Last year I acquired this biography on Paschal Beverly Randolph, 19th-century Black American trance medium, occultist, writer, and sex magician born October 8th, 1825. (Sun in Libra, Moon in Leo, and a Venus Jupiter conjunction in Virgo—fascinating given his work on the occult and sex magic!) I’ve been making my way through this tome and am about finished with it! It's dense and detailed, making it a slow read, but it's so interesting full of incredible accounts of Randolph’s life. So, I felt compelled to do this book report in honor of Black History, and as a push to finish the book. John Patrick Deveney, an academic occultist, wrote in depth about Randolph’s spiritual and magical methodologies and philosophy in a scholarly yet accessible way. This biography (no, history book!) at 600 pages also offers mini-biographies of other spiritualists of his time, which shows the extent of the circles that Randolph participated in. Beyond scholarly, this is a historical and fascinating account of a mage whose work is considered to be the forerunner of modern occultism, along with Madame H. P. Blavatsky and Aleister Crowley, whose works & societies were in part influenced by Randolph. Included within these pages are two of Randolph's major works on sexual magic: The Ansairetic Mystery and The Mysteries of Eulis. Randolph’s magical and occult works involved using magic mirrors, hashish, and sexual magic to help develop the muscle of mediumship; and combined with his travels around the world and connections to occultists of his time makes his biography so compelling to read. Randolph wrote extensively about his travels, as well as his spiritual sensitivities and shared his experiences and magical practices in pamphlets, spiritualist newspapers, memoirs, and handbooks, openly teaching others how they could access the spirit realm themselves through various magical tools and techniques. >>>
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 The first edition of the Divine Muses Oracle is Out of Stock. A second edition is planned for release sometime this year. The Divine Muses Oracle page will be updated for pre-orders in the near future.
I'm planning to add two new cards and make a couple minor changes to the set. Thank you all for your kind support!  Jupiter & Saturn come together in a most auspicious way on the 21st of December! This “Great Conjunction” will spark a turning point at 0° Aquarius on the Solar New Year—the Solstice. What an incredible amount of rebirthing energy converging in the astro heavens that practically ushers in a renaissance! One can see why some astrologers are calling this the “official” entrance into the Age of Aquarius. We are shifting into the creativity and idealism of Aquarius from the cynicism of Capricorn who can be critical & get lost in pessimism—where Jupiter has been moving through for the past year, and Saturn for the past 2.5 years. This move into Aquarius reflects the archetypes of the Rebel, Revolutionary, & Visionary; and the Humanitarian, who sees the whole as greater than the sum of its parts. She takes us out of individualism and self-absorption into a world that focuses on the group and the greater good for all. How will you embody this archetypal transition? This is a most potent and hopeful time of evolution and change that we are stepping into when Jupiter & Saturn meet at 0° Aquarius. Though I feel we’ve been at the precipice, this “Great Mutation in Air” will propel us forward. Much like the Renaissance after the Dark Ages, where there was great social change. Think of The Star in the Tarot, which follows The Tower card! Mystics & magicians have had visions of the Age of Aquarius since the ‘70s, but the truth is, it's not going to save us. There is a shadow side to everything and the Age of Aquarius' kind of scares me, especially considering how AI tech could evolve! Aquarius is ruled by Uranus, which governs technology. Today's technology positively offers us a way of connecting communities and giving everyone a platform to share their work & creativity, especially now more than ever. However, Shadow Aquarius can be emotionally detached & cut-off. We know by now that “social” media can fake us out with the illusion of connecting through the screen, when the truth for some can be more isolating screen-side. But, it all really comes down to how we choose to use modern technology. We can use it to lift each other up, or it can be used to our detriment. Jupiter & Saturn rule the economy, politics, and systems of law & order, and we know how dangerous a weapon the Internet can be. The echo chambers and “fake news” are hurting us. We have to be more vigilant about how we share and acquire information. We got here together; we can get ourselves out of it. The solution will be coming together to regulate technologies that polarize and divide. We will need to consider digital minimalism & digital detoxes as part of our self-care routines & healing practices. We can reimagine how we use technology. It will take personal discipline AND the collective Will—the “Essence” of the Age of Aquarius. I look forward to this new era. Where the group is more consequential than the ego of the individual. Where we gather in community & find ways to come together for the greater good. If we choose, our humanity can matter more, and the will of the few for short-term gains & agendas can become outmoded, and ludicrous even. This has been the way for many groups and cultures. Many have already been working for years and progressing towards a long-term vision and reimagining a better future for ALL. And with the wakeup call of the past year a critical mass of supporting and uplifting marginalized communities came to the forefront in the USA, which extended to the world. I know there's still much work to do. And things won't change without personal action. Imagine how the Age of Aquarius will steer us if everyone rose to action to help one another! While 2020 has felt like the biggest setback of our lives, it was a monumental catalyst for our evolution! We have been struggling in a cocoon of transmutation and we’re breaking out of its crushing confines. Here’s to our resurrection! May this Solstice and Great Mutation in Air usher in collective renewal and illuminated Unity.  Lua Tarot's The Tower, The Star, and Evolution cards. |
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