WITCHTIPS & HOROSCOPES 6/24-6/30/2020

Astrology by Lisa Stardust

We kick off the week with amazing news! Venus is turning direct on June 25th in Gemini. But, don’t get too excited. The Retroshade journey ends on July 29th, when Venus moves out of the degrees it traveled down during its cosmic moonwalk. Mars, who’s in Pisces, squaring off with the Nodes of Destiny on June 26th. This cosmic connection will force us to take immediate action around matters and situations. Mars enters Aries on June 27th, initiating dreams and projects that have been on the back burner for the past few months. The following day, Mars and Saturn, who’s retrograde in Aquarius, link up together, allowing us to use practicality in achieving our goals. The Sun and Mercury retrograde sync up in Cancer, making the 30th the best day of the month to gain clarity on matters. Uranus adds a twist to the information we hear on the 30th — be prepared to hear the unexpected version of the truth. Jupiter and Pluto, who are both retrograde in Capricorn, come together for the second time (the first connection was April 4th and the third time will be November 12th), will give us the chance to assert our personal visions in the world with no apologies. Meaning, it’s our time to take charge and move ahead with our dreams. 

Aries 

You may feel as though you’re not being seen for the amazing ram that you are. These issues stem from your inability to express your sentiments without losing your cool. Instead of jumping head first into an argument, choose your words wisely in a way that truly defines your feelings. 

Taurus 

Now is not the time to focus on what makes other people happy. It’s a moment that will force you to wake up and revel in your own bliss. Move towards the path that brings you pleasure, no matter what others say. Remember to put your needs first this time. 

Gemini 

You may feel as though no one is hearing what you’re saying, even though you are trying to be direct and screaming your heart out. Don’t cower and run away in the face of adversity, just try another approach to ensure your voice is heard and that your opinion counts. 

Cancer 

You’ve decided to skip out on the frustrations and annoyances that are coming your way before they arrive. You can see the drama happening before it’s actually happened, which will make you side crawl to the other side of the street in an effort to step away from such annoyances. 

Leo 

Shifts are happening in your friendships, due to the fact that you’re not being seen for your strengths and criticized for your weaknesses. Talk things out with your friends before resentments remain within. Make sure they understand that you’re doing the best you can which is better than doing nothing. 

Virgo 

No matter how far you get ahead in the game, you feel as though you’re always one step back to where you began. Before you get down on yourself, try to be proactive in how you can change the course in an effort to avoid such setbacks from happening again. 

Libra 

Now that you’ve gained clarity on all matters that have been weighing greatly on you, the question is what will you do with this infinite knowledge? Don’t remain in the same place or go backwards. Find the best course of action that works for you, in an effort to evolve. 

Scorpio 

Looks like someone is getting caught with their hand in the cookie jar this week. Instead of denying and gaslighting, own your part in an awkward situation to avoid drama and to create an honest discourse with others. Regaining and freely giving trust is hard, but doable if you try. 

Sagittarius 

A truth teller by nature, secrets can tear you up inside. You’ve made up your mind about your professional future, but don’t want to share the news until it’s come to fruition. Be open with your friends about your career goals, even if you don’t want to jinx the situation. 

Capricorn 

Now that you’ve had time to decide about the direction you want to move towards, you’re realizing that you aren’t  ready to make any moves. Before moving ahead with projects and relationships, use this week to reflect in an effort to see if this is the right decision for you. 

Aquarius 

Yes, your needs are important. But, not at the cost of others. You may not notice that you’ve become a little too self-serving recently, which is pushing away those who care about you. Try to find a balance that works in an effort to be less selfish and more generous. 

Pisces

Believing in yourself is the hardest thing to do. However, you can achieve certainty and confidence within yourself if you change your approach to matters. Once you transform your approach to situations and feel about them, then you’ll be able to evolve into the self-assured person you are deep inside. 

The Super Full Worm Moon in Virgo

Written by Lisa Stardust 

The Supermoon in Virgo occurs on March 9th. During this luminary, the Moon will be brighter, fuller, and more potent due to the closeness to Earth. On an energetic level, we can feel its intense power and pull on our emotions. Being that the Super Full Moon is in Virgo, we will feel the disconnect between our head and our hearts. The incentive of this cosmic occurrence is to bring these two parts of ourselves together — if we can let go of the past and start fresh. 

This luminary will directly oppose Neptune, who’s in Pisces, which means we can expect to feel our emotions on a soulful level. The truth may be ever cloudy and uncertain. During this time, it’s important for us to lean into our intuition and our gut impulses. We’ll find the truth of the matter from listening to our hearts and analyzing the information that the universe is telling us with a fine comb. It’s an amazing time to face fears head on and discuss them. Also, an opportune day to pay attention to our dreams and spiritual symbols we are receiving. Jupiter, Mars, and Pluto (who are all currently in Capricorn) give this luminary a chance to move forward; however, Neptune may make us feel stuck and unsure of our next moves. 

Mercury turns direct later in the day, ending its retrograde journey that began February 16th. For the past several weeks, we weren’t  able to make decisions. Now, we are being cosmically pushed to make choices in our lives, which will bring anxiety as we are unable to cut the cord on situations and relationships that need to end. Reminder, we don’t have to rush into resolving matters under this luminary. We can take our time. We have until Mercury leaves its post retrograde degrees on March 29th to let go. 

Right now, the Moon is shedding light on that which needs to transform or leave our lives. Our hearts may be heavy, but deep down we know what we will eventually have to do. Whatever path we wish to choose, it will be the best road for us. Over time, we’ll come to see that it’s for the best. No regrets. 

*The Super Full Worm Moon occurs at 10:47AM PST and 1:47PM EST. 

Ritual for the Super Full Worm Moon:

• Calming Bath for Emotional and Mental Clarity 

Ingredients:

-1 cup of Himalayan sea salt or Epsom salt -6 drops of lavender oil or a ½ cup of fresh lavender

-6 drops of peppermint oil or 6 sprigs of fresh peppermint 

-One part Florida Water 

-Rose Quartz and Clear Quartz (you can charge your crystals under the Moon, but it’s not necessary)

-Moon Water (water charged under the Moon) is optional 

Directions:

-Blend all of the ingredients together.

Rub on your scalp, third eye chakra, and heart chakra while in the shower or bath.

-Place the Rose Quartz Crystal on your heart chakra and the Clear Quartz Crystal on your third eye chakra. 

-Relax your thoughts and feel your body align. 

-Meditate on connecting the mind, heart, and intuition together for 25 minutes. 

-Rinse off with water.

Accessing the Third Eye Under the Pisces New Moon

Artwork Muzli design

Astrology by Lisa Stardust for The Hoodwitch

The Pisces New Moon on February 23rd is a wonderful time to embrace our past dreams, intuition, and selves. It’s important to reconnect with the parts of ourselves that we’ve forgotten, in order to find out what our truest passions are and what our deepest desires are for the future. 

Mercury, who’s currently retrograde in a Pisces, will connect with the Moon shortly after the luminary occurs. This means that it’s time to dive deep within and awaken  our subconscious. Old visions that we’ve put on the back burner are more prone to take flight now, if we let them. Also, it’s a great time to make amends with those who we’ve recently got into arguments with — or we may decide to cut them loose permanently. Mercury is allowing us to see matters from an emotional perspective, rather than an analytical viewpoint. Mars activates the New Moon by adding action. We all want to move forward and take control of matters and relationships, even if it’s hard. Uranus sprinkles in a grounding energy, which will make us ask ourselves if we are valued and respected by others with whom we are making decisions about. The Nodes of Destiny give today a fated vibe. Venus and Jupiter (who is the planetary ruler of Pisces) square off today, making us open to all possibilities. If we have a clear mind and access to our clairvoyance skills, then we can move in the best direction possible with an open heart and mind. 

With all this cosmic action happening during the Pisces New Moon, it’s important to trust our intuition. Evoking and embracing the third eye chakra may be difficult for some (due to Mercury’s current moonwalk), which is why it’s imperative that we listen to the visions our dreams bring to us. Igniting the third eye will open us up to all possibilities, as we will be able to see and understand the right choices that should be made. We will also be inspired to move forward and make clear decisions that will bring us a bright future. 

*The New Moon occurs on February 23rd  at 7:32AM PST and 10:32AM EST.  

New Moon Ritual

 Ingredients:

1 Tablespoon of Dried or Fresh RosePetals

1 Teaspoon of Dried or Fresh Lavender 

1 Cinnamon Stick 

1 Teaspoon of Mugwort 

1 Amethyst Crystal 

1 Sachet Bag 

Pen and Paper 

Directions:

• Write down your intentions on a piece of paper. Take note about what past situation or relationship you wish to gain clarity on.

• Place all ingredients in a sachet bag. 

• Leave the bag under your bed or pillow.

• Let your third eye connect with your dreams.

• Write down your dreams and visions over the next few days to see if you’ve tapped into your subconscious and gained new insight on such matters that have been on your mind for a long time. 

• Write them down and take note for your dream records. 

The Realms of Truth and the Strawberry Full Moon in Sagittarius

By: Lisa Stardust

The Strawberry Full Moon, occurring June 17th, offers us a time to connect to our inner truths on a deep level. The past and upcoming week’s cosmic energy is intense. During this luminary, we will have a momentary reprieve from the confusion and power struggles that have been permeating our auric fields and allow ourselves to evolve our thoughts.

The Sagittarius Moon will align with the asteroid Ixion (who rules over futurity) and softly connects with passionate asteroid Eris. Fair minded Juno and lovelorn Sedna (two other asteroids) will both form a frustrating aspect with the Moon. All together,  this means that we will be cosmically tasked to assert our will and fight for our dreams—no matter what obstacles stand in our way. The only caveat, is that Neptune, who is extremely active in the sky, may create confusion around what our truest visions are. This also can mean self-deceit, which may create inner conflict, as we are not being honest with ourselves. However, there’s hope for us to reach our most idealized potential.

The degree of the Full Moon sits on the Galactic Center, which will help us understand and manifest our innermost desires. The Galactic Center falls in the middle of the entrance to the Milky Way. Sagittarius, who is the protector of our galaxy, stands on all fours at this celestial point with a bow and arrow ready to shoot at any given moment. As the defender of the galaxy, Sagittarius is touted as the high minded philosopher known to understand all worldly truths. This is because it’s important for the armed sign to know when and how to sling its arrows. The Galactic Center is a degree and place of insight. It’s the transmitter of “Divine Consciousness.” It’s a place of freedom. It’s where our hearts soar and where we can be the purest form of ourselves, with no restrictions and judgements.

Under the Strawberry Full Moon, in the sign of honorable Sagittarius, we will use smoke scrying to connect with the “other” world and find our inner truths. We will be able to decipher and clarify what we want as individuals. Only then, can we fight for our dreams.

*The Full Moon occurs June 17th at 1:30AM PST and 4:30AM EST.

Directions for Smoke Scrying

• Meditate on your goal or intention.

• Take a smudge stick and light it.

•  Place in a bowl or cauldron.

•  Let the smudge stick burn.

•  Follow the smoke with your eyes as it fills the air.

•  Watch the smoke dance in the air and its shadows on the wall.

•  Make note in a  journal about the messages are receiving messages from spirits.

•  Interpret the images once you receive them from the universe.

•  Use the images to help understand your truest intention and objectives to manifest under the Full Moon.

The Alchemy Of Love: Organic Aphrodisiacs For Valentine's Day

Written by Lisa Stardust

Aphrodite, the ancient Greek Goddess of Love, bestows gifts to us mortals through her wine cup, filled

with sweet nectar, known as a Love Potion. These potions both relax and stir the senses through taste.

Aphrodisiacs are edible remedies to awaken our sensual nature. While there are many aphrodisiacs around the world, we have gathered a few of the most delicious recipes for manifesting some

serious self-love vibes this Valentine’s Day, and they are all very simple to whip-up in your own kitchen!

Enhance a Romance Elixir

Looking to add some sizzle to a current romance? Damiana is an ancient plant used to relax, intensify

desires, and fire up your loins. Simply add a touch of damiana to chai tea (another aromatic aphrodisiac)

to jump-start your libido. The spicy elixir will turn up the heat and open up your sacral chakra by calming

your body. Your shakti will be heightened with a lovely cup of tea. You can also work with fire if you are

so inclined. Smoke damiana mixed with mullein and lavender or rose petals to arouse the senses.

Catch a New Love Potion

Make your own Love Potion No. 9! Forget smoky witchy potions seen on the silver screen. The best

aphrodisiac to bring in a new love are figs. Discovered in the Garden of Eden, figs are considered the first

forbidden fruit. Known as Cleopatra’s favorite food, ingesting figs can lure unsuspecting objects of desire

to you. After all, Cleopatra brought men to their knees, presumably from eating this sensual fruit.

Delight in the succulent sweetness of food this Valentine's Day and catch a new love--by eating some

sexy fruit, perhaps dipped in your rose vanilla honey or vanilla whipped cream!

Self-Love Tonic

Oscar Wilde said, “to love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.” This couldn’t be more true,

especially on Valentine’s Day. Instead of focusing your intention on manifesting new love, try to

cultivate a romance with yourself. Treat yourself to a “honeymoon” this holiday, by creating a delicious

jam consisting of crushed rose petals, raw honey, and vanilla bean. Blend these these three delicious

ingredients together in a bowl and let your taste buds inspire self-love. While roses are not an

aphrodisiac per say, they help strengthen and heal the heart chakra, which is powerful and radiates

from our center outward to help us manifest love in all forms. Honey and vanilla are the key elements in

this love potion. Considered the “love drug” of all love drugs, honey arouses the mind and acts as a tonic

to remind us all of the sweetness in life. Good quality honey is recommended for the most luscious

effect. Vanilla is mood enhancer that stimulates the body through soft fragrant senses. This edible

aphrodisiac serves as a road opener to awaken and protect the heart while boosting self esteem.

Remember, the most important romance is the one you have with yourself--try to nurture YOUR heart

and fall back in love with YOURSELF!

Happy New Moon In Scorpio 2018

Blurred Lines: Manifesting with the Scorpio New Moon

Written by  Lisa Stardust

The Scorpio New Moon, occurring November 7th, serves as a time to heighten sensations, allowing us to swim in the deepest depths of our souls imaginable, through the magical power of the orgasm. Tantric Magic can help us manifest our dreams through the flow of energy.

Scorpio is a transformative sign, with  a restorative vibe, which can allow people to heal and transform under its influence. Use this luminary to open your mind through Tantric Magic. Alchemical power is transformational. There’s no better way to elevate our magic and mind than through sexual experience, which according to Tantra is a heightened state of sacred-spiritual awareness, by opening up our heart, sacral, and crown chakras.

Let’s talk about sex, bb!

Sexual energy is the source of life and Tantra is a vehicle that may be used for cultivating and transforming it for personal, spiritual, sexual and non-sexual healing and growth.

Tantra allows us to clear our minds and rid our bodies of emotional pain, fear, shyness, and feelings of inadequacy. Tantra can help us liberate, “rewire,” develop, and learn to control our chakric energies, allowing us to open to heart-centered love and be the recipient of sexual healing. 

Tantra has the potential to transform and expand our perception of and relationship with ourselves, our lovers, and the universe. It opens the doorway for more self acceptance, love, connection with universal energy, and a broader, fuller, deeper experience of life. Being at one with our bodies and minds will help guide our intuition and clear your chakras, which allows us to be more connected to the spiritual plane, thus, heightening our magical powers.

Before we begin with the two Tantra exercises, think about your intention. Mediate for a few minutes on what you wish to bring into your life under this luminary. Also, think about what no longer serves your higher good. Once you have envisioned your desires, you can begin the techniques below. With your intention in mind, start these exercises. Then, when you are done, with your intention still present, you may pleasure yourself. Your orgasms will be bountiful, and you will have a pleasurable correlation between your body and New Moon intention, allowing you to achieve your goals.

These exercises serve as a way to detox the body by engaging the powerful sacral chakra, through the tingling sensations of an orgasm,  which will allow personal healing and transformation. This newfound clarity will purify the body. By achieving a clear mind, your inner vibration will rise, allowing your highest self to radiate in your magic.

Spinal Cord Breathing vitalizes the spine, increases flexibility, improves natural flow of cerebrospinal fluid, stimulates the adrenal and thymus glands and relaxes the back so you can sit more comfortably in prolonged meditation. This technique may be practiced standing with a straight spine or sitting with a comfortably straight spine in a hard, straight backed chair without leaning against the back of the chair.

- Exhale and relax.

- As you inhale, gently arch your lower back, tuck in your chin and bring your fists to your shoulders. Let your chest and ribcage spread open and as you push air out of your abdomen, retract your shoulders and fists, bring your shoulder blades together, press your neck back and gently clench your teeth.

- Exhale as you push and curl your lower back and head forward and arch your back like a cat as you bring your elbows forward, your forearms together, fists to your chest (fingers facing your chest) and try to touch your chin to your chest.

- Repeat 36 times.

Tongue Extenstion engages the respiratory, pelvic floor, and diaphragm. It oxygenates and strengthens the tongue.

- Exhale and compress your abdomen bringing your navel toward your spine.

- Exhale again, forcing out the residual air and thrust your tongue forward out of your mouth.

- Continue to hold your breath out and extend your tongue as much as possible to the left, up, right and down 6 times while rotating your eyes in tandem. Reverse direction. Be advised, you may feel your perineum located between the genitals and anus moving in tandem with your tongue.

- When your out of breath, inhale strongly. As air rushes in your body, it will also oxygenate and strengthen your tongue and tendons and promote strong energy flow up through the central channel.

*The Scorpio New Moon occurs November 7th at 8:02AM PST and 11:02AM EST.

Beltane Rituals for Every Element

Written by  Lisa Stardust

Beltane is here! It’s May 1st, May Day, halfway between the spring equinox and summer solstice. It’s time to invite some friends over eat, drink, and be merry, embracing the beauty within and outside of ourselves as we celebrate the awakened, blooming flora and fauna of Earth. Originally celebrated as a Gaelic festival to protect cattle and encourage growth, Beltane is the light and beauty where we celebrate the sun and blossoms which perfume the air. In this May Day ritual, we are celebrating and giving back to the Earth, using all the elements (fire, earth, air, water) to ignite the hearth of Beltane. 

 
FIRE
Ideally, a bale fire is traditional merriment for the last night of April going into Beltane, May 1st. However, in this modern world, it may be impossible to have access to space which permits a bonfire. Consider using a small cauldron or candles. The colors of the earth, including red for passion, green for prosperity, purple for spirituality, yellow for happiness, white for harmony (or as a stand-in for any other colors. Red, green, and white are traditional Beltane colors. If you don’t have access to colored candles, you can use tea light candles. It’s ok to use the materials you have, remembering that the most important thing about magic is your intentions. 

Facing North, light the candles, evoking the goddesses you cherish and ancestors you admire as you go. Take a deep breath. As you inhale, close your eyes while the warm glow surrounds you. Amidst the warmth of the flames, envision a protective light surrounding, purifying, and stoking your own inner hearth. Open your eyes to the beauty of the flames burning. Let the heat serve as a shield against negativity, as you welcome in positive vibrations. 

EARTH 
Any urbanite can grab a fist full of fresh greenery and place it in a cauldron. Smelling fresh grass and flowers will bring life and abundance to any room. Honor their magical power and embrace the evergreen aroma. If possible, add some dandelions for positivity, hawthorn for fertility, and violets for protection. Try crossing twigs together with a red string to create a talisman that will also serve as a protective force against evil. When done using, recycle back to the universe by placing all remains outside to give back to Mother Earth. 

AIR
Make a wish for Beltane and release it to the air. Write down your desires on flying wish paper and let your desires travel on the wind. Through setting the intention and releasing your dream into the universe, you have the opportunity to plant valuable seeds of hope and creative renewal during these festivities. Giving prayers to the earth goddesses, pleases and inspires their support of your deepest desires to be manifested in the months to come. 

WATER 
Milk and honey is an offering made to Flora, Goddess of Flowers, to ensure vegetation blossoms in abundance during the Spring season. Added to baths, this mixture was notably used by the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra freshen up her soft, vibrant look and add beauty to her appearance. The mixture of milk and honey adds an element of fertility and sensuality to daily life. Rose petals infuse bathwater with feelings of self love and emotional healing. Use this combination for some bath magic to connect to the Earth Goddesses (such as Flora) and meditate. In this bath, be sure to take a moment of pause to connect to Flora’s lustful springtime earthy desires and evoke her spirit, as well as other water spirits like the river Goddess Oshun, who is also giver of love and fertility, and abundance, meditating on what you hope to grow. 

Ingredients:

• 2 Cups Milk
• 1/2 Cup Honey 
• 1 Cup Salt 
• Rose Petals 
•  

Directions: 

• Run warm bath water. 
• Add milk, honey, and salt in a jar. 
• Seal the jar and shake to mix ingredients together. 
• Pour the mixture into bath.
• Add rose petals to bath.
• Lie back, relax, allowing your skin to absorb the 
• Gently rub skin and soak in bath.