The new year is upon us
requesting, in grand fashion,
our presence –
an invitation offered
in the spirit of all that is to be conjured.
But first!
Can we fully let go?
Ah, my Loves, how the cosmos challenge us! November greets us with both the flight of Samhain energy and the deep dive of last month’s Scorpio New Moon whirling within us, and indeed all around. Everything is just so intense. Add a retrograde Mercury into the cauldron, and you may feel like you are ready to pop! The challenge, when last we met, was presented by our rather dramatic hosts as an opportunity to shed old skins, and surrender entirely to complete transformation as new paths are embraced. That energy is still with us as we continue into this month, and though the focus is on internal shifts, those changes are, in fact, intended for expression out in the world. So, in a strange way, it’s like the stars have invited us to a grand bal masque, requiring not only that we accept and arrive in our finest couture, but that what is behind the mask is as beautiful and strong as we appear socially. Transformation is hard, my Darlings. I will never tell you differently. This is because there is always the sorrow of letting go, the fear of the unknown, and the aches of healing. But guess what? Once you’ve healed, you begin anew. Wiser, stronger, and in many ways more adaptable, more expansive, more willing to go with the ebb and flow of life.
So, when the cosmos send you an invitation, you accept. And you make the effort to show up stylishly, bearing gifts. Because this is growth. And without it, you stay enmired in what ultimately will do you harm.
SCORPIO POWER CARD: Death Dig deeply to uncover what is hidden. Look beyond the ending to see what lies ahead, and what remains. Face your fear of transformation.
And I know how hard you have worked! We are all in these mad challenges together. I say it’s time to toast our hard work, yes? Fortunately, we have the earthy lushness of a Taurus Full Snow Moon just waiting to drape us in rapturous sensuality. On November 12th (8:34am EST) la lune beckons, shining her light on the pleasures of the flesh, and those spells you cast back in May when the New Moon was in Taurus. Tell me, did you also get something major in motion last month with the Aries Full Moon? If so, now would be a brilliant time to solidify that magick by working with grounding, steady Taurus vibes. Just be certain it is what you want, because the Bull is notoriously difficult to budge one he plants himself somewhere. The Snow Moon represents transformation (surprise!) and is a time for beginning to root into the Winter months. It is a time of preparation, and communicating with your closest god/goddess and spirit animals. Since this Moon reaches fullness in the morning, your magick will at its most potent the night before, so be sure to add in a few offerings to Venus during your ritual (wait, don’t you always?) to receive her delights in oh-so-many ways.
Why not revel in voluptuous joy as you celebrate your hard-earned insight, and indeed the work on the physical plane you’ve been willing to do in the name of transformation! I’ve conjured something special just for you, but by all means share it amongst your circle, for Full Moons are the perfect time to gather, even if group magick isn’t your thing. This brew is rich and creamy, lightly sweet and seductively spiced, its cauldron full with beauty. Each sip infuses your body temple with potent antioxidants to support your skin, hair, and body, while banishing bloat and cradling you in a sense of calm. This brew is also quite the aphrodisiac, my Darlings, full of fiery lust magick, so enjoy all of its charms.
Snow Moon Magick
Witches Brew
Per serving
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
1 tablespoon rosewater
1 teaspoon rose petals
3 cardamom pods, slightly crushed
1/4-inch piece ginger, peeled and grated
pinch of saffron threads
1 teaspoon maple syrup, or to taste
In a small stovetop cauldron, pour the coconut milk in, and light the flame to simmer. Drop in the cardamom pods and rose petals, followed by freshly grated ginger and saffron threads. Allow the brew to warm slowly as the petals and spices release their magick, all the while holding your vision close. Feel it coming into your body, and taking shape in your life as something solid, grounded, and stable. When the brew is hot, but not boiling, turn off the flame. Stir in the rosewater, and the maple syrup to taste. Pour it into a gorgeous vessel, and enjoy each sip as it touches your lips, and fills your entire being with magick.
Maple syrup casts a distinctive beauty spell within its deep amber sweetness: it boosts metabolism, gives you energy, strengthens bones and teeth (which also promotes strong new hair growth,) and is loaded with antioxidants that give you glowing, supple skin. They also contain the unique magick of the maple tree, which allows us to understand our (often hidden) dreams and fears, so that we may confront them and take the reins. However, if you cannot consume natural sugars, stevia or a pure monk fruit sweetener may be substituted.
Coconut Lunar coconut contains the energy of water, making it not only a highly psychic and spiritual addition to any potion, but also a very hydrating one. Its beauty fats are prized, as well as the ability to fight bacteria. Coconut milk adds a rich, buttery feel to brews.
Rose The Queen of beauty magick is surely the rose. Her strength is coyly concealed within the vibrations of her stunning petals, making it even more potent. Besides a heady scent, rose in brews grants us antioxidants for beautiful skin, alongside the magick of Freya, Venus, and Hathor. A good dose of luck, healing, protection, enhanced psychic abilities, and focused divination are also gifts of this ancient symbol of love.
Cardamom Drinking cardamom can help with weight loss and maintenance, quell anxiety, fight disease, treat skin allergies and improve complexion with antioxidant super powers. It is a gift of Venus, infused with the magick of love, lust, beauty, and protection.
Ginger A great power root, ginger brings good health, protection, and fire magick. As a warming spice, it revs circulation for beautiful skin, a strong body, and healthy hair.
Saffron Born of the dried stigmas of a gorgeous Mediterranean flower, this ancient healer is a superstar! Amongst its myriad powers, saffron bolsters your immune system, increases energy, revs sex drive, aids in stress relief, helps you to get enough beauty sleep, fights both acne and aging, and bestows a radiant glow upon your skin.
Beauty Witch Secret: You can also reap the benefits of this brew as the base of a smoothie -just add a plant powered protein like chia or hemp seed and you’ve got a blend to carry you through the day in goddess style!
Though the hard work isn’t nearly done – transformation does not happen overnight, unfortunately – you will find much of the raging storm has passed as the month progresses, and now the skies can be clearly seen. Mercury is now direct as the Sun moves into energetic, adventurous Sagittarius on November 22nd, and with it the sheer expanse of the unobscured horizon. Naturally, our New Moon on November 26th (10:06am EST) is presided over by the Archer, and is always an auspicious time to focus that arrow on its target. Ruled by luck-bringer Jupiter, Sagittarius gives us the confidence to go out there and get it! The natural optimism of fire is broadened by this Moon, so channel that into your magick, but be sure to have a solid plan beneath all that excitement, otherwise it becomes all talk and no action. It’s just gorgeous how it all works: the new vision that you’ve created, thanks to your efforts (in cahoots with Pluto, Scorpio, and Samhain) now has firepower to lift off the ground, the expansiveness to get you out there, and the confidence you need to shine. Cosmic wisdom in action, as always.
I’d love for you to incorporate this potion into your New Moon plans: a saucy, sexy little slougher to banish any residual dreariness left over from going deep within, one that will brighten you for your next big adventure. Full of fire magick, this one is gloriously energizing, with a bright and spicy scent to get you out of the darkness and ready to take on the world! It leaves your skin beautifully bright, soft, and moisturized, as it boots circulation and your mood. It makes enough for several treatments – I love to scrub away on the Dark Moon, and then again on the New Moon, especially if I’m feeling particularly in need of a renewal. It also works sublimely spaced apart over the course of the Waning Moon – just store it in an airtight glass jar or container, and it will last throughout the waning phase.
Fire Glow
Body Exfoliant
Conjures 2-3 treatments
1 cup fine Himalayan pink salt
¼ cup finely ground coffee
¼ cup chia seed oilJ
20 drops clove essential oil
10 drops wild orange essential oil
Pour the pink salt into a beautiful bowl, mixing in the coffee in a clockwise direction. Add the chia seed oil, and stir again. Now comes clove and orange essential oils, one at a time. Continue to stir as you visualize and feel your intention. Now get in there with your hands, and infuse the potion with your creation vibes. When you are ready to use, apply to dry skin in the bath or shower, massaging in circular motion all over your body. Next, rake your fingers along your skin in the direction of your heart. When you are ready, rinse, but do not use soap – you want the magick and the beauty benefits to linger, not to mention the delicious scent! This is especially effective if you are in the bath and can then soak in the water that has been infused with your potion.
Himalayan Pink Salt is the gorgeous base here, as a smooth, yet highly effective exfoliant that lifts away dead skin, fine lines, and those bothersome little bumps that can arise from shaving and waxing. It contains major minerals that will absorb into skin as it detoxifies and soothes aches.
Chia This divine plant protein works also wonders topically, with its anti-aging oil infusing intense moisture which leaves skin plumped and hydrated.
Coffee Ruled by Mars, fiery coffee revs circulation, smooths skin, and boosts energy with its magick of mental consciousness, physical energy, and drive.
Clove Decadently spicy, Jupiter-ruled clove oil kills bacteria and clarifies skin while conjuring love, money, and protection magick.
Orange Solar-powered orange is a fire fruit of both love and purification. Topically, it increases the bodies’ ability to absorb vitamin C, increase blood flow, and stimulate collagen production.
Beauty Witch Secret: The legendary stone of Hathor, lapis lazuli reveals inner truth, inspires confidence, and encourages healthy self-expression. Have one present when conjuring this potion, or better yet, place one in the exfoliant and allow it to absorb lapis magick.
One last note, before we bid adieu: woozy, dreamy Neptune goes direct just after our New Moon (on the 27th, to be precise) allowing us a break from five months of staring hard at all the things that need changing. It will be pleasurable, for sure, to allow a bit of fantasy to take over now, especially with muggle holidays all around. Just take care not to get too caught up in a fuzzy version of reality, and be aware of the potential for full-on delusion. This world needs you clear and bright!
Is our beloved Fall nearly done, mes amours? I do believe next time we meet it will be well on the road to Winter! I sincerely hope you’ve had a gorgeous one, filled with every single delight of the season…
Love and Stardust,
Xo Alise
The Death card has been popping up for me throughout the year, and I look forward to continuing my work with it this winter. I’ve been feeling all the intense energy lately, and will definitely be giving the Snow Moon Magick brew a try this week to help balance me out. The Fire Glow scrub sounds beyond divine as well, I can’t wait to make it later in the month! Thank you as always for the guidance, Alise <3