The Lunar Witch Oracle Handbook is a comprehensive guide that offers valuable insights and knowledge regarding the practice of lunar witchcraft and divination. This handbook is available in PDF format, making it easily accessible for individuals interested in delving into the mystical world of lunar magic. The main idea of this handbook is to provide a step-by-step guide to harnessing the powers of the moon for spellcasting, rituals, and understanding the messages of the lunar oracle. Within the pages of this handbook, readers will find detailed information on the different phases of the moon and how they correspond to various aspects of witchcraft. This knowledge enables practitioners to align their intentions and workings with specific lunar energies, enhancing the effectiveness of their spells and rituals. Additionally, the handbook delves into the practice of lunar divination, offering guidance on how to interpret the messages and symbols bestowed upon us by the moon.
With the Articulated Arm, if I need to raise the flash a bit all I need do is loosen one joint -- perhaps the elbow, perhaps the wrist -- and move the flash into place. After doing so, I might find I'm still 'off' by a bit, and I might loosen another joint, maybe the shoulder this time, and do my fine-tuning. While this takes longer than doing the adjustment by loosening an Arm with just one knob, I think you can see that this also allows very precise and methodical adjustment changes.
By loosening the locking knob at the elbow, or any of the other knobs, for that matter, one can slide the tube portion of the arm to or fro to either shorten, or to extend the arm to its maximum length. With the Articulated Arm, if I need to raise the flash a bit all I need do is loosen one joint -- perhaps the elbow, perhaps the wrist -- and move the flash into place.
Additionally, the handbook delves into the practice of lunar divination, offering guidance on how to interpret the messages and symbols bestowed upon us by the moon. The reader is introduced to the concept of the lunar oracle, which acts as a tool for receiving divine guidance and insights from the lunar realm. Furthermore, the handbook provides instructions and rituals for creating one's own lunar altar or sacred space, allowing practitioners to connect with the moon's energy on a deeper level.
Wildlife Photography
One of the most versatile pieces of equipment I own is the Bogen Articulated Arm. I use it for holding flashes, sometimes for supporting a camera, and often for holding a prop or securing a hummingbird feeder at one of our Arizona or Costa Rica hummingbird sets. I've used these arms for years, yet I'm surprised, each year, when I showcase the equipment needed for our hummingbird setups how few people know about them.
I was first introduced to these Bogen arms at the start of my photo career over 25 years ago. I had purchased a beefier model that's still available, the Bogen Magic Arm (model 2930) from a local camera store, drove home, opened the box, and found that I was missing the vital piece of equipment necessary to use it -- the Bogen Super Clamp that attaches to the other end! I drove back, bought the second piece, and was in business.
Since then the Bogen Magic Arm has been improved with a similar model, the Bogen Variable Friction Arm (model 2929) that uses a knurled knob that, by rotating, gradually tightens the joints and locks the Arm into place. With the original model, the Magic Arm, a single lever accomplishes this, but the transition from loose to locked is rather abrupt, and without care the angle and position of the Arm may move while locking. This doesn't happen with the Variable Friction Arm, so for my money it's worth the slightly higher expense.
All three models are called 'Arms' because they function quite similarly to our human arm in terms of movement. On one end is a detachable Camera platform with a 1/4 - 20 screw thread. On the other end is a bare stud, onto which one normally mounts the Super Clamp. The end with the camera platform functions like a wrist -- think of the platform as the hand; the other end is the shoulder joint - the super clamp being the shoulder, and the juncture in the middle is the elbow of both arms. Just as your hand and arm can twist and bend in an almost infinite number of directions, so too can all three of these Bogen Arms, which makes placement of flashes or accessories very, very flexible.
One feature of the Articulated Arm I really like is illustrated by the image on the left. By loosening the locking knob at the elbow,
or any of the other knobs, for that matter, one can slide the tube portion of the arm to or fro to either shorten, or to extend the
arm to its maximum length. By default the arm tubes are positioned at their full length. I find this feature extremely useful
when I am fine-tuning a manual flash lighting ratio, where movements of just an inch or two may make a difference in
as much as one f-stop when I'm working close in with hummingbirds -- you all remember the inverse square law, don't you?
While I've just described all three Arms, my recommendation for newcomers is the least expensive of the three, the Articulated Arm. In this model, there are three different controlling levers for controlling the movement of the wrist, elbow, and shoulder joints. While that may seem cumbersome compared to the one locking lever of the Magic Arm, or the variable friction knob of the Variable Friction Magic Arm, and it is a bit slower to use, those disadvantages are offset by the control you have. With either of the other two, you must have the Arm's position set exactly where you want it when you lock it into place. If an adjustment needs to be done, the lock must be loosened and the fine-tuning done, at the risk of the other joints going out of place.
With the Articulated Arm, if I need to raise the flash a bit all I need do is loosen one joint -- perhaps the elbow, perhaps the wrist -- and move the flash into place. After doing so, I might find I'm still 'off' by a bit, and I might loosen another joint, maybe the shoulder this time, and do my fine-tuning. While this takes longer than doing the adjustment by loosening an Arm with just one knob, I think you can see that this also allows very precise and methodical adjustment changes.
The Articulated Arm is the least expensive of the three Arms and, as I said, perhaps the one to start with if you're thinking of doing a flash setup for macro or hummingbird photography. Most of our Arizona Hummingbird flash setups use the Articulated Arm, and I also use these for supporting the tube feeder used as bait. Accordingly, each hummer set uses at least 5 Articulated Arms.
If you find that you need the stronger, and heavier, Magic Arm I can assure you that your Articulated Arm won't be neglected. You'll still use it for holding props, or a flash, or a feeder, while the stronger Magic Arms (I'd recommend the Variable Friction model) support your heavy flashes. By the way, I'm talking about heavy flashes here -- studio model types. The Articulated Arm will easily support any hotshoe-style flash -- Canon, Nikon, Vivitar -- that you'd normally use for hummingbird work.
Do I love these things? You bet! For years, and virtually since I started in photography, I've owned about six, and those carried me through the beginning of my wildlife photography career. Those Arms still work -- they are beat up, sticky with tape from attaching props like sticks or branches, but they work. Now, as we conduct our hummingbird shoots where we have at least six or seven sets going, and often more for remote projects or off-location, portable shoots we do for kangaroo rats, owls, or whatever, well I now carry over 30 Arms of various types, and about 40 Super Clamps to mount them to.
Why more Super Clamps? Sometimes I replace the detachable camera platform (where I mount the flashes) with another Super Clamp so that I have one on either end. One attaches to whatever support I'm using -- a chair, light pole, tripod leg, etc., and the other clamps onto a prop I wish to support -- perhaps a branch or a background panel. If you own several Arms, chances are you'll want to get an extra Super Clamp or two.
Good camera stores should have all of these Bogen products in stock, as will the various catalog stores. I order mine from my favorite store, Allen's Camera (215 - 547-2841), whose prices match and usually beat NY catalog super stores, and the service is always first class.
Our Past Photo Tips of the Month:
While I've just described all three Arms, my recommendation for newcomers is the least expensive of the three, the Articulated Arm. In this model, there are three different controlling levers for controlling the movement of the wrist, elbow, and shoulder joints. While that may seem cumbersome compared to the one locking lever of the Magic Arm, or the variable friction knob of the Variable Friction Magic Arm, and it is a bit slower to use, those disadvantages are offset by the control you have. With either of the other two, you must have the Arm's position set exactly where you want it when you lock it into place. If an adjustment needs to be done, the lock must be loosened and the fine-tuning done, at the risk of the other joints going out of place.
It also highlights the importance of aligning oneself with the cycles of nature and embracing the ebb and flow of life as reflected in the lunar phases. In essence, the Lunar Witch Oracle Handbook serves as a valuable resource for individuals seeking to explore and integrate the power of the moon into their spiritual practice. Through its comprehensive and detailed content, it empowers readers to embark on a transformative journey, deepening their understanding of lunar witchcraft and enabling them to unlock the mysteries of the moon..
Reviews for "The Lunar Witch Oracle: A Guide to Embracing the Moon's Cycles and Aligning with Natural Rhythms"
1. Samantha - 1 star
I was really disappointed with the Lunar Witch Oracle Handbook. The information in the book was very basic and didn't offer any new insights into lunar witchcraft. It felt like a regurgitation of information that can be easily found online. The illustrations were also lackluster and didn't add any value to the content. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking to expand their knowledge on lunar witchcraft.
2. Ethan - 2 stars
I had high hopes for the Lunar Witch Oracle Handbook, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The book lacked depth and didn't go into enough detail on the different lunar phases and their significance in witchcraft. The writing style was also difficult to follow at times, making it hard to fully grasp the concepts being presented. Additionally, the book didn't provide any practical exercises or rituals that could be performed during each lunar phase, which was a major letdown.
3. Olivia - 2.5 stars
While the Lunar Witch Oracle Handbook had some interesting information and ideas, overall, it was a lackluster read. The book felt disjointed, and the chapters didn't flow smoothly from one to another. I also found the organization of the content to be confusing, making it difficult to navigate and find the information I was looking for. Additionally, the book lacked in-depth explanations and examples of working with lunar energy, leaving me wanting more. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied with this handbook.