Welcome to Stepping Aside…Where Magick Begins

©2025-2026 Jan Erickson 

The Week Ahead: Astrology, Runes, & Energetic Insights 25-31 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; SD (11/13/2026)
• Venus in Scorpio (detriment); Libra (10/25, 2:10a); 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: Scorpio

Moon Sign/VOC/Phases

• 10/25/2025 – Sunday: Aries until Taurus (exalted) at 4:34p; Void of Course: 3:59p-4:34p; Phase: Waxing, Gibbous; Full at 9:12p, 2°Ta45
• 10/26/2025 – Monday: Taurus (exalted); Void of Course: Not today; Phase: Waning, Full
• 10/27/2025 – Tuesday: Taurus (exalted) until Gemini at 6:01p; Void of Course: 7:50a-6:01p; Phase: Waning, Full
• 10/28/2025 – Wednesday: Gemini; Void of Course: Not today; Phase: Waning, Full
• 10/29/2026 – Thursday: Gemini until Cancer (dignity); Void of Course: 2:43p-7:05p; Phase: Waning, Disseminating
• 10/30/2026 – Friday: Cancer (dignity); Void of Course: Not today; Phase: Waning, Disseminating
• 10/31/2026 – Saturday: Cancer (dignity) until Leo at 9:17p; Void of Course: 2:59p-9:19p; Phase: Waning, Disseminating

Additional Planets in Sign

• Mercury – Scorpio
• Mars – Leo
• Venus – Libra (10/25)
• Jupiter – Leo
• Saturn – Aries (fall)

Out of Bounds

• The Moon (10/27-31)
• Pluto (all week)
• Ceres (all week)
• BML (all week)

© 2025-2026 Jan Erickson

General Astrological Insights

Interactions with others tend to be intense and unpredictable during the first part of the week, and compromise or respect for boundaries may be lacking. You have a significant influence on others, and you need to use that influence wisely. Your independence and curiosity motivate you to organize what you offer; however, a concerning underlying message from someone may cause you to worry. During the latter part of the week, you may feel compelled to assert truths others aren’t ready or willing to hear. And, at the end of the week, you may need to step back and strike a more realistic balance between your work and your personal life, especially if self-care is needed.

The Moon’s influence this week:

At the beginning of the week, your emotional balance and well-being are in focus. Relationships may be part of that need for stability. As the week continues, networking opportunities increase, and you share new ideas and perspectives. However, at the end of the week, you may retreat to home or another sacred space to regain your balance or to discover any energetic undercurrents that might be impacting your emotional balance.

Daily Readings

Sunday, 25 October 2026

Pay close attention to details today so you make the most balanced and dispassionate decision possible. You may collaborate with someone else as well, with that give-and-take enhancing your success. Your shared ideals, and letting what you observe and learn settle out, put you on track to achieve your goals.

For the magickally inclined: When making a decision, alone or in collaboration with others, Jera ᛃ, a rune from the Elder Futhark, influences alignment, balance, and the impact of cycles. The 2 of Swords, from the Rider-Waite Tarot, depicts a blindfolded woman sitting on a stone bench with her back to the ocean, a sword in each hand and her arms crossed in front of her. The 2 of Swords reflects balance and decisions made without emotion involved. This card of the Air element also represents duality, peace, and integrity. Together, they can teach you the value of making decisions dispassionately in alignment with a higher purpose. 

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 9/7; Runes: Jera, Conjunctio; Tarot: 2 of Swords; Human Design Gate/Line 28.1 Preparation

Monday, 26 October 2026

You desire validation for the knowledge you’ve gained and the unique talents you possess. You’re a natural leader, and you express yourself creatively and with clarity to others. In fact, you may be on the verge of leaving a situation that you believe has held you back from awakening to new experiences. And given that your need for stability and security is stronger than any fear of the unknown, this might be the time for a significant change in your life.

For the magickally inclined: Runes and other sigils can be used as both talismans to attract energy to achieve a specific goal, and amulets to shield and protect you from harm. Kenaz ᚲ, known as the torch from the Elder Futhark, can help awaken, illuminate, and reveal both issues of concern and truth. Wearing the rune or carrying it with you in some fashion can help focus an intention. Runes or other sigils can also be included in charm/hex/mojo bags along with corresponding items that reinforce your intention.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 1/8; Runes: Kenaz, Cauda Draconis; Tarot: Ace of Pentacles; Human Design Gate/Line: 24.2 Recognition

Tuesday, 27 October 2026

Choosing to drop resistance or step back and accept the perspective of another isn’t a sign of passivity. In fact, doing so reflects an inner strength and knowing that you either don’t have all the answers, or you realize that asserting your own opinion is an exercise in futility. You may be at a significant moment where one period is ending, and a new one is beginning, and you’re awakening to a different kind of integration and balance with others. 

For the magickally inclined: Dagaz ᛞ, the rune signaling a new day, can be helpful when organizing your thinking surrounding something new in your life. If you’re motivated to see things from a new perspective, you can use the rune to sketch out how you’ve normally perceived situations and what’s changed. For example, you can draw the rune on a piece of copy paper turned horizontally. On the left side, jot down how you have seen the situation in the past, and how you see things now on the right. In the center (outside of the drawn rune), you can write down what potentially catalyzed that change. Using Dagaz this way can help you see the bigger picture to determine if your change in perspective is realistic or guided by something unproven or reaction-based.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 11/9; Runes: Dagaz, Populus; Tarot: The Lovers; Human Design Gate/Line: 7.4 The Abdicator

Wednesday, 28 October 2026

If you’re patient today, you may learn more than if you try to control a situation’s outcome. Overconfidence may prevent the situation from unfolding in a manner that reveals the truth. Agendas and connections that can provide explanation may remain hidden, and the people whose support you’ve counted on may not be who you thought they were. In short, stepping back until you know more may be your best option.

For the magickally inclined: The rune Eihwaz ᛇ can be used to identify someone who opposes you. Draw a wheel on a piece of paper and place Eihwaz in the center. Place the names of people involved in a situation where you’re unsure of their motives or support. Spin the rune and see where it stops. Follow that up with a pendulum question that will either support the rune’s information or suggest someone else.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 3/1; Runes: Eihwaz, Acquisitio; Tarot: Knight of Pentacles; Human Design Gate/Line: 43.1 Patience

Thursday, 29 October 2026

You may want to exercise some self-restraint today until all facts are known. Otherwise, you may experience some unnecessary disappointment. Following the crowd may also not be in your best interest, but until you strike a better balance, it may be a temporary option. What you’re really looking for today is a more practical and reliable approach, one that is guided by awakening instead of reaction.

For the magickally inclined: Jera ᛃ is an interesting rune because it’s drawn as Kenaz (the torch, light of Spirit) forward ᚲ and reversed ⟩. Essentially, the balance or give-and-take you offer with Jera expresses the light of Spirit or Higher consciousness outward and inward. It’s akin to a loop of light that illuminates your interactions with others and creates an energetic balance. Jera transforms relationships and fosters higher awareness that is unfolding and ongoing. Carry it with you when you need to achieve a better balance between you and others. 

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 4/11; Runes: Jera, Populus; Tarot: 5 of Cups; Human Design Gate/Line: 4.6 Excess

Friday, 30 October 2026

Fear of change may inhibit you from experiencing inner growth today. Someone may overreact or respond with a lack of subtlety, and you could view the situation as a misuse of force by this person. The integration and reciprocity you need with others may feel risky, and you may be unready to collaborate to achieve a shared goal. If so, you may choose protection instead of pursuing new ideas or opportunities.

For the magickally inclined: Raidho ᚱ from the Elder Futhark, Rubeus from geomancy, and the 6 of Cups from the Rider-Waite Tarot can be used to study a situation where collaboration isn’t working. Raidho describes partnership, harmonious movement, and integration. It also describes focusing on the process taken instead of solely on the goal. It’s in the process where the collaborative process is expressed. Rubeus 𜻤, on the other hand, describes a misuse of force, overreaction, a lack of subtlety, passion, and temper, which could indicate an issue with someone impacting the collaborative process. The 6 of Cups could indicate the solution with its depiction of offering friendship, abundance, purity, happiness, and the gift of reciprocity. An exercise could include stating the problem, then looking at each rune and card to find a path forward.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 5/3; Runes: Raidho, Rubeus; Tarot: 6 of Cups; Human Design Gate/Line: 50.1 The immigrant (detriment)

Saturday, 31 October 2026; Samhain (Halloween)

On this Samhain (Halloween), as the veil thins, it’s said that ancestors are more easily felt and heard. Samhain, a cross-quarter Sabbat, also represents Summer’s end and the third harvest festival of the year, as well as the beginning of Winter. Halloween, or All Hallows’ Eve, is the time when children put on costumes and walk throughout their neighborhoods holding out their pumpkins for candy, and parties are held. However you celebrate this holiday, it’s a time for fun and fellowship, transformation, and nurturing others. Share a harvest-based meal, or invoke a spiritual harvest from all you’ve learned during the year. The relationships you’ve cultivated are among your greatest fortune, so embrace the love and shared path you take together.

For the magickally inclined: Create a Samhain altar with items that involve ancestors and harvest. Dried leaves, acorns, and black candles atop a black altar cloth, along with pictures of ancestors, can be used. Black salt surrounding a small cauldron for incense, a simmer pot with cinnamon, apple slices, and orange peel, and crystals such as obsidian, smoky quartz, black tourmaline, and amethyst can all be included on the altar. Include Tarot cards and runes if you like, and a bell you can ring to call in any ancestors that may want to stop by. You can also begin creating the altar a couple of days before the holiday and leave it up for a few days after. 

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 6/4 Runes: Wunjo, Fortuna Major; Tarot: Page of Wands; Human Design Gate/Line 17.6 The bodhisattva

©2025-2026 Jan Erickson

Weekly Correspondences

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

Sunday, 25 October 2026

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

• Universal Numerology: 9 – idealistic, generous, and kind; Altruism, Humanitarianism, Generosity, Sympathy; endings/ Day-7 – observation, balance, justice, the scales, magick, spirituality
• The Sun in Scorpio
• The Moon in Aries until Taurus (exalted) at 4:34p
• Moon Void of Course: 3:59p-4:34p
• Lunar Phase: Waxing, Gibbous; Full at 9:12p, 2°Ta45
• Planetary governance: The Sun ☉
• Governing Planet Ray – 2nd (love/wisdom): 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: 2nd – Albochan (Al Butain) 12°Ar51; Belly of Aries; finds treasures and retains prisoners; at 9:22a, 3rd – Azoraya (Al Thurayya) – 25°Ar42’; Showering, Pleiades, profitable for hunters, sailors, and alchemists 
• Retrograde planets: Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Chiron, Pallas, Vesta
• Planets Out of Bounds: Pluto -23°37; Ceres 23°42;  BML -27°23

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, 26 October 2026

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

• Universal Numerology: 1 –  Uniqueness, Freedom, Talent, Governance, Leadership, and Revolution/ Day – 8 – Materialistic Approval, Achievement, Striving for Success, leadership, and Acknowledgment
• The Sun in Scorpio
• The Moon in Taurus (exalted)
• Moon Void of Course: Not today
• Lunar Phase: Waning, Full
• Planetary governance: The Moon ☽
• Governing Planet Ray: 4th ray (harmony through conflict); Strongest Ray: 1st/4th
• Favorability: Very good
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Fire/Water, Air, Earth
• Strongest Sign Mode: Fixed
• Mansion of the Moon: 3rd – Azoraya (Al Thurayya) – 25°Ar42’; Showering, Pleiades, profitable for hunters, sailors, and alchemists; at 6:51a, 4th – Aldebaran (Al Dabaran) 8°Ta34; eye/head of Taurus; destroys buildings, water sources, gold mines, prevents winged insects from escaping, fosters conflict 
• Retrograde: Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Chiron, Pallas, Vesta
• Planets Out of Bounds: Pluto -23°37; Ceres 23°44;  BML -27°12

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, 27 October 2026

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

• Universal Numerology: 11 – Master number, awakening, enlightenment/Day – 9 – idealistic, generous, and kind; Altruism, Humanitarianism, Generosity, Sympathy; endings
• The Sun in Scorpio
• The Moon in Taurus (exalted) until Gemini at 6:01p
• Moon Void of Course: 7:50a-6:01p
• Lunar Phase: Waning, Full
• Planetary governance: Mars ♂
• Governing planet in sign: Mars in Leo
• Governing Planet Ray: 6th ray (devotion and idealism), Strongest Ray: 1st/4th
• Favorability: Very good
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Fire/Water, Air, Earth
• Strongest Sign Mode: Fixed
• Mansion of the Moon:  5th – Almices (Al Haqa) 21°Ta25; fosters return from travel; increases scholarship; reinforces structures; promotes good health and good will 
• Retrograde Planets: Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Chiron, Pallas, Vesta
• Planets Out of Bounds: Moon +23°36; Pluto -23°37; Ceres 23°46;  BML -27°02

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, 28 October 2026

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

• 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 Scorpio
• The Moon in Gemini
• Moon Void of Course: Not today
• Lunar Phase: Waning, Full
• Planetary governance: Mercury ☿
• Governing planet in sign: Mercury in Scorpio
• Governing Planet Ray: 4th (harmony through conflict); 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: 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: Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Chiron, Pallas, Vesta
• Planets Out of Bounds: Moon +23°36; Pluto -23°37; Ceres 23°48;  BML -26°53

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, 29 October 2026

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

• Universal Numerology: 4 – grounding, foundation, practicality, reliability, patience, structure/Day – 11 – Master number, awakening, enlightenment/
• The Sun in Scorpio
• The Moon in Gemini until Cancer (dignity)
• Moon Void of Course: 2:43p-7:05p
• Lunar Phase: Waning, Disseminating
• Planetary governance: Jupiter ♃
• Governing planet in sign: Jupiter – Leo 
• Governing Planet Ray: 2nd Ray (love and wisdom): 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: 7th – Aldirah (Al Dhira) 17°Ge8; arm of Gemini; promotes friendship and love, gain, destroys courts; at 7:05p, 8th – Annathra (Al Nathra) 1°Cancer; misty/cloudy; promotes love and friendship particularly with fellow travelers, rids area of mice, reinforces imprisonment 
• Retrograde Planets: Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Chiron, Pallas, Vesta
• Planets Out of Bounds: Moon +27°47; Pluto -23°37; Ceres 23°50;  BML -26°41

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, 30 October 2026

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

• 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 Scorpio
• The Moon in Cancer (dignity)
• Moon Void of Course: Not today
• Lunar Phase: Waning, Disseminating
• Planetary governance: Venus ♀
• Governing planet in sign: Venus in Libra (dignity) 10/25
• Governing Planet Ray: 5th Ray (concrete knowledge and science); Strongest Ray: 1st/4th
• Favorability: Very bad
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Water, Fire, Air, Earth (0)
• Strongest Sign Mode: Fixed
• 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 4:24p, 9th – Atarf (Al Tarf) 12° Cn51; eye of lion; hinders trail, causes discord, and harms harvest.  
• Retrograde Planets: Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Chiron, Pallas, Vesta
• Planets Out of Bounds: Moon +27°01; Pluto -23°36; Ceres 23°53;  BML -26°27

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, 31 October 2026; Samhain/Halloween (Cross-quarter Sabbat)

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

• Universal Numerology: 6 – assistance, shared path, empathy, love, guidance/ Day – 4 – grounding, foundation, practicality, reliability, patience, structure
• The Sun in Scorpio
• The Moon in Cancer (dignity) until Leo at 9:17p
• Moon Void of Course: 2:59p-9:19p
• Lunar Phase: Waning, Disseminating
• 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: Neutral
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Water, Fire, Air, Earth (0)
• Strongest Sign Mode: Fixed
• Mansion of the Moon: 9th – Atarf (Al Tarf) 12° Cn51; eye of lion; hinders trail, causes discord, and harms harvest; at 2:00p, 10th – Algebha (Al Jabhah) 25°Cn42; neck/forehead of Leo; fosters love and compassion, assists in defeating enemies, and strengthens structures 
• Retrograde Planets: Mercury, Venus, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Chiron, Pallas, Vesta
• Planets Out of Bounds: Moon +24°27; Pluto -23°36; Ceres 23°55;  BML -26°15

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