Day 9 - Great Release Program 2025

Day 9 – Auntie Moana’s Spotlight Day

Theme: Expression, Confidence, and Clearing the “Stage”

Reward:  One Gold Star…okay – 5 Gold Stars!

Magick Moment:  Auntie Moana, the Ghoul Singer, glides into the great hall of Boogie Knight Castle, her voice warm as candlelight and sharp as a winter wind. They say she can sing the leaves off the trees and rattle the dust out of the rafters, and yes, she absolutely can.

Tonight, though, even Auntie Moana hesitates. She stands on the little practice platform near the stairwell, sheet music in one skeletal hand. The family has asked her to debut a brand-new song at the next Boogie gathering, something bold, emotional, and very “her.”

“What if my voice cracks?” she mutters. “What if the notes aren’t perfect? What if they expect more than I can give?”

From one of the benches, Count Boogie Knight leans forward. “We’re not here for perfect,” he says gently. “We’re here for you. We love the way you make us feel when you sing.”

Auntie Moana inhales deeply and lets the castle’s old stones hum with her breath. Perfection will not sing this song, courage will.

Today, you and Auntie Moana work together to clear your “stage” so you can show up for your own life more fully, without the clutter of self-doubt and without the piles of physical mess.

Main Goal of the Day

The goal of Day 9 is to clear and claim a performance space in your life, any area where you “show up” regularly, so it supports confidence, ease, and healthy expression rather than chaos and confusion. This might be your desk or creative work table, your main altar or devotional space, the bathroom sink where you start your day, the kitchen counter where you prep meals, or the entryway where you step into and out of the world.

Choose one key area that feels like a personal “stage,” and let that be the focus for today.

Today’s Physical Task – Clear the Stage

Aim for fifteen to thirty minutes of effort, more if you feel inspired.

First, stand in front of your chosen space and say out loud, “This is my stage, this is where I show up for my life.”

Next, do a quick sweep. Remove obvious trash, gather any dishes, laundry, or random items that clearly belong somewhere else, and place them together in a basket or box to deal with after you finish the main task. Do not worry about sorting that basket perfectly right now; the priority is to free your stage.

Now, release nine things in honor of Day 9. From this space and the area immediately around it, select nine items to throw away, recycle, donate, pass along, or retire if they are broken, worn out, or energetically “dead.” For each item you remove, you can say, “Off my stage, out of my way.”

When the releasing is done, reset the space. Wipe surfaces if that is possible, even if it is only a quick swipe with a damp cloth. Put back only what you actually use and what makes you feel capable, competent, and calm. Keep the area simple rather than fussy, clear rather than crowded, ready rather than overwhelmed.

To finish, add one symbol of confidence. This can be a stone that feels strong to you, a tiny figurine of a singer, dancer, lion, or warrior, a small drawing of a microphone or music note, or a tiny sigil you create for “Confidence” or “Clear Voice.” This becomes your Moana Charm, a reminder that bravery is something you do, not something you passively wait to feel.

Emotional and Magickal Release Work

Today’s emotional work focuses on releasing the fear of being seen and heard, and dissolving the belief that you must be perfect before you begin.

Take five to ten minutes to sit quietly with paper and pen, or a note app. Ask yourself Auntie Moana’s question: “Where in my life do I hold back my true voice because I’m afraid of what people will think?” Write freely, honestly, and without censorship; no one else needs to see this.

Choose one situation from what you’ve written and rewrite your internal script. For example, an old line might be, “If I speak up, I’ll be judged or rejected,” and a new line might become, “If I speak up, I honor myself; other people’s opinions are background noise.” Write your new line clearly and read it aloud three times, letting the words sink into your body like a steady rhythm.

Before the day is over, take a micro-action of bravery. This can be expressing a clear preference, sharing a thought or small creation you usually keep quiet, singing or humming out loud while you work, or honestly stating what you want in a simple situation. The action does not need to be dramatic; it only needs to be real.

Auntie Moana’s Determination Song-Spell

You may stand or sit at your newly cleaned stage, with or without a candle. If you choose to use a candle, any color will do. Take three slow breaths. If you are comfortable, hum a soft note and feel it vibrating in your chest, your throat, your mouth, like a little ghost of sound swirling through your energy field. Then say:

On my stage I claim my place,I clear off doubt and old disgrace. My voice steps forward, strong and bright,I sing my truth in joy and light.

If a candle is burning, allow it to glow nearby as you work or tidy, and then snuff it out when you are finished for the day. The next time you feel yourself shrinking back, you can whisper the final line, “I sing my truth in courage and light,” as a quick energetic reset.

Astrology Snapshot – Tuesday, 3rd Quarter Leo Moon square Mercury and Uranus

Day 9 arrives on a Tuesday, under a 3rd Quarter Moon in Leo squaring Mercury and Uranus, a sky that fits Auntie Moana’s work perfectly because it presses you to release old performance patterns—people-pleasing, chasing applause, exaggerating to be noticed, or hiding behind a mask. The Moon–Mercury square highlights the tension between feelings and thoughts, so old stories like “I’m not good enough” or “No one wants to hear what I have to say” can finally be spotted, crossed out, and replaced with lines that reflect your growth, while the Moon–Uranus square brings sudden insight, emotional plot twists, and the urge to break out of stale habits by changing a routine, clearing a stuck corner, rearranging your stage, or deciding, “I’m not doing it the old way anymore.” Because it is Tuesday, Mars’ day, there is also a call to action, courage, and clean cuts, making this an excellent time to choose one limiting sentence, cross it out, write a new one beneath it (maybe with a little imagined lightning bolt beside it), read it aloud three times, move quickly through your stage area removing what doesn’t belong, and then, hand over heart, affirm softly, “I release the need to perform for approval; I choose to express from my heart. 

”To honor Mars’ influence, you may also decide to cut back one small behavior that feeds clutter or hiding, such as tossing mail on the altar, piling items on your desk, or scrolling on your phone instead of tending your space. Write, “Today I cut back on _________,” and then make one immediate adjustment that supports that promise.

If You Are Low on Time or Energy

On days when you are extra tired or overwhelmed, keep Day 9 simple. Remove nine items from your chosen stage area, say the last two lines of Auntie Moana’s spell, “My voice steps forward, strong and bright, I sing my truth in courage and light,” and take one tiny brave action, such as humming while you move, speaking up once in a conversation, or clearing a very small section of your space. This still counts. The Great Release Program is about realistic progress and kind determination, not self-punishment.

Reward for Day 9

When you have completed your Day 9 tasks, mark your achievement. You might ramp up those gold stars and choose a fun sticker, or a simple checkmark on your chart or calendar, and write, “I stepped onto my stage today.” In your journal or planner, you can doodle a tiny music note, a microphone, or a singing ghost to represent Auntie Moana cheering you on.

Then give yourself a small, conscious reward. Perhaps you sit in your freshly cleared space with a warm drink, listen to a favorite song or playlist, or close your eyes for a moment and imagine Auntie Moana belting out a glorious note in your honor while the entire Boogie Knight family applauds. You showed up, you cleared the stage, you let more of your true voice in. That is worth celebrating.

I’ll be honest with you—I don’t do a lot of interviews. Put me in front of a seminar room with fun props, drums, rattles, and tons of people, and I’m happy as a witch with a new cauldron. I love the flow of teaching, the rhythm of a workshop, the sense that we’re all in a circle together learning and laughing. But interviews? Nah. That’s a different creature entirely.

Last night I had the pleasure of appearing on Covendom, hosted by Brian Cain and Levi Rowland. They’re in Season 7 of their show, which means they know exactly what they’re doing. The pace is quick, the questions are sharp and insightful, and there’s very little time to overthink. Which, of course, is exactly what I wanted to do—overthink everything.

I was nervous as all heck. Before we went live, I had that fluttery feeling in my chest, the tight shoulders, the little voice that says, “What if you stumble? What if you forget your point? What if you say something clumsy and it lives on the internet forever?” “What if you have to break stride and take care of Mojo, my special needs puppy?” Which…I did, actually.  He was trying to eat his food bowl.  Anyway!  I can stand in front of a room of people for hours and feel fine—but the idea of that internet camera and those live questions? Completely different story.

Here’s what helped me get through it—and even enjoy it:

First, I reminded myself that I wasn’t there to perform perfection, I was there to serve the people watching. That shift is huge. When I focus on “How do I look? How do I sound?” my anxiety spikes. When I focus on, “Is what I’m sharing useful? Comforting? Encouraging?” the nervousness has less room to breathe.

Second, I leaned on what I know I am good at. I may not be an “interview person,” but I am a teacher, and I am a storyteller. So I treated each question like a mini seminar prompt. Instead of thinking, “Oh no, another question,” I thought, “Okay, here’s a doorway—what can I offer that’s honest and helpful?” That reframing took some of the pressure off. I wasn’t being interrogated; I was being invited to share.

Third, I trusted the hosts. Brian and Levi are comfortable with their creation. Season 7 didn’t happen by accident. They know their material, they understand their audience, and they know how to hold space. Once we got rolling, I could feel that. The energy was fast, yes, but it was also supportive. They were genuinely interested. When you feel that kind of interest, it’s easier to relax into your own skin.

And finally, I allowed myself to be human. That’s a big one. I didn’t try to stomp the nerves flat. I acknowledged them. “Yes, I’m nervous. Yes, this matters to me. Yes, I’m still doing it.” I took a few deep breaths, grounded, and reminded myself: I have been doing this spiritual and magickal work for a long time. One interview—no matter how fast the pace—isn’t going to undo that. If my voice shook a little in the beginning, that’s okay. It just meant I cared.

By the time we were in the flow of conversation, the nervous edge softened. I found myself enjoying the back-and-forth, appreciating their smart questions, and feeling grateful for the opportunity to talk about witchcraft, practice, and community in a space that reaches people I may never meet in person.

So, yes, I still get nervous. I’m not suddenly an interview junkie. Seminars are still my happy place, with the drums and rattles and all the good noise. But last night on Covendom, I remembered something important: courage isn’t the absence of nerves, it’s moving forward with your heart open anyway. And once you take those first few shaky steps, the path gets a lot steadier under your feet.

I hope you enjoyed reading, or at least found helpful, my journaling on emotional release work when you’re on that stage!

This Week’s Goal - This week’s goal should feel supportive, not stressful—something small and steady that helps you express more freely, move with less clutter, and feel more at home on your own “stage.” You might choose to keep one key area clear each day, answer one lingering message, or gently catch and rewrite one negative thought about yourself. Write your goal where you’ll see it, try it on for a few days, and remember: you are allowed to change or adjust it if it isn’t flowing smoothly. This program is about realistic progress and personal rhythm, not forcing yourself into a box that doesn’t fit.

Don’t forget to post your comments below.  Tell me your highs or lows – or a unique way you’ve found to work through the program.  I’m always delighted to hear!

In Service

Peace with the Gods

Peace With Nature

Peace WithinSilver!