Monday Musings - Halloween!!

It's here!  Happy Halloween!  Blessed Samhain!!

It was quite a whirlwind weekend celebrating Halloween.

First, I had the day off on Friday. This was a very good thing for me because I had much to do.  KD had a couple friends over Friday night to celebrate the upcoming holiday.  It was a very informal gathering, but I still had to get food, clean the house, decorate, etc.  Also, I had a few things I still needed to get for the silent supper.

Friday night, KD had two friends over.  We had snacks and they basically just hung out.  It was a gorgeous night and would have been a great night for trick or treating!

Saturday morning, Angelle, her two friends, KD and I got up early and headed to Valley Scare in Minnesota.  We drove to Shakopee and checked into our hotel.  It was a cool, rainy day, but we went to Valley Scare, anyway.  Nothing could really prepare me for the fun I was about to have there.  If you have never gone to Valley Scare, the actual name of the amusement park is Valley Fair.  First, the decor!!  Kudo's to Valley Scare for going all out with decorations for the holiday.  From the moment we entered the park we were in awe.  Skeletons and jack-o-lanterns everywhere.  It was really quite beautiful.  The girls kept saying how it felt like we had gone to Halloweentown.  It really did.

Since the haunts didn't start until 7:00 p.m., we walked around for awhile.  We got to preview "The Chateau", the mansion where the vampires live, during the daylight.  Again, we were wowed by the decor.  It was quite beautiful in there.  We rode a roller coaster and some other rides.  Then the 17 year olds found the makeup and effects kiosk.  They were offering fake scars, bullet wounds, etc. there, and they all took advantage of that.  You will see Angelle's lovely head wound in the photos.

KD and I weren't interested in getting makeup done, so we went for a walk and found a couple great rides to go on.  There were these adorable antique cars you could drive around a track, so KD got to drive me in one of those.  She said it was time I get used to her driving since she will be getting her permit in a couple years.  Yikes.

We left the park and got some supper, then headed back.  Finally, it was time for the haunting to begin.  Valley Scare is full of "scare zones", sections of the park decorated and "haunted" by particular monsters.  There was the cemetery full of corpses and ghosts, the "Carnevil" full of, you guessed it, clowns!  There was abnormal alley where the humans affected by toxic waste were there to scare.  Those alone made it so much fun, but then we got to go into the haunted houses.  We were lucky enough to have the Fright Lane pass with the Skeleton Key.  That meant we were in the fast lane so didn't have to wait in lines and it also meant we got into special rooms at each haunt.

The first haunt we toured was "Zombie High".  Very well done.  In the skeleton key room, I had to dig through a bug-infested corpse to find a key to open a vault to open a door with something in it we had to eat.  The entire time a hungry zombie was in a glassed in booth waiting to eat us.  If we lost, we were going to be eaten, but if we won, we would be spared.  I got the key (the bugs were kind of slimy, not sure if they were real or not), got the vault open, then the door slid open and they said we had to "eat it".  There was something in a plastic cup, so I said "Angelle this is you", because she will pretty much eat anything.  She picks up the cup, screams, and drops it.  Then I become the bad parent and start yelling at her saying "You failed at the eating.  I would have eaten it!!", etc. etc.  It was the adrenaline and the heat of the moment, I think.  I picked up the plastic cup, but whatever had been in it was gone.  The zombie got out and apparently ate us.  Angelle said it was some kind of a small white bug and it was moving.  She's not terribly fond of bugs, so she dropped it.  In retrospect, I feel really bad for yelling at her.  It was really fun, though!

After that it was time to go to the "Divination" room, another skeleton key zone.  There were two drag queens reading "tarot cards".  The one who read our cards was very funny.  It was pretty crude and somewhat inappropriate, but we all had a great time.

I won't go into detail about the other haunts because there were 6 different ones and 6 skeleton key rooms as well.  But I'll share a few of the highlights.  One was being tried, found guilty and "hung", at the "End of the Line", complete with execution hoods over our heads and nooses around our necks.  I have to admit that probably bothered me the most of anything we did that day.  The floor even dropped a half inch or so underneath us.  Scary.

There was the skeleton key room in "The Chateau", where we were offered drinks of "blood" in a shot glass.  If we drank the blood, we got to keep the shot glass.  I'm very proud of all of us in our group because we all drank the "blood".  What was it?  Well, it sure tasted like I would imagine blood would taste.  A lot of iron.  It really was not a pleasant taste.  Luckily I had tic tacs.  What a fun experience.

Probably my favorite haunted house was "Humane Habitat", where we were led through 5 different cottages (the last one was the skeleton key room).  There were human/animal hybrids there and it was a really good scare.  The skeleton key room was finding your way through a pitch black cottage using hearing and touch.  There were some great scares along the way.  Then at the end, you got to do the scaring for the next group.  I backed up and let the girls be at the control board.  It was so funny to watch the next group go through and get scared on the monitors.

Valley Scare is a great time and I strongly recommend it to anyone.  KD wants to go again next year and so do I.  It might become a new tradition for awhile.

Sunday night was the 2nd annual "Cedar Valley Silent Supper".  There were 25 living guests in attendance.  As before, it was a wonderful time with some improvements made to the whole celebration.  "Po", my human skull, took the place of "spirit" at our table.  He made a very nice addition to the experience.  After the silent supper which was served backwards (with music including a song by David Bowie and one by Prince), Shelby and I read fortunes for everyone who wished.  I continue to be very impressed by Shelby's gift of "Lithomancy" divination.  Everyone loved her sessions.  When I was reading someone's cards, they said "Oh, that's very much like what her reading said.", referring to Shelby.  Shelby and I just looked at each other and said "That happens quite a bit".  Very affirming when two readings done with different methods turn out to be so similar.

Many thanks for DuRaae Davis and KD for helping with the decor.  The decor was even better than last year because of their gift for making a space a beautiful place to be.  I could not have done it without them.  Many thanks to Shelby for providing readings after the supper.  Many thanks to the Waterloo Community Playhouse for the rental of the room and to "Moment in Thyme", my awesome caterer who is so good at accommodating my very unusual supper.  Can't wait for next year!!

Now tonight is for relaxed fun, Halloween candy, horror movies, and maybe some trick or treating. Stop by to see my spooky yard and trick or treat at my door.  I will have candy and goodies!!  Hope to see you tonight.  Happy Halloween and Blessed Samhain to you all.  Enjoy the holiday!!  Enjoy the photos from our "Valley Scare" experience below.
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Witchy Wednesday

Happy Witchy Wednesday.  Saturdya was the "Witches' Walk" in downtown Cedar Falls.  It was so much fun to see people dressed in their best witchy attire.  There was a lot of black and some lovely witch hats.  I spotted Zhanna there wearing a great copper crown with antlers which she made herself.

I'll share a few photos from the day.










Here is Zhanna looking mysteriously witchy with her antler crown (which she made herself) and and crystal ball.















Of course, Shelby Davis and I were reading fortunes that day. Here are Shelby, DuRaae and I in our witchy outfits.



















The lovely Shelby doing a Lithomancy reading for a fellow witch.

















I had to do a "Witches' Walk" selfie.  I do love my hat.















It's almost Halloween!!!  I can hardly contain myself.  Do you know what you are wearing for your holiday festivities?  Feel free to share below.  My daughters, a couple of their friends and I are heading to "Valley Scare" on Saturday.  We originally were going to all wear costumes for the day, but then I read the FAQ section on their web site.  It says guests are not allowed to wear costumes inside the park during the Halloween season.  I understand the reason.  It's so that workers are easily distinguished from guests.  However, we had already planned our costumes so were a bit disappointed.  We decided we could still wear our clothing from the costumes (since they are very much like our regular clothes anyway), and maybe bring our masks, accessories, in a bag and find an opportunity at some point to put them on.

Anyway, I'm sure you're wondering what our costumes are going to be?  This is all Angelle's idea (leave it to a teenager), but we are going as the Gotham City Sirens (and a couple friends), but making the costumes steampunk.  Yes, I guess that's a thing.  The picture to the left is not us, but this gives you an idea of what Steampunk sirens would look like.

I thought I would look up some good sites that sell Steam Punk clothing today.



Some of the most reasonable Steampunk items I found at Good Goth, one of my favorite sites for all witchy and fun clothing.  Here are a few things from that site.


The "Ashes to Ashes" dress.  Very cute and would also be perfect for the silent supper.

















The "Black Rider" coat.  Very nice.

















The "Bloody Dead Walker" trench coat.  Love the color and texture.





















I love the colors of this dress, too.

Here's a lovely velvet burgundy coat.
















Steampunk is all about accessorizing.  This is the "Clockwork Bat" necklace.  Very nice.













You really must wear a hat if you're going to go Steampunk.  Here are a few hat options from the Medieval Collectibles site.  You can find them here: Medieval Collectibles

So, there you have it.  Steampunk is a very fun style to try sometime.  Perhaps mix it up with another style like we are doing for Halloween (by the way, I'm going to be Cat Woman).  It's all about texture, fabric and accessories.  Have a wonderful witchy Wednesday, watch "American Horror Story" if you are so inclined this evening and gear up for a fabulous Halloween weekend coming up!




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Tarot Tuesday 10/25/16

Today for Tarot Tuesday, I've asked Shelby Davis, fellow gypsy wagon fortune teller, to share her experiences.  To see her story, please scroll down, as first I will share the meaning of "Judgement", today's tarot card.

Judgement is all about forgiving and being forgiven. KD and I recently went to a shamanic workshop. During that workshop, we went on a guided shamanic journey.  On my own personal journey, I was forgiven by my ancestors, then sent way back in time to an ancient ancestor whom it was then my duty to forgive.

Forgiveness has great power.  Personally, I find it to be a very difficult think to do.  But it is a necessary difficulty.  In order to truly close the door on your past and move forward, you really do have to shed it.  You shed your past in the way of forgiving both yourself and those who have wronged you.

What in your past is holding you back from moving forward?  That is the question this card is asking.  It is time to heal from those wounds and wrongdoings and truly move forward.  Healer, heal thyself.  The past is the past.  It is no longer necessary to hold onto it.  Some doors may be closing in your life, with new and exciting gates opening to new worlds for you to explore.  Remember that with every ending comes a new beginning.  New beginnings are exciting opportunities.  Move forward with joy.

And now, ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to share the wonderful story from Shelby Davis of To Our Moon and Back.  Sit back and enjoy reading about how she got into divination and how she has personally connected with lithomancy.

Hello, readers! I am Shelby Davis. I am a student at Hawkeye Community College in Waterloo, Ia and a Health Market clerk at the Cedar Falls Hy-Vee. I have known Crystal for many years now. She was the woman who introduced me to Tarot and helped me to realize my gift of intuition. Although we met during a production of Alice in Wonderland at Black Hawk Children's Theatre in 2012, it wasn't until two years later that our families would come together on a more person level. 

In September of 2014, Crystal contacted my mother to ask if I would be interested in doing Tarot readings with her and her daughters in a gypsy wagon recently built by the folks out at Harris Haven Haunted Funeral Home in Evansdale, Ia. While I was immediately interested, I was also very intimidated: I knew very little about divination, let alone Tarot reading. Putting that fear aside, I decided that it was worth a shot, so a week or so later, I got dressed up and went along with them. When we arrived, we were all given a tour of the wagon, along with a basic run-down of what they were hoping we could provide for them and add to the attraction, and sent off on our way. Inside, Crystal handed me her Halloween-themed deck of Tarot cards and a cheat-sheet she had printed out for me to base my interpretations off of. She explained the basics of the readings, gave me a reading as an example, and asked if I was ready to try it out. I hesitantly claimed to be prepared and took the first group that arrived. I don't remember exactly how that first reading panned out, but I'm sure I was nervous and glanced down at the sheet in my lap often. The first reading ended, and another group took their place, then another, and another. As time ticked on, I gained more confidence in myself and didn't feel the need to glance at the sheet as often. At the end of the night, Crystal complimented me on my reading. She said that I was a natural and that my intuition was strong. That made my confidence in my abilities soar and sparked a flame in my that I felt had always been simmering, but never brought to flame. 

I continued to go out to the wagon and read with the Waltz ladies more over the next few weeks, loving the way it felt to get positive and surprised reactions from the people I read. I had a gift that I hadn't known about prior, and it was exhilarating. Once October came to an end, and Harris Haven closed for the season, I began researching Tarot decks, searching for the perfect fit for a deck of my own. After scanning and sifting through hundreds of different decks online, I finally came across one that stuck out to me. The "Wild Unknown Tarot" became my deck of choice. I absolutely fell in love with the artist's organic designs and simplistic color scheme. I received the deck as a Christmaspresent that year and immediately went to work familiarizing myself with each and every card.

Over the past two years, I have had very little time to connect with my deck, causing me to fall out of practice. When Crystal inquired with me as to whether I would help her with readings at Harris Haven again this year, I was tempted to decline. It did not feel right to me to go out there and fake readings for everyone, knowing now how deeply connected I am to divination. On a whim, one night, I asked Crystal what she would suggest for me to overcome my nervousness. She suggested that I look into other forms of divination: that maybe Tarot reading just isn't for me. I took her advice and dove into researching the topic. Once again, I was met with dozens upon dozens of styles and types of divination, but none of them felt like the right fit. And then, I came across of variation that immediately drew me in - Lithomancy, or reading of the stones. I pulled up various articles on the practice and quickly discovered that very little is know about its origin. Even modern practices vary from culture to culture, as well as amongst casters (the individuals who read the stones). I did, whoever, find that there is a form of Lithomancy used in Wiccan and Neo-Pagan practice that uses 16 stones; one in the center to represent the person being read, and fifteen which are cast and read. After righting out a list of the meanings of each of the 15 stones, I sorted through my personal stone collection and found perfect fits for each in less than ten minutes. I sat with my little pile of stones for a while, pouring over the meaning list I had written, quickly committing it to memory. I then moved to the carpeted floor of my bedroom, placed my center stone, gathered the other 15 up in my hands, and cast them down from just above the center stone, and did a reading for myself. I was astonished to find two things. 1. I had almost no trouble interpreting the meaning of the stones and their patterns. 2. The reading was EXTREMELY accurate. I excitedly called my mother in and did a reading for her, which yielded a similar result. She even cried as I read her because elements of her past were coming through. I was so excited. I contacted Crystal and let her know that I would absolutely be joining her to read for the Halloween season. 

Over the last few weeks, I have done fifty or more individual readings. This past Saturday alone, I read fortunes for a combined total of 8 1/2 hours. In all of those readings, I could guess nearly 80% of them have landed and resonated with the people I read. The moment when the stones connect with someone, and that person turns to their group with an astounded face, is the moment when it is reaffirmed for me that I am on the right path. I have had numerous accounts of people thanking me for the clarity or peace-of-mind that my readings provided for them. It feels so fulfilling to know that I am helping people, even if just by being someone they can share their troubles with. Knowing that I am able to provide a sense of comfort is a gift I will never be able to repay. Instead, I will continue to give, to read and to bring peace and joy. 

I am honored to have been asked to be a contributor to this week's blog post. Thank you to Crystal Waltz for all she has done for me and my family in the past two years. Her constant friendship and unwavering loyalty have been a blessing and a light in times of darkness. 

You can meet me and get a free reading by coming out to the Harris Haven Haunted Funeral Home in Evandale this upcoming weekend, Friday and Saturday night, starting at 7pm, as well as Monday nights at the same time. I look forward to seeing what the stones say for you!

Monday Musings - Tales From the Gypsy Wagon (and Witches' Walk)

Hello and welcome to another spsecial edition of "Monday Musings, Tales From the Gypsy Wagon".

Friday night was another crazy busy night in the gypsy wagon at Harris Haven Funeral Home haunted attraction.  It was a great night, too, with many people walking out talking about how "spot on" their readings were.  Before I began reading, I even told the fortunes of some of the employees at Harris Haven, including the "chainsaw guy", who I listen to all night as he chases guests around the gypsy wagon.

On Saturday, Shelby Davis and I read fortunes for the Cedar Falls Downtown Witches' Walk.  That was such a blast!  We donned our best witchy attire.  Shelby took the morning shift from 10:00 - 1:00 and I gave readings from 1:00 until 5:00.  There were some very special readings that day.  It was nice to be able to read the cards in the light.  After I laid out the five cards, I would find myself automatically reaching for my light to read them since it is so dark in the gypsy wagon.  Then I would remember I didn't need the light at all.  I was outside in the daylight and could read the cards just fine!  We are such creatures of habit.  I enjoyed doing a little walking and shopping while Shelby was reading.  At "Main Street Exchange" I found some great treasures.  There were two small skull statuettes, one made of Jade and another of a black marbled stone.  I gave the black one to Angelle, who had had a somewhat disappointing weekend, and kept the jade one for myself.  I also found some great spiderweb tablecloths which I will use at the Silent Supper on Sunday.  I loved seeing the people dressed as witches out and about enjoying the festivities.  I also bought some delicious popcorn and caramel apples from "Here's What's Poppin'".  Many thanks to them and to the Cedar Falls Downtown for letting us set up our table there that day.

One of the more memorable readings that day was a lady who had both parent cards come through in her reading.  As it turned out, her parents are both deceased.  She got a very clear message in the reading from both her mother and father.  There were some tears and I actually got chills.  So meaningful.

After reading for so long on Saturday afternoon, I decided not to go to the gypsy wagon that night and luckily for me, Shelby was able to be there.  I was pretty exhausted from the Witches' Walk and needed a little down time.  I have asked Shelby to blog about her experiences reading for both the Witches' Walk and also for the gypsy wagon that night.

Sunday night I was back at the wagon from 7:00 until about 10:30.  It was another fabulous and very busy night.  For my first few readings, the danger card kept popping up.  I was starting to wonder what that was all about.  It seriously was in my first four or five readings, which is fairly unusual for it to pop up that much.  Finally, after about my 5th reading, as a lady was leaving the wagon, one of the steps that lead up to the wagon broke.  Luckily, she was okay, but that does sort of explain the possibility of danger lurking for so many people.  The owner of the haunt wasted no time in getting that step repaired right away.  Kudos to Harris Haven.

A mother and son came in to have their fortunes told.  One of those rare things happened again where they get the exact same cards, but not necessarily in the same spot.  Again, we all watched him shuffle those cards.  They agreed that they were very close and they both thought it was really cool. It's so crazy when that happens.

A young man and his girlfriend came in.  As I was reading for him, his center card was the woman. When reading for a man, if the center card comes up as a woman (the center card is the card that represents the querent), I usually tell him it means that he is in touch with his feminine side.  As I was explaining this to him, he said it actually made a lot of sense because he was a transgender who had been born female.  Very interesting!!  And also very cool.  They were an awesome couple and I enjoyed reading for them very much.

I enjoy reading for everyone.  I have never had a bad experience.  As I have said before, sometimes people come in with the purpose of debunking the fortune telling experience.  While I don't always appreciate this, I can say that I have never encountered anyone being rude to me.  I feel a connection with each and every one of the people I read for.  While I don't always understand their readings, they will often say that it is meaningful to them, and that's what counts.

Last night was the last night I will be able to read in the Gypsy Wagon this year.  Halloween weekend is going to be very busy for my girls and I.  The Silent Supper is on Sunday.  Shelby will be in the gypsy wagon doing her lithomancy readings on both Friday and Saturday night for sure.  The haunt is open on Thursday, Sunday and Halloween night as well.  I'll do my best to get some psychic readers in the wagon on those nights, but for sure it will be staffed Friday and Saturday, so be sure to stop by!

Freaky Friday

Happy Freaky Friday!!

Today, I am going to skip my regular "what's freaky" post and just post about some of the happenings going on this weekend.

This:  Tonight (Friday), tomorrow (Saturday), and Sunday nights starting at 7:00 the gypsies will once again be in the Gypsy Wagon at Harris Haven Funeral Home reading fortunes.  There is no charge, but tips are greatly appreciated as we are volunteers and do not get paid otherwise. This is an incredible deal.  Getting psychic readings can normally be fairly expensive, anywhere from $20 - $100, depending on who does the reading for you.  While there, please grab our business card.

This:  This is new!  "Witches' Walk".  Thanks to Shelby Davis (for coming up with the idea), Jenny Bagenstos of "Here's What's Poppin'" (for agreeing to let us read fortunes outside of her fabulous shop), and Community Main Street (for approving it), "Three Witches" and Shelby will be reading fortunes at the Cedar Falls "Witches' Walk" on Main Street right outside of "Here's What's Poppin'", the best popcorn store ever.  The "Witches' Walk" will take place on Saturday (tomorrow) from 10:00 - 5:00. Shelby will be providing her lithomancy readings from 10:00 until 12:00 (or a little later) and I will be providing Lenormand card readings and pendulum dowsing from 12:00 on.  Again, there is no charge, but please consider leaving us a tip as once again, we are volunteering.  We expect it to be busy, so might have to have a notebook handy to keep a queue if we have a big line.  Shelby's readings take about 20 minutes and the Lenormand card readings I give take around 10-15 per person.  Please stop by, buy some popcorn and get your fortune told by the witch at the table.  Lucky you!  You get yet another chance to have your fortune told and for a very reasonable price.

This:  Did you watch the "Rocky Horror" remake last night?  I was impressed.  It was fun, energetic, campy, and very true to the original.  My only criticism is that I prefer the original Magenta to the one in the new version.  It seems to be a matter of personal preference, though, as my daughter loved the new Magenta.  Okay, her hair was very cool.  The new "Columbia" was outstanding, though!!  If you missed it last night, be sure to catch it when it airs again or is available on Amazon.  The "Usherette" might have been my very favorite part.  The Waterloo Community Playhouse will be putting on this show in January.  Auditions are at the end of November if you are interested in being a part of it.  It's sure to be a great time!

Enjoy your freakiness today.  Come out to the "Witches' Walk" tomorrow for some great deals, chances to win great prizes, get some delicious popcorn and have your fortune told.  It's sure to be very witchy.  I hear there will be prizes for best witchy attire, so dress the part!  See you this weekend, I hope!

Witchy Wednesday

Happy Witchy Wednesday, everyone.

Today I found a cool shopping site called Cat Coven Shop.  I'll share some of the very cool dresses and t-shirts I found there.














This is a very nice bat pillow.  I love the stars and crescent moon on the wings.  This design is also featured on t-shirts and dresses.














Great skull design on this t-shirt.


















Coffee or tea?  Either way, they have a t-shirt for you.  The tea shirt is to the left and there is also one that says "Give me coffee or give me death".  Cool.

















If you are a cat person, I really think this site is for you. Personally, I don't have any cats, but I do have two dogs and a duck and a gecko.  Still, I love the cat witch shirt.
















I love memento mori and how cool to have memento mori on a t-shirt.


















The very cool designs on this site are also featured on dresses, pins and patches.  Here are a couple of their nice dress styles.  You should check them out!!

Saturday is the "Witches Walk" in downtown Cedar Falls. There will be special deals in all the cool shops there and you can even get your fortune told outside "Here's What's Poppin"!!  From 10:00 - 12:00, Shelby Davis will be doing her lithomancy readings and from 12:00 - 2:00, I will be doing Lenormand card readings and pendulum dowsing.  If you've been wanting your fortune told, but haven't wanted to come to Harris Haven Funeral Home Haunted House, this is your chance.  We are not charging, but are accepting tips which would be greatly appreciated as we do not get paid otherwise!

Wear your best witchy attire for a chance to win prizes from various merchants and stop by our table on the sidewalk for your free stone or card reading.  I'd love to see you there!!

Enjoy your witchy Wednesday.  Maybe watch American Horror Story tonight (I know I am going to) and I hope to see you on Saturday dressed in your witchy finest.

Tarot Tuesday, 10/18/16

Today's card drawn is "The Magician".

The Magician is a card that is all about taking control of your life and making higher and better use of all of your power. This power includes spiritual, emotional and otherwise.  Often this card signifies new beginnings and great expectations.  It is considered to be a very positive and powerful omen when it shows up in a reading.

It is possible that you may be noticing many synchronicities in your life.  These may point towards deep and spiritual events taking place.  You should be feeling very strong right now, able to meet your challenges.

Work and money should be on the upswing right now.  It doesn't matter if you don't foresee a way for money to be coming to you.  Have faith that it will.  There might be some surprises in store.  Something will appear that will allow you to make more money.  Be sure to take advantage of it.  You have the ability to succeed so believe in yourself.

If you have been thinking of undertaking some sort of spiritual study, now is an excellent time to do so.  A spiritual teacher may appear in your life now.  This person will be an excellent mentor and will help you to see things more clearly.

Consider what it means to manifest things into your life.  Look up the power of manifestation and think about what you have been doing to have control of your life.  Chances are, you can do even more.  Your life is yours and you really do have the power to control it.

Monday Musings - Tales From the Gypsy Wagon

Greetings and welcome to another edition of "Tales From the Gypsy Wagon".

Friday night there were no gypsies in the wagon.  Instead, my family attended a fabulous piano duo concert in Iowa City.  We were able to experience Anderson and Roe. What an amazing concert!!  I had a psychic lined up to cover the gypsy wagon on Friday night, but unfortunately she had a family emergency that night.  So, if you went to Harris Haven hoping to get your fortune told, we sincerely apologize.

Saturday night I was back in business, though.  I went alone again and had an extremely busy night.  I began reading about 7:15 and read solid until about 12:30 in the morning.  Again, no breaks at all.  I take along my own reiki charged smudging spray to try to clear the air in between readings.  I believe that helps quite a bit.  Like I said, it was such a busy night in the wagon, it's hard to think of a reading that stands out.  I have noticed that once I start using the pendulum with groups, they get a little bit addicted and then they don't want to leave.  Those yes/no questions are just too much fun, I guess.

There was a group who came in and one girl in the group really stood out from the rest.  She just didn't quite fit in with her group.  The cards pointed to her having some doubts about her faith.  I read it as being a future thing.  She was very quiet while the rest of her group got their readings.  Then, as they were walking out of the wagon, she kind of stayed by the table, then waited for the rest of them to leave.  She actually went and shut the door.  She then asked if the part I said about doubting her faith could be both past and future.  I told her it absolutely could.  The cards are not always clear to me about whether events in readings are past, present or future, to be honest.  She said the past couple years she has been doubting and questioning her belief in God.  It was important enough for her to stay and talk to me alone about it.  I hope things become clearer for her.  She was a very nice girl.

At the end of the night, an interesting group came in.  In retrospect, I believe they were the type who purposely did not sit as couples to try to "fool the fortune teller".  I think I've said it before, but I'll say it again.  No matter what you do when you come in, I am going to tell you what the cards say. Trying to "debunk" what I am doing tends to backfire for everyone.  At any rate, with this group, I gave three of the people in the group their readings.  I do tend to ask questions during a reading, such as "are you married?" or "are you in a relationship?".  That is not a way of cheating for me, but to help me understand the reading a little bit better.  The cards do not give me details like that.  If you get the ring, I will ask if you are in a relationship.  If you are, the card is telling me that it will be long term and is a good relationship for you to stay in.  If you are not, then the cards are telling me that is something you can look forward to.  So, during the first three readings, I read like I normally would, asking questions occasionally.  I got to the last woman in that group and she said "There's a difference in the way you will read me.  You can't ask me questions like you did for them because I've been to a real tarot card reader and you should be able to do the reading without all the coaching."  I then calmly explained that first of all, my cards are not tarot cards.  They are Lenormand cards, which really is a different system.  I also explained the reasons why I asked questions occasionally.  I also agreed to do her reading without asking any questions whatsoever.  I gave her her reading without asking her anything.  At the end of the reading, they revealed which two people in the group were actually dating.  Looking back on their readings, they were very accurate even though some of the people in this group were trying to make me fail.

The haunt was open again on Sunday night from 7:00 - 10:00, so Angelle decided to come out with me.  She has been scaring inside the haunted house this year, but since her friend wasn't going, she decided to dress like a gypsy and help me with the door.  It was another busy night.  Very surprising considering it was Sunday.  From about 7:30 until about 10:45, I was reading solid again without a break.  The readings all went very well, and nobody came in with the purpose of proving me to be a fraud.  Many people really liked the pendulum.  Angelle was impressed with the accuracy of the readings.  It's nice to get feedback from someone who is watching.  For some reason, Sunday night was the "parent" night in the wagon.  As in the parent cards kept popping up in readings like mad. There are 36 cards in the deck, and I only lay out five.  Everyone shuffles and mixes up the cards, so really, the chances of the same cards popping up in readings so often are fairly slim.  For one woman, the father and mother card were right next to each other.  It turned out her father had died a couple years ago.  The father card was read opposite the lilies.  So, the message there was that her father is at peace.  The mother card was read opposite the dog.  The message there was not to worry about her mother and that her mother's very good friend was really helping with her mother's quality of life.  I like it when really clear messages come through.

My last group of the night was a very nice one.  After the readings, a man said it was very helpful and explained a few things that had been going on with him.  He had recently had AFIB and he got the tree of life card, which means long life and good health.  There were a couple other things that turned up in his reading which he said helped him quite a bit.  My sister has had AFIB, so I understood what that was and was able to talk to him a little bit about it.  It was a really neat group to end the night with.

My least favorite card to have come up in a reading is the snake.  The snake is a warning of possible danger.  For some reason, that card tends to come up with the people who are most nervous about having their cards read.  Sometimes I want to re-deal for them when I see that snake turn up.  But I don't.  I read the cards as they lay and just point out that it is a warning to be careful and alert, not a definite thing that will happen.

That's also one of the differences between Lenormand and Tarot cards.  Lenormand really doesn't mess around.  These cards get straight to the point at hand.  If there's a chance of danger or theft in your future, these cards will come right out and tell you that.  I have found them to be extremely accurate.

I will be reading again this weekend, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.  I would love it if you stop by.  I hope to be reading your fortune soon!

Witchy Wednesday

Do you have mad makeup skills?  Then today's "Witchy Wednesday" is for you.  Today I'm sharing a few awesome Halloween makeup ideas.  Try your hand and then send me the photos.  I'd love to see them.

















The use of white makeup under the eye to make the eyes seem super huge is an aweseome effect.










Maleficent.  Great makeup!



















I've always liked the "extra eye" makeup.  Sometimes people make a whole extra face using makeup.  Crazy.













This is really cool makeup.  I never really got into the "Saw" movies, even though I am a huge horror movie fan, but I believe this makeup is inspired by that movie, correct?















So purply!!  Love it!


















I love spiders!  Instead of wearing a mask, paint one on!
















One big eye on a child is super creepy.









This one is a bit confusing.











And last but not least, a couple of very disturbing ones.

Have a wonderful witchy Wednesday.  I can't wait to watch American Horror Story tonight! Let me know if you try any of these makeup ideas!

Tarot Tuesday, 10/11/16

Today's card drawn is the Nine of  Pentacles.

The Nine of Pentacles is a card of good omen, especially of the financial kind.  The appearance of this card today could mean that your financial worries are about to be over for awhile.  Things will generally be going better for you.  You might not even have thought it was possible for things to be going as well as they are about to be going.  Enjoy this good energy and be sure to pay it forward, sharing your wealth and happiness with others.  Random acts of kindness are good for the soul.

There is no greater gift than the gift of being able to give.  You are about to be in the position to help those less fortunate than yourself.  This can be in both mundane ways and spiritual ways.  You are about to have much to be proud of and grateful for.  Be sure to express this gratitude to the powers that be in your life.  Take nothing for granted.

If you are looking for a job, you will find one soon.  If you are looking for love, that special someone is on your horizon.  As you are weighing your wealth, be sure to include non-financial things, such as your health and happiness.  This being said, on a mundane level, this card is telling you your financial situation is about to improve, possibly even beyond your wildest dreams.  Work hard and you will be rewarded.  Share what you have.  This is important.

Have you figured out that this is a great card?  Possibly one of the brightest in the deck.  We have much to be excited about with this card turning up today.  Get ready for great things to come.  Look for the opportunities.  Enjoy the blessings!

Monday Musings - Tales From the Gypsy Wagon

Happy Monday and welcome to another edition of "Tales From the Gypsy Wagon".

Friday night, I picked up my good friends, Shelby and DuRaae and headed to the wagon.  Shelby tried out her new divination method, lithomancy, that night.  She read me to warm up and I am very impressed!  Everything was spot on and so accurate.  Shelby does a wonderful job of reading the gemstones and crystals.

It was a very busy night in the wagon.  DuRaae helped manage the door and the line outside while Shelby and I read until after midnight.  The very cool thing was that almost 100% of the time, after I read someone's Lenormand, Shelby's reading would reinforce what was said with the cards, sometimes offering a more in-depth look at the things I had told the querent.  Our two methods of reading complemented each other nicely.

None of the groups or readings really stood out in particular until our very last group.  This group was, well, interesting, to say the least.  One particular person in this group was very inebriated when they entered.  She came in loud talking about how she didn't believe in this stuff.  I read her first, and she got really quiet at the end of her reading.  Then Shelby read her gemstones and it was a whole different story.  Now she was ranting about how it was the real deal, etc. etc.  We continued to read for the rest of the group.  Then they started talking about their experiences with demons and night terrors.  The loud lady was talking about doing things with a demon that I can't even repeat here. They were also asking for advice on how to protect themselves, which I gladly gave them.  When they finally left, Shelby and I looked at each other, breathed a sigh of relief, then smudged ourselves and the wagon with the reiki spray I brought like crazy!  Oh my.  It was quite the experience!  What a way to end the night.

On Saturday night, Shelby wasn't feeling too well and was concerned about how her stones were starting to chip from the readings.  KD also didn't want to go, so I went alone.  This was my busiest night yet.  I read solid from about 7:30 until 1:00 a.m. without a break.  Everytime the door would open I would see the very long line and think it would never come to an end.  The whole night went quickly and is kind of a blur.  Finally, when there was one group of about 5 people left, I told them I would happily read for them, but to please tell anybody else getting into line that they were going to be the last.

That's 5 1/2 hours of straight card reading and pendulum dowsing.  I really do love doing it, and didn't mind doing it for such long hours at all.  Some things I've noticed is that most of the time when someone's parent turns up in a reading, they don't have a very good relationship with that parent.  Also, when people in a group are really close, they tend to get nearly identical readings, or at least a few common cards.  It really annoys me when people come in with the primary purpose of debunking divination.  If you don't believe in it, don't come in to have me give you a reading.  Also, my pendulum likes to play, so if you test it because you are a skeptic with a question like "is red my favorite color?", it will give you the opposite answer. Truly, people. I ask you to not come in with the purpose of trying to trick the fortune teller.  It doesn't work and it backfires.

This weekend, Tina Elvans, psychic from Waterloo, will be giving readings in the gypsy wagon.  It's her first time in the wagon, so stop by and give her lots of business (and remember to tip).  I'll be back on Saturday and maybe even Sunday for awhile.  Sundays are harder for me since I have to get up early the next day for school, but I'll still try to get there for a couple of hours.

Please stop by!!  I love repeat customers, so stop in again if you've already had a reading.  I'd love to see you.  You don't have to go through the haunted house to come get your fortune told.  Hope to see you this weekend!

Freaky Friday

TGIF!  It's Friday.  What's freaky?

This:  The clown hysteria.  What is up with them?  We were hearing news of creepy clowns in several different states for a few months now. Finally, earlier this week, we heard they were in our very own community!  My students were freaking out.  Social media went crazy.  I see how mass hysteria starts and can even now see how mass hysteria contributed to the witch trials of 1692.  Me?  I said I would hug a clown if I saw one.  This is probably not the safest thing, but I would imagine if a crazy woman went running after a clown with her arms spread wide screaming "Who needs a hug??", that the clown would turn around and hightail it out of there.  Either way, my crazy choices shouldn't necessarily be everyone else's so if you do get lucky enough to see a creepy clown, you should probably avoid contact.  Freaky.

This:  Harris Haven Funeral Home Haunted House.  We are there again this weekend reading fortunes in the gypsy wagon.  This weekend, Shelby Davis will be joining me both nights with a unique divination method.  She has learned lithomancy, a method of divination by casting stones.  I can't wait to watch her use this method tonight in the wagon.  We will both be at the table reading for everyone, so be sure to stop in the gypsy wagon if you're going to the haunt, and even if you're not going to the haunt (come see us).   We are reading for tips only (they are greatly appreciated as otherwise we are volunteering) and on Monday, I will blog about a few of the more interesting moments from the weekend.  Angelle will be inside the haunted house (watch out for her, she's super creepy) on Friday night, and KD will be with us using her pendulum for yes/no questions (or contacting the deceased) on Saturday.  It's freaky fun!  Stop by!

This:  The Cedar Valley Silent Supper is looming on the horizon.  I'm incredibly excited.  Earlier this week I got a call from an older lady named "Gypsy".  She had run across the silent supper online and was very interested.  However, she lives in Fairfield, which is about 3 hours away from here, and she doesn't drive.  She told me she is a wiccan and was looking for groups and like-minded individuals. (For the record, I am not exactly a wiccan, but you know I have a magickal outlook and lifestyle, and many good wiccan friends).  She also told me she used to live in Salem, Massachusetts and had once attended the "Dumb Supper" there.  That dumb supper is the one I base ours off of.  She also told me she once went to the "Witch's Ball" there and what a great experience that was.  I really feel like we need to get "Gypsy" to the Cedar Valley Silent Supper.  That being said, I started a Gofundme campaign to raise $300.  I researched bus tickets from Fairfield to Waterloo and back.  It will cost about  $150 for transportation, and then I want to put her up in a hotel for the night, too.  A taxi can get her from her hotel to catch the bus back to Fairfield.  I believe this will completely make this special lady's Halloween.  It will also really surprise her.  And how much fun will it be to talk to her about her adventures living in Salem?  So, if you are so inclined or want to do a random act of kindness, please donate a small amount to this simple cause.  To donate, go to https://www.gofundme.com/gypsysilentsupper.  What a freaky opportunity to make someone's day!  Thank you.

This:  Conspiracy Theories abound!!  My younger daughter is sort of an expert on these.  She finds them on youtube and other social media sites.  There is the interesting coincidence where Trump and Clinton are wearing the same colors as the candidates in the most recent "Purge" movie.  Last night she discovered that there is even an image of a clown in the background of that scene.  Last night she had also heard that 23 people in Canada had been murdered by American clowns.  NOT TRUE!!  I immediately educated her about snopes.com so she can find out what's true or not for herself.  Do you have any favorite conspiracy theories?  They are entertaining, if nothing else.  Freaky.

That's it for Freaky Friday today.  Check back on Monday for "Tales From the Gypsy Wagon".  I hope to see you there this weekend!

Witchy Wednesday

It's Witchy Wednesday, everyone.  This means a new episode of "American Horror Story".  Who else is watching?  I am enjoying it so far.  But then, I really like "weird".

Since I'm excited about another episode of AHS, I thought I would visit the Hot Topic website and see what AHS fashion they had available.  I was not disappointed.











Here is an awesome little "All Monsters Are Human" purse.











Stocking caps are great, and this is just a good motto to live by.

















Did you enjoy "Hotel", the last season with Lady Gaga?  The Countess was an interesting character, to say the least.  Hot Topic has an adorable little "The Countess" figurine.











My older daughter and I often discuss which seasons were our favorites.  Of course, I loved "Coven", but think that perhaps "Freak Show" wins out as all time favorite season.  That sawing the girl in half scene, though.  This "Freak Show" inspired dress is awesome with the bold black and white stripes.














Speaking of "Coven", here is a cute little witchy dress with a collar.  Hmm.  This would make a nice silent supper dress.

















Since we are on cute little dresses, this one is a "Hotel" inspired bell hop dress.  Very nice!
















While "Roanoke" is doing very well with the "disturbing" aspect of AHS, as a season, I thought "Asylum" took the cake.  This dress is the "Doctor from Asylum" dress.  The skirt has all these medical tools and skulls all over it.  Fun!
















Of course, here's my inspiration for "Witchy Wednesday".


















Here's a nice "Hotel" glove shirt.  It features that nice fingernail "The Countess" used for, well, cutting things.
















The scary room at the hotel was room #64.  I found that interesting as it's also the year I was born.  I really do love this tee shirt.

















Last, but certainly not least on this witchy Wednesday, here is the most awesome clown costume and mask ever.  During AHS "Freak Show", Angelle and I just loved the character of "Twisty" the clown.  Such a tragic story.  There has been a bit of a clown craze across the United States these past few months, and most recently, this clown craze hit the Cedar Valley two nights ago. Apparently people are dressing up like creepy clowns and freaking people out.  Nobody is really sure why, but there are a couple of clown themed horror movies coming out.  Could that be why?  Anyway, I don't recommend wearing this costume to go to the store.  With the current clown craziness, it might get you hurt or arrested.  But it would be great for Halloween!!

Stay witchy today, my friends.  On Friday I plan to talk more about the clown situation, so check back!