Welcome to Stepping Aside…Where Magick Begins

©2025-2026 Jan Erickson 

The Week Ahead: Astrology, Runes, & Energetic Insights for 3-9 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

• 5/3-8: Waning Full/Gibbous (Disseminating) to 3rd Qtr: Plant root crops, perennials, and bulbs so the energy moves downward
• 5/9: 3rd Qtr to New Moon (Waning/Crescent) – no planting, instead prune, weed, and harvest, and continue to maintain compost pile if you have one

Retrograde Planets:
Pluto (Stationing Rx on 5/6)

Sun Sign: Taurus

Moon Sign/VOC/Phases

• 5/3/2025 – Sunday – Sagittarius; Void of Course – Not today; Phase: Waning, Full Moon
• 5/4/2025 – Monday – Sagittarius; Void of Course – 2:33p-EOD; Phase: Waning, Full Moon
• 5/5/2025 – Tuesday – Sagittarius until Capricorn (detriment) at 12:05p; Void of Course – Until 12:05p; Phase: Waning, Full Moon
• 5/6/2025 – Wednesday – Capricorn (detriment); Void of Course – Not today; Phase: Waning, Full Moon/Disseminating
• 5/7/2026 – Thursday – Capricorn (detriment); Void of Course – 7:18a-EOD; Phase: Waning, Disseminating
• 5/8/2026 – Friday – Capricorn (detriment) until Aquarius at 12:27p; Void of Course – 10:08p-EOD; Phase: Waning, Disseminating
• 5/9/2026 – Saturday – Aquarius; Void of Course – 1:47a-11:33p; Phase: Waning, Disseminating; 3rd Qtr at 2:10p

Additional Planets in Sign

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

Out of Bounds

• Moon (5/3-7)
• Venus (5/5-9)

© Jan Erickson

General Astrological Insights

• At the beginning of the week, health concerns may impact your plans, and compromises may be necessary. As the week continues, a partner (or partners) may impact your emotional balance, and you may react by expressing strong opinions at the expense of your relationship(s). While insecurities may challenge your resolve, remember that your tone and choice of words can be deeply felt by others. If interactions continue to be difficult, you may end up feeling bound by decisions with which you disagree. At the end of the week, a creative approach may be necessary to smooth things over.
• Stelliums
  • Pallas/Neptune/Saturn (all week) – this stellium helps you implement your vision in a realistic and strategic manner.
  • Mercury/Eris/Chiron (5/3) – you may need to assert your position, particularly if it’s an uncomfortable truth, strongly and directly, because you believe others are dismissing your views.
  • Mars/Eris/Chiron (5/4-8) – 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.
  • Mercury/Sun/Ceres (5/9) – 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.
• T-Squares
  • 5/3 – The N Node at the apex of a T-square involving The Moon and Venus suggests your personal transformation is contingent on balancing emotional security with material desires.
  • 5/3 – The S Node at the apex of a T-square involving Venus and the Moon suggests a conflict between feeling safe within your relationships with others, and the tendency to fall back on past behavior as a means of coping with that drama.
  • 5/5 – Vesta at the apex of a T-square involving The Ascendant (Gemini) and The Moon suggests a struggle between more superficial interactions and the need for a deeper truth through commitment to an individual task that is more meaningful
  • 5/7 – Mars conjunct Eris at the apex of a T-square involving Jupiter and the Moon indicates expanding your emotional commitment to your ideals to catalyze evolution, both personal and societal.

Daily Readings

Sunday, 3 May 2026

Don’t allow a suspicious or a negative attitude to prevent you from considering options or opportunities that might, at first blush, seem like a less-than-perfect choice. Remaining stuck in one set of perceptions may cause you to miss something that might be the better option. Check in with others to hear their views, and remember that a careful or methodical approach doesn’t preclude other ideas from being considered.

For the magickally inclined: Use the Norn rune, Nauthiz ᚾ, to help you align in a higher purpose when pursuing goals, and help you move past perceptions that no longer resonate. Visualize Nauthiz as a line of energy flowing from your crown chakra, expanding through your body to your feet. The idea is to embody the entire rune from the crown to the feet, with the angled line just below your solar plexus. At the point where the angled line crosses, invoke the inner friction or fire to let go of anything that keeps you from considering all possibilities, leaving only Nauthiz radiating its light throughout the rune. End the visualization when ready.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 9/3; Runes: Nauthiz, Via; Tarot: Page of Pentacles; Human Design Gate/Line 24.6 The gift horse

Monday, 4 May 2026

An unexpected situation involving a powerful woman may occur today that supports your empowerment and growth, and that allows you to demonstrate your leadership qualities. Your experience is integral to your ideals and unique perspective. Because of that, she may be attracted to your positivity and your willingness to collaborate to achieve a better outcome. Whether the woman is approaching you to suggest a new career path or she’s a potential new client, it appears that something new is on the horizon.

For the magickally inclined: carrying crystals such as dragon’s blood (standing your ground, endurance), sunstone (optimism, balance), and tiger’s eye (balance, discernment, and grounding) can help you when pursuing a new opportunity.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 1/4; Runes: Mannaz, Fortuna Minor; Tarot: Queen of Cups; Human Design Gate/Line: 5.6 Yielding

Tuesday, 5 May 2026

Don’t allow disappointment to keep you self-absorbed and off your game today. Stay focused on the task at hand and meet challenges with self-confidence without allowing your emotions to govern your choices. Although facing change can be difficult, it can also open a door to new beginnings.

For the magickally inclined: the rune, Sowilo ⵢ, reflects the as above, so below flow of higher awareness into physical reality. Sowilo invokes higher will and increases self-confidence when you need it the most. Wear the rune as a pendant, draw it on your hands, mentally or physically, and visualize its energy moving through your body or the chakras to cleanse you of fear and doubt.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 11/5; Runes: Sowilo, Puella; Tarot: 5 of Cups; Human Design Gate/Line: 51.6 Separation

Wednesday, 6 May 2026

A new collaborative endeavor may begin today, and you may need to negotiate how that unfolds. Although you may be accustomed to working independently, working with others may maximize your success. So, respect boundaries, be there to support the views of other team members, and focus on the process taken to achieve the intended goal.

For the magickally inclined: To help keep your focus in a new situation where a variety of voices need to be heard, including your own, perform a 3-card Tarot reading with Strength as the significator. Draw three cards and interpret them as they relate to fortifying your inner strength to work with others. From there, apply them to the group situation as needed.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 3/6; Runes: Raidho, Conjunctio; Tarot: Strength; Human Design Gate/Line: 27.6 Wariness

Thursday, 7 May 2026

If a project is coming to its conclusion, you may be considering a new opportunity or direction. However, you need to do your due diligence to be certain the situation is reliable and provides the necessary structure for success. Although you need to carefully analyze the goals or objectives, don’t dismiss your intuition when making a decision. An older man with relevant experience may come into your orbit whose advice may be beneficial.

For the magickally inclined: When determining the veracity of a new direction or opportunity, keep a piece of fluorite close to you to help clear out the mental clutter. If emotions are involved, blue lace agate is also useful to stay calm and objective. If long-term goals are a factor, lapis lazuli can help you see the bigger picture or recognize patterns that can provide relevant insight.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 4/7; Runes: Berkano, Laetitia; Tarot: King of Swords; Human Design Gate/Line 53.6 Phasing

Friday, 8 May 2026

Your creativity and innovative ideas may have caught others’ attention, propelling you in a new direction. Although you may be inclined to protect yourself, perceptions that keep you from considering options outside a self-imposed comfort zone may not be in your overall best interest. Personal growth can involve change that expands your awareness, and stepping outside your comfort zone doesn’t mean you give up your fundamental values. Take the time you need to clear away any fears you might have that are preventing you from moving forward.

For the magickally inclined: A meditation or visualization can be helpful when letting go of perceptions that impact personal growth. Using the flowing energy of the rune, Laguz ᛚ, visualize the beliefs or perceptions that run counter to what you need to grow and pursue new directions. Acknowledge that they served a purpose, but now you’re ready to create new beliefs that expand your freedom and creative purpose. Observe the beliefs wash away, cleansed by a higher frequency of awareness. End the meditation when ready, knowing that this exercise will likely need repeating.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 5/8; Runes: Laguz, Carcer; Tarot: Wheel of Fortune; Human Design Gate/Line: 46.1 Being discovered

Saturday, 9 May 2026

It may feel as if a lot is coming in on you today, and you need to protect your interests. However, you may be on the threshold of a new direction developing or choosing a new opportunity that could increase your prosperity and material security. Before you become too overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to reach out, either to someone with relevant experience or to someone who can explain any legal issues involved, so you get advice before making any final decisions.

For the magickally inclined: Meditating on the rune, Othala ᛟ, when considering new opportunities, can help put your personal life into perspective. Othala describes your sacred space, traditions, and prosperity. It both concentrates and expresses the light of higher awareness to see things in a way that preserves your overall security and peace. The decisions you make that involve your material security need to be viewed from the standpoint of focused intention as well as how those decisions impact your relationships with others, family in particular. Remember that runes not only help you understand what’s currently happening and what could be coming, but they also teach you to explore your life from a higher vision. Othala, as the last rune of the Elder Futhark, consolidates the prior twenty-three runes into a final perspective, one that helps you understand the integration and fundamental unity of who you are in relation to others. 

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 6/9; Runes: Othala, Caput Draconis; Tarot: 8 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, 3 May 2026

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

• 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 Taurus
• The Moon in Sagittarius
• Moon Void of Course: Not today
• Lunar Phase: Waning, Full Moon
• Planetary governance: The Sun ☉
• Governing Planet Ray – 2nd (love/wisdom): Strongest Ray: 4th  
• Favorability: Excellent
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Air, Fire, Earth, Water
• Strongest Sign Mode: Fixed
• Mansion of the Moon: 19th – Exaula (Al Shaulah) 21°Sc25; tail of Scorpio; fosters attacking cities and towns, forces people to leave their homes, destroys sailors and prisoners; at 8:09a, 20th – Nahaym (Al Na’am) 4°Sg17; a beam; tames wild animals, fortifies prisons, destroys the wealth of societies, compels someone to a specific place 
• Retrograde planets: none
• Planets Out of Bounds: Moon -25°55

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, 4 May 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: 4 – grounding, foundation, practicality, reliability, patience, structure
• The Sun in Taurus
• The Moon in Sagittarius
• Moon Void of Course:  2:33p-EOD
• Lunar Phase: Waning, Full Moon
• Planetary governance: The Moon ☽
• Governing Planet Ray: 4th ray (harmony through conflict); Strongest Ray: 4th
• Favorability: Excellent
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Air, Fire, Earth, Water
• Strongest Sign Mode: Fixed/Mutable
• Mansion of the Moon: 20th – Nahaym (Al Na’am) 4°Sg17; a beam; tames wild animals, fortifies prisons, destroys the wealth of societies, compels someone to a specific place; at 10:04a, 21st – Elbeda (Al Baldah) 17°Sg8; which is a desert; increases gain, harvest, building strength, and successful travel, causes divorce 
• Retrograde: none
• Planets Out of Bounds: Moon -27°28

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, 5 May 2026

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

• Universal Numerology: 11 – Master number, awakening, enlightenment; Day: 5 protection, pentagram, travel, innovation, freedom versus restriction
• The Sun in Taurus
• The Moon in Sagittarius until Capricorn (detriment) at 12:05p
• Moon Void of Course: Until 12:05p
• Lunar Phase: Waning, Full Moon
• Planetary governance: Mars ♂
• Governing planet in sign: Mars in Aries (dignity)
• Governing Planet Ray: 6th ray (devotion and idealism), Strongest Ray: 4th  
• Favorability: Neutral
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Air, Fire, Earth, Water
• Strongest Sign Mode: Fixed/Mutable
• Mansion of the Moon: 21st – Elbeda (Al Baldah) 17°Sg8; which is a desert; increases gain, harvest, building strength, and successful travel, causes divorce; at 12:05p, 22nd – Caadaldeba (Sa’d al-Dhabih) 1°Capricorn; head of Capricorn; encourages prisoners and servants to flee, cures disease 
• Retrograde Planets: none
• Planets Out of Bounds: Moon -28°05; Venus +23°23

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, 6 May 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: 6 – assistance, shared path, empathy, love, guidance
• The Sun in Taurus
• The Moon in Capricorn (detriment)
• Moon Void of Course: Not today
• Lunar Phase: Waning, Full Moon/Disseminating
• Planetary governance: Mercury ☿
• Governing planet in sign: Mercury in Taurus
• Governing Planet Ray: 4th (harmony through conflict); Strongest Ray: 4th/7th
• Favorability: Neutral
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Air, Earth, Fire, Water
• Strongest Sign Mode: Fixed
• Mansion of the Moon: 22nd – Caadaldeba (Sa’d al-Dhabih) 1°Capricorn; head of Capricorn; encourages prisoners and servants to flee, cures disease; at 2:05p, 23rd – Caadebolach (Sa’d Bula) 12°Cp51; swallowing; divorce, freeing of prisoners, healing 
• Retrograde Planets: Pluto – stationing Rx
• Planets Out of Bounds: Moon -27°15; Venus +23°44

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, 7 May 2026

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

• Universal Numerology: 4 – grounding, foundation, practicality, reliability, patience, structure; Day: 7 – observation, balance, justice, the scales, magick, spirituality/
• The Sun in Taurus
• The Moon in Capricorn (detriment)
• Moon Void of Course: 7:18a-EOD
• Lunar Phase: Waning, Disseminating
• Planetary governance: Jupiter ♃
• Governing planet in sign: Jupiter in Cancer (exalted)
• Governing Planet Ray: 2nd Ray (love and wisdom): Strongest Ray: 4th/7th
• Favorability: Excellent
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Air, Earth, Fire, Water
• Strongest Sign Mode: Fixed
• Mansion of the Moon: 23rd – Caadebolach (Sa’d Bula) 12°Cp51; swallowing; divorce, freeing of prisoners, healing; at 3:54p, 24th – Caadacohot (Sa’d al-Su’ud) 25°Cp42; star of fortune; increases compassion between married people, military victory, obstructs government 
• Retrograde Planets: Pluto
• Planets Out of Bounds: Moon -25°09; Venus +23°54

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, 8 May 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: 8 – Materialistic Approval, Achievement, Striving for Success, leadership, and Acknowledgment
• The Sun in Taurus
• The Moon in Capricorn (detriment) until Aquarius at 12:27p
• Moon Void of Course: Until 12:27a
• Lunar Phase: Waning, Disseminating
• Planetary governance: Venus ♀
• Governing planet in sign: Venus in Gemini
• Governing Planet Ray: 5th Ray (concrete knowledge and science): Strongest Ray: 4th/7th 
• Favorability: Neutral
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Air, Earth, Fire, Water
• 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 5:23p, 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 Planets: Pluto
• Planets Out of Bounds: Venus +24°03

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, 9 May 2026

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

• 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 Aquarius
• Moon Void of Course: 10:08p-EOD
• Lunar Phase: Waning, Disseminating; 3rd Qtr at 2:10p
• Planetary governance: Saturn ♄
• Governing planet in sign: Saturn in Aries (fall)
• Governing Planet Ray: 3rd Ray (active intelligence), Strongest Ray: 4th 
• Favorability: Excellent
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Air, Earth, Fire, Water
• 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 6:21p, 26th – Almiquedam – (Al Fargh al-Awwal) 21°Aq25; first drawing; promotes unity, health of prisoners, destroys buildings and prisons   
• Retrograde Planets: Pluto
• Planets Out of Bounds: Venus +24°50

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 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 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 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 Jan Erickson