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November 27 through December 3, 2023

The Gemini full Moon will greet us first thing Monday morning, shining a bright light and setting a wonderful tone for the rest of the week. Socially oriented and chatty, this full Moon will make conversations and information gathering a theme for the next seven days. We could feel a bit sensitive or nostalgic Wednesday and Tuesday as the Moon travels through emotional Cancer. Note your feelings, write them down, and then let them go as a ritual for release and growth. Mercury will move into Capricorn on Friday, and our thoughts will turn to all we want to accomplish over the next few weeks. Whether we're wrapping up work or projects for 2023 or simply planning our future moves for 2024, we'll tend to spend a lot of time considering the possibilities and clearing a path to start manifesting them. A Leo Moon hangs high in the heavens Friday through Sunday, encouraging us to focus on meeting our personal needs. If we've neglected any areas of our lives while tending to the needs of others, this is the weekend to step back, reassess where we are with things, and work to restore balance and wholeness before moving full throttle into December.

Can Witches Really Fly?, by James Endredy

(Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

Can witches really fly? Well yes, but rarely on broomsticks. The broomstick is often associated with witches for many reasons (including the simple fact that historical witches didn't have vacuums, but brooms were always at hand). The modern portrayals of witches flying, such as in The Wizard of Oz or the Harry Potter movies, has proven to be entertaining to millions of people; that said, brooms are not very effective flying machines. They lack any kind of propulsion system or comfortable seating.

In my experience there are two ways that witches actually do fly: by way of ointments and ingestion of plant entheogens, and a technique that I call dream trance or dreaming awake. My book, The Flying Witches of Veracruz: A Shaman's True Story of Indigenous Witchcraft, Devil's Weed, and Trance Healing in Aztec Brujeria, recounts my experiences learning both of these techniques of flying on the wings of perception from present day witches in rural areas of Mexico (mostly in the Tuxtlas mountain region of Veracruz state that is historically famous for its witches).

That mysticism, magic, and witchcraft pervades the area of the Tuxtlas is hardly surprising given its past history. The prehistoric and mysterious Olmec civilization, famous for their colossal stone heads, inhabited the region from approximately 1500 BCE to CE 300, after which the Teotihuacan people thrived in the area of Matacapan and later built the massive pyramids and magical city of Teotihuacan to the northwest of the Tuxtlas. The Pyramid of the Sun, built by the Teotihuacans, is one of the largest in the world. The Aztecs conquered the area next and reigned until the time of the Spaniards.

All of the pre-Columbian civilizations had at their core what modern people would refer to as magical or supernatural practices and beliefs. Even after Cortez and the Spanish missionaries decimated the native population, the magical systems continued, albeit covertly, and were gradually mixed with the magic-religious practices of the African slaves introduced to the area in the early 1500s. Today, the rural spiritualism of the area is a combination of Aztec brujeria, African-Haitian Voudon, Cuban Santería, and Christianity. Complementing and enhancing the mystical spiritualism of the area is the natural ambiance: Mist-shrouded extinct and dormant volcanoes, waterfalls, lagoons, and coastal sand dunes make the rain forest of the Tuxtlas region the perfect natural backdrop for witchcraft and magic.

My first encounter with the flying witches occurred when I was drawn to the annual Congreso Internacional de Brujeria (the International Conference of Witchcraft) in the "witch capital of Mexico," the city of Catemaco. On this first occasion I was poisoned by a malicious and jealous local male witch who spiked my margarita with the seeds of the datura plant. This caused me to "fly" to the cave of the dead, where I was found by a well-known curandero/brujo, who subsequently healed me and became my teacher of witchcraft and healing.

This amazing man also introduced me to the women witches, one of whom was my teacher in flying (through the use of various species of datura plants through ingestion and applying a specially-brewed ointment to mucous membranes). For humor and the sheer fun of poking at ancient stereotypes, my teacher once brought forth a miniature broomstick that she stirred the bubbling cauldron of datura with and that we then used to apply the ointment. From these "flights" I learned to fly to alternate states of reality, where my spirit allies taught me how to facilitate healing and diffuse evil spells cast by witches of mal intent. The spirits of helping animals acquired during these flights in the dream trance (mine include condor, a female and male wolf, cougar, snake, and even the ancient dwarf king from the pyramids of Uxmal) are an integral part of working with both good and evil witchcraft, hexing and curing.

The concept and reality of a person being both a curandero and a brujo comes from both a practical and cultural perspective of the people of the Tuxtlas; there are good witches and evil witches, and even witches that are both. I am simply using the terms witch and witchcraft to describe the people and events in The Flying Witches of Veracruz because they are the best English words I have to use. Brujeria is the Spanish word that most closely translates to witchcraft in English. However, like the English term witchcraft, the Spanish word brujeria is most commonly used to describe the evil or negative aspects and functions of the craft (even though most people with interest in this topic would agree that there are both good witches and bad witches, ergo good brujos and bad brujos).

In Spanish the word curandera or curandero (female and male, respectively) refers to a folk healer that "cures." In this context there is no negative connotation associated with these practitioners. But in my experiences with the healers (good witches) it became apparent that in order to be proficient at their work the healers needed to be versed in the art of evil hexing caused by bad witches. So, quite naturally their knowledge and experience necessarily included both spectrums of the craft. The Nahuatl word that most accurately describes the practitioners that became my teachers is tetlachihuic. However, it must be noted that the Aztec language of Nahuatl contains some forty different words that translate into various specialties of witches, sorcerers, and spiritual healers, such is the range and depth of their knowledge of the supernatural. The tetlachihuics can be described as women or men with supernatural abilities to either induce or cure illness; manipulate people's consciousness for either good or bad; alter or influence events and circumstances through incantations, prayers, rites, ceremonies, and the use of amulets, talismans, and effigies; and are skilled in the use of plants and animals.

The "master" witches I encountered in the Tuxtlas, and that ended up being my teachers, had all of the abilities of the tetlachihuic, plus many more. Specifically, they are also specialists in what I call conscious dreaming or dream trance. This is a state of consciousness that allows the witch to consciously "fly" into the realm of the spirit underworld and "bring back" into everyday life information on illness and curing (especially having to do with soul loss or spirit possession). My teachers of witchcraft are so highly skilled at manipulating consciousness via the dream trance that they can even manipulate the dream trance of others. Throughout my latest book you will have the opportunity to see exactly what I experienced and how I learned through their teachings.

In the beginning of my instruction, I was given various species of the datura plant (devil's weed) to facilitate the dream trance state. Once I had experienced the dream trance state via the datura sufficiently to alter my "everyday" or "normal" consciousness, the datura was no longer necessary, although it was still employed on some occasions during extreme circumstances.

The usage of datura leads to a deviation in practicality with this latest book. I do not advise anyone to ingest datura. I was thrown into the world of datura without my consent, and I am lucky to be alive and relatively sane. Datura usage is included in this book simply because it was a major factor and central part of my lessons with this specific class of witches. However, the main crux of the knowledge shared with me by my teachers and what I want to share with you, is the dream trance and positive applications of working with the spirits of the underworld. Witchcraft in the Tuxtlas is fundamentally about spirit possession and/or soul loss. It is not necessary to experience or work in the realms of spirits and souls with datura. That's just what happened to me when I went to Veracruz.

Practically speaking, I would make at least three separate contexts for spirit possession as I was introduced to it in the Tuxtlas. First, and most rarely, are people afflicted involuntarily by a spirit. Second are those that voluntarily are possessed, such as witches, shamans, sorcerers, etc. Third are those possessed involuntarily by a spirit not acting entirely of its own volition but rather at the bidding of someone controlling it (such as a witch or shaman).

With soul loss there are two main categories: the first is involuntary soul loss through extreme personal events, or the soul being taken by a witch or shaman. The second is voluntary soul loss by witches and shamans that send their souls flying into other worlds.

The concepts and experiences of working with spirits and souls during the flight of the dream trance is the central form of witchcraft that I experienced with the witches of Catemaco and the Tuxtlas mountain region. The flying witches also taught me that there are four main types of witches: the "little witches" that dabble in love potions and giving people bad luck, the "black witches" whose main intent is to harm and are effective from any distance, the "witches of death" who kill and suck the juices of their victims, and the many levels of curanderos involved in healing in the community.

My teachers put me through arduous trials and tests in order to experience all four types of witchcraft. In The Flying Witches of Veracruz I write about passing through these rights of initiation and with the help of my spirit allies become an experienced curandero/brujo, a tetlachihuic, in the ancient traditions of the indigenous people of the amazing Tuxtlas. From love potions to stealing souls through murderous acts, beautiful and amazing trips flying on the wings of perception to soul possession by malevolent spirits, the tetlachihuic works with many different circumstances and levels of awareness, perception, time, and reality.

Although, many of the experiences I share may be disturbing to some people, as they were to me, ultimately the healing knowledge acquired from these experiences I feel was worth the price and merits sharing. And boy was it a wild ride. The witches of Veracruz most certainly can fly...

Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2011. All rights reserved.

I am pretty new to giving psychic readings. I have only done it for about four years, and only for friends and family. Lately, I have realized something strange. It seems I can never remember what I tell people during readings. I have friends come back and tell me that I was right on in what I told them, but I can't seem to remember what that was. I can only remember little pieces of my readings, and these aren't the really important, powerful messages. It seems to me that this is more than just a bad memory - that something else is going on. I can't even remember the readings I did yesterday! Is this normal? Thank you for your time.

- Norberto

Dreamchaser:

I am so glad that you asked about this. I have wanted to address this very issue. I really hope my personal psychic reading clients are reading this right now, because I am NOTORIOUS for not having any memory of my readings. Like you, I really don't remember anything I've said either. Sometimes I hear, "Dreamchaser, how can you not remember THAT??"

I can only speak for myself as I try to explain why this happens, but I feel this applies to you as well. When you are giving someone a reading, you shut off your human/ logical mind, and turn on your spiritual mind. You are channeling information from a higher source THROUGH your human mind.

In my case, the more mindless I am, the better my reading work is. I can't remember the readings I did 30 days or 30 minutes ago. Sometimes I wish I COULD remember, but I can't!

I also think it's a good thing that we can't remember prior readings, because this way, we're not influenced by them. Our clients always get a fresh view of the situation. I think since life is constantly changing, it's wise to constantly be updating our view of it. Our life circumstances can change drastically from one day to the next. What happened yesterday often does not apply in any way to what is going on today.

Now there are times when I remember something from a reading, but it is only because Spirit "reminds" me of it. As I am going along, I may get a flash of the information I need to remember because it will prove somehow useful to the reading underway. It is almost like rewinding a movie to a certain part and then replaying it. I can even see what I was wearing, etc., when I was giving the reading.

I recommend that you stop placing such heavy expectations and rules on your reading work. The only real rules I follow are to not pry and to harm no one. However, you have to come up with your own rules about what is right and best. There is no one right or wrong way to do this work.

Some people use a book. Some do certain spreads. Some, like me, just throw cards out there in no order, and let them speak like chapters in a book. Whatever works best for you is the right way for you. PERIOD.

One way to explain yourself to people who ask you why you can't remember your readings is to have them picture a river in your head. Now tell them to picture the river coming in the top of your head, through your crown chakra, and flowing out of your mouth. Then ask them how anything can stay put in THAT strong flow. Hopefully, they will understand that analogy.

I wish you many more mind-less readings.

*****

Astrea:

Four years is long enough to know what you're doing, especially if you're giving regular readings. There are a few different reasons why you might not be able to remember your psychic perceptions.

In fact, most psychics experience the same thing. Usually this is because at the time, we're in a semi-trancelike state. It's hard to remain grounded when you're mentally reaching into the ethers for obscure information. Sometimes in order to get a picture of what is going on in the Seeker's life, we have to suspend our mental connection to this plane and allow our minds to wander a bit into the person we're reading for. There are things we see there that are none of our business, and our subconscious will wipe them from our memory along with everything we think we SHOULD remember too!

The things you generally do remember from your readings are all the harmless images that come to you. You're also getting pictures in a deeper way of your family members and friends. While some are okay to see, others are very dark and upsetting, and your mind blocks out those memories. Since you're reading for friends and family, it's understandable that you wouldn't want to know graphic details of their sex lives and other personal matters. Some things are truly better forgotten! Your mind is just being very thorough in purging itself of others' personal business.

If you'd like to start remembering your readings, two solutions come to mind: either record your readings or take notes. Most people are flattered if you do that, and will even request a copy of your readings. Since people are so often impressed with your accuracy, you don't have to be worried about someone coming back and angrily waving a finger in your face, saying, "How did you ever get THAT?!"

I often don't remember a reading, especially with someone who is new to me, and I have to ask for all sorts of basic information. Luckily, people don't really expect us to remember EVERYTHING. Most the time, they'll say something to trigger a memory, and I'll remember what we talked about before.

If you were reading for strangers, you'd probably remember more because it wouldn't be so important to you. Your friends and family are a different matter. Sometimes it hurts to see what is going to happen to them because of the poor choices they have made in their lives. Try branching out and reading for some people you DON'T know. Besides, after four years, it's time to test your wings with other people! Good luck!

Astrea:

Many times in life we hear, "You will always have what you NEED, but not necessarily what you WANT." Your spirit must have needed to experience the feeling of leaving your human body, and the suggestion in the next chapter of Sylvia Brown's book was all it took to get you there.

Even though you hadn't read it yet, your SOUL recognized the title of that chapter as something it had been seeking, and your soul, knowing that you had that reference to read after your experience, got with it and out you went!

While I don't usually recommend her books, Sylvia Brown has a wide reaching and powerful effect on lots of people. A Gemini like you would be able to relate easily to her writing and put it to good use. Synchronicity - you gotta love it!

I like your description of "getting caught." That's exactly what it feels like, isn't it? One minute you're free and hovering above the room, and the next minute, ZAP! back down into your corporeal form you go!

As a little kid, I loved that "feeling of return." With practice, most of the time we can control that event, but sometimes, when our physical ears hear a distracting noise or something else occurs to knock us back into reality, back we go. With practice you will be able to control your return better.

I find it interesting that you were visiting your mother-in-law and not someone in your own genetic family. Evidently, you and your husband got married for reasons that are even deeper than love. His family's interest in "psychic stuff" will nurture your children in such matters and help them to grow into their own abilities.

You'll never have to be concerned that when your daughter visits them, she'll be discouraged from exploring her own psychic life and power. My parents encouraged me to develop my psychic senses in a time when it wasn't nice to even discuss such things in public. Heck, it's STILL not considered a great topic at the dinner table in some families!

Your kids will get to talk about it ALL and ask questions and read and study. This is going to give them such an edge in life! Talk with your husband about how you want to present this to your kiddos, so that you are united in your approach and ready to tell them their experiences are all natural and okay.

A word or two of warning: Geminis often have difficulty staying grounded in REAL LIFE. Don't get so strung out on your ASTRAL life that you neglect what you're doing here on Earth.

You are at the beginning of a long journey to learn where your power really lies. Try to be patient with this process and take your time.