Sacred Darkness, Holy Light

We are in a season of changing Light. Slight as changes may be, we acknowledge, and even celebrate, them. Of course, Solstice is the most grand, being one of the Cross Quarters humanity has long ritualized.

Seeking to describe this change of Light, I found this poem. Its stunning opening:

The voyager that   

Travels the furthest

Light is a traveler. Its mission: traveling across miles & miles & miles of space to reach us.... collectively and individually.

Humanity has always worshipped the Light, whatever its Source. The Sun. The Moon. Volcanoes. Stars. Fire. Each of these Sources produces awe and wonder. Our first keeping of time was by Light: Sun and Moon for the day; length of SunLight and MoonLight for the seasons, the year. We mark our lives by those same sources of Light.

We also acknowledge the changing faces of the Moon. Light as Traveler finds its way from the Sun to the Moon. From there, Light turns its reflection our way. What an odd way to travel! Currently, we celebrate the New Moon ~ a time of no reflected light. Does that mean Light is not traveling? Not possible! And then, there's the Solar Eclipse. The New Moon and Solar Eclipse occurring within hours of each other. This Solar Eclipse brings opportunity for expansiveness, generosity and big dreams. In Capricorn, it leans us toward regaining control over our life, embracing maturity, and forming a practical plan to achieve goals. With Solstice less than a week past, this is a season in which we notice the Light....and pray that the Light notices us.

This is the season of Change. Winter Solstice: the turning from Sacred Darkness to Holy Light. Summer Solstice: the turning from Holy Light to Sacred Darkness. This Voyager, this Ambassador reaches us for the shortest or the longest of days. It's all about the turning of our world.

On our travels through our lives, our personal world turns. Sometimes it's joy and warmth; sometimes it's too hot and bright. Most people prefer the light times, just as most people prefer the yearly season of Light. It feels more comfortable.

Without Sacred Darkness, we would not recognize Holy Light. One is found in the presence of the other. Darkness replenishes us. We sleep at night. In a darkened room. Our circadian rhythms shift with the shifting of the Dark and Light. We need sleep which finds us during the Sacred Darkness. Sacred Darkness enfolds us as we grieve or have needs or fears. Comfort comes from this enfolding when we allow it, when we open our hearts to let the breath of Sacred Darkness breathe us as well. We know this place instinctually, yet often ignore or even run away from it. As with Holy Light, Sacred Darkness is a gift.

How do you celebrate the season of Light? What rituals do you perform? Do you do them with a community? or on your own? How do you differentiate between the Holy Light and the Sacred Darkness? What do you feel this Solar Eclipse brings to you? How do you address the Shadow cast by the Light? and the Aura that's left?

September Next Steps

Mythical Goddess Tarot ~ Holloway & Skaggs

From the Guide:

The Maiden of Fire is the wild woman who burns through the status quo with her heart of fire. She releases the binds to the old and transmutes the mundane outmoded form into the New Earth. She is unattached to the past, bringing innovation and cutting edge perspective.
This revolutionary Goddess of fire is here to assist you in the fiery release of all that shackles you to the past and outmoded form. You are ready for her pure flame to ignite your passion to ascend in frequency that you may change, heal and express your untamed essence. She brings the revolutionary power of change to you, inviting you to step into your true radiance and shine the light for others!

This week, we experienced a New Moon Solar Eclipse in Virgo. Whew! Lots of energy opening up there. Lots of opening up energy too ~ patterns that have served us for the past six months slipping out the gateway; new patterns settling in for the next six months. As the saying goes: Be careful what you wish for...... This is a time for setting those wishes in motion. A time to rework and reorganize our belief and value systems. A time to reweave, reconnect and restructure our connection to the web of life around us.

As I focused on the Tarot cards today, I simply asked for the energy that I would need to move forward from here. The Maiden of Fire ~ Revolution Herself ~ showed up. Reading the information from the Guide, I recognized that She is the Next Step for me ~~ precisely what I need to move forward after the New Moon Solar Eclipse. Someone Who will help me release the chains and dedications of the past, stand fully in the present moment, and move cleanly into the future. I want to focus my energy in each place in turn ~ until the form of what I'm calling forth reveals itself.

How is the New Moon Solar Eclipse touching your life? What are you letting go? What are you seeding? What do you want to see more of in your life? Who is showing up to help you? How will you define your next step? Where are you focusing your energy?

Ramadan Kareem

This particular New Moon brings with it the beginning of the Muslim blessing month of Ramadan. During Ramadan, all who are healthy and able participate in fasting from first light to last light every day. Experiencing Ramadan during summer in the Northern Hemisphere is long and exhausting.

Iftar, the breaking of the fast, traditionally begins with the eating of three dates at sunset. It is often a widely shared meal. Though I am not a practicing Muslim, I have had the great fortune of being invited to participate in three iftar meals. The first time was in the lower level of a private home with only women. Ten or eleven of us sat on low couches and large pillows scattered on the floor. I was the only non-Muslim woman present. Though I felt the awkwardness of an outsider, the women included me in every part of the ritual, the meal and the conversation. By the end of the nearly 90-minute time together, we were all smiling, laughing and embracing as we went our separate ways.

My other two times were during my time in Egypt. Muslim friends with whom I worked invited me to join their families. I was deeply touched by their offers. For each of those days, I participated in the full day fast: no food and no drink. Not the same as their month-long experience, I realize, but my meager way of honoring their invitation. The warmth and generosity of the people equaled what I had previously experienced and I went home from each iftar with a deeper sense of the blessing of Ramadan.

What celebrations bring you blessing? Have you shared in celebrations with strangers? What blessing have you found in them? Do you choose times to fast, to give something vital and precious up for a time? If so, what have you experienced?

New Moon Slipping from Aquarius to Pisces

The New Moon on February 18th becomes a perigee New Moon during the daylight hours of February 19th and is therefore unseen (unlike the picture). In 2015, it is the closest New Moon to Earth.

This New Moon moves from the last degree of Aquarius into the first degree of Pisces ~ in the place of transition, culmination, fruition, and initiation. As with every New Moon, it's a time of birthing. This one overflows with Aquarian vision and Piscean altruism, a time to focus on helping humanity in the best possible way.

Bridge the worlds with vision and dreams ~ face the shadow self and move forward from potential to manifestation ~ DO SOMETHING! This New Moon is about taking charge of the forward momentum in life.

Each New Moon presents an opportunity to let go of what doesn't serve and plant a new crop of what does. It's important to take advantage of the energetic flow. Accept responsibility for choices made, paths taken, bridges built.

How does the energy feel to you? What are you waiting to birth, to create? What is the shadow side of yourself? how will you face it and move forward? What will be your first next step?

January's Super New Moon

January 20, 2015 ~ The first New Moon of the new year AND the first SuperMoon of 2015. Unusual as it may seem, this New Moon is one of the closest to the Earth. Even though we don't see it, we can feel the pull of its presence.

This Super New Moon is in Aquarius, the sign of new beginnings, fresh starts and expecting the unexpected.

The New Moon is always a time of letting go. However, this one demands that you look closely within to see what needs changing in order to create success and growth. Look at your challenges in a new way and be willing to embrace them, to work with them, to overcome them.

There is power in the choices you make today. Choose well. Let the Super New Moon work its magic to help you create new life and co-create it the way you want it to be. Live your creativity from the deepest part of yourself. Empower yourself ~ do what makes you feel powerful, courageous, strong. Step out of your comfort zone and be bold and innovative. Listen to your inner knowing, your intuition. Pay attention. Listen with all your attention.

New Moons carry their own power. The particular potential of this one is its position as the first of the year.

What are you ready to let go of? How is you creative energy calling to you? What is your intuition saying?

December's Capricorn New Moon

Accompanying the Winter Solstice this year is the Capricorn New Moon. As ever, Capricorn is about deep reflection and introspection fitting perfectly into the winter cycle of hibernation and allowing time to ponder what newness and shape may be coming into one's future.

In this reflective stage ~ and the 'letting go' phase of the New Moon ~ I consider the brand new year approaching as a time to take action, to deepen my connection with my higher self and with the Ineffable One. I choose an empowered and authentic life.

Moving forward from this New Moon, stepping into the New Year, is perfect timing for releasing the past ~ all of the past, whether I deemed it good, bad or indifferent. I choose to spend this time grounding and centering myself to establish my deep, heartfelt next step with honor, integrity, boldness and courage. I disengage from any false beliefs and self-limitations as I ride the wave of transformation into my next twelve month cycle via the current cultural calendar, awake, aware, conscious, grounded.

This New Moon lights my way to embracing my Shadow, loving both my Light and my Dark. I continue on the path to wholeness and balance, redefining my beliefs along the way. I do not get what I want; I get what I believe. I get what I call forth from the Darkness of the New Moon into the Light of the coming year and next Full Moon.

What do you believe? What does this New Moon say to you? How do you empower yourself? What do you call forth into the New Year?

Walk Through Fire

Have you ever felt like you were walking on hot coals? or across burning sand? I know some people have done these things literally, but I'm referring to that feeling of needing to move quickly and gingerly through something.

Lately, with the wonder of Mercury Retrograde and both the Solar Eclipse and New Moon, much of that kind of feeling has been happening in my world. Scorpio is so intimately involved in all this ~~ the hidden places are being brought to light. This is not the easiest path to pursue. Yet there is no true alternative. If I try to avoid the truths arising and being revealed, well, it'd be like stepping fully on the hot coals without protection or awareness. I only get burned. And I still have to face the truths. So I might as well face them from the start.

Since Mercury has gone direct, language is easier and expressing what's been happening and what continues to happen is more likely to make sense. The revelation piece comes out of Scorpio's hidden realm.

How does all this relate to Bukowski's quote? Revealing my truths, especially the ones I've spent time tucking away into the darkest corners, is "walking through the fire." It burns away the cover I've so carefully designed, planted and cultivated ~~ sometimes so well that I've hidden the truth from myself too. I walk well when I keep moving and face whatever is left after I get to the other side of the fire. I am eager to walk well through the fire!

What lies at the core of your fire? What have you hidden? What is being revealed? How well do you want to walk through your fire?

New Moon in Libra

http://darkstarastrology.com/new-moon-september-2014/

The New Moon that's so clearly and recently arrived barely rests in Libra and is conjunct the asteroid Lilith. Much of the power flowing through it carries the rebellious feminist energy of the Dark Goddess Lilith accompanied by the Divine Feminine energy of Athena. With both of these Goddesses active, the clearest theme is your relationship with yourself. Be comfortable with yourself. Allow every aspect of your inner goddess to shine forth.

Be ready to start something new, something that calls to your deep inner desire and brings you into a healthier relationship with yourself. That may be walking, dancing, eating healthy....anything along the usual path of 'healthy.' Or it may be reading a book, going for a massage, or taking a class. Whatever brings you peace and a stronger sense of well-being. Move forward from this New Moon with confidence, grace and ease. Feel the subtle strength of the Goddess empower you. See yourself as a Conqueror!

What does the title Conqueror conjure in your mind? What do you do to mark the passage of the moons? Which goddess speaks most clearly to you? Why and How?

New Moon in Cancer

Early Friday morning, the New Moon slid into Cancer, Her home sign. In it She expresses fully as the Great Mother, the Nurturer. Cancer is the sign of deep emotions and connections and family. Both Sun and Moon in Cancer means a double dose of Mama Love!

New Moons are about letting go, shedding, renewal. This New Moon opposes Pluto in Capricorn; the God/dess of the Underworld intimating that what's arriving renewed cannot fit in the constraints of what has gone before. It's about completing projects and moving on. Whatever I cling to, thinking I'm safe and secure, is instead limiting my opportunity to grow and step into a fuller expression of my power. Pluto is all about moving through and transforming feelings of insecurity in order to assure the deeper, truer experience of inner security. Pluto is also about Power. With the New Moon in Cancer, I need to be sure I own my power in all its aspects, including the Shadow side. Which means I need to be aware of all those aspects myself.                                                        

The Cancer New Moon is part of the final ripples of the Grand Cardinal Cross ~ it is a Dark Moon in Cancer, a Cardinal Sign. My focus continues to be the Divine Feminine, observing how the feminine principal is empowered in the world. With so much masculine huffing and puffing going on in the world, from Kim Jong-un's retaliation threat if Seth Rogen's film is released to Bashar al-Assad's willingness to wipe out huge groups of his own people to Iraq's loss of control in many key areas to John Boehner suing President Obama, the Divine Mother needs to be invited in to help settle the testosterone battles. If enough of us call on the Divine Feminine, perhaps things can change direction.

How do you honor a New Moon? Have you been feeling deeper emotional connection and conflict the past few days? What do you do in response? How do you honor the Divine Feminine?

Extreme Moons of January

©MLMonroe

The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines PERIGEE as "the point in outer space where an object traveling around the Earth is closest to the Earth." What we refer to as Super Moons happen when the moon is at its perigee. It looks closer and larger than it does at other times.

In January of 2014, there are two Super Moons; two times during the same month when the moon is at its perigee. Both of those times are New Moons so the size of these moons is not observable to the naked eye. The first of these moons arrived on January 1st; the second will arrive on January 30th.

The opposite of PERIGEE is APOGEE, defined by the Merriam-Webster online dictionary as "the point in outer space where an object traveling around the Earth is farthest away from the Earth."

And in January 2014, there was a Mini Moon, the moon at its apogee, on January 16th. This Mini Moon was the first full moon of 2014; it was at its farthest point away from the Earth.

Extremes and somewhat unusual occurrences to be happening not just once in a month, or even twice, but three times in one month. What do you think that promises for the year of 2014?

New Year's Super New Moon

Happy 2014! Today begins a bright new year. It's thrilling to feel the page of the year turning....

This morning, at 3:14 a.m. PT, there was also a Super New Moon ~ one of three happening this year. Super Moons occur when the moon is at its closest to the Earth.

Maybe because the New Moon is about letting go, maybe because the New Moon is about beginning anew, maybe because the three days at Oceanside deeply connected my body with the tides of Mama Ocean.... at the time of the Super New Moon, I was awakened by my rumbling tummy.  It seems my body decided it needed to purge. Every orifice at once. Within 10 minutes.

No fever. No achiness. No more issues. Just one 10 minute extreme release. Wow.

I'm excited to begin the New Year cleansed in my body, more awake in my mind, more aware in my soul.

What are you releasing this New Year's New Moon? What are you willing to purge?

Beginning Afresh

Yesterday marked the finale of the triple days of honoring the Dead. Early this morning, a New Moon arrived in the House of Scorpio, often associated with Darkness, Hidden Things and Death. It appears the Universe suggests that we continue to face the Darkness within and around us.

In the midst of this liminal and deeply imaginative time, I woke to a full double rainbow over the Pacific Ocean at Nye Beach. By the time I got outside to take this picture, the rain had begun and the glorious colors were already beginning to fade. That's how things are in life ~ beauty, glory, wonder, awe for whatever time it comes, then it fades into torrents of rain.

Our culture tends to loo]k at rain, wind and snow as things to have occasionally; sun is preferable and adored. Fascinating concept, yet I find it true. It's why we created Daylight Savings Time [does anyone really believe we're 'saving' daylight?]. Somehow, we believe we can have or take control of Nature. We do not need to face the Darkness.

Nature, the Universe, God, Goddess, whatever you call that Other, tells the story differently. We must face the Darkness in order to appreciate and understand the Light. There must be Balance.

How will you face the Darkness today? What is the Darkness in your life?