Admittedly, I’m a huge Qabala nerd (see previous post: Qabala is queer, and it isn’t even sneaky about it). I love how the Qabala gives me a framework for understanding our relationship with divinity and a clear path for personal growth. I love how you could study it for a lifetime and only begin toContinue reading “Learning Qabala: Where to start?”
Author Archives: Major Arqueerna
Rethinking the Great Rite
The symbolic Great Rite, used in many Wiccan traditions, is meant to symbolize the unifying of opposite polarities, represented by an athame dipping into a chalice. The Great Rite is also meant to symbolize the “pure energy of creation.” It can be seen as a metaphor for penis-in-vagina sex (the quintessential IKEA-esque “insert Tab AContinue reading “Rethinking the Great Rite”
5 reasons why “Tarot for One” by Courtney Weber is my favorite Tarot book
A few years back, I was blown away by Courtney Weber’s book on the goddess Brigid. Shortly after that book was published, she published a book on Tarot called Tarot for One: The Art of Reading for Yourself – and my already high expectations for her writing climbed even higher. Why do I love TarotContinue reading “5 reasons why “Tarot for One” by Courtney Weber is my favorite Tarot book”
This weird office tool makes learning new spiritual concepts easier
Years ago, I bought an office tool I thought I’d use once in awhile for random creative projects, but it turned out to be a critical component of my spiritual practice. This simple object has improved my ability to learn and retain new things, including chakra colors and tones, Qabala spheres, basic grounding/centering/shielding, chakra cleansingContinue reading “This weird office tool makes learning new spiritual concepts easier”
Tarot tip: Use your phone’s wallpaper
In January, my partner and I committed to doing monthly, single-card Tarot draws for ourselves. We’re both working to live our lives more intentionally, and this seemed a good way to keep some guidance in the back of our brains for the duration of the month. When we decided to do this, one of ourContinue reading “Tarot tip: Use your phone’s wallpaper”
“Masculine” vs. “feminine” energy: Why is this still a thing?
A few days ago, I was reading a newly-published book on Tarot. I just about threw my e-reader across the room as I read a detailed explanation about how binary gender depictions on Tarot cards are important because masculine vs. feminine energy is a thing and the cards need to show that and we shouldContinue reading ““Masculine” vs. “feminine” energy: Why is this still a thing?”
Magic and the physical art of release
Those of us involved in mystery traditions are routinely compelled to examine our inner landscapes and confront our own bullshit, in the name of making ourselves better humans and better magical practitioners. We call this “self-work” or “shadow-work.” But it’s easier to talk about how important those concepts are than to actually do them. OverContinue reading “Magic and the physical art of release”
Upcoming event: Sacred Space/Between the Worlds 2020
Every year, the Sacred Space Conference serves up top-notch esoteric and occult workshops and ritual, and 2020 is no exception. This year’s conference will be special, however, because it’s joining forces with the Between the Worlds (BTW) Conference, only held every few years. The last time the two conferences merged was 2015. What I loveContinue reading “Upcoming event: Sacred Space/Between the Worlds 2020”
Qabala is queer, and it isn’t even sneaky about it
Many magickal practitioners are turned off by Hermetic Qabala because, at first glance, it appears to be a deeply patriarchal and hierarchal tool with strong Abrahamic underpinnings: something both familiar and often repellant to those of us brought up in conservative, Abrahamic faiths. Today, we seek tools and traditions that are egalitarian, inclusive, and empoweringContinue reading “Qabala is queer, and it isn’t even sneaky about it”
Why I use the word “queer”
I don’t remember why I initially joined Tumblr, but it quickly became a valuable tool for me to stay abreast of current trends, slang, and discourse about civil rights issues among Gen Z. One thing I’ve found surprising, though, is a stunningly prevalent backlash to the use of the word “queer,” sometimes referred to asContinue reading “Why I use the word “queer””
“Outside the Charmed Circle” is the book we all need
If you’re interested in queerness and magick, you either already follow or should seriously consider following Misha Magdalene, a nonbinary queer blogger on Patheos. Misha has written an amazing book called “Outside the Charmed Circle: Exploring Gender & Sexuality in Magical Practice,” to be released Jan. 8, 2020. After a mutual friend connected us, IContinue reading ““Outside the Charmed Circle” is the book we all need”