THE HOODWITCH HOROSCOPES: 5.23-29.2018

Written by Jessica Lanyadoo

Witch Tips

How you participate in the world at large and the world within is a matter of choice. Life moves fast and it can feel like it’s happening to you, but the truth is that life is more of a democracy than a dictatorship. You have choice within your circumstances. There is of course due process to be observed, but with vision, effort, and patience, much can be achieved. 

There’s a great deal happening in the stars this week, but here’s the upshot for you: it’s time to honor your heart. In the most simplistic terms, life can be distilled down to two things – fear and love. It's easy to say always choose love, but in reality, it isn't always easy to do. There are times when heeding your fears is an act of love. There are times when acting from a place of love means choosing pain, or loss, or personal hardship. Life is not black and white, and the “right thing” is not always a fixed point. The expansive Jupiter trine to empathetic Neptune is exact on the 25th. It may be easy to rest on your laurels and confuse intent for action, but this would be a missed opportunity. Prioritize generosity and empathy in your actions and your choices, and not just philosophically. Humanity is going through a period of great duress. Every choice you make matters, including the choice to do nothing, say nothing, or feel less. On the same day, the Venus opposition to Saturn will be exact, marking this as a time for making material choices. Who you value and the ways you protect them are on the line, lovers. Choose to invest in and protect a relationship that’s outlived it’s purpose, and you’ll find that you still feel anxious or off. This is the time to confront the realities that you find yourself in, not just in your personal life but within the larger communities that you are connected to. 

The Moon is full in inspiring Sagittarius at 6:19amPST on May 29th. What you believe in is on the line now, and this Full Moon is a chance for you to focus on the big picture. The risk here is that you'll weave a story about your life that justifies your feels instead of exploring 

your feels in efforts to understand the true story. It’s important that you listen to what others are telling you about themselves – not just in their words but also with their actions – and accept what you are shown, even if you're compelled to try and change things. Acceptance is a foundational step. In order to properly address something, you must first understand it. This is the time to confront the truth and to mobilize from that place. 

There is no one meant to save or heal you – seek inspiration and guidance instead of fixes, lovers. You are the one, and the time is now. 

ARIES 

March 21-April 19 

Having fun is nice, bit have you tried prioritizing true happiness? This week is all about the difference between pleasure and joy. One is fleeting, while the other lasts. One fills your cup to the top, while the other flows through the pipes of your house. Don’t be so quick to feel nice that you miss out on opportunities to feel fantastic, Aries. The easiest route may not be the best one; invest in what will improve your whole life and not just this moment. 

TAURUS 

April 20-May 20 

If you’ve taken on too much or overindulged lately, you’re going to have to take the first half of this week to recuperate. Use your body as the resource that it’s meant to be, and work it out. Exercise, dance, take long walks, or try to get yourself into nature. Take care of your physical self, as it’s your home and meant to be your BFF. You don’t have to be perfectly healthy or even well adjusted; all you need to do is to treat yourself with care and love, Taurus. 

GEMINI 

May 21-June 21 

If you have extra to give, it will make you feel better to share, Twin Star. This week is all about the expansion you get through service. The Full Moon in your relationship house is pulling you out of your head and into the world of interconnectedness. Make yourself available to others who need you, and you’ll find that you have more to give. The trick is to only offer what you can give with an open heart; anything more and you do a disservice to yourself and others. 

CANCER 

June 22-July 22 

Prioritize healing small wounds this week. Full Moons are always a little extra for you, and this week your ruling planet invites us all to shed the past. It’s time to take care of yourself, Moonchild. If you’re tired, rest. If you’re hungry, nourish yourself. If you’re lonely, reach out to people who are emotionally available and kind, even if only to share a smile. All you can control are your choices, so make the most empathetic and productive ones you can, my love. 

LEO 

July 23-Aug. 22 

It can be hard to sit alone with yourself, but it’s truly important. This week is likely to test your relationship with yourself, and the best way to face it is with compassion. This means that you run the risk of shutting down or disassociating in the face of stresses. It’s time to step up and do your best in the face of your less than ideal qualities. You don’t need to be perfect, you only have to try. Work to become the best version of yourself you can be today, one good choice at a time. 

VIRGO 

Aug. 23-Sept. 22 

It’s time to make a change, Virgo. Regardless of what anyone else is or isn’t doing, this week is all about what you need to do in order to be right with you. The Full Moon brings with it the risk of getting caught up in projections that based on feelings you don’t know what to do with or don’t truly know how to interpret. These feelings aren't 

the same as the truth. Remember that you want to be happy, and make sure that your actions reflect that drive, my love. 

LIBRA 

Sept. 23-Oct. 22 

You can react to the upsets in front of you and get caught up in interpersonal dramas but to what end, Libra? It’s time to get emotional. Sit with your feelings so you can understand what’s happening within you and really take care of your heart. You get to have a different version of shared events because your perspective is your own. Seek independence by validating your own experience instead of waiting for anyone else to do it for you. 

SCORPIO 

Oct. 23-Nov. 21 

There’s no amount of proof you can compile to change your view of yourself without doing emotional work alongside it. This week you may be confronted with some things that you’d rather not see, but it’s time to stop playing games and honor the truth. You’re strong, and you’re capable, Scorpio. You can move mountains if you decide you want to. It’s time to make the decision to start doing what you know deep inside that you need to do. 

SAGITTARIUS 

Nov. 22-Dec. 21 

The Full Moon in your sign on he the 29th is your time to own up, Sagittarius. You know what you’ve been struggling to accept and just can’t. It’s time to let go. Sometimes the things you want or the people you love are at cross-purposes with what’s whole and true for you. You don’t have to manage the whole world, you just have to do what’s right for you in the best way you know how. 

CAPRICORN 

Dec. 22-Jan. 19 

Fear is a trickster. When it’s not instructive, it’s destructive. How you react to what you fear is an important reflection of your 

relationship to those feelings, not just to the content of your concerns. This week is all about the delicate balance between what was, what is, and what you intend to create. Your power lies in not letting your emotions usurp your plans, Capricorn. If you’re going to make changes, make sure they’re thought-out and intentional. 

AQUARIUS 

Jan. 20-Feb. 18 

You have so much, Aquarius. It would be a shame to focus on what you don’t have, but that’s exactly what you’ve been doing. Yes, there are things you want, but if desiring them inspires you to feel more aligned with scarcity than it does with fertility, then you're missing out. Be where you’re at, and try to honor the goodness of this moment. Finding joy in imperfect circumstances while still moving forward is a skill that has no downside, my love. 

PISCES 

Feb. 19-March 20 

When you get don’t believe that you have a right to something, it’s easy to get defensive. The trouble is that when you act overly sensitive, you do a disservice to what you rightfully deserve. This week will challenge your sense of entitlement. Too much and you believe that your feelings matter more than those of others. Not enough and you think that yours matter less. Seek to strike balance, Pisces.

THE HOODWITCH: WITCHTIPS AND HOROSCOPES 01.17-23.2018

Written by Jessica Lanyadoo

 

Witch Tips

As we take a step into weird and wonderful Aquarius Season (both the Sun and Venus enter air sign Aquarius this week), the thing to remember is this very moment. Aquarius is a sign that concerns us with the future, which is an excellent thing as long as you’re not avoiding the present. These vibes can get really theoretical; prioritizing ideals of humanity without all the messiness of dealing with actual humans is the downside of Aquarius. Make sure you aren’t weaving ideas about the world that you aren’t willing to test out in the world. This is an excellent time for collaboration for common goals; where Leo wants to shine all on her own, the light of Aquarius burns brightest when it falls on everyone. Aquarius season is a great time to investigate your beliefs by actually living them out. Connect with people you don’t usually meet with, and be open to difference. You don’t have to be in agreement with others in order to be on the same team. Explore the potential of your ego by deemphasizing it. Look outside of your personal concerns to explore the needs of your community, whatever that looks like for you.

The 23rd is day one of Mercury meeting Pluto in rigid Capricorn. This transit will last until the 25th, and it’s one to watch out for; Mercury governs your mind, friendships, and communication in general, while Pluto is compulsive, intense, and has serious abandonment issues. You may find that you’re caught up in an obsessive line of thought, feeling paranoid, or that your abandonment issues are extra sensitive, or you may have to deal with someone else who's going through it. This is a great time to seek insight and healing, but there are some pitfalls to avoid. If you find yourself seeking to blame yourself or others, you’re on the wrong track. Negative thinking will only lead to more negativity, so if you’re feeling really down and you can’t get up, seek neutral ground. This isn’t the time to try to control situations, feelings, or people; all you need to do is find the truth of your feelings about them, not to make them something different. Seek to improve the relationship you have with yourself today (and every day), my love.

ARIES

March 21-April 19

It’s important that you communicate, Aries. You’re likely to be stuck on some pretty frustrating feelings, and if you neglect to share what’s happening for you with others, they’re bound to take it personally. You don’t need to get into details or get too involved, but what you omit is communicating more than you might intend it to this week. Share yourself, even when it’s difficult. You may be surprised at the amount of support you have available to you, my love.

TAURUS

April 20-May 20

Letting go is hard to do, but it’s absolutely worth it. We move into Aquarius season this week, and this can be an uncomfortable time for you, Taurus. Don’t try to hold on tight in the face of change, but try not to abandon yourself when your feels get complicated either. Strive to find a way to flow with your circumstances by being kind to yourself, wherever you’re at in your process. You can for sure get where you want to go; just make sure that when you get there, you feel good in your own skin.

GEMINI

May 21-June 21

There are always more than two options, but when you’re blocked, it’s hardest to see that. You may be tempted to give up and walk away this week, but that’s not your best move. You need to pace yourself, creating balance between your obligations and your passions, your personal life and your goals. Don’t worry so much about the future; all you can make sure of is that you are acting in ways that support you and your life in the present moment, Twin Star.

CANCER

June 22-July 22

Don’t rush into the future so much that you abandon the present. Likewise, don't resist the truth of how things are because you wish they were different. Struggle against adversity, repression, and dead-end pathways, but don’t struggle against the truth, Moonchild. Acceptance is not consent; it’s awareness. Be present for how things are in the here and now so that you can act in the most constructive ways possible this week.

LEO

July 23-Aug. 22

Let’s talk about courage, Leo. According to Brene Brown, “Courage is a heart word. The root of the word courage is cor - the Latin word for heart. In one of its earliest forms, the word courage meant ‘To speak one's mind by telling all one's heart.’” Now is the time for you to act on the contents of your heart, even if your fears are telling you otherwise. Make choices that allow you to feel right in your own skin so that you can gracefully grow into the person you intend to be, my love.

VIRGO

Aug. 23-Sept. 22

There is no perfection, no immaculate idea, and no infallible plan. There’s just life, messy, complicated, unpredictable life. Instead of seeking someone or thing that can tell you all the answers, try to find willingness to just be where you’re at, Virgo. Being in the middle of things doesn’t mean that there’s no end in sight – only that you can’t see it yet. This is a bad time to drop connection to your vision to focus on obstacles. Stay aligned with your plans, and you’ll do great, this week.

LIBRA

Sept. 23-Oct. 22

When it all feels like too much, you don’t need to force yourself to put on a brave face, Libra. How you care for yourself is foundational to the options you see, the choices you make, and the attitudes you hold towards life in general. This is not a time to crumble in the face of adversity, but you don’t have to power through, either. Make adjustments that reflect the needs of your heart as well as your commitments. You don’t have to be anywhere but where you’re at, my love.

SCORPIO

Oct. 23-Nov. 21

Don’t be a bully, Scorpio. If you can’t be a good friend to yourself, you’re missing out on one of the greatest relationships of your life. Spend some time in a little place called me this week. Honor your gifts and hard work, show up with gratitude, and do it all without checking over your shoulder to see if something bad is coming for you. Handle fear and stress with the love and patience that you deserve; be the very friend you need this week, my love.

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 22-Dec. 21

This week is an excellent time for confronting problems, but if you’re not careful, you’ll create more by evading them. FOMO will get you if you let it, ‘Tarius. Beware of the impulse to add a bunch more stuff to your plate when what you really need to do is manage what you already have going on. If you get a chance to take on something new, make sure that it won’t come at the expense of what you’ve already initiated, even if that thing is a pain to deal with.

CAPRICORN

Dec. 22-Jan. 19

You’re so capable that you could easily create your fears and worst-case scenarios without breaking a sweat, Capricorn. Obsession and repetitive thought or action is pretty much like prayer; make sure that you’re not praying at the altar of your fears and investing your precious energy into what you don’t want. Avoid looking for how things are likely to go wrong. Commit to seeking the creative potential in your life, and you’re much more likely to find it.

AQUARIUS

Jan. 20-Feb. 18

Think of this week as your chance to work on integration, Aquarius. Your feelings can’t be ignored, but they shouldn’t overshadow your plans. If you’re struggling with indecision or acceptance, it’s time to clarify what you’re doing and why. If you slip into your scattered and reactive behavior, you’ll find yourself seeking validation in the eyes of others instead of yourself. The whole truth can’t hurt you – it’ll only help you to move on, my love.

PISCES

Feb. 19-March 20

You don’t need to convince anyone that what you’re doing is valid. You don’t need permission, and you don’t need an audience. All you need is you, Pisces. When you’re going through deep healing or meaningful change, loneliness and fear are a part of the process. It’s healthy and normal to feel bad, you just don’t want to make decisions from that place. Stay aligned with the truth of what you’re doing, no matter how compelling your distractions are this week.

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

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