The Beauty Witch MARCH: The Stirring of the Cauldron

The way she plays with us, Spring,
coyly giving us a taste of the Sun
only to wave her wand,
and cast us back again into the chill.
But the new season is brewing,
stirring steady and ever faster.
Can you feel it?

March is a most suitable playground for such a fickle dame as Spring. One moment, we rush boldly outdoors with barely a care (or a coat), and the next we must retreat to our dens, gingerly navigating lest we slip on the ice.  And yet, the season of rebirth cannot be denied. Our collective pulse steadily quickens as we edge nearer. March, after all, is named for the Roman god Mars, and carries the lunar pulse of wind and water, aligning to stir things up by way of new energies breaking into the open, while heightening our awareness of the delicate balance between light and dark. The labors endured throughout the long Winter are about to take form. And it couldn’t be more exciting.

We begin the month with an Full Storm Moon in earthy Virgo.  Arriving on March 3rd, the silver lady reminds us to pay extra attention to our health, especially during a changing season, when our resistance can take an abrupt nosedive without fair warning. Combined with the potential stress inherent during a Full Moon, and Virgo’s natural tendency to overdo it in the perfection department, taking care to boost our immune system is now top priority. Watch out for being excessively critical during this time, my Loves, and do your best to let any disapproval hurled in your direction roll gracefully off your back. Get caught up in the vortex of judgement? No way! Better to use this lunar moment for positive means: give a good once over to those plans you made and simmered all Winter long, really checking the details, making changes where needed, to send your beloved creation out into the world at its very best!

What you need right now is a lovely, fortifying elixir to fill you with positive energy, and help you to energetically lighten up a bit. This one is brimming with vitamins, antioxidants, beauty fats, minerals, and of course, magick! The secret ingredient? I’d like to introduce you to my dear friend rhodiola rosea, an adaptogen that I recommend to my clients. Adaptogens are tonic herbs which help your body to manage stress of any kind, from a change of temperature to a nervous system upset. This one in particular is a fave of mine for boosting both immunity and energy levels, fighting depression, and improving brain function.

Note: Rhodiola is  safe to take every day, and side effects are extremely rare, however as with any new herbal supplement, please check with your holistic care professional before using.

Spring Ambrosia Elixir

1/2 cup pomegranate juice
1/4 cup raw almonds
1/4 cup raw pistachios
1 cup spring water
1 dropper rhodiola tincture (alcohol free)
1 tablespoon raw coconut nectar, or to taste

Brought to Mt. Olympus on the wings of doves, ambrosia is the food or drink of the gods in ancient Greek (and later Roman) mythology. It holds the power of longevity, and even immortality, to those who consume it.  How’s that for a Full Moon super charge? The triple goddess of nutrients here are Virgo-ruled pomegranate, almond, and pistachio.

Pomegranate is a highly fertile fruit, as it contains many seeds. This makes it a cauldron of creativity, particularly where finances are concerned. Focus this energy toward your Spring goals as you reap the benefits of vitamin C and antioxidants, strengthening your body and keeping your skin youthful. It is also added here for a bit of its fire power, a necessary spark during an earthy Moon.

Almonds are rich in vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein, all of which are building blocks to beautiful skin, hair, and nails. In fact, Cleopatra herself was said to use almonds both in her diet and in her body care rituals! These delightful little nibbles also bring forth healing magick, and can help attract money. 

Pistachios contain a formidable dose of love magick, and, if that’s not enough, they provide serious levels of vitamins E and B-6. That, my Beauties, translates into gorgeous, youthful skin and a balanced nervous system. What a fabulous combination!

Now that you’ve fed your heavenly body, it’s time for a languid stretch to greet a dreamy, rather mystical New Moon in Pisces on March 17th. Pisces greatest superpower is her imagination, entwined with endless creativity and romantic heart. However, under this lunar influence, it is all too easy to sink into the depths of emotions, with sensitivity charged to the point of feeling victimized. How to make it work for you? This New Moon actually sets the stage to attain a higher level of spirituality, so if you’ve been thinking about beginning a meditation practice, studying the ancient esoteric traditions, or exploring new healing modalities, the time is now, my celestial Darlings. Align yourself with exalted cosmic energies, and you will find yourself growing stronger each day.

To assist you on this New Moon, I’ve conjured up a most versatile bath and body potion! An inspiring muse who appears for both spiritual soaks and subtle caresses, leaving you with skin that glistens like lustrous pearl nacre.

Moon Spirit Bath and Body Potion

3 star anise
4 oz. sweet almond oil
1 vanilla bean
13 drops lavender oil
8 drops nutmeg oil
1/4 cup magnesium flakes
1/4 cup Celtic sea salt

Begin by removing the seeds from the star anise pods, then crushing them slightly with a mortar and pestle, just enough to release and activate their scented oil. (If you need a little help getting them out of the pod, you can crush the pod first a bit, then remove the seed, then crush it just a bit more.) Pour the sweet almond oil into a comely potion bottle, and add the star anise seeds. Now, slice the vanilla bean open lengthwise, and carefully scrape the tiny black seeds into the oil. Add in the essential oils, one by one, and swirl the potion clockwise 13 times. Be sure to give thanks, and pinpoint your intentions.

Draw a warm bath on the New Moon, adding in the magnesium flakes, Celtic sea salt, and splash of this calming, sensual blend just before you step in. Both the salts and the magnesium flakes are gifts of the sea, rich in minerals that are easily absorbed into the skin. This will help you to detoxify while soaking up nutrients, with the added bliss of calming the body and easing sore muscles.

When you emerge, lavish your body with the oil. This layers both the elevated energy and the sublime scent for you to carry with you out into the night, and into your dreams. Its scent and potency only grow stronger with time, so enjoy this potion now, and whenever you seek a higher spiritual or creative vibration.

Star Anise is ruled by both Pisces and Jupiter, bearing the gift expansive love magick, to be applied to yourself first, so that you may freely and sincerely extend it to others. It is also a brilliant anti-aging spice that fights wrinkles and firms skin.

Lavender is the great bringer of peace, protection, and happiness. It has a marked effect on your mood, as well as your body,  acting as a soother for irritated skin, and keeping breakouts at bay.

Nutmeg is also governed by Pisces and Jupiter, this time opening up your psychic awareness, perhaps more than you even realize. This delightful essential oil also has powerful anti-aging benefits, and keeps skin clear.

But wait, March has even more in the stars for you! Perhaps the most potent spell is cast this month on March 20th, as the Sun enters powerhouse Aries, beckoning the official start of Spring. The Vernal Equinox, known to witches as Ostara, is presided over by Eostre, originally a Germanic goddess worshipped by the Anglo-Saxons for the budding, beautiful maiden she is: a joyous manifestation of new beginnings, potential, and growth. She reminds us to embrace the magickal child in all of us, so why not dress in something new and sparkly, light a candle for her (or, better yet, a bonfire!), adorn yourself with Spring wildflowers, and open up to the endless straw-into-gold possibilities your imagination can spin…

I would be remiss, Beautiful Ones, if I failed to mention a teensy little hiccup in the month: our divinely communicative Mercury will retrograde on March 22nd, and remain until April 15th. But fear not, my Loves, this only needs to be as dramatic as you make it. Yes, it’s true, the messenger planet does tend to make things a bit frustrating when in retrograde, but smart witches plan ahead. Leaving a cushion of five days prior, strategize your defense: send out important emails, back up your computer, and double check your modes and schedules of transportation. Be especially mindful of potential communication and travel delays or confusion, and stay on top of things throughout. Make sure you have your cel phone on you. Avoid buying electronics, and things of a similar nature. Above all, please don’t sign contracts!

But, should you find yourself in the midst of a Mercury-inspired annoyance, breathe deeply, and try not to overreact. Timing is everything, and even something as intense as a crashed computer happens for a reason.

Beauty Witch Tip: A rough-cut emerald, the gem of Mercury, is not only a distinguished guest on your altar, but also a powerful beauty stone. It has long been revered for its anti-aging and rejuvenating energies. Try placing a small one inside your Moon Spirit Body Oil to charge your potion with its beautifying properties, while asking to be shielded from any negative effects of a Mercury retrograde.

Last, but never least, March draws to a close with the unexpected gift of a second Full Moon. A Blue Moon in lovely Libra sends us gliding into April with a harmonious, romantic ease. As witches know, a Blue Moon is an excellent time to infuse our plans with extra-shimmery faerie dust, so go ahead and shine! You have no idea how brightly you glow.

Stardust and Love to you always,

xo Alise

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