The holiday season is upon us, and this year, to aid you in your gift shopping, we've compiled a list of ideas by astrological sign. Since the Sun is in Sagittarius right now, that's where we'll start.
What she says about herself: I am fire child. I am creative, but sometimes get bogged down in the mundane. That's when Creative Energy incense, oil and bathsalts come in handy. Of course I'd need someplace to express all this creativity, so the Born of the Night Journal and the Lapis Blue Spiral Pen with the Calligraphy Ink are ideas, too. Don't forget the Oxiclean, though.
Sharp pointy things appeal to the warrior side of me, the one represented by the sign's glyph of a bow and arrow. I really like the Bone Hilt Dagger. It's a serious and good-looking tool. My flashier side likes the Ornate Russian Style Dagger.
And last, but by no means least, the Spirit of the Wheel Meditation Deck. It's pretty, it's animals, and it's a meditation deck, for going inside one's self and seeking the knowledge we all carry within.
All this success leads to stress, however, so something to mitigate that is also a good idea. MacNaughton suggests yoga as a good discipline both for the body and the soul, and, when performed in groups, could lead to positive networking opportunities. A good way to get started without the pressure of the public would be a book such as Chakra Yoga. For those already on the path, the Yoga Planner Desk Calendar allows them to keep appointment notes as well as inspiring them in their practices.
The first thing on this Aquarian's wish list is Prime Chaos by Phil Hine. Chaos magick is a non-dogmatic form of magickal practice whose only goal is the practical result; it doesn't offer spiritual growth or deeper relationships with gods - just magick that works. I can get behind that - creating their magickal path as they go along is something Water Bearers are uniquely suited to do. Non serviam!
Something else that Aquarians love is technology and futuristic gadgets, and the Wild Divine biofeedback system certainly fits that description. This fun tool hooks up first to the user's computer via the Wild Divine console and then to the user's fingertips with electrodes. The user is then able to use breathing, relaxation, and other techniques to change the images the software places on their computer's monitor. Looks like a great way to improve and increase one's magickal will and visualization abilities!
Finally, because Aquarius is ruled by Uranus, the planetary energy who loves the unexpected and miraculous, lightning bolts are an apt power symbol for anyone born under this sign, so our Lightning Wand is just the ticket for the Aquarian on your gift list!
Magical god and goddess statues are also good choices. We really like the new Lilith from Dryad Design, as well as the more petite Cernunnos and Habondia pieces. And don't forget the lovely Kneeling Winged Isis or the beautiful Bast.
And Dragons! Fire is their friend! The Emperor is a dignified fellow and the Inner Light Dragon Candlelamp is a gorgeous home accent, day or night.
Carnelian pendulums are a good divination tool for the Aries who wants to plan ahead - or find the keys that got mislaid in the daily rush! Red Jasper Runes are another source of enlightenment and inspiration. And Nordic Runes is an excellent companion book to help them learn to use them to their fullest.
Blessed Herbal Candles are on Erin's list. She's our resident Aries. Vision Quest would go along nicely with the divination tools, and who couldn't use more Prosperity, Protection and Healing?
And fire has its down side, too. She would like a copy of Pagan Anger Magic. Maybe she needs some soothing sounds. Of course, for her that means most anything by AfroCelt Sound System, though I think Seed is her favorite. She's also a big Nox Arcana fan. Their newest is Shadow of the Raven, a musical journey inspired by the works of Edgar Allen Poe. And why not Tales from the Dark Tower, Joseph Vargo's short story collection, which goes hand in hand with his Gothic Tarot and Gothic Tarot Compendium?
The earthy bull has a strong traditional side, at least if my Tauri friends are any indication. Two of the most user-friendly traditional tarot decks are the Rider Waite Premier Edition and the Thoth Premier Edition. Both include layout sheets for that touch of ceremony.
Jewelry is almost always a good gift. The Copper Moon Crescent with Moonstone pentagram pendant is beautiful and mystical. The Tree Pentacle is earthy and shows the connection between Above and Below that can be hidden from someone with feet too firmly anchored in the ground.
Incense is always a good way to go as it again deals with sophistication and helps spice up any room with an "airy" scent. Usually floral scents are favored by Geminis, but I tend to go for the more sandalwood musky scents-something centering about that when you are flying around everywhere. Good choices include Escentials Queen of the Night, Mystic Temple Sandalwood Sampler, or Mystic Temple Vetivert.
Planners and address books are a must! Without something written down, or somewhere to write that new person's number, we would feel lost in our own social schedule. Isis has a great variety of planners that also nod to the seasons and what goes on with astrology, including the We'Moon Spiral and the Sacred Journey Calendars.
Speaking of astrology…Geminis like to know what is going on as much as possible. Any kind of divination is appealing, but mainly astrology and of course Tarot. There is just something about those cards! When choosing a book for your Gemini, or even picking one for yourself, try to have some idea as to what background they have as a Gemini hates hearing the same thing over and over (although oddly enough they tolerate it when they forget what you just told them-it is that two person thing again). Options include Learning Tarot Spreads by Joan Bunning, Tarot Psychology by Robert Wang and Astrology for the Soul by Jan Spiller.
Books! Okay, I admit, I love learning as do most in my sign. You just can't go wrong getting them a book in a subject area in which they would be interested. As Geminis are interested in many different things, it is a good thing that Isis has a great selection! When in doubt, remember we like learning new things too.
An Art Wolfe or Inner Reflections calendar (or both!) brings natural beauty indoors, with a function. Form follows function in these, with room to right. The Inner Reflections, a desk calendar from Paramahansa Yogananda's Self-Realization Society, features a spirit-enhancing quote a day from Yoganananda, and the calendar pages tear out, leaving a beautifully illustrated inspirational book for future enjoyment.
Naturally, when needing to connect candle magick books are another favorite. When first starting out though, the Candle Magick Kit came in handy. Fortunately, it comes with everything one would need for starting out. For more advanced Leo candle magick lovers, there are a plethora of books including Raymond Buckland's Practical Candleburning Rituals book. Any of these can send a Leo off into a blissful state of peace as they connect with their element ritually. To that end, don't forget snuffers. Leos hate insulting fire by blowing it out, so a snuffer is a useful and fashionable.
Something else I noticed about my Leo friends that struck me was their love for love spells (not the kind where you tell so and so they must love you, but the more general love spells). Fortunately, as love spells are tricky there is a Love Spell Kit that has everything you need to start out, and if you have any ethical questions Isis also carries books that can help you with that inquiry as well.
Leos do have their calm, centered side too. For my friends, when they are in need of getting more centered, present, and ready to deal with the not-so-pretty side of themselves, they find listening to calming music while scrying helps. The music they tend to like is Zen and mystical...like the Wood over Water CD or Azam Ali's Portals of Grace.
And when it comes to scrying, presentation is very key. That is why the obsidian scrying mirrors work the best. They provide the perfect union of style and ritualistic use. They are a useful tool for a Leo to connect to their deeper levels, or to use in divination as well. Again, it has been my experience that with Leos presentation is important.
Well, presentation and usefulness are important. Another hit was the Complete Idiot's Guide to Feng Shui as a balanced home is a happy Leo home. Also, the large abalone shells help add balance to a fire dominated home, and could be used to hold potpourri too.
Presentation is also key in ritual space. The pentagram scarf for ritual space provides a trigger for getting Leos into the ritual mood as well as keeping their space sacred - actually, that holds true for most anyone! Additionally, as they do spend a great deal of time at work, desk chimes help to add some peace in the work space while being fashionable at the same time, helping your Leo feel like they are putting their best foot forward (and attracting positive attention is a bonus).
Best of luck when shopping for your Leo friend. Just remember, fire is a beautiful thing, appearances are key, and sure they work a lot, but they need to center just as much as the rest of us!
A Virgo is their own worst critic and we don't often treat ourselves to frivolous and fun holiday gifts. When given a gift certificate our first thought is to find something practical. But if we give in to our second thought, we might let ourselves go a little wild and send off for our heart's desire instead.
When choosing a gift for the Virgo in your life, look for rich detail and colors and textures that will delight the senses. The Virgo you know may not admit it, but deep underneath that fastidious exterior is a sensualist wanting to be free.
A trinket box with a beautiful dragon on top would be a good choice for your Virgo. (Practical AND beautiful! Perfect! Not to mention great for any gender.) And you can fill it with wonderful bathsalts (I recommend Wild Moon, Peace or Tranquility.)
A fresh new daily planner will be a good choice for your Virgo - you know we like to keep track of things! I suggest the Lunaria Day Journal for 2008. Or choose a blank journal to fill with all their thoughts and plans and lists and things. I like the Green Dragon Journal and the Autumn Fairy is lovely as well.
Whatever you do for your Virgo, practical or fanciful, the attention to detail will certainly be appreciated! Have a Joyful Season!
Aleister Crowley was a Libra. The much-maligned magician presents food for thought, even if you don't agree with his ideas. And his tarot deck contains layer upon layer of information. Snuffin's new book, The Thoth Companion, and the Crowley deck would open new avenues of exploration for the Libra wanting to learn all possible sides of that divination system.
The down side of exploring all possible points of view and all possible paths for continuation is the difficulty of reaching a decision! A couple of quick and easy helpers are The Answer Deck and the Book of Answers. Being unable to reach a decision because of too much information is stressful! Give them tools to use to help!
If round doesn't seem right, the obsidian scrying mirror is an enchanting option. And the Visions CD, for help in maximizing your potential and that of your tools.
Once again, the Thoth tarot deck is a favorite. Crowley's book on the deck, the Book of Thoth, is the original explanation of the cards. Lon Milo Duquette's book, Understanding Aleister Crowley's Thoth Tarot, is a useful companion. An Eye of Horus Tarot box is perfect for storing the cards. A Silk Scarf is also nice. The energy of silk protects the cards from outside energies, as well as providing a physical barrier against scuffs and edge wear.
And for the outer self during all this inner self work, our Black Hooded Robe will really help the transfer to the seeker's mindset, while the Black Tourmaline pendant provides protection from outside harm.
The Tree of Life Pendant, Karen's final item on her list, is a silver representation of the Hebrew conception of the cosmos, inner and outer. Your Scorpio student can learn more about it through Crowley's tarot, as well as The Mystical Qabalah or Regardie's Tree of Life. Goddard's Tree of Sapphires helps one internalize the lessons with meditations and visualizations.
Think mystical for Scorpios!
And if all else fails, Isis Gift Cards are avaiable in $20.00, $25.00, $50.00, or $100.00 increments.
This should help take some of the stress out of holiday shopping, so put on some good music and start shopping!
BOOKS & GIFTS
