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December New Moon

New Moon in Sagittarius

This week the Sun will be conjunct the Moon at 15 degrees of Sagittarius. This New Moon will also form a square aspect to Mars conjunct Neptune at 13 degrees Pisces. This can be a challenging aspect, but often the challenges that are encountered lead to finding a resolution, or fixing a problem. It may seem like the challenges drive you to come up with solutions. Mars being in Pisces conjunct Neptune may take some of the rawness, or anger out of this driving force. It may just turn the drive toward helping others, or using our energies to fight for a cause or ideal instead of our egos. With Neptune involved being sure that we are clear on who we are fighting for and why is something to be aware of. Are we simply going to be fighting to keep our family healthy during a flu outbreak, or are we going to a protest march to show support for or anger about something?

Mutable Signs

Sagittarius is the truth seeker,  as well as the freedom seeker. Sagittarius can also be idealistic, and also changeable, and boisterous among other things. Pisces, like Sagittarius is a mutable sign, meaning they easily change their minds, especially when presented with new ideas that make sense to them. Sagittarius’ element is fire and Pisces is water so how they explore and come to new conclusions, and transform their beliefs and points of view may be slightly different. Fire can be excitable, and water can be hard to hold to one position in the first place. They can both be counted on to change and adjust though no matter how fast or slow they manage it.

Fixed Star

The energy is accentuated by the new moon also being conjunct the fixed star Ras Algethi. According to the website Constellations of Words , it is a double star and both irregularly variable, 3.1 to 3.9 and 5 to 7 orange, red and bluish green in the head of the kneeling man. This kneeling man is the constellation Hercules. It is said to posses a character of Mars-Venus with a blend of Mercury. The influence of the constellation of Hercules according to Ptolemy is said to be like Mercury. Strength of character, tenacity and fixity of purpose. By the Kabalists it is associated with the Hebrew letter of Daleth and the fourth Tarot Trump The Emperor.

Emperor Trump

The Tarot card the Emperor seems appropriate for this period of time. It is traditionally associated with the planet Mars, and the element of fire. Some keywords for this card are authority, power, law and order, father figure, and leadership. When this card shows up it typically means that you are experiencing stability and security, things are under your control, you are in a position to set up your own boundaries, and rules. You have a solid foundation and are in the drivers seat so to speak. The reversed card might point to either a loss of this type of position, or being manipulated by others. Reversed it could also show someone being a control freak, or the other end of the spectrum as a lack of discipline. Figuring out how this fiery, dynamic card might be expressing for this period of time could include looking at where Mars is and what it is doing. It is in Pisces, and conjunct Neptune. This might soften some of the harsher meanings, but also call for care against manipulation or losing control.

New Moon

As a New Moon it is the perfect time for some magick. Any rituals or spells that are for anything new or that you might like to start, drawing magick, growth, or increase. This is also the perfect time for any cleansing of yourself, your home, your altar, or tools, physically cleansing as well as any ritual cleansing that might be needed or wanted. This is also a good time for dedicating or re-dedicating tools, altars, yourself if desired or needed. A New Moon can also be used for enacting a rite of passage. With the mutable sign energy now recognizing a change in your life like a change in what life stage you are in would be appropriate. In addition to honoring any changes that have happened, now is a good time to set intentions for changes you would like to have happen. If you are thinking of planting literal seeds now, wait for the full moon to plant perennials.

Temperance Trump

Sagittarius is associated with the Tarot card Temperance. Temperance keywords include connecting with your higher self, or guides, alchemy, balance, moderation, and harmony. This card is of the fire element, and associated with the planet Jupiter (Jupiter rules Sagittarius). This card is about learning to avoid extremes, as well as maintaining a sense of calm. I particularly love the association with alchemy for this card, this can include balancing or blending any aspects of your life to make it more enjoyable.  Reversed this card may point to disharmony, or an imbalance, also a lack of patience, or a need for any one of these in your life.

Sagittarius

Magick for healing the Sagittarius ruled parts of the body in particular like the thighs, pelvis, and liver are good right now. Spells and rituals for anything related to travel, publishing, or even legal issues are timely. This is good energy to help us aim for and reach goals, start new things, transform, and evolve.  Expansion, growth, movement, and with the fire element the ability to burn away the unwanted, or burn through barriers or obstacles. Colors to use include reds. Metal is tin. Crystals include Diamond, Azurite, Lapis Lazul, Topaz, Sapphire,  Pyrite, and Amethyst. The symbol for Sagittarius is the Archer, the Centaur, and the arrow. Animals for this sign include the horse, lion, and centaur. Plants include carnation, pink clover, sage, mulberry, chestnut, rose hips, sugar cane, rhubarb, mint, apricots, and almonds.

Last New Moon of the Year

This is going to be the last New Moon of the year for 2018, so it would be wise to use it. Direct your energy and focus toward clearing away the old, unwanted, and anything else holding you back or keeping you stuck. Replace this stuff with fresh, new intentions for not just the rest of this month, but for the new year ahead. If you choose to take aim with the archer energy you could ride the centaur to entirely as yet unexplored territory for yourself.

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December Astrology

 

December Astrology

The first week of December starts out with the Sun in Sagittarius square Mars in Pisces. By the 5th the Sun will also be squaring Neptune as well, with Mars and Neptune conjunct in Pisces from the 5th through the 8th. This challenging square will be emotionally highlighted on the 7th when the Moon will be conjunct the Sun for a New Moon in Sagittarius.

Sagittarius is a mutable, masculine, fire sign, ruled by Jupiter, the planet of growth and expansion. Sagittarius is concerned with questions of identity and the quest for truth. It wants to experience freedom to explore, travel, and be exposed to the new and novel. This sign is interested in the big picture rather than the details. As a fire sign it tends to be rather enthusiastic and energetic.

 

The Sun works well with the Sagittarius energy, but the Moon has more of a challenging time accessing and expressing emotionally in this sign. Mars in Pisces tends to be more sensitive, with emotional and spiritual issues especially driving it toward action. Mars in Pisces might be more inclined to crusade for causes that aim to alleviate the suffering of others. Neptune is very much at home in Pisces, being the ruling planet for this sign. Neptune in Pisces in some ways could be seen as connected to the collective unconscious. The planet and the sign are both related to our fantasies, desires, hopes and dreams collectively and individually.  A Mars and Neptune conjunction, that is square the Sun in Sagittarius could lead to challenges that drive us either collectively or individually to not only seek out the truth, but to then act on it.

Mercury Retrograde

Mercury has been retrograde since November 16th, and will station direct on the 6th of December. After which there is still a period that is considered a “shadow period” of Mercury retrograde from the 6th through the 24th of December. Mercury will trine the asteroid Chiron on the 6th suggesting that as it goes direct there will be a healing, possibly spiritually elevated energy accompanying it. Also take into consideration that the retrograde and shadow period are in effect for nearly the entire month. This could indicate that how you think about things, or plans you have, may change due to new information coming in.  If you remain alert for signs of confusion and patiently seek clarity, and then later in the month allow for changes(staying open and flexible), you will be ahead of the game. I personally find retrogrades are good for redoing things. This can apply in so many different ways. From changing an opinion to rewriting a play, it will depend on where it falls in your chart personally as to how it might express for you.

Mid-Month

By the 15th Venus will have moved into Scorpio and will be receiving a supportive sextile with Saturn in Capricorn through the 17th. From the 16th through the 18th Mars will have it’s own supportive sextile aspect with Pluto in Capricorn as well. This energy could be helpful for transforming rules and structures  in order to improve and protect the integrity of the group. This might be  accomplished through determining who is responsible and accountable.

Winter Solstice

Friday the 21st is Winter Solstice. On the 20th-21st the Sun will move into Capricorn, and form a trine aspect with Uranus in Aries. This seems like a time when it would be easy for sudden, new changes to start to show up in old authority structures. On a more personal level this may be a good day to change a habit that no longer serves you, replacing it with a healthier behavior.

The 21st-22nd will find Mercury in Sagittarius conjunct Jupiter. Big, expansive ideas might be swirling around now. Venus in Scorpio will be trine Neptune in Pisces. This is very feminine and emotional energy. Scorpio and Pisces are both water signs. There could be a lot of artistic expression involved right now. This would be a great time to channel your energy into any art or music projects. It would also be a good idea to take a few deep breaths before letting yourself get carried away emotionally, make sure you have the facts clear before reacting in relation to others.

Full Moon

Full Moon will be on the 22nd in Cancer. The Moon rules the sign of Cancer so lending it more power in it’s expression of universal mother energy. This moon is very much about feminine energy, emotions, soul identity, feeling nurtured, and nurturing, and a desire to feel safe and protected. This energy will serve to heighten the other emotional energies at play now.

From the 24th through 25th Mercury in Sagittarius will square Neptune in Pisces. This aspect might bring some confusion or mix-ups, usually due to moving too quickly without checking details. It can also challenge you to be clear about your beliefs.

The 28th through the 29th will bring a supportive aspect(sextile) between Venus in Scorpio and Pluto in Capricorn. This could point to creating or strengthening  emotional boundaries and reactions.  There will have been a lot of opportunity to experience and practice with both this month in ways that will be helpful moving into a new year feeling safe and stable, even in the face of change.

The Stars Don’t Compel, They Impel

This short overview for the month of December should give a general idea of what you might reasonably expect to experience. Of course if you have your personal Natal Chart then you can have a much better idea of how the Planets moving through the sky would aspect your own personal planetary configurations. Knowing what might be ahead can really help you to be prepared, and to take advantage of opportunities that might be preparing to present themselves. It is also good to remember the old saying “the stars don’t compel they impel”. I know it might sound like the same thing (urge forcefully) but the meaning in this saying is  about how you have the final word, or choice in the matter. You make the decisions about how you will act, and respond to what life (and the stars) puts in front of you. Nothing is so set in stone that you are completely helpless against it, you decide how you think and feel about it at the very least. You have the final authority on your life and decide what you will do with it. Knowing what might be coming and using that knowledge to help you plan to work with the energies seems like just good common sense.

 

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I Got Mail

Majickal Mosaics custom artwork

I just got a package filled with amazing art from Majickal Mosaics!  I can’t say enough about how pleased I am with everything.  

 

Magnets

There are two magnets. One is a witch’s hat that will be adorable to hold photos on the fridge…

Majickal Mosaics witch hat magnet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second magnet is a Tree of Life with lovers entwined as the tree trunk.  

Majickal Mosaics tree of life magnet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wall Art

There were two wall plaques. The first is a Sun, Moon, and Stars plaque. My pictures of these really doesn’t do justice to the wonderful colors and painting techniques involved.

Majickal Mosaics sun and moon wall hanging

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second one is a Buddha plaque. The Buddha plaque is actually very solid and much heavier than I thought, but the hanger on the back is sturdy as well. I have no worries about this beauty falling off the wall.

Majickal Mosaics buddha plaque

And last but not least is the Buddha figurine.  This delightful art object will likely figure into future post pictures, as well as many meditation hours to come.

Majickal Mosaics buddha figurine

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are many other options to choose from at Majickal Mosaics. I personally have one of the skulls on my wish list next. Check out some of the other awesome art on their Facebook page (If you don’t happen to be able to catch them in Utah at one of the many venues they attend. )

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Thanksgiving Week

 

This week we have an interesting mix of energies confronting us. On Thursday the 22nd. many in the U.S. will be celebrating Thanksgiving Day. This day by most accounts started as a harvest festival. A time to gratefully celebrate our harvest bounty by joining together with family and friends and sharing a feast. While not so many will have literally reaped foodstuff from fields they planted this year, the idea of gratitude for what we have is still a valid theme for this time of year.

A Feast and a Full Moon

It is a good time to ponder exactly what you have put your time and energy into growing and bringing to fruition this year. It is also a good time to be grateful for surviving, and for all who helped you to do so.

The ideal to strive for is that of being able to count your blessings. For some this may be easier than for others. As it is also a time to gather with kith and kin, what for many is a joy-filled tradition, for some is a stress-filled, triggering event. With the Full Moon in Gemini the day after Thanksgiving Day, emotions might be a little rough around the edges for some folks now.  The Sun will be shifting from Scorpio into Sagittarius over the 22nd.-23rd, and it is conjunct Jupiter. This paired with  Venus in Libra in opposition to Uranus retrograde in Aries is a recipe for a stress inducing tightrope walk between wanting to keep the peace and sudden urges to tell your truth in a big way.

As long as you try to stay mindful of when your truths may be painful for others you can mitigate your response to these urges. Is now really the best time to tell Aunt Ruth loudly in front of everyone that you have always hated her cranberry sauce? Maybe you can find a way of politely passing on it instead, or getting too full to clean your plate of it?

This would be a good time to find a happy middle ground where you can be in your truth but still be polite. Being polite is not the same as doing things you don’t enjoy simply to please others, and now (or anytime) really isn’t best for that.

Full Moon In Gemini

A Full Moon in Gemini can be social and changeable energy, which the moon itself has a harder time expressing in. It is fine for light talk and new experiences, like mingling and small talking with a group of people. The Full Moon is a great time to release and let go of what is not working.

The sign of Gemini is a mutable, masculine, air sign that is ruled by the planet Mercury. It is a sign of duality. Key concepts for this sign are communication, and connecting lower and higher mind, siblings, neighbors, travel, transportation, and education. Physically it rules the arms, shoulders, hands, lungs, and nervous system. The symbol is the Divine Twins, Castor and Pollux. Geminis are quick witted, curious, and also changeable and prone to extremes.

Gemini Magic

This is a good time for magic related to anything you want to learn or are curious about. It is a good time for divination, and spells for writing, luck, success in education, and improving communication, especially in romantic relationships. Garden planning, harvesting, weeding, or mulching are best garden activities now as Gemini is said to be a dry, barren sign. Working magic with herbs or flowers for Gemini use orchid, gladioli, iris, snapdragons, parsley, and dill. The colors are white, yellow, and orange. Crystals like Icelandic spar, moss agate, Aquamarine, tourmaline, onyx, diamond, jade, and topaz. Oils and incense like jasmine, orchid, sandalwood, and wormwood.

Among the totem animals are many types of small birds. Birds in general are said to be messengers of spirit, and Mercury (Gemini’s ruling planet) as messenger of the Gods was also a messenger of spirit able to travel between the worlds. This is a wonderful example of connecting, or bridging the higher and lower minds as well.

Plan Ahead

This full moon on the heels of Thanksgiving Day should provide plenty of food for thought as to what you would like to release that has not borne fruit for you. Additionally it would also be a great time to plan what you would like to plant and grow in the coming year ahead so that by next Thanksgiving you could be grateful for that harvest.

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Astrologically Speaking

Astrologically Speaking

The Moon’s Nodes have changed signs, with the North Node moving from Leo into Cancer, and the South Node moving from Aquarius to Capricorn. The Nodes are not physical bodies but rather the two points where the Moon’s orbit intersects the ecliptic (the ecliptic is the path, or mean plane the Sun follows over the course of the year. Lunar and Solar eclipses can only happen when the moon crosses this path.) The ascending node is where the Moon moves into the northern ecliptic hemisphere, and the descending node is where the Moon moves into the southern ecliptic hemisphere. From our perspective the Moon’s Nodes appear to move backwards through the signs, hence the change from Leo to Cancer for the North Node, and the move from Aquarius to Capricorn for the South Node. The Nodes are generally thought of as an axis rather than two disconnected points. They are often called the dragon’s head (north node) and tail (south node).  This symbology is ancient and lasted until well after the Renaissance, with the first interpretations of the of the nodes in the natal chart being associated with difficult times in the heavens involving the moon being eaten by a dragon.

The Shift

This shift to a Cancer-Capricorn axis will bring a time of focusing on things of a Cancerian nature like mothering, nurturing, caring for emotions, even the divine feminine and blending this with the ideas of Capricorn such as status, usefulness, the physical body, even the Earth itself. This can be a time of healing for ourselves and the planet in many ways if we are willing to put in the work required to make it happen.

Look Within Before Acting Without

On the 15th of November Mars will enter Pisces, this might make it harder to get the motivation needed to take action on issues outside of ourselves. It will be good for doing some inner work though, and this might be what is needed before the outer work is committed to. Knowing ourselves and how much is appropriate for us to give to anything outside of ourselves whether it is another person, or a cause. With Venus going direct again in Libra on the 16th, being clear on our boundaries and what we need is a good idea before taking action, especially anything that might be done solely to please others.

Mercury Retrograde

Venus will be handing the retrograde baton off to Mercury, and it will move from 13 degrees Sagittarius on November 16th to 27 degrees Scorpio on December 6th. Many claim that Mercury retrograde is a dangerous time for communications, travel, signing agreements, or even tech gadgets. It is a good idea to think before you speak, take your time and do not rush into an accident, and read any documents carefully, but that is a good idea anyway. Mercury retrograde offers opportunities to redo, or revisit things, this may be people, places, or things from your past. How it will play out for you may depend on where these degrees of Sagittarius to Scorpio fall in your natal chart, and perhaps the condition of your natal Mercury. If you remain aware there is no reason to fear a Mercury retrograde, you could come out the other side of it after the shadow period(which lasts until December 24th), with a change in perspective that might finally allow you to release some old ideas that have held you back.

 

An Example

An example for Mercury retrograde might be gained from the Venus retrograde that is about to end with Venus going direct on the 16th. Venus went retrograde October 5th at 10 degrees Scorpio, in total spending six weeks retrograde. Many associate Venus with love and romance, and this is true, but it isn’t the only expressions of Venus. A personal example from my life includes an old friend getting back in touch, this is common with both Venus and Mercury retrograde. Both friends and even old lovers could attempt to reach out at this time. I also have Scorpio at my Midheaven and spent a day reading tarot cards at the Phoenix Pagan Pride Day. I haven’t performed public reading at festivals in a long time so I also view this as another expression of Venus retrograde for me personally.

Knowing your own natal chart will help you to get a good idea of what you may reasonably expect to happen to you as we dance with the planets in the sky. I am always interested in how transits play out so uniquely in each individuals’ life, there would seem to be as many possibilities as stars in the sky.

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New Moon

New Moon in Scorpio

The New Moon will be exact on this Wednesday, November 7th 2018, at 11:03 A.M. E.S.T. at 15 degrees Scorpio. Classically the sign of Scorpio was ruled by Mars, but once Pluto was discovered many gave over Scorpio’s rulership to it. Keywords from both planets such as action and transformation fit very nicely with this sign and it’s watery nature. In fact Scorpio’s element is water, it’s modality is fixed, and it’s polarity is feminine. Key concepts for this sign include experiencing deep, transformational emotional connections; death and rebirth. This sign is said to rule the reproductive organs and the bowels of the human body.

Totem Animals

The way I learned it, Scorpio has three totem animals, the Scorpion, the Eagle, and the Phoenix. These animals represent the different stages of Scorpionic evolution. The unevolved Scorpio would readily sting, the more evolved Scorpio could fly high and had the vision of the Eagle, and a highly evolved Scorpio had the magic and power to transform and rebirth themself, the power of alchemy like a Phoenix. In more recent times it seems Scorpio now has seven or eight stages represented by different totem animals, but the idea remains the same, this sign can become incredibly wise, compassionate, and powerful multidimensional beings. They do need to do the “work” of self- reflection and improvement to reach the higher evolutionary stages though, it is not just given to them.

Scorpio Magic

Magic, and alchemy are themselves very scorpionic. As is psychic ability, dreams, all kinds of secret or hidden things, hypnotism, mediumship, communing with Deity, reincarnation, and self-improvement. Scorpio colors are intense colors like black, and red. Crystals like Topaz, Aquamarine, Malachite, Obsidian, Tourmaline, and Opal resonate with Scorpio energy. Herbs like Holly, Yew, Wormwood, Vanilla, Tobacco, Patchouli, Nightshade, Morning glory, Hemlock, Datura, Foxglove, Bloodroot, Black and Blue Cohosh, Chrysanthemum, Blackthorn, Belladonna, Blackberry, Pomegranate, and Basil are Scorpio herbs and plants. Obviously some of these need to be handled with care.

New Moon

A new moon is the end of a cycle and the start of a new one. Releasing old patterns and habits, and starting new healthy ones would be ideal at this time. Planting seeds, both figuratively and literally is perfect for this phase of the moon. If literally planting seeds, consider things like leafy greens and cabbages(depending on your planting zone), and if you have a greenhouse or not you might be surprised by what you can plant now.  Magic for drawing, for growth, and increase, any new beginnings, or improvements are favored now. Cleaning and purification are also good things to undertake at this time, more so if you are washing away the old to allow space, or a clean slate for the new. Many rituals will begin in just this kind of way, with a bath so you are physically clean. These kinds of pre-ritual baths will often include herbs and salts to also clean your energetic body as well. This bath time is also used to release any emotions that might interfere with the magic you are about to perform. No need to wait for a ritual to take a healing or cleansing bath, anytime you feel that you might benefit from one is a perfect time. There are even some Spells that can be done in the bath if you feel called.

Money Bath Spell

A simple Spell to increase money calls for some coins (I like to use 9 silver coins, that have been cleaned first), 3 green or gold candles, and then your choice of honey or sugar. With the sugar I suggest mixing it with a small amount of castile soap to make a scrub beforehand. Clean your coins, smudge yourself, light candles, fill tub with warm water and coins. Then you get into the tub and either use the sugar scrub or honey, rubbing your skin with it to sweeten yourself to the money. For extra oomph you could float some cinnamon sticks in the tub too, or add a pouch filled with herbs like cinnamon, basil, and bay leaves. Take your time and visualize money and whatever else means wealth for you as being attracted to you, filling your tub, being drawn to you. A simple “money, money, money come to me, as I will so mote it be” could be chanted. Once you feel satisfied then empty the bath, put out the candles, and collect the coins to keep on your altar. Ideally this bath is repeated at least once a week through the full moon, three baths total. But even just one might be enough to do the trick you won’t know unless you try it out.

 

While we are in the bathroom there is a somewhat less glamorous spell that can be done if you are looking to get rid of or release something from your life at this time. This really couldn’t be simpler, you need a candle, something to write with and some toilet paper. Light the candle, write all the things you want to release down onto the toilet paper. State “I am flushing this away, right now, today!” Flush the toilet paper and extinguish the candle. If you have trouble writing on the paper, using symbols, or initials, whatever you can manage to represent what you want to release is fine. This might seem silly, but it is surprisingly effective.

Sowing the Seed

Once you have decided what you want, whether it is releasing something, or starting something new, then you have taken some action toward that, you are sowing the seed. These seeds often grow to fruition by the full moon. It might take more time if you are making big changes or have planted seeds for large dreams. But as long as you know what you want and take even small steps toward making it happen then before you know it your world will seem changed. Even something as small as making a vision board, or doing a simple spell will be a step in the right direction. Now of course you still have to do real world work for what you want too, you need to put in applications if looking for a new job, and telling others you are looking could be helpful as well. But the more steps you take, and seeds you plant the quicker and healthier your garden will grow.

 

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Halloween, All Saint’s Day, and All Soul’s Day.

Halloween, All Saint’s Day, and All Soul’s Day

Samhain or as it is also known – All Hallows Eve, Winter Nights, Hallows, Hallowtide, Shadowfest, Third Harvest, Spirit Night, Candle Night, Ancestor Night, November Eve, Apple Fest, or even Santos, or Devil Night. Most know this night, the 31st of October as Samhain, or Halloween. In many traditions This night is one of eight Sabbats.

The Sabbats are comprised of the two Solstices, and two Equinoxes as solar holidays, and four cross-quarter days between these solar points. An equinox occurs when the angle formed at the Earth’s center between its axis of rotation and the line joining the Earth to the Sun is a right angle. At such a point in Earth’s orbit the length of day and night is equal. A solstice happens when this angle reaches a maximum or a minimum. Then the duration of the day and the night is either longest or shortest. The cross-quarter days occur midway between the Equinoxes and solstices. Each of the cross-quarter days celebrations are inspired by older Earth festivals that folk in Western Europe traditionally observed. It is thought that Samhain was originally celebrated as the Pleiades star cluster culminated in the sky at midnight. This culmination now takes place closer to November 21st

Samhain, or All Hallow’s Eve if you please.

Samhain is a cross-quarter day between the Autumn Equinox(Mabon), and the Winter Solstice(Yule) in the Northern Hemisphere. Samhain is celebrated May 1st in the Southern Hemisphere(when the Northern Hemisphere is celebrating Beltane), as we celebrate these holidays at opposite times of the year from one another.

Samhain is viewed by many as New Year’s Eve for witches. It is also seen as the third and final harvest festival, this is the close of harvest, the last chance to dry herbs, and the start to the season of winter. This is an ideal time for all manner of divination, and personal reflection.

Samhain is a time to celebrate the cycle of death and rebirth. A time to mourn and remember the dead, as well as honor the ancestors. It is often said that the veil is thin between the worlds at this time of year. This really is more about our ability to perceive what is actually already there, it seems easier for many at this time of year to perceive or even communicate with those who have passed on ahead of us.

In this vein of honoring and communicating with the dead we create ancestor altars, hold mummer’s suppers, and leave a plate of food and glass of wine outdoors for wandering spirits. This is not so different than how many will celebrate the Dias De Los Muertos.

All Saint’s and All Soul’s Days

While All Saint’s Day on November 1st is a solemn holy day of obligation in the Catholic Church, dedicated to the Saints and all who have reached heaven, All Soul’s Day is dedicated to those who have died and not yet attained heaven. The obligation to attend Mass on Saint’s Day falls on all Catholics. Started formally by Pope Boniface IV, who also established All Soul’s Day on November 2nd. The choice behind the timing may have been intended to absorb those who participated in the pagan holiday “feast of the Lamures”. A day filled with rites to placate, or exercise restless spirits, propitiating them with beans.

Dia De Los Muertos, Day Of the Dead

Day of the Dead now begins on October 31 and ends on November 2nd. It is a Mexican tradition that was likely started by the Aztecs 3,000 years ago. Originally it took place in summer. It has moved to coincide with All Saint’s and All Souls Days. Much like Samhain, altars to ancestors and recently passed loved ones are created. Food, drinking, music and stories are also important to the celebrations.

Families come together and prepare an altar, then they go to the cemetery and bring their picnic baskets to the graveside. Often mariachi bands are included in the party to celebrate life and those who have passed on.

The altar filled with oferendas (offerings), decorated with photographs of the deceased loved ones, bright flowers like marigolds and cockscomb, favorite foods, candy, and drinks are usually included. For some adults cigarettes and alcohol are also included. The popular sugar skulls were likely a result of exposure to 17th Century Italian sugar crafting skills. The skull would represent the departed and their name would be written on the forehead and then it would be placed in the home altar, or on a gravestone.

It is not only fascinating but also somehow comforting to think how similarly we remember and celebrate our dead. As easy as it might be to get stuck in a place of grief at this time of year it is helpful to remember that it is also time to celebrate life. Life that has been lived, as well as life that is being lived now, and maybe even that which is yet to be lived too.

 

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Full Moon

The full moon on the 24th will be in the sign of Taurus. The moon in classical astrology is said to be the “Crescent of the Soul, the soul receives and holds the spirit”. It represents femininity, women, motherhood, the past, source, heredity, the subconscious, as well as intuition. It is where we feel and experience emotions. Memory, the past, habits and conditioning. It is responsible for actions that do not need conscious thought, like lighting yet another cigarette, or your nightly facial care regime.

Psychologically it is our unconscious nature, feminine archetypes, the anima. It urges us to seek emotional tranquility and a sense of belonging. There is a need to feel inner support and nurturing, to be comforted. There can also be a drive to comfort, support, nurture, or mother others. Physically the moon is said to rule the stomach, breasts, body fluids and their balance in the body, digestion, lymph nodes and glandular secretions. It rules all containers, including our bodies as containers of the soul.

The moon might also be seen as symbolic of women, the public, and change due to it cycling through its phases every month. The moon sign in your natal chart reveals your feminine side, for both females and males.

Moon, magic and manifesting

The full moon is often about realizing and manifesting the intentions you set at the new moon. Personal growth and spiritual development are common themes to work with when the moon is full. Spells to increase intuition, or magical skills, healing magic, and rituals to connect to deity.

If you are wanting to magically represent or work with the moon and it’s energies using crystals, then moonstone, clear quartz, Selenite, Labradorite, opal, and metals like silver are appropriate. Pearl, abalone, and white coral with their origin in the oceans have a lunar energy. You need to decide for yourself though if working with these once living substances is for you or not.

White, silver, and pale blue are among the best colors to use for any candles or cloths or other items you might decide to use. Almond, Clary sage, and Orris root are a few choices for fragrances, either fumigating by burning the plant material, as incense, or essential oils used in an oil diffuser.  

Some other lunar plants include flowers like moonflowers, night jasmine, lotus, iris, passionflower, poppy, evening primrose, mallow, mugwort, milkweed, also plants like aloe, wild yam, cucumber, and melons.

Moon in Taurus

This particular full moon will be in the sign Taurus. Taurus is a fixed earth sign, and as such is concerned with sustaining and maintaining. It is also concerned with issues of self-worth. As an earth sign Taurus likes to ground things in the physical, creating tangible representations of lasting beauty and value. It likes slow, steady, progressive growth. Planets in this sign become slower, more deliberate, grounded in the physical and desiring a more tangible means of expression than in many other signs.

This sign is ruled by the planet Venus, and the Moon is exalted here. Its symbol is the bull. It rules the neck, throat, and voice. Crafting and chanting could easily be used in magic work at this time to good effect. Sage and mint are two good herbs for Taurus. Oils, and incense like ylang ylang, cardamom, and cinnamon would be good choices.

Intentional healing

I will be focusing on healing work myself this full moon. I am planning to charge some crystal jewelry for myself and others with the intention of healing, as well as making a poppet or two. Writing the intention and placing the crystals on this list, stuffing the list into the poppet, along with appropriate herbs and chanting over them in the moonlight should be very powerful.

I think something similar for an intention like increasing creativity, or artistic productivity, or even drawing more money from such projects would be successful at this full moon.

Whatever intentions you set, spells or rituals you do make sure to have fun with it, and in the spirit of Taurus, enjoy it.