Letter 20: New Moon in Aries, The Solar Eclipse, & How to Make A Protection Ward Pouch

This week, as we step into the energy of Aries with the arrival of the New Moon, we discover how the cosmic stage is set for bold beginnings and courageous endeavors. The Solar Eclipse in Aries intensifies this energy, marking a necessary moment for personal transformation and new chapters. Additionally, we will delve into the ancient practice of crafting Protection Ward Pouches, a powerful tool for safeguarding our energy and intentions. These pouches, filled with herbs, crystals, and other protective elements, serve as potent guardians in our daily lives. Incorporating the creation of a Protection Ward Pouch into your spiritual practice during this time can strengthen your aura and shield you from negative influences, empowering you to navigate the journey ahead with strength and resilience. Together, these cosmic alignments and mystical teachings offer us the opportunity to embrace change, protect our energies, and embark on our path with confidence.

So get cozy, set your intentions, take a few deep breaths and let’s get started.

“It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.”

 – Aristotle

On April 8th we are at the will of a New Moon and Solar Eclipse both in the fire sign of Aries. The New Moon not only starts a new phase under the bold and assertive influence of Aries but allows us the space to start new projects, set new intentions, and pursue new goals that drive us towards our purpose and our passions. As with every new moon this is a time to initiate new beginnings, and to honor and release things from the past phase that led us here. We are ready and able to see and let go of all that needs to be let go, as well as accurately notice what needs to be replaced and revisited, or continued as we head towards a full moon phase. 

Aries is ruled by the planet Mars, and is the sign of independence, action, pursuit, and high energy. On the opposite side this is a sign of conflict, aggression, stubbornness, and impulsivity. As we find ourselves under the influence of this New Moon, it is important to keep yourself aware of ways you have been to impulsive, ways you can release conflict, how you can effectively pursue your goals, which actions that are going to move you towards your manifestations, and things you have been relying on or depending on that you can loosen your grip with in order to push your boundaries and make room for new growth. 

During this New Moon you may experience buried emotions coming to the surface in the form of anger, frustration, confusion, and restlessness.  This is the Moon in Aries’ way of bringing your awareness to what needs attention in your life. When you are unaligned to your higher self, it is common to feel these emotions more and more frequently until they grow into discomfort or physical dis-ease, that doesn’t dissipate until the root cause is found and released.

Allow all of your fears, emotions, and irritations to boil to the surface. Only once everything's coming up to be released, can determine the cause of these feelings. Which in turn can lead you to a pathway of discovering how to not just release your emotions but also transform them into something constructive and in harmony with your inner self. Listen to what this moon phase is trying to tell you for the next few weeks as we build up to it, notice all the synchronicities and ways the universe is trying to tell you that something is or isn’t right for your life path anymore! Be this emotions, people, jobs, situations, habits, or anything in between. 

Hand in hand with the New moon, and the season of Spring, the Solar eclipse is also in the sign of Aries and is sure to solidify and enhance all the energy of the moon. It ushers us even further into the time of resetting, and beginning. In the realm of astrology, a solar eclipse is often perceived as a powerful moment for fresh starts and magical beginnings. It is regarded as a mystical portal to profound shifts in life, providing chances to reset, reevaluate, and start on new journeys. As the Sun is momentarily obscured, symbolizing clarity veiled, it asks us for introspection and prompts individuals to delve deep within, reexamine their paths, and take transformative action towards change. 

A Solar Eclipse can be a powerful time, as it is often seen as a time where life altering change and unexpected transformations begin to happen. This can be in any aspect of life and depending on how in tune you are with your higher self, it can either be in an area that is a complete surprise or an area that you have been working on manifesting already! 

During this time it is important as ever to keep your energy as yours and block out any potentially absorbable energies. It is during these heightened times of spiritual or cosmic happenings that we tend to be at our most vulnerable, and therefore could use a little extra protection from any energies that aren’t our own and can damage our mental health, physical health or cloud our mind’s eye. This is why I chose to share a potent protection ward pouch that I recently put together during a time of stress where I knew I would be susceptible to feeling other people’s emotions for them and it worked wonders! 

You Will Need:

• Rose stems, or thorns

• Chickweed

• Cinnamon

• Black Peppercorns

• Dried hot pepper (I used powdered cayenne, but you could also use red pepper flakes, or a whole pepper if available)

• Orange Peel

• Lemon Peel

• Bay Leaf

• Black Salt (can be regular table salt, or if you want to make your own black salt just mix any type of salt with a bit of charcoal)

• Crystals for protection (I used black tourmaline, tiger’s eye, larimar and garnet. But you could easily use clear quartz or obsidian as well.)

About the Ingredients

1. Rose thorns are commonly used as a protection ingredient because the plant itself has a natural protection system against being damaged. Rose itself is a common herb in heart formulas as it is said to have natural healing properties that allow the heart to be protected from grief and lingering negative emotions.

2. Chickweed is another herb that has its own healing properties of protecting one's boundaries. Besides its many medicinal uses, the plant itself has small thorn-like hairs that grab and stick similar to velcro. Because of this it has an energetic use of being able to break attachments, as well as create healthy attachments especially in relationships. 

3. Cinnamon has been used in spellcraft for centuries, for its cleansing and purifying abilities, it is used widely for abundance as it used to be seen as a symbol of status, luxury and was a rare exotic ingredient. Its warming abilities and historical significance alone make it a great match for protecting the one who uses it. You might find it easier to use cinnamon oil instead of cinnamon powder or sticks. 

4. Black Pepper / Peppers are said to have the ability to ward off spirits and the evil eye; it has been used in many spells throughout many cultures for its ability to lift hexes or curses. Peppers and peppercorns have a heat that makes the spell work quick and spice has a natural way of creating and keeping boundaries. 

5. Lemon / Orange Peel are used in this protection pouch because when you are asking something to be removed, you must replace it with something else. Lemon and orange peel are great for uplifting energy, and creating a positive space as well as purifying the energy around the user. 

6. Bay Leaves are another classically used herb in protection and abundance spells. Burning a bay leaf is said to relieve any stress or tension, and medicinally it has been used as anti-inflammatory as well as an antimicrobial for wounds. This makes it great for protection as it repels danger and creates a relaxed space as well as enhances psychic abilities. 

7. Black Salt is often made by mixing salt with other protective ingredients such as charcoal, ashes, or iron scrapings. It is believed to have strong absorptive qualities, capable of drawing in and neutralizing negative energies or psychic attacks directed at an individual or space and is used to banish or repel any evil spirits. Regular salt has similar effects but carries purifying, cleansing and grounding properties as well. 

8. Crystals are commonly used for many different intention settings, as well as creating energetic barriers, absorbing or removing negative influence, overall protection and many other uses depending on the crystals you choose. 

Combine all the ingredients, as many or as little as you feel you need, into a pouch or carrier of your choice. Once it is all combined, cleanse with palo santo or sage and say a small invoking prayer to your guides, ancestors, or the divine and ask them to bless the pouch with the ability to protect your energy and set boundaries in places where you need them the most. Believe that the intentions you are setting are going to make a difference, especially if you are using them for an upcoming event you anticipate to be stressful, or even just to keep your space protected from everyday energies that might pass through. I placed mine at the doorway to my bedroom and the doorway to my living space so that every time I cross it’s path it is like going through a car wash, and I don’t bring anything home with me energetically or spiritually. 

These pouches serve as companions on our journey, shielding us from negativity and empowering us to walk our paths with strength and clarity. As we move forward, may we heed the wisdom of the cosmos, stay grounded in our truth, and journey forth with confidence and grace. Blessed be.

Thanks so much for joining in this week! I hope the information finds you well and you are able to utilize it to your best intentions.