Hawthorn Runes for use with Tarot cards

I went in search of Hawthorn the other day as I wanted to make some Runes from the wood.

I found a whole hedgerow full of this magical tree and was thrilled to find that there was also mistletoe growing from it.

It is unlucky to take from the tree so I managed to find some fallen bits that had come lose.

I took a small hacksaw and cut three small discs.
Then I sanded them down until smooth and with my wood burning pen inscribed the ancient Ogham sign for Hawthorn.

Now they were ready, I took my Tarot set out and laid every card on the floor face down.

I asked my question and closed my eyes.  I then dropped the first rune gently to the floor.  The card that it most contact with, I selected and put it to one side.  This is the first card and relates to the past.

I then did the same with the second rune, this is for the present and finally the third which represents the future.

I then turned the cards over to get my reading and I was amazed with the result.  They really did help me and gave me a clear view of the direction I am hoping to take in the future.  I felt this way of working with my tarot set very powerful.

Working with Ash

I have been working with Ash over the last few months, first by making a candle stick to honour the Ash Fairies and more recently looking at the health and medicinal things it can be used for.

I went for a long walk on the first of January and found an avenue of Ash trees, all of them had these lovely 'doors' as I see them.  This was particularly relevant as the first of January is also the celebration day of Janus the roman god of doors and openings.

I found a tree that had partly fallen over and there were lots of branches lose on the ground so I took them back home to make something special with - an ash bark face wash.

I shaved the soft bark off into fine slivers then crumbled them up further, they were very soft with all the rain we have had. In the Summer it is possible to simmer the bark to soften it a little.

Then I took an egg white, whisked it up and added the bark. Such a simple but lovely treatment.  It felt lovely as I rubbed it gently into my skin and when I washed it off my face felt glowing and smooth