Using Cartomancy to Understand your Witches Compass
This is a method I've been doing to uncover archetypes, symbolism, and mythologies/stories (some of my own making, some are not). If you are personally attuned to divination, this may be a fun exercise for you!
I'd like to note that I'm not an authority by any means over the subject of the Witches' Compass, I'm still exploring and learning how it fits into my life. However, I'm really passionate about the subject so I'm quite eager to share this idea I've been working with.
[Process explained under the cut. Warning! This is a lengthy post]
There are probably more correspondences to the cardinal directions than I'm even aware of, and there are multitudes of ways you can correspond each element. I highly recommend finding a firm understanding of how you generally perceive each cardinal direction, that way you have a basis before you start.
First, a list of things I recommend for this exercise, but they aren't necessarily required:
Have a preexisting idea of what each Cardinal Direction means to you. For example, I meditated on each direction and got an idea of which senses and emotions were evoked by each direction.
Take advantage of how the time of day can be associated with the Compass.
Have an understanding of how the elements connect to your cards and what symbolism they possess.
Now, moving onto the exercise itself:
1. Select a deck from which you can work with.
Tarot. Playing cards. Whatever you feel will take you on this journey without hindering you with preconceived notions. In my case, I selected a playing card deck I consecrated for divination.
2. Select four cards that represent each element along with 'beginnings'.
In my case, I used the ace card and then meditated on each card until I felt pulled to ascribe a direction to each one. You may feel pulled to rely on predetermined associations when it comes to ascribing directions-- go ahead and do that if it feels fit.
3. Take the card you associated with "East", this is the first card you will be starting with. Meditate on what symbolism behind the card means to you and how it empowers the cardinal direction.
If you're working with unfamiliar symbolism, don't shy away from taking a day to research the hidden meanings behind each card. You may also ascribe any preconceived feelings or notions towards this cardinal direction while you meditate on this card.
4. When you feel like you've sufficiently connected to both the card and the cardinal direction, place it to the east. Place the others in one of the cardinal directions.
Since the other cards aren't the focus, it shouldn't matter how accurately the others are placed. However it's desirable to attempt some accuracy if it doesn't pull away from your focus.
5. Now, this is when you will invoke the Compass:
I am not one for consistently opening the compass the same way every time, but for this excersize specifically I felt it nessicary to start with rhythmic humming and chanting. Moving clockwise, I invoked the spirits of each direction. I used an "open arms" gesture as I spoke to better connect me to each spirit (a symbolic way of welcoming each one). When I finished invoking each spirit, I would bend down and place a hand on each card, imagining the spirits of that direction standing guard over their respective card. I also find it helpful to imagine myself as the center of a Compass, and the circle I walk is the bounds I traverse.
6. Stand/sit at the center (whichever is more comfortable for you) and state your intentions with this working:
In this instance, I had said something to the effect of "I ask the spirits to facilitate my exploration of the East direction." And then I specifically asked the spirits of the east to "help me better connect with the direction of the East through symbolism and mythos."
7. Close your eyes and let yourself be taken on a journey. While waiting for the journey to begin, imagine the aspects of the cardinal direction, and imagine sensations and feelings you associate with it.
How this journey looks will vary greatly from person to person based on their beliefs, notions, and ideas of the unseen world. For me, I was approached each time by a different Goddess who shared with me a pivotal story that shaped them, but for you it could be a wide variety of possibilities.
8. After your journey is done, write down what you experienced. I personally like keeping my compass open for this portion because I feel that it helps me recall better. After you're done thank each cardinal direction for it's part in the exercise, and then close the compass when you feel ready.
I strongly recommend taking the rest of the day to do other things. I found it was easier for me to fully understand and digest the experience when I split each component of the exercise into dedicated days.
9. Repeat with each cardinal direction, moving in a clockwise direction.
So after your work with East, you will delve into South, then West, and finally North.
Concluding Statement
I think that just about covers everything! I took heavy inspiration from the exercises created by Ian Chambers in his book "The Witch Compass" so I definitely urge you to read his work if my exercise did anything to help you open your eyes to the nature of your compass.
I myself am nearing the end of my cycle on this exercise (I'll be honest I'm waiting until winter solstice to fully harness the energy of the north for my final journey), and it definitely has given me a robust understanding of how each facet of the compass can represent me as a person.
I hope this idea can be as helpful to you as it was to me! Feel free --as always-- to share any ideas you have for exercises that can supplement this one or ideas that can work alongside mine!
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Casting a circle is a basic witchcraft 101 ritual that every witch has done or at least knows and have heard of it. There's a few variations to it, but it's all in it's essences the same. Cleanse a space, place items of the elements, call the elements, deities if you have any, how to exit and enter the circle again, closing it, and etc.
Listen, you do not need to cast a circle for every spell you do. It's honestly over kill. It's understandable if you're planning to do a bunch of spells, most important spell, detailed spell for long hours in 1 sitting/place. But most of us are probably walking back and forth the living room fetching books and tools. Going from the kitchen to the dining table with food, doing something at the front door, is busy with something private in the bedroom, is outside, have roommates, etc.
What I'm trying to say is that, not everyone can sit still in their circle. I cast a circle very rarely, and the times I do I constantly have to exist it to fetch a tool, ingredient, a book, anything that I forgot. It ruins the energy flow having to cut it open and sew it back up. By now, my circle is probably a patched up quilt with the amount of holes I have given it.
Here's some alternatives on what to do:
I have a super comprehensive guide on everything you can do to cleanse a space if you want unwanted energies to stay the fuck away and a clean space.
You can also simply not do anything. Just cast your spell with no worries.
Why not make your whole home the circle? Cast the circle once for your whole home, your front door is now the door into the circle. No need to renew the circle or close it ever (unless you had guest over or something, up to you). Hang bells by the door to scare any energy from entering.
Just sprinkle salt in the corners of your home. Your circle is cast and your space protected.
Or crystals around your home like selenite to keep your energy inside and spells protected.
Sigil by your front door/doormat, nothing enters or exist without your permission.
Do you have a deity, just call upon them to protect you. Bid them goodbye like you would a friend when you invite them over for coffee.
Are you outside? Again, you don't have to cast any circle. Your energy is powerful enough to protect your spell.
Or draw a circle in the sand/dirt with no need to call any elements. You're literally outside, the elements are literally all around you. They're already there with no need to call them.
Feel free to add more alternatives or your thoughts. I've just seen quite a few witches get exhausted having to cast a circle to light 1 candle for a spell and then close the whole circle.
~Traditional Witchcraft, Gemma Gary The Red Serpent of the East Road The White Hare of the South Road The Grey Toad of the West Road The Black Crow of the North Road
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