HELLO WITCHES Nº72

How was your week? Mine was a real eye-opener. Wow! I have discovered how empowering it is to accept that you are undergoing a transition from who you used to be to the person you think that you want to be. Once you're past the point of being scared into going immobile, things really start falling into place. I feel so good with the way things are going, even if the circumstances aren't always ideal.

This week we have two Aces and two Knights. Cups and Swords seem to be having a showdown! Did you see the pairs? That's a very interesting conflict between emotions and logic. Of course, that's the most common polarity to find people torn between. We're no different. What do you get when you're trying to balance out what your mind dictates versus what your heart truly believes you should do? It's only a matter of time.

There is one of every suit present in this spread. The driving force is the Hermit, also known as Father Time. The Hermit will light the way when you find that you need answers. If you get lost, you know who you can count on to show you how to get back where you want to go. It almost feels as if divine intervention comes when we call for it. If you want a sign or a hint, all you need to do is ask.

WEEKLY PROJECTIONS:


♡ Monday. Ace of Cups. Embrace new possibilities with excitement and an open heart. It's your time to show others how much they mean to you and to let yourself be surprised with all the wonderful emotional gifts in store. When you love freely, everything feels right.

♡ Tuesday. Knight of Swords. Be sharp and stay on your feet. You will need to be quick with comebacks and expect for the day to be fast-paced. Give yourself a chance to exploit your intellect, and keep it ready in case you should be met with a challenge.

♡ Wednesday. Ace of Swords. Echoing the card from the day before, this one is all about expressing your ideas and standing up for yourself. You know that you're capable of debating an idea if you're passionate about it. Be open to get dialogue going, because that's often where the best ideas come from.



♡ Thursday. Ten of Coins. The feeling of luxury resonates today. Kick back, relax and reward yourself for a job well done. You finally got where you wanted to go. Whether you are putting finishing touches on a project, meeting a deadline or remembering how hard you worked for something… it doesn't matter. You've got it now, so enjoy it.

♡ Friday. Two of Wands. Halt! Rome wasn't built in a day, or so they say. Know when to take a break. I take a good look at this card and I see a naughty figure barring the way forward. If this is the road you want to take, you need to recognize that sometimes you will be met with obstacles. Let yourself

♡ Saturday. Knight of Cups. See, he floats in his dream world and he loves it. Sometimes we recognize we are not grounded, but we don't mind it. That's certainly the case here. This Knight is so focused on delivering his feelings that he seems not to be so aware of the beauty that surrounds him. In this world, feelings that flow freely are liberation of the soul. Vindicate yourself by saying the things you feel and expressing your emotions without harness. Be free.



♡ Sunday. Hermit. Take some time off to think about this week's progress. How do you feel about it? Are you happy with where you got to? That's an important step every time you feel that you've gotten further along. Reflect on who you are and who you want to be so that you don't lose sight of what you want to do. Onwards from here!

♡ What to avoid. Seven of Coins. Do you have too many projects floating around? Hold it right there! Pick one before your ideas float off again. Got it? Okay. See it through to the end. After you're done working on it, you will be available for the next round. Visualize your goals as a step-by-step process rather than taking them all in at once. It'll help you pace and focus yourself.

♡ What to strive for. Six of Swords. Change. That person that you used to be is gone, and this is the new you. Allow yourself to embark on a new journey. Now that you're starting fresh, it's time to say good-bye to those aspects of yourself that you were not happy with. See them off with memories that aren't really doing anything to improve your future. Be thankful for what you experienced and make space for new memories coming.

Are you looking forward to this week? I am!
♡♡

FROM THE CARIBBEAN TO LOS ANGELES PT. III

It’s no secret that I enjoy a very specific niche of nightlife. There are so many musical nuances out there that I am not exactly sure how I should call them anymore, but the names most frequently used for this type of outing are: gothic clubs or parties, fetish balls, etc. I'll stick with industrial party, since that is the first term that I used for it and the one I am most comfortable in keeping

PARTIES IN PUERTO RICO:
A bit of my Puerto Rican pride is about to come into the light. Back home in Puerto Rico, they know how to party. They do it right! While the Industrial scene was still going, the parties were really great. Many were themed as masquerades or black valentine balls with prizes for the best costume. People went all out! Industrial parties back home meant going all out with make-up and wearing clothes that are not recommended to wear in the Caribbean. Once, my boyfriend J won the contest for the costume he made himself and his girlfriend at the time.

I didn't get to experience very many parties of this kind back home because I moved to Florida right when they were kicking off, but I know that J did. When I returned to Puerto Rico in 2010, I was a regular at The Castle in Ybor City, which was an excellent venue. It was strange to adapt to the local scene of Puerto Rico again, but it was very short-lived anyway. We went to about four parties before they stopped being hosted. The withdrawals from the events were difficult to get over when you wanted to go out dancing but only had the selection of mainstream Techno or Dubstep. It's not the same thing!! Since then, everyone has adapted to it and the truth is that they still talk about how they miss it. Melancholy echoes in their voices when they talk about the nice times they had together.


This flyer is from the second to last party that I was able to attend in Puerto Rico. It was held exactly one night after my birthday under the influence of an ominous full moon. We knew that it was happening, and we focused on enjoying the spooky beats as well as the creative Halloween costumes. They handed out the S.Transmissions mixtape and the best costume award went to Captain Jack Sparrow or Yaya. I'm not quite sure...

As the party raged on, I was fresh off the plane from Japan and feeling quite refreshed. It didn't take very long to realize I was dancing right beside J. An emotive chain of events happened after this encounter. I owe a lot to this party, it was just the right push needed to know that he and I were in fact meant for one another. Magic!

PARTIES IN LOS ANGELES:


Perversion was my second ever lifestyle event in Los Angeles, California.

As soon as you step into the club, reality changes. You find yourself in a void when you’re on the dance floor; the strobe lights make you feel as if you’re dancing in outer space. You are free of judgment and don’t really care if anyone is watching you dance.

A few steps in, you’re waiting for the vocals to start on that song you used to listen to while you were working. You know which one it is, the one that you play when you’re driving in your car and you know all the lyrics to, even though nobody you meet in your daily life knows. You live and breathe it out, weaving your hands through the air and moving in unison with those around you in the dance floor. You join a collective wave of life that pulses through the room, and your consciousness dissolves. You’re having the time of your life and you don’t want the night to end. That’s what I find every time I go to a gothic club.

Nobody messes with you or gets up in your personal space. If they do, you don’t have to worry about them coming around to try a second time. In my experience, they have all understood what it means to manifest that you are not interested. Compliments are freely exchanged without anybody being weirded out.




I like that out here in Los Angeles they tell you exactly what you’re going to get in terms of music genres. Popular genres include but are not limited to Industrial, EBM, Trip Hop, Darkwave, Synthpop, Deampop, and Witch House. There is a salad of genres tossed to make just about anybody who listens to this type of music happy. The assortments go a long way to bring in diverse demographics under the same roof in one event. Really, it makes for a very interesting mix.

They have taken to using event names like Warlock, Mode:M, Perversion, Helter Skelter, Malediction Society, and Blue Monday.

The variety of fashion styles under the same genres is interesting to me. Some people still style their kanekalon dreads in neon colors, others are clad entirely in latex or pvc and prefer their hair styled in victory rolls. I love the fact that nobody looks the same even though the vast majority of those attending the event are wearing black with few color accents.

I have the time of my life whenever I go out goth clubbing. Even if I wake up sore the next day, — and I usually do, — I wake up smiling. The experience is absolutely gratifying, and worth coming out at least twice a month to shake off the stress of the week and get lost in the music that I love.



What do you enjoy the most about a night out? Is it getting ready that excites you, or is it that grand moment that you step onto the dance floor and reality disappears? I'd love to hear what your weekly preparations for a night out include.

Flyers compliments of Hector Tomas.
♡♡

HELLO WITCHES Nº71

This is the start of my third week in Los Angeles, California. I'm enjoying the process of getting acquainted with the many different things that the city has to offer. There never seems to be a dull moment with all of the things going on and all the things yet to do! Last weekend I went goth clubbing and remembered what it is about those parties that I enjoy so much. You feel free when you're listening to the type of music that you enjoy and you are surrounded by others that also resonate with it. It's refreshing not to stick out like a sore thumb, to be around people just like you for once. It was beautiful!

This week has two fives, two knights and an ace. I found the contrast between illustration and message to be especially interesting. While there is barely any movement in the cards and the figures seem still, there is a lot of activity suggested in the traditional titles of the cards. I can relate; I don't move around much, but life continues to stir all around. Whether or not you are constantly on the go has little to do with how much you get done. As long as your day is productive, then you will be doing just fine.

WEEKLY PROJECTIONS:


♡ Monday. Five of Coins. When it is just you against you, the challenge can be great. Sometimes you don't want to ask for help and you end up turning the cold shoulder on others, just so you can face your battles alone. Sometimes there is no help readily available; but at other times, there definitely is. Figure out the balance between asking for help and knowing when you don't need help.

♡ Tuesday. Knight of Cups. A message of love rings loud and clear. See, this knight ventures out into the world past the gates of his fortress. The fortress can be the confines of the self, keeping the way he feels very much inside and protected. As he ventures outside of his safe zone, he finds that he can express his emotions freely. Be very open to any messages or confessions you get today.

♡ Wednesday. Knight of Wands. Impulses reign supreme today. Be mindful of your actions and who you get tangled up with. When you're just getting out of a difficult time period, you may be itching to try a bit of everything that is available. As long as you don't go overboard with your indulgences, you will be just fine.



♡ Thursday. Five of Wands. What have you stirred up now? There are specters forming from the skeletons in your closet. It's true that you have to face them, but take this as an opportunity to realize that your problems are of your own design. In the same way that you managed to get yourself into them, you will find a way to come back out. Sometimes, the only way out is through. This is true for most problems, especially the ones we don't want to face.

♡ Friday. Ace of Swords. Talk things out; stand your ground if you have to. If the situations that you are facing are not fair, it is more than all right to talk about it. Stand up for yourself when the situation calls for it and don't let anybody tread over you.

Alternatively, this could be a wonderful moment to exchange ideas and be open to dialogue. Things that may have been formerly held back can now come out into the light. Talk about the things you think about and be open to any advice that you may receive.

♡ Saturday. Death. Difficult changes come when you start laying down the facts. Sometimes people can't handle an aggressive display of thoughts, especially if they don't see where it's coming from. Sometimes changes are outside our control, and the smart thing to do instead is to let go and witness the changes little by little.



♡ Sunday. Three of Cups. Rejoice! Come together and enjoy time spent in good company. The worst is past, and much like any other movie, a big celebration comes after the matter. Lay the unnecessary things down to rest and focus instead on the great improvement that comes when you find yourself met with a new beginning. Onward!

♡ What to avoid. Eight of Coins. When you focus on a single activity for too long, you start to neglect the rest of the things out there that you might want to do. Allow yourself to admire the beauty of your craft, but let it go and stand on its own after a while. You have worked so hard to get where you are; your reputation can stand on its own now. Allow yourself to dream up new ven

♡ What to strive for. Ten of Cups. Seek emotional satisfaction and wholesomeness. Look for the things in life that make you happy and protect them. Share your love with others and help them see what it is about this that makes you feel at your best. Accept the support you get from the ones closest to you and regard them as part of your inner circle.

An interesting week with a climatic course of action awaits us. Jump in, it's going to be a fun ride!
♡♡

FROM THE CARIBBEAN TO LOS ANGELES PT. II

TRANSITIONING FROM PUERTO RICO TO LA:
I never told you about what I was going through before I arrived to LA. My original flight was actually planned for the third week of May. All would have gone according to plan had my mother not fallen critically ill in the hospital. I cancelled my flight to keep her company and nurse her back to optimal health; this all happened a week before my intended flight. The farewell celebrations had commenced and everything, so it was a truly difficult process. J held my hand through the way; I could not have asked for better support. During that difficult month, he took care of me as I took care of Mom. We were all there for each other, it made us grow closer to one another. After spending so much time with him, I couldn't see myself with anybody that isn't him.



As she got better, we started to celebrate again, little by little. Come July, things were entirely back to normal and we were once more in jolly spirit. I spent all summer actually having what I considered to be a summer vacation. Granted, I worked... but I also had this mindset of it being a transitory period after which real life would really start to kick in. I enjoyed myself so very much with the ones that I loved.

As the date for my definitive flight late August approached, I started to feel a change in my surroundings. As if by chance, elements were falling into place. Doors to opportunities always open when a big change is coming. People started to look for me, whether for catching up or reconciliation. A bunch of things that were previously up in the air started to sort themselves out. In preparation to leave, really big things started to happen. The changes manifested everywhere; I felt changes in my love, professional and domestic lives. It was really happening.



The biggest eye-opener was to meet with a person I feel a riveting connection to; the kind that nests deep inside your soul and starts to sprout new things in you. I won't get into whether the changes are for the better or for the worst, but I will admit that meeting up to lay down the facts was thoroughly therapeutic. We connected over past situations, over the hurt and the sweet promise of the future to take that hurt away. In amazement, we found synchronicity in how we both felt. We had gone through the same experience while being worlds apart. At that moment we sat together, there were no barriers or things hidden. The truth spilled out and brought light to our darkness. I am so happy to have closure.

Those last couple of days in Puerto Rico were a huge blast. I spent every day of the week with Mom and J. I took delicious skirt steak and plantain dumplings to J's work as well as cheeseburger dumplings. We delighted in each other's company as well as in really tasty food. There is nothing we enjoy more! Another treat that we indulged in was some Domaine Carneros rosé champagne. It is by the same company that produces Taittinger, and tastes like heaven-sent raspberries. This champagne is made in Napa, California. Isn't that a funny coincidence?

Parting was bittersweet; I fought back the tears in my eyes, but could not dissuade them completely. When you can see that your departure causes the ones that you love most pain, it hurts you too. I was blue during most of the day, and then overcome by stupor as the changes started manifesting. During both plane rides I felt stunned, in denial of all the changes that were manifesting. I spent the week at my best friend's house and we had a great time. It still felt like a temporary vacation while I was under her wing. The vacation ended when I went with my room mate to my new apartment. That's when it hit me — this is really happening!!

WHAT IS THERE TO DO IN LA?


♡ Everything. If you enjoy a music scene, no matter how underground, you will find it. I love the fact that people listen to the type of music I listen to here, which is a rare luxury in Puerto Rico. You say you like synthpop or 80's pop music? They have it. You want some underground obscure metal? Not a problem; you can find it. Hipsters thrive off shady stores with cassettes and EPs or LPs to bands you've never even heard of. The packaging on them is great, too!



♡ Little Tokyo.
This place is so much like the real thing, although compacted into a handful of stores. You can find authentic products that are consumed in Tokyo, Japan's supermarkets. I found my favorite green tea Kit Kats as well as the mushroom cookies, but I have no idea what they're called. I can't read kanji.

Right over the supermarket is a wonderful bookstore that has all kinds of writing and art supplies. It even sells day planners! As you walk along the maze, you can find volumes of manga in Japanese, clip art books, design magazines, beauty magazines, etc. They sell  +81 and Kera. After you get around enough, you notice toys as well as phone charms. They had a bit of everything!

A quirk about this place is that as you go down the stairs, you will find a bunch of cosplayers huddled together. They look like high school kids dressed up as their favorite anime characters. I was very happy to see there is even room for oddballs in town. Everyone is entitled to self-expression no matter the time of year; no matter if it isn't time for Comic Con or Halloween yet.


Further down the road, you will find markets that sell authentic Japanese make-up. The shelves are crammed with products I recall seeing abroad as well as some I had not seen before. They have a bunch of touristy things as well as tea sets for adults and teens. They sell ingredients and accessories for the kitchen as well.

The food is WONDERFUL. There is this minute man ramen place called Daikokuya that I cannot visit Little Tokyo without eating at. They sell dumplings, tempura and noodles. Everything is very filling and cheap, so you can imagine the waiting time. I think that you spend more time waiting outside than you do inside the restaurant. As soon as you sit, they take your order. The food takes less than ten minutes to arrive, after which you pay and you go. It isn't a romantic leisurely place, but the food tastes authentic and is very filling. I thoroughly recommend Daikokuya.

♡ Tea. You can find tea shop everywhere. There is a wonderful tea shop in Little Tokyo called Four Leaf. Their menu is nice, but it doesn't offer many options for those who need decaffeinated coffee or tea. I got lucky, my first ever pick was also the one I would like to stick to. I had tea with hibiscus, pomegranate and berries in it and it was absolutely delicious! It was naturally sweet and refreshing, and really hit the spot. I must take photos to show you what I am talking about!

There is so much more I need to tell you about, but it will have to wait at least one more week. I love living in LA, and don't ever want to leave.
♡♡

HELLO WITCHES Nº70

Again there is a manifestation of great change in the spread. It seems lighter than the one presented last week by a mile, but it is also reminding us that we need to stay grounded to keep a good balance. This is all very exciting; it feels as if things are now going into steady motion and the process is really, really starting. And it is!

I find myself constantly repeating, "why did I wait so long to do this? What was I thinking, holding back from being happy all those years? Why would I waste all that time locked up in my room when I can do the same here, and live a little better?" The answers are quite obvious and stand on their own, they are valid. In the end I don't regret it, but I wish that I would have saved myself the trouble. Maybe this is exactly the perfect time, maybe this is exactly when it all needed to happen.

WEEKLY PROJECTIONS:

♡ Monday. Death. Change can be riveting. It can take away all that is familiar from you and leave you in a totally new place; a place devoid of anything that is familiar or comforting.

♡ Tuesday. Temperance. Find harmony within yourself when you take up all the elements that are in disarray and pacify them. There is magic in taking the lemons and making the lemonade, so to speak. When you take all the things that don't seem to be working and find a way to make them fit together, you find yourself stabilized. It is very much energetic work to establish safe ground.

♡ Wednesday. King of Coins. He is all that is safe and all that is comfortable. See, he sits on his magnificent golden throne flanked by two bulls, the zodiac sign of Taurus. It is the feeling of being at home or being made to feel at home. Take your surroundings and rearrange them to make them more cozy, then focus on matters of finance and/or settling down. Do things at your pace, your way.



♡ Thursday. The Fool. Jump! Oh, what a leap! Here we find the Fool welcoming the sun with a flower and his trusty sidekick. He doesn't care if he is prepared or not because he trusts in himself; he trusts in his ability to make things happen. He doesn't care if there will be a struggle or if the going gets tough because he is ready to face whatever is coming. He is open, and in doing so he accepts all the blessings as they present themselves to him.

♡ Friday. The Moon. Beautiful, beautiful moon made manifest. Illusion, dreams and whimsy inhabit the archetype of the Moon card. This is your personal retreat when you need solace, and a great reason to smile. The world of illusions will show us that which we admire the most, that which we wish to see as an integral part of our lives. If we get immersed thoroughly in that world, we may come to miss how good it feels to be grounded in the present.

♡ Saturday. Ten of Coins. At home at last. This is a great day to work on the environment that surrounds you to make it work for you. Find the elements that are missing that will make you feel comfortable and motivated. A clean space is a healthy place to be in, so rearrange things again or put things away to get a space open enough to let you sit and think in.



♡ Sunday. The Lovers. Sometimes we can't help the connections that we feel with people. They come as they are, and they teach us how to treat each other. Personal chemistry between people cannot be tampered with, cannot be forced to fit the needs of each person. It is by all means natural and will provide an idea of how things will possibly play out. Let things flow naturally and find yourself pleasantly surprised.

♡ What to avoid. Six of Cups. Don't get stuck up in the past; it won't be good for you yo focus on the way that things used to be and are no longer. Relish the memories, soak in them and send gratitude right back, but don't let it be the primary driving force to your life. Focusing on what you used to have can be very hard on you; it could even get depressing if you don't somehow control it. It's great that you romanticize things from the past, but don't let it keep you from building a radiant future. Make it just the way you want it.

♡ What to strive for. Eight of Wands. Allow yourself to go with the flow. Engage in conversations that you would otherwise not be used to having. Talk to that person you have been wanting to talk to for a while and satiate that craving to be understood. After all, it's okay to want to be a part of something. It's okay to want to be understood and comforted.

These cards sing to me. Can you see why I love them so much? They feel like they work wonderful in big cities, rather than being used in areas that are more rural. That's a great discovery on how to use them for better results.
♡♡