Dear ones, next week on Thursday 1st October we welcome in the Full Moon in Aries. This being the closest full moon to the Autumn Equinox makes it the Harvest Moon. We will have the sun in Libra, the sign of relationships and balance, and the moon in Aries, the sign of the self. At first it might seem that these signs contradict each other but when we look closer they actually help us to navigate our Autumn theme of finding balance. Libra is a sign that is always wanting to make peace and harmony, their focus on relationships and partnerships can sometimes mean their own needs and boundaries get overlooked. Aries is a self reliant, head strong fire sign with clear boundaries and an often devil may care attitude. Somewhere between these two signs is a wonderful balance of taking care of our relationships and community and taking care of ourselves. Aries is the first sign of the zodiac, and when the moon is in Aries it asks us to take a step back and ask ourselves 'who am I?', 'What do I want?', 'What are my goals?'. If we feel we've been getting lost in other people's dramas and problems now is a wonderful time to come home to yourself in order to establish balance. This means you can also spend some time asking yourself if you feel your needs are being met, your voice is being heard and if you're being true to yourself. How could we add some of that powerful self reliant Aries energy into our life at the moment? Moon in Aries is a wonderful time to concentrate on our relationship to self, to check-in with our self love and self care knowing that these have a huge impact on our relationships. Aries can sometimes get a bad rep for being selfish, and though this may be an aspect of Aries' shadow side it's actually a part of their archetype that can be really helpful to work with. Instead of viewing them as selfish, view them instead of just having the level of self love and self respect that means they take good care of themselves whilst at the same time taking care of others. Aries helps us to make time for our own needs and wishes which means we end up with more to offer the world around us. How is your relationship with yourself? Do listen to your needs? Do you feel nourished? The Warrior WithinAries is ruled by the planet Mars, the planet of strength, passion and the archetype of the warrior. This Full Moon we have the opportunity to look to Aries for help building resilience in the face of adversity and tune into our inner warrioress. This global crisis is forcing us all to dig deep, face our fears and do some real spiritual work - we can use this time to create deep transformation. Fire has both the power to create and destroy and we are in a situation where we can see these dualities playing out in both human nature and mother nature herself. As the old way of being begins to crumble around us, we have the chance to ask ourselves what new world we wish to create together, like the phoenix rising from the ashes. Aries rules the head, sinuses and eyes so whilst the moon is in Aries it's really important to look after these areas of the body. We'll be more susceptible to picking up colds during moon in Aries days, especially if we're already run down so wrap up warm, rest and take care of yourself. Aries can often suffer from being too much in their head and because they are a fire sign are often called hot headed. If you resonate with this and have been dealing with thoughts of overwhelm, it would be really helpful to dedicate some time for meditation to help soothe your mind and calm your thoughts. Journaling about what's overwhelming you could also be really helpful, especially in relation to the people pleasing and over committing that we just spoke about. Maybe it's time to scale back and admit we can't do everything? Full moons are a great time to take an honest look at what isn't working and let it go, we may have just started a new project or venture and for whatever reason it's just not in flow, sometimes we need to push through and sometimes we need to let go and accept that perhaps it's not the right time. How much are we clinging on to this particular thing out of fear of what others might think? “In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you.” Aries GoddessesNow is a great time to call upon fire Goddesses and Goddesses of transformation such as Kali, Durga, Lilith, Brigid, Pele, Eos, Bast and the Morrigan. Set up an altar or a place on your altar for one or a few Goddesses, just seeing them there each day will help you to draw strength, guidance and power from them. You may even like to do a daily meditation with them or even a mantra practice. Durga's mantra is incredibly powerful for protection: OM DUM DURGAYEI NAMAHA Warming Body OilThis aromatherapy body oil will help you connect to the fire of Aries whilst at the same time help with the stiff joints, sore muscles and will help to boost your immune system: 25ml Base oil of you choice 1 drop Black Pepper essential oil 2 drops Ginger essential oil 3 drops Orange essential oil 2 drops Marjoram essential oil Essential Oils for SinusesIf you feel your sinuses are blocked, these essential oils can help to clear them. Use just a drop or two of one of these oils in a bowl of hot water, place a towel over your head and breathe the steam in: Ravensara Eucalyptus Peppermint We really hope you've enjoyed our blog. Don't forget you can join us for our online Sisters of the Moon Circle on Thursday night next week where we'll be exploring the theme - the Warrior Within. For more info please email [email protected] Free Online CourseWe are delighted to be offering this free online course to help you deepen your connection to the Moon. The moon moves through a different zodiac sign every 2-3 days and each sign is associated with a different archetype, element, charge and part of the body. Over the 30 days we will be sharing daily self care prompts for working with the moon on each day, this will also include which phase and zodiac sign the moon is in and the ruling planet of the day. This course will help you to create a much more intimate relationship with the moon as well as keep your self care practices active during these difficult and uncertain times.
This course will start tomorrow - 1st October and is free to join. Once the course begins you will then receive a daily lunar prompt every day for 30 days. Click here to sign up: https://seekingblissonline.com/courses/1304/about
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Happy Autumn Equinox dear ones! The Equinox takes place at 2:30pm(bst) tomorrow and we can officially welcome in Autumn - the season of snuggly jumpers, pumpkin spiced lattes, cosy socks, crunchy leaves, crisp walks in the countryside and the beginning of slowing things down as we head in to winter. Tomorrow, along with the Equinox we also have the sun moving into the sign of Libra - amplifying the theme of balance as Libra is all about seeking and creating harmony in our lives. The Autumn Equinox, also called Mabon and Alban Elfed, marks the balance between light and dark, it offers us an opportunity to pause and take stock before things shift as we make our way towards the dark part of the year. It is the second of the Harvest festivals and has long been honoured as a time to give thanks for all that we have received throughout the year. Autumn Equinox is also a time of release - if we look at what nature is up to at the moment you can see that she is shedding her leaves in order to make space for new growth next year but not before heading into her winter slumber. Mother Earth’s energy now is beginning to draw in and down, the majority of the activity will begin to take place underground. This is our cue to begin to do the same, to start to draw our energy from the outward expression of summer to the inward reflection of Autumn. It's a time to set new boundaries, to prioritize our wellbeing and to learn the art of saying no. Now, more than ever, with all that is going on in the world it's important for us each to take care of ourselves and each other. THEMES: Transition, letting go, balance, release, slowing down, magic, ceremony, gratitude, boundaries, journeying inward, coming home to self. Here at Sisters of the Moon we are passionate about connecting people to these natural cycles and rhythms. Below, we have compiled some of our favourite recipes and rituals for Autumn: A Ritual for ReleasingAs mentioned, Autumn Equinox is a time of release, here is a simple ritual to help you release the old and make way for the new: You will need: Autumn leaves or dried flowers Hole puncher container Journal somewhere quiet and private outside Gather up your autumn leaves and dried flowers and hole punch them so you begin to make confetti. Place your confetti in a container and head out into nature, somewhere you can be alone and where you can throw your leaf confetti. Stand in front of where you want to throw your leaves, pour the leaves into your hands and close your eyes. Imagine that each one of these pieces of leaf or flower represents something that you want to let go of. Strongly hold these things in your mind. Take a deep breath and as you exhale, throw your leaf/flower confetti out in to the world and feel all of these things leaving you. Afterwards, write a list of all the things that you are grateful for receiving since the time of the Spring Equinox and allow your heart to be filled with joy and warmth. HyggeFor us, one of the best things about Autumn is getting our cosy on! Now is the time to stock up on candles with scents that warm and delight, we're in love with the scent of Vanilla and White Pumpkin, gingerbread, Jasmine and orange with Clove. You could also get crafty and have a go at making your own candles using eco alternatives such as soy and beeswax. Check out the amazing magazine Willow and Sage for lots of inspiration. A big part of our Autumn self care routine is coming home from work and lighting candles, turning on the fairy lights and turning off the main lights to tune in to the darkening of the days. Get outsideRemember that Equinox is all about balance, it's important to balance our indoor cosyness with plenty of time outdoors soaking up as much natural light as we can and breathing in the fresh air. The countryside at this time of year is just absolutely stunning, go exploring and try leaving your phone at home. Gather beautiful autumn leaves and nuts and try creating an Autumn mandala when you get home. Pumpkin Spiced Latte Body OilThis gorgeous combination of essential oils not only recreates the smell of this autumnal drink but also helps to boost immunity, soothe tired and achey muscles and improves circulation: 25ml Base Oil of your choice 1 drop Clove essential oil 3 drops Orange essential oil 1 drop Cinnamon essential oil 1 drop Ginger essential oil 1 drop Vanilla essential oil The Magic of Mabon Online CourseIf you would like to deepen your connection to and understanding of Mabon then we are offering this online self study course called The Magic of Mabon. In this course you will learn:
Cost: $20.00 Click here to sign up: https://seekingblissonline.com/courses/1284/about Happy New Moon in Virgo dear ones! We are now shifting from the playful, fiery, sun ruled Leo to the more serious, grounded, earth ruled Virgo which seems to fit in with the shift from August into September and the new academic year. It's that time of year where we begin to establish routines again after the free flow of the summer months and start planning for the rest of the year. Routines, healthy habits and getting organised are all key traits for Virgo so use the energy of this new moon to help yourself begin to transition from summer into Autumn. As well as their love for an organized life, Virgos also have a deep connection to the spiritual, the divine and a higher purpose - this is due to Virgo being ruled by the planet Mercury, the planet of elevated thought, communication and travel. They also have a deep connection to the earth as they are an Earth sign. The combination of Mercury in an Earth sign gives us this sense of embodied wisdom. Virgo moon asks us how we can balance the Spiritual with the practical? How are we showing up for our spiritual life? How can we integrate our connection with the divine into our daily life in a practical way? Are our daily habits in harmony with our spiritual wishes? In your journal, write a list of ways that you can create spiritual habits, simple ways that you can connect to the Divine every day. Do you have an altar space? If not, is this something you could set up? Keywords associated with Virgo: intelligent, independant, focused, organized, spiritual, discerning, hardworking, grounded. Themes: Health, habits, routines, slowing down, purpose, sacred service, coming back down to earth Virgo and the BodyVirgo rules the digestive organs - the large and small intestine, spleen and pancreas and also the nervous system. Because of this, most Virgos tend to be very health conscious and careful about what they put into their bodies. This is the ideal time to have a look at our lifestyle and health habits as we head into the Autumn months - self care is very important to Virgos. With Virgo's love of being organised and healthy and winter on its way, now is a great time to check-in with our daily habits and start to make tweaks to honour the change of the seasons. We can ask ourselves if our current daily habits are leading us where we want to go? Are we choosing things that make us feel good, well and balanced or are we relying on quick fixes and instant gratification? What would it feel like to add in new routines to our day to honour the shortening of days? Perhaps a little bit of yoga first thing in the morning or a few minutes of meditation? Perhaps we could add in a new bedtime ritual of tv and phone free time and a calming practice like Yoga Nidra. How are we supporting our body at the moment? How are we caring for ourselves? Because of Virgo's connection to the gut, they also have very good instincts and are guided by their intuition. How often do we allow ourselves to be guided by our gut feelings? Do we listen to and trust our gut? Intuition is a powerful aspect of the divine feminine - awakening, trusting and being guided by your intuition is a powerful way to awaken the priestess within. Virgo ArchetypesThe Priestess One of Virgo's archetypes is the Priestess due to it's connection to the earth, the cycles of the seasons and also their connection to the divine and need to be of service. How could you use this New Moon to awaken your inner priestess? Do you celebrate the turning of the seasons? Is there ritual, meditation, and faith in something beyond the ordinary in your life? Do you feel connected to a higher purpose? If so, what is it? The Maiden Virgo's symbol is the maiden or Virgin and is often depicted as a maiden goddess carrying a sheaf of wheat - representing the harvest season but also the gathering of wisdom. What wisdom have you gathered from the year so far? The archetype of the Virgin and the Maiden is very much to do with the idea of being sovereign (the original meaning of the word Virgin) - being self assured, self reliant and deeply connected to our wisdom and intuition. Do you trust yourself? Do your trust where you're being guided to go? Or are you resisting? Earth Mother Virgos have a deep connection to the earth and often act in ways to be of service to the Earth Goddess - caring for the environment, living in harmony with nature's cycles and living with consideration and modesty. We can ask ourselves if we're living a balanced, eco conscious lifestyle or if we've fallen in to the trap of consumerism. This would be a wonderful time to inspire yourself with environmental groups, documentaries or even doing a permaculture course (don't worry there's plenty of online courses available). The Healer Virgo is ruled by the 6th Astrological House of Healing & Health so one of it's archetypes is the Healer. Also, because Virgo rules the harvest - the picking and sorting of crops - it has an affinity with healing herbs. This is a wonderful time of year to gather healing herbs for the coming Autumn months. AromatherapyEssential oils to use for Virgo are Marjoram, Myrrh, Frankincense, Bergamot, Valerian and Thyme. Here's a recipe for a solar plexus balancing tummy oil: 25ml base oil of your choice 5 drops Bergamot 2 drops Myrrh 2 drops Frankincense 3 drops Marjoram (not suitable for pregnancy, breastfeeding or if going out in the sun directly after using). Rub the oil on your tummy in circular motions, from right to left. Virgo GoddessesVesta
The Roman goddess Vesta is a maiden goddess of the hearth and home and represents self reliance, purity, sacred service and the archetype of the priestess. Inspiration we can draw from Vesta is developing or reconnecting with our own self reliance. Asking ourselves how much we rely on or are effected by the opinions of others. Virgos are known for their independence and strength of character. Saraswati The Hindu Goddess of knowledge, learning, and the creative arts. We can call upon Saraswati to empower our mind, to bless our projects and to watch over us as we study. She is another example of a self reliant Goddess. Sally Kempton refers to the 'Saraswati woman' in her book 'Awakening Shakti' - a woman who is perfectly happy to be alone, immersed in sacred study, self development and service to the divine. Does the Saraswati woman appeal to you? Pachamama Pachamama is a South American Earth Mother Goddess. She is a fertility Goddess and also oversees planting and the harvest so she fits in beautifully to this time of year where we begin to both plant hardy seeds for next year and harvest our crops from this year. She also oversees the sacred balance of things and can be wrathful when when we are taking too much from the Earth without giving back. In light of recent events throughout the world, this is the perfect time for us to deepen our connection to the Earth Mother and pledge ourselves to be in her service. What actions can you take over the coming months to be of service to Pachamama? Demeter Demeter is another maiden Goddess associated with harvest and fertility. She is a grain Goddess and also rules over the cycles of the seasons. We can ask for her help as we transition from summer to Autumn. Our fast paced world has lost connection to the sacred rhythms of the earth, we are expected to be the same all year round, our working hours don't change and in some instances (like christmas & new year) we get busier when we should be slowing down. It's up to us to tune into these natural rhythms and walk a different path, this is the way of the Priestess! Part of your journaling practice could include how you can start slowing things down for Autumn, ensuring you have plenty of time for rest and restoration. Mary Magdalene Due to Virgo's link with the Priestess archetype, it's a really nice opportunity to connect with the misunderstood and undervalued Goddess Mary Magdalene who was a High Priestess. We really hope you've enjoyed our blog. Don't forget you can join us for our online Sisters of the Moon Circle tomorrow night where we'll be exploring the theme - the Power of the Priestess. For more info please email [email protected] Dearest sisters of the moon, in the early hours of tomorrow morning (6.21am BST) we welcome in the Full Moon in Pisces. In Druidry, the September Full Moon is referred to as the Singing Moon, this is believed to be because of all the Harvest songs that would have been sung at this time of year. This Full Moon also sees us welcoming in a new month and for many people an uneasy transition back into 'normal' working life and children going back to school. In terms of the academic calendar, September signifies the start of a new year and this can be a nice thing to tune into as the wheel of the year is about to turn again, in just a few weeks we will be celebrating the Autumn Equinox! So, we are definitely in a state of transition in so many ways and this full moon in Pisces can help us to tune into it's element of water and go with the flow. Pisces is a sensitive, feminine, water sign so expect to feel fairly emotional whilst the moon is in this sign. Full moons always heighten emotions so the Pisces influence will amplify this even more. It's definitely a time to go slow, be gentle with yourself and make sure you've got lots of self care lined up. Pisces is the last sign of the zodiac and therefore carries with it a depth and maturity and, if we want, an opportunity to swim down into the waters of our unconscious and retrieve soul treasures. Pisces is a deep and magical sign, ruled by the 12th House of Self-Knowing and the Unconscious and the planets Neptune and Jupiter. Jupiter is the planet of expansion and Neptune is the planet of Universal Love and elevated consciousness. These influences mean that Pisces is always asking the big questions...Who am I? Where do we come from? What's the real meaning of human life? How can we be a conduit for the divine here on earth? Pisces is sometimes referred to as the Mystic of the Zodiac and provides us with a wonderful opportunity to tend to our spiritual life. This is perfect preparation for the upcoming New Moon in Virgo where we will be connecting to the archetype of the Priestess. "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience." - Pierre Teilhard de Chardin “There is a voice that doesn't use words. Listen.”- Rumi THEMES Emotions, dreams, spirituality, mermaids, selkies, sea witches, creativity, connection to the Divine, Soul Dreams, Sacred Contracts, The Divine Feminine, Intuition, Mysticism, Healing, Pisces is also referred to as the dreamer of the zodiac and is often accused of being away with the fairies, vague and impractical and although that might be true there's a lot we can learn from Pisces when we understand them a little better, as they tend to be a fairly misunderstood sign. The symbol for Pisces is two fish swimming in opposite directions representing how this sign exists in two worlds - the physical world and the spiritual world. They have a wonderful connection to the dream world, the divine, the imagination and the ability to see beyond the ordinary and are deeply in tune with their feelings - this can sometimes overwhelm them. Pisces are highly creative and tend to be artists, musicians, writers, and dancers but also spiritual teachers and mystics. This full moon would be a wonderful time to let yourself dream, create and give yourself permission to feel. The sun is in Virgo and the moon is in Pisces - this offers us a chance to look at our own balance between these worlds. Virgo is a very practical, grounded, earth sign and Pisces is a floaty, water sign but what they both have in common is the desire to have a spiritual life, to be of service and to connect with something beyond the daily grind. Virgo rules our routines and habits, an interesting question for this full moon is are our habits/routines/daily activities in line with our dreams? Or do we spend time day dreaming about what our life might look like but make no practical steps to make this happen? How could we combine the practical and discerning qualities of Virgo with Pisces freedom to dream and create? Journaling promptsPour yourself a cup of something comforting, grab your journal, light a candle and play some soothing soft music. Take some deep breaths and then work your way through these journaling prompts: - Write a list of all your dreams and goals or even better create a vision board - On a separate page write practical steps to making this happen. For example, if you have a dream job that you're not yet qualified to do, what steps do you need to take to get qualified? - Ask yourself if there's a balance between your dreaming mind and your rational mind or does one smother the other? Does rational thought stamp out the fires of creativity? Or does daydreaming keep you from bringing your dreams to fruition? What steps could you take to balance these things out? What role does fear have to play in this? If rational thought takes over is it out of fear of the unknown, not wanting to risk the safety of current circumstances? Or if you always remain in the dreaming state is that due to fear of trying and failing? Write a list of fears, be honest with yourself. - Spiritual progress is at the heart of both Pisces and Virgo and we can use full moons and the waning moon afterwards as a time for release and forgiveness. What are you still holding onto from your past that is hindering your spiritual progress? What is standing in the way of you having an open heart? - Due to the emotional nature of full moons and the moon being in Pisces ask yourself what your relationship is to feelings? Do you let your emotions flow freely? Or do you suppress them or berate yourself for being emotional? Ask yourself how you are feeling today. What's your response to the answer? - Virgo and Pisces both share the ability to trust their feelings and intuit, what's your relationship like to your own intuition? Do you trust it and follow it? Or do you ignore it? Spend some time working with Tarot or Oracle cards and give yourself a reading. Journal about your experience. - Write a list of all that you are grateful for since the new moon in a few weeks ago Pisces self carePisces rules the feet so on the days when the moon is in Pisces it's beneficial to take care of the feet and avoid anything that will put them under extra stress. It also reminds us to have our feet on the ground and to be present which we definitely need reminding of on Pisces days. Try and make some time to go outside and place your bare feet on the earth and take some deep breaths. Then play around with wiggling your toes, rising up on the balls of the feet and lowering back down and then one by one rotating your ankles. You could even do fascia ball rolling for the feet, this is a lovely treat for the fascia on the underside of the foot but also benefits the entire back line of the body - it's also a great stress buster! PISCES FOOT BATH Treat your feet to an aromatherapy foot bath. Here's our Pisces full moon foot bath recipe for you to enjoy: Himalayan salts Epsom Salts Dead sea salts Dried lavender flowers Bergamot essential oil - 2 drops Cedarwood essential oil - 1 drop Geranium essential oil - 1 drop Lavender essential oil - 2 drops *Not suitable during pregnancy EMOTIONAL HEALING BODY OIL This body oil recipe is to help you navigate the heightened emotions of both the full moon and the Pisces energy. This would be lovely applied to the feet before bed or to the heart space. Choose a base oil such as coconut oil, almond oil or apricot kernel oil. This recipe is for a 25ml bottle, if you want to make a larger bottle just increase the ratio: 25ml base oil of your choice Wild Orange essential oil - 2 drops Bergamot essential oil - 5 drops Cypress essential oil -n 3 drops Frankincense essential oil - 2 drops *Not suitable during pregnancy or if going out in the sun. Pour into an amber or dark blue glass bottle or jar and store in a cool, dark place. YOGA FOR THE HIPS Due to the emotional nature of this time, we'd recommend a gentle yoga practice such as gentle Hatha, Yin or Restorative Yoga with a focus on the hips. The hips are where we tend to store our emotions, releasing this part of the body along with the emotions you've been gripping onto will leave you feeling nourished and balanced. This will also help to bring balance to the Sacral Chakra which is connected to Pisces because of it being a water sign. Pisces GoddessesMother Mary Morgan Le Fay Yemeya Oshun Mami Wata Danu Hathor Boan Pisces PlaylistAs mentioned in the introduction, Pisces are often artists, musicians and dancers - what better way to connect to your inner Pisces than to put some music on and have a good dance. Movement practices on or around a full moon can really help us to navigate the intense energies that are so often at play. Here's a playlist we've created for the Pisces Moon. Hope you enjoy: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/38hd3CAE295SB1umTYK8el?si=RXzGpxKkQbGaV1OLJW1m1Q Full Moon CircleIf you would like to connect with this full moon in a group, don't forget that you can join us for our monthly full moon circle. We are gathering tomorrow night at 7pm(bst) and will be connecting with Morgan Le Fay. You can join by either joining our Patreon platform here: https://www.patreon.com/sistersofthemoon
or you can email us at [email protected] to drop-in in to circle by paying a drop-in fee. |
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