a question about spell-casting

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 15 Jun 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

oceanpoetry	15 Jun 2003
A few weeks ago I set forth an intention using one of my tarot cards, using "Everyday Tarot Magic" as reference for this. The author said to carry the tarot card with you after you finish your visualization/prayer. Now I feel the intention I sent out to the Universe has come back to me and I am satisfied with the results. I put the card back in the deck, but for some reason, this feels incomplete. It feels like I should do something special to acknowledge prayers answered and to prepare the card for being part of the deck again. I love to hear a few suggestions from the Aeclectic Community, if anyone has experience with a similiar ritual.

zorya	15 Jun 2003
did you thank the universe/powers that be, for their help and the results? i think it's very important to do so, both after the ritual itself and after the spell manifests. how you do this is up to you. i usually turn to each direction, the sky and earth and thank each after a ritual. after the spell has manifested, i usually do a similar thank you, and leave some kind of offering on one of my altars. this could be burning incense or a candle, or leaving a particular herb or stone... etc.

Menmay	15 Jun 2003
I agree with zorya you should always thank your cards and the universial powers you were praying too. I know once you have done this you'll feel better ^_^

HudsonGray	15 Jun 2003
A common way of thanking the universe is to give something back--and one of the easiest is to take birdseed outside & scatter it on the ground or driveway for the birds as you think your thanks about your work. I wouldn't carry the card with me, on the off chance it would bend or get damaged--I think I'd make a photocopy before I started, place the photocopy behind the actual card while it's on the table, then once everything is done put the card back into the deck & carry the photocopy with me. Afterwards, burning the photocopy & scattering the ashes under a bush (they can use ash to nourish the soil) would be a nice completion.

oceanpoetry	16 Jun 2003
thanks for the replies! I had thanked the Universe, but rather informally rather than through a ritual. I love the idea of scattering birdseed! And next time, I will use a photocopy of the card, so that it can be burned at completion. That is a better idea than carrying the actual card around. And it will also keep my tarot decks complete! :)

buzzbee	18 Jun 2003
Another alternative to carrying the card is to leave the card on your altar beneath a clear quartz crystal which you've programmed to carry out your intentions. Cleanse it by smudging with sage smoke when it's done its job & before returning it to the deck. But I like the idea of the photo copy too ... & maybe I'd hand color the copy with colored pencils while concentrating on my intention. Then follow thru as suggested by others. And always give thanks as enthusiastically as you'd sent your request. This helps to complete the circuit somehow :)

The a question about spell-casting thread was originally posted on 15 Jun 2003 in the Spirituality board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Spirituality, or read more archived threads.