Your Daily Horoscopes for Monday, July 25th

Aries

Today can be wonderful for love, self-expression, learning, connecting, and creating, dear Aries. Keep your schedule just a little bit open today for best results. If you’ve been feeling less than confident, you’ll get a nice boost today. Also today, you begin a new cycle in which home life becomes more fulfilling and secure with extra attention. Self-healing efforts can be powerful as well. Tending to your home base, matters of security and comfort, the needs of your loved ones, and your own safety and care are empowering and even healing activities now and until October. Bringing more structure and order to the home can be an important part of this, but the emotional side is also in focus. You might find ways to work from or in the home, and this builds a sense of comfort.

Taurus

Family activities can thrive, dear Taurus. There is extra energy available to your personal life today, and it’s important to do something with it rather than let it hang there, stimulating restlessness and discontent. Some of you may feel the need to put a negative situation behind you, and the courage to do so (or impatience!) emerges now. Also today, you begin a cycle that lasts until October in which you take a stronger interest in learning projects and communications, such as writing or speaking, particularly with well-defined goals or related to business. People are taking you seriously and are drawn to your advice or ideas. This cycle is excellent for counseling and talking through problems. It’s also a good period for gathering truly useful, helpful information.

Gemini

This is a good time for sharing ideas and making connections, dear Gemini, but as cooperative as you feel now, you’re likely to want to pursue your ideas and plans independently. Gather inspiration, and then come to your own conclusions. Also today, you are entering a cycle in which you are likely to explore or discover the magical healing powers of activities that are simple, natural, and earthy. You might need to feel more connected with nature to feel alive and well. You are more patient and persistent with money and business during this period. Emotionally, you are at your best if you develop self-sufficiency, with few expectations of others.

Cancer

You’ll want to take action or take charge when it comes to matters related to security, money, and career today, dear Cancer. The enterprising side of you emerges, and while you don’t mind exchanging ideas with others, you’re in an independent frame of mind. With Vesta entering your sign today and continuing to transit Cancer until October 20th, there can be a very healthy focus on your own needs and desires. There is wisdom found through focus on the self, in moderation of course, as it can be healing. Others can see you as exceptionally competent, although a little withdrawn or hard to reach. Be dedicated and persistent, but watch for obsessiveness, during this trend.

Leo

Wanderlust can grab hold today, dear Leo. You won’t appreciate feeling constrained or restricted right now. You can feel excitement about a new idea or perspective and ride on that energy. You might thoroughly enjoy teaching or guiding others today. You’re beginning a cycle that lasts until October and puts you in touch with your needs for, and the healing benefits of, some level of solitude, meditation, and reflection. You may wish to set up a routine that encourages these things, such as a regular walk or time of day when you’re on your own and in peaceful surroundings. Making more time for these things can not only bring you into better touch with your needs, it can also help you bring a healthier “you” to your career and relationships.

Virgo

If you can manage some alone time today, dear Virgo, you can get a whole lot accomplished. Even if you can’t squeeze it in, your thoughts can often turn to what’s going on inside. You can feel quite motivated and inspired to take charge of your private life. You may be considering your dependencies and devising ways to feel more able to manage your life on your own. It’s a good time for self-discovery and uncovering feelings that are at the root of problem areas in your life. Also today, you begin a cycle in which you can feel quite committed to a friend, cause, or group. Lasting until October, this is a good time to pour some energy into a dream or happiness goal.

Libra

This is a fine day for social activities, dear Libra, as well as for enthusiasm and inspiration gathered from a partner and friends. You’ll want to channel extra energy into activities for best results. Otherwise, you may feel restless. You begin a cycle that lasts until October in which you experience more patience and drive for realizing your goals, particularly related to career. It’s very important to bring more structure and order to your endeavors. You may be in the position of manager, leader, or organizer during this cycle.

Scorpio

You can feel revitalized through your work or your practical focus today, dear Scorpio. It’s a good time to not only feel motivated and confident about pursuing health and work goals but to take action on these matters. Try not to overdo things to prevent this energy from burning out too quickly. You are also entering a cycle, lasting until October, that improves your focus and concentration levels. You are seeking out more meaning in your life, and with a stronger sense of purpose, you’re more likely to thrive. It’s easier to make commitments and fulfill them. You may very well find that living a slightly more ordered life is freeing!

Sagittarius

Confidence builds today, dear Sagittarius, and you’ll want to express yourself creatively or through adventuresome activities now. It can be a spirited time that’s best enjoyed if you lay out some broad goals. If you structure your day too tightly, your creativity may suffer. You are entering a cycle today in which there’s much going on under the surface of things and behind the scenes. Healing can come through counseling and therapy or an intimate relationship. You can feel a surge of motivation to make significant lifestyle changes and improvements. Research can bring rewards, but avoid digging so deeply that you end up exposing things you’re not ready to see.

Capricorn

You’ll want to take the lead or take action in your personal life today, dear Capricorn. It can be difficult for you to simply let things flow on the home front — you’re craving more involvement and activity that provides you with a sense you’re growing, improving, and truly living life. You are entering a cycle today that reminds you that you can get a whole lot more done if you are paired up with someone special. While you often feel that you do your best work on your own, others tend to jump start or motivate your own efforts during this cycle that lasts until October. You should watch for putting so much effort into your relationships or into others’ needs that you ignore your own, however. You might also find that your close relationships become tense without an active focus, project, or purpose.

Aquarius

You’ll feel the need to take the lead in your social life today, dear Aquarius, and you may very well inspire others with your ideas and plans. It’s a spirited time for connecting and communicating. You may feel a little restless if you don’t have stable outlets for excess energy, however. Even so, spontaneity is important right now, so make plans, but leave some room for changes. You also begin a cycle today that helps you put more order and structure into your daily life, routines, health pursuits, and work. Adding a little more order or structure to your routines can be a major key to healing. You can also feel a building need to tend to your natural need for exercise and proper nutrition.

Pisces

A surge of confidence for dealing with the practical side of your life is with you today, dear Pisces. You’re not content to simply think about ways to improve your finances, work, and services — you need to take action. Even little steps that move you closer to your goals can be very satisfying now. So that you don’t burn out too quickly, starting small may be just what you need. Also today, you begin a cycle in which you feel the sparks of excitement about a hobby, project, or other interest building. In the coming weeks, really getting somewhere with a hobby or pastime is possible, whether it’s a venture already in place, a rekindling of an old interest, or an entirely new source of inspiration. In fact, this can all be very healing for you, so tap into your creative muse.

Weekly Astrology: July 25 – 31, 2016

Flashes of brilliance

By Maria DeSimone

Weekly, Astrology

Part of the Daily Insight Group

Weekly Forecast: July 24 – 30, 2016

a message from Kelly M. Beard

To view more of Kelly’s insight, please visit her website, KarmicTools.com

The Karmic Tools Weekly Forecast covers the current planetary transits which affect people in different ways and to various degrees of intensity.  Take notice when it is a Personal planet (Sun / Moon / Mercury / Venus / Mars) interacting with a Social (Jupiter/Saturn) or Collective planet (Uranus / Neptune/Pluto).  And pay extremely close attention when it is a Social planet interacting with a Collective planet because that means something *big* is brewing that will move large groups of people along their evolutionary paths. Tuning in to the energy and rhythm of the planets can serve as a useful *guide* as you move along your Individual Path.  It also helps to understand your place within the context of the larger Social & Collective Story. Below, you will find out how these energies tend to manifest, as well as guidance and direction.

*NOTE* There are some days when there are NO CONTACTS (besides the Moon), please note that there are no missing entries, we just list the actual Activations of each week + the day they happen.  

Weekly Forecast: July 24 – 30, 2016

7/27 ~ Mercury (voice) ~trine~ Uranus (individuality):

This activation gives you access to your Higher Mind and opens the way for new, deeper insights that can guide & direct you at this time. Business as usual will not work, it’s time to open up to the unusual, do something different, look at things from another angle and watch the ah-ha’s start pouring in. Your intuition will be firing on all cylinders, giving you access to unprecedented clarity. While your thinking may lack discipline, your ability to access solutions to any recent (or long-standing) challenges will be off the charts. This energy will not be contained, even though it is generally all mental, you really will have a hard time keeping up with the ideas, thoughts, concepts & intuitions that come to you under this influence so try to take notes that you can refer to later when the grounding will be necessary. Pay attention to the messages that come through/from others as well since you never know how the Universe will show up. This alone is an indication that whatever your consciousness may not have been previously ready to assimilate or process is awakening now to that which is just for you!

7/29 ~ Mercury (ideas, thoughts & concepts) ~square~ Mars (desire & actions):

This activation can be a tough one for some. If your beliefs are out of alignment with your actions, if you are not self-aware or act-out unconsciously, being selfish or childish, than watch out, because squares test you to grow and change in some way. Often, this also means that you are suppressing your nature in some way, which is never really a good idea. When you suppress your Soul, it can make your human more sensitive or defensive, taking things personally as a threat or challenge. If you catch your Self feeling irritable for no apparent reason, try to step back and gain some perspective before responding to your own thoughts or another’s words. Mercury & Mars getting together, in this challenging way, can provoke debates and, in some people, actual fights, so be careful. The deeper aspect of this activation is that some part of you wants to express, perhaps in a new way, and your monkey-mind has got you all off track. Mars demands that you know who you are and what you want, and is the Divine Masculine part of you, which is supposed to hold good boundaries, protect you and negotiate on your behalf in the world. If you know something that you are not acting on, this can be frustrating. If you are acting in ways that are not allowing you to think things through, this too can cause accidents, problems and delays. It is best to pull in until you are clear. And also keep in mind, you may not be out of alignment in the above ways, but those around you may be and will likely have no context for what they are feeling and therefore, become indiscriminate with their choices & actions.

Astrology of Today – July 25, 2016

• The Moon is in Aries all day (until Tuesday, July 26th, at 11:37 AM).
• The Moon is waning and in its Waning Gibbous phase.
• A Full Moon occurred on the 19th, and a Last Quarter Moon will occur tomorrow.
• Mars is direct and in its post-retrograde shadow until August 22nd.

Magickal Activity for July 24th, the Tenjin Festival

Simple Healing Spell

Items needed:

one sheet of green construction paper

a black pen or marker

string

one green votive candle.

Draw a human shape on the sheet of paper using the black pen or marker. Cut the figure out as you would a paper doll, and write your name on one side of it. Rub the doll over your body and visualize your health problems being transferred to the doll. Bind the doll with the string as you chant:

As I bind my illness into thee,

Let good health return to me.

Light the green candle and place the doll next to it. When the green candle has completely burned out, take your doll to the nearest river and toss it upon the water. As your doll is consumed by the water, so your illness is washed away.

July 25th

Tenjin Festival

Dating back to 949 A.D. the Tenjin Festival held in Osaka, Japan, enables the people to purge themselves of sickness and ill health. Traditionally, each participant brings a sheet of paper into the shrine, where he or she will then make a paper doll. The doll is then rubbed over the body and then taken to the Dojima River and dropped in. It is believed that all sickness and ill health are transferred to the doll and dispelled with the discarding of the paper.

DAILY MAGICKAL APPLICATIONS FOR MONDAY

Monday is named after the moon. The Latin term for Monday is Dies Lunae (“moon’s day”); in the Old English language, this day was Monandaeg; in Greek, it was Hermera Selenes. All of these different names and languages translate to the same thing: the “day of the moon.”

Working with the different phases of the moon is an important skill that takes a bit of time for Witches to learn. So why not cut to the chase and experiment with the day of the week that is dedicated to the moon in all of its magickal energies and aspects?

Magickally, Monday encourages the lunar energies of inspiration, illusion, prophetic dreams, emotions, psychic abilities, travel, women’s mysteries, and fertility.

Source

Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week
Ellen Dugan

Harnessing Elemental Magic

(A Witch’s Guide to Elemental Magic)

Viivi James

So here’s what you need:
A mirror that can beangled downwards.
A photo of the target.
A white candle and a black candle.

You  can charge your mirror, if you’d like. You can charge it with the Sun to make the experience more positive for the target, so that it dawns on them that they’re hurting you without causing them any mental anguish. Charge it with the Moon to make them feel guilty, embarrassed, or otherwise negative emotions about how they have treated you.
Once it’s charged, take the mirror and place the photo in front of it. Angle the mirror down so that the photo is in its frame.specifically focused on the person’s face. Light your candles, and then focus your attention on your target.
Say this chant at least ten times:
You’ve hurt me dearly But soon
you’ll see How you cause pain and strife for me

Once you feel you’ve put enough energy into this chant, place the mirror on top of the photo. Blow out your candles, the white candle first, and then the black candle. Leave the mirror on top of the photo for at least 48 hours.

Harnessing Elemental Magic (A Witch’s Guide to Elemental Magic)
Viivi James

Let’s Talk Witch – The Horror of Knowing Yourself

Okay, so are you ready to try out a curse?

I believe that curses are a completely normal part of magic crafting, and that utilizing your dark energy is important for spiritual and mental health. If you are against curses, the answer to this is simple: don’t use any of my curses!

I know, curses can be scary. People have been telling you about curses coming back to you three times as strong for decades now. But guess what! It doesn’t really work that way.

The Threefold Law, as it’s commonly known within Wicca and a few other magical traditions, states that any energy you put out into the world, be it positive or negative, will come back to you three times as powerful. Obviously, if that’s true, curses are a bad idea.

But energy doesn’t multiply on its own like that. Maybe if the target catches onto the curse and purposefully sends it back more powerful, then it might come back to you. Otherwise, there is no reason to believe that the energy will do anything but degrade as at reaches its target, and if they simply deflect it, it will degrade even more before it comes back to you.

Still, there is some virtue in refusing to cultivate and use that dark garden of magic within you. If you simply want to grow positivity and light, then that is your choice. It just isn’t a very balanced one.

Okay, okay, enough of that. Let’s get to the curse! Let’s say you know someone who has a nasty habit or personality trait. Maybe this person gives backhanded compliments without even knowing it.
How can you get a person to reflect on their flaw? The answer is right there! In the word ‘reflect’!

Harnessing Elemental Magic (A Witch’s Guide to Elemental Magic)
Viivi James

Monday Is Ruled By the Moon

This day of the week is dedicated to the moon and all of her magic and mystery. Mondays are for women’s mysteries, illusion, prophetic dreaming, emotions, travel, and fertility.

Some suggestions for Monday enchantments would include:

*Getting outside and looking for the moon in the heavens. Sit under her light and absorb a little glamour. Call on the moon goddess Selene for practical help in magical issues.

*Invoking the god Thoth for wisdom and insight

*Empowering your silver jewelry under the light of the moon. Wear moonstone or pearl jewelry today to add a lunar and magical shimmer to your outfit. Be mysterious and subtle and wear moon-associated colors such as white, silver, and blue.

*Working spells for safe travel with a simple moonstone

*Gathering bluebells, jasmine, gardenias, or white roses to create a little garden witchery with the flowers that are associated with the moon

*Setting up a lunar Tarot spell today to increase your psychic powers

*Eating a lunar fruit such as a melon to be healthy, serene, and at peace

*Brewing up a cup of chamomile or mint tea and enchanting it for sweet dreams and restful sleep

The Witches Correspondences for Monday, July 25

Day: Monday ( Moon-day)

Planet: Moon

Colors: Silver and White and Grey

Crystals: Moonstone, Pearl, Aquamarine, Silver, Selenite

Aroma: Jasmine, Lemon, Sandalwood, Moon Oil, African violet, Honeysuckle, Myrtle, Willow, and Wormwood

Herb: Moonwort

The sacred day of the Moon, personified by such goddesses as Selene, Luna, Diana, and Artemis. The Moon is ruler of flow affecting the changeable aspects of people. If a full moon falls on a Monday, its powers are at their most potent.

Magical aspects: peace, sleep, healing, compassion, friendships, psychic awareness, purification, and fertility

Monday is ruled by the moon – an ancient symbol of mystery and peace. Monday is a special day for mothers as the cycle of the moon has long been associated with the female menstrual cycle. Those wishing to conceive a baby would be wise to try on a Monday as the magic of motherhood is strong and pregnancy is in the air.

This is the proper day of the week to perform spells and rituals involving agriculture, animals, female fertility, messages, reconciliation’s, theft, voyages, dreams, emotions, clairvoyance, home, family, medicine, cooking, personality, merchandising, psychic work, Faerie magic, and Goddess rituals.

The Witches Almanac for Monday, July 25th

Monday (Moon): Peace, sleep, healing, compassion, friends, psychic awareness, purification, and fertility.

St. James’ Day

Waning Moon
The Waning Moon (from the Full Moon to the New) is a time for study, meditation, and little magical work (except magic designed to banish harmful energies).

Moon Phase: Third Quarter

Moon Sign: Aries
Aries: Good for starting things, but lacks staying power. Things occur rapidly, but quickly pass. People tend to be argumentative and assertive.

Incense: Rosemary

Color: Lavender

Magical Days Of the Week – Monday

Monday is the day of the moon itself, and it’s a day that’s connected to lunar colors like silver, white, or even a pale blue. Metals and gemstones like silver, pearl, opal and moonstone all come into play today.

There are plenty of deities associated with the moon – Thoth and Diana for instance – and herbal correspondences include many members of the mint family. Utilize wintergreen or peppermint, as well as catnip, comfrey, sage and chamomile in your workings.

When it comes to Monday magic, because of that lunar connection, it’s a good time to focus on workings related to childbearing and family life, purity and virginity, healing, wisdom, and intuition. Do a little bit of self exploration and work on developing your intuition – learn to trust your gut. Celebrate birth and life, and make some magic to fix what is broken.

Author

Patti Wigington, Paganism/Wicca Expert
Article published on & owned by About.com

Monday’s Witchery

Think for a moment on all of the witchery, magick and enchantments that you have discovered. Don’t be afraid to adjust spells to suit your own specific needs. Any gentle, illusory, and dreamy charms and spells can be enhanced when you work on the day of the week that is dedicated to the moon. Mondays are a fantastic day to boost your psychic abilities and to tune in to your intuition and empathy. It also gives you the opportunity to work with a different lunar phase each and every Monday, which means in one month you could work four different types of moon magicks on Mondays. How’s that for adding to your repertoire? You are going to have mad skills in no time at all.

So light up those lunar scented candles and add a little mystique to your outfit by wearing an enchanting lunar color. Wear your sparkling silver jewelry and maybe add a pair of dangling silver earrings or a pendant shaped like a crescent moon. Create lunar potions and philters; make a dream catcher and give it as a gift to someone you love. Burn some sandalwood or jasmine-scented incense today to inspire the glamour and magick of the moon. Slice up a favorite variety of fruit that is in season for a snack or share it with your love and enjoy his or her lunar and romantic qualities. Brew up a cup of chamomile tea, enchant it with a little moon magick, and relax and get a good night’s sleep.

Most importantly, get outside tonight and watch the moon for a while. What phase is she in? What color was the moon as she rose? Why not start a journal and write down at what location the moon rises and sets for a few seasons? This is a great way to teach you to tune in and to become more aware of the moon and the influence that she pulls into our lives. Try calling on Selene for her magickal assistance, and call Thoth for wisdom and strength. Get to know the Norse Mani and the Latvian Meness. These gods of the moon have plenty to teach, and if you allow their influence to cycle through your life, you’ll receive many blessings. Be imaginative, and create your own personal lunar magick and witchery. Go on….the moonlight becomes you.

Source

Book of Witchery: Spells, Charms & Correspondences for Every Day of the Week
Ellen Dugan

Monday, Monday…..

Monday is ruled by the moon. Magical work planned for a Monday should involve aspects of the Goddess and any rites to honor her. In Wicca, the phases of the moon are revered as natural symbols of the different phases of womanhood. Spells and rituals invoking change are appropriate for a Monday. The moon rules the tides, so spells involving water are also appropriate for this time. Think of purification and cleansing work that you may need to do. Even consecrating your chalice would be an appropriate work for a Monday. Meditate on the aspects of the Greek maiden huntress, Artemis, twin sister of Apollo, or on her Roman counterpart, Diana of the silver bow. The lunar energy will bless your work if you acknowledge it correctly.

Source

A Witch’s Grimoire: Create Your Own Book of Shadows
Judy Ann Olsen

On Monday, July 25th, We Celebrate….

Tenjin (Japan)

TAMAYORIHIME

Themes: Cleansing; Health; Children; Water

Symbol: Water (especially moving water or saltwater)
About Tamayorihime:
An ancient Japanese sea goddess, Tamayorihime rules not only moving water sources but also all matters of health. She also watches over birth waters to ensure a speedy, safe delivery for pregnant women.
To Do Today: This festival began in 949 C.E. as a way to get rid of summer maladies. If you’ve had a cold, the flu, or some other ailment, try an adaptation of Japanese custom. Take a piece of paper that you’ve left on your altar for a while and rub it on the area of your body that’s afflicted. Drop the paper into moving water (like the toilet) to carry away sickness in Tamayorihime’s power. Alternatively, burn the paper to purge the problem. Mingle the ashes with a few drops saltwater and carry them in a sealed container as a Tamayorihime amulet for health.

For personal cleansing and healing, soak in an Epsom-salt bath today. As you lie in the tub, stir the water clockwise with your hand to draw Tamayorihime’s health to you, or counterclockwise so she can banish a malady. If time doesn’t allow for this, add a very small pinch of salt to your beverages and stir them similarly throughout the day, while mentally or verbally reciting this invocation:

Health be quick, health be kind,
within this cup the magic bind!
Drink the beverage to internalize Tamayorihime’s energy.

365 Goddess: A Daily Guide To the Magic and Inspiration of the goddess
Patricia Telesco

The Goddess Book of Days for Monday, July 25th

The 25th In Haiti, the day of the Papa Ogou or St. James, who is also Ogu or Ogun. (Hephaestus, Eros, Vulcan.) In India Naga Panchami, day of the Serpent God who is Damballah, Ganesha, or Serpent Goddesses Tiamat, Atargatis, Nina, Nammu, Kwannon, Nu Kwa, Kwan Yin, Sedna, Coatlique, Cretan Snake Goddess, Rainbow Serpent, and Aida Wedo.

 
The Goddess Book of Days
Diane Stein

The Pagan Book of Days for Monday, July 25th

Furrina was an ancient Italian goddess of springs. This festival is related closely to that of 23 July. Now is the time when a drought may begin to “bite,” and the value of springs is appreciated. A good day to remember our vital reliance on sources of water.

Reference

The Pagan Book of Days
Nigel Pennick