Dacha Avelin's Blog, page 3
April 1, 2021
April 2021 Astrological Influences & Ritual Recommendations
We rise with the changing of the seasons in the month of April. While the spring days in the Northern Hemisphere are growing longer, those in the Southern Hemisphere are now entering their autumnal season of darkness. We internally reflect and manifest that which we see within the seasons. Some will be walking away from situations that no longer serve them. Others will be sprouting new ideas, new goals and head in new directions. I urge you to honor your local seasons, your local floral & fauna, and the natural energies surrounding you on your place on this Earth.
April 4, 2021: The Last Quarter Moon in Capricorn makes it feel like we cannot fully comprehend or appreciate the turning of the seasons. Too many obligations, too many uncertainties, too long of a to-do list.
Anxiety is heightened, especially when it comes to work and providing for the family. If these feelings begin to feel intolerable, dust a beeswax ritual candle with Sacred Power Ritual Blend and walk throughout your home (or room) in the same manner as you would using a smudge bundle. Allow the flame of the candle and burning herbs (of the Sacred Power Ritual Blend) to quickly dissipate anxiety and balance erratic energies.
By mid-April, you will finally be able to mentally and emotionally slow down enough to - quite literally - stop and smell the flowers.
April 11, 2021: As the Moon disappears into the spring night sky, we now experience the Dark Moon. It is a night for stillness, divination, and banishment. This Dark Moon in Aries carries the same energy as the Tower card in tarot. It calls upon sudden endings to make room for remarkable beginnings. Temporary pain and unpleasant events will lead to liberation and the much-needed turning of a page. Do not try to mend anything that "breaks" on this day, especially in regards to relationships and jobs. Sit back and just let it play out. I know it's difficult to do, but you must allow it to crash and burn. In order to rise from its own ashes, a Phoenix first must burn.
If you feel the falling Tower in your life needs a little push, this is an excellent night to cause dramatic change. This change can be to banish unpleasant energies and circumstances, or if you are feeling overwhelmed and are ready for the turning of a page, follow the Resistance Release Ritual as described below:
You will need:
5"x5" square piece of paperBlack penBanishing Ritual BlendSacred Power Ritual BlendFive beeswax Ritual CandlesMatchesFireproof surface (large stone tray, baking sheet, etc.)
Before starting the ritual, combine 1/4 teaspoon of the Sacred Power Ritual Blend with 1/2 teaspoon of the Banishing Ritual Blend. The measurements do not have to be exact, but please be mindful to keep the same ratio.
On the square piece of paper, write the following:
"I now release all that no longer serves my highest good. I now close the doors to _______. I now release all resistance to positive change."
In the blank, write what you are consciously willing to let go of. This can be dysfunctional relationships, a dead-end career, depression, etc.
Place this square paper in the middle of our fireproof surface.
Grab the five ritual candles between the palms of your hands and slowly roll them back and forth. Chant your written statement and allow the beeswax to absorb the correlating energies.
When the beeswax softens from the warmth of your hands, dust the five candles with the combined Ritual Blends are described above. Once evenly dusted, create a candle braid: Gather the five Ritual Candles in your hand, making sure they are lined up evenly. While holding both ends of the candles, gently begin to twist in opposite directions. The motion is similar to wringing out wet laundry. The candles' bottom (or legs) should then be untwisted for the last 1/2-1 inch of the candles. Spread each of the five candle legs in 5 different directions. This creates a self-contained base and quickly disperses energies.
Place the candle braid on top of your paper square. With power and confidence, exclaim your written statement and light the candles. As the flames of the candles dance, set your gaze at the space right above the flame. Allow your gaze to soften and become out of focus. Chant your statement 5 times. Visualize the old raggedy doors to the unwanted closing, and you happily walking away from them.
Next, visualize a wall of brightly radiating open doors. Each door is enticing you to enter. Each and every door is perfectly suited for you. There is no wrong choice, as each door will lead you to an amazing experience. Energetically feel each door, knowing with all your heart that you cannot make the wrong choice. There is no right or wrong, as they will all lead to beautiful experiences. Choose your visualized door, and walk through. Sit in meditation and get into the emotional feeling space of all events, people, and places perfectly lining up for you.
Allow the candle to burn down:
If the flame catches the paper on fire, take it as a good sign that the closing of the old door(s) will be abrupt, and there is no physical action that will be required of you. Your proverbial falling Tower will self-collapse, and you are already en route to a better life experience. If the candles do not light the paper on fire, or they prematurely self-extinguish in their own pool of wax, know that you will need to put some leg work into closing these old doors. This often occurs when the desired 'closing of the doors' is indeed a physical task, such as leaving an old town to move to a new town. After all, the boxes aren't going to pack themselves.Ritual remnant disposal: Chop the remnants (wax, ash, etc.) into fine bits and throw them into an intersection. As the spirit of others passes through the ritual remnants, the energies are dispersed, and the world will begin to rearrange itself to suit your demands.
April 14, 2021: With Venus entering Taurus and the Moon at apogee, mental unrest around relationships and income become unnervingly present. Two sides are pulling in two different directions. Anxiety heightens, and it will feel as though you are running out of time. Romance temporarily becomes incompatible with desired career achievements - or vice versa. Be mindful of how you spend your time, and try not to let the scales tip one way or another. Find a balance between love and fiscal responsibilities.
April 19, 2021: Mercury enters Taurus, which allows for straightforward conversations and negotiation. This, in turn, can limit any 'wiggle room', as nearly everyone will feel overly confident with their decisions. If you are in the market to sell a home, car, or business, you will have the upper hand in all negotiations until May 10.
April 19, 2021: Sun enters Taurus. Ideas and projects that begin under this influence tend to quickly take root and manifest with great vigor. From a practical perspective, use the next 28 days to improve your living space or add money to long-term investments. If you are not ready or able to jump into the stock market or money market account, use this time to learn about investing. Energy flows where attention goes. Learning how to handle money will always, without exception, lead to more money flowing into your experience. The energy of Taurus will help you in more ways than you can imagine.
April 19/20, 2021: First Quarter Moon, which is your indication to begin manifestation rituals. Excellent week to commence a series of Attainment Rituals. This ritual works best when you "assign a task" for a specific object or experience to draw into your life. It is best to start with something fairly simple and slowly move up from there. As your energy around manifestation begins to rapidly change and you witness the magnitude of your own power, you will be able to manifest on a much larger scale.
April 26, 2021: Full Moon in Scorpio reminds us of our power and strength. This is often very overwhelming energy. When a person has a lot of mental or emotional resistance built up, the Full Moon in Scorpio can lead to emotional outbursts and an existential crisis. In other words, if you are cut off from your own authenticity, your own higher being, your own higher good -- you will now feel the deep discomfort of your disconnection. Take this as an urgent reminder to spend the next 28 days releasing all inner resistance. As I said before, energy flows where attention goes. Mental energy should be spent on pleasing thoughts and ideas, not lack or disappointments. Connect with your inner being, release all resistance, and finally allow yourself to bloom.
April 29, 2021: Although Pluto Retrograde isn't felt or observed by most, it serves as a good reminder to "keep your books clean," both literally and figuratively. If you have not filed your taxes by this point, avoid any "creative" filings moving forward. If you withhold information, lie or cheat under this influence, the truth of what you are trying to hide will reveal itself in October 2021 once Pluto goes direct.
Enjoy the changing of the seasons. We will reconnect on May 1st.
Love & Magick,
February 28, 2021
March 2021 Astrological Influences & Ritual Recommendations
The energy of rebirth and sudden change is all around us. What has been buried in darkness may now come to light. New ideas, new perspectives, and new chapters are unfolding. The eagerness for change is palpable. We see the change in the seasons, and we see the change in society. Finally, we see the change within ourselves.
And so, we welcome March and the arrival of a new season of change.
March 5, 2021: Last Quarter Moon in Sagittarius. This is the time when we become very aware of what needs to fall apart so that we can rebuild anew. Anxiety can heighten during this time, as can borderline irrational thoughts and perceived troubles. Desires for radical and swift change are at the forefront of the mind. All things that have felt stagnant must now fall by the wayside. A particularly potent night to burn a Juniper Smudge:
Light the Juniper smudge bundle, preferably from the flame of an ambient or meditative candle. Walk clockwise through your home, mentally and emotionally letting go of all that must now be released.
Open all windows in your home (even if for only 5 minutes), and walk clockwise through your home once again. This time, audibly exclaim what you are renewing or awakening in your life. Something new that you are making room for. Something new that you are allowing to (re)bloom in your life.
Finally, smudge your physical and non-physical body, which includes the 3 feet below your feet' soles (you will need to sit or lay) and the 3 feet above your head. Scatter the ashes of the smudge remnants outside your front door or on the sidewalk.
Special offer for a FREE Juniper Smudge Bundle - see bottom of this page for details!
March 12, 2021: Mercury Retrograde post-shadow completely dissipates and is no longer an energetic influence. Haven't you noticed that even now, as you're reading this in early March, that nearly all Mercury Retrograde-related troubles have ceased to be? It's a good feeling — and one that we won't have to worry about again until mid-May of this year.
March 13, 2021 2:21am PST / 5:21am EST: As the moon disappears from the night sky, we encounter the Dark Moon in Pisces. This Dark Moon creates a division between how we perceive ourselves and our manifested physical reality. Pitfalls of the past rise out of the darkness. You may feel as though time is running out. It is essential for the next 3 nights to mentally find a balance between what you are doing and what you think you should be doing. Realign with a new path. It's okay to let go of outworn goals or values.
This is the last Dark Moon of winter (summer for the Southern Hemisphere). As we say our final farewell to the season, we transition out of our old ways of being. We ripen. We mature. We are more confident with ourselves and the world around us. We know what we want. And just as important, we know exactly what it is we don't want. We let go of procrastination. We let go of fear. We let go of the opinions of other people. And most importantly, we let go of all that no longer serves us.
A recommended ritual specific to March 13th would be the Dispel & Conquer Ritual. With the Equinox swiftly approaching, now is a very powerful time to banish roadblocks and create pathways for specific types of change.
If you feel as if something (or someone) keeps you chained in your dead-end situation, use the power of the March 13th Dark Moon to set yourself free and banish all limitations. "I now remove and permanently banish all negative influences, energies, and entities around me. I am now set free."
Those in a dead-end romantic relationship who seem to continually manifest dysfunctional ties should use the energy of this Dark Moon to banish self-sabotage and instill personal power and self-worth using Orris Root.
March 14th/15th, 2021: When the first crescent of Witch's New Moon reveals itself, a big sigh of relief will be felt on a deep soul level of your being. You will intrinsically know that a new cycle and a new set vibration have just transpired. Use the energies and emotions of this relief to set yourself on a new path. This can be through mundane means, or through ritual means.
To anchor this high vibration of relief and to welcome more positive change, use a combination of the Sacred Power and Blossom Ritual Blend on the day of this Witch's New Moon:
Gather the Sacred Power and Blossom Ritual Blends, along with 4 beeswax Ritual Candles, a pen, a 4" paper circle, and a fireproof surface (such as this slate board).
On the paper circle, write in an inward spiral something you wish to welcome in the coming Moon cycle, such as:
I welcome more positive people that love me, respect me, and are good to me.I open myself to all new joyous experiences and new positive pathways of change. I open myself to receiving and accepting love. Loving people/person are/is drawn to me. I am a magnet for love.My life is now changing for the better. Good people, good experiences, and good outcomes are always drawn to me.
This is now your mantra. Place this statement paper in the middle of your fireproof surface.
Pick up the four beeswax Ritual Candles and roll them between the palms of your hands. Energetically charge the candles with the essence or emotions of your written statement. When the beeswax softens from the warmth of your hands, dust two candles with Sacred Power Ritual Blend and the other two candles with Blossom Ritual Blend. Now create a candle braid*.
*To create a candle braid, hold the four Ritual Candles in your hand, making sure they are lined up evenly. While holding both ends of the candles, gently begin to twist in opposite directions. The motion is similar to wringing out wet laundry. The bottoms (or legs) of the candles should then be untwisted for the last 1/2-1 inch of the candles. Spread each of the candle legs to 4 opposing sides, forming a self-contained base.
Stand the candle braid upright in the center of the paper circle on your fireproof circle. Exclaim your written statement and light the candle. Slow your breath. Allow your gaze to soften. While gazing through the dancing flames of the braided candle, chant your statement mantra under your breath.
Allow the flames of the braided candle to naturally burn down to the statement paper. Depending on the energy you put into the ritual and the energetic resistance of your stated desire, the flame will either consume the statement paper, or it will extinguish itself in its own puddle of wax.
If the flames quickly drown in their own puddle of wax, take this as a sign that your current subconscious mind and energy field is not yet a match to your stated desire. The ritual needs to be repeated. A banishing is also recommended to eliminate negative thought patterns, draining energies, and attachments/entities. If the flame catches the statement paper on fire and neatly consumes itself, take it as a good sign. If the flame catches the statement paper on fire and the paper burns for 20+ minutes, or excessive sounds (pops, hisses, whispers) occur during the burn, take it as a sign that there is an energetic presence. Most likely, a spirit or ancestor helping you on with this endeavor.Do not try to manipulate the flame to burn one way or another, for it is a powerful divination tool of Witchcraft. Of course, if the burn is no longer safe or is getting out of hand, use your best judgment and always use safety precautions.
Dispose of the ritual remnants by burying them at or near your front door, preferably in the front yard walkway to your front door.
If you are an apartment-dweller, bury the remnants inside a healthy potted plant and place it in a sun-appropriate spot near the front door.
Note: The Witch's New Moon is an approximate 28-hour window of time. With some variations, the Witch's New Moon rises in the daytime before noon and becomes visible in the ay sky. It will be most visible at sunset and usually sets well before midnight. The moment you see the first crescent of the Moon, know that the Witch's New Moon is upon you.
March 20, 2021: With the Spring Equinox upon us and the Sun entering Aries, the Earth awakens with a new sense of optimism and determination. The energy of rebirth and sudden change is all around us. What has been buried in darkness may now come to light. New ideas, new perspectives, and new chapters are sprouting from within. An excellent day for all prosperity rituals, most notably the Attainment Ritual to manifest very specific desires.
While the spring days in the Northern Hemisphere will be growing longer, those in the Southern Hemisphere are now entering their autumnal season of darkness. Prosperity rituals are recommended. New life paths will come to light as you move forward with the Earthly tasks at hand. Now is the time to respond to life with decisive action rather than mere contemplation.
March 21, 2021: The First Quarter Moon compels us to take action and reminds us of our power. It is an excellent day to begin a series of love spells, whether it's to attract new love or relight an old flame. Rituals for influence and control are particularly powerful when started on the First Quarter Moon. If needing to hear back positive news from a financial institution or a person you lent money to, use the Contact Me at Once for Financial Matters Ritual on March 21st.
March 28, 2021: As the Full Moon in Libra reveals itself, you may begin to feel the tides of romance shift in your life. This can sway both ways — as in feeling love intensely for your partner, or quite the opposite. You may be wishing to pack your bags to leave as we speak. Whichever way you are currently feeling, expect these emotions to resolve themselves before the upcoming Last Quarter Moon of April 4th. Either you will indeed be packing your bags, or you will be getting better insight into your situation and will decide to stay. Depending on Libra's presence in your natal chart, these same sentiments will hold true for your career instead. Don't make any permanent decisions just yet. Wait until the energies and the fluid Libraen emotions settle down.
This Full Moon is excellent for all rituals involving romance and commitment, or rituals to change someone's thoughts/actions/decisions. In fact, if you are a skilled communicator, this is an ideal day to convince or sell someone on an idea. Most people will be very receptive and easily swayed on this day. Now that you know this interesting detail, you may consciously choose to be more guarded and selective of what is presented to you March 27th-29th.
Wishing you a month of serenity and a joyous season of change.
Love & Magick,
Special Offer: Free Juniper Smudge Bundle with every order of $50 or more. To claim your free Juniper Smudge Bundle, add a minimum of $50 worth of product (no exclusions!) to your cart and then add the Juniper Smudge Bundle to your cart. No promo code needed — the Juniper Smudge will automatically become free in your cart.
Limit 1 per order. Offer expires March 3, 2021 11:59pm PST. Limited quantity available, may run out. No rain checks, sorry.
January 31, 2021
February 2021 Astrological Influences & Ritual Recommendations
We welcome February two days into Mercury Retrograde. Although the next 20 days of the retrograde will have their challenges (and remedies), now is an excellent time to return to unfinished tasks. Whether it's a much-needed purging of the cabinets and closets — or the pursuit of abandoned intellectual or mystical interests. Pick up that book on a random subject you bought years ago. You will find a renewed interest in a subject, which is a hot commodity in these solitary times.
And so we begin...
February 4, 2021: Last Quarter Moon in Scorpio. This is the time when we become very aware of what needs to fall apart so that we can rebuild anew. Anxiety can heighten during this time, as can borderline irrational thoughts and perceived troubles. Avoid the future manifestation of these perceived troubles and stop fueling them with energy using the diminutive ritual outlined below.
Take out a 5"x5" square of notepad paper, a pen, Verbena Powder, Banishing Blend, one Ritual Candle, lighter, and a fireproof plate.
Begin writing your perceived troubles and worries. Scribble whatever unpleasant thoughts and ideas come to mind.
Now exclaim, "I now banish and release this negativity. The path to these troubles is now blocked. I choose a new path and welcome only positivity."
Pick up the beeswax Ritual Candle and roll it between the palms of your hands while chanting the above mantra. When the wax softens from the warmth of your hands, dust the candle with 2 parts Verbena Powder to 1 part Banishing Blend. Some of the powder will settle on the statement paper.
While holding the candle with one hand, light it with the other. As you do so, exclaim your mantra once more. Tilt the candle at a 45-degree angle over the statement paper and allow the wax to drip about 3-5 drops into a single pool in the center. Stick the base of the candle directly into the pool of wax and hold it for about 5 seconds until the center hardens and the candle is standing upright without any assistance.
Allow the candle to burn all the way down. The flame of the candle will consume the statement paper. Allow it to burn down naturally. Once extinguished, throw away the remnants in a public garbage can or dumpster. Take a different way home.
Note: The ritual above is also suitable to be performed any time between February 4-11th, 2021.
February 8, 2021: If you're planning a day to write a difficult letter or have a much-needed unpleasant or important conversation, do so today. With the Sun in Mercury, most communication-related maladies of Mercury Retrograde will temporarily ease up. Crystal clear communication, reliability, and predictability will all be on your side.
February 11, 2021 11:05am PST / 2:05pm EST: Dark Moon in Aquarius. Great change happens when there is great chaos. Mental health problems may surface and should be addressed in the upcoming Moon cycle. The current friction of various relationship conflicts and mental health matters continues to be at the forefront of our minds. Realizations of self-sabotage and destructive thought patterns are now recognized. Expect a generally unpleasant 48 hours. Burning Palo Santo or Rosemary will stabilize energies, allowing you to think clearly from new, heightened perspectives. An ideal night for a Banishing Ritual to remove negative influences and entity attachments.
"I now remove and permanently banish all negative influences, energies, and entities around me. I am now set free."
Those in a dead-end romantic relationship who seem to continually manifest dysfunctional ties should use the energy of this Dark Moon to banish self-sabotage and instill personal power and self-worth using Orris Root.
February 11/12, 2021: Lunar (Chinese) New Year is welcomed in the zodiac sign of the Metal Ox. The Ox is a powerful animal that has the ability to transform the negative challenges of the Rat year 2020 into positive outcomes in 2021.
Ox is a builder. He can save us from disaster and help reconstruct our daily lives.
The five Taoist elements are Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood. The year 2021 is a Metal year. In feng shui, the Metal environment is clean, pristine, pared-down, and modern. Prepare by cleaning your home. It will be very important this year to reduce clutter and maintain tidiness all year round. Incorporate metal and shiny metal objects into your home, such as a metal candlestick decor on your coffee table.
On the Lunar New Year, I like to put out a figurine of the new zodiac animal. Something small in a place where I will see it daily. I do it for luck — specifically to bring in the positive energies of that animal into my life. And as a reminder to tune myself to the attributes of the year's animal. In the 2021 year of the Ox, it is a reminder to be persistent, reliable, and hard-working.
February 13, 2021: Witch's New Moon is when the very first crescent or sliver of the Moon is visible. This is typically 2-3 nights after the Dark Moon. With some variations, the Witch's New Moon rises in the daytime before noon and becomes visible in the day sky. It will be most visible at sunset and usually sets well before midnight. The Witch's New Moon is the same percentage all over the world - both in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere. However, which way the tips of the Witch's New Moon point depend on the time, date, and your location on Earth. The moment you see the first crescent of the Moon, know that the Witch's New Moon is upon you.
Excellent day to begin a new venture, launch a project, begin a series of devotion/marriage spells, or create personal spiritual protection.
February 18, 2021: Sun enters Pisces, and we suddenly feel less inclined to focus energies on the material world. Even for the most money-oriented individuals, the ambition and desire to chase prosperity will ease up. This Sun cycle is a breath of fresh air for the soul. A chance to calm the mind, nourish the spirit, and stop chasing dangling carrots (even if only for a couple of weeks).
Spiritual insights and psychic experiences heighten during this time. With our minds relaxed and less focused on the material world, the world beyond the veil reveals itself. As I often say, when you start to notice the mystical, the mystical will start to notice you.
Between now and mid-March, try learning a new divination tool. Or try to enhance your current skills. An excellent couple of weeks for the Ancestral Communication Ritual. Burning a candle dusted with Oracle Blend helps facilitate a deeper connection to the spiritual world — plus it smells amazing and allows you to enter a mediative state quickly.
Take a visit to a cemetery. Maybe an old or near-abandoned cemetery a few towns away that you have never been to. You will notice that it is much easier to read the energies of the deceased; if that is something you desire to experience, that is. (Oh, and it's quite possibly the most pandemic-friendly form of travel and gatherings...)
Important Note: As always, when leaving the cemetery, thank the residing spirits and leave a couple of coins or pieces of candy at the cemetery gates. This pleases the gatekeeping spirits and makes sure nothing and no one follows you home.
February 19, 2021: First Quarter Moon compels us to take action and reminds us of our power. With the First Quarter Moon in Taurus, now is the time to make plans for life changes and new beginnings. An opportune time to start a series of Attainment Rituals. Put your energy to work and create something grand for yourself.
February 20, 2021: Mercury Direct brings much-needed relief. In other words, Mercury Retrograde will now begin to wind down. Although the post-shadow won't end until March 12th, the communication and electrical maladies caused by Mercury Retrograde will soon be a fading memory. More information about Mercury Retrograde 2021 (yes, it comes back...) can be found here.
February 27, 2021 12:17 am PST / 3:17 am EST Full Moon in Virgo reminds us to be kind to all living creatures and to nurture the Earth with greater empathy. Now is the perfect time to graciously stand up for what you believe in. Virgo carries very special energy for healing all wounds, gaining clarity, and attaining worldly justice.
On Virgo Full Moon's, I like to do a blessing and blessing ritual for myself those I love. You will need the Sacred Power Ritual Blend, Tiger's Eye Ritual Blend, four beeswax Ritual Candles, a small fireproof shallow bowl or saucer, lighter, pen*, and photographs of the people you wish to bless (including your own).
* Instead of a pen/pencil, I like to use Alkanet Ink for this ritual.
On the back of the photographs, write the person's name, date of birth, and a brief blessing statement for each person. Create a circle of photographs around the small bowl or saucer.
Pick up the four Ritual Candles and roll them between the palms of your hands. Look into the eyes of those you are blessing. Telepathically send them love, happiness, health, etc.
When the beeswax softens from the warmth of your hands, dust two candles with Sacred Power Blend and the other two candles with Tiger's Eye Blend. Now create a candle braid*.
*To create a candle braid, hold the four Ritual Candles in your hand, making sure they are lined up evenly. While holding both ends of the candles, gently begin to twist in opposite directions. The motion is similar to wringing out wet laundry. The bottoms (or legs) of the candles should then be untwisted for the last 1/2-1 inch of the candles. Spread each of the candle legs to 4 opposing sides, forming a self-contained base.
Stand the candle braid inside the small bowl or on the saucer. Light the candle. Slow your breath. Allow your gaze to soften.
Starting with the photo in the noon position, place your hand(s) on the photo and energetically send a blessing to that person. Moving clockwise, repeat the same gesture for each person's photo in the circle. Bless yourself last.
Read aloud or chant your own blessing mantra. Meditate in the candlelight. The scent of the two ritual blends burning together is quite hypnotizing. Allow your mind to accept any (pleasant) energetic impressions that enter.
When the candle burns down, and the wax hardens, scoop up the remnants and bury them in your backyard or out in nature.
If you are choosing not to perform any magick on the night of the Full Moon, simply sitting under the Moon's rays and energetically absorbing the magnetism will reawaken and enliven your spirit.
Wishing you a month of good health, prosperity, and mystical experiences.
Love & Magick,
January 1, 2021
January 2021 Astrological Influences & Ritual Recommendations
We begin 2021 with what feels to be like a clean slate. We are eagerly wanting to release the pain, fear, frustration and disappointments of 2020. A new dawn is approaching, but we must first endure the darkness of the night.
January 1, 2021: As it is the first day of the year and the Last Quarter Moon is swiftly approaching, today is excellent for protecting the home and building an energetic barrier.
Grab a lighter and a Cedar Smudge or Pine Smudge and head outside. While standing at the front door of your home, looking out towards the street, light your chosen smudge bundle. Affirm aloud that you are protecting your home and family. You may choose to invite the spirits of your deceased ancestors to help guard your home. Walk clockwise around the exterior of your home, thoroughly smudging every side door and window. If upstairs windows are present, gently blow the smoke in an upward motion towards the windows. Finishing back at your front door, allow the smoke to envelop the exterior of the door. Open the door, and gently blow the smoke inside and on the door's threshold. Finally, smudge your physical and non-physical body, which includes the 3 feet below your feet' soles (you will need to sit or lay) and the 3 feet above your head. Scatter the ashes under your doormat.
January 6, 2021: Last Quarter Moon. This is the time when we become very aware of what needs to fall apart so that we can rebuild anew. Anxiety can heighten during this time, as can emotional troubles. If old heartbreaks and disappointments arise, brew a fresh batch of the Black Walnut Water tonight. Add it to bathwater, or simply rinse yourself while standing in the shower. Allow the heartache and disappointment to be washed away. Burning Palo Santo or Rosemary after the Black Walnut bath will stabilize energies, allowing you to think clearly from new, heightened perspectives.
January 12, 2021 9pm PST / January 13, 2021 Midnight EST: Dark Moon in Capricorn. This is a time for stillness, contemplation and banishment. Capricorn is a realistic sign that loves having solid ground under its feet. This Dark Moon helps us find our footing and get out of the limiting hole in the ground we've been stuck in. Excellent time for banishing roadblocks to financial wellness, as well as releasing draining energies, entities and influences. Allow the darkness of this Dark Moon to reveal your inner (AND outer!) blockages and banish all that no longer serves you.
January 13th-14th, 2021: Uranus Retrograde comes to an end. Uranus Direct in Taurus can bring about unpleasant surprises. Usually it is something that has been hidden in recent months, suddenly resurfacing and showing its ugly head.
January 14, 2021: Mercury pre-shadow begins. Time to slow down and review the upcoming important dates and tasks. Projects may begin to stall as soon as today. Double-check travel itineraries, inventories, and anything that may be critical for your job. Learn more about Mercury Retrograde 2021 here.
January 14th-15th, 2021: The New Moon of the Old World Witch is called the Witch's New Moon. It is when the very first crescent or sliver of the Moon is visible. This is typically 2-3 nights after the Dark Moon.
With some variations, the Witch's New Moon rises in the daytime before noon and becomes visible in the day sky. It will be most visible at sunset and usually sets well before midnight. The Witch's New Moon is the same percentage all over the world - both in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere. However, which way the tips of the Witch's New Moon point depend on the time, date, and your location on Earth. The moment you see the first crescent of the Moon, know that the Witch's New Moon is upon you.
Note: Depending on your location, most will not see the first crescent Witch's New Moon until January 15th.
The Witch's New Moon is excellent for beginning a new venture, launching a project, beginning a series of devotion/marriage spells. Also ideal for building and reinforcing personal spiritual protection.
January 17, 2021: If you often experience various problems during Mercury Retrograde, begin your Mercury Ritual tonight. The Mercury Ritual evokes and draws upon Mercurial energy, which causes an energetic reversal of the retrograde. Doing so lessens, or often eliminates completely, common Mercury Retrograde issues, such as miscommunication, technical problems, and travel delays. If desired results are achieved and you are not experiencing any retrograde-related problems, you may choose to pause ritual repetition. If problems persist, repeat the ritual on January 24th and February 1st.
January 19, 2021: Sun enters Aquarius in an oracle-like fashion. Rigid hierarchies are now immediately challenged. Egalitarian principles of humanity, compassion, and equal rights take the reins. Excellent sun cycle for self-development, taking risks, and exploring the outer edges of your comfort zone.
January 20, 2021: The First Quarter Moon compels us to take action and reminds us of our power. If waiting/wanting to hear from a romantic interest, now is an excellent time to perform the communication rituals for lovers. Rituals for influence and control are also particularly powerful when started tonight.
January 28, 2021 11:16am PST / 2:15pm EST: Full Moon in Leo awakens a deeper understanding of who we are - and catch a glimpse of all that we can truly become. The blinders of self-doubt will temporarily come off. The inner flame will now brightly shine and illuminate the greatness of all that we can achieve. Potent energy for all love spells, and of course, ideal time for the Sacred Full Moon Ritual
January 30, 2021: Mercury Retrograde begins. Three or four times every year, we experience the illusion of the planet Mercury traveling backward, which is called Mercury Retrograde. Mercury rules communication, travel, technology, and the legal system. When Mercury is in retrograde, these areas of life are at their absolute weakest point. It is the absence of Mercurial energy that is the cause of these problems. Click here to learn more about Mercury Retrograde, view the 2021 dates, learn what you should expect, and what you should avoid.
Wishing you health, warmth and prosperity on these cold winter evenings.
Love & Magick,
Mercury Retrograde 2021: What to Expect, When to Expect It, and What to Avoid
Three or four times every year, we experience the illusion of the planet Mercury traveling backward, which is called Mercury Retrograde. Mercury rules communication, travel, technology, and the legal system. When Mercury is in retrograde, these areas of life are at their absolute weakest point. It is the absence of Mercurial energy that is the cause of these problems.
Everyone is impacted by Mercury Retrograde to varying degrees, all based on the position of Mercury in your natal chart at the moment you were born. Having a natal chart reading with an experienced astrologer will help you understand Mercury's importance in your life, and how it will impact you during its retrograde.
What To Avoid During Mercury Retrograde:
International travel, particularly to conflict-stricken countries. Now is not the time for extreme cultural contrast.
Confrontations and difficult conversations. Keep the drama or special requests to a bare minimum.
Do not ask for a raise and and do not try to suddenly solve problems with family members. Communication will be at its weakest point until a week after Mercury Retrograde.
Do not file important paperwork. Do not file your taxes (or even prepare paperwork), do not file divorce papers, and do not sign important documents. Yes, this means you will need to prepare before Mercury goes retrograde!
Avoid large purchases, such as homes or cars. And if you must, please triple-check all contracts!
Medical treatments are safe during this time, but be prepared for scheduling delays.
Clerical errors are prevalent during this time, so verify (and re-verify) your prescriptions to make sure you were prescribed the correct product and dosage!
Whatever has been on your back burner before the retrograde, will now be front and center. Whatever you have been avoiding or delaying may now come around to bite you.
Let us dive a little deeper.
What is a Mercury Retrograde Pre-Shadow?
The metaphorical dark cloud is approaching. Mercury Retrograde pre-shadow is when you can expect miscommunications and technical glitches to begin ramping up. Car repairs on the horizon? Submitting new construction plans for approval? Court date? Salary negotiations? Avoid unpleasant delays and misunderstandings; make sure to complete everything before the pre-shadow date!
What is Mercury Retrograde Post-Shadow?
Almost as soon as Mercury goes direct, a post-shadow is formed. Although the retrograde is now over, the metaphorical dark cloud has not yet passed. There is still work to be done before normalcy can reign. During the early part of this phase, Mercury is still moving slowly, and thus the effects can be more intense. Depending on where Mercury is in your natal chart, this Period of time can feel like a boomerang. People often experience this phase of the cycle as a time when the consequences of not paying attention to details or asking the right questions become apparent.
2021 Mercury Retrograde Dates:
NOTE: All dates are based on North American timezones. If you are in an earlier timezones (Europe, Asia, Australia, etc.), add 1 day to the dates stated.
In 2021, we experience Mercury Retrograde only 3 times. The first Mercury Retrograde of 2021 begins in February.
Pre-Shadow Period Begins: January 14, 2021. Time to slow down and pay close attention to the 'What to Avoid' list above
Mercury Retrograde begins: January 30th, 2021
Mercury Direct: February 20th, 2021
Mercury Retrograde Post-Shadow Ends: March 12th, 2021
The second Mercury Retrograde of 2021:
Pre-Shadow Period Begins: May 14th, 2021
Mercury Retrograde begins: May 29th, 2021
Mercury Direct: June 22nd, 2021
Mercury Retrograde Post-Shadow Ends: July 7th, 2021
Third and Final Mercury Retrograde of 2021:
Pre-Shadow Period Begins: September 6th, 2021
Mercury Retrograde begins: September 26th, 2021
Mercury Direct: October 18th, 2021
Mercury Retrograde Post-Shadow Ends: November 3rd, 2021
What Can Be Done About & During Mercury Retrograde:
Mercury Retrograde is an excellent time to channel your creative side. Whether it be painting, imaginative writing, or spiritual work, this can be an expanding stretch of time.
For the majority of people (myself included), Mercury Retrograde is a very unpleasant time. Between constant technical difficulties, miscommunication, change of travel plans, and website server failures, these are the most unproductive periods throughout the year.
Utterly exhausting.
In the last decade or so, I have been performing (and advocating for) ritual work during Mercury Retrograde to propel and increase Mercurial energies.
A Mercury Ritual can negate the unpleasantness of Mercury Retrograde by energetically moving the influences of the planet forward. By strengthening the temporary Mercurial weaknesses, you can safely pass through these astrological events without a scratch, an annoyance, or a delay.
View Mercury Retrograde ritual here.
Wishing you a safe and prosperous 2021!
Love & Magick,
