'Tis the season—the gift giving season—a season that transcends religious affiliations; a season that begins with the pre-dawn opening of store front slider doors on Black Friday and ends with the ringing in of the new calendar year. Although most shoppers, regardless of religious belief, can recount the perils and the frustrations of holiday shopping, there is a certain spiritual community that often experiences additional frustrations in the "one size fits all" shopping environment.

Those of us in the magical/metaphysical community have the added dilemma in the "giving of that perfect gift." This dilemma originates in our beliefs in the synonymous nature of our inner and outer reality. While we may choose items for ourselves and for others that are aesthetically attractive or are functional, we know giving the gifts that speak to the heart also reflect what is in the heart. Our desire of these special gifts may take us beyond the traditional boundaries of the retail resources, as many of these special gifts are found in the limitless resources of our inner creativity.

The crochet pattern that is being offered is the "Swirls of Stars" Tarot spread cloth. This circular cloth has a completed diameter of approximately 18 inches. Swirls of color surround a central "heart" in the 12 divisions that can symbolize the twelve houses of the zodiac. While designed to accommodate the astrological spread, most Tarot (or runic) spread configurations can be complimented by this cloth.

To create this cloth, you will want to gather:

• 4-ply worsted weight yarn in the three colors of your choosing
• A size "E" crochet hook
• Size 10 crochet thread for the stars and a size 7 steel hook
• Large eye or tapestry needle to weave in ends
• A needle and sewing thread to sew the stars on to the cloth

The stitches that are used to complete this cloth are; the slip stitch (slp st), single crochet (sc), double crochet (dbc) and a chain (ch).

After the center heart is created, twp colors are continuously used to create the twelve swirls. Instead of constantly cutting and re-attaching yarn, "carry" the unused color close to the top of, and slightly behind, the previously worked row. Your current stitches will "envelope" and cover the carried yarn. In this pattern you will change colors with each increasing double crochet, with the first double crochet being worked in the current color and the second double crochet being worked in the new color. To change colors, work the previous stitch to the last step, pick up new color and finish the stitch. Keep your tension firm to help conceal the carried yarn but not "over tight" to the point of puckering the cloth. Depending on your chosen colors, there may be some "bleeding through" of the carried yarn color. Most generally this gives the cloth an appealing tapestry appearance. If you don't want this type of appearance, choose colors that are more closely related to each other.

Magically enhancing the cloth is a wonderful benefit that can occur as you work the pattern. Focus on the recipient and your intent behind your creation of this gift. Allow the intent of magic to flow into each stitch. You can state your own intent or state these or similar words, "Swirls and stars that brighten the dark of night, illuminate the path in glimmering light." Since you wouldn't want to be manipulated by another person, your intended enchantment should be for the greater good of the intended recipient and not manipulated by any outcomes that you may feel are in the recipient's best interest.

To make the cloth, gather your three yarn colors and your "E" hook. Mentally label your yarn as "A" (to be used as the center heart and outer ring), "B," and "C" (to be used as the swirls.)

With yarn "A" on your hook, Ch 4. Join to beginning ch with a slp st to create a ring.

Round 1, Chain 3 (this counts as the first double crochet in this and all other rounds) Work 11 dbc into the ring. Join to top of beginning ch 3 with a slp st. (12 dbc)

Round 2, Chain 3, dbc in same stitch, Work 2 dbc in each stitch around, Join to top of beginning ch 3 with a slp st. (24 dbc)

Round 3, Chain 3, Dbc in same stitch. Work dbc in next stitch, * Work 2 dbc in next stitch, 1 dbc in next stitch* Repeat from * to * around. Join to top of beginning chain 3 with a slp st. (36 dbc)

Round 4, Chain 3, Dbc in the same stitch, Work 1 dbc in each of the next 3 stitches. *Work 2 dbc in next stitch, 1 dbc in next 2 stitches* Repeat from * to * around. Join to top of beginning chain 3 with a slp st. (48 dbc) Cut and fasten off color "A"

Round 5, Attach color "B" to top of ch3 of previous round. Chain 3. Drop color "B" and pick up Color "C" Work 1 Dbc in same stitch in Color "C" 1 Dbc in next 3 stitches. * Work 2 dbc in next stitch, (dbc increase made, change color after 1st dbc of increase now and through out the pattern) Work 1 dbc in next 3 stitches. Rpt from * to * around. Join to top chain of beginning chain 3. (continue to join in this manner at the end of every round through out this pattern unless otherwise indicated) (60 dbc)

Round 6, Ch 3, Dbc in same stitch (color change in between ch 3 and dbc through out the pattern) Work 1 dbc in next 4 stitches, *2 dhc in next stitch, 1 dbc in next 4 stitches* Repeat from * to * around. Join. (72 dbc)

Round 7, Ch 3, Dbc in same stitch, Work 1 dbc in next 5 stitches. * Work 2 dbc in next stitch, Work 1 dbc in next 5 stitches* Repeat from * to * around. Join (84 dbc)

Round 8, Ch 3, Dbc in same stitch, Work 1 dbc in next 6 stitches. *2 Dbc in next stitch, Work 1 dbc in next 6 stitches* Rpt from * to * around. Join. (96 dbc)

Round 9, Ch 3, Dbc in same stitch, Work 1 dbc in next 7 stitches. *Work 2 dbc in next stitch, work 1 dbc in next 7 stitches* Repeat from * to * around. Join. (108 dbc)

Round 10, Ch 3, Dbc in same stitch. Work 1 dbc in next 8 dbc. *Work 2 dbc in next stitch, Work 1 dbc in next 8 stitches* Repeat from * to * around. Join ( 120 dbc)

Round 11, Ch 3, Dbc in same stitch. Work 1 dbc in next 9 stitches. *Work 2 dbc in next stitch, Work 1 dbc in next 9 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Join (132 dbc)

Round 12, Ch 3, Dbc in same stitch, Work 1 dbc in next 10 stitches. * Work 2 dbc in next stitch, 1 dbc in next 10 stitches* Repeat from * to * around. Join. (144 dbc)

Round 13, Ch 3, Dbc in same stitch, Work 1 dbc in next 11 stitches. * Work 2 dbc in next stitch, Work 1 dbc in next 11 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Join. (156 dbc)

Round 14, Ch 3, Dbc in same stitch. Work 1 dbc in next 12 stitches. *Work 2 dbc in next stitch, Work 1 dbc in next 12 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Join. (168 dbc)

Round 15, Ch 3, Dbc in same stitch, Work 1 dbc in next 13 stitches. *Work 2 dbc in next stitch, Work 1 dbc in next 13 stitches* Repeat from * to * around. Join. (180 dbc)

Round 16, Ch 3, Dbc in same stitch. Work 1 dbc in next 14 stitches. *Work 2 dbc in next stitch, Work 1 dbc in next 14 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Join. (192 dbc)

Round 17, Ch 3, Dbc in same stitch. Work 1 dbc in next 15 stitches. *Work 2 dbc in next stitch, Work 1 dbc in next 15 stitches* Repeat from * to * around. Join. (204)

Round 18, Ch 3, Dbc in same stitch. Work 1 dbc in next 16 stitches. *Work 2 dbc in next stitch, Work 1 dbc in next 16 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Join ( 216)

Round 19, Ch 3, Dbc in same stitch. Work 1 dbc in next 17 stitches. *Work 2 dbc in next stitch, Work 1 dbc in next 17 stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Join. ( 228)

Round 20, Ch 3, Dbc in same stitch, Work 1 dbc in next 18 stitches. *Work 2 dbc in next stich, Work 1 dbc in next 18 stitches* Repeat from * to * around. Join. (240 dbc) Cut and fasten off yarn colors "B" and "C." Attach color "A" in same stitch with a slp st.

Round 21, Ch 1, sc in same stitch, sc in next 19 stitches. Ch 3 (creates a loop) *Work 1 sc in next 20 stitch, ch 3,* Repeat from * to * around. Join to beginning sc with slp st.

Round 22, Ch 1, sc in same stitch. Sc in next 8 sc, ch 5, skip 2 sc, sc next 9 sc. Work 2 sc, ch 3, 2 sc in next ch 3 loop. * Work 1 sc in next 9 sc, ch 5, skip 2 sc, sc next 9 sc, Work 2 sc, ch 3, 2 sc in next ch 3 loop* Repeat from * to * around. Join to beginning sc with slp t.

Round 23, Ch 1, sc in same stitch, Work 1 sc in next 8 stitches. Work 7 sc in next ch 5 space, Work 1 sc in next 11 sc, Work 5 sc in next ch 3 loop, * Work 1 sc in next 11 sc, Work 7 sc in next ch 5 loop, Work 1 sc in next 11 sc, Work 5 sc in next ch 3 loop* Repeat from * to * around. After the last repeat, sc in the 2 remaining stitches. Join to beginning sc with alp stitch. Cut and fasten off yarn. Using the large eyed needle, weave in any loose ends.

To create the stars, gather your size 10 thread and your size 7 steel hook.

Begin with ch 4. Join to beginning ch with a slp st to form a ring.

*Ch 7, join ch 7 to ring with a sc. (star point made) Work another sc in the ring.* Repeat from * to * 3 more times (4 points total) Do not join

*Work a sc in the first 4 chs of the ch 7 point. In the 4th ch, work 2 sc, ch 3 (creates a small loop) and sc in the same 4th ch, Work a sc in the next 3 chains. Skip the 2 sc* Repeat from * to * for the remaining points. Join to beginning sc with a slp st. Cut and fasten thread, weave in ends.

Before you sew your stars on to your spread cloth, you can shape your stars by pinning them in the desired shape to a cardboard surface that has been wrapped in wax paper. Spray the stars with water or spray starch and allow to dry. Sew the stars on to your spread cloth as you desire.

As with any creative endeavor, you may find that this pattern acts as a catalyst. A spark that ignites the limitless creative resources found deep within you. These surfacing ideas can enable you to create a gift of unique beauty. A gift that speaks to the heart and reflects the soul of the heart.