Review: Enter a Wizard, Stage Left

 

• Title: Enter a Wizard, Stage Left 
• Author: Connie di Marco 
• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09JGV526H
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Suspense Publishing (October 26, 2021)
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 26, 2021
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 2613 KB
• Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
• Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
• Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled

Description

Julia Bonatti wasn’t always a crime-solving San Francisco astrologer. She was a young woman, engaged to the love of her life, preparing for a teaching career when tragedy struck. Her fiancé was killed in a hit and run accident. As Julia struggles with her loss and attempts to find meaning in her life again, she takes refuge with her grandmother Gloria. But there’s little time for grief or rest because Gloria, a retired seamstress, needs Julia’s help. Gloria’s been hired to create costumes for a production of Agatha Christie’s Appointment with Death at the newly opened Theatre Mars in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood.

Theatre Mars is a stunning jewel, the cast is supremely talented and the script is brilliant. What could go wrong? Julia gets the first hint of trouble when her new friend, the owner of The Mystic Eye bookshop, warns that all might not go well. Opening night will take place during the dark of the moon, the last three days before the new moon, a time that bodes disaster for any new project. The dire prediction comes true when the lead actress is murdered before the final curtain, echoing the play itself. Julia discovers a vital clue to the murder, but a clue that puts Gloria’s life in grave danger. Can Julia rescue her grandmother before it’s too late? And will a black cat play a leading role?

Commentary

Let me start by stating that I won this e-book by being one of the first 20 people to reply to the author's free giveaway. I have loved this series since I read the other entries in the Zodiac Mysteries. The other books being

• The Madness of Mercury (Book 1)
• All Signs Point to Murder (Book 2)
• Tail of the Dragon (Book 3)

Enter a Wizard combines two of my favorite authors Connie di Marco and Agatha Christie. This story centers around a production of Christie's Appointment with Death where Julia's grandmother has been employed as the costume designer.  This prequel couldn't have come at a better time since I had recently watched the 1998 film Appointment with Death last week so it was fresh in my mind.

However, you don't have to be a fan of Christie or know about the events of Appointment with Death to enjoy Enter a Wizard.

This story takes place approximately three months after the death of Julia's fiancé, Michael, and takes us through part of her grieving process as she is trying to figure out her life path now that she has completed her education and also needs to find a job.  We also learn how she met her best friend Gale and how she began her study of Astrology that would prove so pivotal later in the Zodiac Mystery series of books.

At just over 100 pages Enter a Wizard is a quick read with a tight plot so you can read this in one sitting. The central mystery is quite clever and the astute reader will pick up on the clues that are hidden throughout the mystery. If you like to solve the mystery alongside the sleuth this is the story for you.

However, I wish that we learned a little more about Michael and the circumstances surrounding his death as the other books seems to suggest that there is more to those events that we have been told. Lastly, I don't understand the title. Its obviously a stage direction but I am note sure if it is common jargon in the theater industry or a line from Christie's book as I have not read Appointment with Death (yet).

That being said I give Enter a Wizard, Stage Left  4 out of 5 blunt instruments on Carolina Dean's murder-scale (patent pending). Ok ok, I am still working on my rating system.

Crime-Scene Dean

MIPC: Attraction Spell

Note: MIPC stands for Magic in Popular Culture and this is a series of entries in which I take a spell, belief, ritual, or tradition and analyze it again real-world theory and practices. 

Attraction Spell 

By the light of a Full Moon, arrange white candles in a circular shape around you. Light your candles counter clockwise. Place yourself facing East with a bowl of water before you. Meditate on who you want to attract. Light four red candles at the cardinal points. Place two pieces of twine in the water. Drop wax from a candle into the owl. Take the two pieces of twine and place them on a compass... 

The Secret Circle   

Season One, Episode 10   "Darkness"

 Air Date: 1/5/2012 

Commentary 

When I first saw it performed on the show, I was immediately intrigued by this spell although I honestly didn't understand the symbolism behind the ritual. However, I thought there were some good bones here that I could build upon and so I decided to change up the spell. Here is my version, 

When the moon is new, set a cauldron before you and let it be flanked with white candles on either side. Dress the candles with Attraction Oil and light them. Fill the cauldron halfway with pure spring water. 

Next, light a match and let it burn for a second saying: "This is me" and then let it drop in the cauldron. Then, light the second match and let it burn for a second saying: "This is (who or you want to attract). Drop the second match in the water. Dip your finger in the water and then run it around the rim in counter-clockwise circles three times as you call whatever it is that you want to yourself. 

When you are done, sit quietly and watch the matches in the bowl. If the matches touch, it means your spell will be successful. If they do not touch, your spell has failed. If the matches should cross one another forming an X, this means that the person or thing you desire will come to you but they are not likely to stay. For example, your ex comes back but they still exhibit the negative behavior that caused you to break up in the first place. 

- Carolina Dean 

New Moon in 09° Gemini

 

A New Moon occurs when the Sun and Moon both occupy the same degree of the same sign of the zodiac at the same time. As you can see from the above image the Sun and Moon are in 09° Gemini making this a New Moon. 

When the moon is in Gemini people feel more like talking about their emotions. They may feel restless, indecisive, and flighty. People are more reflective, though they may have trouble sticking to one subject for any length of time. They are more open to change, and they are open-minded about the form such change may take place, but again they will find it difficult to pin things down in a decisive manner.

How to Work with Moon in Gemini Energy 

• the mantra for Gemini is I THINK, so stop and think before you speak (or write). 
• work on your written and verbal communication skills; avoid any language or tone that could be misconstrued. 
• don't assume people "read between the lines" or understand, go the extra mile to clarify. 
• clear up any misunderstanding that you have had with others. 
• get to know your neighbors 
• check in with your siblings 
• try to exercise more adaptability, open-mindedness, and versatility especially about anyone or anything that seems different or foreign. 
• get involved with a neighborhood or community effort. 

The Astrological House in which the New Moon occurs in your Natal Chart gives an indication of the area of life activated by the New Moon and where you can expect to see the energy of the New Moon in Gemini to play out. Since the May New Moon occurs in 18° Gemini, you would look at your Natal, or Birth Chart to ascertain in what House 18° Gemini occurs.  

• If your rising sign is Aries, Gemini is your 3rd House. 
• If your rising sign is Taurus, Gemini is your 2nd House. 
• If your rising sign is Gemini, Gemini is your 1st House. 
• If your rising sign is Cancer, Gemini is your 12th House. 
• If your rising sign is Leo, Gemini is your 11th House. 
• If your rising sign is Virgo, Gemini is your 10th House. 
• If your rising sign is Libra, Gemini is your 9th House. 
• If your rising sign is Scorpio, Gemini is your 8th House. 
• If your rising sign is Sagittarius, Gemini is your 7th House. 
• If your rising sign is Capricorn, Gemini is your 6th House. 
• If your rising sign is Aquarius, Gemini is your 5th House. 
• If your rising sign is Pisces, Gemini is your 4th House.

The Twelve Houses of Life 

1. The self, ego, appearance, initiative, leadership, fresh starts and new beginnings. 
2. Money and material matters.  Your physical environment, income, money, and your sense of self-esteem. 
3. Communication in all its forms (thinking, writing, speaking, etc... ) as well as siblings, local travel, teachers and community events. 
4. Home, privacy, your basic sense of security, your mother, children, and your own ability to nurture others.
5. Creative expression, drama, attention, love, and romance. 
6. Health and service to others. Your routine, diet, exercise and helpfulness to others. 
7. Marriage, partnerships, and relationships of all kinds.  Contracts, business deals, etc... 
8. Birth, death, sex, other people's money and property. 
9. Expansion, the higher mind, foreign matters (languages, cultures, travel) luck, adventure, risk, philosophy, ethics and morals. 
10. The public, fame, honors, reputation, awards, boundaries, rules, discipline, authority, the father

A Practical Example 

New Moon + Gemini + 8th House 

Using our keyword system the new moon in Gemini and the 8th house can translate to I feel the urge to communicate about / I am curious about deep transformation in the area of sex, and shared resources.  With the New Moon in the 8th house you may feel the need to change something about your sex life such as attracting a new lover. You may feel restless and sexually frustrated and go back and fourth about doing anything to find satisfaction. You may waffle on what it is that you want in a lover or if you really want one anyway. 

Natal Aspects to the New Moon  

In addition, let us suppose that you have the Neptune at 04° Sagittarius. This would mean that the New Moon at 9° Gemini, is making an opposition to your Natal Neptune. Under this transit, you're more emotionally sensitive and are prone to pick up bad energy from those around you. You may experience confusion and a strong desire to escape from reality. 

Carolina Dean 

Astrological Weather 5/29 to 6/4

 All Times Pacific 

Sunday 

5/29/22 4/15 AM Moon Conjunct Mercury -  Your intellectual faculties are better attuned to communication now. However, you may have difficulty staying on subject as your mind moves quickly from one thought or idea to another. You may find it more difficult to be more objective in your thoughts and opinions as your feelings and emotions exert a greater influence on your mind.

Monday 

5/30/22 4:30 AM Moon Conjunct Sun-  When the Sun and Moon are conjunct, this is a new moon. This is a good time for beginning something new. Look to the Natal House the planets occupy to give you an idea of the area of life affected by this aspect.

Tuesday

5/31/22 1:10 PM Moon Trine Saturn - Your feelings and emotion are in positive alignment with your sense of responsibility. There is a genuine balance between your personal life and your professional one. You get more pleasure out of doing your work and see the importance of what it is that you do. You're not so easily distracted now and anything  that you do during this aspect is likely to benefit you in the future.

Wednesday

6/01/22 6:35 AM Moon Square Jupiter - You're feeling more pessimistic now about your life in general and the future in particular. You may try to overcompensate for these feelings and become overconfident. You experience more differences of opinions with those around you. You fail to grasp the  big picture and can't see the  overall  consequences of your actions. This is a good day to take a step back and try to get a better perspective. Listen to the consul of others.

Thursday

6/02/22 8:05 AM Moon Sextile Uranus-     You're more easily bored today. However, this aspect provides you with opportunities to break from your usual routine and enjoy some adventure and excitement. If you do, you may find that you have an unexpected, yet pleasant, encounter. Anything new you try today is more likely to be successful

Friday 

6/03/22 8:15 AM Moon Opposite Pluto  -  Hidden dimensions of your life are activated now bringing about emotional conflicts. It is possible to lose something you would rather keep or keep something you'd rather lose now. Your emotions are amplified and you can clash with others, especially if you try to emotionally manipulate or control them

Saturday 

6/04/22 63:47 AM Moon Square Venus- You may find it harder to find pleasure now. You may compensate for a lack of emotional intimacy by spending money which really doesn't scratch that itch so you feel frustrated and annoyed by everything. Better to use this time to enjoy your own company

Venus in 00° Taurus

 

Venus in Taurus (General)

Venus (I love) in Taurus (I have) translate to I love to have. The house where Taurus falls in your chart will give an indication of exactly what it is you love to have. For instance, Taurus falls in the second house in the natural chart and so, generally speaking, people love to have nice things, things that are beautiful, things that are of value (such as beautiful works of art, or simply money itself).

How Venus in Taurus Affects You

A planet, such as Venus, describes a specific type of energy. In the case of Venus it is the energy of love. The sign that it occupies indicates how that energy manifests and the house that that sign falls in your natal chart will give an indication of the area of life that will be affected.   

In order to determine the house that Mars in Taurus is transiting you look at your birth chart and determine what house aligns with Taurus. For example. 

• If your rising sign is Aries, Taurus is your 2nd House. 
• If your rising sign is Taurus, Taurus is your 1st House. 
• If your rising sign is Gemini, Taurus is your 12th House. 
• If your rising sign is Cancer, Taurus is your 11th House. 
• If your rising sign is Leo, Taurus is your 10th House. 
• If your rising sign is Virgo, Taurus is your 9th House. 
• If your rising sign is Libra, Taurus is your 8th House. 
• If your rising sign is Scorpio, Taurus is your 7th House. 
• If your rising sign is Sagittarius, Taurus is your 6th House. 
• If your rising sign is Capricorn, Taurus is your 5th House. 
• If your rising sign is Aquarius, Taurus is your 4th House. 
• If your rising sign is Pisces, Taurus is your 3rd House. 

Example 

Venus in Taurus and the 7th House 

Venus (I love) in Taurus (I Have) in the 7th House of relationships translates to I love to have relationships. Because Venus is said to rule Taurus, it is more empowered in this position so the urge to be in a relationship can be stronger. You are more patient, sensual, and dependable so relationships that you are already in can improve and reach a new level of commitment and intimacy. If you are single it is possible that you meet a special someone during this time. Because Taurus is fond of comfort and beauty, a person's physical appearance may be more important to you know than usual. Not only do you want a commitment now but you are also ready for it as well.   

Aspect to Your Natal Chart 

Next we look for any aspects between transit Venus and one's natal chart. For example, looking at my own natal chart I see that Venus at 0° Taurus is making a square (difficult aspect) to my Natal MC at 10° Leo. A square is a type of aspect in which the energy or urge of one planet is causing friction with the energy or urge of another planet. 

Venus + Square + Midheaven (MC) 

I love + strains + my reputation 

Venus is known as the "lesser benefic" (with Jupiter being the "greater benefic") so a square of transit Venus to one's Natal MC isn't really considered severe or particularly difficult. The positive aspects of Venus, such as charm, attraction, and socializing are enhanced while its negative aspects can bring greater difficulties. This is not a time for selfishness, laziness, dishonesty, or vanity. These negative behaviors can cause problems in your relationships or with your reputation. You may feel a stronger urge for romance or companionship now -- especially physical contact. 

 

How will the ingress of Venus into Taurus manifest for you?

Carolina Dean 

Book Review: The Love Spell

 

• Author: Phyllis Currot 
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1592401651
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1592401659

In her third book High Priestess Curott recounts her spiritual journey as she searches for true love guided by her daemon, a being described as her own inner divine masculine self. The story begins with the author’s yearning for love. In a moment of deep longing she makes a wish upon a star and shortly thereafter, she begins hearing and seeing the voice and image of James Dean--the form her daemon has chosen to interact with her. This causes her to research the concept of synchronicity and ultimately she is introduced to a Wiccan eventually becoming a practicing witch herself.

The advice and friendship of Nonna, a wise and revered craft-elder, guides Curott on her magickal quest for enduring love as she also struggles to establish her law-practice, and explore a career in film-making. Curott casts a powerful spell for love and soon discovers that finding true-love is about more than finding a lover. As the spell unfolds she meets and eventually marries Derek, a part-time musician, and finds that she still longs for something that Derek is unable to give her. She eventually learns that the path to true-love begins within rather than without.

Whereas the title suggests that this is a memoir, the story seems to be a fictionalized version of somewhat-true events. The story was, at times, slow and the time between foreshadowed events and the point at which they transpired was too long. The characters did not seem fleshed out enough and I often found myself confusing one character with another. Other characters, such as Nonna, seemed too perfect. Though Nonna is presented as a wise and learned elder of the craft, her conversations with Curott felt too unrealistic and contrived. For his part, Derek comes off as a weak, ineffectual man completely responsible for the author’s dissatisfaction in their marriage. Curott, by contrast, seems incapable of taking responsibility for her part in the demise of her relationships, instead painting herself as the long, suffering wife.

The book presents some very interesting concepts such as one’s daemon acting as a guide in the individual’s quest for love. The story itself is loaded with simple rituals, and insights into relationships, history and psychology--- presenting these concepts and ideas without being preachy. At the end of the book, Curott has included an appendix which includes a collection of simple love spells, potions, oils, and a list of Love God/dess, flowers and herbs that will assist you in writing your own love spell. There is a great deal of wisdom in this book and each reader will take from it what they will.

Though the story was slow at times and the characters a bit unrealistic, there is wisdom in this book. The ideas and practical exercises in The Love Spell are well presented and can help others in their own search for love.

The Stones of Light Part 4: The Shaman Stone

 

Shaman Stone ©2021, Carolina Dean 

Shaman Stones 

Shaman Stones, also known as Moqui Marbles, are named after the Hopi Tribe as they were known as the Moqui Tribe prior to the 1900s. They are natural stone formations which are found in the deserts of Utah and Arizona that have a sandstone center around a hard shell consisting of hematite. According to one legend, the Hopi ancestors would return to earth at night and play with these marbles and signs of their play the following morning was an indication that they were happy. 

Some folks classify Shaman Stones as being either male or female. Generally speaking, if the stone is smooth it is thought to be female, if it is rough it is male. Then again, some say the female is round whereas the male stone is more disk like. For this reason, Shaman Stones are often kept in pairs and when working with the stones to balance your energies the female stone is held in one's passive hand and the male stone the dominant hand during meditation. 

Today, it is illegal to remove their stones from their natural environment, however, you can still purchase them online from retailers who obtain them before this ban went into affect. 

Shaman Stone Uses 

Shaman Stones have many uses which include but are not limited to the following:

• Attracting the attention and interest of your Native American ancestors or spirit guides. 
• Aligning and balancing your chakras. The are especially good at removing blockages in the energetic system of the body. 
• Healing yourself or others 
• Enhancing meditation 
• Nurturing and growing one's natural psychic and intuitive faculties. 
• Protection from evil and negativity
• Balancing the polarity of male (active) and female (passive) energy of your physical body. 

My Personal Experience with the Shaman Stone 

As some of you may or may not know my ancestry is Jewish, Native American, and Irish; and while I feel a greater affinity for my Jewish heritage, I do not deny my Native or Irish ancestry. That is not to say that, because I am part Native American, I have the right to work with these stones but then again I have seen no evidence stating that only Native Americans can work with these stones either. 

Suffice it to say, I was gifted a Shaman Stone by a friend which you can see in the photo above. As you can tell from the smooth skin of the stone, it is female. I mainly use it when I am meditation for stress relief, to ground myself before a divination session (such as reading the tarot, bones, or even automatic writing), as well as to help me get unstuck when I feel blocked in terms of my own creativity. When not in use, I keep the stone on my working altar along with several other stones, gems, rocks, and crystals.

- Carolina Dean 

Book Review: Love & Other Curses (Michael Thomas Ford)

 

• Title: Love & Other Curses 
• Author: Michael Thomas Ford
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperTeen (April 9, 2019)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 352 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0062791206

Synopsis 

The Weyward family has been haunted by a curse for generations—if a Weyward falls in love before their seventeenth birthday, the person they love dies. Sam doesn’t plan to fall for anyone in the weeks before his birthday. He’ll spend his time working at the Eezy-Freeze with his dad; cooking up some midsummer magic with his grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother (the Grands); and experimenting with drag with the help of the queens at the Shangri-La, the local gay club. 

However when a new guy comes to town, Sam finds himself in trouble when they strike up a friendship that might be way more than that. As Sam’s birthday approaches and he still hasn’t quite fallen in love, the curse seems to get more powerful and less specific about who it targets. A mysterious girl Sam talks to on the phone late at night and a woman he’s only seen in a dream might have the answers he’s been looking for—but time is running out to save the people he cares about.

Commentary 

I hadn't been to the thrift store in a while and so when I woke up with the urge to go I knew I was going to find something good. I picked up several books that morning and then went next door to the Dollar Tree for some cheap snacks. As soon as I walked in the door I noticed that they had re-arranged the front end since I had last visited. There was a large box at the front entrance filled with books. 

Love and Other Curses caught my eye right away. As soon as I saw that it involved magic grandmothers and sassy drag queens, I knew that I had to buy this book and I was not disappointed! 

The Good 

Warning: This book depicts LGBTQ Teens in a direct and frank manner. Some may find the honest talk about gay / trans sexuality distasteful. 

What I didn't know at the time was that this was a book marketed for teens aged 14-17 years old. Oh well, I've always been young at heart. Love and Other Curses is a coming-of-age story about a young gay man finding his way in a world that is both small and big at the same time. By the time we enter Sam's life he has already figured out and accepted that he is gay and even his family loves and accepts him. His family consist of his father, his grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother.... all of whom practice magic. 

There are numerous references to magic, rituals, omens, spells, and potions throughout the book and I like that neither Sam's ethnicity or the flavor of their magic is every really defined. It is never called witchcraft, black magic, Hoodoo, Voodoo, etc.. it is simply called magic. 

Even with all the support of his family, Sam is still trying to figure out who he is and what he wants to do with his life. His path to self-discovery includes exploring different sides of his personality through the illusion of drag. Even in this he has the support of three drag-queens who have adopted him into their family and help him navigate living a gay life in an ever-changing world. 

When Tom Swift appears in his life, Sam learns that everyone is on their own journey of self-discovery. Early on, he learns that Tom is a trans man (a biological female who identifies as a male). Unsurprisingly, Sam is very understanding and accepting of Tom and even finds himself attracted to the young man. They become fast friends, but the curse intervenes introducing division into their relationship. Along the way, Sam confides in an unseen woman whom he randomly calls on the phone from time to time. Linda helps Sam sort out his thoughts and feelings when he can't go to the Grandmothers or the Drag Queens.  

The Bad 

Honestly, I really liked this story, but I find it hard to believe that Sam had so many people in his life who loved and accepted him unconditionally. That has not been my experience nor the experience of any gay or trans people that I have personally known. 

Then again, this is a work of fiction and perhaps the author felt that there was enough ugliness in the world. Sam's family is the family we all wanted to be a part of when we were struggling with our own identity and felt that we had nowhere to turn where we can be safe and vulnerable. That's not such a bad thing after all. 

In the end Sam gets his happy ending a almost too perfect new love interest.  I really felt sorry for Tom who appears to be the flipside of Sam in that whereas Sam has all this support and love, Tom has none. I wish we would have gotten more closure on Tom's story. I'll find myself wondering about him for weeks to come.

The Ugly

The ugly here was me ugly crying at the death of (spoiler). 

The Verdict 

I give this one 5 out of 5 Stiffy's on Carolina Dean's Stiff-O-Meter (patent pending). Yes, I am STILL working on my rating system. What's a stiffy, you ask? Well, you'll have to read the book and find out for yourself. 

- Carolina Dean 

Mars in 00° Aries

 

Mars in Aries (General) 

When Mars is in Aries people are more aggressive, forceful, independent, self-reliant, assertive, courageous, and combative. In terms of essential dignity, Mars "rules" Aries and so this is a strong position for the red planet. Mars in this position is generally said to give people more energy and drive to do the things that they want to do and are excited about. There is danger here in starting things that you don't finish because you have taken on too much responsibility. People can be more impulsive in general and eager to confront others about long festering issues or anything that might set them off. In general, people are more competitive and need a physical outlet for their energy. 

The house where Aries falls in your birth, or Natal, chart is the area of life where you will see an increase in energy, competitiveness, and confrontation. For example. 

• If your rising sign is Aries, Aries is your 1st  House  
• If your rising sign is Taurus, Aries is your 12th House 
• If your rising sign is Gemini, Aries is your 11th House
• If your rising sign is Cancer, Aries is your 10th House 
• If your rising sign is Leo, Aries is your 9th House
• If your rising sign is Virgo, Aries is your 8th House
• If your rising sign is Libra, Aries is your 7th House 
• If your rising sign is Scorpio, Aries is your 6th House 
• If your rising sign is Sagittarius, Aries is your 5th House
• If your rising sign is Capricorn, Aries is your 4th House 
• If your rising sign is Aquarius, Aries is your 3rd House 
• If your rising sign is Pisces, Aries is your 2nd House

  

Example

Mars in Aries and the 6th House 

Here the urge to be competitive and confrontational is strong and aggressive and this plays out in the area of both health and work.  With Mars in Aries and the 6th house you have more energy for work which is good because you are busier than usual and have to cope with many details. For you, things have to be done in a logical, systematic matter which may frustrate other because they may feel that you are not moving as fast as they like. Relationships with co-workers (especially bosses or supervisors) can be more tense now. The good news is also have more energy to direct towards getting healthier. This is a good time to start an exercise routine to work off some of that excess energy (and weight). 

Aspects 

Aspects, or relationships between planets, are another dimension of astrological interpretation that should be considered. Let us suppose that you have Natal Neptune at 4° Sagittarius. That would mean that Transit Mars at 0° Aries is approaching a trine to Neptune.  When  Mars is Trine Neptune your intuition and empathy are given a boost. You're more creative and want to experiment with different ways to express your creativity. You are more gently and compassionate with yourself and others.

How will Mars in Aries manifest for you? 

MIPC: The Sigils of Zozie de l'Alba

Note: MIPC stands for Magic in Popular Culture and this is a series of posts in which I take a spell, ritual, belief, formula, or tradition from a work of fiction such as a book, move, tv show, or comic book and analyze it against real world magical beliefs and practices. 

Zozie de l'Alba 

What you need, is a system. 

Zozie de l'Alba, the Lollipop Shoes 

Zozie is the antagonist in the Lollipop Shoes by Joann Harris, which is the first sequel to Chocolat. Overseas this book carried the alternate title of The Girl with No Shadow. There are two additional sequels titled Peaches for Father Francis and The Strawberry Thief. 

Zozie was born in an occult bookstore in London owned by her mother in the 1960's and she's been a lifelong student of metaphysics ever since. Not only is she an evil witch with the power to change her appearance at will and cast powerful spells, but she is also an accomplished con-artist and identity thief. 

Zozie collects identities the way other people collect coins or stamps. For every identity she steals, Zozie adds a new charm to her charm bracelet representing the identity - and life- she has taken. Her criminal career began as a teen when she poisoned some classmates who relentlessly bullied her. Afterward, she burned her mother's book store and fled the country using her mothers' passport and taking their life savings with her. She then traveled the world surviving by her wits and magic leaving a trail of death behind her. All the while she sought to perfect her "system" - a combination of the most effective and reliable magics. 

In France, she learned to analyze a person's character based on their choice of shoes. In India, she learned the skill of seeing and interpreting colors (auras). however, it was in Mexico City that she fell in love with Mayan Culture. It was here that she developed her system of Sigil Magic based on Mayan Gods. These sigils may be drawn in the air, scratched on objects, or written on paper. They may be used alone or combined with other to produce a variety of effects. Even Zozie admits that you don't have to believe in the Mayan Gods to use her sigils, you only need to know what they each mean and be magical yourself in order to successfully use them. 

Commentary 

Sigils, or magic symbols, have a long history in magic. In fact, I filmed a video on Five Ways to Receive a Sigil in which you may be interested. While reading The Lollipop Shoes, I became intrigued by Zozie's sigils. In some cases they are described as symbols and in other cases they are described as hand signs (similar to the fig sign)  or gestures. Some sigils are clearly described such as Lady Blood Moon (a red circle) and Fast Breaker (a Fish) while others are not. Taking this into account,  I sat down to try to think of what they might look like. These are my results: 

Artist's conception, the Sigils of Zozie de l'Alba. ©2017 Carolina Dean

Not only did I strive to create Zozie's sigils, but I also attempted to use them. To my surprise, I found that they actually worked! 

- Carolina Dean 

Mercury Retrograde in 04° Gemini

 

• 04/25/22      11:42 PM      26° TAU 05'     Begin Pre-Shadow 
• 05/10/22      04:47 AM      04° GEM 51'    Mercury Retrograde 
• 06/03/22      01:00 AM      26° TAU 05'     Direct Motion / Begin Post Shadow 
• 06/18/22      03:35 PM       04° GEM 51'    End Post Shadow

What is Mercury Retrograde ?

Mercury Retrograde is a term that you have probably heard before but aren't sure exactly what it means. During periods of retrograde, a planet appears to move backwards from its normal trek around the sun. Those areas of life governed by the planet tend to suffer setbacks and breakdowns. There are many retrogrades including Mars Retrograde, Venus Retrograde, Jupiter Retrograde, in fact all the planets turn retrograde at some point. However, Mercury Retrograde is arguably the one you hear about most often.

Mercury is believed to rule communication and travel and so during a Mercury-Retrograde it is common for breakdowns in communication and interruption of travel plans to occur. People become short-tempered, computers break down, get viruses, cars and other vehicles may breakdown, flat tires may occur, communication slows or grinds to a halt, etc.....

The Pre-Shadow is when we can begin to see Mercury start slowing down and this is where we will begin to feel the beginning of Mercury Retrograde. This period of time can be marked by errors in communication, travel, and electronics. These are just general events that usually occur during periods of Mercury Retrograde. The Sign or Signs that Mercury RX occurs in also influences events that occur during Mercury RX.

The Pre-Shadow began in Taurus on 4/25/22. Essentially, those events that occur during the Pre-Shadow will frame your experiences during the retrograde phase. These experiences are believed to be necessary for our own personal growth and soul-evolvement. Taurus rules over money, material resources, and personal values so these are area of life that we, as a whole, will need to review. To figure out exactly how Mercury Retrograde will affect you on a personal, individual level, you will need to see what natal house your Taurus (and Gemini) is in. The area of life represented by that house is the area of your life that will most be affected by Mercury Retrograde.

The Retrograde period starts on 5/10/22 and this is when Mercury starts moving again, only from our perspective on Earth it will appear to be moving backwards across the zodiac.  It is during this period that we will most strongly feel the effects of Mercury Retrograde. Generally speaking, we can expect communication, travel, and electronics to go all wonky on us.  During Mercury Retrograde, we refrained from making any major decisions or changes. Instead, we are told to RE-lax, RE-evaluate, RE-assess our issues and conditions. On a personal level, this is where we confront the issues of Mercury Retrograde that were hinted at or started forming during the Pre-Shadow period. Towards the end of this retrograde period, Mercury will begin to slow down again before coming to a full stop and sit there for a few days before it starts moving forward again.

Mercury is said to Station Direct when it starts moving forward again. This is the period when many people feel like they can start breathing again (metaphorically speaking). They hear Mercury Direct and think that it’s over. But that is not the case. Mercury Stationing Direct is really the beginning of the Post-Shadow period.

Finally, we experience the Post-Shadow. This is the period between the time Mercury stations direct and it reaches the point where it initially began to slow down in the first place. Just like when you get in your car to drive somewhere, your speed is not constant. The speed of your vehicle is constantly shifting, slowing down, stopping, and speeding up again. In like fashion, Mercury's speed is not constant. Mercury usually moves at about 2 degrees per day, however, during the post shadow period is may move only about 1 degree (or less) per day and will pick up speed as the days go forward.

The post-shadow period of Mercury Retrograde is characterized as a period in which those issues raised during Mercury Retrograde are still present but may be winding down, that is, they are still present but not as intense as before. During this post shadow phase is where we take what we learned during Mercury Retrograde and apply that knowledge to re-dress and re-solve those issues and conditions that were raised during Mercury Retrograde.

- Carolina Dean