Welcome to Stepping Aside…Where Magick Begins

©2025-2026 Jan Erickson 

The Week Ahead: Astrology, Runes, & Energetic Insights for 17-23 May 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

Garden Planting by Moon phase

5/16-23 – New Moon to 1st Qtr: above-ground plants, grain crops, cruciferous plants (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower), lettuce, spinach

Retrograde Planets: Pluto

Sun Sign: Taurus; Gemini on 5/20 at 5:37p

Moon Sign/VOC/Phases

• 5/17/2025 – Sunday: Gemini; Void of Course: Until 12:35p-EOD; Phase: Waxing, New Moon
• 5/18/2025 – Monday: Gemini until Cancer (dignity) at 6:45p; Void of Course: Until 6:45p; Phase: Waxing, New Moon
• 5/19/2025 – Tuesday: Cancer (dignity); Void of Course: Not today; Phase: Waxing, New
• 5/20/2025 – Wednesday: Cancer (dignity) until Leo at 7:47p; Void of Course: 6:26a-7:47p; Phase: Waxing, Crescent
• 5/21/2026 – Thursday: Leo; Void of Course: 3:05p-EOD; Phase: Waxing, Crescent
• 5/22/2026 – Friday: Leo until Virgo at 11:56p; Void of Course: Until 11:56p; Phase: Waxing, Crescent
• 5/23/2026 – Saturday: Virgo; Void of Course: Not today; Phase: Waxing, Crescent; 1st Qtr 4:10a, 02*Vi20

Additional Planets in Sign

• Mercury – Gemini (dignity)
• Mars – Taurus (detriment
• Venus – Cancer
• Jupiter – Cancer (exalted)
• Saturn – Aries (fall)

Out of Bounds

• Moon (5/17-20)
• Mercury (5/22-23)
• Venus (all week)
• BML (all week)

© 2025-2026 Jan Erickson

General Astrological Insights

• At the beginning of the week, you may work independently to maintain a reliable and measured approach. You express empathy for others, and you’ve established yourself as an innovative leader or partner. During the latter part of the week, others may seek your advice, and you may enjoy traveling to new locations.
• Stelliums
  • Mars/Eris/Chiron (5/17-21) – you may be prone to delivering uncomfortable truths to others based upon your own issues and experiences.
  • Vesta/Pallas/Neptune (all week) – you may become completely involved in a cause or project where your devotion or commitment may overshadow a realistic or organized approach.
  • Vesta/Pallas/Saturn (5/18-23) – discipline, pattern recognition, and logic will be involved in pursuing an overall sacred mission or higher cause.
  • Mercury/Sun/Ceres (5/17-20) – you may become involved in a collaborative experience where your ideas both motivate the group and ground the effort in value and worthiness. However, there may also be a moment when you need to take time away from the group to tend to your own needs.
  • Sun/Ceres/Uranus (all week): your approach to personal growth involves a balance between self-nurturing and dealing with unexpected change.
• T-Squares
  • 5/21: Mars at the apex of a t-square involving Pluto and the Moon signals a powerful opposition between emotional protection and the revelation of truth. This can be released through Mars, and a possible confrontation that results in a necessary breakthrough
  • 5/22: The Moon at the apex of a t-square involving Ceres and Black Moon Lilith signals a conflict between nurturing or supporting others and feeling liberated. Through the Moon, you need to understand that there is emotional safety within both. 

Daily Readings

Sunday, 17 May 2026

You’re ready to take risks today, but not at the expense of the progress you’ve made. And a superficial approach to others won’t earn any favor or support either. Impulsiveness may be your own worst enemy, and it may curtail reaching your objectives or goals. See beyond the moment so the impact of your choices becomes clear.

For the magickally inclined: Scattering your energy can result in impulsivity that can be difficult to manage. Thurisaz ᚦcan help you understand the issues that impulsivity can create and how it creates self-imposed opposition or chaos. Thurisaz is formed by the runes Isa ᛁ and Kenaz ᚲ reversed. Isa aligns you with a higher focus, while Kenaz reversed draws in higher awareness and helps you contain that energy within. Thurisaz, therefore, keeps your lower vibrational impulses under control so you can stay focused and moving forward with new or existing opportunities.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 5/8; Runes: Thurisaz, Puella; Tarot: Knight of Wands; Human Design Gate/Line 8.3 The phoney

Monday, 18 May 2026

Although you may be prone to retreating from group endeavors to achieve a more inner focus, collaborating with others today may be the answer to achieving a shared potential or goals. There could be an external situation where you need to stand your ground, and having support from the group could make all the difference when asserting your position.

For the magickally inclined: The rune, Inguz ᛜ, represents a point of energy that expands into new opportunities or achievements. A visualization technique involving Inguz can help you experience that energetic release. Mentally or physically draw Inguz on the ground or floor and stand in the center of the rune, in effect, becoming its center point. Focus your intention on what you intend to achieve. See it as a point of light that sits in your heart center/chakra. Expand that point of light so that it fills you and the defined space around you. From there, as it expands past the defined, diamond-shaped space ᛜ, visualize the process you’ll use and the outcome you desire. Feel the resonance of the energy behind your intention grow into its ultimate manifestation. When you’re finished, end the ritual empowered and ready to succeed.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 6/9; Runes: Inguz, Conjunctio; Tarot: 7 of Wands; Human Design Gate/Line: 12.1 The Monk

Tuesday, 19 May 2026

A situation may occur today that challenges your beliefs, which may require you to rethink how you chose those beliefs in the first place. Change isn’t always easy, but if suddenly you realize that a long-held belief just isn’t true, the disruption you experience may lead to a genuinely positive transformation. It may be that you need a rebalancing of sorts, or a different approach to achieving your goals. Otherwise, standing by beliefs or perceptions may hold you back and could impact others in your life. 

For the magickally inclined: Using the rune, Nauthiz ᚾ, and The Tower from the Major Arcana, consider the meaning of each and how they can work together to help foster inner change. The Tower involves disruption, catalytic change, and letting go of beliefs that are no longer relevant to your life or a particular situation to invoke positive transformation. Nauthiz, a Norn rune from the Elder Futhark, involves much the same, but provides the impetus for inner change by invoking the inner fire (will) to overcome self-imposed restrictions and create positive change in your life. Both force you to think critically about what you believe and how those beliefs either propel you forward or hold you back. And if this is a time in your life where change is necessary, considering the message of both The Tower and Nauthiz, may encourage you on the right path.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 7/1; Runes: Nauthiz, Fortuna Minor; Tarot: The Tower; Human Design Gate/Line: 3.5 Victimization

Wednesday, 20 May 2026

Don’t allow cynicism or a lack of confidence to impact a positive outcome today. Instead, rethink the process you’re using, and ask for assistance from someone with more experience. You may discover that a collaborative approach is the better option and that you don’t need to be the one calling all the shots in every situation.

For the magickally inclined: Intoning the name of a rune can invoke its energy. Berkano ᛒ, for example, represents the birch tree, and new beginnings, fertility, family, protection, healing, and growth. Berkano is comprised of Isa ᛁ, Laguz ᛚ, Raidho ᚱ, and Kenaz ᚲ, forward once and reversed twice. Isa aligns you in higher consciousness and brings a concentrated focus; Laguz increases flow from Spirit; Raidho provides integration between higher self and physical reality; and Kenaz invokes the light, intuition, and clarity. Intoning Berkano can bring peace and calm to a worried mind. It can focus your intention to bring healing and foster wellness. And, Berkano can help reorder your thinking when beginning something new.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 8/2; Runes: Berkano, Fortuna Minor; Tarot: The Chariot; Human Design Gate/Line: 16.2 The Cynic

Thursday, 21 May 2026

A difficult situation may be coming to an end today, and it’s best to show restraint until that happens. Sometimes reacting only furthers the conflict, so don’t feed into it. What’s coming may give you more options than you realize, as well as the ability to express your ideals and principles and achieve more success.

For the magickally inclined: The rune, Dagaz, is an enormously useful tool in visualization rituals to signify the end of one phase and the beginning of another. A Dagaz visualization or ritual can help you move past difficulties and into a new mindset. Either draw or visualize the rune, Dagaz ᛞ, on the floor or ground. Stand in the center point and see the difficult issues on the left side of the rune. Visualize them dissolving into nothingness along with any perceptions or beliefs you have about them. Next, turn your attention to the right side of the rune. Into that side, focus on what you want for the future and what you need to believe so that it can materialize. If past perceptions begin to arise in your thoughts that could hold you back, move your attention to the left side of the rune and see them dissolve. From there, return your attention to the right side of the rune and continue visualizing what you want for the future. End the ritual when you’re satisfied that nothing negative is influencing your perceptions.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 9/3; Runes: Dagaz, Cauda Draconis; Tarot: The Empress; Human Design Gate/Line 62.2 Restraint 

Friday, 22 May 2026

You may need to take a significant pause today to more fully understand a confusing situation. Before you jump into the fray, realize that your happiness or material security may be on the line, and you don’t want to assume you know the truth until you gather more facts. Until you do, take time to think things through before engaging any further.

For the magickally inclined: Consider how The Sun card from the Major Arcana describes happiness and fulfillment. It also describes clarity, success, and awakening. Within that definition, it seems like happiness and success are derived from or are contingent upon clarity and awakening. Although The Sun card in a reading can indicate all of those things are in store for you, the underlying relationship between one aspect and another may be just as informative.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 1/22; Runes: Sowilo, Fortuna Major; Tarot: The Sun; Human Design Gate/Line: 52.1 Think before you speak

Saturday, 23 May 2026

Choose your battles wisely today. Don’t waste your time or energy on someone who has the upper hand and is too selfish to hear your views, especially if confrontation could increase that person’s arrogance or determination to stay in control. Change may come at an unexpected moment and could be quite transformative. Stay creative, rely on your intuition and inner wisdom, and move forward in alignment with a higher purpose. 

For the magickally inclined: Consider the issue of power in your life. Are you using power to control others, or are you respecting the agency of others and their right to choose their own path? When you feel powerless to speak your truth or protect your own interests, how do you instinctively respond? Do you feel compelled to control, or can you step back, drop resistance, and observe the situation to learn more? Do you use magick to control or to reveal? If you’re casting an intention to the collective consciousness that surrounds an issue of concern, are you doing so to raise awareness or truth, or again, are you trying to control an outcome? Does it make sense to assert your own definition of someone’s purpose or to observe that unfold without interference?

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 11/5; Runes: Kenaz, Fortuna Major; Tarot: The High Priestess; Human Design Gate/Line 21.3 Powerlessness

©2025-2026 Jan Erickson

Weekly Correspondences

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

Sunday, 17 May 2026

Magickal focus: clarity, truth, healing, courage, removing barriers, leadership

• Universal Numerology: 5 – protection, pentagram, travel, innovation, freedom versus restriction/ Day – 8 – Materialistic Approval, Achievement, Striving for Success, leadership, and Acknowledgment
• The Sun in Taurus
• The Moon in Gemini
• Moon Void of Course: 12:35p-EOD
• Lunar Phase: Waxing, New Moon
• Planetary governance: The Sun ☉
• Governing Planet Ray – 2nd (love/wisdom): Strongest Ray: 2nd 
• Favorability: Very good
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Air, Water, Fire, Earth
• Strongest Sign Mode: Mutable
• Mansion of the Moon: 6th –  Athaya (Al Hana) 4°Ge17; little star of great light; good for hunting, attacking cities, revenge of authority, destroys harvest, prevents doctors from healing 
• Retrograde planets: Pluto
• Planets Out of Bounds: Moon +26°34; Venus +24°58; BML -26°25

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, 18 May 2026

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

• Universal Numerology: 6 – assistance, shared path, empathy, love, guidance/ Day – 9 idealistic, generous, and kind; Altruism, Humanitarianism, Generosity, Sympathy; endings
• The Sun in Taurus
• The Moon in Gemini until Cancer (dignity) at 6:45p
• Moon Void of Course:  Until 6:45p
• Lunar Phase: Waxing, New Moon
• Planetary governance: The Moon ☽
• Governing Planet Ray: 4th ray (harmony through conflict); Strongest Ray: 2nd
• Favorability: Neutral
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Air, Water, Fire, Earth
• Strongest Sign Mode: Mutable
• Mansion of the Moon: 7th  Aldirah (Al Dhira) 17°Ge8; arm of Gemini; promotes friendship and love, gain, destroys courts; at 6:45p, 8th – Annathra (Al Nathra) 1°Cancer; misty/cloudy; promotes love and friendship particularly with fellow travelers, rids area of mice, reinforces imprisonment increases joy between married couples, reinforces prisons and loss of possessions  
• Retrograde: Pluto
• Planets Out of Bounds: Moon +28°01; Venus +25°01; BML -26°06

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, 19 May 2026

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

• Universal Numerology: 7 – observation, balance, justice, the scales, magick, spirituality/ Day- 1 – Uniqueness, Freedom, Talent, Governance, Leadership, and Revolution
• The Sun in Taurus
• The Moon in Cancer (dignity)
• Moon Void of Course: Not today
• Lunar Phase: Waxing, New
• Planetary governance: Mars ♂
• Governing planet in sign: Mars – Taurus (detriment)
• Governing Planet Ray: 6th ray (devotion and idealism), Strongest Ray: 7th 
• Favorability: Very good
• Polarity: Feminine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Water, Earth, Air, Fire
• Strongest Sign Mode: Cardinal
• Mansion of the Moon: 8th – Annathra (Al Nathra) 1°Cancer; misty/cloudy; promotes love and friendship particularly with fellow travelers, rids area of mice, reinforces imprisonment; at 3:27p, 9th – Atarf (Al Tarf) 12° Cn51; eye of lion; hinders trail, causes discord, and harms harvest. 
• Retrograde Planets: Pluto
• Planets Out of Bounds: Moon +27°21; Venus +25°03; BML -25°42

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, 20 May 2026

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

• Universal Numerology: 8 – Materialistic Approval, Achievement, Striving for Success, leadership, and Acknowledgment; Day-2 – Collaboration, Closeness, Kindness, Harmony, and Assistance, balance, decisions
• The Sun in Taurus; Gemini (5:37p)
• The Moon in Cancer (dignity) until Leo at 7:47p
• Moon Void of Course: 6:26a-7:47p
• Lunar Phase: Waxing, Crescent
• Planetary governance: Mercury ☿
• Governing planet in sign: Mercury – Gemini (dignity)
• Governing Planet Ray: 4th (harmony through conflict); Strongest Ray: 7th
• Favorability: Very good
• Polarity: Feminine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Water, Earth, Air, Fire
• Strongest Sign Mode: Cardinal
• Mansion of the Moon: 9th – Atarf (Al Tarf) 12° Cn51; eye of lion; hinders trail, causes discord, and harms harvest; at 12:37p, 10th  Algebha (Al Jabhah) 25°Cn42; neck/forehead of Leo; fosters love and compassion, assists in defeating enemies, and strengthens structures
• Retrograde Planets: Pluto 
• Planets Out of Bounds: Moon +24°47; Venus +25°04; BML -25°14

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, 21 May 2026

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

• Universal Numerology: 9 – idealistic, generous, and kind; Altruism, Humanitarianism, Generosity, Sympathy; endings/ Day-3 Self-Expression, Entertainment, Optimism, Imagination, and Friendliness; reason, mental acuity, detail-oriented
• The Sun in Gemini
• The Moon in Leo
• Moon Void of Course: 3:05p-EOD
• Lunar Phase: Waning, Balsamic
• Planetary governance: Jupiter ♃
• Governing planet in sign: Jupiter in Cancer (exalted)
• Governing Planet Ray: 2nd Ray (love and wisdom): Strongest Ray: 2nd.  
• Favorability: Neutral
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Water, Air, Fire, Earth
• Strongest Sign Mode: Mutable
• Mansion of the Moon: 10th – Algebha (Al Jabhah) 25°Cn42; neck/forehead of Leo; fosters love and compassion, assists in defeating enemies, and strengthens structures; at 10:19a, 11th – Azobra (Al Zubrah) 8°Le34; hair of the lion’s head, increases profits, positive for travel, taking captives  
• Retrograde Planets: Pluto
• Planets Out of Bounds: Venus +25°04; BML -24°45

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, 22 May 2026

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

• Universal Numerology: 1 –  Uniqueness, Freedom, Talent, Governance, Leadership, and Revolution/Day-22 Master number; Cosmic builder, manifesting
• The Sun in Gemini
• The Moon in Leo until Virgo at 11:56p
• Moon Void of Course: Until 11:56p
• Lunar Phase: Waxing, Crescent
• Planetary governance: Venus ♀
• Governing planet in sign: Venus in Cancer
• Governing Planet Ray: 5th Ray (concrete knowledge and science): Strongest Ray: 2nd
• Favorability: Very good
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Water, Air, Fire, Earth
• Strongest Sign Mode: Mutable
• Mansion of the Moon: 11th – Azobra (Al Zubrah) 8°Le34; hair of the lion’s head, increases profits, positive for travel, taking captives; at 8:40a, 12th – Alsarfah (Al Sarfah) 21°Le25; tail of Leo; increases harvest, obstructs sailors, promotes care for employees and captives  
• Retrograde Planets: Pluto
• Planets Out of Bounds: Mercury 23°31; Venus +25°04; BML -24°23

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, 23 May 2026

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

• Universal Numerology: 11 – Master number, awakening, enlightenment/Day – 5 protection, pentagram, travel, innovation, freedom versus restriction
• The Sun in Gemini
• The Moon in Virgo
• Moon Void of Course: Not today
• Lunar Phase: Waxing, Crescent; 1st Qtr 4:10a, 02*Vi20
• Planetary governance: Saturn ♄
• Governing planet in sign: Saturn in Aries (fall)
• Governing Planet Ray: 3rd Ray (active intelligence), Strongest Ray: 2nd 
• Favorability: Very good
• Polarity: Feminine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Water, Air, Earth, Fire
• Strongest Sign Mode: Mutable
• Mansion of the Moon: 12th – Alsarfah (Al Sarfah) 21°Le25; tail of Leo; increases harvest, obstructs sailors, promotes care for employees and captives; at 7:41a, 13th – Alhaire (Al Awwa) 4°Vi17; dog stars/wings of Virgo; fosters compassion, travel, harvest, gain, freedom of captives es scholarship; reinforces structures; promotes good health and goodwill 
• Retrograde Planets: Pluto
• Planets Out of Bounds: Mercury 23°55; Venus +25°03; BML -24°16

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