WITCHTIPS & HOROSCOPES 4/4-10/2018

Written by Jessica Lanyadoo

Witch Tips

Mercury Gatorade got you down? Don’t worry – this is the last full week of it! The planet of communications goes direct on the 15th, but not before it wreaks a little havoc, of course.

From the 4th through the 6th, Mercury will form an upsetting square to the master of Daddy issues himself, Saturn. This combination of planets can have you feeling depressed, pessimistic, or acutely aware of your aloneness. If you can keep in mind that you (and everyone else) are seeing the glass half empty, it may be easier to cope. The trick is to not be so “reasonable” that you reason yourself into a scared and sad hole. Reach out to people you trust, and don’t reject connection. This isn’t a great moment for serious introspection because you’re likely to be lacking in perspective, and for the same reason, it’s not wise to hang out with your most critical friends. If you’re feeling worked up, tend to your feels before you go seeking fixes. This is a great time to deal with your taxes, sort through your inbox, or any other annoying but finite task that requires attention to detail and concentration.

From the 6th through the 8th, we get a well-deserved break. Diplomatic Venus will form a harmonious trine to long-term planner, Saturn. Relationships or projects started at this time may carry a feeling of being fated, and they may very well be. Just wait until Mercury goes direct next week before signing papers or jumping to conclusions. This is the perfect time to tend to the folks that hold you up, to manage your finances, or to clean out your closet; basically this transit helps you to organize and prioritize the things that you value (but also just cute stuff).

From the 9th through the 11th, we have two events: romantic Venus is forming a trine to passionate Mars, and the planet that governs your sense of self, the Sun, will be square to creator/destroyer Pluto. The combination of these two transits is a mixed bag. You’re likely to feel compulsive, obsessive, and have your survival mechanisms kicked up, and there’ll be plenty of fodder for you to feel paranoid about. Pluto triggers issues of abandonment, feelings of resentment, or the drive for vengeance. The Venus transit suggests that this is likely to play out in your relationships (yay!), but don’t fear – there’s much to be gained here. Practice letting go. If there’s a dynamic at play in your life that you don’t want to deal with, recuse yourself. If you can’t walk away, you certainly don’t have to play games or take the bait when someone isn’t acting right. Moderate your behavior and what you give your attention to so that you can make the most of this time. Pluto brings intense growth or intense break downs; the only thing it never does is chill. Seek the best possible good in the situations you find yourself in, and as always, act in ways that reflect your integrity, not your situation, my love.

 

ARIES

March 21-April 19

When you obsess on things that bring you pain, all you succeed in doing is making yourself feel awful. If you don’t like something, fix it. If you don’t know what direction to point your efforts, you simply haven’t sat with the problem long enough. Picking at your wounds will result in slowed healing and nothing more, Aries. Let go of your version of who did what and why, and focus on your part. In this way the answers will organically present themselves to you this week.

­TAURUS

April 20-May 20

You don’t have all the facts, and it’s got you feeling off-kilter. Whether you’ve been mislead, you’ve misunderstood, or things simply haven’t played out enough yet, you can’t rush certainty. Instead of trying to collect data so you can plan your next moves, take a durn break, Taurus. If life is allowing you to pause and catch up, it’s on you to receive the gift. There will be more than enough time to plot your course once things change. Take a break, my love.

GEMINI

May 21-June 21

Fritz Perls famously said that “fear is just excitement without breath.” Fear doesn’t always make sense; sometimes it’s when you’re doing your best that you find you can’t shake negative thoughts. When something powerful moves through your life, it’s easy to mistake the accompanying exhilaration with anxiety, and then when you go looking for what’s got you freaking out, it’s easy enough to pinpoint what might go wrong. Make a decision and stick with it – just remember to breathe, Twin Star.

CANCER

June 22-July 22

It’s not always necessary to assert your opinions, even if they’re objectively the best ones in town. Being right is fun! But it won’t always win you popularity contests, and more importantly, being right doesn’t make you right. Be weary of shoving your views down someone’s throat this week because no matter how high the ground you’re standing on seems, you’re not immune to consequences. Pick your battles with reason and integrity, Moonchild.

LEO

July 23-Aug. 22

When you don’t resist it, heartache can be baptismal. The only things you mourn are those that you’ve loved, gotten value from, or have become attached to. This week you may need to grieve something or someone, and while it’s not pleasant, it’s not a bad thing either. Determine what’s driving you – love or attachment – and whether you need to let go or fight with all your heart. You’re a person with a great capacity for love; pour your heart’s energy into what feeds your soul, not just your habits, Leo.

VIRGO

Aug. 23-Sept. 22

There are creative solutions to your problems, but you won’t find them when you’re tapped. Rest is an essential part of self-care, and when you forgo it for too long, you stop thinking clearly. Take a break – not watching videos, not scrolling through your phone, and not taking care of anyone else; take an actual break, Virgo. Carve out some time this week to act like a cat that has nothing better to do than recline and enjoy a bit of sunlight. It’s just what you need.

LIBRA

Sept. 23-Oct. 22

Can you accept what you don’t like? This week is going to kick up how you cope with interpersonal annoyances. Before you get worried, there’s a bigger picture to consider: you’re not naturally great at this and could use the practice! Think of this time as a chance for you to be more honest, diplomatic, assertive – whatever it is that the situation calls for. Don’t protect others from the truth of who you are and how you feel, Libra. There’s no long game in that.

SCORPIO

Oct. 23-Nov. 21

When you’ve spread yourself too thin is when you start feeling overwhelmed and dramatic. It’s important that you keep your self-care game on point this week, or you’ll find yourself overreacting to people and jumping to conclusions about situations. Tend to the basic needs of your body (that’s water, food, rest, and breath), and this will set the foundation for managing your life wisely. What you do now will boomerang back to you, so make sure you believe in what you’re selling, Scorpio. 

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 22-Dec. 21

If you’ve taken on too much, this week is gonna be extra stressful for you, my love. How you engage with your responsibilities is a huge deal. Whether you tend to get rebellious, resistant, or go full-throttle on getting things done, you’re in the same boat now. No strategy is sustainable when it’s your only one. You need support because you need to change, ‘Tarius, and the place to start is by letting go of your drive to be in control. You can do it all, but not all at once.

CAPRICORN

Dec. 22-Jan. 19

The bad news is that you’re not in control, and in fact you may find that things are progressing in such a frustrating way that you want to fast forward to find out how the show ends. The good news is that you can’t do that (obvi), and life wouldn’t be better if you could. Have faith, Capricorn. There’s a bigger picture playing out in your life, and what you do now is not as important as how you do it. Pace yourself, honor your values, and keep on showing up.

AQUARIUS

Jan. 20-Feb. 18

Pacing yourself is not an Aquarian trait, as your sign prefers to focus on the future. Feeling like you’ve arrived is not as important as having confidence that you’re solidly on your way. Likewise, you don’t have to have all the answers. You’ll get them sooner or later. Staying in the here and now has its advantages though. The goal is to work smarter, not harder, and that requires not trying to forge plans based on predictions. Keep it simple and put one foot in front of the other this week. You’ve totally got this, my love.

PISCES

Feb. 19-March 20

This week will test your clarity. What you want can get clouded by what you think is possible, your hopes, fears, and of course, other people’s projections onto you. When you get caught off guard by your reactions, take a moment to center yourself. If you’re not careful, you may catch yourself defending something you actually don’t want to protect, or busting your hump trying to achieve something that you don’t actually care about, Pisces.

Bitter Brew: Why The Hoodwitch Should Hex Starbucks

Written by Katherine de Vos Devine of Cauldron Arts Incubator

Starbucks recently introduced a “Crystal Ball Frappuccino,” presumably hoping for a sequel to its wildly successful Unicorn Frappuccino.

Here is Starbucks’ Crystal Ball Frappuccino Instagram post from March 22, 2018:

Purple, green or blue-they say the Crystal Ball Frappuccino chooses you. ✨🔮 Available in US, Canada and Mexico...while the magic lasts.

179.5k Likes, 6,229 Comments - Starbucks Coffee ☕ (@starbucks) on Instagram: "Purple, green or blue-they say the Crystal Ball Frappuccino chooses you. ✨🔮 Available in US, Canada..."

This Starbucks ad is clearly based on the distinctive images produced by Bri Luna, aka The Hoodwitch, for her web site, social media, and various collaborations.

Bri Luna is a distinctive witch. Her look, style, writing, and images do not fit popular stereotypes about what witches look like, what they wear, or how they act. Luna troubles the definition of “witch” and expands it to be more broadly inclusive. She’s intersectional and inspirational.

But Luna was not remunerated, consulted, or in any way involved in the production of the Starbucks ad. Understandably, Luna was pissed, as were her Instagram followers and fans.

Granted, most witchy imagery isn’t distinctive enough to merit this level of outrage. The stereotypical witch aesthetic is culturally pervasive – and thus ineligible for copyright protection – at this point in time. But black brujas with witchtips, a predilection for saturated colors, a penchant for glitter, and love of neon haven’t exactly reached critical mass on the internet or in the popular imagination. If Starbucks had gone with a black cloth, silver jewelry, and a milk-white hand, I’d probably be on their side

But they didn’t.

If I say “crystal ball,” you’re likely to think “witch” or “fortune teller.”

If I say “witch,” you may think green skin, hooked nose, pointy hat, enjoys the company of flying monkeys.

If born after 1975, pale skin, black-clad, silver jewelry, dark lipstick, and a scowl may come to mind.

If you’re into millennial witchcraft, you may also think Free People, tarot apps, and palo santo perfume.

You probably don’t think:

or this: 

It’s hard to call anything or anyone “original” in the twenty-first century, but Luna is one of the few people I laud with that accolade. Luna has greatly expanded what it means to be a witch. (So have lots of other witches, in lots of different ways, but that’s a different post.)

Yet, witchcraft remains a fairly small community, its internal aesthetic debates are not known to the broader public, and the singularity of Luna’s imagery is not likely to register with most Starbucks customers.

Thus, prospective Crystal Ball Frappuccino buyers aren’t likely to see the Starbucks ad above and think, “Hey, that looks like Bri!” They’re likely to think, “Oooo, that’s looks magical, fresh, colorful, sweet, and kind of badass.” But “magical, fresh, colorful, sweet, and [totally] badass” is Luna’s brand, her imagery, her vibe. And it’s highly distinct from other magical practitioners.

And that’s why Starbucks’ behavior sucks.

Ripping off an artist’s images to sell corporate coffee is poor form.

Riffing on witchcraft to sell corporate coffee is worthy of an eye roll, but this is not the first time that mysticism has unwittingly served capitalism.

Jacking an African-American-Mexican bruja’s photographs, concepts, and style, which have greatly changed how the witchcraft community sees its members, but are mostly unknown to the broader public…that’s a multi-pronged abuse I can’t dismiss.

Legally, it’s tough. Hypothetically, were Luna to sue Starbucks, a court would look at specific similarities between the Starbucks image and Luna’s images. There are plenty. Thus, most courts would consider “substantial similarity” and “total concept and feel” –  a doctrine developed for situations such as this one.

When considering total concept and feel, a judge is invited to consider both “intrinsic” and “extrinsic” elements.

“Extrinsic” elements are defined as “the type of artwork involved, the materials used, the subject matter, and the setting for the subject.” [Sid & Marty Krofft Television Productions, Inc. v. McDonald’s Corp., 970 F.2d 106 (9th Cir., 1977)] But…“Obviously, no principle can be stated as to when an imitator has gone beyond copying the ‘idea,’ and has borrowed its ‘expression.’ Decisions must therefore inevitably be ad hoc.” [Sid & Marty Krofft Television Productions, Inc. v. McDonald’s Corp., 970 F.2d 106 (9th Cir., 1977), citing Peter Pan Fabrics, Inc. v. Martin Weiner Corp., 274 F.2d 487, 489 (2 Cir. 1960)] Translating this legalese: things can get fuzzy.

“Intrinsic” elements concern the judgment of “an ordinary person” when the expression of the works are compared. The comments on Starbucks’ Instagram post are divided, and suggest that witches see too much similarity, while non-witches don’t see a problem. Thus, we’re left with a question: who is the ordinary person? Someone familiar with Luna’s imagery or someone who is not? (Get nerdy about the identity of the “ordinary person” with me in the comments – it’s definitely an open question.)

I’m sure another lawyer could argue that the elements in each image are so simple that “total concept and feel” doesn’t apply. Or that the ordinary person is a non-witchy type who wouldn’t see Luna’s imagery as distinctive. But I think the Starbucks image clearly bites Luna’s style, in a way that might rise to the level of infringement. (And, before you ask, fair use absolutely does not apply here, as the Starbucks image has no purpose consistent with fair use.)

As you can see, the legal answer is a bit messy. But, ethically, it’s pretty straightforward.

Starbucks, a multinational corporation, decided to mimic imagery from an independent artist who belongs to numerous minority groups – African-American, Latina, witch – and seemed to think she wouldn’t fight back, that her fans wouldn’t notice, and that consumers wouldn’t care. (Given my interactions on Instagram, 1 out of 3 of my assumptions seem to be correct: Becky just wants her Frappuccino.) This is an abuse of power and this is wrong.

Starbucks most likely paid someone to source and create imagery for the ad. If they liked Luna’s work so much, they should have asked her to direct the project, take the photographs, or style the ad. At minimum, Starbucks should have credited Luna as the inspiration for the Instagram spot. And it’s all much worse because Luna actually lives in Seattle and has a robust online presence. She isn’t hard to find.

Finally, Starbucks posted the ad to Instagram, one of Luna’s primary modes of interaction, with no credit. Even a nod – “Inspired by @thehoodwitch” – would have gone a long way towards mollifying Luna’s fans (if not Luna herself). However, they would never do this, because it could weaken Starbucks’ position should Luna sue them for infringement. Which, frankly, should make you more suspicious than anything I’ve said so far.

As I’ve discussed before, there is aware appropriation and there is sterile appropriation. (The terms are Jaron Lanier’s and if you haven’t read his book, go do that right now.) Aware appropriation uses pre-existing material in ways that enliven the images or information, creating a new lens for the viewer or reader. It takes thought, feeling, and effort to be an aware appropriator. Sterile appropriation, on the other hand, repurposes pre-existing material in ways that are flat, serve only the appropriator, and have no intelligent effect on the audience’s engagement with the pre-existing material. Corporations almost always engage in sterile appropriation, but with a modicum of effort, entities like Starbucks can use their colossal influence in more positive ways.

It starts, as you might imagine, with crediting – and paying – artists like Bri Luna.

THE HOODWITCH:WITCH TIPS & HOROSCOPES 2.28-3.06-18

Written by Jessica Lanyadoo

WITCH TIPS

There’s so much going on this week that it’s important to remember to breathe. The bottom line is that life is not a collection of details – it’s the whole picture. You may be having a rough time now, but that doesn’t mean that you will tomorrow. If you find that you’re losing perspective, take a step back and take a moment to get present. You don’t need to be perfect, you only need to be whole. You don’t need to know what’s coming next, you only need to do your best in the here and now.

From the 27th-29th, there will be an irritating square between Mercury and Mars at the same time as an intense sextile between Mercury and Pluto. This is an excellent time to sort through your taxes, study for an exam, or generally sift through a lot of data that is both detailed and finite. The problem here is that you can get fixated on something that bothers you and then justify obsessing on it, even if all that does is make you cray. If you catch yourself caught up in petty, vengeful, or micromanaging thoughts, try to make the decision to redirect. It won’t be easy, but it’s for sure the healthiest thing you can do.

On the 1st we have a fertile Full Moon in Virgo at 4:51pmPST. What are you willing to let go of in order to make room for something better? The Sun is in idealistic Pisces, while the Moon is in boots-on-the-ground Virgo. It's time to pour your heart and efforts into what you love. How can you love what you have to do, even when it’s a boner? This is a period to explore the idea of perfection; what is it, really? Find it in the mundane, in the profane, in the weeds, and in the valleys. Perfection is right here, right now because the present moment could be no other way than as it is. Perfection requires presence and acceptance – not an OCD attention to purity but an embracing of this moment – the good, the bad, and the ugly of it.

Let go of distractions, and be here for the beauty of what is. Gear your actions in service to what you can help improve. This isn’t the time to lament what could’ve or should’ve been. Deal directly with what is, and try to let go of what doesn’t serve that purpose.

From the 3rd-5th, we have another anxiety provoking transit, when the self-centered Sun sits on top of identity-blurring Neptune. Some of the themes that were upsetting you last week are likely to come back up. You may feel anxious, depleted, inspired, or just plain old loopy. The trick here is to have healthy boundaries. Strive to know where you begin and where you end, what you want versus what you think you should want. This transit is an opportunity to get right with yourself, but that may happen by becoming aware of where you’re wrong. Don’t be a droopy dude – it’s OK to make mistakes. Be kind and patient and use your struggles as building blocks. Wisdom comes from experience, so don’t sit this one out.

ARIES

March 21-April 19

You’re on your way, Aries. You’ve been working so hard; your efforts are paying off, so keep on doing what you’re doing. The only problems you’re likely to confront this week are around the things you’ve been willfully ignoring or have just lost track of. Treat your anxieties or confusion this week as a gentle nudge to pay closer attention – not to check out. Complete success requires that you integrate the whole, so pick up the pieces, even when it’s uncomfortable.

­TAURUS

April 20-May 20

If you’re not careful, your ego will get you into some serious trouble this week. People are weird. They act hot and cold, they have reactions you don’t see coming, and sometimes they like music you think is bad (how rude!). When people do mysterious things, it’s not a reflection on you, and this week you can expect people to be especially odd. Don’t take it personally, Taurus, and don’t try to process with others when you’re feeling extra bad.

GEMINI

May 21-June 21

Peace isn’t about being happy all the time – it’s about being in alignment with yourself. If you’re of many minds about a situation, it’s hard to know which one to act on. Spend time this week reminding yourself of your big picture goals, so you can determine what is a good goal versus what’s a good goal for now. This is an excellent time to do a reset, but if it’s not based on self-knowledge, it’s just you chasing another white rabbit down a random hole.

CANCER

June 22-July 22

There’s such a thing as too much, and when you cross a line past what you can handle in a healthy way, things start to fall apart. It’s time to let go, Moonchild. You may need to forgive, you may need to stop obsessing, or your path may look more like quitting a job or taking a break from a relationship, but at the end of the day, it’s all the same. You need to take responsibility for what you sign up for and be willing to step back when necessary, my love.

LEO

July 23-Aug. 22

Don’t try to find solutions before you fully understand your problems, Leo. Pain is a bummer of a teacher, but that doesn’t mean that it’s got no value. Chill isn’t on the agenda this week, but that’s kinda perfect in in it’s own way; the stuff that feels bad is trying to get your attention so that you can finally do something about it. You want security, but first you’ve gotta find the truth. You want happiness, so it’s time to finally let go of what you know brings you no joy.

 

VIRGO

Aug. 23-Sept. 22

The Moon is full in your sign on the 1st, and it’s a fertile time for you, Virgo. It’s time to let it all go: your plans, your drive for perfection, your desire to have all the answers at this moment. They all have their value, but they can also be a distraction. Get aligned with what you’re grateful for in the here and now. You have so many advantages, but you can’t make use of them if you’re wrapped up in what’s out of your control. Find ways to say yes this week.

LIBRA

Sept. 23-Oct. 22

Fear is compelling. Even when you don’t want to listen to it, we humans are hard-wired to protect our safety, and a good part of that is by tracking danger. The trouble is that if you’re looking for problems, they’re easy enough to find. This week you’re making breakthroughs and are exactly where you need to be – so don’t push it. Don’t rush for answers or try to press people. Manage your feels, and let things fall into place around you, Libra.

SCORPIO

Oct. 23-Nov. 21

Don’t let your worries drag you down, Scorpio. You’ve got enough real-life problems to contend with that it makes no sense to wring your hands over what-ifs and coulda-woulda-shoulda’s. Strive to take control of where you allow your thoughts to go this week. If you catch yourself on an unproductive train of thought, rein yourself in with a spiritual mantra or a pleasant thought – it doesn’t really matter. Find healthy distractions for your unhealthy habits this week.

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 22-Dec. 21

You’re strong enough to change what needs to be changed, but are you willing to do the work? The hard part isn’t following through; it’s identifying what needs to get done. Don’t let your FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) lead you astray, Sagittarius. While you may be capable of doing it all, no one can do it all well. Reconnect with your primary objectives, and then make your choices in deference to them.

CAPRICORN

Dec. 22-Jan. 19

No matter how quickly or slowly things are changing, changing they are, my love. This week you’ve got one job, Cappy, and it’s emotional integration. Allow space and time for your feels to catch up with your circumstances. This is essential for being healthy, of course, but also for you to be able to know what should come next. It’s time to be careful about what you ask for because you just might get it. It’s better to slowly get there with a clear heart than to look back with regrets.

AQUARIUS

Jan. 20-Feb. 18

If you don’t like the way your hair looks, changing your clothes won’t help you much. Try not to react to upsets this week with distractions, no matter how dynamic they seem. Life right now is a bit of a mixed bag, and that’s OK. What you most likely want to do is focus on what you know how to handle, but that’s not wise, Aquarius. Take small steps towards figuring out what’s not clear to you, and let everything else just simmer this week.

PISCES

Feb. 19-March 20

Let people love you, Pisces. Let the Sun warm you, and let cats charm you, and receive the gift that is this life. What others think about you is important information, but it won’t define you if you don’t let it. Choose to align yourself with what’s positive and future-focused so that you don’t lose yourself in the heavy stuff this week. In order to truly know yourself, you must also know what you’re not.

THE HOODWITCH: WITCHTIPS & HOROSCOPES 2/21-27/2018

Written by Jessica Lanyadoo

Witch Tips

There’s hella anxiety in the air, so keep this little reminder as you go through your week: breathe. Venus will be sitting on top of Neptune from the 20th-22nd, and then Mercury will meet Neptune from the 24th-26th – all in the sensitive sign of Pisces.

The overall effect of these transits is to stoke anxiety and inflate unclear messages. This isn’t necessarily bad, but it is confusing. Watch out for projections – from you or others – that influence people to avoid clear and simple communication. This is an excellent time for spiritual exploration as long as you keep your feet on the ground. Love, creativity, and the esoteric arts are all possible vehicles for either expansion or for checking out. Don’t allow your desire for beauty or romance to override your common sense. If you have a question, ask. If you want something, go for it. Try not to conflate potential with compatibility; not all things are meant for this life or for this moment. This isn’t the time to allow your concerns about what others feel about you to spark your insecurities. You also don’t need to divine what others think about you when you can just ask.

These transits don’t favor being decisive, but they’re great for seeking insight; all you’ve got to do is try to be interested in your circumstances instead of looking for hard and fast solutions. Explore ideas and feels without following the urge to be conclusive, and certainly avoid dogma. Love is messy business, but it’s totally worth it. Use the astrology of this week to connect or reconnect with the causes, people, and work that you love enough to keep trying for. When you’re driven by something that’s larger than you, it yields limitless inspiration. Neptune governs ideals, and ideals are like stars; they guide you through the darkness, even if you’re not meant to reach them. Neptune is the great scrambler, while Mercury wants answers. Sometimes there are no answers. Sometimes you need to wait and allow clarity to come in it’s own time.

This week may bring you a beautiful illusion, so if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. That doesn’t mean that nothing good can come because we are likely to see amazing acts of humanity, courageous leaps of love, and brilliant art. Just allow these transits to pass before you decide what any of it means. Be open to the greatest inspiration, and strive to not have attachments.

ARIES

March 21-April 19

When you feel good, it’s tempting to push yourself to do everything all at once, but this week, that would be a mistake. Save some energy for your reserves, Aries. The surest foundation to any success in life is within you – it’s with your self-esteem, your inward-pointing intentions, and your overall happiness. Use whatever extra time and energy you have working on those things this week and see what, if anything, changes.

TAURUS

April 20-May 20

Looking for blame isn’t going to get you anywhere, Taurus. You’re feeling anxious, and your nerves want something to fixate on. But it isn’t wise. Try to check in with the feels under your racing thoughts. The thought may be “traffic is driving me crazy,” but the feel may be “I’m uncertain if I’m prepared to handle my day.” Find and soothe your real problems, which live beneath the surface, no matter how compelling your mental chatter is this week.

GEMINI

May 21-June 21

Things are complicated, and the best way to make it worse is by lying to yourself. Just because you’re of several minds about a thing doesn’t mean you’re messed up. It more likely means that you haven’t figured out what you value most and, in turn, haven't set your priorities, Twin Star. This week you’re going to want to make some radical changes, but don’t change for change’s sake alone – that will only create chaos. Pace yourself so you can achieve your ambitions, one step atta time.

CANCER

June 22-July 22

All you gotta do is stay true, Moonchild. There’s no rush, and you don’t need to take on pressures from outside sources. It’s time to get connected to your insides so that you can better understand what's triggering you. This week your emotions and reactions are likely to be a reflection of more than what’s currently happening, making it unwise to take things at face value. Consider your past as you sort through your present, so you don’t repeat it unnecessarily.

LEO

July 23-Aug. 22

If people can’t keep up with you, you have a choice; you can wait for them or leave them in your dust. Think carefully about how you treat others this week, or you’ll find yourself on the business end of some interpersonal drama in the coming weeks. Listen to what people are telling you, even if it’s hard to hear it or you don’t understand it. Sometimes you just need to bear witness to another person’s experience without thinking of it in context to your own, my love.

VIRGO

Aug. 23-Sept. 22

It’s hard to stay with your feels, especially when they’re uncomfortable. You’re dealing with some serious, big anxieties now, and you’re not meant to escape them, so don’t try. The things that make you nervous are the very things that needs your attention. Confront what ‘s real, Virgo. Be honest about what you feel, what you’re doing, and what you’re communicating to others. It’s likely you need to change, but this week is the time for processing, not action.

LIBRA

Sept. 23-Oct. 22

The truth will set you free, but freedom is never free. Even if it creates a whole host of problems, it’s time to confront your emotions and start dealing with things head-on. When you allow yourself to linger in a state of confusion and you deny what you know about yourself or your situation, all that repressed energy converts to pervasive anxiety. Be brave, Libra. You don’t have to act on everything you uncover, but it’s time to own your truth, my love.

SCORPIO

Oct. 23-Nov. 21

The changes that you’re going through are deep and have been a long time coming. It may be tempting to get wrapped up in drama and gossip this week, but it’ll only feel good for a minute and then set you back. Act in accordance with your best self instead of stooping to the level of the most triggering person around you. Uphold your values, and the best version of you will be able to thrive, even in awful situations. You have the chance to mature emotionally, but you have to take it, Scorpio.

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 22-Dec. 21

It’s ok to struggle with your choices, but what will get you in trouble is ignoring your inner conflicts in the misguided hope that they’ll resolve themselves. This week the Devil is in fact in the details, and the way to keep problems at bay is by sorting through them. It may feel really vulnerable, but it’s time to drop into the particulars of your relationships or your situation, and either make peace with your choices or figure out what’s gotta change.

CAPRICORN

Dec. 22-Jan. 19

If things don’t go the way you want them to, that doesn’t mean they’re going poorly. You may have to let go of something or someone this week, and just because it hurts doesn’t mean it’s bad. Allow yourself to have your feels without convincing yourself of the worst. If you’re going to fixate on your disappointments, try this little exercise: every time you think of something disappointing, find one other thing that you’re grateful for. It’ll help, I promise.

AQUARIUS

Jan. 20-Feb. 18

You don’t have all the answers, but what’s more, if you did, you wouldn’t know what to do with them. It’s not enough to have raw data; you need to know how to best act on what you know. Bring your heart into your investigations, Aquarius. You are poised to step into a powerful phase of growth, and it'd be a waste if you didn’t move towards what you truly want. Ask yourself this week: if you got what you wanted now, would be truly happy?

PISCES

Feb. 19-March 20

People talk about getting grounded, but what does it mean, really? For you this week, it means not chasing your thoughts when they’re racing but instead anchoring your attention and focus in your body. It means allowing yourself to be as frustrated or overwhelmed as you are, while not seeking solutions or meaningful insights from that place. For best results, take care of your feels before you take care of your situation, Pisces.

MUSIC TO CAST LOVE SPELLS BY VOL.2

Music To Cast Love Spells By

A sensual and seductive playlist curated for The Hoodwitch by Alia Mohamed to get you in the mood for casting love spells, or to simply indulge yourself in a romantic evening of self-care rituals. Whatever your plans are this Valentine's Day, these tracks are sure to get you in the mood for some love and enchantment!  

TRACKLIST:

Nancy Holloway - Sand and Rain
Norman Connors - Butterfly Dreams
Patrice Rushen - Where There Is Love
Minnie Riperton - Every Time He Comes Around
Flowers - For Real
Intimate Strangers - Love Sounds
Dorothy Ashby - Alone Together
Gene Rains And His Group - Tangi Tahiti
Julie London with The Spencer-Hagen Orchestra - Dark
Sonny Lester - Jasmine
Dom Boga - Mattino de Fuoco
Googoosh - Gahi Khandeh Gahi Geryeh
Bhairvi - The Panthers
The Roger Webb Sound - Moon Bird
Bobby Bland - I'll Take Care of You
Vagif Mustafa Zadeh - Gelmedi
Sun Ra - Love Is For Always
Piero Umiliani - Approdo Lunare
Mica Levi - Love

WITCH TIPS & HOROSCOPES 2/14-20/2018

 

Witch Tips

You all know what time it is! Get ready to be overwhelmed by corporate-sponsored romance while we all feel pressure to get proof that we’re loved. If you’re trying to figure out what to do on February 14th, I’ve got some good news for you. From the 14th-16th, there will be a Sun sextile to Uranus and a Mercury square to Jupiter, making this a great time to meet new people and clarify what you want. The emphasis here is on friendship, so get deep with yourself, make sure you’re treating yourself right, give serious love to your fam, or focus on the foundation of friendship that you have with your paramour.

On the 15th is when things get weird. At 1.05pm PST there will be Solar Eclipse in revolutionary Aquarius. A Solar Eclipse happens during a New Moon, and this one provides an excellent time to get free. Expect some serious upheaval in your life, but don’t worry – it’s happening to help point you in the right direction, not to knock you off course. Pay close attention to the themes in your life this week, and also remember what was going on around January 31st because you’ll be integrating these themes until the next Solar Eclipse on July 12, 2018. 

Aquarius is a sign that is concerned with humanity, even if it finds actual humans low key annoying. Pay particular attention to the gap between what you theoretically believe and what you can emotionally handle at this time. New Moons are openings – they’re beginnings of a new cycle – and the Moon is always concerned with the flow of your heart. Aquarius can be really heady, which is great for so many things, but not so much for feels. Don’t run after false ideas that only work for you in theory. If you can’t back your ideas up with emotional presence and material action, they’re just ideas and nothing more. This Eclipse is a chance for you to start fresh, but this can’t be done from up in the clouds or without clear intention. Show up. Be here for the uncomfortable bits, especially for your own feels and the emotions of the people you care about.

From the 16th-18th, irritable Mars will square escapist Neptune, and the self-centered Sun will sit on top of analytic Mercury. These transits are a big part of the Eclipse and are likely to muddle things quite a bit, so here’s a Pro Tip to help you through: you don’t have to do anything except for take care of your side of the street. It’s not your job to call out the wrong in others; all you need to do is what’s right for you. If you’re seeing things in people that you don’t like, try to sit with it for 72hrs before making a call or taking action.

If you haven’t yet caught this week’s episode of the Self Service Podcast with The Hoodwitch’s own Bri Luna and me, you’ve got to check it out! Hear us set you up for having a magical week, and try out my eclipse-timed Forgiveness Ritual. The best way to open yourself up to love in the here and now is to first let go of the past. It’s time to let a new era begin, my love.

ARIES

March 21-April 19

Slow down and be here now. This week is likely to have you feeling jumpy and for good cause – it’s catch-up time. Feelings that you’ve allowed to remain unchecked are going to feel like they’re dragging you down, and issues that have been allowed to stay unresolved will start to bug you again. Make sure you’re not projecting your issues out as a coping mechanism. It’s hard to sit with your feels, but that’s exactly what you should try to do. Healing starts with you, Aries.

­TAURUS

April 20-May 20

The very real differences between you and the people you care about aren’t meant to be an affront to you, Taurus. Getting along is wonderful, but part of true intimacy is how you weather storms together. Instead of rushing to answers and explanations, seek patience this week. There’s no need to know what’s going to happen next or even the contents of another person’s heart. Be kind to yourself and others as your relationships unveil themselves to you.

GEMINI

May 21-June 21

You have a tendency to get too in your head, and this week it may get you in trouble. The answers that you seek lie in the relationships that bring you happiness. If you keep taking yourself out of dynamics in efforts to understand them, you’ll feel like you’re treading water. Sometimes the best parts of life come from the messiness. This week is an excellent time to take chances, Twin Star. Put yourself in the mix of emo human interaction. If you don’t like what you learn, you can finally go about changing it.

CANCER

June 22-July 22

Life is complicated; your best friend in the world can also be a total bug; your greatest successes can keep you up at night. If you can stop expecting things to be black and white, you’ll have an easier time laying off of yourself. Give yourself some slack, Moonchild. You’re having feels, and that doesn’t mean that you’ve taken a wrong turn or made a serious error. Allow your emotions to ebb and flow without making serious changes this week.

LEO

July 23-Aug. 22

If you have people that you’re compatible with in your life, this week’s Solar Eclipse in your relationship house can bring really beautiful shifts in your close connections. If your relationships don’t reflect who you really are, this may be a time of reckoning. Confront the truth, even if it brings you to a place of hard choices; in the words of Nayyirah Waheed, “if someone does not want me it’s not the end of the world. But if I don’t want me the world is nothing but endings.”

 

VIRGO

Aug. 23-Sept. 22

Sometimes a feeling is just a feeling. You’re rewiring your relationship to anxiety, and this week will offer you solid opportunities to test it out. Instead of reacting to your emotions, practice responding to them, Virgo. Explore the contents of your heart, seeking only the truth. You are habituated to believe some compelling but untrue stories about yourself. Challenge them. Be brave enough to tolerate your unpleasant feels and figure out what they’re truly comprised of, my love.

LIBRA

Sept. 23-Oct. 22

The pain of becoming is not to be avoided, Libra. You’ve been working hard to overcome some old patterns that have you stuck in a loop. This week you can expect some breakthroughs, but they won’t come for free. Confront your fears boldly. You are ready for change, and you’re ready to outgrow your stuck parts. You may not be ready to do it all at once, but that doesn’t mean you’re not doing it. Be patient with your process, wherever you’re currently at with it.

SCORPIO

Oct. 23-Nov. 21

If you catch yourself overwhelmed by anxiety this week, it means that you’re fixating on things that you don’t get to control. There’s so much that you can impact in the world, in your personal life, and in your inner landscape; devote your care and attention to those instead of the crazy-making machinations of others. Strive to close the gap between your intention and your actions, and you’ll find it’s easier to have peace with the inevitable problems that others bring you.

SAGITTARIUS

Nov. 22-Dec. 21

If there’s a nagging voice in your head saying not to do it, maybe it’s smart to listen. Your heart and head are not always in agreement with each other; that’s just life. Now’s the time to heed your intuition, even if it contradicts your plans or your heart’s desires. This week’s Solar Eclipse is likely to yield sudden sparks of insight, and they may just be gold for you if you can be present enough to heed their wisdom.

CAPRICORN

Dec. 22-Jan. 19

When your actions reflect your values, you really can’t go wrong, Cappy mon Capitan. If you’re overwhelmed and shut down or phoning it in, it’s really hard to parse out your inner wisdom from your inner chatter. This week you need to practice self-care so that you create a solid foundation upon which everything else in your life can flourish. You’re on the right path, but you need to stay connected to yourself as you traverse it. Take time-outs when you need them, and remember to breathe this week.

AQUARIUS

Jan. 20-Feb. 18

The Solar Eclipse in your sign on the 15th is a doorway for you to walk through, Aquarius. This is an excellent time to kick off a new project, start a new habit, or just try something new. You are in an incredibly fertile place, and the best way to take advantage of it is by being emotionally present. Fixate your energy on what you want, and let all that other stuff that you’ve been fighting or stressing over go. What you feed will grow, so make sure that you’re acting from your best self; start from the inside out.

PISCES

Feb. 19-March 20

When chaos comes (and who’re we kidding, it always does), it’s important to focus on how it effects your energy instead of how to be diplomatic. When you place diplomacy in front of self-care, you end up acting in ways that are disingenuous and creating false expectations with others. It doesn’t matter what your motivations are, it’s essential that you honor the truth, Pisces. If you don’t know what that is, spend downtime getting present in your body, and seek the wisdom that only comes from presence, my love.