Lunar Correspondences for Spellcasting

The Moon represents the feminine principle and is a symbol for the natural cycle of birth, life and regeneration. Her best personification is that of the Triple Goddess (Maiden, Mother, Crone) which is an image found in many early religions. The lunar phases (Waxing, Waning or Full Moon) can be made use of when planning your magical work.

It is always useful to have your rituals and spells coincide with the appropriate astrological influences. For example, spells and rituals calling on the Moon and involving the Element of Earth should be performed during a time when the Moon is positioned in one of the three astrological earth signs of Taurus, Virgo or Capricorn. Spells involving the Element of Fire should be done when the Moon is in Aries, Leo or Sagittarius; spells involving the Element of Air when the Moon is in Gemini, Libra or Aquarius, whilst spells involving the Element of Water should be performed when the Moon is in Cancer, Scorpio or Pisces.

You could also use the appropriate incenses for your rituals and there are other correspondences in the application of magic which might be utilized as shown below:

MOON IN ARIES Magic involving anything to do with authority, leadership, rebirth, moving on or spiritual conversion should achieve success. Healing rituals for ailments of the face, head or brain are also best performed at this time.

MOON IN TAURUS At this time you can work magic for love, security, possessions and money. Healing rituals for illnesses of the throat, neck and ears are also undertaken during at this time.

MOON IN GEMINI This is a good time to work magic for anything to do with communication, including writing, e-mails, public relations, moving house or office and travel. Ailments of the shoulders, arms, hands or lungs also respond well to healing rituals done during this period of time.

MOON IN CANCER This is the best time to work magic for home and domestic life, and also any nurturing activities. Healing rituals for ailments of the chest or stomach should be carried out during this period of time.

MOON IN LEO Courage, fertility and childbirth are all ruled by Leo as is the power over others, so this is the best time to work such magic. Healing rituals for problems of the upper back, spine or heart all seem to have some success during this period of time.

MOON IN VIRGO At this time magic worked for questions involving employment, intellectual matters, health and dietary concerns is much enhanced. Healing rituals for ailments of the intestines or nervous system are also best done during this period of time.

MOON IN LIBRA Magic involving artistic work, justice, court cases, partnerships and unions, mental stimulation, and karmic, spiritual, or emotional balance receive a boost when worked at this time. Healing rituals for ailments of the lower back or kidneys have additional energy now.

MOON IN SCORPIO This is the best time to work magic involving sexual matters, power, psychic growth, secrets and fundamental transformations. Healing rituals for difficulties with the reproductive organs are also most effective during this period.

MOON IN SAGITTARIUS This is the opportune time to work magic for publications, legal matters, travel and revealing truth. Healing rituals for ailments of the liver, thighs or hips are also done at this time.

MOON IN CAPRICORN This is an ideal time to work magic for ambition, career, organization, political matters and recognition. Healing rituals for the knees, bones, teeth and skin are best performed at this time.

MOON IN AQUARIUS This is the best time to work magic involving scientific matters, freedom of expression, problem solving, extra sensory abilities and the breaking of bad habits or unhealthy addictions. Ailments of the calves, ankles or blood receive benefit from healing rituals.

MOON IN PISCES Magic worked on the psychic arts involving dream work, clairvoyance, telepathy and music is enhanced at this time. Healing rituals for problems with the feet or lymph glands benefit from the flow of energy.

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2015 November 24

Aurora over Clouds
Image Credit & Copyright: Daniele Boffelli

Explanation: Auroras usually occur high above the clouds. The auroral glow is created when fast-moving particles ejected from the Sun impact the Earth’s magnetosphere, from which charged particles spiral along the Earth’s magnetic field to strike atoms and molecules high in the Earth’s atmosphere. An oxygen atom, for example, will glow in the green light commonly emitted by an aurora after being energized by such a collision. The lowest part of an aurora will typically occur at 100 kilometers up, while most clouds usually exist only below about 10 kilometers. The relative heights of clouds and auroras are shown clearly in the featured picture from Dyrholaey, Iceland. There, a determined astrophotographer withstood high winds and initially overcast skies in an attempt to capture aurora over a picturesque lighthouse, only to take, by chance, the featured picture along the way.

November 24

Moon heading for Taurus

Tonight – November 24, 2015 – as darkness falls around the world, the almost-full waxing gibbous moon will be traveling eastward toward the constellation Taurus the Bull. Because the moon is so bright on this night, and will continue to shine brightly as it moves through Taurus over the next several nights, it’ll very difficult to view the starry outline of the Bull right now. Still, you might pick out some prominent features of Taurus, particularly the bright reddish star Aldebaran and the Pleiades star cluster, near the moon over these next several nights.

Eventually, as the moon makes its rounds through the constellations of the Zodiac, the moon will leave the evening sky.

Thus by late November, and in the first few weeks of December, you’ll have the opportunity to view the starlit figure of the Bull in all his majesty.

Despite tonight’s lunar glare, you still might be able to spot the constellation Taurus’ two most brilliant signposts: Aldebaran and the Pleiades star cluster. The star Aldebaran will probably be the easier of these two stellar “landmarks” to see in tonight’s moon-drenched sky. For a better view of the sky scene, try blocking out the moon with your finger.

So your sky tonight might look like the chart below.

In previous posts, a few people have questioned our saying that the moon always moves eastward in front of the constellations of the Zodiac. We get it! The moon’s motion is complex and possibly confusing. But it’s true – if you watch you’ll see. The moon always moves eastward through the constellations of the Zodiac, but – if you watch the moon during the night – you’ll observe that it moves westward across the sky, much as the sun does during the day.

Use these two stellar signposts – Aldebaran and the Pleiades cluster – to notice that they, too, go westward across the sky during the night. Keep in mind that the westward motion of the moon and stars across the sky tonight (and the westward motion of the sun during the day) is really a reflection of the Earth spinning upon its rotational axis from west-to-east.

In the parlance of astronomers, the daily westward movement of the stars, sun, moon and planets is referred to as diurnal motion.

To discern the moon’s true orbital (eastward) motion around Earth, note the moon’s change of position at the same time each day, relative to the backdrop stars of the Zodiac. The star Aldebaran is on the Zodiac, too. Notice the moon’s location with respect to this star tonight, and then look again tomorrow night. You’ll see the moon’s eastward motion among stars of Zodiac. This motion is a reflection of the moon’s true motion in orbit around Earth.

Bottom line: The November 24 moon is edging up on the constellation Taurus the Bull, with its bright star Aldebaran and prominent Pleiades star cluster. How to spot them. This post also explains how – even though the moon and Taurus will go westward across the sky – the moon is always moving eastward relative to the stars!

About the Author

Bruce McClure

Bruce McClure is the chief writer for the popular EarthSky Tonight pages. Since joining EarthSky in 2004, he has written thousands of astronomy articles, enjoyed here by millions. He also writes, gives planetarium shows and hosts a wide assortment of public astronomy programs in and around his home in upstate New York. If you ask an astronomy question on our site, it’s likely to be Bruce that answers it. His love for the heavens has taken him to Lake Titicaca in Bolivia, and he has sailed the North Atlantic, earning his celestial navigation certificate through the School of Ocean Sailing and Navigation. Bruce is also a sundial aficionado. He says his number one passion – besides his wife Alice – is stargazing.

The Words of Confucius

We should feel sorrow, but not sink under its oppression.

Your Daily Influences
November 24, 2015

Four of Wands
Work will be well done. Peace and harmony will be realized.

Isa
The Ice Rune, represents stagnation and a passionless existence. Your life’s course may seem blurry at the moment, but if you persevere you will move onto better days.

The Tusk
There is a good vibration surrounding this aspect. It feels better than it has in quite some time. Maintain your faith in your deity of choice and this good vibration will remain. Waiver from your faith and this good vibration will dissipate.

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.

Shuffling the Cards, Your Past, Present & Future Reading for Today

Past Influence whose impact on your life is waning.

The Lotus

The Lotus represents the spiritual self in its purest form. It reminds us that for most achieving a well developed spirituality is a journey which can be long and arduous. The spirit of the Lotus is not of our secular world, and the presence of The Lotus suggests that what is needed can be found by exploring your relationship with the Universe not as a physical entity pursuing material gain, but as a divine soul in need of celestial sustenance.

Present Influence whose impact on your life is very strong.

Strength

Strength denotes an inner power, mastery of will, development of inner might, and the ability to lead effectively. Through mastering one’s emotions and learning from both success and failure the person Strength represents has reached a place where they are influential without applying physical force, able to weather the roughest of storms, and not likely to abandon the less fortunate. Strength also denotes a large capacity for forgiveness and compassion. Strength is not as much about winning as it is about overcoming hardship, and using well crafted persuasion to ease others to your side.

Future influence whose impact on your life is growing and will be very strong in the future.

The Owl

The powerful Owl easily makes its way through the darkest night on muted wings. Often it is only their haunting call echoing across the land that lets us know The Owl is near. Because of its amazing night vision, many cultures have attributed wisdom and the ability to uncover even the deepest secrets to the enigmatic, noble Owl. The Owl’s nocturnal prowess has lead many to see them as a messenger between the material and spirit worlds. Cultures as distinct as the African Zulus and ancient Celtics have ascribed magical powers to The Owl made them a revered companion to shaman and wizards.

Your Ancient Symbol Card for Today

The Hand

Although the exact meaning may vary, The Hand is a symbol of some form of personal power in many cultures and religions. The presence of The Hand is an indication that your personal powers are at or near their zenith. The Hand suggest a time when you should leave your mark on the world.

As a daily card, The Hand suggest that now is a time for you to leave your mark on the world. Your unique strengths are heightened to a point where you can not only expect to make substantial progress towards your goals, but enjoy recognition for your efforts as well.

Today’s Witches Rune

The Star

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.

Additional Information About Today’s Witches Rune courtesy of Your Spiritual Journey Australia

Your Crowley Thoth Tarot Card for Today

Death

First and foremost Death does not specifically pertain to our physical death. The Death card marks ends and beginnings. Although most illustrations of the Death card tend to be morbid, the forces behind the Death card are actually quite exciting. Yes Death does mark the end of something. But ends are often brought about by completion and not loss. Most endings are actually good, and make room for us to begin new adventures.

Get A Jump on Tomorrow….

Your Horoscopes for Wednesday, November 25th

by Rick Levine

Tarot.com is a Daily Insight Group Site

If You Were Born Today, November 24

Your opinions are strong, and you enjoy sharing them with others. Your imagination is powerful, and you can use this strength creatively in your career, but you may tend to make mountains out of molehills on a personal level. You are an entertaining conversationalist and your mind is active, alert, and interested. Although stubborn at times, you are warm with your loved ones and you are generous with your time. Detaching yourself from situations when you become too emotionally involved can be an important strategy.

Famous people born today: Dale Carnegie, Scott Joplin, Geraldine Fitzgerald.

Courtesy of Cafe Astrology

Your Daily Horoscopes for Tuesday, November 24th

Aries

You can be feeling up and down today, dear Aries, as you entertain big dreams and something brings you back down to earth. Matters related to education, publishing, the law, or travel may demand your attention, or you could be feeling pressure to make a decision or commitment, yet unprepared for it. Plans may require fine-tuning. General disarray or a lack of clear routine can disrupt your flow or ability to concentrate on your priorities. You cannot resolve this in one day, but you can take some steps to bring a little more order to your life and resolve to do more going forward, one step at a time. Otherwise you run the risk of feeling overwhelmed, which makes you even less productive. This is not the best day for healthy relating patterns, so you may need to seriously consider taking a bit of personal space. Try to muster up patience, and avoid putting too much pressure on yourself.

Taurus

With Mercury in conjunction with Saturn today, dear Taurus, there can be a strong desire to start fresh on the level of organization and order in your life. However, clarity can be difficult to come by right now, as much as you’d love it. There may be news or worries about financial matters, but not necessarily solid answers or solutions to problems just for now. Matters need some more thought, so try to take some of the pressure off. If you’ve been flippant or neglectful with friends or a love relationship, you could be feeling this creeping up on you now. Someone might want a commitment from you, but if you’re not ready, take more time. Boundaries blur, and confusing circumstances are possible as a result. A relationship dilemma is possible now. Watch that friendships don’t dissolve through unintentional neglect. Keep your mind on the task at hand as much as possible, and aim to sort out social problems slowly but surely, one step at a time.

Gemini

Relationships can be draining right now, dear Gemini, as there can be quite a push to make a decision, yet confused feelings or confusing signals that leave you on the fence. For some of you, there can be nice progress in a counseling relationship or a mental change in direction with a partner. Nevertheless, a sense that you’re not entirely on solid ground may undermine feelings of progress just for now. If a plan or dream no longer seems feasible, try not to be discouraged, as it may in fact simply need some adjustments. Delays may be blessings in disguise. Today, try not to make final conclusions or decisions based solely on what you’re observing today, as perceptions can swing away from reality, either positively or negatively – or both! Also keep in mind that others may not be revealing the whole story. A general lack of direction in your life is temporary, but it might also be interfering with healthy relationships with others now. Aim to take steps to clean up waste or to put a little more order into your life, one day at a time. The Moon is in your privacy sector all day, and this can point to a need for some solitude or pulling back from demanding situations.

Cancer

You may feel a powerful drive, or need, to take care of business today, dear Cancer, or to attend to a health, work, or wellness matter. However, distractions can be plenty, particularly if you’ve been questioning your general direction or if you’ve been neglecting your need for experiences beyond everyday, mundane chores. Aim to find a better balance between attention to the here-and-now and to your spiritual needs. You may not know where you’re headed exactly, but it’s nevertheless important to take care of your responsibilities while you find yourself and uncover your direction. There can be a general fog surrounding you such that you might easily misplace items or misjudge time, so take extra care with valuables, appointments, and priorities. Life is not as complicated as it appears now. Clear your mind and schedule as much as possible once you’ve handled your priorities. Enjoy and make use of the support of friends and networks.

Leo

Mercury, planet of the mind, meets with serious Saturn today, dear Leo, and you may be taking something especially serious, particularly related to love and creative affairs. You could be feeling some pressure to make a decision or commitment, but there are doubts in the mix and these shouldn’t be ignored. If your prospects seem less realizable or glamorous than you had imagined them, consider working on changes and edits. Examine what it is that is preventing you from enjoying yourself. If you’ve been a little neglectful with financial matters, you could be feeling limited or restricted with current projects. It’s not easy to get clarification from others, particularly in your relationships, just for the time being, and important conclusions or decisions should probably wait until you have more information. Avoid taking on more, and concentrate on simplifying things for yourself so that you don’t feel overwhelmed. Living without a firm direction is a temporary thing and is not as bad as it sounds. In fact, with a little time, you’re likely to discover what is truly important and meaningful to you.

Virgo

Life may seem more complicated than it is right now, dear Virgo, so make things as simple as possible for yourself so that you don’t feel overwhelmed. You may have been spending a lot of time and energy on a relationship or on tending to others, and recognize now and this week that responsibilities to home and family require your undivided attention. You may need to face the music if you’ve been ignoring problems in your life. Alternatively, disappointments in your relationships can feel draining, while your attention to other matters is needed. This could be a day in which you feel a little let down. If someone is pushing for an answer or commitment from you, let them know that you need more time. Thinking is a little foggy, as much as you want to see things clearly. Allow for some level of free form today, and aim to enjoy creative activities. Avoid big purchases, particularly those that involve borrowing from your future on credit. Take the pressure off and focus on priorities, one step at a time. The Moon in your adventure sector all day helps you to see the bigger picture.

Libra

There could be some pressure to make a decision today, dear Libra, but this can leave you feeling drained. You could be wishing you had tidied up recent disorder in your life or chaotic schedules sooner, as it would give you more leeway under times of pressure or stress. If you’re not ready to face facts, you can find that your mind wanders at crucial moments. If you’re able to swing it, try to take a light schedule and look for healthy escapes from the usual routine. There is stop and go energy with you today, as well as a tendency to doubt yourself. Energy levels may be below par, but this could also be a signal that you are not as sure as you think you are when it comes to pursuing your desires and pushing your plans forward. Keep things simple so that you don’t feel overwhelmed today, and avoid roundabout ways for getting to where you want to go.

Scorpio

With Mercury and Saturn coming together in your solar second house today, dear Scorpio, you could feel the need to get serious about money or business affairs, or you could be pressured to make a decision. Perhaps you face the realization that a project will require more of your time and energy than you had estimated. Be realistic, but not pessimistic. You might need to deal with recent excesses or circumstances make you aware of areas of your life that you have neglected or put too much of your energy into without results. Take a sudden lack of energy or delay as a sign that your plans need refining. There can be a frustrating either/or energy to the day that could have you feeling that life is a whole lot more complicated than it actually is. Try not to feel overwhelmed, as more than likely, you’ll have a lot of time to work through imbalances in your life. Aim to handle one thing at a time, one step at a time. You’re likely to find that sharing the load works best now.

Sagittarius

You could be feeling a little deflated today and to some degree this week, dear Sagittarius, as certain plans or dreams may not seem quite as realizable, or people in your life don’t seem to be fully in your corner. Keep in mind that your dreams are likely very much still possible – they simply need some refinement. Not everyone is catching on to your needs, and it’s not the ideal day for over the top emotions or for cutting corners. However, you could discover that you can manage things quite fine on your own right now, and you may very well find different outlets for release or escape that are satisfying. People may lean on your for support now. While you should be especially careful that your words are not misconstrued today, try your hand at something creative. You are a person who appreciates direct and straightforward interactions, and today, this may be hard to come by. Allow yourself the extra rest you need, if you are able.

Capricorn

Your mind can take you between the past and the future, and rarely focused on the present today, dear Capricorn. Guilt and worry are the culprits, but they take away from the moment. In moderation, both things are useful if they prompt you to make changes, so aim to take a lesson and avoid wasteful mindsets. Mercury aligns with your ruler, Saturn, and this generally helps you get organized and consider priorities. However, today, Mercury also forms a challenging aspect with Neptune, causing you to see-saw emotionally or mentally. Be clearer than usual in any business or even personal communications early today, or you might find yourself committed to something you don’t intend or later regret. Try not to focus too much on what you’re lacking, and instead consider ways to adjust your plans or goals in order to gain a stronger feeling of direction and meaning. This can’t happen all in one day, so take the pressure off, but do something small to make yourself feel more secure.

Aquarius

Mercury and Saturn align in your sector of friends, hopes, and dreams today, dear Aquarius, and you may need to have a serious “think” about any of these things, or you could feel some pressure to make a decision or commitment. However much you would like to see things clearly, a Mercury-Neptune square is also active now, and your thinking can see-saw from optimistic to pessimistic. If there has been some neglect or wastefulness with money, you could be feeling the pinch and wondering if you can swing certain plans. Be particularly vigilant when it comes to spending or lending, and watch what’s communicated with a friend or in your network, as things can be too easily misconstrued today. Indecision about where you are going is likely now, but while some dreams or plans may not seem as realizable as they once did, in all likelihood, they simply need some adjustments. Right now, you could be feeling a little drained or overwhelmed, but life is far less complicated than it appears in your mind right now. Good energy is with you for pulling back and spending time with yourself or with familiar people. This is a time when sticking with relatively familiar routines can be comforting.

Pisces

What you communicate today could have more impact than usual, dear Pisces, but there can be some misunderstandings, so it’s better to take extra care with what you say or put off important conversations. As much as you’d like to, or need to, get your facts straight, it can be difficult to see things clearly. You’re more inclined to swing between imagining what you’d like to be true and imagining the worst. It will be important to rephrase or add details if you see that you’re not being understood, instead of brooding or questioning whether others are truly interested in your needs. You could find that you are attracting hangers-on or people who seem to expect a lot from you, and this can be overwhelming and draining. Drawing some boundaries may be necessary. Work might also demand more of you than you feel you can muster up now, particularly as you may be a little confused about your general direction for now. Focus on simplifying rather than taking on more tasks or responsibilities. Finding a dream to latch onto can take a bit of time, so give yourself some! Try to find a better balance between personal needs and responsibilities.