September 09, 2022 0 Comments
Three times a year, Mercury, the planet (and deity!) of travel, communication, intelligence, business, fortune, luck, and boundaries (both personal and physical), goes retrograde- a phenomenon that happens when the Earth passes Mercury in it's orbit, resulting in the appearance of the planet going "backwards" in the sky, even though the planets all continue in the same orbital direction.
What does this mean for us astrology nerds? In a nutshell, it means that all the correspondences and symbolic meanings mentioned above that represent Mercury can also act... a little backwards. Travel or business plans may get loused up. Verbal fights or misunderstandings can occur. Contracts can default or money can be spent unwisely. Technology can fail us. All these things changing at once can disrupt every day life, which is not ideal for anyone living a 21st century experience.
How do we alleviate these strange, mystical symptoms? Aside from good old fashioned patience and a forced smile, certain Earth- born tools can help us stay grounded, focussed and optimistic. Luckily us pro- witches here at JSS thought about this exact problem and concocted a special Ritual Kit that contains some of these items, so your worried mind can rest in anticipation of less- troublesome times.
Here is a snippet of what's inside:
First up: Gold and Black Candles. Gold is for protection, attraction, confidence, and overall joy. Black is for dispelling negativity, discord, loss, and protection.
Second in line are the included crystals of labradorite, obsidian, and quartz crystal. Labradorite helps enhance magic, and can be used for protection and perception. Obsidian is for grounding, protection, and cleansing. Quartz is for amplification of positivity, healing, and cleansing.
Third we have lavender and white sage. Both are used for cleansing and purification, and lavender is also used for calming, protection, and peace.
Fourth, essential oil of lemongrass. Lemongrass is associated with Air and the planet Mercury, and is great for repelling negativity, and enhancing psychic powers.
Fifth, Palo Santo wood. Use this for welcoming positive spirits and ancestors, for purification and protection.
..and of course, instructions and handmade (and up-cycled!) feather tool.
Using the tools in the kit above, the ritual should be followed as something like this:
Setting up Your Altar
Anointing and Cleansing
Stating Your Intention
Closing the Ritual
Bonus: Fun Mercury Facts!
To read more about Mercury Retrograde, check out our blogs here!
To shop for tools to help during this period, shop our Mercury Retrograde collection here!
July 05, 2025 0 Comments
As the Sun dips into the fiery heart of summer, July emerges—golden, long, and lazy. And right alongside it, the zodiac’s watery guardian, Cancer, takes the helm. July is one of the few month’s of the year (next to March or April, depending on the date of Ostara) where a pagan holiday or fire festival is not observed, yet the middle of summer seems almost ritualistic in how entrenched we become with the richness of the season. Looking further, it only makes sense as to why Cancer, summer’s sweetest star sign, is the mascot to the start of summer. Here’s why the vibrancy of July and the nurturing essence of Cancer are cosmic twins—bound by symbolism, season, and soul.
June 10, 2025 0 Comments
A celebration of identity, liberation, and self-expression— Pride Month is an annual honoring of the LGBTQIA+ community’s history, resilience, and ongoing pursuit of equality. While astrologically Pride Month falls within Gemini and Cancer seasons, the bold and untamed spirit of the Sagittarius full moon each June aligns strikingly with the energy that fuels Pride’s essence: truth-seeking, radical authenticity, and freedom from oppression.
February 25, 2025 0 Comments
As we navigate the celestial currents of 2025, a unique astrological event awaits: both Venus and Mercury will be retrograde simultaneously. Venus will transition from Aries to Pisces during its retrograde, while Mercury will retrograde in Aries. This rare cosmic alignment offers a profound opportunity for introspection, reassessment, and personal growth. When these two influential planets appear to move backward in the sky, their retrograde energies prompt us to slow down and reevaluate critical aspects of our lives. While the experience may seem challenging, it ultimately serves as a chance to heal, reset, and reconnect with our true desires and intentions.