Welcome to Stepping Aside…Where Magick Begins

©2025-2026 Jan Erickson 

The Week Ahead: Astrology, Runes, & Energetic Insights 26 July to 1 August 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

• 7/26-28 – 1st Qtr to Full Moon: With the light of the Moon increasing to its strongest energy, this is a good time for above-ground plants such as tomatoes, beans, peas, peppers, squash, and melons, and corn, and to focus on flowering and fruit production
• 7/29-8/1 – Full Moon to 3rd Qtr – with the light decreasing, energy is focused on planting/tending to bulbs, root crops, and perennials

Retrograde Planets: Pluto, Juno, Neptune, Saturn 

Sun Sign: Leo (dignity)

Moon Sign/VOC/Phases

• 7/26/2025 – Sunday: Sagittarius until Capricorn at 6:44a; Void of Course: Until 6:44a; Phase: Waxing, Gibbous
• 7/27/2025 – Monday: Capricorn; Void of Course: 11:10p-EOD; Phase: Waxing, Gibbous
• 7/28/2025 – Tuesday: Capricorn until Aquarius at 6:45p; Void of Course: Until 6:45p; Phase: Waxing, Crescent; 1st Qtr at 4:05a
• 7/29/2025 – Wednesday: Aquarius; Void of Course: Not today; Phase: Waxing, Full at 7:35a
• 7/30/2026 – Thursday: Aquarius; Void of Course: 2:26p-EOD; Phase: Waning, Full
• 7/31/2026 – Friday: Aquarius until Pisces at 5:13a; Void of Course: Until 5:13a; Phase: Waning, Full
• 8/1/2026 – Saturday: Pisces; Void of Course: Not today; Phase: Waning, Full

Additional Planets in Sign

• Mercury – Cancer
• Mars – Gemini
• Venus – Virgo (fall)
• Jupiter – Leo
• Saturn – Aries (fall)

Out of Bounds

• The Moon (7/26-28)
• BML (all week)

© 2025-2026 Jan Erickson

General Astrological Insights

Spend some time this week reflecting on a problem in need of a creative solution. Consider your responses carefully so you don’t impact important relationships. You may feel unsupported by others or from a lack of finances during the week. Avoid resorting to impulsivity if decisions are necessary. Despite everything, however, you’re optimistic and love to be the center of attention. And, your feelings will tell you if you’re on the right path, or if it’s time to make a different choice.

An opportunity may arise at the beginning of the week that may benefit from your unique approach. However, a power-related conflict may arise between you and someone else, leading you to reevaluate your beliefs. That said, your intuitive nature attracts someone in need.

At the end of the week, an unexpected situation may cause you concern, and taking a step back to more fully understand what’s happening before reacting may be the best option. 

Daily Readings

Sunday, 26 July 2026

You may be experiencing an inner battle today where you arrogantly ignore the opinions of others or the consensus offered. An attitude that favors risk over realism may disrupt a collaborative effort and dash the self-confidence needed to succeed. Those looking to you for leadership may feel let down by your behavior, so step back not only to observe the overall picture, but also your own role in it.

For the magickally inclined: Regarding your magick, examine how the geomancy rune, Puer, the scattered and impulsive little boy energy rune in the geomancy set, reflects Mars in Aries. Are you reacting to or inserting yourself into a situation without understanding its greater purpose? Do you allow a situation to play out before trying to influence it with your spellcraft? If you act without considering that an individual or individuals are here to experience something that you may judge as wrong or harmful, you may get in the way of what those souls are here to learn. Sometimes, the greatest magick you have to offer is your own self-control. 

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 7/8; Runes: Sowilo, Puer; Tarot: 9 of Wands; Human Design Gate/Line 31.2 Arrogance 

Monday, 27 July 2026

If you’re involved in a situation that needs further investigation, someone who opposes you may be your best partner in discovering the facts. So, don’t overreact if someone expresses an opposing view, no matter how vehemently that happens. Instead, acknowledge that you don’t know everything and agree to work with that person to uncover the truth, particularly paying attention to information that indicates cause and effect. At some point, the truth will be revealed.

For the magickally inclined: Study the 8 of Wands from the Rider-Waite Tarot. The card shows eight staffs appearing to be thrown into view. This suggests swift, directional movement, attack, and the need for protection. It also suggests that you may be dealing with things that are happening all at once. However, instead of becoming overwhelmed by the situation, the card may also be suggesting that you’re being given information if you can step back and observe before reacting in haste. This can be a valuable situation if you give yourself the space to see it that way.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 8/9; Runes: Perthro, Rubeus; Tarot: 8 of Wands; Human Design Gate/Line: 38.4 Investigation 

Tuesday, 28 July 2026

Others may look to you for leadership today if a situation becomes confusing and needs clarification. Your self-confidence will inspire them to confront anyone who may be undermining the situation and gain a better understanding. Stay focused on the goal, and move forward toward achieving your objectives.

For the magickally inclined: If you’re pursuing a leadership role, or you want supportive energy to maintain one that you currently have, carry the rune Sowilo ⵢ with you when either demonstrating that quality or defining the expectations you have of others. You can include a representation of Sowilo inside a charm bag or drawn on the outside of the bag. If you choose to use a charm bag, include other stones, herbs, or other leadership-related items. Sunstone, dragon stone, and rosemary are options.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 9/1; Runes: Sowilo, Acquisitio; Tarot: 7 of Wands; Human Design Gate/Line: 45.5 Leadership

Wednesday, 29 July 2026

A proactive approach may be the most practical thing you can do today to stave off conflict. Analyze the situation from a neutral perspective, and run through different scenarios that might either alleviate the situation or at least diffuse it enough so that a conversation can take place. It could be that impulsiveness is at the heart of the problem, and a measured approach may help you find the solution.

For the magickally inclined: Studying the rune Nauthiz ᚾ, along with the King of Swords, can help steer you in the right direction when conflict or another problem arises. Place the King of Swords from any deck (Rider-Waite is the typical deck used, but any deck that resonates works fine). Write an abbreviated form of the problem (easiest if it’s a person’s name) on a bay leaf. Place the leaf on the card and then place Nauthiz on top of the leaf. Bay leaves can be used in magickal workings to increase wealth, success, illumination, truth, and protection. They are often burned in a small cauldron in protection spells, for example, after writing the name of the person from whom you need protection on the leaf. In this case, however, placing the leaf between the card and the rune can help you find the truth behind a conflict or situation. The King of Swords invokes logic and analysis to understand the situation, while Nauthiz invokes the will to manifest a desired outcome.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 1/11; Runes: Nauthiz, Puer; Tarot: King of Swords; Human Design Gate/Line: 53.3 Practicality

Thursday, 30 July 2026

You may have reached the end of one phase and the beginning of a new one today. Whether this means, for example, a project is coming to completion, or you’re leaving one job to take another, or you’re relocating to a new area, whatever is in store could indicate all doors are open and new options are available to you. You may awaken to a new truth that allows you to let go of perceptions or beliefs that no longer apply. You may feel as if you’re coming full circle, having completed one phase of life and now you’re ready for more. This is a time to be clear in your objectives and take a self-determined approach.

For the magickally inclined: Perform a simple reading using The World card from the Rider-Waite Tarot deck and the rune Dagaz ᛞ, from the Elder Futhark. Place The World card that signals completion, synthesis, and reward on a table before you and put Dagaz in the center of the card. Dagaz signals a new day, dawn, endings and beginnings, daylight, and awakening. Dagaz physically presents endings on the left side of the rune, and beginnings on its right side. Meditate on how the card and rune illustrate the same ideas and patterns of endings and completion. You come full circle with The World and illustrate the end of one period and the beginning of a new one with Dagaz, and from there, apply them to your life or to a situation you’re experiencing.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 11/3; Runes: Dagaz, Via; Tarot: The World; Human Design Gate/Line: 31.5 Self-righteousness

Friday, 31 July 2026

The right timing may make all the difference today if you need to deal with a situation you don’t fully understand. Do not allow anyone to force you into a conversation that you’re unprepared to deal with. Do your due diligence to find out more facts so you express yourself with confidence. Then, and only then, do you respond to the situation.

For the magickally inclined: Studying Perthro ᛈ, the rune of chance and understanding fate, along with the 7 of Swords from the Rider-Waite Tarot can help you summon the courage to stand your ground and confront a difficult situation with confidence. Perthro suggests looking at cause and effect when discovering the truth, and to pay attention to synchronicities. The 7 of Wands not only addresses confronting problems and standing your ground, but also the necessity to get above a difficult situation to observe without expressing judgment.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 3/4; Runes: Perthro, Acquisitio; Tarot: 7 of Wands; Human Design Gate/Line: 6.2 The guerrilla

Saturday, 1 August 2026; Lughnasad/Lammas

You may be dealing with a woman today who won’t take kindly to games or any deception. So it’s best to treat her with respect and dignity to avoid any more disruption. You may be able to alleviate her concerns better than anyone else can, and, in the process, build additional trust.

Today is Lughnasad (or Lammas if you prefer). Lughnasad is considered a cross-quarter festival that represents the midpoint between Summer Solstice and the Autumn Equinox, also known as Litha and Mabon respectively. Crops are ripening, harvests are beginning, and the festival honors the god Lugh and his mother Tailtiu who died after working to prepare large areas for planting. Bread was typically baked from the first grain harvested, and blackberries were picked, and shared with family and friends.

For the magickally inclined. Carry the rune, Fehu ᚠ, with you during difficult conversations. Its Fire influence gives you the energy and confidence to stand your ground and be successful. If the difficult situation involves an adult woman, study the Queen of Swords from the Rider-Waite Tarot as well. She is keenly observant, and expects honesty and directness from others, cuts through illusion, and has a powerful, assertive intellect. However, if she’s ill-dignified, she may be deceitful and unreliable underneath.

Influences: Universal numerology/Day: 1/1; Runes: Fehu, Caput Draconis; Tarot: Queen of Swords; Human Design Gate/Line 21.6 Chaos 

©2025-2026 Jan Erickson

Weekly Correspondences

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

Sunday, 26 July 2026

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

• Universal Numerology: 7 – observation, balance, justice, the scales, magick, spirituality/ Day- 8 – Materialistic Approval, Achievement, Striving for Success, leadership, and Acknowledgment;
• The Sun in Leo (dignity)
• The Moon in Sagittarius until Capricorn at 6:44a
• Moon Void of Course: Until 6:44a
• Lunar Phase: Waxing, Gibbous
• Planetary governance: The Sun ☉
• Governing Planet Ray – 2nd (love/wisdom): Strongest Ray: 5th
• Favorability: Very good
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Fire, Earth, Air, Water
• Strongest Sign Mode: Fixed
• 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 6:44a, 22nd – Caadaldeba (Sa’d al-Dhabih) 1°Capricorn; head of Capricorn; encourages prisoners and servants to flee, cures disease 
• Retrograde planets: Saturn SR at 12:56p; Pluto, Juno; Neptune 
• Planets Out of Bounds: Moon -27°55; BML -27°57

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, 27 July 2026

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

• Universal Numerology: 8 – Materialistic Approval, Achievement, Striving for Success, leadership, and Acknowledgment; Day-9 idealistic, generous, and kind; Altruism, Humanitarianism, Generosity, Sympathy; endings
• The Sun in Leo (dignity)
• The Moon in Capricorn
• Moon Void of Course: 11:10p-EOD
• Lunar Phase: Waxing, Gibbous
• Planetary governance: The Moon ☽
• Governing Planet Ray: 4th ray (harmony through conflict); Strongest Ray: 1st
• Favorability: Very good
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Fire, Earth, Air, 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 8:36a, 23rd – Caadebolach (Sa’d Bula) 12°Cp51; swallowing; divorce, freeing of prisoners, healing 
• Retrograde: Saturn; Pluto, Juno; Neptune 
• Planets Out of Bounds: Moon -26°40; BML -28°00

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, 28 July 2026

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

• Universal Numerology: 9 – idealistic, generous, and kind; Altruism, Humanitarianism, Generosity, Sympathy; endings/ Day: 1 –  Uniqueness, Freedom, Talent, Governance, Leadership, and Revolution
• The Sun in Leo (dignity)
• The Moon in Capricorn until Aquarius at 6:45p
• Moon Void of Course: Until 6:45p
• Lunar Phase: Waxing, Gibbous
• Planetary governance: Mars ♂
• Governing planet in sign: Mars – Gemini
• Governing Planet Ray: 6th ray (devotion and idealism), Strongest Ray: 1st
• Favorability: Very bad
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Fire, Earth, Air, Water
• Strongest Sign Mode: Fixed
• Mansion of the Moon: 23rd – Caadebolach (Sa’d Bula) 12°Cp51; swallowing; divorce, freeing of prisoners, healing; at 10:16a, 24th – Caadacohot (Sa’d al-Su’ud) 25°Cp42; star of fortune; increases compassion between married people, military victory, obstructs government  
• Retrograde Planets: Saturn; Pluto, Juno; Neptune 
• Planets Out of Bounds: Moon -24°11; BML -28°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, 29 July 2026

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

• Universal Numerology: 1 –  Uniqueness, Freedom, Talent, Governance, Leadership, and Revolution/Day-11  – Master number, awakening, enlightenment/
• The Sun in Leo (dignity)
• The Moon in Aquarius
• Moon Void of Course: Not today
• Lunar Phase: Waxing, Full at 7:35a, 06°Aq30
• Planetary governance: Mercury ☿
• Governing planet in sign: Mercury in Cancer
• Governing Planet Ray: 4th (harmony through conflict); Strongest Ray: 5th
• Favorability: Very bad
• Polarity: Masculine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Fire, Air, Earth, 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 11:39a, 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: Saturn; Pluto, Juno; Neptune 
• Planets Out of Bounds: BML -28°04

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, 30 July 2026

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

• Universal Numerology: 11 – Master number, awakening, enlightenment/Day-3 Self-Expression, Entertainment, Optimism, Imagination, and Friendliness; reason, mental acuity, detail-oriented
• The Sun in Leo (dignity)
• The Moon in Aquarius
• Moon Void of Course: 2:26p-EOD
• Lunar Phase: Waning, Full
• Planetary governance: Jupiter ♃
• Governing planet in sign: Jupiter – Leo 
• Governing Planet Ray: 2nd Ray (love and wisdom): Strongest Ray: 5th
• Favorability: Very bad
• Polarity: Feminine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Earth, Air, 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 12:43p, 26th – Almiquedam – (Al Fargh al-Awwal) 21°Aq25; first drawing; promotes unity, health of prisoners, destroys buildings and prisons 
• Retrograde Planets: Saturn; Pluto, Juno; Neptune 
• Planets Out of Bounds: BML -28°03

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, 31 July 2026

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

• Universal Numerology: Day-3 Self-Expression, Entertainment, Optimism, Imagination, and Friendliness; reason, mental acuity, detail-oriented
• /Day-4 – grounding, foundation, practicality, reliability, patience, structure
• The Sun in Leo (dignity)
• The Moon in Aquarius until Pisces at 5:13a
• Moon Void of Course: Until 5:13a
• Lunar Phase: Waning, Full
• Planetary governance: Venus ♀
• Governing planet in sign: Venus in Virgo (fall) 
• Governing Planet Ray: 5th Ray (concrete knowledge and science): Strongest Ray: 2nd
• Favorability: Neutral
• Polarity: Feminine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Earth, Fire, Water, Earth
• Strongest Sign Mode: Mutable
• Mansion of the Moon: 26th – Almiquedam – (Al Fargh al-Awwal) 21°Aq25; first drawing; promotes unity, health of prisoners, destroys buildings and prisons; at 1:25p, 27th – Algarf almuehar (Al Fargh al-Thani)  4°Pi17; second drawing; increases harvest, income, healing; obstructs buildings, causes danger at sea, creates annoyance and mischief 
• Retrograde Planets: Saturn; Pluto, Juno; Neptune 
• Planets Out of Bounds: BML -27°54

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, 1 August 2026; Lughnasad/Lammas

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

• Universal Numerology: 1 –  Uniqueness, Freedom, Talent, Governance, Leadership, and Revolution/Day-1 –  Uniqueness, Freedom, Talent, Governance, Leadership, and Revolution/
• The Sun in Leo (dignity); Lughnasad/Lammas
• The Moon in Pisces
• Moon Void of Course: Not today
• Lunar Phase: Waning, Full
• Planetary governance: Saturn ♄
• Governing planet in sign: Saturn in Aries (fall)
• Governing Planet Ray: 3rd Ray (active intelligence), Strongest Ray: 2nd
• Favorability: Excellent
• Polarity: Feminine
• Elemental Balance: In order of strength: Earth, Fire, Water, Air
• Strongest Sign Mode: Mutable
• Mansion of the Moon: 27th – Algarf almuehar (Al Fargh al-Thani)  4°Pi17; second drawing; increases harvest, income, healing; obstructs buildings, causes danger at sea, creates annoyance and mischief; at 1:43p, 28th – Arrexhe (Batn al-Hut) 17°Pi8; Pisces; increases harvest, protects travelers on a dangerous journey, increases joy between married couples, reinforces prisons and loss of possessions 
• Retrograde Planets: Saturn; Pluto, Juno; Neptune  
• Planets Out of Bounds: BML -27°31

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