Magpie

The magpie is a clever, talkative bird known for collecting bright things and for mimicry. Agrippa gives it to both Mars and Mercury, calling it 'above all the rest dedicated to Mars,' and the Golden Dawn places it on Gemini's path. In folklore a single magpie is a warning and two are joy, as in the counting rhyme.

Uses

• Communication and persuasion
• Omens and divination
• Attracting opportunities
• Cleverness and adaptability

Working with it

Call on the magpie on a Wednesday when you need quick words or a sharp eye for opportunity. Place a few small shiny objects on your altar with a yellow candle and ask the magpie what it would pick up. In daily life, greet magpies when you see them, an old custom for turning away bad luck.