FOR THE WEEK OF APRIL 15, 2023
the
New Moon Solar Eclipse April 19/20
Your Weekly Horoscope
The Moon Saved My Life. But Not My Marriage. 'Have it all' Mom Syndrome
Inspiration & delight while discovering Your Joy Witchy Moms
A Weekly Magazine by
So what's the story behind Witchy Moms? In 2012, my husband died in a work accident at our business. Our daughters were 5yrs & 2yrs old at the time. I was a 34yr old widow. As one could imagine my entire world changed in an instant. I felt so alone & scared. I had no idea how I was going to move forward. Fast forward to September 2016. I sat in a safe house with my 3 daughters hiding from my abusive partner. I felt so scared & so alone. I had no idea what I was going to do. Once again my life was totally turned upside down. I could not believe that once again I was in the same type of situation- alone, scared & having to rebuild my life. I knew one thing was for sure. I was going to heal & so were my kids. This was NOT how this story was going to end. Doctors prescribed pills & sent me to talk therapy both when my husband died AND when we left our abuser. I knew there had to be another way to get through it, so I spent 3 years discovering all of the healing modalities I could find. I learned so much & found relief & most of all hope that we were in fact going to make it. I also realized that I could not be the only one going through this. There had to be other women like me struggling & looking for answers. In April 2020, I started the Witchy Moms facebook group & instagram account in hopes of finding other likeminded women. And now here we are 3 years later... I feel like I'm just getting started!
the
Enchanted Morning Witchy Moms EDITOR PUBLISHER ADVERTISING SALES Natalie Ryan natalie@witchymoms.com The Enchanted Morning is a Weekly Digital interactive publication supporting our magical community around the world. Copyright Witchy Moms 2023. All rights reserved. No reproduction of any material without written consent .
Curious to know more of my healing journey? In 2020, I wrote a bestselling book sharing our journey plus 10 tried & true ways to help heal & get your life back.
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In This Issue &
Our Contributors
Your Weekly Horoscope By Sara McCormick
The Moon Saved My Life But Not My Marriage By Karen Jane
'Have It All' Mom Syndrome By Bobbie Larson
Feature Vendors & The Marketplace 4
New Release Books & Decks
From my
Kitchen Table a note from the editor Is it just me or did this week just fly by?! This week I leaned into sharing more of my intuitive gifts by offering a few card readings on IG which was fun. I will definitely be doing more! What I did not realize was the impact it would have on some of you- inspiring you to be brave & put yourself out there. This makes my heart burst with joy! Once again I learned that you just never know what will come of your actions while being your authentic self.
Create a magical week,
Natalie
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Join Us! Above: Pippa & I walking home from the school bus.
This week's
Horoscopes
by Sara McCormick
The Week of April 15: We’ve got an intense week ahead!
a New Moon Solar Eclipse in Aries April 20th
(19th if you’re on the West Coast)
Mercury Retrograde begins this week on April 21st
If you remember, we already had a New Moon in Aries on March 21, making this the second New Moon in Aries this year. An eclipse in Aries asks us to stand and fight for what we believe in, to use our voices and defend those who cannot defend themselves.
Aries: This month’s New Moon is in your sign, Aries! This is your time to begin a fresh start regarding your identity, how you present yourself to the world, and how you see yourself. The stars are aligned for you to take a moment to pause and visualize what you want your life to look like six months from now. Dream big! Taurus: Your 12th House of Spirituality is getting a fresh start this New Moon, which for you means it’s time to let go. Next month the New Moon will be in your sign, and the perfect time for dreaming of your life ahead, but for now, the cosmos are calling you to retreat and go inward and let go of anything holding you back or dimming your light. Gemini: If you’ve been feeling called to work within your local community or a group of people, now is the time, Gemini! This New Moon is in your 11th House of Friendships & Community, helping you call in your inner circle support team. This is also a New Moon that may highlight who has your back and which of your friendships you need to check in on. Cancer: Your career is in front of you during this New Moon. Your 10th House is activated, setting you up for six months of soul goal manifestation. Take a moment and tap into what you envision for your career and purpose in life. Are you on the right track to get where you want to go? Do you need to adjust or pivot to align with your long-term vision? Leo: What new adventures and explorations are calling you, Leo? This New Moon is in your 9th House of Exploration, and the travel bug may come calling! This is also an excellent time to begin a new quest for learning or teaching something new. You may find that you are now motivated to write that book that has always been living in your mind. Virgo: Your 8th House of Transformation is activated under this New Moon’s rays. Themes of empowerment, intimacy, and shared resources are all prominent now. This New Moon boosts your charisma and charm, and you may want to explore your sense of power over the next lunar cycle.
Libra: You’re being called to fresh starts and new beginnings in your 7th House of Relationships with this New Moon. Over the next six months, you’ll dive deep into your relationships and partnerships, discovering what you want your relationships to look like. Perhaps you’ve been trying to fit into something that isn’t working for you. Now is the time to let yourself dream of what you truly desire. Scorpio: Take a good look at your daily routine this New Moon, Scorpio. Have you packed your schedule too tightly? Been a little ambitious with the goals without leaving any downtime for yourself? A routine refresh focusing on selfcare could be in order for this New Moon, such as a daily movement practice or a focus on healthy made-at-home lunches. Sagittarius: If you’ve been working hard behind the scenes on a creative project, this New Moon might give you the opportunity to showcase your talents. Don’t be afraid to step into the spotlight and show off what you’ve been working so hard on these past few months. It’s your time to shine! Capricorn: Your home environment and family are on your mind this New Moon, Capricorn. It’s time to evaluate if your home is truly the sanctuary you need to feel safe and secure. You may be itching to make a transformation at home, or even make a change in how you dole out the household chores. Above all, you’ll want to make sure you’re clearly communicating how you feel with others that share your sacred space. Aquarius: If you’ve got a message to share, this New Moon is your green light go ahead, Aquarius. You also might feel inclined to join a group of like-minded individuals with similar messages or are working on crafting their messages, such as a business or writing class. Pisces: This New Moon highlights your 2nd House of Values and brings fresh energy into your money sector. New avenues for increasing your cash flow may become available, or a partnership you haven’t considered before may suddenly perk your interest.
About the Author Sara McCormick is the astrologer behind Bella deLuna Astrology and the creator of The Soul Care Planner. Using her background in psychology, she creates astrology tools to help you find your power and rhythm through planning with the moon cycles, seasonal wisdom, and everyday magic. She lives in the forests of North Carolina with her husband, son, and three cat children. You can follow her at www.belladeluna.com and on Instagram @belladelunastrology
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8
The Moon Saved My Life.
But not my marriage By Karen Jane
The last time I’d been intimate with my husband was on my 40th birthday. I brushed it off with excuses of having a 3-year-old, two crazy work schedules, the baby weight I hadn’t been able to shed, being 40…but as the time crept by I sank deeper into a hole of depression and self-resentment. How did I let it come to this? How did a fun partnership become a business arrangement? He’s a great unmistakably great guy, but would it kill him to make me feel like a MILF every once and a while? As often happens.we had let things snowball. The lack of closeness had seeped into every aspect of our relationship. We rarely fought but we weren’t communicating on any level. Date nights, counseling, nothing was working. I felt unseen, unheard and alone. I wasn’t sleeping, my skin was broken out like never before, my cycles were all over the place, something had to give.What I didn’t realize was that the aspects of my personality that had become deadened (self-worth, confidence) were the very traits I needed to right the ship. Grasping for a life-line, I began a quest to attune with my authentic self.
I knew that woman was in there somewhere, buried under the layers of suburban motherhood and career ambition I had piled up inside. I started with the moon. She had always been a haven for me and as I delved back into my spirit, she became my nightly companion and coconspirator. Every evening after my son was in bed, I would head to the backyard to sit in observation and ask for guidance. I read everything I could about her phases and allowed one step to lead me to the next. Before long I was working to sync my cycle with hers and rediscovering the power, she reminded me I still had. Eventually I came across the book “Initiated” by Amanda Yates Garcia and the memoir of her witch journey ignited the rest of the dormant fire in my heart. It was so obvious that I had been suppressing my inner witch for far too long. She had to roar back to the surface. In November of 2019 I dedicated myself to witchcraft, the earth and the moon.I began studying herbalism and creating my own rituals to honor the changes of the seasons and within myself. Right away I cleared off a tiny shelf in my bedroom and started collecting meaningful items to curate an altar. I tried my hand at manifesting and some simple spells looking to bolster my strength and power. One of the hardest parts of the craft for me is the letting go.When a spell is done, I want to see results right away!
It’s always a challenge to have faith and press on towards my goal. But that is what I did…for a while…until March of 2020 when my entire industry shut down for 6 months due to the Covid-19 pandemic. With no work to escape to and a kindergartener to keep happy and sane, I found myself falling back into old habits. Fortunately, I was able to lean on my practice and pull myself out of the spiral before it swept me under. I set a schedule for myself, rising before the rest of the house to have morning solitude and prepare for the day. I worked out. I meditated. I planned Sabbat crafts and meals. I went on nature walks to study the herbs I found. I used the blessing of the time at home to get back in alignment with the Moon and myself. By the time I was back at work in September I felt like a powerful force, ready for anything. But my marriage was still flat and empty. It was time for action. After piecing together, the supplies, I waited for the new moon. That night, sitting in my backyard on a clear night, I called in the protection of the North, South, East and West, cast my circle and got to work. The incense I crafted billowed a fragrant smoke over me as I lit a red candle anointed with Ylangylang oil. I held an emerald over my heart and asked Aphrodite to “Spark up my lover who is faithful, funny and true.” For a while I meditated on what it would mean to have passion back in my life, what it would be like to walk through a day feeling that I was desired and vibrant. When I felt it was time, I tucked the emerald into my bra, thanked the Goddess and the Moon, closed the circle and took the candle inside to burn down and finish its work.
I continued to work on myself while looking for signs that I had moved the needle somehow. It was becoming frustrating, and I was started to feel like a caged animal. One night as I sat in conference with the Moon, I had an epiphany. Like a bolt of lightning, I realized that I HAD brought passion back into my life. The love and passion I had for MYSELF! That was what had bolstered my confidence. That was the real change. I thought about what I wanted, what I was getting out of my relationship, and after a while I knew what I had to do. The next morning, I had to leave early for a week of work out of town.When I got home, I walked into my husband’s home office and not only did he not get up to hug or kiss me hello, he didn’t even look up from the computer. The next day I asked him to start sleeping in the guest room. It wasn’t exactly “easy” but the space was just what we needed. We both were able to have time to think, talk about our futures, and figure out what we wanted. After a lot of conversations, we both came to the conclusion that the relationship had\run its course and though we both wanted to keep our family unit, it was more important to model heathy, happy relationships for our son. We decided to separate. Yes, it was still incredibly stressful, but my new-found strength was in high gear. I KNEW we were doing what was right for all of us. I was in the process of finding a new home, figuring out a co-parenting plan for two
freelancers with crazy schedules, trying to ease the transition for our 7-year old, and still envisioning an ideal future where we were all happily in new romantic relationships but still best friends. One big family. When I took the guidance from the moon, doors that I never thought possible started opening for me. I found the prefect little house just down the road, jobs in my industry were booming, and we were still able to hang out as a family without too much awkwardness. In the 2 years since we separated, we have both flourished personally and really found our footing with the new normal we’re creating. We both even started new relationships. I fell back in touch with the man I dated 20 years ago and never quite thought it should have ended. Apparently, that instinct was right. When I called on the moon and my own power to draw passion back into my life, I wasn’t specific about WHO it should be with. I assumed it would come from my husband, but it wound up manifesting in the greatest partner I could have imagined. I’ve never felt so evenly matched or been with someone who makes me feel as confident and beautiful. I’ll always be grateful.
About the Author Karen Jane is a witchy mom, herbal enthusiast and television makeup artist based in Los Angeles.
'Have it All' Mom Syndrome by Bobbie Larson
I became a mom when I was 30 years old. My son was born at 11:11pm on 10/12/10, after 22 hours of hypnobirthing. All of these are nice, round numbers. He was a nice, round baby. It was all nice and wonderful and exhausting and life changing. When my daughter was born two and half years later, it too was nice and wonderful and even more exhausting and even more life changing. I am what many would probably call a “Crunchy Mom.” Breastfeeding into toddlerhood, co-sleeping, homeschooling, and a hider of vegetables in all the foods. What no one tells you however is that no matter what mothering styles you take on, when you become a Mother (which should always be capitalized because it’s a word that encompasses everything…like the word God or Buddha) there is an unspoken, societal expectation that now that you are a Mother you are that, PLUS everything you were before. Culturally we do not recognize women having gone through a portal into their Mother Archetype after giving birth. At least not the culture of the United States, one of the worst places in the world for pre and post-natal care for women. Here in the United States, we ignore the important shift women make when they move from Maiden to Mother. We expect women to go back to work a mere six weeks after a child is born. We essentially punish women (and subsequently their children) for making a choice to become a Mother by not giving her adequate time to physically heal, emotionally bond with her baby, and make practical plans for her postnatal life. This stress alone of knowing we have to go back to work after such short periods of time, can destroy a woman. I guarantee you (or someone you know) has cried with this fear and stress. It’s inhumane and has reduced the beautiful act of bringing children into this world as a mere act akin to how we breed and treat chattel.
So, when my children were born, knowing I absolutely wanted to be a full time, stay-at-home mom, I had to make some very interesting choices. In California, child-care is insanely expensive. It made no sense for me to go back to work because every nanny or daycare worker was making the same as I would have been making! My husband is a chef and was working fifty to sixty hour weeks at the time and without me working, we could just scrape by. So, I began to search for creative ways to save and to bring in extra money. I was a side-hustle queen. I joined MLM’s. I know many people turn their noses up at MLM’s but I fully support Mom’s joining these as an inexpensive and easy way to start a small business. I watched shows like Extreme Couponing and started a filing system of coupons to save money. I had the iBotta app and all the apps to scan for local deals. I joined local barter and trade groups on Facebook. I made more food from scratch. I consigned clothes online. All of this while finishing my business degree, nursing a baby, and chasing a toddler around. The post-partum depression I felt was too inconvenient to look at so I just drank more coffee and cried alone when I could. I screamed a lot and definitely threw some stuff. Don’t get me wrong, my kids were never in danger but l definitely locked myself in the bathroom more than once because mama needed a minute! However, when I look back at that time, I realize something about the people around me. No one ever stopped and asked me, “Are you happy? What do you need? How can I help? Why are you hustling so hard? What are you trying to prove? Is this what you want?” And I know I wasn’t asking these questions of myself. Like all Mom’s I fell into the trap of what I now refer to as, “Have It All, Mom” syndrome (patent pending). It’s that hamster wheel that you can’t seem to get off of, the one you didn’t actually choose to be on, but society put you on, and the one that everyone else seems to believe is the way we
should all be living our lives, so no one is willing or able to help you get off of yours. They have their own wheels to deal with. What’s so hard about coming to this realization is that I know I had a very good support system. Both my in-laws and my family live within 20 minutes to an hour of us. We had a lot of friends with kids that were the same age, so we did trades for childcare sometimes. Our bills were paid. My husband, though he worked a lot, was pretty hands-on when it came to the kids. It still wasn’t enough. I wasn’t enough. I felt like a failure. I wasn’t contributing enough to the family finances. I wasn’t a good Mother or a good wife. I wasn’t having enough sex. I wasn’t having enough fun with my friends. I wasn’t contributing enough to society. I wasn’t a good enough student. I wasn't doing enough for everyone else around me that seemed to have it so much worse. I wasn’t grateful enough for what I also recognized as my white privilege, as a middle class white woman in Northern California. Which made me feel guilty and shameful. The hamster wheel wasn’t just physically taking me down, it was emotionally draining as well. But I kept going. Fueled by wine, coffee, and leftovers from my kids' plates. As my kids grew out of diapers, spent more time at school, and were able to entertain themselves better, I realized that my stress levels were still extremely high because I was experiencing what I recognize now as the Money Wound. I decided to enter the workforce again part-time because my fear of not having enough money made me so anxious. For the next three years I found myself in what can only be described as a whirlwind of professional and emotional treachery.
I was built up and torn down by bosses and found myself fighting for rights to exist as a woman with children, in the patriarchal society that is our corporate world. It was only after I found myself laid off by what I thought was my dream job, that I began to hear the voice that had been rearing up inside of me. It started screaming at me, “You have to do some work on yourself. The common denominator in all of this is you.” It was time to sit down and really look at what I needed. Not what my family needed, or what society expected of me. It was time to let go of the judgments I was placing on myself. It was time to look at my childhood traumas and take control of how they were playing out in my life. Cue a worldwide pandemic. I remember a few months into the pandemic I was talking with a friend and explaining to her that the pandemic came just in time for me to realize that I needed to let go of all the stuff that was holding me back. It was like it gave me the downtime and oddly the monetary support to reassess and pivot my life into something that I always imagined for myself, but always felt insecure about expressing. I wanted to be a Witch. A professional Witch. I wanted to get paid to perform the magick and healing that I always knew I could but because of the time and the cultural beliefs I had been brought up in, I never felt I could truly be 100% that Witch. Lizzo pun intended. Like so many Moms I had forgotten to take care of myself for so long it felt selfish to do so. There were many steps to get to a place where now I can make the best decisions for me, without guilt or shame. I no longer feel apologetic for being me. I no longer explain myself for doing the things that I need to do to keep my nervous system relaxed and my anxiety at bay.
I say no to things often. And only say yes to things that bring me joy. But to get to this point took a lot of shadow work, a lot of tears, and a lot of boundary setting. It also took speaking up for what I needed and wanted. And it took big trust in the Universe. Then rinse and repeat because it’s work that is ongoing. So, I guess what I want all of you lovely Mom’s to get out of this is the reminder that you have all of the power inside of you to find and live a life of JOY and SUCCESS. The first step is to realize that you have to redefine what “having it all” means for you. Not what it looks like to your family, friends, or society. You must find the gratitude for what you do have whether that’s a supportive spouse, healthy kids, even just running water and gas in your car. Gratitude goes a long way. And finally, you must do the work. That means looking at the shadow side of yourself; the traumas, grief, self judgements, self-sabotaging behaviors, negative relationships, the list goes on and on. When you can admit there’s a problem you can find a solution. Healing will get you so much further in realizing your true potential than any amount of covering it up will. Shining light on our darkest parts takes their power away. You’ve got this, Mama!
About the Author Bobbie Larson is a Certified Alchemical Hypnotherapist, Reiki Practitioner, Business Coach, Co-host of the Alchemical Goat Podcast, & creator of the “Have It All, Mom” program. She currently lives in Windsor, California with her husband of a 1,000 years, 2 kids, and a menagerie of pets. www.bobbielarson.com Learn more about working with Bobbie by booking a FREE, no pressure 30 minute consultation call on her website.
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