The Hierophant steps up in the pages of my altar book to lead us out of April. I set up a candle to work with through the Taurus period – dressed with anointing oil, herbs, and four pendants representing past eras and seasons. Emerald flower, silver locket, steel heart, cultured pearl.

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OIL COMPOSITION

Lavender, cedar, and rose in sweet almond oil

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ARTEFACTS

Emerald Flower (2001)

Birthstone for May. Taurus energy.

12th birthday gift. There were matching earrings once.

Inner child. Authentic self. Unbridled exuberance of spring.

Silver Locket (2006)

Purchased in Victoria to (elegantly) hold emergency Ativan.

Hidden resilience. Self-love and secrets.

Steel Heart (2010)

Relic of undergrad year 3-4. Hardworking; plating worn away now.

Self-discipline. Achievement. Grace under pressure.

Cultured Pearl (2019)

Purchased to celebrate starting over.

Persistence. Healing. Renewal. Venus.

Bronzed Key (2015)

One of several purchased to decorate wedding boutonnieres.

Worn as a pendant through 2017-18, while initiating divorce.

Opening doors. Beginnings and endings. Transformation.

Green Book of Shadows with Key (2023)

From Where Faeries Live, previous location.

A precious thing; sat unfilled for two years due to being too lovely to trifle with, but it’s time.