There are many monthly celebrations and
observances that focus on various themes,
causes, and awareness campaigns. Women's
History Month is observed in the United
States during the month of March, for
example. February is Black History Month,
which is celebrated in both the U.S. and
Canada. 

There are three such observances that I know
of in October: National Breast Cancer
Awareness Month, National Domestic Violence
Awareness Month, and Hispanic Heritage Month
(Sept. 15 - Oct. 15). 

To declare something as an official monthly
observance typically requires a formal
recognition or proclamation by a government,
organization, or authority. That shouldn't
stop us from having our own community
celebration though. 

Let's declare October to be International
Divination Month!

From a spiritual perspective, Samhain is the
holiday most associated with divination
because that is when the veil between the
worlds is thinnest. And Halloween, the more
secular version, is widely celebrated in
popular culture. These make October the
perfect month for such a celebration -- even
though we all know that every day of the
year is perfect, too!

We don't usually have a theme for this
newsletter but this month is different. It
didn't start out that way, it just evolved
as we went along. We hope you enjoy this
issue of Tarot Tips and wish you a Blessed
Samhain and Happy Halloween!


And one more thing...

I'm scheduled to have joint replacement
surgery for my left knee on October 11th.
It's really scary and I would dearly love
and appreciate any energetic support you
could send me before, during and after the
operation. I send you my love and thanks
in advance!  ~ Ruth Ann


Wishing you joy along the tarot path,

 

Diviner's Corner

EMBRACING THE MYSTICAL:
DIVINATION AT SAMHAIN




As the leaves turn fiery shades of orange
and gold, and the air takes on a crisp,
enchanting chill, we know that Samhain, the
ancient Celtic festival, is approaching.
Samhain, celebrated on October 31st, marks
the halfway point between the autumn equinox
and the winter solstice. It's a time when
the veil between the worlds is said to be at
its thinnest, making it ideal for communing
with the spirit world. One of the most
intriguing and cherished traditions
associated with Samhain is divination. 

Samhain, pronounced "sow-in" or "sah-win,"
holds a special place for divination for
several reasons:

• Thin Veil Between Worlds: Samhain is
believed to be a time when the boundary
between our world and the spirit world is
the thinnest. This makes it easier to
connect with spirits and ancestors, making
it an ideal time for divination.

• Honoring Ancestors: Samhain is a time when
we pay homage to our ancestors. Divination
can be a way to seek guidance and wisdom
from those who have passed on.

• Reflecting on the Past Year: As the old
year ends and the new one begins, Samhain is
a natural time for reflection. Divination
can help us assess the events of the past
year and gain insight into the path ahead.

• Preparing for Winter: Samhain also marks
the beginning of winter, a season associated
with introspection and planning. Divination
can provide clarity and direction for the
colder months ahead.


Ways to Practice Divination at Samhain

Tarot Readings: Tarot cards are a popular
tool for divination. You can use them to
gain insight into your life's various
aspects or to connect with spirits and
ancestors.

Scrying: Scrying involves gazing into a
reflective surface, such as a crystal ball,
a mirror, or water. This method is excellent
for seeking visions and messages from the
spirit realm.

Runes: The use of runestones, an ancient
system of divination, is another option.
Draw runes and interpret their meaning to
gain guidance and wisdom.

Dumb Supper: A tradition for honoring
ancestors, a dumb supper is a meal held in
silence where a place is set for those who
have passed on. During or after the supper,
you can engage in divination to seek
messages from your ancestors.

Apple Divination: Slice an apple
horizontally and examine the patterns in the
seeds. The way they fall can offer insights
into your future or answer yes-or-no
questions.


Samhain is a magical time filled with rich
traditions and deep spiritual connections.
Using divination during this sacred holiday
allows us to tap into the mystical energies
of the season, gain wisdom from our
ancestors, and prepare for the winter months
ahead.

Whether you choose tarot cards, scrying, runes,
or any other form of divination, remember to
approach these practices with reverence and
an open heart. Embrace the enchantment of
Samhain and let the veil between worlds reveal
its secrets to you.

Happy divining and blessed Samhain!


We’d love your suggestion or submissions
for this column! If you have an idea or would
like to contribute, please contact us at
[email protected].


 

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Unlocking the Secret Language of Tarot:
22 Keys to Understanding Its Symbolic Imagery

  The new edition of our book is available for Pre-Order!

We are deeply gratified that Weiser Books
has felt our book, The Secret Language of
Tarot merits being re-released in a 2nd
edition in order to reach a new generation
of tarot enthusiasts! It has stood the test
of time, which is something every author
hopes for their cherished creations.

In this book, we take an in-depth look at 22
pictorial symbols that appear frequently in
the cards. It's full of fascinating, fun,
practical information and exercises –– and
there's still nothing like it on the market!

Please pop over to our website for the
lowdown on what's inside: 
https://tarotschool.com/secret_language_of_tarot.html



 

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Meet The Reader
HELENA DOMENIC

By Sharonah Rapseik, Ph.D., CMAP



             

Helena Domenic is an accomplished artist,
writer, witch, and professor of art history
and studio art. Helena maintains a studio in
Phoenixville, PA where she offers classes,
workshops, and readings.

Helena currently teaches drawing and
painting at Kutztown University. Helena
spent thirty years as a member of the
Assembly of the Sacred Wheel and was
also an Elder in that tradition. She left to
carve out her own path, both as an artist
and a witch. Currently, she offers classes
in Tarot and Wicca and rituals in and around
the Chester County, PA area, and you might
find her giving a book signing as well.

Helena has shown her artwork in
Philadelphia, New York, across the United
States and in Egypt and South Africa. Helena
was born in Vicenza, Italy where she was
exposed to great works of art from a very
early age. After viewing the Sistine Chapel
ceiling at the age of eighteen months, her
mother predicted she would become an artist.
She holds a BFA from Kutztown University,
an MA in Art Education from The University
of the Arts, and an MFA from Goddard College
in Plainfield, Vermont.

Helena has written and published An
Illuminated Guide to Wicca, available from
Schiffer Publishing. Helena has also self-
published a Tarot deck and book, "The
Fellowship of the Fool Tarot." In her spare
time, she enjoys studying Tarot and Qabala,
spending time in her studio, and hanging out
with her husband Sean and their cats.


Sharonah Rapseik:
Helena, what makes your tarot practice
unique and how do you express it?

Helena Domenic: 
I am an artist first and foremost, so
everything else I do flows out from that.
I believe I took to Tarot so well at a young
age because I am a visual learner and it was
easy for me to remember the meanings behind
the images. I am also an art historian, and
the art history behind those images and how
they have evolved through time is fascinating
to me and informs my own artwork and the
artwork that I do for the Tarot.

When I am actually reading the Tarot, I use
both the symbolic and intuitive approach. I
keep the symbolism of the colors, numbers,
suits and images in mind, but I also let
intuition guide me and let the cards tell me
a story that unfolds as the reading moves
forward.

I enjoy drawing a card a day for my Facebook
followers as a community service. I am there
live every morning (sometimes afternoons)
and enjoy when people chime in and let me
know that they are there. I love when the
community at large finds resonance with the
cards I pull and the meanings that I make of
them.

Sharonah:
Thank you Helena, it’s been a pleasure
to meet you!
 

To Follow Helena Domenic:

Website:
https://www.artofhelenadomenic.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/helenadomenicart/

Instagram: 
https://www.instagram.com/HelenaDomenicArt

Email: 
[email protected]
 

About Sharonah:

 

Sharonah Rapseik is an Artist / Designer,
Author, Tarot Reader, Radio Host and
Producer for Psychic Talk Radio.

Visit her at:
https://psychictalk.net/sharonah/


 

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Kickstarter
COSMIC WISDOM TAROT DECK
AND VISUAL GUIDEBOOK





Our friend and colleague, Ethony has created
another wonderful tarot deck! The Cosmic
Wisdom Tarot Deck is a celestial blend of
time-honoured tarot symbolism and rich
artistic expression. Each card has been
meticulously designed by Ethony and brought
to life by talented artist James Fenner.

This tarot deck results from countless hours
researching, collaborating, sketching, and
refining every detail. The Cosmic Wisdom
deck will resonate with seasoned tarot
readers and newcomers alike.

All of the paintings for the tarot deck have
been completed, and the guidebook has been
written. All that’s left to do now is typesetting,
box design and production. By backing their
Kickstarter campaign and pre-ordering the
deck, you’ll be helping them receive the
funding needed to get the tarot deck printed
with the same quality you’ve come to expect
from all decks created by Ethony.

Ethony has been reading the Tarot for over
22 years for clients worldwide. She is the
independent creator of The Awakened Soul
Oracle, Bad B*itches Tarot, Modern Love
Tarot, Modern Goddess Oracle and more. She
is the headmistress of the Tarot Readers
Academy, where she has taught people to read
the Tarot for over 15 years.

To see the cards and help Ethony and James
manifest their labor of love, check out the
Kickstarter page for the Cosmic Wisdom Tarot
and Visual Guidebook here:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ethony/cosmic-wisdom-tarot-deck-and-visiual-guidebook


 

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