The Beauty Witch: MAY

The “lusty month of May” bathes us in fragrant blooms, stirring breezes, and a growing atmosphere of unabashed sensuality. Though it is Spring, and the season of renewed activity, this month takes a heaving sigh after the high energy of Aries segues into the grounded earthiness of Taurus. The Bull likes to lounge a bit, catch his breath – not entirely sure what all the fuss was about – and enjoy the pleasures of life. Naturally, we are invited, encouraged even, to join him in his moments of blissful respite. It is, after all, a most colorful time here in the Northern Hemisphere, and finally the weather has made up her mind, so that we may truly enjoy the sultriness of now. Everywhere you look, there is beauty! Flowers, trees, and birds sing the earth back to life, and we are reunited once again with our number one lover, the Sun. Particularly after the last year, there is a feeling, though slightly trepidatious, of brighter days ahead in every sense. And senses are what May gifts us: the renewed flowering of joy from deep within that radiates outward, so that we may see, feel, and touch it all once again.

It is no coincidence that such a month begins with the voluptuous Sabbat of Beltane, resplendent in her allure, and positively busting with creative energies! Though in the traditional sense this literally means fertility, it is also a potent time in the wheel of the year for creation of every variety. Taurus is not known for his fire, and yet, this season is potent for new growth. I always see Beltane as a gorgeous tryst between fire and earth, full of both passionate action and luscious hedonism.

The interesting thing about The Bull, a trait we often overlook, is that despite all his stubborn rootedness and slow motion, he is quite determined. This energy is here to teach us that although movement seems imperceptible – and even, at times, nonexistent – it is actually progressing along at a pace that can ensure the steadiness we need. There is no such thing as security, really, but Taurus will get you there as closely as he possibly can, looking carefully at every angle, and planning accordingly. Use this energy now, cheris, because later this month Mercury will retrograde, and you’ll be glad you took a few moments not only to organize yourself, but to remove potential future stress wherever possible.

As we bask in the afterglow of Beltane, Venus finds herself distracted by ultra-flirty Gemini, seeking variety wherever she goes. Mmm-hmm. Your inner coquette is dying to make an appearance  – as is your inner spendthrift, so watch your wallet – and there will be no holding back. This is a fun, bold, potentially frivolous time, chéris, so do enjoy it while it lasts. I say that because nothing now connected to love or money is permanent. It’s more of a light wind tousling your hair – entirely enjoyable, but gone as soon as it appears. By all means, treat yourself to a delightful little something, and smile at a sexy stranger  – easy chatter will be everywhere – but remember to enjoy the moment itself, and don’t invest, shall we say.

This is not a time, mes amies, for settling down, as much as Taurus would wish it so. Venus is a fickle maiden as it is, but becomes even more difficult to pin down in the sign of The Twins. Expect light, witty encounters, a heightened curiosity, and an adaptive vibe – in fact, kit is a great time to experiment with different looks, but don’t expect them to necessarily stick, so save yourself some cash and don’t invest (either mentally or financially) in a new wardrobe piece, beauty treatment, or luxury goods. I know, I know: Taurus wants to indulge.  Don’t you know, mignonettes, I’m thinking of you? This sorceress has conjured two divinely decadent potions for you this month, one for your palate, and one for your heavenly body – neither of which will break your bank or decimate your diet,  but will give you immense satisfaction.

The first I will offer you in honor of our lovely New Moon in none other than pleasure-seeking Taurus on May 11^th (3:00pm EST.) As I always say, this Moon is fortuitous (as is its Full Moon counterpart later in the year) for solidifying the plans Aries helped you to get off the ground last month. Now it all has staying power. Of course, you must, must be certain of what you want, as Taurus energy is very difficult to change. Imagine a very large Bull lying down on top of a piece of paper – that contract you made with the cosmos. You get the picture.

But this Moon has such potential for making the plans, and organizing, so that success can manifest on the physical plane! It won’t happen fast, that’s a given, but it will happen if you’ve done the groundwork. Earth Moons are all about building foundations, and materialism that is best manifested for the purpose of taking care of yourself, others, and the planet. Though they can stir over-indulgence and frivolity, remember that as the extreme rather than the point of wisdom. Instant gratification is just that, and gone in the blink of an eye, so use this time to invest in the long-term, and that which is truly of value.

Speaking of valuable, let’s get back to what Spring loves best: delights of the senses! I think all my Taurus loves could use a treat, no? These manifest in the form of none other than the Cacao God himself, as a sacrosanct offering of love and riches to the Goddess in all her finery. Raw cacao, you see, is a fire-ruled magickal beauty food, enhancing mood and stirring sexual desire. Rich in antioxidants, your whole body will love this treasure in its purest form – free of dairy, refined sugars, and additives that drain your energy and your good looks.

Sacred Spring

Body Exfoliant
Conjures 3-6 treatments

½ cup coconut sugar
1 tablespoon cacao powder
1/3 cup avocado oil
Seeds of one vanilla bean

Easy, fun, and delightful! Carefully slice the vanilla bean lengthwise, and gently scrape the tiny seeds into the coconut sugar, then add the cacao and oil, and mix all the ingredients together in a bowl, breaking up any coconut sugar lumps that may appear. If you prefer, you can always add a little more oil, though I find this amount works well. Mix clockwise, and visualize success coming to you, and bringing all delicious things with it! There’s no reason the journey can’t be pleasurable, yes? Store in an airtight glass jar, and enjoy whenever you need a good, sexy sloughing. Exfoliants clear away old skin and energy, but they also deposit nutrients, so although a Waning-to-New Moon is an optimal time to use them, really, they can work during any lunar phase. What changes is your intention.

Adding to the mélange are the beautifying blend of avocado oil, for its nutrient-rich fats that absorb into your skin for superior moisture and lusty, fragrant vanilla, so rich in copper, which helps to promote collagen and elastin production. Coconut sugar is full of beauty minerals and provides a gentle, yet effective exfoliation.

Beauty Witch Secret: This recipe conjures such a gorgeous gift! Adorn your vessel with fresh or dried flowers secured by a fetching ribbon,

May begins the first of the eclipses for this year, with the Full Hare Moon Lunar Eclipse in Sagittarius on the 26^th (7:14am EST.) This Moon will focus on expanding horizons (possibly including travel) and big plans. Think back to what you set into motion in Winter at the Sagittarius New Moon. What has come to fruition? Setbacks may have occurred due to the pandemic, but did they really? Or have better options revealed themselves?

It feels like what needs to be seen is the reality versus the flight of fancy. Big dreams can be achieved, but it may be that what actually works for you looks a bit different than what you fantasized about. It also feels like more research is needed, maybe more education? Either way, your experiences recently help you to make changes for the better. Fire is action, but lunar eclipses tend to show you the way from the inside, so draw upon what you’ve learned, and your intuition, and what needs to be revealed shall appear.

I say celebrate your insight, and your ability to fully tune into the wisdom of the cosmos , by whipping up something so rich you won’t mind being patient! This beauty bite is sinfully, satisfyingly good, but free of everything  that drains your energy, bloats your belly, and dulls your skin. Instead, you are feeding your beauty – and you know Venus loves that!

Tartes au Chocolat

Beauty Bite
Conjures four tartes

For the crust:
2/3 cup raw hazelnuts
8 dates, pitted and chopped
3 tbsp cacao powder
1/3 cup coconut flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1/3 cup water

For the filling:
1-1/2 cups cashews soaked overnight
1 small avocado
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2-3 packets stevia as desired
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon

This looks like a production, but it really isn’t. They are actually very easy to make! Soak the cashews the night before so they soften and become creamy when blended. (If you forget, just pop them in a bowl and fill with fresh water an hour or two beforehand.)

In a food processor, blend all crust ingredients together, pulsing until the “dough” looks crumbly. When you can pinch it together, and it sticks, it is the right consistency. You can always add a little bit of water if it seems too dry. Spoon equal amounts of the mixture into four tarte pans, pressing in with your fingers until it becomes an even crust base. Set them aside.

Wash out the food processor, then rinse the cashews in cold water, and drain. Add all the filling ingredients to the food processor, and pulse until creamy and smooth. Taste it. It will have a deep, rich, natural cacao flavor with a mild sweetness, and it is fantastic. I remember the first time I had real cacao, and I could not believe that I had, up to that point, thought that sugary, processed chocolate was the real thing! And the energy you get from it is amazing – this ancient, powerful life force entering your entire being!

Spoon the filling into each tarte, smoothing with the back of a spoon so it lays evenly. Now, they are ready to be devoured! If you like, you can chill them for an hour (or as long as you need) in the refrigerator, but as they are raw, they won’t keep well for more than a day or two refrigerated. I like to keep one out, then freeze the rest. They make for an obscenely delicious breakfast.

Note: If you are allergic to tree nuts, you can substitute seeds (flax/sunflower/pumpkin) in the crust, and add another avocado to the filling instead of the cashews.

Joining our star cacao are solar-powered hazelnuts, so rich in vitamin E, to promote firm, hydrated skin as you tap into the magick of  higher wisdom and creativity.  Dates are tokens of strength and spirituality. They make excellent low glycemic natural sweeteners rich in vitamins and minerals, and support fresh skin with antioxidants. Sweetly spiced cinnamon brings forth love and money magick and potent healing, along with a heightened sense of psychic awareness. Cashews provide more solar vitality and a good dose of money magick. Full of rich “good” fats, cashews are good for the heart and are loaded with beautifying minerals, including a high dose of skin-loving copper. Lusty avocado provides Venusian splendor alongside additional beauty fats. Maple syrup and stevia give just the right blend of subtle, low-glycemic sweetness with a dash of needed minerals.

Beauty Witch Secret:  For immense added pleasure, add a dollop of my Confiture de Rose from March’s column! (Because, obviously I adore you.)

And, as we wind down such a charming month, we are greeted with our friend Mercury once again stationing retrograde on the 29^th. No need to panic, though: by now, we have fully stepped into Smart Witch mode and are taking precautions, yes? Yes??? Mes amours, please say yes. It honestly takes only a small amount of thinking ahead to avoid at least the mundane pitfalls of such a spell (leave plenty of time, back up your computer, triple check things, don’t get married…) and if there are some major ones, take heart that they are happening for a reason.  Last time around my beloved Mac finally quit – the one snarky tech service people would repeatedly refer to as “vintage”  – and, yes, it was high time for a shiny new one. It happens. But do your best not to fall into the trap of blaming every silly thing on the stars. It’s up to us to take the reins. And we can because we are powerful.

Bidding May adieu is a feeling akin to that of letting October go, though admittedly not as severe. At least for now, there is lots of warm weather ahead to bask in, flowers to talk to, squirrels and birds to plot with, and sunshine superstar days! And, oh, those sultry evenings beneath the stars.

Au revoir for now, my Spring fae! Next time I see you I will expect to be plucking stray blossoms from your hair. And when I see your Cheshire smiles, I will not ask where you’ve been.

Love and Stardust,

Xo Alise