Autumn Mediumship Reading

It is officially autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, and Mercury, the communication-ruling planet, just came out of retrograde.

The season of autumn is a time meant for keeping the things we need and releasing the things we don’t as we prepare for the winter ahead. Even where I live in Southern California, the trees are beginning to change color before they lose their leaves. This happens each year because the trees need to store their resources in order to survive the colder months ahead. If they kept their leaves, that extra energy and effort spent on keeping them healthy might kill the entire tree. Instead, the tree loses what’s unnecessary in order to survive, and brings forth blooms and new leaves in spring.

The same is common for humans when it comes to preparing our food and shelter. In cold parts of the world, and those affected by the seasons, it’s common to focus on storing food items that can last through the winter months. This includes pickled and canned items, root vegetables, dried meat, materials for clothing, and other items that may be needed in times of disease or celebration.

Mercury, the planet that rules communication, technology, plans, and short-distance travel, has stationed direct. This means that from our position on Earth, the planet no longer appears as if it is moving backward. To us, it would now appear to slowly be moving forward. This means that the areas Mercury affects will gradually improve and become easier.

Later this month, both Pluto (ruler of death, transformation, and rebirth) and Saturn (ruler of rules and structure) will also move out of their retrograde positions, which should ease some of the tensions we’ve all been feeling in our lives and the world around us.

Autumn Mediumship Reading

To help you process the lessons from the past few weeks or past several months, and look to what’s ahead, I’m offering an Autumn reading. In this reading, I connect to spirits who would like to share their insight and guidance with you. I can’t guarantee who will come forward, except that they will be communicating on behalf of your highest good and greatest benefit. In other words, only those who are truly there to help you and want to guide you well on your life’s journey. If you’re interested in booking a reading, you can email me at kajoralovely@gmail.com

The Autumn Mediumship Reading covers the following questions:

• What lessons from this year are you meant to keep with you?

• What are you meant to leave behind as you prepare for winter?

• What messages do spirits have for you?

This reading is 40 minutes long and costs $80, which can paid through Venmo or PayPal. The reading can be given over Zoom, Skype, phone, or sent in a detailed email.

To book a reading, email Kajora Lovely at kajoralovely@gmail.com.

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Summer Harvest Reading

Happy Summer! The end of July and beginning of August typically mark the celebration of the Celtic pagan holiday Lughnasadh, which coincides with the first harvest of summer. In European pagan tradition, during this time of year the Sun was slightly weakening from its height at the Summer Solstice, and crops were continuing to yield, especially wheat. Lughnasadh is often marked by celebrating the first wheat harvest, which later leads into the second harvest at the Autumn Equinox.

Since our lives can run in cycles in relation to the natural ones around us, I’m offering a Summer Harvest Reading that covers topics that may be coming up for you at this time. This reading uses a combination of tarot cards and mediumship channeling, and covers the following questions:

1. Where is there bounty in your life — which crops are growing

2. Where is there not bounty in your life — which crops didn’t grow 

3. Where in your life do you need to rest — either let the field lay fallow or give up on a crop

4. A message from your spirit guides or ancestors — advice for the coming months 

This reading is 45 minutes long and can be done over Zoom, Skype, phone, or sent to you in a detailed email. It costs $90, which can be paid through either Venmo or PayPal. To book a Summer Harvest Reading, email kajoralovely@gmail.com. 

At this time of year, crops are providing their yield for the year, and people would begin taking note of what would serve them for the following months and seasons. In parts of northern Europe, nothing grows in the wintertime, and so whatever grew during the summer and early fall months would provide all the food they would eat for the coming year. 

People would also pay attention to the crops that did well, and the crops that didn’t do well. A poor harvest could mean not surviving the winter, or having to make a few crops last a really long time. Crops would also need to be rotated, letting a piece of farmland stand empty for an entire season to help the soil regain the nutrients it gave to the plants. With all of these things considered, people would then determine how and what they would want to plant for the following year so they could have the best harvest possible. 

The summer harvest season and Lughnasadh also coincide with Leo season, which runs from approximately July 22 to August 22. Leo is ruled by the Sun, the center of our galaxy, and the lion, which is often considered a leader in the animal kingdom.

Since this is a time of year when crops bear fruit, the days are long and nights are short, the Sun shines brightly and feeds all living things to help them thrive and grow, this is often considered a time for expansion and gratitude. However, with current floods, droughts, climate disasters, plagues, political division and so on, it can feel like there are barriers to gratitude, taking the time to bask in the Sun’s warmth, or appreciate what is going right in the world.

Leos, and lions in particular, are often misunderstood. As a Leo myself, I know we’re often considered loud, bossy, attention-seeking, dramatic, and think everything is about us. Honestly, I won’t argue with any of that because it can be true. But as leaders and entertainers, there’s often a desire to make sure others are cared for, that their needs are considered and taken care of, and to make sure that the pride (the ones in a Leo’s inner circle) is also safe and protected. Or, as I joke sometimes, we want to make sure everyone is happy and content so they’ll continue to love us and give us attention.

But when it’s Leo season, these feelings don’t apply only to Leos. Regardless of your astrological sign, we can all feel the influence of each astrological season, whether we like it or not. So if you’re feeling the weight of the world, the problems or feelings of others, or like there are so many problems you can’t solve, it’s important to keep some perspective at this time and remember that not every problem is yours to solve, and they cannot be solved all at once. It’s physically impossible, not to mention that no one is expecting you to. It’s okay if you figure it out one step at a time, or learn valuable lessons by making mistakes or failing.

During this time it’s more important to see where your strengths lie and find comfort in things you’ve learned or what you have gotten right. As we leave summer in the next couple months, that’s the time to prune back the things you don’t want to take with you into the autumn and winter. This is the time to notice what’s growing abundantly in your life, and consider what you want to do with it. What is valuable to you, and what no longer needs your attention?

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Retrograde Season Reading

The planet Mercury might have just gone direct, but right now we’re entering into the thick of Retrograde Season. When a planet goes retrograde, it means that from our position on Earth, it looks as if the planet has stopped moving. In reality, planets never stop moving around the Sun, but the way planets interact with one another constantly influences us. Some astrologers view retrogrades as a time of illusions, but some retrogrades can also bring about new revelations and insights. 

While Retrograde Season doesn’t have any specific dates, it relates to a time frame when many planets are retrograde at the same time. For 2021, that’s from roughly late June to early October. Here’s a look at the retrogrades we’re experiencing right now:

Pluto: April 27 - October 7 

Saturn: May 23 - October 11 

Jupiter: June 20 - October 18 

Neptune: June 25 - December 1

Chiron: July 15 - December 19 

Uranus: August 15 - January 1, 2022

With all these planetary retrogrades combined, these influences can feel like we’re seeing this in a more narrow or constricted way, or feel as if some opportunities slip away, but at the same time, we can feel as if we’re seeing certain things clearly or find some doors opening in front of us. 

It’s a time to listen to not only your intuition, but to your gut instincts and personal moral compass. Overall we’re all going through a lot of changes this year, and it can feel like we’re being redirected to new, exciting, and also intimidating things. 

Retrograde Season Reading

To help you through this time, I’m offering a Retrograde Season reading that uses a combination of channeled messages and tarot cards that explores the following questions: 

• What is going on in your life right now that is actually a blessing in disguise? 

• How can you use this time for your greatest benefit? 

• What new opportunities are you meant to explore at this time? 

This reading is 30 minutes long and can be done over Zoom, Skype, phone, or sent to you in a detailed email. It is $70, which can be paid through either Venmo or PayPal. To book your Retrograde Season reading, email kajoralovely@gmail.com.

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Summer Solstice Reading

Blessed Summer Solstice! The weather here in Long Beach has been gloomy, yet we in the Northern Hemisphere find ourselves at the longest day and shortest night of the year. Traditionally, the Summer Solstice celebrates the strength and abundance of the Sun, which helps grow our crops, brings light onto our planet, nurtures our bodies, and keeps us warm. The Sun has been worshipped for more centuries than we know because it sustains all life, and during the summer we reap the benefits of it with the harvest, and the celebrations that come with food.

However, we also find ourselves in the middle of Retrograde season. Mercury goes direct tomorrow, but Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto are in their annual Retrograde cycle, and Neptune joins them on Friday. When planets are Retrograde, it means that from our position on Earth these planets appear to be moving backward, which some astrologers view as a time of heightened illusions, when things are not all quite what they seem. We are also coming out of eclipse season, which can feel like the earth is moving beneath our feet while changes keep happening in our lives.

Summer Solstice Reading

In the wake of eclipse season, I've noticed that there are many things also being healed and changed for the better. To help you gain insight during this time, I'm offering a Summer Solstice Reading that covers these questions:

• What things in your life are being healed at this time?

• What are you meant to know about the changes going on in your life?

• A channeled message just for you

This reading is 30 minutes long and costs $70, which can be paid through either Venmo or PayPal. To book a reading, simply email kajoralovely@gmail.com. These readings can be done over Zoom, Skype, phone, or sent to you in a detailed email.

If you'd like to book a reading with your own questions, you can email me to book a session at kajoralovely@gmail.com.

I hope you all are doing well and wish you a wonderful Summer Solstice! May these days of sunlight bring you warmth and joy throughout the year.

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Commonly Asked Questions About Distance Sessions

In light of the recent Coronavirus pandemic, it’s important for you to know that you have options for booking distance sessions—both readings and healings—not only now, but all the time. 

Below are answers to questions you may have about how distance sessions work, the benefits of booking a distance session, rates, and contact information for Kajora Lovely. 

Are Distance Sessions the Same as In-Person Sessions?

Yes. In every reading or Reiki session, I connect to the client through energy, and energy has the ability to go beyond space and time. 

This is something I learned while studying Reiki—we were taught how to heal not only someone else in the present, but even how to heal things from the past or in the future. The idea is that you can send energy anywhere, and this is true for readings as well. 

How Do Phone Medium & Tarot Readings Work? 

At the beginning of every reading, whether it’s in-person or not, I say the person’s full name three times in my head and call in their spirit team. This spirit team includes your spirit guides, angels, ancestors, deities, higher self, higher power, and anyone else who wants to work with you for your highest good and greatest benefit. This creates a connection between you -- the person I am working with -- and me. Then, I proceed with the reading. 

If the reading takes place over the phone, I’ll then ask you questions you have. And we proceed just as we would in person. The same goes for readings through Skype. All readings are $2 per minute, and beforehand you and I discuss your budget or objectives. If you want to stay under a specific dollar amount, the reading will be set to a certain time limit. If you are open to the length of the reading, I’ll either text the amount after the call or send a payment request through Venmo. 

How Do Email Medium & Tarot Readings Work?

Email readings are a bit different. For these, I’ll have the client send me their questions in advance. This also depends on your budget, and if you want to stick to a certain dollar amount, I’ll let you know what amount of time it will take. Otherwise, I’ll answer all of your questions in a reading and send you the dollar amount afterward so that you can pay through Venmo. 

The reading will arrive in its own email, which makes it easier to find in your inbox so you can refer to it as often as you like. In this, your email includes your questions, the cards that came up, any channeled messages that came through, and my reading based on the cards. If anything else comes up, such as the names of deities, songs, advice, or books, all of those details are included in the email as well. 

How Do Distance Reiki Sessions Work? 

For Reiki sessions, these first require at least a brief consultation on what you would like from a healing session. This can include help releasing something, healing an energetic pattern, or being open to whatever comes up. Each client is welcome to share parts of their mental, physical, and emotional history if they feel comfortable—this is entirely up to you. 

What are the Benefits of Distance Sessions? 

Time Flexibility 

The main benefit of a distance session is that you can ask for one at any time, and don’t have to worry about transportation, timing, or work around your schedule to get the session you want. For example, if you’re at work and there’s a major announcement, whether it’s about a group project or corporate merger, and you would like to gain some clarity, you can send me an email with your questions and wait for it to come to your inbox. 

The same goes for Reiki healings. While it can be very relaxing to get a session in person, you can also book a healing session that takes place so it better suits your schedule. This could mean you receive a healing while you’re asleep, while you’re taking a relaxing bath, going for a hike, or even meditating at home with music you love. The greatest benefit is that if you’re at home, which means you can relax and do as you please afterward, and not need to ground and then worry about transportation. 

Distance sessions are also best for clients who live in countries other than the U.S. or are located in very different time zones. Healing sessions can be coordinated within a time frame to best suit the client if you would like to either relax or sleep during the healing session. 

Referencing information from past readings and healings 

The benefit of email readings is that they can remain in your inbox or on your devices for as long as you want. This means you can refer to them days, weeks, months, or even years later. This can be helpful if you’re asking about situations that may not have come to pass yet, or if things have changed in such a way that a particular message from a reading makes sense later. 

In-person sessions can be great, but they can also cover a lot of ground very quickly, and it can be difficult to remember every single message that came up. Since most of these messages are channeled, I often do not remember readings afterward because I didn’t come up with the advice, it came from the spirits who wanted to help you at the time. 

The same goes for distance Reiki sessions. After a healing, I can send an email with descriptions of what I saw, what came up, along with any advice or guidance that came through during the session. It can be helpful to have this as a reference for future sessions, or for keeping any of that guidance in mind. 

Have time to think about the questions you want to ask 

Before each email reading, I ask each client what questions they would like to have answered. Sometimes a person will choose a specific tarot reading I’m offering, which is often a set list of questions with a predetermined price. But you can also craft your own detailed questions about things you would like to know. This can include questions with yes or no answers, or more in-depth questions about a situation. If you’re not sure what you want to ask, I usually consult with the person beforehand to get a sense of what they would like to know, then work with them to craft the questions that are just right for them. 

How Much Do Distance Sessions Cost? 

All sessions, whether they are readings or healing sessions, are $2 per minute. So this means 15 minutes is $30, 45 minutes is $90, and 60 minutes is $120. The minimum time for sessions is 15 minutes. 

How Can I Pay for a Distance Session? 

Through either PayPal or Venmo. Venmo works well for U.S. citizens, and PayPal is available for international clients. 

Can I Do Both a Reading and a Healing? 

Absolutely. I recommend getting a reading before the healing session, since messages may come up beforehand that clarify or clear up something. These can be scheduled at different times. 

What If I Would Just Like to Ask You Some Questions?

Basic questions about my services can be asked through email at any time. If you would like to ask more in-depth questions about protection salt, spirituality, faith, witchcraft, tarot cards, Reiki healing, or anything else beyond the span of five minutes, these are available for the same rate as a reading or healing session. 

How Can I Book  A Session? 

The easiest way is to email me at Kajora Lovely at gmail dot com. In your email, include what type of session you would like to book. 

• If you’d like to book a Reiki healing, indicate how long you would like the session to be, if there’s a specific time you have in mind, and if you would like to chat through email or over the phone beforehand.

• If you’d like to book a reading, indicate how long of a reading you would like or include your questions, include your budget or time limit, and indicate if you would like an email, Skype or phone reading. If you would like an email reading but aren’t sure exactly which questions you would like to ask, you can include the general idea of what you’d like to know so we can create some definite questions together. 

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Contact Kajora Lovely

Changes Ahead Tarot Reading

When it’s clear there are changes coming ahead, things can feel uncertain and destabilizing. We’re about to experience a conjunction of the planets Saturn and Pluto on January 12, 2020. When two planets are conjunct, it means that they are at the exact same degree in the same sign, and work together.

Often when these two planets come together it can bring sweeping changes. The most recent dates of the Saturn and Pluto Conjunction are:

November 7, 1982 in Libra

August 10, 1947 in Leo

October 5, 1914 in Cancer

In 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated, kicking off the start of World War One and leading to the collapse of three of the world’s largest empires (Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, and Russian). By 1947, every monarchy in Europe collapsed or changed somehow, World War Two ended, and new countries of Israel, India, and East and West Pakistan were formed, bringing with them a great deal of conflict.

The conjunction on January 12 will be in Capricorn, which rules over structure, the Father, rules, discipline, and hard work. No one really knows what will change in the coming years, and typically this influence lasts far beyond the day it happens.

Changes Ahead Tarot Reading

To help you prepare for what’s next, I’m offering a Changes Ahead Tarot Reading that answers the following questions:

• How can you best prepare for what’s ahead?

• A strength or ability of yours that’s important to use at this time

• How can you use this change to bring about the opportunities you want in your life?

• What’s something your guides want you to know at this time?

This reading is $95, and can be sent to you in a detailed email so that you can reference it easily, and can be prepaid to @Kajora-Lovely on Venmo. Simply email kajoralovely@gmail.com to book your reading!

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7 Ways to Celebrate the Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice takes place on December 21 in the Northern Hemisphere and June 21 in the Southern Hemisphere every year. It marks the longest night and shortest day of the year, the time when the sun reaches its lowest point before it begins to gain strength again. This time of year marks the beginning of winter, the beginning of the darkest and leanest time of the year. In the U.S., most of the traditions we celebrate this time of year are an amalgam of practices from across Western Europe, including Saturnalia and Yule. 

For our pagan ancestors, survival was based on agriculture, and in Europe, there wasn’t much to be done around the Winter Solstice. All the crops had been harvested, and it was a time for staying in and turning inward. Most of the traditions around the Winter Solstice are a reaction to this time, and include celebration, worship of the sun, and reflection. 

Here are some modern-day ideas for celebrating the Winter Solstice that incorporate ancient influences and traditions. 

1. Have a Winter Feast 

Having a feast is a common tradition for the Winter Solstice festivals. Every year, the ancient Romans celebrated the Winter Solstice with the Saturnalia festival, which started as a day and was later elongated to an entire week. It was celebrated every year on December 25 in the Julian Calendar, and consisted of a raucous party that resembled modern-day Mardi Gras. The celebration honored the Roman god Saturn, who ruled over agriculture. It was believed that before the intervention and rise of Zeus, Saturn ruled over a golden age that saw eternal summers, bountiful crops, and no suffering. Throughout the year, bonds were tied tightly around the feet of Saturn’s statue in his temple; at Saturnalia these bonds were loosened. The Celtic celebrations of Yule were a bit similar, and often special liquors, spiced foods, and other dishes were set aside for celebrating the Winter Solstice. 

For your own celebration, you can incorporate whatever foods you like, whether they are seasonal, specific to the area you live in, or just your favorites. With this meal, you can thank everything that has brought this food to your table, whether that’s the deities of agriculture, the people who farmed and picked it, the people who raised and culled the livestock, the ones who transported the food, the individuals who packaged it, and even the people who delivered it to you. In this day and age we’re very detached from the process of how our food grows and comes to us, but you can use this as an opportunity to thank those who worked hard to make sure you have enough to eat. 

You can also incorporate foods that are sacred to this time of year, some of which are mentioned below under Herbs and Essential Oils. Foods that represent the sun are common for this time of year, including spices and oranges. Apples are seen as year-round emblems of the sun, and you could include them in a dish as emblematic of the sun’s energy and vitality. 

2. Get a Tarot Reading 

The Winter Solstice marks the beginning of winter, a time for introspection, as well as the beginning of Capricorn season, a time for action and planning. Capricorn season helps us to use diligence, planning, and a strong work ethic to survive the harshest season. You can use the lessons and insight you gain during this time to help you plan for whatever you want in the coming year. 

For some additional insight, you can book Kajora Lovely’s Winter Solstice Tarot Reading, in which I’ll use tarot cards and mediumship to answer the following questions for you: 

• What issue remains unresolved or still needs to be addressed? 

• What’s a message of hope for you for the coming year ahead?

• What’s something your ancestors or spirit guides want you to know regarding your future?

This tarot reading is $50, and your custom reading can be emailed straight to your inbox. Simply email Kajora Lovely at kajoralovely@gmail.com, and you can prepay on Venmo to @Kajora-Lovely.

3. Have a Hygge Day 

The Danish word hygge (pronounced hue-ga) is a noun that translates to: a quality “of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.” In Scandinavian countries, winters are long, cold, and dark, and as a result, hygge became a common practice. After a day of sledding, snowshoeing, or even working in an office, the idea is to get comfy in your favorite sweater and warm socks, and enjoy being. 

This can include cozying up in front of a fire, watching your favorite show under a warm blanket, having some friends over for a meal, and otherwise enjoying being warm, fed, happy, and comfortable. A lot of discussions about hygge center around lighting candles and eating cinnamon rolls, but the idea is to whatever feels right for you. There are plenty of books written on this topic, and a great New York Times article that flushes out the details, but it’s really all about the foods you like, the clothes that make you feel comfortable, and the people you love. 

In many ways, this has become a benchmark of most Christmas movies, however cheesy it might sound: spending time with the people you love. Of course, hygge isn’t limited to the holiday season, it’s practiced year round, but it’s especially helpful and nourishing during the winter months. 

4. Make Your Own Protection Salt

Either on the Winter Solstice, or between then and the New Year, is a great time to use protection salt around your home. You can learn all about how to make them here, and you can place them in front of your doorways or windows. If you live in a house, I suggest placing them outside every doorway that anyone can enter through, even a garage. If you live in an apartment, you can place them inside every doorway, and even every window if you like. 

Protection Salt can be used to keep anything unwanted out of your home—living or spirit. When you’re making the salts, you can call in the spirits you work with who you believe offer the most protection, and ask them to look after you, your home, and any loved ones who live with you or come to visit. This salt can be replaced as you think it necessary, usually once a month or so, depending on how many people or spirits are visiting your home. 

5. Tell Ghost Stories 

When A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens was published in 1843, telling ghost stories at Christmas time was a common practice. It’s believed this hearkens back to an older, probably pagan tradition, which makes sense—this is the darkest time of year, a time better than any for the veil between the living and the dead to be at its thinnest. In many ways, A Christmas Carol sums up the lessons of ghost stories, combining the lessons of the past, present, and future to help us make better decisions for the new year ahead. 

For your own Winter Solstice tradition, you can read or watch the many iterations of A Christmas Carol, or read some of your favorite ghost stories. If you’re looking for holiday-themed spooky tales, there are some books of Victorian ghost stories you can find online. Another option is to do some ancestor work, and connect to those in your bloodline who have come before you to see if they offer any insight or guidance into the coming year. Either way, this time of year is perfect for gaining insight into yourself and your life, and using that to help you move forward in a way that’s for your greatest benefit. 

6. Burn an Ode to the Sun  

At the Roman Saturnalia celebration every year, it was common for the Romans to give one another candles as presents. Candles, and all aspects of fire, represent the Sun, which we all need in order to survive. It not only provides nourishment for the plants and animals that feed us, but its nutrients feed us—both mentally and physically. Regardless of how much time you spend in the sun, you can always burn something as a way of honoring the sun’s power and ability to help everything on this planet grow. 

Yule Logs are common this time of year, and come from pagan Scandinavian traditions. An ideal Yule Log comes from a thick, hearty piece of wood, and is lit using a piece of the previous year’s Yule Log. Once it’s completely burned, it’s believed that you can scatter the ashes around your home for protection and good luck over the coming year. You can also burn a single candle or candles in a way that feels right for you. As part of the process, you can also thank the individuals and spirits that look over you and work for your highest good, asking them to continue to do so in the coming year. 

7. Use Herbs & Essential Oils for Winter Solstice 

Whether it’s in a sugar scrub, bath salts, or even some of your favorite dishes, you can incorporate the herbs and essential oils that correspond to the Winter Solstice (although I wouldn’t recommend eating essential oils). According to The Hearth Witch’s Compendium: Magical and Natural Living for Every Day by Anna Franklin, these are the plants that correspond to the Winter Solstice:

Apple - Ash - Aspen - Bayberry - Blackthorn - Calendula - Cinnamon - Cypress - Fern - Silver Fir - Frankincense - Holly - Hop - Ivy - Juniper - Mistletoe - Nutmeg - Oak - Violet - Water Lily - Yew

To make your own bath salts, start with about two cups of Epsom Salts, and add your oils or plants from there. You can place the herbs in a muslin bag separately, and have them steep in your bathwater just as you would tea, or you can add them to the salt and let them float in your bathwater—it’s up to you. For a sugar scrub, start with one cup of sugar and three tablespoons of melted coconut oil or your choice of oil. Add small amounts of the herbs or oils you want to use, smelling as you go, until you reach a combination you like, then store in an airtight container and use within a couple weeks.  

Whichever practices you choose to incorporate this year for the Winter Solstice, please keep in mind there is no right or wrong way to do anything. My only suggestion is to do what feels right for you. And whether you practice alone, with some friends or your coven, or force a few loved ones to join you, it honestly doesn’t matter. All that’s important is your intention, and what you choose to do with it. Have a Blessed Winter Solstice!

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How to Make Purification Bath Salts

Salt baths can feel regenerative and refreshing, and one of my favorites is a Purification Bath. This is great for anyone who feels like they pick up other people’s energy, emotions, or wants to release some tension from their body. 

I like making this into a bit of a ritual, and if you’re making these salts for someone you care about, you can copy part of this blog post or write down what you think is relevant to them. The idea is to customize this for yourself and do what feels most comfortable for you. 

According to The Hearth Witch’s Compendium: Magical and Natural Living for Every Day by Anna Franklin, these are the herbs and plants that can be used for cleansing and purification:

Cleansing 

Angelica - Basil - Bay - Benzoin - Bistort - Broom - Camphor - Caraway - Comfrey - Frankincense - Geranium - Grapefruit - Hyssop - Lavender - Lemon - Marjoram - Nicotiana - Peppermint - Pine - Rosemary -  Sage - Snowdrop - Soapwort - Tansy - Thyme - Vervain 

Purification

Alkanet - Angelica - Asafoetida - Avens - Benzoin - Black Pepper - Birch - Bloodroot - Broom - White Camphor - Cassia - Cedarwood - German Chamomile - Roman Chamomile - Cinnamon - Cinquefoil - Cleavers - Clove - Coconut - Copal - Cumin - Eucalyptus - Fennel - Frankincense - Grapefruit - Hyssop - Lavandin - Lavender - Lemon - Lemongrass - Lemon Verbena - Lime - Myrrh - Nicotiana - Olive - Peppermint - Pine - Primrose - Rosemary - Rue - Sage - Sandalwood - Soapwort - St. John’s Wort - Tea Tree - Thyme - Vervain - Yarrow

There are many different combinations you could make with ingredients you likely already have at home. If you don’t have access to the dried herbs, you can always purchase Chamomile or Peppermint tea and place a couple bags in your bathtub, or cut it open to work with the loose herbs. 

Ingredients such as Basil, Bay, Caraway, Clove, Cumin, Fennel, Rosemary, Sage, and Thyme may already be in your spice collection, and you can add them to your bath salts. If there are certain ingredients that stand out to you, you can always look up organic herbal providers online, such as Mountain Rose Herbs or individual distributors on Etsy.  

Whatever ingredients you do use, keep in mind that your body is meant to soak in them, so don’t use anything that could give you a negative reaction. If you’re pregnant, check with your doctor first before using herbs and spices on your body. 

How to Make Your Own Purification Bath Salts 

Combine all of the chunky (in other words, nothing that’s already a fine powder) ingredients in a spice grinder, blender, or food processor. You’re also welcome to grind and chop these ingredients by hand.

Bay

Cinnamon

Coconut

Fennel

Lavender

Rosemary

Sage 

Thyme 

Epsom Salt 

Once the ingredients are close to a fine powder, combine with the Epsom Salt. You can keep the bath salts loose if you’re ok with small floating herbs in your bath. Otherwise, place all of the ingredients in a muslin bag (you should be able to find one at your local grocery store). When the time comes, you can place the whole bag in your bath. Let the herbs steep and the salts disintegrate. 

When You Take a Purification Bath 

Since there is special significance to this bath, you can perform a small ritual as part of the experience. First off, visualize your aura and how far it spreads out. Imagine bringing it in to within one foot of your body, or into the level of your skin. Doing this will make sure your energy field isn’t picking up anyone else’s energy, making it easier to cleanse and purify your body and energy field. 

If it’s in your practice to use a rattle, use your rattle all over your body. The idea is to shake loose any stuck energy and anything you want to cleanse, purify, or remove. 

Cleanse your energy field using the method that speaks most to you. If this is using Florida Water or Holy Water, you can use those before or after the bath. If you use smoke, burn a stick of incense, palo santo, or sage all over your body. While you’re doing this, make sure you cover your entire body: the palms of your hands, the crooks of your elbows, your armpits, between your legs, the backs of your knees, your lower back, the bottoms of your feet. If you have particular trouble areas around your body, you can spend some extra time clearing them. Be careful and make sure you don’t burn yourself or get the burning areas too close to your body. The idea here is to smudge yourself, not set yourself on fire. 

Before you add the salts to your bath water, you can place crystals in the water that can add potency. Anything that absorbs negative energy or brings in love can be helpful. For example, you can use Rose Quartz for love. Black Tourmaline is also good to use in this instance, however, it must be a tumbled piece or the crystal will start to disintegrate. Other crystals you can use are Onyx, Obsidian, Shungite, Amethyst, Howlite, Jasper, and Blue Lace Agate. 

In their raw form, some crystals will dissolve in water, so make sure it’s a substance that can be in water. Leave the crystals in the water and take them out before you add the salt. 

Prepare your bath, and when there’s a good amount of hot water, pour the bath salts in or place the muslin bag into the water. Stir the salts clockwise with your hand until they disintegrate. I generally put the salt in early on, when there’s a couple inches of water. 

What you do in the tub is up to you! You can listen to sounds that are soothing or reassuring to you, or play a meditation. Typically with bath salts you want to spend at least 15 minutes in the water. 

If you want to do a visualization, you can also imagine the ingredients in the water making their way into your body. Imagine them as gold or white light working its way into your skin cells, or other organs in your body, clearing away anything you no longer want or need, and being pulled into the water. 

When you’re done and the bathtub has completely drained, you can rinse off yourself and your tub to make sure everything is washed away. 

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Jupiter in Capricorn: Tarot Reading and History

On December 2, 2019, the planet of Jupiter moves into the astrological sign of Capricorn until December 19, 2020. Jupiter is the planet of expansion, adventure, higher learning, and travel, while Capricorn is about structure, discipline, work, and The Father. These two make for an interesting pair, and we’re all likely to feel this influence in one way or another. 

Jupiter in Capricorn Tarot Reading 

During this transit, I’m offering a Jupiter in Capricorn Tarot Reading that’s meant to help you gain some insight into the lessons of this period. This reading can be particularly helpful if you are a Sagittarius or Capricorn (or are influenced by those placements in your chart), or are concerned about issues related to education, travel, work, career, and money. 

In this reading, I will use a combination of tarot cards and channeled messages to answer the following questions for you: 

• What’s an overall theme or lesson for you during this transit? 

• What’s something you’re meant to avoid? Why? 

• What’s something you’re meant to keep in mind? Why? 

• Something your spirit guides want you to know during this time,

This tarot reading is $90, and can be sent to you in a detailed email so that you can refer to it as often as you like. Readings can be prepaid to @Kajora-Lovely on Venmo. To book, simply email kajoralovely@gmail.com. 

If you’re curious about how Jupiter in Capricorn will affect everyone, check out the video below:

Recent History of Jupiter in Capricorn 

Since it takes Jupiter about one year to travel through a single astrological sign, its influences are felt about once every 12 years. Jupiter is some distance from Earth, which means that its influences are not felt as much as planets like Mercury or Venus, but it can still have an impact. The three recent times Jupiter was in Capricorn was in 2008, 1996, and 1984. 

One way to assess what’s ahead is to look at the past. It’s not an exact foretelling of what’s to come, and as you will see, events can vary widely. The last time Jupiter was in Capricorn in 2008, the United States experienced a stock market crash that reverberated around the world. However, in 1996, another Jupiter in Capricorn year, the U.S. stock market rose dramatically, and it was an excellent year for the economy. 

I invite you to take a look at the data and see what patterns stand out to you. Experiences are subjective, and we all are influenced by and respond to situations differently. While compiling this research, a few things stood out to me: 

Advances in technology. Almost every year something was introduced that would change the way we experience technology at home, whether it’s with personal computers, CDs, or BluRay disks. Each year there were also advances made in space exploration. 

Long-term influences. In 1996 both Fox News Channel and MSNBC were launched, along with Oprah’s Book Club. Prince’s album Purple Rain came out in 1984, and in 1996 Jay-Z, Spice Girls, and the Backstreet Boys all dropped their debut albums. These things directly influence and inform our lives today. 

Terrorism and Natural Disasters. Both of these events happened in all three years around the world. I’ve included this information not to disturb you, but rather to inform your approach to the next year ahead. This is not to say you shouldn’t leave the house or should always be afraid—in fact, I would say the opposite. Live your life and enjoy it to the fullest. 

Abrupt changes can come at any time, and while we can keep things in mind, we can’t prepare for everything. It reminds me of a quote I’ve often heard my mother repeat—trust in Allah but tie the camel’s leg. This means to trust that you will be looked after, but still tie the leg of your camel so it doesn’t run off while you’re making camp for the night. 

Last but not least: the Olympic Games. It’s such a funny thing, but each year mentioned saw a different Olympic Games event. The 1984 and 1996 Olympics were held in the U.S., in Los Angeles and Atlanta, respectively. In 2020 the Summer Olympic Games will be held in Tokyo, Japan. 

Here’s a closer look at some of the events from each of the recent years Jupiter was in Capricorn: 

Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - Monday, January 5, 2009 

Science & Technology 

• Switzerland unveiled and turned on their Large Hadron Collider to test particle physics theories 

• The Tata Group in India reveal the Tata Nano, their ultra-cheap car, for the price of Rs 100,000 or US$2,500. 

• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration gives their approval to sell and market foods from cloned animals and their offspring. 

• The U.S. Federal Communications Commission led Auction 73, an auction of licenses for the electromagnetic spectrum to operate the 700 MHz radio frequency in the U.S. Verizon Wireless won the largest amount. 

• The shuttle Endeavor went on a 16-day mission to the International Space Space Station. 

• Europe’s science laboratory Columbus docked onto the International Space Station.

• Apple releases its new ultra-thin MacBook Air. 

• BluRay begins to show gains over HD DVD because of its superior digital quality.

• Honda begins selling the FCX Clarity, its zero-emission fuel-cell powered car. 

Finance 

• Cyprus and Malta switch their currency to the Euro 

• Bank of America purchased Countrywide Financial, a mortgage lender 

• The price of food grows worldwide in 2007 and into 2008, leading to food shortages around the world. Food riots broke out in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Senegal, Mauritania, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Morocco, Mexico, Yemen, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and Pakistan. At least one case of cannibalism in Russia is reported. 

• On July 11 a barrel of crude oil reached the price of $147.27 a barrel. 

• On September 6 mortgage lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were placed under government supervision after reporting significant losses. 

• September 15 global financial services firm Lehman Brothers files for bankruptcy, becoming the largest bankruptcy filing in U.S. history. That day the Dow Jones dropped 504.48 points. 

• On September 29 the Dow Jones fell 777.68 points after steadily decreasing throughout the year. That day the price of crude oil dropped to $95 a barrel.

• After some deliberation that took its toll on the market, U.S. Congress approved the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. This Act purchased toxic assets from banks with the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program. 

• It’s estimated that 2.6 million jobs were lost in the U.S. in 2008. 

• General Motors reported that it lost $30.9 billion in 2008, and eventually filed for bankruptcy in 2009. 

Pop Culture & Entertainment

• Starting in November 2007, film and television writers go on strike for three months with the goal of increasing funding for the writers. 

• In February the Drudge Report leaked that Prince Harry was stationed in Afghanistan as part of his posting with the British Army. A media blackout had been agreed upon previously to prevent him from becoming a Taliban target, but once the news was released he returned home. 

• After featuring many skits with Tina Fey portraying Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin, Saturday Night Live scores its highest ratings in years. 

• Singer Britney Spears has publicized mental health issues and is hospitalized. 

• Actor Heath Ledger was found dead after an apparent drug overdose. 

• Sex and the City the movie comes out and earns $55.7 million its opening weekend. 

• Meet the Press moderator Tim Russert died of a heart at age 58. 

• Top movies of 2008: The Dark Knight, WALL-E, Slumdog Millionaire, Iron Man, Gran Torino, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, In Bruges, The Wrestler 

• Madonna, Prince, Michael Jackson, Ellen DeGeneres, Michelle Pfeiffer, Viggo Mortenson, and Christiane Amanpour all turned 50. 

Government 

• Following the election in Kenya of President Mwai Kibaki on December 27, 2007, a political, economic, and humanitarian crisis erupted. Ethnic violence erupted, targeting different Kenyan tribes, until an agreement was reached with the assistance of former UN leader Kofi Annan on February 28, 2008. It’s estimated between 800 and 1,500 people died and between 180,000 to 600,000 were displaced. 

• Also on December 27, 2007, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in Rawalpindi. Elections for her successor were postponed until September 2008, and there was political unrest following her death. 

• In January 2008 the Sri Lankan government decided to end their six-year ceasefire agreement with the militarized separatist group the Tamil Tigers. The Tamil Tigers were ultimately defeated in May 2009, bringing to an end a civil war that began in 1983.  

• Barack Obama is elected as President of the United States. Leading up to the election, posters saying “HOPE” were created by artist Shepard Fairey, and he was mentioned in Three 6 Mafia’s song “Lolli Lolli (Pop That Body).” Barack Obama became the first Black president in U.S. history. 

• General elections in Paraguay were won by opposition party Patriotic Alliance for Change. 

• Dmitry Medvedev was elected as President of Russia. 

• The Australian government issued a formal apology for the Stolen Generation of Aboriginal children who had been forcefully taken from their parents from the 1910s to the 1970s. 

• Fidel Castro steps down as the President of Cuba. His brother is elected to replace him. 

• After filling the position of Governor of Illinois left open by Barack Obama, Rod Blagojevich was arrested for corruption and eventually sentenced to 14 years in prison.

Disasters & Events 

• The 2008 Atlantic hurricane season was incredibly damaging, killing over 1,000 people and causing about $50 billion in damage. One was Hurricane Dolly (similar to the one in 1996), which moved from Texas to Mexico to Guatemala, where 21 people died. Hurricane Ike was one of the most destructive, which is blamed for the deaths of 194 people, 74 of those in Haiti, which had been badly hit by three previous storms. 

• On November 10 members of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based terrorist group, attacked multiple locations in Mumbai, India. The attacks lasted for four days, and six different locations were targeted. More than 170 people died, and over 300 people were wounded. 

• The U.S. orders more than 15 missile strikes against militants suspected of hiding out in the Waziristan region of Pakistan. 

• The U.S. launches a heat-seeking missile to destroy a two year-old satellite it claimed was in danger of leaking toxic gas as part of Operation Burnt Frost. This drew criticism from Russia and China, who claimed the U.S. was testing an anti-satellite weapon as Russia was drafting a treaty ban on space weapons, which China was backing. 

• From August 7 to 12 Russia and Georgia went to war, which Georgia lost. Around 300 soldiers were killed, and nearly 200,000 Georgians were displaced. 

• From April 27 to May 3 Cyclone Nargis struck the Irrawaddy region of Myanmar. It’s believed the government did not accurately report the number of people affected, but it’s estimated more than 130,000 were killed and 55,000 people were missing. The cyclone caused about $10 billion in damage.

• On May 12 an 8.0 magnitude earthquake hit the area near Chengdu in China, killing more than 87,000 people. Over 370,000 people were injured, and about 18,000 were reported missing. It caused about $150 billion in damage. 

• A man opens fire at Northern Illinois University, killing 5 people and injuring about 17 before killing himself. 

• There was a 5.2 earthquake near Market Rasen in the UK. One person was injured. 

• A dump truck filled with explosives detonated in front of the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan. More than 50 people died and over 200 were injured.  

Tuesday, January 2, 1996 - Tuesday, January 21, 1997 

Technology & Science

• Pokemon was introduced (so were Tamagotchis)

• The first successful animal cloning took place with Dolly the Sheep 

• Nintendo 64 is released 

• The Mars Global Surveyor was launched on November 7, and took pictures to map the surface of Mars 

• DVDs were launched in Japan 

Entertainment & News

• Fox News Channel made its debut 

• MSNBC made its debut 

• Major League Soccer began as a sport in the U.S. 

• Top movies of the year: Independence Day, Mission: Impossible, Jerry Maguire, The Rock, The Birdcage, A Time to Kill, The English Patient, Star Trek: First Contact

• The Daily Show launches with host Craig Kilborn 

• The album Jagged Little Pill by Alanis Morisette was the best selling album of the year 

• Jay-Z, Spice Girls, and Backstreet Boys all released their debut albums 

• Tupac Shakur was killed after a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas, Nevada

• EBay was launched 

• Tickle Me Elmo came out in stores 

• Oprah’s Book Club started 

• Prince Charles and Princess Diana get divorced after separating in 1992

• The U.S. stock market grows at a fast pace

Government 

• Bill Clinton was re-elected as president 

• Taiwan held its first presidential election

• The U.S. eased its sanctions against Cuba 

• The UN adopts the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, which would ban all nuclear explosions by both civilians and the military. It is still not in force. It has been signed by China, Egypt, Iran, Israel, and the U.S. but none ratified it, and it still has not been signed by India, Pakistan, and North Korea.

• Kofi Annan was appointed as the head of the United Nations. In his time there were scandals, but also reform and focus on human rights worldwide. 

Crime, Violence & Terrorism 

• A pipe bomb is detonated at the Summer Olympic Games in Atlanta, killing 1, injuring 111, and one later died of a heart attack. 

• A man opened fire on a classroom of 5 to 6 year-olds in the Dunblane Massacre in Scotland, killing 16 and a teacher before turning the gun on himself. 

• Between 1995 and 1996, 145 Black churches were set on fire across the country. As a result, Congress passed the Church Arson Protection Act and Bill Clinton created the National Church Arson Task Force. 

Disasters & Events 

• About 10 tropical storms and cyclones entered the Bay of Bengal, eventually landing in India and Bangladesh, ultimately killing over 2,000 people and causing $1.2 billion in damage.

• One of these storms is a cyclone that hits Andhra Pradesh, India, killing over 1,000 people. The storm destroyed crops and farmland and killed millions of cattle and chickens. 

• The British Health Secretary announced to the House of Commons that Mad Cow Disease is likely to blame for illness in 10 people, marking the first time the British government acknowledge its ability to transfer from animals to people. Britain kills 4.5 million cattle, and both the EU and Japan stop importing meat from the UK. 

• Supertanker the MV Sea Empress ran aground in Wales, dumping 73,000 tons of crude oil into the ocean. 

• TWA Flight 800 caught into flames and crashed off of Long Island, New York shortly after takeoff. All 230 people aboard died, and after an investigation, no foul play was found as the source of the crash. 

• An epidemic of meningitis broke out in Nigeria from January to June. There were over 100,00 recorded cases and more than 11,000 people died. 

• Hurricane Dolly makes landfall in Mexico in August, causing flooding across Mexico. About 35,000 people were displaced and farmlands were destroyed. 

• An IED was detonated in a Paris subway, killing 2 people. This followed a series of bombings in 1995 that killed 8 people and injured 157, which were led by the Armed Islamic Group as part of bringing the Algerian Civil War to France. 

• The IRA detonated a truck bomb in the London Docklands, killing 2 people, injuring over 100 people, and causing £150 million in damage. 

•  On June 25 the Khobar Towers in Khobar, Saudi Arabia were bombed, and later Hezbollah was accused of the attack. The Khobar Towers were housing U.S. Air Force personnel, of whom 19 were killed, along with a local Saudi person. Nearly 500 people of various nationalities were wounded. 

• From late January to mid February, several floods hit the Willamette Valley in Oregon, reaching the Cascade Mountains. About 8 people died, 3,000 people were displaced, and the damage reached $500 million. 

• Mass shooter Martin Bryant killed 35 people and injures another 23 in Port Arthur, Tasmania, Australia. 

• After the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah ended in 1993, a series of ongoing attacks between both parties ensued. On April 11, 1996, Israel carries out air strikes against Hezbollah in Beirut, Lebanon. At least 5 people were killed and several wounded. 

• A few days later on April 16, Israel Defense Forces fired artillery shells at United Nations compound in Qana, Lebanon. More than 106 people were killed and over 100 were injured, giving it the name Qana Massacre. 

• Gunmen open fire on Greek tourists in Cairo, Egypt, killing 17 people and injuring 15 people. 

• In Lima, Peru, members of the Túpac Amaru Revolutionary Movement stormed a party at the home of the Japanese ambassador to Peru, taking hundreds of people hostage. Many of them were high-ranking diplomats, business executives, government and military officials, and were held hostage for 126 days. 

The Olympic Games 

• The Summer Games were held in Atlanta, Georgia. A pipe bomb is detonated, killing 1 and injuring 111. It was the first time since 1924 that the Winter & Summer games were held in different years. 

Thursday, January 19, 1984 - Wednesday, February 6, 1985

Science & Technology 

• The Internet's Domain Name System is created

• Sony and Philips introduce commercial CD Players

• Sony makes the first 3 1/2" computer disk

• First untethered space walk takes place using jet packs 

• Apple Macintosh computer is advertised in an Orwellian-inspired Super Bowl commercial directed by Ridley Scott. The computer is released for purchase at $2,500. 

• French immunologist discovers AIDS virus 

• Tetris is launched as a computer game 

• FCC changes regulations, allowing for hour-long infomercials 

• The space shuttle Discovery takes its maiden flight 

• The first successful solo transatlantic flight takes place in a helium balloon 

• Genetic fingerprinting and DNA profiling is developed 

Social 

• With the coverage of the McMartin Trial, Satanic Panic becomes a concern. 

• Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, is born to Prince Charles and Princess Diana.

Crime, Violence & Terrorism 

• The CIA station chief in Beirut, Lebanon was kidnapped by Hezbollah and tortured for over a year until his death. 

• The Beauty Queen Killer was captured by police in New Hampshire after killing 8 and raping 12 women across multiple U.S. states. 

• Crack Cocaine was introduced 

• A man in San Ysidro, California opened fire in a McDonald’s, killing 21 and wounding 19 people. 

• A man known as the Subway Vigilante shoots and wounds 4 young Black men on the subway in New York City 

• An IRA bomb goes off in the Grand Hotel in Brighton, England, meant to kill Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. The five people who died were connected to the Conservative Party, and 31 people were injured. 

• On Father’s Day in a suburb outside Sydney, Australia, a gang fight breaks out. Now known as the Milperra Massacre, 7 people died and 28 were injured. This event led to gun law changes in the Australian state of New South Wales. 

• While monitoring a protest, London Police Officer Yvonne Fletcher is fatally shot by machine gun fire from inside the Libyan Embassy. 

• Tensions between Libya and Britain increase, and the British took 4 Libyans as hostages. Libya answered by taking 4 British nationals hostage. The hostages returned home by January 7, 1985.

• Sikh separatists took over the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India, using the sacred site as an armory and headquarters. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who had Sikhs as her personal bodyguards, ordered for the military to remove the separatists in Operation Blue Star. The conflict was worse than anticipated, with 83 deaths and 297 injuries within the Army and 497 civilian casualties. Indira Gandhi was murdered by 2 of her guards five months later.

• After the assassination of the Prime Minister, Anti-Sikh riots broke out in New Delhi and across India. It’s estimated that nearly 3,000 Sikhs were murdered in Delhi and over 3,000 nationwide. 

Government 

• A year-long coal miner’s strike in Britain begins in March. 

• Muammar Gaddafi of Libya and French President François Mitterand both agree to withdraw their troops from the country of Chad. 

• King Hassan II of Morocco and Muammar Gaddafi sign the Oujda Treaty to establish “a union of states” between the two neighboring countries. It was canceled by the King two years later. 

• Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi is assassinated by two of her Sikh guards following the raid on the Golden Temple. 

• Ronald Reagan is re-elected as U.S. President. 

• Geraldine Ferraro became the first U.S. woman to run on a major party’s presidential ticket as the VP for Walter Mondale. 

• Following its official independence from Britain on January 1, Brunei joins the United Nations as an independent country. 

• The UK and China agree in December that Hong Kong will transfer to Chinese power in 1997.

 Entertainment 

• Ghostbusters is released and grosses more than half a billion dollars. 

• Beverly Hills Cop comes out, making Eddie Murphy a star. 

• Alex Trebek became the host of Jeopardy! 

• Sixteen Candles came out, the first of many successful John Hughes films. 

• Footloose comes out, and the soundtrack is even more successful than the film. 

• While filming a Pepsi commercial, Michael Jackson’s hair caught on fire, leaving scars on his scalp, face, and body. Later many would speculate that this incident began his overuse of painkillers that eventually led to his death. 

• “Where’s the Beef?” commercial by Wendy’s debuts 

• Prince’s album Purple Rain is released. 

• The first MTV Video Music Awards aired. 

• Penthouse published unauthorized nude photos of Vanessa Williams, the first Black winner of the Miss America pageant. In response to the photos, the pageant strips Williams of her crown, but later apologies. The additional publicity benefits her. 

• Marvin Gaye intervened in a fight between his parents, and his father shot him at point-blank range, killing him.

• “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” is recorded and released to raise awareness of the ongoing famine in Ethiopia. 

Olympic Games 

• The Summer Olympic Games take place in Los Angeles. Athletes from Russia and other nations boycott as a response to the U.S. boycott of the Olympic Games in Moscow in 1980. New events were introduced, such as the women’s marathon, synchronized swimming, and rhythmic gymnastics. 

• The Winter Olympic Games were held in Sarajevo, Yugoslavia. This marked the first time the Olympic Games were held in a socialist state and Slavic-speaking country. It was also the only time to date that the Olympic Games were held in a Muslim-majority city.

Disasters & Events 

• At this point, Ethiopia was in the midst of a famine that lasted from 1983 to 1985, which led to the deaths of 1.2 million people. About 400,000 people became refugees and 2.5 million people were displaced. Some claim government policies began the famine, which was worsened by a drought. 

• Two super typhoons, 16 typhoons, and 27 tropical storms all hit nations in the Western Pacific. The Philippines were significantly affected, among other countries, such as Russia, South Korea, and Vietnam. Nearly 3,000 people were killed, and the damage was around $1 billion, much of it houses and farmland. 

• A series of explosions at a petroleum storage facility in San Juan, Mexico killed between 500 and 600 people, and between 5,000 and 7,000 people were injured with burns. 

• A Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal, India leaked a highly lethal gas that stayed low to the ground. Reports vary, but the Indian government states about 15,000 people have died as a result over the years. Over 600,000 people were exposed to the gas, and some state the toxic material is still buried underground. 

To gain some insight on what the year of Jupiter in Capricorn could look like for you, email kajoralovely@gmail.com to book your Jupiter in Capricorn Tarot Reading.

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December 2019: Planetary Forecast

We’re entering the last month of 2019, and it’s certainly not going to be a dull time. Let’s look at the planetary movements this month, what they mean for you, and some action steps you can take. 

Regardless of your sign or what’s in your natal chart, we can all feel the influence of the planetary movements in our solar system. This varies from person to person, but at times it explains why we feel off one day and focused the next. 

This changing influence is important to keep in mind because there’s a Dark Moon on December 25. For those who celebrate Christmas, this may feel like a very low key day when you just want to curl up at home. 

Keep reading to learn more, and if you need any insight or guidance, you can always book a tarot reading by emailing kajoralovely@gmail.com. 

December 2: Jupiter enters Capricorn

Expansion Comes with Structure & Discipline

It takes the planet Jupiter about one year to go through a single sign, and on Monday, December 2, 2019, Jupiter moves from the sign of Sagittarius to the sign of Capricorn. For the last year, Jupiter has been in its home sign of Sagittarius. Jupiter and Sagittarius are about expansion, exploration, philosophy, learning, and travel. These concepts correlate to the number 3, the number you get if you add up 2019, which dictates the theme of the year. The number 3 rules over expansion, and for many of you, this past year could have been about learning new things, exploring new horizons, having new experiences, and maybe even seeing certain things with a new perspective. 

When Jupiter moves into Capricorn, it will be right before the beginning of 2020, which is a 4 year. The number 4 is about building stability and foundations, feeling more firmly rooted and therefore able to build. This mirrors the influence of Capricorn, which rules over structure and discipline. Sagittarius teaches us to expand our horizons and gives us more to learn, while Capricorn helps us take that knowledge and apply the lessons practically in our lives. Capricorn is a very diligent sign that embraces hard work. 

Combined, Jupiter in Capricorn can help us make our dreams a reality. This combination has the potential to make us feel more stifled, but also help reign in the limitless possibilities that might have begun to feel overwhelming. Capricorn’s influence can help hone our ambition, showing us where we can best apply our skills and really put them to work. If you do feel stifled over the next year, ask yourself where you can really dig in and focus your attention and diligence. 

December 9: Mercury enters Sagittarius

Beware of Foot-in-Mouth Disease

Mercury rules over communication, thoughts, contracts, technology, and short distance travel. This planet stays in a sign for about three to four weeks, unless it’s in retrograde, in which case, it’s longer. Fortunately, Mercury moves out of its post-retrograde shadow on Saturday, December 7, meaning communication, contracts, and technology should all run a bit more smoothly thereafter. 

In Sagittarius, Mercury can be a bit quick and brash. Sagittarius is a Fire sign, so it’s quick to act and come up with new ideas, and its influence over the planet of communication could lead us to saying things we later regret. Since we’ll all be under this influence for the large part of December when things are already stressful and tense enough, remember to take a step back and think before you speak or act. If someone pushes your buttons and you want to say  something you think later you might regret, revisit the issue with them after December 28, when Mercury is in a more reasoned sign. 

December 12: Full Moon in Gemini

Chapters Closing, Relationship Lessons

On Thursday, December 12, the Full Moon will be in the sign of Gemini, which rules over partnerships, love, and thoughts. As an Air sign Gemini is a very mental sign, and we all may be feeling a bit in our heads during this time. Full Moons take place when the light of the Sun illuminates the entire moon, and since the Moon is ruled by water and emotions, each Full Moon affects us differently. Typically Full Moons mark a culmination point, and we may be feeling chapters close, especially around partnerships, communication, relationships, curiosity, optimism, restlessness, thoughts, and self-expression. 

The moon is at its maximum energy point during a Full Moon, which makes it a good time to release anything we no longer want. The best way to do this is to write down all of the things you wish to release on a piece of paper, and then set it on fire in a controlled space. This is the last Full Moon of 2019, so this can be a powerful time to release any patterns, habits, or issues from the past year that you do not want to repeat in the year to come. It’s also a good time to release anything you no longer desire in your life related to relationships, love, friends, personal identity, or even in your relationship with yourself. 

December 20: Venus enters Aquarius

Keeping Your Distance in Relationships Is Ok

Venus, the planet of love and the feminine, will be in the sign of Capricorn until Friday, December 20, when it moves into Aquarius. For the first part of December, we will be feeling very practical in terms of love. New relationships will be influenced by this calculated approach to what is actually best for us, not just what we want. When Venus moves into Aquarius on the 20th, we may be feeling kind and charitable toward others, but we will want to maintain our autonomy. Aquarius values its friendships, but it also includes a resistance to feeling overly emotional. So if you’re having trouble bonding with people or want to keep your distance, don’t worry if something is wrong with you—you might just be feeling this influence at the time. 

December 21: Winter Solstice & Capricorn Season Starts 

Winter Begins, Bringing Structure & Discipline

The Winter Solstice marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, when the Sun reaches its weakest point and then begins to grow stronger in the sky again. For most of history, we relied entirely on the Sun for survival—there’s a reason why it’s the center of our galaxy. As the Sun gains strength again, the Earth comes back to life, leading us to its prime strength point when most crops in the Northern Hemisphere are growing and giving us the sustenance that will help us survive the next winter. Celebrating the Winter Solstice is a very old tradition, and was marked by the Romans with the festival of Saturnalia, and by Celts with celebrating Yule, among many others. These traditions were celebrated during the darkest time of the year with objects that embodied life, light, and abundance: trees and other greenery, lights such as candles, and presents to be exchanged between family and friends. Saturnalia honored the Roman god Saturn, who rules over the sign of Capricorn, whose season coincidentally begins on the same day. 

Capricorn is a steadfast, disciplined, structured, and hardworking sign. It’s ruled by the planet Saturn, which has many of the same attributes, and together they rule over career, reputation, and standing in the community. It makes sense that Capricorn ushers in the season of winter—this season needs discipline and structure to survive the leanest parts of winter. During this time you may be feeling focused, ready to work on new projects and take them to the next level. The energy of this sign is very grounded and practical, and it’s a good time to prioritize action steps toward a goal. This influence explains why each New Year feels like the right time to organize the home, set New Year’s Resolutions, work out, eat healthy, and do all of the things that you feel or know you should be doing the rest of the year. Since Capricorn season only last through January 19, it’s no surprise we’re not all able to keep the discipline up, especially as we move on to the dreamy sign of Aquarius. If there’s something you wish to accomplish, Capricorn season is a great time to do it. If you need to write a business plan, draft a proposal, or write otherwise impose some structure into your life, now is the time to do it. Capricorn isn’t afraid to put its head down and get down to business, so if you’ve been struggling in that area, now is a great time to put the pedal to the metal. 

December 25: The Dark Moon

Don’t Feel Bad if You Want to Stay Home and Do Nothing

There’s a chance this day will be very quiet this year. A Dark Moon is about three days long, and marks the time when no light from the Sun is reflected off the moon. This phase marks the end of a full moon cycle, the period of death before regeneration and renewal. As a result, it’s a time for introspection, meditation, and self-reflection. 

Translation: It’s a good time to be by yourself. This is where things could get tricky—it’s Christmas Day after all, and if you’re meant to spend it with other people, it might be a bit hard when all you want to do is curl up and journal. What you do on this day is entirely up to you, but again, if you don’t feel like going out or being part of a big celebration, don’t feel bad if you opt to stay home. 

Alternatively, you could plan for an intimate get together on this day. Since this is the most introspective phase of the moon, it’s also a time that you could spend with people who know you well, who you feel safe and supported with. Keep in mind that with Venus in Aquarius, you may be feeling more standoffish than usual. 

Here’s my two cents: Do what you need, and don’t feel bad about it. So many people I know and speak to talk about how they feel guilty for doing certain things or not being around certain people. If you’re not feeling it, you're simply not feeling it, and it’s ok to share that with the people closest to you and express what would make you feel comfortable. Doing something out of guilt or feeling guilty about your choices is not a good way to feel on the holidays, and it really isn’t necessary. 

If you don’t celebrate Christmas, this day will most likely be a quiet one. You can plan in advance by getting groceries to make a comforting meal, plan a nice walk or outdoor outing, or even line up the shows you’ve been meaning to watch. Make this day about you. For those that practice magic, meditation, or divination, today is a great day to do all of those things. You could run yourself a salt bath, do some shamanic journeying, or even put together tools you’ll want to use in the future for divination, scrying, trance work, and meditation. 

The moon will also move from the sign of Sagittarius to Capricorn at 1:44 p.m. PST, so you may feel a shift from excitement to feeling focused and calm. It’s not necessarily a bad thing—the moon is simply moving in preparation for the New Moon the following day. But it’s moving from a fiery sign to a reserved one, so you might find the overall energy calms down a bit during the day.

December 26: New Moon & Solar Eclipse in Capricorn 

Set Intentions for Your Career, New Beginnings

The New Moon takes place when the first sliver of light appears on the moon’s surface. This is a time for new beginnings, and in the sign of Capricorn, it’s the perfect time to set new intentions regarding work, career, discipline, and structure, especially for the new year. It’s the last New Moon of 2019, so it’s an ideal time to think about what new things you want in your life for the coming year. 

There will also be a Solar Eclipse this day, meaning the moon will pass between the Earth and the Sun. It will be mainly visible in parts of Saudi Arabia, southern India, and Indonesia, and in North America we should be able to see a ring of light around the moon as it passes in front of the Sun. The energy around Solar Eclipses can feel like endings and new beginnings, and you may feel an internal shift on this day. 

December 28: Mercury enters Capricorn

Communication Turns Practical & Methodical

When Mercury enters Capricorn at 8:54 pm PST on Saturday, December 28, it will be joining the Sun, Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto in this sign. This means the way we communicate will be influenced by the aspects of Capricorn: structured, disciplined, determined, focused, methodical, and work-oriented. Mercury will stay in this sign until Thursday, January 16, and this period of time is great for setting our sights on our goals for 2020. Just keep in mind that what seems reasonable during Capricorn season might seem impossible to keep up the rest of the year, but the idea is to lay down the general structure for what you wish to accomplish in any aspect of your life. 

December 31: New Year’s Eve with Five Planets in Capricorn

Set Your Sights On What You Want to Build in 2020

This year will end during a Waxing Moon, meaning there’s a growing energy at this time. We’ll be leaving a 3 year behind, where we learned new things and gained new insight from all of our experiences. We will be entering a 4 year, with the potential to create new stability and structure in our lives, and put down roots for whatever we want to accomplish. 

There’s a lot of energy you can tap into during this time if you wish. One exercise is to write down the experiences you’ve had this past year and the individual lessons that came with them. We’re moving from an energy of expansion to one of structure, and applying the individual lessons could serve you well in the year to come. Coupled with starting the year in Capricorn season, you could begin the year with a clear burst of energy or insight on how to make things happen in a certain area of your life. I suggest you use this energy while it lasts, and set down the foundations and structure while they’re on your mind. Even if it comes at a strange time or on a strange day, listen to the insight as it comes to you. Write down what you’re thinking and refer to it later. Some great opportunities and change may be coming before you.

If you need any additional insight or guidance, you can always book a tarot reading with Kajora Lovely. These can be done in person in Long Beach, California, over the phone, or sent to you in a detailed email. Readings are $2 per minute, and can be paid with cash, card, or Venmo. To book your reading, email kajoralovely@gmail.com. If you’re not sure what questions you’d like to have answered, check out Kajora Lovely’s Tarot Readings that are available any time of the year.

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October Tarot Readings

Happy October! Here are Kajora Lovely’s tarot readings for every sign for the month of October. Also, if you haven’t already, don’t forget to like, share, and comment, and subscribe to Kajora Lovely’s YouTube channel.

Aries

Taurus

Gemini

Cancer

Leo

Virgo

Libra

Scorpio

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Aquarius

Pisces

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Sugar Scrub & Bath Salt Recipes

Libra Sugar Scrub

Happy Libra season! This month, I’m offering a Libra Tarot Reading you can book for yourself or someone in your life. You can learn more about the reading and the sign of Libra here.

Libra is one of the two signs ruled by the planet Venus, which oversees love and beauty. Two of the plants that correspond to Libra are Rose and Spearmint, and I’m using those this month to make a Libra Sugar Scrub.

Roses rule over unconditional love, peace, lust, beauty, healing, health, psychic awareness, rebirth, resurrection, funerals, memorials, initiation, luck, love, passion, sexuality, sensuality, seduction, and marriage. 

Spearmint coincides with healing, mental activity, protection, attracting money, and success.

Other plants that coincide with Libra energy are Peppermint, Chamomile, Fennel, Mugwort, Dill, Vanilla, and Thyme. You can use those in a tea, bath salts, or even add to them to your food if you want to invite in Libra energy during your daily routine. I didn’t use these ingredients in a sugar scrub because they don’t smell particularly great in a scrub (and I’m saving Peppermint for the Yuletide season), but if you feel guided to work with them, please do! You can use the base recipe below and add in the amounts to your liking.

Libra Sugar Scrub

1 cup Sugar

1/4 Coconut Oil, melted

1 tsp Roses, about 4 small dried buds

1/2 tsp dried Spearmint

Finely chop Roses and Spearmint together. You can grind these in a spice grinder or with a mortar and pestle and then finely chop on a cutting board. The idea is to grind these ingredients until they’re the closest you can get to a fine powder. Mix with the sugar.

Add the melted coconut oil and stir thoroughly to combine. Do a patch test by testing a small amount on your skin to make sure you don’t have a negative reaction (I use my forearm). If there’s no issue, store in an airtight container and use within a week or two.

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