A Beginner’s Guide to The Wheel of the Year

macro photography of tree

Michelle Lewis – The Blessings Butterfly

If you are just getting started on your witches path, you’ve probably begun hearing about the Wheel of the Year. You might even be familiar with some of the names of the different sabbats such as Samhain or Yule that make up the points on the Wheel. This article is designed as an introduction, and gives you some quick insights to help you along the way. It’s not by any means an in depth look, but a helpful beginner’s guide.

The Wheel of the Year is a calendar that describes the cyclical nature of the seasons and the natural world. It is a way of organizing the year into eight festivals called sabbats that are celebrated by many (not all!) modern Witches, Pagans, Wiccans, Druids, and other nature-based spiritual traditions. Some of the names and traditions are ancient, and some are from much more recent history. All are adopted from different cultures, but none of these festivals are considered closed practices.

The 8 Sabbats

The eight sabbats of the Wheel of the Year are divided into two categories: the solstices and equinoxes, and the cross-quarter days. The solstices and equinoxes mark the four points in the year where the sun’s path in the sky appears to stand still, and the cross-quarter days mark the midpoints between them.

The eight sabbats are considered by many to be sacred or holy festivals and are celebrated as such by practitioners. Each sabbat has its own themes, symbols, traditions and lore. Below I’ve included a *very basic* overview of each sabbat; there is a TON of free, reliable information available should you wish to dig in deeper and learn more.

Imbolc

The first sabbat of the Wheel of the Year is Imbolc, which falls on February 2nd or thereabouts in the Northern Hemisphere. It marks the midpoint between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, and is associated with the awakening of the earth after winter, the return of the light, and the goddess Brigid. Traditions include lighting candles, making corn dollies, and performing rituals for purification and new beginnings. (IHM-bulk)

Ostara

The spring equinox, also known as Ostara, falls on or around March 20th and marks the official beginning of spring. It is a time of balance between light and dark, as the days and nights are of equal length. Traditions include decorating eggs, planting seeds, and celebrating the renewal of life and fertility. (UH-stah-ruh)

Beltane

Beltane, also known as May Day, falls on or around May 1st and marks the midpoint between the spring equinox and the summer solstice. It is a time of fertility, passion, and abundance, and is associated with the god and goddess coming together in a sacred union. Traditions include dancing around the Maypole, lighting bonfires, and making flower crowns. (BEL-ten)

Litha

The summer solstice, also known as Litha, falls on or around June 21st and marks the official beginning of summer. It is the longest day of the year and a time of maximum light and energy. Traditions include staying up all night, watching the sunrise, and making offerings to the sun and fire. (LY-the)

Lughnasadh/Lammas

Lughnasadh, also known as Lammas, falls on or around August 1st and marks the midpoint between the summer solstice and the autumn equinox. It is a time of harvest, gratitude, and sacrifice, and is associated with the god Lugh. Traditions include making bread, weaving corn dolls, and performing rituals for abundance and protection. (LOO-neh-seh)

Mabon

The autumn equinox, also known as Mabon, falls on or around September 21st and marks the official beginning of fall. It is a time of balance between light and dark, as the days and nights are of equal length once again. Traditions include making apple cider, decorating with autumn leaves, and performing rituals for thanksgiving and introspection. (MAY-bun or MAH-bun)

Samhain

Samhain, also known as Halloween or All Hallows Eve falls on or around October 31st and marks the midpoint between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice. It is a time of death and rebirth, when the veil between the worlds is thin and the ancestors are honored. Traditions include carving pumpkins, wearing costumes, and performing rituals for divination and communication with the dead. (SOW-ehn)

Yule

The winter solstice, also known as Yule, falls on or around December 21st and marks the official beginning of winter. It is the longest night of the year and a time of darkness and introspection. Traditions include decorating evergreen trees, lighting candles, and performing rituals for renewal and rebirth. (YOOL)

Now that you have a simple overview of the Wheel of the Year and how the different sabbats are celebrated, you can decide which traditions you want to observe. Even if you’re not “out of the broom closet” you can still celebrate and nobody will suspect you’re a witch! *wink wink*

Michelle Lewis (she/her/they) is the creator & founder of The Blessings Butterfly, a holistic coaching & energy healing practice that is teaching people to live a life that they love. She is a writer, speaker, energy witch/healer, and author of the Amazon bestselling positive affirmation books, The Blessings Butterfly and The Blessings Butterfly

Want to read more beginner-friendly articles for new witches? Try these: An Easy Guide to Rose Quartz Moon Water Why Are These Crystals So Magickal? Meeting Our Guides & Loved Ones Dollar Store Witchcraft for Witches on a Budget

An Easy Guide to Rose Quartz Moon Water

Michelle Lewis – The Blessings Butterfly

Many witches- whether they are new practitioners or have been at their craft for decades- have a bit of a love-affair with the Moon, and with making Moon Water. Myself included! I use Moon Water for many different purposes, and I make it during different lunar phases to suit my needs. I have a handy guide at the end of this article to help you with what each moon phase signifies. If you are reading this around the time of a Full Moon, you’re in luck! Grab your ingredients and make you a batch of Moon Water!

Sometimes I incorporate different crystals with my Moon Water if I’m making water for specific spells or rituals. In this short article, I will share my process for making Rose Quartz Moon Water (excellent for Self-Care/Self-Love Rituals). But let’s back up a bit for those who are just getting started on their witchy path... what is Moon Water?

What Is Moon Water?

Moon Water is water that has been charged in the moonlight with the intent of creating a type of potion or essence. It is believed by many magick practitioners to hold spiritual and mystical properties. There are hundreds of different uses, just a few of them being:

  • Bathing
  • Spellwork
  • Potions
  • Watering Plants
  • Altar Offerings
  • Rituals
  • Drinking (plain, in tea, etc)
  • Cooking

What Is Rose Quartz?

Rose Quartz is a pink stone used in Crystal Energy Healing to support self-love, compassion, empathy, and healing from heartbreak. By combining the energy of Moon Water with Rose Quartz, you can create a powerful elixir that will enhance your love spells and self-care rituals.

How To Make Rose Quartz Moon Water

To make Rose Quartz Moon Water, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Ingredients:

  • Spring water or distilled water (or tap if it’s what you have)
  • A glass jar with a lid
  • A piece of rose quartz (rough or polished)
  • Moonlight

Instructions:

  1. Cleanse your ingredients: Before you begin, cleanse the glass jar, rose quartz, and lid with salt water to remove any negative energies.
  2. Fill the jar with water: Fill the glass jar with spring water or distilled water, leaving enough room at the top for the rose quartz.
  3. Charge the rose quartz: Hold the rose quartz in your hands and focus on your intention to infuse the water with positive and healing energy. Visualize white light filling the stone and imagine the water being infused with this energy.
  4. Place the rose quartz in the jar: Place the charged rose quartz in the jar and put the lid on.
  5. Moon bathe the jar: Place the jar outside or near a window where it will be exposed to moonlight for several hours, ideally during a full moon. The full moon is believed to have a strong spiritual energy that will enhance the properties of the moon water.
  6. Use the moon water: Once the moon water has been bathed in moonlight, it’s ready to use. You can drink it (great for brewing hot tea), use it in your bath, use for love spells, or use it to anoint candles or water-safe crystals.

Disclaimer: Moon Water is both a personal and spiritual practice, and there is no *scientific* evidence to support its claimed benefits. Whether you believe in its power or not, the act of making moon water can be a calming and grounding ritual in and of itself.

Moon Water FAQ

Q: Can you use other crystals? Yes! Absolutely. You can make Moon Water charged with a variety of crystals depending on what your intentions are. Read here for some of my favorite crystals to use. However, certain crystals such as Selenite, Calcite, Malachite, Azurite and Sulfur should be avoided.

Some crystals are not suitable for placing in water because they are soluble or can be damaged by water. Here are a few examples:

  • Selenite: Selenite is a soft, delicate crystal that can dissolve in water. Placing selenite in water can also cause it to lose its clarity and become cloudy.
  • Azurite: Azurite is another delicate crystal that can be damaged by water. Over time, exposure to water can cause azurite to lose its color and become dull.
  • Malachite: Malachite is a copper mineral that is highly reactive to water. Placing malachite in water can cause it to break down and release copper ions into the water, which can be toxic.
  • Calcite: Calcite is a calcium-based mineral that can react with water to create calcium carbonate. Over time, this can cause calcite to become dull and lose its color.
  • Halite (Rock Salt): Rock salt is a type of salt crystal that can dissolve in water. Placing rock salt in water can also cause it to become cloudy and lose its crystal structure.

These are just a few examples of crystals that should not be placed in water. If you’re not sure whether a particular crystal is safe to place in water, it’s best to err on the side of caution and not do so.

Q: Crap! It’s too cloudy and I can’t see the moon. Can I still make Moon Water? Yes! Absolutely you can. Whether or not you can see it, the ENERGY of the moon is present. Use your intention or say something like, “Moon above, send your energy to charge this water.”

Q: Dang, I missed the Full Moon! Can I still make Moon Water? Yes! Each moon phase has a different energy associated with it, and depending on what you want to create with your potion you might actually prefer something other than the full phase.

Moon Phase Energies

Each moon phase is associated with different energies and can have a unique impact on our lives. Here is a general overview of the energies associated with each moon phase:

  • New Moon: The new moon is a time of new beginnings and fresh starts. It is associated with renewal, setting intentions, and making plans for the future. During this time, the energy is inward-facing and is a good time for self-reflection and introspection.
  • Waxing Crescent Moon: The waxing crescent moon is a time of growth and expansion. As the moon begins to grow from its dark phase, it is associated with increasing energy and optimism. This is a good time for starting new projects, setting goals, and making positive changes in your life.
  • First Quarter Moon: The first quarter moon is a time of action and decision-making. As the moon grows to half its full size, it is associated with the need to take action and make decisions about the plans and intentions set during the new moon. This is a time of tension and conflict, but it is also a time to move forward and take action.
  • Waxing Gibbous Moon: The waxing gibbous moon is a time of growth and stability. The energy of the moon is strong, and it is a good time to make progress on projects, build relationships, and focus on personal growth.
  • Full Moon: The full moon is a time of manifestation and realization. The energy of the full moon is intense, and it is associated with the manifestation of intentions set during the new moon. It is a time of heightened emotions and increased energy, and it is a good time to release negative emotions and let go of old patterns.
  • Waning Gibbous Moon: The waning gibbous moon is a time of reflection and release. As the moon begins to wane from its full phase, it is associated with letting go of old patterns, releasing negative emotions, and completing projects. This is a time of peace and inner calm, and it is a good time for meditation and self-care.
  • Third Quarter Moon: The third quarter moon is a time of adjustment and letting go. As the moon continues to wane, it is associated with letting go of old patterns, adjusting to new situations, and letting go of what no longer serves you.
  • Waning Crescent Moon: The waning crescent moon is a time of rest and rejuvenation. The energy of the moon is calming, and it is a good time for self-care, rest, and relaxation. This is a time to recharge and prepare for the new beginnings of the next new moon cycle.

Want my free Moon Phases for Lunar Magick infographic grimoire page? Click here to download

Note that these are general descriptions of the energies associated with each moon phase, and that different individuals and cultures may have their own interpretations of the energies associated with the moon phases.

Michelle Lewis (she/her/they) is the creator & founder of The Blessings Butterfly, a holistic coaching & energy healing practice that is teaching people to live a life that they love. She is a writer, speaker, energy witch/healer, and author of the Amazon bestselling positive affirmation books, The Blessings Butterfly and The Blessings Butterfly

Want to read more about lunar magick? Try these articles: 10 Powerful Mantras for the New Moon New Moon, New Beginnings

Beginners Guide to Creating a Magick Sigil

Michelle Lewis – The Blessings Butterfly

While chatting recently with my Moon Witches coven, one of the members asked, “What’s a sigil?” After giving the most basic, time-crunched answer, I decided it would be more beneficial to write a simplified beginner’s guide about the art of creating sigils and share it with y’all. There are many different ways to create a sigil, this is definitely not the only method but it is one of the simplest.

What’s a Sigil?

Sigils in the simplest terms are symbols that are believed to have magickal power and are used for various purposes, such as protection, attraction, or manifestation. Creating your own sigil can be a fun and empowering process, as it allows you to focus your intention and harness your own personal energy.

Sigils can be destructible, temporary, or permanent. How you create and charge the sigil may vary depending on which type you’d like to create.

Destructible sigils are activated by being destroyed. The act of destroying is what creates the burst of energy giving the sigil its power. This is might look like drawing your sigil on a piece of paper and then burning it.

Temporary sigils will eventually disappear with time. These types of sigils might be carved into a candle, or drawn with water on a surface to evaporate.

Permanent sigils are made to last and are meant to be active for an extended period of time. Sigils like these could be made as a piece of art, or you could write a sigil on a piece of paper to be hidden in or around your home.

Here’s a super-simple step-by-step guide to creating your own sigil.

Step by Step Guide

  1. Determine your intention: Before you start creating your sigil, you need to decide what you want to achieve with it. This could be anything from attracting love or abundance to providing protection or improving your health. Write down your intention in a clear and concise statement.
  2. Simplify your intention: Next, you need to simplify your intention into a single word or phrase. This is called a “sigil trigger”. This word or phrase should encapsulate the essence of your intention and should be easy to remember.
  3. Create the symbol: Once you have your sigil trigger, it’s time to create the symbol. There are different ways to do this, but one popular method is to write down the trigger in capital letters, eliminate any vowels and repeating letters, and then rearrange the remaining letters into a unique symbol.
  4. Charge the sigil: The final step is to charge your sigil with energy. This can be done in a variety of ways, such as meditation, visualization, or physical gesture. The idea is to focus your energy and intention on the sigil, so that it becomes imbued with your personal power.
  5. Use your sigil: Once your sigil is charged, you can use it in various ways. You can wear it as a piece of jewelry, place it in a special location, or simply carry it with you. The key is to continue to focus your intention on the sigil and believe in its power.

If you want to dive deeper into the fascinating history and practice of Sigil Magic, there are some excellent resources available. Whether you are using your sigil for protection, attraction, or manifestation, remember that the power of the sigil lies in your own belief and intention. YOU are the Magick!

Michelle Lewis (she/her/they) is the creator & founder of The Blessings Butterfly, a holistic coaching & energy healing practice that is teaching people to live a life that they love. She is a writer, speaker, energy witch/healer, and author of the Amazon bestselling positive affirmation books, The Blessings Butterfly and The Blessings Butterfly

Want to read more magickal articles? Try these: My Top 5 Favorite Crystals for Magickal Workings 3 Steps for Manifesting Positive Change Dollar Store Witchcraft for Witches on a Budget Meeting Our Guides & Loved Ones

2023: Year of The Chariot

Written by Kate Sheridan, Guest Author

All opinions expressed in this article are the sole perception/experience of the writer, and may not necessarily be shared by Michelle Lewis – The Blessings Butterfly. All Rights Reserved.

Have you heard that 2023 is a Chariot year, according to the numerological and symbolic language of the tarot? All we have to do is add up the digits in the year — 2+0+2+3 — and we get 7, The Chariot.

Last year was a 6 year, The Lovers, and I wrote that this card is not about a particular love interest in your life but rather about your innate worthiness to give and receive love. The Lovers archetype asks us to integrate dualities so that we can see through the illusion of separation and understand that everything IS Love. In some early tarot decks, this card was called “Choice,” and part of its medicine is to challenge us to make choices that are truly heart-centered and aligned with ‘the better angels of our nature.’

What choices did you make in 2022, large or small, and how do they reflect (or fail to reflect) your values? Looking ahead to 2023, is there anything that you must leave behind that is not in integrity with your heart’s truest desires for yourself and for your community? Conversely, what tools, new or old, will you now take up and wield in service of your desires?

This is where The Chariot comes in. 

What Are You Waiting For?

If you’re reading this blog, chances are that you’ve been doing a great deal of inner work since 2020 at least. You’ve been refining your values in an increasingly unstable world, and you’ve taken steps to live according to those values, even if it means embracing big unknowns. Despite the uncertainty, you’ve developed a vision of YOUR best life — and now The Chariot says, “What are you waiting for?!”

Let’s begin with our definition from the ‘Little White Book’ that accompanies the famous Smith-Rider-Waite deck. In this divinatory tradition, The Chariot points to “triumph,” especially of the spiritually-aided kind: “succor” in hard times, “providence” from a higher power. In a traditional, predictive reading, this card can indicate that one’s current effort will be successful: an entrepreneurial idea will thrive, a new relationship will stick, a conflict will soon be resolved, etc. In this classic imagery, notice the charioteer’s sturdy armor, his relaxed face and hands, his gleaming crown and magic wand.

Yay! It can really put a pep in your step when The Chariot is on your side. What do you hope to achieve in 2023? Set yourself up for success: How do you resolve to consistently choose your best life?

Beyond ‘Fortune-Telling’

Digging deeper than ‘fortune-telling,’ we can explore the esoteric spiritual principle of each tarot card — the ‘secrets’ that are the meaning of the word arcana — which, in the case of The Chariot, is the ability to bring your personal will to bear on the world around you. Seen through this more soul-centered lens, The Chariot is not about a future victory so much as a present commitment to stepping into the fray of your life, not about the thing you want finally happening TO you so much as you believing that you can make it happen FOR yourself.

The Chariot is an invitation to take the reins of your own destiny!

But the irony is that, often when we pull this card in a reading, we don’t feel particularly confident about whatever it is that we’re hoping to achieve. We may feel battle-worn rather than triumphant, or maybe like a novice instead of a hero. A lot of times, there is a new journey ahead of us but, for whatever reason, we have not yet committed to taking the first step. Our heart has made a choice, but now the mind is hesitating. Wavering. Second-guessing.

Notice how the chariot itself looks heavy, like it’s made out of stone. Cumbersome. Daunting. It’s drawn not by horses but by black and white sphinxes, colored and positioned at odds with one another. Could this be the duality, contradiction, and feelings of separation that we worked so hard to integrate in The Lovers? The red symbol on the face of the chariot, the yoni and lingam, indicate that we are still finding our way to maturity, the Union of opposites. The yin and yang of life are energies that we must work to master, as a rider trains his horses — and yet, this work never ends.

hands touching the tarot cards on the table
Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva on Pexels.com

You already have everything you need.

When I pull The Chariot for a client, I often use the metaphor of a cross-country road-trip: “You’ve been planning and preparing for weeks, maybe even months,” I’ll say, “and now your car is all packed up. It’s time to go! Even if you get to the end of the street and realize you forgot your toothbrush, are you really going to turn around now? You have the resources and wherewithal to buy another toothbrush. You already have everything you need.”

You already have everything you need. For what?

Well, many tarot readers break the twenty-two cards of the Major Arcana into three groups of seven (with the Fool at the top) and consider The Chariot to be the end of the first line. The famous tarotist Rachel Pollack characterized these three lines as Consciousness/ Subconsciousness/Superconsciousness. Others have called them Life/Death/Rebirth, where what is dying is the ego, i.e., the self with a small s undergoing a spiritual evolution that yields a greater sense of purpose in the world, among others and in connection to Source — Self with a capital S.

The implication for 2023, then, is that we are all nearing the end of a period of conscious personal development and ego-formation — and we’re gearing up for a collective underworld journey in the coming years that will help us die to the old world and, eventually, be reborn into the new. And this new world is one that we must build together, in community, with all its contradictions, alienations, and separations.

What succor and providence are YOU calling in, lone charioteer? What allies do you hope to meet in 2023? What comrades? What guides along the road?

gray asphalt road surrounded by tall trees
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Evolving Quickly

Although the evolutionary cycles represented by the tarot are always unfolding, in us and around us, there is an air of urgency now, a certain “EVOLVE OR DIE” kind of flavor to things, given the many existential threats that loom in today’s world. And although we’ve been going through it for the last couple years, I get the sense (I hate to say it) that the rubber hasn’t really met the road yet.

It seems to me that each of us has learned a great deal about sovereignty and spiritual development during these difficult years, in part because we’ve all woken up to how broken our collective systems are. They don’t protect us — WE protect us. We have to build new systems within our communities, but before we can do that, each of us has had to build a healthy self-concept. We’ve had to forge our personal armor, maybe even reinvent the wheel, in order to build a chariot that can carry us through these apocalyptic times.

Only this way will we get where we’re going.

silhouette photo of person riding on horse under twilight sky
Photo by Arvind shakya on Pexels.com

What Is YOUR Chariot?

Your chariot is your spiritual practice, life-affirming even as you contemplate mortality. It’s your devotion to your own well-being, healthy boundaries both firm and permeable. It’s your hard-earned sense of self — but you hold it oh-so-gently because you know that none of this, really, is in your control.

Here’s what I’ve been feeling as we transition into this Chariot year: What if we already know who we are? What if (for now) we’ve done enough healing? What if we’re not broken, but instead already whole — just as The Lovers urged us to remember?

What if we’ve attended enough workshops, purchased enough self-guided modules, laid in child’s pose long enough, regulated our nervous systems enough, healed our childhood wounds enough, unpacked and repacked and dealt with enough of our trauma? What if we’ve invested enough time, money, and energy into our inner work and now we’re ready to pay it forward, ready to make bigger, bolder choices in our communities? What if we’re ready to put Love into action — together?

backlit beach clouds dark
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Trust Yourself

Take a peek at The Chariot card again. Notice the astrological and alchemical glyphs on the tunic of the charioteer, a symbol of cosmic wisdom deeply integrated within the individual.

The answers you seek were never in the workshops, the tools or the practices, the cards and horoscopes and new moon rituals.

They were in YOU all along.

We already have everything we need.

Kate Sheridan is a tarot reader, astrologer, and sacred space facilitator who calls herself The Laundress. Locally in Seacoast New Hampshire and Maine, Kate offers in-person tarot readings and sacred circles inspired by the pagan Wheel of the Year. You can connect with Kate on Instagram @themodernlaundress or book a virtual tarot or astrology reading at www.thelaundresstarot.com. (Keep your eyes peeled in early 2023 for her Chariot Year offering!)

Read More from Kate: Lessons from The Lovers: Tarot’s Theme for 2022 Embody Your Archetype: The High Priestess

Dollar Store Witchcraft for Witches on a Budget

Written By TJ Pandora “Auntie PanPan” Teer, Guest Author

Sometimes you just can’t make it to the local occult store at three o’clock in the morning.

I have yet to create a 24 hour occult store vending machine…but I’m working on it. In the meantime we must learn the art of improvisation.

Sometimes you just simply can not afford certain magickal items as well. When you have been in the craft for a long period of time, of course you have your favorite magick items…but not everyone has seventy dollars for a candle or two hundred dollars for a hand engraved athame…these things take time to save for.

Never Fear! Auntie has some ideas that might help you in your journey if you are just starting out.

Or mayhaps you might be having to do the woo woo out of state at your family’s house during the holidays. Great aunt Tilly may not understand you dancing naked (Skyclad) underneath the full moon in the garden with a giant horned skull on your head in the snow with a ginormous suitcase filled with herbs, oils, knives, giant candles and assorted sundries.

This is for the practitioner that may be new to the craft or needs to scale it down a bit to a portable overnight bag for those who may not be entirely out of the broom closet.

I hope that this helps you out. Enjoy.

Witchcrafting on a Budget

woman in witch costume feeling bored
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  • Altars –  Any plastic tub or cookie tin has the potential to become an altar.  I personally convert old jewelry boxes to make as new portable altars for friends and family (Remember to clean pre-loved/used goods accordingly – you never want to bring any extra entities home with you, especially if you have MORE than enough spirits to go around already!) I have also used old potato chip container tubes as portable altars for on the go. A little paint and a bit of designer scrapbook paper and who would know? Most miniature portable altars can be made quick on the fly with a metal breath mint tin. . . I see you over there Altoids! I truly believe that Witches help to keep the metal tin mint industry in business. But moving on.
  • Altar Cloths– Placemats anyone? Any placemat, piece of wood or lumber or just a piece of fabric can be used as a altar or altar cloth. Use your imagination! If you are short on space, you can omit the altar cloth and simply use one item for the holiday or season. (Beltane: Flowers; Mabon: Harvest leaves; Samhain: Skulls or black cloth; Yule: A pinecone or a bit of dried pine needles will work as well.) I have four coins in my Port-an-altar as well as a small piece of fabric that holds the coins as my altar. Each coin denotes the  elements Earth, Air , Fire and Water. I place each coin North , East, South and West for each element represented. The coins were free and they have come in handy for many vacations when I forget to bring anything else. I do have a 5th coin that I usually keep on my altar at home while I am away for the element of Spirit.    
  • Candles– Pillar candles, taper candles, chime candles, votive candles, tea lights? SO MANY CHOICES lay before you!!! Personally I believe that candles are overrated in the occult industry. Because honestly you can get them anywhere. Dressing a candle on the other hand? That might take some skills while away from home. Personally I am a fan of dressing tea light candles because you can buy a hundred tea lights for less that five dollars usually. I keep a white tea light in my Port-an- altar just in case of an emergency. I also keep a pack of matches and snuff the candles out with either a shotglass or my fingers. I have used birthday candles if I know that I’m in a hurry and space is super limited. The bonus with tea lights is that they usually come with a metal holder wrapped around them so you don’t need a candle holder… YAY! Multitasking!  
  • Candleholders – Aluminum foil works in a pinch. But you might get real lucky and find some nice candleholders at a dollar store or swap meet… get a small teacup or bowl and pour either sand or salt in it for a candle to sit in. Do you really need to take candleholders going abroad?    
  • Herbs– Go to the food or spice section of the grocery store when the family is buying the turkey or swoop some herbs from Granny’s kitchen… you don’t need many! True, many dollar stores may not have  Goofer Dust or High John the Conquerer? But they DO have Garlic and Rosemary. LEARN YOUR SUBSTITUTIONS!  I have a little pill box that if I’m not flying has my favorite herbs or salts for on the go travel. I usually travel with lavender, HPS (Himalayan Pink Salt), Rosemary and Cinnamon.    
  • Chalices– If you see a pretty cup or wine glass? Get it. My actual chalice was my drinking tankard I had from Reniassance Faire years ago.  Shotglasses work well as a chalice and an offering bowl. Honestly, Chalices are simply an option. Everything is optional.      
  • Offering Dishes– See Candleholders? Optional. Get one or two small candy dishes, depending on what is being offered. Keep your offerings simple when traveling. Non-leaky offerings preferred. Chocolate, biscuits, flowers, cookies… any small serving plate or miniature bowl would be fine.    
  • Incense & Sprays– I prefer to get my incense from the actual occult store – however in an emergency? Sprays look less suspicious on traveling adventures and you can find incense anywhere. My favorite scent used to be at this liquor store at my local gas station I found at three  a.m. in the Winter in Illinois. My incense burner is literally the size of a penny. If I would rather use sprays at the time – I like to use the empty perfume spray bottles from Daiso market for less than two dollars, and fill the bottle up after you get to your destination. Some people like to put sage leaf in water for a spray  with salt or some black tourmaline. If you are concerned about the ethics about harvesting Sage? I suggest getting your Sage at an occult shop that knows if its ethically harvested or go to a Native American Shop specializing in Sage. I have seen Sage bundles everywhere nowadays, but you only need one or two leaves of Sage – a little goes a long way. Sometimes its best to just make your own bundles for your own specific needs. If you are not a big Sage fan, you can always get a spray bottle and salt and start misting around your area.    
  • Athames – (ritual dagger) I actually do not usually use an athame. Athames are difficult to get through a metal detector. I use a spoon or a drop spindle. Sometimes I have been known to use a knitting needle. I do have a  wand, but I have it displayed on my bookshelf. Some substitutions you could use as an athame are: Scissors, Wands, Sticks of Selenite… I have a fountain pen that I use for most of my ritual work. Instead of knives, Improvise!
  • Salt – SO much Salt… I have SO much salt from various dollar stores… all different types. I personally like to keep salt packets from various drive thru restaurants and keep them in my mini altar     container. You can find salt even at various Home Goods stores. You don’t need much.    

Things you might not find at a dollar store:

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  •  Crystals –  Although I have been surprised once or twice that there are some crystals at numerous swap meets or discount stores, they probably might be synthetic or dyed… its up to your ethics personally how you feel about using them… but its all about intention, right? Most rocks or crystals I have either have been gifted or simply found. I have had some luck and found crystals at: Home Goods, World Market, Five Below… it is a sacred quest.    
       
  •  Statues of Deities– If you are going on the severe cheap? I might suggest to you to print out one of your favorite images of your favorite deity or deities and laminating it to post on your altar/portable altar. You can also have a pretty picture or something else instead of deities, the choice is yours. You can also get out the molding clay or draw a picture or sew a deity instead. Get creative! Some people keep the mirror in their jewelry box-remade-portable-altar so there is no deity to actually look upon. The choice is yours.    
       
  • Journals and Books – If you are working on a Book of Shadows or (BoS) I suggest starting with a blank book to input all your work in – then move up to inputting real data into a computer or Google docs. I first started with a Book of Shadows , then graduated to a Rolodex of Shadows,     then to a Tablet of Shadows, now I’m working on my Pinterest of Shadows. Technology. I keep a majority of my spellwork on my phone.  Five Below has a plethora of woo woo books at the ready- I will not agree to the accuracy of these books – I believe in sticking with the classics regarding occult books. A small journal will be perfect for note / devotional / dream journal / gratitude journal /     spellwork on the go. Book covers for the ONE book you will be taking with you on a trip is more than enough. If you are worried about what someone may say or are too inquisitive as to what you are reading, you can always put the book on your tablet or phone and  type in a password for access.    

At the end of the day, the only person that is stopping you from creating cheap witchcraft on the go is You and your creativity. So go out there and get witchy with it!

ZenHugz,

AuntiePanPan

Pan has been doing readings since 1985, having been trained in 1982 by her mother, aunt, and two uncles. Her grandmother and mother taught her tea leaf reading and other forms of Divination starting at age 9.  Pandora prefers to use Oracle decks instead of Tarot since in her opinion there is more “wiggle room” with oracles. Oracles show all the perspectives for the person, not just yes or no…but also WHY. Oracles work with introspection and reflection. Also, her favorite deck (Psy Card deck) she uses is the same type of deck she has been using since 1985…so why mess with a good thing? She has read Oracle at several occult stores across the country and has read oracles at several conventions in New Orleans, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Hollywood. You can find her Vlogs on YouTube and Spotify 

Connect with Pandora: YOUTUBE: AuntiePanPan INSTAGRAM: @auntiepanpan TWITTER: @auntiepanpan FACEBOOK: @Auntiepanpan

All opinions expressed in this article are the sole perception/experience of the writer, and may not necessarily be shared by Michelle Lewis – The Blessings Butterfly. All Rights Reserved.

LIGHTEN + BRIGHTEN YOUR LOAD

by Guest Author Tina Falk, Professional Feng Shui Educator and Chinese Astrologer

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“There’s a luggage limit to every passenger on a flight. The same rules apply to your life. You must eliminate some baggage before you can fly.”  ~Rosalind Johnson

The thought of going through old baggage is enough to send anyone running for the hills. Does the old musty smell of the unknown take your breath away, set your heart in panic mode forcing you to promise that you’ll get to it another day? 

Whether it’s old beliefs, ideals, traditions, values, work ethic, religious or political perspectives, even those things we don’t dare talk about out loud—who’s to say if you venture into the past (which is often very present indeed) you won’t come across some real gems! Why do we immediately go to the negative? Why do we have to see it as “bad”? Maybe that box of stuff is needing to see the light, get dusted off and gain a fresh perspective from some lessons learned and experiences shared.

As a mother and hopefully someday a grandmother, I hope the children that come after me reap the benefits of some of the turmoil, trauma and unease I’ve experienced. Do I want them to put on my shoes and walk in them? Hell no! But I definitely want the wisdom and inspiration that I’ve gained to be passed along through the bloodlines. Wouldn’t you think your tribe, your ancestors, would want the same for you?

I was in Denver, a special trip to see Abraham-Hicks. As soon as Esther walked into the room and 800 audience members leaped to their feet to hoot and holler for their presence, I looked at my friend and said, “I’m already crying!!”

I knew Abraham was going to deliver some tough talk. Some deep concepts that really invite us to get real with ourselves, but man, when you’re in a supportive judgment-free environment like that—a room filled with light—it’s the quickest way to elevate your awareness and appreciation for all that is.

What IS in that old box or suitcase of generations past? Could there be valuable insights to give us hope and present contrasting ideals that assist us in getting real clear on what we truly desire in our lives? Maybe the suitcase is empty or you’ve just been holding onto stuff out of obligation or better yet…for no reason at all!

Most of our ancestors weren’t necessarily on the leading edge of thought, thinking they had any real choices in life. They did what they had to do to survive and thrive. We are conscious co-creators, and if you’re even reading this you know YOU ARE. There’s no excuse. No more living by default. 

WE ARE the transitional generation that gets to come in and clean up that old musty stuff. We can honor those who have come before us by not holding onto some of the mistakes they’ve made. See it for what it is and with discernment and love decide if it’s a belief or value worth passing along to the next generation.

As a feng shui practitioner, I am often asked, what can I do to bring in more money, or find a partner, or get that perfect job? —you know the questions. The first thing I tell them to do is declutter. 

Getting rid of those things that no longer serve you, will free up space for new opportunities and expansion. It really gets the ball rolling and most are pleasantly surprised at what follows.

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You can connect with Tina on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/viafengshui/) or at www.fengshuivia.me.

I am Tina Falk, a Chinese Metaphysician and Astrologer. I’ve been practicing this way of life since 2005. My goal is to provide a professional and intuitive perspective to enhance your awareness and appreciation of Self and Space. My role is to bring you into a place of being in gratitude, creating conscious intentions, taking action and believing in your own power. This will propel you into a more meaningful and purposeful life. I am a classically trained feng shui practitioner who also incorporates Landform and BTB principles. And to me, the most exciting aspect is integration of your 4 Pillar Chinese astrology charts. My approach allows me to personalize your whole feng shui experience! I can make recommendations that are specific to you, and each member of your family or business team. Everyone deserves that personal attention. Overall, I am here to support — sometimes with a firm stance, but always with love and empathy — and to inspire a new way in which you see the world and your place in it. Feng shui has enriched my life by revealing everything from the insanely obvious to the subtlest of energy in our surroundings. We are sensitive beings and when we can connect and create a sacred relationship with ourselves, our space and others…damn, life gets exciting and motivating! Feng Shui has been a true gift to me . . . and my family. I intend for it to be the same for you.

All opinions expressed in this article are the sole perception/experience of the writer, and may not necessarily be shared by Michelle Lewis – The Blessings Butterfly. All Rights Reserved.

You are enough. You are worthy. There is no questioning this.

By Sarah Marie Liddle, Guest Author

Radiance is sparked when we are connected to the divinity within and without. When we meet with this beautiful soul in the home of our body, we encounter the most wondrous mysteries in the natural world around us. There is a deep longing to find this place of oneness. We may seek out goals, visions, and pathways in the world to fulfill this deepest desire, yet it is not in the world that we come to understand deeply this connection with ourselves and the divine. 

The ego will try and pry itself into your world, over and over and over again, it looks for cheap substitutes, a quick fix here and there. Yet, they are never enough, the ego is never satisfied. The beauty that rolls forward from our connection with the divine, is never solely found in the external world. It is both an internal and external landscape. But if you look for the relationship externally without first discovering and connecting with your inner world you will consistently find shallow waters when you are seeking the rich depths of the ocean.

This is not about searching, but unearthing the wisdom from within. Your inner journey is your own, there is no definite path to the divine, nor is there a definite path to love, joy, or radiance. Let the act of tuning in to your relationship with the divine, be your guiding star. This is the start of something beautiful, do not judge the inward rants that the ego may try to partner with you and push out into this world. You are enough. You are worthy. There is no questioning this.

Identify with your divine nature. Then ask yourself: Who are you really? What do you really want from your life? 

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Upcoming Courses

Rewilding the Word: Write your holy and wild book. 

This is a two-day intensive for the person who wants to bring to life their highest calling and share their unique voice with the world. For those ready to meet the depths of their longing, and write the word that wants to be written. This journey is designed for deep soul shifts.

We work spiritually and with the Goddess’ to bring your inner wisdom to life. Walking gently with a circle of wild women, you will discover your deep inner truths, release blocks of expression, and step into your fierce highest self.

Read about the Rewilding the Word course and book here.

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Wild Woman Apprenticeship 2023 

The Wild Woman Apprenticeship is an eight month long initiation journey into your wild woman. It is a seasonal journey into the unmet, untamed, cast out—but beautiful parts of yourself.

It is for the woman that wants to meet with her untapped power, her potential, her art, her purpose, and her presence in the world. The woman ready to bring her poetic resonance and bring that voice wildly and freely into her life/ career.

In this apprenticeship you learn to honour the wild woman wisdom within, to craft and create your life from the wise part of yourself. You hold this space wholeheartedly on your path, as your unusual-dirt-wise medicine penetrates your art, your career, your relationships, your magic and your confidence. Learn about the apprenticeship and apply here.

[A lovely woman with fair skin and blonde hair stands in front of lush greenery. She wears a see-through black lace dress and looks with intensity into the camera.]
Sarah Marie Liddle is a Certified Professional Coach, and Certified Body Ecologist. Sarah has been a coach for fifteen years. She specialises in wellness, healing and soul growth. Sign up for Sarah’s weekly news/letter. Receive wellness tips, seasonal rituals, and nourishing ways to connect to yourself and others—completely free. Join the newsletter. To learn more about Sarah visit her website.

All opinions expressed in this article are the sole perception/experience of the writer, and may not necessarily be shared by Michelle Lewis – The Blessings Butterfly. All Rights Reserved.

Astrology for Introspection: Find your own patterns and make your own meaning

By Montine Rummel, Guest Author

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I am loving the cultural renaissance astrology seems to be having these last few years. Discussions of planetary positions has moved from being observations my friends in the occult world make to fine tune their craft, to seemingly everyone on social media having a hot take about the aspect du jour.

Sadly, it doesn’t come without some pitfalls, like capitalism exploiting this popularity and slapping zodiac signs on anything to cash in, and the increase of wrong and misleading things being shared. Despite this, I’m loving the access people have to these ancient observations to help them make meaning in their lives,and I’m doing so while drinking from my Scorpio coffee mug. Editor’s Note/Shameless Plug: Check out these fun zodiac-themed mugs!

Paying attention to astrology gives us a feeling of control, the feeling of receiving “insider information,” and different perspectives from which we can see people and events around us, to start. But what I see a lot of is people reacting to astrology instead of finding ways to work with its influence proactively.

This is more than looking at important dates in the future and seeing what the planetary influences will be or backing up your phone and laptop before a Mercury retrograde. Because we are all different people with different perspectives experiencing the world in different ways, we can’t always expect to know exactly how a solar eclipse in Scorpio will affect us, for example.

Last year, when I was writing Book of My Shadows for 2022, I remember looking at August and saying, “oof.” The planetary placements for the month made me feel heavy just looking at them. And because I couldn’t help myself, I tried to predict what might happen just for fun. I texted my friend and said that I thought we might go into another lockdown or something similar with all the restrictive energy that it looked like the month was going to have. Looking back at the month now that it’s September, I see that that prediction was wrong in terms of the events that happened (or didn’t happen), but I was right about the energy. I noticed for myself that I was feeling very restricted at work and in my personal life, which was causing my batteries to drain, and my charger seemed to be broken.

Because I was aware of the energy that was in store for August, it made it easier for me find what my challenges were. I took the time I needed on the Virgo new moon to clear out the major blockers that I was seeing and now I feel like I have a clear path forward and I’d love to share my process in case it can help you as well!

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I don’t think I would have known what to do if I didn’t know myself well enough to make all these connections. When I first started seeing a therapist years ago, she had me start using a mood tracking app to help me notice what I was feeling when I was feeling, and then putting together the patterns to learn about my triggers. I’m a person who loves introspection anyway, so it was easy for me to approach the tracking with curiosity and without judgement. Over time, I became more aware of my moods and triggers in the physical world.

After I had a year’s worth of data, I was able to see different cycles, mostly mundane, but when compared to astrology charts of the year, some metaphysical patterns emerged as well! I noticed that the full moon’s intensity doesn’t typically affect me, but wow do I always seem to fall in sync with finishing up something before a new moon and starting something new! So, while many people make full moon rituals one of the most important of their month, I focus on new moons where my energy seems more in sync.

How To Make Astrology More Personal

Step One for figuring out how to do this for yourself is to find a way to track your moods that you are excited to form a habit around. This can be bullet journaling or finding a mood-tracking app. I like going the app route because the set-up work is already done, and it can help me pull insights together easier than pen and paper. There are apps that ask you how you feel for the whole day, some will ask you multiple times a day. Some will allow you to add notes or tags so you can record things like your current health, location, and anything else that’s going on around you. What’s important is that you find something you will continue to use.

After you have at least a few months of data, Step Two is to compare those months to what was going on astrologically. The easiest way to do that might be seeing where the new and full moons fell alongside your moods and other things you tracked. Notice any patterns. (Editor’s Note: A good free app to try is My Moon Phase)

Pick the astrological influence you feel might be the strongest for you. I picked moon phases, but you could look at retrogrades, aspects, planets as they move through signs, anything really. I would look at one astrological event at a time until you get a feel for how it affects you otherwise it might feel too overwhelming to separate feelings during a full moon versus a retrograde, versus a conjunction, etc.

Step Three will be looking for these patterns as the next astrological event comes about. There might be some confirmation bias as humans tend to find whatever they are looking for, just try to remain as objective as possible and don’t make judgements. Treat your observations like an ethnographer and remember that this data is information, not fact!

This is quite a bit of work, and it does take time. It’s also more of a tool to help you understand than it will be to predict. I hope this method inspires you to learn more about yourself and how astrology affects you and that it helps you in some way, because it really has helped me!

Montine Rummel (she/they) is an astrologer and writer who likes to explore her own personal growth using these tools. She has been studying astrology since 1994 and began her personal growth journey in 2016 focusing on shadow work and emotional regulation. In 2017 she had the idea to create her own practice to explore her Shadow using the sign the new and full moons were in as a theme. After sharing the idea with some friends who told her that many more people would be interested in following along, Montine began writing Book of My Shadows and turned it into a yearly zine. She sometimes updates her blog, too!

Read More from Montine: Retrograde Retrospective

This post contains affiliate links. The Blessings Butterfly may earn a small commission on items purchased, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

All opinions expressed in this article are the sole perception/experience of the writer, and may not necessarily be shared by Michelle Lewis – The Blessings Butterfly. All Rights Reserved.

Meeting Our Guides & Loved Ones

By Rose Dougherty, Guest Author

Throughout our lives we are visited by spirits around us. Some who want to help while others who do not. We want to focus on connecting with guides that protect us. How can we tell the difference between the two? One of the most important is to protect ourselves and understand discernment. There are trickster spirits who pretend to be things they are not. You must learn to tell the difference.

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Energetic Cleansing

It is good to cleanse yourself and the space before you get started. Some people like to use smoke or liquid sprays used for clearing the energy. I like to use sounds such as chimes, bells, or singing bowls. Anything to start drawing out unwanted Spirits.

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Energetic Protection

When you open yourself to the spirit world, you need to make sure you protect yourself. Everyone has their own way of doing it. How I start is with a mantra stating “Whatever is not for my highest good isn’t allowed to contact me.” Afterwards I imagine a ball of light surrounding my body. Then I state that “only my Guides, angels, Goddesses, Saints and loved ones are only allowed within my space.”

If you don’t work with any specific Deity or Saint you can also say “I only allow my guides, angels and loved ones within my space.” Protecting yourself first will help you weed out any entities who want to harm you. You can also wear jewelry, oils or balms that have protection magic inside of them. They even have candles you can burn during or before. Putting up the protective walls help us not get drained from trickster Spirits.

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Discernment

Sometimes we are put in situations where trickster spirits will try to pretend to be something they’re not. Understand that we have free will on this planet. So anytime a spirit threatens you or forces you to do something outside of free will, it’s probably not best to take their advice. Now your guides and loved ones will warn you on upcoming events but in the end you still have a choice. If they come at you in a way that scares you and you feel uncomfortable you can tell them to firmly leave.

Now what if that spirit was my grandma? If it was them, they would try to find other ways to gently contact you. Do not invite them in if you feel uncomfortable, even if they are saying they know you. Trust your gut!

Where to start?

One of the best ways is through meditation. When in a quiet state can we feel and hear them better. With practice you will be able to hear them anywhere but mediation is a good place to begin. Close your eyes and ask your guides and loved ones to come forth and communicate with you. Don’t be disappointed if you don’t connect right away. Everyone will have different experiences in the beginning and practice makes perfect. Some of you will feel a presence around you, or a warm feeling. If you want better results a guided meditation will help you visualize better.

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Using Tools to Contact

Tools are also a great way to contact spirit. It helps you get a quicker response. One way to start is automatic writing. It’s good for people who need to be moving in order to connect. Have a pen and paper ready. When you start, have the pen move across the paper scribbling. Getting the hand to move first helps the words come out. Then start writing down everything that comes to mind. Ask your Guides to write you a message.

Another tool we can use are pendulums. These are perfect for yes or no questions.

Cards (such as tarot, oracle, or angel cards) are great since they are pretty explanatory. Most cards come with a booklet that explains everything. Always make sure to cleanse and bless your tools between each session.

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So… How will YOU choose to connect with your spirit guides & departed loved ones?

Rose Dougherty is a psychic witch who is attuned to Reiki and also has a strong connection with the dead. She has been practicing for over 10 years. Rose comes from a magic family who connects with their ancestors and spirit. During her Reiki sessions, she will guide you through spiritual healing and help you contact your guides. She also owns a product line named Spell of a Rose. There you can find magic and Reiki infused lip balm and laundry boosters. Each one is handcrafted and put through rituals. She prides herself in education. Constantly always learning and teaching. Her passion for connecting with spirit will help you do the same.

Follow Rose on Instagram: Spellofarose

All opinions expressed in this article are the sole perception/experience of the writer, and may not necessarily be shared by Michelle Lewis – The Blessings Butterfly. All Rights Reserved.

This post contains affiliate links. The Blessings Butterfly may earn a small commission on items purchased, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Lessons from The Lovers: Tarot’s Theme for 2022

a tarot card om blue and pink surface

Written by Kate Sheridan, Guest Contributor

All opinions expressed in this article are the sole perception/experience of the writer, and may not necessarily be shared by Michelle Lewis – The Blessings Butterfly. All Rights Reserved.

If you’re interested in numerology or the tarot, you may have heard that this year is a Lovers year. The logic is simple: when we add up the digits in 2022, we get 6, which leads us to card #6 in the Major Arcana — The Lovers.

But what does this mean?

Lovers Stereotypes

With Valentine’s Day come and gone, I find myself exploring all of the stereotypical themes we might associate with this card, the kind of surface-level interpretations that come to mind when we hear the word ‘lover.’ Surely this card signifies romantic love, a twin flame connection, finally meeting that tall, dark, and handsome stranger…

Right?

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We all know the feeling. Let’s say you’re doing a tarot reading for yourself and you pull The Lovers, and your heart leaps up at the thought of meeting your Soulmate with a capital S. Oh my goddess! you think, It’s finally going to happen! Or maybe it’s not a Soulmate, but a new job, or your family’s approval, or any other kind of external validation of your worth. Your heart leaps up toward this someone or something, leaps or even grasps at it, and you’re left hoping that this desire is a foretelling of its consummation. Will The Lovers bring you a lover, bring you your heart’s desire?

Maybe it will. Indeed, true love is real. It happens every day.

Still, I can’t help but feel like The Lovers card needs a PR update, one that expands our understanding to encompass the full range of this archetype.

And I should know, having read tarot for myself all throughout my tender twenties, those years of relationships beginning and ending, of looking desperately for love, of enacting codependent dynamics over and over until finally my eyes were opened to the pattern of my life — and to the possibility of choosing another way.

As with all the cards, we’ve got to go beyond the “Little White Book” style of reading, that is, relying on the guidebook that came with your deck rather than tapping into your own intuition. If The Lovers card is only what the LWB says it is, then all we have to go on is “Attraction, love, beauty, trials overcome.” Or reversed — “Failure, foolish designs.”

Attraction or failure. Love or foolish designs on love.

Duality Traps

So often, our minds fall into these dualistic traps, especially when reading tarot: Will my future be good or bad? Will I succeed or fail? Should I stay or should I go? Is this decision right or wrong?

Will I meet my Soulmate, or will I be alone forever?

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Upon closer inspection, it is precisely this kind of dualistic thinking that The Lovers card urges us to alchemize and expand. The classic image by Pamela Colman Smith depicts this process perfectly. First, the binary: man and woman, Adam and Eve naked in the Garden of Eden. Then, the expansion: the archangel Raphael, patron of matchmakers but also of medical professionals, Raphael whose name means “God heals.”

The word heal has the same etymological roots as the word whole, and this is the key to The Lovers. When we pull this card in a reading, often we are being asked to interrogate all the ways that we are making our wholeness contingent upon something or someone outside of us: If only I could be loved by this person, if only I could be as beautiful or talented as that person, if only I could be validated and recognized in this way… then I will be happy, then I will be whole. Then I will be healed.

Deeper Inquiry Leads to a Shift

Here’s the truth. When your heart leaps up toward that which you desire, it is the leaping itself that is asking to be acknowledged. The desire itself. The longing. In this tender feeling is the gesture toward Wholeness. Belonging. Union. The Lovers archetype points us not toward the Other (the person or thing we desire so much) — or even toward the Self (the remaining half of a binary equation) — but rather directly into the interstitial space between Self and Other, the ineffable yet palpable place where Self and Other become One.

“There is only One Light, and ‘you’ and ‘me’ are holes in the lamp shade.”

– Sufi poet Mahmoud Shabestari, by way of Paul Quinn, author of Tarot for Life

The question then becomes: how and why are you denying yourself access to this mysterious place of Union, of Oneness? How and why are you banishing yourself from the Garden, convincing yourself that someone or something outside of you is standing between you and your worthiness?

As we sit with these inquiries, we come to realize that our ability to experience Union with another will always be constrained by our ability to touch this place of Union within our own hearts. The extent to which we can receive love is directly proportional to the extent to which we can love ourselves, or better yet, the extent to which we can access Universal Love in our own heart chakras, harmonizing higher and lower frequencies — alchemizing duality — and attuning ourselves to Love as an orientation toward life, not a foolish design in which we either succeed or fail.

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Remember that this alchemy is happening on a collective level, for one and for all, throughout 2022. Though you can and will learn Lovers lessons in deeply personal ways, this isn’t just a warm and fuzzy encouragement toward self-love. It’s no walk in the park, to enter a Lovers year now, in this era of great awakening but also of great existential threat. I believe that our collective survival depends upon the collective consciousness that is the fruit of Lovers labor. It feels like an urgent imperative, to bring this healing technology of the Heart back online, to re-member our interconnectedness to all beings and to all things, to reclaim the Earth as an Eden where each one of us is already worthy, already whole.

But we can’t achieve this Union by bypassing dualities, leaping over them and into Oneness. No, we must enter directly into duality, the feelings of separation, of unworthiness, the heartbreak and the longing, in order to see through the illusion of separation — and into the One Light.

The Lovers tarot card as depicted by artist Pamela Coleman Smith

To dig deeper into The Lovers card, you can check out Kate’s Year of the Lovers offering. She also recommends two podcasts, Tarot for the Wild Soul by Lindsay Mack and Between the Worlds by Amanda Yates Garcia. Here are some episodes from each that focus on The Lovers card:

Kate Sheridan is a tarot reader and astrologer who calls herself The Laundress. Through her project The Spiral Temple, Kate holds sacred space to re-member the Goddess, reawaken the Divine Feminine, and reconnect with the cycles of the Moon and the Wheel of the Year. You can find her online at www.thelaundresstarot.com and on Instagram @themodernlaundress.

A Samhain Blessing and A Meditation

Michelle Lewis, The Blessings Butterfly

A Samhain Blessing

“May you take comfort in your darkness, Peace in your rest, and Joy in the memory of your ancestors.“

Samhain is an ancient, pre-Christian Celtic festival to celebrate the end of the summer, the final harvest before winter sets in. It is traditionally marked by bonfires, and corresponds with a time of honoring the spirits of the dead. Rituals may include a dancing, feasting, nature walks, ancestral altars, and/or a silent supper to remember loved ones who have passed beyond the veil of the living.

For those in the Northern Hemisphere, October 31 marks the start of Samhain (which can be tricky to pronounce- “Sow [like cow] In” or “Soh Een” or if you really want to honor the Gaelic then “shav nah” [if you’re male] or “hav nah” [if you’re female]… all are actually correct though people will gladly fight you tooth and nail that only theirs is right). There is even some debate about which day Samhain actually begins, depending on which calendar you are using: October 25, October 31, or even November 7. Whichever date you choose, surely you will celebrate in ways that are most meaningful to you.

For those who consider themselves witchy, it is also one of our favorite holy days. In fact, this whole season is a powerful time of deepening our magickal practice, honoring our ancestors and connecting with the spiritual realms, as well as addressing the natural cycle of life & death.

A Meditation

Now, to create a simple meditation for you all, I simply invite you to focus lovingly on the 3 things we humans tend to avoid because they make us so emotionally uncomfortable: darkness, rest, and death.

There is truly nothing inherently wrong or bad in any one of these. They are simply facets of each and every life. To begin this meditation, find yourself a comfortable position. Now with eyes closed, take in three deep, cleansing breaths with your hands on your chest, slowly releasing each breath. Open your eyes when you are ready.

Darkness

As the wheel of the year turns and the seasons change from Fall to Winter, we enter the darker half of the year. We can face the darkness inside us and learn to understand, even love it as an integral part of our being. Not our ruler, and not our scapegoat, but a valuable teacher that has important lessons for us and will make us better people capable of healing deep wounds of the soul.

Rest

We say we crave rest, but really… How actively do you avoid rest? How often do you find you are pushing yourself to the point of exhaustion? Always grinding, always scrolling, always consuming… never letting your mind or body just… rest. What if you gave yourself permission to pause, to exhale, to look around and just BE? What would an hour of peace feel like? Can you invite in more rest? Commit yourself to accepting more rest today and again tomorrow.

Death

Death is the big one that we tend to fear, isn’t it? And yet it is simply the end of this life. Death brings up so many complex emotions in us, and I don’t advise bypassing them. Instead, explore them. Journal about them. Take an objective view of the feelings that come up, and use that information to infuse the life you still have with deep, delirious Joy. Offer a loving memorial to your ancestors. Express your gratitude for who they were, and who you are. Trust that as they watch over you from beyond the veil, they are deeply proud of you.

Did you find this meditation helpful? Feel free to share it.

Michelle Lewis (she/her/they) is the creator & founder of The Blessings Butterfly, a holistic coaching & energy healing practice that is teaching people to live a life that they love. She is a writer, speaker, energy witch/healer, and author of the Amazon bestselling positive affirmation books, The Blessings Butterfly and The Blessings Butterfly Having worked hard for decades to overcome severely traumatic events that began in her early childhood and repeated in painful, looping patterns well into her adult life, Michelle is passionate about using her gifts and wisdom in bringing hope and healing to millions. This is more than “mindset hacks” and “Pollyanna” positivity. Through the work of what she calls Transformational Positivity, Michelle helps her clients to get clear on where to shift their thoughts and actions, while dismantling the culture of toxic positivity.

Goddess In The Family

Written by Angela L. Todd, Guest Contributor

photo of a statue
Photo by Hert Niks on Pexels.com

I love goddess imagery.

I’m getting to be a big girl and I have started to really tap into the power of that imagery and correlate it to my new size. I say I’m big and strong and I won’t blow away in the wind!

I’m seeing goddesses showing up everywhere, and recently I’ve also been feeling a new important link between goddess culture and my work as a family historian. I am so grateful to Michelle Lewis for inspiring me to explore this spiritual aspect of my work.

I specialize in histories and archives (papers and photos saved for public research) centered on: women, historically excluded populations, and special needs kids.

My way into this work is usually through the much more popular idea of family history. That’s where the non-dominant folks seem to be allowed to be.

Unearthing a matriarchy is my dream job! I feel so lucky, so blessed, so called… to do this important work that I hope will shift the path of patriarchal cultures around the world. Seems reasonable, haha.

summer building garden park
Photo by julia lee on Pexels.com

My first goddess

In the 1980s I did some family systems healing work with John Bradshaw for a weekend.

Barely past my teens, I was a little Maine girl in a huge California auditorium being led through my first guided visualization.

We spent a lot of time getting in touch with our inner child. Bradshaw asked us to imagine an unshakable supporter of that inner child — a fierce defender. A thing that we could always call up and call on.

I imagined a great grandmother … A big white woman with a sack dress, a grimace, and a huge pitchfork!  She doesn’t have a name but this woman still comes to me and I love the look of her in my mind and I feel her strength. She is unfuckwithable – and bigger than this stock image.

No, I didn’t go on to find this specific woman in my family history — but some version of her is in all of our long histories.

I propose the goddess imagery that I’ve grown to love actually stands in for them, for all the amazing women in our lineage whose stories we do not know.

Yes every woman does seem heroic to me. Let me share some of the amazing women I’ve “met” with you:

  • A Black woman who started her local NAACP chapter, and rose through its ranks to become president. She was a force for justice in her community and she saved everything: meeting minutes, her letters to the editor, a copy of her letter to the local emergency room about her racist encounter (25 years later, she was on the board of directors of that hospital). She even saved her hate mail. Her documents show real truths about the power of women, the insidiousness of racism and the constancy required to combat it. Happily, this collection is now safely housed at a university, so future historians can know all of it.
  • A Jewish woman emigrated from Russia in 1919. Her spouse lived hours away at a camp to perpetuate their heritage; she remained in the big city. She raised four daughters mostly alone, working three jobs long before “women entered the workforce” during World War II. This collection, including 100 years of photos, is headed to a repository for Jewish families.
  • A white rural grandmother did double the work during the 8 weeks of fall harvest. All day she worked in the fields; at night she was doing housework (hearty packed lunches for the next day, women nightly meals, and laundry). And she still said “we loved it because we all got to be together; it was so much less lonely.”
  • A Black sharecropper’s daughter was recruited to teach and write for the newspaper and sent each of her ten children to college. She was a devoted wife, a consistent poll worker, and represented her church (both the first one, and the second one that replaced it after it was burned down) at mostly white regional and national events: a pillar in the community. Hundreds attended her funeral in the deep south.
  • One Italian family came to me suspecting a devious past had led to their material comfort… As it turns out the wealth came down the maternal line and was not recognizable in traditional gender roles. Nobody had ever spoken of it.
  • A white divorced mom brave enough to take jobs she wasn’t quite qualified for so she could both escape a current handsy boss and put food on the table for her kids.
  • Most families that I’ve worked with have strong, driven women who never married and gave themselves wholly to the church, the Navy, or to helping other families. Sometimes they tell me “I think she was a lesbian — but don’t put that in there!”
woman in white dress standing on brown grass field
Photo by Lucretius Mooka on Pexels.com

I know you’re feeling how remarkable our female ancestors are. Every woman I’ve uncovered has endured, overcome, or succeeded. You’re probably also feeling the thoroughness with which these women have been neglected over time.

And in history, neglect is synonymous with erasure.  They are not included in our global, national, local, or even family histories most of the time.

I believe that we have been replacing our own forgotten foremothers with a much more abstract goddess image. When you trace your history, you will see the goddesses emerging. You will see your divine connection. Connections

Our mutual friend Michelle Lewis says: “People’s stories from generations past are pieces of us that we carry forward.” And I agree wholeheartedly.

Once we uncover the women from generations past, we start to see where we fit in the path. And where we are in the path is so powerful.

The more we look, the deeper we drill, we see the power in the present: “I’m the piece that’s bringing it all back together. You may go through thinking you’re the one that’s wrong, you’re the one that’s out of stuff. But actually it’s like no honey, you’re bringing everybody back in.  You’re healing pieces from before you that weren’t able to be in their fullest expression.”

If this is resonating and you are goddess-curious, I invite you to consider joining me to uncover one of the goddesses in your lineage. The program is called Finding A Foremother: For Women Who Want to Save the Story of A Woman Who Came Before. I have a special discount for friends of The Blessings Butterfly, available HERE.

History doesn’t just happen, it is actually made by saving — and researching — the records of what happened. Let’s make history together!

Angela L. Todd – Archivist, Historian, Activist

Angela L. Todd – Archivist, Historian, Activist

I have always been THAT girl — the one talking to little old ladies in the grocery store; the one reading a parade of women’s biographies, autobiographies, and history; the one asking my kid where the women are and where are they going to live on that Lego space ship… I’m always looking for where the women are, and what their stories are.
I say it, and I believe it: every woman has a story worth saving.
I love having long white hair and I LOVE being in my 50s.
I’m on a mission to capture women’s stories.
I am working to save stories usually relegated to the sidelines of history — especially those of women, but also workers, activists, community groups, or salons.
I spent 18 years as “archivist and senior research scholar” in a science archive at a top research university: curating 30,000 portraits from daguerrotype to digital and ferreting out women to add to the biographical files. I gave up on dead people and now I help living women make history. That means you.

Manifesting With the October Full Moon

Michelle Lewis, The Blessings Butterfly

October Full Hunter Moon

The first full moon of the Fall is known as the Hunter Moon. It is also sometimes called the Blood Moon, not because of a lunar eclipse but because this moon rises before the sun has fully set… casting a reddish hue on Lady Luna as she rises into the evening sky. 

You may have felt another surge of energy happening around you, if not within you, due to the collective energetic pushes around the world. The uprisings, the revolutions, the intense power-struggles are A LOT so if you’re feeling affected, please take all the quiet moments that you can for rest.

If you are able to get away for a day or 2, make. it. happen. Do something fun and light and creative. Be sure to put up your protective wards for your home before you go, and bubble yourself up energetically.

We will be able to experience the full moon energy this weekend from Saturday October 8-Tuesday October 11. Astrologically speaking, the moon is moving from the pensive & deep sign of Pisces, into the fiery LFG energy of Aries and finishing up in headstrong Taurus during this 4-day phase, while the Sun remains in beautiful, balanced Libra through October 22.

photography of cat at full moon
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Manifest It!

This is an especially powerful Full Moon for doing your manifesting work. It’s the last Full Moon before the second “eclipse season” of 2022, which kicks off on October 25 with a partial solar eclipse. The final eclipse of 2022 will be a total lunar eclipse November 7-8. So what does this mean? Eclipses symbolize periods of dramatic change & transformation, so use this time to plan out what you want to change & transform. Visualize, spellcast, and call it in.

The overall theme associated with this moon is Abundance. Hallelujah & Yes, Please. So the thing with Abundance is that it is so much more than *just* mindset. It is recognizing that there is more than enough for all. It is embracing what is yours without shame or resistance. It is recalling and embodying the energy of Abundance with all of your senses.

We know from experience that times of abundance tend to ebb and flow, that is why we are keen to celebrate it while it is present. Feast now, and also prepare for the leaner times ahead. It’s all a cycle, just like our monthly lunations show us over and over again.

Each Full Moon invites us to celebrate the work we’ve done and how far we’ve come. As you know I am a big fan of celebrating all the wins, big and small, along the way. During your own times of reflection this week, take stock of how crazy-far you’ve come this year. Babe, you’ve already got 10 months worth of Wins this year… big & small! Every single one of them counts and has brought you to this most amazing version of You.

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Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com


10 Full Moon Activities For Witchy Folk

  • Make an effort to purify your work space, magick space, pleasure space, and sleep space this week.
  • Notice where the energy feels “off”, stuffy, or stagnant and cleanse it with incense, sound, or a blast of fresh air. 
  • Soak your body in a large tub of warm water, surrounded by candlelight & flowers
  • Give your magickal tools/crystals a refreshing moonlight “bath” outside or on a windowsill (no water required!)
  • Make a new batch of full moon water by filling a large jar with fresh water and placing it out under the moonlight.
  • Dance, Move Your Body, Celebrate!
  • Gather with other practitioners & magickal folk as you are able
  • Place 7 silver coins in a bowl of water & leave it outside in the moonlight to attract money
  • Get a tarot or oracle card reading
  • Call in Love! Burn a red candle with your name etched into it. For extra oomph, dress the candle in dried crushed rose petals.

Want my free 10 Full Moon Activities for Witchy Folk infographic/grimoire page? Click here to download

Michelle Lewis (she/her/they) is the creator & founder of The Blessings Butterfly, a holistic coaching & energy healing practice that is teaching people to live a life that they love. She is a writer, speaker, energy witch/healer, and author of the Amazon bestselling positive affirmation books, The Blessings Butterfly and The Blessings Butterfly