Hex Your Ex: And 100+ Other Spells to Right Wrongs and Banish Bad Luck for Good - Adams Media 2019

Timing Isn’t Everything, but It Helps

You’ve gathered your tools, selected the perfect ingredients, and know exactly what you want to accomplish with your spell. But how do you know when to start? If you’re preparing for a new project or applying for a job, timing can be crucial to your success. The same is true with magick. By performing a spell or ritual on an auspicious date, you increase the likelihood of accomplishing your goal quickly and effectively. From the days of the week to some basic astrology to magickal holidays, there’s a time and a place for everything, including magick!

EVERY DAY OF THE WEEK

Before powerful telescopes allowed astronomers to see beyond the range of the human eye, only seven heavenly bodies could be observed from Earth: the sun, the moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. Early people believed that gods and goddesses inhabited these planets, which bear the names of their resident deities.

Each god or goddess was said to possess particular characteristics and preside over certain aspects of earthly life. According to ancient tradition, each deity’s power reigned supreme on one of the seven days of the week. By scheduling activities on a day when the deity who ruled your particular interest was in charge, you could enhance your chances of success. When doing magick spells, the same holds true today, as seen in the following table. Love spells, for example, can benefit from the energy of Venus if you perform them on Friday.

MAGICK IN THE MOON

Witches know that you’re more likely to reap the rewards you desire if you do spells during auspicious phases of the moon. When casting spells, pay particular attention to four significant lunar periods: the new moon, full moon, and waxing and waning phases.

The new moon, as you might expect, favors beginnings. Are you looking for a new job? A new romance? The best time to do spells to initiate a project, to start a journey, or to plant seeds—literally or figuratively—is during the new moon. As the moon grows in size, your project will grow too.

The waxing moon—the two weeks after the new moon and leading up to the full moon—supports growth and expansion. Do you want to boost your income? Get a promotion at work? Cast your spell while the moon’s light is increasing to generate growth in your worldly affairs.

The full moon marks a time of culmination. Want to bring a project to a successful conclusion? Receive rewards, recognition, or payments that are due to you? Do a spell while the moon is full for best results. The full moon’s bright glow can also put you in the spotlight or shed light on murky issues. If your goal is to attract attention, the full moon helps illuminate you favorably. The full moon can also shine light on secrets and deception to let you get to the truth of a shady situation.

The waning moon—the two weeks after the full moon and before the new moon—encourages decrease. Do you intend to lose weight? Cut expenditures of cash or energy? Cast your spell while the moon is diminishing in size to diminish the impact of something in your life.

YOUR MAGICKAL GUIDE TO ASTROLOGY

As the sun and moon traverse the sky, they move through the twelve constellations of the zodiac. The sun spends about a month in each sign and takes a year to complete its trip through the zodiac. The moon stays in a sign for about two and a half days, traveling through the entire zodiac each month.

Each sign resonates with special energies that you can tap to intensify your spells. For instance, Taurus is the sign of fruitfulness and physical resources. Therefore, spells that involve money or any kind of abundance will be enhanced if you perform them when the sun and/or moon is in Taurus. The following table lists the periods when the sun is positioned in the various zodiac signs, along with the types of spells that are best to do during those times.

To determine when the moon is in a particular sign, consult an astrological calendar. For best results, note the signs in which the sun and moon are placed when you cast a spell, as well as the moon’s phase. Each feature contributes to the spell’s power, action, and outcome.

BEWARE MERCURY RETROGRADE

One astrological glitch to remember is Mercury Retrograde. Every four months, for about three weeks at a time, the planet Mercury appears to reverse its direction and move backward in the sky. (Consult an ephemeris to find out when.) During these periods, all sorts of disruptions and mistakes can happen. Computers break down, checks get lost in the mail, flights get delayed, and so on.

Mercury rules communication and thinking, so you can see that casting spells might not be a good idea while the planet is in reverse mode. Under this confusing celestial influence, you might overlook something important or lack clarity regarding your intentions. You may not get the result you desire, or the outcome could take longer to materialize than you’d hoped. However, if your goal is to find something you’ve lost or to reverse a situation, Mercury’s retrograde periods may aid spellcasting. A wandering pet might return or an opportunity you missed out on the first time around could come up for grabs again when Mercury turns retrograde.

THE WHEEL OF THE YEAR

Some practitioners celebrate eight holidays that date back to pre-Christian times as exceptionally powerful times for doing magick. The holidays mark the Earth’s yearly cycle and the sun’s apparent passage through the heavens. (Note: these dates are based on the sun’s position in the sky relative to Earth, and can vary a day or so from year to year.)

According to early Earth-honoring traditions, each holiday has a particular meaning. Notice that many of our contemporary holidays bear close connections to these historic ones. You’ll find lots of books and websites that explain their meanings and how to celebrate them. Don’t hesitate, however, to put your own spin on the festivities and to add your own magick to ancient customs.

WHEN ARE YOUR POWER DAYS?

According to numerology, your birthday is a power day, when your personal energies are at a peak; therefore, it’s a good time to do magick. But that’s not your only fortunate day—you actually have them all throughout the year. For instance, if you were born on the fourteenth day of a month, then the fourteenth day of every month is lucky for you.

Numerology also teaches that each number possesses a distinct resonance that can aid your spells. The following table lists the single-digit numbers and their magickal meanings.

Let’s say the company you work for is downsizing and you want to protect your job. Good dates to cast a spell are the fourth or the eighth of the month. But what if those dates have already passed and you can’t wait until next month? Not to worry. Choose a date with two digits that produce the sum 4 or 8 when added together; for example, the thirteenth (1 + 3 = 4) or the twenty-sixth (2 + 6 = 8).