Category: Metaphysical Connection

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Birthstones of June

Photo: Alexey Demidov | Unsplash

At The Broom Closet, we are often asked about birthstones. Finding the most fitting birthstone is not always as easy as we think it is. Each month and each zodiac are associated with multiple gemstones. Sometimes these gemstones overlap, but sometimes they do not. When trying to find a birthstone, you first need to know if you want one that reflects the month of your birth or your zodiac sign. Or both. The month of June is associated with three different birthstones and two different zodiac signs. The birthstones for June are pearl, moonstone, and alexandrite. The astrological signs of Gemini and Cancer share the month of June. 

Pearls are the only gemstones made by living creatures. Pearls are often associated with emotional balance, serenity, and purity in metaphysical traditions. They are believed to promote calmness, enhance intuition, and encourage spiritual growth. Pearls are also linked to feminine energy, love, and wisdom. 

Moonstone was named by the Roman natural historian Pliny, who wrote that moonstone’s shimmery appearance shifted with the phases of the moon. Moonstone is a stone of intuition, emotional balance, and new beginnings, often associated with feminine energy and the lunar cycles. It is believed to enhance intuition, promote emotional stability, and facilitate connection with the subconscious mind. 

A relatively modern gemstone, alexandrite was discovered in Russian emerald mines located in the Ural Mountains. Legends claim that it was discovered in 1834 on the same day that future Russian Czar Alexander II came of age; it was named to honor him. Often described as “emerald by day, ruby by night,” alexandrite is a rare variety of the mineral chrysoberyl that changes color from bluish green in daylight to purplish red under incandescent light. The unlikelihood of elements combining under the right conditions makes alexandrite one of the rarest and most expensive gemstones on Earth. Alexandrite is a gemstone associated with balance and harmony, transformation, good fortune, prosperity, and spiritual growth. 

These three birthstones for the month of June share some overlapping metaphysical properties. All three stones are associated with spiritual growth, emotional balance, calmness, and intuition. These are also qualities that can benefit the two zodiac signs associated with June.

Geminis, known for their adaptability, quick wit, and intellectual curiosity, thrive in lively conversations and diverse social settings. Their birthstones complement these traits, providing balance to their airy nature. Cancers, revered for their loyalty, nurturing spirit, and deep intuition, embody creativity and emotional depth. Their birthstones enhance their best qualities while offering stability against mood swings and sensitivity.

Gemini is associated with the same gemstones as the month of June, but other birthstones for Gemini include agate, chrysoprase, citrine, emerald, and sapphire. Agate is a type of chalcedony that is often banded with different colors and patterns. It is believed to have protective and grounding properties and is said to enhance mental clarity and focus. Chrysoprase is a bright green gemstone that is said to bring abundance and prosperity to the wearer. It is also believed to enhance self-confidence and creativity, making it a popular gemstone among artists and creatives. Citrine is a gemstone that is associated with warmth, energy, vitality, and prosperity. Emerald is associated with the heart chakra and is said to bring balance and harmony to the wearer. Sapphire is said to promote wisdom and spiritual growth. 

Cancer, June’s second zodiac sign, is also associated with multiple gemstones such as ruby, carnelian, rose quartz, pearl, moonstone, and alexandrite. Ruby symbolizes love, vitality, and courage. Carnelian inspires creativity and ambition, as well as courage and confidence. And rose quartz is a gentle stone that encourages self-acceptance and empathy towards others. 

If gemstones interest you, take some time to find the ones associated with your birth month and/or your zodiac sign. Learn about those gemstones and see if you think they reflect your personality or if they could help you balance aspects of your life. Gemstones make wonderful spiritual partners when we learn to harness their energy. 

Emily Guenther is a co-owner of The Broom Closet metaphysical shop. She is a Memphis native, professional tarot reader, ordained Pagan clergy, and dog mom.

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Metaphysical Connection: Hearth Magic

If you work in harmony with your house, it will take care of you. (Photo: Andrea Davis | Unsplash)

Hearth magic, or hearth witchery — also sometimes called cottage witchcraft — is a form of domestic magic that focuses on infusing magic into everyday tasks and creating a sacred, relaxing, and safe haven within the home. 

A hearth magic practitioner is a home-centered witch who focuses their energies on creating sacred space and weaving the magical into the mundane. They do not usually feel the need to equip themselves with fancy tools or do elaborate rituals, and like to get creative with what they have in their own kitchen or garden. They may also be crafty and enjoy making things for their home or practice. I believe there is a bit of hearth witch in all of us, and our ancestors probably practiced quite a bit.

Hearth magic could easily be considered a part of other spiritual traditions. It often gets included in green witchery because it can involve gardening, using herbs, and cooking. Here in the South, we have a strong history of conjure and hoodoo. Conjure and hoodoo are words that are often used interchangeably, but some people will define them differently. Regardless of how we define them, they are types of folk magic. 

Folk magic is a system of traditional magical practices and beliefs that are passed down through generations within a community, often rooted in local customs and traditions, and practiced by everyday people rather than formally trained practitioners.  

For many of us, our desire is to weave the magical into the mundane. I know it is something that I have been taught for years. If we can find the magical in the mundane, it can bring us joy and connection to the universe. And this is the heart of hearth magic.

If you would like to embrace more hearth magic in your life, there are a lot of ways you can do so. We know words are important to our manifestation process. If you really dislike having to clean your home or do household chores, you can try changing the language you use to talk about your cleaning. Instead of saying chores — a word that comes with emotion attached to it — try saying household rituals instead. In our housekeeping rituals, we keep in mind our goal — to create a sanctuary, a sacred space, a dwelling for the Divine — which nourishes us and our loved ones. These housekeeping rituals become an act of service — to our deities as well as to our spiritual well-being.

Many people will advise that a daily spiritual practice is necessary for spiritual people. Start the day with a land-honoring grounding practice. You may wish to acknowledge the four elements, or create a daily ritual that grounds you into the place you live, its history, and its people. I like to work with my land spirits and try to include them in many of my rituals and thanksgiving.

Another way to bring more hearth magic into your life and home is to sanctify the hearth of your home and spend time there to replenish its energy. The hearth of your home is the sacred power spot or energy center of the home. It is different for each of us, but it is the place that you feel most relaxed, nourished, and grounded. Often, if you have people over to visit, they naturally gravitate to this area. Once you have located this area, sanctify it by cleansing and blessing it, creating an altar there, decorating it in a way that honors its spiritual essence, and then tend it with love. Spend more time there, doing things that nourish your soul or make you feel good.

Finally, one of my favorite bits of advice for a hearth magic practice: Talk to your home. Listen to the building itself and honor it like a living being. Every home has its unique energy and will encourage its stewards to live a certain way. If you work in harmony with your house, it will take care of you. Take time to get to know it and what its needs are. You will be impressed with how your home returns your love. 

Emily Guenther is a co-owner of The Broom Closet metaphysical shop. She is a Memphis native, professional tarot reader, ordained Pagan clergy, and dog mom.

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Metaphysical Connection: The Nines in Minor Arcana

The minor arcana nine cards of tarot shed light on The Hermit. (Photo: Shara Clark)

It’s 2025 and our tarot for this year is card number nine — The Hermit. This card invites introspection. Instead of pushing forward, it advocates for a strategic withdrawal, a pause for self-reflection and understanding. The Hermit is about assessing our past choices, finding wisdom, learning more, and sometimes being more reclusive or protective of our energy.

Each suit reflects the meaning of The Hermit card back to us in some way. If we can study and understand the meaning of each of the minor arcana nine cards, we will be able to see the whole picture behind The Hermit. And since study is part of The Hermit card meaning, it feels rather appropriate to do a deep dive.

In tarot, the nine of wands signifies perseverance, resilience, and the determination to push through challenges even when feeling weary or battered by obstacles. The nine of wands is often interpreted as a message to “keep going” and not give up, drawing on inner strength to overcome adversity. After all, you’re at the nine card — you are almost there!

The nine of cups is often called the “wish card,” signifying the fulfillment of desires, achieving goals, and the manifestation of dreams. After a long journey, the nine of cups symbolizes the finding of self-satisfaction. The emotional journey of the cups is starting to come to a close after the volatile ups and downs you faced in the earlier numbers of this suit. You have struggled to find purpose and joy after loss, you have tasted the different things that life offers, and you have left comfort in order to find greater heights. Here, you have found them, and you are indulging yourself as you celebrate this new stage of your life.

The nine of swords signifies a state of anxiety, fear, despair, and overwhelming negative emotions. This card often represents feelings of being consumed by worry, guilt, or past trauma. The suit of swords is concerned with the mind, logic, intelligence, and communication. But somehow the nine of swords was caught on the destructive end of the spectrum, the one which turns inward on itself, and then multiplies and festers. Questions are plaguing you, and you find yourself reciting all the possibilities — all the things that can happen to you. You are haunted by what could be. The nine of swords must begin to understand the process of unresolved issues that has led them to this breaking point.

The nine of pentacles signifies a state of achieved success, financial independence, self-sufficiency, and the ability to enjoy the fruits of your hard work. This card indicates that you have reached a stage in your life where you are confident, independent, and self-sufficient. Through hard work, you are now ready to enjoy money, leisure, and material comfort.

In the major arcana, the four nines correspond with The Hermit. The Hermit’s solitary presence and long grey beard suggest his maturity and understanding. The nines of the minor arcana suits all ask the same questions of themselves. What was it all about? Who am I? Where have I come from? Where am I now? Where do I want to go next and why? The Hermit has seen many cycles come and go. He even resembles Father Time, and his knowledge and wisdom are infinite. What he has learned has not come easy. He advises the four suits that if they have not found the answers they were looking for in their current cycle, they just might in the next. The idea is not to give up, even if what they look back on does not, in their estimation, amount to much. There is no such thing as failure or mistakes, for all is knowledge and experience under The Hermit. 

Emily Guenther is a co-owner of The Broom Closet metaphysical shop. She is a Memphis native, professional tarot reader, ordained Pagan clergy, and dog mom.

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Metaphysical Connection: This Year’s Numerology

The number nine is humanitarian at heart. (Photo: Irinayeryomina | Dreamstime.com)

This year — 2025 — is a nine year. In January, I wrote a column that touched on some of the astrological and numerical predictions for 2025. One of the things I do to help me “get a read” on the year is to find out what the tarot card for the year is and learn about the Chinese astrology for the year ahead. I’ve been thinking about this year’s tarot card and numerology for a long time — long before 2025 was here. And like most things in life, it is a mixed bag.

This year marches to a different tarot beat than 2024 did. The tarot card for 2024 was Strength, but 2025 will be ruled by The Hermit card. The Hermit is card number nine in tarot. This card invites introspection. Instead of pushing forward, it advocates for a strategic withdrawal, a pause for self-reflection and understanding.

The energy of the number nine represents completion, but not necessarily finality. Think of it more in a cyclical sense; it’s about the ending of one cycle and the potential it creates for another cycle to begin. The nine in numerology acts as an usher in this process of transition or transformation, guiding and empowering us with its wisdom.

This number is humanitarian at heart. It is compassionate, kind, and intent on putting its efforts toward creating the greatest good. In numerology, nine has gone through its fair share of hardship and is wiser, stronger, and more aware as a result. These first-hand experiences make it especially understanding of others who are struggling and willing to provide valuable support.

The number nine in tarot brings all of the energies of the previous numbers to a culmination. The transformation from the spiritual to the tangible that took place in the number eight finally settles itself into something real. This is where we see the consequences of all the energies that were set into motion. Nine is typically seen as a trinity of threes: the first stage of creation was established in three, then consciousness was harmonized in six, and finally we see the realization in the nine.

Nine is three times three, thrice the power of creation, bringing the process of creation to its result. It is a number that brings the beginning and the end together. Nine is actually where the journey of numbers in tarot wraps up.

The four nines of the minor arcana represent the final stage of action, reflection, thoughts, and deeds of the four suits. It heralds the end of a cycle and the natural winding down or closing stages of a period of your life. This does not mean that the situation is over and done with or gone forever. It means that it has run its natural course and is the peak of all you have done.

The four minor arcana suits enter a spring cleaning mode when you get to the number nine. This is a time to carefully sift through all that they have accumulated on their journey or cycle. You must be quite ruthless about certain things because not everything can be taken forward into their new cycle. You should only take what you discovered to be useful and valuable, and of course what has extreme sentimental or emotional attachment. There must be a thorough cleansing of the mind, body, emotions, and spirit before moving into the next cycle.

Many people do not like change. As humans, we have a tendency to fear the unknown and we never know what is on the other side of change. I hate it as much as the next person, but change is necessary. Change is the only constant. Without change, without endings, life would be very stagnant. Even when we don’t like change, even when we fight it, it can be good for us. Perhaps now is the time to let go of the things you’ve been fighting to hold on to. If we can let go, and embrace the change, something good will come of it. Easier said than done, I know. But it’s going to happen anyway, so we might as well make it easy on ourselves. 

Emily Guenther is a co-owner of The Broom Closet metaphysical shop. She is a Memphis native, professional tarot reader, ordained Pagan clergy, and dog mom.

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Metaphysical Connection: Three Rings of Magical Protection

Visualize a bubble completely encasing your home. (Photo: Nataliia Bondar | Dreamstime.com)

Have you heard of the three rings of magical protection? This is a technique I learned when I first began my spiritual path, and it has stuck with me since. I love sharing it because it’s unique and can be easy to do. You don’t need any supplies or items for this protection technique. What you will need is to be able to manipulate energy and visualize or talk yourself through the steps.

I typically teach this technique the way that I do it. It’s the way I am most familiar with, and I’m confident that it works that way. However, I am not you. Please feel free to take this idea and make it your own. 

It’s generally easier and more accurate to build this shield while at home. For one, it is easier to manipulate energy in the area that you are in than it is to try and manipulate energy from across town. Being at home also gives you a very good idea of where your property lines are or where you want to specifically shield. If building a shield or manipulating energy is new to you, or you have trouble visualizing, then going outside and looking at your home can also be very helpful.

To begin, visualize (or describe to yourself) a large black bubble completely encasing your home. This black bubble should go all the way around your home, above it, and underneath it. If you live in a building, your shield may likely end up cutting through your neighbor’s ceiling or upper corners. If you live in a freestanding structure like a house or trailer, you don’t have to worry about your energy shield being on someone else’s property. But you still want to make sure that your bubble goes under your home, so it will cut into the ground. This is the first ring of protection.

Under your black shield, envision a brown shield. This will be a second bubble, located underneath and inside of the black bubble. The brown shield is the second ring of protection. The third and final ring of protection is a white bubble inside the brown bubble. All three of these layers sit on top of each other and completely encase your home.

The first ring, the black bubble, is a protective energetic barrier. This ring is going to take the most hits and is going to do the most work. Black is the color we use most often for protection and hiding. The black layer is going to shield and hide your home from unwanted energies. However, it is always possible for something to get through. That is what the other two layers are for.

The second ring, the brown one, is a filter. Brown is a color associated with stability and grounding. If energy works its way through your first ring, when it comes into contact with the brown ring, the brown layer can help ground the energy. The brown ring of protection can, if used properly, send that energy down into the earth where the earth will recycle the energy and put it to use elsewhere. Brown is also associated with transformation. If energy comes through the black ring, the brown ring can also filter and change the energy.

The third ring, the white layer, is there to make sure that negative energy does not make it into your home. Once energy moves past the brown ring where it has been filtered and changed, it comes into contact with the final white ring of protection. White is a color that boasts a lot of associations including protection and blessings. Any energy that makes it to your white ring has been made neutral by the brown ring. If that energy makes it through your white shield to your home, that energy has now been transformed from unwanted, negative, or malicious to at worst neutral energy and at best a positive blessing.

This idea can be used in many ways. Let the three rings of magical protection inspire you to create a unique protection barrier for you and your home. 

Emily Guenther is a co-owner of The Broom Closet metaphysical shop. She is a Memphis native, professional tarot reader, ordained Pagan clergy, and dog mom.

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Metaphysical Connection: The Goddess Archetype

The Goddess is the personification of the divine feminine. (Photo: Kobylinsk | Pexels)

The spring equinox is here, and the rising energies of spring often make me think of The Goddess. In this instance, The Goddess is not a specific person, entity, or deity. Here we are talking about the archetype of The Goddess and how she shows up in our lives. Different religions look at the idea of The Goddess differently, but we do not have the space to break her down into such depths here. Today, we are going to focus on the “Big G” Goddess, this overarching energy that permeates so much of our life, even if we don’t always name it as such. 

The Goddess is the embodiment of the divine feminine — an energy inside everyone and everything — and is often associated with compassion, nurturing, forgiveness, intuition, and empathy. It’s the feminine aspect of divine power that has created galaxies and guides us in our lives. The divine feminine primarily focuses on the inner being and your own emotional world. Tapping into this energy can help you heal your mind, body, and soul, and can help you show more kindness to the world and those around you.

The energies of the divine masculine and divine feminine have been present in various spiritual traditions and belief systems throughout history. You might find lists explaining that divine masculine energy usually represents qualities like strength, action, logic, and rationality, while divine feminine represents qualities like intuition, nurturing, creativity, and emotional intelligence.

Everyone has these energies in their own unique combination. Regardless of gender identity or sexual preferences, each person is a distinctive combination of these action-oriented, divine masculine energies and the receptive-centered, divine feminine energies. This balance of energy in each one of us will shift over time, depending on what is going on in our lives and what qualities we want or need to cultivate. I know, for example, that I used to present more masculine energy than I do now. Over the last 10 years or so, I have cultivated my divine feminine energy and recognize that I carry more of that now than I used to.

The Goddess is the personification of the divine feminine. She has been worshipped across the world since humans developed spiritual inclinations. She is seen and honored more in pre-Christian religions and modern paganism, but she also shows up in Abrahamic faiths and other spiritual paths such as Hinduism and Buddhism.

We see The Goddess more clearly in our ancient and modern Pagan religions because she was never hidden away. I am not familiar with the religious beliefs of every pre-Christian culture; however, I feel confident in saying they likely had at least one Goddess in their pantheon.

The Goddess has always been a part of us, a part of our world. She is the earth mother who nurtures us and sustains life. She is the moon who pulls at our waters, the sun that guides us each day. Yes, some cultures identify the sun with goddesses and some identify the moon with gods.

We see The Goddess in every person we meet. It is our job to look for the divine in each person and in nature around us, and honor that. Every person who calls themselves woman carries aspects of The Goddess. They show her to us in so many wonderful ways. Every person who calls themselves man carries aspects of The Goddess as well. They show her to us in myriad ways, sometimes obviously but not always. Those who are gender neutral or fluid or who are nonbinary also show us aspects of The Goddess. We can find her everywhere we look and see her reflected back at us in unique ways.

Regardless of where we find her, or how we find her, she is there. The Goddess birthed us all. And in doing so, she gave each of us a piece of her to carry, to connect us with her, and to make sure we find our way home at the end of our journey. Hail The Goddess! 

Emily Guenther is a co-owner of The Broom Closet metaphysical shop. She is a Memphis native, professional tarot reader, ordained Pagan clergy, and dog mom.

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Metaphysical Connection: The Depths of Pisces Season

Photo: Vvictori | Dreamstime.com

March is here and that means we’re halfway through Pisces season, a time we’re encouraged to shift our focus inward, as water signs like to do. Mysticism and dreaminess are at the core of tender-hearted Pisces, a mutable water sign. Their emotions flow and shift constantly, making it difficult for them to settle on a permanent decision. Pisces are incredibly imaginative and often find themselves daydreaming. But don’t underestimate them, once they commit to a feeling or idea, they can swiftly break free from anything that holds them back. As the last sign of the zodiac, they carry the wisdom of an “old soul” and have much to share.

A sensitive water sign, Pisces is represented by two fish, often called “the fishes with wishes” due to their powerful imagination and creative spirit. If you’re seeking kindness and empathy, look no further — Pisces is the most compassionate sign of the zodiac. Ruled by Neptune, the God of the Sea, these dreamy fish are spiritual and intuitive. 

With this mutable water energy, it’s no wonder that the tarot card associated with Pisces is The Moon. With Pisces as its ruling sign, this card represents visions and illusions, madness, genius, and poetry. At its darkest, this card can be daunting, warning of hidden enemies, mental illness, and addiction issues. However, at its best, The Moon signifies genius, mental breakthroughs, astonishing creativity, powerful magic, and intuition. I often refer to it as my “Van Gogh card.” 

Like Pisces, The Moon card is associated with the subconscious and often highlights idealism, suggesting that things are not as they may appear. It also represents our secretive side or “shadow self.” The dog and wolf on the card represent how our wild side blends with our tame side. This theme of unity can also be found in the towers, which symbolize the practical life most of us lead, while the path between them reminds us of the more meaningful life we desire. This is true to the nature of Pisces, who are always dreaming of something more fantastic than what is in front of them. The water on this card symbolizes the subconscious. The crustacean emerging from it represents “coming into consciousness” and the possession of psychic abilities, which is often true of those born under Pisces.

When The Moon card appears, it can indicate a time of emotional and mental trial for the querent. They may act on impulses that seem logical at the time, only to later question their actions with confusion. It’s a period when their mind plays tricks on them, making it an unsuitable time for decisions that require rational thought and clarity.

The Moon card can also signal a tumultuous period for relationships, marked by whirlwind romances that are intense but unreliable. For families and friends, it’s a time of emotional ups and downs.

This card represents the eerie, dreamy realm where the most powerful and dark magic and artistic talents reside. It symbolizes the extreme personalities who walk the fine line between artistic genius and madness. Here we find the wild, unpredictable individuals who create groundbreaking works with pen or paintbrush. These are the musicians with intense mood swings, battling dark depressions and charming manic episodes. They have no inhibitions and often disregard societal norms, resulting in behavior that can be both inspiring and unsettling, even sometimes dangerous. Yet, the art, poetry, and music they produce is nothing short of magic. The Moon is certainly a double-edged sword. 

The realm of this card is where seers, mediums, and spiritual leaders find themselves after extensive fasting, prayers, and meditation — finally achieving that holy vision. It is the enchanted forest of fairy tales, the mythic wasteland where heroes encounter spirits, oracles, sphinxes, and their own shadow selves. This otherworldly domain is unpredictable, and its influence on us is profound and transformative. Don’t be afraid of The Moon, but tread intentionally through its waters. 

Emily Guenther is a co-owner of The Broom Closet metaphysical shop. She is a Memphis native, professional tarot reader, ordained Pagan clergy, and dog mom.

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Metaphysical Connection: Candle Magic

Photo: Petar Milošević | creative commons | Wikimedia Commons

Candles are used by multiple religious traditions in their regular services and as part of their holy days. The use of candles as magical devices is more common than many people may believe. 

The light of a candle has always been considered a sign of spiritual illumination, compared to the darkness that symbolizes ignorance. The candle can also be used as a metaphor for the brief time we spend in this lifetime, and how easily life can be extinguished. In religious paintings, a candle often symbolizes the soul. 

The hypnotic fascination that the candle flame produces gives a clue as to why people began burning candles for magical purposes. The flickering flame appears to ignite something deep inside us that connects us with the infinite, and with all humanity. Life, death, and rebirth are all revealed by a candle. The relationship between the human soul and a solitary candle burning in the dark reminds people of the power of the human spirit, and how it can turn darkness into light.

According to Random House Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary, magic is defined as the art of achieving a desired result by the use of certain mysterious techniques, such as incantations or ceremonies. Aleister Crowley, the infamous 20th-century magician, defined magic as “the science and art of causing change to occur in conformity of will.” We use our will to make things happen, and candle magic is where we use candles to help achieve that end result we desire. 

Candle magic is one of my favorite forms of magic, and I believe it has advantages over other types of manifestation because it is relatively uncomplicated. Manifesting your desires with candle magic is simple but effective. The costs are minimal. You can usually find items that you need on hand or buy them at an affordable price. You can perform candle magic anywhere that it is safe and acceptable to burn candles. And there is no need for training to do it. All you need to know is what you want, and the correspondences for your work — which you can find online or at any metaphysical store. And you can use candle magic for any need. 

Like any type of manifestation work, candle magic requires you to have a purpose or goal that you are trying to achieve. The more specific you can be, the better the results. To get the most out of your candle work, it is advised that you keep your desire in mind while performing all the steps. Use the correct color candle. What color candle should you use? Do a quick internet search for it and you should be able to get your answers easily, or come ask us at The Broom Closet and we will help you. You can add herbs or oils to your candle to amplify your intention, but they are not necessary. The most important thing to remember when doing candle magic or manifestation work is to believe in your own power and energy. Although magic helps us achieve desired goals, you still have to do the legwork here in the mundane world to achieve your desires. 

If you find yourself wanting to do candle work on the spur of the moment, take a rummage through your cabinets, closets and drawers. Any kind of candle will work, even birthday candles. The only difference in candle size is that the longer the candle burns, the more energy and focus is being sent out into the universe to manifest your goal. But you could burn multiple small candles over a period of time instead of one big one. 

Part of magic is using what you have. You can use a white candle for any desire, you will just need to make sure you set your intention clearly. You can also use a red candle for any goal that you want to manifest quickly. Some of the best practitioners I know keep their work simple and use whatever they can find on hand. Candles are a beautiful and mesmerizing vehicle for our intentions, but the magic truly comes from within. 

Emily Guenther is a co-owner of The Broom Closet metaphysical shop. She is a Memphis native, professional tarot reader, ordained Pagan clergy, and dog mom.

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Metaphysical Connection: Heart Chakra

A quick dip into the heart chakra can be a way to balance your emotions. (Photo: Atarax42, CC0 | Wikimedia Commons)

Love is a hot topic right now. The concepts of compassion, empathy, and mercy are being talked about in the political and social arenas. And in the microcosm of our lives, it’s February, which means Valentine’s Day is on its way. Maybe love is in the air for you, or perhaps you’re sick of hearing about people’s feelings. Either way, a quick dip into the heart chakra can be a way to balance your emotions.

The heart chakra is one of the seven primary energy centers (or chakras) that are believed to exist in the human body. In Western culture, we mainly focus on those seven primary chakras that are aligned on the spine, although in Eastern medicine they acknowledge and work with many more. 

The heart chakra is located in the center of our chests and is known as the fourth chakra. It sits in the middle of our seven chakras and helps connect the lower and higher chakras. Each chakra has a Sanskrit name, and the name of the heart chakra is “anahata,” which means unhurt, unstruck, and/or unbeaten. It serves as our center of love for oneself and others, compassion, empathy, and forgiveness. The anahata is associated with unconditional love, compassion, and joy. It is the source of deep and profound truths that cannot be expressed in words. 

Anahata is associated with the element air. Air disperses and integrates a spiritual understanding of love, compassion, and connection to everything you encounter. Air, like love, is within and all around us. We can embody this element by keeping our heart center open and our love free-flowing.

The heart chakra is associated with the color green, which represents transformation and love energy. It is believed that the colors and symbols associated with each chakra are reflective of their vibrations. The specific colors and symbols arose when the ancient Hindu masters meditated on the energy of the chakras.

When this chakra is in healthy alignment, you will feel surrounded by love, compassion, and joy, and connected to the world around you. You will feel open to all experiences in life, and it will feel like challenges, especially in relationships, flow through you and are resolved with ease. An open heart chakra allows us to see all of the beauty and love around us, and truly connect to ourselves, our loved ones, and the natural world. This chakra also helps direct love back to ourselves to truly be able to love and accept ourselves and our bodies.

When I do aura and chakra readings at The Broom Closet, I find myself talking a lot about the heart chakra. In my experience, it can be one of the more difficult to keep balanced. It is easily influenced by our lives and our interactions with our loved ones, which can lead to imbalance or stagnant energy. 

Blocked chakras can affect the entirety of our being. Blocked energy can have a profound effect on the nature of our mind and mental state. Mentally, an imbalanced heart chakra can result in problematic issues, such as co-dependency, manipulative behaviors, feeling of unworthiness, and an inability to trust yourself or others. 

Some signs your heart chakra may be blocked can include isolating yourself excessively, feeling lonely, holding grudges, or feeling jealous or defensive. Someone with a blocked heart chakra may have a fear of intimacy and have difficulty trusting others. 

If you are concerned that your heart chakra may be out of balance, there are some easy things you can do to help open it. Cultivating gratitude can help your heart chakra, as well as doing yoga, using heart-opening crystals, wearing the color green, or intentionally eating green foods. Saying heart-opening affirmations can also be a good way of balancing your heart chakra. You could even attend a sacred cacao ceremony, where the sacred cacao is believed to help open the heart center and connect you with the energies of the earth. 

If you don’t feel like you are full of love right now, that’s okay. Just take each moment one step at a time. We’re all in this together. 

Emily Guenther is a co-owner of The Broom Closet metaphysical shop. She is a Memphis native, professional tarot reader, ordained Pagan clergy, and dog mom.

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Fun Stuff Metaphysical Connection

Metaphysical Connection: Year of the Wood Snake

Expect a slow but steady rebirth in the Year of the Wood Snake. (Photo: Anna Brothankova | Dreamstime.com)

The lunar, or Chinese, new year is January 29th, and 2025 is the year of the wood snake in Chinese astrology. This is a traditional classification system based on the Chinese calendar that assigns an animal and its attributes to each year. The 12-part cycle corresponds to lunar years, rather than months. The Chinese zodiac is represented by 12 animals and their elements. Their mythology states that the Jade Emperor set up a running race for all animals to take part in. The first 12 to reach the finish line were rewarded with a position in the lunar calendar.

In Chinese astrology, the 12 zodiac animals are each affiliated with an element — metal, wood, water, fire, earth — as they move around the zodiac cycle. When an animal reappears after 12 years its elemental affiliation will shift to a new element. 

In 2024, the energy was wood dragon, which lived up to its reputation with big announcements and high-flying promises competing for our attention. Optimism ran high, often to the point of being unrealistic. In 2025, energy shifts to the wood snake. While the dragon and snake may look similar, the snake does not fly. Its entire body lies on the ground, feeling every vibration, every footstep, every pin drop. The snake’s energy is grounded, practical, and cautious.

In this zodiac system, wood as an element represents vitality and creativity, as well as steadiness, honesty, generosity, and calmness. The snake represents wisdom, knowledge, intelligence, intuition, and creativity. Snakes are also associated with good luck, prosperity, fertility, and longevity. In some legends, snakes are considered divine messengers and guardians of sacred places. They are also revered for their ability to shed their skin and renew themselves, symbolizing transformation and rebirth.

Each year holds different elements, which gives it a different essence and meaning. The wood snake is a charming, intelligent, and creative sign, but also secretive, cunning, and sometimes ruthless. The wood element adds a layer of creativity, flexibility, and growth to the snake’s traits, making it an ideal year to focus on planning and transformation.

At the beginning of 2025, the world is still under the rulership of the outgoing wood dragon, and so a high-action period with plenty of activity is expected. Snake years are times when the world stops to think. Mythology recognizes the snake as a creature of healing, which influences the physical body to shift to a more spiritual outlook. A great deal of quiet progress can be made in 2025 with the help of this energy.

In a snake year, the energy is quieter and more thoughtful. Businesses may become more cautious about hiring or expanding. People may spend less, preferring to stay home. Snake years often coincide with a down stock market, though there have been exceptions, like 1989 and 2013, when the market rose considerably.

The ouroboros symbol of the snake eating its tail represents a closed loop, signifying endings and new beginnings. This theme is echoed in Western astrology, where Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune all move into new signs, suggesting that seemingly insignificant changes that happen in 2025 may have great repercussions in a few years.

This is a year of reflection, recalibration, and renewal, offering a mix of calm energy and intellectual challenges. The snake’s intuitive wisdom, paired with the nurturing wood element, creates a time to refine your long-term goals and strengthen personal and professional relationships.

If we combine the Chinese astrology prediction with the tarot card for 2025, The Hermit, we can see a united message. This is likely going to be a year where we, and the world, hold our breath. It could be a period of playing things close to the vest, being mindful of our actions, and being introspective, as well as a time of growth and study. Key themes for this wood snake year are transformation, strategic growth, and deepening connections. By aligning with its energy, you can make 2025 a transformative and prosperous year. Whether you’re seeking success, stability, or self-discovery, the wisdom of the wood snake is here to guide you. 

Emily Guenther is a co-owner of The Broom Closet metaphysical shop. She is a Memphis native, professional tarot reader, ordained Pagan clergy, and dog mom.