2 parts Frankincense
2 parts Copal
1 part Sandalwood
1 part Rosemary
1 pinch finely powdered Salt
1 sm. purified Quartz Crystal point
To use, pour a bit of the incense (leaving the crystal in the jar) onto charcoal. Smolder, and pass the crystals to be purified through the smoke, visualizing the smoke wafting away the stone’s impurities. This incense can be used in conjunction with other recommended purifying rituals, or in place of them. To cleanse the crystal, leave it in sunlight for a few days, place it in running water overnight, or bury it in the Earth for a week.
Healing: It is said that wearing a necklace of sapphires will cure a sore throat. Sapphire is used to treat blood disorders such as excessive bleeding and to thicken vein walls. Sapphire is the most effective healing stone for the nervous system. It also aids in regulating the function of the thyroid gland.
Magical Workings: Sapphire is used to dispel bad feelings and to enlighten one’s mood, it is a crystal of harmony and peace.
It is often called the “Stone of Prosperity”. Sapphire is an excellent stone for meditation. Star Sapphire is used as protection from the evil eye.
The Blue Sapphire is traditionally associated with purity and love.
Yellow Sapphire attracts wealth and brings prosperity to the home.
The Black Sapphire provides centering, protection and grounding.
The White Sapphire is an extremely protective gem.
The Indigo Sapphire enhances psychic awareness. It eliminates negative energies from the aura.
The Green Sapphire improves internal and external vision and helps you to remember dreams.
India considered it to be the stone of Saturn, and believed it to be a portal to the heavenly realms.
Sapphire is thought to be one of the stones on the breastplate of the Hebrew High Priest.
Sapphire is associated with the astrological signs of Virgo, Libra and Sagittarius. It vibrates to the number of 2, though Sapphires of different colors will vibrate to different numbers.
Chakra Applications: The Blue Sapphire is traditionally associated with purity and love. It opens and heals the thyroid and the throat chakra and has a calming and balancing effect on the nervous system.
Yellow Sapphire is associated with the Solar Plexus chakra.
The Black Sapphire is associated with the Base Chakra.
The Pink Sapphire clears emotional blockages bringing peace and unconditional love. It is associated with the Heart chakra.
The White Sapphire is associated with the Crown chakra.
The Indigo Sapphire is associated with the Third Eye chakra.
The Green Sapphire is known as the “Stone of Fidelity”, and stimulates the Heart chakra.
Foot Notes: Sapphire is the birthstone for September. It is also a 45th Anniversary gemstone.
Sapphire is the non-red variety of corundum, and the second hardest natural mineral known to mankind. Many Sapphire deposits are the remains of metamorphic or igneous veins of granite and marble weathered away into stream beds and mountain valleys.
An ancient Persian myth tells of a giant blue sapphire that Mother Earth rests upon, and that the sky is the reflection of this massive blue crystal.
The name comes from the Latin ros, “dew”, and maris, “ocean”, meaning “dew of the sea”. In the sixth century Charlemagne decreed that rosemary should be grown in all the imperial gardens. Christian legend claims that flowers were originally white but were turned varying shade of blue when Mary hung her blue cloak over a rosemary bush.
Medicinal Uses: Rosemary is a stimulant of the circulatory system. It is used to treat bites and stings externally. Internally it is used to treat migraines, bad breath, and to stimulate the sexual organs. The tea makes a mouthwash for bad breath. It is also used to treat nervous disorders, upset stomachs, and is used to regulate the menstrual cycle and to ease cramps. The oil benefits stomach and nerves. Use rosemary in salves for eczema, wounds, and sores. Mix the crushed leaves generously into meats, fish, potato salads, etc. at your next picnic to prevent food poisoning. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy as an inhalant and decongestant, and to enhance memory and clear concentration. It is also used in lotions to ease arthritis and muscle pain. It is a strong antiseptic, and good in shampoos and hair rinses. An infusion of the leaves has also been used, alone or with borax, as a scalp wash to prevent baldness.
Steep the herb in white wine for a week and strain. Rub the rosemary wine into gouty or paralyzed limbs. Taken internally, the wine quiets the heart and stimulates the kidneys, brain, and nervous system. Rosemary tea relieves depression. The leaf and flowers are stimulating to the liver and the digestion. For this reason, rosemary is a classic herb for migraine headache when associated with liver or stomach torpidity.
Rosemary increases the circulation and slightly raises the blood pressure. To make the tea, steep two teaspoons of the dried flowering tops in one cup of water for twenty minutes. Take one-fourth cup four times a day. Rosemary and coltsfoot are smoked as herbal tobacco to relieve asthma and lung conditions. Rosemary essential oil is often blended with cedar wood, geranium, ginger, lemon balm, myrtle and sweet basil.
When used as a tea, the dose should not exceed one cup per day. Overdose can cause fatal poisoning. Even small doses of Rosemary oil can cause stomach, kidney and intestinal problems, and large amounts may be poisonous. If you’re pregnant, avoid using the herb altogether.
Magickal uses: Rosemary is an herb of consecration and purification from disease. As an herb of purification, rosemary can be a substitute for frankincense. Add it to incense and to the ritual chalice and distributed to guests. Burning it before performing magick will rid the area of negativity. It is carried in the hand during funerals and cast into the grave, as the coffin is lower into it. Rosemary or rosemary with juniper berries is burned as a protection from disease. Stuff healing poppets with rosemary for increased healing strength. Rub the hands with an infusion before beginning the healing process. Place it in books and drawers to repel moths. Place under the pillow or bed for restful sleep and protection from nightmares. Hang at the doors to repel thieves and disease. Wearing a chaplet improves the memory. The aroma of the wood preserves youth. Add it to the bath for this and its purifying qualities. Add to mixtures for love or lust. An answer may be divined by inhaling the smoke of rosemary. Wrap the powdered leaves in a piece of linen and wear on the right arm to be rid of depression and to generally improve the emotions. Rosemary in all of its forms is used for protection and banishment. Rosemary leaves under your pillow do away with evil spirits and bad dreams. It is hung on porches and doors to keep thieves out. Rosemary is grown to attract elves.
Properties: Stimulant, diaphoretic, carminative, nervine, aromatic, cephalic antispasmodic. Contains volatile oil: composed of borneol, camphene, camphor, cineole, limonene, linalool, isobutyl acetate, 3-octanone, terpineol, verbenol, flavonoids: apigenin, diosmetin, diosmin, genkwanin, 6-methoxygenkwanin, hispidulin, sinensetin, luteolin and derivatives. Rosmarinic acid and other phenolic acids, diterpenes such as picrosalvin (carnosol), carnosolic acid and rosmariquinone
Growth: Rosemary is a perennial that prefers mild climates, so it needs to be grown indoors where the winters are harsh, or very heavily mulched. It reaches 2-4 feet in height, and is tolerable of poor soils. Rosemary has narrow, needle-like leaves and lovely blue flowers. Cut back after flowering to keep it from becoming leggy. It is an evergreen shrub with numerous branches; ash-colored. scaly bark and bears opposite, leathery, thick leaves which are lustrous and dark green above and downy white underneath. They have a prominent vein in the middle and margins which are rolled down. The pale blue, sometimes white, relatively small, flowers grow in short axillary racemes, arranged in false whorls on the upper parts of the branches, blooming during April and May, or later in cooler climates.
Infusion: steep 1 tsp. dried flowering tops or leaves in 1/2 cup water. Take up to 1 cup per day.
Tea: prepare ordinary tea, put a pinch of ground ginger in the drink for variety. Drink 3 or 4 cups per day.
The Page of Swords
Youth if not in age then in spirit. Adept at diplomacy.
Ingwaz
Ingwaz signifies completion, success and fertility. Your present ambitions are about to be met. You are fecund in both mind and body.
The Axe Head
As an axe cutting toward the tree your actions have set into motion a course of events in this aspect of your life that you cannot escape. You will know soon if your aim was precise or reckless.
Your Daily Influences represent events and challenges the current day will present for you. They may represent opportunities you should be ready to seize. Or they may forewarn you of problems you may be able to avoid or lessen. Generally it is best to use them as tips to help you manage your day and nothing more.
Today’s Meaning:
The hand indicates you will need to extend effort to protect this aspect from outside influences. The devices attached indicate you will need tools to be successful in your protection.
General Description:
The use of a representation of the Hand as a talisman can be traced back to at least 800 years B.C., when it was used as a charm against enchantment. Many varieties of the Hand exist; in some the elaboration is very marked, each devise represents some particular charm. Life size models of these Hands were supposed to guard the house against all the influences of magic and evil, and smaller replicas protected their wearers from every description of harm. The extended thumb and first two fingers, the third and fourth fingers closed, is the position still assumed during the benediction in some Christian Churches of today.
Phew! Everyone knows Skunk’s power—that’s why people (and other animals) get out of his way! If you’re lacking self-esteem, Skunk is there to help. You are worthy of a happy life—and if someone is making you miserable, look to Skunk as a confidence builder. Remember, though, Skunk doesn’t have to spray to be powerful—his reputation precedes him! And, like Skunk, you don’t need to spray either-but you do need to stand your ground calmly, and with Skunk’s confidence.
The Medicine Bowl is an essential shaman’s vessel for preparing and dispensing sacred blends of herbs and other items used to keep both clan and individuals physically and spiritually healthy. Often The Medicine Bowl and the hallowed potions made with it are cornerstones to tribal ceremonies and member’s rites of passage. The Medicine Bowl represents both the practical and spiritual aspects of healing the body and cleansing the soul through the use of natural remedies and the affirmation of your spiritual self. In a broader sense, The Medicine Bowl symbolizes the health of a clan and strengthening of ties within the clan.
As a daily card, The Medicine Bowl suggests that now may be a good time for you to take a holistic approach to ensuring both your physical and spiritual self are in top form. If there has been strife within your core social circle lately, the appearance of The Medicine Bowl suggest the time is right for your group to reaffirm their basic connection to both the group as a whole and the individuals within it.
Meaning: In many cultures, the Star is a symbol of hope, dreams and destiny, and in the Witches Runes this symbol has a similar connotation. When the Star rune appears, it’s green light for you to go after what you want.
Note that the Star does not say you’ll get everything you want without any work. No. This symbol is a not about easy success, but about having faith in what you are doing – and doing it. In fact, the goals suggested by the Star are usually the highest and most significant ones – the ones that are hardest to get. It does not matter what the dream is, but its significance in your life. This symbol also represents ideals, and they can be both individual and collective ones.
In a more down-to-earth way, the Star is related to revolutions, changes, risks, speculation and all things motivated by faith and ideals. It can represent a sudden spark on inspiration, a windfall, a sudden rise to fame or a promotion. Though the sudden changes brought by the Star are usually positive, they are also fast: you can get back to point zero as quickly as you rose. So don’t be afraid to jump forward when the opportunity arises.
The Star urges you to take the risk, to have hope and to trust. After the staleness of Crossroads, the Universe finally begins to move again. If you believe in Higher Powers, this symbol shows that They are guiding you in this moment. The Star is a very positive rune, but in a more negative context it can represent revolution for revolution’s sake and the constant idealization of people and situations. It can also stand for excessive individualism when going after a dream.
In relationship readings, this rune represents hope and an idealistic kind of love. Usually the people involved in the relationship have high expectations about the other. They easily put their partner on a pedestal, only to feel frustrated when reality strikes. The Star can also represent unrequited love, or the love for someone who is unattainable. On the other hand, this rune tells you to not give up love entirely – keep looking, because someone is coming.
Like The Sun, The Universe brings good blessings. The Universe appears where all is in balance. It allows you to act effectively not only as an individual but as a member of a group too. The Universe promises contentment, fulfillment and completeness to those under its influence. It doesn’t guarantee there will not be moments of strife or discord in your life, but it does indicate that your trials and tribulations will be overcome; that ultimately you will know inner-peace and contentment. The Universe suggests you have found or will find your place in the scheme of things—that place where all is as it should be.
The situation calls for confronting a knotty conflict and cutting through it. Somehow, the way to harmony and unity is blocked or frustrated — perhaps by a tangle of misunderstandings or outright deceit. Like Alexander the Great cutting the Gordian knot, assert yourself now and you will meet with good fortune. Don’t be afraid to shake things up a bit. The ability to take corrective measures when they are needed is an essential trait of true leadership.
But those who bring discipline to bear must, above all, be honest — with others, and with themselves. Honesty is the hallmark of the strong and self-confident. The successful person masters the art of honesty much as a swordsman masters fencing. When lies, delusions and game playing are getting in the way of teamwork, a swift sword of honest action, perhaps even correction, must be wielded to protect one’s integrity and values. Decisiveness with integrity brings good fortune.
Though your actions be vigorous, they must not be hasty, severe or arbitrary. Be sure to carefully consider all the circumstances. In the case of a serious disruption of relations, you must forgive, but not forget to give a person a chance to make reparations for his mistakes. If some penalty or punishment is necessary, make certain that it fits the crime. When boundaries have become slack and useless, only through the institution of clear and swift correction can their effectiveness be restored.
In situations where serious issues of justice are at stake, keep careful records and do not hesitate to go public with the truth.
Naudhiz may foretell needs unmet and friction in relationships. You may be in a time where you should be very careful in whatever endeavor you take on. Also it may be that you are about to learn some of life’s hard lessons and come out the other side of this period a stronger being.
Additional information about Today’s Runes, Naudhiz
If hagalaz is a flying ladle, then nauþiz is the empty pot. It is a gentle, nudging reminder that all is not as it should be. Life appears to be out of synch, and nothing seems to be going right. No matter how much you have, it is never enough, and there is an ever present desire for something more, something better. On the positive side, this dissatisfaction with the status quo can serve to draw one away from the relative safety of wunjo and motivate towards change.Nauþiz represents an imbalance between one’s desires and one’s assets. How you resolve this situation will influence the rest of the journey, but the awareness of the imbalance itself can also be illuminating.
It causes you to closely examine and perhaps reassess your values and priorities, and forces you back onto the path of your own happiness. Perhaps mythologist Joseph Campbell said it best when he enjoined us to ‘follow our bliss’; in other words, that we will know that we are on the right track spiritually when we are doing those things which make us the most happy and fulfilled. Nauþiz helps us to take the first step on that path by letting us know when we have strayed from it
The Emperor is gifted with the skills to successfully lead others. He can turn chaos into order, provide structure to that which is unbound. He is quick of mind and confident in his power and right to rule, and does so in a just manner. Although stern by nature, he truly is the ultimate father figure. He will provide as needed, teach those with unanswered questions, protect the vulnerable, set and maintain boundaries. His perfect world runs on schedule and is free of any disturbances. What the Emperor must be wary of is setting boundaries and rules where none are needed. If he isn’t he may well become a tyrant.
When The Hierophant or Justice are among your personal cards, the influence of The Emperor may be increased. Having The Empress in your personal cards may diminish the influence of The Emperor.
The Fool
This card represents the dreamer in you, the idealist, the mystic. The Fool desires to do great things, but is often unaware of just how difficult great things are to do. He must always be very careful of the choices he makes, and remember knowledge is his ally. The Fool often symbolizes a new beginning, unrestrained optimism, and curiosity that hasn’t been dulled by time. While The Fool may well indicate a lack of experience or grasp of the pitfalls along the path he is taking, it is equally true that his lack of experience leads him to believe all things are possible, which brings even impossible goals within his grasp.
When The Hanged Man or The Star are among your personal cards, the influence of The Fool may be increased. Having The Devil in your personal cards may diminish the influence of The Fool.
Judgment embodies those forces which require us to be accountable for our actions. With Judgment truths are revealed, mysteries are unraveled and responsibility is assigned. Judgment unveils outcomes and marks the ends of things. While it is a time to properly place guilt, it is also a time for atonement and forgiveness. Ultimately the process of Judgment should lead to freedom from errors made in the past and a fresh start with a clean slate. To that end Judgment actually promises the start of a new journey on which we can apply what we have learned from our past.
The Sun and Mercury are in a fellow Fire sign, dear Aries, and these positions tend to strengthen your confidence and increase the desire to make connections, express yourself, and enjoy life. Your romantic and/or creative nature is strongly stimulated now. Venus, which rules values, love, and resources in a general sense, and partnerships and money for you more specifically, is turning retrograde tomorrow. This points to a period of review of any or all of these things as you reassess whether or not your needs are being met. You may turn to the past in order to better understand the present, but because you may feel a little stuck there, it is not the best time for pushing forward with new plans. Uranus, in your sign for some time, is also about to turn retrograde. Both energies are strong now, but as you adjust to the change of direction, you may not be seeing things clearly. The next few days are better for taking in than taking definite action.
Taurus
Taurus
With both the Sun and Mercury now traveling through your home and family sector, dear Taurus, the more focused and relaxed pace tends to become you. Indeed, you are often quite happy dealing with your domestic chores and surrounding yourself with familiar people and things. Even so, there are times when you may feel under the radar or not fully understood by the rest of the world. Even so, you may very well choose to work harder at finding peace with those closest to you. With Venus about to turn retrograde and soon enough re-entering this same sector of your chart, you are likely to reconsider recent moves, relationships, and events as you get into better touch with what it is that you need and want, particularly from family and home life.
Gemini
Gemini
The Sun and Mercury cycles that you’ve recently begun are good for branching you out a little more, communicating, and making connections, dear Gemini. You’re likely to be running more errands than usual, moving about physically and mentally, managing your daily life more effectively, and communicating with people more frequently. You may be craving changes of scenery more often now. Venus and Uranus are moving towards retrograde stations, making the next few days a little confusing. However, their retrograde cycles are good for getting into closer touch with your desires, needs, and values. During this transition period, try to hold off on important conversations and decisions if possible. Wait until perceptions are clearer.
Cancer
Cancer
The Sun transits your solar second house until August 23rd and Mercury transits this same sector of your chart until August 7th, dear Cancer. Money and possessions can assume more importance in your life in the coming weeks, and so can matters of comfort, sensual enjoyment, and activities that remind you of the simple pleasures in life. While life is settling down a little, you tend to be looking around you, accounting for what you have and what you may need, so that if you feel wanting, you’re more likely to want to fill the gap. It’s a good time for taking charge of money, and care of your possessions. Venus is reaching a station, as it will turn retrograde tomorrow. Uranus will station the following day, so that perceptions can be a little askew just for now. Avoid jumping to conclusions. Today is strong, however, for imagination and creative pursuits.
Leo
Leo
The Sun is in your sign until August 23rd and Mercury is in Leo as well, until August 7th, dear Leo. Venus will return to your sign on July 31st through retrograde motion. There is a lot of attention on you now! You are in the spotlight, not necessarily for what you do or what you have accomplished, but for who you are. You are projecting more strength and people take notice. Venus turns retrograde tomorrow, and then re-enters your sign for the remainder of its retrograde starting July 31st and running until September 26th, and this can point to a period of some introspection and a re-examination of what and who you value. Today and the next two days are days of shifting, and this can mean some confusion about these things until you get into the swing of things. As such, it’s probably better to delay important decisions.
Virgo
Virgo
More time set aside for rest, introspection, healing, and meditation may be necessary with the Sun in your privacy sector until August 23rd, Mercury in the same sector of your solar chart until August 7th, and tomorrow’s retrograde turn of Venus in your sign. You are more naturally inclined to pull back a little from situations that are excessively demanding or competitive. You are not as quick to talk of your plans or to make definite decisions. While Venus’ retrograde cycle lasts from tomorrow until September 6th, it will occur for the most part in the sign of Leo, even though it begins in your sign. This can point to a false start of sorts for some of you, particularly related to relationships or money matters. Today and the next couple of days can be a little disorienting if things are moving too fast, and there could be some miscommunications to deal with as a result.
Libra
Libra
Your need to be with others or to feel part of a community or network is stronger now with the Sun in your friendship sector until August 23rd and Mercury in the same sector of your solar chart until August 7th, dear Libra. New ideas for the future might be hatched during this cycle. They’re still very fresh, and some might be scrapped later, but there is a birthing process of sorts going on right now. While today is strong for imagination and creation, there can be some confused signals occurring with both Venus and Uranus moving towards their retrograde stations. Both of these affect your relationships, and because Venus is your ruler, you can also be feeling a bit torn between wanting company and needing some time to sort things through. Take your time on decisions during these shift days as you learn to accustom yourself to the strong energy for review and examination, as you’ll have a lot to learn over the coming weeks about your needs and wants.
Scorpio
Scorpio
In the coming weeks, your major focus turns to professional matters, ambitions, material and social success, and your reputation, dear Scorpio. Depending on your current position in life, this can be about your long-term goals and general plans for your life. Performance and responsibilities come into stronger focus, and you’re bound to find that you are more accountable for the things you do and don’t do. There can be increased mental activity and communications to and about your goals. Others take special note of what you have to say. There is strong energy for creative and romantic feelings. However, with Venus and Uranus both approaching their retrograde stations, much can be left up in the air for now. Their retrograde cycles are strong for reacquainting yourself with your needs, wants, and desires, but the shift can be disorienting, so avoid major decisions just for now.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius
In the coming weeks, there is a stronger focus on exploring, enjoying, and experiencing life than there has been in recent times, dear Sagittarius, and you definitely need it! The Sun is transiting your adventure sector until August 23rd, and Mercury is in the same house of your solar chart until August 7th, and these influences tend to be like a pick-me-up. You are a little happier, more confident, and a touch braver as well. Venus is about to turn retrograde and Uranus will soon follow. This can point to a few days of transition energy, which can be a little confusing, but only until you acclimatize to the changes of direction. In fact, the period ahead is good for getting to the heart of a relationship matter, and even more importantly, what you truly value and need for yourself.
Capricorn
Capricorn
With the Sun now shining its light on some of the things that are typically hidden from view, dear Capricorn, and Mercury in the same sector of your chart as well, you are bound to learn a lot about your inner motivations, and about the world around you. You are less concerned with being heard and understood than you are interested in understanding the workings of people and situations around you at a deeper level. Soon, Venus will return to this sector of your chart as well, but this time in retrograde motion, making it an especially important time for exploring some of your own fears or negative attitudes. It will also be a time for reviewing financial matters, particularly those shared with a partner and money or resources that come in as a form of support.
Aquarius
Aquarius
The Sun and Mercury are now pulling your attention to close relationships, dear Aquarius, and the recent strong focus on work and routines lifts. Even though these are still important things to you, they are no longer on the front burner. Adjusting yourself to social situations, to others’ agendas, and to your personal environment is a bigger concern now. Self-expression through your relationships is important now. You might seek out others for their moral support. Even if you don’t end up following advice, you’re likely to enjoy hearing other points of view before coming to a conclusion. Venus is approaching a retrograde station, and so is your ruler, Uranus. This makes the coming few days a short period of transition as you get yourself accustomed to the changes of direction, but the retrograde periods themselves are cycles of review. You can find yourself examining the past in order to better understand your present needs.
Pisces
Pisces
With the Sun and Mercury in your solar sixth house, until August 23rd and August 7th respectively, you can experience renewed energy and motivation for work and routines, dear Pisces. Venus will return to this sector of your chart on July 31st, this time in retrograde motion, adding even more emphasis to these areas of life. Take every opportunity that arises to work on greater self-awareness, improvement of self-care and health programs, and dealing with detail work. You are more aware of your limits, and your focus is largely on correcting details and solving problems. Try to avoid the more negative side of these influences, which involves fretting or stressing over less important things and failing to see the bigger picture. Today brings beautiful energy for creating something special and unique, even if these are only in the idea stages.
You are a very curious person, and your mental restlessness can attract a colorful life. Even if you don’t move around physically or travel, you are always looking for new adventures of the mind. You are friendly, likeable, and you need mental stimulation. Others tend to love your personal “take” on things, and they do enjoy your company. You may need to develop follow-through. You are attracted to unusual people and those who might bring a certain level of intensity or drama into your life. Famous people born today: Woody Harrelson, Slash, Daniel Radcliffe, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Wesley, Charisma Carpenter.
There is a lot of activity in your solar fifth house now, dear Aries, with the Sun and Mercury now transiting this creative sector. Today, these bodies align, and an overdue conversation, clearing of the air, news, or sudden insight can occur. Until August 23rd, the Sun is transiting this sector of your chart and helps you to reconnect with your inner child. A shift happens now, from strong focus on your personal and home life to more creative and entertaining pastimes, romance, and sport. The better you’ve tended to your “insides” in the past four weeks, the more confidence you’ll have to express and share in the coming weeks. The Sun is complementing your sign for a month, and you are likely to be feeling freer and happier, as well as more confident and outgoing in a general sense. You can also experience an increased need for communication with children or lovers, or for expressing your ideas in creative, unique ways. Today, you can be particularly articulate and possibly even a little dramatic.
Taurus
Taurus
The Sun and Mercury have now moved into your home and family sector, dear Taurus, and an especially busy period now gives way to a need for more peace, comfort, quiet, and familiarity. They join forces today, stimulating sudden awareness and encouraging meaningful ideas and conversations. These can motivate you to push forward with domestic plans. Some of you could be clearing the air about a past matter and seeing opportunities to put the negative elements of the past behind you, particularly in a relationship. The coming weeks are important for reconnecting to your roots, for building your inner well, and for taking charge of your family life. This is a time of gaining clarity concerning family or home-related matters.
Gemini
Gemini
With the Sun and Mercury both entering your sector of communications, learning, and errands, and aligning with one another, dear Gemini, you can find yourself in high demand. As distracting as life can be right now, it’s also a good time for engaging in helpful conversations and learning new ways to approach old problems. There can be an important discovery, epiphany, or conversation occurring now. There can be a clearing of the air. Both the Sun and Mercury are now moving through your communications sector and harmonizing with your sign, pointing to more ease and understanding. These transits can bring you into more contact with others, a busy pace of life, and chances to pick up all sorts of information.
Cancer
Cancer
You may be seeing an issue surrounding values, respect, money, talents, or possessions today with more objectivity and clarity, dear Cancer. There may be an epiphany, sudden idea or something dawning on you, a lightbulb over the head moment, or important news. You can find useful information in the details right now. Conversations can also be helpful, particularly those that are more informational than emotional, and more logical than conceptual. The Sun and now Mercury have ended their yearly transits of your sign. In the past weeks, you’ve likely received more than usual personal attention. Now, you’re shifting gears and your focus is turning to what it is that makes you feel secure and comfortable.
Leo
Leo
You’ve come to the end of a rather introspective cycle, dear Leo, with the Sun and Mercury finishing up transits in your privacy sector and now embarking on transits to your sign. Ideally, you’ve acquired more rest and time for deep thought in the past weeks. Your personality is shining now. You are more noticeable than usual and projecting more strength. You’re feeling especially talkative and expressive. You are also busier than usual, your curiosity is piqued, and you can feel especially motivated to get moving on a pet project, or to learn something entirely new. This is an animated period for friendships and networking. Today is a time for verbalizing your desires, to be heard, and to get noticed. You may be driven to express yourself or to communicate with someone, and you may be turned to for advice or asked to speak. Your need to be heard is significant right now and you can count on others listening. There can be important realizations, epiphanies, and clarifications occurring now.
Virgo
Virgo
You’ve ended a solar cycle today that has put special emphasis on networking, dear Virgo, and you’re now turning more attention to your private, inner world. The coming month is likely to involve some cleaning out of the deadwood in your life, perhaps dealing with endings as you examine the past in order to put it behind you, and some soul searching. More time set aside for relaxing, meditative activities is necessary now. Some of you will be dealing with endings and tying up loose ends rather than throwing yourself into something entirely new, and this is a natural process. Illumination can come today, when you pay attention to details on a private or past matter. The Sun and Mercury align in your soul sector, and this can prompt you to see something you’ve failed to see before, or a conversation can bring up new information that allows you to come to a more definite conclusion. You might reawaken a topic from the past today, or have new insight into an old issue. There can be a good feeling of purging or release involved with bringing something to light.
Libra
Libra
Your social life can be animated in the coming weeks, dear Libra, and today, much thought can be given to friendships, group associations, and long-term goals. There can be better self-expression today, new insight into any of these matters, and sudden ideas or realizations that have you feeling hopeful and possibly quite excited. After a fair amount of attention to performance and ambitions in the last few weeks, your focus now shifts as the Sun and Mercury spotlight an area of your chart that rules over your social and humanitarian or personal happiness goals. Being a “team player” will win you the most favors. There is good energy for interacting with friends and sharing your ideals, dreams, and hopes with like-minded individuals, although some tricky areas with these things coming in August. Today is good for sharing your ideas or your expertise with others. You might gain more clarity about or through a friend. It’s a strong time for clearing something up, and for communicating intentions.
Scorpio
Scorpio
You might receive special attention today, dear Scorpio, especially in a professional sense. Today brings good energy for getting over things that you need to leave behind, living in the present, and looking forward to the future, rather than dwelling on the past. Career goals can become clearer, particularly if you talk about them or write them out – verbalize them. Problem solving skills are strong. New insights into your career path, work project, or life-plan goals can emerge today. There can be an a-ha moment, an important clarification, or a meaningful realization. In recent weeks, there has been a stronger focus on learning, exploring, and experiencing life, but now your attention shifts to more material or ambitious concerns.
Sagittarius
Sagittarius
Today is strong for gaining perspective on a matter, dear Sagittarius, and conversations that occur or news that arrives now tend to help you to come to conclusions and to solve problems. There can be a clearing of the air or an important discovery or connection made now. The desire to share your philosophy or unique perspective on a matter can be very strong now. Connect and make plans. Rationality is strong. You are ending a rather introspective phase and shifting gears now, as you enter a new cycle that can be inspiring. Good advice seems to be circulating around, and you may be the recipient or the source, and possibly both. You express yourself with more enthusiasm, and perhaps more importantly, with more faith, and this goes over very well with others, leading you to feel especially “heard” and reinforced.
Capricorn
Capricorn
There has been a stronger focus on relationships and balance in the past weeks, dear Capricorn, and you are now shifting your attention to deeper, more intimate matters with the Sun and Mercury now in your solar eighth house. Life is becoming a little more serious for you, and you’re more interested in digging deep than skimming the surface of things. Your intimate world assumes more importance, and you take more notice of the less obvious elements of circumstances and people around you. Today, the Sun and Mercury align in this area of your chart, and there can be a lot of thought given to, or desire /opportunity to speak about, a private, hidden, or taboo matter. You may be clearing the air now, and feeling some form of release as a result. You can reach important conclusions about a relationship or about yourself, as you see a matter more clearly. Writing about your feelings can also be highly useful, leading to important realizations.
Aquarius
Aquarius
Today is strong for taking a step back emotionally and really taking a good, objective look at a situation, dear Aquarius. It can be a day when a missing puzzle piece of information is discovered, or when especially meaningful conversations and conclusions happen. Good energy is with you for love relationships and partnerships today, although it’s not necessarily very deep, as it’s more about mental engagement than anything at the moment. Let others lead the conversations now, and listen closely – you may very well get an earful! Whether you are contributing ideas or playing a supportive role as you bring new light to a problem or good advice to the table, it’s a day for getting places mentally. You are now leaving a cycle in which work and routines seem to have dominated your attention, and entering a period in which social or partnering matters come into stronger focus.
Pisces
Pisces
Pay special attention to the details today, dear Pisces, as you have much to gain from what you see and discover now. Communication issues tend to dominate. Good energy is with you for sorting out work and health matters in a logical manner. You can gain more clarity about either of these things today. There can be an epiphany or realization about a health issue or solution or a work or service matter. You are entering a period in which there is stronger or renewed energy for work and routines, as the Sun and Mercury are now transiting your solar sixth house. While it’s not the best time for recognition or worldly success, it’s a strong period for self-development and laying the groundwork for future success.
The Balance of the Signs and the Elements on Thursday, July 23rd
LEO STRONG
Self-confident, generous, warm-hearted, powerful leader, dramatic. Can be overly proud, vain, extravagant, arrogant.
LIBRA STRONG
Even-handed, harmonious, artistic, diplomatic, balancing, strong sense of fairness. Can be over- compromising, appeasing, judgmental.
FIRE STRONG
Fire is enthusiastic, dynamic, and spontaneous, but lacks reflection. We are more courageous and adventurous now, with a tendency to act before thinking. There is little concern about what happened in the past. We are competitive and possibly impatient or bored easily.
The Page of Swords
Ingwaz
The Axe Head
The Emperor
The Fool
Witches Of The Craft® 
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