Modern Witchcraft: Beginners Guide

Planets

If you don't understand, don't worry. All you need to know is that when a planet's apparent motion goes backwards(1), some witches believe that this can have various side effects in our lives, or open up pathways that lead to introspection and further self-discovery.

Mercury Retrograde: The planetary retrograde you will most want to keep an eye out for is Mercury. Because Mercury has the shortest orbit, it enters retrograde the most often, about 3-4 times a year. However, the magickal associations of Mercury include communication and travel, so all sorts of things can go awry when Mercury is in retrograde! Internet connection issues, traffic jams, missed flights, arguments, and conflict are to be expected. Even communication with your spirit guides or your own inner voice can be negatively affected. Thankfully, Mercury retrogrades are also the shortest in length, only lasting around 2 weeks.

Other planetary retrogrades span several weeks to several months, with planets like Neptune being in retrograde for almost half a year at a time. The effects of the more distant planets tend to be less noticeable, but it's valuable to keep them in mind as their retrogrades can provide lessons to teach.

It's also beneficial to note that retrogrades can affect people differently if they have different influences in their astrological chart. Some people may find some retrogrades worse/better than others, not be affected at all, or be affected in unconventional ways. For example, Mars retrogrades can guide a typically outwardly emotional person to find better ways to solve their problems rather than resorting to fits of rage. Conversely, a yielding kind of person who has been taught to suppress their anger and true feelings may find themselves becoming unexpectedly snappy and emotionally expressive during a Mars retrograde.

Mercury

Mercury is the closest planet to the sun, which gives it the quickest orbit. Its rapid journey through the solar system naturally associates it with communication, travel, messaging, and learning. Many cultures have attributed gods of communication to Mercury.

However, Mercury also has some shadow traits. Its fast travel can make it an inconsistent planet/deity to work with in witchcraft, so you should balance the magick out with more stable or peaceful planets whenever you can.

✉️ Mercury Associations: Communication, travel, intellect, learning, mental perception, teaching, writing, creativity, memory, cleverness, reasoning, arguments, sarcasm, cynicism, trickery, thievery
💎 Stones/Crystals/Metals: Agate, Aventurine, Citrine, Mercury, Mica, Muscovite
🌿 Plants: Almond, Alyssum, Anise, Crocus, Fennel, Hazel, Heather, Honeysuckle, Lavender, Marjoram, Mullein, Parsley, Pelargonium, Southernwood
🖐️ Body parts: Brain, nervous system, respiratory system
📆 Day: Wednesday
♊ Zodiac: Gemini
🌈 Colours: Yellow, violet, orange
🛐 Deities: Nabu, Mercury, Apollo, Hermes

❕ Retrograde advice:
Avoid: Casting spells, travelling, coordination, bureaucracy, submitting/signing papers, taking action, overthinking, being harsh on yourself
Do: If trying to coordinate something important (work event, buying a house), write everything down, record everything, and follow up emails/texts with phone calls. Don't make assumptions - maintaining clear & open communication is crucial. Expect misunderstandings; be patient. Mercury retrogrades are especially good times to plan, reflect, edit, revise, and polish projects.

Venus

Venus is the closest planet to Earth, and thus is the easiest planet to see in the sky during dawn and dusk; this is where the names "The Morning Star" and "The Evening Star" originate. You may be familiar that another name for Lucifer is The Morning Star (this is actually due to a mistranslation from Hebrew to Greek in the Bible). Nevertheless, Venus' easy visibility in the sky means that it has some of the most folklore and religious significance after the sun and moon.