July : Fire Element | Disability Pride Month : REFLECT
- The Garden Variety Witch
- 7 days ago
- 10 min read
July presents as a heartfelt transition into the glowing coals of the full Summer season.
We see the Sun sitting in Cancer for most of the month, finishing up in the sign of Leo, which gives us a burst of bold courage for getting social and burning down false modesties.
What modesty of yours is written on a metaphorical matchstick waiting to be set ablaze with the Fire of the season? What self-limiting pattern is ready to burn?
Regardless of skill, disability, or any other imaginable factor, you are magic and it's important not to forget such fact.
Thank you for being here, for staying, glowing, and growing with us. You are appreciated!
July : where Fire offers reflection & ritual meets flame
Although we sit in the bright blaze of the season, we must also examine what it illuminates — including legacies we carry, inherit, and must choose to transform.
The month of July was named after Julius Caesar, and is one of many reminders throughout the year of the astounding impact Roman imperialism had on humanity as a whole.
July 4th is the day America celebrates its independence from Great Britain; yet this is also a stark celebration which further cemented the cold fact that colonizers were here to stay, and determined to grow ever stronger.
As fellow Caucasian American Practitioners, do you know whose tribal lands you occupy?
Do you know which Indigenous nations are original to (and most likely displaced from) your home, work, and leisure-labeled spaces?
How much do you know about them? How do you honor them and their enduring legacies?
|
As a business operating on stolen lands of the Tulalip and Snoqualmie Tribes, we recognize our responsibility as beneficiaries of White Settler Culture to not only acknowledge the harms of colonialism and imperialistic qualities, but actively challenge and dismantle its ongoing effects.
We understand that our work takes place within a society shaped by the systemic violence and enduring inequalities of white supremacy, and we commit to active, ongoing work to help heal, repair, and redistribute power through spiritual and material means.
If this vision of change resonates with you, our upcoming 5x7 Tarot Course is built around these very principles — introspection, disruption, transformation and restoration.
|
July 10th displays a plump Full Moon, widely known as the Buck Moon, in the sign of earthy Capricorn. This cardinal sign offers stability, intelligence, and a strong will of achievement.
How can you tap into this energy of self-accountability to shine light on what needs to transform throughout the month's Fire?
Where can you fortify foundational behaviors to help solidify your personal path forward?
In Snohomish County, where ITBC is based, the Tulalip Tribe refers to this Moon as "the time of the blackberries" honoring the moment in time when the tasty berries are abundant and ripe for enjoyment.
When was the last time your lips tasted these sweet, bold, tart, and sometimes bitter black beauties?
Can you remember the flavor on your tongue, even now? Did your tastebuds just swell?
Can you incorporate these black beauties into your ritual this Full Moon phase?
If that fruit is not appealing to you dear Practitioner, what about a different representation of Earth's bounty? Does any juicy fruit call out to you now?
Whatever you have access to is the answer. Yes, it can be that simple.
Savor each bite of your chosen fruit on the Full Moon and name a truth you’re ready to own. Let its juice and flesh remind you that you are sweet, whole, and worth savoring.
Live deliciously and unapologetically with every seasonal bounty.
|
Come July 24th, 2025, we feel peak New Moon energy vibrating with the full authenticity of Leo.
How can you fully light afire your identified need from the previous Full Moon phase?
If you haven't identified one yet, then do so now and commence the torching and transformation processes.
Do you have a fear of being perceived? Burn it, you're absolute magic.
Fear of being imperfect? Burn it, you're perfectly human.
Fear of truly tapping in? Burn it, because you're already doing it.
Is what you're tapping into still working as intended? If not, burn it and fly like a phoenix.
Fire Element: born by heat, fed by flame
Fully immersed in the light of the summer season, we feel the sun's flames lick at our edges each time we venture out from our dwellings.
Have you been burnt to a crisp, to the point of peeling this year yet? (This author sure has!)
Acknowledge the power of this Element and allow any shedding the sun initiated to commence; allow yourself to fully shift into this physical and metaphorical new skin (an African net Sponge sure helps here, too!)
As the first ITBC Palimpsest forged in the flames of the Fire Element, we get a sample of the transformation that's hot and ready to devour this season.
What about this new phase of elemental experience seems most succulent and feast-worthy to you?
What will you allow to be charred and burned fully to ash with the passing of the season?
|
Although Fire has countless associations across cultures worldwide, we want to highlight some here that celebrate its fundamental properties, acknowledge modern activities, and consider Practitioner accessibility:
Fire is the illuminated spaces along Life's path.
Fire is the tangible comfort felt under a blanket with a Forever Familiar.
Fire is the raging appetite that consciously crafts or savagely consumes a Life.
Fire is a catalyst for transformation and regrowth, because some things must burn to be born.
Fire is the flame that keeps your heart warm with compassion, activism, and sparks Magic In Action.
And, Fire burns bright throughout the classic tarot journey in the 14-cards of the Minor Arcana Suit of Wands, and is represented in several of the Major Arcana cards, including but not limited to:
The Emperor (the hearth of our heart's Fire)
Strength (the will of our passions and patience)
The Tower (the fiery force or sacred rage that burns it all down)
The Sun (Nature's celestial flames)
Take a moment to sit with this and ask, what is your personal connection to Fire and its flames?
Have you embodied your passions as of late?
Are you called toward a particular fiery card found throughout tarot?
Can you call on that card specifically to help reignite your heart?
|
Regardless of your answers, keeping a Heat Journal may help you in tending to Life's fires.
As a place to record moments of breakthrough, times when inner flames are burning bright, and logging the exact things that truly fan Life's Fire, a Heat Journal is a tangible place to sort through the changing temperatures of life (any writing space you dedicate as such.)
It's also a great space to track your moments of burnout; after some time, do you see any patterns?
How can you rekindle the smoldering coals when your soul feels dampened?
What Energy sources do you crave right now?
How can you temper your flames when feeling over-consumed, without extinguishing entirely?
What can you do to ensure using Fire safely, literally and figuratively?
When didn't you use Fire responsibly and what was the end result?
Track it in your Heat Journal, tracing the behaviors all the way back to the smoldering coals of your childhood... can you still smell smoke of past experiences there?
Can you share your reflections with a close friend or family member?
Afterall, Fire likes to spread.
Disability Pride Month : magic without apology
We find ourselves in another month of prideful celebration, this one dedicated to every Practitioner of Life worldwide living with a disability.
We see you and your brilliance.
We honor your needs and boundaries.
We recognize your lived wisdom.
We celebrate your joy and fulfillment.
And, we as allies are putting Magic In Action to transform the status quo for stronger social equity.
If you have specific ideas or projects on how can do so, we'd love it if you'd Contact us!
|
The disabled demographic is the only one in which any person of any age, race, gender, economic status, or any other identifying trait could become member of at any given time.
Disability is indiscriminate.
And yet, it was only July 26th, 1990, that the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law, extending protection from discrimination to those with disabilities in the workplace, ultimately fanning the social fires of inclusion, representation, and equity.
But, why would it take that long for legislation to pass?
Why would people not want to support those who need services the most?
What myths still hold back our collective compassion and Magic In Action, even today in 2025?
Although many celebrations took place over the years honoring the landmark legislation, it would take another twenty-five years for the first official Disability Pride Month to be recognized, marked by a 2015 parade in New York City.
Disability Pride has roots in the idea of visibility, and reaches for the nourishment of community near and far. This celebratory recognition helps promote the inclusive belief that disabilities are a natural and beautiful part of human diversity.
How many people do you know in day-to-day life that lives with some sort of disability?
Does the list include you?
How can you best show your appreciation for and support them this month?
How could you best be supported right now?
|
There are numerous ways to support people with disabilities or different abilities than yours find higher quality of life.
Some straightforward options include, but are not at all limited to:
confront and dismantle your own internalized ableism, changing your inner dialogue along with the world around you (next-level challenge: start the transformation in your Heat Journal from the previous section!)
recognize everyday that each disabled person is a Practitioner of Life, and is a valuable member local and global societies
share content across your social media profiles that supports disabled Practitioners, creators, inclusive brands, and others who envision a status quo that offers equity to all. A few of our favorite include: Imani Barbarin, Briel Adams-Wheatley, and Allie Wheelz
support accessibility by purchasing from brands that choose inclusivity throughout their business and marketing operations, including directly from disabled business owners!
donate money or in-kind items to reputable organizations, like All Aboard, located in Everett, WA (next-level challenge: put your Magic In Action monthly with a reoccurring contribution! Can you try to sacrifice that Corporate caffeinated beverage to help transform the status quo?)
volunteer your time at reputable organizations, such as Easter Seals of Washington, to support their mission and show your dedication to improving the disabled community's quality of life
business owners: during your next hiring period could you consider a disabled person to fulfill the position? How can you make more accessible and low-barrier products, services, digital content, etc. for your disabled audience to more easily engage with?
Your Magic In Action through community support impacts the lives of people who need it the most, and offers a guiding light to other Practitioners of Life who want to co-create an equitable society.
REFLECT : embers of self
We’ve passed the solar summit and the sun now begins its annual descent. In its golden wake, we’re invited to sit still and stare directly into our own glowing center. Consider the following prompts:
What do I witness in my life, right here right now?
Is there any clarity in the coals of my past six months?
What's the heat of July trying to show-and-tell me?
Do I feel more like a smoldering ember, a spark flickering out, or a bonfire about to blister the sky?
Are my creative coals being stoked or suffocated?
What ignites me to feel seen? Appreciated? Inspired? Alive? Triggered and raging?
Do I use my light to illuminate others, or scorch them?
Where have I been contained or have contained others within false, outdated, or otherwise restrictive boundaries?
How can I burn them away and build better ones?
Do I honor my desires as sacred energy?
Do I make space for sensual or creative expression?
Do I make space for others to do the same?
After contemplating the previous prompts, you can elevate them even further with the following Flame Gazing Exercise!
|
Flame Gazing Exercise
You'll need:
a source of a flame- a cake, tealight or other candle works great, but a fireplace, bonfire, LED candle, or any other safe source of flame is suitable for use too
your Heat Journal from the Fire section, or another personalized written or verbalized reflection space, if desired
After re-reading the prompts from above, gaze passively at or just above/ near the flame and relax your eyes, forehead, jaw, tongue, and throat.
Breathe slowly in and out with a moment's hold in between, allowing yourself to relax into the dancing light and consider the following, to record later in your journal:
Does it conjure up any shapes, images, words, phrases, or other symbols for me?
How does my body respond to what arises?
Remember to gently keep breathing into any memories or emotions that may flare up.
What moments of my past experiences want to be seen, questioned with love and curiosity (not judgement), and be allowed to fully integrate into my current expressions of creation and consumption?
How can I honor the heat of my past, and apply the enriched soil of life that it left behind?
Whenever you feel called to finish, snuff out the flame or let it extinguish on its own (under supervision), record your thoughts and revelations in your journal, and make note to revisit the entry in a month's time (how does life's heat compare for you then?)
|
This July, as flames crackle and Disability Pride celebrations illuminate community, reflect on the radical truth that every disabled body is alight with magic, radiance, and has the right to take up sacred space... and that it's time the status quo fully reflected such!
♥
This blog is created with respect for all spiritual paths and personal identities.
Our mention of deities, rituals or practices, and celebrations are offered as inspiration not prescription. We honor your sovereignty in adapting what resonates and leaving what doesn't.
Magic exists in infinite forms; you ARE magic, and your expression of
Magic In Action will help transform the status quo.
Resource Portal:
July:
Disability Pride Month:
Comments