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September 23 through September 29, 2024

It's all quiet on the astrological front this week, with only Mercury making a move into Libra on Thursday. Monday's Gemini Moon will have us networking, researching, and sharing information, all important for the work ahead. The Cancer Moon could put us in a reflective mood Tuesday through Thursday, and we may feel like daydreaming the days away rather than making much tangible progress. Our sensitive sides could also be triggered during this time, so we'll have to watch for moodiness and refrain from taking things too personally. Mercury will enter Libra on Thursday which can stabilize emotions and help us to look at things from a more balanced perspective. Let's turn the focus to ourselves and our own needs on Friday and Saturday, as a Leo Moon promotes self-care and self-nurturing. The week ends with a Virgo Moon, so after a week of internal processing, this could be the ideal day to get some things done!

How to Create a Full Moon Tarot Altar Every Witch Way, by Lilith Dorsey

(Article originally published in The Llewellyn Journal.)

The time of the full moon is a highly magickal time. As this celestial body shines her glory down upon us, it gives us a great opportunity to both create sacred spaces and perform tarot readings. One great way to do this is to craft a Full Moon Tarot altar.

This altar will allow you to utilize your witchy strengths to create the most powerful altar personalized just for you and your cards. An altar, for the purposes of this discussion, is a temporary space set up for sacred work, honoring, and spiritual practices. Here you can light candles, leave offerings, say prayers or petitions, and last, but not least, do tarot readings.

The Moon card in the tarot is an incredible one. It shows us dreams, magick, and hidden messages. When we look up at the moon, we can instantly feel our connection to the cosmos. Our spirit soars large, while our bodies in comparison may feel small. This creation will help you connect with and amplify the powers of the Full Moon.

Start the creation of your tarot altar by making sure the space is physically clean. Wash, wipe down, dust, or cleanse the space in whichever way feels right to you. Dirt is known to attract negativity and breed problems, and the less of it you have in your space the better. Once the area—be it a table, space on the floor, box, or wherever you choose—is fully cleansed, then you get to choose an altar cloth or covering. Since this tarot altar is being created for the full moon, consider choosing a natural cloth, colored blue or white, the colors most often associated with the moon. Use this cloth to cover your chosen space.

Next, choose the Moon tarot card from your favorite tarot deck; if you like, you can choose several. Place this card or cards into the center of your space. This will be the focus of your energy as you set up this space. Look at the imagery. Feel its energy extend past the boundaries of the card. Next, think about what type of Witch you are and how you want to showcase your strengths here on this Full Moon altar. All good altars utilize all the elements in their creation, but depending on what you like this is your opportunity to personalize it so it will function most effectively for you.

A great thing to use on your Full Moon Tarot altar is moon water. This is best made in advance by leaving a clear glass jar filled with spring water outside overnight during the full moon. If possible, place it somewhere where the moon's rays will be able to bless and touch it. In the morning, take the jar back into your home and it is now ready to use. (Making this magickal water may hold a special appeal for water witches.) It can be used to clean the altar before you start, used as part of a magickal bath ritual for the full moon, or placed in a glass and added to the Full Moon Altar space. If you don't have any made ahead of time, you may wish to add a glass of plain spring water, which will magickally bring joy and success, or sea water, which is very cleansing and healing. Place the water glass to the right of the moon card that you have put in the center.

If you identify as a Crystal Witch, there are many ways to utilize crystals on the altar. There are many crystals that are associated with the moon; here are some to start with which you can start:

• Moonstone: This stone even has moon in its name. It connects the user with the Moon on a deep and sacred level.
• Amethyst: Amethyst is a stone of clarity, spirituality, joy, and self- awareness. Amethyst will help you to connect with higher realms, and also grant you insight in all situations, making it perfect to use for divination.
• Selenite: This stone is named for Selene, the Greek Goddess of the moon. It is helpful in matters of emotions, passion, love, and magick.
• Labradorite: Known for its ability to transport the user to otherworlds and universal energy, this makes it ideal for use on your tarot altar.
• Lapis Lazuli: Lapis is a stone that is used to stimulate your psychic abilities. A stone of great magick it is a favorite of many different types of witches.

These crystals can be placed in your tarot bag, on top of your tarot cards on the altar before and after you give a reading, or arranged on the altar as a crystal grid. A simple grid can be made by placing your crystals on the altar according to the cardinal points—north, south, east, and west. This will help to attract energy and assistance from every direction. Alternatively you can place a series of crystals around the altar in the shape of a circle. This sends energy out into the universe, while also creating an insular atmosphere of healing and wholeness. You can use a single type of crystal for this or a combination of many different ones.

Earth-focused witches may enjoy using crystals on their altar, but they also might wish to include actual earth in the form of a small jar of dirt. This could be dirt from their ancestral home, which would amplify the energy of those who have gone before; dirt from the crossroads, which would expand opportunities; dirt from the bank, which is said to help with financial matters; or whatever you choose. This type of witch may also consider themselves a Green Witch and want to include live, freshly cut, or dried plants on the altar. Some great choices would be: mugwort, which is a favorite of witches for psychic power and ability; basil, which is used to remove enemies and provide protection; and lavender, which is great for cleansing and blessing. Or, you can choose whatever moves you and you feel is connected to the energy of the moon. These can be located to the left of the center card to represent the visible world moving into the realm of the invisible.

Chaos Witches may wish to add things they have been gifted or found on the altar; if they are connected to the Full Moon, even better, and if not, don't worry—chaos is everywhere. The same is true for Fairy Witches, found items or plants like dandelions that are sacred to the Fae can be added to the space at this time. Witches in a coven may want to add their coven symbol or items crafted in their tradition. This is like having a part of your path and your coven with you in this space.

The final pieces necessary to complete the elemental foundations of the altar you are creating are fire and air. Fire witches will welcome the chance to include a candle on the altar; this can be blue or white. If you like, you can carve the candle with the astrological symbol for the moon, or other symbols. This can be placed directly in front or you on the altar. Air can be represented here in the form of incense. You can purchase ready-made incense for the moon, or use one composed of herbs and scents associated with this heavenly body, like rose or myrrh. Place the incense on the far side of the space opposite the candle. Next, place your Tarot cards on the altar. Light the candles and incense, take a deep breath, and call in the energy of the moon. You can do this formally by calling the names of lunar goddesses like Selene, Artemis, Luna, Hecate, Cerridwen, and the rest. Welcome and thank them for gracing your space. Alternatively, you can use a blessing of your own choosing. Now the area is ready to do your Full Moon readings. When you are finished, extinguish the candle (remember to never leave a burning candle unattended). You may leave the elements in place as long as you like, but when you are finished with it, dismantle the space. Dispose of the biodegradable items and water outside on the earth, and return the other items to the usual place they are stored.

Creating this type of Full Moon altar is a powerful way to explore your witchy talents and connect them with your tarot practice. Feel free to repeat it monthly as the moon shines high in the sky, or as often as you desire. For more great rituals and workings, please check out my book Tarot Every Witch Way, which includes hundreds of tips and activities, like culinary recipes, immersive meditations, effective spells, engaging crafts, insightful tarot spreads, and more.

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

There seems to be a block or wall affecting whatever I attempt to do. This seems to be both in my home as well as around me. Is there such a thing as a spiritual cleansing to remove all this negativity? Can doing something like that lead to transformation in all areas of your life?

Josephine

Dreamchaser:

I am sure that many people are struggling with the same type of situation. Every person goes through periods in life when everything is dark, empty and half dead. Some liken these periods to ashes the Phoenix will later rise from, or a bear hibernating all winter. I personally call these periods "The Abyss," because no matter where I look, all I "see" is dark emptiness. I also think we have more than one dark period in our lives. I personally have had three or four already, and I will probably have more.

I am not aware of any spiritual cleansing that will transform all areas of your life. I also do not think that this dark period was caused by any outside negativity. I think that it is just your time to evolve. Dark periods emerge when we are not learning our lessons any other way. Sometimes, the only way we can learn is to be dragged through the pits of Hell. As we burn, turn and churn, we also learn. Looking back on the Abyss periods in my life, I would not have skipped them if I could. I learned and grew and evolved, and am a much better person for it.

The rough part is actually getting through the dark times. I know it goes very quiet around you and it seems like EVERYONE - even God - has left you. That is not true. Everyone is still there. They are just standing off to the side and letting you learn. It must be much like a parent watching a doctor treating a child. The child is screaming and reaching out for the parent, who has to just stand there and allow the doctor to finish. It hurts your guides, angels and helpers as much as it hurts you to NOT reach out and help you when you are screaming out for aid.

The one thing we are promised is that we WILL rise again. You must be aware that this will end. You are not going to struggle forever. There is light at the end of the tunnel, and you are going to reach it. Please try to embrace your situation and be thankful for the lessons, as HARD as that is at this point. We can approach ANY situation in life from a positive standpoint or a negative one, even when we are in the Abyss. Hearing that WHILE flying over the darkness, however, does little more than anger many people for the most part.

Some will seem to have a harder life, while others seem to have it easier. You are not being punished while someone else is being rewarded. You have NO idea what is going on behind someone else's doors, so stop comparing! You CAN find joy even in sorrow. Think about it.

I wish you joyfulness.

*****

Astrea:

A person can feel blocked for all kinds of reasons. Sometimes it IS the environment she is living in, and a clearing of that with sage and salt would certainly not hurt anything! Do that as soon as you possibly can. Use whatever "CLEARING" ceremony you're most comfortable with, and that will "lighten" the atmosphere around your home.

Are there PEOPLE in your life that you need to get away from? Is someone from the OUTSIDE of you making you feel less confident or holding you back? GET RID OF THAT PERSON! De-clutter and dispose of anyone or anything you feel is connected to the blocking of your progress and success. Even the most HELPFUL friend might be unconsciously adding to the feeling you have of being blocked and disconnected. There are people in your life who are DRAINING your energy. Identify them and kick them to the curb. It's not always a FUN thing to do, but sometimes it's necessary.

Clean out all your closets and drawers, and give away everything you're not using, or have a big garage sale. Getting rid of useless possessions will also free you to accept new and exciting things and people into your life. Making a little money on the sales will also boost your confidence and feeling of WORTHINESS to receive all the Universe has to offer you.

Do what it takes for you to connect with yourself and the life you're living in the NOW. Take time every day to sit quietly and THINK about what you want to do with tomorrow. Planning is highly underrated, and BELIEVING that the blocks you face are lifting will actually cause them to disappear.

I feel that you are so afraid of the PAST blockages in your life and home that you are now CREATING new and stronger ones. Often, when we FEEL blocked, we do lots of negative things and take lots of negative actions. Sometimes it's more comfortable to STAY in that BLOCKED state than it is to forge a new road to travel.

Pay very close attention to what you're doing in your everyday life that is DIFFERENT from the way you used to go about things, back when things seemed much better. Change any and all actions and habits that you feel are contributing to this feeling of standing still. Take your time. Do this gradually so that you can really FEEL the things you are releasing, and the blocks will be lifted as you go. As soon as you feel a LITTLE unstuck, release another and another, until you are free to be the person you long to be and to accept all the abundance that the Universe has to offer.

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.