Challenge Entry
I am using the group ritual for my first ever challenge entry. I am a Scorpio, so tapping into the watery energy was so fulfilling. I incorporated several stones (labradorite, moonstone, rose and smoky quartz, and amethyst) that are associated with Cancer, some shells, the Queen of Cups tarot card (I am working with the energy of the Queens in my daily practice), and some jewelry I wanted to charge to wear today. Over my morning coffee I listened to a Cancer Moon playlist and did the suggested meditation. I visualized my business increasing in bookings, money, opportunities, and connections as the moon moved through its cycle. I also added an affirmation from a moon magic book I have that says “I gently nurture my intentions, allowing them to grow with care and compassion.” Recently my energy has been extremely focused so I could make some deadlines. Now that I’ve finished those projects, it feels like a great time to lean into the nurturing self-care energy of Cancer. Though I may be a Scorpio Sun, my Aries Moon and Taurus Rising sometimes run the show and I forget to tap into that watery energy of my emotions and intuition. This ritual felt like a gentle tide pulling me back to myself. 
@Artemisia - I enjoyed the detail of your entry and it made me appreciate your craft more.
I have one fairly simple question though… where did you get those collection bottles? I want some. 
@Ostara That was so informative! Thank you! I had never thought of combining the water with the Air connection. Brilliant!
CHALLENGE ENTRY
For this challenge, I decided to focus on the water element within Astrology. Three of the signs (Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces) are classed as water signs and their associated planets are The Moon, Pluto and Neptune. For this challenge, I decided to focus on Neptune. There is something about this planets that draws me. Perhaps the creativity and imagination…or the confusion and illusion! I also think that this is the most “watery” because it rules the sign of the fish (Pisces), it is named after the Roman God of the season, and it’s blue colour makes it look like a sphere of deep water.
A Bit About Neptune
In Roman mythology, Neptune was the God of the seas. The Greeks called him Posideon. He was eated by his father, Saturn, but was freedom by his brother Jupiter. Together, with their other brother Pluto, they defeated and overthrew their father. Neptune was given rulership of the seas.
In Astronomy, Neptune is the eighth and final Planet in the solar system. It is classed as an ice giant and has the strongest winds of any planet, gusting at over 1000mph. Neptune takes 165 years to orbit the sun and gets its blue colour from the levels of methane in its atmosphere.
In astrology, Neptune spends around 14 years in each zodiac sign, meaning it tends to influence entire generations. It is classed as a generational planet. Neptune represents our creativity, imagination and dreams. It also represents spiritual awareness, empathy and healing. However, Neptune can also bring deception and illusion. It blurs the boundaries between fantasy and reality, and can bring reliance on escapism. It can also bring excessive daydreaming and addictions as a means of avoiding responsibilities in the real world. Neptune also blurs the boundaries between fantasy and reality.
At its best, it fuels visionary art, mysticism, and compassion. At its trickiest, it can lead to confusion, addiction, avoidance and spiritual bypassing.
Find Neptune on your Chart
We all have Neptune on our Natal Chart. It will lie within a sign and a house. It may also form aspects with other planets. Its influence will depend on it’s location. You can find where Neptune lies on your chart by doing the following:
• Go to Free Astrology Birth Chart Calculator
• Enter your birth date, time and location
• Press Calculate Chart
• Look for the Neptune Glyph 
• The outer symbols on the outer wheel will reveal the sign in which it lies.
Neptune in the Signs
I am a Neptune in Capricorn and can totally see it in me through my overworking to avoid other things, and reluctance to truly show my emotions through fear of “weakness”. I am pretty creative but there does need to be a purpose. I love art but i need to be doing it for a reason.
Thanks, Alan!
Neptune in Scorpio explains why I’m a witch!
@marina I didn’t know either! There’s always something new to learn, thats why I love these challenges.
CHALLENGE ENTRY ADDITION
After posting my challenge entry on Neptune, i felt inspired to create a spell jar that can harness the planet’s energies. Perhaps i had awoken my Neptunian imagination and spiritual creativity. I have included the sketch from my BoS:
The jar includes the following:
Sea Salt for protection, energetic cleansing and a direct link to the sea and yhe water element.
Intertwined Blue & Purple Ribbon to bring waves of imagination, spirituality, and psychic flow. Intertwining them links creativity with higher awareness.
Seashell to represent protection, emotional resilience, deep listening and again a link to Neptune’s rule over the sea.
Rosemary to clear mental fog and cut through the illusions that we may face. It also enhances our focus.
Rose Petals to open the heart to compassion and soften emotional resistance.
Amethyst to strengthen spiritual insight, protect your energy and enhance dream recall.
Aquamarine to sooth the emotional body, support calm self-expression and deepen connection to our inner voice.
If you wish, you can also add a specific written intention.
You can also add something to represent the sign in which Neptune lies on your birthchart (even just an image of its glyph) if you want to harness that specific energy.
Seal the jar with the wax of a blue candle, representing Neptune’s surface and sealing all that it represents within.
Place on your altar, beside your bed or near your divination tools. You can hold it during meditation, dream journaling or when you need some intuitive guidance or to see things more clearly.
@georgia same here!
This is lovely! (I love spell jars)
I saw something similar on Etsy the other day, but it was a Witch’s ball. Same principle and many of the same ingredients though, and she added a little silver octopus charm tied to the top with a ribbon.
I promise i didnt copy it lol.
Oh no!! I wasn’t suggesting that you did! I just meant it’s a lovely idea 
I love spell jars and in fact, I went to Michael’s yesterday and picked up a few more bottles to use for my own spells. 
@jayne Ive just looked up witch balls on Etsy. I had never heard of them. I love them. Something new to try.
Aren’t they great? I was wondering how they were displayed, other than hanging on a Christmas tree or something. But it turns out there’s a whole industry dedicated to making holders for the things. LOL.
I love that spread. I am going to try it!
Questions about spell jars. From what I have read, they are meant to be used for long term goals/spells. Can you open them and reuse the items for other purposes?
I cannot wait to see how it turns out for you, @aaronb 
When you no longer need/want the spell you can dismantle it and repurpose the items inside once they have been cleansed. Things you will not be using again can be buried, burned, or otherwise properly and responsibly disposed of.
Challenge Entry
I really wanted to do a ritual bath, however it is warm here in Portland and it felt woerd to be running a bath when I had the AC on.
So I made a tea blend for the waxing quarter moon tonight.
I found a cool website that talked about what herbs to use for this moon phase and the moon sign of Virgo.
Thw blend i made is quite spicy and lung clearing which will help since I have bewn having bad allergies.
Here is the blend:
Elchanpange
Lavender
Orange peel
Milky oats
Juniper berries
Dandelion
Ginger
Then I set an intention and lit a new candle at my altar.
The website Worts and Cumming had a simple ritual:
Place a single unlit candle before you on your altar. If you want, you can surround it with herbs, stones, and other objects that will help empower your intention for your goal. Consider what it is you’re hoping to manifest. Connect with the ways that you are being guided towards this goal by your inner knowing, including intuitions and affirmations that this goal is right for you. Begin to raise energy around your goal, imagining what it would feel like and what your life would be like to have accomplished it. When you feel like you’ve raised enough energy around your intention, focus it into the candle before you.
Take a deep breath in and out. Light the candle and speak the following charm three times through:
What was, what is, what shall be
By the light of my wisdom
I flow bright, I flow freeTake a deep breath in, focusing on your goal. Breathe out, feeling the path towards your goal manifesting before you. Speak the charm three more times.
Take another deep breath in and out. Speak the charm a final three times.
Use your hands to wave the light of the candle towards you, bathing yourself in the light of the candle, feeling your inner glow draw itself from deep within yourself to all around you. This is the light which guides you towards your goal.
You can either let the candle burn out completely now or perform this ritual for three more consecutive nights, lighting the same candle each time. You can also spend time each day calling forth your inner brightness to guide you home again and again.
I will do the ritual for next three nights and the website suggests. It was lovely to dk this ritual. I highly recommend it!
Challenge Entry
Solar water motivation spray
I placed a jar of water out for the day to absorb the sun’s energy. These herbs were added to infuse additional properties:
Bay - protection
Peppermint - motivation
Basil - confidence
Chamomile - luck
Sift before adding to a spray bottle.
In the morning lightly spray your clothes for the day saying:
The sun’s bright rays ignite my spirit,
Luck finds me in every step,
Motivation fuels my day ahead,
Confidence blooms in all that I create,
Embrace this day, my visions awake!
Inspired by the Moon drop spray on Spells8
A Props and Presents post will soon appear with shout-outs and prize details for everyone who submitted an entry. Please keep an eye on the main page of the forums.
Note : To avoid confusion, this discussion will be locked until the Props and Presents post appears. At that time, this thread will reopen for discussion for a few more days- comments are welcome during this time, but please note that no additional prizes will be given.
Thanks again for joining in the challenge 
Blessed be 
