In Part 1, I talked a bit about when you get your new tools—cleansing, protecting, storage, and the different beliefs about what may or may not be in your divination tools.
And also how beginnings sometimes make the mistake of only practicing when they have important questions or crisis.
Today I’m reposting this lesson that I wrote for my psychic students in 2023.
Teachers, Mentors, and Pieces of Paper
You’ve got your tools cleanse and protected, now its time to start using them. You can take workshops, classes, and/or courses—you can seek out teachers and mentors if you’d like. Just be specific about whether or not you’re seeking human or incorporeal mentors. Back in 2014, I was not specific in who or what my psychic/divination teachers were, and the Other answered. Hekate and Dionysus were my first psychic and divination teachers, followed by Others later.
In 2020, thanks to a friend—Serendipity Wyrd—I met Mama Gina LaMonte who was offering an Experiential Kabballah course, which I loved. Then when she offered a Tarot course, I signed up right away—I was all right with tarot, but it wasn’t my favorite tool to use, I still struggled a bit. Through her teachings, I actually understood tarot better, and I still refer to the notes from that course.
In 2021, I believe, Serendipity Wyrd offered an in-depth Deep Dive course over the Elder Futhark Runes, where we spent 3 days on each rune, listening to music inspired by the runes (such as Warduna), reading the Havamal and the Icelandic songs on each runes, drawing them on ourselves, doing artwork (a couple of people did embroidery) meditating, trancing, etc. We also learned the history and about problematic authors, people, and organizations. Serendipity was very thorough, especially with the hate groups and runes associated. Again, another Deep Dive course that really helped me to connect with the spirit of these ancient tools and understand. Course, some of the runes, I ended up living. (I’ve adopted this Deep Dive method with other divination tools, such as the Greek Alphabet Oracle and the Ogham [“oh-em” is how I learned to pronounce it].)
Again, you don’t have to seek teachers or classes to learn these divination tools. You can, but having a certificate or whatever piece of paper doesn’t make you better than someone didn’t go those routes. Honestly, a lot of those certifications are bullshit and don’t mean much in the professional metaphysical/spiritual world. They’re more for the person who took the course—you did the work, great job! Be proud.
However, you can have all the certifications and degrees in the world, but if you didn’t do the deep spiritual work, who cares? Ask yourself why you wanted those papers? For the deep work, to truly understand and connect, or to just show off? Or perhaps you were just duped—happens all the time.
If you chose to take the classes, make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons, and that the person offering isn’t just scamming you. Unfortunately there’s a lot of smooth talking scammers out there who just want your money.
Now not everyone who offers the classes and has a certification or whatever piece of paper are scamming you. Sometime they want congratulate their students. It becomes a problem when people are duped into believing that they NEED these certs and degrees in order to work with the tools in a professional manner. Nah, if you’re wanting to turn your divination work into a business, you need a Business/Vendor License and to research your state/province’s laws about this kind of work. Not fancy certifications and degrees. Make sure you’re legal with your state/province.
Again, if you want a teacher, go find someone. If you ask the Universe for one, be specific. However it’s not a requirement to have teachers. Also make sure it’s just not a scammer tricking you.
Also, I talk a lot about divination tools and psychic ability. You do not need to be psychic to use divination tools. Hell, some people don’t even use divination tools for divination. Some of them may use them for storytelling! Or for psychological/therapy work. Since I do use them with my psychic abilities, I talk about both, and I teach both to my spiritual/psychic students.
Finally onto the simple practices!
Practice
You can meditate a little bit before a session. Ground, if you want. Cast a circle. Cleanse your space, ask for the presence of guides and guardians. Or do none of this and just jump in.
Find a quiet place and get to work. Shuffle, then draw 1-3 lots or cards when you feel the tool is ready. For me, my hands tingle when it's time or I hear/see "ready", "yes", "She", or "Trade"; other people may get a thought or some other sensation. Gotta practice to learn your cues.
Practice either every day, several times a week, or once a week, asking a simple question:
"What will I learn today/this week?" or "What message/advice do you have for me today/week?"
When I first learned divination (er, the second attempt), I'd record my question and answer in the morning. At the end of the day, I'd check my entry and reflect. Especially if it was advice--did I take the advice for the situation?
As I started getting more and different tools, I'd work with all of them with that one question, "What am I going to learn today?" or "What message do you have for me?" Record all answers. Return later my day/week and reflect.
You're working with the tools.
You're training and developing your abilities.
For me, it helped to see how certain tools can handle a question. Sometimes it was an accuracy check, other times some tools were better either explaining, OR they build on one another like a sentence or a paragraph.
I learned the personality of the tools. Some tools are more blunt, others more gentle.
Another fun method is the Reverse Pull. This was taught by a tarot teacher of mine, Mama Gina LaMonte. She said to draw a card or rune in the morning, but don't look at it. At the end of your day, then look at it, and write down whether or not it was accurate. This was a fun way to learn and I was already very surprised by the accuracy!
Don't stress about memorization, it may take place over time or it may not! I've been practicing for years, and I still use notes and books, along with what I've memorized and my intuition. I have terrible memory, which doesn't make me any less than someone who has memorized them all. It's perfectly fine to have notebooks, guidebooks, or cheat sheets. OR to write meanings on your tools as you learn them. Some tarot cards already have the meanings on them.
Here's a deck that I used for Mama Gina's tarot classes. Lots of notes!
Course this deck, the pip cards had no symbols to help me decipher the meanings. The Major Arcana yes, but the others? Nope! This is actually my first tarot deck, and it was a gift (tarot decks do not need to be gifted to you–want a divination tool? Go buy one! 🙂).
There is the ableist gatekeeping crap going around in some tarot circles that clients ain't gonna wait for a reader to consult the guidebook. Listen, just because some of us have crap memories doesn't mean we're not worthy of workin and snatchin up yo clients! (Business wise, I'm actually more about community than competition, but yall get what I mean.)
There are some people who don't bother with the meanings of the tools, they just go by their intuition.
Anyway, some folks will spend time with a card, a rune, or whatever they have--study the meaning or meditate on it, reflect on what it may mean to them. Here are some ways to bond with your divination tools:
Set up an altar and meditate.
Look at a scene on the card and put themselves in it to further understand
Pull a card/rune and don't look at the guidebook. No cheating! Just look at the card/rune, look at the imagery, the symbols, and let intuition speak. THEN look up the meaning.
Keep a journal or a vision board.
Create a playlist.
If you're using Norse Runes, a pagan band to check out is Wardruna.
Make a pouch or container for them.
There's no one right way, just the way that works best for you.
The meanings on these card above are more traditional. Some tarot cards may differ from the traditional meanings—so having the booklet that came with your tools near by isn’t a bad idea. Also with any tool, as you work with them, the meanings may change from the traditional/author, too.
For example, with the Witch Runes, the Crossroads rune means Decisions. For me, it means Discipline. In the Elder Futhark runes, Thorisaz isn’t always conflict, it also mean a Shield of Thorns—Thor’s Protection—for me. Sometimes the meaning depends on the surrounding runes. Other times it depends on what my Deities/Spirits show me.
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Here's an example of using multiple tools for a daily question. For this reading, I'll be using the Elder Futhark runes, a LeNormand style tarot deck called the Fairy Tale Fortune, and the Rebel Deck oracle.
What will I learn today?
FTF:
The Bird - Worry
The Whip - Difficulty Communicating
The Woman - Represent me or another person.
Ah, interesting. Spirit is focused on something that happened in a group. Someone asked about an instrument. I said that it was similar to another instrument. They disagreed and I replied with a link that both supported my "similar" statement and their disagreement. We were both right.
When they didn't respond, I started to worry that I'd come off as aggressive, which wasn't my intention at all. But I've been told that I carry "hard energy". Doesn't help that I'm still learning the art of social skills and have little tact, but people often misunderstand me and feel that I'm being hostile when I'm not.
I also have social anxiety and tend to worry about things that aren't actually happening. Like, "Do they think I'm being mean? Did I respond too quickly? I know some people take fast responses as aggression. Oh shit, they probably do. Damn it."
Let's see how another tool may elaborate or provide a solution.
RO:
You Need a Big Fucking Hug - Squeeeeeeezzzzzzzeeeeeee
Fuck Fear - It will lie to your face.
This deck (which I love) is confirming my anxiety concern. It's all in my mind. It's gonna be okay.
EFR
Isahz - Thaw.
Ehaz - Grounded.
Thurisaz - Discomfort.
Unfreeze, it's okay. Ground. You're going to be uneasy until they respond or at least show no offense to your direct and quick link response. Chill.
I'm sure yall can see the similarities between the three tools, and how one goes into deeper or different detail than the other. Working with multiple tools isn't necessary, but it can certainly be helpful for any sessions at any level of experience.
I also use a pendulum for more accurate answers, especially if I'm not able to hear Spirit correctly, or say I'm anxious! My anxiety was saying that I was being arrogant and BSing myself, when Spirit was saying something different. Often those guidebooks have multiple answers and possibilities. I often use the pendulum and ask which option is correct, if what I’m hearing or seeing isn’t clear.
Practice makes better, yall. Get to know your tool before a crisis pops up!
Thanks for all of the Hearts, Follows, Subscribing, Purchases, Bookings, and Recommendations. I really do appreciate the support.
Trust in Sunna. Trust in Joy. Follow the Bees…
~ Priestess Foxlyn
I offer psychic readings if interested. I’m a Psychic Medium who can channel Deities, Spirits, and the Dead—human and animal. These entities may use pendulums, cards, runes, automatic writing/typing/drawing, possession, or energies to answer your questions. I accept venmo and trade. Click the link above for more information.
Readings will be offered on my Etsy soon.
Until then, you can email me at foxtorchphoto18@gmail.com
On April 26th, If you’re in the area of Dayton, Ohio, I’ll be at Kettering Polen Farm for Dayton Pagan Coalition’s Psychic Faire. If you’re also a local vendor, psychic, or healer, there may still be spots available.