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April 5 through April 11, 2021

The Sun will be moving through creative Aries this week, inspiring our hearts and minds and giving us a glance into the possibilities for the future. We can expect an easy-going and smooth-flowing week ahead, as the Moon touches base with many of the planets and tones down any conflict or worries. An upbeat mood is sure to surround us as the Moon saunters through Aquarius the first three days of the week, emanating friendship, cooperation, and joy. Unconditional love is also a gift of this Moon, making it easy for us to embrace the differences, as well as the similarities of all who cross our paths. The Pisces Moon on Thursday and Friday evokes our spiritual sides, evoking a sense of being one with the Universe. The weekend unfolds under an Aries Moon, culminating in a new Moon on Sunday. This is a great time to reconnect with loved ones, dive into something creative, or simply practice the art of being!

Elemental Powers: Energies vs. Spirits, by Frater Barrabbas

(Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

In my book Elemental Powers for Witches, I have seemingly merged energies and spirits together in my approach to working with elemental powers. Some might find this strange and even a bit exotic, but there is a reason for approaching an energy working using both the qualities of energies and also spirits. It is really a matter of complexity versus simplicity. In the real world in which we live, everything is always more complex than we might initially suppose. Gender, once perceived as binary, is actually more complex. The ethical division of values into either good or evil is an over simplification, since the world doesn't seem to comply with that kind of binary perspective. The same is true for much of what we have learned and seem to know.

This problem of complexity can also be found in the occult and in magic in general. We typically approach magic using models and tables of correspondences that are useful, but represent over-simplifications of what is a very complex and nearly indescribable reality. The conscious view of the world of magic, spirit, and magical powers will often use symbolic metaphors as tools to describe and manipulate psychic events; but, as useful as these tools are, they are not to be confused with what they are describing or emulating. The model or metaphor is not the actual phenomenon. It is a method of describing the indescribable. That means that the revelation of truth, or what is behind everything within the guise of magic is hidden in plain sight—it is the inexplicable experience of magic itself.

Accurately describing the experiences that one undergoes within a magical working can only be accomplished using symbolic metaphors. We describe magical experiences as being like something or use a term that we know and seemingly understand. The same thing could be said about other kinds of experiences, such as love, religious visions, and the insights of genius. We are left with art and poetry to accurately describe the nature of these experiences, and even these are beyond the domain of words and semantic meaning.

Therefore, it shouldn't be too surprising if we find that the ordered and structured paradigm of magical energy also includes spirits and even places. Energy, as defined in magic, is not a simple "energy" as we would expect to find in the scientific definition of energy. Certainly, magical power is not a category within the electro-magnetic spectrum. It is a metaphor and the energy model of magic is also a metaphor. Like all symbolic metaphors, they are not restricted to just one set of phenomena; they can also be compared to other qualities as well. A metaphor and a model are actually quite flexible because they refer to an experience that is very complex and not reducible to a simple set of qualities. Magic is ruled by the mutable power of metaphor, but our perception of it is also limited by the same.

This is especially true in the study of magic. The reality of magical energy, as defined by both modern and traditional occult concepts, must include qualities of energy (metaphors of electricity and magnetism), animal totems (four elemental creatures), spirits associated with the four directions (four winds, four seasons, and their associated archetypal deities, etc.), four Elemental Kings, various elemental deities, and the events of universal creation and dissolution (cosmogonic cycle). There are even four archetypal elemental domains or locations such as the sky, waters, surface of the earth, and the fire of the underworld (volcanos). All these things are qualities and associations of the four elemental powers. Elemental powers are, therefore, not just simple energies but represent a whole array of qualities and correspondences. They are complex, merging qualities, spirits, deities, and domains into a vast array of four basic elements.

The simplicity of the four element powers and their complex grouping of qualities can also be used to develop more complex qualities, such as the 16 elementals and the 40 qualified powers. As I state in Elemental Powers for Witches, the number 4 is the foundation for a whole collection of different attributes. In addition to the elementals and the qualified powers, there are also the 12 signs of the zodiac (triplicity and element), the 36 decans (planet and zodiacal sign), the 28 talismanic elementals (planet and element), and the 256 binary elementals. The list of derivations is nearly endless, but the inherent complexity limits how far one can go with this expansion of the basic four elements. Still, each of these attributes has certain qualities that makes it useful in magical practice and ultimately, in my opinion, essential.

When summoning the symbolic qualities of an attribute of the four elements, I believe that it is the optimal approach to give it a name and an overall personality. That is where I have discovered the whole notion of using the names of spirits to define magical powers. You can devise and use any set of names, even ones wholly made up and meaningful only to you. However, using spirit names that are part of a magical tradition will anchor your magical work by giving it a context and levels of meaning that it might not ordinarily possess if you used made-up names. If we understand that a spirit name attribute applied to an element quality, such as an elemental or a qualified power, represents a whole array of correspondences and qualities that are simplified through the use of a single name, then we can see the genius of using this approach. You can think of it in this manner: to summon an elemental, then use a single spirit name to encapsulate a whole array of qualities. It is simple and elegant.

While there are many traditional and grimoire-based lists of various spirits, I have focused on those lists whose quantity match the number of element attributes that I want to characterize. For instance, there are 16 elementals, so I would want a list of 16 spirits that I could use to characterize the 16 elementals. This handy approach has already been done for us regarding the 16 god-name pairs as found in the Enochian system of magic. However, I felt that finding another set of spirits not associated with Enochian magic would be a good approach to use in my magical workings. I never like being dependent on just one way of doing things, which makes me somewhat different than the average Witch or ritual magician.

Therefore, having in my resources a list of 16 spirits in the collection of Theurgia-Goetia (an early Renaissance grimoire) known as the Grand Dukes (there are a total of 79 spirits listed in this book), I decided to apply them to my list of 16 elemental qualities. However, there wasn't any such organization to these list of spirit names, so I had to rely on trance techniques to briefly contact each one of these spirits and determine their associated elemental quality. Later magical workings confirmed that these spirits match up with the elemental correspondences, but that could also be because I had organized them as such. My expectations may have made this match work, but that is the way that magic functions. It allows for much experimentation and the creation of hybrid associations and constructions. The basic rule of thumb in magic is that if it works then it must be true, even though the mystery of why it works might never be determined.

Now, these 16 Grand Duke spirits of the Theurgia-Goetia were, as based on their historical precedence, wind demons associated with a specific compass point or direction. In the grimoire they are described as a collection of spirits, some that are inherently evil, some good, and others, neutral. Of course, there are no specific qualities defined that would allow the operator to differentiate whether they are good, bad, or indifferent, and one might have to extrapolate that the qualities of the winds of the sixteen directions would be dependent on one's geographic location. That kind of variable would indicate that some of the directional winds have a propensity for causing storms and damage while others would be benign or ineffective.

It seemed to me that the qualities of these spirits, as defined, were arbitrary, and like the wind, they could be destructive or beneficial. I felt that it is really the motive and objective of the magician that would determine the effect of any one of these spirits, so whether they should be classified as either good or bad, seemed to me to be too simple. This would also imply that because they are classified as demons any ethical Witch should avoid them or that the classification of either good or evil just doesn't apply to any spirits in general. I have found the latter to be true, and as a practicing Witch, I have evolved my beliefs and perspectives about spirits. Spirits can be hot, cold, or neutral. They can be passionate, thoughtful, or indifferent. What they can do in the material world is based on a combination of their nature and our magical intention.

Demons, or my preferred name for them, daimons, are spirits that are close to the earth whether arial, earthy, or infernal (dwellers of the underworld), and I have found that such spirits are best employed on material matters. If we, as Witches, do not subscribe to the Christian definition of reality (even though we have to live in a Christianized world), then we should approach spirits as individuals and judge our experience of them accordingly. The whole dichotomy of good and evil regarding spirits is far too simple of a paradigm to be useful. Therefore, we can approach the grimoire-based magic and their associated list of spirits with an open mind and a neutral disposition, basing our judgements solely on our own magical experiences.

This is the reason why I chose the 16 Grand Dukes to represent the Elemental Spirits in my book Elemental Powers for Witches and why I thought that doing so was a good approach to working this kind of magic in a Witchcraft setting. It is also why I believe that using a spirit characterization to represent an element-based energy is an optimal use of magical metaphors. Things are always more complex than they might seem, and as we evolve in our practice, we discover that there are new ways of working magic, projecting elemental energies and engaging with our spiritual hierarchy and the Goddesses and Gods of Witchcraft. We must endeavor to be flexible, open and willing to experiment in order to emulate the very protean nature of magic itself, and to keep our pledge to the Gods to progress and grow in our knowledge and wisdom.

Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2021. All rights reserved.

I keep hearing that my astrological sign is incorrect due to something called a wobble that has thrown off the constellations and added a 13th sign, or moved everyone's sign. I'm totally confused. My birthday is in early June, which would make me a Gemini. Am I really a Cancer? Or does it go backwards, making me a Taurus? What's the scoop?

Brian

Astrea:

The famous astrologer Carl Payne Tobey is credited with the discovery of Moon Wobbles, which always occur when the transiting Sun makes contact with the lunar nodes. They happen about four times a year and generally are about two weeks in duration.

Moon Wobbles create events and cause things to happen that are similar to a Mercury Retrograde, so things seem to be unsettled or intensified during these times.

Generally, Moon Wobbles can be held responsible for car crashes, mechanical breakdowns, and people over-reacting to emotional issues. On the positive side, sometimes they produce increased awareness and creativity.

Moon Wobbles don't determine your Sun Sign, but where your Moon is in your chart will usually show what kind of reaction you will generally have during one of these astrological events. Your personal horoscope probably contains information as to whether you were born at one of these times or not. If your astrologer omitted that information, it's easy enough to look up on the internet.

During a Moon Wobble, it's not advisable to sign a new lease, buy or sell a home, plant a garden or travel, unless you can be extremely flexible. Try to avoid arguments with others, especially with spouses, parents and children, as conflicts that begin during these times can be volatile and very difficult to resolve.

It's best not to start a new job or project or have major repairs done to your car or your home. Following the same precautions advisable during a Mercury Retrograde can help you stay on a smoother track. The key to doing well is to try not to react to things that would normally push your buttons.

As a Gemini, flexibility won't be a challenge for you, and during a Moon Wobble (especially if you were born during one) this trait would intensify. Expecting the unexpected is a way of life for Air Signs, so living with all sorts of surprises and sudden shifts may be fun for you. Nevertheless, it's still wise to take extra care during volatile periods.

While I think that this is an interesting feature of astrology, for me personally, it's not something that is in effect all the time; it comes and goes. Some people do just fine and hardly notice these planetary changes in their lives.

I'm pretty old-fashioned in my astrology work, so in my view, they're not all that important when it comes to a person's life and personality. However, this is something fun to study and find out about in your own chart.

*****

Susyn:

Thanks for a great question. This is a theory that popped up in the mid-1990's and has been causing quite a stir ever since. It's based on a scientific study that measured the shift in the earth's axis (called the wobble). This study suggests that the constellations are no longer moving in sync with the ancient dates assigned to the zodiac in early times.

This was used by skeptics as just one more reason why astrological practices aren't valid, and it generated a lot of confusion about sun signs, as your question indicates. Unfortunately, this whole theory was based on a misconception about how the signs of the zodiac came into being and what they are based upon.

In truth, the signs, degrees and divisions of the zodiac have no connection to the heavenly constellations that bear their same names. Instead, they were originally based on an imaginary elliptical belt surrounding the earth. These sign designations are determined by the seasons of the year, not the stars above.

An easier way to view this is to remember that our seasons start on the first day the Sun enters a particular sign, so the first day of spring (in the Northern hemisphere) corresponds with the onset of Aries; for summer, it's the first day the Sun is in Cancer; for autumn, it's the first day in Libra, and for winter, it's the first day in Capricorn.

Because the constellations are fixed stars in the sky, they hold little place in the reading of an astrological chart, as they don't create transits or vary from client to client. The signs of the zodiac were created over 2,000 years ago, as first recorded in Greek history; they were named long before most corresponding constellations were identified or named.

So you can rest assured that you are still a Gemini. Since that means there are already two of you, I'm sure you don't really want to add another sign to the mix!

Just for reference, however, there are some instances where you may experience a change in your Sun sign. For example, if you decide to explore Vedic astrology, your Sun would move 23 degrees backwards, which could easily identify you as a Taurus instead of a Gemini born within the first 23 degrees of your sign.

Keep in mind that Eastern and Western astrology are two very different practices. One leans more toward predictive readings, while the other finds its center in spiritual growth and development. Both work well for the purposes for which they were designed, and by understanding the difference, you can get the information you're seeking.

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.