Laurel Estrella’s Kitchen

Laurel Estrellal picture final
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Oh, finally, here you are. Take a seat. The water is boiling already.  I’ll get you a cup of tea.

Nope, there is no telescope in my kitchen. I just knew you were coming.

A natural empath, I have always felt connected to the greater moods and energies around us in the world. I have always used things like tarot cards and palm reading as a natural way to understand that connection and find answers and guidance.

Intuitive abilities are the most natural of all the skills, but can be the hardest to trust and control. It has taken years of practice to understand and learn how to use my intuitive skills to the best of my ability. Sometimes the way I do something seems out of order, but it rings so true that there is no other way to do it and expect an accurate result. We have to pay attention to the signs that are given to us because if we don’t, they will simply keep repeating themselves until they get our attention. Within these patterns are lessons and gifts that let us find our true selves.

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SHUFFLE
yesteryear card back
The Fool 75

THE FOOL INTERPRETATION

Classic meanings: Folly, mania, extravagance, intoxication, delirium, frenzy, bewrayment.

Concerning love, this card is clarified by: It was silly teenage crush. That was the kind of thing you laughed about as an adult. But you can’t quite see it as a joke, can you?

Original description of the card by the author – Arthur Edward Waite: With light step, as if earth and its trammels had little power to restrain him, a young man in gorgeous vestments pauses at the brink of a precipice among the great heights of the world, he surveys the blue distance before him—its expanse of sky rather than the prospect below. His act of eager walking is still indicated, though he is stationary at the given moment, his dog is still bounding. The edge which opens on the depth has no terror, it is as if angels were waiting to uphold him, if it came about that he leaped from the height. His countenance is full of intelligence and expectant dream. He has a rose in one hand and in the other a costly wand, from which depends over his right shoulder a wallet curiously embroidered. He is a prince of the other world on his travels through this one—all amidst the morning glory, in the keen air. The sun, which shines behind him, knows whence he came, whither he is going, and how he will return by another path after many days. He is the spirit in search of experience. Many symbols of the Instituted Mysteries are summarized in this card, which reverses, under high warrants, all the confusions that have preceded it.

In his Manual Of Cartomancy, Grand Orient has a curious suggestion of the office of Mystic Fool, as a part of his process in higher divination, but it might call for more than ordinary gifts to put it into operation. We shall see how the card fares according to the common arts of fortune-telling, and it will be an example, to those who can discern, of the fact, otherwise so evident, that the Trumps Major had no place originally in the arts of psychic gambling, when cards are used as the counters and pretexts. Of the circumstances under which this art arose we know, however, very little. The conventional explanations say that the Fool signifies the flesh, the sensitive life, and by a peculiar satire its subsidiary name was at one time the alchemist, as depicting folly at the most insensate stage.

SHUFFLE
Now now card back
King of wands 24

KING OF WANDS INTERPRETATION

Classic meanings: Dark man, friendly, countryman, generally married, honest and conscientious. The card always signifies honesty, and may mean news concerning an unexpected heritage to fall in before very long.

The meaning for love is clarified by specific arcanum: If he pretends to care only to get inside your pants, let him think he is very clever. An easy penetration could in fact mean a trap, set by a superiour strategist.

Original description of the card by the author – Arthur Edward Waite: The physical and emotional nature to which this card is attributed is dark, ardent, lithe, animated, impassioned, noble. The King uplifts a flowering wand, and wears, like his three correspondences in the remaining suits, what is called a cap of maintenance beneath his crown. He connects with the symbol of the lion, which is emblazoned on the back of his throne.

SHUFFLE
Hereafter card back
Ace of wands 74

ACE OF WANDS INTERPRETATION

Classic meanings: Creation, invention, enterprise, the powers which result in these, principle, beginning, source, birth, family, origin, and in a sense the virility, which is behind them, the starting point of enterprises, according to another account, money, fortune, inheritance.

In addition, it means for love: Even though life has a way of surprising you, for better or for worse, you will always have a choice as to how the story ends.

Original description of the card by the author – Arthur Edward Waite: A hand issuing from a cloud grasps a stout wand or club.

I believe the only way to have a true and strong connection to anything or anyone is by being honest about yourself, kind, and trying to let go of things that don’t serve you while remaining open to possibility – something that can be a struggle at times! You need to know your own truth.

For me, that means knowing the most comfortable place to be is in my kitchen with friends around the table, creating community through food and conversation. I love creating a warm and safe space to bring people to, a place that is cozy and makes others feel welcome and at home from the minute they come through my door. Something of a ‘kitchen witch’, I know there are simple magics that are innately understood and can be easily infused into our daily lives.

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Concerned about what energy might be hiding in your second hand clothes? Throw it in the washer with a sachet of dried cloves and juniper berries. Feeling out of focus with yourself? Wear a tiger’s eye bracelet. Find an element that centers you and take advantage of it when it comes – I like to be in windy places, especially near water. It recharges me in a way that nothing else does.

I honestly believe that anyone can learn to harness and use their intuition to empower and improve their lives. It gives me such a sense of fulfillment to help others learn how to develop their skills in this area. The feeling of connectivity that I receive when reading tarot cards is comforting and empowering because it reveals parts of myself that I perhaps was neglecting or it reminds me to continue working on particular areas. It brings me closer to understanding the mysteries of the world around us.

More than anything, I love to share that feeling and ability with others. I am delighted to have the chance to share with you and hope that your heart continues to open as you learn more about your own amazing intuitive powers and follow your own unique path.

Laurel Estrella, Kitchen Witch

Estrella’s secret recipe for happiness – list of ingredients:

  • tarot cards
  • a cup of tea
  • sage
  • zodiac
  • pepper
  • bay leaves
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