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November 1 through November 7, 2021

We'll do well to assume that Monday is going to be our most productive day of the week thanks to the Virgo Moon, so dive right in and get all your paperwork and important tasks out of the way. Tuesday and Wednesday we'll be prone to daydreaming under the Libra Moon, so it could be difficult to make any headway during this time. Just remember though, daydreams awaken the creative spirit within us, so give yourself permission to while away the hours doing whatever strikes your fancy! A Scorpio new Moon will greet us on Thursday, always a herald of new beginnings and fresh starts. To add power to these new visions, Venus will move into Capricorn (an action sign) and Mercury will join the Sun in Scorpio (a manifesting sign) on Friday. There's a lot of passion and power in these aspects, so consider it a green light to move forward. The weekend is the perfect time to put some things into motion as the Moon travels through Sagittarius and surrounds us with creative energy!

Silence Is Golden: Give Ways to Quietly Make a Difference in a Loud World, by Zoe Howe

(Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

Over the centuries, witches, folk magicians, and "cunning folk (as we refer to them in the British Isles) have beavered away behind the scenes to help their communities, often by stealth and in most cases without credit. At odds with the performative, virtue-signalling culture of the digital era, there were and remain magical workers and healers who rarely broadcast their works of positive magic, not least because, depending on individual or societal circumstances, such boasting could be misconstrued or lead to danger.

Additionally, as my mother always told me, if you let ego get in the way of this kind of work, one's "gifts" may be taken away. There are many positive aspects to social media, and I love that so many inspiring practitioners have been able to connect with each other and share thoughts and ideas. Through social media we can support and learn from each other, cheer each other on and form global communities in ways we never could before. But, as with all things, balance is vital.

When it comes to working effectively (and, indeed, being a decent human being) the underrated quality of humility is essential. Whatever our path, magic and witchcraft is deep, spiritual work, and we must frequently inspect our intentions. Are we coming from a pure place? Or are we doing it so we can post about it on TikTok, or to appear "mysterious" and powerful? In this "pictures or it didn't happen" epoch, the squeaky wheels often get the grease, but when said squeaky wheel suddenly realizes they aren't the only witch in the village and that others around them have quietly been practicing for years, rather than rejoicing that there are kindred spirits nearby, there can be a sense of competition or a desire for self-justification. I feel this is a great shame and can stand in the way of love, unity, and progress. It's also important to remember that the biggest voice ultimately counts for little if they're not committed to living their magic and doing the work, every day. And a lot of that work takes place—you guessed it—in silence. Without anyone knowing about it. By stealth, if you like.

"Stealth" normally makes one think of sneaky behavior, but how about when you just want to silently do some good for another with no agenda? It's hard for humans to do a nice thing without wanting a pat on the back for it—usually in the form of a thousand likes on Instagram and a flurry of new followers—but when we seriously commit to our work as witches, and we become accustomed to the magic and power within silence, the grip of ego becomes at least a little looser.

Magical work is also, as many of us know, more effective when it is not talked about; when we discuss it with others, we risk our plans or results being inadvertently polluted or knocked off course by people's attitudes, doubts, or negativity. "To know, to dare, to will, to keep silent" is a law many magical folk live by, and for very good reason.

Occult means "hidden," but sweet Venus, how open things are now. Even twenty years ago I would carefully cover my witchy books in silver paper so I could read them on public transport without arousing curiosity, or bury them deep in drawers so nosy landladies wouldn't see them as they snooped about. Let us never forget the value, necessity indeed, of silence and mystery. But it's not just about hiding what's precious to us from prying eyes and mischievous minds; it's also a beautiful act of magic in itself, I think, to want to do something to help or uplift another without expecting anything other than the quiet satisfaction of having done it.

What can you do, by stealth and without seeking credit, to uplift others? Here are some ideas that may sound mundane, but are filled with positive magical potential—and amplifying the magic in the mundane is at the heart of my new book Witchful Thinking:

1. Leave tokens, notes, or positive messages in public spaces for people to find. I used to live in a seaside community where kindly unknown souls would paint an affirming message on a stone and leave it on the beach, on a bench, or under a tree for someone to find. The number of pictures of these stones snapped by delighted passers-by proved that a simple but powerful magic had not only taken place, it had spread for others to enjoy, the messages being received by those who needed them. Alternatively, whenever I was feeling flush, I would attach a pound coin to a postcard with a friendly message encouraging the finder to put it towards a treat. But just a note or a single word can create a shift in someone's day that prompts a butterfly effect.
2. Donate. If you can afford to donate to a charity, it is wonderful to be able to do so. Look into having a tree planted to aid reforestation. Pop the loose change in your purse at the end of the week into a special tin that is just for charity use, and donate it at the end of the month. Alternatively, donating items you no longer use or want to thrift stores can help others, too. If you can afford to do so, you could add extra food to your grocery shop to take to a food bank, or delivering a pack of healthy pet food to a struggling animal shelter.
3. Write a positive review. As consumers, we rely more than ever on customer reviews. We are quick to dismiss a service if we spot a one-star write-up (even if we can't prove whether or not the review was genuine or due to some personal agenda). On the other hand, we all too quickly fall for the product garlanded with fake 5-star praise that's secretly been paid for. As a result, our genuine kind words are like gold dust—as they always have been— unfortunately, many of us only feel moved to write a review online if we're angry or displeased, rather than if we enjoyed something, or received decent service. Take the time to think about a book you loved, a café you enjoyed, a beautiful artisan-crafted candle you bought—anything at all. All of those things have people behind them, people who worked hard and did their best to create something special. Once you've made a list—or even if you can only think of one thing—go online and spread the love. Don't worry about time-scale—your positivity is always welcomed and makes a real difference on so many levels.
4. Send energy. We are sending out energy all the time, anyway—good, bad, and neutral—and this makes a difference, for better or worse, because we are all ultimately connected. With that in mind, I often like to hold a person, an animal, or indeed the whole planet, consciously and lovingly in my thoughts if they are going through a difficult time. One way to do this is to sit quietly and light a candle, concentrating on raising your vibration (the act of lighting a candle alone will help with this). Call in your guardians and guides and request that you are filled and surrounded by the white light of the Divine, of Spirit, the Higher Power, the Highest and Best—use whatever words and terms that work for you. Then humbly request that the guides of the other person accept a gift of healing energy or positive, uplifting thought from you. Ask that, if it is not accepted, it be redirected wherever it is needed and wanted. Then visualize your friend (or a place, or the planet) looking serene and happy, enrobed in light for as long as is needed. When you have finished, say goodbye, thank your guides and theirs, close down the meditation and ground yourself—eating and drinking something is a simple way to do this, or stamp your feet. You could do both, but maybe not at the same time (it could get messy). I also like to tailor this ritual if someone's pet has gone missing, with a prayer to Bast for a cat, or to Hekate for a dog, for example. Hold them in the light and imagine them bounding safely back to their owners, who greet them with relief and joy. (Resist the desire to tell them you've done this when you see them celebrating their return. Just be pleased for them.)
5. Send prayers to those passing over. Tap into old-style "cunning folk" ways by assisting the journey of souls into the next world. One way to do this would be to spend time in meditation and ask the appropriate deities (Hekate, who lights the way, for example) or angels to guide souls safely to the light. It's a lovely way to silently, meaningfully, support others, whether you know them or not. Write a heartfelt prayer to those who have passed, or are about to. Light a candle at twilight or just before dawn: these liminal times are considered to be "thin," making it easier to connect with the other side. Imagine yourself grounded, and picture yourself suffused with Divine Light. Now speak the words, aloud or in your head, while linking in with any others doing the same, on both sides of the veil; you can bet those already in Spirit will be working with you to amplify this work too. Byron Ballard wrote a beautiful prayer for the dead during the first year of the Covid 19 pandemic, and generously shared it with the world. Many people adopted it and recited it every night. You can find it here.

These are just a few examples of straightforward but profound acts of compassionate magic, and they make a quiet but powerful difference in the world—to others and to yourself. What simple acts of "stealth" magic can you conjure?

Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2022. All rights reserved.

In the past, I have helped spirits cross over with the assistance of angels. I once saw an angel zip a spirit into the light by using something like a Judo throw. (I used to do Judo.) It was a very easy move for the Angel to make. Last night, I saw an oldish man in spirit sitting down. He looked at me and something very strange happened that has never happened to me before: He drew my spirit forcefully toward him, and placed me on his knee. I thought, You cheeky old man, sitting me on your knee! I never gave you permission! I felt very strongly about this at the time. With a strong will to get up, I regained my power and stood up. Then to my surprise, I judo threw the old man through the air and he landed head first on the sofa where he had been sitting. He remained there upside-down in shock at what had happened. I have never moved a spirit before, so this is very new. I almost donít know how I did it. It must have been my strong will power that took over. I have noticed that some spirits do not fully know what's good for them and do not walk peacefully into the light when it's time to cross over. Is this the beginning of me learning how to push them in if I can't talk them over?

Em

Susyn:

Spirits have no mass or form, as they are primarily composed of energy. They can, however, take the form of an apparition or appear in human form. This form is usually similar to the physical body they occupied before passing over.

Because of this, spirits may seem to move or respond to certain directives. When you are in a state in which you can move or influence entities, it may appear that you are physically shifting them. This appearance is a result of our own perceptions combined with the form the apparition takes.

You can move spirits on your own without the help of an angel or guide, though it is safer to have protective entities nearby while attempting such an endeavor. There is no higher purpose in getting them to physically move, as in your experience with the old man. It would be like attempting to move gelatin or mercury: once you move them, they can immediately morph right back into their original place or form.

Your work focuses on moving spirits into the light. These are typically entities or discarnates who either do not realize they are dead or are afraid to leave the earth plane. It is your prayers and guidance that urge them forward, though when you visualize their form, it may be easier for you to observe their progress.

Keep in mind that when working on this spiritual plane, it is always a good idea to have other positive spirits and divine light surrounding you. Even though it appeared that you had power over the old man spirit and were able to control him, that may not always be the case. You must practice caution and give dark entities a wide berth.

Your ability to help spirits cross over is a wonderful gift that I'm sure you will want to further develop. However, when we feel that we have more power over spirits than they do over us, we can get ourselves into some trouble. It's a bit like electricity: if used properly, this is a wonderful tool that improves our lives. If we take it for granted or ignore its inherent dangers, however, the result can be fire or electrocution.

You are correct in assuming that some spirits do not know what is good for them and need strong direction. When working with these entities, we do have to exert more willpower to direct them. For example, when one is dealing with a malevolent spirit, exorcists or psychics with a strong command of the spirit world must often be called upon.

As long as you remain aware of what type of entity you are dealing with, you should be fine. However, it is always good to take a guide or angel with you into these situations. Just like walking through a bad neighborhood, there is safety in numbers.

*****

Mata:

There is great power in being totally congruent with what you desire and knowing that you are right. The reason you had power over this old man spirit was because you were congruent: you knew that what he was doing was wrong, and you knew that you wanted him to stop.

Further, each one of us has dominion over our own being. When we stand up to those who mean us harm, we will eventually prevail. Of course, this also works the other way: When we attempt to help people who don't want to be helped, we prove just as powerless.

The problem with trying to force spirits to cross over is that, like us, they all have free will. If it were possible to force a spirit to go into the light, I'm sure angels and other metaphysical helpers would be widely employing that tactic already, which would eliminate earthbound spirits altogether.

I'm actually a bit more concerned about your spiritual well-being than the well-being of the spirits you're trying to help. The fact that you had this experience tells me that you are vulnerable to the influence of negative entities. If you decide your mission in life is to help earthbound spirits, then you will attract more and more interactions with beings who are far from angelic. Further, if you go into such interactions with the attitude of a warrior, you will create one battle after another.

Perhaps this mission to save lost souls came about simply because you are able to perceive spirits and want to help. While that is noble, it may not be enough to ensure a smooth journey.

The higher our own vibration, the better we are able to perceive angels, spirit guides, and loved ones who have passed, and the less likely we are to interact with earthbound spirits and negative entities. If your goal is to work with the dregs of astral society, you'll have to vibrationally dwell in or near the ghetto yourself, which will make you vulnerable to psychic attack. If, however, you get tired of all this battling and decide you want to be free of the influence of lower astral entities, your best bet is to simply move to a better neighborhood by raising your own vibration.

In any case, I think earthbound spirits should be treated with the same kindness and respect we would show living human beings. There are living people who are too dangerous for us to try to help; since these sorts don't want our help anyway, I wouldn't bother with them. Should we encounter a spirit that is simply lost, confused or conflicted, we can help them best by offering them love, respect and understanding, for if we can uplift them, they'll naturally find their own way to the light.

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.