spacecaseastrology

[spacecaseastrology]

Just here to say you can find me at @spacecaseastro now. Let this blog stand on its own as a reflection of my previous ideologies. I've grown into my practice.

This blog is mostly an archive. I come here sometimes. I won't be deleting it, I post occasionally, but realistically, treat my posts as an archive. Even my more informative posts. I've grown since I've written many of these posts. I've been working to move on from the know-it-all tone I originally wrote with. This can be difficult because typically my inspiration is something I personally disagree with, but I am working on it. I have found in the last year or so that I have come full circle in my astrological practice and I try to blend traditional techniques with the softness of modern astrology.

You can find me on Twitter where I mostly write lunar forecasts in a much gentler tone than I used to. Twitter isn't a great format due to brevity, but I'm figuring myself out. One day I will be writing again, I just have to reconnect with my muses.

This blog isn't closed, I'm just providing an update. That being said, if I come up with more writing, it will likely go to a new tumblr that better reflects where I'm at now.

[spacecaseastrology]

This blog is mostly an archive. I come here sometimes. I won't be deleting it, I post occasionally, but realistically, treat my posts as an archive. Even my more informative posts. I've grown since I've written many of these posts. I've been working to move on from the know-it-all tone I originally wrote with. This can be difficult because typically my inspiration is something I personally disagree with, but I am working on it. I have found in the last year or so that I have come full circle in my astrological practice and I try to blend traditional techniques with the softness of modern astrology.

You can find me on Twitter where I mostly write lunar forecasts in a much gentler tone than I used to. Twitter isn't a great format due to brevity, but I'm figuring myself out. One day I will be writing again, I just have to reconnect with my muses.

This blog isn't closed, I'm just providing an update. That being said, if I come up with more writing, it will likely go to a new tumblr that better reflects where I'm at now.

[spacecaseastrology]

Published in 2019, this article about late astrologer André Barbault's planetary cycle index blew my mind, changed my worldview, made me want to study mundane astrology more. For those who don't know, Barbault predicted a pandemic breaking out in 2020 – which we now know as covid-19 – back in 2011. Per this method, they project the pandemic's end in 2024, and the latter half of this decade is slated to become better.

The annual numbers calculated for the Barbault Index use a basic method of measuring cyclical synodic phase relationships between two heavenly bodies (e.g., say, of the Sun and Moon to each other in their 28-day cycle from New Moon to First Quarter, Full Moon, Last Quarter, to the next New Moon).

Astrologers use this basic monthly, synodic cyclic relationship between the Sun and Moon as a schematic template that relates to every creative and growth process. Measuring the angles from the faster-moving body (in this case, the Moon) to the slower or stationary body as this cyclic relationship unfolds (the Sun), yields basic information about differing stages of natural cycles of becoming. These cycles and stages correlate with the organic growth process: a seed is planted at the conjunction of the two heavenly bodies (0°), it germinates and grows in progressive phases of: creative support (60°), crisis in becoming (90°), ease of transition (120°), correction (135-150°), and a peak in objective realization and fulfillment at opposition (180°).

From insemination (New Moon) and germination, the Moon waxes during the opening hemicycle, giving form to the new creation, growing in light as she travels away from the Sun, to First Quarter (90° angle between Moon and Sun, an opening growth crisis phase), and then to peak visibility and bloom (Full Moon) of 180°. Then follows the waning hemicycle marked by the various angular phase relationships with a closing peak crisis phase at the Last Quarter Moon (270°). Next is the balsamic phase as the moon darkens in dissipation of the cycle, and prepares for a return to Source, and a new seeding at the next lunation, or New Moon.

[spacecaseastrology]

Today’s #ManuscriptOfTheDay is Ms. Codex 1264, a 16th c. manual on talismans or seals, thought to help manifest the powers of the planets when created in metal or on parchment. The 5 seal faces for Mercury, including a magic square, is on f. 4r #renaissance #earlymodern #manuscript #astrology #magic #historyofscience #fortunetelling #german #germany #bookhistory #bookstagram #librariesofinstagram https://instagr.am/p/CXMPizbMEmu/

[spacecaseastrology]

There is not nearly enough room on Twitter to talk about the upcoming eclipse in Taurus. Sometimes I can sum up the lunar transits with a cute little phrase and other times I can't because there's a lot going on with our lovely Moon. This eclipse definitely falls into the latter category, so let's talk about it.

The first thing to know is that this lunar eclipse, which shows a culmination of events, is the first of a series of Taurus-Scorpio eclipses that will last throughout 2022, until the spring of 2023. The upcoming eclipses in December will mark the close of eclipses in the Gemini-Sagittarius axis. In order to understand what this means in the context of this eclipse, we have to look at what we know about the sign axes, their elements, their quadruplicity, their polarity, and any shared themes.

Taurus and Scorpio speak to themes of accumulation and removal. Taurus is the domicile of Venus and the exaltation of the Moon. Scorpio is the domicile of Mars and the fall of the Moon. Scorpio is associated with excretory systems in the body, ruling the lower intestines and genitals. Scorpio has associations with wastewater systems and the waste removal in general. Scorpio in particular has associations with the bathroom, pools of stagnant water, and bogs. Scorpio is decay and the ways we deal with decay, whether we utilize it or let it amass. In stark contrast, Taurus has themes of aggregation and growth. Taurus rules the neck and esophagus, which is the means of how food goes into the stomach. The entire digestive system is not equipped to handle expulsion frequently, with expelled stomach acid taking a tremendous toll. Taurus is associated with agriculture, stables, cattle, pastures, and cottages. Our working themes are: intake and outtake, growth and compost, accumulation and removal, storage and waste.

With this knowledge, we can piece together that some motifs we might see in the next year are food waste, big agriculture's impact on the environment, the pandemic's effect on workers in agriculture and food production, conversations on compost, garbage removal, and recycling, the carbon footprint of our supply chain, among many other possible topics.

With Taurus and Scorpio being fixed signs, any relevant conversations tied into the associated themes are not going to be new ones. We will moreover see stories develop for issues that we already know exist, but continue to be increasingly relevant. With this coming eclipse being a lunar eclipse, once again we see that new issues are not coming to life, we are instead seeing the culmination of issues.

Now that we've covered our bases with the upcoming themes, let's talk about this particular lunar eclipse. Luna will aspect every single planet. In order, here are the aspects she will make once she enters Taurus:

A square to Saturn in Aquarius

A trine to Venus in Capricorn

A conjunction to Uranus in Taurus

An opposition to Mars in Scorpio (which happens immediately after Luna separates from Uranus)

A sextile to Neptune in Pisces

An opposition to Mercury in Scorpio

A square to Jupiter in Aquarius

A trine to Pluto in Capricorn

And finally, because this is a lunar eclipse, an opposition to the Sun in Scorpio

Think of all of these aspects as a town hall meeting, where Luna is leading the discussion. Each aspect represents an exchange she has. The planets represent people, with the outers representing larger trends and archetypes and the inner planets being more personal, close to home issues. You may see yourself represented by the Moon, or perhaps you are represented by one of the people she has an exchange with. Luna has resounding agreements with Venus and Pluto in Capricorn. She establishes common ground with Neptune in Pisces. Moon and Uranus are arguing for the same causes in Taurus, in wildly different ways. Luna has heated conflict and tensions with Jupiter and Saturn in Aquarius, but they have the upper hand being in the overcoming position. The meeting concludes with power struggles from Mercury, Mars, and the Sun in Scorpio.

Not only is Luna very active during this eclipse, she will also conjoin fixed star Algol at 26° Taurus, right before she fully culminates at 27° Taurus. With Algol being so close to this eclipse, it is probable that we will see the archetypes related to this star come up. Algol as a star relates to Medusa's head in the Perseus constellation.

[TW: Rape, victim-blaming]

In Medusa's story, it is said that Poseidon raped her in Athena's temple. In vengeance, Athena punishes Medusa by turning her into a gorgon. I have also seen interpretations saying that Athena did this to protect Medusa, but the common consensus is that this was a punishment. Perseus would later slay her, being guided by Athena to do so.

[End TW]

With fixed star Algol, we see see the tenuous relationship between abusers and victims, often on a systemic level. Abuses can come to light when Algol is highlighted. Vengeance, too, especially in the face of rape or abuse, comes to light. We can see violent deaths and beheading associated with Algol. A most notable example of this was a horary chart that William Lilly cast asking how Archbishop of Canterbury would die, where the archbishop died via beheading. Algol is a seemingly grim star, but there are also themes of protection and of primal rage in there as well. Algol can be a powerful ally, but she, like all celestial energies (especially in her case), must be respected as a sovereign, a being to build a relationship with rather than just asking her to do your bidding. With this being said, the eclipse would not be a great time to initiate a working relationship with her. You may leave her offerings but leave the serious workings for better astrological weather. 

Please remember that eclipses are not good times to create or consecrate talismans, nor are they good electional times. Eclipses are great times to clean your space and to rest. In the case of this eclipse, here is a fabulous article from Kaitlin Coppock on what rituals are appropriate for north node eclipses. 

I hope this article has helped provide a comprehensive overview of the themes of this eclipse in addition to the coming eclipse cycle in general.

[spacecaseastrology]

I have become the stan of planets in detriment and fall. People on twitter have pissed me off so much by acting like every planet in detriment is complete doom, as if every planet in fall is going to be a reliving of Jupiter in Capricorn — which btw had a lot more going on than just being in Capricorn last year.

I'm not saying planets in debility are the best thing ever, but they get soooo much shit even when they can be constructive. I would bet that our currently young generation of Saturn in Cancers will someday do great work helping out homeless people, prisoners, the elderly, immigrants, families.

A planet in detriment is a planet that knows what it's like to work without the resources it needs at its disposal. When that planet's energy takes form constructively, that can look like someone helping others in similarly shitty situations. A planet in fall is a planet that knows what it is like to be suppressed. When that planet's form is given constructive energy, it can help others who have been similarly suppressed and help them find their voice.

In mundane astrology, you can still see planets in detriment doing good work. When we had the Venus-Sun cazimi in Aries, where Venus is in detriment, New Zealand saw legislation passed that gave parents who had just miscarried time off of work to grieve.

There's more to say than what I've written but I have a lot of thoughts as someone who has four planets in detriment or fall.

[spacecaseastrology]

Congratulations on getting the scholarship!! It requires to be brave to ask for something you really want - I am happy for you that you got it! You deserve it ☺️

Thank you anon!

[spacecaseastrology]

Generally, NORWAC and UAC have been inaccessible to me for a variety of reasons: travel, work schedule, and not least of all the cost. With the conferences being hosted online due to the pandemic, the questions of work and travel were suddenly dropped, but the conference was still not accessible to me because of prohibitive costs.

This year I applied for a general scholarship to NORWAC and included a lengthy reason for how the scholarship would help. I figured I didn't get it because months passed without hearing back. Yesterday I got an email offering me a partial scholarship!!!!!!!!!

Words cannot express my joy here. I thought an astrology conference would never happen for me. Moving the conference online for safety reasons and having most of the cost relieved is a huge, huge sigh of relief. I can't express the rollercoaster of emotions: the disappointment of thinking I'd never get to go to a conference because of so many factors keeping me out, and now going to the excitement of being able to participate. It's a tremendous honor. I don't know if I'll get to go in the future but at least I get to go this year when it's being hosted online.

This leads me to the following point: apply for scholarships for astrology conferences! It is absolutely worth your time and energy to apply. You don't need to go in-depth about your difficulties, just talk about how the conference would help you out.

[spacecaseastrology]

S C R E A M. Out of all my posts this one aged THE WORST.

When it’s a few months into the Saturn transit into Capricorn and you hear about a bunch of workers unionizing and you start getting antsy for the Saturn-Pluto conjunction in a few years

[spacecaseastrology]

here's some articles/threads I read and liked or found interesting lately

- Venus' Historical Association with War

- Venus as Signifier for Beauty Standards instead of Beauty itself

- Decolonizing Essential Dignities

- How to Work with Your First Saturn Return

- Saturn Opposite Chiron & Generational Trauma

- The Root of Aquarius' Detachment

- Thoughts on Depression

- A thoughtful proposal on how to move away from the gender binary in astrological theory & language

- Degree 5 & its Eroticism + Sexual Magnetism

- Libra in Astrology from the Islamic world

I'll likely update this list so if you see it from a reblog check the source to see if it's an old version!

[spacecaseastrology]

Hello, I was thinking of does Jupiter align as Pisces’ ruler? Where is the confusion? Where is the daydreaming? Wouldn’t that fit more with the description of Neptune than Jupiter?

In order to see how the traditional rulerships play out, you have to be able to conceive of what the traditional rulers look like in both their domains. Jupiter is expansive and spiritual, grandiose and connected to the world. We know how that plays out when Jupiter is in Sagittarius. Because Sagittarius is a fire sign, it's a very loud, exuberant expression.

But we modern astrologers lost touch with how planets express in two signs – namely Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. How does Jupiter look in its nocturnal domain, Pisces? Well, because Pisces is a water sign, it's going to be much more subdued than Sagittarius is. Jupiter in Sagittarius is preachy and very interested in outward displays of faith and belief. Meanwhile, the Pisces expression is not interested in proselytizing, at least not to others. The focus goes inward when Jupiter is in Pisces. Jupiter becomes much more intuitive and we can really see Jupiter's visionary quality come out when it's in a water sign. Daydreaming? We know Jupiter is an idealist no matter what. Sagittarius has big ideas and concepts they want the world to hear — hence, fire, because fire radiates. Pisces takes that idealist quality and instead of projecting it (because water does not radiate), it turns that idealism inward and yes, this manifests as daydreaming and deep contemplation.

As for confusion? I would attribute that characteristic of Pisces to modern associations of Pisces to Neptune. Unless Mercury is in Pisces, there isn't much to be confused about. Jupiter is very concerned about unity and the big picture which doesn't jive with the analytical, nuanced Mercury.

Also, traditional rulerships make the most sense. The Sun and Moon each have their own sign, but Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn each have two signs: one diurnal expression in fire or air, and one nocturnal expression in earth or water. In order to break out of the mindset of outer planets in modern astrology, it takes a lot of uncoupling of outer planets association that were just given to Scorpio, Aquarius, and Pisces.

I'll leave you with this image, which changed my life as an astrologer. Everything clicked after I saw it. The larger scheme made so much sense. I hope it resonates with you.

[spacecaseastrology]

doce lua ( @rainmv )

[spacecaseastrology]

Jupiter and Saturn

21.12.2020…. the closest approach for 800 years

Keep reading

[spacecaseastrology]

As I’ve come to understand traditional astrology more, I have been perplexed by what meanings I could ascribe to the Sun. Neither malefic nor benefic, associated with vitality but ascribed the quality of “barren”, I couldn’t make sense of it. What I knew was visibility and spotlights, authority, leaders, and traditionally an association with the mind (the Moon, in contrast, ascribed to the body). I feel my chart contributed to my lack of understanding of Sol: Sun in Libra, in fall, in the 8th whole sign house, averse to my chart ruler. There was a distinct lack of awareness and I knew it. I didn’t know how to see Him.

I had an awakening a few months ago. I spent a week connection with Sol by using Sphere + Sundry’s Oil of Sol in Leo. My insights were astounding. I learned how Sol relates to gifts of creativity and of well, insight, of the spirit’s connection to our capacity to learn and share information. Sol relates to that feeling of invigoration after you learn something new, that transmission of energy. The sun radiates energy, it exudes, and the light is a form of communication with spirit. The moon absorbs that light and makes it grow or recede – perhaps this is how Luna was traditionally ascribed the qualities of writing and transmission.

When someone learns new information and excitedly passes it onto you, that is solar in nature. That neural forging, that personal connection made to the learned material, that is Solar energy. When you feel new information become a part of you and it becomes integrated in your life, that is Sol.

Here is a sidetrack that gets me to the heart of this post: I really enjoy Tori Amos’ music. She is my favorite musician by far – I find her connection to her music, her instrument, to be powerful. Her connection to her music is spiritual, and she attributes this to The Muses. I will allow her words on The Muses to speak more to what they are.

“You do have to be ready when [The Muses] show up, and that’s not an easy task. I think it sounds easier than it is. Other artists have talked about it—the idea of pulling aside on the freeway. I know that I’ve had to just stop conversations, because I’m not going to get it if I don’t quickly write it down, or record it. People who know you get that that’s kind of how it is, but people that don’t know you can think it’s kind of dramatic. But I find that if I don’t write it down, then I just can’t remember it, not in the form that it’s being given.”

Petrusich, A. (2020, April 26). Tori Amos Believes the Muses Can Help. Retrieved December 19, 2020, from https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-interview/tori-amos-believes-the-muses-can-help

“There are some people who think that they write their songs, and you know what, maybe they do, but I don’t. I co-create.”

Gresko, B. (2020, May 18). Tori Amos is Always Listening to The Muses. Retrieved December 19, 2020, from https://lithub.com/tori-amos-is-always-listening-to-the-muses/

“And I looked out the window and it was just a moment when this music was coming and I wasn’t writing it. That doesn’t happen all the time, but it was happening this morning. It was just one of those things where I thought, “Yeah. The Muses. They’re still there.””

Azzopardi, C. (2020, July 03). Tori Amos Meets the Muses in Quarantine. Retrieved December 19, 2020, from https://www.glossmagazine.net/2020/07/tori-amos-meets-the-muses-in-quarantine/

In mythology, Apollo taught The Muses. Apollo is a Solar figurehead. Although traditional sources don’t often consult the mythology in ascribing meaning to planets, I think it is a helpful tool in delineating the archetypes involved.

I want to take a moment to acknowledge that I am writing this post about Sol without consulting texts on it. This is experience based. I consider my experience valid but if you find this post to be a stretch, then by all means feel free to skip this post.

Back to Sol: that creative force, that moment of neural connection, of passion and vibrance, that is to me, Apollo and The Muses. Those forces that inform creation, the foundation of people’s life work, even in day to day life, when people create, they create because The Muses call to them.

In myself, it is enlightenment. I remember moments of realization, of frantically writing things down and drawing them out so I can understand my newfound knowledge fully. I remember in college when I would read a dense text and then somehow know what I was saying, know how to communicate that knowledge in my own way. I remember being 23 and sitting down and realizing something about the Moon and the Sun in astrology – how the phases are connected to the signs that each are in – and I drew it out to understand. Some of the posts on this blog have come from my connection to The Muses. I could not understand without making contact with Them.

Sol is traditionally linked to vitality and health and throughout time, one sign of human vitality is the creative connection – humans have always sung and danced and played games and connected with Spirit in that way. We have learned that well here in 2020, as many in quarantine are sustaining themselves on both their own creativity as well as others’ creativity. Our life force is driven by Apollo and The Muses.

[spacecaseastrology]

As I’ve come to understand traditional astrology more, I have been perplexed by what meanings I could ascribe to the Sun. Neither malefic nor benefic, associated with vitality but ascribed the quality of “barren”, I couldn’t make sense of it. What I knew was visibility and spotlights, authority, leaders, and traditionally an association with the mind (the Moon, in contrast, ascribed to the body). I feel my chart contributed to my lack of understanding of Sol: Sun in Libra, in fall, in the 8th whole sign house, averse to my chart ruler. There was a distinct lack of awareness and I knew it. I didn’t know how to see Him.

I had an awakening a few months ago. I spent a week connection with Sol by using Sphere + Sundry’s Oil of Sol in Leo. My insights were astounding. I learned how Sol relates to gifts of creativity and of well, insight, of the spirit’s connection to our capacity to learn and share information. Sol relates to that feeling of invigoration after you learn something new, that transmission of energy. The sun radiates energy, it exudes, and the light is a form of communication with spirit. The moon absorbs that light and makes it grow or recede – perhaps this is how Luna was traditionally ascribed the qualities of writing and transmission.

When someone learns new information and excitedly passes it onto you, that is solar in nature. That neural forging, that personal connection made to the learned material, that is Solar energy. When you feel new information become a part of you and it becomes integrated in your life, that is Sol.

Here is a sidetrack that gets me to the heart of this post: I really enjoy Tori Amos’ music. She is my favorite musician by far – I find her connection to her music, her instrument, to be powerful. Her connection to her music is spiritual, and she attributes this to The Muses. I will allow her words on The Muses to speak more to what they are.

“You do have to be ready when [The Muses] show up, and that’s not an easy task. I think it sounds easier than it is. Other artists have talked about it—the idea of pulling aside on the freeway. I know that I’ve had to just stop conversations, because I’m not going to get it if I don’t quickly write it down, or record it. People who know you get that that’s kind of how it is, but people that don’t know you can think it’s kind of dramatic. But I find that if I don’t write it down, then I just can’t remember it, not in the form that it’s being given.”

Petrusich, A. (2020, April 26). Tori Amos Believes the Muses Can Help. Retrieved December 19, 2020, from https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-new-yorker-interview/tori-amos-believes-the-muses-can-help

“There are some people who think that they write their songs, and you know what, maybe they do, but I don’t. I co-create.”

Gresko, B. (2020, May 18). Tori Amos is Always Listening to The Muses. Retrieved December 19, 2020, from https://lithub.com/tori-amos-is-always-listening-to-the-muses/

“And I looked out the window and it was just a moment when this music was coming and I wasn’t writing it. That doesn’t happen all the time, but it was happening this morning. It was just one of those things where I thought, “Yeah. The Muses. They’re still there.””

Azzopardi, C. (2020, July 03). Tori Amos Meets the Muses in Quarantine. Retrieved December 19, 2020, from https://www.glossmagazine.net/2020/07/tori-amos-meets-the-muses-in-quarantine/

In mythology, Apollo taught The Muses. Apollo is a Solar figurehead. Although traditional sources don’t often consult the mythology in ascribing meaning to planets, I think it is a helpful tool in delineating the archetypes involved.

I want to take a moment to acknowledge that I am writing this post about Sol without consulting texts on it. This is experience based. I consider my experience valid but if you find this post to be a stretch, then by all means feel free to skip this post.

Back to Sol: that creative force, that moment of neural connection, of passion and vibrance, that is to me, Apollo and The Muses. Those forces that inform creation, the foundation of people’s life work, even in day to day life, when people create, they create because The Muses call to them.

In myself, it is enlightenment. I remember moments of realization, of frantically writing things down and drawing them out so I can understand my newfound knowledge fully. I remember in college when I would read a dense text and then somehow know what I was saying, know how to communicate that knowledge in my own way. I remember being 23 and sitting down and realizing something about the Moon and the Sun in astrology – how the phases are connected to the signs that each are in – and I drew it out to understand. Some of the posts on this blog have come from my connection to The Muses. I could not understand without making contact with Them.

Sol is traditionally linked to vitality and health and throughout time, one sign of human vitality is the creative connection – humans have always sung and danced and played games and connected with Spirit in that way. We have learned that well here in 2020, as many in quarantine are sustaining themselves on both their own creativity as well as others’ creativity. Our life force is driven by Apollo and The Muses.

[spacecaseastrology]

Add Some Oomph to Your Spells with Magical Timing

Like herbs, oils, and crystals, you don’t need to work with magical timing for your spell to be successful. You can cast a spell at any time, no matter your intention, and get your desired results. However, working with the energy of the sun, moon, and days of the week can add an extra power boost to your magic.

Think of it this way: certain energies are dominant at certain times. Those energies are easier to connect with because they are closer at hand, so to speak, so you can bring them into your life and your spells more easily and in a more powerful way. That doesn’t mean you can’t call on other energies during these times — it just means that you may not connect to them quite so easily.

If you choose to work with magical timing in your spells, there are several yearly, monthly, weekly, and even daily cycles you can align your spells with.

The Cycle of the Sun: Solstices and Equinoxes

These are the turning points that mark the solar year, and are associated with the relationships between day and night, light and dark, summer and winter. Each solstice or equinox marks the end of one season and the beginning for the next. Because they are so rare and so potent, these days are a great time for your “big picture” spells or for spells that need a big power boost.

Winter Solstice. The winter solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, and falls between December 20 and December 23, depending on the year. In some pagan traditions the winter solstice, or Yule, marks the beginning of the new year — you may choose to set intentions for the coming year on this solstice. After the winter solstice, the nights start getting shorter and the days start getting longer — so spells related to healing and bringing things into the light are especially effective at this time of year. The winter solstice marks the end of the “dark half” of the year and beginning of the “light half” of the year; at this point, our focus turns from inward reflection to outward manifestation. You may choose to think of the time between the winter solstice and spring equinox as a “planning phase,” where you examine yourself and your desires, decide what you want to work on in the next year, and make plans for manifesting what you want.

Spring Equinox. An equinox occurs when the day and the night are exactly the same length, representing a perfect balance between light and dark. The spring equinox marks the beginning of spring and occurs between March 19 and March 22. The Christian holiday of Easter and the pagan holiday of Ostara are both related to the energy of this equinox. At this time of year, the natural world is coming back to life as winter begins to fade. Plants are beginning to grow, and baby animals are being born. This is a powerful time of year for fertility magic and any magic related to new beginnings. You may choose to think of the time between the spring equinox and the summer solstice as a “planting phase,” where you “plant the seed” of the things you want to manifest and begin doing the work to make it happen.

Summer Solstice. This solstice marks the longest day and shortest night of the year. It occurs between June 19 and June 23. As I am writing this post, we are coming up on the summer solstice (June 20, 2020). Life, fertility, and growth are at their peak during this time of year, which makes this solstice a perfect time for big manifestation spells. At the same time, this marks the end of the “light half” and beginning of the “dark half” of the year, so after the summer solstice our energy shifts from outward manifestation to inward contemplation. You may choose to think of the time between the summer solstice and fall equinox as the “harvest phase,” where you reap the results of your hard work and manifest your desires in the physical world.

Autumn Equinox. This is the other time of year when the day and night are perfectly balanced. The autumn equinox occurs between September 19 and September 23 and marks the beginning of autumn. This is traditionally the time of year when crops are harvested, and many pagan groups celebrate harvest festivals around this time. Nature is beginning to die or go into hibernation in preparation for the coming winter. This is an especially powerful time of year for shadow work or for magic related to endings and transitions. You may choose to think of the time between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice as the “reflection phase,” when you retreat from the outside world to rest, focus on yourself, and do your inner work and self-healing.

Important Note: This post lists dates for the solstices and equinoxes in the Northern hemisphere. In the Southern hemisphere, the seasons are reversed. If you live in the Southern hemisphere, you would observe the winter solstice in June, the spring equinox in September, the summer solstice in December, and the fall equinox in March.

The Cycle of the Moon: Lunar Phases

If you don’t have time to wait for the appropriate solstice or equinox, you can still connect with the cosmos in your magic. One of the biggest pros of the lunar cycle is that it happens roughly every month — so you never have to wait very long for the next full moon. The moon is also associated with magic and spirituality in several traditions, which makes it an especially powerful astral ally for witches.

New Moon. The new moon is when the moon is completely invisible in the night sky, and is the phase opposite the full moon. The new moon is a powerful time for shadow work (because it deals with things that are hidden) and for magic related to new beginnings.

Waxing Moon. The moon is waxing when it appears to be growing in the night sky; this is the phase between the new moon and full moon. This is a powerful time for any magic that deals with drawing something in, building something up, or strengthening something that already exists.

Full Moon. Many witches believe that the full moon is the most powerful time of month for any kind of magic. This is a good time to cast any spell that needs a serious power boost. The full moon is also an especially powerful time to release what no longer serves you or to work healing magic.

Waning Moon. The moon is waning when it appears to be shrinking in the night sky; this is the phase between the full moon and new moon. This is a powerful time for any magic that deals with sending something away, banishing negative energy, or bringing something to an end.

Dark Moon. The dark moon is the three day period immediately before the new moon. In some traditions, it is believed to be bad luck to cast spells during the dark moon. Other traditions hold that the dark moon is the best point in the lunar cycle for destructive magic, such as curses and hexes. Many modern witches don’t recognize the dark moon as a separate moon phase at all. I personally like to use the dark moon as a time for self reflection, and may focus on shadow work during this time.

Magical Correspondences for the Days of the Week

The days of the week also have their own unique magical energies, and each day is linked to a certain planet and to certain deities.

Sunday. Sunday is, of course, connected to the Sun and solar deities. Sunday is the best day of the week for any manifestation magic that needs an extra boost. Its energy is also associated with healing, personal growth, power, and success.

Monday. Monday is associated with the Moon and lunar deities. Monday is a quiet, introspective day, and can feel very ethereal. It’s the best day for magic related to intuition, nurturing, and shadow work.

Tuesday. Tuesday is associated with Mars and with gods and goddesses of war and action. (It is named for the Norse/Germanic god Tyr/Tiw.) Tuesday is a very “active” day, and is good for magic related to action, activism, victory, or finding courage.

Wednesday. Wednesday is associated with Mercury and with gods and goddesses of wisdom, learning, and communication. (It is named for the Norse/Germanic god Odin/Wodan.) Wednesday is all about mental activity. It’s the best day of the week for magic related to thought, travel, communication (written, spoken, or digital), and learning/study.

Thursday. Thursday is associated with Jupiter and with gods and goddesses of prosperity, wealth, and protection. (It is named after the Norse/Germanic god Thor.) Thursday, like Jupiter in astrology, is all about outward expansion. It’s the best day of the week for magic related to career, prosperity, and wealth.

Friday. Friday is associated with Venus and with gods and goddesses of love, fertility, and sensuality. (It is named after the Norse goddess Freyja, or perhaps the goddess Frigg.) The energy of Friday is fun, lighthearted, and sexy. It’s the best day of the week for magic related to love, beauty, and sex/sexuality.

Saturday. Saturday is associated with Saturn and with time and wisdom. (The day and the planet are both named after the Roman god Saturn.) Saturday is practical and wise, but it does have a little bit of a dark side. It’s the best day of the week for magic related to banishing and protection.

Magical Times of Day

Okay, so you’d like to start working with magical timing, but what about emergency magic and last-minute spells? What if you don’t have time to wait for the next full moon, or even the next Sunday? You can still align your spell with magical timing! There are several moments of power each day, and each has its own magical associations.

Sunrise. Sunrise is, of course, the birth of the new day. This makes it the perfect time for spells related to new beginnings or expanded possibilities.

Noon. This is the peak or high point of the day. This is a powerful time for healing magic.

Sunset. Sunset is the end of the day, and forms a gateway between light and dark. This is a great time for spells related to accepting endings, releasing that which does not serve, and moving on from the past.

Midnight. If noon is the peak of the day, then midnight is the peak of the night. Midnight has a very ethereal, transformational energy. Like with the full moon, some witches believe that any spell will be more powerful if cast at midnight. This is a powerful time for both banishing and attraction magic.

Resources:

You Are Magical by Tess Whitehurst

Green Witchcraft by Paige Vanderbeck

Wicca for Beginners by Thea Sabin [specifically the chapter on the sabbats]

Qabalah Made Easy by David Wells [Note: Qabalah is based on an appropriation of Jewish mysticism, and I am NOT endorsing its practice. However, much of the magical timing associations used in modern witchcraft is shared with Qabalah and other forms of ceremonial magic, which is why it’s referenced here.]

[spacecaseastrology]

Hello! Can you explain a bit what is the Lot of Spirit/Part of Spirit? I dont understand it very well

I'm actually reading a book on Lot of Fortune and Spirit, so I'll get back to you once I'm done with that book!

My short answer, before I've finished the book, is that lots respond a lot to your "luck of the draw" - circumstances you have no control over that affect your everyday being, your perceived amount of luck, etc. Fortune is more related to chance, and also relates to the body. Spirit has a lot to do with career and mental state.