The Beauty Witch: SEPTEMBER

Graceful branches rake the sky
cloaked in evening stars, ever earlier
that reach to entwine limbs
with brand new winds stirring cool and fragrant.
The air is alive with possibilities;
pulses quicken and eyes sparkle bright
for the Season of The Witch has begun

As hard as it is to let go of the blissfully long days of Summer, so ripe and full with wanton joie de vivre, the stirring of the Autumnal cauldron never ceases to excite. Even before the air turns crisp and the nights grow noticeably longer, the sense of excitement is everywhere. Renewed energies burn brightly now, with a hurried electrical charge that runs through the collective consciousness. Fall is upon us, and who doesn’t shiver with glee over the mere thought of it?

With Mars, Mercury and Jupiter now direct – and Saturn fast approaching on September 6th – it is time, finally, to take action after a long Summer’s snooze. The stars always make sense: as it is now Virgo season, tending to the finer details of everything couldn’t be easier. So, as we naturally transition with the change of seasons, we have all the celestial power needed to get things in order, with a much-needed boost of fire to move us along.

September 9^th brings us a fabulous New Moon at 2:01pm EST in perfection-seeking Virgo. The eternal Earth Mother of the zodiac, Virgo is the embodiment of reaping what you sow. It’s all in the details when you work with the Virgin’s energy, however, be careful to not get so lost in the microcosm that you can’t seem to recognize the big picture. This is also the sign of health, so the lesson here is to focus, tend to the specifics of what you wish to create, but keep in mind that you need to replenish, my Loves. (And watch out for getting too serious – that behavior leads to stubborn frown lines!)

What makes this New Moon so spectacular, is that it falls right smack in the midst of an absolutely lovely Jupiter-Pluto dance, setting the stage for great opportunity and success in the long-term. Combine that with the Virgo Moon, and you’ll be able to see a clear plan of strategy for how to get there. How gorgeous is that? One thing to keep in mind: there is also a Neptune opposition in the mix, which means that you need to be extra clear of intention.

I’ve been stirring my own cauldron, of course, and have conjured a fetching bit of Beauty Witch magic for you this month in the form of a star-kissed facial with myriad benefits. This particular blend is excellent for this time of year to sweep away dull and debauched Summer skin, revealing fresh, new cells alight with twinkling stars. Are you ready to seriously glow?

New Light Facial Exfoliant and Masque
Makes 3-4  treatments

1 tablespoon pumpkin pureé (not pie filling)
1 teaspoon grape seed oil
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
8 drops lemon essential oil

In a small bowl, combine pumpkin and grapeseed oil until well blended. Add in the turmeric, cloves, and lemon oil, then mix the potion well.  Apply to a cleansed face, neck, décolleté, and back of hands, massaging into the skin with circular motions to gently exfoliate. If you like, you can then add another layer of masque.  Allow the potion to rest for 1-5 minutes, depending on your level of sensitivity. This is a very active potion, so your skin will feel tingly, especially at first. If you are highly sensitive, you may wish to reduce the amounts of turmeric and lemon. (If you are unsure, I would recommend a little spot test on a small area of your skin.)  When you are ready to remove it, soak a facial cloth in warm water, then press it onto your skin to soften and loosen the masque. Continue to remove the rest with the damp cloth, then rinse well.  Pat dry with a clean towel, then follow with a toning mist and serum or moisturizer. Be sure to top it all off with a high SPF natural sunscreen if you are heading out for the day, as freshly exfoliated skin is particularly vulnerable to UV damage.

You are going to love it! This petite ritual sloughs away dead skin, moisturizes, tightens, helps to reduce fine lines, and makes skin truly radiant. It’s also an excellent treatment for lightening hyperpigmentation that comes from acne scarring and UV exposure, all presented to you with a rich Autumn hue, and a scent that beckons. Try this as you prepare for your New Moon workings after your bath or shower to really set your intention in the body!

Turmeric leads the pack as an ancient Ayurvedic beauty treatment. Antioxidant-rich and anti-inflammatory, this gorgeous orange spice calms skin, reduces redness, protects cells from free radical damage, and imparts an amazing glow. Magically, it purifies and chases negative energy away.

Grapeseed Oil is rich in vitamins and minerals that penetrate into the skin, without feeling heavy or greasy. It does wonders to firm, tighten, minimize wrinkles, and even soothe eczema. It carries the lunar magic of vivid dreams, fertile creativity, and abundance.

Lemon is a gift of the Moon which cleanses, lightens sun spots and scarring, and brightens with vitamin C. These vibrant little lights also bring happiness, love, and purification.

Pumpkin joins the cast as a beauty food star, both internally and topically. Rich in fruit enzymes, it helps to increase cell turnover and repair skin. Its small molecules penetrate deeply, delivering vital nutrients for fighting signs of premature aging. When consumed, it helps to boost collagen production while feeding your skin with major vitamins and minerals. This Fall favorite bears lunar gifts of healing and abundance.

Clove is another beloved Fall ingredient, included here for its antibacterial properties, fire magic, and its spicy, seductive scent.

Beauty Witch Secret:  Having a Tiger’s Eye nearby is always a good thing. A stone of divine vision, it reminds us to have courage, but commands integrity and right use of power. It also represents the balance of light and dark, which especially resonates at this time of year.

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September’s gifts keep giving, for each year it brings us a very special day: the harvest festival of Mabon on the Autumnal Equinox. Known as the witches Thanksgiving, it is the second of the great harvest festivals, and the official beginning of Fall. This year, it is celebrated from the eve of September 21^st-22^nd. Like the Spring Equinox, it is a perfect balance of light and dark, masculine and feminine, inner and outer, and an auspicious time for observing this equilibrium on the verge of transition into the next part of the year. The best part? As with every holiday, celebration abounds! Raise your glass with heartfelt gratitude to the Sun for all his bounty as he begins to wane, extending his hand to the Moon so that she may guide us through the increasingly longer nights. I have created a witchy Fall beauty cocktail just for you, ripe with a cornucopia of riches to set the mood for everyone’s favorite season! It’s absolutely delicious, and works equally well with or without spirts.

Harvest Cocktail
Per serving

½ cup lemon kombucha (or champagne/ginger beer + squeeze of fresh lemon)
½ cup apple cider
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon pumpkin pureé
ice

Pour the apple cider into a cocktail shaker. If you don’t have one, not to worry – a bullet-style blender cup with cap will work just fine. Add in the pumpkin and vanilla. As you are concocting, really feel the changing season. Give thanks for the harvest (yours personally and the collective), and embrace the excitement of what is to come. Add the ice, top with kombucha (or champagne or ginger beer), cap tightly and shake. Strain into a chic glass, top with chopped, lightly cinnamon-sprinkled apples, and enjoy!

In addition to the celebratory magic of whichever base ingredient you choose, and the aforementioned perfection of the pumpkin, this libation includes two stellar gems of Venus, to be enjoyed for their beauty benefits as well as their vibrations.

Apple Cider is a festive way to enjoy the sacred fruit of Avalon, revered throughout the ancient world as an offering to love, beauty, and passion. Loaded with antioxidants, dietary fiber, and phytonutrients, apples are supreme beauty foods.

Vanilla is just stunning in every way, from the delicate orchid flower to its heady perfume and velvety flavor, this unique beauty is also rich in disease-fighting antioxidants, and, though known for its love magic, also has the ability to calm and promote feelings of joy.

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Ending the month an even higher note, we have a gloriously potent Full Moon in Aries on September 24^th (10:52pm EST) giving us a jolt of fiery drive to get things moving, with all the confidence and energy needed to make it happen. Use this time, my Darlings, to be daring. Step out of your comfort zone to really reach for that brass ring you had your eye on back in April. Known to witches as the Harvest Moon, it is indeed a time to fully embrace the hard work you’ve done to get here, for now you can see the fruits of your labor come to life.

And don’t forget: Aries is a very sexy Moon. Let your high-vibration self step out and shine!

Have a gorgeous glide into Autumn, my Beasties. I’ll see you next month in October, when it’s always the Witching Hour…

Love and Stardust,

Xo Alise