Divining Through Disaster

 Photography by: Maimouna Guerresi

Written by Jaliessa Sipress

Recently, a lot of people’s realities have been turned upside-down; whether through “natural” or man-made disaster or through events that blur the line in-between. Disaster is something most of us live under the threat of everyday. It bubbles underneath our feet and seethes under our skin. It is what keeps us up at night and often impacts our day-to-day decisions. Its intensity and presence ebb and flow but the threat will always remain. Turmoil in this world is consistent but when the building pressure peaks, people start to panic, and they begin to forget.

As witches, misfortune is a part of our lineage. The fear, pain and suffering of those around us prescribed as side effects of us being privy to our own power. Our aptitude to tap into our natural abilities and form deep connections with our bodies, the bodies around us and the body of the earth are all things that make us dangerous because these acts can never fall under anyone else’s dominion. We listen and flow with the earth and her shifts and changes. We practice remembrance and manifestation in accordance with her seasons. We understand that we are of her and can harness her power and this is why we are feared. But the earth is a witch, too. She casts spells of beauty, love and abundance and she, too, is targeted for being angry and vengeful when she tries to heal herself. And this is why we must carry on. This is why we must acknowledge the power of the witch, the strength in our audacity to be our own temples and our own healers. Our abilities to make altars out of debris and never be without our magic because it lies within us.

To divine through disaster is to not ignore it. A lot of the craft is centered in the simple act of noticing. We watch and wait and participate in the art of divine timing. We are here to nurture the collapse of all that ails us, to live in harmony with our fear and loss. We must remember that our ancestors birthed our path to freedom and it is our duty to lead the way for others. Witches work is the work of the people. It is the work we do to stabilize and satiate and educate and support those who have forgotten the power within them.

During times of turmoil, it is our duty to remember and share our knowledge of how to work and heal with water, soil and ash. We must pass on ways to regenerate with what remains when human inventions fail. We are the ones who have to figure out why the world is still turning and we must take note of where our magic fits into the maddeness. We have to keep fighting, casting and believing the way we have been but with steadier consistency and ferocious fervor. Witches have to hold it down. It is our job to lead the way, to teach others how light comes from darkness and to hold onto our beliefs and our beloveds until the walls fall down around us.

Photography By  Photo credit: Maimouna Guerresi

THE HOODWITCH: WITCH TIPS & WEEKLY HHOROSCOPES 8/2-8/2017

Lunar Eclipse 

Written By Jessica Lanyadoo

WITCH TIPS:

Get ready for the feels!

On the 4th, we have another direct hit to the square between "now-or-never" Jupiter to "heal-it-or-fully-destroy-it" Pluto. There are far-reaching social and political implications of this event, but in terms of your personal life, know this: what you do matters. How you pace out the events of your life, what you take on, and what or who you let go of are terribly important now. Believe this: you are a unique thread in the tapestry of humanity, and you count.

You know how intensely you’ve been feeling lately? Blame it on the Moon, baby. On the 7th, we have a Lunar Eclipse (which is like a super-juiced Full Moon with the volume turned all the way up) at 11:11am PST in the forward-thinking sign of Aquarius. You may feel irritable or on edge, and that’s OK; this is a time for transformation and time of healing – not for peace and stability. You’re not meant to maintain the status quo at this time of your life, unless doing so is heartfelt for you. This is a time where what you believe in is getting activated; you may feel a restless need to push things ahead to get answers, power, or to get away from something you don’t like. It’s best to be careful, Puppies. This is an explosive period, one that will have ramifications for a long time to come. Hold your ego in balance with your higher self, and keep your humanity at the center of your processing at all times. You can’t take back the things you do or say once they’re out there; pace yourself through your emotions and your reactions this week, especially when you’re tempted to run with them. When in doubt, wait 72 hours to allow your reactions and feels to settle.

When you’re dealing with heartfelt issues, it’s hard to see your whole situation clearly. How we feel tints our perspective and, therefore, our experience. That’s not good or bad, but it is something to keep in perspective. When upsets occur – even wonderful upsets – it’s easy to lose sight of the big picture and fixate on your strongest, most persistent feelings. The trouble with this is that our most powerful feels are not necessarily the most true or constructive ones. When feels flare up this week (and that they will), choose self-care over self-sabotage at every turn.

XO

ARIES

March 21-April 19

You’re ready to examine the role that fear plays in your life. The Lunar Eclipse on the 7th is going to bring with it so many feels that you may hit a bit of a wall. Take pro-active steps to manage sustainable self-care. Make space for movement, the arts (Instagram counts!), and whatever else gives you some much-needed strength and perspective. Everything you do is an act of creation; build yourself into the person you want to be, Aries.

­TAURUS

April 20-May 20

It’s time to confront the conditions in your life that don’t reflect your values, Taurus. Tensions are running fast and hot this week, so here’s a Pro Tip for managing it like a boss: if you don’t like the game, don’t play. Don’t get so caught up trying to defend your choices that you miss out on knowing your own sweet self. Have enough self-love that you know what your needs and limits are, and enlist the strength of character to honor them, even when it’s hard, my love.

GEMINI

May 21-June 21

You always have a choice, Gemini. The trick is to see it and to be brave enough to make the right one for you. This week’s Full Moon intensity will trigger feelings of scarcity that have been motivating you to live smaller than you need to. Not everything that feels good is good for you, and not all pain is a sign that something is wrong. Be willing to confront your feelings, even if they’re painful or scary; growth will happen by going through the complexities of your heart, not by finding a way to work around them.

CANCER

June 22-July 22

Your ruling planet is full this week and pulling us all along for an emo ride. What you feel is both an extension of your inner world and also a reaction to the past, your current conditions, and the people around you. It’s a lot. Do the work of sitting with your feels to better understand where they’re pointing you, Moonchild. It’s Eclipse Season, and you are meant to be changed; bring clarity to your emotions to make sure that you’re moving in the direction you want to be.

LEO

July 23-Aug. 22

How you relate to anger is up for you, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself agitated or compelled to stand up for something you believe in this week. It’s of the utmost importance that you believe in yourself while not getting caught up in proving it to others. Your ego is running a mild temperature, and if you’re not careful, you’ll trigger conflicts by acting hot under the collar. Find creative ways of experiencing the powerful and driving feels that you have, my love.

VIRGO

Aug. 23-Sept. 22

The Lunar Eclipse is ushering in a time for evaluating how you live. Whether your job, your health, or your general day-to-day habits need revaluation, the task is the same: make sure that you believe in what you’re praying to. Ritual and repetitive behavior are like prayer in action, and if you’re pouring your continued attention, time, and effort into conditions you don’t believe in and want, that’s pretty serious. This is an excellent time for facing the truth and making big changes based on what you learn, Virgo.

LIBRA

Sept. 23-Oct. 22

When you feel low and down on yourself, it’s hard to believe that things will improve. It’s possible that your feelings may be more dramatic than your circumstances are and that’s OK, but it’s important to know the difference because they require different tools. Consider the bigger picture, Libra. Don’t get so caught up by what’s immediately in front of you that you miss out on what you can get from it. A shift in perspective is what you need for a lightening of your spirit, my love.

SCORPIO

Oct. 23-Nov. 21

It’s time to let go. You’ve been dealing with so much lately as the energy has been building to August’s two Eclipses. This is meant to be a time when you confront your innermost self, while being kind to whatever you find. You may have to let go of some people, things, or situations that you know aren’t working for you – don’t resist it. You must change in order to grow into the version of yourself that you’re trying to be; don’t hold yourself back, Scorpio.

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 22-Dec. 21

Change or be changed ‘cause keeping things the same is not one of your options! This week’s Eclipse is going to shake up your attitudes and friendships, which can be awesome if it’s not very dramatic. Your job is to look within, ‘Tarius. There’s a jumble of fear and hope within you, and you can make either one grow by giving it the right amount of attention. If you don’t know what’s coming next, you might as well choose to bring about the best, my love.

CAPRICORN

Dec. 22-Jan. 19

What you believe in is on the line. This is the time to make sure that you are acting in ways that reflect what you value, even if that means making some pretty meaningful changes. This theme may play itself out in any area of your life, but watch out for your finances in particular. The value you place on money – what you’re willing to do to get it and keep it – is meant to be under inspection. Success is not a destination, Cappy. It’s a feeling, and feels ebb and flow. Get right with yourself this week.

AQUARIUS

Jan. 20-Feb. 18

This week’s Lunar Eclipse in your sign is the thing to look out for. You’re coming to the end of a deep and meaningful cycle, and it’s gonna require all of your attention. The only problem is that you may find yourself feeling agitated and out of sorts. Explore your reactions instead of taking them at face value, Aquarius. What you’re going through is important, but the way you go through it will be defining. How you rise to the occasion is a reflection of your emotional maturity. Act in ways that reflect your integrity, not your situation.

PISCES

Feb. 19-March 20

Having a strong imagination is awesome, but when it goes rogue on you, you’re in trouble, my love. Don’t let your mind get carried away with stories that you have no evidence to back up, no matter how real they feel. Things are not set in stone, and people are inconsistent and weird. None of that has anything to do with you! Allow matters to develop and people to be mysterious, and focus on being the most creative and kind version of yourself that you know how to be.

Witchcraft as Devotion: A Closer Look at the Practices and Principles of Witchcraft in the Modern Age

Photography by Mo www.phobymo.com

Written By Jaliessa Sipress

With Vogue magazine hailing our time as a “witchy renaissance,” it is safe to say that witchcraft is on the rise.* But, what is witchcraft? What is it really for? Is it all just spells to get rich and make people fall in love with you? Is it about worshiping he who not be named and learning how to pronounce wingardium leviosa? For some, it is all of these things and for others, none. A witch can mean many things and can come in many forms, and much of it's popularity seems to stem from that. While witchcraft and wizardry has gained wild popularity for it's reclamation of power and perceived formlessness, what should not be forgotten is that being a witch is less about the fact that one has “power” and more about acknowledging where that power comes from.

Witchcraft is a work of gratitude. It comes from the practice of honoring the people, land and animals that came before you, that coexist with you now and that have yet to arrive. Witchcraft is the work of the wise because it is the everyday practice of those who are humbled by the world around them. Witches find meaning in the mundane and see the magic in weeds growing through cracks in the sidewalk or a shed feather of a dirty bird. Witches are rememberers, mourners and healers because they have reconciled with the cycles of life and realized what is and is not in human hands. Witchcraft is about gratitude and alignment, treading lightly and respectfully and only taking what you need. We must remember that witchcraft is less about control and more about connection. A connection to our own divinity, but also an understanding of the limitations of it.

A witch’s power is in their ability to adapt, working with the natural cycles of the earth to bring about abundance, clarity and direction. It is not about manipulation or having complete control. Witchcraft is about surrendering. It is the knowledge that most things are out of our hands but continuing to work with our surroundings to help swing things in our favor. It is the act of bowing to the elements and submitting to their power that makes a spell stick. Witchcraft is a labor of love and intention. Spells work because they are an act of communion with the powers beyond us, acknowledging our need for help, and partaking in a mutual relationship with things we cannot measure. It is about giving without the expectation of receiving.

Photography by Gregory Halpern

To practice magick is to be in attunement with a sensitive and dying world and being interested in working with, fighting for and healing with it. Yes, witches cast spells and ask the universe for guidance. This is because they are interested in being led, in asking for help when in need and respecting that whatever shall come, will come. Sometimes spellwork is feeding late Aunt Mable’s altar or lighting a “road opener” candle for weeks until anything finally sets into motion. Sometimes it is the humbling act of continually asking and never receiving because it is not what the universe wants for you. It can sometimes mean waiting, worrying, re-configuring and waiting again. But all of the waiting and worrying is worth it because the craft is about finding understanding in failed spells and magical mishaps. It is about finding true love for yourself and the world around you and being in communion with the gifts that come from that. It is about faith.

Witchcraft is a fun, freeing, beautiful and impassioned practice, and we must acknowledge that our ability to experience it as such is rooted in the magnetic force of offering. Offering our power, offering our light, offering our darkness, offering our strength, offering our material and immaterial gifts, our dedication and our relationship to the deities and beings that guide us. Staying in a state of gratitude and giving helps to attract the exact blessings you are grateful for. Your love and power are precious tools. Use them to uplift, remember and protect and they shall never go to waste.

THE HOODWITCH: WITCH TIPS & HOROSCOPES 7.26-.8-1-2017

Written by Jessica Lanyadoo

WITCH TIPS

This week kicks off with agro Mars and self-centered Sun sitting on top of each other, and the results may be irritating. Expect tensions and tempers to be running high from the 25th-27th. This transit will give you a boost to get things done or take risks, but it may also make you feel mad and quick to lash out. Watch your ego so you don’t take things personally that have nothing to do with you. If you need to shout “Serenity Now” into a pillow to keep from acting out, do it. Strive to get things done, not tear them down, especially on the 26th and 27th.

The big deal right now is the build up of lunar vibes as we near the Eclipses – a Lunar Eclipse in Aquarius on the August 7th and a Lunar Eclipse in Leo on the 21st. The Moon is a watery planet, and the issues that come from it relate to the interconnectedness of all things; how we feel, and the patterns at play in our lives are set off by Lunar events, and August is bringing up all of it.

Expect your feelings to be extra in the coming days and weeks. The tension of Leo and Aquarius is much about attention versus intention. If you know who you are and what you intend to do, attention is icing on your cake – not the cake itself. When you don’t really know who you are, or you don't know your own value, it’s easy to seek validation from outside sources. Align yourself with what you value – not just with what will get you external validation. Don't worry so much about what anyone else thinks of you! Get in balance with yourself by learning from your own patterns and honoring your own feels. This is easy to say but hard to do, to be sure, but it’s well worth the effort. You’ve got to feel it to heal it, so follow your feels down the rabbit hole, lovers.

ARIES

March 21-April 19

Instead of second-guessing yourself, it’s time to take action. This week you will have to weigh other people’s opinions against your own and make a choice; typically this may not be too hard, but these are not typical times. Keep your eyes on the prize, Aries. If you stay connected to your vision for your future, it will be easier to parse out what’s good for you versus what’s good on paper. Seek to create a joyful path, even if you have to diverge from others to walk it.

TAURUS

April 20-May 20

Change can be uncomfortable and hard, even when it’s change for the better. You’re going in the right direction, Taurus, but it’s likely to feel all kinds of intense this week. Instead of looking outside of yourself for answers, it’s time to return to a little place called me. Align yourself with your own motivations so that you can feel good about yourself, on your own terms. You can’t have both arms open wide to the future if you’re still clutching your past, my love.

GEMINI

May 21-June 21

While you for sure need things to change, if you don’t do some work of your own, things simply won’t flow. This week you’re going to be feeling restless, but if we’re being totally honest – a little impulsive. Take your desire for expansion, and get real about what it’s comprised of. If you’re just trying to get away from the results of your own patterns at play, you might as well stop right there. Cultivate clarity about what you want, but also what you’re willing to do to make it happen, Twin Star.

CANCER

June 22-July 22

It takes great effort to get still enough to truly hear your inner voice. Just because a labor looks passive doesn’t make it easy, and it certainly doesn’t make it less useful. This week your work is to tolerate your worries without running away from them or making them bigger than they need to be. It’s tempting to do anything but feel bad feels, but it’s a mistake. Don’t abandon yourself, Moonchild. Peace is not happiness; it’s being able to experience quiet amidst the chatter.

LEO

July 23-Aug. 22

On your bad days, the path between your ego and your center of strength is paved with vanity. You are fierce and capable, but sometimes the way that you want things to be is so compelling that you try to force it. This week you’re in a difficult spot; your heart may tell you to push it, but your head (begrudgingly) knows better. Take some time to reflect on which of your choices have brought you to this place. Understand and ultimately transform your motives, Leo.

VIRGO

Aug. 23-Sept. 22

When you feel overwhelmed or upset about something, it’s easy to jump to conclusions and act out without even realizing it. Don’t use logic as a way to distance yourself from your difficult feelings, Virgo. Your relationships may be in a confusing place, but that doesn’t mean the very worst. The only way to take proper responsibility for yourself is by first being able to know where you’re at by exploring your feelings without judgment. It’s OK to find that you’re wrong; own it and carry on.

LIBRA

Sept. 23-Oct. 22

There are highs and lows in life, and you’ll feel like a human yoyo if you allow either of them to define you. It’s time to invest in your faith – whether it’s faith in a Higher Power, in the bigger picture, or in your own durn self. If you keep on telling yourself that the sky is falling, then it almost doesn’t even matter if it does or not – either way, you’ll end up trying to run away from calamity. Align yourself with the positive potential inherent in all things this week, Libra.

SCORPIO

Oct. 23-Nov. 21

You’re not ready to let go, but holding on isn’t working either. Instead of attaching yourself to what you (think) you want, go bigger, Scorpio. Invest in the conditions that you believe will make you happy instead of the outcomes. The answers are hard to find, but the path is right here, right now. Don’t seek the answer; seek the path, and let the answers find you. I know it sounds abstract, but all you really need is patience and a commitment to living in integrity with yourself.

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 22-Dec. 21

You’re ready! The problem is that you keep on coming up with new ideas, taking on new strategies, and finding new truths to inspire you, and it’s exhausting. This week you’re likely to enjoy breakthroughs or get stalled by breakdowns. To be honest, they’re kinda equal; you need a break, and if you don’t take it yourself, your hand may be forced. If you feel the need for a pause, don’t pressure yourself to push past it. Insight and growth often come in silent moments, ‘Tarius.

CAPRICORN

Dec. 22-Jan. 19

It’s time to trust in yourself, Cappy. You can’t know if you’re going to be successful, safe, or happy, but you have to chose to trust in yourself or to make changes. This week, your uncertainties are wrapped in fear of failure and dipped in a desire to hide. Don’t seek solutions, seek your inner self. Find your center of strength and decide to act from that place, even if you have to fake it ‘till you make it. Fear is not intuition, and it’s not more reliable than faith.

AQUARIUS

Jan. 20-Feb. 18

In the immortal words of Axel Rose “all you need is a little patience.” This week you’re on call to protect the things you care about most by giving them their proper weight and forethought, Aquarius. Things are moving very quickly in the emo realm, and it would be a huge shame if you were to blow past them and miss out on your own heartfelt experience. You’ve got decisions to make, and it’s in your best interest for them to be heartfelt, even if that means moving through some uncomfortable terrain.

PISCES

Feb. 19-March 20

With the two upcoming Eclipses, it’s extra emo out there; everyone is overwhelmed by emotion, but for you it’s just a day in the life, Pisces. If you can keep up with your commitments this week, you’ll be doing fine. The trick is to take your problems and inhibitions, and find a way to convert them into growth experiences. Don’t worry over what you don’t have – investigate the potential you can develop. Sometimes a change in perspective changes everything.

THE HOODWITCH: WITCH TIPS & HOROSCOPES 7/19-25/2017

Artwork by Pierre Kiandjan

Written By Jessica Lanyadoo

Witch Tips

The Sun and Mars enter playful Leo early this week, and that means that it’s time to let the light in, lovelies! Before that solar shift happens, we have one more kick in the pants from the Sun in Cancer though; watch out from the 19th-21st as the planet that governs our sense of self forms a challenging Square to disruptive Uranus. This transit will bring about sudden changes, upsetting conditions, and unexpected shifts in power. This is a great time for exploration and creating reform but a terrible one for making things more secure. Be open to learning something that you didn’t think was true, and keep your gossiping to a minimum as it’s likely to come back to haunt you.

These days can also trigger restless anxiety, so make sure that when you’re feeling nervous, you try to get grounded and breathe into the present moment as much as possible. My two favorite anti-anxiety Witch supplies are lavender for the nervous system and amethyst for protection and calming the mind.

Amethyst & Lavender are both available HERE

The big news this week happens on the 23rd with the New Moon at 2:46 am PST. This New Moon in Leo is the first of two New Moons in the sign of play and creativity this summer – the second one will be the Great American Eclipse on August 23rd. It’s rare to have two New Moons in the same sign – we usually only get one per year. Trust that whatever comes up now will be extra meaningful and  intense. None of this is made more chill by the fact that passionate Mars is sitting pretty much on top of this Moon. Be open to learning about your ego, lovers. Leo can be self-involved and arrogant, and the Moon has a hard time seeing other people’s experiences when it gets too emo. How you assert yourself, how you evaluate your own or others' merits, what you feel entitled to take, or the priority you place on getting yours is likely to be staring you straight in the face this week. Instead of devolving into defensiveness, embrace the fullness of what you are and how you do! Embrace the work of directing yourself where you want to go, even if it seems like it’ll be a lot of work.

TBH the Universe has got you in a corner because from the 23rd-25th compromising Venus will be opposite rigid Saturn. This will further the need for you to make sure that that your actions are an accurate reflection of your values. Saturn can make you feel lonely and hyper-critical of your looks, your relationships, and how you come across to others. Your best course of action is to get aligned with yourself and not worry so much about what others do or don’t think about you.

ARIES

March 21-April 19

What you want and what’s in your best interest are not always the same thing, my love. This week your impulses will be zinging, and it would be easy to jump to conclusions and get deeply invested in something that you don’t yet fully understand. Instead of looking outside of yourself for answers, practice checking in with what’s underneath your feels, Aries. By better understanding your impulses, you can make better, more effective choices.

­TAURUS

April 20-May 20

This is it, Taurus. You’re in a powerful state of manifestation, and that’s either going to be a very good or a very bad thing for you this week. Where your emotions are fixated is where you’ll see results, so get real about what you’re resonating with. If you’re on a diet and eating healthily but focused on how much you hate your body as it is, you’re likely to manifest more of your pain. Get your feels and your thoughts on the same page, my love.

GEMINI

May 21-June 21

What you value is not a theoretical thing – it’s reflected in your actions on the daily. This week is likely to bring about an encounter with your choices that crystallizes a reality you’ve been avoiding, Twin Star. Instead of defending your behavior or justifying your right to do as you please, first make sure that you mean it. This is an excellent time to face facts and redirect your life. Confront the truth; you’ll be better for it, I promise.

CANCER

June 22-July 22

It’s essential that you’re honest, Moonchild. You don’t need to fix anyone’s feels, you just have to show up. Be honest with yourself about what you’re feeling and why. Then you’ve got to share that truth with the people you trust. You’re not right or wrong, good or bad – you’re a complex and layered person. It’s OK if things are messy and you have contradicting feels. Own your perspective because the truth is true, whether you want it to be or not, my love.

LEO

July 23-Aug. 22

On July 23rd, we have a New Moon in your sign, and it’s related to the upcoming New Moon in Leo, also known as the Great American Eclipse on 8/21. (You usually only get one New Moon in your sign per year!) This is not the time for messing around, Leo; this is a special time in history, and a meaningful time for you, personally. How you show up and who you chose to be are extra crucial because of this unusual lunar activity. If you allow yourself to be emotionally present, you will discover profound heartfelt truths.

VIRGO

Aug. 23-Sept. 22

As the world around you changes, you must change too. This week isn’t meant to be stable, it’s meant to be a time of expansion. Maintain your self-care without attachments, Virgo. what I mean to say is that you shouldn’t try to direct the flow of your life this week because new data is coming in that will help you change or expand your perspectives. You can’t benefit from this if you’re not open to seeing things differently though. Open your heart and your mind, Virgo.

LIBRA

Sept. 23-Oct. 22

Things are gonna come at you real fast this week, so now’s the time to address your ambiguities, Libra. If you don’t know what you want, you may buy into a plan that is great – just not great for you. Cultivate the kind of self-reference that supports you in knowing the difference between a crush on a person or situation versus a crush on their crush on you. All that glitters is not gold, my friend. Use your discretion, and don’t be scared of saying no this week.

SCORPIO

Oct. 23-Nov. 21

Instead of seeking to avoid problems, embrace them, Scorpio. This is an excellent time to get things done that you’ve long been putting off. This may not be an easy week, but it doesn’t have to be bad either. Identify the material limitations you’ve been feeling blocked by, and write a three point plan of what you can begin to do to tackle them. You don’t need to fix anything, but you should set your sites on proactive steps to improve your life this week.

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 22-Dec. 21

Feeling lonely is the pits. It’s a restless place to be, but in truth it’s important to be able to take a step back from people and really be with yourself. This week you may feel a bit off when it comes to your relationships, but there’s a big picture reason for it; you need you. If you’ve become caught up in other people’s opinions, you’re likely to have lost track of your own. Reconnect with your inner world without needing to get attention to validate your efforts, my love.

CAPRICORN

Dec. 22-Jan. 19

Things aren’t supposed to stay the same, Cappy. You are meant to change and grow, and as you do, you’re inevitably going to outgrow some things that you’ve come to rely on. This week may be challenging because you’re on call to do things differently and you only theoretically wanna. Allow space for your heart to drag behind your head if you need to; just don’t leave it in the dust.

AQUARIUS

Jan. 20-Feb. 18

The New Moon on the 23rd in your relationship house is an important moment for everyone, but you’re likely to feel it in an extra sort of way. This week your relationships will come into focus for you, so ready or not, it’s time to cope. Who you chose to invest your energy in and what you consent to participating in are on you. Be the friend, partner, child, or neighbor that you want to be, even if it takes bringing greater intention into all of your interactions this week.

PISCES

Feb. 19-March 20

At the end of the day you need to like yourself. It’s really easy to get caught up in what you think others want, or your projections into what others think about you, or what’s even possible for you to do based on other’s opinions. But it’s all a fool’s errand. Make sure you believe in the direction of your life, be damned what anyone else says. Commit your actions in the direction you need to so that you like the person you are in the here and now, Pisces.

How Witches Deal With Negativity

Written By Michael Cardenas

 Gossip, envy, jealousy, ill intentions, and hatred all come from a place of fear and deep insecurity. People project these inner demons onto us when they become triggered by seeing someone do what they want to be doing. The only remedy to that is for them to stop comparing their journey and get to work! Create your own lane and there will be no competition. Until people come to this realization we are left with the projections. These are low vibrational frequencies that can drain you of your vitality and spiritually block you from reaching your goals.  You do not need this in your life. If you are experiencing this type of negativity in your life, DO NOT ENGAGE. The more that you feed into it, the bigger it gets.  Five things can energetically remedy the situation: Space Clearing, Flip the Energy, Spiritual Cleansing, Cleanse the Gossip, and Boundaries. Turn off your phone for an hour. Disconnect, ground, and remember who the fuck you are. You are boundless light and magic. Happiness and prosperity are your natural state of being. You are divinity in human form. You are an ancient soul returning to this world to accomplish amazing things. Now take three deep breaths in through your nose, exhale through your mouth, and get to work.

Space Clearing

Photo by Bri Luna

 You will need:

Sage

Florida Water

Clear the clutter. Clutter is bad for you on a mental, emotional, and spiritual level so clean it up and make some space in your life for positive energy to flow through. Physically cleaning and clearing your space is vital before engaging in any spiritual work. To energetically clear the space, open all the doors and windows, put on some music that makes you feel empowered, and burn some sage walking around the house in a counterclockwise direction (banish negativity). Next spray every room in the house with Florida Water walking in a clockwise direction (invoke positive energy). Lastly visualize an electric blue light filling the entire space and surrounding the outside of your home for psychic protection on all levels. It is done.

Flip the Energy

If things are moving in a negative direction it’s time to address the issue and change the course of energy. I’m a firm believer in the power of positive thinking but I’m also a believer in handling it! Address the issue and then move forward in a positive direction. I personally do this every month for preventative maintenance but you can use this as needed. I like to give this to clients that I am performing Reversal, Uncrossing, and Tapa Boca spell work for.

Photo By Michael Cardenas

You will need:

Glass of water

White plate

Sea Salt

Photo by Michael Cardenas 

Take the glass and fill it with water, and add nine pinches of sea salt. Adding salt to water makes it a better conduit of energy and it purifies negativity. Next speak into the salt water and tell it exactly what you need it to do. Water is highly intelligent and the most receptive of the metaphysical elements. For example, I would say: “Cleanse of me envy, jealousy, gossip, and ill intentions. I reverse this energy so that my life may got back into alignment with blessings, prosperity, love, and happiness.” Speak from your heart and state your honest intentions. When complete take the plate and place it on top of the glass. Firmly hold the glass and plate together, and flip the glass and plate over. This is best done over a sink or bathtub. Place it near your front door or in your bedroom. After 3, 7, or 9 days (use your intuition to determine the number of days) flip the cup and plate back over and flush the water down the toilet. Wash the glass and plate with white vinegar, soap, and water. Save them for future workings. It is done.

Spiritual Cleansing

It’s important to spiritually cleanse yourself often, especially if you’re sensitive to energy.  This is one of my favorite baths to make when I feel like I need a cleansing. It’s an old school one taught to me by my grandmother. Simple and powerful.

You will need:

3 cups of white rice

a gallon of warm water

Florida Water

Cascarilla (optional but recommended)

Soak the rice in warm water for 5 minutes making sure to stir it well so it gets super cloudy. Strain the rice and keep the water. You can cook the rice and use it as an offering to your ancestors of favorite deity. In a large container pour in the rice water, some powdered cascarilla, and a good splash of Florida Water. Hold your hands over the bowl and visualize a brilliant white light infusing the water.

Take your regular shower and when complete pour the rice water mixture over yourself from the neck down, making sure to get the back of your neck especially.

Do not rinse off. Pat dry and wear some white or light colored to sleep. Do this anytime you intuitively feel your energy is off.

Clear the Gossip

1 piece of Alum Stone a.k.a. Alumbre

Self-igniting charcoal

photo by Michael Cardenas

Alum Stone or Alumbre is actually a mineral similar to salt that will eventually dissolves in water. It is used to cleanse yourself of gossip and to illuminate your energy field with light and progress. Light a charcoal tablet and place it in a heat safe container. Let it heat up until bright red. Take the stone and cleanse yourself with it from top to bottom gentle rubbing the stone on yourself and paying special attention to the back of your neck. When complete set the stone on the charcoal and let it burn until the charcoal goes out. As this is happening it is burning off the gossip from within, through, and around you. When it is finished burning it will show you signs of who, what, when, where, and how. Let everything cool down completely and take the melted Alum from the heat proof container and examine it. Use your intuition to interpret the shape and images. Write this information down and get rid of the stone by either burying it beneath a tree or tossing it into a crossroads. *You can also use the cup flipping technique for this just use a piece of alum stone in addition to the sea salt.

Set Boundaries

You can use the following crystals to set strong boundaries. Sit or lay down to connect with them. Intuitively feel their energy and communicate with them through your thoughts. Wear them, hold them, or place them around your home to access their energy. Make sure to cleanse them after any heavy sessions and every New Moon.

Black Obsidian: warrior like protection, psychic boundaries, and deep grounding

Black Tourmaline: anti-negativity, psychic protection, and transmutes negativity into positive energy. Protective stones are Available HERE