The Witching Hour

by Silver RavenWolf

  Cancer Herbal Formula: eucalyptus, myrrh, sandalwood, rose, wintergreen, lemon balm, peppermint, calamus

  Leo: Loyalty, children, talent, creativity, inspiration, gambling, spotlight ambitions, strength. Leo rules gold; therefore, in some traditions, Leo is seen as the ultimate sign for working money and prosperity magicks. Ideal for your career, big sales of your product, or landing the best job ever! Some Braucherei practitioners find the Leo moon, particularly in the sun sign of Leo, to be most advantageous for gathering herbs that will resonate with strength, and that powders made under this moon will hold their charge longer and carry a better boost of energy. Robust and steady courage and passion are signatures of this moon. fixed: stable. element: fire. ruled by the sun. exalted planet: none (although modern astrologers have attributed pluto here). color: gold or yellow. angelic power: verchiel.

  Leo Herbal Formula: sunflower, mistletoe, cedar, rue, marigold, chamomile, rosemary, patchouli, clove, cinnamon

  Virgo: Analysis, solutions, stealth magick, occult mastery, animal magick, order, detail, getting the job done! If you need evidence or proof, use either Virgo or Scorpio moons. Where Scorpio looks for secrets in general, Virgo ferrets out the motive. Valuable in child custody cases or revealing criminals and unfair practices at work, etc. This is the bloodhound sign of the zodiac. Virgo is also useful in making adjustments to your physical situation, including labor and health and breaking bad habits. If you need to “fix it,” this is the sign, as well as bringing money and food into the home and healing for pets and animals. Virgo is also used for compelling, controlling, or seduction powders, the closer to Libra without being void, the better. mutable, but they are cold and calculating in their changing position. element: earth. ruled by mercury. exalted planet: none. color: blue or yellow. angelic power: voil/hamaliel.

  Virgo Herbal Formula: peppermint, vervain, horehound, dill, elecampane, mistletoe, violet

  Libra: Artistic, socialization, partnership matters, legal subjects (wherein the outcome must be fair). Innovation is a vital energy with this sign, encouraging inventive and intellectual pursuits. Because Libra is the sign of balance (a great rarity in the world), the energies will shift and move like sand under your feet; however, it can be useful when considering all sides of a situation and contemplating the intent of your working. This is the “home beautiful” sign and is a good time to make magickal powders and herbal blends focused on finding a great shopping deal for big ticket items, beautiful clothing, and home decor. When the moon is waning, spells are often performed to destroy a partnership; when waxing, to solidify one. Always remember that Libra acts first on what is fair to the self (me, me, me), and when that balance has been obtained (or at least the self is satisfied for right or ill) it moves outward into the greater world. cardinal: starter. element: air. ruled by venus. exalted planet: saturn. color: lavender or purple. angelic power: zuriel/jael.

  Libra Herbal Formula: Balm of Gilead, larkspur, orris, plantain, yarrow, thyme, eucalyptus, ivy, linden

  Scorpio: The Scorpio moon is the power animal of the zodiac because it intensifies everything—feelings, colors, energy, creativity—heightening your ability to summon or banish. It is the moon to use if you just can’t seem to get the enthusiasm you need to complete a project or where you just can’t seem to raise the energy because you don’t see this issue as all that important. If you have been in a rut, the Scorpio moon can help you figure out why. In an activity I call “translating power,” feed the Scorpio moon energy into a movement powder (like triple action), with the magick done at the midpoint of the Scorpio moon. When the moon reaches its midpoint in Sagittarius (the following sign), add that moon energy to it as well, then complete the powder or herbal blend. The Scorpio moon is perfect for investigation, quietly finding the truth of the matter, general occult work, magick, giving seminars, sex, release, and gain through other people’s money such as inheritance or sales. Scorpio has the ability to shift mass quantities of energy and large numbers of people. It is definitely a powerhouse in any working. Think of a volcano beneath the sea and the impact it has if it erupts. The moon for ending or transformation—you choose. If you look at the broad canvas of enchantment, all magickal actions are a form of seduction; the Scorpio moon gives you a triple-X ticket. Just a note: never lie to a Scorpio and do your best to deal with all things honestly during a Scorpio moon. fixed: stable. element: water. ruled by pluto (modern), mars (classical). exalted planet: uranus. color: burgundy or dark red. angelic power: barchiel/sosol.

  Scorpio Herbal Formula: chili pepper, ginger, nettle, woodruff, tobacco, eyebright, licorice root

  Sagittarius: Swift. Swift. Swift! Sagittarius moon is like an animal that has consumed too many energy drinks: wired (in more ways than one). If you want something to darned well move, use the moon in Sagittarius. Legal issues, foreign affairs, philosophy, higher education, publishing, travel, networking. It is also a nature sign—the great outdoors, the magnificent vistas of life. Use the Sagittarius moon for making powders and herbal blends for higher spirituality, communing with nature and beings of a different order (such as angels), or kicking an old project back into gear. Want to make a blend for joy? Use the Sagittarius moon! Opportunity powders and blends, such as road opener, triple action, and hot honey, are often made under the light of this moon, as well as creativity and self-

  improvement blends. Need to get into a university or other higher education establishment? Create your mojo/conjuring bag during this moon sign. The Sagittarius moon carries an unusual gift: that of allowing you to link quickly to another person or item. Now’s a good time to use my link, sync, and sink technique. mutable: expect it; sagittarius is the fast-moving, full-throttle freight train of the zodiac. element: fire. ruled by jupiter. exalted planet: none. color: green or orange. angelic power: advachiel/ayil.

  Sagittarius Herbal Formula: cinquefoil, clove, sage, hyssop, sassafras, parsley, lemon balm, buckthorn

  Capricorn: Business, rules, organization, senior citizens, entrepreneurship, investment, authority, the letter of the law. Capricorn is the great stabilizer. If you feel totally out of control or things seem too crazy to handle, try working when the moon is in this sign. Good for presenting guidelines, working on the family business, and long-term goals for the future. Make powders and blends under this moon to gain unexpected money or favors, or to draw material necessities toward you—anything that can stabilize your circumstances. This is another steady sign that smiles kindly on reinforcing something already built and working on career goals. Powders and blends to make as well as break bindings, hexes, and spells of influence over another are often constructed during a Capricorn moon; however, let me be clear: left-hand work will do just fine if the target is guilty, not a victim but a perpetrator. Sending someone to jail is doable, as well as asking karma to bear so they will get caught. If you have targeted the innocent or are miffed over a personal slight (like they took the last muffin on the tray), you may not be overjoyed at the results you receive and expect them to fight back in unpleasant ways. Efficiency and awareness (learning to blend with material surroundings) are positive attributes of this moon. In the stillness, force becomes form. cardinal: starter and the keeper of time. element: earth. ruled by saturn. exalted planet: mars. color: brown. angelic power: hamael/casujoiah.

  Capricorn Herbal Formula: patchouli, Solomon’s seal, lobelia, skullcap, slippery elm, ivy, yellow dock, ginger, rosemary

  Aquarius: Creating the unique and strange, changing the path, freedom, individuality, breaking tradition, assisting others, charity, the element of surprise. The Aquarius moon supports positive social movement. It is a good time to work on new powder recipes and formulas, letting your mind jump out of that proverbial box and into the universe, where all things are possible! Now is a perfect time to make a creativity powder or herbal blend. As Aquarius is a fixed sign, be careful of the changes you wish to make, for they will be long-lasting. Almost every Aquarius I
know is a super shopper with a refined taste that finds a deal no matter how elusive it may be. If we look at this process another way, we see that the Aquarius moon can help us find innovative ways to work on old problems and resolve them while keeping the greater good in mind. If you are trying to hide something, don’t do it under the Aquarius moon, as it carries the power of the public. Trends and fads are ambrosia to this moon sign; however, if the idea is harmful to others in any way, it will fall flat. Aquarius is the intellectual jinn of the zodiac and encourages science coupled with magick. Like Gemini and Virgo, the Aquarius moon lends itself well to writing spells, working out magickal timing, and formulas, mixtures, and blends of energy or material matter. Psychic development is encouraged under this moon, including the creation of magickal powders and herbal blends for improving divination skills, creating servitors or thoughtforms to carry out magickal work, and sigil magick. Just remember that Aquarius is fixed-fixed-fixed: what you create sticks! fixed. element: air. ruled by uranus (modern), saturn (classical). exalted: none. color: blue. angelic power: cambiel/ausiel.

  Aquarius Herbal Formula: Solomon’s seal, boneset, skullcap, rose, peppermint, bladderwrack, amaranth, comfrey

  Pisces: Meditation, restful sleep, prayer, dreaming, artistic pursuits, visionary, glamoury, the big-picture-of-all-things. If you are making a powder to influence someone in a positive way, begin with the Sagittarius moon to make the connection and then translate the powder or herbal blend to this moon, as folks tend to be more optimistic when the moon is in Pisces. It is also the time when people are inclined to be the most spiritual and intuitive. If you are looking to help a friend or family member see a personal truth or help them in a situation where it is necessary for them to step back and look at the whole of the problem, this is the perfect time to use that powder or blend. Many occult practitioners use the Pisces moon for brews to confuse an enemy or throw them offtrack with the Pisces moon void, the ultimate time for the least amount of detection. Dream and divination powders, such as sweet sleep, crystal ball, and visions and dreams, vibrate well to the moon in Pisces. Never make the assumption that the Pisces moon (or personality) is weak; that is merely an illusion! A place between the words, the place between the breath, the Pisces moon avails herself of many realms simultaneously. If you lie to her, she knows! mutable. element: water. ruled by neptune (modern), jupiter (classical). exalted: venus (classical), pluto (modern). color: purple. angelic power: barchiel/pasiel.

  Pisces Herbal Formula: linden, white sage, nutmeg, dandelion root, sarsaparilla, star anise, basil, yellow dock, patchouli, witch grass

  Don’t assume that it is always the cardinal signs (Aries, Cancer, Libra, or Capricorn) that will provide the most action. If you want something to move and shake things up all around, use the moon in Gemini. If you want something to move in one single direction, use the moon in Sagittarius. Just be careful with Sagittarius; its ruling planet is Jupiter, which tends to expand anything and everything, so word your work accurately and watch out for the exaggeration of fear (which will ruin your results). Although Jupiter is known as the Great Benefic, it can backfire on you if you are not positively focused.

  Finally, if you are having trouble getting something to move in your life, working while the moon is in the last degrees of the sign she currently visits can bring the push you need for the removal of blocks or the closure required for you to move on, providing the first aspect the moon makes in the next sign is a positive one. I realize that this occurs in a moon void (when the moon isn’t talking to any other planet in its journey to the next sign); however, the moon void can accelerate or change circumstances in play, but it will only last until the moon changes signs. The same can be said for a Mercury retrograde; I call this the slingshot effect. The twenty-four hours in which Mercury stations and turns direct holds great power; it is pure potential, the stillpoint that can be used to launch whatever is needed to make an incredible change in your life. (Of note, there are two types of moon void, the classical and the modern.)

  At this point you may be saying, “Gee, all this is interesting, but I’m just not into it because learning this stuff is boring. I do just fine with the quarters or phases of the moon. My stuff works with that timing. Adding extra stuff to think about just wastes my time.” That’s okay. You don’t need this section of the book to make your powders or blends. But what if I said to you, “Here’s a super key: if you look through the list of energies of each moon in the signs, you will see that every sign is actually a blend of the sign previous and the sign that follows!” This is why most people don’t really notice the changes in energy from one sign to the next when focusing on the moon and her monthly dance through the zodiac. She moves quickly, and she is the goddess of blending. She carries (translates) energy from sign to sign, creating a very unique brew each and every day. Her formula of manifestation includes the ingredients of where she has been, who she is talking to in the present moment (the other planets), and where she is going.

  In essence, she’s just like you! And, like you, she carries a plethora of hidden qualities, gems of power that glitter and gleam, talents and knowledge just waiting to be seen.

  Magickal Days

  Many magickal practitioners work with the days of the week and their rulerships (the planet that rules the day) in timing for the creation or use of their powders, herbal blends, fluid condensers, oils, incenses, and other magickal operations. The day is the base energy, the platform. The planetary hour is the fine-tuning mechanism. Each day is ruled by a classical planetary energy (see Planetary Hours section).

  To gather the most power of any particular day, you would choose the planet that rules that day. For example, if we wanted to create a magickal powder to send someone prayers of wisdom for a seven-day spell attuned only to them, we would use Wednesday (Mercury day) in a Mercury hour, as messages, sending, and wisdom all relate to Mercury energy to blend and empower our wisdom powder. We might also include either a few drops of universal fluid condenser or an herbal condenser made of spearmint herb (clear thought) and a small paper with their name on it ground into the powder. If we are really pulling out the stops using folk magick, we might add a lock of their hair, fingernail clippings, and a piece of their clothing (preferably a small swatch cut from an unwashed shirt under the armpit) and grind that into the powder as well. Yes, smelly, but you get the epithelials and the residue from their moisture. Then, for seven days, in spell, ritual, or meditation, beginning on a Mercury day (Wednesday) in the hour of Mercury, we might light a silver candle that sits on top of the magickal powder. We could inscribe the name of the person on the candle along with the word wisdom and rub the powder into the marks on the candle. Each day we would burn the candle for eight minutes or sixty-four minutes (both numbers are associated with the planet Mercury). No, you do not have to do exactly what I just said; this is just an example. You could make an herbal bag for wisdom on a Wednesday in the hour of Mercury that contains the individual’s name and perhaps a favored gemstone. That night you could hold the bag and utter your prayers, spell, or meditation in the way you see fit. Don’t have a taglock (item of the person)? Use my link, sync, and sink technique from chapter one.

  Listed below are the magickal days, their planetary rulerships, and their suggested theme colors. You will find more information about the planets in the next section on planetary hours. You do not have to use any of the timing information in this book to work your magick; however, if you are the type of individual that enjoys nuance, magickal days and planetary hours are definitely for you!

  Monday: Ruled by Moon energy. Primary colors: white, silver, aqua, turquoise, or blue.

  Tuesday: Ruled by Mars energy. Primary colors: red or orange.

  Wednesday: Ruled by Mercury energy. Primary colors: blue, electric blue, gray, silver, or white.

  Thursday: Ruled by Jupiter energy. Primary colors: orange, purple, or lavender.

  Friday: Ruled by Venus ener
gy. Primary colors: green, aqua, or turquoise.

  Saturday: Ruled by Saturn energy. Primary colors: brown (for wishes and earth), black (for banishing), midnight blue.

  Sunday: Ruled by Sun energy. Success in all ventures. Primary colors: yellow or gold.

  Planetary Hours:

  The Secret to Great Magick

  There is only energy. There are portals, gates, pathways, and patterns, an ever-changing labyrinth. Energy is all there is.

  Many astrologers and magickal people believe that the timing of a procedure based on planetary alignments can significantly influence a spell, ritual, meditation, prayer, or planned event in daily life. Astrological timing can be used for a wedding, the start of a new business, or the healing process involved in illness, divorce, or loss of a loved one where release is necessary. Astrological timing, in its own way, can allow us to look at the past as well as the future. By viewing where the planets were (or will be) on a certain day, we can see what planetary energies were (or will be) active at the time of an event. Where the planets are located and what they are saying to each other can provide a fantastic window of opportunity. They can also give us an idea of how a particular situation may play out.