Uncategorized

SpellCrafting: Spells & Rituals

Zodiac Tarot Spread

spellcrafting

Merry meet.

A new zodiac year begins March 27 at 7:59 p.m. (on the East Coast) with the new moon in Aries. It’s an opportune time to do a manifestation spell using all twelve houses of the zodiac. While this is written for a group, changing a few pronouns will make it work for a solitary.

To prepare for the ritual, place a copy of the zodiac wheel in the center of the table or on the floor, and put a candle at each of the 12 houses plus one in the middle to represent Spirit. Candles can relate to each the sign that rules each house (such as red for the first house that is ruled by Aries, a fire sign) or they can all be white. You will also need one or more decks of tarot cards per person. Oracle cards can also be used, but so can photographs, images cut from magazines, or other representations. Select a card to represent what you want to manifest in the coming year for each of the 12 houses. By reading through the ritual first, you can select the cards you wish to use before you begin, or you can take the time to do it at each step.

The wheel is held so that the first house, known as the house of self, is located from 9 o’clock to 8 o’clock on the circle. The wheel moves counterclockwise, with the second house spanning 8 o’clock to 7 o’clock, and so on. Each house is briefly explained below, and wording is suggested for when each candle is lit. When all 12 are complete, there will be a blessing to offer gratitude for its fulfillment.

To begin, ground and center in your preferred way. When my coven did its zodiac ritual, we called the quarters, so you’ll see the elmental candles in the photo. (You’ll also notice that the wheel goes the wrong way on the plate used in the center.)

Light the center candle and say, “On this night, we bless the year to come. Our will be heard. Our will be done.”

Beginning with the first house, allow time for each person to select the card that represents what they’d like to manifest in the coming year that is related to this house. Then, light the candle and say, “Goddess and guides, see our desire. To manifest it, we light this fire.” An alternative could be “_______ (name of natural planetary ruler), see our desire. To manifest it, we light this fire.” More detailed words can also be written for each house. For example, for the first house, you might say,“Mars, hear our desire. Bring us opportunities to begin anew to create ourselves and the world we desire. To manifest it, we light this fire.”

Each candle can be lit individually, or the candle for the second house can be lit from the first house candle, and so forth around the circle.

When all twelve houses have been addressed, conclude by saying, “This ring of fire burns with our desires. We offer gratitude as their fulfillment transpires. Power flows from candle fire and brings to us our hearts’ desire. Our circle is strong around the sun. So mote it be, our spell is done.”

Each house is explained below.

The first house is about self-image. It is our appearance and the personality we project to others, our general outlook on life, and our relationship with our immediate environment. It is ruled by Aries whose natural planetary ruler is Mars.

The second house is about self-worth and money. It is ruled by the sign of Taurus – and its planet, Venus – and has to do with our sense of self-worth. It rules money and personal finances, basic values and possessions.

The third house is communication, research and exploration. It’s how we interact with our immediate environment (siblings, neighbors, co-workers) as well as thoughts, speaking and writing. Gemini rules this house and Mercury is its planet.

The fourth house is about roots and security, family and home. Ruled by Cancer, it has to do with our psychological foundations, our home life, ancestry and our sense of security. The moon is the planet associated with this house.

The fifth house is about self-expression, creativity, romance and pleasure. It relates to awareness, creative self-expression, all forms of play, hobbies, romantic relationships (lovers as opposed to partners), drama, and adornments. It is ruled by the sign of Leo and its planet, the Sun.

The sixth house is work and jobs (as opposed to a career), daily life, health, nutrition, service and helpfulness, how we perfect ourselves, and pets. Virgo rules, along with its planetary ruler, Mercury.

The seventh house is about partnerships and marriage – companionship, counselors, competitors and our own shadow selves. It is ruled by Libra and its planetary ruler, Venus.

The eighth house, ruled by Scorpio, is about transformation, sexuality, death and rebirth, addictions, psychology, and the money of others (taxes, alimony, inheritance, etc.). Its planet is Pluto.

The ninth house is about our own personal belief system, exploration, higher education, long-distance travel, publishing and commerce. It is ruled by the sign of Sagittarius and its natural planetary ruler, Jupiter.

The tenth house is concerned with your career or profession, reputation, social standing, achievement, material success and governments and. Its ruled by the sign of Capricorn that has Saturn as its natural planetary ruler.

The eleventh house is about aspirations, personal goals and our inner purpose. It’s also about friends, acquaintances, organizations and groups. This house is ruled by Aquarius; ruling Aquarius is Uranus.

The twelfth house has to do with soul growth (and undoing), secrets, karma, hidden strengths (and weaknesses), spiritual studies and dreams. Pisces presides over this house; Neptune is its natural planetary ruler.

If you don’t get to do this for this new moon, your birthday could provide another opportunity. Rather than manifesting, drawing a card for each of the houses would make it divination.

Merry part, and merry meet again.