Day: October 12, 2013

The Best For Last

The people in Washington have been come unreasonable. They will eventually settle this mess and people will forget. I hope they don’t and as many people this mess has effected they probably won’t. I believe as many others do that everyone in Washington should be send home next election. I ran across the spell and was so delighted to see it. You will either have to write it down or print it. Then put the spell in your BOS, whatever you do, do not lose it instead use it.

Cause a Politician to Lose an Election
　
Items You Will Need:
One black candle
One green candle
One white candle
One newspaper mentioning the election
　
Instructions:
Spread the newspaper out on your altar and say the following:
“This is the field of play, this is public opinion.”
Place the black candle on the newspaper and say the following:
“This is (Person’s name) his/her heart is as black as night.”
Place the white candle next to the black candle, and say:
“These are the people that will elect (Person’s name). They have not seen the evil of (Person’s name).”
Place the green candle next to the black candle, and say:
“This is the money that will allow (Person’s name) to achieve office.”
Light the black candle, then say the following:
“The evil and corruption of (Person’s name) is shining bright for all to see.”
Light the white candle, and say the following:
“The eyes of the people are open to the evil of (Person’s name). They see them for what they are. As the candle burns down their understanding and hatred of (Person’s name) will grow.”
Move the white candle to the other side of your altar and say the following:
“They forsake (Person’s name).”
Light the green candle, and say the following:
“The money leaves the evil (Person’s name). As the candle burns down so will their resources, until they are no more.”

Move the candle to the other side of the altar, and allow all of the candles to burn out to release the power of the spell.

Creating Spells from Scratch

Creating Spells from Scratch

by Skye Alexander

People who are new to magick often ask if it’s okay for them to create their own spells. The answer is a resounding yes. Think of it this way: someone, somewhere had to come up with the idea for the first spell, and the hundreds of thousands of spells after that. Personally created spells are often considered a very important step in the witch’s training and adeptness.

Once you’ve become familiar with casting spells and adapting existing spells for your individual purposes, you’re ready to design your own, original spells from scratch. Other than your fundamental knowledge of magick, you no longer have a construct to work from. You must devise all the actions, symbols, timing, wording, and other components of the spell yourself — that’s what makes creating original spells so exciting. It’s like being the composer of a piece of music and the performer as well.

Combining Components

The components you include in a spell should support, strengthen, balance, and harmonize with one another. They should also be items you feel comfortable using. Some witches enjoy working with flowers, herbs, and other botanicals. Others have a fondness for gemstones and crystals. No one type of ingredient is inherently better than another, but your feelings will certainly influence a spell’s outcome.

Keep your objective in mind at all times as you select ingredients. For instance, if you are making a love talisman, you might want to include pairs of ingredients: two rose petals, two pieces of rose quartz, etc. Consider the symbolism of each component and how well it aligns with your intention. A ring is a powerful symbol to put in a love talisman; a coin clearly symbolizes an intention to attract wealth.

Choosing your own ingredients, rather than following a prescribed formula, allows you to fine-tune a spell to your specific needs. Let’s say you’re doing a prosperity spell to help you (1) attract money and (2) hold on to it. To achieve both objectives, you could combine a piece of aventurine with a piece of hematite. Once you understand the basic natures and symbolism of various components, you can mix-and-match them to create exactly the right combination of energies.

Designing Steps and Procedures

In cooking, it’s necessary to follow certain steps and procedures in a particular order. The same is true in spell-casting. Following these steps will help you create spells that are just as effective as those you learn from a book or from another magician.

  • Boil down the purpose of the spell to a word or short phrase.
  • Find the ingredients suited to your goal (by using correspondence lists in this and/or other resource books).
  • Determine the best possible timing for the spell (see Chapter 18).
  • Decide if you want to include an affirmation or incantation. If so, write it so that it describes your components and your goal.
  • Cleanse and bless all the items you will be using as part of the spell (this rids them of unwanted energies).
  • Consider any actions that might help support the magick and where best to insert them in the spell-casting process (for example, lighting a candle at the outset to illustrate your intention).
  • Prepare yourself and the space where you’ll cast the spell, as described further along in this chapter.
  • Focus your will to raise energy and guide it mentally toward your objective, then release it and trust in the outcome.
  • Keep a journal (or grimoire) of your results for future reference.

It’s not necessary to always follow every step of this process. There will be moments when you can’t conduct a spell at “just the right time,” or when you don’t have perfectly suitable components. Some spells don’t require numerous ingredients or actions — a visualization or simple statement of intent may be all that’s necessary. Your thoughts and your will are the most important components of any spell; the rest are optional.

Adapting Spells

Adapting Spells

by Skye Alexander

Today, you’ll find many books on spellcraft that contain instructions for casting spells. You can also purchase ready-made kits that include all the ingredients necessary for a spell. Nonetheless, if those instructions or ingredients don’t make sense to you or break your personal ethics, the spell will not work.

The best spells are those you create yourself or adapt to suit your own purposes. The process of collecting ingredients, preparing them, and designing the steps of your spell focuses your mind on your intention and adds energy to the spell. Sometimes you must adapt a tried-and-true spell because you can’t get the designated components. For example, if you lived in New England and used ash leaves or bark in protection spells but then moved to Texas, you would not be able to find such plant life; you could then compensate by substituting another ingredient, such as basil.

One of the beauties of spellcraft is its versatility. Spellcraft, of course, isn’t a fixed, rigid dogma; it’s a living, growing body of knowledge and experience that continues to expand as the number of witches working magick grows.

With the previous example in mind, it’s easy to see that there will be many times when a witch or Wiccan will want to adapt a spell or devise one of her own. How do you begin the process? Adapting a spell is far easier than creating one, so let’s start there. When a witch examines a spell, she looks for continuity and comprehensiveness.

  • Does the spell target your goal through its words, actions, and components?
  • Does it do so on a multisensual level (involving your hearing, sight, touch, taste, and smell)?
  • Does every part of the spell make sense and excite your higher sentiments?

If the answer to any of these questions is no, try to find a substitute. To illustrate, many old love spells call for blood as a component. But modern awareness of disease (or squeamishness) might make blood inappropriate. Instead a witch could use red wine. The red juice from crushed raspberries, strawberries, or passion fruit (fruits associated with love) would also work well. In this manner, she can still follow the basic spell while relying on components that are safe and support her ethics.

Choosing Components for Spells

Choosing Components for Spells

by Skye Alexander

It is reasonably safe to say that there is not a stone, plant, animal, or other natural object that hasn’t been used at one time or another for magickal purposes. This book has already discussed the importance of symbolism and imagery in spellcraft, and how witches use sympathy and similars to work magick. As you concoct your own spells, pay attention to the images and symbols you include and notice how you react to them. Choosing and combining the right ingredients is essential to spellworking.

If you think of a spell as a magickal recipe, you’ll understand why the components (that is, the ingredients) are so important. If the components are not measured correctly, if they are not added to the mix at the right time, if you don’t give them enough time to “bake” properly, the magick goes awry.

A good spell component is anything that’s essential to the recipe, something that builds the energy until it’s just right. Each component should resonate with the nature of your intention. All the ingredients must blend on a metaphysical level. Their energies should complement one another and contribute to the outcome. Of course, the witch herself is the key component of any spell.

To illustrate this point, following are some possible components for a prosperity spell.

  • Animal symbolism: rabbits (known for their prolificacy)
  • Gemstones: aventurine, tiger-eye, turquoise
  • Color symbolism: gold or silver (the color of coins)
  • Herbs: saffron (the herb of kings), mint
  • Numeric symbolism: four or eight
  • Timing: during the waxing moon (to inspire growth)

You might wish to compile a list of appropriate components, then design a spell that combines the ones you like best or have access to. Putting such a list together provides numerous options for a witch. He could burn a gold candle, put mint leaves and a piece of aventurine in a talisman, tie eight knots in a cord and wear it for eight days, or carry a gold coin in his pocket.

A good working knowledge of components is essential to effective spellcraft; over time, you’ll know by heart which items to use, just as an experienced cook knows what to put into a soup or pie. Let your intuition and imagination guide you as you choose and combine ingredients.

Written Spells

Written Spells

by Skye Alexander

In earlier times, written spells were the province of a few wise men and women who were more literate than the majority of the populace. In many cultures, the written word was revered as a gift of the gods, especially among the Egyptians and Greeks. For this reason, written spells came to be considered more potent than verbal ones.

One of the oldest and best-known written spells is the word Abracadabra, customarily used to banish sickness. In ancient Chaldean texts, Abracadabra translates as “to perish like the word.” The letters in Abracadabra were written in the form of a descending triangle on parchment, which was then laid on the inflicted body part. Then the paper was removed and stuck in the cleft of a tree. As time and the elements destroyed the paper, the magick would begin to work. This whole process is an example of magickal symbolism, sympathy, and similars — the word disappears into nothingness; the paper disappears into nothingness; and, therefore, the disease or illness takes the hint and follows suit.

When you write with a pen or pencil, you activate the acupressure points in the thumb and fingertips. These points induce relaxation and strengthen the connection to the subconscious mind. Thus, writing contributes to the power of a spell because it helps to center your mind and engages your imagination.

Written words, affirmations, incantations, and sigils are often included in contemporary spells. A written intention might be slipped into a talisman or amulet. Spells are sometimes written on paper, then burned to release the intention into the universe. Witches might write a spell a set number of times — the number corresponds to the spell’s objective (e.g., six times for joint endeavors, eight times to attract financial security). The color of the ink, the shape of the paper, even the addition of aromatics to the ink or paper may contribute to the overall effect of the spell.

Why go through all this fuss? Because witches believe that the more dimensions magick has (with sensual dimensions being especially significant), the better the results will be.

Forming Your Intention

Forming Your Intention

by Skye Alexander

The purpose of a spell is to manifest something you need or desire. That need or desire (or both) compose your intention. When you cast a spell, your intent is as vital to your success as your beliefs. Focusing attention on what you want puts energy behind your objective, enabling your mind to consciously create the circumstances you desire.

“A spell involves words and actions chosen to achieve a certain goal or desire, and is driven by the will of the person performing it. Words, symbols, and tools are combined to produce a ritual. Power is raised and directed out to the Universe to do its work.”

— Debbie Michaud, The Healing Traditions & Spiritual Practices of Wicca

As you design a spell, ask yourself a few basic questions. What is your reason for doing a spell? What outcome are you seeking? How passionately do you want what you’re trying to achieve or accomplish? Are you ready and willing to accept the outcome?

Be very clear and specific when asking for what you want. Remember the old saying “Be careful what you wish for.” Ambiguous statements tend to yield confusing and sometimes unwanted results. Bear in mind that just like a computer, spells do what you tell them to do. So if you perform a spell to find a perfect companion and get a wonderful dog, your magick certainly has manifested — exactly as you asked but not exactly as you’d hoped. Spells always take the easiest and most direct route to manifestation, so if you don’t state exactly what you intend, the outcomes can be interesting — to say the least.

It’s not necessary to envision how all the events leading up to the outcome will unfold. However, you must be able to clearly imagine the end result you seek. In fact, seeing from the end is essential. Hold firmly to your vision of the outcome you desire and trust that it will manifest.

Keep it Simple

Multitasking has become the norm in our busy modern world, but it’s not the best way to do magick. When your attention is diffused in several directions, its creative power becomes dissipated.

 Limit a spell to a single objective or desire. Don’t design a spell to find the perfect partner and improve your finances (although if you attract a wealthy partner, both goals might be accomplished simultaneously). If you want to create more than one condition, cast a different spell for each intention, preferably on a different day. Some magicians suggest waiting until one spell has manifested before doing another. By focusing on a single goal and putting all your energy behind that objective, you improve your chances of bringing your goal to fruition and avoid confusion.

Spoken Spells

In Old English, the word spell meant “story or narrative.” The noun form referred to a recitation or the act of speaking aloud. The verb spellen meant “to read something letter by letter.” Spoken spells were probably the earliest form of spell-casting, dating back to a time when few people could read or write.

Verbal spells, also called charms, make use of the power of sound and vibration. The word charm comes from a Latin term carmen, which means “incantation.” Many spoken spells rhyme or have a distinct rhythm in their delivery, making it easier for the witch to commit them to memory. Recitation and repetition have the additional benefit of forming impressions in the brain, providing a channel for your thoughts to flow through to manifest your intention.

Charms are a simple, no-frills sort of magick, considered by some people as a “low” form of spellcraft (as opposed to the highly ritualized magick performed by ceremonial magicians). Originally, verbal spells probably dealt with mundane matters rather than exalted ones. Prayers, however, also fall into the category of spoken spells. Don’t be misled by their lack of complexity; verbal spells can be quite powerful and fast-acting

Ethical Spell-Casting

Ethical Spell-Casting

by Skye Alexander

Whether simple or complex, all spells involve focusing the power of intention to produce outcomes. Your intention not only provides the fuel that energizes a spell, it also colors the spell. As discussed in Chapter 1, your motive for doing a spell determines whether it’s “white” or “black” magick, or somewhere in between.

There’s nothing wrong with doing “gray” spells — most spells, in fact, fit into this category. It’s not incorrect or selfish to use your magickal talents to improve your lot in life. However, a wise witch always examines her reasons for casting a spell before she takes any action. Sometimes the only difference between a gray and black spell is your intention. Let’s say, for example, you want a certain job. It’s logical to do a spell to improve your chances of landing the position you desire. But if your spell intentionally causes someone else to lose the job so you can take over, that’s black magick.

Black magick doesn’t always involve the ritual of casting a spell. Many people perform black magick without even realizing it. If, in the heat of the moment, you curse someone or wish something bad to happen to him, you’re doing black magick.

It’s also important to feel good about the spells you do. Witches have different opinions and preferences when it comes to working magick, and although certain practices may not be wrong, they might not be right for you. For instance, some witches engage in sex magick, but it’s not for everyone. Stay within your own comfort zone.

Witches subscribe to a few general guidelines that constitute morally responsible spells. Here are the basic spellcraft “don’ts.”

  • Don’t design a spell that might harm another person or interfere with his free will.
  • Don’t cast a spell that includes components or methods that violate your own personal taboos or ethics.
  • Don’t work with languages or symbolic items that you don’t fully understand.
  • Don’t do spells if you are ill, angry, or otherwise off-center, as this can affect the outcome dramatically.

If you follow these simple guidelines, you’ll avoid the problems, pitfalls, and unpleasant ramifications that can sometimes accompany spell-casting.

Halloween: The Past in the Present

Halloween: The Past in the Present
by Elspeth Sapphire

The days are shortening and dark comes early.  There is a certain crispness to the air as we stroll the streets.  Before long, the leaves are turning bright colors, only to slowly drift down to cover yards and streets.

Yes, autumn is here.

And with autumn comes a holiday enjoyed by both old and young…Halloween.

What is the appeal of this night?  Why do we find people ranging from infants to grandparents donning costumes and for one night forgetting the mundane?

Halloween, or Samhain to the Pagans, has caught the imagination of people throughout the ages.  From the ancient rituals honoring the dead to our modern custom of trick or treating, this one night is our time to put aside any fear of the dark and embrace any that walk there as welcome. Halloween costumes have become a huge part of the tradition of Halloween now as well to remind people what we used to fear and to have a little fun with it.

The ancients chose this time of year to celebrate the dead. The harvests were done and the fields laid empty.  The days of sun were at a end and the days of dark were beginning.  What better time to celebrate the powers of darkness.

This was not a celebration of fear; not always has darkness equaled fear.  Instead for those who believed in rebirth, it was a time to reach and touch those beliefs.  Just as the fields now laid bare, they would flower again in the spring.  And so it was with us, dying only to be reborn.

So many of our Halloween customs can be traced to the past and the habits of our ancestors.  Each time I look at the jack-o- lanterns shining with devilish grins, I can picture the original lanterns.  Turnips were hollowed out and candles placed inside to protect them from the wind.  These lanterns were placed on window sills to guide the dead back to their kin.

Since the apple harvest was celebrated at this same time, apples often played an important place in the festivals.  When you bob for apples or dangle apples on strings, you are walking in the footsteps of other people and other times.

What would Halloween be without costumes and masks?  Yet, have many of us wondered why we so enjoying the wearing of costumes? Dressing up frees us from the ties of our everyday life.  For a brief moment of time, we become a princess or an Indian or a cartoon character.  This gives us a freedom of action that we normally wouldn’t have.

Masks have also long been associated with death and the gods. Was early man trying to understand death when he put on a mask of a dead one? Perhaps, donning a mask could put us in touch with the gods themselves.

The black cat, familiar to many a storybook witch, was priced because cats could sense the dead.  They could be used as a kind of early warning system.  Why black cats?  What better color for this time when the darkness rules?

Every where I look, I come face to face with the stereotyped image of the witch.  Wicked or not, they all looked alike: greenish skin, a wart, misshapened face, dressed all in black. In these days of striving for the politically correct, many are trying to remove this image from Halloween celebrations.  I guess they don’t see what I do.  I look at the Halloween witches and remember pictures of the dark Goddess, dressed in black and with her high pointed hat.  She would wait at the crossroads to guide the dead to their rest until the time of rebirth.  Evil?  I don’t believe so, anymore than I believe death is evil.  Instead it is one more symbol that has passed down through the years to spice October 31st.

Just look around.  We are surrounded by symbols of the past that we take for granted.  The brooms the witches rode.  The cauldrons that bubbled with potions vile.  Even trick or treating could be traced back to Celts who went house to house collecting treats of apples.

It has been truly said that there is nothing new under the sun. However, this doesn’t have to hinder our enjoyment.  On Halloween night, you can find me walking the night.  Without fear, I will travel, listening to the laughter of the children, as I go back to another time and place.

THE DRUMS OF SAMHAIN

samhain51

THE DRUMS OF SAMHAIN

– by Chanticleer
The drums of Samhain keeping time.
The gates of magic open wide.
A cauldron’s blessings overflow.
The candle flames are dying low.
The witches dance the circle ’round
to chant and bring the power down.
Hecate will hear our call
to turn the summer into fall.
The magic veil is growing thin.
The Netherworld is near our own.
We’ll see the sacred fire fed
while witches commune with the dead.
The winds of Autumn call our names.
The driving rhythm slowly calms.
The glowing embers we will tend

until the drums of Samhain end.

Laugh-A-Day for Oct. 12th – Elevator Magic

Elevator Magic

A redneck family took a vacation to New York City. One day, the father took his son into a large building. They were amazed by everything they saw, especially the elevator at one end of the lobby. The boy asked, “What’s this, Paw?”

The father responded, “Son, I have never seen anything like this in my life. I don’t know what it is!”

While the boy and his father were watching in wide-eyed astonishment, an old lady in a wheelchair rolled up to the moving walls and pressed a button. The walls opened and the lady rolled between them into a small room. The walls closed and the boy and his father watched small circles of lights above the walls light up. They continued to watch the circles light up in the reverse direction. The walls opened again, and a voluptuous twenty-four-year old woman stepped out.

The father turned to his son and said, “Go get your maw!”

Daily Feng Shui Tip for Oct. 12th – ‘Universal Music Day’

On ‘Universal Music Day’ I’d like to share how to use tones on the musical scale to help heal any body maladies. According to Chinese medicine, two meridians are critical to the overall functioning of your body. One runs up your spine and is called the ‘governing’ meridian. The other, known as the ‘conception’ meridian, runs up the front of your body. They are also sometimes referred to as ‘the rod and the staff.’ When the tones of middle C and high C are played, sung or toned, the two meridians are brought into balance and a microcosmic circuit of energy is established. This should be music to both your ears and your entire body.

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Your Charm for October 12th is Pisces the Fishes

Your Charm for Today

Pisces the Fishes

Today’s Meaning:

This aspect of your life will be strongly influenced by a person who is imaginative, sensitive, compassionate, kind, selfless, unworldly, intuitive and sympathetic. This person could be merely an acquaintance who has influence with people in your circle.

General Description:

Twelfth sign of the Zodiac, Feb 19th to March 20th. Ruled by the planet Jupiter; correct metal, Tin. Those born under the influence of Pisces were believed to be highly emotional, imaginative, observant, artistic, musical, precise and prudent. The gem for Pisces is the Amethyst, whose occult properties were firmly believed in by the ancients. The Egyptians wore these stones as amulets against witchcraft, and for success in their undertakings. The Amethyst is also called The Bishops Stone from its supposed soothing influence, imparting a pious calm in time of danger. The stone was believed to confer happiness on the newly married.

Your Animal Spirit for October 12th is Mockingbird

Your Animal Spirit for Today
October 12, 2013

Mockingbird

Mockingbirds are master imitators, and can mimic the calls of many other birds. They’re also fearless protectors of their nest, and will attack any bird (no matter how large) to protect their young. Mockingbird’s lesson for you today is twofold: to listen to how you might be mimicking others—instead of listening to your own true voice; and to examine the value of what you defend. Hmmm?

Your Symbol Card for October 12th is The Protector

Your Symbol Card for Today

The Protector

The Protector represents the presence of a strong ally ready to assist you when your path is full of difficult challenges. The Protector is represented by the Archangel Michael: God’s warrior angel. Archangel Michael is in the writings of many religions including Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. While Michael is male, in the context of this Oracle, The Protector is not gender specific. Regardless of whether Your Protector is male or female they can have a powerful positive influence when you find yourself facing trying times.

As a daily card, The Protector denotes the immediate presence of a commanding ally working to put the balance of power in your favor. The protector is especially powerful at helping you get what you rightfully deserve and thwarting underhanded schemes aimed at keeping you down.

Today’s Tarot for October 12th is The Emperor

The Emperor

Saturday, Oct 12th, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the most practical terms, what has traditionally been called the Emperor card represents the highest leadership, a head of state or the most exemplary and powerful person in the realm. This archetypal ruler is responsible for the positive working out of affairs of a society or community, which are directly proportional to his well being and happiness.

The more enlightenment and cosmic perspective this energy brings, the better life is for all. The Emperor archetype masters the world of matter and physical manifestation. When you apply this card to your situation, acknowledge your potentials for mastery. Reinforce a sense of sovereignty within yourself, despite any self-limiting beliefs, habits or appearances to the contrary.

Daily Horoscopes for Saturday, October 12th

Promising more than we can deliver today leads to trouble as the willful Sun dynamically squares overconfident Jupiter. We are prone to exaggerate our expectations and might assume that we will accomplish far more than we can actually reach now. And although the evocative Moon’s shift into futuristic Aquarius at 1:59 pm EDT reminds us that our beliefs shape the road ahead as much as anything else, she also encourages us to overextend ourselves

Aries Horoscope

(Mar 21 – Apr 19)

You might think that everyone wants to do something with you today, making it difficult to focus on your previous commitments. Your popularity is running high and you want to grab every opportunity you can to have fun. But it’s not a great idea to say yes just because you’re afraid of being left out of the action. Balancing your approach to work and play allows you to get the most out of your day.

Taurus Horoscope

(Apr 20 – May 20)

You may be extremely excited about all the wonderful things that are happening now because you believe that the current opportunities will lead to greater success. Although you are hopeful about what you can manage today, your expectations are probably out of proportion with reality. Rather than setting yourself up for a fall, avoid the temptation of taking on too much. Surely it’s better to do an admirable job at fewer tasks than to tackle everything haphazardly and fail.

Gemini Horoscope

(May 21 – Jun 20)

Your current charm can be quite persuasive now. However, an inflationary square between the Sun and pompous Jupiter warns that you may not remember how to set boundaries and honor limitations. You could inadvertently detract from your accomplishments if you talk too much, so be extra careful about rambling on after you have already made your point. The adage “less is more” is sensible advice to follow today.

Cancer Horoscope

(Jun 21 – Jul 22)

You could find yourself wrapped up in a controversy today because you aren’t very concerned about the changes ahead. Your friends or coworkers might try to tell you why you should be acting more maturely, but you just want to have a little fun. Enjoying yourself is wonderful as long as you don’t forget about your previous obligations, especially if others are depending on you now. There’s no substitute for how good you feel when you do something helpful for someone special.

Leo Horoscope

(Jul 23 – Aug 22)

You are quite opinionated today and might create situations where you can let everyone know exactly what you think. But others aren’t necessarily interested in listening to your rant for very long, so deliver your message as quickly as possible. Wasting time with too many details only weakens your story and makes you less believable, so demonstrate your ability to be concise and considerate. Use the art of persuasion to your advantage by leaving your audience wanting more.

Virgo Horoscope

(Aug 23 – Sep 22)

You might have a brilliant idea today about an activity that involves your friends. But you can become so excited that your expectations grow by leaps and bounds, making the logistics of your plan unmanageable. Even if you want to do things differently, don’t be so stuck on having your way now that everyone else loses interest. Share your thoughts with others and then listen carefully so you can integrate the best of their feedback.

Libra Horoscope

(Sep 23 – Oct 22)

You have a clear sense of what you stand for today, but communicating your beliefs could be challenging if you lose your objectivity. Your optimism can go so far that it inspires you to participate in a project or cause that might be better left alone. But don’t push the issue now if others are resistant and don’t want to go along for the ride. Your chances for success improve when you just allow the events to unfold as naturally as possible.

Scorpio Horoscope

(Oct 23 – Nov 21)

These are intense times, making it even more important to find healthy ways to express your feelings. Thankfully, you are in a spiritually uplifting phase, yet someone may still read your energy all wrong. If something you say or do elicits a negative response from others, rest assured that it’s still smarter to share your emotions rather than to bury them. Those that truly know you will understand and appreciate your honesty.

Sagittarius Horoscope

(Nov 22 – Dec 21)

You could soar right into an amazing experience today since you’re picking up on an upbeat wave of energy from the Sun’s square to lucky Jupiter. But remember, your key planet Jupiter is the magnifying lens of the cosmos, so it makes everything look bigger and better than it actually is in reality. Nevertheless, do what you do best and focus on the big picture because the general concepts are even more important now than the myriad of details. Don’t sweat the small stuff until next week.

Capricorn Horoscope

(Dec 22 – Jan 19)

You need to be careful because you could go overboard with the power of your positive thinking today. Ironically, anxiety might arise from too much of a good thing as the illuminating Sun’s square to jolly Jupiter lifts your spirits. Practicing a combination of flexibility and moderation brings you closer to your goals. Thankfully, you can make a lot of progress now if you channel your energy constructively and schedule your time wisely.

Aquarius Horoscope

(Jan 20 – Feb 18)

Your friends may appear to be more serious about a particular situation than you are today. Fortunately, you’re likely aware of your current Pollyanna tendencies; nevertheless, you still have a lot of good things to say. There’s no need to abandon your optimistic attitude, even if others are overly cautious. Remain positive as long as you can, but don’t embellish the facts just to make your position more convincing. The truth is good enough on its own.

Pisces Horoscope

(Feb 19 – Mar 20)

You might not want to harbor any secrets today, yet keeping quiet may be necessary to earn someone’s trust. It would certainly be in bad taste if you reveal something private that was told to you in confidence. Fortunately, you have more options because there are so many other interesting topics to discuss. You’ll feel good about your discretion once you fully accept the reasons for your current boundaries. There are some things that are just better left unsaid.

Stretching Ourselves

Stretching Ourselves

With planning, you can turn your dreams into reality…

Jeff Jawer   Jeff Jawer on the topics of venus, neptune, blogs, astrology

We may find ourselves floating above the ground in the latter part of this week thanks to two spacey and expansive planetary patterns on Thursday Oct. 10 and Saturday Oct. 12. Both invite us to look beyond the limits of current reality where we can find inspiration. This pair of transits, though, is also associated with illusions that can lead us down a garden path that ends in a stony field where hope cannot take root. As with every planetary pattern, there are opportunities and risks.

These events are two challenging squares between Venus and Neptune and the Sun and Jupiter. The first is a romantic’s ideal as the planet of love is dissolved in a dreamy bath of imagination. Hearts can melt as social rules fall away in the fog of fantasy. This is an excellent aspect for inspiring lovers, poets and artists of all kinds. Venus’ aesthetic limits drift away on Neptunian clouds that make previously unattractive people seem more desirable. While it warms the heart to have these erotic boundaries erased, Thursday’s hunger for amour can blur judgment in relationships. We tend to see people as we’d like to see them, setting aside objective criteria and critical thinking. Those seeking pleasure at any cost can find it, although the price to be paid can be disillusionment when this transit passes and reality returns.

Keep those purse strings tight

Venus is also related to values, which can lose connection to logic thanks to Neptune’s unearthly influence. Spending money carelessly is a possible risk that should be avoided by delaying significant purchases. The stressful square between these planets is perfect for having otherworldly experiences but is a negative when it comes to practical matters. If you fall in love with an object or activity that will bust your budget, don’t write a check or take out your credit card until reason returns in a few days.

Take a realistic approach

The Sun and Jupiter are the largest bodies in the solar system, so Saturday’s tense aspect between these giants could shake our planet. There isn’t much that we can do to prevent earthquakes yet a little caution will help us to avoid getting lost in inflationary ideas. The willful, self-important Sun square boundless Jupiter can expand egos, raising expectations and making promises that may be hard to keep. This is another pattern that encourages us to leave behind the limits of common sense to pursue ideas and ambitions that may be impossible to reach. Yet stretching ourselves to see potential beyond present circumstances will provide motivation to aim higher. Whether it’s professional or personal ambition, this is a time to expect more from life.

In these complicated and often difficult times standing still is not the best option. Many of us seek shelter in the past, attempting to return to previous states of comfort that are, alas, behind us now. Yet with a dash of romance and inspiration we can see the shape of a better tomorrow that bold ideas and careful planning could turn into reality.

Daily Cosmic Calendar for October 12th

This is a good morning to emulate the tortoise rather than the hare. With the Moon in Capricorn in void mode until 11:01AM, why rush around like a dizzy chicken? Another reason to stay close to home and avoid getting involved in large-scale enterprises is that the Sun in Libra squares Jupiter in Cancer (8:10AM). When the two largest celestial bodies in our solar system form a jarring, 90-degree confrontation, everything big and complex may have cumbersome strings attached to it.  Once the Moon leaves void status in Capricorn by entering the universal air sign of Aquarius (11:01AM), it is a good time to energize group projects, participate in team sports, and join community fundraising efforts. Think more about your higher destiny and being of service to the greater good than on fulfilling lower-level desires.  Be a creative and artistic whirlwind across the board later on as the Moon unites with Juno (7:36PM) while also forming a supportive, 60-degree liaison with Venus (9:05PM). Enjoy an evening of board, card or word games with friends or family members. [Note to readers: All times are calculated for Pacific Daylight Time. Be sure to adjust all times according to your own local time so the alignments noted above will be exact for your location.]