Full Moon In Cancer and The Chariot

In the early morning hours of January 12th, the moon will reach it's fullest in the sign of Cancer.  Astrologically, Cancer is a sign of heightened emotion, motherhood, nurturing, and intuition.  Cancer loves deeply and fully, but has also learned to protect itself with a shell or a shield like a crab  because of unfortunate past pains.  This Full Moon might bring some of those past emotional pains to the surface again - this is not a curse but an opportunity for healing!

Two weeks ago we set our intentions with the New Moon in Capricorn occurring right before New Year's Day.  We probably felt very optimistic and had big dreams for this new year in terms of our personal goals.  This is great, don't lose sight of those!  There may have been some frustration through those first days of 2017, as we were in the middle of a Mercury Retrograde cycle which may have caused some delays.  The good news is, Mercury is now Direct again and we can really start doing the work that our goals require.

However, at the Full Moon we encounter the polar opposite in energy from what we felt at the New Moon.  Capricorn is external and does it's work outwardly and physically, seeking recognition from peers and society.  Cancer energy is all internal, and much more private.  Here, our Capricorn New Moon goals meet the one thing that really can hold us back - US.  Our feelings, fears, and pain.  Not that Cancer is all negative energy.... it's just that water holds memory and vibrates with whatever experiences it has held.  So the goals we set in that optimistic Capricorn New Moon come face to face with these parts of ourselves that can either lift us up, or hold us back - usually a blend of both.

The Tarot Card that is associated with the Astrological sign of Cancer is The Chariot.  In the traditional Rider Waite imagery of this card we see a chariot driver, in armor (much like that crab in it's shell) with water flowing behind him.  The intuitive and compassionate energy of water is the driving force, and has certainly shaped this charioteer's perspective.  Pulling the chariot are two sphynx.  One is black, and one is white.  There is a very Ying and Yang element here between these two forces that could be seen as opposing.  Yet here they are working together... just as I mentioned above that these experiences and emotions we have are both strengths and weaknesses.  The Chariot Driver has embraced both the light and dark parts of his psyche and uses them both equally in plotting his course.  Cancer is ruled by the moon, which also has these extremes of dark and light (New and Full phases) which equally have different things to teach us.  The Chariot Driver has crescent moons engraved in the shoulders of his armor.

Another thing that stands out about this card - the Chariot isn't actually going anywhere.  This may seem counterproductive to some types who wish to always be moving forward (and it is certainly an opposite energy of Capricorn's drive to be continually moving to the top)  Here is the true message of this card and this Full Moon:  Pause.  Feel.  Plan.  Integrate.

Yes, I know we're chomping at the bit and ready to just move forward already!  But there may be an important lesson right now, some tidbit of information about ourselves that we must face, embrace, integrate or discard before we truly start our journey.  It's that moment when we double check that we have everything packed before a trip.  We suddenly remember something else that will be useful... but the bags are already packed full.  So now we pause, take a deep breath, and begin to look through the bags again.  Can something else be taken out so that we can fit this other thing? Is there a way to pack more efficiently so we have room for all of it?  Is there something else we might have overlooked?

The Chariot doesn't ask us to give up on our dream (Cancer is quite tenacious and doesn't easily let go of a dream or ideal) but simply to make sure we are recognizing all the energies within us and available to us and using them equally and efficiently.  That past emotional pain that comes bubbling up?  It holds a lesson within in it.  That part of ourselves that we find annoying or useless?  It holds a hidden strength.  Integrate.
And if you find that there is a pain or a trait that isn't useful anymore?  You can work on letting it go... the Charioteer has no room for excess baggage.

You can meditate on the lessons of Cancer and the Chariot over the next few days.  Journal, cry, process.  Listen to music that engages you on an emotional and spiritual level.  This is part of unpacking and re-packing that luggage so you'll be ready for the next part of your journey.

Full Moon Blessings to you and Blessed Be!  I would be happy to help you through this process with a Tarot card reading.  This Full Moon Reading would be perfect for examining the energies available to you right now.  Or this Body, Mind, and Spirit reading could help you unpack and repack those suitcases for the next leg of your journey.  You could also contact me about a Reiki Healing session which could also help you integrate these energies and different aspects of yourself or heal emotional pains while balancing the chakras.  

New Moon In Capricorn and our New Year's Resolutions

New Moon Blessings!  The moon entered it's New phase around 1:00 am Thursday morning, in the sign of Capricorn.  I made this graphic to show some highlights of the Moon Cycle we just entered. 

Time for dreaming and planning! Dream Big! This New Moon is a good one for your dreams & intentions for the whole year. Especially with things regarding your personal growth and pushing yourself to be your very best. You know that feeling of being motivated to change or better yourself that happens around New Year every year? It is largely from the Capricorn new Moon that happens right around our calendar new year. 

Capricorn energy is all about self improvement - pushing yourself to do better, achieve more, and improve your status in life.  Go ahead and dream big and set those lofty goals for the New Year!  Capricorn lets you see your ultimate potential.  However, it is good the remember the Capricorn method of achievement is not one of instant gratification.  "Slow and steady wins the race" seems like a very Capricornian phrase.  Build on your goals and habits slowly.  Perhaps think in terms of what small changes you can make, and then work on adding one small change or habit every couple of weeks.  Give yourself time to solidify one habit before jumping into the next. Saturn is the ruler of Capricorn and is known as the great tester or the lord of Karma, so don't expect these goals to go unchallenged!  Capricorn's lesson is often about flexibility and adaptability.  If one method isn't working, ditch it and try a new approach.  If one habit isn't sticking, change that up too.

January is named after the Roman God Janus, who is guardian of doorways. He has two faces - one looking back to the past, and one looking forward to the future. As we pass thru the door from one year to the next, we look back with a degree of honesty about what didn't work. And look forward and see potential within ourselves and want to push ourselves to be our very best. (a very Capricorn mode of thinking) 

But to use the adage "Rome wasn't built in a day" it is good to remember as we set goals that positive changes that stick are made slowly and gradually with great care.
Mercury is still retrograde, but will go direct again a few days before the full moon. That will be the perfect time to begin making changes or starting new things that relate to your goals.  From now until the January 9th, focus on pinning down exactly what your goals are.  Create some positive affirmations or a sankalpa to repeat daily to help you feel good about your goal.  You may even want to create a Vision Board or Dream Board... it's up to you.

Write down your goals and then write down a list of the small changes you can make to acheive this goal.  Don't try to jump in fully and make all these changes at once!  Just pick a starting point and be ready for it once Mercury goes direct!  Meanwhile your positive thinking and dreaming is planting the seeds during the new moon.  

I found this great graphic at Energy Muse showing how to follow your intention and goal setting process through the moon phase... starting at the new moon and ending at the dark moon (and then repeating again.  

Best Wishes for a lovely Moon Cylce and a Happy New Year!

Monday Musings - Astrology and Reiki

Students​ ​of​ ​my​ ​Usui​ ​Reiki​ ​online​ ​courses​ ​will​ ​notice​ ​that​ ​I​ ​share​ ​astrology​ ​articles​ ​frequently,​ ​as well​ ​as​ ​creating​ ​events​ ​that​ ​remind​ ​everyone​ ​of​ ​upcoming​ ​moon​ ​phases​ ​(Full​ ​Moon,​ ​New​ ​Moon, Eclipses,​ ​etc.)​ ​I​ ​will​ ​also​ ​share​ ​info​ ​on​ ​the​ ​solstices​ ​and​ ​equinoxes​ ​as​ ​those​ ​come​ ​up.

People​ ​who​ ​know​ ​me​ ​personally​ ​won’t​ ​find​ ​this​ ​odd​ ​and​ ​probably​ ​just​ ​assume​ ​that​ ​I​ ​am​ ​sharing​ ​a secondary​ ​passion​ ​in​ ​my​ ​Reiki​ ​Class.​ ​​ ​Actually,​ ​though​ ​-​ ​since​ ​practicing​ ​energy​ ​work​ ​and​ ​reiki healing,​ ​my​ ​understanding​ ​of​ ​the​ ​energies​ ​of​ ​these​ ​natural​ ​cycles​ ​has​ ​deepened​ ​and​ ​expanded.

“Reiki”​ ​means​ ​“Life​ ​Force​ ​Energy”​ ​or​ ​“Universal​ ​Life​ ​Force​ ​Energy”​ ​(from​ ​Rei,​ ​meaning​ ​ALL​ ​and Ki​ ​meaning​ ​ENERGY)​ ​​ ​and​ ​as​ ​we​ ​connect​ ​with​ ​this​ ​energy​ ​we​ ​begin​ ​a​ ​journey​ ​of​ ​connecting with​ ​all​ ​of​ ​life.​ ​​ ​As​ ​the​ ​Reiki​ ​practitioner​ ​begins​ ​to​ ​connect​ ​with​ ​All​ ​of​ ​Life​ ​on​ ​a​ ​daily​ ​basis,​ ​of course​ ​these​ ​energies​ ​of​ ​seasonal​ ​changes,​ ​moon​ ​phases,​ ​and​ ​planetary​ ​alignments​ ​become more​ ​relevant!

Paying​ ​attention​ ​to​ ​the​ ​astrological​ ​happenings​ ​and​ ​moon​ ​phases​ ​can​ ​help​ ​you​ ​on​ ​your​ ​Reiki journey​ ​in​ ​many​ ​ways.​ ​​ ​You’ll​ ​have​ ​a​ ​deeper​ ​understanding​ ​of​ ​what​ ​kinds​ ​of​ ​energies​ ​are​ ​moving through​ ​the​ ​universe​ ​-​ ​which​ ​includes​ ​your​ ​own​ ​body​ ​and​ ​the​ ​bodies​ ​of​ ​your​ ​clients​ ​or​ ​friends. The​ ​Moon​ ​is​ ​in​ ​Aries?​ ​​ ​That​ ​can​ ​explain​ ​the​ ​vibrant,​ ​fiery​ ​and​ ​combative​ ​energy​ ​you​ ​find exploding​ ​like​ ​a​ ​bomb​ ​from​ ​your​ ​client’s​ ​Solar​ ​Plexus!​ ​​ ​Move​ ​that​ ​energy​ ​upward​ ​into​ ​the​ ​Heart and​ ​Upper​ ​chakras​ ​so​ ​it​ ​can​ ​be​ ​expressed,​ ​or​ ​move​ ​it​ ​down​ ​into​ ​the​ ​lower​ ​chakras​ ​for​ ​some grounding​ ​and​ ​cooling​ ​off.​ ​​ ​Venus​ ​is​ ​retrograde?​ ​​ ​No​ ​wonder​ ​you​ ​keep​ ​coming​ ​across​ ​blockages in​ ​client’s​ ​heart​ ​chakras​ ​and​ ​complaints​ ​of​ ​feeling​ ​that​ ​their​ ​relationships​ ​are​ ​all​ ​going​ ​bad!​ ​​ ​Send some​ ​extra​ ​healing​ ​to​ ​the​ ​heart​ ​chakra,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​sending​ ​some​ ​loving​ ​healing​ ​to​ ​the​ ​other chakras​ ​to​ ​help​ ​them​ ​feel​ ​more​ ​at​ ​ease​ ​and​ ​refocus​ ​away​ ​from​ ​relationships​ ​into​ ​areas​ ​of​ ​life that​ ​can​ ​be​ ​more​ ​fulfilling​ ​at​ ​this​ ​time.

Even​ ​in​ ​work​ ​on​ ​yourself​ ​you​ ​will​ ​notice​ ​your​ ​body,​ ​mind,​ ​and​ ​spirit​ ​going​ ​through​ ​some​ ​cycles and​ ​patterns​ ​that​ ​relate​ ​to​ ​moon​ ​phases,​ ​seasons,​ ​and​ ​other​ ​astrological​ ​occurrences.​ ​​ ​I​ ​was easily​ ​meditating​ ​for​ ​40​ ​to​ ​60​ ​minutes​ ​a​ ​day….​ ​20​ ​or​ ​more​ ​minutes​ ​every​ ​morning​ ​and​ ​evening​ ​- plus​ ​other​ ​random​ ​intervals.​ ​​ ​Then,​ ​Mercury​ ​went​ ​retrograde​ ​while​ ​the​ ​moon​ ​was​ ​also​ ​entering the​ ​waning​ ​phase.​ ​​ ​Suddenly,​ ​I​ ​was​ ​struggling​ ​to​ ​meditate​ ​even​ ​10​ ​minutes​ ​a​ ​day!​ ​​ ​Since​ ​I​ ​was paying​ ​attention​ ​to​ ​astrology​ ​and​ ​the​ ​moon​ ​phases,​ ​this​ ​didn’t​ ​surprise​ ​me​ ​-​ ​therefore​ ​I​ ​wasn’t hard​ ​on​ ​myself​ ​about​ ​it.​ ​​ ​Instead​ ​of​ ​feeling​ ​frustrated​ ​with​ ​my​ ​sudden​ ​change​ ​in​ ​how​ ​I​ ​felt​ ​during meditation,​ ​I​ ​just​ ​focused​ ​on​ ​allowing​ ​my​ ​thoughts​ ​to​ ​take​ ​me​ ​where​ ​they​ ​would.​ ​​ ​In​ ​this​ ​way,​ ​as​ ​I followed​ ​the​ ​thoughts​ ​I​ ​was​ ​able​ ​to​ ​see​ ​exactly​ ​what​ ​the​ ​retrograde​ ​was​ ​urging​ ​me​ ​to​ ​work​ ​on​ ​in myself​ ​and​ ​my​ ​outer​ ​life.​ ​​ ​I​ ​also​ ​saw​ ​in​ ​my​ ​thoughts​ ​the​ ​things​ ​I​ ​need​ ​to​ ​work​ ​on​ ​releasing​ ​and letting​ ​go​ ​of,​ ​simply​ ​by​ ​sitting​ ​on​ ​my​ ​meditation​ ​cushion​ ​and​ ​not​ ​forcing​ ​a​ ​meditation​ ​but​ ​just following​ ​my​ ​thoughts​ ​and​ ​feelings.​ ​​ ​Sure,​ ​my​ ​time​ ​on​ ​the​ ​cushion​ ​is​ ​shorter​ ​and​ ​feels​ ​less rewarding​ ​right​ ​now,​ ​but​ ​I​ ​have​ ​learned​ ​a​ ​lot​ ​and​ ​refocused​ ​my​ ​attention​ ​to​ ​other​ ​aspects​ ​of​ ​my life​ ​rather​ ​than​ ​worrying​ ​that​ ​I​ ​was​ ​“failing”​ ​after​ ​I​ ​had​ ​been​ ​doing​ ​so​ ​well.

Whatever​ ​your​ ​path​ ​or​ ​spiritual​ ​beliefs,​ ​and​ ​whatever​ ​form​ ​of​ ​energy​ ​work​ ​or​ ​healing​ ​you practice,​ ​we​ ​can​ ​all​ ​learn​ ​from​ ​the​ ​cycles,​ ​patterns,​ ​and​ ​shifts​ ​in​ ​energy​ ​that​ ​occur​ ​on​ ​astroogical levels​ ​and​ ​with​ ​the​ ​phases​ ​and​ ​signs​ ​of​ ​the​ ​moon.​ ​​ ​​ ​After​ ​all,​ ​we’re​ ​all​ ​one​ ​-​ ​residing​ ​on​ ​this​ ​same rock​ ​hurtling​ ​through​ ​the​ ​cosmos​ ​together.​ ​​ ​If​ ​you​ ​are​ ​studying​ ​Reiki​ ​and​ ​come​ ​across​ ​an​ ​article on​ ​the​ ​upcoming​ ​New​ ​Moon,​ ​or​ ​“Astrology​ ​This​ ​Week”,​ ​why​ ​not​ ​check​ ​it​ ​out?​ ​​ ​Reiki​ ​and​ ​astrology go​ ​hand​ ​in​ ​hand.​ ​​ ​And​ ​this​ ​can​ ​work​ ​the​ ​other​ ​way​ ​around​ ​too!​ ​​ ​If​ ​you​ ​are​ ​a​ ​student​ ​of​ ​astrology or​ ​a​ ​person​ ​who​ ​follows​ ​the​ ​phases​ ​of​ ​the​ ​moon​ ​and​ ​the​ ​seasons​ ​-​ ​why​ ​not​ ​check​ ​out​ ​Reiki? Energy​ ​healing​ ​can​ ​help​ ​you​ ​get​ ​through​ ​some​ ​of​ ​those​ ​rougher​ ​transitions,​ ​compliment​ ​the opening​ ​and​ ​expansion​ ​that​ ​occurs​ ​during​ ​positive​ ​aspects,​ ​and​ ​help​ ​you​ ​connect​ ​more​ ​fully​ ​with yourself​ ​as​ ​a​ ​part​ ​of​ ​this​ ​Divine​ ​Universe.

www.hestiasmuse.com ©​ ​Hestia’s​ ​Muse​ ​12/26/2016

Ritual For Releasing The Past

The days of the Waning Moon (from right after the Full Moon to the New Moon) is the perfect time to think about releasing anything in your life that is holding you back.  This can be a thought pattern or attitude, an addiction, or even a toxic relationship that has come to an end.  It can be really helpful to symbolically enact the release and removal of this from your life with a ritual.  The more days in a row you can perform the ritual the better - your attachments didn't form in one day so it will take more than one day to release them!  Here's a simple ritual that includes candles, visualization, meditation, and affirmations.  I'd say start this at least 7 days before the New Moon, but if you wanted to go for longer than that it will work just as well (I'm feeling that magick number 13 would be perfect - a 13 day ritual for releasing the past sounds very witchy and powerful!)

What you'll need;

• 2 candles (one black and one white is preferred, but two white candles will work just as well)
• a lighter
• a safe place to burn your candles and meditate (altar space)
• a paper & pen to write your affirmations

Optional;
You may decide to add a few things, but remember it's your intention that matters the most!  If you feel like you want to add a few things here's what I would recommend:

• Black gemstones to absorb negativity and provide protection
• A picture or other representations of the person/attitude/activity that you are trying to release.
• A picture or representation of yourself - ideally something that represents you as being free, healthy, happy!
• Banishing incense or banishing oil
• A journal to write down thoughts and feelings as they arise.

On the first night of your ritual, think about what it is you want to release or remove.  Think about how the energy of that experience brings you down, and how you will be more free or happy when it is removed from your life.  Define in your mind very clearly WHY you need to release this.  As I said before - it could be anything from a toxic relationship, an addiction, a negative behavior or a negative thought pattern.  Chances are you already know what it is you want to release if you're reading this!  Just take some time to define and clarify WHY you need to do this.

Take one candle and hold it as you think of what or whom you are releasing.  Send all of those "yuck" feelings of frustration, fear, anger, etc into that candle.  You can inscribe a word or some initials on the candle if you want to.  (helpful if both your candles are the same color, you don't want to get them mixed up!)  Will call this the "Past Candle".  Think of an affirmation that helps empower you to release everything that is represented by that candle.  It should be a positive affirmation.  Something like "I release all desires to smoke", or "I fully let go of this toxic relationship".  Give yourself time to think of a good affirmation to affirm that you are letting go of this.  Write it down on a piece of paper and set it on your altar next to the "past" candle.

Next, take the other candle, the one that will represent you being free.  Hold the candle and think about all the positives that can come from releasing the past.  The health from releasing an addiction, or the freedom from releasing a toxic relationship, and the happiness from embracing a more positive thought pattern or attitude. You can write a word or your initials on this candle as well.  We'll call this the "Free Self" candle. Think of another affirmation that empowers you to embrace this new energy.  Something like "I Am Free", or "My positive attitude carries me forward".  Place this paper on the altar next to the Free Self candle on your altar. 

All of this is just done the first night.  After the first night you will already have your affirmations and the candles infused with your intentions

Now you're ready to move forward.  Place both candles side by side on the altar.  Your "Free Self" candle should be on the dominant side (your right side if you're right handed) and the "Past" candle on the non-dominant side.  Place the affirmations next to or in front of the candles where you can read them.  If you have other representations, place them on the altar too, on the side that goes with the candle of what they represent.  (example; the picture that represents your free/happy/healthy self goes on the side with the "Free Self" candle)

When you are ready, light both the candles.  Sit and meditate again on what you are releasing and why. Light any incense you might have.

Carefully move the Past candle about 1/2 an inch away from the Free Self candle.  As you move it, read the affirmation you wrote out loud.  Focus on the feeling of relief that should occur as you move the candle away and say the affirmation.  Breathe and repeat the affirmation as many times as you feel necessary.

Next, move the Free Self candle 1/2 inch in the opposite direction, away from the Past candle and read that affirmation out loud.  Again, focus on the feeling of relief as you move the candle and speak the affirmation.  Repeat the affirmation as many times as you feel necessary. 
If you want to, and you have them, you can place one or two black gemstones between the two candles, creating a barrier between the two. 

Meditate for a couple minutes on your desired outcome - the relief, the freedom, the positivity.  Inhale the positivity, and when you exhale focus on letting go of the negativity.  You may journal your thoughts and feelings at this time.

When you feel you are done, say a simple prayer.  Ask God/Goddess, or your Guardian Angels, your Spirit Guides, or your Ancestors to support and protect you.  Ask that this releasing of the past harm none, and affirm that this is for the best for all people involved.  Extinguish the candles, but ask that they remain burning on the Astral plane until you return.  Leave everything as it is on the altar.  The next night, you will return and repeat this exercise.  (Light the candles, move the Past candle 1/2 inch away and say the affirmation, move the Free Self candle the opposite direction 1/2 inch and say the affirmation)  Don't forget to visualize, and focus on the feeling of relief!

Repeat every night until the New Moon.  It should take about 10 to 15 minutes each night, just a bit longer on the first night to prepare.  On the last night, take the affirmation you used with the  "Past" candle, and burn it.  Say the affirmation one last time and extinguish the candle.  Take the ashes of the burned paper, and the extinguished Past candle outside.  Bury them both in the earth,  preferably at a crossroads where their energy will be scattered and carried away from you.  Imagine this like a funeral, and say your final goodbyes to the Past!

Remaining on your altar is the "Free Self" candle and affirmation.  You may continue to meditate with this candle and affirmation after the New Moon, but now you can surround it with flowers, brightly colored gemstones, and representations of your freedom and new beginnings.