Practical Magic: The Summer Solstice!

Your monthly cliff notes on: Astrology, Tarot, and Spells

Hi darlings, it’s June! How?? When?? And most importantly how??

Okay I’m done with the dramatics. This week we have the Summer Solstice, and Warner Bros just announced a sequel to Practical Magic with Sandy Bullock and Nicki Kidman is in the works (yes Sandy & Nicki), so I think overall a little something to be joyful about in between the turmoil our leaders continue to drag us through :)

Here’s the witchy breakdown! Enjoy!

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Spellbound

This corner of Practical Magic is dedicated to spells that you can tap into on your own (without it feeling scary). I believe that we cast spells everyday with the things we say out loud (I’m the luckiest girl!) and rituals that we practice (like making a wish on our birthday candle), we just don’t call them by that name.

The Freezing Spell

A few years ago my friend Crystal, who is a tarot practitioner and second gen-psychic, shared the below freezing spell with me when someone at work was causing me serious grief and mental exhaustion. And it has become a go to spell for me when I need to break a negative energetic chain with someone (although thankfully far and few in between!). A freezing spell falls under defensive magic, also known as protective magic, which involves practices and rituals designed to protect oneself, others, or places from harm or negative energy.

Other types of defensive magic include:

• Warding: Creating protective barriers or wards around a person, object, or space to keep out negative energies or entities. This can involve visualizing a protective shield, using specific symbols, or performing rituals to set up these barriers.

• Cleansing: Removing negative energies from a person, object, or environment. Methods can include smudging with sage or other herbs, using salt or water, chanting, or performing purification rituals.

• Amulets and Talismans: Objects imbued with protective properties, often worn or placed in one's environment. Amulets are typically used for protection, while talismans are used to bring positive energy or specific benefits.

There are many iterations of the freezing spell out on the internet, but I keep it very simple and don’t add any extra bells and whistles. Anyone I’ve frozen is because they’ve brought disarray into my life and there was no way of fixing the situation through communication, this is important to note because my focus has been on preventing further psychological harm rather than seeking revenge.

Here are a few examples of people you might want to freeze: a colleague trying to sabotage your work, an ex who is stalking you, an old friend who won’t stop gossiping about you… see where am going with this? This freezer spell is not harmful, so no need to be scared about karmic retribution. I would never mess around with my karma or yours! Here’s the spell from Crystal:

Write the following on a piece of paper:

<Full Name> has no power over me <Your Full Name>

Mentally

Physically

Financially

Emotionally 

Spiritually

Thank you <God, Universe, Powers that be, etc.>!

Now place the paper in a tupperware container or small plastic bottle and fill it with water. Keep the paper submerged and place in your freezer.

You might be thinking, what about when I’m ready to unfreeze this person? Fret not! Here’s a breakdown of that:

Unfreezing the Spell

Thawing the Frozen Spell:

• Intention Setting: Before you begin, set a clear intention to release and neutralize the spell’s effects. You might say something like, “I release [Person’s Name] from this binding with harm to none.”

• Thaw Slowly: Remove the container from the freezer and allow it to thaw naturally at room temperature. Avoid using heat or force to speed up the process, as a gradual thaw symbolizes a gentle release of the binding.

• Visualization: As the ice melts, visualize the person or situation being freed from the constraints you’ve placed upon them. See the energy flowing back into a state of balance and harmony.

Disposal of Materials:

• Water Disposal: Once the ice has completely melted, pour the water away, ideally in a natural body of water or into the earth. This symbolizes the final release and purification of any remaining energies.

• Paper or Personal Item: If you used a piece of paper with the person’s name or a personal item, you can either burn it and scatter the ashes (as a form of transformation) or bury it in a respectful manner to signify closure.

Cleansing the Space:

• Cleanse the Area: Perform a cleansing of the area where the spell was conducted. You can use sage, or incense to remove any residual energies and restore the space to neutrality.

• Self-Cleansing: Take a cleansing bath with salt, herbs, or essential oils to purify your own energy and remove any lingering connections to the spell.

Use responsibly! Also, if you live with people let them know that container is yours. Last year I was in London, at an airbnb, and the owner of the home had defrosted my spell. She thought her six year old daughter had frozen paper as an experiment. I took it as a sign that the person I had put in that bottle was not meant to be frozen.

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Lunar Lore

The biggest news on the astrology front is that Jupiter has entered Gemini, and it will be there until June 9, 2025. The last time Jupiter was in Gemini was from June 11, 2012, to June 25, 2013. So if you want to get a feel for what the next twelve months might bring your way, think back to that era of your life. Here are some of the biggest moments in 2012-2013.

1. Barack Obama was re-elected as President (sounds like Joe is winning round 2)

2. Benghazi - On Sept. 11, attacks were launched on the U.S. embassy in Cairo, Egypt and a consulate in Benghazi, Libya. I personally did not understand what was happening then (and still feel confused at present), but given what has been happening in Palestine, I’m keeping an eye on our current administration plotting a ruse to create confusion and more fear leading up to this re-election.

3. Vine was launched! (Vine walked so TikTok could run)

4. Gossip Girl revealed who was gossiping and PLL told it’s viewers who A was… I see a version of this happening with Bridgerton S3 this summer. (I wrote this on June 10th before I had watched the 2nd half of S3, and I wish I had published this then, because I was correct!)

5. Netflix also declared that ‘binge watching’ would become the new normal. Which checks out because gemini rules over the mind, and it moves fast. So be careful with over-consumption my friends.

6. We had a lot of big music moments: Destiny’s Child at the Super Bowl, Taylor with ‘Red’, and one of the most annoying songs to ever be released "Gangnam Style"went viral, becoming the first YouTube video to reach one billion views (if that isn’t a gemini moment idk what is). I’d like a new DC album.

7. Park Geun-hye becomes the first woman to become the president of South Korea (and first to be removed from office by impeachment). You know who just elected their first female president? Mexico. I hope her run is better than Park’s.

8. June 6, 2013 – Former CIA employee Edward Snowden discloses operations engaged in by a U.S. government mass surveillance program to news publications and flees the country. Would not be surprised if we get another major whistle blower during these next 12 months.

All that to say, A LOT was happening, and it was coming in hot and fast. That’s the thing about gemini, it’s an air sign, and it moves quick. If you don’t know how to use this energy, you can feel directionless. Add to the mix Jupiter, who is a magical gurl that likes to expand anything it touches (the good, the bad and the ugly), and it starts feeling a little like this photo:

Jupiter is also about generosity, abundance and optimism. So I am hoping we see more of that in our collective experience through this transit.

Okay, so what can we expect with Jupiter in Gemini?

• An increase in educational opportunities, you might take up courses, or engage in self-study. Curiosity and a thirst for knowledge will be heightened.

• Opportunities: If you are a content creator this is the year to double down on your work and commit to what you want to grow. Jupiter in Gemini favors activities that involve sharing information and connecting with others.

• Challenges: Be mindful of the potential for scattered energy. With so many interests and ideas, it's important to stay focused and not spread yourself too thin. This is a big one! You are the master of your schedule. Also be mindful of misinformation, especially with this being an election year. Check on your parents, WhatsApp is a cesspool for spreading misinformation.

Collective Influence:

• Innovations in media and technology are likely to thrive. Expect new apps, platforms, and technological advancements that enhance communication and information sharing. If you thought AI was everywhere now, your brain is going to feel flipped and reversed by next June.

• There will be an increase in cultural exchanges and understanding different perspectives (I pray so). This period can bring a more interconnected and informed global community.

If you know your natal chart, you can see which house you have gemini and therefor where Jupiter will bring its touch of miracle grow for you. I have it in my 11th house of network, friends, technology, and social media — so I’m excited to see how I build this substack community in the coming months.

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PS: I didn’t include tarot this month as I left my copy of Jessica Dore’s book at home, and didn’t want to give you half the experience. As a substitute, here’s Jessica’s personal pull for the month of June. You can read it in full here. The tower is exactly how the world is feeling.