Welcome to Stepping Aside…Where Magick Begins

©2025-2026 Jan Erickson 

The Week Ahead: Astrology, Runes, & Energetic Insights 18-24 October 2026

The Week Ahead is a compendium of information that includes a weekly forecast, current astrological information, correspondences, and recommendations for working magick, as well as weekday rune and tarot readings that help you navigate the coming week. Love and Blessings to all!

Quick Reference

Retrograde Planets

• Mercury in Scorpio (10/24, 12:12a); SD (11/13/2026)
• Venus in Scorpio (detriment); SD 11/13/2026
• Uranus in Gemini; SD 2/8/2027
• Neptune in Aries; SD 12/12/2026
• Saturn in Aries (fall); SD 12/10/2026
• Chiron in Aries; SD 1/6/27
• Pallas in Aries; SD 11/30/2026
• Vesta in Aries; SD 11/28/2026

Sun Sign: Libra (fall)

Moon Sign/VOC/Phases

• 10/18/2025 – Sunday: Capricorn (detriment) until Aquarius; Void of Course: 9:12a-6:39p; Phase: Waxing; 1st Qtr 9:12p, 25°Cp18
• 10/19/2025 – Monday: Aquarius; Void of Course: Not today; Phase: Waxing; 1st Qtr
• 10/20/2025 – Tuesday: Aquarius; Void of Course: Not today; Phase: Waxing, 1st Qtr
• 10/21/2025 – Wednesday: Aquarius until Pisces at 5:34a; Void of Course: 1:42a-5:34a; Phase: Waxing, 1st Qtr
• 10/22/2026 – Thursday: Pisces; Void of Course: 8:31p-EOD; Phase: Waxing, 1st Qtr; Gibbous
• 10/23/2026 – Friday: Pisces until Aries at 12:53p; Void of Course: Until 12: 53p; Phase: Waxing; Gibbous
• 10/24/2026 – Saturday: Aries; Void of Course: Not today; Phase: Waxing; Gibbous

Additional Planets in Sign

• Mercury – Scorpio
• Mars – Leo
• Venus – Scorpio (detriment)
• Jupiter – Leo
• Saturn – Aries (fall)

Out of Bounds

• The Moon (10/18)
• Pluto (all week)
• Ceres (all week)
• BML (all week)

© 2025-2026 Jan Erickson

General Astrological Insights

The Sun in Libra has you reflecting on boundaries you’ve set with others and whether or not you are taking care of your own needs. When the Sun enters Scorpio on Friday, that inner reflection can help you better understand your need for intimacy, honesty, and trust. A square between the Sun and Pluto on Saturday suggests interactions with others could be intense and unpredictable, with compromise suffering. In addition to Mercury turning retrograde on Saturday, it’s also in Scorpio, so you may begin experiencing issues with communication, honesty, and trust during its shadow period this week prior to retrograde beginning.

The Moon’s influence this week:

Changes in your personal life may be a source of insecurity this week. Boundaries may be unhealthy, and at the end of the week, you may prefer playtime to work. Your emotions may affect self-expression mid-week, and you could be easily provoked. Take time to regroup using meditation and daily rituals. If a new direction arises, balance past experience with listening to your heart.

Daily Readings

Sunday, 18 October 2026

A situation may be changing today in your favor. You may be on the threshold of something new and exciting involving a partnership, and you may be inspired to break away from old patterns to embrace a new beginning. Stay flexible and balanced as the day unfolds.

For the magickally inclined: If you’re going through some changes, unexpected or otherwise, staying balanced is key. Wearing or carrying the rune Gebo ᚷwith you can help you keep that inner balance and also help you express that balance to others. If, for example, this involves a meeting or conversation with others, draw Gebo on a piece of paper and then set it in the middle of a table to remind everyone to keep the conversation respectful. Gebo is known as the gift, and one way to offer that gift is through reciprocity and balanced energy exchange. Doing so prevents the ego from entering into the situation and trying to control everything and everyone involved.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 9/11; Runes: Gebo, Caput Draconis; Tarot: The Magician; Human Design Gate/Line 32.5 Flexibility

Monday, 19 October 2026

Even though you may experience some limitation today, it doesn’t mean that the potential isn’t there to take you in a new direction. That direction may involve how you’ve seen yourself integrate with others in the past, as opposed to how you can change that dynamic in a future endeavor. Although you may have had difficulty integrating with others in the past, a doorway may open today to new levels of self-expression, causing your optimism to increase. The unique talents you may have felt were difficult to express may be wholly welcome in this new opportunity.

For the magickally inclined: The 4 of Wands from the Rider-Waite Tarot and Mannaz ᛗ from the Elder Futhark can be studied together to understand your integration with a new partner or group. Mannaz describes integration from a mind/body/Spirit balance and how the individual integrates with others from that perspective. It’s considered the thought and memory rune, reminiscent of Odin’s two ravens, Huginn and Muninn. Huginn represents thought and how we process new information, while Muninn represents memory or the higher consciousness within. They work together to increase higher wisdom that blends perception with memory, teaching each person a higher truth where we learn from the past and apply that learning to the future.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 3/1; Runes: Mannaz, Via; Tarot: 4 of Wands; Human Design Gate/Line: 41.5 Authorization

Tuesday, 20 October 2026

If you’re feeling overwhelmed today, or experiencing a little deja vu, step back to more fully assess the situation. Sometimes experiences are cyclical, and you may be revisiting something that meant one thing to you in the past, but is coming around again for a second look. Realize that the goals may be different this time, and your inner will is more than up to the task. Stay grounded, and approach the situation with a balanced perspective.

For the magickally inclined: Researching the Wheel of Fortune card, as well as the other cards from the Major Arcana via information from various Tarot readers can give you an interesting perspective on divination. At first blush, you may see the Wheel of Fortune as an indication that fortune or success is coming. However, looking at the symbolism on the card, you also see zodiac references in each corner representing the fixed signs of the zodiac. From that perspective, you may see, as the Wheel turns, the idea of movement accompanied by stability. You also see the Egyptian gods illustrated in the center wheel (Typhon, the god of evil as a serpent, and Anubis with its jackal head, with the Sphinx sitting atop the circle). Other Tarot authors correspond the Major Arcana cards to the Tree of Life, while Celtic-oriented cards bring another dimension to the Tarot. These varied perspectives can enrich your own Tarot practice.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 4/2; Runes: Nauthiz, Caput Draconis; Tarot: Wheel of Fortune; Human Design Gate/Line: 33.6 Dissociation

Wednesday, 21 October 2026

Sometimes it’s best to have no expectations regarding an outcome. All the dedication in the world doesn’t necessarily mean that a chance encounter or simple cause and effect won’t derail your progress or take you in a new direction. Taking a leap of faith involving new ideas can lead to opportunities that you might not see coming, whereas a superficial view might prevent future success.

For the magickally inclined: Perthro ᛈ, the Elder Futhark rune that describes understanding the impact of fate and cause and effect, is useful when you’re unsure of the decision before you. As a directional rune, how Perthro lands on a table or is drawn from a bag can shape its interpretation. For example, when turned right in its forward position, Perthro can indicate new opportunities; when turned downward, it can indicate the birth of a child, the generation of new ideas, or ideas/projects coming to fruition. Turned to the left, the past or the result of cause and effect could be influencing the present moment. Turned upward, you could be receiving new support or a higher perspective. While you might begin with a particular interpretation, in the end, the unexpected may be the most important influence.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 5/3; Runes: Perthro, Puella; Tarot: The Fool; Human Design Gate/Line: 43.2 Dedication

Thursday, 22 October 2026

You can either build trust today with others or be known as someone who manipulates others to take responsibility for your own actions. Impulsiveness and aggression when confronted will damage the relationships you’ve established and make others question whether or not you’ve been an honest broker. On the other hand, expressing empathy toward others who need your support or guidance can transform your experiences and inspire and protect collaborative success.

For the magickally inclined: The Star card from the Major Arcana represents hopes, wishes, joy, optimism, dreams, and insight. It’s a positive card that can help you visualize all of these desires. The geomancy rune Puer, on the other hand, illustrates how instability, youthful folly, impulsiveness, risky actions, and aggression can affect The Star’s influence. As an exercise, placed at opposite ends of a continuum, they both can be utilized to see where your concerns fall on the continuum so you can make the changes necessary to achieve your goals in a positive way.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 6/22; Runes: Algiz, Puer; Tarot: The Star; Human Design Gate/Line: 4.5 Seduction

Friday, 23 October 2026

As difficult as it might be today, you may need to assert your inner strength when trying to achieve harmony with people who may not be entirely on the same page with you. You’re attempting to foster a new beginning without giving away your values; however, it may take some observation and leadership on your part to restructure boundaries to make that happen.

For the magickally inclined: A reading that includes Hagalaz ᚺ, a Norn rune from the Elder Futhark, and the Strength card from the Major Arcana can help in redefining how you express strength in your life. Hagalaz involves protection and restructuring perceptions without destroying value-based boundaries. The Strength card asks you to tame the wild within, also known as the ego, so you remain lofty during that process and take your cues from higher consciousness. You can either stop the reading there, or add additional cards or runes to the reading for additional understanding.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 7/5; Runes: Hagalaz, Caput Draconis; Tarot: Strength; Human Design Gate/Line: 50.6 Leadership

Saturday, 24 October 2026

You may vacillate between being hesitant to engage and asserting your own views today, leading to potential inaction. If so, keep your focus on what’s happening instead of worrying about the past or the future. Avoid any superficiality that could impact trust from partners. You’re on a shared path, so don’t feel as if you’re shouldering more than you really are.

For the magickally inclined: If you find yourself in a group or partner situation where you’re unsure of another’s motives, consider the rune Ehwaz ᛖ and its message of the intuitive bond you share with others. If you believe someone is trying to undermine you or the group itself, focus your attention on that person, paying close attention to their words as well as their body language. What can you glean from both? Could what you are feeling actually be originating within you, in the fears you might be experiencing? Or is it definitely coming from that other person? Ehwaz also involves binding each other to a mutual end. With the goal of creating a safe space, perhaps casting that intention to the other person while envisioning Ehwaz could help the two of you “meet in the middle” to discuss a concern the other person may be hesitant as well to bring up.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 8/6 Runes: Ehwaz, Amissio Tarot: Page of Wands; Human Design Gate/Line 21.1 Warning

©2025-2026 Jan Erickson

Weekly Correspondences

Below are the corresponding astrological and other energies for working magick for the week. ~  et incipit magia

Sunday, 18 October 2026

Magical focus: The Sun governs; clarity, truth, healing, courage, removing barriers, leadership

• Universal Numerology: 11 – Master number, awakening, enlightenment/Day – 9 – idealistic, generous, and kind; Altruism, Humanitarianism, Generosity, Sympathy; endings
• The Sun in Libra (fall)
• The Moon in Capricorn (detriment) until Aquarius
• Moon Void of Course: 9:12a-6:39p
• Lunar Phase: Waxing; 1st Qtr 9:12p, 25°Cp18
• Planetary governance: The Sun ☉
• Governing Planet Ray – 2nd (love/wisdom): Strongest Ray: 1st
• Favorability: Neutral
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Fire/Air, Water, Earth
• Strongest Sign Mode: Cardinal/Fixed
• Mansion of the Moon: 23rd – Caadebolach (Sa’d Bula) 12°Cp51; swallowing; divorce, freeing of prisoners, healing; at 10:02a, 24th – Caadacohot (Sa’d al-Su’ud) 25°Cp42; star of fortune; increases compassion between married people, military victory, obstructs government 
• Retrograde planets: Venus, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Chiron, Pallas, Vesta
• Planets Out of Bounds: Moon -23°56; Pluto -23°38; Ceres 23°30;  BML -27°33

General Correspondences

• Element: Fire
• Color: Gold, yellow
• Direction: South
• Energy: masculine/projective
• Power: To Will
• Deities: Sol, Apollo, Helios, Och (Olympic Spirit)
• Crystal: emerald, topaz, bloodstone, chrysolite
• Resin: mastic, frankincense, copal, saffron, red sandalwood, cinnamon, honey
• Herbs: Angelica, juniper, calendula, hyacinth, rosemary, mint, ivy, pepper, vine, sunflower, cedar, marjoram, bay, vervain, gentian, Dittany, ginger, peony, balm, marigold, heliotrope

Monday, 19 October 2026

Magickal focus:  The Moon governs; feminine magicks, healing, intuition, cycles, reincarnation, astral travel, balance, change

• Universal Numerology: 3 – Self-Expression, Entertainment, Optimism, Imagination, and Friendliness; reason, mental acuity, detail-oriented/Day – 1 –  Uniqueness, Freedom, Talent, Governance, Leadership, and Revolution
• The Sun in Libra (fall)
• The Moon in Aquarius
• Moon Void of Course: Not today
• Lunar Phase: Waxing; 1st Qtr
• Planetary governance: The Moon ☽
• Governing Planet Ray: 4th ray (harmony through conflict); Strongest Ray: 1st/5th
• Favorability: Very good
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Fire/Air, Water, Earth (0)
• Strongest Sign Mode: Fixed
• Mansion of the Moon: 24th – Caadacohot (Sa’d al-Su’ud) 25°Cp42; star of fortune; increases compassion between married people, military victory, obstructs government; at 11:47a, 25th – Caadalhacbia (Sa’d al-Akhbiyah) 8°Aq34; butterfly spreading forth; revenge and attack, destroys enemies and fosters divorce, reinforces buildings and prisons, useful in spells that prevent sexual intercourse and fosters impotence in men 
• Retrograde: Venus, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Chiron, Pallas, Vesta
• Planets Out of Bounds: Pluto -23°38; Ceres 23°31;  BML -27°39

General Correspondences

• Element: Water
• Color: Silver, white
• Direction: West
• Energy: feminine/receptive
• Power: To Dare
• Deities: Diana, Luna, Selene, Artemis, Mani, Phul (Olympic Spirit)
• Crystal: Pearl, moonstone, selenite, beryl, marcasite
• Resin: mastic, frankincense, copal, saffron, red sandalwood, cinnamon, honey
• Herbs: almond, mugwort, moonwort, yellow ranunculus, palm, lily, willow, violet, poppy, fennel, iris

Tuesday, 20 October 2026

Magickal focus: Mars governs; passion, manifestation, creativity, self-assertion, reducing conflict

• Universal Numerology: 4 – grounding, foundation, practicality, reliability, patience, structure/Day – 2 Collaboration, Closeness, Kindness, Harmony, and Assistance, balance, decisions
• The Sun in Libra (fall)
• The Moon in Aquarius
• Moon Void of Course: Not today
• Lunar Phase: Waxing, 1st Qtr
• Planetary governance: Mars ♂
• Governing planet in sign: Mars in Leo
• Governing Planet Ray: 6th ray (devotion and idealism), Strongest Ray: 1st/5th
• Favorability: Very good
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Fire/Air, Water, Earth (0)
• Strongest Sign Mode: Fixed
• Mansion of the Moon:  25th – Caadalhacbia (Sa’d al-Akhbiyah) 8°Aq34; butterfly spreading forth; revenge and attack, destroys enemies and fosters divorce, reinforces buildings and prisons, useful in spells that prevent sexual intercourse and fosters impotence in men; at 1:04p, 26th – Almiquedam – (Al Fargh al-Awwal) 21°Aq25; first drawing; promotes unity, health of prisoners, destroys buildings and prisons 
• Retrograde Planets: Venus, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Chiron, Pallas, Vesta
• Planets Out of Bounds: Pluto -23°37; Ceres 23°33;  BML -27°45

General Correspondences

• Element: Fire
• Color: Red, rust
• Direction: South
• Energy: masculine/projective
• Power: To Will
• Deities: Ares, Mars, Tyr, Phaleg (Olympic Spirit)
• Crystal: Amethyst, bloodstone, lodestone, diamond, jasper
• Resin: Juniper, dragon’s blood, red sandalwood
• Herbs: Absinthe, cayenne, basil, asafoetida, rue, garlic, black pepper, nettle, wormwood, onion, mustard, leeks, ginger, wolfsbane, thorny trees (Hawthorn)

Wednesday, 21 October 2026

Magickal focus: Mercury governs; communication, interactions, balance, justice, revelation

• Universal Numerology: 5 – protection, pentagram, travel, innovation, freedom versus restriction/ Day – 3 – Self-Expression, Entertainment, Optimism, Imagination, and Friendliness; reason, mental acuity, detail-oriented
• The Sun in Libra (fall)
• The Moon in Aquarius until Pisces at 5:34a
• Moon Void of Course: 1:42a-5:34a
• Lunar Phase: Waxing, 1st Qtr
• Planetary governance: Mercury ☿
• Governing planet in sign: Mercury in Scorpio
• Governing Planet Ray: 4th (harmony through conflict); Strongest Ray: 1st
• Favorability: Neutral
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Water, Fire, Air, Earth (0)
• Strongest Sign Mode: Fixed
• Mansion of the Moon: 26th – Almiquedam – (Al Fargh al-Awwal) 21°Aq25; first drawing; promotes unity, health of prisoners, destroys buildings and prisons; at 1:43p, 27th – Algarf almuehar (Al Fargh al-Thani)  4°Pi17; second drawing; increases harvest, income, healing; obstructs buildings, causes danger at sea, creates annoyance and mischief 
• Retrograde Planets: Venus, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Chiron, Pallas, Vesta
• Planets Out of Bounds: Pluto -23°37; Ceres 23°34;  BML -27°51

General Correspondences

• Element: Air
• Color: yellow, purple
• Direction: East
• Energy: masculine/projective
• Power: To Know
• Deities: Hermes, Mercury, Thoth, Odin/Woden, Ophiel (Olympic Spirit)
• Crystal: Agate, emerald, fluorite, topaz, citrine, red marble
• Resin: benzoin, gum arabic,  frankincense
• Herbs: marjoram, horehound, bergamot, cinnamon, lavender, caraway, cloves, licorice, mullein, peppermint, star anise, hyssop

Thursday, 22 October 2026

Magickal focus: Jupiter governs; social justice, healing, abundance, income, growth, achieving goals

• Universal Numerology: 6 – assistance, shared path, empathy, love, guidance/ Day – 22 – Master number, Cosmic Builder
• The Sun in Libra (fall)
• The Moon in Pisces
• Moon Void of Course: 8:31p-EOD
• Lunar Phase: Waxing, 1st Qtr/Gibbous
• Planetary governance: Jupiter ♃
• Governing planet in sign: Jupiter – Leo 
• Governing Planet Ray: 2nd Ray (love and wisdom): Strongest Ray: 1st/4th
• Favorability: Very good
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Water, Fire, Air, Earth (0)
• Strongest Sign Mode: Fixed
• Mansion of the Moon: 27th – Algarf almuehar (Al Fargh al-Thani)  4°Pi17; second drawing; increases harvest, income, healing; obstructs buildings, causes danger at sea, creates annoyance and mischief; at 1:40p, 28th – Arrexhe (Batn al-Hut) 17°Pi8;Pisces; increases harvest, protects travelers on a dangerous journey, increases joy between married couples, reinforces prisons and loss of possessions  
• Retrograde Planets: Venus, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Chiron, Pallas, Vesta
• Planets Out of Bounds: Pluto -23°37; Ceres 23°36;  BML -27°52

General Correspondences

• Element: Fire, Water, Air
• Color: Blue
• Direction: South, West, East
• Energy: balanced
• Power: To Will, To Dare, To Know
• Deities: Zeus, Jupiter, Thor, Bethor (Olympic Spirit)
• Crystal: sapphire, jasper, emerald
• Resin: balm of Gilead, ambergris, saffron
• Herbs: basil, agrimony, mints, dandelion, borage, bugloss (alkanet), wood betony, hyssop, henbane, poplar, oak, plum, fig, meadowsweet

Friday, 23 October 2026

Magickal focus: Venus governs; compassion, love, harmony, attracting a partner, partnership issues, female sexuality, fertility, healing, friendship

• Universal Numerology: 7 – observation, balance, justice, the scales, magick, spirituality/ Day- 5 – protection, pentagram, travel, innovation, freedom versus restriction
• The Sun in Scorpio (2:38a)
• The Moon in Pisces until Aries at 12:53p
• Moon Void of Course: Until 12:53p
• Lunar Phase: Waxing; Gibbous
• Planetary governance: Venus ♀
• Governing planet in sign: Venus in Scorpio (detriment)
• Governing Planet Ray: 5th Ray (concrete knowledge and science); Strongest Ray: 1st/4th
• Favorability: Very good
• Polarity: Feminine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Water, Fire, Air, Earth (0)
• Strongest Sign Mode: Fixed
• Mansion of the Moon: 28th – Arrexhe (Batn al-Hut) 17°Pi8;Pisces; increases harvest, protects travelers on a dangerous journey, increases joy between married couples, reinforces prisons and loss of possessions; at 12:53p, 1st – Alnath (Al Sharatain) 0°Aries; Horns of Aries; causes conflict and promotes travel  
• Retrograde Planets: Venus, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Chiron, Pallas, Vesta
• Planets Out of Bounds: Pluto -23°37; Ceres 23°38;  BML -27°47

General Correspondences

• Element: Water
• Color: Green, rose
• Direction: West
• Energy: feminine/receptive
• Power: To Dare
• Deities: Venus, Aphrodite, Freyja, Hagith (Olympic Spirit)
• Crystal: Turquoise, lapis lazuli, beryl, rose quartz, coral
• Resin: sandalwood, ambergris, musk, orris root
• Herbs: apple, rose, myrtle, bugloss (alkanet), burdock, feverfew, lilac, marshmallow, vervain, valerian, thyme, coriander, pears, elder, pomegranate, passionflower, raspberry, strawberry, blackberry, vanilla, yarrow, violet, plantain

Saturday, 24 October 2026

Magickal focus: Saturn governs; restriction, bindings, summoning, harvest, purification, protection

• Universal Numerology: 8 – Materialistic Approval, Achievement, Striving for Success, leadership, and Acknowledgment; Day – 6 – assistance, shared path, empathy, love, guidance
• The Sun in Scorpio
• The Moon in Aries
• Moon Void of Course: Not today
• Lunar Phase: Waxing; Gibbous
• Planetary governance: Saturn ♄
• Governing planet in sign: Saturn in Aries (fall)
• Governing Planet Ray: 5th Ray (concrete knowledge and science); Strongest Ray: 1st/4th
• Favorability: Very bad
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Fire, Water, Air, Earth (0)
• Strongest Sign Mode: Fixed
• Mansion of the Moon: 1st – Alnath (Al Sharatain) 0°Aries; Horns of Aries; causes conflict and promotes travel; at 11:25a, 2nd – Albochan (Al Butain) 12°Ar51; Belly of Aries; finds treasures and retains prisoners 
• Retrograde Planets: Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Chiron, Pallas, Vesta
• Planets Out of Bounds: Pluto -23°37; Ceres 23°40;  BML -27°36

General Correspondences

• Element: Earth
• Color: Brown, black
• Direction: North
• Energy: feminine/receptive
• Power: To Keep Silence
• Deities: Chronos, Aratron (Olympic Spirit)
• Crystal: Onyx, jet, jade, emerald, sapphire, smoky quartz, marcasite, lodestone, brown jasper
• Resin: alum, sulfur,  benzoin, balm of Gilead, myrrh
• Herbs: asafoetida, cypress, dragonwort, black hellebore, mandrake, opium, garlic, hemlock, ivy, mullein, nightshade, skullcap, St. John’s Wort, Solomon’s seal root, comfrey, boneset, pine

©2025-2026 Jan Erickson

Spellcasting Tips and Recommendations

Timing

• Dawn: healing, new beginnings, study, purification
• Noon: strength, opportunity, success, protection, wealth
• Sunset: letting go, release
• Night: spirituality, aligning with Spirit, healing, dreamwork, visions

Cosmic Rays

• 1st – will/power 
• 2nd – love/wisdom 
• 3rd – active intelligence
• 4th – harmony through conflict
• 5th – concrete science and knowledge
• 6th – devotion/idealism
• 7th – ceremonial magic and order

Polarity

• Feminine: compassion, empathy, and understanding 
• Masculine: motivation, initiation, and expressions of creativity
• Balanced: compassion, empathy, and understanding are balanced with motivation, initiation, and expressions of creativity.

Moon Phases

• Waxing (Magicks of Increase)
  • New (focused on opportunities with a tendency toward impulsiveness; time to look inward and make plans for the future)
  • Crescent (self-assertion is strong and you embrace challenges)
  • 1st Qtr (leadership skills are strong with high expectations of others)
  • Gibbous (seeking knowledge, working toward achieving goals, discovering one’s purpose)
• Waning (Magicks of Decrease)
  • Full (relationships are an important part of your life; a powerfully creative time for goals and projects)
  • Disseminating (motivated to share knowledge and wisdom with others)
  • 3rd Qtr (action from a place of strength with adaptability challenging at times)
  • Balsamic – (your destiny or future factors into life decisions, with leadership a potential role for you to play)

Recommendations

• Candles can be scribed, anointed in ritual oil, and then rolled in crushed herbs for additional effect
• Essential oils can be added to a carrier oil such as grape seed or almond to create a ritual oil
• When using planetary squares or seals, whenever possible, draw them out during the ritual itself
• If summoning anyone or anything to assist in the working, be sure to include the license to depart to thank and release the entity from your service
• Tarot cards and runes may be used to further enhance a working or to provide a focus
• Runes can be drawn in the air above workings for additional impact and to further define your intention

Areas of power

• Crossroads (the dirt can be used, also dirt from footprints)
• Graveyards (crushed mullein can be used in place of graveyard dirt)
• Outside altars/established sacred space
• Doorways, windows
• Boundaries of all kinds
• Sacred spots, especially ancient stone ruins

Times of power – Moon phases, planetary hours, eclipses, storms, equinoxes, solstices, charging water/crystals/mirrors/tools can be performed under a full moon

©2025-2026 Jan Erickson

References

• Erickson, Jan. Herbal Magicka. 2021
• Erickson, Jan. Witch Notes. Kindle. 2019.  
• Erickson, Jan. Shifting Perception. Draft2Digital. 2020.

If you’d like to support my blog, you’re welcome to do so by shopping at A Witch in Store, my Amazon affiliate storefront. Thank you

©2025-2026 Jan Erickson

Special Note: Unapproved Use of My Work

So, once again, another website is posting my work from Stepping Aside. This is upsetting, and although I understand that there are people out there who do this because it’s been done to me before, it’s completely unacceptable. My website has been up since 2012, and I’ve worked incredibly hard to publish work that I believe others might be interested in. I tried to contact the website in question, but the email address doesn’t appear to be valid. So, I’m doing what I can to deal with it. ~ Jan Erickson

©2025-2026 Jan Erickson