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February 17 through February 23, 2025

The week starts out under a fair-minded Libra Moon, asking us to devote more time to our loved ones and most personal relationships. The first of two important astrological shifts takes place on Tuesday as the Sun moves into Pisces. For the next four weeks, our thoughts will turn to more spiritual pursuits, as we look beyond the obvious to explore the deeper reasons behind current events in our lives. As we enter the last month of the astrological year, integrating all we've experienced will be a theme. This is also one of three cycles where the veil between the spirit world and ours is the thinnest, enabling us to receive signs from those who've crossed over as well as our spirit guides. The Moon will travel through Scorpio on Tuesday and Wednesday, adding to our heightened awareness of the ethereal energies that guide our worlds. Things lighten up on Thursday and Friday as the Moon cruises through Sagittarius, encouraging more fun and social activities. We probably won't get much work done, but that's okay - it will be waiting for us next week… The Moon spends the weekend in Capricorn, grounding us and giving us a chance to regroup. The second astrological highlight of the week occurs on Sunday when Mars resumes direct motion after two months of backward movement. Make no mistake, once it gets a foothold, we'll enjoy forward movement once again!

Three Ways to Craft Your Own Spells with Word Magic, by Ember Grant

(Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

Is the pen truly mightier than the sword? For personal magic, yes! In this case, instead of a pen, though, your words will be conveyed using items other than a traditional writing instrument. My latest book, The Words of the Witch, explores myriad ways to write and speak your magic. In this article I’m giving you three bonus projects that are not included in the book.

Words have power, and with these activities you will be choosing and empowering a word or words of your choice that can be used as an affirmation or a one-word spell (more details on this topic are provided in the book). All you need to know for now is that a one-word spell involves choosing a word that encompasses your goal; it's a word that you express with specific intent. For the word-creation activities, you can make the act of creating the items part of your spell by setting up the area as sacred space and employing any other aspects of magical working you desire.

Fabric Transfer Spell
You can literally wear the word(s) of your choice or cut a piece of fabric to carry or display. The basic process is that you'll use text you create on your computer and then print that on special paper to create an iron-on image you can transfer to fabric.

You'll need: an iron, a heat-proof surface, fabric, ink-jet printer

The transfer paper will provide details on the process; it's quite simple. This method is often used to make easy DIY personalized T-shirts. The process is incredibly easy—you just have to choose which word and which fabric to use. It's been my experience that 100% cotton or a cotton blend works best.

First, create the word (or short phrase) on your computer, and be sure you have it set to the appropriate font, size, and color you desire. You may want to do a test-print with plain paper first. When you're ready, follow the instructions on the transfer sheet. Remember: the image needs to be printed in the opposite direction—a mirror image—so that it can be read properly after being ironed-on. The best way to accomplish this is to select the appropriate type of paper in the printer options. Or, you can simply create a mirror image style on your computer. Either way, this is the reason a test-print is important. The words must print backwards so they can be read correctly when transferred to the fabric.

After you have your word or phrase properly printed, the next step will be to prepare your area and iron the word(s) onto the fabric. Be sure to carefully follow the package directions. Cut carefully around the words before ironing; keep in mind that what you're transferring will have a slightly visible border around it. I find this process looks best on a light-colored fabric (white, ivory, or beige). The transfer paper instructions will most likely recommend that you don't use an ironing board but, instead, a hard table top protected with a sheet. This is presumably because an ironing board has a soft surface and something with more support is needed for this process.

After the transfer cools, you will peel it away to reveal your creation! I haven't personally done this on a garment, but I have used cloth napkins and small scraps of fabric from old clothes. You can also cut the fabric into a small shape that suits your purpose—such as a triangle, square, circle, etc.—or even create an elaborately formatted piece of word art on your computer. This is a fun way to create pieces that resemble old documents. I purchased some white fabric and dyed it with fresh walnuts from my yard to create something that looked like old parchment. I then cut the fabric, frayed the edges, and rolled them into scrolls.

Hot Glue Word Spell
This is a fun way to create a word (or even a sigil) that you can carry with you. Hot glue is basically liquid plastic (and it's non-biodegradable, so use it sparingly), so it's extremely versatile. But be careful if you're new to this process; the hot glue can stick to your skin and cause a serious burn.

You'll need: a hot glue "gun," glue sticks, cardboard, parchment paper

If you wish, first write the word out on the parchment with a pen or pencil. Place the parchment paper on the cardboard, and use the hot glue to write the word. When the glue cools, simply peel it off the parchment. As examples, you can write the word "love" if you're seeking a relationship or "strength," "courage," etc. if you're facing difficult situations. Create whatever word you need to use as a reminder of your spell goal.

Obviously, there may be some concerns about using this type of glue, since it's not environmentally friendly. You may be able to find eco-friendly types of hot glue on the market. If not, using the material in small amounts and not throwing it into a landfill can ease your conscience. To dispose of your word when finished is the difficult part' perhaps only use this type of creation for something you plan to keep and tuck it away somewhere when not actively using it.

It may take some practice to get the word to look the way you want, but remember that it doesn't have to be perfect. If you have trouble manipulating the glue, you can create the letters first and then use a line of glue, or little dots of glue, to link them. This process works best when writing in cursive. If you're familiar with rubber stamping, think about how those sets of letters look, how you can arrange them to connect together; this is a similar process. You can even use stencils as a guide. In addition, there are various colors of hot glue, and some contain glitter. Choose a color that corresponds with your spell goal.

One-Sentence Statement Spells
There's a Yiddish expression, "From your lips to god's ears," an old saying that basically means, "May what you say come to pass." Consider that as you create short, one-sentence statement spells which are, essentially, affirmations. For example, consider the first thing you say in the morning and the last thing at night before going to sleep. You can use these opportunities to make positive affirmations.

For example: "Today I will be patient and calm, no matter what the day brings." Or, "My slumber will be peaceful tonight and I'll wake up refreshed." You can also create a pair of "book-end" phrases: words you repeat morning and night for a specific purpose that are the same every time. When you make these statements a habit, they can become more powerful. But if they become simply mindless recitation, you may want to choose new ones. As with all spells, the intent behind your words is the real magic.

Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal. Copyright Llewellyn Worldwide, 2024. All rights reserved.

Recently I was talking with some friends, one of whom is a novice astrologer, and she suggested that a person's sun sign may reflect their level of spiritual development. According to her, Aries and Taurus people tend to be young souls, Leos and Virgos are somewhere in the middle, and Aquarius and Pisces people tend to be "old souls." What do you think of this idea? Is it possible to determine one's level of spiritual development from a sun sign or from a full astrological chart? You guys are awesome!

- Brenda

Dreamchaser:

Well, you did ask for MY opinion, so I am going to give it to you. For me, the key word in your question was "novice."

I have heard all kinds of versions of this "formula." My mother called one day and told me she'd heard that Virgos are on their last life on Earth. She was so happy for me, as I am a (Recovering) Virgo.

Personally, however, I do not believe a word of it. I have seen all sun signs in various stages of "evolution" - or whatever you want to call it. Although I think your friend means well and is really trying to learn, she's way off base with this theory.

I don't believe it's possible to chart a person's spiritual evolution based on their sun sign or even their full astrological chart. You can evaluate a person's placement in the universe by how they live, act, speak, etc. - a person's essence can be seen in their daily life.

There are some basic spiritual lessons we all have to learn. One is unconditional love, not only for others but also for ourselves. Patience and faith are two more.

Now, I will say that I feel a person's life will help mold who they become. For example, I have carried anger throughout this entire lifetime as a result of not dealing with things that happened to me when I was younger. (For the record, I am continuing to address and heal this issue.)

None of this, however, has anything to do with the fact that I am a Virgo. It has to do with the choices I make, the lessons I allow myself to learn, and the actions I take while walking this journey called life.

I know where and when we are born is crucial to an astrological chart. It is basically a blueprint for what to expect in this life. For example, the majority of my stuff is going on in the lower half of the chart. That means that most of my lessons in this life are about internal stuff, and not about what happens on the outside or in the physical world.

Anger, as I used as an example earlier, is INSIDE of me. I have to deal with it on an internal level. However, I am not convinced that it points to my evolution/growth level. I believe that it shows what my soul chose to learn in this lifetime.

In my belief system, if we follow the Native American "Good Red Road," we will develop wisdom and move toward Ascension. The attributes of the Good Red Road include patience, knowledge, integrity, courage, determination, loyalty, experience, leadership, sacrifice, sharing, justice, compassion, kindness, morality, honesty, meditation, reverence, reflection, moderation, respect, cheerfulness, humility, appreciation and understanding.

I wish you continued growth.

*****

Astrea:

I've always been fascinated by astrology. I learned the signs of the zodiac when I was three, and I remember making my first calendar when I was about six. No one I showed it to knew what the heck it was! The months were all messed up because they started on day 21 or 22, and the names of the months weren't recognizable to many people. I even drew all the symbols for the signs.

Your Sun Sign signifies where the Sun was in the Heavens when you were born. Your Rising Sign, or Ascendant, is said to be the personality you present to others, and the only way to tell that accurately is to have the EXACT time and place of your birth.

The Ascendant usually tells me the most about your personality. While your actual birthday and Sun Sign are helpful, the time and place are more revealing. When I combine your Sun Sign and your Ascendant, I get a good window into who you really are.

As for spiritual development, my teachers weren't as concerned with the Sun Sign as they were with where the other planets were at the time of birth. Traditionally, the Sun does NOT show a person's spiritual development. That comes more from the position of the Moon and Pluto in someone's chart.

The Moon shows a lot about someone's emotional world, and Pluto shows (among other things) a person's attitude towards Death and the Afterlife. To me, these are more important in evaluating someone's spirituality than where the Sun was when he or she was born.

To determine past lives, I absolutely need to know where Pluto was when that person was born this time around, and where the Sun was at the time will usually tell me that. Pluto moves so slowly around the Sun that it's usually easy to determine where it was if I have a person's birth date. Unlike the Ascendant or the Moon Sign, this doesn't depend on the hour of someone's birth. Since Pluto stays in a sign for many years, it's usually easy to find its location.

As for your friend's "old soul" and "young soul" theory, I can see where she might get that as a beginner. Aries people can seem like very young souls, while Earth signs can appear to be older spirits, but I've seen lots of past lives and experiences in all twelve. Aries and Taurus are the first two signs at the BEGINNING of the astrological year, so your friend's conclusions are probably just unconscious assumptions.

In summary, one's Sun Sign does not usually indicate the age of their soul. Tell your friend to take a closer look at the other planets in the charts she's reading, for she'll find that using the Moon and Pluto is MUCH easier than trying to determine soul age from the Sun!

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.