Half Moon in Libra, July 11th, 2016

This article was first written for the Homestead Apothecary newsletter. Please support and follow them, as they are a wonderful business.

It is Monday, the day of the week named for the Moon. The Sun has set as I sit here and click the keyboard with my fingertips. The Moon is waxing, and today marks the First Quarter, also known as the Half Moon. It is in Libra. A week ago I planted Sunflower seeds into the earth of my mother's garden. Fitting that the Moon was in Cancer, the Moon Mother sign, at that time, as I celebrated Mother Earth and Mother Moon, with my physical Mother. Each seed was planted with loving intention, and blessing...a fun symbolic way to cast spells with Nature. Today they have sprouted green, and by the Full Moon will have grown further. I love Moon Magick. If you have received a reading from me, you may very well have heard me suggest it, and explain the benefits. 

So I went to Homestead on this Half Moon Libra day, as it is a well-spring of magick and self-care that I like to visit, not to mention one of my beloved Tarot reading spots. While there, I picked up Many Moons by Modern Women, and a Magic Hour Air candle. I left knowing that I would now be spending the evening in creative ritual with these lovely tools. Ritual is a sacred practice that also doubles as a mode of artistic expression. So I lit the magickal Air candle, honoring Libra Moon. I re-decorated my altar, as I do regularly to keep the energy flowing, and also when I initiate a new ritual. I put on Erik Satie's minimal melodic piano sounds, and read Modern Women's beautiful and insightful words. I took the advice of the book and expressed gratitude on this Libra Moon night. I took out Moon Angels, by Rebekah Erev, and asked who wanted to lay on the altar and join in on the Air celebration. Well card number 10, Imagination came forward. What do you know, this is the description of the card, "The epitome of an Aquarian. Total freedom, non-linear, untethered by the confines of the mind. Using the mind to spawn underground crystal caves, a place to swim under the surface of the earth that's cold as ice." So Aquarius, another Air sign, joined the party. Being an Aquarius Rising myself, I did not mind this at all. Then, with intention of will, I placed the Ace of Swords next to the Moon Angel. Swords represent Air in Tarot, which in turn rules the mind, communication, power, and protection. One of my favorite cards in the deck, the Ace of Swords symbolizes victory, wisdom, honorable wielding of the sword, clarity, and Mind Power. 

Gratitude, freedom of Imagination, and strength of mind. These were the qualities that came through on this evening, and will blossom with every lighting of the candle, until the Full Moon. The seeds that sprouted will keep growing, and the flowers will bloom. Ritual and Moon Magick will continue. Self-Discovery is an endless path, that illuminates and enlightens. Massive love to all beings on the earth.

As Above, So Below.

Blessed Be ) O (

-The Lioness Oracle

July's Forecast

We begin the month with the Sun, Moon, Venus and Mercury in the sign of Cancer. Cancer speaks of nurturing, protection, family, home, and emotions. So these qualities are currently playing out in our outer expression (Sun), our inner landscape (Moon), our sense of beauty and sensuality (Venus), and our cognitive and communicative abilities (Mercury). Capricorn is opposing all of this in Pluto. Capricorn is the sign of responsibility, achievement, work, and productivity. These qualities are present in the planet of death and rebirth, and transformation. A New Moon on the 4th gives us a chance to metaphorically (or literally if you have a garden!) plant seeds in all of these areas for healthy growth and evolvement. Capricorn will show up again as the Full Moon on the 19th, so prepare for more illumination in the realm of Cancer and Capricorn. 

The cards have some specific messages to help us during the next month. Choice is reminding us that we are in control of our own lives. It would serve us greatly to take an honest look at where we are giving our power away, and take that power back. Given the previous information about the current astrology, this could be occurring in the family (Cancer), or work (Capricorn) areas of life. The reversed Knight of Swords says that we may be reluctant to move the energy around in this regard, but again an honest assessment can help us do it with courage. On the other hand, The Six of Wands does speak of achievements to be proud of, and people who support us. There is a healthy balance here. 

Spirit represents the need to align with our personal truth. When we take a moment to breathe and look within, we can get in touch with our heart's desires, and our unique calling. In addition, taking the time to connect with the spirit of Nature can bring us back to what is important, and what is not. This is especially important as the last two cards contain a message of stress. The Ten of Wands is that time when all has become too much, and burnout is near. The Ten of Swords is a mental stress card. Spirit Speak has a unique message in that it represents possible drama with others. The figure in the center has placed headphones on to shut out the toxic babble of the heads around her. Yes this card is reversed, but I don't see a big difference here. It may be muted, or it may be overblown. Let us take a moment to recognize the pattern of TEN and TEN. Excess, and here not in a good way. So even more important to use Cancer's abilities for nurturing, and nurture our Spirit! Use Capricorn's abilities for the better instead of the worse. Instead of overworking ourselves and involving ourselves in toxic power battles, let us organize our lives so that our Spirit is contained in a healthy body, and a healthy life. This echoes the play between the planets in Cancer, and Pluto calling us to transform how we deal with Capricorn qualities. 

Take excellent care of yourself this month. Self-care...self-care...self-care. 

Blessed Be   ) O ( 

-The Lioness Oracle