In the time of Geminis

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A hearty hello
Welcome wonderful Gemini Lunar Cycle.  As I sit here I am automatically happier, more energized and overall amped about this coming cycle and it's just started.  Yesterday, almost 24 hours ago to the minute, the moon made her way into the next lunar cycle and what a cycle it is.


Two sides of Gemini
Gemini time is filled with the duality and air based leanings that the sign possesses, but more importantly it is ruled by the planet Mercury, which is a master that is unparalleled.  Mercury, who we know of because of its retrogrades and it's namesakes, is often misconstrued, to say the least.  A planet that is the heart of all types of communication, Mercury is also the epicenter of trickery and mischievousness, which leads to much frustration at times.  Being born a Virgo and having Mercury as my ruling planet also I have had to make amends with Mercury and try to see things from his point of view, if at all possible.  So we can harness mercurial energy it just forces us to find, hold to, and be about our Personal Center.

The act of being still
For me this cycle is going to be quite a departure for me cause the only action I will be using is to recognize and then accept.  Seemingly easy, well NOT.  My personality always pushes for more movement and progression and now in order to progress I must be on a more still-based track.  I am excited and a bit anxious at the same time, but I have ultimate faith -which by my definition is an verb, not a noun.

Tools for crafting
Below is a set of perspectives to help you craft your personal works during this Gemini Lunar Cycle.  Be bold with yourself, strive for that one thing you thought impossible for now is the time to pull out that second part of yourself you rarely see.  Now is the time of Gemini so all the ethers are with us.

Work in Gemini

New Ventures

Mental Wellness

Smooth Transitions

Herb/Flower Essences for Gemini Lunar Cycle

Valerian

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Azalea (Air Element) - Clarity

Clary Sage (Earth Element) - Retention

Valerian ( Earth Element) - Overcome Opposition

Gemini Lunar Cycle Concept - Balance through Harmony

Define Balance

True Knowledge of my Duality

No Good or Bad

Gemini Cycle Affirmation

I am committed to the work this cycle that will reveal

to me all of who I am at this current time,

I will recognize myself and accept all that I am 

without conditionals or hesitations,

This acceptance will allow me to manifest miracles

in my life like never before and I am truly ready

--Andrea/DaughterofWaters

Team Clutter Free

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It's all about the end
With about one week to go, we are on the down side of this Taurus Lunar Cycle.  This cycle rather than focus upon the intentions (at the new moon) or the midpoint (at the full moon), I thought it would be a novelty to fix my attention on the ending or the Waning portion of the Lunar Cycle.

Time to get rid of the weeds
This Waning time during a lunar cycle is just as powerful as the rest of the cycle, but it is often over looked or deemed unimportant.  For all of my gardeners and garden enthusiasts Waning moon time is like WEEDING.   That's right, take it all out.  Just when you thought you had done enough work this cycle or completed all those checks/balances, there is one more task.  And this task could be the real apex of the cycle for you.

Surprise, it's layered
Benevolently in the sign Pisces, this Waning moon time is underscored by the power of Neptune, the planet that rules Pisces.  Neptune in a word is deeply layered but also a bearer of surprises. So, just expect anything in this last week of this cycle.

I am ready, willing, and open
As a gift to me and a friend I will be gracefully walking a path over the next 40 days that will have me letting go of many things that are unwanted.  I am glad it starts now during the Waning time 'cause letting go will be easier.  I know I can, I think I can, I will, I did, this will be my thought process as I discard unwanted everything.

All must go if not useful
As a task for us all I ask us (me especially) to LET GO! Not just of thoughts and ideas, but even physical objects.  I recently read that clutter is based on fear and I metaphorically took a long look in the mirror and I realized there were spiritual as well as physical objects I was holding on to that needed to be let go.  I suggest you all do the same.  As the moon contracts and preps for the next cycle use that energy to jump start your personal inventory of what's either necessary or not needed.  Spring is dwindling but still here so use this time of summer drawing near to put to rest that which is no longer for you.

Where to start discarding
Below are concepts and questions to sit with as you begin your crusade to end clutter (of all kinds) in your life.  These domains are but a guide, all thoughts surrounding waning time are the right thoughts, just listen for the path you should take.  I have already started and it feels great, hope it makes the difference for you as well.

Waning Time Concepts

Peaceful Space

Do I possess a peaceful sacred space?

Have I cleaned/cleansed that space recently?

Do I regularly find time to go to this space? 

Beginning a Transformation

Am I ready to transform?

Do I know what the obstacles may be?

Am I grateful for the ability to transform?

My Ritual Process

Have I developed my personal rituals?

Do I consistently practice my rituals?

Am I allowing anything to obstruct my rituals?

--Andrea/DaughterofWaters

The death makes one stronger

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If today has been twitchy, frenetic, and full of energy, it's not just your mind, there is a reason.  Today is one of those rarer than rare days when we have not only a Full Moon (in Scorpio), but right after that a Lunar Eclipse, so big waves of motion, life, and movement is probably afoot.

From the moment I awoke this morning til right now I have been over excited, moving at the speed of light (both inside and out), and just basically stoked.  Full Moon time is always a time to innervate - to supply with nerves is the definition of that word, how appropriate-and it has set up as such a natural midpoint in our lunar cycle.  So check in on those intentions set forth just two weeks ago or so.  Be bold and give yourself a grade on how you've done. 

This particular Scorpio Full Moon very well may bring to mind thoughts of self journeying, sexuality or even creativity, but as always we do ourselves so much better to understand that behind the Scorpion is the planetary ruler, Pluto.  Not necessarily one to play with.  Pluto at times seemingly harsh or acute with change does have an overall goal, our eventual evolution.  A pop culture icon of Pluto's gift is "Dr Who" - the hit Sci Fi show from the UK.  Regeneration is heard over and over again throughout the series when the face of the lead character changes, but what exactly can that mean for us here and now. 

I propose we see Pluto as the bearer of not just the normal life-death-rebirth cycle, but rather the higher vibrated life-death-stronger life concept.  So, as hard as things may feel right now, all the work we are doing is setting us up for boons beyond our imagination.  All of this sounds all wonderful, now comes the work.  And that work starts with just a thought, an idea, a first step, a determination.  I am not saying you have to figure it all out right now, but you may want to grab hold of this Plutoian dust to stabilize for what is to come.  I believe knowing I can make it through an obstacle motivates me just as much as getting over that obstacle.

Full Moon Work 

Attraction & Passion 

Objects, Realities, Persons

Prosperity

Financial, Opportunities, Creative

Inner Awakenings

Spiritual, Artistic, Ancestral

Candle Power

At the Full Moon there is an awesome amount of power available and a way to cement that power and your works is by burning candles.  Below is information on the color Red that is associated with the Pluto.  Find Red candles that are safe and burn them as long and as much as you like.  Fire is a tool of creation that can ignite you towards your goals this Full Moon.

Red

 credit: 123rf.com

Energy

Power

Protection

Defense

Lunar Eclipse

An eclipse means that the three celestial bodies known as the Sun, the Earth, and the Moon are all in perfect alignment, which is a pretty rare event.   In a Lunar eclipse the Earth finds it's self between the Sun and a Full Moon.  During a Lunar eclipse work done is on our inner lives meaning it's all internal work. Below are questions that may add value to any work we do near or on (doing it as close to the time is a powerful step) this Lunar Eclipse.

What root causes have been stopping me?
 

Does anything in my past or ancestral past have a hold on me?

Do I have a good relationship with Karma?

What life patterns am I looking to hit the reset button on?

 --Andrea/DaughterofWaters

Oh my, my....war is an art?

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Yes the symbol sitting here next to this text may be familiar to some and a complete blur to others.  This symbol in yoga is known as the warrior, thought it would be an appropriate image to go with our focus during this Aries Lunar Cycle; embracing our own warrior who will art of war our way through this cycle.

Aries, the first sign in the Zodiac pantheon, represents the infant that assertively demands and receives all that it needs and a lot of what it wants.  Become that youngling that boldly steps into the role of pioneer, charting your destiny like the adventurous souls of the Old West.  Now there may be those of us who either think they are or are not in touch with their inner warrior.  To all of us I say let's really restructure how, when, where, and why our warrior even emerges.  Perhaps we pop off at things that are unimportant and then slump down into quiet nothingness when we should be upholding some worthwhile.  The basic point of all this is truly CHECK your warrior energy, is it being utilized in the most effective ways that will edify your life path---pointblank!  Doing this for most of us (me included) will be a big step into that UNKNOWN we all know and love.  And? If we have come this far we might as well keep on stepping forward.

Okay, I was talking BIG JUNK, but the only way we contort, morph, and evolve is when we force ourselves to do it.  Rarely does metamorphosis occur without change.  And given that the planet Mars is the ruler of Aries time, we will have at our disposal some pretty large energy bursts.  No wonder Spring is full of new everything.

I am tasking myself with doing exactly what I am to do for me---NO EXCUSES.  I am the mistress of making miracles come just at the last minute, but hey, what if I am not at my wits end when a breakthrough comes? Yeah, that's a thought.  I am here to art of war myself into being my biggest worker bee.  As productive as I am for everything else in my life, I am purposely taking all that mojo and applying it to myself.  Doin' it, doin' it, and doin' it well -- for me (for my 90's song junkies, LOL).

Work in Aries

 

Being a Pioneer

 

Warrior Energy Emergence

 

Stepping into the Unknown

 

 

Aries Cycle Flower/Herb Essences

 

Basil (fire element) Peace

 

Ginger (fire element) Love

Rue (fire element) Consecration

 

 

Aries Cycle Concept - Moonlight

Below are just a few questions to scratch the surface of what we think is the power of the Moonlight

 

What does moonlight mean to you?

 

What beautiful and magical things may have happened to you during moonlight?

 

How can we as people benefit from the gifts of the moonlight?

 

Even now when the moon is dark, can I find the power of her light? 

 

 

Aries Cycle Affirmation

I am open to the blessings the Moon has for me this cycle, 

 

I accept the untapped sparks that will catapult me on this path,

 

I am grateful for the love, lessons, and light I will receive,

 

Knowing this I courageously and bravely say YES!

 

 

--Andrea/DaughterofWaters

Do it now, don't delay, it's the way

A few days in, but not that it really looks like or feels like Spring, but she is here, with us, blessing us each morning we rise and breathe.  As a child I always adored spring because of the colors and smells that it brings.  But, as an adult, the thought of reset, waking after the slumber of winter, and fresh dewy mornings are why I simply need Spring in my life.

With Spring bring balance back to our lives.  For some of us that may be saying no to requests.  For others of us that might be adjusting our daily lives for more self care time.  And still some of us may need to put in more face time with our loved ones.  Whatever it is that brings balance, love, and compassion to our lives, NOW IS THE TIME.  Don't put these things off any longer.  Use the natural high available from the budding leaves, flowering blossoms, and early rising Sun.  If you want to start a habit or re-pattern a part of your life, do it today, without delay.  This power will only be here for a while and then we will move more towards the pulsing, pushing, shining energy of summertime.

My walk this Spring will be rooted in balancing what I have with what I am given.  Also knowing that adjustments will come, they always do and the more I accept and see them unfold the better, cause ya know what, the waiting and stressing does not look good on me.  Also this Spring I am embracing gentleness and realizing that my fears are here to teach me to be a better me and make changes that might otherwise remain on my path.  So, positively I go, bopping my way into all of this.  I might as well, at least it's a fun way to do it, right?

Lastly, I can not stress enough, go outside! If you are not the wanna be part-time naturalist (sort of) that I aspire to be, just sit on a bench, buy fresh cut flowers, go pick fruit or veggies, any random act of being outdoors will heal you, nature, and those around you in amazing ways.  Trust me, you will see.

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Spring Concepts

Gentleness

Check in on your life

Challenge your personal norms

Diet-Health relationship 

credit: 1ms.net

 

   --Andrea/DaughterofWaters

A river running through us?

What has slithered in
Yes, there is a winding, curving, moving entity coming our way.  This being is not the traditional body of water you are probably thinking of.  The lasting loops coming our way is that of the Water Snake year as it will be delivered to us all on Sunday, February 10, 2013.  The sixth in the sign of the Chinese Zodiac, many great things are burgeoning.

The Serpent's blessings
The Snake (in the element of Water this time) will be a good time to get our finances in order, begin to really research endeavors that interest us and lastly make sure we find a safe space from which we can turn our greatest wishes into beaming realities.  Intuition, transmutation, and protection are forces that we will be able to capture this year.

The Age Aquarian
Because all of this happens when the Moon is in the sign of Aquarius, we must always remember our inner humanitarian, who will be our moral compass, our guiding light, our best friend to the end.  Often associated with New Age endeavors, commit this Lunar New Year to usher in your own personal Age that is New.  New in the sense that we can be brand new.  We can reach for our greatest selves and re-imagine, rejuvenate, and re-make the person we are.  We've got the next 13 moons to do it.

The entire cycle is for me
My purpose this Lunar New Year drives me towards a wholistic approach to transmutation.  Although I've attained it before I have struggled to maintain that deep understanding of life-death-rebirth.  Sometimes I just hold to the death and elongate the rebirth.  No more, I do have the power to change this reality and I am choosing just that.  For me the Water Snake will nourish me and strengthen me see the necessary steps on the trinity of creation, that being life-death-rebirth.

Things to mark this Snake
See the elements that could be a part of your intention setting, your ritualizing, your cementing the power of this beautiful Lunar New year.

Lunar Year Totem - Snake

Think, Act, and Desire to Transmute

Know I possess Fire Energy

Amalgamate the Female and Male

All life's poisons can be altered

Lunar New Year Colors

Red - Determination, Energy, Passion

Yellow - Mental Agility, Manifesting Change

Lunar New Year Elements

 

Use these tools as often as you like or need: daily, weekly, monthly or quarterly.  Set the space, make the time, do the works.

• Journal
• Sacred Space (altar, ritual space)
• Stones or Rocks 
• Water or water related objects (shells, sand)
• Sage or Rosemary smugdes or dried herbs to burn (clears the energy of spaces)
• Written Intentions for the year as a visual, living, reminder
• Candles colored to match your intentions
• Spiritual tools or books that are helpful

--Andrea/DaughterofWaters

Blessings betwix the Winter and Spring

Celebrated on February 2nd of each year, Imbolc is a celebration to many, spiritual and cultural, as the mid point that is between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.  It is thought to be a dawning of the Sun, a source of power and light that is desperately needed on the planet not just for warmth or growth, but also for illumination of all kinds.

As one who is paying more attention these days to nature, my health, the world and many customs I find it interesting to take the time to see my actual progress on a day like Imbolc. When paying homage to this often grey time of year, I suggest we find the beauty in it's existence for if there was no mid point there could be no Spring. 

To make this time more focused I propose we select a focus for today; Creation and Creativity.  Both really simple concepts right? Well, as always, the most basic things are really quite layered when we really dig deeper.  Listed below are questions I am venturing to ask myself today and I am committed to giving myself honest answers back, not what I think should be the answer, but what really IS the answer. Feel free to ask yourself these as well or make up your own questions surrounding creativity, mid point, or illumination.

Creation and Creativity Questions

1. Am I insulating my creativity and using it conservatively?
2. Do I properly use breath control in my creation process?
3. As I create have I realized that I have my own personal song and it will constantly change?
4. Have I realized that I can spark my own self resurrection if I am willing to go deep within to find it?
5. Will I show who I am and not breach the creativity I have for fear of losing parts of it or myself

Some of the above are a tall order, but guess what? We are worth it.  So here we go...towards the most creative and progressive strides we have ever known.  This time of the year in particular when we want to hibernate I say to you, me and anyone who will listen, see the coming Sun, know Spring is just a few weeks away, push our way into the best parts of ourselves.  Now these days ahead will not necessarily be easy, but they will be and as such we must be there as well, might as well make our there the Greatest we have to give.

Here are some Imbolc symbolism to notice, use, or let serve as a benchmark.  Use them, think about them and make them a part of your creative process.  

Imbolc Scents

Jasmine

Neroli

Imbolc Elements

Candles

Sacred Water

Hearth Fires

Yellow/White Flowers

Spiced Herbal Teas