Meh astro forecast

The New Year begins with mixed planetary strengths. In fact, all but one of the seven classical planets is meh atm in terms of strength, to say the least.

A new lunation began today in Capricorn, the sign of the Moon's exile. It also squared the nodes so we should be in for a rather interesting fortnight. The Moon will increase until becoming Full in Leo (where it will square Jupiter).

Mercury has recently turned direct although it's still in exile in Sagittarius and slower than usual. Not a good idea to work with its forces until the planet at least passes its previous retrograde station point in Capricorn.

Book review: Things my Hierophant should have told me

Pagan magician and occult book writer extraordinaire, Mr. Farrell, has dropped another title, this one being a much thicker version of a book he's written and published ages ago.

Things my Hierophant should have told me is a series of aphorism-like statements surrounding different topics beginners and even advanced occultists should be aware whenever encountering certain issues. The good thing is the author covers a wide variety of issues occultists may face, ranging from simpler to more complex.

One such important subject is occult groups and orders. Having a broad experience in working with various established groups over the eons covering his practice, Mr. Farrell details on how to recognize serious ones that focus on helping the individual, as well as the many red flags one must recognize in order to avoid toxic ones who's leaders merely seek wealth (and sex). Moreover, the book also covers the unofficial groups, cliques of people who outright scam others using outrageous claims.

Money for nothing and your shills for free

Some time ago I wrote this article in which I spoke of various occultists (more or less) who make up all sorts of shit to practically beg for money from others involved in the occult community (more or less).

It recently came to my attention this trend has snowballed and people who are (or used to be) considered superstars in this field (often by people with questionable knowledge and experience) have also adhered to it. It's been brought to my attention that during this past holiday season no more than four such (doubtful) characters have started what appear to be promotional campaigns for occult services in the new year.

Janus New Year ritual

The following is an adapted and simplified version of that owr very own magicked up pegan woowoo person, Mr. Farrell's Janus rite for the purpose of shedding past nastiness and invoking a bright future (although you can be specific on what you want in regards to the future you invoke). You'll need a black candle and a white one, a glass of wine, some bread, holy water and incense (the script calls for bay laurel).

One of the reason I've watered it down is the script calls for two participants. Another reason is it involves some specific Golden Dawn temple stuff. Anyway, here we go.

JANUS RITE

Put the black candle in the West. Then put the altar more towards the East, instead of right in the center of the circle, with the statue (or picture) of Janus with the offerings, incense, holy water and the white candle.

Perform your usual ritual opening.

Take the candles and write your name and the name Janus on both. 

Project all the thoughts and incidents you want left in the past into the black candle. You can do this by holding it and saying:

Christmas time

Christmas is near and I'm looking forward to celebrating it in as much peace as possible. Therefore, I'll probably answer any questions that may arise much later and will post the next article even later still.

Merry Christmas!

Moon election

With a few planets retro and a couple others irritated, I thought working with the Moon would be a good idea. For that reason I selected the following election that would allow people to make potent lunar talismans. Or you can just call on lunar entities and ask them for whatever (falls in their sphere of influence).

I could've made the Moon even stronger by having it in its decan as well, but my geographical location won't allow it. I could've waited for Saturday for that although I chose not to due to the enmity between Saturn and the Moon's energies.

We see the waxing Moon exalted, in its triplicity and on the MC (and also in sect). It is separating from a conjunction with a retro Jupiter it easily overpowers, rendering this aspect a minor inconvenience at worse.

"Winter is coming"

Wiinter has come in my neck of the woods. There hasn't been much snow so far, mostly wetness and cold, but that's besides the point.

With the arrival of winter I remembered what man who spent some 10 years in Russia told me more than once. Then I remembered even seeing at least a couple of TV documentaries addressing that topic although in little detail. But the important thing for me was them mentioning it.

I'm referring to magical workings performed by certain people in Russia during time of need in order to defeat invading enemies. The man I mentioned travel all across Russia, from Murmansk to the Caucasus and from Moscow to Vladivostok. He met various folk, some of them telling him about such magical workings.