Tag: boxes

Coping skills

I’m filtering social media and its comments very rigidly these days.


Took the small Georgie Woolridge Animals coloring book from my Coping Skills Box and colored a red-eyed tree frog (Agalychnis callidryas). I learned the red-eyed tree frog isn’t poisonous, and I definitely relaxed while I was adding color to him.

We had at least a couple of rainy nights during the week, and on one of them, Tim sent a video to Jim and me of the frogs who were singing outside in response to a much-needed shower. When Half Acre Wood also got good rain, Lynne said the birds were dancing and singing among the wet tree limbs.

To recap, not poisonous: red-eyed tree frog

Poisonous: hate, ableism, prejudice, cynicism, dishonesty, sexism, hunger, jealousy, oppression, cruelty, bigotry, bullying, poverty, greed, violence, heterosexism, apathy, racism, injustice, classism, homelessness, fear-mongering, ageism

How I try to eliminate poison from my mental and emotional diet: education, creation, and action as I’m able

the real story

Today, Tom and I went to a neighbor’s funeral. It’s his second in-person funeral during the pandemic (which I count as beginning for us in March 2020), my first in person during the same time (another one, I attended online).

I’ll miss talking with her, which these past years meant calling out to each other with the street between us. We could pack a lot of opinions and laughs into those conversations, as I did with her daughter, who died in 2020. They both loved family, music, dogs, and politics. Probably you can see why I enjoyed being neighbors with them.

Afterward, I came home and went back to my manuscript. On a break, I wrote this little poem using words from The Nerd Poet Magnetic Poetry Kit.

I do sometimes use the Coping Skills Toolbox that I blogged about in April 2020. Today, I copied the MagPo poem into the little journal where I used to record poems several of us wrote using magnetic words. I probably need to look inside this box more often.

Tarot Etc. Thursday No. 19


I don’t remember where I got this beautiful box, but it’s one of my favorites. It’s where my rune stones live, kept on a shelf next to the book that came in the set with them.

I keep the stones in the bag they came in.


It’s been many years since I did any readings with rune stones. When I decided to feature them today, I reread all the information in The Book of Runes by Ralph H. Blum, and it was like it was all new to me.


My late friend John strongly identified with the rune Uruz, which according to Blum represents strength, manhood, womanhood, and the wild ox. John wore a pendant similar to the one on the right as his talisman. I think James kept it and wore it for a while after John died. That one is mine, which stays in a box with special small items given to me by friends or kept in honor or memory of friends.

Some of the reasons runes interested me, perhaps still interest me, is that they are meant to provide us insights into ourselves. While they’ve come to us from many ancient practices, rituals, and philosophies, anyone of any belief system can use the stones as a means to, as Blum quotes the Oracle at Delphi: Know thyself. Rune stones are not meant to explain the past or predict the future, but to keep us in the present. As Blum suggests, whether we see the runes as a bridge between ourselves and our Self, or a link from Self to the Divine, they show us how to be and act in the moment by tapping into our inner wisdom (e.g., subconscious, intuition).

Tarot Etc. Thursday No. 13


This beautiful box is one of a set of three that I think were gifts from Tom’s parents. If anyone reading here knows otherwise, feel free to correct me. =)


Instead of a tarot deck, this box is the home of an oracle deck, The Illustrated Crystallary Oracle Cards, created by Maia Toll and illustrated by Kate O’Hara.


Because of my deep appreciation and connection to stones, crystals, gems, and minerals, it’s not surprising that I find this a beautiful set of cards. You can be sure you’ll be seeing more of them in the future.


I didn’t clear the cards or do any kind of meditative work prior to shooting these photographs. When I pulled three random cards for a three-card spread, I was lucky enough to have the stones that are described on each card. (I may need to do a little crystal and stone shopping in the future; always a pleasure.)


Let yourself focus on a certain situation. The first card reflects its surface level. In this case, “The Only Thing” card, a clear quartz crystal, indicates the “intention to become.” I won’t quote the entire description here, but the stone asks what you need to grow intention, direct your will, and amplify its effects, and what can you put down as unneeded? I think this is a good card to help assess the beginning of a situation.


The second card provides a deeper look at the situation, showing you cause and effect and helping you see how the situation is impacting you emotionally. Howlite, the “You Are The Foundation” card, urges you to “come back to center; sit in stillness.” When you allow yourself to find the still point within you, you will better handle the flow of all the outer forces relating to your situation. I imagine a person sitting in a garden or in nature with this card, breathing in and feeling calmer before analyzing the external effects on the situation.


The third card, in this case the “You, Only More So” ruby, goes to the core of the situation. It reveals truths, some of which you might not be aware of, that help the situation move forward or come to a conclusion. Ruby is an amplifier that can lead you to courage and self-confidence, if you have been nurturing those qualities, though the stone can also boost self-doubt and loathing. I’d advise that, rather than seeing any energy as negative, see it as your opportunity to work to eliminate less constructive qualities before you try to resolve the situation you’re asking about. As the book asks, “Are you ready?” This is the time to clear yourself so that you are. Tap into any practice that connects you to your intuition and inner wisdom: meditation, yoga, chanting, prayer, runes, pilates, music, dance–however you nourish and focus your energy.

I look forward to getting to know and use this deck.

Tarot Etc. Thursday No. 10


Rather than a Tarot deck, today I want to share the Animal Spirits Knowledge Cards, shown on the upper right in that photo. The art on these cards using paintings by the late Susan Seddon Boulet is absolutely stunning. In all, there are 48 cards:

Animal Deities, Bear, Birds, Bull, Butterfly, Caribou, Cat, Cow, Coyote, Crocodile, Crow, Deer, Dog, Dolphin, Dove, Eagle, Elephant, Fish, Fox, Frog, Goat, Gull, Hawk, Heron, Horse, Insect, Jaguar, Kingfisher, Leopard, Lion, Monkey, Owl, Panther, Parrot, Peacock, Polar Bear, Puma, Rabbit, Ram, Raven, Sea Horse, Scarab, Snake, Spider, Swan, Tiger, Totem, Wolf

In 2001, I was part of a class with a teacher who talked about the spiritual significance of animals. She took us through a meditation session to help us find our spirit guide or spirit animal. Among the things she shared with us is that while our guide might turn out to be an animal we’ve always liked or felt a connection to, the guide is more often one that provides a quality a person lacks. So, for example, a beaver, who is thought of as hardworking and industrious, might be there to help you better develop those qualities in yourself.

In essence, you don’t choose your spirit guide/animal/helper; it chooses you.

In recent years, the concept of the spirit animal became trivialized by popular culture–and I can easily believe I’ve been guilty of saying something dumb like “Starbucks is my spirit animal.” In the realm of “be better, do better,” I’m now aware of how demeaning that can be to worldwide cultures who have long identified animals as significant to their ancestral and spiritual connections and practices: for example, an animal who traditionally is believed to guide a beloved family member from this life into the afterlife.

There’s nothing wrong with having a reverence for animals and feeling connected to or inspired by them, or identifying with one in particular. The point is not to cherry-pick what’s sacred to another culture and devalue or minimize it, and to remember that language matters. With that in mind, what I really like about these cards is that, as one reviewer said, they are “designed for meditations and learning rather than divination.” The back of each card provides the symbology of the animal or concept depicted, with a brief summary of how it has been viewed in different cultures historically.


I picked two cards to show you animals who mean something to me: Ram and Crow (neither one is the animal who came to me in the meditation on spirit guides in 2001; people usually keep their spirit guides or animals private, much the way meditation practitioners don’t share their mantras).

Without giving the full description, Ram symbology includes sacrifice, growth, and divine life. Crow symbology includes renewal, transformation, magic, and abundance. When I pull a card, I study the art for a long time, looking for symbols and meaning personal to me. The description on the back may include the characteristics of the animal as well as how it’s been historically significant to specific cultures, tribes, or myths. After absorbing the art and the description, I place the card with other things that help me meditate/contemplate, such as candles, incense, and stones, and spend time letting my thoughts wander as they will.

In my years of doing energy work, I often see the area around me filling with animals (an experience I hope to include in one of the novels I intend to write one day). I always thank them for joining me and helping me, so in this case, as I finish my meditation session, I’d thank Ram or Crow for being there and for the lessons and wisdom offered.

Envisioning animal guides is always a deeply meaningful experience for me, and while I usually keep such things private, in these times, if animal energy can help you find serenity or insight, I’m happy to explain/suggest it. Even without this deck, you could place a picture or object depicting a specific animal you’re drawn to, do a little of your own research, and use all that for a healing or helping meditation.

ETA: The deck is from Pomegranate (May 1, 2007) and remains available for sale online or probably could be ordered locally from your favorite bookseller or metaphysical shop.

Tarot Etc. Thursday No. 9


Wednesday was the new moon in Pisces, a good time to set intentions and let go of things not serving you–so you can make room for the new!

According to my go-to source, Kevin at Body Mind & Soul, this new moon is a good time for past life readings and astral travel. If you’ve had experience with either and want to share an experience in comments, feel free! This is also a good time to be aware of recurring symbols showing up in your life and reflecting on what they might mean to you.

I pulled a card at random from the Crow Tarot. Maybe the King of Cups has some wisdom to offer you. The stone pictured next to the card in the photo below is a moonstone.


Keywords for Cups: Psychic, Creative, Love, Dreams, Feeling
Element: Water (timely for Pisces)
Card Meaning: The King of Cups is a Zen master who has complete control over his emotions. This regal bird can handle the most tumultuous of situations with grace and compassion. When you receive a royal visit from the King of Cups, it may be a signal to take some quiet time to reflect on the emotions around [a] situation. What emotional triggers seem to pop up regularly to hold back progress?

MJ Cullinane, author

Disclaimer: I am no expert on tarot cards. Because I don’t study or practice with any particular deck, I don’t do readings. I use the cards as a means of introspection. I also enjoy the art, beauty, and symbolism of many tarot decks and how they reflect the personalities and journeys of their creators. Tarot is like other things that inspire me and engage my interest, such as books, music, and art.

Tarot Etc. Thursday No. 8

First things first. Whether you celebrate George Harrison’s birth on February 24 (because his birth certificate states he was born just before midnight), or February 25, which is when he celebrated it most of his life, today I’m just celebrating that he ever existed and gave us music and ideas.


From the Dark Horse tour in 1974, I WANT TO MAKE THIS LOOK at 1:6 scale. Photographer unknown.

To continue…


This wasn’t the post I intended to do today, but something made me look inside the “treasure chest” for this deck, so I’m going for it.

The Voyager Tarot was first published in 1985, which was long before I’d have gotten it sometime in the 1990s, and the book, James Wanless’s Voyager Tarot: Way of the Great Oracle was published in 1989. I don’t know which store these came from or why I was drawn to this particular deck. If we had it at the store where I worked, there might have been an open deck (not for sale, but for display so a shopper could look at it before buying a deck) that I perused. Whatever my motive or interest, I’m sure it had something to do with the heavy use of crystals and stones in the deck’s artwork. Whatever else comes and goes among my interests, my appreciation for stones/rocks/crystals never wanes.

From the time I was a wee girl and we’d go to my grandfather’s house, I’d watch my older cousins stroll with Papa up and down his driveway that was composed of loose rocks (possibly river rocks). All of them had watchful eyes as they hoped to find stones with interesting colors or shapes to pick up, maybe to keep.

When I was a little older, I remember a particular bike I had, with slightly wider tires than normal, and how much I loved riding the bike over some friends’ graveled driveway. The crunch of those rocks under my tires was pleasing, and I’d ride across the driveway again and again for who knows how long. I’m sure their parents thought I was an odd child.

When I met my future mother-in-law, she had a large collection of rocks and stones that she’d collected through the years, as well as many she’d acquired from her late uncle. She and I would sit at the kitchen table and look through the rocks. I’d roll them through my fingers, admiring their textures, and also marvel at the variety of colors, whether natural or dyed.

I knew about birthstones, of course, and the meanings associated with them, but the idea of crystals and stones having particular healing properties or meanings was mostly new to me in the 1990s. An interest in stones, crystals, and rocks seemed to have few boundaries among people’s belief systems or spiritual pursuits and was more akin to the universal appeal of birds, for example, or forests and the ocean. As more people shared their enthusiasm and knowledge with me, I began to collect my own stones, and loved getting them as gifts.

Uniqueness: In the Voyager Tarot, crystals replace swords to represent the mind; the cups, as with other tarot decks, represent our emotions; the worlds cards, representing the actions we take in the world, replace the disks or pentacles in traditional tarot decks; and the wands represent our spirit, or “the magic of life we hold in our hands.” The “people” cards are the Sage, Man, Woman, and Child.

The Major Arcana of the Voyager Tarot generally correspond to other decks: The Fool is here the Fool-Child; the Eight card, either Justice or Strength in other decks, is Balance; the Eleven card, either Strength of Justice in other decks, is here Strength; the card usually known as Temperance is Art in this deck, the Devil card is called Devil’s Play here; the Judgment card from other decks is here called Time-Space; and the standard World card is here called Universe.

Despite the small book that comes with the deck, and the more detailed book I bought for more information, if I ever used the deck to do readings, I don’t recall them. What I do recall is how often I’ve pulled a card just to study its rich, sometimes odd, images. I wanted to find things that resonated with me.

Because I love crystals, I picked the specific cards below to share with you, along with Art, as unique to this deck. If you want to know more about a card, ask in comments, and I’ll check the description in the book for you.


Art from the Major Arcana


Knower, Sage of Crystals


Guardian, Woman of Crystals


Inventor, Man of Crystals


Learner, Child of Crystals

Disclaimer: I am no expert on tarot cards. Because I don’t study or practice with any particular deck, I don’t do readings. I use the cards as a means of introspection. I also enjoy the art, beauty, and symbolism of many tarot decks and how they reflect the personalities and journeys of their creators. Tarot is like other things that inspire me and engage my interest, such as books, music, and art.

Tarot Etc. Thursday No. 7

Wednesday was the full Snow Moon, so I took the following guidance from Kevin at Body Mind and Soul (that link is to their blog post; I watched Kevin’s post on their Instagram account). Full moons, in addition to being a time of completion, can have tension because the sun and moon are in opposition. Kevin suggested that someone might be going back and forth about something, caught in indecision.

I chose to meditate about my writing, lighting incense to help me center myself and focus, and choosing tangible items as suggested by Kevin that included stones and tarot cards.

One astrological aspect of this full moon is represented by the seven of swords, the card of opposition in the Enchanted Tarot. This deck advises you to recognize that your challenges are often self-created and stem from fear and a lack of trust in yourself. If you can identify and acknowledge the negative patterns that feed these qualities, you can find a path forward. Fluorite brings order to a fearful or chaotic mind, so it’s a good companion for this part of the meditation.

The other astrological aspect is represented by the seven of wands, the card of courage in the Enchanted Tarot. This card advises you to trust your judgment and intuition and not give in to fear. Kevin quoted from his source, “Carnelian stimulates courage and action, restores motivation, and helps turn dreams into realities.”

His advice is to come up with “one good reason to try something different.” So my particular task is to identify what I fear that holds me back as a writer, and to try a different action to help me move forward. I’ll be working on it!


The Enchanted Tarot deck, which I’ve shared in previous posts, is now in this wooden box.

Disclaimer: I am no expert on tarot cards. Because I don’t study or practice with any particular deck, I don’t do readings. I use the cards as a means of introspection. I also enjoy the art, beauty, and symbolism of many tarot decks (most recently, the Crow and Muse decks both piqued my interest) and how they reflect the personalities and journeys of their creators. In that way, they are like other things that can inspire me and engage my interest, such as books, music, and art.

Tarot Etc. Thursday No. 6


Today’s featured Tarot deck is now kept inside this sweet, slightly beat-up old box. I don’t currently remember the source of the box, nor do I remember when I got this deck.


The Tarot of the Spirit is dated 1992. It’s possible I bought it at one of the many metaphysical shops I used to visit. I think all but two of those are gone now, and I mostly shop at only one of them because I so love the vibe there. There are more shops scattered around Houston, but again, This Pandemic™ keeps me home or mostly frequenting places closer to me where the merchandise and layout is familiar enough for me to get in and out quickly. (This reminds me: My favorite antique mall is moving further away. [sad face])

The reason I think I bought The Tarot of the Spirit at a shopkeeper’s recommendation is because the little book that came with the deck isn’t very detailed, so I was likely upsold this 400-plus-page book written by the deck’s creator, Pamela Eakins.

Eakins offers several different layouts for readings. If I ever did readings for myself or anyone else, I don’t remember anything about them. The deck has the usual 22 major arcana cards, here called the Tarot Keys. I pulled four of them to give you a sense of the art.


The Wheel of Fortune, The Lovers, The Star, and The Moon

The 56 minor arcana cards are in suits called Fire, Water, Wind, and Earth. The book provides a divinatory meaning, meditation, and interpretation for each card. I pulled these four to show you that after the 1 to 10 cards, the higher cards are Mother, Father, Sister, and Brother. I chose from the four different suits.

If this deck interests or intrigues you, and you want a deck that can be further enhanced by a detailed book to help you understand or use it, you can see all the cards on this site.

There’s one other card in the deck, called “the Mystery Card.” There is also a divinatory and meditation explanation for it.

Disclaimer: I am no expert on this subject. Because I no longer study and practice with any decks, and because “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing,” as my mother used to say (likely derived from Alexander Pope’s “a little learning is a dangerous thing”), I no longer do readings for anyone. If I do a rare reading for myself, it’s mostly to prompt introspection and perspective about something that has me puzzled. I particularly like pulling cards for characters, when I’m a little stuck while writing, to help me think more about who they are and how to show that. I enjoy the art, beauty, and symbolism of many tarot decks (most recently, the Crow and Muse decks both piqued my interest) and how they reflect the personalities and journeys of their creators. In that way, they are like other things that can inspire me and engage my interest, such as books, music, and art.