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

My Language of Dreams

credit: SolarFive.com

Crossing quarter
As the daylight grows each day we find ourselves closer and closer to the Summer Solstice. If there seems to be fanfare around the solstice, there is. This cross quarter day has meaning to so many cultures for so many different reasons. On this Summer Solstice I'd like us to focus our energy on the word illumination. To see the unseen, to view the hidden, and most of all to light the way.

Bursting boost
The solstice will begin Thursday June 21st at 6:07am EST in the Northern Hemisphere and it is the official start of the summer, but it is more than a mere seasonal shift. The summer, known as a time for growth, blossoms, and expansion is also a time to benefit from a boost of energy that is available to all of us. The longer daylight and usually warmer days feeds both us and the planet simultaneously. We each have a choice in what to do with summer's extra offerings as well as the trajectory of our current life paths. Begin now to prepare and be intentional and purposeful about this summer, perhaps as you have not in the past.

Receiving rays

credit:alaskastock/alamay.com

My walk this summer will involve standing in the sun and being seen. For most of my life I've
appreciated the stage from the wings but this summer I will, when requested, step onto the stage. I think most of my center stage apprehension has been around attention, responsibility, and the unknown. Those days are over. Bare with me as I teeter out of my proverbial shell, there may be a few hiccups. Not too worry, there will be no oversharing here.

Making more
Below are motifs and ways to mark as well and measure your progress during the summer. Often times we are not successful because we do not think we will be, so, set yourself up for all wins this coming season. And as always, use these tools as a guidepost to finding your own combination of things that help you navigate what you want and what you are willing to do to get it.

Summer Concept - 

The Language I Dream In

credit: kb4images.com

Learn Symbology of my Dreams

My Dreams are my Future

Allow my Dreams to Manifest in all forms

Dreams are a Tool for Change

Summer Foods

credit: stridekick.com


Light Grains (Quinoa, White Basmati Rice)

Neutral Fruits (Grapes, Melons, Limes)

Cool Proteins (Mung Beans, Tofu, Lean White Meat, Fish)

Summer Herbs/Essences

credit: youtube.com

Juniper - Fire Element - Centering

Orange - Fire Element - Beauty

Rosemary - Fire Element - Release

Summer Stones

credit: etsy.com


Opal (Connection to Goddess)

Citrine (Visualization)

Garnet (Inspiration)

Summer Mantra

credit: tumblr.com

Blessed spirits open me to the totality of my dreams,

There is great power and knowledge available if I believe,

And remain open to receive what dreamtime has for me.

--Andrea

Surf's Up!

credit: thecosmicpath.com

At a beginning
This morning marks the middle of the dawning of a new lunar cycle. In essence, we are reaching the zenith of new moon time. This time of each lunar cycle is precious in that is 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 to crabby
This lunar cycle is in the sign Cancer, often represented by the the crab. What is most interesting is that this symbol (crab) is just the tip of the iceberg of what comes from that 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, all emotional responses. The power of the Moon is that is 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.

The value of Nothing
My path this moon cycle is about laying low, remaining quiet, and allowing what is for me to be revealed. Sounds a little mystical, it is...and it isn't. I, just like all of us, work daily to be the best me I can be and my biggest growth comes from when I am still, I am listening, and I am introverted. I welcome this emotional deluge and I honor all that I come to understand. In fact my word for this cycle will be equanimity (no good nor bad just know that all IS).

Tell your Story
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 storyteller of our lives and the only way we will remember it is if it's written down. Be it 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

credit: alysiabranschroi.com

Long Term Goals

Supportive Love Interest

Welfare of Children

Ordering Life

Cancer Lunar Cycle Concept - Ride The Wave

credit. peek.com

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

credit: pinterest.com

Coconut - Water Element = Love

Lotus - Water Element = Higher Awareness

Water Lily - Water Element = Renewal

Cancer Lunar Cycle Affirmation

credit: pinterest.com

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

Excited to incite my WILD!!!!

credit: mrwallpaper.com

Summer kissed
This morning I wake with joy in my heart for Father Summer has made his entrance in the Northern Hemisphere. It's official, the Sun has returned once again. And yes, the days may be warmer 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 its own way.  With the extra light we will have access to, stretch and grow yourself.  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.

Running with the wild

credit: wallvan.com

With all of this added uumph I suggest we harness that sun kissed energy and boldly burst through our own barriers by accepting our WILD.  Wild in the sense of being closer to who we are within, wild in the sense of expanding our talents and interests further than before, and lastly wild in the sense of bringing to the surface that rarely seen or heard part of ourselves that also needs to see the light of the summer.  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 WILD!

Me, me, and oh me
Personally, there are things I have been saying I will focus on for months and well I just haven't made the time. For me, this Wild will be about being so evolutionary that the ONLY focus I will have this summer is on me. My health, my art, my spirit, my path, my love, my finances, my healing, and yes, my WILD.  Rarely in my life have I even thought of giving myself this much unabridged time, but this is what my spirits have said are necessary and who am I to disagree!

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

Summer Animal Totem - Snake

Concept - Healing through Wisdom

credit: pinterest

Eternity

Experience all without Resistance

Transitions are afoot

Wisdom, Understanding, Wholeness

Summer Concept - Capturing my Wild

credit: michelleshealthrevolutionblog

Know there is Wild in Me

Value Solitude

Know your Wild, Unprotected Spaces

Healing even through Fear

Summer Mantra

credit: healthandyoga

I am open to my wildness knowing, it leads straight to my healing

--Andrea

Do you know you?

credit: studio34yoga.com

Another new one
We've recently entered into the Gemini Lunar Cycle. I wonder if you can already feel it. There should be something bubbling or just starting to show its head. The new moon or dark moon as it is referred to, is the beginning of an entirely new lunar cycle. So our time has come to goal set and if not that at least lean in the direction of introspection. These days should be quieter and when in doubt listen to that small, barely audible inner voice that probably has wisdom for you.

Make nice with Mercury
This particular Gemini cycle is Mercury ruled, a planet we just met in that harrowing retrograde that is finally gone.  Have no fear our current dance with Mercury is all good, but just know that ways are being opened for us and our inner balance, growth, and learning can increase during the Gemini cycle.

Seeing both sides
And speaking of Gemini, yes I am sure we all know folks in our lives ruled by the twins, right? Well the gift that Gemini does bring to all (not just those born under that sign) is duality. We all have good and bad, light and shadow, positive and negative versions of ourselves.  During this time explore those within you and don't be quick to judge, just observe.  I believe that our inner duality when balanced produces our purest forms of genius, compassion, and divinity.  Unleash yourself unto yourself.

Knowing it
My own walk this cycle is knowing what I know. Not a maybe, not almost, but a serious, definitive, I do understand.  In fact I overstand.  Although there are things that I wear like a courage badge from Girl Scouts, I too have to remind myself, there are things that I do know and processing that knowing is a part of being obedient to spirit.  And self acknowledgement of knowing or even noticing what I know is such a big part of taking other steps forward.  So this cycle I take time to give a little nod to what they have given to me.

Your answers are there
See what Gemini has for you. Really seek that answer that is probably right in front of your face. Finding an intention to set is not arduous or stressful, it is what naturally comes to mind when you think of a goal.  Still yourself between now and the next few days, see what surfaces. You may be surprised.

Work in the Sign of Gemini

credit: keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk

Diversity & Change

New Ventures

Employment

Mental Health

Gemini Lunar Cycle Concept - Gaia/Earth

credit: mightykindness.org

Spiritual Understanding

Gently Share Wisdom

Love is Always the best Addition

All is as it should Be

Gemini Lunar Cycle Herbs/Essences

credit: pinterest.com

Clary Sage - Earth Element - Harmony & Balance

Marjoram - Air Element - Uplifting

Peppermint - Air Element - Release

Gemini Lunar Cycle Stone - Honey Calcite

credit: sacredmists.com

Amplifies Energy

Change a Scarcity Mentality

Physical Strengthening

Gemini Lunar Cycle Affirmation

Spirits, open me to the truths that lie within that I am to see, hear, and know,

Root me in my link to the source and that link will heal me, those around me, and this planet,

All of these are possible, but my spirit must be humble, my ears must listen, and my heart must be full of love and compassion

--Andrea