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As I sit with my tarot deck, seeking clarity not on what will happen, but on how I might shape what unfolds, I am reminded of the power tarot holds—not merely as a tool for prediction but as a profound mirror for transformation. Too often, we approach the cards expecting them to reveal our fate, to forecast events in a way that almost strips us of our agency. But the path I follow, and the way I engage with tarot, is something much deeper. I come to the cards not to be directed but to explore how I can direct my own journey.

Today, I drew the Two of Wands from the Jolanda Witch Tarot, a card that speaks not of passive acceptance but of dominion. In this reading, I wasn’t asking, “What will come next?” but instead, “How can I experience the outcome I desire? How can I shape my reality?” The Jolanda Witch Tarot, with its rich tapestry of symbols and folklore, encourages this kind of enquiry. It’s a deck designed not just to give answers but to evoke questions within, to draw forth the latent wisdom and power that reside within each of us.

For those of us committed to growth and inner transformation, predictive readings have their limitations. They may tell us what’s possible, but they rarely reveal how we might best engage with our potential. So, in this exploration of the Two of Wands and the healing art of magic, let’s journey beyond fortune-telling. Let’s step into the realm of self-empowerment, where we actively engage with life’s unfolding rather than passively awaiting it.

The Jolanda Witch Tarot: A Tool for Inner Transformation

The Jolanda Witch Tarot: https://amzn.to/3CfkGjm created by Swedish artist Hans Arnold and brought to life through the insights of Jolanda den Tredje, is unlike any other deck I’ve encountered. Each card is a world unto itself, blending surrealist art, esoteric symbols, and a kind of raw, unapologetic magic that refuses to be confined to traditional meanings. This is not a deck for those who want neat, tidy interpretations. It’s a deck for those who are willing to sit in the mystery, to let the cards speak in their own way and awaken something deep within.

This deck calls to those who see tarot as a gateway to self-understanding rather than as a map of external events. It invites us to enter into a conversation with the unseen parts of ourselves, those aspects that might be overlooked in the pursuit of daily goals and tasks. It reminds us that true magic—true healing—comes not from changing the outer world, but from transforming our inner landscape.

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When I pulled the Two of Wands, with its imagery of two jesters locked in a kind of playful combat, I saw a reflection of my own struggle to balance between ambition and surrender, action and reflection. The hedgehog, lying undisturbed at their feet, added a layer of grounding to the scene. It was as if the card whispered, “Find your dominion within before you seek to control anything without.”

Experiencing Dominion through Tarot

The Two of Wands, especially as interpreted in the Jolanda Witch Tarot, speaks of dominion, a word that resonates deeply for anyone who seeks to be the author of their life rather than a character in someone else’s script. Dominion is not about control in the traditional sense; it’s about a self-assuredness, a sense of rootedness in one’s own power and purpose. This card calls us to hold our vision with clarity and to recognise that our reality is shaped as much by our inner world as by the outer one.

This card prompted me to consider the areas in my life where I may still be waiting for permission to act, where I might still be hoping for validation from some external source. It invited me to stand fully in my power, to make decisions not based on fear or doubt but on a clear sense of purpose. In seeking to direct a specific outcome, I realised, I needed to first ensure that my vision was coming from a place of inner alignment rather than external influence.

The Two of Wands challenges us to set our intentions firmly, but not to the point of rigidity. Like the jesters with their crossed wands, there is a dance involved in directing our lives—a balance of push and pull, action and receptivity. To experience dominion, we must be both the architect of our vision and the humble observer of life’s natural flow.

Why We Look Beyond Predictive Readings

In our culture, tarot is often seen as a predictive tool, a way to peek behind the veil and see what fate has in store. But for those of us committed to genuine growth, the predictive aspect of tarot is limited. Knowing what will happen can sometimes rob us of the opportunity to be fully present, to engage with life’s uncertainties in a way that deepens our understanding of ourselves.

Predictive readings can lull us into passivity, making us spectators in our own lives. When we seek only answers to questions like, “Will I get the job?” or “Will this relationship work out?”, we risk outsourcing our power to the cards, expecting them to dictate our lives rather than illuminate our paths.

Instead, I approach tarot as a tool for reflection, transformation, and healing. When I asked how to experience a specific outcome of my own choosing, I wasn’t looking for a straightforward answer. I was looking for insight into how I could best align myself with my desired path, how I could step into my own power rather than waiting for life to give me permission to act.

The Jolanda Witch Tarot supports this approach beautifully. Its images are complex and multi-layered, refusing to yield easy answers. They invite us to sit with our questions, to explore the terrain of our own hearts and minds, and to trust in our ability to navigate life’s mysteries. This is the true healing art of magic—not in predicting what will happen, but in empowering us to shape what can be.

To experience the unique depth of the Jolanda Witch Tarot for yourself, you can purchase the deck at https://amzn.to/3CcquKu. This deck is an incredible companion for anyone seeking to dive deeply into the mysteries of tarot and the healing art of magic.

A Ritual of Self-Direction: The New Moon Floral Protection Charm

In seeking to direct my path, I often find it helpful to ground my intentions in ritual. One practice that complements the energy of the Two of Wands is the New Moon Floral Protection Charm. This charm is a way to clear the energetic space for new beginnings, to plant the seeds of our desires, and to protect our intentions as they take root.

For this ritual, I gather fresh flowers—carnation, cyclamen, marigold, rose, and snapdragon—each of which carries its own symbolic resonance. I place the petals in a bowl, adding a few drops of geranium, clove, and cinnamon oil. These oils act as catalysts, amplifying the energy of the flowers and infusing the mixture with a potent blend of protection, empowerment, and warmth.

I place the bowl on the southern point of my altar, a direction associated with fire and transformation. For a full lunar cycle, I let this mixture sit, absorbing the energy of my intentions and the natural power of the new moon. Each day, I spend a moment in front of the bowl, reinforcing my vision and aligning myself with the energy of self-direction and dominion.

When the lunar cycle is complete, I scatter the petals in my garden, returning them to the earth as an offering. This act symbolises my willingness to release control over the outcome, trusting that I have done the work and that life will respond in kind.

Closing Reflections on Magic as Healing

The Jolanda Witch Tarot reminds me that magic is not merely a tool for manifesting external outcomes but a practice of aligning our inner world with our deepest truth. Magic, as I experience it, is a way of perceiving and engaging with life that invites us to be both the creator and the witness. It’s a healing art, one that calls us to embrace both our light and our shadow, to honour both our strength and our vulnerability.

Each reading with this deck becomes a ritual of healing, a way to see myself more clearly and to make choices that are true to who I am. When I drew the Two of Wands, it wasn’t a prediction of what might happen; it was an invitation to step more fully into my own power, to take up the mantle of dominion and direct my path with intention and purpose.

As I close this reflection, I invite you, too, to explore tarot as a tool for inner alignment rather than mere prediction. Let the cards guide you not in foretelling the future, but in shaping the present. Embrace the healing art of magic, the way it teaches us to trust ourselves, to listen to our inner voice, and to create lives that are truly our own.

Rosie Björkman, also known as Jolanda den Tredje, was a renowned Swedish witch, spiritual teacher, and author celebrated for her wisdom and unique approach to magic. She dedicated her life to exploring mystical traditions, nature’s rhythms, and personal empowerment through the craft. Rosie created the Jolanda Witch Tarot, a deck that reflects her deep understanding of esoteric symbolism, folklore, and the healing potential of magic.

With the Jolanda Witch Tarot, Rosie invites users into a world of transformative imagery and insight, where each card serves as a portal to deeper self-awareness. Known for her direct, no-nonsense approach, Rosie empowered many to embrace their inner power and see magic as a force for healing and self-realisation. Her legacy lives on through this deck, an enduring tool for those seeking to explore the mysteries within and around them.

To explore Rosie Björkman’s creation, you can purchase the Jolanda Witch Tarot at https://amzn.to/3CcquKu, where her vision continues to inspire and guide seekers on their journey.

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