a spell for growing strong roots with astrologer Leah Vanderveldt

a sneak peek into a guest grimoire

We’ve been loud and proud sigil spell creators (Digital Altars, anyone?) for many years at Holisticism HQ.

A sigil is, most simply, a visual spell.

Here’s how it works: While creating a sigil (this can be as lo-fi as symbol you draw, or as detailed as a piece of pottery or collage), you hold an intention for a desired outcome. This directed attention “charges” the visual spell, and the magic begins to do its work. Every time you catch sight of the sigil, the magic is reinforced.

Depending on your practice, you might prefer to use sigils and visual spells as a way to communicate with your unconscious mind. The abstraction of your intention allows the conscious mind to take a backseat, which ultimately means we can let something more intuitive takeover.

We publish a weekly visual spell in our Tuesday Portal, but we thought we’d query some of our favorite intuitive folks to come on the ‘stack and cast a visual spell for us.

MEET LEAH VANDERVELT

Leah Vanderveldt

is an astrologer, tarot teacher, and cosmic stylist helping people connect to their magic through self-expression.

LEAH’S INTENTION

To feel supported and connected — to nourish new communities and systems of support and fortify the ones that already exist.

LEAH’S INSPIRATION

I’m inspired by being in a 4th House annual profection year, highlighting the themes of home, soul family, foundations, and roots.

The 4th House is the very bottom of our natal chart and represents our current home but also our lineage and where we come from. Working with it can kind of be like clearing out a crowded basement. It’s deeply personal and can also harbor some musty-ass inherited beliefs about who we are.

I recently made a huge move with my family to Australia (I’m from New York). I lived here in my 20s and struggled big time. I especially found it hard to make friends and felt disconnected from my networks back home. I felt uprooted and unsure if I could let myself feel safe enough to thrive anywhere.

Coming back as a mother and actively practicing astrologer and witch, I’m on a whole new playing field.

I want authentic and silly friendships IRL here and want to maintain my ride or die bonds back home.

Considering the ripple effects on a larger scale, as we enter the era of Pluto in Aquarius (and a conservative political hellscape), it’s our job as creatives/witches/misfits to focus on the collective.

Freedom and liberation are inextricably linked to community care, so making sure we nurture our close communities now will help us expand that support outward in the future.

I’m picturing the deep roots of a tree, mycelium structures, and the network of roots of the mugwort plant. I want a root system so strong and interconnected that no weed killer in existance can keep me and my weirdos down.

“Life is a big collaboration.” - Tim Gunn

A RITUAL FOR STRONG ROOTS AND CONNECTION