Month: January 2022

In the Belly of Imbolc

A story by Calista Moon on .

Merry meet, my darlings! I hope this post finds you all ready for some real manifesting power! “Calista, whatever do you mean?” Well you see, since I put together that walk through of how I celebrate the Full Wolf Moon, I thought it might be nice to do a walkthrough of how I connect to the New Moon as well. It’s the perfect time for manifesting and opening yourself to opportunity and change. As I looked over my calendar, I realized that the next New Moon falls on February 1st, which also happens to be the Sabbat (or witch’s holiday) of Imbolc in the Northern Hemisphere! (In the Southern Hemisphere, our brothers and sisters are celebrating Lughnasadh right now.) That being the case, I think I’ll save the focus of manifesting at the New Moon for a post in March and focus on Imbolc’s parallel manifesting energies as we see the very first signs of spring’s return! As most of us know, research is the heart of witchcraft. What do we do for Imbolc? Why do we do that? Where did it start? What does it *mean*?  I don’t know nearly everything, but let me share the knowledge I do have!


Imbolc marks the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Historically, this was one of the hardest times of the year. It still is if you ask me. It’s bitterly cold, it’s still dark early in the evening, and before the technological boom, food reserves would start to run thin around this time of year. But there were signs that spring was on her way! Lambs and calves start being born around this time, making milk a plentiful dietary staple. Wild garlic starts poking it’s little leaves out through the cold dirt and snow. As one of the first flowers of the year, snowdrops start showing themselves and their elegant petals. The first stirrings of life are moving in the earth. This is what Imbolc means in Old Irish; in the belly. It’s a time of transition and starting fresh, as well as connecting to the feminine energy surrounding growth and creation. 


TRADITIONAL CELEBRATION
Now, the Irish people would recognize the signs of winter nearing its end and hold a festival to the goddess Brigid. Brigid is the goddess of fire and blacksmithing, fertility rites, poetry, springs and wells, and prophecy. She is said to be sister to the Fae and daughter of Dagda, the oldest of the Celtic pantheon known as the Tuatha de Dannan. She is often represented by sheep or lambs since they were the first signs of warmth to come. You see, Brigid being the goddess of fire and fertility was believed to both keep the hearth warm in the frigid, late winter months, and promised a strong crop to take root that year as long as she was properly paid tribute. So roughly 6 weeks after the Winter Solstice, the Imbolc celebration began. 


The people would engage in a kind of spring cleaning of their homes and fires would be stoked all over to invite back the warmth and light of the sun, as well as in tribute to the goddess. Some people would even use the fire to divine the coming year by channeling Brigid through fire scrying. They would feast on Colcannon, which is a mixture of greens, potatoes, and butter. They devoured apple cakes, tea, and barmbrack. Roughly translated from Old Irish barmbrack means, “speckled loaf” which makes sense once you know what it is. Barmbrack is a cinnamon flavored bread with raisins scattered throughout, and was served with fresh butter.  Fires and abundant feasting are the staples of a pagan celebration! In addition to these well-known methods, they would make little dolls or effigies of Brigid and lay them in baskets next to the hearth fire as a place for her to stay and watch over the home to make sure it remained warm.


Before the Catholic conversion, there was a tradition of using dried reeds to make “Brigid’s cross” to honor her presence and let her know she was welcome. This is still a practice done in Ireland, though it is now attributed to St. Brigid. After Christianity took Ireland by storm, the goddess was demoted to a saint and was given a human life story. Her life included extensive knowledge of agriculturally savvy techniques at a young age, and a close friendship with St. Patrick. One can safely assume this was done to make the transition from paganism to Christianity smoother, as is often historically done during forced religious conversions. However the annual fire festival in Ireland and the making of Brigid’s cross are still practiced today. They serve as small reminders of a time before, when humans were more tightly bound to the earth, her spirits, and her seasons.


MODERN CELEBRATION
Today, modern witches and pagans of the Celtic pantheon hold onto some of these traditions. We still love a good fire and feast, and connecting to the earth and the cycle of the seasons is something most witches can get behind. I like to light up every room in the house on February 1st at sundown to welcome back the sun and the earth from her winter rest. I’ll turn lights on in the rooms I don’t spend much time in, but the main rooms I inhabit, I’ll light candles in. I’ll clean off my altar and put out some sun symbols, citrine and sunstone, and maybe a few silk flowers. Red, white, and orange are colors associated with this time of year, so if you want to decorate your altar and home with those, as well, it’s a bright arrangement! Some people will make entire flower crowns for Brigid complete with greenery, ribbons, and candles! If you decide to do so, I would suggest keeping the Imbolc altar somewhere easily accessible if possible. That way you are reminded of the life and potential to come regularly. This reminder helps keep me on track to my goals.


I like to take some time to meditate on the awakening of the earth and align myself with my goals. Read over recent journaling and make sure I’m still on the path. This year I intend to write a poem about my goals and leave it on the altar for Brigid along with my pomegranate seedlings before making a big fire in the yard. This will be my first big fire now that I finally *have* a yard and I’ve very excited! Some people will spend their meditative time planning what to grow in their gardens in the coming year. Although, if you’re looking for a simpler way to celebrate, try going out for a hike in the evening and appreciate the lengthening days. If you want to connect to Brigid, maybe stop by a pond or well and leave an offering. Make a Brigid’s cross or a corn doll to leave on your hearth. I don’t personally have a hearth, but if I were to make a corn doll for her, I’d leave it in a basket by the stove. If you’re doing any specific manifestation workings this Sabbat, remember that cinnamon stick is a powerful abundance and prosperity tool, and green aventurine is wonderful for conjuring. 


There are so many ways to celebrate this exciting time of year. The air is brimming with potential! Especially with a new moon falling on this same day. Channel those manifesting energies, my darlings, and celebrate in a way that feels right for your practice! Blessed Imbolc to all of you!

The (Self) Love Game

A story by Calista Moon on .

What a busy week in the stars we have, darlings! Saturday marks the end of Venus retrograde through Capricorn, and I want to talk a little bit about what this means, as this was probably a rather emotional, if productive, time for all of us, regardless of if we follow the cosmos. 


The word retrograde tends to give us all a little shiver, and while the illusion of the planets moving in reverse can shift energy a little differently than we are familiar with, these times are generally very lucrative when we move in flow with them. In case anyone is unfamiliar, retrograde is a time when the planets appear to slow down and move in reverse. This is just a trick of perspective, but even so, it can have repercussions energetically for us to be moving in a seeming opposition to our galactic neighbors.

Venus went into retrograde on December 19th, 2021 and will be “moving forward” again starting on January 29th, 2022. Since Venus rules over beauty, values, money, love, and relationships (both platonic and romantic) this retrograde probably put you in your feels a bit. You might have noticed some delays and confusion in your relationships, finances, or creative endeavors that felt like more like red flags than setbacks. Luckily, Venus was moving through the sturdy earth sign, Capricorn. 


Instead of spinning in place through this retrograde, Capricorn’s hardworking and logical attitude encouraged us to focus on where we could put that energy to actualize solutions to these setbacks. Since this sign is ruled by the planet Saturn, perhaps you looked inward to notice that you need to learn to say ‘no’ and set better boundaries. Or maybe you already do this, but now have a clearer picture of what your actual limits are and can adjust your boundaries accordingly. This won’t always be met with happy attitudes, especially in relationships and finances, but Venus speaks to our self-care and self-love as well as our relationships with others. We can’t give from an empty cup! 


Hopefully you didn’t make any big decisions regarding Venus’ areas of impact, like breaking off an engagement or quitting your line of work out of the blue. This retrograde wanted you to withdraw and look inward. Reflect on your current relationships, financial endeavors, and creative projects, recognize problem areas, and revise how you’re approaching these areas of your life. We didn’t want to start new projects in this retrograde, but tend to those we already have underway. With the knowledge we’ve gained about ourselves and our partners (whether romantic, platonic, or professional), we can move forward with Venus on Saturday, an actionable plan in hand, and make noticeable progress in these areas. 


My advice is to use these last few days of Venusian retrograde to reflect on the last 6 weeks. Maybe journal on what has come up, how you’ve felt, or any new tactics you’re getting ready to employ to minimize emotional and financial speed bumps. Recognize the growth you’re making and how looking internally has helped you step out stronger and ready for what the stars have in store next! You might be surprised how much this retrograde touched you. That’s part of why I like looking at my life after these cosmic moments pass. 


Keep in mind, that we are also in the middle of a Mercurial Retrograde that started on January 14th. This means that technology, communication, and transport may all be areas where we’re feeling bogged down as well. In the technological age, I have only one piece of advice. Be patient, my darlings. Mercury will go direct just after Imbolc on February 3rd, and we can look forward to the rest of the year. Blessed be!

The High Priestess’ Inner Wisdom

A story by Calista Moon on .

It’s Tarot Tuesday again, my darlings! A day late, but still let’s jump in. Today we get into my stalker card. The High Priestess shows up in almost all of my readings, reminding me to trust my intuition, to lean into the veil between the worlds and listen. The third card in the Major Arcana, she connects us to the divine feminine energy in all of us. Yes, all of us. Masculine and feminine energy are in each of us, male, female, non-binary, what have you, and these energies beg for balance. But we’ll get more into those energies in the coming weeks. Today we focus on the divine connection to the universal consciousness.


Upright, the High Priestess represents spiritual enlightenment and divine knowledge. She is the teacher of sacred knowledge and hidden mysteries, the guardian of the subconscious. You have the opportunity to access the wisdom that resides deep within your soul now, as the veil between the conscious and subconscious is thin. The answers you’re searching for will come from within. Embrace your divine feminine energy and trust your intuition. Be proud of your ability to trust, and empathize. Now is the time to feel and create rather than think and destroy. She is here to teach you that the world is not always as it seems and more overarching influences are often at play. Tune into and trust yourself. 


When she appears reversed in your reading, she speaks to an imbalance, a disconnect from your intuition. You may be flooded by other people’s drama, or buried in their opinions, when in actuality, you need to be still and direct your focus inward. Pay attention to your own wisdom and do what is right for you. Quiet your fretting mind and clear your mental room of distraction so you may hear what your intuition is saying. Being the teacher of hidden mysteries, her reversal may also appear in regard to gossip or unknown agendas of others. They may be keeping important information from you, or perhaps talking about you behind your back. Remember that making assumptions or succumbing to paranoia will only feed the worry that is creating such a racket in your mental room. Instead, it’s best to have an open and honest conversation to address these secrets and your feelings. 


Now all of this is far easier said than done, at least for me, which would explain why the High Priestess stalks my readings. Tuning out societal demands, or the judgment of loved ones so that we can hear our own truth and learn the divine knowledge that the High priestess knows we are prepared for, is incredibly difficult. Regular meditation and quieting of the mind can make this easier, but leaving the conscious and physical realm to listen to the messages hidden in the underworld is an undertaking. We are all divine beings, though. We can connect. We can learn. We can meet the expectations of the High Priestess who always has the best intentions for our Highest Self. Sit, my darlings. Sit and listen. The wisdom of the cosmos flows through you with every breath and beat of your heart. It’s whispers can guide you if you let them.

The Magician, Master Manifestor

A story by Calista Moon on .

Welcome back to Tarot Tuesday, my darlings! I hope this finds you well and ready to move forward because today we’ll be meeting the ultimate manifesting partner, The Magician.  Personally, I find this card calls me toward a realignment with my goals. You don’t create something from nothing without focus and planning. Last week, The Fool set us on a fresh path. The Magician asks us to find out what we want from this endeavor and make our choices in service of that goal. 


Upright, The Magician is a sign that you are ready to create. Whatever idea you have conceived, whatever vision you want to bring to reality, the skills and knowledge are at your fingertips and you are capable. You will need focus and discipline to achieve this goal, so establish it as a priority and make sure that all your decisions are in service of breathing life to this endeavor. Set aside the distractions that would pull you from the path. You are resourceful and powerful. Now is the time to be clear on what you want and why. Once you’ve established your intentions, move forward. You are more than capable and the Magician is here to remind you of as much.


Reversed, The Magician is a gentle warning. Your focus is wandering, or perhaps you’re struggling to see any progress in your endeavor. Ask yourself if you’re clear on why you’re working towards this goal. Are you out of line with your Highest Good, only following this path for your own benefit? Has your goal wandered from the original intent towards greed or trickery? Take some time to analyze your recent actions and bring yourself back to the original path. This could also be a sign that you aren’t taking action on your goal yet. You may be exploring your goal still and aren’t ready to step onto the path. Pay attention to any and all opportunities that present themselves. Even small steps are forward movement. Don’t be lax in the planning stages, but neither should you get weighed down by the details. The universe will handle how it happens. You just need to pay attention to the doors that open before you and focus on the goal.


My favorite thing to ask myself when I see the Magician is “have my recent decisions been in service of my goal?” Taking some time to journal and looking at your day to day can help bring your focus back to the task at hand if it has wandered. Or if I have been enjoying the fruits of a recent labor, his presence can help me decide if I have any goals I’ve been complacently ignoring opportunities to start toward. Take the time to set yourself straight and then bring to life that which you desire! Merry manifesting!

Howling at the Full Wolf Moon

A story by Calista Moon on .

As we approach the first full moon of 2022, I wanted to share some ways to connect yourself to the moon cycle if you feel so inclined. I’ve loved looking at the moon since I was little. As I’ve grown and discovered my own spiritual path, I find that connection deepening every day. Please keep in mind that the only thing you need to practice any level of spirituality is yourself, but being raised in a very ritualistic household, I find comfort in the ceremony of my craft. So don’t feel obligated to purchase things for each Esbat (full moon) or Sabbat (a witch’s holy day), my darlings. This is just how I do things, and everyone’s practice looks a little different. 


The first full moon of the year has a lot of different names in a lot of different cultures, but where I’m at in the U.S., the most common name I’ve heard is the Wolf Moon. This particular Wolf Moon will be in Cancer, which brings change and release to our emotional foundation. Doubly so given that the moon is the ruling celestial body of Cancer! If you like working with particular spirits, the animals associated with this Esbat are the wolf, the coyote, and the fox. If you’re into crystals and stones, then you might want to pull out your garnet, onyx, or jet for this full moon ritual. If you work more with herbs and flowers, you can take some marjoram and holy thistle to your altar. You can also use nuts, cones, crocus petals, and snowdrop petals. I generally light a white candle for the Esbats as she is big and round and bright, but black or a blue-violet color are also great for the Wolf Moon. 


It’s a quiet time in nature. The earth is asleep, making this the perfect time to bunk down and look inward, focusing on situations that involve only yourself. Though Full Moons are associated with completion, cleansing, and removing what no longer works for you, this particular moon has an air of transformation. We release and make space for the energy to come. My favorite way to release this is to howl at the moon. It can be a lonely sound, but it reminds me I am not alone. The moon is listening. I tell her everything in my howl, loud and mournful. I let go of everything cluttering my mind, my intentions, my goals. This doesn’t need to be done aloud, or even outside. Again, each practice is different. Find what feels good and right to you. Personally the noise, the vibration in my chest, resonates and helps me feel like I’ve shaken loose the cobwebs and cleaned my spiritual house. 


But I’m getting ahead of myself. Please keep in mind that I have only ever been a solitary practitioner. Every witch’s spells and rituals look a bit different. A full moon ritual in my house usually looks something like this: 

1. Cleanse the space. I remove any stray items I haven’t put away, and wipe down the workspace with moon water. Then I’ll light some incense and sit with a singing bowl for a few minutes while I focus on my breath and envision the sound ringing through the space bringing brightness and cleanliness to the air and energy in the room. 

2. Dress the space. This is probably my favorite part. The aesthetic of witchcraft that we see on social media just isn’t something that is really sustainable all day every day, but making a beautiful cozy space to connect to the universal consciousness really helps put me in the mindset for magic working. This is when I arrange my crystals, set out my tarot cards and protection wards to charge, light candles for my deities and invite them to join me, get the herbs or flowers I’m working with prepped, and any other tools I’ll need. This can include an athame (a knife), a wand, a mortar and pestle, a lighter, candles, a pen and paper, any sigils, whatever I need for what I’m planning to do. If I’m making moon water, I’ll set it out at this time as well. Just get everything in arms reach so I can focus on the ritual as opposed to trying to find everything.

3. Dress the candle. This is a very meditative part of the spell for me. I like to carve intention into the candle whether with words or sigils, focusing my end goal into each indent and putting my will into the wax. Once the carving is done, I melt the wax of the sigil slightly and roll it in my ground herbs/flowers. You can also use an appropriate diluted essential oil, or olive oil/jojoba oil for this. You don’t need a whole lot, just enough to allow the herbs to stick to the candle. For this full moon, I will be sprinkling moon blood on the candle as well, to bind the transformative energies of the Wolf to myself. 

4. Meditate and connect. Once the candle is ready, I light it and focus on my intention, meditating on my end goal. When I feel the idea is solidified, I choose a way to open myself to the universal consciousness. This can be done a number of ways, but I usually like to do a tarot reading followed by journaling while my candle burns. For this particular Esbat, I will be using the following incantation:

I howl to the Wolf Moon to awaken the Goddess within me. The wild woman that seeks to be set free. I ask for guidance, insight, healing, and strength as I continue towards my Higher Purpose. May I always allow myself to express who I truly am. Mother Moon, I embrace you.

I repeat this as many times as feels right, then I’ll howl until I feel I have released that which doesn’t serve me or my intention. My intention for this Wolf Moon is “I am focusing my energy inward for personal growth and fulfillment.” Using the raised vibration of this sound work, I plan to do a simple three card tarot draw. The first will represent where I need to apply the energy to achieve fulfillment through growth. The second card will represent how to apply my energy to this focus. The third and final card will represent a sign that I will receive to know I am on the right path. Then I’ll journal my intuitive thoughts and meditate on the reading until the intention candle burns out.

5. Closing the ritual. Once the candle has done its work, my energy has been taken out into the world, my intention already working me toward my goal. I say the following incantation as a closing of the connection to the universal consciousness:

Thank you for everything. All my needs are met in all areas of my life, while working towards what I desire to have in my life. I release thoughts, worries, fears, attachments, and all that which does not serve my Highest Good nor my Highest Self. And so it is. And so it is. And so it is. Blessed be.

I then thank my deities for joining me. I invite them to stay if they like, or to go if they will, then extinguish their vigil candles.

And the spell is complete! After a ritual, my energy is usually very high, so I like to calm down with some tea and bask in the knowledge that my desires are on their way to me. Again, this involves a lot of tools and candles and things, but could be done simply by writing your intention on a piece of paper, meditating with it, charging it with purpose and will, and being open to whatever thoughts come to you about the situation before burning it to release the charged energy. There is no wrong way to do witchcraft, my darlings. Let me know what you like to do that may be a bit different from what I’ve described here, and have a blessed full moon!

New Year’s Fool

A story by Calista Moon on .

Happy new year, my darlings! New resolutions, new opportunities, new energy! What better way to celebrate this sense of freshness than by starting a tarot deep dive here on WDFWSB? Welcome to Tarot Tuesday! I plan to take you through the entire tarot deck one card at a time, giving explanations of the energy behind each card, what they can mean in a reading either upright or reversed, and maybe even help you connect to your Higher Self. So let us take that first step with the Fool.


The Fool is the first of the Major Arcana and the embodiment of the enthusiasm behind a new project or journey. I love to meditate on this card at the beginning of the year. His enthusiasm doesn’t always endure, hardships come with every path, but remembering his innocence and allowing ourselves the same childlike awe of our potential helps me get in touch with my inner playfulness and imagination.
Upright, the Fool is our harbinger of new beginnings. Doors are being opened to you, and they bring the opportunity of new experiences. If you’ve been looking for a sign to follow your heart, now is the time. Trust that the Universe is taking you to a place of personal growth and adventure. While there is a sense of naivety about the Fool, he is not ignorant or dim witted. He merrily marches into whatever awaits, taking the chance to embrace the unknown. Open your mind and be spontaneous!


Reversed, the Fool still has this same foolhardy (ha!) sense, but it is more of a chosen ignorance than an enthusiastic endeavor. He represents a lack of direction and taking too many big risks. He makes choices recklessly, willfully blind to consequences. Consider how you can maintain a free spirit without hurting yourself or anyone else. Or it could be far at the other end of the spectrum, where you’re holding yourself back from embarking on your journey. Are you so worried about taking any action that you’ve come to a standstill? If so, remember that you don’t have to control everything. Remember the Universe is ushering you into this new chapter, guiding you to take this step, even if you don’t know exactly where it will lead.


We never know where each day will take us, but like the Fool, we can take each step with a smile and trust that we are exactly where we need to be, heading where we need to go. Moving with intention is key. We are the masters of our fates, my darlings, even if sometimes it doesn’t feel like it. Happy New Year and welcome to the chapter of 2022!