on may 31st, we have a full moon in sagittarius [♐︎] which is both a micromoon and a calendrical blue moon - "calendrical" being defined as "the second full moon to take place within a single calendar month." this event only occurs once every ~30 months or so!

"once in a blue moon," most recently in our history, is defined as "very rare" and that's the definition we will utilize for this post.

did you know that the phrase "once in a blue moon" did not originally mean "rare?" in fact, that definition has only been popular within the last 25 years according to this article at skyandtelescope - the author does a deep dive on the various definitions of "blue moon" throughout the years. check it out.

commonly, the elusive blue moon is associated with wishes, manifestation, dreams, divination, illumination, achievement, and focus as well as reflection, reinvention, and reminiscence. micromoons further support the correlation between this lunation and pinpoint focus. personally, i feel that blue moons can also correspond with abundance and excess considering their presence as an extra full moon in a month's time.

magical ideas:

wear blue colored clothing or jewelry

burn blue candles

spells for wishes or dreams

spells for "once in a blue moon" or rare opportunities

spells for renewal or for situations where dedication and focus are required

spells for gain or for removing what is overly or unnecessarily excessive

spells for spiritual enlightenment or to illuminate the truth and unveil secrets

dreamwork, divination, and exercises to improve intuition

meditation

blue moon altar:

a celestial themed or blue altar cloth

star maps

the moon's magic square or kamea / lunar sigils

lunar imagery including the moon tarot card

pearls, seashells, beach sand, ocean imagery

blue / deep purple flowers (lavender, lotus, blue water lily, indigo, etc.)

other lunar herbs such as mugwort, jasmine, anise, and lemon balm

crystals such as labradorite, selenite, iolite, black moonstone, dumortierite, blue quartz, blue aventurine, sodalite, blue lace agate, azurite, kyanite, etc.

libations of butterfly pea flower tea, moon milk, honey, blueberry wine / mead, other blue colored beverages, etc.

food offerings of blueberries, melon, cucumber, mooncakes, crescent rolls, etc.

considerations:

what might you need to revisit and reevaluate? relationships, career choices, maybe even that old project you put down and never saw again?

what are some things in your life that deserve a "second chance?"

have you been given any second chances recently? how did you respond?

what do you have too much of? what can you afford to let go?

what would you like to manifest in the time between this blue moon and the next one in a few years?

have you been given any "rare" opportunities lately?

what secrets need to be unveiled? how can you illuminate the truth?

what are you overly focused on right now? is it conducive to your wellbeing or interests?

where have you lost focus and what can you do to get it back?

the moon micromoon magic

For folks who have limited mobility in their hands due to pain, weakness, shakiness, or anything else. These are a range of ideas, not all of them may work for each person, but hopefully they’ll spark something that will! 

Looking for broader low energy, low mobility or bedridden ideas? Check out my bedridden witch series (click here!)

Tarot:

Tarot apps are a great way to pull a card with a tap or two (Labyrinthos and Galaxy tarot have been recommended). 

Place your deck in your lap. Feel for any loose cards, then pull them. 

Split the deck (doesn’t have to be even). The cards on either end of the split are the cards for your spread. 

Spread the deck on a flat surface, and move your hand over to pick (let your hands sense the energy), or pick based on intuition. 

If gripping/managing thin paper is tricky, some people use other objects for tarot readings. I’ve seen jewelry charms as a common one, but the possibilities are endless (cardboard, wooden blocks, etc.). >Here are some printable decks!<

You can do more than readings with your cards. Pick one per day and just spend time with it. Look at the art, pay attention to how it makes you feel. Learn the meanings of the card. 

This post may have more ideas: Bedridden witch: Divination edition

Pendulum: 

I have had success with using a pendulum while dealing with shaking hands. 

Let something else do the work! Hang it by an open window, focus your energy and let the wind move the pendulum for you. 

Use a pendulum jar/stand.

Use a shorter pendulum that can be used with one finger. A string with a small crystal bead will do. 

Prop your arm/hand on a pillow.

You could also use other parts of your body to hold the pendulum (like your mouth or toes… wouldn’t recommend switching between the two though!)

Bedridden witch: Divination edition

Other Divination:

Runes may be easier to hold/use than tarot cards.

Use rune apps (runic divination was recommended).

Scrying (using a mirror or bowl) is hands-free.

For more ideas: Bedridden witch: Divination edition

Spells and Energy Work:

A lot of witches use their hands to focus energy during spellwork and other magical doings. While this may be helpful, it’s not necessary!

Focusing energy can be helpful. Use a crystal or other object and touch it in some way (with your hand, have it in your lap, whatever works for you). Use the crystal/object to help channel and amplify your energy.

I usually draw energy up from the earth (even while in bed) by placing my palms flat(ish) towards the earth by the sides of my body. So if I was lying down, my arms would be at my sides with my palms facing down.

Use visualization! A LOT of my magic involves visualization. 

Candles and Incense:

Himalayan salt lamps are a great way to bring a similar energy that a burning candle would.

I honestly really like electric candles, but I know they’re not everybody’s thing. Plus sides: if you forget about them they simply run out of battery, can be decorated–tape with color correspondences, sigils, spells, etc. (you could even print something and tape it on). 

Reed diffusers. Get the yummy smell that candles or incense brings without the flames and smoke. Plus you can ignore it for months!

Essential oil diffusers. Great way to get the correspondences that incense often holds. (please use safely and not around your pets).

Room spray. Store-bought or self-infused natural sprays are a great way to add good smells and/or correspondences. 

Recording information:

Voice text or dictation software are often accessible, though not always perfect. It is a great way to get things down that you don’t want to forget/want to reformat later.

Typing can sometimes be easier than writing, and journals/grimoires in documents are easy to organize, and to read. 

I’m a very tactile person and enjoy writing (even if it hurts/is difficult). My tarot journal is filled with terrible handwriting, random shorthand, and codes I came up with to shorten things (ie. a little symbol for each suit, then the card number). It doesn’t have to be an all-day process. 

I’d imagine that some tarot apps record which cards you’ve pulled, or have an option to save it. 

Odds and Ends:

Use compression gloves or other gear to support your hands? Add sigils or enchant them!

Same goes for any lotions, creams, balms or medications used to help; sigils, charging, enchanting, etc. are all great ways to incorporate magic. 

Teas are an easy way to get multiple herbs + their medicinal values without needing to do anything!

Into kitchen witchcraft? Using electric mixers can be very helpful.

Create sigils using a phone app (touchscreen) and your fingers rather than holding a pen. 

Other posts you might like:

Magic for witches with limited hand mobility

Bedridden witch series

Chronically ill witchcraft: For your symptoms

Spoonie witch masterpost

Do none of these posts meet your needs after perusing? Send me an ask, I’m always looking to fill the gaps when it comes to accessibility and witchcraft!

With suggestions and contributions from:

@useless-bisaster​, @crowxwitch​ and anonymous. Thank you!

Hey. I made a zine about thoughtforms, servitors, and energyforms. It's free. It's yours now. Print it out. Eat it. I don't care. Just don't pretend you wrote it when I did all of this and screamed at the formatting and paid for Canva shit to accomplish this.

Not a complete list of course, so feel free to add on!

Travel

Dedicated travel playlist for Hermes

Mindful packing for trips

Road-trips/camping

Trying new modes of travel

Let Him pick the music

Travel by boat/kayak/canoe

Learn to roller skate, skateboard, or longboard

Learn to surf

Go for a bike ride

Find ways to save on gas (like rewards cards)

Misc.

Draw sigils on shoes

Leave coin offerings at the location you start your travels

Travel size portable altar

Give people in need bus fare 

Go for a run 

Picking up coins you find/leaving coins for others

Donating to homeless shelters

Car

Keep up on car maintenance (especially in the wintertime)

Courteous driving (Letting people out, stopping for pedestrians, using your blinker)

Clean snow off other drivers’ cars

Keep your car clean

Giving rides to others

Stopping for those that need help on the side of the road

Invite Him to ride in the passenger seat

Let Him pick the music

International

Get a passport!

Keeping up on foreign affairs

Decorate your passport

See the world!

Make a travel board/destination list

Learn about places you wanna go

Try foreign foods

Nature

Take a nature walk! (Or just a walk around the block)

Dedicate your hiking boots/running shoes to him

Find a spot in nature to talk to Him

Learn about birds in your area and where they come from and go.

Learn how animals communicate (great alongside Artemis)

Communication

Write letters to friends

Send postcards/greeting cards

Call a friend or relative

Reread messages/emails before sending 

Communicate your thoughts and feelings in your relationships

Practice keyboarding

Establish and enforce your boundaries 

Can and string telephones

Keep secrets entrusted to you

Support your local post office

Collect stamps/postcards

Dedicate your phone/laptop to Him

Have a penpal

Language

Keep a journal 

Learn a new language/Revisit the language you started learning and then neglected 

Learn ASL

Learn about the evolution of language and how it is always changing

Be mindful of the language you use in daily life and consider how it affects you and those around you 

Change your self-talk! Keep it positive!

Voice training (Particularly for trans worshippers)

Thinking before you speak

Learn about older forms of communication (like Morse Code)

Learn braille 

Go to the library and practice reading books in a foreign language (Great to do alongside Athena)

Practice writing (great to do alongside Apollo) 

Learn about the elements of writing, like allegory and metaphors (alongside Apollo)

Trickery and luck

Play pranks (remember: good pranks cause confusion, not harm)

Learn magic tricks 

Buy scratch offs/play the lottery

Understand how gambling addictions affect people

Dice and card games

Learn about good luck charms/Make your own

Night at the casino 

Learn about superstitions

Games like billiards or darts

Arcade/video games/carnival games

Make small/friendly bets

Poker nights!

Game of horseshoes

Learn parlor games

Miscellaneous 

Smoke a bowl with Him! (If your relationship is like that)

Offer him coffee and energy drinks

Trail mix, candy, road-trip snacks, 

Learn a good joke

Write/perform stand up comedy 

Related Jobs

Mail carriers and sorters

 Retail workers (Hermes of Merchants & Commerce)

 Canvassers 

Editors, journalists, and writers

Newspaper routes

Bank tellers

Carnies 

Casino workers

Gas station attendants

 Mechanics 

Where I Acknowledge Him

Gas stations

Mail carriers/trucks

Worn-looking travelers (thinking of the eye-patched man lounging on the sidewalk smoking a cigarette. Hope to be that content one day)

Gumball machines give me his vibe

Arcade games, pinball machines, and air hockey 

Flea markets/garage sales

Simple Acts to Devote to Him

Checking your mail

Checking email/voicemail

Buying stamps

Flipping a coin

Dice divination

Charm casting

Collections

Rocks

Coins/money 

Good luck charms

Pens/writing utensils

Playing cards

Dice (Looking at you D&D players)

Offerings

Orange peels

Trail mix/peanuts

Road-trip snacks

Rocks & pebbles, coins, cool things you find outside

Travel souvenirs 

Good luck charms

Energy drinks

Coffee (bonus points for gas station coffee)

Letters/postcards/stamps

Apples/bananas/grapes

↑ frumpkin pic for tax ↑

The healer, the one thrice armed

With arrows and lyre

Held up high with dear Helios whom we too love.

You are here when I beg your aid,

When I pray for the healing of those I love

That through you, too, Asclepius might be moved.

You are here too when I grieve

For mortals eyes cannot see what you do

Though you try to aid me there as well

And I know it is out of love for me.

And so now, Apollo of the Gleaning,

I give my thanks to you

For I know often your favor, and often more your love

And through this prayer, I send these things in return

Temple of Apollo in Phigalia, 1835, Karl Bryullov

I turn to Ares.

Thanks to Tyler Miles Lockett who allowed me to draw inspiration from his ARES piece for page 2! Look at his etsy page it's SICK

Admit your fears to him or yourself. They could range from 'fear of talking to cashiers' to' I'm afraid in life when things go too well.' He has mastery over fear and panic; they are his 'children.' Writing and offering these to him can be an activity for you both. Do things that you're scared of, within reason. Order food yourself, talk to new people, try a new amusement park ride, etc. (You can also ask his help in facing these fears)

Face whatever you've been avoiding inwardly. He's revealed some grueling truths to me, but it's been for the best. People sometimes underestimate how tough emotional healing can be; it's hard work. He is fantastic at delivering truth and offering strength and aid when we do such things. He isn't judgmental; I know he has a fearsome reputation, and Im not detracting from it. He's not just the stormer of cities; he also wields the shield and will shelter you under it. Im learning to ask for help, I'm learning how to do a myriad of things, and he's been patient and present in his own way; it's beautiful.

Read his myths from various cultures. I saw someone here discussing research on deities from other cultures' perspectives, but here, you can try to go back further than the Hellenic era of Greece! Ares has ties as a protector of land or one who gives abundance! (not just the feasted on by women, which is dope as shit) He's technically older than most think! (The earliest attested form of the name is the Mycenaean Greek 𐀀𐀩, a-re, written in the Linear B syllabic script.) This is a fun way to connect with any deity, especially Ares. I was filled with passion and excitement when I read through his history!

You can learn about your anger. This may seem obvious, but thinking about your relationship with your anger can lead you down some helpful pathways. You may be quick to anger, but you may not get angry enough. Your anger may hide pain or grief; you may hurt yourself or the ones you love with your temper. Or, you may be suffering under someone else's anger; freeing yourself from it may improve your life. Try to unlearn unhealthy views instilled in you about anger, understand how it can actually help you, and understand it's not the only emotion you can draw upon. Ares is hardly who popular media portrays him as; he's not this angry dumb brute. Ares is incredibly wise and creative in drawing these feelings from you; never be afraid to ask him. (Im still learning how to ask him, lol.)

Learn how to take care of yourself. Shockingly, your deities want you to be well before considering dedicating time to them. (not shocking at all) Ares has forced me on my ass, I suspect, when I was being stubborn in regards to my own health. He's patient, but dedicating self-care and love to him is honorable and would please him. This could range from working out, eating better, getting out of bed, cleaning your room, showering, or just not doing a single task for a day to give yourself a break. This also ties into learning how to manage workloads; you should break before you crash and burn out!

Setting boundaries and sticking to them. I'll lump this in with sticking up for yourself for a moment. Setting boundaries can be challenging for anyone, but Ares will not only remind you that you're worthy of being treated well, he'll encourage you. It's hard work; sometimes you take steps forward and backward, but he'll help you SO MUCH. He made it so easy for me, Im still unsure how he did, but I speak my mind without anxiety so much more.

Stick up for yourself and others, and cut out people who treat you poorly. Analyze the relationships in your life; he'll naturally bring attention to those not serving to bring good into your life. Raise the standards on how you wish to be treated, and hold yourself and others accountable for behaviors.

People say 'research war,' and that's important, but you can also research Greek warfare on YouTube! Hoplite warfare is attributed to him and others; take some time to research formations, ranks, tools, and such. I also liked researching how Ares was viewed in various Polis (ex, Thrace, Sparta, Attica, etc.) You can research warfare tactics if you want to nerd out; I like to sit down and watch weaponry forging (this would work for Hephaistos, too). Spears, shields, and certain swords are symbolic to him.

Read his hymns. His hymns are some of my favorites and are beautiful to me. Contrary to popular belief, embodying strength is about having peace within yourself. Ares knows this; he is wise and understands the human struggle well. Learning his epithets is also an excellent way to go about who you wish to call upon at a particular time. I don't do this, but I still love knowing things about him.

Create jewelry for him and wear it/ draw his symbol on things. Something as simple as this works wonders, I promise. It can be super simple as long as it means something to you. Carrying a physical reminder of him on your person is a lovely way to honor him. Drawing his symbol on certain things to 'bless' also works.

Be there for those you love. Supporting others when you have the capability is essential; loving fiercely is a way to honor Ares, believe it or not. Offering sound advice, being a solid shoulder to cry on, or simply showing up for people you love is really important to Ares as he is a staunch supporter of LOVE in general and comradery. Understanding how to support without overreaching is vital, too, and he can help you with this.

Educate yourself and be a voice. Educate yourself on genocide and war and their realities. Research how to help in what ways you can; these things honor who he is as a God. Stand firm in what's right; don't let someone silence you. These things aren't always possible if you're in a precarious home situation, and that's valid as well!

Do things that make you feel passionate. Did you know ancient Greek Hoplites used a dance to train for war? The Pyrrhichios or Pyrrhike dance was the best-known war dance of the Greeks. It was probably of Dorian origin and practiced at first solely as a training for war. I say this to convey that dancing and moving can be dedicated to Ares, too! (he's also been depicted in a myth as removing his armor and dancing at a wedding; he knows how to be jovial, too!) Whether you practice martial arts or like to move around, do that for him. Pick up new things you enjoy, spark passion within yourself, and revel in it! (Be safe and smart, and don't engage in high-risk activities unless you have proper training and supervision!)

hestia: goddess of the hearth, home, and family

Card 1 - “What in the”: Your current problem. Your focus. What is hindering you currently. Your challenge.

Card 2 - “Actual”: What about this challenge/problem is grounded in reality? Is it a tangible problem?

Card 3 - “Fresh”: Am I looking at this problem wrong? Am I going about this the wrong way? Do I need to see this with a ‘fresh’ perspective?

Card 4 - “Fuck”: What about this is wrong? Why is it wrong? What is making it wrong?

Card 5 - “?”: Do I need more info? Where do I need more info?