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September 30 through October 6, 2024

The second eclipse in a series occurs on Wednesday under the Libra new Moon. Once completed, we'll be ready to set a focus for the next six months. Because we're being influenced by both a Libra Moon and Sun, our goals for the next six months should involve building stronger relationships and bringing more beauty and balance to our worlds on all levels. Monday is the day to tackle major projects or chores under the Virgo Moon, as the rest of the week will take us on an ethereal ride through the days. Tuesday the Moon moves into Gemini, making us more prone to chatting than acting, and when the solar eclipse/Libra new Moon occurs on Wednesday, we may find it easier to talk about our plans for the future, rather than immediately putting them into action. Balance will be a theme on Thursday, as we stop to look around and assess what needs to be taken care of to clear a path for new beginnings. The Moon will be ensconced in Scorpio for the remainder of the week, shifting between ethereal movement and intense focus over the weekend. We'll just have to pay close attention to what our intuition is telling us to maneuver through these days with ease.

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.

I am a Leo born 8/22/1957. I have ash wood night tables that I bought from an antique store. They were made sometime in the 1950's. After I moved to a new house and was in the midst of a very destructive relationship, I started to hear clicking, creaking and tapping sounds coming from them. I checked for bugs, etc. - nothing. I was told to put a mango seed and a bowl of milk under the table that seemed most active. The sounds stopped for a while, but started coming from another night table. This one is made of glass and wrought iron, but it produces the same wood-like noises. Then the noises happened from under the bed. I moved one table downstairs, and noises started again from the other table. Last night, noises from under my bed woke me up again. I don't quite know what to do. I don't know if it is a spirit from the land or house, or an entity that was attracted to the person I was in that destructive relationship with (which has been over for two years now). Maybe it's a guardian angel trying to get my attention? I have burned incense, sage, etc., and I can't get a read on its intentions. Should I give the furniture away? I don't feel right selling it to someone else and passing this on to them.

Elisa

Dreamchaser:

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, and I have to say it gave me quite a chuckle. Your "problems" are not in the tables. Your "problems" come from the land AND the house. You've burned sage, incense and prayed, and it's still there. Guess what that means? This being is not harmful. I want you to try one more thing just to satisfy your own mind. When you hear the noises again, I want you to say out loud, "If you are not from Love and Light, you must leave this house IMMEDIATELY in the name of the One God." If you still hear the sounds after that (and I am sure you will), then you can rest assured that the being is not evil in any way.

You mentioned your ex as a possible "source." If the beings were attached to that person, they would be with that person and not still living in your house. These beings are living in your house because that is where they live. You have quite a few living there, actually. They really just want you to know that they are there and that they are looking out for you. If they wanted to harm you in some way, believe me, you would know it. Nothing in your house means you any harm. Actually, it is quite the opposite. They realize how many scars you are carrying around with you and they do not want to add more. There is one woman in particular who is very protective of you. She is actually the one that is attached to the house itself and not the land. She died in that house, but loved it there and was very happy. She has maternal energy, and she never wants you in a relationship like that one again.

Many times when we are asleep, spirits think that they can roam around freely because we cannot see or hear them. They were once alive after all, and understand our ways. My bedroom is a loft space, and I can see out through most of the house. There have been times when I am lying in bed and can hear all this noise going on in the house, and I say out loud, "I can hear you." Things get very quiet very quickly. I know this is easy for me to say, but do not be afraid of your spirits. EVERY place has them. We just do not see or hear them usually, because we are moving through life too quickly.

Next time you get that chill up your back or feel like someone is watching you, stop and FEEL the energy that is around you. Do not use your eyes, as you will not see anything. Use your other senses and your instincts. It is quite an interesting exercise. Do not be afraid. Nothing can or will harm you. You are actually being watched over. I wish you healing.

*****

Astrea:

Haunted furniture is quite common in my family, but I don't think that's what you're dealing with; I think you have Ibys. They are SO HARD to get out of FURNITURE! You're correct that if you pass the furniture on to someone else, some of the Ibys will go along with it. What's worse, at least HALF of them will stay on with YOU!

At first I thought they were Old Wood Ibys or Carpenter Ibys, but they got into the glass and iron furniture too, so they are either Antique Ibys or regular House Ibys who have moved into your furniture. Wood Ibys tend to prefer Oak. They don't care for Ash wood because so many magical things are made from it. They were probably always in the house, but if you move from the house, they'll move WITH you unless you get rid of them first. Even if you buy NEW furniture, they'll move into IT, so get rid of them altogether if you can.

The bowl of milk and the mango seed worked for a while because they had to figure out why you did that. It takes Ibys a while to figure humans out when they act in unusual ways. I can just see them bending their little brown heads out of the tables, looking for the CAT who might come to drink the milk! (Cats love to chase Ibys.) When you took the milk away, they started up again because they knew there wasn't a cat on the way. They travel through all your furniture, knocking around, making noises and changing locations. That means that they ARE OUT of the furniture at times, and that's when you have to catch them, for that's when they are at their most vulnerable.

Go to the lumberyard and buy four scraps of oak lumber, each at least a foot long. Put a plastic trash bag on the floor in the center of the room where most of the activity is. Place the pieces of wood around in a square, touching at the corners. In the center of the square, put a slice of cake. (Ibys are very fond of cake.) Walk three times counter-clockwise around the square with the cake in the center. As you go around the circle, sprinkle a tiny bit of salt around it. Do this right before bed.

In the morning, take the whole thing (plate, cake, wood and trash bag), put it into ANOTHER trash bag and throw it out. The Ibys can only cross ONE WAY over the salt, so they'll eat the cake and then go back into the wood pieces, be picked up by the trash people and wind up in some landfill. Don't worry: they'll find their way into another piece of furniture sooner or later, or they might evolve into Fairies at the Land Fill. That happens sometimes, too.

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.