If you follow along with astrology, even in a basic way, then you are bound to have come across Mercury Retrograde and all the hilarious memes that come along with it. There can be a fair bit of anxiety in the lead up to Mercury Retrograde and it's beauty is often overlooked and a lot of this is to do with that fact that this is a time for slowing down, letting go of our reliance on technology and for getting our affairs in order - in our fast paced, productive world, these are not always things that we want to do. Mercury Retrograde is when it appears that the planet Mercury is travelling backwards. Though this is simply an optical illusion and Mercury isn't in fact moving backwards, it has an energetic effect of reversing what this planet rules. Mercury rules communication, travel and technology and is often referred to as the trickster. During the few weeks when Mercury goes retrograde we can expect the flow of this planet in reverse - delays, confusion, misunderstandings and technology to more than likely let us down. Mercury retrograde began on Monday 17th Feb and will end on Tuesday 10th March. But it's not all bad, Mercury Retrograde can actually present us with an opportunity to slow down, resist the temptation to start anything new (projects started during a retrograde can be hard to get off the ground) and instead focus your energy on getting everything up to date. It's a great time to get on top of admin, catch up on your chores, re-organise your home or office and do some spring cleaning. Mercury Retrograde also teaches us the value in being present and mindful, as it's easy to get into misunderstandings with people at this time, take special care when communicating with others - speak clearly, truthfully and from the heart, say what you mean. This is a great time to check-in with your throat chakra, if you find it hard to say what you mean, it's likely to create confusion and havoc during this time so ask yourself why you find it hard to be clear and honest with your speech? Being honest, direct and clear is a great habit to get into whether Mercury is retrograde or not. Take a break from technologyIf technology is likely to be slow or simply not work over the next few weeks then why not embrace this and choose to spend time on other things. Get out in nature, read books or simply just sit and be. Living without technology can help us see how much we rely on it and are attached to it's presence and how when it's taken away, we have all this space and time that we didn't realise was there. So many people these days complain that they don't have time for reading, for meditating or doing things like yoga, yet we can easily be scrolling on our phone for 10-20 minutes, that's enough time to read a chapter or two, or do some yogic breathing and a couple of down dogs or sit and meditate. Try it out, everytime you turn to your phone out of habit, choose something else to do, keep a journal of your experiences. The Art of Slow LivingOne thing you often find during Mercury Retrogrades is that travel plans can be scuppered or delayed and that everything just takes that little bit longer. Again, this can be a wonderful prompt to fall in love with the art of slow living. In a world of internet streaming, amazon prime next day delivery and the instant gratification of social media, we have forgotten what it means to live slowly and patiently. These days people get irate if you don't reply to them straight away or if they have to wait more than 24 hours for something to arrive! The world is getting less and less tolerant and more and more anxious. So, again, we can embrace this energy and slow down. Ask yourself about the demands that others place upon you and your time and how you can create new boundaries moving forward. If you run your own business and have fallen into habits of responding to people's messages past 6pm at night can you create some new habits whereby you turn your phone off when you're home from work. Or better yet get a work phone if you don't have one already. Unless your job involves other people's lives being in danger then it's likely that things can wait till the morning, or the next day...the world will continue to turn. Your phone is meant to work for you, not the other way round. If you are delayed during travels, how could you utilise that time? Take a book with you when travelling so if you are delayed you can make the most of your time by reading, or if you love to draw, carry a small sketch book with you. Or strike up a conversation with someone you're travelling with, some of the most magical moments in life are the unplanned ones, the times when things didn't go according to plan, tap into your sense of adventure. Remember, Mercury is the trickster, left to our own devices sometimes we can become serious and bogged down in the day-to- day-grind, we need a little bit of mischief and mishap to help us remember not to takes things too seriously and to remind us that we're not in control and to surrender to the flow of life. In conclusion, instead of surviving Mercury Retrograde you can thrive by: - Slowing down - Be mindful - check everything 3 or 4 times - especially important emails, documents and contracts etc (if possible avoid signing contracts until Mercury goes direct) - Avoid starting anything new (again if possible) - Speak clearly and say what you mean - Don't rely on technology and enjoy taking a break from your phone and from social media - Expect delays, give yourself plenty of time for traveling places. - Get your affairs in order - Let go of the need/pressure to be constantly productive Honouring Mercury Retrograde as a time to recalibrate, slow down and be mindful can mean that you even end up looking forward to it. We mark it in our diary and are careful of what we plan during this time and schedule in plenty of down time and time at home to potter and get organised. It's a wonderful time to catch up on your journaling, or adding to your moodboards for the year. Dedicate this time for yourself, these last few weeks of winter before the busyness of Spring sets in.
Travel well dear ones, see you soon xx
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We are welcoming in our next full moon tomorrow and it's in the fiery and joyful sign of Leo. February's full moon is also referred to as the Snow Moon, the Hunger Moon or the Storm moon. With Imbolc last weekend we may be getting excited about Spring, but these moon names serve as another reminder that February can be a cold and harsh month and to make sure that we're still taking good care of ourselves and making lots of time for rest and nourishment. Having said that, full moon in Leo is all about letting your hair down and shaking off the heaviness of the last few months. Leo is a playful and joyful sign and when you mix this with the sun being in the expansive, curious and creative sign of Aquarius you can open yourself up to a feeling of lightness and new possibilities. If you've been adulting hard of late and feel like it's all work and no play then now is the time to inject some fun into your life. Can you down tools for a bit this weekend and let yourself enjoy the fruits of your labour? This full moon is a great opportunity to ask yourself if you're taking yourself too seriously? Have you been letting yourself get bogged down in the daily grind? And have you let winter get a hold of you? When was the last time you belly laughed? How could you bring elements of fun and play into your life as we begin our approach into Spring? Spring is associated with the archetype of the maiden and Leo is often associated with our inner child, spend some time connecting to your inner child and inner maiden. What does she want to do? create? experience? What would you do if no one was looking? Leo is a fire sign, ruled by the Sun and epitomises self confidence, self belief and joy. Aquarius season is all about taking the visions and goals we had during Capricorn season and manifesting them out into the world. It's about sharing our gifts with the people around us, being the light that we wish to see. When we start to think about birthing our ideas out into the world we can often be met with fears, limiting self beliefs and a million reasons why we shouldn't follow our dreams. The inner critic takes over and our beautiful ideas, dreams and wishes go into storage for another year. Sound familiar? Use this powerful Leo energy to give you the confidence to shine your beautiful light out into the world. Focus on Solar Plexus work during this full moon, it's in this chakra that we store our creative fire, our confidence and our self worth - it's often referred to as the seat of self. In Capricorn season, we asked you what your soul calling was, what you felt your soul purpose was. Aquarius seeks to achieve that soul purpose with the intention of benefiting the greater good. In your journal, ask yourself what is holding you back from setting things in motion? Is it fear? Is it a lack of confidence? Is it a worry about what other people think? Do you think you don't deserve it? Use the playful and childlike energy of Leo to ask yourself - "come on, what's the worse that can happen? - maybe you try and it doesn't work out...is that the end of the world?" Again, we can reflect on whether we're getting heavy minded and taking everything too seriously. Remember what it felt like in your maiden years (maybe you're still in them) there's a lightness towards everything, a playful curiosity to try things and go with the flow of life. What happened to that girl? Is she in there still? “There is freedom waiting for you, On the breezes of the sky, And you ask "What if I fall?" Oh but my darling, What if you fly?” - Erin Hanson Full Moon Gratitude PracticeFull moons are often referred to as a time to practice gratitude. In your journal dedicate a page to gratitude. Focus in particular on the people, places and experiences that are playful and fun. Who in your life makes you laugh? Encourages you to be silly and is like a breath of fresh air? What places bring out the inner child in you? What experiences connect you to your maiden? Thinking about the coming weeks, how could you make more time for these people and places? Look back at your moon journal and read over your intentions from the Aquarius New Moon, what are you grateful for from this moon cycle? Has anything shifted for you? What have you gained from the Aquarius influence? Divination on a full moon is always extra powerful and it provides another opportunity to check in with yourself and where you're at. Lay out your favourite oracle/tarot deck, light some candles, prepare a yummy drink (we recommend Magic Tarot Tea by Tarn and Moon) and give yourself a reading. Note down your reading in your journal and any feelings this may have triggered. Working with the shadowsShadow work at full moon time is really important. As well as focusing on the positive traits and inspirations of the signs we can also use the light and power of the full moon to shine awareness on the shadow traits of the signs and therefore our own shadows. The shadow side of Leo can be an imbalance of the ego, it can dominate and lead to an overinflated sense of self and can leave little room for thinking about others. On the flip side, we can have an ego imbalance the other way and always view ourselves as beneath everyone else, putting our own wishes and needs at the bottom of the list. This is interesting to look at in the context of Aquarius season as Aquarians are the humanitarian of the Zodiac and can often burn out from giving too much of themselves to large and vast projects and also become emotionally detached to the people closest to them as they focus on the big picture. Balance, as always, is key here and in particular looking at a balanced Solar Plexus Chakra. A key word for the Solar Plexus is HARMONY. A healthy Solar Plexus Chakra means we are in harmony with our self, others, and the world around us. We are not disempowered, we are not overpowering, we are EMPOWERED. In your journal, write down those two words, HARMONY & EMPOWERED. How do those words feel to you? Do you feel in harmony? If not, where is there disharmony? Do you feel empowered? If not, why? What do you need to feel empowered? Being empowered doesn't mean we hold power over others or external situations but that we have the power within us to stay true to our self, our values and our peace of mind regardless of what's going on around us. Ego tricks us into thinking that we need to dominate in order to be powerful, this is a patriarchal structure and one that the divine feminine seeks to destroy. Aquarius season is also about breaking down the structures that no longer serve the collective, reflect on these societal pressures to the feed the ego, to dominate, to seek out power, fame and glory and see if you can notice this at play in your own life. Do you often compare yourself to others? Are you competitive? Do you feel like the only way to feel good about yourself is to diminish others? This is all the shadow side of the ego. The best way to override this is to come back to LOVE. Leo rules the heart and is an incredibly loving and generous sign. Check in with your heart and notice if it feels closed or open? Be a cheerleader of others, be happy for their success and delight in their happiness. "I cheer for people. I was raised to believe there's enough sun for everyone." - Tory L Eletto BrigidWorking with the Goddess Brigid to stoke your inner fire and feel empowered is wonderful at this time of year as she is associated with Imbolc and the approach of Spring. Sophie Bashford offered a beautiful free meditation on the Goddess Brigid over on her facebook page, click here to view it. Permission to createAquarius and Leo are both incredibly creative signs. Leo helps infuse Aquarius with a more playful approach to creativity, as left to their own devices Aquarius won't be satisfied with just creating for fun but will need to turn it into a project of some kind. Why not give yourself permission at the weekend to play, create, sing, dance? Use that heightened energy of the full moon and channel it into some fun! Get your paints our, collage, draw, write poetry. Don't overthink it. Connect to the experience of joy and freedom that being creative evokes. “You're not required to save the world with your creativity. Your art not only doesn't have to be original, in other words, it also doesn't have to be important. For example, whenever anyone tells me that they want to write a book in order to help other people I always think 'Oh, please don't. Please don't try to help me.' I mean it's very kind of you to help people, but please don't make it your sole creative motive because we will feel the weight of your heavy intention, and it will put a strain upon our souls.” ― Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear Self CareLeo's are the queens of self care! They delight in taking care of themselves and also love spoiling others. If January has left you feeling like you've been run over then it might be time to take a step back from everything and give back to yourself. Here are a few Leo inspired recipes and rituals to get you back on track. DIY CHAMOMILE FACIALWinter can wreak havoc with our skin and as we struggle with energy levels and busy schedules our skincare routine can often become non existant. Post Christmas and new year can also leave us a bit broke so we are big fans of DIY facials when you can't book in for one. CHAMOMILE FACIAL STEAM Facial steaming is a wonderful treat for the skin and it's so simple to do. Add a handful of dried Chamomile flowers to a bowl and pour in some boiling water. Cover your head with a towel and lean over the bowl, being careful not to go too close to the steam. Take long, deep breaths with your eyes closed allowing the steam and the herbs to work their magic for about 5-10 minutes. Afterwards, whilst your skin is still damp, apply a creamy cleanser and massage in to your skin for a few minutes. Soak a bamboo facecloth (if you don't have one, we can't recommend them enough) in hot water (as hot as you can stand) place the cloth over your face and leave on for a moment before using the cloth to take off the cleanser. Spritz your face with Chamomile floral water and leave damp. DIY FACIAL OIL If you don't already have a facial oil, you can make your own. Facial oils are a wonderful way to hydrate your skin at a deeper level than a moisturiser can. Massaging your face with oil can also aid with circulation and lymphatic drainage. In an aromatherapy bottle with dropper (you can buy these from Neal's Yard Remedies) mix together equal parts Argan Oil and Rosehip Oil and add a sprinkling of your dried Chamomile flowers - these will continue to infuse in the oil over time. Mix well and then apply to your face massaging from the centre of the face outwards to work with lymphatic drainage points. Facial massage can be incredibly detoxing so be sure to drink lots of water afterwards. Dry Body BrushingLeo rules the heart and circulation so it's important on Moon in Leo days to take care of this area of the body. Dry body brushing is fantastic for lymphatic drainage and for helping with circulation. Start from the feet and work upwards towards the heart using upward brush strokes. Do the entire body and then afterwards apply this dreamy Leo inspired body oil:
SELF LOVE BODY OIL Choose a base oil such as sweet almond or coconut oil and add the following essential oils. This recipe is for 25ml of base oil and is not suitable in pregnancy or if you're heading out into the sun (not likely but we have to say this as Bergamot is phototoxic and can stain skin in the sun). 4 drops Mandarin 2 drops Lemon 2 drops Ylang Ylang 3 drops Bergamot We really hope you've enjoyed our blog and we wish you a blessed full moon in Leo dear ones. See you next time xx If we were to liken the wheel of the year to the phases of the moon, Imbolc would be that first sliver of light of the waxing moon. Winter time as we have been speaking about in our posts is a time of deep rest, quiet and reflection, much like the dark to new moon phase of the lunar cycle. At Imbolc, we celebrate the very first inklings of Spring. If you look outside you may notice little green shoots and beautiful snowdrops, if you listen, you'll notice the birds are a bit louder and the days are starting to feel a little longer. As with all things in nature, these are gentle and subtle changes, it's important to remember that February can still be a cold and harsh month, with the threat of snow, fog and frosts, so we mustn't get ahead of ourselves but Spring is definitely on it's way. The word Imbolc comes from old Irish meaning "in the belly" which refers to pregnant ewes and is associated with the onset of lambing season. If we think of winter as like being in the womb of mother nature, resting and being nourished, now is the time to think about birthing our ideas and goals out into the world. Turning from inward to outward as we make our way towards the Spring and Summer months. All the ideas you've been keeping warm, all the things you've been dreaming about, how might you begin to manifest these? Gently, and patiently like nursing seedlings, journal about your intentions and goals for the year and how you're going to take care of the growth of these seedlings. How are you going to share your growing light with the world? Imbolc has long been a time associated with hope and gratitude, when the winters were harsher, surviving the winter was something to indeed be thankful for as well as the return of light and growth which we start to see at this time of year. Imbolc demonstrates that light always follows dark, that the wheel once again turns and brighter, warmer days are once again upon us. In your journal, write a gratitude list of all things you've been grateful for over the winter, things that we maybe take for granted like being warm and well fed. Even though we know now, that the seasons will continue to turn, spend some time thinking about what it would have been like for people not knowing if the light would return each year, if they'd be able to grow crops and how precious these first stirrings of Spring would have felt. In our current environmental situation, it's important to not take our seasons for granted, and to also be grateful for new growth. Imbolc is a wonderful time to pledge ourselves in service of mother earth, after she has felt absent over the winter months, seeing her return can make us feel closer to her, wanting her to stay by our side. What ways can you make small changes to help reduce your effect on the environment? These can be small steps, like taking up composting, or having a go at growing your own veg. Words associated with Imbolc: Awakening, stirring, quickening, hope, light, budding. Journaling prompts for Imbolc- What would you like to breathe new life into at the moment? - What ideas, plans, wishes and intentions are stirring in you at the moment? - What have you learned about yourself this winter? - What are you excited about? - Is there anything in your life at the moment that feels like it's hampering new growth? How could you address this? - Declutter your mind - are there any old stories that are stuck on repeat in your mind? How could you let these go in order to create space for new things? Cleanse your homeImbolc takes place on the 1st-2nd Feb and by taking part in a few simple rituals, you can celebrate this magical celtic festival in your own home. Imbolc combined with being in Aquarius season (Aquarius being an air sign) is like a breath of fresh air as we begin to let go of the heaviness of winter. Homes can get so stuffy over the winter, we rarely have the doors and windows open and have central heating on constantly. If we find winter a tough time of year and particularly the pressures and sometimes emotional strain of Christmas, it's likely there's also a lot of negative and stagnant energy in the home. A lovely simple ritual to do on Imbolc is to open all the windows in your house and take some deep, long breaths in. Imagine that you're breathing fresh air in on behalf of your home and as you breathe out, imagine that you're breathing out anything heavy, anything negative and anything that no longer serves you. Focus on this leaving your house. Have a good clean and declutter of the house, remember your pledge to mother earth and make considerate choices about how you get rid of things and what products you use to clean with. You can even make your own essential oil cleaners using oils such as Pine, Tea Tree, Lemon and Eucalyptus. Wash the curtains, plump the cushions, shake out the rugs and put fresh sheets on the bed. After you've done this, it might be nice to use sacred smoke to further cleanse every room in your house. You can make your own cleansing Imbolc incense with the following recipe: Crushed dried juniper berries Dried Sage Dried Rosemary & dried pine needles Or you can use herb bundles such as sage and rosemary and go through each room smudging. If you don't want to use smoke, essential oils can work in the same way. Use Juniper essential oil mixed with Sage and Rosemary essential oil in a diffuser (not suitable in pregnancy or if you have epilepsy). After you've cleansed your home in a way that suits you, light a new white candle in each room to represent bringing in positive new energy into your life and home. You can also combine this with making prayers to the Goddess Brigid who is associated with this time of year, think of the candles as offerings to her and ask her to bless your home and all who are in it. You can also decorate your home with fresh flowers, we love to get bunches of Gypsophila and other white flowers to represent the purity of this time of year and to also offer these to Brigid. Move your bodyIt's not just your house that is likely to have stagnant energy post winter time, but your body too. We certainly aren't big fans of extreme detoxing or exercise routines but it can feel really good to move your body at this time of year, think of emulating the plants and animals that are waking up after hibernation - stretching, lengthening and unfurling your body. Try free flowing styles of yoga that invite expressive and natural movements, or gentle dance classes. Concentrate on the breath, and moving your body in lots of different ways, like a cat stretching after a nap. Booking in for a massage at this time of year can also be a really good way of getting blood and lymph moving round the body once again. Take up bullet journalingBullet journaling is a fun and creative way to stay connected to your goals and intentions as well as things like tracking your health, wellbeing and self care practices. There are so many beautiful templates available for free online and you can spend many a happy hour browsing other people's journals on pinterest or Instagram. Follow the hashtag #bujo and enjoy lettering tutorials and drooling over pastel coloured stationery. Lavender and honey milkThe smell of this drink provides a wonderful reminder that Spring is on it's way as well as it being wonderfully calming and stress reducing. Add your choice of milk to a saucepan and simmer on a low heat. Sprinkle in about half a teaspoon of organic dried lavender flowers and allow them to infuse in the milk for about 5-7 minutes. Strain the milk into a mug of your choice and then stir in a teaspoon of honey (this can be replaced for maple syrup if you're vegan). Find somewhere to sit and have a quiet moment whilst drinking this slowly and thinking about all your favourite things to do with Spring.
We really hope you've enjoyed our blog, wishing you a blessed Imbolc dear ones! We are heading into the first new moon of 2020 this Friday and how wonderful to start the decade with a new moon in Aquarius who is so often referred to as the great humanitarian. With all that is going on in the world right now, environmentally and politically, there couldn't be a more potent time to pledge our self to the enhancement of not just ourselves but the collective too. If you're due an energetic upgrade...now is the time! Aquarius is an air sign ruled by the planets Uranus and Saturn. Uranus is associated with revolution, social change and awakening and Saturn is associated with structure, time and boundaries. Add these together with the transformational element of air and you get this powerful energy of change - the breaking down of structures that no longer serve us and no longer serve the collective. The Archetype of Aquarius is the protester, the inventor, the rebel, the revolutionary and the visionary. They are never scared to use their voice to inspire change and to dismantle oppressive structures. During this new moon, ask yourself, what are the oppressive structures in your life at the moment, perhaps placed upon you by society, others or even yourself? How could you use the power of this new moon to begin to break these down? Saturn also governs boundaries, so it's another opportunity to check-in with your boundaries, this time particularly in relation to people/situations/places that are draining you and preventing you from serving the collective. If one person is always draining our energy and time and it's preventing us from doing the work we want to do in our community or family then this is out of balance. What could we put in place to protect our energy and time? How good are you at speaking your truth and sticking up for what you believe in? If this is a real struggle for you, journal about what it is that holds you back? Is it a fear of what others might think? Fear of repercussions? How could you claim back some of your power and stand in your truth more? Think of someone outspoken that you really admire. What qualities do you see in them that you would like to emulate? On the flip side, do you dominate with you truth and take up too much space with your opinions and views? If you feel like you're always poised for a revolt...how could you perhaps soften and come into your heart more? There is a beautiful practice in Buddhism called 'Accepting defeat and offering the victory' - it's about knowing when sometimes is more appropriate to be humble and back down out of love, compassion and wanting to protect peace. Other times we need to be wrathful and deliver harsh truths. Over time, we learn to be able to discern what is appropriate at which times. A good indicator is whether we're being governed by love or anger. Love will always serve peace whereas anger is destructive and destroys peace - even if the original intention was good, anger at the steering wheel can only cause harm. Key themes associated with Aquarius: New perspectives, social justice, social change, activism, enlightenment, awakening, new ideas, upgrading, truth, the greater good, the collective, the big picture, creativity, rebellion, community, trailblazing, innovation, human potential In The Zodiac Oracle, Alice Ekrek says "The well-known image of the water-bearer associated with this sign represents the waters of rejuvenation that Aquarius pours out of it's vessel and onto the earth. Aquarius is an air sign, and rejuvenation is achieved through the ideas and innovations that it brings to the world." Now is a wonderful time to think outside the box in ways that we can support and care for the environment. Aquarius is a community minded sign, why not host a clothing swap party and invite your friends round? Did you know that in 2018 350,000 tonnes of clothing was sent to landfill!? You could also pledge to not buy anything new for a whole month...maybe even two, maybe even a year!! Opt instead to support your local second hand shops and keep more clothing out of landfill. February can be a gloomy month, with the continuation of dark days and what seems like constant uk drizzle, volunteering can be wonderful way to brighten up this month - there are so many amazing environmental charities that you can volunteer for, from things like tree planting to doing litter picking outings in your local area. Aquarius is a fixed Air sign which can sometimes mean that it gets stuck in ways of thinking and very attached to their own point of view. It's worth using this shadow side of Aquarius to check-in with our own thought patterns and whether we too have got a bit stuck. Open your mind up to other people's opinions and ideas, be humble and curious. Strike up conversations with people who have different viewpoints to you and really try and listen to where they're coming from, it doesn't mean you have to agree with them but you might learn something new along the way. The other shadow side of Aquarius is throwing themselves into new ventures, projects and humanitarian work at the cost of spending time with their loved ones or being emotionally unavailable. It can sometimes be their way of keeping people at a distance. This is a helpful question to ask ourselves in relation to our own job/projects/campaigns/goals - are we leaving anyone out? Are we neglecting our close personal relationships? How could we create more balance here? When you are spending time with your loved ones, how present are you? This can be another trait of an Aquarius...to be away with the fairies. Try and be more boundaried in regards to your time with others, if you're spending time with people, show up for them, be present, hold space for them, rather than letting yourself daydream or be distracted. Working with the Air elementSOUNDBATHS If you haven't attended a soundbath yet, we thoroughly recommend it. This is a wonderful way to connect to the Air element and the magic of sacred sound. Usually at a soundbath, you lie down on the floor snuggled up in blankets whilst the sound practitioner plays a range of instruments from chimes, crystal bowls, gongs and singing bowls. You drift off into a state between sleeping and waking as your mind is transported by the soundwaves. Some people see colours or images, other people mention a feeling of mental clarity or have gained insights into particular situations in their life. It's incredibly soothing for the nervous system and healing for the body. Many yoga studios offer soundbaths, so search for your local studio or holistic centre and enquire :) AROMATHERAPY Simply smelling essential oils or using them in an air diffuser is a delightful way to connect to the element of air as the smell is carried on the air itself. Essential oils are gifts from nature and help us to connect to the elemental realms and the magic of mother earth. Isn't it incredible that essentials can help us with so many ailments as well as soothe our emotions and elevate our consciousness? There is an abundance of magic in the natural world, just waiting for us to slow down and appreciate it! Oils associated with Aquarius are: Cypress, Chamomile, Clary Sage, Neroli & Geranium. FREEWRITING Moon in Aquarius days can leave us feeling a little light headed and you may hear Aquarians talk about how they so often flit from one thing to the next - they're the zodiac equivalent of having a million tabs open in an internet browser. Freewriting can be a wonderful creative way to get what's in your head, down on paper to give you more mental space for other things. Dedicate some pages in your journal for this, it might be nice to centre yourself first with some breathing and meditation and then let your pen hit the page and just allow whatever comes in to your head to spill out into your journal. You can always burn the pages afterwards if you want to release what you've been writing. MANTRA If you haven't discovered the beauty in a regular mantra practice we really urge you to try this out. Not only does mantra recitation bless our mind and our inner energy channels, but when spoken or sung aloud it actually blesses the air that the mantra travels on. This can be a beautiful way to contribute to purifying our environment and can also aid in grounding that airy Aquarian energy by giving it one thing to focus on. A simple mantra to start with is the mantra for compassion OM MANI PAME HUM- as you recite the mantra concentrate on it's meaning which is asking that all beings be happy, all being be peaceful and all beings become free from all types of suffering. Don't forget to include yourself in that prayer! Aquarius and your bodyAquarius rules the lower leg, ankle and circulation. Circulation can be an issue during the winter months, here's a body oil to help:
Aquarius New Moon Body Oil Use pure essential oils such as Cypress, Chamomile and Neroli. Add a few drops of each to a base oil of your choice and use upward brushing movements (working towards your heart) to gently massage the oil into your skin. Dry body brushing can also be a great way to improve circulation as can walking and yoga. A lovely new moon treat is to spend some time with your legs up the wall (perhaps after applying your body oil), having your legs raised can do wonders for the lymphatic and circulatory system as well as aiding with sleep and helping to calm the nervous system. We are wishing you a powerful New Moon in Aquarius dear ones. Don't forget to spend some time connecting to the Dark Moon energies as well, that all important liminal time between moon cycles. Dark moon time is a time to rest, release the last cycle and create space for all the new things you want to grow. New moon blessings to you all x Dearest moonbeams, we are heading into a powerful full moon lunar eclipse in the sign of Cancer tomorrow. You may have already been feeling it's effects this week as the moon has been waxing. We're here for you with another lunar self care blog. January's full moon is known as the Wolf Moon and this year we have a Appulse eclipse, meaning the moon is obscured by the Earth's shadow. Cancer is a feminine water sign ruled by the moon so expect to feel ALL the feelings. You may have already found yourself crying at the slightest thing this week and that's bound to increase as the moon reaches her fullness. Full moons always bring emotions up to the surface, this is heightened by both the fact that it's an eclipse and that the moon is in the deeply emotional and sensitive sign of Cancer. Self care, rest and nourishment couldn't be more important at this time. Eclipses are always invitations to work with our shadow selves and full moons are a time of release, forgiveness and heightened power. New moon in Capricorn invited us to look at our soul purpose and balance between our spiritual life and daily life. The full moon in cancer can help us to see how much emotional baggage is standing in the way of us achieving our spiritual goals. Spend some time really sitting with your emotions and whatever is coming up for you during these full moon days, journal about your feelings. What patterns can you find within your emotions? What narratives can you see are on repeat? How much of this is your stuff or stuff that has been passed down to you? Can you cut the cords? We can also ask ourselves if our attachment to safety and security is preventing us from moving forward and stepping into the unknown. Cancer is a very home orientated sign and the shadow side of this can be that this sign gets stuck out of fear. A key theme associated with cancer is CARE - it's really important to achieve balance between the care that we give to others and then making sure we care for ourselves. How good are we at receiving care and support from others? How often do we let ourselves be vulnerable? Likewise, have we gotten in the habit of shutting ourselves off from others, feeling like we're unable to reach out and give care to others? In your journal write down your emotional needs. Are they being met? Think of ways that you could send love and care out into the world at the moment in a way that's not going to deplete you. Boundaries are great to re-establish at the beginning of a new year. Reflect on your emotional boundaries at the moment, are they functioning? Do you need to assert new boundaries? Who and what is depleting your energy? Remember, if we want to achieve our soul purpose we need our energy to be directed in the most beneficial way. The quiet moonJanuary's full moon is also referred to as the quiet moon in honour of it's season of winter. It's important to remember, in the midst of everyone posting about "new year, new you", detox plans and exercise goals that we are in the depths of winter. Yes, winter solstice on Dec 21st marks the increase in light but this is gradual and subtle. In the old celtic calendar, the first signs of Spring are celebrated with Imbolc on Feb 1st. This is some way off yet and we still have to get through frosts, fogs and potential snow. Over here in the Uk at the moment, the days are dark and gloomy, the trees are bare and the mornings are quiet. It gets dark at about 4pm and the weather is cold and damp. All the festive decorations have been taken down so everywhere feels stark and the energy slightly flat. Though we can't necessarily keep all our Christmas decorations up, it might be worth thinking about how to make your home more nurturing and comforting. Home is an important theme for cancer (crab shell), moon in cancer days invite us to look at how nurtured we feel. Think about home comforts that are going to keep you warm and nurtured over the coming winter months. Adorn your living space with fairy lights and candles, invest in soft and luxurious throws and blankets, snuggly socks and our favourite...loungewear! Remember to breatheCancer rules the chest, lungs, stomach, liver and gall bladder. The cold, damp weather can leave us susceptible to coughs, colds and chest infections so again self-care is key. We need more rest in winter so make sure you're getting early nights and sleeping more. Gentle yoga practices like yin, restorative and yoga nidra are wonderful at this time of year as well as emphasising breathing practices to help your lungs. A depleted heart chakra can also lead to ill health in the chest so going back to what we were talking about before, looking at whether you are giving too much of yourself out into the world and how you could scale back to help your body rest. Padma mudra is a wonderful mudra to help bring prana (life force) energy back into the heart chakra. Emotion soothing teaNot only will this herbal tea help with relaxation and sleep but it will help to soothe our full moon emotions. Mix dried rose petals, dried chamomile and dried lavender and infuse in hot water, add honey to sweeten and enjoy! These herbs would also be wonderful in a bath with essential oils or Rose and Geranium. Full Moon Herb bundleIf you have left over spruce from Christmas, this makes wonderful herb bundles that you can burn to cleanse your space. It's really important that the spruce is dried out before you burn it. Take a few sprigs of your spruce, you can mix it in with a cinnamon stick and some dried rosemary. Tie together with string, light it at the end and when it catches alight, blow it out so that it smoulders and creates smoke. Use a feather or your hands to go around your house cleansing your space with this sacred smoke. Support yourself with Rose oilRose is like the mother of essential oils. She will support you, comfort you and help you to let go of painful emotions. You can work with Rose essential oil energetically by holding a bottle of rose essential oil whilst you meditate or you can apply topically. Rose is a very strong oil so just one drop in some carrier oil will be sufficient. Taking this across the heart space will help to soothe emotions and replenish your heart chakra. Full Moon Rose WaterFull moons are the ideal time to create moon elixirs. Place a bowl of purified water somewhere where it can absorb the moonlight/energy of the full moon. Place some fresh rose petals and a piece of rose quartz in the bowl and leave overnight. The next day, pour your infused water into a spray bottle with a little bit of alcohol or rose water toner to preserve your moon mist. Place a drop or two of rose essential oil into your spray bottle and shake. You can then use this as a heart chakra aroma mist, spray around yourself and take deep breaths or use to cleanse your space. Store out of direct light and label and date your mist.
We hope you've enjoyed our blog, wishing you a blessed lunar eclipse dear ones xx Dearest moonbeams, we have our final new moon of the year and decade this week! On Dec 26th we have a special New Moon Annular Solar Eclipse in Capricorn! Only a few days after the winter solstice (darkest day of the year) we have another opportunity to connect to the dark with this annular eclipse where the moon will darken the sun. Eclipses always offer us an opportunity to work with our shadows and bravely look at the aspects of ourselves that are holding us back from stepping into our power. Capricorn is a feminine Earth sign, ruled by the planet Saturn. It's a cardinal sign and initiates Winter in the Northern hemisphere and Summer in the Southern hemisphere. Saturn rules organization, structure and practicality. Capricorn is the final of the Earth signs and therefore carries a mature and wise energy. Capricorn is represented by the constellation of the seagoat. As always, we can draw powerful messages from astrological imagery. The seagoat represents the combination of the earthly, practical life (the goat) with the soul life (fish tale). This provides us with the wonderful opportunity to reflect on the balance between our work life and our soul life before we head into 2020. Is our soul life something that we just squeeze in as and when we can? Or is it with us all day? What's our soul purpose and soul calling? Are we dedicated to it? Capricorns integrate their spirituality and soul purpose into their daily life. This is a beautiful quality and gives them this wise, grounded and magical energy. They also have the dedication and focus of the mountain goat and therefore are hard working and able to carry out their goals. Are we lacking in determination and focus? We will unpack this more in our journaling prompts. Capricorn season is a time to connect to the darkness of winter, to the dark Goddesses and the idea of learning to love the dark and all the wisdom it contains. Connect with the powerful Goddess Cailleach, she rules the winter, death and release and represents the archetype of the Crone. What wisdom is waiting for you in the dark of the winter forest and how can you slow down enough to hear it? Just like the winter trees, can you strip back your layers and bare your soul without the distractions of busy summer months to cover you up. Who are you underneath it all? In modern society we have forgotten how to sit with silence, stillness, ageing, the dark and death - how can we learn to stop shying away from these incredibly magical times and use them to transform and transcend? 'The cave your fear to enter, holds the treasure you seek.' - Joseph Campbell Journaling PromptsIt might be a little bit tricky to make time on Boxing day for journaling so see how you go, you can always do it during the days after the eclipse. Get cosy, grab a comforting warm drink and your journal from this year and light some candles. - Spend some time looking over your moon journal from this year. With an honest and open heart analise your intentions/goals each month. Were you able to stick to them/ follow through with them? If so, what did you gain from doing this? Any interesting insights? If you weren't able to can you see a pattern of why you weren't able to? What kept getting in the way? Can you identify your blockages and fear? Were there any breakthroughs this year? - As we've spoken about, Capricorn invites us to turn inwards and ask what our soul purpose is. Dedicate a page in your journal for your soul purpose, draw, write, collage! - Do we make time to tend to our soul life? What nourishes your soul? How could you dedicate time over the winter to nourish your soul? - Where are you leaking energy? If you don't have a lot of time to dedicate to your soul purpose, ask yourself why this is? Sometimes, it's unavoidable but sometimes it's due to a lack of boundaries or taking on other people's stuff. How can you establish better boundaries for 2020? What would they look like? - How much does what other's think of you effect the choices and decisions you make? How could you listen to your soul more and the noise of the outside world less? Connect to the wisdom of winter and the archetype of the crone, trust your deep inner knowing and guidance. - What are your unique gifts and how could you use these next year? - What wisdom have you gathered from the experiences of the last year and decade? What and who are you grateful for for gifting you this wisdom? - How could you make more time for silence and stillness? Winter Spice LatteMmmmmm this is a deliciously satisfying winter warmer and has the benefits o boosting immunity, easing joint and muscle pain and boosting circulation: Non dairy milk of your choice Handful of star Anise 1 Cinnamon stick A few Cardamon Pods 1 tsp rose petals 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp Nutmeg Heat your milk in a pan on a low heat and add all your ingredients apart from the cinnamon stick. Infuse your milk for about 7-10 minutes ensuring that the milk doesn't come to the boil. Then use a milk frother or add to a blender to froth. Serve in your favourite mug and dust with Cinnamon and then add in your cinnamon stick. Mulled TeaThis is a delightful alternative to mulled wine if you're in need of a break from alcohol or just want to be able to enjoy mulled wine all day long. Here's our recipe:
- Mulled Juice - this is usually available in supermarkets at this time of year. If you can't get Christmas mulled juice you can mix orange juice and apple juice together. - a couple of slices of orange - 2 cinnamon sticks - a few pieces of star anise - Mulled wine spice (you can buy sachets of this from most shops) This can be made in a slow cooker or stove top, or if you're in a hurry you can simply use boiling water and mix it all together in tea pot. In a large pan or in your slow cooker, use equal parts juice to boiling water and simmer on a low heat. Add in the orange slices, mulled spice sachet, cinnamon sticks and star anise and allow to steep for at least 10 minutes. If you're using a slow cooker you can keep this on all day so it gets more infused as the day goes on, perfect if you're hosting. Wishing you a blessed New Moon dear ones. We'll be back again soon! xx Blessed Solstice everyone! Winter Solstice, also referred to as Alban Arthan is a truly magical time of year, it’s a time for quiet, for reflection and for magic. Winter Solstice marks the shortest day and the longest night and at Yule we celebrate the beginning of longer days and the rebirth of the sun. At the heart of all the stories, folklore and imagery associated with this time of year is the concept that there will be light again after the dark. Connecting to the Celtic wheel of the year by honouring the 8 sabbats, helps us to understand the cyclic nature of life. Winter time can be a difficult time of year for people for lots of different reasons, taking a moment to pause at the Winter Solstice and remember that there will be light again and that life is by it’s very nature transient can help us to find peace, calm and comfort during tough times. Many of the traditions associated with Yule continue to this day and we might find it surprising that things like bringing evergreens into the home, crafting wreaths and Yule logs all have pagan roots. The tradition of bringing evergreen plants into the home was to help people stay connected to nature and nature spirits during the dark and biting cold winter months. Wreaths were created with specially chosen herbs and plants, were blessed and then placed on the door and within the home to offer protection. Mistletoe is believed to have healing and protective qualities as well as representing fertility, Holly was used for protection against harmful spirits and Ivy represents immortality. The Winter Solstice is a quiet time of year where nature sleeps, many animals are hibernating, the trees are bare and seeds lie under the soil, full of potential and promise and some are yet to even be planted. Solstice means ‘standstill’, and it’s wonderful to connect to this ancient festival and carve out some time for stillness and quiet reflection. Winter Solstice is a time where we get to look back on the year and reflect on the lessons we’ve learnt, the relationships we’ve cultivated, the things that haven’t worked out and to count our blessings. This year we can reflect on an entire decade if we choose as we are heading into a brand new decade next year. December nowadays is rife with busyness, expectations and stress, internally our body knows that this is a time for rest and nourishment yet externally we are expected to meet work deadlines, attend parties, battle through bugs and illnesses and do all of this whilst maintaining a ‘holly jolly’ attitude. It’s no wonder we get to January and often feel exhausted and burnt out and are then faced with all the marketing pressures to detox and live our best life for the upcoming new year. Turning away from the fast paced pressures of modern society and taking inspiration from our ancient roots can help to bring us back to ourselves and to create our own calm. A simple Yule ritualOne of the simplest ways to celebrate Yule is with candle magic. Choose a candle that is either white, gold or ivory and set it somewhere where it’s safe. You might like to decorate your candle or place it in a bowl with items that symbolise this time of year such as pine cones, spruce, cinnamon sticks and dried orange slices, just make sure this is done in a way where nothing is in danger of catching on fire! Sit down in front of your candle, close your eyes and take a few deep breaths - if you prefer you can hold the candle between your hands. Before lighting your candle, infuse it with your intentions for the coming months, if you’re not sure what those look like yet you can simply dedicate to the light - light within you and light around you. Part of Yule is wishing for peace and happiness for others too so take a moment to wish your loved ones peace, light and well-being. Open your eyes and mindfully light your candle, as you watch the flame taking shape focus on your wishes and intentions. Either leave your candle to burn out completely or extinguish with a candle snuffer, try not to blow the candle out. Winter Solstice Journalling PromptsJournalling is a wonderful winter time activity as it’s really in harmony with the reflective qualities of this season. Here are a few guiding questions to help you get connect the magic of Midwinter: - Winter is a time for dreaming, storytelling and for magic, how could you welcome this into your life over the next couple of months? - What’s your relationship to rest? Do you let yourself rest in the winter or do you push through tiredness and illness? How could you make space for rest? What can wait for the warmer months? - Create a reading list for the next few months - Winter is a time we need warmth and light, energetically speaking what is going to keep you warm and light this winter? - Looking back on the last decade, what are you grateful for? What are you most proud of? What have been your biggest lessons? - What mental habits are you wanting to break free from as you head into 2020? - What are your hopes and dreams for next year StaycationWinter provides the ideal opportunity to create a staycation! A staycation is where you do the kinds of things you would give yourself permission to do on holiday such as cradling a cup of tea whilst looking out at the landscape, reading for hours on end, having sleep ins and early nights, playing board games, eating nourishing food that you've taken time to prepare, painting or drawing and listening to audio books. The joy of a staycation is doing all of this from the comfort of your home...which is perfect in the winter time. Boundaries are important during a staycation, so limiting time on social media like you would do on holiday and packing away anything that reminds you of work or daily life chores. It's so important to invest in rest over the winter months to really give back to your mind, body and soul! "It takes courage to say yes to rest and play in a culture that views exhaustion as a status symbol." - Brene Brown Winter Solstice Essential OilsTry this blend of essential oils in either a body oil or in a diffuser. It really captures the releasing and peaceful qualities of winter: Clary Sage Lavender Cedarwood Juniper Berry Roman chamomile Diffuser Blend: Clary Sage 1 drop Lavender 1 drop Cedarwood 1 drop Juniper Berry 1 drop Roman chamomile 1 drop Body Oil: 25ml carrier oil Clary Sage 1 drop Lavender 4 drop Cedarwood 3 drop Juniper Berry 2 drop Roman chamomile 2 drop Make time for MagicWinter has long been associated with magic, fairytales and wonder. The quiet and cosy winter months can be a time to really feed your imagination as a way to fuel your projects and plans for next year but also because it is good for the soul! Stock up on fairytale books, watch movies that take you on adventures and get lost in folklore. Winter is also a time associated with dreaming, a perfect time to start keeping a dream journal and developing your intuition. Wishing you all a blessed Solstice, tomorrow the sun enters Capricorn and we begin Capricorn season. We are also entering the dark phase of the moon so go gently with yourself, the combination of the shortest day and the dark phase of the lunar cycle is a double whammy on top of already being tired in the lead up to Christmas. Self-care, rest and nourishment is key. Take care moonbeams x
Dearest moonbeams, today we welcome in the final full moon of the year and also the decade. The December full moon is also known as the cold moon and is in the sign of Gemini. We have the sun in the fire sign Sagittarius and the moon in the air sign Gemini - both are masculine signs and both are to do with the mind. Both Sagittarius and Gemini are inquisitive, curious and mentally expansive. Gemini also rules communication so it's interesting here to work with combining the philosopher archetype of Sagittarius with the ability to communicate our ideas out into the world. With it being the final full moon of the decade, we have the opportunity to reflect on the last ten years and ask ourselves what we've learned about ourselves, what patterns can we identify as holding us back? what old ways need to die in order for us to grow new things for 2020 and the next decade? Journaling couldn't be more important than it is right now, have a look back at where you were 10 years ago this month, what were you doing? What were your goals/wishes/desires? Have any of them come to being? How many new people have come into your life? What relationships have ended or changed? Read back over old journals and diaries, look through old photos and really connect to how transient life is. Just like the moon and the seasons, life is always in a state of motion, of change and evolution, of ebb and flow. If things are difficult for you right now, take comfort in the fact that this too will pass, this will become another chapter in our incredible story, the difficult times are what shape us and make us strong and sometimes even lead us to unexpected and happy places. A key theme for Gemini is truth and honest communication and sometimes that communication can be to do with how we view ourselves, the conversations we're having with ourselves and whether or not we're being honest with our self. When the full moon is out, there's nowhere to hide, this can be a powerful time for looking at our shadows - shine the light of the moon on your inner darkness. Use the reflection of the last decade to ask yourself honest questions, before doing so, place your hands on your heart and take some deep breaths, allow your mind to drop down into your heart space and answer the questions from there: What is holding you back from having harmonious relationships? What is holding you back from following your dreams? What haven't you forgiven? What do you wish you could say sorry about? What do you need to forgive yourself for? What are your regrets? What are you proud of? What are you deepest desires? What is your joy? On Gemini moon days it's easy to get caught up in our thoughts, Gemini has a mercurial energy to it which can leave us feeling ungrounded and mentally overwhelmed, add this to the busyness of the lead up to Christmas and hello frazzled mind. It's a really good idea on Gemini moon days to bring ourselves back into our body and do things that will calm and focus the mind. Think of the idea of using the arrow and focus of Sagittarius to focus the somewhat flighty tendencies of Gemini. Using practices such as Yoga Nidra, guided meditations and gentle yoga can be really helpful for slowing the mind down. Also, when it comes to tackling Christmas tasks, try to focus on one thing at a time, write lists or use a bullet journal to give yourself the satisfaction of ticking things off. Try not to flit from one unfinished task to the other, just like leaving loads of tabs open and programmes running on your computer slows it down, it's the same for our mind too. The combination of Sagittarius and Gemini can also lead us to get over excited about new ideas and ventures, so check-in with yourself honestly about whether or not you're taking on too much? Can some things wait? Are you honouring the season of winter and the need to rest? Sometimes it can be so hard with all the pressures of social media to not want to jump into new things straight away, one of our favourite quotes is "Do less, be more" - can we let go and soften a little bit and pick up the pace again in Spring? Or is our gut telling us that now really is the right time? Only you can know :) Gemini is an AIR sign so why not use sacred smoke cleansing practices to cleanse your home, your oracle cards and crystals and to do a ritual of letting go. Use incense, resins or herb bundles to clear negative, old or unwanted energy. Afterwards light a white candle which represents the way you'd like to feel moving forward or the things you want to welcome in. The candle can also represent the fire element of Sagittarius. "Gather your burdens in a basket in your heart. Set them at the feet of the mother. Say 'Take this, Great Mama, because I cannot carry all this shit for another minute.' And then crawl into her broad lap and nestle against her ample bosom and take a nap. When you wake, the basket will still be there, but half it's contents will be gone, and the other half will have resumed their ordinary shapes and sizes, no longer masquerading as catastrophic, epic, chronic, and toxic. The mother will clear things out and tidy up. She will take your compulsions and transmute them. But only if you freely offer them to her." - Wild Mercy by Mirabai Starr Gemini rules the shoulders, arms and hands and it's easy at this time of the year to feel like we have the weight of the world on our shoulders or that we're juggling too many things. Make sure you're taking time out for yourself, meditate, listen to relaxing music, read, get a massage and take baths. Sometime over the next few days, if you have access to one, run yourself a cleansing epsom salts bath to help soothe tense and tired muscles and gently detox the body. Add rose and geranium essential oils to help you de-stress and bring you back into your heart space.
Wishing you a blessed final full moon of the year dear ones. Be gentle with yourselves and loving to those around you. We'll be back soon with the launch of our e-Zine and also our blog for the Winter Solstice! xo Happy New Moon in Sagittarius dear ones! We say goodbye to Scorpio season, Samhain and mercury retrograde and welcome in Sagittarius season, Yule and the end of the calendar year and this decade. Scorpio season can feel a little intense, especially when you add in mercury retrograde so this shift into Sagittarius can feel a little bit like turning on the lights after a power cut. Sagittarius is a masculine fire sign, ruled by the planet Jupiter and the 9th house of Philosophy and long distance journeys. Jupiter is often referred to as the great benefactor, it is the largest of the planets and has the largest number of moons so has this beautiful expansive and abundant quality. Sagittarius new moon is a wonderful time to focus on manifesting your dreams, cultivating gratitude and joy, elevating your thoughts and honouring the light. Sagittarius themes: freedom, expansion, knowledge, abundance, joy, travel. philosophy, light, growth, limitless opportunities, adventure, curiosity, meaning, direction, focus. The image associated with Sagittarius is the Centaur holding a bow and arrow aimed at the sky and the constellation is the arrow. There are many messages we can take from this image, one of these is the message to look at the balance in our own life between our lower and upper chakras. Do we spend all our energy only on the lower chakras associated with this life and this life alone - our home, financial security, our sense of self and the day to day? How much time do we spend connecting with the higher chakras, looking to the stars? Asking questions about the universe and why we're here? Who are we underneath all the layers of daily life and responsibilities? Sagittarius is often referred to as the philosopher of the zodiac and they love to ask these kinds of questions. They have a childlike curiosity about everything and will always look beyond the ordinary. The symbol of the arrow can also remind us to check-in with our direction in life. Is the direction we are currently headed in in alignment with our true desires and our integrity? Here are some New Moon guiding questions for your journal: - What are your aspirations? - Do you feel free to explore? - Where do you feel restricted? - Do you operate from a place of lack or abundance? - What does joy mean to you? - How much time do you make for joy and play in your life? - Is there a balance between thinking about day to day life and time to be creative, inspired, playful? - Are you living in alignment with all the parts of yourself? - What 3 things are you grateful for at the moment? Honouring the lightThis moon cycle will carry us through the darkest time of the year so it's an important time to connect with Sagittarius' fire element in all it's aspects and welcome this element into our home. Sagittarius season is a wonderful time to connect with practices such as candle magic, hearth magic and fire ceremonies as well as decorating your house with lights to keep your spirits lifted during the winter. Here are some wonderful fire Goddesses to connect with: Brighid, Vesta, Pele, Hestia, Frigga, Durga, Cerridwen. GratitudeAs Sagittarius season happens to be the at the same time as the build up to Christmas it's a really nice opportunity to connect to the abundance of this sign and live from a place of generosity, kindness and warmth. Christmas is a time of year that can so often leave people feeling like they don't have enough, the pressures to get gifts and host amazing parties and dinners can make us start to operate from a place of lack and can lead to resentment and depression. Use sagittarius' inquisitive energy to think outside the box, what can you give this festive season that isn't money related? Maybe that's our time, maybe we can make/craft things to give people, maybe we can volunteer our time? As we journey towards to end of the year and the end of this decade a lovely practice would be to reflect on all that has taken place over the last 10 years and really focus on the word JOY. Grab your journal and reflect on all the things that have brought you joy over the last 10 years and allow your heart to be warmed by the many things you write down. Expand your mindThe other archetype associated with Sagittarius is the traveller or the explorer. This doesn't necessarily mean physical travel but can also mean travelling with our mind. During the winter, a wonderful way to tune into this energy is to read. Expand your mind with books, podcasts, blogs and conversations. Use your journal to record the things you've been learning. Start or join a book or philosophy club. Enroll in new studies. The world is your oyster :) Step outside into nature and carry that same Sagittarian curiosity with you. Marvel at all the seasonal changes taking place in your local area, look up when you'd usually be looking down, leave your phone at home or turn it onto flight mode :) Sagittarius and your bodyFollowing on from Scorpio and working our way down the body, Sagittarius rules the hips and thighs. On Sagittarius moon days it's important to look after these parts of the body. As the weather continues to get colder it's important to stay mobile in the hips by doing lots of mobility work as well as stretching. A leg massage would be idea or using a foam roller for the thighs, IT band and back of legs to help release any tension.
ESSENTIAL OILS Due to the optimistic and joyful nature of this sign, uplifting Citrus oils such as Bergamot, Orange and Mandarin are lovely to use at this time of year. They also help fight against the fatigue we so often feel during the winter months too. Here are some festive diffuser blends for you to enjoy: Orange & Clove Rosemary & Orange Mandarin & Myrrh Bergamot, Orange & Frankincense Mandarin & Chamomile We hope you've enjoyed our blog, new moon blessings to you all :) xo Dear ones, can you feel mama moon waxing into her fullness? We have a Full Moon in Taurus tomorrow and we have prepared some lunar self care loveliness for you to enjoy. The sun is in Scorpio and the moon will be in Taurus and as with each full moon, we use these seemingly opposing forces to help us shine the light of the full moon on our inner darkness and move forward with clarity and balance. If you haven't read our Scorpio New Moon blog, head to the archives to have a read so you can have a deeper understanding of the Scorpio energy. We have Scorpio, a water sign associated with the underworld and Taurus an earth sign associated with the earthly and material world. These signs appear to contradict each other but they actually invite us to establish balance between these two aspects of ourselves. We can check in with where we dwell most often. Are we always off exploring the dark mysteries of the world, brooding, deep in thought but perhaps a little aloof? Or are we distracted by the trappings of the material world and do we shy away from thinking about the darker concepts of life? Balance between the Scorpio and Taurean energy would be this idea of being in the world but not of this world, the ability to stay connected to the truth of life - the cycles of life, death and rebirth whilst being grounded and present with our self and the people around us. There would be this peaceful, contented energy of enjoying the things of this life whilst having the ability to let them go when the time is right. Moon in Taurus invites us to look at our attachment (the shadow side of Taurus) not an easy thing to look at as for humans, attachment is as natural as breathing. We can be attached to people, places, objects, experiences, other people's views of us and according to most spiritual teachings, attachment is the cause of most of our mental suffering. It's important to not misunderstand attachment for love, when we are striving for non-attachment it doesn't mean that we don't care about people, places and things, in fact it actually means we are able to love people more purely and enjoy things in a more pure way. Attachment is a self centred mind whereas love is a selfless mind. Attachment causes us pain because we are unable to enjoy things as they are, attachment wants things to last forever, it wants to bend things to it's will, and when things don't work out the way we wanted them to or people 'let us down' we get angry, disappointed or hurt. We can ask for the help of the powerful Scorpio energy and it's ability to comfortably sit with topics such as death and change to help us tine into the flow of life, understanding the impermanence of all things helps us to erode away our attachment. "He who binds to himself a joy, Does the winged life destroy, But he who kisses the joy as it flies Lives in eternity's sun rise." - William Blake We can also use the grounded Taurean energy to help us balance out the intense energy of Scorpio season. Taurus is a very loving sign, ruled by the planet venus and has a deep connection to mother earth. If we have been having a difficult time emotionally with the chaos of mercury retrograde and the intense emotions that come to the surface with the Scorpio New Moon and Samhain then it's time for some Taurean self care. Many people over the last few weeks have been engaged in Ancestral work, rituals, deep reflection and inner journey work so we invite you to use this full moon to have a little break from the deep and come back into your body. Dance, move, get a massage, run an aromatherapy bath, go for a walk, place your bare feet on the ground and get present. Taurus is a very embodied sign and Scorpio is deeply sensual so use these powerful feminine energies to celebrate your feminine magic. Full Moon Ritual BathUsing salts to cleanse is especially important during Samhain season when the veil is at it's thinnest. Here is a cleansing full moon ritual bath recipe with Autumnal scents: Epsom salts Dead Sea Salts Dried Rosemary Dried rose petals 1 drop Juniper Essential oil 1 drop Rosemary essential oil 2 drops Orange essential Grounding Essential Oil BlendUse this combination of essential oils either in a diffuser or in a body oil to help you come back into your body, drop into your heart and connect to mother earth: Sandalwood Cedarwood Ylang Ylang Jasmine Sweet orange Express YourselfTaurus rules the throat and neck so when the moon is in Taurus it's particularly important to look after these parts of the body. With the weather getting colder and sharper be sure to keep your neck extra warm during Taurus moon days. It's also an opportunity to check-in with your throat chakra, Scorpio season often brings secrets and truths to the surface to be dealt with, cleansed and released. Ask yourself if you're being honest with yourself and those around you? Are there words you long to say but are holding back for some reason? Mantra can be a wonderful tool to help open up the throat chakra. With Scorpio ruling the Sacral Chakra and Taurus ruling the throat, it's also time to have a look at our creativity which is associated with both of these chakras. Again, ask yourself if you are holding yourself back in anyway? What are your creative dreams and wishes? Journal about them, create vision boards and fill yourself up with inspiration and encouragement. If you want to dance, dance if you want to paint, paint, whatever it is that your soul is calling you to do, can you get out of your own way and express yourself fully. Who would you be if you let yourself shine? Remember full moons are always about releasing all that no longer serves and that Samhain season marks the end of the Celtic year and is also an important time of release. It might be nice to make time to journal about all that has taken place since this time last year. What have your learnt? What has served you? What do you want to take with you into next year? And most importantly what do you want to let go of? Ask the dark goddesses to help you let go of things holding you back.
Full moon blessings to you all dear ones xx |
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