MIPC: On the Virtue of Spices

Note: MIPC stands for Magic in Popular Culture and this is a series of posts in which I take a magical belief or practice from a work of fiction such as movies, books, comic books, or tv shows and analyze them against real-world magical beliefs and practices.

The Spell or Belief 

For each person who comes into the shop there is a special spice for that one person. “It is called mahamul, the root spice, and for each person it is different. Mahamul is to enhance fortune, to bring success or joy, to avert ill luck.”

The Mistress of Spices (1998)
Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Commentary

Within the context of the story, Tilo is of Indian descent and has gained the status of a Mistress of Spices (one of many). She has been charged to go to LA and run a spice shop out of which she uses various spices to assist other Indian immigrants who come into her shop. 

For instance, there is a young man who barely speaks English who is being bullied by his classmates so she wraps some cinnamon in newspaper and tucks it in his turban to help him make friends. In another instance, she gives fennel to a woman who is being abused by her husband because it is believed that fennel will help take power from one person and give it to another when they both eat it at the same time. 

As you can see Tilo is effectively the Indian equivalent of a Rootworker. Whereas Rootworkers work with roots and herbs, Tilo works with the spices native to India. In fact, Tilo has a special relationship with the spices in that she speask to them and they speak to her in return. Again, rootworkers and other magical practitioners  often develop relationships not with the roots and herbs per se but with the spirit within them. In my personal practices, I often meet with the spirit of any number of plant spirits in the dream time to learn how to use them for any number of purposes. 

Tilo and the spices have a working relationship - that is - so long as she obeys the rules of her tradition. For example, she is not allowed to leave the shop for any reason. Nor is she allowed to use the spices for personal gain. Finally, she is not allowed to fall in love with anyone. However, this being a work of fiction I don't have to tell you that Tilo eventually breaks all of these rules. 

The author drew upon the rich traditions of India and the relationship they have with their spices to craft this wonderful, magical story.  After all no Indian kitchen is complete without a Masala Dabba. The Mistress of Spices gives us a Sister-Tradition to Rootwork and Witchcraft albeit a fictional one and the novice rootworker can learn a lot of how the relationship with the plant spirits and the human from this novel. 

- Carolina Dean 

New Moon in Virgo

 

New Moon in Virgo 

8/27/22 1:17 AM 

Whole Houses 

The New Moon in Virgo

When the New Moon is in Virgo people generally experience feelings of being more humble, they want to be of service to others, but they can also be more critical and discriminating. People want to improve their routines, refine their processes, and make everything efficient and running smoothly. Since Virgo rules both health and work, this new moon is good for starting a new diet or health regime. Its important that you don't attempt to make too many changes too quickly or you may not stick to you program, instead focus on making small, but powerful, changes over time.  This is also a good time to organize or improve your work environment and you relationships with your co-workers.

General Suggestions for Working With New Moon in Virgo Energy

• practice humility
• be of service to others
• balance your checkbook, double check your taxes
• catch up on any record-keeping
• read a murder mystery, or solve a crossword puzzle (in ink)
• invite a friend over for a game of chess, scrabble, or mahjong
• start the process of spring cleaning
• declutter & organize your home or work space to be more efficient
• prune and water your plants
• engage in journaling, writing, or editing that needs to be done

The House is Where it Happens

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 Virgo to play out. Since the September New Moon occurs in 25° Virgo, you would look at your Natal, or Birth Chart to ascertain in what House 25° Virgo occurs.

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.
11. Groups of people such as friends and associations, networking, social justice.  Originality, sudden unexpected events, invention, surprises, and all things futuristic.
12. Endings. Completion, tying up loose ends, old age, karma, making amends, and the afterlife. Imagination, creativity, poetry, and the subconscious mind.

Example

New Moon in Virgo and the 11th House

When the new moon occurs in your 11th house, you may spend more time with your friends and can be more vulnerable and open with them.  Now is a good time for networking or socializing for either business or pleasure.  You are attracted to anyone or anything that is new, unusual or different. The New moon in your 11th house also your annual wishing moon.

Aspects

Aspects, or relationships between planets, are another dimension of astrological interpretation that should be considered. In my own chart, the New Moon at 04° Virgo is applying a square to my Natal Neptune at 04³ Sagittarius. Under this aspect your personal energy levels may not be at maximum strength, however, the urge to do good things is strong. You are attracted to things of the spirit and spirituality. You may have a mystical experience. 

Where does the New Moon in Virgo fall in your natal chart and how will it manifest for you?

Carolina Dean

Mercury in Libra

 

Mercury in Libra 

8/25/22 6:03 PM 

Whole Houses 

Mercury in Libra (General)

When Mercury is in Libra, people are generally more charming and diplomatic and are more interested in the relationships in their lives.  Their communication skills improve and they are open to learning new subjects. They are more willing to talk about social contracts, the listen to the "other side" and compromise on important issues.

The House where Libra falls in your chart is the area of life that will most be affected by Mercury in Libra

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

Example

Mercury in Libra and the 12th House

When Mercury is in Libra and the 12th house you are ambivalent about sharing your thoughts and ideas with others. On the one hand you want to want to share your secrets while on the other hand you want to keep them to yourself. There is an underlying fear here of being judged wrongly for your thoughts and so for this reason you tend to think more than you speak and reserve sharing your opinion on matters that arise.

Aspects 

Aspects, or relationships between planets, is another dimension of astrological interpretation that could and should be considered. For example, let us say that you have Pluto at 3° Libra, that would mean that Transit Mercury is applying a conjunction to your natal Pluto. A conjunction is a type of aspect in which the energy or urge of one planet merges with the energy/urge of another planet and you cannot tell them apart.

When Mars conjuncts Pluto your mind becomes stimulated and you can become obsessed with an idea that you can't shake; or you become driven with finding out the truth of any matter that interests you. There is depth to your thinking now and you can use this is an good aspect for research, study, and uncovering secret knowledge.

How will the ingress of Mercury into Libra manifest for you?

- Carolina Dean

Uranus Retrograde in 18° Taurus

 

Uranus Retrograde 

8/24/22 6:55 AM 

Natural Chart / Whole Houses 

Uranus RX in Taurus (General) 

Uranus does not do well in Taurus. Uranus is the rebel of the planets. It is associated with sudden and unexpected changes. Taurus is a fixed sign, known for being stubborn and he does not like to take chances.  In addition, Uranus is said to be exalted (enhanced) in Scorpio, which means it is in Fall in Taurus. When a planet is in Fall, it means that is is blocked and must find alternate means to express its urge and reach it's potential. 

Uranus's basic urge is overcome restraints so that it can enjoy greater freedom. With Uranus transiting the sector of the Natural Chart that rules over money, material matters, and personal values, we can expect people to seek out freedom from financial and monetary constraints. They don't want to be held down or back by their possessions. Their ideas about what they value may undergo a change resulting in a surprising and progressive attitude towards money and material things. 

How Uranus Retrograde in Taurus Affect You 

In order to determine the house that Uranus  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 

Uranus RX  + Taurus + 7th House 

 Uranus Retrograde in the 7th house of relationships can manifest as a rebellious desire to introduce change into your relationships (business and personal). You may want to change the nature of your relationships to something less conventional and more progressive.  If you are in a relationship, it could very well come to an end (unless the relationship is otherwise secure). If you are single, a relationship may begin and end quickly. Such as relationship may be experienced as a wild ride that distracts you from your usual routine. 

How will Uranus Retrograde manifest for you? 

MIPC: Love Potion

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.

The Spell or Belief 

"Take a spider off its web and shut him up in two sides of a nut. Boil the nut in oil, into which has been placed several strands of the web. Put two drops of the oil into water. He who drinks the water will be in love with the first person he sees so long as the spider is shut in the shell or one day goes by, whichever comes first."

Supergirl (1984) 

Commentary

First let me say that although some elements in this move such as the spell for invisibility and the ritual for immortality were taken from actual grimoires, I have never been able to find this potion or anything similar in any occult reference or grimoire in all the years I have studied magic. That being said, I believe that this potion was made up by the writers of this film. However, it does have some interesting symbolism. 

Let me state at the outset that, I believe, this is definitely woman's magic in that this is a potion that women would use on men and I do not think it would be as effective if a man choosing to use it on a woman.  Then again, in this age of gender fluidity, I may be getting behind the times in that regard. 

Spiders are endeared as hunters who lay their trap (the web) and devour their prey. In this regard, the spider represents the man in question. The tables have turned and now the hunter is the hunter. The fact that the spider is trapped inside a nutshell represents that mean being a victim to his own sexual urges that the potion will stir. Boiling the nut in oil (with the web) puts heat on the situation and get the man hot for you - trapping him in his own web. 

The silver spoon represents the female powers of the moon, receptivity, and persuasion that is intended to ensnare the man. Finally water represents emotions and in this case the man is encouraged by the power of the potion to fully experience his emotions (specifically the emotion of love) and not suppress his desires. 

While I have never attempted this potion myself (how do you keep the nut from separating inside the boiling oil?)  I have no doubts that with the right concentration and power, the skilled witch can find some success with it. 

- Carolina Dean 

Sun in Virgo 2022

 

Sun in Virgo 

8/22/22 8:16 PM 

Whole Houses 

Sun in Virgo (General)

With the Sun in Virgo people are generally more interested in their work. Rather than the big picture, they are more concerned with the minute details of any matter. They are more analytical and have more perfectionist like tendencies. They may be interested in refining their process and streamlining their routines. Improving their health may also become an important concern. People may become more interested in improving their diet or starting a new exercise routine.

The house where Virgo falls in your natal chart is the area of life that will be most impacted by the Sun in Virgo.

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

Example

Sun in Virgo and the 11th House

With the Sun in Virgo and the 11th house you may be more interested in your own future and having more freedom. You want to be a part of a group and you go about choosing your new associates in a systematic and critical manner. You may be interested in helping other people through a humanitarian group or cause. You'll find your eye for detail and exceptional ability to organize things in a logical and orderly manner to be of great assistance.

Aspects

Aspects, or relationships between planets is another dimension of astrological interpretation that could be and should be considered. For example, let us suppose that you have Venus at 2° Scorpio, this would mean that the Transit Sun at 0° Virgo is applying an sextile to your Natal Venus. When Venus is sextile the Sun. you are perceived as being more attractive and charming and so you enjoy being around people and being the center of attention.

How will the ingress of the Sun into Virgo manifest for you?

Carolina Dean

Mercury Retrograde Aug - Oct 2022

 

Mercury Retrograde (Pre-Shadow) 

8/20/22 1:50 PM 

Natural Chart / Whole Houses 

Significant Dates & Times 

• 08/20/22     1:50 PM      Pre-Shadow          24" VIR 11'
• 09/09/22     8:38 PM      Retrograde            08" LIB 55'
• 10/02/22     2:07 AM     Direct Motion        24" VIR 11' (Begin Post Shadow) 
• 10/26/22     11:52 AM   End Post Shadow   08" LIB 55'

Let us review. The Pre-Shadow is when we 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 of Mercury Retrograde is transiting the house that deals with health, work, pets, and daily routines. With mercury retrograde in the sixth house, you may experience the need to be more flexible with your daily routines. Misunderstanding or infighting among co-workers is common. Deadlines are not met due to miscommunications and in extreme cases you may quit your job or be terminated. Either way, this is a good time to return to a previous job or employer. Old health issues may arise and need to be addressed. If you recently started a new health or diet regime you may fall back into old unhealthy habits not conducive to good health.

This is a good time for reviewing your routines in order to streamline your processes and making them more efficient and developing backup plans for when things go wrong. This is also a good time to look at our health habits, such as what we eat, how much we eat, and how much physical activity as well as rest we get.

The Retrograde period 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.

This time, Mercury is transiting the area of the chart that rules over marriage, agreements, and partnerships of all kinds.  It is not uncommon for an old friends, lover, or even an enemy to try to come back into our lives when Mercury Retrograde is in Libra. Conflicts and misunderstandings often result as well.  Old relationship issues may resurface again at this time forcing a renegotiation of the terms of the relationship that may have gone unsaid for too long.

This transit is good for reconnecting with your partner but not for finding or developing a new relationship. This house also rules open enemies and they can be troublesome during this placement. You may feel the urge for more balance in your life but may not be able to find it, albeit easily.

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 its over. But that is not the case. Mercury Stationing Direct is really the beginning of the Post-Shadow period.

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