The Keeper II Collection

Our model Alessandra was so excited to work with a real turtle! He was such a great model too.

When I look at these images I can’t help but wonder at the incredible synchronicity of life and how the pieces fall together. A former classmate of mine at ECU, Kate Barreto mailed me this gorgeous intact baby turtle shell with the skull and legs. He’s SO freaking cute and incredible to look at!

Immediately I knew I needed to update one of my favorite collections, the Keeper collection that I created years ago with a larger adult turtle shell. Turtle shells are absolutely incredible. The textures and skin has the most fascinating patterns. It almost resembles a map, but to where?

Turtles are magic to me, as are all animals but the way they are constructed beholds my interest the most.

The lesson with turtle is through sound, through absolute presence and awareness. That is a word I’m holding to this year, AWARENESS. You can learn so much through sitting in the moment, sensing energy through the air.

Now I’m on a tangent because I’m also reading a book about quantum physics and energy. Animals are aware of so much more than we are but on a different level, the 5th dimension maybe?

Okay regardless I hope you love this collection because I am in love with it and the possibilities!! I made a cute turtle skull ring and turtle skull charms.

The Keeper II Collection drops this week on Friday, September 23rd in celebration of Mabon. You can get EARLY access by signing up for my email list at the link below.

I also want to take a moment and thank my super talented friends and colleagues that helped make this photoshoot look so dreamy and magical, Ashleigh Bowden is a STELLAR photographer. She has worked with me for about ten years now, either as a model and now as an amazing photographer (she’s based in Raleigh and does family/portrait style photography along with photoshoots like mine) and of course my bestie in fun Meagan Wilson, whom did the exquisite makeup!

Thanks as always for reading - YOU’RE THE BEST!

Orchil and time

When I set about creating my newest collection I wanted it to touch upon one of the greatest mysteries of our lives…TIME.

As humans we crave and need ritual and structure. The sun setting, the moon rising, the tides going in and out and thus there is a push and pull to life. I’ve always loved and felt immense gratitude for this cyclical and gentle way of transitioning through our world.

Every night I read one of my spiritual books and one of them is by RJ Stewart, Power within the Land, and I came across this poem:

ORCHIL

I dreamed of Orchil, the dim goddess who is under the brown earth, 
in a vast cavern, where she weaves at two looms. 
With one hand she weaves life upward through the grass; 
with the other she weaves death downward through the mould; 
and the sound of the weaving is Eternity, 
and the name of it in the green world is Time. 
And, through all, Orchil weaves the weft of Eternal Beauty, 
that passeth not, though its soul is Change. 
This is my comfort, O Beauty that art of Time, 
who am faint and hopeless in the strong sound 
of that other weaving, where Orchil, the dim goddess, 
sits dreaming at her loom under the brown earth.

-William Sharp as Fiona McLeod

I was struck by the imagery that came to mind and how much coral resembles webs and the interconnectedness of our world. And also the incredible lessons we learn from Mother Earth and her dark mysteries. There is incredible knowledge and wisdom right below our feet that we don’t tap into.

So I sought to meld the two ideas together, the coral, shark teeth and transparency and depth of water and the mythology of Orchil.

Kyanite was a perfect stone to set in the large shark tooth my friend found scuba diving. Kyanite is healing and a beautiful stone to cleanse and align your chakras plus that blue is gorgeous set with sterling silver and yummy golden bronze.

All these jewels DROP tomorrow , Friday, April 15th….I really came up quick with these jewels and the incredible photoshoot I did with my friend Ashleigh Bowden.

So what do ya’ll think? Are you happy I returned to some seashell jewels and coral? Tell me your thoughts and sign up for my emails so you get the scoop on jewelry drops & events!

You Wore it Best...How Eilisain Customers Style Their Jewels

Here’s an update on how you style your Eilisain jewels. There were so many good ones from this holiday season (aka Halloween).

I really love seeing how you wear your jewels because it shows them in real life on REAL humans.

My friend Allison is dressed as the Goblin King (yesssss!) wearing her moonstone and badger claw pendant.

Below is my friend Rosie and her wild cat with the owl talon earrings. Rosie and I went to ECU together and she works with animals at home and work. She is such a badass.

My friend Katie is Medusa and how absolutely appropriate is it that she’s wearing several Medea pieces? Katie is a badass as well, she has gone thru the fire and back and I’m so lucky to call her a friend.

How fabulous is this lady and her red nails with the rose gold plated Hunted owl talon arch ring? It looks so good on her! I met this lady and the silver fox below in Norfolk at the New Moon Market last weekend. I always have such a good time when I do shows in Norfolk.

I truly LOVE photos of YOU in your jewels. You are a badass and you should show it off!

thank you as always for reading and popping on by!

The Samhain Collection

Initially I wanted to create a spider collection, I transitioned to making it more whole to cover this auspicious time of year. I believe all of us find Halloween so beguiling and comforting because as much as life is a beautiful thing, death will be our reprieve. Thus I decided to create a collection that celebrates one of my favorite pagan sabbaths, Samhain.

Samhain is the Celtic/Pagan holiday celebrates the harvesting season, when mother earth releases her leaves, when we gather honor our ancestors with gifts, prayers and festivities.

So just as snake showed up into my life quite seamlessly, spider is doing the same. Earlier this summer I came across a gorgeous little orb weaver. She’s so pretty with her lil points and black and white colors.

Besides being quite beautiful, spider is an excellent reminder that we are the weavers of our own destiny. And the amazing interconnectedness of humanity and that what each of us does in our lifetime can affet many others.

As you might guess, creatin a spider jewel would be done by hand NOT by casting an actual spider although I’m sure it could be done.

And to challenge myself I decided to create my own spider. It was not easy and I’m still perfecting it. I wanted to create a spider that has longer legs but wouldn’t get in the way of you wearing it.

When I was reading up on spiders I was not surprised to learn that spiders are just as scared of us as we are of them! Yes spiders are scared of giant human beings. And spiders are quite fragile, they can actually break if you drop them from high up. Thus let us have respect and honor for such small yet might creatures.

Perhaps death is scared of us? I know it’s a silly concept to think of, or that human life is just as fragile, complex and if we aren’t too careful - we can break it.

The Samhain Collection will have you amazed and surprised at how necessary it is for our human existance to celebrate, revere and honor death and the departed.. I will be dropping this collection, officially on Wednesday October 20th, the New Moon in Aries.

Which Goddess are you?

I can recall the exact moment I fell in love with mythology. I was sitting in detention after school because I was ALWAYS running late to class. And I had picked up a Greek mythology book at the library. The tales were extraordinary, out of this world, and the goddesses?!!! I was sold on how badass and freaking cool the Greek Goddesses were. I mean Athena?! She led the Greeks to battle, they worshiped her.

Enter my late 20’s and I find myself obsessed with Morgana of the Celtic mythology and how she could shapeshift into various magical animals. Goddesses had powers unheard of for humans, and thus my love affair began.

Eilisain Jewelry is not only inspired by the animals used in the process (completely ethically of course) but also mythology, specifically goddesses. Celebrating the feminine divine has been important to me since I began creating jewelry. As you see with each collection there is a paired Goddess or famed character of fantasy such as Ondine or Ursula. Each goddess represents an aspect of life, the rebirth, the celestial and the wildness of the world.

So which goddess most identifies with you? Curious? Take the quiz below to find out! Enjoy my dears!!

Why You Should Invest In An Oracle Deck

Happy New year earth angles!!! It’s about dang time I do a blog post AND let’s kick this 2021 off year with ORACLE DECKS.

I got several new decks and I want to share them with you. I gotta tell you when I began my journey with divination and oracle cards over 20 years ago, it was NOT AS common and popular as they are today. Some people buy decks like lattes! They’re that addictive.

Ok so how do oracle decks differ from tarot? Well there aren’t as many cards as there are in a tarot deck and each oracle deck differs from each other. The one commonality is that it’s used as a tool of divination, oracles are more broad and touch upon the bigger themes in life.

For example my newest oracle deck, Dreamscape features themes that span from animal patronus to deities from across cultures. I’m really in love with this deck as it features stunning Art Novueau style illustration and design plus the messages are so deep and intense.

When/how to use oracle decks - I like using my decks as part of my morning alignment session. So after I meditate and pray I’ll close my eyes, shuffle my cards and ask the spirit realm what lessons I need to think about for the day. You can do readings just as you would with a tarot deck, for example laying out three cards to represent mind/body/spirit or past/present/future etc. You can also chose a card of the day. There truly are no rules to how to use an oracle deck.

Oracle cards provide a deeper meaning and understanding to our lives AND it grounds us in the present moment to listen, get quiet and dig deeper into our dreams and desires and fears.

Here is a brief list of my favorite oracle decks:

!. Dreamscape Orackle deck by Matt Hughes - As I stated above Matt’s art work is absolutely dreamy, gorgeous and harkens to the art nouveau period. I also love that Matt incorporates Goddesses and themes across all cultures.

2. Healing with Angels Oracle deck with Doreen Virtue - This is probably my first oracle deck, I can’t recall as I purchased it over 20 years ago. Doreen has a more christian view on the deck however these cards are so encouraging and provide a beautiful guide to tapping into our unconscious.

3. Threads of Fate - The ladies (Blaire Porter and Brit June) behind this oracle deck did a beautiful job of incorporating several elements in one card. For example with the patience card it features a turtle and a gemstone and herb. You get three in one teachings! The designs paired with gold embossing adds an ephemeral quality to them that is just divine.

4. The Celtic Tree Oracle - Being the Celt obsessed pagan that I am, this deck has been with me for awhile. Trees are ancient and across cultures & religions have been connected to the divine so it makes sense that they would be incorporated into an oracle. What I love about this deck is that they provide a notepad and guide on how to lay out your reading.

Just as there are many, many tarot decks available so are oracle and my best recommendation is to purchase one that resonates with you and treat them as you would any other divination tool, with curiosity and reverence.

I hope you enjoyed my post and you subscribe to my email list so that I can share more of my references and resources with you. Tapping into your inner teacher can have a profound impact on your life and is never time wasted.

How to Create Your Own Sacred Space

Since I was in my early twenties I’ve kept a ‘sacred space’, I put that in quotes because in reality it has always been an altar. A space where I can reflect and recall my spirituality and the divine High spirit. Altars are in nearly every religion, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and many others.

A sacred space can truly be anywhere or any space. What makes it sacred? The intention you have for it. You can easily have a space with photos and candles but if you don’t come to it with a spiritual intention than it’s a shelf or coffee table. Over the years my space has evolved and changed, since the beginning I used a plastic storage bin with a pretty cloth over it. Your space doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive, as long as you can worship near it.

So with that said, how do you create a sacred space? The most important part is the place, I’d recommend it be somewhere that is private or won’t be bothered too much by anyone you live with. You can create a space on a bookshelf or next to your bed or even in a closet! As long as it’s private and comfortable. Here is a brief list of some of the things I like to keep in my sacred space:

1. Candles - lighting a candle can mark the beginning of your ritual to call upon the High spirit or divinity. Plus they bring the element of fire!

2. Special mementos - I keep photos of my ancestors, postcards, crystals and keepsakes that very special people have gifted me.

3. Plants - Greenery in your space reminds you of the sacredness of Mother Earth and our connection to her, plus it just brightens up a space.

4. Pillows - You’re going to need some back support and comfort if you’re sitting or laying near your space. You want to be comfortable in order to quiet your mind and center your focus.

5. Books - I keep a Celtic prayer book at my space that provides prayers for morning and night for each season. It’s one of my favorite books. Books can provide quick reference for you.

Now for the extra’s! Since we moved into our home four years ago, I will admit I now have the luxury of an entire room as a sacred space!! I can’t tell you how in love i am with my meditation room. It’s probably my favorite room in our home.

I went all out for this room, I purchased a faux fur rug (confession, I also use this rug as a display for shows!), more plants….alot more plants, mainly little cactus and succulents. I put all my books in here along with my tarot decks, incense and my meditation and work out gear. Here are some additional items I keep at my altar:

1. Chalice - the chalice represents water, the subconscious and the giving of my spirit to the divine.

2. Mirror - I just added a mirror so as to work on my shadow self and my confidence. I decided that when I have conversations with myself in the mirror it’s as if I truly am talking to myself, outside of myself if that makes any sense!

3. Goddess sculptures - I have a handmade goddess my friend made as well as several others that represent the Yin, she is the feminine divine.

4. Rosary - I was raised Catholic and there is still that young girl in me that adores the Catholic iconography and symbols.

A sacred space grants you the opportunity to tap into your higher self and the holy spirit. Now when I began my spiritual journey and practice I didn’t spend as much time there as I’d hoped I would. Sometimes I’d pray at night or in the morning but because I had a dedicated space to prayer and reflection it was a reminder to come back when i needed that quiet time. Recently, since I’ve begun a dedicated morning routine, my sacred space has become my haven. A space for me to dream, journal and reflect.

I also want to stress that since I’ve begun to practice my quiet reflective time, my gratitude for life has increased, my anxiety has decreased and most importantly I’ve found that I’m so much more intentional with my words and actions. This isn’t to say that my life is perfect or that I don’t have moments of self doubt and stress but the time spent reflecting has given me grace and patience with myself. With the chaos of the world our reflective and meditative time will help immensely with bringing peace and calm in our world, the one thing we can control is our reaction and our thoughts and that is truly powerful.

“With the chaos of the world our reflective and meditative time will help immensely with bringing peace and calm in our world, the one thing we can control is our reaction and our thoughts and that is truly powerful. ”

— Lisette Fee, owner and designer of Eilisain Jewelry

I hope that my post gives you inspiration and insight into the value of a sacred space. YOU deserve to be quiet yourself and a space to honor yourself. If you want to learn more about my spiritual practices and jewelry that celebrates the divinely powerful sign up for my email list above!

Thank you for reading and visiting my website. Have a beautiful day friends!

Slitherin' Snakes and How They Are a Potent Ally

I have a confession to make, I’m scared of snakes! Scared and yet intensely curious. Snakes are freaking cool, badass and so adaptable. Did you know the reason snakes can move and slither quickly is due to their dry skin as opposed to human skin which is much slimier than a snake.

Last month I was on a daily walk and I just happened to look down, well honestly I always look around when I walk as I love stumbling upon a cute critter or dead one. I look down and see a dried up garden snake. They’re quite cute and small, small enough to create jewelry with it. So I carried that lil snake on my walk and came home to create a mold of him.

Now for me, when a new animal comes into my life especially one that can be created into jewelry I like to meditate on this chance occurrence which isn’t always chance. Messages come to us daily from the spirit world, many times we ignore them, but if we pay attention to the signs and messages they can have a lasting impact on our life. Snakes are associated with rebirth, resurrection, initiation and wisdom. With what is happening globally we are collectively going through a major rebirth. We are realizing that the old system, the patriarchy isn’t serving our world. And right now we are moving through the transformation phase which can take time and much pain. Snake is here to teach us how to shed our old skin, how to go deep in our subconscious.

“Before the snake begins to shed its skin, its eyes will begin to cloud over. It gives the snake a trancelike appearance. To many mystics and shamans this indicated the ability of the snake to move between the realms of the living and the dead, of crossing over from life to death and then back again. As the skin begins to shed, the eyes begin to clear as if they will see the world anew.” - Ted Andrews, Animal Speak.

“Snakes are associated with rebirth, resurrection, initiation and wisdom. With what is happening globally we are collectively going through a major rebirth. We are realizing that the old system, the patriarchy isn’t serving our world. And right now we are moving through the transformation phase which can take time and much pain. ”

— Lisette Fee, ownder and designer of Eilisain Jewelry

Okay so now that you know some of the benefits of snake magic and snake totem knowledge how can we use that to benefit ourselves? How can we work with snake mythology? First of all let’s recognize that despite snakes being kind of scary they’re so essential to our animal kingdom. Snakes offer pest control, they are part of our larger ecosystem so if you do spot a scary snake (especially a copperhead) try to find it a new home or call a professional to move the snake, as for garden snakes they’re harmless and as it goes they’re good for your garden. Secondly, study snakes and channel they’re ability to shed what isn’t working or isn’t necessary. Personally I’m trying to shed my previous mindset (unable to control situations etc) and work with what I can control. Summer is especially a good time to shed the winter coat of our lives, create new rituals, start a new program (diet & exercise or creatively), sunbathe (with sunscreen) like some snakes do.

As you can imagine I’m very thrilled about creating a new collection with my garden snake. I had always wanted to and low and behold the snake presented itself to me so I’m planning a very intentional snake collection for which I’m naming the Medea Collection. Medea was the niece of Circe and learned much of her magical knowledge, herb lore and much more. Medea was the Greek Goddess for which she stole the golden fleece for Jason and the Argonauts. I felt Medea was apt as she is a witch goddess and she has transformed and shed her skin multiple times.

The Medea Collection will release in early to mid August, I’d love to create a large quantity of pieces for this collection so prepare yourselves! I’m also planning a very sexy and seductive photoshoot with some of my favorite bossbabes (Meagan Wilson for makeup and Ashley Bowden for photography). And I may also do a giveaway sooooooo come along with me and sign up for my email list below and I’ll keep you posted.

Connect with the Turtle Patronus to Channel Land and Water

“ symbol of the turtle was an invitation for the blessings of both heaven and earth…” Across cultures turtle has been regarded as ancient and sacred. Because turtles access both water and land. I love the medicine of turtle, it is so healing and powerful.

My parents found a turtle shell and gave it to me, at the time I was working with many different animal parts but what struck me as so incredible of the turtle is the bone structure is outside of the body. And the shell of a turtle has such gorgeous texture, when the ‘skin’ (the brittle brown texture of the actual shell) breaks away you can see a beautiful light filter through and it has a rorschach pattern.

So how can we bond and meditate with the turtle to expand our awareness and intuition? We get quiet and meditate and channel the turtle. Right now is the prefect time to do this because what do we have an abundance of? Time (okay maybe not for everyone - just remember Beyonce has as many hours in the day as we do).

Find a quiet spot and close your eyes….

• You may lay down or sit, whatever is comfortable for you.

• Breath in and out at a steady pace.

• Imagine a lake, quiet and soothing. You are standing at the waters edge.

• You look out at the horizon and the water, still as can be and you begin to walk into the lake

• The water submerges your feet, legs, waist, chest and then your head. You can walk easily and breath under water

• Earth is soft and squishy beneath your feet, you feel absolutely calm and centered.

• Vibrations from the deep within the lake run across and you feel the energy of the great turtle.

• You are now at the center of the lake and there before you is a large turtle, she opens her eyes and welcomes you. Reach out your hand and lay it on the turtles head.

• Turtle is now communing with you. Sending you her immense energy and calm. The longer your hand lies on her head you begin to feel your body morph. Your back becomes a thick strong bone shell. Your arms retreat inward, your neck expands.

• You move slowly yet with great intention and rhythm. Your sense of smell and taste amplify. Earth vibrates through your core.

• Movement is slow yet deliberate. You move through the water with ease and swim towards the edge of the water. Your feet land on the water. You are connected, you are aware of the sound and movement of the water, air and earth.

• Time is nonexistant, you have all the time in the world. You feel everything through your shell, your nose and sight. Stay in this presence of turtle, allow your mind to be absorbed into your surroundings. allow yourself to feel all aspects of turtle.

• You will now come out of your presence of turtle. You slowly move your toes, your hands, and stretch. open your eyes and slowly come back to your human presence.

Questions to ask yourself after your journey with turtle:

1. What did it feel like to be submerged in your unconscious?

2. How can I use this journey and apply it to my life. Do I need to slow down? Am I truly aware of my surroundings and events?

3. Am I truly present in my life? How does being turtle change my perception of time and space?

Turtle medicine is deep, connected and infinite. Because turtle is so tied to land and water, she has access to the inner depths of Mother earth and she has much to teach us. I hope that my meditation gave you pause, gave you deep inner awareness.

If you’d like more meditations and methods to connect to the infinite divine, please join my divine jewel list. Click the link below.

Winter Reading List

Sometimes I’ll pile all these pillows and just lay and read all afternoon, it’s the best!

Let’s be real, I am a voracious reader so I don’t need a season to read however there are certain books that I thoroughly enjoy more around in the wintertime. Plus, I’ve accumulated a stack of books that I’m slowly reading and that just makes my bookworm soul happy. So I wanted to share with you my current reading list!

1. The Witches are Coming by Lindy West - This was a surprise find at my library and I gotta say it was the perfect quick and very inspiring book. Not inspiring like, feel good but one that inspires me to be more vocal to continue the fight against the patriarchy and the apathy spreading like a damn virus. READ THIS BOOK!

2. Great Goddesses by Nikita Gill - Another surprise find that caught my eye as I was chasing my daughter around Barnes & Noble. I have been a fan of Nikita for awhile now and when I saw this paperback like a white angel on the shelf I had to grab it. Nikita dedicates a poem and then conversation to our most revered Greek Goddesses and gods. This is perfect couch reading and it’s a great companion to Circe.

3. Women who Run with Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes - This is practically a bible for any feminist and headstrong independent woman in your life. It’s filled with so many rich, cultural and strong female stories and not just that, tales throughout history of women going to the deep shadow self to retrieve their inner teacher and spirit guide.

4. Circe by Madeline Miller - Okay this book came out a year ago but it’s become an annual reading for me now, our protagonist and Greek demigoddess is one that we can all relate to. She’s the outcast of the family, she gives a good lesson to men that need it and she also totally messes up several times and then redeems herself. Plus I get to learn more about herbs and Greek mythology.

5. The Garden Awakening by Mary Reynolds - A dear friend gifted me this book and I’m so very happy she did. As a budding and novice gardener I had wanted a book that would help me gain a better understanding of working with the earth and plants. Mary includes great illustrations and graphics of various ways to arrange your garden and to have a relationship with it. I still have yet to finish this dense yet fascinating book but I highly recommend it for any of you that want to create a spiritual connection to your gardening practice.

6. Awaken Clairvoyant Energy by Cyndi Dale - I randomly picked up Cyndi’s book at my local pagan/herb shop Sojo and I’m so very happy I did. I’ve always held a deep fascination with clairvoyant topics and I’d secretly been yearning to learn more. Cyndi’s book is a super easy read and she has step by step guides on how to understand your own abilities and intuition.

So there you have it my winter reading list, you could actually read any of these books at any time of the year which I will most likely do. I secretly harbor a deep dream to have a personal library of the likes of Belle from Beauty and the Beast. I love books, they provide doorways into other worlds. I hope you enjoyed this list and please sign up for my email list below ,if you aren’t already on it so that I can continue to share with you my personal recommendations.

As always, thank you for popping by my blog!!

The Power of Myth

When I was eleven years old I distinctly recall picking up a book at the library about Greek mythology and finding the stories and deeds of Gods and demigods awe inspiring and fascinating. At the time I was intensely creative, I sketched fashion outfits, I made clay jewelry, and dreamed up my own stories.

Reading the infamous Greek myths gave me an opening into the massive tales of love, betrayal, deceit and loss of innocence. The myths were a window into other worlds and life lessons.

As I grew older I still found myself drawn to myths and legends. I became particularly enchanted with Celtic myths and the land sites that connected humans to the fairy realm. Not only that I LOVED learning about the sacred objects that connect us to the gods and goddesses of the Celts. There is something magical when reading about giants that roamed Ireland and fought over each other and called upon druids and witches to protect their offspring and homes.

Later when I entered university, my ‘major’ was Anthropology which seemed so fitting, for someone who is now a jeweler. See the intersection of handmade objects and human activity in our world resulted in culture which also ran it’s course with religion and mythology.

What I love so much about mythology is that their UNIVERSAL and most can relate to the human emotions in these epic tales, why do you think we’re so obsessed with Marvel and the Avengers movies, they’re essentially mythologies.

When I first began creating my jewelry collections I knew that I wanted to create stories and themes to the pieces I created. For example my Valkyrie Collection was shot with my friend Claire who has gorgeous short red hair and the presence of a Viking.

Mythologies guide us through life, and connect us to the universe at large. When our ancestors looked up at the night sky and saw the twinkling beauty of planet Venus and constellations they told tales of our our world came to be.

We can travel through time to another era when we read the Celtic, Nordic, Hindu and many other world mythologies and tales. We can understand how greed leads to destruction, rebirth and renewal of the earth.

Kaltes Collection drew from Ugric peoples of western Siberia. She was a shape-shifter.

I hope that this post gives you pause to open a Greek myth book or revisit old myths and legends. There are so many lessons and takeaways.

Flip through some of my lookbooks and videos inspired by Gods and Goddesses of past.

Tarot and Why I Love It

Tarot is experiencing a widespread popularity and resurgence and I’m so incredibly happy because it’s such an amazing spiritual tool and method for inner growth and manifestation.

I started reading my tarot cards about 18 years ago - dang I feel old! My first deck was the Rider-waite (the most popular deck to begin with). At first it felt overwhelming to shuffle through and try to understand but over the years I’ve become so much more familiar and adept at using them.

Tarot is a divination tool and a very ancient one.

“The word tarot can have several associations, some may liken it to the Hebrew word, Torah; the latin rota, meaning “wheel” or the Arabic Tarah or turuq which refer to “four ways”. However most point to the connection between the Italian Tarocchi or Tarocco which refers to the original renditions of the play-card games that appeared in Europe sometime during the 15th century.”

— Danielle Noel auther of The Book of Tarot

Over the years tarot went through several renditions and new designs but the ultimately the tarot deck that has endured over time is the Rider Wait-Smith tarot designed and illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith. Both were occultists and practitioners of Kabbalism and they added a whole new mystical symbology to the deck.

An excerpt from one of my favorite Tarot guidebooks, Modern Tarot by Michelle Tea has a fantastic description of tarot:

“The Tarot is an ancient story system, a pack of cards that tell a multitude of tales depending on the ways in which they’re placed alongside one another. Pull the High Priestess, the Page of Coins, and the World, and it tells a story of an individual seeking higher purpose through the material world, someone who isj ust beginning a path of knowledge but whose deep inspiration and devotion will take her very far....The trick to being able to deduce this is to know the cards well and allow yourself to link their stories together and — and this is really important — trusting that you are reading the cards clearly. It could, if you’re nervous to look at that last spread of cards and then say, “Oh, um, actually, it could also mean that walking away from this situation might bring the Tower down and ruin your life. I”m not sure! Thanks for coming!” Tarot speaks to your intuition, to our guts. More and more scientific research points to the right-on power of our “guts” to make quick, intuitive , and correct decisions.”

— Michelle Tea

Here’s the thing to understand about tarot and all forms of divination; it’s a tool which means it isn’t going to predict your future, what tarot does is provide a visual aid of delving deeper into what you’re experiencing. Tarot is akin to a telescope allowing you to see much closer into your life.

My daughter and I looking through the cards

Tarot is just one of the divination tools I use.

I want to be clear that tarot is for anyone, of any faith. And you don’t need years of experience to read your own cards. Because here’s a secret friends, you know the answers. Deep down you are your greatest teacher and that is how you understand the cards.

Here’s a list of my favorite decks:

The Fountain tarot deck - I feel as if I’m deep within my unconscious when i look at these cards. It’s as if entering a dream world.

The Moonchild deck - Another otherworldly deck, I love the collage effect of these images. Danielle creates a beautiful and sumptous world with her images AND the booklet for the deck is full of juicy information and ways to attune yourself to the moon.

The Arthurian Tarot deck - This was the second deck I acquired and one of my most cherished. Caitlin and John Matthews are complete scholars of Celtic and Arthurian lore and legend. This deck delves into the myth and stories and provide fantastic illustrations that really get you thinking what the symbols mean.

Anima Mundi deck - My daughter loves this deck for all the dark and fantastical images of the animals. I also enjoy this deck for totem spiritual work. What is a lovely surprise about this deck are some of the animals are associated with characteristics that I normally wouldn’t have.

Threads of Fate oracle deck - My newest deck and one that isn’t tarot but oracle, somewhat the same but doesn’t follow the traditional minor arcana and major. Brit June and Blair Porter have created a beautiful deck with gold inlay and the illustrations touch upon larger themes like Soul Work and Speak Truth. Some cards feature healers, sages and spiritual practitioners with a lil bio in the booklet.

Some tips for newbie Tarot nerds:

• pull one card a day to get famililar with your deck

• Keep a journal to record your thoughts and feelings towards the card

• Before you pull a card, sit with the deck and allow your mind to cleanse the cards and connect with them.

• Take your deck with you whereever you go, so that you can sit and play with them or share with a friend.

I hope you enjoyed this post and especially learning more about tarot. I promise that time with a tarot deck is never wasted and is so cleansing for the spirit.

If you’d like to learn more about divination, meditation and how to combine jewelry with those two, sign up for my email list below. I email weekly about my jewelry, up coming craft shows, mindfulness and more.

As always thanks for reading - stay badass and fierce friends!

Treat Your Bestie, Your Sister from Another Mister Right!

My Galentine’s Day Gift guide is here! I curated this selection to truly match the special woman/man in your life. I’m not talking about your spouse or partner but the person that you call in the middle of the night or when you need to vent and cry your eyes out to.

Here I am with my dearest friend Cate. I’d be lost without her in my life!

“Over the years, my best friends have been my life line. They’ve seen me at my absolute worst (aka being a diva) and at my best (aka when I got married). So why not treat them to something truly memorable and special? ”

Of course, I do consider all of my jewelry perfect gifts for any occasion, but these selections speak to any price point $30 to under $200 and to the type of person in your life. I hope this helps and lets lift up the amazing souls that do the same for us!

Drawing Down the Moon

One of the most cherished pagan books, I absolutely love the title and what Margot Adler means by it. When we live in tune with the Goddess and the moon we draw down it’s power.

Thus I became inspired to create a collection of images and jewelry that drew inspiration from the moons guidance and beauty. I worked with some super talented artists, my friend and photographer Gigi Hoggard and Meagan Wilson, makeup artist and fellow boss girl.

We shot on a super humid and sunny day at a beautiful water dam in the country hills of North Carolina. Shooting outdoors is always the given option, as my jewelry draws immense inspiration from the land and animals.

The Kaltes Collection is named after the ancient goddess of the Ugric people of Siberia. She governs the moon and her she is said to shift into a hare. I found all of these aspect incredibly meaningful to what I had been doing with my jewelry, the moon calling to me as well as using the bones of a rabbit.

Isn’t my model, Michelle Torres stunning? She really captured the confidence and bravery of a Goddess. To be strong when we feel scared inside, to put on the dark veil and submit to the shadows. This is what I find fascinating and insightful to stories and myths; they give us guidance and examples of how we can face our inner demons.

We all go through periods of our life when we need to be brave. Who hasn’t felt nervous, worried, anxious or fearful? But it is how we grow from the tough periods of our lives that make us who we are.

I hope that you also find comfort in the tales of our ancestors, and be hopeful. Every day is a new beginning. Just take two deep breaths and and take the plunge!

You can shop for these pieces and more on my site. Thank you as always for visiting.