* WW: Zener Cards - About and Use.

"What are Zener cards and How do we use them?"

Background: In my 15 years or so of practice and study I've never heard of Zener cards until I received some in a magazine subscription.  I asked around and no one seem to have a clue either so I did the research..  I read the magazines, looked online and well I thought I'd post my findings for other people.  So first off.. If anyone in the UK and has been collecting the Enhancing Your Mind Body Spirit magazines by DeAgostini they may have come across Zener cards OR if you've been watching my unboxings of the monthly magazine subscription I post on my YouTube @ https://www.youtube.com/c/imogenakamissimoinsane you'll have seen I now have the full deck.  

So.. What are they?

- A basic deck consists of 25 cards with identical backs (much like playing cards, tarot, oracle etc).  The 25 card deck includes 5x 5 different shapes (usually square, triangle, cross, wave and circle) and these cards are also 5x 5 colours (one shape per colour).

What are they for?

- Zener cards are used to test and improve your psychic intuition, abilities and enhance your ESP (Extrasensory Perception also known as Extrasensory Perception and Telepathy).

How are they used?

- Do whatever it is you do to connect with cards or other divination tools such as tarot and oracle cards.  This may range and include (but not exclusive to) smudging, sleeping with the cards under your pillow for 7 nights, studying the cards, asking for guidance from Deities, Spirits, Angels or other beings and/or energies etc..  Or whatever it is you do to connect.

- Before the session you may wish to shuffle the cards face down much like you would do with any other unmarked cards.

- Move on to meditating, cleansing, special dress robe, ritual, lighting candles, asking for guide help and/or casting circles, or any other techniques used or tools to get you in that psychic zone ready for divination.  (Always use protection when evoking spirits and other beings). 

- Once ready turn the deck over.  Really focus on each card one at a time. Some people like to trace the outline of the shape with their index finger of their dominant hand while repeating (silently or out loud) the shape, or the colour and shape of that card over and over to really familiarise yourself with each unmarked card.  

- Once you have done this with each card turn them back away from you and again shuffle the deck while thinking about the cards as you shuffle.  Alongside this you may wish to repeat the colours and shapes, any chants, prayer or anything you deem helpful to aid your connection. 

- Once you feel ready you may stop shuffling the cards.  And draw one card (still with the back of the card facing you).  Beginners can focus on just the card shape to start with "guessing" that shape that's on the card - ok ok psychologically linking with the card to predict the shape. Repeat this process of drawing and predicting card after card.  (Optional write down your predictions and why you think that and then underneath the outcome and any thoughts you may have!) Building up that psychic intuition over time you can then move on to colour, mixing it up with colour or shape or indeed more advanced predicting both colour and shape.

Why would you use them?

- Now I could be wrong but seemingly the only real function, and don't get me wrong because it is a huge and awesome function, is to enhance your ESP abilities as mentioned earlier.

Food for thought:

Note. This can also be done with spirit working and connecting with them for them to aid you in your predictions.  - Always use protection!

Note. Making a Zener deck yourself would be very easy to do.  25 identical pieces of card, 5 different coloured pens and draw the 5 shapes; one with each pen.

Note. Like any divination this takes time and practice to build up the skill.  Not all divinations are for everyone.  While some people may excel in Zener they may lack at dowsing or tarot or runs or scrying etc.. Also equally it could be vice versa for any divination..

What is the meaning of Divination?

- The practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown by supernatural means (Google Dictionary).

🖤 Imogen

* WW: Sea Glass - Properties & Uses (IMO)

"What are the magickal properties and uses of Sea Glass?"

So thought I would post this 'In My Opinion' response out there..  These are some of the uses I've used sea glass for and/or seen others use it for - I'm sure there are loads of other uses (feel free to comment with your uses and/or sea glass finds I truly would love to see them!!)

So first off let me say that I just love to find it..  And go beach combing!!  I live in Blackpool England which is surrounded by beaches but I've only ever found sea glass at Fleetwood (on a good day maybe 10 pieces?) - I found a sea glass marble which I have displayed on my altar..  I have some tiny pieces which are on my altar in bottles but mostly I collect it to use in jewellery making..!

That said..  I've seen people use them for / I've used them for a whole number of things.. Here's some examples:

*To use for water / sea properties - as real sea glass, which has been smoothed fully, has had a long sea life and ultimately a long exposure to the salty sea water!..

*Sea witches of course find them useful.  Or water witches.

*Ones found with holes in have similar properties to Hag stones or wishing stones especially with a sea or water element properties.

*They can be used as water representation on an altar or in the home.

*Mermaid representation or offerings.

*They can represent fire and water because of the fired glass properties too..

*Other ideas are to engraved with runes or other symbols to create a set of runes, as talismans, charms etc..  Also used in jewellery or to make pendulums for dowsing and other divination.

*The Goddess / The moon has a direct connection to water and the Earth's water so of course sea glass can also be used as offerings or workings or representations.

*As mentioned because of their sea life in salt water they have cleansing, healing, purifying, protection etc properties for use in ritual, spells and other magickal uses.

*Very handy for closet witches as most mundanes would happily have pretty coloured glass pebbles on display, in a vase, in a bathroom, used in artwork, around candles and for other home decor..

*Some people use them for luck especially rarer colours..  Sea glass for most is quite difficult to find and quite expensive to buy online it seems.

Anyways this is just some ideas.  You could also Google "sea glass Magickal properties" and see what others suggest!!  As said I'd love your comments below!!

🖤 Imogen xo

Haul: It's Elemental Dear Boy ;) hehe!! (Jars)

(Aww I got a magickal gift from a stranger!!  Sort of!!)

Photo of Coloured Glass Jars by me on 12th October 2016 

© Imogen Cane - missimoinsane 2016

A good while ago I found a seller on ebay selling reasonable sized but perfectly small-ish coloured glass jars (a bit smaller than those photographed above). The listing was for 5 jars and she would send all different colours or to message for specific colours. The colours available being Red, Yellow, Blue, Green, Purple and/or Pink.

PERFECT!!

Being exactly what I had been looking for for some time now I went ahead, ordered and sent a message explaining I'm Pagan these jars are perfect element jars for something I want to do so could she please make sure to send Blue, Red, Green and Yellow. The 5th can be Purple ideally for spirit but I don't think I'd really use it so any colour for the 5th would do.

A week or so passes and she finally marks my order as dispatched. Two days later she replies to my message informing me my jars had been posted, shes only just read my message and she doesn't have any Green or Blue left. I replied and explained my disappointment and reaffirmed what I had said originally and elaborated my intention for these jars (Blue/Water, Red/Fire, Green/Earth, Yellow/Air and Purple or any colour...)  I politely explained she should have cancelled the order or at least contacted me prior to shipping.. She replied, seemingly not overly happy and divulged into a small rant of first come, first served notions.  She proceeded if I want to send them back, at my cost not hers, she would gladly refund - as a small independent business owner.  I replied explaining how I was disappointed based on the fact I had instantly asked for specific colours for specific reason upon my purchase (which her product description advised) a week prior to her actually shipping them. I went on to say how it was unfair return shipping to come out of my pocket so I'm sure I'll find another use for them. We exchanged a few more messages and I waited.  -Feeling disgruntled. 

Another week went past and no jars. I contacted the seller but no reply. Another week and another ignored message..  Then a few days later I received: Red, Yellow, Purple, Pink and Orange!! ORANGE WASN'T EVEN ON HER LIST!! - I thanked her for the jars, informed her they had arrived and left positive five star feedback. She sent me a thanks and informed me she was getting more styles and colours soon. - I didn't reply.

A few days later Ebay and PayPal notified me to say the seller had issued me a full refund!!

I decided to leave it at that and keep an eye open for other jars fit for purposes in the right colours, matching, glass and right size etc.. some other time. That was WEEKS ago!! I actually didn't pursue looking for more jars - I kind of hoped they'd turn up in a charity shop or when I least expected it and be perfect.

Today I received a surprise package from her containing four perfect jars: Blue, Red, Yellow and Green.  *pictured above*.

- Unsure if there's an underlying message in all of this, but either way I'm very happy!!

Imogen x

 - Exploring what's in my head.

www.missimoinsane.webs.com 


Ps. Yes I'm well aware the turn of phrase is "It's elementary dear boy" not elemental. But just go with it. - Before someone tried to be cleverer ;)

WW. Lesson: Finding 'My' Element.

Hi everyone,

So I got talking with friends about elements or more importantly how to find yours and how to connect..  I thought it might benefit a few people to have a little mini lesson on this.  Please feel free to add more helpful information to the comment section of this xX

What are the Elements? 

(Please note this information is valuable).

• There's a lot on Elements here - http://www.thewhitegoddess.co.uk/the_elements/the_months_of_the_year.asp 
• This is it. I felt there was a lot of useful element information on here - http://wiccansage.hubpages.com/hub/Wicca-for-Beginners-Elemental-Powers-and-Finding-Your-Element (as always take and use what feels right to you).
• Some more element stuff - http://bluemoonwicca.org/solitary.html
• YOUR ELEMENT & Element information http://wiccadreamersmary.blogspot.co.uk/p/the-elements-are-building-blocks-of.html 

What Element am I?

Now each of us is born under a certain sign (birth Sign) and there for each of us already have an element!  For me (Imogen) I'm a Sagittarius which makes me a fire sign.  - BUT I feel more so connected to Earth!  And I don't feel connected to Air and a little bit to water..  For the longest time I actually felt like I was cheating on Fire!!  Like me and Earth were having some secret love affair and it didn't feel good.  Then I learned that my Chinese Element is Earth!!  Woah!!  So I am born under both Fire and Earth!!  But regardless of this.  You can be born under Water and Metal and still feel you're a Child of The Fire Element.  

So first let’s address "what are my signs / elements" - I highly recommend this site:  https://www.myspiritualprofile.com/ simply because it gives you so much information on your stone, tree, number, day, signs, and elements etc...  

Having done that you should now know a little more about yourself.  How did that feel?  What did you learn? Has this affected you in any way?  - So I suggest writing this information down, also make notes if there's anything there you feel connected with prior, that explains a little about you didn't know about..  Perhaps you just made a few personal connections you didn't even realise - and yes I know how tempting it is to now run off and do the same for your boyfriend, girlfriend, hubby, sibling, parents, best friend, boss, your crush... and while that's fun...  for now I suggest save on confusions and just learn about yourself.  - Now while this is 'YOU' don't take this as 'IT' you don't have to be or feel any of these things.  Eg.  Maroon I hate that colour!  Fig? I don't feel connected to this tree and I definitely am not a fan of Tuesdays!!  Just simply use this as a guide.

I know a lot of people who are 'X' sign and are not connected at all, only a little or they're most connected. Some people are indeed equally connected to all. And some people are connected to none. - While both of these are seemingly quite rare traits it does happen.

How do I find my Element?

Exercise Part 1. I personally feel (credit where it's due) and I would suggest a couple of things.  First being a video by YouTuber 'TipToeChick' I honestly feel her lessons on this would help everyone / anyone and even if you already have an element it could still be a fun exercise for you and a learning curve even.  So here's her video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhAJa4w2Rrw I personally feel it 'starts' from Lesson 2 but feel free to watch Lesson 1.  I personally felt that Lesson 3 / there was no real follow up to this I don't know if she deleted that particular video or what.  But she suggests spending a day with each of the elements and obtaining items from that day and well watch her videos.  I personally love all her videos.  So for me she's a must see beautiful person.  - Full credit to TipToeChick.

Exercise Part 2. You can do this for each of the elements. http://www.wikihow.com/Connect-to-Your-Element cast a circle. making sure you call upon the elements and deity. I personally would bring a couple of items representing that specific element into the circle with you and spend a few HOURS with soothing very quiet music and just spend time meditating. Think about that element. How that element feels, smells, looks (I wouldn't suggest taste though lol). Think how that element came into your life. How do you feel about the element? How do you feel connected? Experiences. How often are you affected by this element? Etc etc. I'd take a notebook and make notes on thoughts and feelings. Also very much interact with your items. For example.

Fire. Candle, matches, charcoal (and cauldron) etc... Watch how the flame moves. The heat it radiates, the colours. The smell. The emotions etc. 

Water. Tap water, Sea water, Rain water, Spring Water, Storm.. Moon... Sun... Holy.... Different water temperatures? Is the water cloudy?  Can you feel the waters energy?  - I recently while on a beach trip found a bottle that had got filled with seawater. I brought this home - no idea what I'll use it for but you never know. But I notice this water is tainted with sand and other sea particles. It's cloudy not clear like tap water. Even rain water seems less transparent. Etc. Again feel how water feels on your skin. Does it smell? How do you feel about it etc.

Air. Feathers, incense (smoke), empty vial of 'air'. ...your lungs. Breath. Smell. Interact. I feel air is possibly the hardest yet the one we all do more so than the others.

Earth. Soil, herbs, plants, flowers etc. Feel textures. Smell... touch, other senses. Etc etc...

In the video TipToeChick did she suggests spending a DAY with each. Go out.. go places. Go to the beach, the woods, a field, your garden. Even big cities still have elements. Elements are everywhere.

Exercise Part 3. You do not NEED to cast a circle or spend a full day. You can simply just interact over any space of time. I would try and dedicate time to each element but you can also revisit this at any time or specific elements at any time. Always feel free to call upon the elements and talk to them. I personally use all elements in my rituals, prayer, spells etc etc. Even Tarot Readings and/or Dowsing. Here's another exercise where basically you can write down what you know about each element.. and then research to find out how accurate your knowledge is regarding 'that element' http://www.wiccantogether.com/profiles/blogs/your-personal-element 

I have my element, now what?

Practice! It really is that simple. Learn about it - this is important. Learn how to wield it to aid you in your magical and/or spiritual practices. As mentioned before I typically use all elements. Though I am more so connected to Earth and Fire. For me connecting to Earth and Fire can be something as simple as herbs for earth and an incense burner for fire. And burning these can enhance mood, state of mind, atmosphere etc. Aiding in relaxation, concentration, sleep, energy... and well a lot of uses. Though Air can also be used in this way and indeed an oil burner can represent water too. Fire connections in Candles and Earth connections in Plants. - This is just me personally. For Air you could try wind chimes. For Water you could try a small water fountain. There are many simple ways to connect with deep meaning.

Learn and study more about this element. How is it used? Who uses it? Deities (Gods/Goddesses)? Why is it used? Seasons and Wheel of The Year? Colour and item representations... Prayer, Ritual, Light Spell Work, Blessings... list goes on.

Challenge:

1. Read the information here and browse the links shared.

2. Write down your given element(s) from https://www.myspiritualprofile.com/ (please note that while your Chinese element may NOT be Earth, Air, Fire or Water).

3. Write down your elemental feelings prior to doing the exercise. If you like do this prior to any research at all and see how it compares up at each stage.

4. Pick one or more exercises to do / try.

5. Write about everything - this can be in a spider diagram, notes, pros and con's list, paragraphs - etc. However you feel comfortable writing, be sure you can reread this at a later date and it'll still make sense to YOU.

6. Keep learning and growing. Try different things. Do your own research.

7. Share any additional finds and helpful information, thoughts, suggestions, ideas, your journey and all that good stuff in the comments below (IF YOU WANT). Feel free to add more pictures to our growing galleries (or ask an Admin if they'd mind doing it for you).

REMEMBER THERE IS NO 'RIGHT OR WRONG' IT IS PERSONAL AND WHAT FEELS RIGHT TO _YOU_. I hope that might have helped some of you xX

Imogen xo