October 28, 2022

The Controller by Steve Gilliland. Photo by Lilith Dorsey. All rights reserved.

People unfamiliar with Paganism may think there’s a disconnect between ancient religions and systems of belief and what we think of as modern technology. In many ways this could not be farther from the truth. One of the reasons that these traditions are so popular in the modern world is that they are fluid and inclusive, embracing modern in every sense. As much as people want to think of the past as static and solid, nothing is farther from the truth. Contact between cultures have always meant fluidity of everything from belief, to food, to language, and more. While cultural appropriation may be the hot take of modern times, cultural appreciation has been going on for several Millennia. However, technology doesn’t come from a single culture, it comes from everywhere and everything.

The word Technology originates from the Greek language. It is a word blend of Techne, which means skill, craft, and art, basically a way of getting things done; and the word Logos, which is the word for word. It’s an old word which found it’s way into the English language around the 1600s. Technology pre-dated the age of enlightenment and the age of modernity. At it’s core Paganism is a way of getting things done too. I often explain to people that for me simply put magick and Paganism are creative ways to get things done. Paganism is in many ways inclusive, and by that I mean honoring and including the sacredness of nature as part of the religions. It doesn’t matter if we are looking at Norse Paganism, or Celtic, or Hellenic, or any of the numerous other systems they all salute the beauty and bounty of the earth and the elements.

When I started thinking about this complicated question of technology and paganism, I realized I’m probably one of the best bloggers to tackle it. Very often newcomers to Paganism refer to me as an OG Witch, and since I’ve been practicing for over 4 decades… I guess I own that. I did host the first searchable magical herb database back in the early nineties, and ever since they put forth the term Blerd I’ve embraced my Black Nerdiness. In addition to identifying as a Pagan and a Witch, I am also a Voodoo Priestess and a practitioner of African Traditional Religion. Here on this blog I have frequently written about technology and magick. In my post Techno-Voodoo 2.0 I explain “Like most kids, technology was mostly my master and sometimes my muse. I dreamed of a betamax, does anyone remember those ? I wanted to capture all the moments that were going missed. Never in my wildest imagination could I have dreamed of the possibilities we now have at our fingertips. Someone asked me once what my favorite magickal tool was and I said final cut ( the editing software.) Technology like magick expands exponentially everyday with each new participant, each new effort. The divine marriage of the two was inevitable.”

I guess what we are ultimately discussing here is a fusion of old and new. Paganism’s earth centered focus and inclusion of the divine feminine allows us to celebrate that everything old is truly new again. We were all born from woman and the religions of the sacred feminine celebrate this on absolutely every level. We wouldn’t be here without women, but we wouldn’t be on this planet either if we hadn’t embraced technology.

In Voodoo we even have a specific deity from Haiti known to govern technology named Simbi. Some even think that this is the origin of the popular word Zombi. Ironic when we think of how in modern day so many become “zombified” slaves to their phones, tablets, online games, social media and more. Simbi also represents quickness, like a snake they move from stillness to lightning fast speed. It makes absolute sense when we think of the internet granting us the magickal power to communicate across vast distances in an instant. Years ago we had a Simbi ceremony where we created a sacred altar in an old computer case. We covered it with foil, lights, and old circuits, and honored this spirit of magick and information. We saluted the power and possibility of technology in all it’s forms.

It is my hope that those reading this post finds ways to salute and celebrate the technology in our lives that allow us to survive and hopefully thrive. We can use both old and new techniques to help strengthen our religion and bring greater power to our practice, whatever the denomination.

As always if you have enjoyed what you read here please remember to like, comment, and share !

April 8, 2022

Voodoo Universe

This blog Voodoo Universe was started on September 9, 2013. Over the years it has grown to over 650 posts, and averaging 145,000 hits a year, becoming truly the most popular Voodoo blog in the universe. For all these things I am immensely grateful. My very first post is titled Hoodoo, Voodoo, I do ! In it I write ” It is definitely easier to gain access to Pagan, as well as Voodoo information, than it has ever been before. I am reminded of the quote, most often attributed to Albert Einstein “Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius — and a lot of courage — to move in the opposite direction.”

Some days it has been hard to turn away from some of the nonsense in this community. It is still full of people who make up their religions and initiations, abuse others, and are downright dishonest. The other day someone on my friend’s list suggested a confrontation type interview, in the vein of Jerry Springer and others, where community leaders could confront those who need it, with lie detectors and proof. My first thought was, where the hell do I sign up. There have been a few times I’ve tried call out these individuals, or “foist on their own petard” as Shakespeare would say. A quick review of my youtube videos, will show folks what I’m talking about. However instead of realizing my intent people disliked the video and turned their hatred toward me. A problem of the modern era I suppose.

An additional problem of the modern ea is fakes, and spoof accounts on social media. Almost every successful creator I know has had to deal with this problem lately. I myself have had two fake accounts crop up on instagram lately. For the record this is my only account lilithdorsey, and I will never contact you looking for cash. I though it was a good idea to even put this in the bio, but my scammer did the same and continues to show up in peoples dms. If someone genuinely wants a reading they can go to my website lilithdorsey.com and contact me through there.

The real rant that I want to have on this post is about what I consider a very strange turn with the sales of my books. Many people have been contacting me asking if it was okay for them to read my book if they are white or not Bipoc. Of course it’s okay for them to read it, if people want to be an ally the best place to start is by educating themselves with works written by Bipoc like myself. So much of the history taught in schools was created by white misogynistic scholars which dominate the discipline even to some extent today. We all have a duty to explore a counter narrative. This counternarrative can be found by reading works by Black authors like me. If you would like to check out some of my titles you can find them at an independent bookstore near you by searching  here.

As always if you have enjoyed this, you agree with it, or any of the other 683 posts on this blog Voodoo Universe , please remember to like, comment, and share !

January 26, 2022

Hope Romano photo. All rights reserved.

It’s time for more Divination Space Station where we interview some of the top psychic readers around. Recently I had a chance to talk to Hope Romano (we’re old friends and actually went through grade school together,) her stellar blog Dear Queen of Wands provides advice and guidance for all who seek it. Let’s hear what she has to share with us !

When did you start divining? With what method?

It was that magic 8 ball as a kid; I was obsessed. In my twenties, I began dabbling with tarot after receiving a Rider-Waite-Smith deck as a gift from my brother. I read introduction books to Wicca, tried simple spell-work, and got my first pendulum.

 

Which method do you use most often now?

Tarot. I’ve been studying seriously for several years and recently started doing free monthly advice readings on my Dear Queen of Wands blog. I love all the different ways you can use the tarot, from divination to meditation to sparking your creativity. I deliver simple everyday guidance on IG and began writing a daily tarot haiku on Twitter as part of my 2022 spiritual practice.

 

How important is the choice/phrasing of the question?

I find that the intention is the most important thing, so I don’t get hung up with particular phrasing. But open-ended questions seem best since it allows more information to flow forth. Simply asking, “What do I need to know right now?” is perfectly suitable. The questions I receive for my blog vary, but the energy behind the seekers’ words evoke all of the insight needed.

 

Do you have a yes/no method of divining you recommend?

When I began mediumship classes and connecting formally with my guides through visualization, they helped me develop a compass of sorts in my mind’s eye. I ask the question internally and if the answer is yes, the needle appears above my head to the right. If the answer is no, it pulls to the left. As a more visceral technique, you can stand up, take a deep breath, and ask the question out loud – if your body leans forward it means yes; backward means no. Play around and see what works for you.

Queen of Wands Tarot. Licensed under CC 0.0

Is there any advice you have for newcomers when using divination?

Keep an open mind. Something might not make sense to you now but may later on. Or perhaps never. As you learn and try new things, take what resonates and leave the rest. Also, try to find a divination sister or brother. Being true to yourself and exploring your personal path can be tricky if your friends and family don’t understand. Having a support system will make it easier to do you, boo.

 

Are there any new projects you are developing?

I’ve been thinking about a community tarot circle, where people could come to learn, practice, and collaborate. There’s plenty of free content available online but I’d like to facilitate an in-person group to process together, share card interpretations and provide decks to try out. I feel like this would be a welcome opportunity once the pandemic surges are under control.

As always if you have enjoyed what you read here please remember to like, comment, and share !

November 4, 2021

78 Tarot Astral
78 Tarot Astral photo by Little Luna. All rights reserved.

 This is a review of The 78 Tarot Project’s deck Astral Tarot. The 78 Tarot Project states as it’s mission ” to create beautiful, meaningful decks. We work with some of the best artists in the community and strive to invite diverse artists and produce decks that do not show cultural appropriation, only appreciation. We vow to continue improving, to continue listening to our fans and critics and to include diverse races, religions, sexual identities and ages, so that every user can connect to our decks.” The following is a guest post by professional tarot reader Little Luna.

Recently, my good friend and Godmother Lilith Dorsey gave me 78 Tarot’s Global Art Collaboration: Astral Tarot in Space and offered me the opportunity to review it here, which I’m more than pleased to do.

Every year the 78 Tarot Project chooses a theme and collaborates with 78 artists who each create one of the 78 cards of the Tarot. This limited edition deck contains 3 wild cards, which offer added insight.

I wanted to test the deck out to see how it read both privately and in party situations, so I took these cards with me to an event for students at Dillard University recently and used them with clients for a week. The first thing that stands out of course is the lusciously ethereal artwork — which is a pleasure for both reader and client and immediately sparks conversation. Many times, the imagery of the Tarot can incite fear in our clients which can prevent them from really listening to the message of their reading. To be clear, I’m not saying that won’t happen with this deck, which contains astral visions of alien occultists, robot battles and spaced out cats, but for me, each vivid illustration brings about a sense of wonder more than fear, without losing the Tarot’s challenge and mystery.

Art and the Tarot go hand in hand and I appreciate that each participant studies their card extensively so that the esoteric language remains intact and recognizable, while providing modern visions of these archetypes. The one criticism I’ve heard about collaborative decks like this one is that they can lack cohesiveness because of the difference in artistic style. However, The Astral Tarot, is thoughtfully curated both visually and thematically. This deck has something for everyone. The images range from adorably weird to a little scary, which is all right up my alley. My favorite cards so far are the Pages, The Fool and The Magician. For me It’s so enjoyable to be able to look through the eyes of these various creators whose different visions expand my own understanding and bring to life the greater story of the Tarot. The accompanying booklet also contains a statement by each artist as well as each card’s overall message written by Trish Sullivan.

Overall I’m really enjoying the Astral Tarot both visually and psychically. This unique deck would make a great gift for any psychedelic space loving Tarot enthusiast in your life.

Little Luna is a hairdresser, former burlesque entertainer/producer and professional Tarot reader in New Orleans, LA. She’s is a Native New Mexican, whose spiritual inspirations are heavily influenced by her Southwestern Spanish and Pueblo ancestry. Also inspired by Folk Magic, Eastern mythologies, and shadow transformation using art, performance & music, she holds a Bachelor’s in Religious Studies from Towson University. From 2014-2019 she hosted a Tarot inspired radio show called “The Major Arcana Music Show” on NOLA’s public justice radio station, WHIV FM. Luna has been professionally divining cards for over a decade specializing in Tarot, Mah Jongg, and playing cards. She has read for a wide variety of large scale events and professional venues including Voodoo Fest, House Of Blues New Orleans, LSU Championship Pre-game, The Creole Queen, Mardi Gras World, Dillard University and many more. You may contact her via her website snakeoiltarot.com

June 20, 2021

Secrets of Paradise Tarot
Secrets of Paradise Tarot photo by Leticia, the Witchy Dancer. All rights reserved.

It’s been awhile since we have featured a new installment of Divination Space Station, but when I saw the new Secrets of Paradise Tarot by Leticia, The Witchy Dancer I knew I had to find out more. Leticia Ferrer-Rivera, The Witchy Dancer! is the owner of Dancing Crowns. She is Certified as Tarot and Crystal Healer. She does divination and Psychic Readings using the Pendulum, Tarot, and Crystals. Leticia is also a Wicca High Priestess and comes from a long generation of Witchcraft and Mediums on both sides of her family, especially from the Ferrer side from Barcelona, Spain. Here’s what she had to say (all responses come directly from her):

When did you start divining?

When I was 7 years of age I started to have clairvoyant dreams showing me the related person in the event that was going to happen very soon. For example, I remember dreaming that my mother was going to have her car stolen from one of the big shopping malls in Puerto Rico, and actually it was my aunt (her sister) who had her car stolen from the mall parking lot. As an adult, around 2004, I started learning Tarot and Pendulum on my own. That was the start of a big spiritual change in my life and was about a year before getting initiated as a High Priestess in a very intimate Coven in Puerto Rico. I loved both methods from the get-go.

With what method?

Tarot and Pendulum were my first methods of divination. It is ironic because I played Briscas (Spanish Cards) all my life and saw them as fun, instead of as a divination tool. So I kept using Tarot and Pendulum, and I incorporated Crystals Casting and Oracles back in 2017.

Which method do you use most often now?

I use Tarot, Pendulum, and Crystals more often, but I can also pull out an Oracle Card at the end of a reading sometimes for extra insight.

How important is the choice/phrasing of the question?

It is important to ask the right question and to be specific. The question must not just be about another person alone, but your situation, your relationship, you must be included in the question. This way the outcome has a message for you directly on how this is impacting you, and also guidance on how to proceed.
It is also super important to choose the correct method of divination when you know what type of reading the querent is looking for. It has higher probabilities for me as a Reader and Psychic to deliver the appropriate message throughout and at the end of the reading. It is important to know which method can be used for what type of reading, but also, within the method which card deck or which pendulum to use as well. I have Tarot Decks that are perfect for business readings, others for love readings, others for any kind of readings, and the same with the pendulums based on the type of crystal they are made, wooden pendulums, metal, etc. It takes not only your intuition and skills for choosing the right tool, but also studying each method and crystal is important.

Do you have a yes/no method of divining you recommend?

I love Pendulum for a Yes or No answer. However, I also use it for multiple-choice, dates, and confirming time frames. I use it for Crystal Healing too.

Is there any advice you have for newcomers when using divination?

  1. – To study each method from trusted and reliable sources.
  2. – To not learn more than two methods at the same time.
  3. – To understand if you want to be a Tarot Reader or if you want to work with intuition, spirit, and the Divine for developing your Psychic or Mediumship abilities. This is a big decision to make.
  4. – Do not choose an easy method you are not tuning with just because it is easier, push yourself to study and connect with the method you really like.
  5. – Buy your decks from trusted sources and support authors, Tarot and Oracle creators, and trusted businesses online and locally. Do not buy counterfeit decks from Wish! This type of practice hurt us all and believe me, your counterfeit deck will not work with you with the same energy as the one bought from their creator or publisher.
Leticia, The Witchy Dancer. All photo rights reserved.

I’m absolutely in awe of your Secrets of Paradise Tarot? What was your inspiration for the deck, and how do people get one?

One day I asked my husband to take a picture of me in front of one of our Lilacs from our backyard. I placed a chair in front, grabbed one of the branches that needed to be cut, and sat on the chair. When I saw the picture I said… This is the Queen of Wands! It was not intended to look like a Tarot card, but it did. That was the first card I created, but from there I created the rest of the cards combining my expertise from the performing arts and the culture with my knowledge from the Tarot. In 600 years of Tarot History, there are several Hispanic Tarot Creators and several Tarot Decks with names related to the Spanish language, but none of them has illustrations, deities, and symbolism from the Caribbean and Latin America. That was the main reason I created it, I love that this deck is going to make history once is published. From the Taínos to our African Heritage, as well as our music, dances, food, and historical places, this deck includes new symbols that have never been on a divination card deck before, as well as some traditional symbols that are based on the Waite-Coleman Smith Tarot. Secrets of Paradise Tarot: A Caribbean and Latin American Approach to Symbolism and Divination is right now submitted as traditional publishing proposals to my two favorite big traditional publishers. One will be answering sometime soon and the other I am not sure how long they take for the response, but hopefully soon. (Update: During the writing of the post word arrived that the deck will be published by Hay House ! Congratulations and more updates to follow!)  I want to take this opportunity to invite everyone to sign up for the newsletter at www.dancingcrownspsychic.com so you can all get invited to the themed Launch Party I am planning to do once it is available for purchase.

Are there any new projects you are developing?

Yes, I am always creating. Besides everything I do I am currently teaching to a group of women a pilot course called Sacred Geometry in Dance that I designed myself. I am also working already on my Mysteries of the Spanish Fan Oracle. That is my next big project. I will be opening two new courses in Crystals and Tarot so stay tuned! Sign up for the newsletter to receive all this information via email and before anyone else!

As always if you have enjoyed what you read here please remember to like, comment, and share !

January 28, 2021

Broken watch photo by Akash Garg. Licensed under CC.0

Traditionally January is a time for readings and beginnings in many of the African Traditional Religions. Earlier I posted about the “Letra del Ano” from the Yoruba Association of Cuba and what it means for those in the religion of La Regla Lucumí (Santería). Shortly after the divination was released I had a conversation with a good friend who is a Babalawo and we joked about how every year more fake and invented information seems to surface right around January 1st and predictions for the future.

The movement away from the traditional is something that seems to be increasing exponentially in recent years. Some people say the ATRs are too full of dangerous people and abusers that they would rather practice in a solitary manner. That’s completely their right. The community does have it’s fair share of abusers, but so do several other religions. Bad people exist everywhere and I’ve been doing everything I can to call out those individuals all along the way. However, there are a whole host of good people in these traditions too. Being part of a spiritual family has a wide range of benefits just like being in a real family. Some of us didn’t have the best birth families growing up, myself included. My spiritual family allows me to have a support system that I don’t think I realized was even possible. Knowledge in these traditions is so deep and vast, having a spiritual family allows that knowledge to grow and be shared.

Tradition doesn’t negate intuition it improves it !

Our spiritual ancestors initiated when they could, and made do when they couldn’t. Tradition doesn’t negate intuition- it improves it ! I’m sure these are some very unpopular opinions, especially in the age of intuition over initiation, and unverified personal gnosis. If those work for you have at it… whatever lifts your dress as they say. But I’m a big fan of training, I have no desire to make mistakes others who came before me made, only a desire to learn from them.

As always if you have enjoyed what you read here please remember to like, comment, and share !

 

January 21, 2021

Guardians Tarot image by BLewisArts. All rights reserved.

I’ve been a tarot reader and divination enthusiast since I was a child, but back then there weren’t any decks or images that represented me and other BIPOC. So the minute I saw Brittany Lewis’ new tarot deck I knew I had to get an interview about it for the blog. Lewis’ website tells us ” when creating artwork outside of commissions, my focus is to develop spiritually charged imagery of the African Diaspora in futuristic settings.” But I had more questions, so here they are in the interview below. 

Did you always want to be an artist?

Art and creating in general has been something I’ve done my entire life. I did it when I was bored, sad, happy, excited. I would draw so much that I thought it was something everyone did. It became second nature to me. I didn’t think much of it until I was about 16 when I had an art teacher – Mrs. Owens – who took me under her wing and saw something in me that she fostered and nurtured. She was my first Black art teacher and she gave me the confidence to move forward as a creative. From that point on, I decided that I would be an artist professionally.

When did you decide to fuse your art with spirituality?

As an artist, especially once I began to freelance – I found that I was creating work that wasn’t necessarily what I wanted to create. It didn’t fulfill me and I found myself creating more and more to meet the expectations of others rather than being authentic to who I am. I remember one day, honestly reflecting on what I was doing versus what I wanted to do and what I wanted to see. I was really going through it at this time because to be an artist – in my opinion is much more than creating pretty pictures but giving a voice to the voiceless, even if that voiceless person is you.

Recognizing the power of being an artist, I had to decide how I wanted to use this expression. I no longer desired to create images from pop culture – which was more about recreating other people’s ideas and visions. I wanted to express myself in the most truthful way I could. Shortly after going through that thought process, I was asked in an interview with Blaque Canvas Magazine, what I thought people would say when they saw my art. I remember being completely dumbfounded and speechless. I didn’t answer. But what that question did, was give me the boost I needed to move forward creating more for myself and whatever was to come from it would come. I set out on a mission to be purposefully introspective throughout my artistic and spiritual journeys.

One of the biggest things that I was lacking was visual representation of my own spiritual journey. What I noticed was that worldwide – in almost every culture, there were very few – if any – depictions of the African Diaspora – or any darker people – as Gods and Goddesses, witches, mythical characters, etc. Much like the old Hollywood troupe, darker beings were often seen as negative beings. There’s a HUGE lack of balance and void in that space. One of the biggest arenas for this lack of representation is in the realm of Tarot and Oracle decks.

Artist Brittany Lewis. All rights reserved.

Do you read cards? How did you get started?

I do! The same year that I decided to be an artist – I decided that I wanted to learn to read tarot. I’m not sure what lead that desire but I knew I wanted to learn. I was always reading about and researching different spiritual systems – even at that young age. I also had plenty of metaphysical experiences – often seeing apparitions and so much more. So wanting to read tarot I think was just a natural calling.

During this time the only deck that I could get readily available was the Rider-Waite Smith Deck. I remember not being able to connect with the images – as a 16 year old there was something about it that I just didn’t vibe with. There wasn’t very much information for beginners to learn to read with them, so I gave up on it. Fast-forward 13 years from then, I get the itch to learn again. This time with many more decks and information available, and having grown significantly in my own journey, I began to read and I’ve been doing it every since.

You are working on a tarot deck yes? How did you get the idea to do this?

Yes. Once I decided that I would learn tarot again, I had to find a deck. I knew from my past experience that I didn’t want to start with the traditional Rider-Waite deck but I also recognized that there was a vast amount of information about learning from that particular system. So my search began. I was set on finding a deck that I connected with and instantly ran into the hurdle of not finding one that I felt represented me. This was around the same time I was having my artistic epiphanies. Being from a very ingenious lineage, I decided that I would use my own abilities to create what I wanted to see, rather than wait on the world to do it for me. At that point, I decided that creating a tarot deck would be a dream project of mine – It took me 5 years or so to finally start that project.

What’s your favorite card so far? I’m particularly fond of your Lovers card? Why did you choose this direction for the card?

The Lovers card is my favorite card as well. One thing about my deck is that it’s a self-portrait of my own spiritual journey and understanding. The Lovers card is a representation of something I experienced – so it holds a super special place in my heart. Just prior to creating that card, I was going through a major shift spiritually and I was exploring the duality of the mundane and higher selves – thus the Lovers card was born.

The Lovers Tarot Card by BLewisArts. All rights reserved.

It seems like much of your work is rooted in Afro-futurism? Do you agree? Why do you think this is especially important now?

Yes, I totally agree. Afro-futurism is one of the things that I wanted to showcase in my artwork and especially in my tarot deck. I’m a huge science fiction fan – from Television to literature and beyond. One of the things that I’ve noticed in sci-fi – as with many things, is the lack in representation and presence of the African Diaspora – as if we don’t exist in the future. And though there are black creators of this genre, they often don’t get the recognition I feel they should. Writers like NK Jemisin and Tananarive Due are brilliant – but they are often overlooked. Nonetheless, in popular science fiction, there’s plenty of dystopian doom and gloom.

One of my goals artistically is to showcase a different viewpoint: a much more magical viewpoint. Someone who has struggled will continue to struggle – vying for acceptance from others if that person cannot imagine themselves as something more – more magical, more powerful, more godly even. If I’ve never seen myself as a Goddess, how can I act as a Goddess? Just as when I was younger, before I had my first black art teacher, doing anything art related as a profession was outside of my purview. I didn’t even consider it – nor did I think it to be possible for someone like me. It is my desire to showcase infinite possibilities.

Do you have any advice for young Black witches just starting out?

To young black witches I would first say: No one can tell you how to do your magic. Trust in your own intuition and your own abilities. Heal those past traumas in order to move forward. That means confronting the darkest, deepest secrets and showing those parts of yourself love. Love every part of who you are. Seek help if you need it – whether that is through counseling or confiding in unbiased elders. Love yourself and be yourself.

What are you working on now?

Currently I’m creating the Queens in my tarot deck. I’m so excited to be working on this deck. The response has been wonderful and so humbling. I’m just happy to be able to share this part of myself.

How can people get in touch and buy your amazing work?

I’m currently on Instagram and Facebook as @BLewisArts and @BLewLotus.Tarot. I post lots of behind the scenes looks into the creation of my deck and I also do daily readings. Prints and t-shirts of my art can be found at: www.blewisarts.com. There you can also sign up to join the Tarot waitlist. Wait-listers will have first dibs on Pre-orders and will find out before it goes public. If you sign up for the monthly newsletter you get a coupon for Free shipping off your first order.

For more posts about Tarot please check out the Divination Space Station series on this blog. As always if you have enjoyed what you read here please remember to like, comment and share ! 


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