For a while, we had the privilege of welcoming Angela into our home. She was a marvelous woman who would come twice a month to clean our house. Whenever Angela finished her work, the place not only felt clean but also exuded a sense of calm and centeredness. It was as if the house had undergone a transformation, not just from being mopped and dusted, but from being touched by a touch of magic.
Angela was referred to us by our elderly neighbor, Mildred. After a month of her visits, I expressed my gratitude to Mildred for connecting us with Angela. I mentioned how wonderful and peaceful our home felt after Angela’s cleaning sessions. In response, Mildred nodded sagely and said, “Oh, she’s a very spiritual person.” Indeed, Angela possessed a deep devotion to her faith, which was evident in the way she approached her work with care, gentleness, and a hint of something magical.
This ability to bring harmony and tranquility to our daily lives is the practical magic of Virgo. When we think of magic, it’s usually the enchanting style of Scorpio that comes to mind – a captivating blend of pentacles, black velvet, and patchouli. And when it comes to spirituality, we often associate it with our warm and empathetic Pisces friends who are dedicated to numerous social causes.
However, most of us lead ordinary lives, juggling jobs, responsibilities, and the occasional chaotic pet. Our days consist of mundane tasks and the challenges of maintaining a balanced existence. This is where Virgo steps in. In astrology, Virgo and the sixth house represent the everyday world – the realm where we spend most of our time. It’s about our well-being, our work, and our ability to sustain ourselves. Virgo is the sign that ensures our lives run smoothly.
While attending worship services or engaging in formalized rituals can be meaningful and beautiful, these moments often have to be carved out of our already busy schedules. We need a method of pursuing our spiritual goals in the real world, one that capitalizes on the fifteen waking hours each day that we spend taking care of business. This is where Virgo comes in, asking us to consider how every aspect of our day, no matter how small, can be an opportunity for spiritual growth.
So, on this Virgo Full Moon, let’s pledge ourselves to a renewed spirit of practical magic. Let’s reorganize our daily routines to support our spiritual objectives and reset our mental routines to instinctively seek spiritual opportunities in our chores and everyday activities. Engage in tasks such as cleaning out your drawers, organizing your filing cabinet, or mending relationships. Embrace acts of generosity, volunteering, and supporting causes that resonate with you. Remember, tools like candles, herbs, incense, and gemstones are valuable, but so are brooms, mops, and dustpans.
Let me share a funny story that captures the essence of the practical magic of the Virgo Full Moon. During a previous Full Moon in Leo, I was determined to rid our home of stagnancy and tension. Following a ritual from the enchanting book “The Magical Household” by Scott Cunningham and David Harrington, I meticulously peeled nine lemons and soaked the peels in a bowl of water. Unbeknownst to me, the ritual involved using the lemon water to clean the floors, windows, and doorknobs of the house.
I diligently cleaned the entire house, even rubbing the wood floors with a rag drenched in the lemon-infused water. Exhausted, I finally settled into an easy chair to admire my work. As I held “The Magical Household” in my hands, still resting on the page with the ritual, I realized my oversight. I had missed a crucial passage: “Next, while visualizing, scrub the floors, doorknobs, and windows with the lemon water.”
Despite my oversight, the house needed a good cleaning, and I had inadvertently granted it just that. The house sparkled, radiating brightness and cleanliness like it hadn’t since Angela’s last visit. As I sat there, basking in the peacefulness that follows physical labor, I watched the light slowly change, and a serene dusk settled upon the shiny floors and sparkling windows. Thanks to a little practical magic and a lot of elbow grease, the house felt tranquil and relaxed, and for a brief moment, I felt like a truly spiritual person.
© April Elliott Kent
Painting by Claudia Fernety. See more of Claudia’s work at her website.