Welcome to Stepping Aside…Where Magick Begins

©2025-2026 Jan Erickson 

The Week Ahead: Astrology, Runes, & Energetic Insights 27 September to 3 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

• Venus in Scorpio on 10/3; SD 11/14/2026
• Pluto in Aquarius; SD 10/16/2026
• Uranus in Gemini; SD 2/8/2027
• Neptune in Aries; SD 12/12/2026
• Saturn in Aries; 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

• 9/27/2025 – Sunday: Aries; Void of Course: Not today; Phase: Waning, Full
• 9/28/2025 – Monday: Aries until Taurus (exalted) at 7:39a; Void of Course: 2:50a-7:39a; Phase: Waning, Full
• 9/29/2025 – Tuesday: Taurus (exalted); Void of Course: 4:35p-EOD; Phase: Waning, Full
• 9/30/2025 – Wednesday: Taurus (exalted) until Gemini at 10:25a; Void of Course: Until 10:25a; Phase: Waning, Disseminating
• 10/1/2026 – Thursday: Gemini; Void of Course: 7:41p-EOD; Phase: Waning, Disseminating
• 10/2/2026 – Friday: Gemini until Cancer (dignity) at 12 53p; Void of Course: Until 12:53p; Phase: Waning, Disseminating
• 10/3/2026 – Saturday: Cancer (dignity); Void of Course: 8:08a-EOD; Phase: 3rd Qtr, 6:24a; 10°Cn21

Additional Planets in Sign

• Mercury – Libra; Scorpio (4:45a, 9/30)
• Mars – Leo (9/27 at 7:49p)
• Venus – Scorpio (detriment)
• Jupiter – Leo
• Saturn – Aries (fall)

Out of Bounds

• The Moon (9/30-10/3)
• Pluto (all week)
• BML (all week)

© 2025-2026 Jan Erickson

General Astrological Insights

Over the week, your career may create the space to express your creativity. Others are eager to join your efforts because of your unique ideas and approach. However, you may experience some insecurity that impacts how you express yourself. That insecurity may actually be related to a reduced energy level, and if so, your body may be signaling the need for additional rest.

During the latter part of the week, the expectations you have of others may need clarifying or adjusting. If so, be careful not to become pushy or controlling, especially if you’re expressing strong opinions. Rely on your intuition to avoid creating an uncomfortable situation so collaboration can continue.

The Moon’s influence this week:

You need stability in your relationships at the beginning of the week. If conflict occurs, consider a reevaluation of your strategy to help calm the situation. Your feelings will indicate if you’re on the right path. During the latter part of the week, networking opportunities increase, which lead you to pursue new ideas. Your imagination increases and you’re drawn to metaphysical or spiritual teachings.

Daily Readings

Sunday, 27 September 2026

Manifesting your dreams could be complicated by hanging onto traditions that keep you from exploring new ideas and opportunities. Sometimes tradition provides structure and foundation; however, long-held traditions may not align with progressive thinking. A unique approach or ideals may be needed today to ensure your happiness and success.

For the magickally inclined: Altars can be used as spells that invoke a particular desire, such as abundance and success. Citrine and quartz can be used to promote abundance, clarity, and optimism. They can also be used in a grid pattern as a centerpiece for the altar. Incorporate bay leaves around the grid and write down each desire you have on them if you like. In the center of the grid, or on one side or the other, keep a simmer pot going with a few drops of citrus-based essential oil to promote positive energy. Green, gold, white, or orange candles of any size (4” chime candles work well) add energy that can invoke success. And don’t forget tangible items that represent happiness and success in your life, such as symbols of past successes, Tarot cards, runes, or coins. Flowers such as marigolds or roses can also be included. Visit the altar daily to focus your intention for success and happiness.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 1/9; Runes: Wunjo, Carcer; Tarot: The Star; Human Design Gate/Line 18.1 Conservatism 

Monday, 28 September 2026

Your emotional balance may be at odds today with embracing new insights. A situation may feel “too much” to handle, and you may resist new ideas and perspectives. Before this gets out of hand and others view your resistance as something that prevents a positive outcome, take a moment to find a better emotional balance. When you’re ready, return to the conversation and be willing to listen to the views of others; otherwise, you may find that you’re left out of the decision-making process entirely.

For the magickally inclined: Studying Jera ᛃ, a rune from the Elder Futhark that describes balance, give-and-take, and energetic alignment, can help you understand that engaging that way with others doesn’t come from the ego but from higher awareness. Jera is comprised of Kenaz ᚲ forward and reversed, symbolizing drawing the light of Spirit inward and expressing it outward. Conversely, the 4 of Cups, for example, from the Rider-Waite Tarot, illustrates how becoming stuck in negative emotions can keep you from seeing what’s in front of you, or ignoring the emotional support you actually have. When that happens, you may be reluctant to engage with others in a balanced manner, preferring instead to engage in a self-possessed pity party. Together, Jera and the 4 of Cups can represent two sides of the same coin and help you decide which option is better.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 11/1; Runes: Jera, Populus; Tarot: 4 of Cups; Human Design Gate/Line: 3.5 Victimization

Tuesday, 29 September 2026

Keeping your ideas to yourself today or your need for perfection may be self-defeating because, in doing so, you don’t attract others to help you implement what you have to offer. Not all success is achieved in a vacuum, and you may need to share the spotlight with others. Although this may be uncharted territory for you, and it may feel disruptive, collaborating with others could represent a significant transformation and awaken you to a new way of developing your will.

For the magickally inclined: A reading that includes Isa ᛁ, a Norn rune in the Elder Futhark, that aligns you in higher consciousness and invokes the stillness within, and The Tower card in the Major Arcana, which describes disruption, letting go, transformation, and catalytic change, can help you understand that alignment in higher consciousness often includes an initial disruption that can result in a change that is, in fact, catalytic in nature. Letting go of the ego, which many allow to control their reactions and decisions, needs an awareness of and alignment in higher consciousness to achieve that transformation. In The Tower, that happens when a lightning bolt strikes the top of the tower. The two people “let go” and fall out of the tower and are apparently transformed. Meditation while softly chanting Isa and focusing on that alignment, along with studying the overall meaning of The Tower, may help you understand the relationship between the catalyst and the transformation that occurs as a result.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 3/11; Runes: Isa, Fortuna Major; Tarot: The Tower; Human Design Gate/Line: 56.5 Attracting Attention (detriment)

Wednesday, 30 September 2026

Consistency can be both positive and negative. It can help you stay focused on the process, but it can also prevent you from choosing a different approach that could be even more successful. In and of itself, consistency can include patience, reliability, and structure, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of new ideas or methods. Otherwise, you may become stuck in self-imposed boundaries that may not apply to what you’re trying to achieve.

For the magickally inclined: The Norn rune, Hagalaz ᚺ, represents power that transforms or causes destruction, such as hail, but leaves no trace of itself when all is said and done. It’s an interesting concept to think about because it can apply to external destructive forces as well as the way someone chooses to communicate with others. Words spoken, for example, can be just as destructive as a hailstorm. Both leave damage that can be challenging to correct. Wearing or carrying Hagalaz with you when you’re having a conversation that could be disruptive can help you establish boundaries where the conversation can safely take place. You can also include Hagalaz in a charm/mojo bag you can carry with you, along with other items such as rose quartz or citrine and dried lavender, to bring clarity and calm to the situation.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 4/3; Runes: Hagalaz, Cauda Draconis; Tarot: Queen of Pentacles; Human Design Gate/Line: 50.5 Consistency

Thursday, 1 October 2026

You don’t have to stay stuck in emotions that really don’t serve a higher purpose or help you manifest a positive outlook. The timing is right to make a different choice and leave behind sadness or grief that may be preventing you from moving forward. A new direction is possible now, so use this time to transform your mind and heart, and heal long-held emotions and perceptions.

For the magickally inclined: Combining the rune Kenaz ᚲ and the 8 of Cups can be an interesting combination to study when you need to heal or move past emotional trauma or challenges. Expressing the light within outward into your physical reality with Kenaz can be enormously helpful when choosing a new direction. Known as the torch, Kenaz invokes that light to not only provide clarity and illumination, but also to increase healing and well-being. From there, the 8 of Cups demonstrates that although letting go of emotional trauma may be challenging, in the end, it frees you to pursue higher goals.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 3/1; Runes: Kenaz, Tristitia; Tarot: 8 of Cups; Human Design Gate/Line: 4.1 Pleasure

Friday, 2 October 2026

Self-doubt today may lead you to take precautions that may not be necessary. Collaborating with others may give you additional clarity, which could ease any insecurity you’re experiencing. Although a conservative approach could result in more reliable and practical choices, you could also prevent a new path or direction from forming that could lead to further success.

For the magickally inclined: The 4 of Pentacles can be studied to discover the pros and cons of material insecurity. Here we see a King sitting on a chair away from his kingdom with his feet on two coins, one displayed on his crown, and holding fast to another. The 4 of Pentacles can indicate someone who holds onto his possessions, a sense of miserliness, selfishness, insecurity, as well as someone who is concerned with his legacy. There is also no indication that he’s doing any of that for his kingdom. Instead, it seems that his wealth is solely for himself. Consider how the selfishness may be born from insecurity and lead to his miserliness, and whether or not that’s the right way to live.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 4/1; Runes: Ansuz, Via; Tarot: 4 of Pentacles; Human Design Gate/Line: 44.1 Conditions (detriment)

Saturday, 3 October 2026; (Crone phase)

Step back before becoming angry over perceived interference today to gain more clarity. Consult other partners to hear additional perspectives, and proceed with caution. When you’re ready, express your views with eloquence and stay focused on pertinent details instead of allowing the conversation to devolve into something more challenging to deal with.

For the magickally inclined: The Hermit from the Major Arcana, as well as Ansuz ᚨ from The Elder Futhark, can be helpful when keeping your anger under control. Carrying both with you during difficult conversations can help you maintain a better focus, instead of reacting in haste. The Hermit involves an inner dialogue, while Ansuz expresses that inner dialogue with clarity and eloquence, making this pairing of divination tools a positive choice.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 5/3; Runes: Ansuz, Conjunctio; Tarot: The Hermit; Human Design Gate/Line 21.2 Might is right 

©2025-2026 Jan Erickson

Weekly Correspondences

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

Sunday, 27 September 2026

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

• Universal Numerology: 1 –  Uniqueness, Freedom, Talent, Governance, Leadership, and Revolution/Day- 9 – idealistic, generous, and kind; Altruism, Humanitarianism, Generosity, Sympathy; endings
• The Sun in Libra (fall)
• The Moon in Aries
• Moon Void of Course: Not today
• Lunar Phase: Waning, Full
• Planetary governance: The Sun ☉
• Governing Planet Ray – 2nd (love/wisdom): Strongest Ray: 1st/7th
• Favorability: Very good
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Air, Water, Fire, Earth (0)
• Strongest Sign Mode: Cardinal
• Mansion of the Moon: 2nd – Albochan (Al Butain) 12°Ar51; Belly of Aries; finds treasures and retains prisoners 
• Retrograde planets: Saturn, Uranus, Pluto, Neptune, Chiron, Pallas, Vesta
• Planets Out of Bounds: Pluto -23°37;  BML -27°15

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, 28 September 2026

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

• Universal Numerology: 11 – Master number, awakening, enlightenment/Day – 1 –  Uniqueness, Freedom, Talent, Governance, Leadership, and Revolution
• The Sun in Libra (fall)
• The Moon in Aries until Taurus (exalted) at 7:39a
• Moon Void of Course: 2:50a-7:39a
• Lunar Phase: Waning, Full
• Planetary governance: The Moon ☽
• Governing Planet Ray: 4th ray (harmony through conflict); Strongest Ray: 1st/4th
• Favorability: Very bad
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Air, Fire/Water, Earth
• Strongest Sign Mode: Cardinal
• Mansion of the Moon: 3rd – Azoraya (Al Thurayya) – 25°Ar42’; Showering, Pleiades, profitable for hunters, sailors, and alchemists   
• Retrograde: Saturn, Uranus, Pluto, Neptune, Chiron, Pallas, Vesta
• Planets Out of Bounds: Pluto -23°37;  BML -27°17

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, 29 September 2026

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

• Universal Numerology: 3 – Self-Expression, Entertainment, Optimism, Imagination, and Friendliness; reason, mental acuity, detail-oriented; Day -11 – Master number, awakening, enlightenment/
• The Sun in Libra (fall)
• The Moon in Taurus (exalted)
• Moon Void of Course: 4:35p-EOD
• Lunar Phase: Waning, Full
• Planetary governance: Mars ♂
• Governing planet in sign: Mars in Leo (9/27 at 7:49p)
• Governing Planet Ray: 6th ray (devotion and idealism), Strongest Ray: 1st/4th
• Favorability: Very bad
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Air, Fire/Water, Earth
• Strongest Sign Mode: Cardinal
• Mansion of the Moon: 4th – Aldebaran (Al Dabaran) 8°Ta34; eye/head of Taurus; destroys buildings, water sources, gold mines, prevents winged insects from escaping, fosters conflict; at 8:00p, 5th  Almices (Al Haqa) 21°Ta25; fosters return from travel; increases scholarship; reinforces structures; promotes good health and good will 
• Retrograde Planets: Saturn, Uranus, Pluto, Neptune, Chiron, Pallas, Vesta
• Planets Out of Bounds: Pluto -23°37;  BML -27°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, 30 September 2026

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

• Universal Numerology: 4 – grounding, foundation, practicality, reliability, patience, structure/Day – 3 – Self-Expression, Entertainment, Optimism, Imagination, and Friendliness; reason, mental acuity, detail-oriented
• The Sun in Libra (fall)
• The Moon in Taurus (exalted) until Gemini at 10:25a
• Moon Void of Course: Until 10:25a
• Lunar Phase: Waning, Disseminating
• Planetary governance: Mercury ☿
• Governing planet in sign: Mercury in Libra; Scorpio (4:45a)
• Governing Planet Ray: 4th (harmony through conflict); Strongest Ray: 1st
• Favorability: Very bad
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Air, Water, Fire, Earth
• Strongest Sign Mode: Cardinal/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; at 5:37p, 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: Saturn, Uranus, Pluto, Neptune, Chiron, Pallas, Vesta
• Planets Out of Bounds: Moon +24°52; Pluto -23°37;  BML -27°30

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, 1 October 2026

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

• 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 Gemini
• Moon Void of Course: 7:41p-EOD
• Lunar Phase: Waning, Disseminating
• Planetary governance: Jupiter ♃
• Governing planet in sign: Jupiter – Leo 
• Governing Planet Ray: 2nd Ray (love and wisdom): Strongest Ray: 1st
• Favorability: Excellent
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Air, Water, Fire, Earth(0)
• Strongest Sign Mode: Cardinal
• 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; at 3:14p, 7th  Aldirah (Al Dhira) 17°Ge8; arm of Gemini; promotes friendship and love, gain, destroys courts 
• Retrograde Planets: Saturn, Uranus, Pluto, Neptune, Chiron, Pallas, Vesta
• Planets Out of Bounds: Moon +27°18; Pluto -23°37;  BML -27°37

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, 2 October 2026

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

• 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 Gemini until Cancer (dignity) at 12 53p
• Moon Void of Course: Until 12:53p
• Lunar Phase: Waning, Disseminating
• Planetary governance: Venus ♀
• Governing planet in sign: Venus in Scorpio (detriment)
• Governing Planet Ray: 5th Ray (concrete knowledge and science); Strongest Ray: 1st
• Favorability: Excellent
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Air, Water, Fire, Earth(0)
• Strongest Sign Mode: Cardinal
• Mansion of the Moon: 7th  Aldirah (Al Dhira) 17°Ge8; arm of Gemini; promotes friendship and love, gain, destroys courts; at 12:53p, 8th – Annathra (Al Nathra) 1°Cancer; misty/cloudy; promotes love and friendship particularly with fellow travelers, rids area of mice, reinforces imprisonment 
• Retrograde Planets: Saturn, Uranus, Pluto, Neptune, Chiron, Pallas, Vesta
• Planets Out of Bounds: Moon +27°58; Pluto -23°38;  BML -27°43

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, 3 October 2026

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

• 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 Cancer (dignity)
• Moon Void of Course: 8:08a-EOD
• Lunar Phase: Waning, 3rd Qtr, 6:24a; 10°Cn21
• Planetary governance: Saturn ♄
• Governing planet in sign: Saturn in Aries (fall)
• Governing Planet Ray: 5th Ray (concrete knowledge and science); Strongest Ray: 1st/7th
• Favorability: Excellent
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Water/Air, Fire, Earth(0)
• 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 10:39a, 9th – Atarf (Al Tarf) 12° Cn51; eye of lion; hinders trail, causes discord, and harms harvest. 
• Retrograde Planets: Venus, Saturn, Uranus, Pluto, Neptune, Chiron, Pallas, Vesta
• Planets Out of Bounds: Moon +26°46; Pluto -23°38;  BML -27°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

©2025-2026 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