Earth Mother Moon Journal, Issue Number 2, New Moon May 27 in Gemini!
The Journey Moon.... this year it begins on May 27th in Gemini, full moon in Saggitarius on June 11, then we pass through the Summer Solstice just a few days before we enter the next new moon on June 25.
Dreaming in the Dark, thoughts on the New Moon, by Calesta Ana:
This waning moon is a time of sleepiness... dreaming... for me. It all began with this full moon energy, going and going and running here and there with many projects. For me, most important in my work is the phases of the moon, I feel that is so strong when gardening, or just living. When the moon wanes and becomes dark, so do I. My intuition heightens, my need for rest does as well, I dream more. I bleed. It is a time of drawing inward. I sleep more. During the full moon, I sleep less. I think many of us do that. This month I was brought deeper into my appreciation for the need to sleep and dream in the darkness of the moon....
On friday, a waning moon, I pulled the Goddess Sige (go to this site to see a picture and a bit of info on this Goddess! http://www.paintingdreams.co.uk/print_details/goddess_images/sige.html ) from my newest tarot deck. The message was, rest, retreat, meditate, be alone....silence... REST. Ok, I thought, good timing, I'll be up north in a few hours, I can do that. I spent hours the next day on the lake, kayaking, watching the wind in the trees. Later that day, I thought I'd give the oracle another try. I shuffled them up.... but again, Sige. Ok, I guess I need more rest! When one gets those messages from the tarot back to back like that- it usually means pay attention!! Later that night I lay on the porch, listening to the pouring rain, the wind, it was dreamy, I was in and out of sleep for a couple of hours between the beating drops of water... it was absolutely incredible. Resting in and out of dreams listening to the rain and wind... chad and I were just in heaven laying there until the rain eventually stopped. I finally got up and went to bed when the rain stopped and I thought it was worth it to actually sleep deeply. That night, I dreamt I was telling my good friend and mentor about sleep, about how I needed really atleast 8-9 hours of sleep to function best. (this is actually something my doctor told me some time ago too). I woke up and realized that I was telling the higher part of myself I need more sleep. Sleep is so vital on so many levels... for my mood, my brain function, for my health and immunity, and also for my spirit, as my dreams can bring me visions, and growth if I take the time to pay attention. It is something not valued to most in our society... something we have to do to survive (and ofcourse most of us enjoy it), but it's last on the priority of work, family, hobbies, etc. And I forget that it's importance is more than physical and mental health, but also spiritual. I am going to start up my dream journal again, and see what messages await me this moon time.
Paying attention to sleep and dreams is my message in this time of the dark moon... how much rest do you REALLY need? When you take the time to sleep, and get up at any time- how much do you need to be at your best? Honestly, for me it's nine hours. I wish it was six or seven, but it's closer to nine. Then how do I make myself get more sleep more often? Well, in my house, we have a VERY early riser- juliette (although I also have a great husband that usually gets her while I sleep in). Usually to get more sleep, in my house it means going to bed earlier. It means not staying up to read that novel, or see that new show 'what about brian' (which i loved!), it means dropping all those extras at night and getting some rest.
What type of rest do you need? Is it more sleep? Is it more time to dream? Is it more time to listen to your dreams? How do you go about doing that and making it happen for you, especially now, when the moon is dark and it calls us to go into our dreams and the darker sides of ourself???
The Journey Moon
(The following quotes are from Earth Time, Moon Time, and additional commentary by Calesta Ana)
"The mood of the Mother- days are long and nights are warm... conditions for travel are ideal... In the life of small agricultrual communities, the crops are sown and it is time to move the herd animals to summer pastures and away from the growing grain".... It is here I ask of you what this time of year means to you. For me this time of year is always busy- sowing all my plants, weeding, getting the garden growing, traveling on summer vacations, and early summer projects.
"The Mother smiles on Her restless sons and daughters, who will not stay put or rest content with what they possess. Those who dare and dream may find new and unexpected riches." What are your dreams this new moon??? What would you like to see come to fruition?
According to a new book I've been reading, New Moon Astrology, it is recommended that one actually make wishes (I like to think of them as goals!) on each new moon. I won't go in to the whole book here, but the idea is that by focusing on what it is you actually want (as opposed to what you are frustrated about), and then using the growing power of the new moon, to focus your energy on it at that time. Somewhat like an affirmation. If you are interested in this, I suggest checking out the book, it gives details on each sign of the moon and what the best timing is. Or, you could take the journal I'm writing here, and run with it... and allow yourself to use what the moon is doing and flow with it too...
"The Journey Moon tells us that we may aspire to more than we have if we can but find the courage to dare new places and new directions... The energies of the Journey Moon deal with balances between the new and old, the unknown and familiar, change and permanence... In our personal lives, one practical and balanced way to handle Jouney Moon energies is expressed in the old adage, "be not the first by whom the new is tried, nor yet the last to lay the old aside." The only constant in our world is change, and if we cannot adopt to new ideas and facts, we stultify in stagnant pools, dying by degrees as we deny the renewal that should be our birthright as humans. On the other hand, if we chase pots of gold at the ends of rainbows beyond every distant hill, and never stop to examine the riches on the hill we presently occupy, we will never garner enough energy and grounded knowledge to produce something worth having. We can die of having no roots as surely as we can of not moving. Our challenge is, as always, to find the balance." Where do you need to push the limits, grow, and expand, but where do you need to dig deeper currently where you are, acknowledge that space and what's below the surface???
New Moon in Gemini:
Gemini rules- writing, speaking, communication, listening and teaching, understanding different opinions. It is my rising sign, and I've been learning more about it. On the plus side, you can do a lot, explore a lot, and communicate well... on the down side, there is nervousness or anxiety, indecisiveness, excessive questions, or even superficiality to things... not going very deep. Like doing way too many things at once- knowing a little about a lot. These are parts of the energy to be aware of at this new moon. According to New Moon Astrology by Jan Spiller, if you want to make something happen this new moon, some ideas are: Asking for easy, constructive communication in relationships, or self-defeating tendencies to superficiality lifted (or deceit, second guessing, over activity mentally). Finally, if asking for or working on health, focus it in the area of hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, hay fever, lungs or nervous system.
Herb of the Month!
This is a new idea, and I thought I'd chose one of my favorites- Nettles! (I'm drawing reference here from Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, Healing Wise by Susun Weed, and Brighid's Healing by Gina McGarry).
Nettles (Stinging Nettles)
Parts Used - New growth leaves and stems. Collect in spring. Make fresh tincture in apple cider vinegar or alcohol for asthma. Use dry leaf tea or tincture for nutrient tonic.
Contains- chlorophyll, Vitamines !, B complex, C, D, E and K, folic acid, minerals, bioflavanoids, and seratonin precurser. A whole body nutrient.
Good for immune, digestive system, reduce fatigue, create strong bones, healty skin hair, astma and allergies if used fresh, and also useful for pregnancy/fertility.
Interesting to note: "Nettles were once tithed, they have so many uses: medicine, food, fodder, fertilizer, beer, dye, fiber for thread, nets, durable cloth, paper, hair restorer, aphrodisiac, and smoke!" "Sprinkle nettle around the house to keep evil out and to send it back. Nettle is also thrown onto a fire to avert dancer, held in the hand to ward off ghosts, carried with yarrow to allay fear, and worn as an amulet to keep negativity away."
June Moon, and Goddess Wisdom
Complete Quotes-From the Book "Moon Magic"
"The original Roman name for this month was Junonius, after the Great Mother Goddess Juno; her counterpart among the Greeks was Hera. The summer solstice has been and still is important to many religions and cultures around the world. Not only was it sacred to goddesses of fertility, marriage, and love, but it was considered to be a time when faeries, elves and many other supernatural beings were abroad in great numbers. This Moon has enormous energies for calling upon and working with elementals of all types. Tides of psychic energy flow freely, enabling even the most strait of people to experience unusual happenings."
Days of Wisdom:
"All of us need wise guidance from time to time. When we have done everything we know to solve a problem and are stillfaced with bewilderment, then it is time to consult with higher powers. In ancient Greece, they celebrated the Day of All Heras (Wise Women- this was on the summer solstice). There is evidence to indicate that most oracles, at least in the beginning, were dedicated to an aspect of the Great Goddess, one of whose later names was Hera.
However, the Greek Goddess Athene was also considered to be the goddess of wisdom. She was called the Bright-Eyed and the All-Wise. Although this deity wore a helmet and breastplate and carried a spear and shiled she was primarily a goddess of the arts and crafts, writing, science, protection and renewel, wise counsel, peace, and battle strategy. She was known as the goddess of freedom and women's rights, the patronesss of soldiers and protectress of cities. Legend says Athene invented the plow, bridle, rake, ox yoke, and flute. She also taught humankind to breed and break horses. The owl, olive, oak and intertwined snakes were sacred to her."
Latest Updates:
There have been lots of updates to my website!
Art
My newest zen calligraphy art is done-Check the Goddess Shop for photos!
Goddess Projects!
Final Project on Brigid is up- all three Goddess Projects can be viewed in the inspiration and information page, or to see just the latest page, go to http://www.earthmotheryoga.com/brigid/
Candles
My herbs are in full swing now, and I've got plenty to be making herbal candles again. Please let me know before the full moon (which is when I make them), if there is something in particular you are looking for. The herb garden is doing lovely, and I have so much to use this season:) There are some candles already made, please check the Goddess Shop!
Priestess Training Complete!!! I finished my one year training (and as you know, it was pretty intensive!!!), and my internship, and now hold the title of Priestess! It's very exciting! From now on, my online courses will be offered through just my website, no other schools. I am now on the path of learning spiritual mentorship/ high priestessing, and this will probably take me through the rest of spring, summer, and fall to complete, possibly longer depending on my own timing. I am so very happy about this work:)
Coming Soon:
I'm working on the newest online course- Moon Goddess Meditation, which will be an introduction to connecting with the moon via meditation, astrology, phases, etc. Ritual, Lore, Myths and more will be explored. I'll let you all know when it's ready and up in action.
I'm working on a few pages that have so much of the excellent feedback on the EGG course. And- really beautiful photos of some of the students gardens will be up very soon!!!
Massage and Reiki in the studio - it's nearly complete! More details to come this summer!
I wish you the best during this Moon Time:)
Feel free to email me using the contact form.
<< Previous Moon Journal Entry
Next Moon Journal Entry >>
On friday, a waning moon, I pulled the Goddess Sige (go to this site to see a picture and a bit of info on this Goddess! http://www.paintingdreams.co.uk/print_details/goddess_images/sige.html ) from my newest tarot deck. The message was, rest, retreat, meditate, be alone....silence... REST. Ok, I thought, good timing, I'll be up north in a few hours, I can do that. I spent hours the next day on the lake, kayaking, watching the wind in the trees. Later that day, I thought I'd give the oracle another try. I shuffled them up.... but again, Sige. Ok, I guess I need more rest! When one gets those messages from the tarot back to back like that- it usually means pay attention!! Later that night I lay on the porch, listening to the pouring rain, the wind, it was dreamy, I was in and out of sleep for a couple of hours between the beating drops of water... it was absolutely incredible. Resting in and out of dreams listening to the rain and wind... chad and I were just in heaven laying there until the rain eventually stopped. I finally got up and went to bed when the rain stopped and I thought it was worth it to actually sleep deeply. That night, I dreamt I was telling my good friend and mentor about sleep, about how I needed really atleast 8-9 hours of sleep to function best. (this is actually something my doctor told me some time ago too). I woke up and realized that I was telling the higher part of myself I need more sleep. Sleep is so vital on so many levels... for my mood, my brain function, for my health and immunity, and also for my spirit, as my dreams can bring me visions, and growth if I take the time to pay attention. It is something not valued to most in our society... something we have to do to survive (and ofcourse most of us enjoy it), but it's last on the priority of work, family, hobbies, etc. And I forget that it's importance is more than physical and mental health, but also spiritual. I am going to start up my dream journal again, and see what messages await me this moon time.
Paying attention to sleep and dreams is my message in this time of the dark moon... how much rest do you REALLY need? When you take the time to sleep, and get up at any time- how much do you need to be at your best? Honestly, for me it's nine hours. I wish it was six or seven, but it's closer to nine. Then how do I make myself get more sleep more often? Well, in my house, we have a VERY early riser- juliette (although I also have a great husband that usually gets her while I sleep in). Usually to get more sleep, in my house it means going to bed earlier. It means not staying up to read that novel, or see that new show 'what about brian' (which i loved!), it means dropping all those extras at night and getting some rest.
What type of rest do you need? Is it more sleep? Is it more time to dream? Is it more time to listen to your dreams? How do you go about doing that and making it happen for you, especially now, when the moon is dark and it calls us to go into our dreams and the darker sides of ourself???
The Journey Moon
(The following quotes are from Earth Time, Moon Time, and additional commentary by Calesta Ana)
"The mood of the Mother- days are long and nights are warm... conditions for travel are ideal... In the life of small agricultrual communities, the crops are sown and it is time to move the herd animals to summer pastures and away from the growing grain".... It is here I ask of you what this time of year means to you. For me this time of year is always busy- sowing all my plants, weeding, getting the garden growing, traveling on summer vacations, and early summer projects.
"The Mother smiles on Her restless sons and daughters, who will not stay put or rest content with what they possess. Those who dare and dream may find new and unexpected riches." What are your dreams this new moon??? What would you like to see come to fruition?
According to a new book I've been reading, New Moon Astrology, it is recommended that one actually make wishes (I like to think of them as goals!) on each new moon. I won't go in to the whole book here, but the idea is that by focusing on what it is you actually want (as opposed to what you are frustrated about), and then using the growing power of the new moon, to focus your energy on it at that time. Somewhat like an affirmation. If you are interested in this, I suggest checking out the book, it gives details on each sign of the moon and what the best timing is. Or, you could take the journal I'm writing here, and run with it... and allow yourself to use what the moon is doing and flow with it too...
"The Journey Moon tells us that we may aspire to more than we have if we can but find the courage to dare new places and new directions... The energies of the Journey Moon deal with balances between the new and old, the unknown and familiar, change and permanence... In our personal lives, one practical and balanced way to handle Jouney Moon energies is expressed in the old adage, "be not the first by whom the new is tried, nor yet the last to lay the old aside." The only constant in our world is change, and if we cannot adopt to new ideas and facts, we stultify in stagnant pools, dying by degrees as we deny the renewal that should be our birthright as humans. On the other hand, if we chase pots of gold at the ends of rainbows beyond every distant hill, and never stop to examine the riches on the hill we presently occupy, we will never garner enough energy and grounded knowledge to produce something worth having. We can die of having no roots as surely as we can of not moving. Our challenge is, as always, to find the balance." Where do you need to push the limits, grow, and expand, but where do you need to dig deeper currently where you are, acknowledge that space and what's below the surface???
New Moon in Gemini:
Gemini rules- writing, speaking, communication, listening and teaching, understanding different opinions. It is my rising sign, and I've been learning more about it. On the plus side, you can do a lot, explore a lot, and communicate well... on the down side, there is nervousness or anxiety, indecisiveness, excessive questions, or even superficiality to things... not going very deep. Like doing way too many things at once- knowing a little about a lot. These are parts of the energy to be aware of at this new moon. According to New Moon Astrology by Jan Spiller, if you want to make something happen this new moon, some ideas are: Asking for easy, constructive communication in relationships, or self-defeating tendencies to superficiality lifted (or deceit, second guessing, over activity mentally). Finally, if asking for or working on health, focus it in the area of hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, hay fever, lungs or nervous system.
Herb of the Month!
This is a new idea, and I thought I'd chose one of my favorites- Nettles! (I'm drawing reference here from Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs, Healing Wise by Susun Weed, and Brighid's Healing by Gina McGarry).
Nettles (Stinging Nettles)
Parts Used - New growth leaves and stems. Collect in spring. Make fresh tincture in apple cider vinegar or alcohol for asthma. Use dry leaf tea or tincture for nutrient tonic.
Contains- chlorophyll, Vitamines !, B complex, C, D, E and K, folic acid, minerals, bioflavanoids, and seratonin precurser. A whole body nutrient.
Good for immune, digestive system, reduce fatigue, create strong bones, healty skin hair, astma and allergies if used fresh, and also useful for pregnancy/fertility.
Interesting to note: "Nettles were once tithed, they have so many uses: medicine, food, fodder, fertilizer, beer, dye, fiber for thread, nets, durable cloth, paper, hair restorer, aphrodisiac, and smoke!" "Sprinkle nettle around the house to keep evil out and to send it back. Nettle is also thrown onto a fire to avert dancer, held in the hand to ward off ghosts, carried with yarrow to allay fear, and worn as an amulet to keep negativity away."
June Moon, and Goddess Wisdom
Complete Quotes-From the Book "Moon Magic"
"The original Roman name for this month was Junonius, after the Great Mother Goddess Juno; her counterpart among the Greeks was Hera. The summer solstice has been and still is important to many religions and cultures around the world. Not only was it sacred to goddesses of fertility, marriage, and love, but it was considered to be a time when faeries, elves and many other supernatural beings were abroad in great numbers. This Moon has enormous energies for calling upon and working with elementals of all types. Tides of psychic energy flow freely, enabling even the most strait of people to experience unusual happenings."
Days of Wisdom:
"All of us need wise guidance from time to time. When we have done everything we know to solve a problem and are stillfaced with bewilderment, then it is time to consult with higher powers. In ancient Greece, they celebrated the Day of All Heras (Wise Women- this was on the summer solstice). There is evidence to indicate that most oracles, at least in the beginning, were dedicated to an aspect of the Great Goddess, one of whose later names was Hera.
However, the Greek Goddess Athene was also considered to be the goddess of wisdom. She was called the Bright-Eyed and the All-Wise. Although this deity wore a helmet and breastplate and carried a spear and shiled she was primarily a goddess of the arts and crafts, writing, science, protection and renewel, wise counsel, peace, and battle strategy. She was known as the goddess of freedom and women's rights, the patronesss of soldiers and protectress of cities. Legend says Athene invented the plow, bridle, rake, ox yoke, and flute. She also taught humankind to breed and break horses. The owl, olive, oak and intertwined snakes were sacred to her."
Latest Updates:
There have been lots of updates to my website!
Art
My newest zen calligraphy art is done-Check the Goddess Shop for photos!
Goddess Projects!
Final Project on Brigid is up- all three Goddess Projects can be viewed in the inspiration and information page, or to see just the latest page, go to http://www.earthmotheryoga.com/brigid/
Candles
My herbs are in full swing now, and I've got plenty to be making herbal candles again. Please let me know before the full moon (which is when I make them), if there is something in particular you are looking for. The herb garden is doing lovely, and I have so much to use this season:) There are some candles already made, please check the Goddess Shop!
Priestess Training Complete!!! I finished my one year training (and as you know, it was pretty intensive!!!), and my internship, and now hold the title of Priestess! It's very exciting! From now on, my online courses will be offered through just my website, no other schools. I am now on the path of learning spiritual mentorship/ high priestessing, and this will probably take me through the rest of spring, summer, and fall to complete, possibly longer depending on my own timing. I am so very happy about this work:)
Coming Soon:
I'm working on the newest online course- Moon Goddess Meditation, which will be an introduction to connecting with the moon via meditation, astrology, phases, etc. Ritual, Lore, Myths and more will be explored. I'll let you all know when it's ready and up in action.
I'm working on a few pages that have so much of the excellent feedback on the EGG course. And- really beautiful photos of some of the students gardens will be up very soon!!!
Massage and Reiki in the studio - it's nearly complete! More details to come this summer!
I wish you the best during this Moon Time:)
Feel free to email me using the contact form.
<< Previous Moon Journal Entry
Next Moon Journal Entry >>