Shadow Oracle deck), and a tarot card to represent the outcome of successful integration of that shadow (I used the Stained Glass deck). I did an Awakening Intuition meditation, asked DF to join me and lend assistance, then I pulled 3 cards from each deck to represent Mind, Body and Spirit; Iāve grouped them together to make it easier.
For the Mind cards, I pulled:
Energy Card = this card totally reminds me of what my mind feels like most of the time. Lots of colours, yet all separated and not mixing with each other, which suggests that there is some kind of organisation in there. I feel that the same character in all sections could be me within those different ideas or pathways, and perhaps I need to work on integrating the different aspects within my mind. This could be the literal projects I think about, and/or the different belief systems Iāve been exploring.
Character Card = āArmadillo. You are entering a phase where in order for you to be in alignment with your intentions and create your best life, you may have to be discerning and say no to many things that have been holding you back in the past.ā Pretty self-explanatory.
Core Card = āFear. Face your darkness; itās the only way to find the guiding light. Anxiety. Apprehension. Phobia.ā Well, Iāve said many times that Iām scared of my mind, itās a working process, Iām on it like sonic.
Outcome Card = 3 of Swords. Now I know what this card usually means, but here in this spread, it feels like something different. Yes there will be losses, devastation, bad times in life because, well, thatās life. But in this card, I see the outcome of resilience. The swords are upright, not piercing the heart, but strong and proud, like they are guarding or protecting the heart; the heart may very well be damaged on the inside, but itās structure is intact and ready to beat on. Scars donāt just remind me of what has happened, they remind me of what Iāve overcome.
For Body, I pulled:
Energy = I see myself isolated and alone,on a cliff without vegetation, maybe I canāt see the fruits of my labour, and the frustration hangs over me like the cloud. But thereās a ring of light which gives me hope, and the water is smooth and serene, maybe my intuition will help, or the supportive relationships I haveā¦weāll see.
Character Card = āFrog. Transition. This is a powerful time of change. You are being called to connect with the world of emotions and feminine energies. You may also need to engage a process of cleansing, whether itās physical, emotional, spiritual or energetic.ā Itās kind of freaky how on point these cards are. Seriously.
Core Card = āGuilt. Release the chains of past mistakes and embrace the growth they bring. Remorse. Shame. Regret.ā Enough said.
Outcome Card = 10 of Cups. Again, pretty self-explanatory.
For the Spirit, I pulled:
Energy Card = at first glance, this image reminded me of being a child in the back garden, using my hands to send energy to the trees in the hospital, talking to them and trying to feel what they were saying. When I look at it in terms of me now, it reminds me of feeling like I have everything I need to get to my potential, but Iām hesitant, just like the person who has a chair and everything and probably could touch the moon if they really tried.
Character Card = āSheep. Innocence. You are encouraged to reconnect with your inner child, in order to become more spontaneous and playful, and consider what life has to offer with a greater sense of wonder. Take the time this week to get in touch with the innocence and vulnerability within you.ā Also, it reminds me of the episode from Charmed I talked about last week from Meganās post about tweensā¦ releasing the inhibitions of adulthood to gain the insights of childhood? Worth a try!
Core Card = āTrauma. Your scars are proof of resilience and survival. Pain. Wound. Shock.ā
This could be an obvious reference to the traumas of my past, but I feel like itās more literal than that. With all the transitions, the new belief systems Iām learning about, the hesitationsā¦maybe my Spirit is literally saying āI am traumatisedā, after all itās a lot, and maybe some self-care for the Spirit is in order.
Outcome Card = The Chariot. This card tends to reflect the victory which follows perseverance and determination; trusting in oneās abilities and never giving up will result in the desired outcome. On the other hand, it could also indicate that integration is an ongoing battle, and I need to be vigilant and ready for battle to maintain that success in this area.
I intended to finish there, and then I felt drawn to draw one more OH card (from a different set), to ask for guidance on what to do next:
Mind Card = it shows a mother holding a baby, and a small cot, all illuminated in a warm glow of light. Maybe itās telling me to treat my Mind in the same way I treat my daughter; protect it fiercely, but allow it the space and confidence to explore and grow.
Body Card = it shows a table with writing elements on it, nothing else, everything in itās place. Maybe itās reiterating the cleanse idea, physically, emotionally, spiritually and energetically.
Spirit Card = it shows a Moon in the sky, and a tiger in the grass. Trust my intuition, use my guiding light and follow it, but be aware of dangers and boundaries, put protections in place. Reminds me of the Moon tarot card, maybe suggesting I should seek assistance from a Moon Goddess/energy.
x Blessed Be x
ETA: thanks to @WrenEve, your enthusiasm with oracle cards inspired this spread! Xx
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Witchy Challenge 3
Spell Bags and Pouches
I wanted to make a protection jar for our car but didnāt like the idea of using glass and also wanted the herbs to be open enough to be more effective. I could have made a paper jar but it would have been too fragile. The Catch Up challenge came up so I decided to go for a Spell Bag and put it in my secret hiding place in my car (my glove box).
I would have used a purchased bag since they are quite cheap but, of course, I ran out of time. So, I decided to sew one up. I am so-so at sewing. The last time I did it was five years ago when we couldnāt get masks.
To make it simple, I went with easy herbs and a rune. Rosemary, cayenne pepper, and salt.
I used brushed cotton and put the herbs in a sachet so they would not leak out over time. I also stuck a 24ā length of lightweight cord in the bag. It will become a Witchās Ladder on standby. I added a protection rune to the outside of the bag.
The shiny metal bits are beads to give it a little glam. The string closer is a spring loaded gizmo you may have seen used on masks.
To set my intent, I made a simple chant. To be truthful, I rarely do chants or focus intent aloud. I meditate and push my feelings outward. The only chant I do regularly is to set a Witchās Ladder. But for here I made one up. Simple, but the key is intent.
Wheels turn and engines roar,
Safety ride forevermore.
Shield this car both near and far,
Protection strong, whereāer we are.
So mote it be."
(edit) I added clear quarts chips to the sachet.
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Beautiful cards! And I love your idea to integrate multiple decks!
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Thank you, Iāve always had ideas for using the OH cards, but I donāt think I wouldāve used the oracle cards too if I hadnāt seen your post 
@dan3 beauuutiful 
x Blessed Be x
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3ā¦2ā¦1ā¦ thatās a wrap! This challenge has now ended and all previous challenges have been closed once again (at least until the next Catch-Up Challenge!)
Great job to all entrants! No matter which area(s) of magick you explored and put on display for your coven this week, thank you so much to everyone who jumped in to partake in the 230th challenge 
A Props and Presents post will soon appear with shout-outs and prize details for everyone who submitted an entry. Please keep an eye on the main page of the forums.
Note : To avoid confusion, this discussion will be locked until the Props and Presents post appears. At that time, this thread will reopen for discussion for a few more days- comments are welcome during this time, but please note that no additional prizes will be given.
Thanks again for joining in the challenge 
Blessed be 
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The challenge deadline has passed- badges are being sent out now
This topic is reopening for continued discussion and comments (feel free to respond to entries that were shared, chat about the challenge theme, etc!)
The Props and Presents award post for this challenge is now live in the forum and badges have been sent to all entrants! 
ā Award Post for the Catch-Up Challenge
Thank you once again to all those who joined the challenge! 
I hope you enjoy your new badge 
While no additional badges will be given out now that the challenge has officially closed, this thread has been reopened for discussion- feel free to comment on the theme, ask questions or reply to entries.
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Challenge entry, Catchup challenge: Sacred books
I absolutely love books, reading, words, sentences, paragraphs, basically anything to do with literature. My bookshelf is overflowing with books of all kinds. For the most part after I read a book, I rehome it or drop it off at the library donation box. However, there are quite a few I canāt seem to let go of, because I may decide to read it again, or refer back to the material in the book, or just because I like the cover or pictures in it. Whatever the reason may be to keep it, they go to a special shelf. It started out as only one shelf, but I started stacking and now have 3 precariously placed rows of stacked books. Iāll read anything, tags, boxes, and bottles are the things I canāt help but read, even though I would like for it to be more of a choice than a need. Some of my favorite things\themes to read are novels, fiction, anything spiritual or magickal, some self-help books, and book seriesā. I love to smell books and magazines before I read them. I open it to one of the center pages and sniff right down the crack of it. I know thatās a little weird, but it takes me to the place from a scene in the book. Itās like I know what I was smelling as soon as I start reading it. When I get to that part, I think yep this is where the smell came from. I really hope Iām not the only one who does this. 
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I use dice with my tarot cards as well, and was wondering how do you incorporate them? I posted about how I incorporate mine, in a challenge post, I believe it was.
Blessed Be!
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My favorite was a version of The Secret Garden from the library. It smelled of heather! Only that one copy, though.
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Hey @carol3
I havenāt started yet, I have the normal dice for messages from the forum, but then I wondered about rolling a number e.g. 3 then drawing the 3rd card. Or using numerology, or even determining percentages, strength of spells, and so on.
I forgot about it, and then temu started showing DND dice sets, which I ignored because Iāve never played, until last week when it finally clicked. Thatās a set of dice, all with a specific purpose - why not do the same with divination?
Not wanting to reinvent the wheel, I fell into a research rabbit hole of all the genius ways others have classified their dice sets. I think this is my favourite one, because I like the reasonings for his classifications; for example, D4 for the 4 Elements, and the D8 being based on the Eightfold Path of Buddhism.
https://hillbillyoracle.tumblr.com/post/174447574414/divination-with-dnd-dice
How do you use your dice? (That sounds like a future advert to me, end with a hair flick 
)
x Blessed Be x
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I canāt find it! I would be most interested in how you did it.
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That is amazing and not trivial. Thanks!
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Most welcome @dan3, I think itās an interesting way to divine! I might tweak it here and there depending on what I feel, weāll seeā¦and I agree, I want to see your post too @carol3 but couldnāt find it x
x Blessed Be x
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I originally started keeping a book of spreads that I liked and organized them by the number of cards it calls for, so I have like 3 or 4 pages of each number with different spreads. Then I started running into the problem of people not knowing what they wanted to ask the cards when I asked them could I do a reading for them. So, I got the bright idea to let them roll the dice and whatever number they land on I turn to the pages of that number and let them pick a spread using that number of cards. It was a lot easier than handing them the book and letting them surf it since there were so many choices.
I actually just bought a set of DND dice from Temu and I love them. Itās much better than just using a regular set of dice. I usually use the one that goes up to 8 initially and if they want more insight, I let them roll the one that goes up to 4 and chose the number of cards they roll that time extra after the initial reading.
This is the book I let clients pick their spread from.
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It sounds awesome @carol3, now I really canāt wait until my set arrives!
x Blessed Be x
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