Ever wonder how nature effects us?
Why do we feel certain feels from one day to the next?
Why do we feel more motivated certain days and more apt to chill out on others?
How are nature and the Feminine related?
The Round Glowing Rock in the Sky
The moon is an astrological body, not a star nor a planet. Therefore, it is different when it comes to how it relates to the earth and its affects on humans, especially women. The sun and the moon are the only two astrological bodies that have a direct electromagnetic effect on the earth. The moon and its gravitational pull controls the tides and it just so happens to have a cycle that is the same length as a woman’s menstrual cycle, therefore, lending the notion to be associated with the Feminine. If you look back to ancient cultures it is apparent, the association given between the Feminine and the moon.
Fast forward to now, 2020 and again the connection is becoming apparent. You can see it creeping up in places in the mainstream realms trying to make its way to where this ancient knowledge can be abundant and helpful once again.
The Ancient Wisdom of the Feminine Archetype
The feminine archetype takes on 3 different sub-types, the maiden, the mother and the crone. Each type relates to a different stage of a woman’s life cycle and this can also be seen connected to the different stages of the moon cycle as well as the different seasons of the year, again coming back to nature, hence the phrase ‘Mother Nature’. Since Mother Moon affects water, the power of the feminine is represented as the element of water. The fluidity of this element represents the way emotions flow through our being sometimes as a trickle and at other times as raging rapids.
The Maiden + New + Waxing Moon
The maiden, the new and waxing moon and the spring season are all about fresh, new growth in life! The maiden is a representation of youthfulness, beauty, fresh potential and new life. In the cycles of nature, the maiden is associated with dawn, sunrise and the spring season. The human qualities of innocence, youth, self-confidence, and independence and activities like exploration, creativity and self-expression are associated with this archetype. This sub-type is also depicted as the Goddesses Artemis (Greek), Diana (Roman), Persephone (Greek), Rhiannon (Celtic) and Freya (Nordic).
New Moon
When the sky is dark and the moon cannot be seen this is a natural time to rest, reflect and plan. This is the new moon. It is the time before birth, a time when the new ideas are beginning to form. This is a time to wash away the old of the last cycle and begin anew.
BATHS (aka time in water) are very powerful because as you submerge into the water it’s like a baptism into the new cycle, washing away the old and resetting for the new.
CLEANSING
Cleaning your home, taking out the trash, literally, cleaning your closets of clutter, doing laundry, wiping down counters and vacuuming are all energetically supported during this time. Another form of energetically clearing out your space is smudging or burning sage. Sage is scientifically proven to change the ionic composition of the air, literally, clearing it from stagnant or bad energy.
JOURNALING
Writing, either free writing which is a form of just letting whatever wants to come out onto the page and then see what turns up OR listing intentions or TO-Dos are all supported during this time. This is a great time to gather with other women and spend time discussing your intentions (like a new moon circle), it is also a good time to be alone and go over the intentions solo. Sometimes discussing your hopes and dreams with others is helpful in finding ways to go about achieving them and sometimes you want to be alone. Trust how you feel, each new moon can feel different.
RITUALS
There are many different and unique new moon rituals you can practice they can look different for everyone, the main energy of the new moon is rest, reflection, planning and going inward. You are getting ready to create something beautiful and using the available energies for that momentum at this time.
Waxing Moon
During this time you start to see the moon creep back into the sky, sliver by sliver. I love this time I call it the time of the thumbnail moon. It is a time of clarity, where we sort through the ideas and decide which ones are worth going after and which are to be pursued on a rainy day. It is a time of action.
CARDS
To gain more clarity I always pull some cards. Oracle or tarot which every calls you. There are other systems that you can use like coins, crystal throwing, etc. but it all leads to the same practice of using your intuition to guide you, so choose your practice at your leisure.
JOURNALING
Tarot journaling is my jam currently. It’s a mixing of free writing and asking questions and pulling cards. It’s an amazing way to get in touch with your inner guidance system aka intuition. You can also list ideas for the future. These ideas may involve other people. While trying to form an action plan to better carry out the ideas you already accumulated from the new moon or any new ones that have popped up, its ok to keep in mind they too can be added to your plan. Creating lists don’t only have to be about what you want they can be about what you have, filling out a list of gratitude when you feel called is always wise. Then you can go back and look at all that you already have and that momentum will only pull in more towards you.
The Mother + Full Moon
The mother, the full moon, midday and summer are all related for they are the most abundant parts of their cycles. The full moon shines giving the most light during the moon cycle, while the summer season is the most lush part of the year, bountiful fields, fragrant gardens, mountains majesty. The mother is associated with nurturing, responsibility, sensuality and the fullness of life. The Goddesses associated with the full moon are Demeter + Selene (Greek), Ceres (Roman) and Danu (Celtic).
Full Moon
The full moon is the most illuminant of all the phases. It is the phase where manifestation comes to fruition and letting go is encouraged. The way is lit and what was once dark is now seen. During this time gratitude for what you have and what you have newly acquired (like counting your blessings and chickens) is upon you. You will feel awake at this time, pulsing with lifeforce.
Renew
Under a full moon you can recharge..literally, recharge yourself (another great time for a bath or a dip) or a time to recharge your crystals if your into that sort of thing, even making things like moon water! (leaving water in a glass out under the full moon to absorb its energy) Just knowing that a new phase is upon us as we start the journey of looking at what we have and tossing what we may not need any longer.
Release
Look into what you’d like to release. Make a list of things you want to let go of. Rip the list up into individual slices and burn (safely) each strip letting go of whatever was on written. This is also a great time to release any earth offerings or (despachos) back to the wild, through any of the elements (earth-burying, water-submerging, fire-burning, air-releasing in the wind)
Celebrate
Gather, dance, sing, mix, mingle, dance + sing alone if you feel like it. Play music, cook, paint, do what makes your heart happy, something outward and expressive. Getting together to talk or to dance or to do the things you love is very full moon vibes, so get out there together!
The Crone + Waning Moon
The crone, the winter + autumn and sunset represent the darkness of the night sky as the moon begins to wane. The crone represents the woman after her childbearing years have faded, it is then that the woman steps into a power that provides for the greater good. The crone is the wise elder, highly regarded for her knowledge and wisdom that is based on experience and trials that cannot be gained without living. The crone is represented through the Goddesses of the underworld and death such as Hecate (Greek), Baba Yaga (Russian) and Morrigan (Celtic). The crone governs aging and endings, rebirth, past lives, prophecy, guidance and transformations.
Waning Moon
In the sky you will see the full moon begin to turn inward again, slowly taking back another part of her. After the full moon and thinking about what you are releasing and whom or what you are forgiving you will have to begin to do just that, forgiving and releasing don’t just happen because you burn a piece of paper or you say I forgive you. You need to reflect on your shadows and dive into the uncomfortable and the waning moon is the perfect time to do that type of work. The energy is supportive to hold space for your journey inward and of self-reflection.
CLEANSE + GROUND
Cleaning again? The more you cleanse your space the more your space will feel energetically tuned, also you just want a clean space, no? Sometimes during the waning moon it is harder to stay grounded because going inward can be tricky and uncomfortable. So, keeping things clutter-free is helpful, clear space clear mind. Keeping elemental reminders around is a great way to feel grounded within your space. Having an elemental reminder like a rock, crystal, seashell, pine cone, etc. is centering when placed around your home. Meditating or moving mediation is extremely helpful during this time.
SURRENDER + JOURNAL
Meditating like just mentioned is an amazing way to both ground and surrender. A big part of forgiveness and release is acceptance to what is otherwise known as surrendering. Write about it, what you are surrendering to. What are somethings that will help you stay in the darkness while you wade out the passing emotions? Writing, music, art making are all things that have proven to be super helpful. Remember we work on the things that are hard and shadowy so that we can reintegrate them back into our lives. This is so that we wont suffer from them after we have put a pin in the power they once held over us. You cannot do that UNLESS you walk through the darkness.
Then..
a new moon rises and another cycle starts again.
The beauty of a cycle is that it is continuous. You have more than enough time to work on things, try again, go back revisit and ceaselessly evolve.
May you continue to find your beauty and truth.
Xo N
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