“Things Are Not Awkward Here”

Carry with you during social situations or burn to ash and scatter in the corners of a room to keep that space free of awkward silence or awkward interaction.

The dreamy Pisces moon is bringing us exciting and enlightened energy! The full moon will sextile Uranus, which has the ability to bring us unexpected, but in this case very exciting news. It is a great time for meeting up with new people, trying new hobbies or setting intentions for spiritual growth and new connections!

Since Pisces is ruled by Neptune and we have the moon being aspected by Uranus, make sure you stay open and be ready to go with the flow. These two planets are both very unpredictable, so the best way to work with their energy is to just stay as flexible as possible.

Your intuition might be especially strong during this full moon! Definitely take note of any dreams you get around this time, because they might carry important insight and messages!

At the time of this full moon, we are also having some disruptive transits, such as Mars square Saturn, Venus square Mars and opposite Saturn. These could easily create arguments that are blown out of proportion, so try to avoid being aggressive as much as possible. We could be feeling frustrated and disappointed with all of going on, but I recommend focusing on using the more positive aspects and their energy, and channeling that into making a change and setting intention.

If you’d like to know how this full moon will affect you personally and what YOU can do to use the energy to the maximum, check out this post.

Today!!💘

You really cannot be pro-back while being transphobic, especially if you’re being transmisogynistic. 

It is impossible to be pro-black and transphobic. 

things to do on sundays to recharge and make the upcoming week awesome

• clean ya room (just do it). also, check those pinterest boards you save for “one day” and actually go through them and draw some inspiration, even if you just end up rearranging the books on your bookshelf or putting some flowers from your garden in a mason jar on your desk. this is your home, make it feel like it is.

• do your laundry (also, don’t forget your bed sheets). if you’re in the mood, look at next week’s weather forecast and think about what you’re going to wear. go through your drawers, check the back of your closet. that hat you bought some time ago and forgot about because you didn’t dare to wear it? well… new week, new you, right? 

• call a friend/family member you haven’t talked to in a while, tell them you miss them. tell them you love them. remember and appreciate that they are a part of your life even if it doesn’t feel like it all the time.

• draw, paint, journal, write or make some music. something you know you love doing but “never find the time”. sunday is “finding-the-time day”. if you’re not feeling creative, read a book or watch your favorite show. or watch a new show. a scary show. a funny show. laugh as loud as you want. listen to music. listen to your favorite songs, or listen to new songs. even a new genre if you dare. turn the volume all the way up. take a second to consciously feel the music. you can always get up and dance. or sing. or both.

• the great, but still really effective classic: take a bath or a really long shower. if you have this special face or hair mask you’re saving up for a special occasion: congrats, you’re the special occasion today. use it. also, body lotion. we all know you’re going to be running late during the week and skip it one too many times. make yourself feel like the goddess you are. 

• sit in silence for a few moments. listen to your breath. listen to your heartbeat. for the love of god PLEASE listen to your thoughts for once in your life. don’t make them feel like they are wrong. or bothersome. they too just want to be heard once in a while. what are they trying to tell you? what could be soothing for them? be compassionate to yourself. it’s okay. you are okay. you are okay.

• think about things you can be grateful for next week. even if you feel like your life sucks atm, think about the small things you take for granted in a different way. for example: “next week, i will have access to clean water. CLEAN. WATER. 844 million people don’t have that.” or “next week, my legs will take me wherever i want to go. not everybody has two fully functioning legs, so i’m lucky in that way.” you’re allowed to feel bad about your life, but you’re also allowed to feel good about things. 

• if you’ve stayed home most of the week, go out. go for a walk. go swimming. go to a party or dinner with friends. even if you feel like you don’t need to see the outside world, chances are you’ll feel great after you do. if you feel like you’ve been running around all week, maybe you’d like to stay home today. put on your ugliest sweater, comfiest leggings, and fluffiest socks and curl up under a thousand blankets. you a sloth today and it’s okay. 

• eat. i mean honestly: eat THE THING. i don’t care if you’re on a diet. if there’s something you’ve been craving all week that has turned you into the veiny-neck-dude meme just trying to resist it: EAT IT. you deserve it. not because you worked out or ate salads or did well in school, but just because you’re a human and you love to eat and life is short and you should be allowed to eat yummy things. it’s okay. you won’t gain 5 pounds or lose your brain cells no matter how unhealthy it is, i promise.

• plan plan plan yo week. it doesn’t matter if you use a planner, bullet journal, the calendar on your phone or the notes app: write everything down you have going on next week. appointments. events. coffee-dates. when are you going to the gym? what are you going to eat? (meal prep if necessary) also, create reminders on your phone for everything. “i won’t forget it!” is a sweet thought, but oh honey you will. schedule reminders for every event. let your phone remind you that you need to buy toilet paper when the store is nearby. schedule daily reminders for your medications. (once you’ve done this it honestly feels like you just cleaned out 38GB of your brain, you simply don’t have to worry about that anymore, space for more important info, like your new favorite pun to annoy everyone with)

• most importantly: listen to what your mind and your body need today and next week. daily life is so full of “should-do”s that it’s important to find a healthy balance between the “should”s and the “need”s. you will be much more productive, healthy and happy that way. nobody knows you better than you do, take advantage of that and plan accordingly.

Witch’s Guide to Camomile

Magical Properties:

Magical Uses:

White Hoodoo

‘Are you saying I’m not Hoodoo because I’m white? There are lots of white Hoodoo practicioners.That’s pretty racist.’ Aw, sweetie, no. It’s not your race, necessarily; I know there are white rootworkers, it’s your goddamn behaviour. You don’t get to strut around calling yourself ‘Hoodoo’ because your practice has a few additional phrases and groovy oils you plucked out of it like a 15 year-old buying her first Dreamcatcher from a stall at Beautiful Days whilst ignoring the rest of the entire living tradition. You don’t get to call yourself Hoodoo when you only focus on white Catholic syncretism because it’s more comforting and familiar than the Black powers you ‘don’t feel so drawn to,’ and dear God I wish that wasn’t an actual quote. You don’t get to call yourself Hoodoo and then shit all over POC in the comments because acknowledging their voices, their agency and their pain makes you really uncomfortable.

I am more likely to pull a whole, screaming Mandrake root right out of my ass than you are to have any meaningful relationship with the spirits and deities of people you are consistently actively trying to silence.

House Hunting Crystals

A list of crystals to help you when you are house hunting or apartment hunting to aid in you find something good for you and making the right choice.

***From several sources including my own grimoire, online sources/archives and @cosmic-witch‘s A to Z crystal meanings

Bleeding Crown- A Curse

to take away the power of those that have abused it, and make them weak

Cleansing & Charging Items

I believe that many of the methods used to cleanse items can also be used to charge them - the difference lies within your intention. 

To cleanse, visualize negative energy actually leaving the object. To charge, visualize the object being filled with the energy from your chosen source.

Cleansing & Charging Methods:

Caution: some items, especially crystals, are not suitable for exposure to sunlight, water, or salt. 

compiled from my personal grimoire - not for redistribution

edited on 10-6-2018

Energy Work Excercise to Better Feel and Control Your Energy

Begin standing. Take 12 (or more) deep breathes, in through the nose and out through the mouth. With each breath let everything around you disappear more and more. Feel your pulse, your breath, the ground on your feet. Recognize that there is a subtle energy within every one of these forces. Feel the energy within them. What does it look like? What Does it feel like? Is it soft or hard? Warm or cold? Inviting or scary? Just breathe, and feel this energy. Now, draw this energy out from within yourself. It will exist just outside your skin, like a bubble. Feel every ripple, every movement and disturbance. Breathe and don’t let this (your energy)  fall apart or drift away. Learn about your energy while you keep it here, how to move it, how responsive it is, etc. Once you are done, go through a similar process of becoming aware of your body, and pull the energy back in.  It is best if someone can spot you while you do this. I first did this when I was seven, but I was being spotted by my brother.

Art Prints by Kasvei

x / x / x / x / x x / x / x / x / x

Orisha Rulers of the Zodiac

An Orisha is a spirit that reflects one of the manifestations of God. Being four hundred and one of them in total, each playing a role within the Yoruba pantheon, twelve of them can be equated to the twelve signs of the Zodiac along with their respective houses. The following is a brief summary of each Zodiac House along with the Orisha that is associated with it.

The first house of the Zodiac is the home of the Ascendant, and symbolises the acting self and how your personality appears to others. The ruling planet of this house is Mars, which is also the Roman God of war, making Ogun the warrior god the Orisha equivalent. Like Aries, Ogun possesses assertive and aggressive characteristics, and is the patron deity of soldiers, police officers, surgeons, railroad workers, welders, body builders, or anyone employed to work with iron and steel. Like the blacksmith who molds his creations to perfection, the first house deals with molding the inner and outward Self and realizing your highest potential. Taurus is the ruling sign of the second house, which is said to be the house of possessions. This should not only be understood as material possessions but also as traits and characteristics that we value about ourselves. The ruling planet Venus is also the Roman goddess of love, whose Orisha equivalent is Oshun. Oshun is the goddess of fresh water (as opposed to the salty, ocean waters of the goddess Yemoja), sensuality, prosperity, love, and fertility. Oshun is presented as a beautiful young woman who is widely loved for providing protection and needs for the poor and healing the sick. The third house is ruled by the cosmic twins Ibeji, the Orisha equivalent of Gemini. This house deals with communication and the way you think and operate mentally. An emphasis is put on siblings within this house which is properly represented by the twins, along with short journeys and writings. Ibeji also represents duality and balance; the yin and the yang found within all life. Though presented as twins, Ibeji is actually one Orisha. To the Yoruba people, twins are considered sacred and are said to be one soul inhabiting two bodies, linked together by destiny for life. The fourth house of the Zodiac is ruled by Cancer and deals with issues surrounding the home life. Cancer is known for being maternal, protective, nurturing, and instinctive, qualities shared by the Orisha Yemoja, the goddess of the ocean and mother of all the Orisha. She is the patron spirit of women, especially pregnant women, whose name is a contraction of the Yoruba words “Yeye omo eja” which means “Mother whose children are like fish”, representing the vastness of her motherhood. Her ebb and flow of the tides of the ocean are a result of the moon which is the ruling “planet” of the fourth house. The fifth house of the Zodiac is the house of creativity and pleasure, ruled by the sign Leo. This house deals with gaining pleasure through acts of creation, artistically and even procreation i.e. the creation of offspring. The Sun, the ruling “planet” of the fifth house, is a symbol of creative energy, illumination, and knowledge, all of which the Orisha of wisdom, knowledge, and divination Orunmila reflects. It is Orunmila’s duty to record the destiny of individuals at the moment the breath of life is given to them by Yoruba creator Olodumare, who creates because it brings Them pleasure to do so. The Orisha Eshu is the ruler of the sixth house, the equivalent to the sign Virgo. Health, work, and service are central to the sixth house, which is ruled by the planet Mercury, the messenger of the gods within the Roman pantheon. Eshu is the Orisha that stands at the crossroads between the physical world and the spirit world, whose duty is to be the intermediary between man and the Orisha. Therefore, when one wishes to call upon the Orisha, he or she first gets permission from Eshu. This is symbolic of clearing and preparing the mind to receive whatever message the Orisha have for you. Oba is the Orisha of marriage and personal transformation, making her fit to be the ruler of the seventh house, the house of partnership. Oba was the first wife of Shango who tended to his castle and everything that he requested, making her the ideal wife before being tricked by her sister Oya into trying to ensnare Shango with witchcraft. After this betrayal she fled to the cemetery in which she went through a transformational journey into her true power. This house is about expediating our life’s purpose through partnerships, whether that partnership be marriage, business relations, contracts, and/or treaties. Through these partnerships we learn a great deal about ourselves, transforming and enhancing our lives, making them fuller and bringing us balance on the scales of Libra. Oya, the goddess of winds and storms, is the equivalent to Scorpio and is the ruler of the eighth house which is the house of transformation, regeneration, death, sex, and rebirth. She is the powerful force in nature that can change the face of the Earth, embodying the tornadoes and twisters that uproot trees and houses with her destructive winds. This powerful Orisha is also responsible for carrying the spirits of the newly departed to the spirit world. The ninth house is the house of philosophy and is ruled by the philosopher Sagittarius and the planet Jupiter, the king of the gods within the Roman pantheon. Obatala, the father of all the Orisha, would therefore be the Orisha ruler of this house. Obatala is said to be the Orisha of purity and was sent by the Supreme Being Olodumare at the beginning of time to form the Earth along with construct the bodies of humans. Obatala completed his construction of the bodies he created by adding heads to them, therefore becoming known as the owner of heads. The head is symbolic of intelligence, higher education, and deeper understanding, all which the ninth house represents. The tenth house is the house of public life and social status, being ruled by Capricorn and the planet Saturn. The aspects within this house deal with how you manifest your individual role within society and your work place, along with the energies and challenges you’ll face meeting your career goals. The Yoruba associate the planet Saturn with Babalú-Ayé, the Orisha of disease and healing. Also known as the “Wrath of the supreme god”, Babalú-Ayé’s job is to punish individuals for their transgressions, but also to heal epidemics like small pox. The house of friends and membership, the eleventh house of the Zodiac is ruled by the planet Uranus and the sign Aquarius. Aquarius is associated with rapid social change, upheaval, and rebellion, traits that all reflect Shango, the warrior Orisha of thunder, lightning, and fire. Once a living king on Earth, Shango is known for working miracles after his death, elevating him to the status of Orisha. Shango is also the brother of Babalú-Ayé, the Orisha ruler of the tenth house. The work in society represented within the tenth house is expressed through the individual in the activities associated with the eleventh house, the planets and energies indicating how group associations and friendships will operate in your life. The twelfth house of the Zodiac is ruled by Pisces whose Orisha equivalent is Olokun, the god of the ocean floor. This house is associated with self undoing and confinement, which is reflected in Olokun being chained to the ocean floor by seven chains. As this house deals with the unconscious and things beyond the physical plane, Olokun’s aspects are expressed within the astral, the subconscious, and altered states of consciousness that is experienced during meditation, initiation, and spirit possession. Deep and mysterious is this house of the Zodiac, just like the bottom of the ocean; an old Yoruba proverb says that nobody knows what lies on the ocean floor. Olokun is said to be the owner of the Mysteries, and sparks within our being the genius that activates our super subconscious. Peace, Love, & Balance

what you will need:

🍊 oranges

🍊 an oven

🍊 a cookie sheet/sheet pan

🍊 foil (optional to bake them on)

🍊 string, twine or ribbon

🍊 a (thick) needle

🍊 various other herbs like cloves, cinnamon sticks, cranberries, etc are also optional if you’d like to add them! look up some correspondents if you wish to specify what exactly you’d like these ornaments to represent.

how to create them:

🌲 start by slicing some oranges! around ¾ of an inch, you don’t want them too thick in order to keep the baking time decently short! (try your best to keep them uniform in size)

🌲 once sliced, dab them off with a paper towel to get rid of a smidge of the extra juice. but, do not SQUISH it out! just gently tap the towel onto the slices.

🌲lay them out on a baking sheet, lined with foil if you wish, and bake them at 225 degrees fahrenheit, checking and flipping them every hour. by doing that and opening the oven, it will let the moisture out and let them dry better! they can take up to four hours to fully dry, but keep checking in to assure they don’t burn!

🌲 use your needle to poke a hole into the center top of the slices once they are completely cooled! depending on the string you chose to use, you may have to stretch a decently sized hole.

🌲 before you tie a knot, decide if you want to add other herbs or decorations! now is the time to tie them onto the ribbon. i personally love the addition of cinnamon sticks.

🌲 now is also the time (if you wish to do so) bless the ornaments! with a protection spell, healing spell, anything you’d like to welcome a bit more of into your home.

🌲 and finally, USE THEM! hang them on the tree, give them out as gifts, tie them onto presents for your friends and family.

i hope you enjoyed this one lovelies! enjoy your beautiful ornaments, i’d love to see pictures if you decide to make your own. blessed be 🧡

WHY EATING SEASONALLY IS IMPORTANT

•save money - food is at it’s highest supply

•food is better - it is grown closer to home so less likely to rot

•support local, sustainable farmers

•more environmentally friendly

2018 Black-Owned Gift Guide!

It’s that time again! This Black Friday, try and support a Black-owned business for all your gift-giving needs. For last years gift guide, click here. For the 2016 gift guide, click here. For the 2015 gift guide, click here.

Similar to 2017, I kept every individual item listed under $100! Click on the links to be taken to the websites in order to peruse more yourselves. This year, all businesses listed are also either owned by Black Americans and/or manufactured here in the United States! 

[And as always, this guide has been split into categories to make it easier to get through, but feel free to mix and match for the person in your life that fits all of (or none of!) these categories!]

Gift Guide 2018 Items

For the Homebody:

Rachel Stewart Jewelry ‘At Least Two Pair Pillow Cover’, $45 (pictured)

Lettie Gooch Cannabis Soy Candle, $18

Lettie Gooch PF Candle Black Incense (Pack of 15), $6

Lyons Candle Company ‘Apple Orchard’ Soy Candle, $14.99

Lyons Candle Company ‘Pumpkin Spice’ Soy Candle, $14.99

Lyons Candle Company ‘Warm Vanilla Sugar’ Soy Candle, $14.99

Lyons Candle Company ‘Gingerbread Cookies’ Soy Candle, $14.99

Jungalow ‘Cactus Wall Hooks,’ (Set of 4) $40 (pictured)

Jungalow ‘Hanging Glass Pendant Vase,’ $36 (pictured)

Jungalow ‘Yukon Grey Shag Rug,’ $55 (pictured)

Jungalow ‘Succulent Tea Light Holders,’ $20 (pictured)

Jungalow ‘Cabinet with Inset Mirror,’ $32 (pictured)

Jungalow ‘Elysian Green Window Panel,’ $75 (pictured)

Jungalow ‘Rae Cement Wall Planters,’ $25 

Jungalow ‘Pink Mermaid Music Art Print, $30 

Jungalow ‘Face 3 Art Print,’ $40 

Jungalow ‘Boogie Pouf,’ $64 

Jungalow ‘Indio Throw,’ $89 

Jungalow ‘Llama Hook Pillow,’ $54 

Jungalow ‘Textured Cotton Throw,’ $59 (pictured)

Jungalow ‘Ceramic Cactus Night Light,’ $42 

Jungalow ‘Gold Wire Trays,’ $74 

Harlem Candle Company ‘Langston Luxury Room Spray,’ $30 (pictured)

Harlem Candle Company ‘Harlem Nights Room & Linen Spray,’ $18 

Harlem Candle Company ‘Ellington’ Luxury Travel Candle, $14 

Concept Forty Seven ‘Map of the Fifty United States and Their Mottos,’ $35 

Nikkey Creative ‘Untitled Limited Edition Glittery Print,’ $49.99 

Foxie Cosmetics ‘Everything Nice’ Bubble Bath, $19

Foxie Cosmetics ‘Pink Fox’ Hand Soap, $19 

Debra Cartwright ‘Hydrangeas’ Print, $38

Debra Cartwright ‘Girlfriends’ Print, $70

Debra Cartwright ‘Bridesmaids’ Print, $38

Debra Cartwright ‘Summertime Babe’ Print, $38

For the Foodie:

Kye Teahouse ‘Be Free’ Tea, (16 teabags) $11 (pictured)

Kye Teahouse ‘Mahalo’ Tea, (16 teabags) $13 

Kye Teahouse ‘No Worries’ Tea, (16 bags) $13 (pictured)

Kye Teahouse ‘Organic White Kiawa Honey,’ $20 (pictured)

Bounty & Full ‘Apricot Mustard,’ $6.99 (pictured)

Bounty & Full ‘Wild Cherry BBQ Sauce,’ $6.99 

Bounty & Full ‘Cranberry Mandarin Jam,’ $5.99 

Bounty & Full ‘The Truth’ Habanero Hot Sauce,’ $5.99 (pictured)

Gluten Free Original Mutt’s Sauce, $5.99 

Sweet and Spicy Mutt’s Sauce, $5.99 

Ghost Pepper Mutt’s Sauce, $5.99 

Jungalow ‘Botanicals on Blush’ Kitchen Towel, $14 (pictured)

Jungalow ‘White Clay Bowl with Stand,’ $40 (pictured)

Jungalow ‘Set of Himalayan Salt Containers,’ $59 (pictured)

Concept Forty Seven ‘Earth Tone’ Ceramic Mug, $38

Concept Forty Seven Ceramic Mug, $40

Concept Forty Seven ‘Shell Bisque Small Bowl,’ $15 

Harlem Candle Company ‘Vintage Nightclub Map of Harlem’ Coffee Mug, $15 (pictured)

For the Beauty Guru:

Eden BodyWorks ‘Hibiscus Honey’ Hydration Custard, $8.99 (pictured)

Harlem Soap ‘Orange & Lemongrass’ Goats Milk Soap, $6.00 (pictured)

hunny bunny Rose Clay Facial Mask, $6 (pictured)

UnSun Tinted Mineral Sunscreen, $29 

Camille Rose Naturals ‘Turmeric Cleansing Bar,’ $8.99 

Camille Rose Naturals ‘Algae Renew Deep’ Conditioner, $20 

Camille Rose Naturals Ginger Vanilla Whipped Cream, $12 

Alikay Naturals ‘Sweet Lips’ Organic Lip Scrub, $4.79 (pictured)

Alikay Naturals ‘Moisturizing Black Soap Shampoo,’ $7.19 

Alikay Naturals ‘Knots Be Gone’ Hair Detangler, $7.79 

Alikay Naturals ‘Lemongrass Leave-In’ Conditioner, $12.99 

Monie Squared ‘Tea Tree’ Facial Cleanser, $10 

Monie Squared ‘Clay & Aloe’ Shampoo Bar, $8 

Monie Squared ‘White Tea Ginger Handcrafted Soap,’ $6 

Monie Squared ‘Leave-In’ Detangling Conditioner, $16 

Monie Squared ‘Tea Tree’ Clay Mask, $15.00 

Beija Flor Naturals ‘Acai Mango’ Face Lotion, $20 (pictured)

Beija Flor Naturals ‘Honey Cinnamon’ Detox Cleansing Bar, $9 

Beija Flor Naturals ‘Sweet Rose’ Face and Body Scrub, $20 

Beija Flor Naturals ‘Agave Aloe’ Polisher, $20 

Beija Flor Naturals Probiotic Deodorant, $13 

Foxie Cosmetics ‘Orchid’ Fragrance, $29 

Foxie Cosmetics ‘Coconut + Vanilla’ Bath Soak, $20 

Foxie Cosmetics ‘Kids Of The Black Hole’ Charcoal Face Wash, $18 

Foxie Cosmetics ‘Moroccan Argan Serum,’ $25 (pictured)

Jade & Fox Co. ‘Lust Highlighter,’ $18 (pictured)

Jade & Fox Co. ‘Siren’ Perfume, $40 (pictured)

Jade & Fox Co. ‘Rose Water’ Toner, $16 

Make-Up Brands:

Plain Jane Beauty (pictured)

Mented Cosmetics (pictured)

Beauty Bakerie (pictured)

Bovanti Cosmetics (pictured)

Colour U Cosmetics

Flori Roberts (pictured)

Hue Noir (pictured)

Gold Label Cosmetics (pictured)

Lamik Beauty

Lip Addyct (pictured)

Magnolia Makeup (pictured)

Lotus Moon Skincare

Pnk Digger

The Lip Bar

Ginger + Liz Nail Polish

For The Fashion Conscious:

EAT Military Classic T Shirt, $40

Chris Cardi ‘H Street Classic Tee, $33.03 (pictured)

Tree Fairfax Wrapped Leather Clutch/Wallet, $45 (pictured)

Her Favorite LA Vintage Kawasaki Race Sweatshirt, $76 (pictured)

Her Favorite La Vintage Babe Sunglasses, $24 (pictured)

Her Favorite LA Iridescent Fanny Pack, $38 (pictured)

Her Favorite LA Vegan Leather Baseball Cap, $38.50

Flat Out Black Oxford with Laces, $29.99 (pictured)

Flat Out Metallic Gold Ballet Flats, $19.99

Philadelphia Printworks ‘Panthers Legacy’ Tee, $25

Philadelphia Printworks ‘Gentrification’ Tee, $25

Philadelphia Printworks ‘Well Read Black Girl’ Tee, $25

Philadelphia Printworks ‘Harriet Tubman’ Tee, $25

Philadelphia Printworks ‘Elect Fannie Lou Hamer’ Tee, $25

Philadelphia Printworks ‘Break The System’ Tee, $25

Philadelphia Printwork ‘Ida B. Wells’ Tee, $25

Orchids & Spice ‘Elysia’ Jumpsuit, $49.50 (pictured)

Orchids & Spice ‘Rusty Vibes’ Blouse, $48 (pictured)

Orchids & Spice ‘Always There’ Maxi Dress, $59.50

Orchids & Spice ‘Kelly’ Mini Bag, $38.50 (pictured)

Urban Profile ‘I Am A Man’ Tee, $21.99

Urban Profile ‘Prince - Purple Logo’ Tee, $24.99

Urban Profile ‘Parliament - Chocolate City’ Tee, $24.99

Lettie Gooch Acid Wash Sweatshirt, $38

Lettie Gooch High Waist Joggers, $48

Lettie Gooch Turtleneck Sweatshirt, $48

Lettie Gooch Open Back Statement Sleeve Dress, $68

For the Bookworm:

‘A Burst of Light’ by Audre Lorde, $9.99 (pictured)

‘A Taste of Power: A Black Woman’s Story’ by Elaine Brown, $14.53 (pictured)

‘Kindred’ by Octavia Butler, $10.87

‘Josephine’ by Beverly Jenkins, by $9.69

‘Dread Nation’ by Justina Ireland, $9.99 (pictured)

‘Black Frankenstein: The Making of an American Metaphor (America and the Long 19th Century)’ by Elizabeth Young, $27

‘Minion’ by L.A. Banks, $13.94 (pictured)

‘Unforgivable Love: A Retelling of Dangerous Liaisons’ by Sophronia Scott, $11.89 (pictured)

‘The House of Dies Drear by Virginia Hamilton,’ $6.98

‘Folklore, Memoirs, and Other Writings: Mules and Men, Tell My Horse, Dust Tracks on a Road, Selected Articles’ by Zora Neale Hurston, $29.70 (pictured)

‘Medical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to the Present’ by Harriet Washington, $14.55

‘Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome: America’s Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing’ by Dr. Joy DeGruy, $17.96 (pictured)

‘The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make A Big Difference’ by Malcolm Gladwell, $11.55 (pictured)

‘The New Jim Crow’ by Michelle Alexander, $14.15

‘To Tell the Truth Freely: The Life of Ida B. Wells’ by Mia Bay, $14.69

‘Barracoon: The Story of the Last “Black Cargo"’ by Zora Neale Hurston, $16.14 (pictured)

‘African American Almanac: 400 Years of Triumph, Courage and Excellence’ by Lean'tin Bracks and Jessie Carney Smith, $8.75

‘From A Black Perspective: Contemporary Black Essays’ by Douglas A. Hughes, $10

And of course, my own book! ‘So, About That… A Year of Contemporary Essays on Race and Pop Culture’ by seren sensei, $9.99

For the Kids:

‘The Girl With a Mind for Math: The Story of Raye Montague (Amazing Scientists)’ by Julia Finley Mosca and Daniel Rieley, $12.32 (pictured)

‘Her Stories: African American Folktales, Fairy Tales, and True Tales by Virginia Hamilton,’ $23.39 (pictured)

‘The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales’ by Virginia Hamilton, $4.930

‘Victor Lavalle’s Destroyer’ by Victor Lavalle (Graphic Novel), $13.59 (pictured)

Honey & Child Co. ‘Love, Peace & Harmony’ Tee, $22 (pictured)

Yinibini Baby ‘It’s Raining Cats and Dogs’ Organic Cotton Tee, $26 (pictured)

Yinibini Baby ‘OK Narwhal, Brush Your Tooth’ Organic Cotton Tee, $26 (pictured)

Yinibini Baby ‘DC Flag’ Organic Cotton One-Piece, $26

Yinibini Baby ‘The Owlets’ Organic Cotton One-Piece, $26

Eden BodyWorks ‘COCO Shea Berry’ Leave In Detangler, $5 (pictured)

Eden BodyWorks ‘COCO Shea Berry’ Detangling Shampoo, $5 (pictured)

Mielle Organics Children’s Hair & Health Vitamins, $10 (pictured)

For the Masculine:

Talley & Twine ‘Dean’ Duffel Bag, $49 (pictured)

Benson Watch ‘Cardinal’ Matte Black Timepiece, $99 (pictured)

Scotch Porter ‘Fresh Meat’ Masculine Wipes, $5.99 (pictured)

Scotch Porter Hydrating Hair Wash, $18

Scotch Porter Hair Conditioner, $18

Scotch Porter Hair Balm, $15

A Life Well Dressed Co. ‘Culture’ Dad Cap, $24 (pictured)

A Life Well Dressed Co. ‘D.C. Icon’ Hat, $24

A Life Well Dressed Co. ‘Signature D.C. Proper’ Embroidered Sweatshirt, $58

A Life Well Dressed Co. ‘D.C. Proper’ Snapback, $24

A Life Well Dressed Co. ‘D.C. Icon’ Hat, $24

A Life Well Dressed Co. ‘CFC Airmen Patch’ Tee, $35 (pictured)

A Life Well Dressed Co. ‘Compton Flight Club Logo’ Jacket, $48

A Life Well Dressed Co. ‘CPT, CA’ Tee, $28

A Life Well Dressed Co. ‘CPT, CA’ Vintage Long Sleeve Shirt, $30 (pictured)

A Life Well Dressed Co. ‘CPT, CA Sweatshirt, $48

A Life Well Dressed Co. ‘D.C. Proper’ Tee, $28 (pictured)

A Life Well Dressed Co. ‘4 Quad’ Tee, $28

A Life Well Dressed Co. ‘I Am New York City’ Tee, $35

Merit X Seasoned USA FATE Bucket Hat, $20

Merit ‘Breakthrough’ Sweatpants, $40 (pictured)

Merit ‘Growth’ Hat, $25

Merit ‘Old English’ DET Beanie, $30 (pictured)

Merit ‘ABC’ Dad Hat, $30

Merit ‘FATE Loves The Fearless’ Tee, $32

Merit ‘Whatever It Takes’ Tee, $32

Enbois ‘Kanelo’ Matte Sunglasses, $42

Enbois ‘Garvey’ Black Watch, $60

Enbois ‘Mele’ Cocoa Beads, $20

Enbois ‘The Trek’ Backpack, $70

For The Technologically Savvy:

Khristian A. Howell ‘FCL Chic Blush’ Phone Case, $39.99 (pictured)

Khristan A. Howell ‘Une Femme’ Sleek and Chic Phone Case, $39.99 (pictured)

Khristan A. Howell ‘Blush Color Cap’ Added Amour Phone Case, $44.99 (pictured)

Khristan A. Howell ‘Buffalo Plaid Sleek and Chic Phone Case, $39.99 (pictured)

Khristan A. Howell ‘Fig Life’ Added Amour Phone Case, $44.99 (pictured)

Khristan A. Howell ‘Twinkle’ Phone Case, $39.99 (pictured)

Khristan A. Howell ‘Mosaic’ White Phone Case, $39.99 (pictured)

Khristan A. Howell ‘Plum’ Color Cap Phone Case, $39.99 

Khristan A. Howell ‘FCL Chic’ Phone Black, $39.99

Puku Light Charger, $49.00 (pictured)

Puku G8 Earphones, $29.00 (pictured)

*Puku products, while Black owned, are not manufactured in the U.S. However they are sustainably made and a portion of proceeds is donated to clean water, public education, and city park initiatives in the United States.

Cards, Notebooks and Wrapping Paper:

Harlem Candle Company Set of 10 Vintage Night Club Map Greeting Cards, $15 (pictured)

Khristian A. Howell ‘Fireworks’ Gift Wrap, $8.50 (pictured)

Khristian A. Howell ‘Rosey’ Holiday Gift Wrap, $8.50 (pictured)

Debra Cartwright Notebook, $8.95 (pictured)

I Paint In Heels ‘This is Us’ Holiday Card 2018, $4.25 (pictured)

Ally Elle ‘To Your Self-Care’ Card, $5 (pictured)

Ally Elle ‘It’s Lit’ Hanukkah Card, $4.50 (pictured)

Ally Elle ‘It’s Lit’ Kwanzaa Card, $5 (pictured)

Ally Elle ‘You’re Effing Amazing’ Card, $5 (pictured)

Always an amazing event whenever I’m in Brooklyn! Thank you soooo much to Nicholas Brooklyn Bookstore for having us, and a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone that came out last night! Y’all are so dope and it was really an incredible experience being able to have a public conversation with you all. 🖤 #TheBlackAmericans Tour 🤟🏾also shout outs to our sponsor Eden BodyWorks for a successful raffle/giveaway! Looking forward to another event at Sisters Uptown bookstore in Harlem today (12/11)! 6-8pm

very simple sigils i draw on my body everyday!

For everyone’s information:

The plan for the 17th, when the adult content ban comes in, is to protest.

To do that, we are making as much noise either side of the 17th as possible, and using the site as normal.

On the 17th, dead silence.

People are saying log off but what they really mean is don’t open the site or the app.

But, on the 17th make as much noise as possible on every other platform. Tweet about it and post on facebook and instagram and everywhere else.

What this does is causes a massive dip in ad revenue for one single day. That does not make staff think ‘oh everyone’s gone let’s shut down.’ What it actually makes them think is ‘oh shit people aren’t happy and if people don’t keep using our site we’re out of money and out of jobs.’

A boycott reminds a company that the users (consumers) have the power to make their site (business) worthless with one single coordinated decision.

If you want to join in, here’s what to do:

Remember: the execs don’t care about anything but money. Shutting down the site means there’s $0 further income from it. That’s their last possible course of action. If we make it clear we’re not happy, they’ll have to do something or we can do more and more until it becomes too expensive.

Protests take commitment. They’re a defiant action against a business that is doing something wrong. They will try to scare you into not participating, because they’re scared. We hold all the power here, sometimes the execs just need to be reminded of that.

Reblog and spread the word

H A R O L D

Tarot cards and Magic

I think using tarot cards in your spells is underrated. They are powerful tools full of intention, and can help your magic in so many ways.

Need to do an emergency spell at 10am that would be more powerful at night? Lay out the Moon card on your work space for your spell. 

Trying to do a spell regarding following your heart and seeking your emotional intuition? Lay the fool down.

Use your tarot cards for more than just divination!