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Cailleach Bheur

A story by MasterLibrarian on .

Welcome to Fae Friday, my lovelies! In honor of the cold and snowy weather we’ve had here in the Midwest, I wanted to devote this week to the Cailleach Bheur (also known by many other names and spellings, depending on what region you’re in). This Celtic faerie (or goddess, if you’re pre-Christian old school), has Scottish and Irish roots, and her name translates to the Blue Hag. This is fitting for her appearance as she emerges on the night of Samhain (Halloween) and is depicted as an old crone with either blue skin or clothes, carrying a holly staff and a crow. She is the personification of winter, and as the cold season creeps closer to spring, she grows younger and younger by comparison (Wigington, 2018). This entity is one of the most powerful in Celtic tradition with the ability to transform landscapes on a whim. It is believed that she created the mountains as she flew in the sky overhead, throwing stones from her apron that would land as new rock formations. As the bringer of winter, she would also wash her filthy cloak after she emerged from her slumber at the end of fall, generating deadly whirlpools and causing snowstorms to rage across the land (Macdonald, 2014). When her cloak was pulled from the water white and clean, it would match the blanket of snow on the ground. Once her harsh cold season ended on May Eve, she would turn to stone until she was awoken again on Samhain (Eason, 2002.)

My favorite story about the Cailleach Bheur should actually sound familiar to many readers. On February 1 (or Imbolc, for those keeping up with the Sabbats), the Cailleach Bheur emerges from her home in search of firewood to keep her warm for the rest of winter. If the day is fair, she can go out and gather an abundance of kindling, meaning that winter will last longer because she is more prepared. If, however, it is a dreary day, she will choose to stay in and make do with the fuel she already has. This means that winter will end early, as soon as the Cailleach Bheur runs out of firewood. If you think this sounds a lot like Groundhog Day, a holiday made popular in North America when an adorable rodent predicts the weather, you would be right! This tradition stems from the legend of the Cailleach Bheur (Capper, 2016).

Cailleach Bheur
Image via https://atlanticreligion.com/2013/11/01/the-wand-or-club-of-the-cailleach/

Activity
To honor the Cailleach Bheur (and to start moving winter on its merry way), Patricia Telesco (1998) offers some beautiful ideas for your alter. Start by bringing the sun into your alter by covering it with some type of yellow clothe. If you don’t have something yellow available, you could always incorporate the real sun by leaving your window blinds open for its rays to peak inside. If the weather is right, go out and collect a bowl of snow to place on your alter. Light a blue candle as representation of the Cailleach Bheur, and allow both the candle and the snow to melt from the power of the flame and the sun. Just as the world turns and the seasons change, this winter will melt away into life-bringing spring. Take the melted snow and return it outside in a special place (I will pour mine around my faery circle). If you think you might need a future spell to help your temper cool down, save the wax from the blue candle and re-melt it for your spell work.

References

Capper, D. (2016). Groundhog oracles and their forebears. Zygon: Journal of Religion & Science, 51(2), 257–276. https://doi-org.proxy.ulib.uits.iu.edu/10.1111/zygo.12247
Eason, C. (2002). A complete guide to faeries & magical beings. Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC.
Macdonald, F. (2014). Celtic myths and legends: Vol. 1 [edition]. Capstone.
Telesco, P. (1998). 365 goddess: A daily guide to the magic and inspiration of the goddess. HarperOne.
Wigington, P. (2018, February 21). Cailleach, the ruler of winter. Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/cailleach-the-ruler-of-winter-2561705

The Emperor’s Call to Stand Tall

A story by Calista Moon on .

It is Tarot Tuesday yet again, my darlings! After two consecutive weeks of delving into our feminine energies and tuning in to our creative, nurturing sides, we are now ready to look at the other side of the coin; The Emperor. He is our masculine energy, both a father figure and firm but fair hand to lead us. He demands respect and finds comfort in structure. He walks the fine line between benevolent protector and tyrant. Being in balance with The Emperor is to know your worth and demand respectful treatment, to protect those in your charge, and teach as much as you learn. He is associated with the Greek and Roman god Ares, as well as the planet Mars.


Upright, The Emperor is unafraid of confrontation, and won’t hesitate to protect those he cares about. Like him, you must listen to the counsel of others, but make up your own mind in the end. Whatever situation you are facing, you need to embody the Emperor’s established rules and regulations. You can create calm from the chaos by breaking it down into its parts and mapping out the actions needed to resolve it. He signifies expertise and a worldly knowledge, and much like a father, wants you to impart your knowledge and expertise to others so that they may be as wise and powerful as you are. You know your boundaries and aren’t scared to hold them against the pressures put upon you by society, friends, family, whoever may challenge them. He is patient and disciplined in his endeavors, marching steadily toward his goals. However he is also flexible. He asks that you understand that change is a part of life and that adapting to bumps in the road or downed trees is a way of life. Keep your eyes on the bigger picture and keep moving. You will reach your destination.


Reversed, The Emperor warns of an excessive amount of control. Check in with your relationship to power and authority. Are you hoarding power? Abusing the amount of control you have in a situation? You don’t need to take power from others or give it away, it can be distributed equally. Perhaps you are facing the lack of power in a situation He may encourage you to stand up to authority figures. Perhaps your motivation and discipline to move steadily to your goal has waned. Check that your plan and routine support reaching your goal, and dedicate yourself to seeing it through. You may need to get tough with yourself and do the uncomfortable work you’ve been avoiding. It can be unpleasant, but it is necessary. There is also the possibility that The Emperor reversed speaks to an unhappy relationship. Perhaps you or your partner has become overbearing and possessive. If you feel your independence and freedom have been taken away, the power imbalance is putting strain on the relationship and you must confront it to regain a balanced flow of energies between you. 


Our masculine energy wants us to take charge. It wants us to stand our ground and connect with those around us to reach a greater good. Becoming friendly with confrontation is a challenge for most. We don’t want to rock the boat. We don’t want to make waves. We want to let change find us, but the Emperor is our sign to be our own advocate. We are powerful. We are capable. We can be understanding and still stand our ground on our boundaries. When the going gets tough, we can dig in our heels and brace for impact. You are stronger than you think, my darlings. And it can be scary to tap into that power, but it is exhilarating to take away the power that fear has over us. Breathe, assess, and keep your eyes on the horizon! 

Fae Friday: Spirits Within

A story by MasterLibrarian on .

Hello, my lovelies! As the Ambassador to the Fae for the Midwest Coast Coven, I wanted to start a weekly blog post discussing faeries and our interactions with them. To me, faeries are synonymous with nature. And much like Pocahontas, I believe that “every rock and tree and creature has a life, has a spirit, has a name.” The personification of these spirits found within the natural world are what I would call faeries. And I’m not the only one who has this belief system. Throughout time, basically every region and culture have included faeries or faerie-like creatures within their mythologies (Eason, 2002). From the malicious Red Caps of Ireland and Scotland, to the Japanese Tengu with their fans of feathers, and even to our own shores in North America where Native Americans in the Algonquin tribe could hear the distant drumming of the antlered Manitou Fae (Eason, 2002).

Due to their pervasive presence around the globe, there are numerous forms faeries can take. I’ll be using these Fae Friday posts to dig a little deeper into the different kinds of Fae, their histories, and any notable examples found in literature or pop culture. For today’s post, however, I wanted to keep it simple by discussing why exactly the existence of faeries is so prevalent in Pagan groups like Wiccans, Druids, Shamans, and others. As I mentioned above, faeries tend to be a personification of nature, and Pagans of all kinds have a crucial foundation in common: nature is sacred, and they seek to have a closer relationship with the natural world (Goodrich, 2015). Animism is a common occurrence in Pagan religions because it attributes non-human things such as plants, animals, and inanimate objects with a soul (i.e., flower faeries and selkies of the sea).

In an age where it feels like the planet itself is dying merely so humans can feel like conquerors (over the land, over the animals, and even over other humans), it is no surprise that Pagans are trying to imbue the Earth with magic and make it as revered as it was before technology made man feel invincible. Fantastical creatures like faeries help give Pagans what they crave: a living being to commune with that makes them feel closer to nature as they try to heal it (Goodrich, 2015). This is why there has been a resurgence of the Faery Faith in recent decades. It’s due to people like us who revere nature and who can feel when it is hurting due to human expansion and neglect. By anthropomorphizing aspects of the natural world like trees, rivers, flowers, crystals, etc., we are trying to commune with and restore the land before it is lost.

Fairies, Away!
Image by Arthur Rackham via https://faeriequeene.com/transposing-edmund-spensers-the-faerie-queene/

Communing with the Fae in Your Life
I want to leave all of you with an activity that can help you feel more connected with any Fae that may be sharing your space. Since faeries and nature go hand in hand, the key here is to find an environment that makes you feel the most linked to the world around you. Don’t despair if you live in the city or if you don’t have access to a vast wilderness in your backyard. Faeries are strong creatures who have lasted throughout the ages; they are adaptable and can find ways to exist even in the most tech-heavy environments. Perhaps you have some potted plants that you care for inside. Maybe there is a rooftop garden nearby or a vegetable garden in your backyard. A botanical garden or park within walking distance. There are even elementals who thrive in the air, so just staring out a window into the sky beyond can work.

I am lucky enough to live nestled inside a small woods in the middle of nowhere. It is not hard for me to walk out my front door and immediately start communing with nature. While exploring my forest one day in spring, I noticed a round stone surrounded by a ring of blooming daffodils. I was immediately pulled to this spot and felt a magical energy about it. This is the faery circle I come to whenever I participate in a ritual like celebrating the full moon or embracing the coming changes during Imbolc.

Pick a day to go out (or stay in if you are cultivating an indoor garden) that works best for you. I would suggest times where the light is at its most vibrant: sunrise, sunset, or when the full moon is at its peak in the sky. Go where the aura of nature is the strongest for you, like your favorite flower fleetingly in bloom, a rock formation that draws you in with its permanence and strength, or perhaps an ancient tree that may have witnessed many secrets over the ages. Sit near your chosen spot and allow yourself to feel connected to the living, natural spirits around you. Feel as if you are sprouting roots into the Earth and out into the universe. Once you feel linked, let your eyes become unfocused. The light from the sun filtering through your windows or the moon streaming between tree branches may reveal faeries hidden in your presence. Let yourself see them out of the corner of your eye, hiding under a petal, or taking shelter beneath a mushroom cap.

Thank them for allowing you to witness their comings and goings by leaving a small offering of some kind. I usually leave fruits or nuts around my faery circle for the forest spirits to take when I leave. After you’re done with this exercise, go find a notebook to chronicle the experience. Write descriptions of what you saw. Or, if you have some artistic inclinations, try to sketch any faeries who crossed your path.

I hope you enjoy this experience! I’ll see you next week as we dive deeper into the world of the Fae.

References:
Eason, C. (2002). A complete guide to faeries & magical beings. Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC.
Goodrich, S. (2015). Human-nature relationship and faery faith in the American Pagan subculture. The University of Vermont and State Agricultural College.

Oh no! Mercury! It’s broken!

A story by Calista Moon on .

No worries, my darlings! Mercury may appear to be moving backward, but it will return to its regularly scheduled orbit today! Everyone talks about Mercurial retrograde with trepidation and fear, but really, retrogrades of any planet are the perfect time to pause and do some introspection. Mercury just happens to go retrograde more often than the other planets in our solar system. Specifically it will do so four times this year, and give us a sense of getting our wires crossed or running into confrontational delays for a few weeks. This particular retrograde occurred alongside the Venus retrograde that ended on the 29th, and the next will occur from May 10th until June 2nd; right before Saturn goes retrograde on June 4th. But we’ll talk about Saturn another time. 


Coupled with the Venus retrograde that just ended, this particular Mercurial retrograde started in innovative, Aquarius and shifted into Capricorn on January 25th. It had us scrutinizing the relationships we keep and those that are nothing but glitches and miscommunications. You may have felt like it was time to do some emotional housekeeping. Where we laid new plans for our personal relationships and wealth from Venus’ retrograde, this Mercury retrograde had us looking closely at the situations, people, and behavioral patterns that we allowed into our day to day. Now that Mercury has gone direct again you probably have a clear idea of who or what you want to stay in your life, and that which you want to remove. 


Perhaps you needed this period of introspection to remember that you do not always need to be accessible. In the technological age, we are always on our phones. Texts, emails, phone calls, we are constantly available to others. It’s okay to be inaccessible! Especially when chances for miscommunication are high! Did you take some time to disconnect and look inward? Were you patient and clear with your words during this time when you did communicate? Did you give yourself grace when you realized that you weren’t clear on your own intentions and thus couldn’t convey them properly? 


This dual retrograde was the perfect time to slow down and look inward, focus on what you need and want for yourself from those around you so that you can move forward confidently as the planets appear to do. If you weren’t able to stay patient and compassionate, maybe take a moment to reach out to those you snapped at and apologize for your actions so you can clear the slate and start fresh! Everyone deserves a little grace, my darlings. Breathe deep and remember to give it to yourself as much as you offer it to others. 

Mother Empress

A story by Calista Moon on .

Happy Imbolc! If you haven’t taken the time to read my post about Imbolc, and would like to know a bit more about it, have a look and see how you can celebrate the first signs of spring!


Today marks a month of Tarot Tuesday, my darlings. Last week, I mentioned how we would be getting more into the balance of masculine and feminine energies, and this week we continue the feminine energy with the fourth card of the Major Arcana, The Empress. She is elegant, sensual, and necessary for creating balance within oneself regardless of gender. Like a mother, she nurtures us and encourages our growth. She’s associated with the planet and Roman goddess Venus, and the Greek goddess Aphrodite, bringing in a feel of love, beauty, and grace. 


When she appears upright, she is urging you to venture out into nature and ground your energy. Remember through this connection that you are surrounded by the abundance of life, and to find gratitude for the bounty you are given. Express yourself creatively and be in flow with Mother Earth and all that she gives. She can suggest pregnancy or birth, whether a literal childbirth or the rooting of a new idea or project. Like a supporting and compassionate mother, she encourages this new endeavor. She encourages caring for others in a healthy and balanced way. A wise mother knows when to step in and when to let her children do for themselves. 


The Empress reversed is a sign that you aren’t taking care of yourself. You’ve left your cup empty far too long and need to refill it with self-love and self-care before you can continue to give to others. This can mean you may have taken your caring for others too far, becoming overprotective or controlling. Perhaps you are the codependent party. Either way, retreating from this relationship to care for yourself may cause backlash from the other parties that are accustomed to your attention and focus. Don’t bother with what they think right now. Shift your focus from a mother/child type of relationship to an adult/adult relationship through cultivating independence and trust. Replace the controlling or overprotective aspects with loving compassion. She may also speak to a block in your creative flow or debilitating thoughts around body image. Learn to love your body. Give thanks for your curves, your bumps, your hair, your seven trillion cells all working in glorious harmony to keep you alive. Shine your unique light brightly. Express yourself, your beautiful, strong self, creatively. Spend time on yourself, with yourself.


In today’s world, it is common to neglect ourselves. We are praised for working ourselves to the bone, for working a full time job and three side hustles. We’re shamed for resting. But the Empress, our spiritual mother, knows the importance of rest. The entire world rests for several months out of the year before blooming again in spring to thrive and grow. Burnout is not equal to the pursuit of happiness. Remember that while you are getting that bread and working for everything you’ve got, that if you don’t rest, spend time doing what sparks joy in you, your cup will run dry, and you’ll have no more to give. And to that end, self-care is not an easy thing. 


Social media portrays it as a glass of wine the size of your head and a bubble bath, or a wild night on the town, but I’ve found that my self-care looks far more like repotting plants that I’ve neglected. It looks like forcing myself to sit down and read a book I’ve been putting off. It looks like practicing one of the many instruments I’ve brought into my house, or taking a difficult hike outside far away from town with my pup. That’s not to say a bubble bath has ever put me in a bad mood, but sometimes it doesn’t spark my inner light. Experiment with what sparks yours. What’s something you used to love doing that you put down a long time ago because you didn’t have the time, or people judged you for it, or whatever reason? Spark your light, and refill your cup, my darlings! Momma said that it was okay. 

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!