Articles — 2017

The best new Tarot and oracle decks of 2017

Posted by Michelle Gruben on

The best new Tarot and oracle decks of 2017

As 2017 winds down, Tarot enthusiasts are making a list and checking it twice. Which decks do you hope to find under the Yule tree? Here at Grove and Grotto, we buy and sell Tarot decks, of course—but we’re also readers and collectors ourselves. Just for fun, we’ve put together a list of our most-recommended decks of 2017. This was a hard list to compile, as 2017 was a strong year for Tarot and oracle deck publishing. Here, we will laud the best of the best with our brand new Grove and Grotto Excellence in Divination Award, (or “Groveys,” as...

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The eight Sabbats: Witch's holidays

Posted by Michelle Gruben on

The eight Sabbats: Witch's holidays

Modern Pagans celebrate eight major holidays throughout the year, known as Sabbats. They are based on pre-Christian customs related to the movement of the sun. Most are related to the Celtic agricultural festivals that have given them their names. Of course, now we know that the sun doesn’t actually move around the earth. And lots of Pagans live far away from the places where our food is grown. But the Sabbats are still a meaningful way to connect with the cycles of the seasons and of human life. The Pagan Sabbats include the four astronomical holidays (the equinoxes and solstices)...

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The Faery dozen: 12 herbs for Faery gardens, offerings, and magick

Posted by Michelle Gruben on

The Faery dozen: 12 herbs for Faery gardens, offerings, and magick

  In the hidden land of Faery, travelers say, there are marvelous herbs and flowers completely unknown in the human world. Brilliant colors, intoxicating scents, and magickal plants that bring joy, visions, or sleep. And yet, over the years, fairies seem to have taken a liking to some of the more common plants right here on Earth. This list of twelve fairy favorites is drawn mainly from folklore and literature about fairies (as well as a touch of personal experience). Since fairies live close to nature, many plants and herbs are associated with the Fae—but these ones are particularly liked...

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Grove and Grotto Fall 2017 update

Posted by Michelle Gruben on

Grove and Grotto Fall 2017 update

Hi y’all, and welcome to another edition of the Grove and Grotto semi-annual update. Every Spring and Fall, we give you an insider's peek at what’s going at the sweetest little magick shop in Texas. We're coasting off yummy intense energy from yesterday's Solar eclipse, and just can't wait till Mabon to share some store news. Our Spring update was one of our most-viewed social media posts of all time. I feel super honored that so many people are following our progress online. And humbled that there are other small Pagan-owned business looking at us (and up to us). June...

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All about worry stones

Posted by Michelle Gruben on

All about worry stones

Before there were fidget spinners and mind-numbing mobile games, there were worry stones. It’s just about the simplest form of natural medicine! Read on to learn about worry stones and what they can do for you. What’s a Worry Stone? A worry stone is a smooth rock used to soothe stress and anxiety. It is a versatile aid for self-calming and meditation. Worry stones may be as small as a thumbprint or as large as the palm of your hand. Larger worry stones may be called palm stones, and look like the oval-shaped rocks used for stone massage. You can...

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