THE HOODWITCH: WITCH TIPS & HOROSCOPES 4.25-5.1.2018

Written by Jessica Lanyadoo

Witch Tips

Power and privilege are huge themes of 2018. From a spiritual standpoint, there in no “right” or “wrong” – there is simply action and consequence. What you do matters. Why you do things matters. The things you avoid or turn away from directly impact your life and the world. We are living in an increasingly global society and can no longer claim ignorance about the welfare of others, even those living completely different lives than we are. How you move through the world is important and quickly becoming even more so. If not you, then who? If not now, then when? Be the person you want to be. Don’t wait for it to get easy or to get permission from anyone. Participate in creating the world you want to live in; one person alone can’t do it all, but you can do something. Make sure that your actions are clearly aligned with your beliefs and that you don’t get so caught up in your thoughts and feelings that you ignore the world around you.

Remember what was going on around April 4th through the 6th Mercury was square to Saturn at that time, and thanks to Mercury’s back and forth motion this month, this heavy transit has come back for us again. From the 24th through the 26th, expect whatever was going on for you earlier this month to pop back up – either thematically or literally. This transit is a call to look critically at what you believe, but it tends to push us toward pessimistic, depressive, or fatalistic thinking. There’s a meaningful difference between scarcity and fear, and this week is an excellent time to explore it. Saturn wants us to face reality, while Mercury governs our beliefs, attitudes, and friendships. Take responsibility for what you do and how it impacts others. This transit can help you see the world more clearly for better or worse, but the truth is true whether or not you want to face it.

From the 25th through the 27th, combative Mars will sit on top of punishing Pluto in controlling Capricorn, and this combination is likely to be anything but chill. Resentments, anger, and frustration are likely to be triggered by these planets, making it tempting to act out against others, or potentially forcing you to deal with a bully. Make every effort to pace yourself through situations and feelings without succumbing to your most base triggers. This period may set into motion conflicts that won’t be easily resolved, so be careful what you say and even more careful of what you do. If your ego is out of balance, it may get a serious smack down; strive to fight for what you believe in, not for dominion or to prove yourself.

Finally, on the 29th we have an extra emo Full Moon in Scorpio at 4:58pm PST. Expect feelings to be intense and everyone’s defenses to be up. This is an excellent time to let go of the stories, resentments, and obsessions that hurt more than they help. This month I’ve got a bit of homework for you to make the most of this Lunar shift. My challenge for you is to take a Gossip Cleanse. Commit to only speaking about others as you would have them speak about you. Try for the next 30 days, or at the very least, until the New Moon in Taurus on the 15th of May. Keep a log of every petty thing you want to say about others (this includes strangers and famous people!), and at the end of the challenge, look back at it.

This week is going to provoke some heavy feelings, and those will trigger some touchy interpersonal dynamics. Track your reactions because they will reveal just as much about yourself as they do the things you’re reacting to. When you feel threatened is when it’s easiest to lose track of empathy, to stop listening, and to get defensive. The best protection is discernment – not self-justifying or defensive behavior. It’s easy to identify the things you are in opposition to, but what are you for? There’s a yes in every no; find yours, lovers.

WITCH TOOLS: OBSIDIAN

Powerful Protection, Purification, Grounding.

Obsidian is formed when volcanic lava comes into contact with water; this forces it to cool so quickly that it doesn’t have time to crystallize resulting in a stone with a very shiny, glassy texture. Black Obsidian is a very potent and powerful stone that is used for healing and releasing energy blockages. Obsidian has a tendency to work very quickly to move truths to the surface to be resolved. Black Obsidian can be very intense and one must be ready to confront their issues when working with this powerful healing stone. SHOP HERE

ARIES

March 21-April 19

There’s nothing that will get you out of the pickle that you’re in quicker, or with more grace, than good old-fashioned kindness. This week is hard, Aries, and sometimes that’s just how life is. You can push yourself, and you can hold yourself back; you can drive yourself mad with effort, or you can wash your hands of the whole thing. Either way, it’s here, and it’s here for a reason. Show up and cope with compassion for yourself and those around you.

­TAURUS

April 20-May 20

Betrayal is your least favorite infraction to deal with, but it’s important that you ask yourself if you’ve been so rigid that you have not invited honest communication. You may be at the end of a relationship or find that you need to generally reevaluate your connections, but don’t imagine that other people’s actions happen in a vacuum. It’s important to evaluate what you invite into your life and why, Taurus. Inflexibility won’t take you where you want to go, my love.

GEMINI

May 21-June 21

It doesn’t matter what other people think; well, of course it matters, but it’s only unvetted data, not definitive fact. Don’t allow other people’s ideas about you, your choices, or the world at large, upset you. Take in new information without taking it personally. We all see the world from our own little inner vistas; when people think things, even things about you, it’s often really to do with them. You’re doing a great job, Twin Star; don’t take others opinions as gospel.

CANCER

June 22-July 22

You can’t know what you don’t know. Instead of pushing for answers or rushing outcomes, sit in the discomfort of what you don’t yet understand, Moonchild. You’re likely to have some serious frustrations to contend with this week, but it’s important that you don’t succumb to it. How you handle yourself in times of duress reveals a great deal about your character. Strive to act in concert with your values; you don’t need to settle scores or prove anything to anyone. Just do your best.

LEO

July 23-Aug. 22

You’re moving through some deep emotionally terrain this week, Leo, and it’s bound to bring up a mixed bag of feels. Instead of trying to make things as simple as “good” and “bad”, create space to be in the nuance of your emotional landscape. Some relationships are beautiful but not meant for this world. Some dreams are not meant to be realized. Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater as you learn to accept the limitations of what you love.

 

VIRGO

Aug. 23-Sept. 22

Protect what you love by sticking with it, Virgo. The things that make you sad are tempting to turn away from, but they are the very things that most need your presence, Virgo. This week is going to kick up a lot of emotion and it’s messy. Where you can’t create order you can at least attempt to find meaning. You may not get what you want this week but it turns out that what’s most important is how you handle yourself. Be a good friend to yourself when you need it most.

LIBRA

Sept. 23-Oct. 22

You’ve gotta take a stand, Libra, and if you don’t, you’ll find that circumstance and people are pushing you in ways that make you uncomfortable at best. You’re not in trouble, but you do need to pick a lane and stick to it. If you’ve been hiding or playing both sides of the fence, it’s time to face the music. The truth is true whether you want to deal with it or not, my love. Be brave and do what you need to do in order to be right with yourself this week.

SCORPIO

Oct. 23-Nov. 21

Manage your control issues with kindness, Scorpio. The Moon is full in your sign on the 29th, and that means it’s an extra emo time, for you, my extra emo friend. When people bug you, your job is to honor your feelings while being mindful about your reactions. If you allow yourself to get caught up in other people’s dramas and stories before you check your own, you’ll say or do things that you later regret. You’re responsible for your actions alone; let others reveal themselves to you, this week.

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 22-Dec. 21

There are plenty of things to be scared of if you are looking for them, ‘Tarius. The truth is that things you’re changing on a really deep level, and it’s not clear exactly what you need to do yet, but you’re unlikely to be able to continue in the same way that you’ve been going. Be open to change without jumping to conclusions, even if that requires more patience than you comfortably have. Balance is not inactivity; it’s equanimity. Gravitate towards the center this week.

CAPRICORN

Dec. 22-Jan. 19

No matter what it looks like from the outside, you’re only successful if you are able to enjoy your abundance, Capricorn. This week may mark a time of serious frustration and conflict, or a profoundly creative time when you step into your power. Either way, if you’re overly depending on the validation or approval of others this will be a much harder period for you. You’re a builder; chose to create a life that pleases you, or is at least meaningful and satisfying for you to live.

AQUARIUS

Jan. 20-Feb. 18

Discernment is an invaluable gift; being able to work through problems and play out your best options is a skill that your sign is known for. In times of turmoil or heartache it can get in the way, though. This week you’re meant to be in your emotions, Aquarius. Don’t distract yourself from unpleasant things if they’re real. Stay present, moment by moment, with your felt experience, so you can have a more balanced assessment of what’s happening and what you need to do about it.

PISCES

Feb. 19-March 20

Even if you feel plagued by indecision, you actually know what you need to do at this point. Don’t make things more complicated than they need to be, Pisces. You’ve obsessed and figured, and now you’re as ready as you’re gonna be to act. Collaboration is well starred this week, but that doesn’t mean that you should seek validation before every step. Have faith in yourself, and when you don’t it’s a good time to fake it till you make it, my love.