We'Moon 2026 Astrological Planner Review

Last year, I had the great privilege of writing an article for We'Moon that debuted in their 2025 astrological datebook. This year, I have the great pleasure of reviewing the 2026 datebook and calendar!

First and foremost, this is an astrological datebook created by womyn as a countermovement to our racist patriarchal society. This means they purposely amply the voices of womyn from cultures and walks of life that are traditionally marginalized, including our transgender and non-binary kin. They honor both the diversity that exists in our community, as well as our shared experiences. There isn't anything else quite like their datebook on the market, and there certainly isn't a company that deserves your support like We'Moon and Mother Tongue Ink do. Each article, piece of art, spell, ritual, and poem is created by womyn; no AI is used. Every year, I am blown away by others' creativity.

The 2026 edition is themed “Full Circle,” celebrating cycles of growth, renewal, and transformation. Each week-at-a-glance spread includes moon phases, moon signs, planetary movements, void-of-course periods, and seasonal markers. The planner also features annual horoscopes, ephemeris tables, and a comprehensive lunar overview.

But what truly sets We’Moon apart is its creative heart. Every planner contains over 100 pieces of art, poetry, and prose contributed by womyn from around the world. The result is a planner that feels alive. It is something to be read, savored, and sat with during your daily or moon-based rituals.

On top of this, each astrological datebook is dedicated to an organization. This year, they dedicated their datebook to the Sunrise Movement, a youth-driven, women-led organization for climate action and environmental justice. Considering We'Moon uses Hansol paper, which is 60% recycled, with solvent-free soy- and vegetable-based inks, I am not surprised they chose to support such an organization.

While I love this planner, the planner is content-dense, making it ideal for reflection, but possibly overwhelming if you prefer minimal, business-style layouts. Furthermore, while there is space for notes, the format isn't designed as an hour-by-hour appointment book, more a record of dates and major events. Finally, all astrological data is listed in Pacific Standard Time; users in other time zones will need to adjust for this difference.

Take it from me, this is the best astrological datebook on the market. You can order your 2026 astrological datebook and calendar now online at We'Moon.ws and use discount code Willow26 to take 15% off your order!

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Still Water Mirror Spell For Reflection

Last week, I discussed how to embrace stillness and silence in your practice through tea, meditation, and shadow work journaling. In a world that tells us to be constantly loud and moving, it is a spiritual act of resistance to do the opposite. Winter reminds us to take time to rest and rejuvenate. During this time, the darkness reflects the shadow we harbor inside ourselves, making it the perfect time for reflection. Today's spell builds upon embracing stillness as a magical act through the use of a "mirror" to help you find calm, clarity, and connection to the unseen.

What You'll Need

• Small bowl of water
• White or black candle
• Match or lighter
• Pinch of salt
• Isa, Laguz, and Perthro runes

What to Do

This spell is best performed on Sunday or during the new or dark moon. Begin by cleansing your tools and work space using your preferred methods. Follow this with grounding and centering and inviting any of your spiritual guides to join you.

Place the bowl of water in the center of your workspace with the candle behind it so that the flame will reflect on the water's surface. Place the runes to the right, left, and in front of the water bowl.

Light your candle and sit in the quiet, dimly lit space. Breathe deeply until your body softens. Take time to relax and feel the tension leave your body. 

When ready, sprinkle the salt into the bowl of water and stir clockwise three times, saying: “As this water stills, so shall my mind. In the silent stillness, wisdom I find.” 

Gaze into the surface of the water, watching the flame flicker in the surface's reflection. Don’t force any visions. Instead, let your awareness expand outward and inward at once, opening your mind to the mysteries and fates. If your mind begins to drift, gently return to your breath and refocus on the water's surface.

Continue breathing deeply, allowing messages to flow freely through you as you watch the flame flicker across the water's calm surface. End when you feel full, calm, gently altered, and when the messages stop.

If needed, snuff out the candle and dispose of the water outdoors as an offering to the spirits.

Warnings/Modifications/Alternatives:

• Altering your breathing can cause a reduction in blood pressure, which can cause you to pass out. It can also trigger seizures in some people and PTSD in others. If you are worried about passing out, begin this exercise by lying down. I also suggest practicing with a friend to ensure your safety.
• The water's surface acts as a mirror in which messages can be received, much like a crystal ball. Generally, these messages are visual symbols, pictures, and images, but they can also be feelings, smells, sounds, or a sense of knowing. Trust in your intuition to guide you.
• If you are unable to light candles, consider a faux candle that flickers as a substitute.
• Do not leave a lit candle unattended, and always have water or another fire extinguisher nearby.
• If you do not have runes and prefer to use tarot, The Hermit, Four of Swords, and the High Priestess represent introspection, needed rest, and inner wisdom, similar to that of the runes I chose for this spell. 
  
  

Why You Did It

Understanding the whys of a spell (or ritual or recipe) is just as important as performing it. It helps you understand the process so you can modify the spell or ritual to suit your needs, and it helps guide you in writing your own. It's my intention to provide these explanations so that you can build a better understanding of how spells are written and executed, so you can modify and build your own spells (the goal of my Spellcrafting Series).

Because this spell is designed for stillness and reflection, Sunday or the new/dark moon is best because they too are associated with stillness and reflection. Sunday is often viewed as a day of rest and relaxation, making it the perfect time to invite quiet stillness into your life and practice. The new and dark moon have similar correspondences, although I much prefer the use of the dark moon over the new moon. The dark moon is the complete absence of the moon, the ultimate symbol of rest and reflection. The new moon, however, is more aligned with new beginnings, but is still a great time to set goals for the future and garner insight from beyond.

A bowl of water with a pinch of salt is used during this spell to act as a sort of scrying mirror, helping to open your mind to the messages from the beyond. Water is also associated with calm, healing, silence, and emotions, while the salt helps to purify and remove any blockages that may be preventing you from achieving stillness. The salt was stirred into the water clockwise to invite or draw messages toward you, as well as manifesting your intention of receiving visions.

The black or white candle was lit to connect you and your intention to the Otherworld. Furthermore, the flame was viewed as a reflection in the water's surface. This was done to help quiet your mind and help entice visions from the Otherworld to rise to the surface. Watching the flickering flame helps reduce your heart rate, relax your muscles, and induce an altered state of consciousness, opening you to embracing quiet stillness in your life and to the messages the spirits wish to share with you. White or black is chosen here for their connection to shadow work (black) or stillness (white; think snow).

Isa, Laguz, and Perthro runes were used to strengthen your intention and invite the desired outcome. Isa represents ice and therefore corresponds to stillness, quiet, and reflection. Laguz, however, is the rune of water and represents flow, intuition, emotion, and the subconscious. Perthro is the rune of mystery and the unknown, connected to fate and the divine. Each of these runes invites us to be still and open ourselves up to the will of the fates.

Finally, the water was disposed of outside with gratitude as an offering to the spirits who aided in your spell, whether through guidance or messages. 

Want to break this spell? Because the nature of the spell is to receive insight and guidance, there isn't a way to break it.

Remember to record this spell in your Book of Shadows or use my Spell/Ritual Worksheet for reference later.

***

After everything that has happened in the past year, I find myself turning toward this time of year wanting to learn more about myself and the lessons I have been dealt. Between the election results a year ago, the loss of someone very close to me, a health diagnosis, and a marriage, things have been far from "settled." While there have been plenty of wonderful things that have happened over the last year, there have also been some trials that have tested me. Having spells and rituals centered around peace, reflection, and healing has certainly helped me process everything that has occurred, leaving me well and able to plan for the future. I hope they offer you the same solace.

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New Book Announcement: Encyclopedia of Herbal Magic, A Witch’s Reference Guide to Magical Herbs for Every Season

I am very delayed in making this announcement (mostly because the last two months have been absolutely wild), but I come to you today to let all of you know my third book, written in collaboration with Lisa Chamberlain, is available now! I actually wrote my part more than 5 years ago and wasn't sure it was ever going to come to fruition, but here we are!

Herbs of the Year: Encyclopedia of Herbal Magic: A Witch’s Reference Guide to Magical Herbs for Every Season, with Herb Lore, Magical Uses, and Spell Ideas is perfect for beginning witches yet still valuable for more seasoned practitioners. It features 40 magical herbs and is aligned with the Wheel of the Year. From angelica (Angelica sylvestris) to yew (Taxus baccata), you’re bound to meet herbs both familiar and new as you journey through the seasons. The power of these plants can be used in just about every magical working you perform.

In Encyclopedia of Herbal Magic, you’ll find: 

• 40 magical plants you can easily use throughout the year, no matter where you live 
• Entries detailing the plant’s common and scientific names, magical correspondences, known folklore and history, and common magical uses 
• A variety of spell ideas and magical tips for working with these plants in your practice 
• A ritual for establishing a magical relationship with plants, whether in the wild or in your backyard 
• Advice for how to harvest plants sustainably and more!

I hope you all enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed turning my passion for herb folklore and writing into this beautiful piece!

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The Silence Between Seasons: How to Embrace Stillness as a Magical Act Through Tea, Meditation, and Journaling

As the winds turn sharp and the days begin to wane, the world seems to take a long, inward breath. The fields lay bare, trees stand skeletal against dark skies, and even the spirits grow quiet, lingering in the hush between harvest and rebirth. This is the silence between seasons, a threshold in time where life pauses for the briefest of moments.

In a world driven by capitalism and the constant need to hustle and bustle, it can be difficult for many to embrace this silence. We are often viewed as lazy or unmotivated during times of rest, leading many to continue working even after they have reached total burnout. In witchcraft, this silence between seasons is not a time of emptiness or laziness, but instead a time ripe with potential. This is the perfect opportunity to rest, recharge, reflect, and plan for the future. It is in the dark that we are able to find ourselves and plan the road ahead. When we resist the modern urge to fill every quiet moment, we can rediscover what the ancestors knew well: the soul speaks most clearly when the world grows still. Stillness becomes an act of rebellion instead of a sign of laziness, allowing us to take back control over our lives.

Furthermore, to pause is to honor the cycles of death and rest that sustain all life and growth. It honors the mystery or rún of our world, helping connect us to the cycles of change and recharge before life is reborn anew. Within Norse mythology, this quiet stillness is represented by Odin hanging from the branches of Yggdrasil seeking enlightenment, where Hel keeps her cold dominion, and the time the völva takes to listen before she speaks a prophecy. I find myself leaning more into my spirituality as the winter months come, relying on that silence to bring comfort and peace.

There are many ways we can connect with this silence and embrace stillness in our magical practices, from meditation to teas to spell work. Today I offer a tea recipe, guided meditation, and journal prompts to invite the magic of stillness, peace, and silence into your own practice and engage in shadow work. I find combining these methods, particularly the tea with the meditation, works best. These can also be added to your daily practice during the winter months to better connect with the magic of the season.

Ritual Tea for Stillness

The tea recipe below is designed not only to promote calm and stillness but also to open you up for reflection and shadow work. I have included a series of shadow work journal prompts at the end of the post to help guide your reflection and intuition. Chamomile and lavender bring calm and tranquility, mugwort enhances your psychic ability and spiritual connection, and rosemary stimulates your memory and cleanses away stress. I encourage you to sweeten this tea with your favorite sweetener, as mugwort tends to be rather bitter when brewed.

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon dried chamomile

1 teaspoon dried lavender

1 teaspoon dried mugwort

1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary

Sweetener of choice

Instructions:

Combine the herbal mixture with warm water (200° F) and allow the tea to infuse for 7-10 minutes. While the tea infuses, stir in your sweetener, stirring counterclockwise while saying, "In silence's brew I release all stress; The stillness speaks and I shall listen." Breathe in the aroma of the tea before enjoying. As you sip, visualize tension leaving your body, your heart rate slowing, and your mind quieting.

This tea pairs incredibly well with the following guided meditation or a relaxing ritual bath.

Guided Meditation

Find a comfortable position to sit or lie. Close your eyes and take several slow breaths, breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. Feel your body settle, your heartbeat steady, and your mind begin to slow. Continue breathing until you feel relaxed and centered enough to begin the guided meditation.

When ready, imagine yourself standing in a winter forest. The trees are bare, their branches etched against a pale, misty sky. A slight breeze blows, but the snow muffles all sound. The air hums with silence.

You begin to walk. The world feels suspended in time. There is no past, no future, only now. You reach a clearing where the snow lies smooth and untouched. You stand or sit upon the earth. Beneath you, the land sleeps and dreams of warmer days, but for now, it is content to revel in the stillness of winter.

In that stillness, listen. What you once thought was nothingness is actually the slow pulse of life, hidden away beneath the snow. Roots, sleeping seeds, resting spirits breathe deep and exhale, the promise of tomorrow alight. Their silence is not absence; it is potential waiting to be born. 

Breathe with that rhythm. Let it seep into your bones. Open your heart and mind to any messages the earth, spirits, and land wish to convey to you. Sit in the stillness until you feel numb, allowing messages and relaxation to flow through you.

When you are ready, whisper to yourself: “I am the quiet between seasons. I am the space where magic waits.” When you return, carry that calm within you as you work through the journal prompts below.

Shadow Work Journal Prompts for the Silence Between Seasons

1. When I sit in silence, what parts of myself try to fill the quiet first? (Notice the thoughts, worries, or memories that rush forward. These often reveal what your shadow most wants to avoid.)
   
   
2. What emotions or truths arise when I stop distracting myself with motion or noise? (Describe them without judgment. They are your soul’s whispers, not intruders.)
   
   
3. If stillness feels uncomfortable, what might that discomfort be teaching me? (Shadow often hides in resistance, so be sure to explore what silence threatens to uncover.)
   
   
4. What part of me craves rest but fears being still? (Write from that part’s perspective. What does it believe will happen if you slow down?)
   
   
5. What has the “winter” of my spirit been trying to teach me? (Reflect on the cycles of withdrawal, endings, death, or inner cold. What wisdom lies beneath them?)
   
   
6. What truths have I drowned out with noise, busyness, or external validation? (Be honest here. What message keeps echoing in the background, waiting for quiet to be heard?)
   
   
7. What am I holding onto that silence asks me to release? (This could be guilt, control, fear, or grief. Be sure to name it, thank it, and imagine setting it down.)
   
   
8. What does “rest” mean to me beyond physical sleep? What does my soul’s rest look like? (Define what true restoration means for you  beyond productivity or spiritual performance.)
   
   
9. What part of my shadow is ready to be held, not fixed? (Consider one wound, insecurity, or regret that needs presence more than healing right now.)
   
   
10. What wisdom does the silence between seasons want to share with me right now? What messages did you receive from beyond? (Let the answer come as an image, a feeling, a single word, or a whisper from your deeper self.)

I find brewing a second cup of tea while working on the shadow work journal prompt helps me recall my journey and opens myself up to being more honest and reflective in my answers. I end my stillness ritual and reflect with the following mantra: "In stillness, I find my power. In silence, I remember who I truly am."

You can download your free copy of the journal prompts below.

The silence between seasons is not a void to be feared or shunned with more work. Instead, it is a sanctuary to be honored and respected. In this quiet season, let yourself rest without guilt. Engage in radical self-care by resisting what the overculture insists upon. As the night continues to lengthen and the frost gathers, I invite you to find beauty in the pause. It is in winter's stillness that we can listen to the whispers of fate and deepen our magic through reflection and rest.

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Magical and Medicinal Uses of Black Pepper

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Mars
Element: Fire
Powers: Clarity, Courage, Exorcism, Protection, Strength, Wealth

Magical Uses and History: Often referred to as the "king of spices," black pepper has a long and rich, yet mythical history. Much like misinformation is spread today to sway public opinion, it was used to convince the public that black pepper was more than it seemed. 

While black pepper was historically a rare commodity,  available only to the nobility, it remained in demand through the use of myth. According to legends, black pepper could only be harvested by setting the pepper trees on fire to drive away venomous snakes that guarded the delicate spice. During the burning process, the otherwise white peppercorns turned dry, shriveled, and black. Because so many trees were lost during the burning, the cost and time to replant them had to be factored into the price. This legend spread quickly through mainstream culture, and while we cannot be sure where it originated or if it was entirely believed, it was enough to keep the price high. The cost of black pepper was so high that it was often used as currency to pay rent, taxes, doweries, and even ransoms, as seen during the 5th century AD when Visigoths demanded it after sacking the Western Roman Empire. Because of its value, it became known as "black gold," symbolizing wealth and power. As such, black pepper can be added to spells and rituals for wealth, money, and prosperity. Add whole peppercorns to your wallet, purse, or cash register to attract wealth. Add to spell bags and bottles for wealth and prosperity, keep in your kitchen to ensure abundance flows freely, or steep in oil to create a success-attracting oil.

Apart from being a symbol of wealth, prosperity, and abundance, black pepper was also used for protection. Due to its sharp, fiery qualities, black pepper is thought to drive away evil and unwanted spirits and has even been used to break curses. In hoodoo, black pepper is often added to Hot Foot powders to bring an uncomfortable "heat" to the target's life or to salt to prevent evil or unwanted guests from entering or returning to your home. Keep a jar of black pepper corns near your hearth or entrance to guard the home, sprinkle along thresholds to prevent unwanted guests from entering, burn to banish unwanted energy, or add to other spells and rituals for banishment, hex breaking, or removal. Black pepper combines well with other banishing herbs to create a potent incense or banishment oil.

Finally, black pepper was also a symbol of health and medicine, used to treat a wide range of ailments from digestive issues to respiratory problems and even pain. In ancient Greece and Rome, black pepper was used to stimulate the digestive system, helping aid in digestion, reduce excess gas, and alleviate stomach pain. In Ayurvedic medicine, it was believed to help balance the three doshas known as Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. As such, it was revered for its general digestive and respiratory aid, helping to clear congestion, support the immune system, and bring overall wellness to the user. Across cultures, black pepper was also widely used to treat fevers due to its warming nature that was thought to promote sweating and therefore "break" a fever. Today, black pepper is used much the same way, and therefore can be used in spells and rituals for healing, health, and general wellness. Due to its warming nature, black pepper can also be used to bring heat to a spell. Add black pepper to teas, tinctures, baths, spell bags or jars, or burn with other spices such as sage or rosemary for similar purposes.

Black pepper can be used in a number of spells, including:

      Money Spells

      Protection Spells

      Exorcism

      Strengthen Spells & Rituals

Medicinal Uses: Black pepper contains piperine, the alkaloid responsible for black pepper's well-known flavor. Piperine is an antioxidant and a bioavailability enhancer, meaning it helps with the absorption of other compounds such as curcumin, resveratrol, and other minerals and vitamins. It is also an anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and has been found to increase digestion through the stimulation of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. As such, it is often used to treat indigestion, bloating, and gas. As an anti-inflammatory, it has been shown to reduce the symptoms associated with arthritis, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases. Piperine may also help with the regulation of blood sugar, improving insulin sensitivity, and reducing blood sugar spikes. As an expectorant and decongestant, black pepper can be used to treat colds, cough, asthma, and mild flu symptoms. As an antimicrobial and antibacterial, black pepper is effective at improving overall oral health and reducing gingivitis and gum disease. 

It should be noted that despite black pepper's ability to help with the absorption of certain nutrients, it can interfere with the absorption of certain medications. Please consult your doctor or a credible herbalist before including it in your herbal remedy practice.

Preparation and Dosage: To create an infusion, combine one cup of boiling water with 1/2 teaspoon of crushed black pepper. Allow the infusion to steep for 10-15 minutes. Drink up to three times a day. As a tincture, take 0.5 to 1 mL in water or tea up to three times a day. Black pepper combines well with honey, cinnamon, turmeric, and ginger. Externally, black pepper essential oil can be diluted in a carrier oil and used as a massage oil to reduce pain and inflammation.

Want to print a copy of this for your Book of Shadows? Click below for your free copy!

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