New Moon Rituals

A Portal of Change
Rituals are a way to mark turning points in your life. They can be used to symbolically welcome changes in your life. They can be simple candle rituals or elaborate ones. The most important thing is your full presence in the moment.

Magic is Simply Change
The New Moon is a magical time of beginnings, when you can recharge goals, or set new ones.

Rituals bring meaning to our lives by “charging” an intention with power. We’re always setting intentions, and this is a way to do it in a more conscious way. There is power in coming up with visions for your life, and keeping them in your sights as they come into being.

But even as you fully commit to those visions, stay flexible, since new doors may open that you didn’t expect. At the New Moon, goals and wishes take root, as you reach out for spiritual wisdom, draw on unseen allies and open the door to magical change.

You might get what you ask for, or something even better that you can’t imagine yet.

It’s important to come up with a ritual that has meaning for you, instead of trying to follow any set guidelines (unless you’re part of an established ritual group).

You’re the one that knows your personal story best, and what to lift out of that narrative, what will infuse your ritual with power. Here are some general guidelines to shape your rituals using the unique symbols and totems from your life.

Gathering your Sacred Supplies

Your altar is where you collect your sacred objects — pictures, found objects and the like. Using herbs with healing or symbolic properties adds to your ritual.

Stones and crystals are another powerful ally. Candles are magical, and in its form contains all four of the elements. A small journal on hand allows you to keep a record of your intentions.

Preparing for the Ritual
This is the most important part of ritual, since your commitment is the key. Take a ritual bath with sea salt to clear your field of any negative energies.

Sage is an herb used by the Native Americans to clear a space, and make it sacred for ritual. It’s available in most health food stores these days, and easiest to use in its wand form. Light the end and blow on it until there is a smoldering glow.

Use it around your own body, and in the space of your ritual. Clear your mind with meditation, using music or just quieting down in your cleared, sacred area.

Grounding
This is something that’s important anytime, for staying connected to earth energy. Signs that you’re not grounded are mania, nervousness, racing thoughts and the like. Too often we forget to feel the earth under our feet.

A straightforward grounding exercise is to visualize your roots going down into the Earth, through the layers, into the core, and then drawing that energy back up through your feet again.

It moves through each chakra, coming out the top and down around you. Try this or another variation of grounding before you set New Moon intentions.

Your New Moon Wishes
After you’ve cleared a sacred space and settled your energy, you’re ready to set your intentions. Make a list of what you’d like to draw into your life, and Dream Big!

The New Moon is a moment to conjure what seems out of reach, and creating the vision is the first step to making it a reality. But these are not just words on paper.

As you write them down as intentions, you are committing to doing your part to make them real. Some call it co-creating, since you’re opening to universal energies to set dreams in motion.

Dreams of the Soul
Your intentions come from the longings that keep coming up. In the days leading up to the new Moon, give some thought to those longings, and see what images, dreams and streams of thought come up.

Use symbolic associations to go along with your intentions. Weave in the element for the New Moon, and think about the astrological Houses and planets that are affected by it.

For an earth element new Moon, for example, you might plant seeds that represent your intention. Rituals are a way to work with universal energies, and draw attention to the particular life lessons, or arena (house, planet, etc) that it illuminates for you.

Symbolic Acts
Here’s where you get to be creative. If your intentions are to write a book, or broadcast your ideas out to the world, tie them to a helium balloon and send them off.

Write them on a stick and offer it to the fire. To open to love, put lavender and a rose quartz in a small pouch, along with the qualities you’re seeking. If you’re inspired, add a symbolic act to your intention-setting ritual.

Keep them Alive
A big part of success with new Moon intentions is what comes after. Find ways to keep them in the front of your awareness. Put them in a visible spot, or keep them in your wallet.

Make notes in your journal about your progress. At the Full Moon , find ways to take action on those intentions, and celebrate any signs of change.
 

Source

Molly Hall, Astrology Expert
Article published on & owned by About.com

New Moon Magic

New Moons are special, as a time to enfold into your real self, the timeless one.

If it’s true that we rest between lives, in our real home, the New Moon is a time to rest, before the next cycle of happenings.

Because of that, it’s one to get juiced up again, by merging with that renewing, spiritual source. And like other moments of soul searching, like the Sun’s “New Moon” at Winter Solstice, it’s a time to remember who you are, and get guidance on the road ahead.

Sun and Moon
When the Moon is new, the Luminaries — the Sun and Moon — are aligned in the same Zodiac sign. That makes it a charged time with concentrated energies of that sign.

A New Moon is a symbolic point of attention, and a symbolic portal for new beginnings.

New Moons are a great time to set intentions for things you’d like to create, develop, cultivate, make manifest. There are many ways to initiate this communion with the Universe from lighting a candle to elaborate rituals.

What matters is that you’re committing yourself to your vision, and open to receiving guidance, healing, support from Spirit.

Following the Moon
When you tune into the Moon’s phases, it’s reassuring to know that there are many chances during the year to tap into lunar energy. Like the tides, the Moon ebbs and flows, a rhythm that women understand intimately. New Moons are a blank page on which to speak your dreams out loud, and Full Moons are for taking action and celebrating the fruit of your efforts.

In the chaotic and temporal world, looking to something larger that is also part of yourself can fill you with awe and make you feel connected. For whatever path you’re on, opening to working with planetary energies links you to the power of the divine.

Getting Ready
It’s a good idea to spend some time reflecting in the days leading up to the new Moon. Knowing exactly what you want to draw into your life is not always easy. Part of preparing for the new Moon is making sure you are clear about your intentions. Sometimes it’s a quality you’d like to cultivate like forgiveness, courage — other times it’s a more specific request like a promotion at work or new place to live.

What is a New Moon Ritual?
This depends on your personal tastes, the pace of your life and the time you have to devote to it. Some simply light a candle, while others gather objects and pictures for their altar. Lately, I’ve been writing my intentions on a 7-day candle and leaving it in a prominent (and safe) place. With a candle, you can return to it and relight it while meditating on your intentions.

Ritual helps focus your entire being on the quest at hand. In the days leading up to the new Moon, you might gather pictures and totems that symbolize your goal. Creating a New Moon collage gives you a visual reminder of your dreams.

What does it mean in each different Zodiac Sign?:
Every new Moon is different, and this gives you the chance to claim the energies of each different sign. Even if you don’t have planets in the sign for a given month, it falls somewhere in your birth chart. We each have elements of the entire Zodiac in our make-up, with some more emphasized than others. Find out where the new Moon falls in your chart for clues as to what to “call in” that month.

How is it different from the Full Moon:
The new Moon has a more inward feel, has a void or empty quality, and therefore can be frightening to those not comfortable with uncertainty. Can you learn to trust the dark? It’s the moment when the old passes away and the new is not yet here. That’s why it’s a powerful time for sending out your prayer, wishes, desires to the Universe.
 

Source

Molly Hall, Astrology Expert
Article published and owned by About.com

I don’t want to burn you out on the new sections we started recently. Let’s say, “The Witch Said What” in particular. I don’t know what has been wrong with me this week. I have been feeling a little wicked, I think that is it, definitely. While I was waiting on the ladies to shoot me info, I was doing some surfing on my own. I ran across some material that would go great in previous mentioned section. So I thought I would give you a heads up, some of them are a little strange but cute. I hadn’t never seen them before and thought I would share just a few with you. There are not meant to offend anyone but they are different. I hope you enjoy them and some of them put a smile on your face. You do remember if you like some of these sayings you can take them to your site, right? Hint, hint, hint…..

 

Just remember I have had a very strange week and my mind is off wandering around on its own. When it comes back and I regain my senses, I might pull everyone of these but for now, let’s have a little fun!

 

Astronomy Picture of the Day

Discover the cosmos! Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

2016 May 6

NGC 7023: The Iris Nebula
Image Credit & Copyright: Federico Pelliccia

 

Explanation: These cosmic clouds have blossomed 1,300 light-years away, in the fertile starfields of the constellation Cepheus. Called the Iris Nebula, NGC 7023 is not the only nebula to evoke the imagery of flowers, though. Still, this deep telescopic image shows off the Iris Nebula’s range of colors and symmetries, embedded in surrounding fields of interstellar dust. Within the Iris itself, dusty nebular material surrounds a hot, young star. The dominant color of the brighter reflection nebula is blue, characteristic of dust grains reflecting starlight. Central filaments of the reflection nebula glow with a faint reddish photo luminesence as some dust grains effectively convert the star’s invisible ultraviolet radiation to visible red light. Infrared observations indicate that this nebula contains complex carbon molecules known as PAHs. The pretty blue petals of the Iris Nebula span about six light-years. The colorful field-of-view stretches almost five Full Moons across the sky.

 

 

 

 

 

Planet Tracker

Moon in Taurus

May 5, 2016 to May 7, 2016

It’s a steady and grounded Taurus Moon. Not a day for roller coasters, airborne, screaming with delight. Or is it? Indulge in the sheer pleasure of being here, adored by gravity, earth’s invisible embrace. Enjoy your weight. Roll in a newly mowed lawn. Celebrate your voice: shout, sing or whisper in somebody’s ear. Then drink a soothing tea for the thyroid and throat. You might be feeling a desire for more comfort and security now. Taurus says your prosperity takes organic gardening. Nothing greedy or toxic, just planning, patience, true nourishment, your bills paid in full, a surplus in your checking account and honoring the ways in which you’re already wealthy. If your neck or jaw is stiff, ask yourself, “What am I resisting?” This Moon makes it easy to feel stubborn. But in a changing world, such strength can sometimes defeat itself. Don’t try to move immovable objects.

 

Part of the Daily Insight Group

The Words of Confucius

You cannot open a book without learning something.

Your Daily Influences
May 6th, 2016

 

The King of Wands Reversed
Ruthless, the misuse of power, intolerance and predjudice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fehu
Fehu is the Rune of prosperity, good luck and unbridled creative energies. Being associated with Frey, this Rune is also a powerful omen of fertility. Fehu is one of the three Mother Stones and should never be taken lightly.

 

 

 

The Hand
The hand indicates you will need to extend effort to protect this aspect from outside influences. The devices attached indicate you will need tools to be successful in your protection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Daily Influences represent events and challenges the current day will present for you. They may represent opportunities you should be ready to seize. Or they may forewarn you of problems you may be able to avoid or lessen. Generally it is best to use them as tips to help you manage your day and nothing more.