WITCH IN THE CITY

Name : Mountain Phlox  Botanical Name : Phlox subulata  Common Names : Creeping Phlox, Moss Phlox, Moss Pink, Mountain Phlox  Location : Eastern & Central United States Element : Earth & Air  Planet : Venus & Moon  Magickal Purpose : Attracting New Love, Harmony, Lasting Love, Friendship, Renewal, Emotional Healing, Peace, Unity  Although the warmth of summer now blankets the landscape, I often find myself thinking back to the first blossoms that welcomed the return of spring. Among the earliest flowers to awaken the earth is Mountain Phlox, a plant that transforms bare ground into a living carpet of vibrant and dazzling color. Its soft blooms seem to flow across stone walls, woodland edges, and garden paths like a river of blossoms, reminding us that even after the longest winter, beauty always returns.  Native to the eastern regions of North America, Phlox subulata has long been treasured as a resilient groundcover that flourishes where m...

Remembering Demeter on the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel  Every year, on the sixteenth day of July, church bells ring across the Mediterranean in honor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Villages carry statues of the Virgin through narrow streets lined with flowers. Farmers ask for blessings upon their vineyards and fields. Families gather to give thanks for another season of growth, placing themselves beneath the mantle of the Mother who watches over both land and people. For many, it is simply another feast of the Church. Yet beneath these celebrations lies a much older rhythm, one that reaches back thousands of years to a time when another mother received prayers at the height of summer.  Long before chapels crowned Sicily’s hills and Marian shrines overlooked fields of wheat, these same landscapes belonged to Demeter, the Great Mother of Grain and Queen Goddess of the Earth. She was not merely the goddess of agriculture, but the divine teacher who gave humanity bread, agricu...

Aries (March 21 – April 19) July steadies your fire with a mix of reflection and renewed spark, Aries. Early focus turns toward home, family, and emotional foundations, asking you to nurture your roots before stepping into the spotlight. Love feels more intimate and present, singles may reconnect with meaningful possibilities or find comfort in steady understanding, while couples strengthen through honest conversations and shared comforts. As the month progresses, creativity, romance, and self-expression light up, bringing joy and bold moments.  This is a time to balance rest with action, showing that true confidence includes knowing when to pause and when to shine. Financial matters benefit from flexibility around home or daily needs.  Sunlit Courage Ritual: On a sunny afternoon, stand facing the light with your hands open and state out loud the following, “I root deeply and rise boldly.” Carry a small sun-charged crystal with you as a reminder of your steady inner fire....

A Solstice Working for Empowerment & Protection  There is a moment each year when the sun stands at its greatest strength. The days have stretched to their fullest measure. Fields shimmer beneath golden light. The air itself seems charged with life, carrying the scent of warm earth, flowering herbs, and distant rain. It is the turning point known as the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year and the ancient crown of summer.  For countless generations, this season was honored with fires kindled upon hilltops, garlands woven from sacred plants, and prayers offered beneath the open sky. It was believed that the power of the sun reached its greatest height during this time, blessing the land with vitality, abundance, courage, and protection.  Yet the Solstice is more than a celebration of light. It is a reminder of personal power.  Just as the sun stands fully revealed in its glory, so too are we called to stand firmly in our own strength. It is a season for ca...

Throughout the Mediterranean, the Summer Solstice and the Feast of Saint John marked a time when the natural world overflowed with blessing, light and celebration. Bonfires illuminated hillsides. Families gathered herbs before sunrise. Young women sought signs of future love and fortune. Homes were cleansed and protected for the months ahead.  Among all the plants gathered during this sacred season, none carried greater reputation than Saint John’s Wort. In Greek villages, the herb was believed to shield against the Mati, the Evil Eye cast through jealousy or ill intent. In Italy, it was carried to protect against Malocchio, misfortune, curses, and harmful influences. Bundles hung above doorways, dried flowers rested beside icons and ancestral photographs, and sprigs were woven into midsummer wreaths to invite blessings into the home.  Blooming at the height of the solar year, Saint John’s Wort became a symbol of light triumphing over darkness, courage overcoming fear, and abu...

Aries (March 21 – April 19) June encourages you to stop chasing every opportunity that crosses your path and focus on the ones that truly matter. Your natural enthusiasm is one of your greatest gifts, but this month rewards consistency more than speed. In love, patience creates stronger connections than pressure. Singles may feel drawn to someone who offers stability and sincerity, while couples strengthen their bond through honest conversations and shared plans. Not every relationship needs fireworks to be meaningful. Sometimes trust is what keeps the spark alive.  Financially, you’re being asked to play the long game. Small efforts made consistently will bring greater rewards than shortcuts or impulsive decisions. If you’ve been juggling too many projects, choose the ones that genuinely excite you and let the rest wait. By the end of the month, you’ll feel more confident about where you’re headed and what deserves your energy.  Lantern of Focus Spell: Light a red candle and...