Beginning with Black

She shines on Saturday Welcome to your next chance to keep your growth going! On Saturday Aug. 23rd at approx. 2:06am EST we enter our newest lunar cycle (new moon time) and it is in the zodiac sign of Virgo.  New moon time is a starting point to see yourself with clear vision, listen for purpose and then set intentions that can be focused on for the entire lunar cycle (around 28.5 days).

The Blackness of the Moon

This particular time of the year is always full of activity with schools beginning/returning, the change of seasons nipping at our heels and not to mention Mercury has just returned from retrograde again. So set yourself up for success by thinking of how to utilize the power a Virgo lunar cycle brings. And speaking of power, let me interject here that this particular new moon, the third of four in a single astronomical season, is called a Black Moon. And for those old school hip hop heads out there, not the group from Brooklyn, but rather the darkness, stillness, or silence that this special time lends. Black Moons are a rare lunar event happening only once every 32 or 33 months. So see this new moon more full with power than any other this lunar new year. And keep in mind that darkness, silence, and the voids are where we find our greatest transformation. So even if we are on “empty”, and frankly given the world today that may be many of us, we can still benefit from the alchemical powers of change this new moon. Eeesh! No big deal at all - we got this! Now, back to Virgo.

Know the sign/s

Virgo, the actual midpoint in the zodiac cosmology, is often represented as a young maiden. I suggest we remake Virgo to be that strong, independent, teenage self that most of us still carry around with us and that hard working, detail oriented, “gonna push through” spirit that is associated with this sign will help immensely. If you subscribe to nothing else this cycle be committed, patient and open to seeing what spirit has for you to learn and do. And Virgo is a very “get it done” sign.

Rituals created

For those out here who have never done new moon work it is not formulaic or set. Allow yourself to be guided in how and when to ritualize and mark this new moon. One thing to keep in mind, try to get your initial work in within the next couple of days. Then you have the rest of the lunar cycle to tweak, change and notice. A couple of ways to use the info below is to use post it notes to surround yourself with messages. Or you can keep a new moon journal where you can write and reflect about this cycle and the cycles to come. I offer the guidance tools below to you, me, and all of us  this new moon.

Work in Virgo Lunar Cycle

High Standards

Purpose's Precision

Building Foundations

Friendship

Virgo Lunar Cycle Concept - Reflection

credit: PeakPx.com

Take a true look at myself

Observe all I see without judgement

Commit, be disciplined, stay focused

Looking will take time

Virgo Lunar Cycle Herbs/Essences

credit: wabiasethetic.com

Anise - Air Element - Clairvoyance

Lavender - Air Element - Retention

Valerian - Earth Element - Balance

New Moon "Grounding" Oil Blend

credit:daxinglassbottles.com

Utilize the new moon to harness the power of aromatherapy. Creating an oil blend that is used during the cycle will give you a way to reconnect and remember. A small and quick gesture can last a long time. Find a small glass bottle to store in a cool and dry place in your home. Use a base oil (grapeseed, sunflower, safflower). Use as often as needed and feel free to refill if you must. 

5 parts Patchouli (Grounding - Earth Element)

3 parts Orange (Happiness - Fire Element)

3 parts Lavender (Centering - Air Element)

New Moon's Magic

These are short and quick ideas to keep in mind when doing the work to set for this lunar cycle and beyond. On those days this cycle when everything is falling apart, take time to come back to this post and see these few words. Magic is in the power we allow to inhabit us for it is and always was inside of us.

Be Committed, Patient, and Open

I am creating a Roadmap for my Life's Success

I Transform by Accepting

--Andrea

The rise from the SHINE

And...we're back

Time is shifting quickly and we are about to enter into another lunar cycle. Those 28 and a half days have almost passed and we find ourselves near the new moon, once again.  The new moon comes into our lives on July 22 at approx. 2:19pm EST so get your house in order. Use these next few days to collect your thoughts around what will be your focus and to also allow spirit to give you the necessary messages to move forward and enter this Leo Season. When the moon is dark or new it's the best time during the lunar cycle to begin to set intentions and build towards our own successes.

The lion defined

This cycle, the Leo lunar cycle, represents recognition of all kinds, our public self (known or branded), and the use of control in our lives.  Leo is definitely a time of showmanship, display and beauty, but there are other things that Leo time brings to us. If you are looking for recognition or public accolades, well this is a time for it. And if you have a social cause that you wish to bring more attention to now would be an excellent time to begin that campaign.  And lest we forget that Leo time is perfect for performance as well.  No matter how important all of these are, the bigger impact of this lunar cycle is that Leo is ruled by the Sun and that's no small act to follow so over these next 28.5 days really stretch what you think of Leo and it's ruling planet, the Sun.

Gifts of the Sun

The Sun, although usually associated with illumination, also makes way for healing, protection of the self, the use of divination in our lives, and that wonderful gift: renewal.  So, I hope these concepts have sparked you to really give it your ALL this lunar cycle. The Sun, a celestial body quite like the moon (the ruler of our ending Cancer cycle), holds so much energy and power that just knowing a small bit about it will catapult your endeavors this lunar cycle.  Illumination of all kinds is the greatest gift the Sun bestows upon us all.  And beware what you ask for because sometimes light shedding can be a double edged sword if we are not really ready for the truth. The Sun also amplifies our courage and confidence levels, so let's take that risk this cycle, what have we got to lose.

Focus in order to soar

What's it going to be? Below are the areas that can sky rocket during new moon time, I suggest you start (if you haven't already) making those efforts on your behalf and for your behalf.  The only thing we have is ourselves and for this kind of work, that's all we need.

Work in The Sun

Illuminate the Darkened

Belly Chakra Work

Finding Courage

Renewal

Leo Lunar Cycle Concept - Certainty

Know I am transformed

Let my past stay behind

I am grateful for my progress

The world is at my feet

Leo Lunar Cycle Herbs/Flower Essences

Acacia - Meditation

Orange -  Love

Tuberose - Centering

Leo Lunar Cycle Affirmation

I ask the Sun to help me recognize all the things 

I no longer need,

Give me the courage to actively purge & release 

all I have moved beyond,

All of this I do with great joy for love, compassion, 

& happiness are my destiny 

--Andrea

 

Riding the waves

At a beginning

At approximately 6:32 am on Wednesday June 25th a new lunar cycle began. If the last few days have felt like there has been a shift there has been. These first days to a week of each lunar cycle are precious in that it affords us the opportunity to regroup, reset, and redirect what we want from this particular lunar cycle. Basically every 28.5 days we get a do over, if you will.

Not too crabby

This lunar cycle is in the sign Cancer, often represented by the crab. This Cancer cycle may feel like a rollercoaster, full of ups and downs. Or, it may feel like a soft, nurturing space, full of comfort and confidence. It truly will be about us staking claim to where we want to enter and exist during this time.  With all of the challenges we see in our world this cycle can represent a moment where we take back our peace, our sanity, our humanity for the ruler of Cancer is the Moon. What is most interesting is that this symbol (crab) is just the tip of the iceberg of what comes from the sea. You see the sign Cancer is ruled by the Moon, a celestial body with many gifts, hidden and unhidden.

A Mother's love

The Moon is the cosmic mother that provides much nurturing, much love, and many lessons. I'd like us all to reflect on our own mothers or mother figures and remember when we felt the most loved by her. Now transport ourselves to that time and see if we can identify the emotion that goes along with that. A task for some of us, but surely there is either joy, fear, pride, resolve, or even indifference, as emotional responses. The power of the Moon is that it propels us into emotional spaces that allow for growth, revelation, and breakthroughs. Boldly walk into this tidal wave of emotions and know we will surf through it to the top of all the peaks.

Tell your Story

Allow yourself to be guided in how and when to ritualize and mark this new moon. One thing to keep in mind, try to get your initial work in within the next couple of days. Then you have the rest of the lunar cycle to tweak, change and notice. A couple of ways to use the info below is to use post it notes to surround yourself with messages. Or you can keep a new moon journal where you can write and reflect about this cycle and the cycles to come. This cycle I offer the tools below to assist us as we navigate the highs and lows. Other tools that can also assist are altars, deities that can guide you, and pictures of people or places that generate power for you. If you do only one thing this cycle, be sure to write, write, and then write some more. We are the greatest storytellers of our lives and the only way we will remember it is if it's written down. Be it a journal, post-it notes, or recording into a device. Commit in a consistent way to track your story this lunar cycle.

Work in Cancer Lunar Cycle

Long Term Goals

Supportive Love Interest

Welfare of Children

Ordering Life

Cancer Lunar Cycle Concept - Ride The Wave

Highs and Lows are both necessary

Adversity is not negative

The Higher I am the Higher I can go

Pitstops are essential

Cancer Lunar Cycle Herbs/Essences

Coconut - Water Element = Love

Lotus - Water Element = Higher Awareness

Water Lily - Water Element = Renewal

Cancer Lunar Cycle Affirmation

Great Mother of the Moon place on my path this cycle

experiences that will reveal my true position to me,

Also quiet my spirit so that I may truly find my place and 

seek out the space I will inhabit next,

All the while practicing equanimity as I travel this path

--Andrea

Grab the gift of Grace!

Summer kissed

This morning I wake with joy in my heart because Father Summer has made his entrance in the Northern Hemisphere. It's official, the Sun has returned once again. The solstice began Friday June 20th at approximately 10:42pm EST in the Northern Hemisphere.  It is the official start of the summer, but it is more than a mere seasonal shift. And yes, the days may be hotter and we will perspire, but the trade off of sun, warmth, and blue skies is all worth the bit of sweat that may come my way.  Most importantly, we have entered yet another season during this year and that means another opportunity to set longer, more structured spiritual goals for ourselves.

Let light lead

The Summer Solstice represents the time of year when all things are growing, blooming, and stretching out in their  own way. With the extra light we will have access to stretch and grow ourselves. I believe summer comes to illuminate (with all of that extra light) the unseen, help us focus on the harder aspects of ourselves, and celebrate the milestones we have reached unknowingly. The fires of summer awaits us all.

Grace is giving

With all of this added humph I suggest we harness that sun-kissed energy and boldly burst through our own barriers by accepting the grace that awaits. And grace is not just going easy on ourselves or others, but true grace which forces us all to dig deep to see what we are denying or refusing to accept from the spirit world, be it a new attitude, new look, opportunity or way of seeing ourselves. But yes grace does require courage for once we truly accept it, we will be forever changed and that is the beauty of grace. With grace we become something totally new and different. This task during summer will be easier for some than others, but it's not a competition, it's a chance for true change. Take the time, find your GRACE!

Jump from here

Below are a few tools that can help in accessing and processing your Grace this summer.  Take this totem, this concept and this affirmation and use them as a jumping off point for your works.  Oftentimes we wonder how we start, here is a starting point.  Take time over the next few days to meditate, write, dream and ponder. As always answers are there, we just have to recognize them.

Summer Animal Totem - Swan

Concept - Grace

credit: nativeamericantotems.com

Surrender my being to the Power of Spirit

Relationship between Grace & Illusion

Accept the Future

The State of Grace

Summer Concept - Healing and Transformation

Trust Spirit’s Protection

Lean into my Faith & Acceptance

Acceptance of Healing is a Verb

I will be Changed

Summer Mantra

I stand ready to accept the transformative healing that awaits me this season.

Bless me and my path as I walk further, closer to my truest self.

--Andrea