Tag: Witchcraft

A Careful Balancing Act

A story by Calista Moon on .

Hello hello, my darlings! It’s Tarot Tuesday again, and this week we’re moving right along with the energy of the Two of Pentacles. As we continue with the Minor Arcana, these posts will be significantly shorter than the Major Arcana, as they point to shorter timelines or specific events. As a long winded lady, I’m sure there’s much rejoicing on that point, so let’s march onward!

The Two of Pentacles speaks to organization, prioritization, and time management. When it arrives upright, it refers to the many plates that you have spinning in the air right now. You’re busy rushing from one priority to the next with little time available to rest. While it means that you’re doing well at maintaining the workload and can take on whatever life throws at you, it also reminds you that the line between balance and pile of broken plates is very thin. Remember, you don’t have to be driving yourself into the dirt to accomplish tasks. These could be domestic or professional, as the Pentacles speak to the material and tangible realms at home and in business. Your health, your career, and your home life responsibilities are coinciding, and while you’re doing well, be careful you don’t tread into the territory of burn out. Pay extra close attention to important deadlines or obligations where you may find it difficult to be flexible or patient. Adapt as you need to juggle around activities and accommodate the requests being made of you.

When the Two of Pentacles is reversed, it warns that you’re dipping your toes into the burn out side of your tight rope walk. You’re overcommitting your time and energy and winding up in a disorganized state. This is causing you to miss deadlines, drop the ball on bills, or pay too much attention to one aspect of your life at the expense of another. You’re losing your balance. Take some time to reassess your priorities and address each one at a time. Multitasking is not doing you any favors right now. Choose one thing to focus on at a time, and you’ll regain your footing and your energy.

I feel like a lot of us face these struggles regularly, especially being part of a society where we are encouraged to burn ourselves out, but taking steps to prioritize properly helps us maintain a healthy pace. Life is a marathon, not a sprint. Take care of yourselves, and reassess when needed. I know you’ll find success, my darlings! You’re beyond capable. I’ll see you next week!

Let’s Get Physical with Pentacles

A story by Calista Moon on .

Hello hello, my lovelies! It’s been a long four months since I finished the Major Arcana, and I’ve missed you so! This break was quite a bit longer than I anticipated, but I’m glad to be back to continue Tarot Tuesday! This means that we can start into the four suits of the Minor Arcana; Pentacles, Wands, Swords, and Cups.

Now, where the Major Arcana is set up as a long journey, the Minor Arcana are situated much like a deck of playing cards, and in fact each suit can be associated to a suit in a regular deck of cards. Pentacles, being representative of finances and the material world in tarot, is unsurprisingly associated with Diamonds. Wands shows up in reference to our creativity and passions, that which drives us, and is associated with Clubs. Swords speaks to our intellect and thought processes, and is associated with Spades. Cups represents emotions and deep wells of feeling, and is associated with Hearts. Each suit of the Minor Arcana has ten numerical cards, and four Court Cards. Generally, the numerical cards refer to an event or an circumstance while the Court Cards refer more to other people or aspects of ourselves that are influencing a situation.

There can be mirrored aspects between the Major and Minor Arcana, for example, the Aces in the Minor Arcana represent beginnings, while the Ten cards represent conclusions. This is similar to how the Fool, the first card in the Major Arcana, represents the beginning of a significant journey, and the World, the last card of the Major Arcana, represents culmination, conclusion, and accomplishment. Although the Minor Arcana are much smaller timelines than what the Major Arcana represent. In the same way, the Court Cards can represent a journey from apprenticeship and enthusiasm to mastery and confidence. We’ll get more in depth with this as we move card by card through each suit.

The first set in the Minor Arcana that we’ll be covering will be Pentacles, also known by the names stars and coins. On the whole, Pentacles represent the material world and are associated with the element of Earth. When they show up in a reading, they refer to your physical health, your domestic life, your finances, or your career, thus the usage of the word “coins”. They represent that which is tangible, tactile, fertile, and supportive. There are good and bad sides to all concepts, though. The good of Pentacles is represented through prosperity, manifestation, and physical security. The bad aspects include greed, over indulgence, and possessiveness.

As we did with the Major Arcana, we’ll start at the beginning. So the particular card we’re deep diving into today is the Ace of Pentacles. As I said before, Aces usually represent a beginning, and this Ace is no different. Being the suit of the tactile and tangible, the upright appearance of the Ace of Pentacles signifies a new financial or career based opportunity is being offered to you. It encourages you to take it, but keep in mind that your dedication and effort are going to be what allows this opportunity to blossom into something abundant and prosperous. It is up to you to manifest what you want through this opportunity, so be clear on your plan of attack. You are capable and deserving of the abundance you are seeking.

It stands to reason, then, that when the Ace of Pentacles arrives reversed in a reading, it represents a lost opportunity, or perhaps a tantalizing opportunity that is fated to fall through. This could be due to a lack of planning on your part, or may even mean that another party will dissolve or retract the opportunity unexpectedly. The core of this reversal is to be careful with your financial commitments and expenditures. Take your time when considering any offers that come your way, making sure to do your due diligence before moving ahead. Don’t take a leap of faith at this time.

Remember, the cards are here to help us get in tune with our subconscious and teach us to trust our intuition. If you feel that an opportunity is too sketchy, but the Ace of Pentacles shows itself upright, trust your gut. The key here is to know the difference between fear and a true, intuitive warning. Fear and anxiety exist as warning systems, but sometimes they go haywire when everything is okay. Do your research, calm your mind, get clear on your goals, and decide what serves you best when opportunities arrive for you. You know yourself and your needs better than anyone, my darlings. Trust yourselves, and I’ll see you next week!

The World is Your Oyster

A story by Calista Moon on .

Hello, hello, my darlings! What a journey we’ve been on together, making our way through the Major Arcana of the tarot. I’ll be taking a break from Tarot Tuesday while I sort out how to best attack the Minor Arcana; Pentacles, Wands, Swords, and Cups. Hopefully it won’t be too long of a break, and I intend to keep writing about our new moon and full moon movements in the interim. Now if you remember way back in January when I posted the first of these, we looked at The Fool, the beginning of a journey. Today we look at the twenty-first and final card of the Major Arcana; The World, completion and accomplishment.

Upright, The World is a sign that you are reveling in a sense of closure and fulfillment. Everything has come together despite the obstacles, and you are in the right place, doing the right thing, achieving what you set out to. You’ve worked HARD to get to this point. You’ve had trials and triumphs, and this card is asking you to bask in the joy and glow of having brought your goals to life! Celebrate your success and don’t rush into the next big project just yet. Enjoy it. Look at how far you’ve come, how much you’ve grown, and everything you’ve learned! If this doesn’t resonate, or you feel there are still loose ends to tie up, do so. Then you will be able to relax and beam over what you’ve created. If it still doesn’t ring true, try widening your scope. The World can very literally refer to travel or global understanding. Maybe now is the time to find a new appreciation for cultures from around the world.

When the World arrives reversed, it can represent your wanting to complete a big goal, but you’re taking short cuts to get there. If you don’t take all the necessary steps, the outcome will not go as planned. Or perhaps you’re right at the finish line of your journey, but for whatever reason you have lost focus and are dawdling instead of doing the work needed to bring this idea to the end of the road. Take some time to reconnect with why you started this project in the first place. Remember how much you wanted this thing to come into being, then get yourself to the finish line. Of course these delays could be external as well. You could be missing an integral part of the project or perhaps you’re looking for closure on a personal issue. Take the time to recognize if there are other parts holding you back that need to be let go of or creatively redesigned. Don’t be afraid to set a new goal if need be. As long as you stay committed to making the progress, you will get there.

If the Fool was about beginnings, The World is about endings. It’s not uncommon to see the two together in a reading, as every end is also a new beginning. Just remember to take some time to appreciate where you are, where you were, and how far you’ve come. Thank you for sticking with me through this first journey! I’ll see you all at some undefined point in the future, my darlings!

Indulge Under the Super Strawberry Moon

A story by Calista Moon on .

Hello, hello, my darlings! I’m cutting it close with this one, but hopefully it will still be helpful. Tomorrow, June 14th, we will see the Super Strawberry Full Moon! Last month we had the Super Flower Full Moon (among many other interesting lunar movements), so hopefully you remember that Super means that the moon is passing closer to the earth giving it a much larger place in the sky! It also denotes an increase in the effect that this celestial body has on the planet, and thereby, us.

June’s Full Moon, the Strawberry moon, brings us closer to our fulfillment in life. We’re reminded of all of the decadent and joyful moments that we sometimes race by on our way to the finish line. In Europe, this is referred to as the Rose Moon in some places, as all the roses are currently in bloom. In other parts it’s called the Honey Moon; fitting as June used to be the season for weddings. After the Beltane celebration, many young lovers would commit and be in the throes of “the honey moon phase”.

Now is the time to allow yourself space to slow down and drink in each moment. The Strawberry Moon represents optimism, wonder, magic, openness, and pleasure. It can also be associated with tenacity and grit. With Litha, or the Summer Solstice, a mere handful of days away, now is the time that we’re saying goodbye to Spring and hello to Summer! Halfway through the Gregorian calendar, we can reflect now on the goals we set way back during Imbolc. How have we kept to those goals? How have those goals changed, if at all? Have we achieved any of those goals? How have we approached the obstacles that hindered our progress? Have we let surprises crop up and slow our progress?

This is what I will be focusing on tomorrow. I plan to journal out my answers to these questions and hopefully cut away the thorns that have been ensnaring me. Full moons are about release, remember. Let go of that which holds us back from our Highest Good. I also want to find some ways that I can slow down and incorporate my favorite things into my daily life or practice. Last year I dried rose petals and handed them out to loved ones. This year I may go berry picking and even attempt to bake something rich and succulent with what I’m able to forage! Or I could simply spend more time in the sun. Whatever you choose to do, just remember to enjoy it and be present. One of my favorite quotes comes from Khalil Gibran. “Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet, and the winds long to play with your hair.” Spend time enjoying your favorite things about early summer. Make a bonfire, have s’mores, enjoy yourself however feels right to you.

I’m stressing the pleasure aspect of this moon, I know, but I feel like we’re all in need of some self-care, especially because this Full Moon is in Sagittarius. The third fire sign of the zodiac year is independent and focused. They have a healthy relationship with pleasure, knowing how to dote on themselves. Their untamable spirit burns like a beacon, setting others ablaze with joy and inspiration. They are also ruled by Jupiter, the planet of good luck, growth, prosperity, healing, and opportunity. If you’ll remember, Jupiter recently started a brand new journey through Aries four weeks ago during the Super Blood Flower Moon Eclipse. Still a mouthful!

This is the way I want to come at summer. What sets you on fire? What lights you up inside? Bring that into your day to day, even if it’s only for a few minutes at a time. A friend recently recommended to me that I should read ten pages a day, as I had mentioned I struggled finding the time to read the many books I have added to my collection. “Ten pages?” I asked him, “What is ten pages going to accomplish?” He told me, “Even if you only read ten pages per day, you will have read 3,650 pages by the end of the year. That’s the equivalent of seven 500 page novels.” A little every day adds up, just like a savings account. So why not drop a few coins on your heart’s fire this summer? Perhaps you’ll blaze a new trail into a habit that brings you joy even in the winter months.

Now if you are wanting to take all these journaling prompts, like myself, and sit down in a sacred space to connect with the earth, your deities, ancestors, whatever, let’s talk about associations. As always, Full Moons are associated with Selenite, Clear Quartz, and Black Tourmaline. Sagittarius is associated with Lapis Lazuli, connecting us to our inner royalty, Blue Topaz, which helps the spirit relax as well as the body, and Turquoise, which can help instill an inner calm. Side note, it’s great for preventing panic attacks and helping to recover from depression and exhaustion.

Herb wise, Sagittarius is connected to Sage, which helps bring wisdom, good luck, and prosperity, and Saffron, or the Queen’s Spice, which connects us to our passionate and even seductive side. The Full Moon is associated with Mugwort, for inducing vivid dreams and awakening psychic gifts, as well as Star Anise to promote harmony. It’s also associated with Jasmine, which I usually leave out because Jasmine very specifically speaks to romance and manifesting prosperity in love, but the Honey Moon seems like a perfect time to sprinkle a little Jasmine in your cauldron and jzooj up the passion in the air. Sagittarius is also associated with independent animals such as the camel, able to sustain itself in the desert without a drink for days on end, and the wild horse, running free and exploring the open air. The Full Moon is associated with rabbits and moths. I also suggest drying some strawberry leaves and keeping them either on your altar or in your pocket as they draw good fortune and favorable circumstances!

Take some time to set up your space, and set an intention with any incense or candles you light. If you aren’t able to do that, perhaps just take a moment to focus on a stone, or even on a journal before delving into these prompts. My intention will be to practice being more consciously present. How can you let yourself play this summer? Being grateful for what you have while moving towards what you want helps me stay grounded. Letting myself break free of the anxiety of societal judgment feeds my spirit, personally. At Beltane, when I hung ribbons on my rose bush, I laid in the grass afterward just feeling the earth below me. I’m sure my neighbors thought I was nuts, but ignoring social standards allowed me to really connect. How can you find that connection daily? Do you believe you deserve to find that connection daily? Knowing how to dote on oneself and believing we deserve it are two separate tasks, in my opinion.

This look at our self-worth can be jarring or difficult. If you find yourself struggling to explore the joyous side of yourself, don’t hesitate to reach out to someone you trust for support. My coven knows that we are here for each other. If you don’t feel like you have someone, it may be worthwhile to find a counselor to help you navigate your feelings. You should know by now, I’m a big supporter of mental health!

When I’ve finished my journaling, I will meditate on what I’ve learned about myself, if anything, and chant this prayer I wrote several times:

Blooming Strawberry moon, shining bright above
Harbinger of luck and sweetness, prosperity and love
With your light to guide, my clarity grows
I trim the thorns, but leave the rose
I take delight in each leg of the journey
While present and grateful for all you bring to me
The path now smooth beneath my feet
Leads to the Truth of my heartbeat

When I feel my intention is good and solidified, I’ll finish with:

So mote it be. So mote it be. So mote it be. Blessed be.

Look for joy this summer, my darlings. Look for it in yourself, and in your surroundings. And let no one tell you that your happiness is disallowed. I’ll see you in a few days for my Litha/Summer Solstice post!

Impartial Judgement

A story by Calista Moon on .

Hello, hello, my darlings! I can’t believe we’ve been doing this for twenty weeks! Somehow this week we’ll be looking at our second to last card of the Major Arcana. Judgement sounds like an intimidating card, something we all strive to avoid. Judging and being judged is never fun, but this card speaks to an internal judgement, the judgement of ourselves.

Upright, Judgment can signify that you need to make a life-changing decision toward your Highest Good. The opportunity to level up on a cosmic level is at your doorstep. Now is the time to let go of your old self and embrace a higher level of conscious intuition and intellect. When you step into this new version of yourself, you’ll be able to put the past behind you and see the fully formed picture of your life story. Appreciate the struggles you’ve gone through and share them with others who may be facing similar trials. If you feel you are still facing one final obstacle before you can truly be free, try to find a group environment where you feel safe and can hear the stories of others. Their experiences may be what lead you to overcome your troubles and follow your inner calling.

Reversed, Judgement speaks to our inner critic and self-doubt. We hear the call, but we are ignoring it or are blinded by the struggles we have faced. You might be afraid of what you need to let go of to commit to the path before you, or your self-doubt may be saying you aren’t ready to take this step. Trust the universe, it’s sending you the signs that you ARE ready. Push past the fear and silence your inner critic. Try to view your anxieties as a separate entity. Hearing them out and thanking them for your input can do wonders for your mental health (even if you aren’t getting this card! Anxiety just wants to protect us, after all). Spending time in meditation this way can help you to recognize the different threads of your life that have been woven together so that you can reach this point. If you’re afraid that others will judge you for bringing some of these threads to light, remember that exposing them can help you identify how to change or avoid similar situations in the future. This will help you stay aligned with your Highest Good.

Fear rules over a large percentage of our lives. Every decision we make instinctually is based around the idea of survival. Judgement isn’t asking us to forgo common sense, but to trust that the Universe has our back when it places hindrances in front of us. We’re capable. We’ve overcome plenty of hurdles in our lives. We can make it through the next ones too. And that trust in ourselves, in the Universe, in the connectedness of all things, is what helps us move forward confidently and with intent. Fear can ride in the car, my darlings, but it cannot drive. Only you are allowed in the driver’s seat.

Brighter Than the Sun

A story by Calista Moon on .

Hello, hello my darlings! I’m a little late this week, but we’re slowly, surely approaching the end of the Major Arcana! Once that’s done, I may take a small break to compile the minor arcana in a bite size way that is easily digestible. But today, we take on Earth’s star; The Sun! Bright, warm light and life giver of our solar system! That which we all revolve around and depend upon. In the tarot, it is much the same!

Upright, The Sun arrives to portend success, radiance, and abundance. It’s beautiful warm energy is what will get you through tough times, and if you have indeed been experiencing tough times, the Sun is here to say things are about to get a LOT better! The Sun begs us to connect to the Solar Plexus chakra, the energy center between the stomach and the diaphragm. This is our driving power, not egotistical or selfish, but the radiant energy that connects all things that resides within each of us. In connecting to your authentic power, you will find yourself more present in the world around you, and can give an increase in physical energy, vitality, and general positivity. Each of us holds this light within. You need only access it to benefit from its invigorating enthusiasm.

The reversal of such a positive card brings to light an imbalance in our masculine energies. Perhaps you are working too hard and are feeling burnt out. Take the Sun reversed as an invite to set aside work and play with abandon. Spend some time with your inner child indulging in activities that bring you a bright radiant joy. It can also mean that you’ve encountered delays that have soured your optimism. If you feel depressed or no longer enjoy what you’re doing, don’t worry. The clouds are only temporary, and your path will become clear soon. On the other end of this imbalance, it may say that you are playing too much and are out of touch with how much you can actually achieve. Are you over committing yourself even though you know you can’t deliver? If you aren’t sure, put out some feelers to your trusted circle and get some input to help ground you back in reality. Confidence, like all things, is healthy in moderation.

Whether it’s upright or reversed, remember that the Sun is always a positive card. It wants us to connect to our joy, and while joy and happiness cannot stay forever, it makes the moments where we bask in their presence that much more significant. At least in my opinion. So bask, my darlings! Let your spirit be light and your heart open and wild!

Slowing Down with May’s New Moon

A story by Calista Moon on .

Hello my darlings! I want to touch on the New Moon that’s coming up on May 30th. This one is going to be in Gemini! Associated with Mercury, who is currently in retrograde, they rule over transportation, technology, communication, and contracts. If you’ve been having trouble expressing yourself lately or finding a lot of inconvenient mishaps making you late, we generally chalk that up to Mercury being in retrograde. That being said, I think that this New Moon may be a good time to cultivate some patience. Patience with ourselves, others, and general circumstances of any given situation.

Keep in mind that Mercury will be leaving retrograde right after this New Moon on June 2nd. Giving ourselves and others the grace to be fallible and human during this time will resolve a lot of misunderstandings before they even become an issue. If you’re entering into any legal agreements at this time, don’t be pressured to move quickly. Take your time to read the fine print and make sure you understand what you are agreeing to.

I know now that the weather is becoming more amenable to playing outdoors we all tend to overbook ourselves and we wind up not feeling rested or relaxed at all. My suggestion for this New Moon is to slow down. I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve been feeling a little disconnected lately, from my craft, from the earth, and from a lot of the things I enjoy. So here is how I intend to reconnect with patience and quiet on Monday.

Since I’m lucky enough to have Memorial Day off of work, I’ll be spending the majority of the day with friends, but once I’ve returned home, I want to gather some materials at my work space and cleanse it. Namely Bay Leaves, my cauldron, a lighter, a marker, a piece of paper, salt for cleansing, Lavender for calm, peace, and to represent Gemini, Chamomile for abundance and health, Calendula petals for joy and stability, Clover Honey for a lasting effect and sweetening stressful situations, and a chime candle. I’ll also be grabbing Rose Quartz (which I’ve been drawn to lately) for universal love, Clear Quartz for clarity and grounding, and Blue Lace Agate to calm stress and anxiety.

Once all my items are gathered, I will ground myself by setting out my stones, then making a list of frustrations I face regularly that are out of my control. As I write them, I will envision the frustration leaving me through the ink. I’ll fold the list up and set it aside, and bring forward the herbs, honey, and chime candle. First I’ll carve the word patience into the side of the candle with my thumbnail. That’s what we’re creating here, a sense of peace and living slow. Next I’ll put a thin layer of honey on the outside of the candle. A little goes a long way, so don’t feel like you need to slather it on. Then I’ll sprinkle the herbs over the candle. I usually work over a small plate to avoid large spills. This also helps if the herbs have trouble sticking, you can roll the candle on the plate to help adhere more onto it until you’re satisfied.

When you’re ready, light your chime candle. Allow it’s light and warmth to roll over you, before lighting your list of daily frustrations and letting it burn in your cauldron. Remember, guys, fire safety is incredibly important. Use common sense! As the candle and my frustrations burn, I am going to meditate on the path I want to walk and the patience required to do so. If I find a few revelations during the meditation I will journal them. If not I will probably do a tarot reading or scry in my mirror for clarity.

And there you have it! A quiet easy way to add a little peace to your life. Slow down and breathe. Tomorrow will come, today will leave, and the small things, while inconvenient, are only that; small. I love you, my darlings! I hope you enjoy the long weekend if you’re able, and don’t push yourselves too hard.

By the Light of the Moon

A story by Calista Moon on .

Hello, hello! I was on a much needed vacation last week and forgot to post our tuesday blog, but fear not! We’re back with another celestial body of the tarot, my darlings! Last time, we took a look at The Star and the hope and trust it brings. This week, we’ll be looking at The Moon. Beautiful, powerful, and ever changing, the moon has a large influence on our specific rock, helping move the tides, and connect to our feminine power. In the tarot, however, she has a slightly different presence.

Upright, The Moon still wants us to connect to our divine feminine energy and bring our deep intuitive insights to the surface, but she represents the fears and illusions that we project into our present based on the past experiences we’ve had. If we’ve suppressed an emotional or painful memory into our subconscious, the Moon card is appearing to show us that these anxieties are illusions. If you find you’re feeling uncertain about a situation, keep in mind that right now, nothing is as it seems. Refrain from making hasty decisions. You only have a fraction of the information you need, and impulsive action will almost certainly lead to regret. Instead, take some time to pay attention to the lunar cycles. Harness their energy to help you gain clarity in the intentions you set on New Moon, and identifying what needs to be released at the Full Moon. In this way, you’ll clear the fog and allow yourself to truly shine.

Reversed, The Moon speaks to an inner confusion or an active repression of emotions. You may not feel ready to face these emotions and are pretending nothing is wrong. While this method can get you through the day, know that those feelings are not gone. They will find their way to the surface and only muddy your emotional and intuitive waters. Face them head on so that you can clearly understand whatever messages are coming to you. If someone else’s words are ringing in your head and causing distrust in your own mind or intuition, remember that your inner voice knows the answers that you need to move forward. Listen to your gut feelings, your dreams, and any sudden unprompted thoughts for signs of where to step next. At its best, the reversed Moon can mean that you have been dealing with anxieties, and now the fear and negative influences are ebbing away. You are working through them and understanding the impact they have on your beliefs and day to day life. If this resonates, know that you are experiencing something deeply liberating in recognizing and removing the power these have over you.

All of us fall victim to our fear and anxiety from time to time, but remember that, while they are there to protect you, fear and anxiety are not good judges of circumstance. If we reassure them that we appreciate their input, but have the situation under control, it can make a big difference in our ability to let go of intrusive, paralyzing thoughts. It may also lead us into shadow work with our inner child, who holds onto the memories that form our emotional foundations. Taking the time to react appropriately to the little one inside of each of us, to be the person that we each needed in whatever moment that child is holding onto, is a step towards healing and even breaking generational cycles. Hard work, true, my darlings, but each of us deserve to be free of the shackles of others; of ourselves.

The Super Blood Full Flower Moon’s Lunar Eclipse

A story by Calista Moon on .

Hello, hello, my darlings, and happy Friday the 13th! What an exciting Full Moon we have this month! Just after midnight on the 16th, we will see the Flower Moon (also known as the Budding or Planting Moon) in the sign of Scorpio. It will be both a Super Moon and a Blood Moon, meaning that it will appear very large as it is the closest that it passes to Earth, and due to its proximity, it will appear to be a deep red or orange in color. This change in hue is because of how the light from the Sun passes through the Earth’s atmosphere before it hits the moon. In addition to all of that, there will also be a Lunar Eclipse! Not to mention that Jupiter is going to be at zero degrees of Aries, meaning that it will be in a powerful position to bring new opportunities and fortuitous potential.

So what does all of this mean when we put it together? Let’s start with the Flower Moon. May’s full moon is a spiritual reminder of the fact that, yes, the flowers are in bloom now, but also that they started as a tiny seed. They broke out of their shell, the only space they’ve ever known, and that level of change is rarely easy. The Flower Moon is about transformation and shedding the old to make room for new possibilities and growth. Now take that energy and put it into the powerful, emotional, fixed water sign of Scorpio; the sign that is most associated with transformation. Ruled by Pluto, the planet of death and rebirth, Scorpio will bring to the front lines any issues with secrecy, manipulation, or control and force us to face the heart of it all so that we can free ourselves of our long held emotional baggage to make room for the new growth coming. And put your game face on, because Scorpio, like it’s ruler Pluto, is unafraid of taboo topics or our darkest secrets. If you have some skeletons in your closet or inner demons you’ve locked away, know that facing them may be unpleasant or even painful, but will ultimately relieve you of the hold they have over you.

This same Full Moon will be a Blood Moon, which scientifically is about light travelling through our atmosphere, but what about spiritually? What influence will this bring to the big transformational energy in our secret dark places? In the witching world, the Blood Moon portends a time when the path to our shadow side is opened allowing us a greater access to rage, shame and grief. Normally seen as “bad” emotions, it’s important to remember that if we meet these feelings without judgement, they simply are. Embracing these emotions is an important part of the healing process. Think of it as two feet. One is your good foot, the strong foot. The other is your bad foot, maybe with a weak ankle. You can only stand firmly planted and resolute when both feet are exercised, stretched, and cared for. The positive or negative effects only come from how we exercise these emotions and how we allow them to manifest in our lives.

There is so much work already in this full moon, but we’re only partway through. It will also be a Super Moon! Spiritually, this means that the energies and effects of this full moon will be intensified since the moon is as close to the Earth as it ever passes. It will be an emotional and powerful time for all of us. If you’ve been wrestling over a big decision, whether it’s quitting a job, professing your feelings to someone, or ending a relationship, you are going to feel incredibly strongly one way or another. Don’t forget about little old Mercury in retrograde, though. It’s waiting in the wings to stir up trouble with communication, so wait until these big emotions have passed before making any large decisions. Now is not the time to act impulsively or speak harsh words. Instead, allow the truth of your emotions to circuit through you without taking control of your actions. Meet them, and yourself, without judgement.

Finally, there will be a Lunar Eclipse during this Full Moon. Full moons are normally about cleansing and release, but when there is a Lunar Eclipse, this becomes an invitation to close doors, end chapters, and tie up loose ends, or even cut ties all together. There is a finality in the release of a Lunar Eclipse. As I like to say, “I don’t bring building materials to a bridge burning.” Whatever we release on Sunday night/Monday morning, know that it will be gone, and for your betterment.

While a lot of this post so far has sounded really ominous and difficult, I hope you can find solace in a lovely little planet that is in the mix called Jupiter. Jupiter, the planet of luck, fortune, opportunity, and possibility, is going to be at zero degrees of Aries. Gibberish, I know, but let’s break this down into its parts. Aries is the first sign of the zodiac. It is the beginning of the zodiac year, and it brings passion, enthusiasm, ambition, fire, and action. The zero degree mark is the VERY BEGINNING of Aries. It is the point at which exciting new journeys begin, where slates are wiped clean, and it is bursting at the seams with potential. So, as this full moon is large, red, and looming with transformative energies, the planet of luck and fortune will be starting its own path through Aries. A path laden with opportunity and ambition. So know that while we are permanently and firmly closing doors, Jupiter will be opening more to places that align with our core, our most authentic selves. Personally, I find a beautiful galactic harmony in this. Every end has to be the beginning of something else.

So nutshell; cause I’m long winded and I know things get lost between the lines. The Super Blood Full Flower Moon Lunar Eclipse is going to be an incredibly powerful emotional palate cleanser. It will allow us to shed our old skin, like the snake, so that Jupiter and Aries may allow us to rise up from the ashes of the past like a phoenix; both Scorpio’s animal representatives. Death and rebirth. Mercury’s retrograde may rock the boat a bit, but ultimately what we leave behind didn’t serve us. Now we make space for what will.

I would like to say that if you do want to take on shadow work, it can be very liberating, but make sure that you are in a safe place. If you aren’t sure what you’re doing, trying setting up an appointment with a therapist. Doing shadow work with a guide is much better than facing it alone, and in my opinion, therapy is exactly that; digging into your dark places to help let go of old traumas and allow you to move forward without them. If sharing this part of yourself with another person feels too vulnerable, make sure you are giving yourself the grace and space to explore with love and acceptance of yourself.

I know that normally I give you a step by step of the best way to harness these energies, but this is a deeply personal cosmic cocktail in the making, so let me just say this. Eclipses bring a lot of upheaval and chaotic energy. I would not suggest choosing to let go of something or someone in particular. Instead I would suggest that you remain open to whatever the universe has to offer you. I will actually be on vacation (wish me luck with Mercury also causing transportation problems!) and intend to spend time probing my shadow side through journaling and meditating with grounding crystals close at hand, Selenite for cleansing, Green Moss Agate and Fluorite for grounding and connecting with the earth, and Amethyst to channel my intuition. Sage and Rosemary are great staple herbs to burn for any ritual, but I would steer clear of attempting to manifest any particular future. Trust the wisdom and abundance of the Universe, my darlings. Stay open to change, allow it to flow through you like a cool breeze off the ocean waves.

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

A story by Calista Moon on .

Hello, hello my darlings! Welcome back to Tarot Tuesday, our weekly deep dive into the original tarot meanings. Today’s card is a nice reprieve from last week when we spoke of the chaos surrounding the Tower. Today, we’re going to look at The Star. This card is rather straightforward so hopefully we can keep this short and sweet.

Upright, the Star is a sign of hope. You’ve gone through some form of upheaval and the Star wants to remind you of the interconnectedness and abundance of the Universe. This is a reprieve; a peaceful phase where you will find mental stability and a connected understanding of yourself and those around you. Anything is possible during this time, so tune in to the magic that moves through your every day. You might find yourself wanting to dream or rediscover a sense of inspiration or purpose in your life. Be open to new ideas and listen to the calm voice within you that you may give back to the community or world around you. Be generous with your blessings.

You’ll be unsurprised, I think, to then learn that the Star reversed means you’ve lost faith in the Universe. You’re feeling overwhelmed and disconnected as you struggle to see that the tests you face are for your benefit. They will push against your resolve and trust in the universe. You can either give in to the despair, or you can adamantly trust that the hum of divine energy is hard at work for you, through you. This reversal can also represent a lack of enthusiasm for a project that you once had burning passion for. Take time to reconnect to what is important to you and why you are started down this path. If the routine of this journey is taking a dull and dreary toll on you, take time out of your day for self-care on a personal and spiritual level before you push yourself even further into burn out.

Either way the Star appears, tune in to your intentions and find your connection to the divine spark that drives each of us toward our soul’s purpose. Trust in the universe. Trust in yourself. Finding your purpose will bring a sense of renewal and contentment here, my darlings. Stay aligned with your original goal and stand strong in the face of adversity.