Elementary My Dear

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And so we move
Although a bountiful moon captivates us in the sky, with a closer look at the moon you will realize that she is slowly but surely waning. We have presently made it to the waning moon time. And although there is much written and ritualized around the dark/full moons waning moon time does not have a much fanfare. So let's explore it together.

Why we wane
The full moon was about increased energy for intention achievement. Waning moon time is about moving even further in our intention which is centered on discarding and space making. Discarding isn't simply just throwing all things out, but more about figuring out what worked, what didn't work, and then permanently removing things from our lives we no longer need. Once all of these tasks have been done only then can we truly make space for all the goodness, gifts, and understandings that come along with any set intention.  This stage of the moon is the most important (as far as I am concerned) and I believe its the most forgotten. This waning time let's put that last piece of our puzzle together and see our intention set out during the new moon come to fruition.

Just let it go
My personal dictate is about daily recognizing the power I have access to when I discard and space

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make in my life. Letting go is not easy for any of us including me, but what I know is that the more I embrace my power to release the more I receive and evolve. And you know what? Now I don't even worry about letting go I simply remember passed releases and see how that one action catapulted me onto the next. Sure I have trepidation, but I do it anyway.

Relax and release
As we settle more into this waning moon we must be reflective in order to release. Haste and pressure are not concepts that will assist. What will help is to draw on the strength, wisdom, and divinity of nature through the elements. Below is more information on elemental powers and how you can utilize them to create your release.

Waning Moon Concept - The Five Elements

Air - East Direction = Mental Clarity

Fire - South Direction = Passion

Water - West Direction = Change

Earth - North Direction = Wisdom

Spirit - Within Yourself  = Inner Self

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Symbols of The Elements

Air - Incense, Feather

Fire - Candles, Matches

Water - Water, Seashells

Earth - Stones, Flowers

Spirit - Paper, Journal

Elemental Meditation

Find time this waning moon to be still, build a sacred space, have near you things that represent the five elements and explore any, some, or all of the thoughts below.  The elements are here for all of us!

What is my element?

Find a one word a day to describe each element

How can I connect to the elements?

How do the elements increase my self-awareness

--Andrea

Monkeying Around

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We begin, again
Yesterday morning or even the days leading up to yesterday should have had some spark, a bit of edge to it, and maybe even some damage control needed. All of this could be because as of 9:38am yesterday morning we have stepped across the threshold and entered into a new lunar year.  That's right before us is another 13 new moons to bless, teach, care for, and challenge us.  So whatever was not done yesterday or last week, move on. The next thing is here and it's really what we do from this point on that truly matters.  This new lunar year (in the ninth sign of the Chinese Zodiac) is represented as the Year of the Red Fire Monkey. Think you know the traits of the monkey, think again.

What it will be
The monkey, usually represented as jovial, jestering, and joyous has so much more to offer us this lunar new year.  I believe the power for the Monkey lies in our ability to tap all of our senses through the lens of the monkey.  Yes, the five senses: hearing, sight, taste, touch, and smell all can be re-imagined thanks to the monkey.  When conflict arises, tap into the monkey to hear your way to a solution with out an altercation. Likewise when health (mental, physical, and spiritual) is questioned be sure to know and use the power of touch (whether that be you or someone else). To navigate the ups and downs of life see beyond what your eyes show you for the sight of the monkey.  And when there is a wiff of something off this year, trust that olfactory(related to smell) intuition and proceed accordingly. Lastly, the ability to taste the sweetness of life in every situation will bring much more joy into our lives daily.  Hopefully this is a recipe we can all use as a base to create a year full of beautiful experiences.

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The burning
The significance of the words Red and Fire mean that much of our focus will be on energy and our physical body.   There will be concepts of our innocence, com/passion, trust, and intensity. Learn to harness all of these together to build the best lunar year yet. Knowing is only half of the job, doing is the other (often missed) part that catapults our power.  With this Red Fire Monkey, know and do!

My monkey year
My year is going to be about tasting the magic that is here for me to live my greatest year. In living this it will also allow me to reach out and share that with others around me. I look to the monkey for courage, balance, and foresight. I accept all of the loveliness that awaits. I will swing through the branches of my life this year to the next level. I hope all of you will as well.

Make it your own
Below is more information on this Lunar New Year and a starting point on developing your own path for this year. Take a few moments over the next 7-14 days to really hear from within the messages that the Sheep has for you. Feel free to comment here or email if you want to share.

Lunar Year Totem - Monkey

Communication must be Clear & Concise

Retool for efficiency in each situation

This is my best health year yet

Creativity and Life Force is key

Balance will move me forward

Lunar New Year Elements

Please use these objects and let them guide you towards what is in store for you this lunar New Year. Other things may in fact appear for you and that is the point. Marking the Lunar New Year sets the bar for you and helps you take ownership of the power you have within. Happy New Year!!!

• Journal
• Sacred Space (altar, ritual space, a place in nature)
• Sage/Cedarwood smudges or dried herbs to burn
• Written intentions for the year
• Red candles (all shades)
• Spiritual tools or books that are guiding

--Andrea

 

Fire finding in fullness

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More is more
Alliteration aside.  There is much power upon us.  At approximately 10:24am this morning the moon went into fullness in Capricorn.  The really great news is that this full moon is considered a "Super Moon", meaning the moon is closer to us, appears to be larger and ultimately lays more lunar power at our feet.  Are you down to explore what more power can do? I am. We have hit that time of this Cancer lunar cycle known as Full Moon time and frankly it should be our peak.  Below are a set of questions to ask yourself during this time.  Just try them and be open to the answers. I am not suggesting you ask all of these at once, but at least take one or two to really think about over the next day or so.  

Full moon Questions

1. Am I creating the life I want?
2. Is my attraction of love, prosperity and long term goal achievement where it should be?
3. Which archetype am I aligning with and why?
4. Am I where I should be on my spirit path

Learn by teaching

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This particular full moon is in Capricorn, the sign known for cleansing, limiting and most importantly karmic work.  But, all of these things are overshadowed by the ruling planet, fair Saturn.  Saturn, the ultimate Life Coach/ Teacher, gives us lessons in two ways: the easy way or the hard way (usually we choose unconsciously).  Let's try focusing on either or all of the following: getting ourselves together, ancestral connections, or the gateway to life and death.  So, yeah these are not the easiest things to think about, but they are some of the best things to focus on when Saturn reigns supreme.

So very close to making it
To bring this all home, I had a very "come to Goddess" moment with myself this afternoon while meditating for this blog post.  My focus this Super Full Moon is to get over the last hump with regards to true self acceptance. And I am not just talking about surface self acceptance, but rather that deeper, pervasive acceptance that says no matter what "I am okay" just as I am. This has been a battle most of my life but I am SO CLOSE to winning and I want to exert the extra power of the full moon to create that reality for myself.  And you? Take the affirmation below as a starting point.  Make the most of this magical full moon time.

Full Moon Affirmation

I must know what motivates, inspires, and sparks my being,

I will use the full moon to question my passion, self, and drive

If I am not satisfied with where I am in life I must

use the fire inside me to cleanse, burn and re-emerge a new self

If I struggle I'll tap into my ancestors by seeing them through the flame of fire where the messages live for me

credit: fineartamerica.com

--Andrea