New Moon, Compassion Rose, and some fun.

'Compassion' rose, climbing the post-and-lintel entrance to my front patio. Sooo fragrant!!

Yesterday's New Moon in Virgo was a great opportunity to set intentions around health, daily habits, details, and how we organize our lives. (For more on setting New Moon Intentions, see this post!)

I celebrated by playing with a fun exercise from Kimberly Wilson's book Tranquilista.  I made two lists; the first was a list of the top ten ways I spend my time. The second was a list of the top ten ways I'd like to spend my time. Then I reflected on where the lists meshed,  and on how to create a daily life routine that looks more like list #2. I found a lot of it is simply about giving myself permission to spend time with the activities I love. I also reflected that mindfulness is the best time management strategy... if we are truly present and engaged in each task we do, if our focus is clear and single-minded, the flow of time is easier, and almost miraculously, more gets done with less stress. Which in turn opens time for more joyous and fulfilling activities. Try it! And try this deceptively simple exercise - it's powerful.


Oh, and if you're riding the Virgo planning-and-organizing wave, you might want to check out these pretty and free downloadable planner pages from Crystal Wilkerson!

Happy Monday!

Setting Intentions on the New Moon - The Artful Life Moon Circle

New Moon by Maxfield Parrish

Hello Beautiful,
It's moon circle time again! On the Artful Life we meet at each New and Full Moon to share inspiration and intentions, and to align our energies with the lunar cycles.

About the Artful Life Moon Circle:
Anyone is welcome to join the Moon  Circle! If this is your first Moon Circle, read this post to find out what it's all about. You can also click here for a printable (and pretty) guide to the moon phases, from me to you. If you'd like to read all the Artful Life Moon Circles, click here.

This month's New Moon was also an eclipse. Eclipses create a special energy, and a special opportunity  to integrate the conscious (sun) with the unconscious (moon) or the life-force and intellect (sun) with the spirit and emotions (moon.) What does this mean for setting your New Moon intentions? It means this is a great time to work with old ingrained unconscious habit patterns and really get some movement.

What do you need to bring out into the light? 

What unhealthy habit is ready to leave your life?

I know this can be scary stuff. But I can encourage you to take this opportunity to begin, compassionately, to dislodge the grip of that addiction, or notice those little acts of self-sabotage, or start to loosen your ties to that not so nurturing relationship. You know what you need to do. With gentle, loving care, and without self-condemnation, you can do it!

If it helps, you can share your intention, or even your desire to have an intention, here in the comments. Putting it out into the world builds positive momentum.

New Moon in Pisces - The Artful Life Moon Circle

Are we really affected by the phases of the moon? Does the moon exert some magical pull on our watery bodies or our primitive minds? Maybe. What I do know for sure is that to flourish, we need to feel connected to the world around us. The practice of patterning our lives, even in small, symbolic ways, on the patterns of nature can be very affirming. For me, the cycle of the moon is a beautiful reflection of the cycles of increase and decrease in my own life.

Hello Beautiful,

It's moon circle time again! Here on the Artful Life we meet at each New and Full Moon to share inspiration and intentions, and to align our energies with the lunar cycles.

About the Artful Life Moon Circle:

Anyone is welcome to join the Moon Circle! If this is your first Moon Circle, read this post to find out what it's all about. You can also click here for a printable (and pretty) guide to the moon phases, from me to you. If you'd like to read all the Artful Life Moon Circles, click here.

This March New Moon:
Astrologically speaking, the time we are moving through right now is all about letting go, releasing, clearing the ground, endings that make way for new beginnings. Have you noticed?

The New Moon is such a wonderful time to set clear intentions about what you want to release and clear out of your life. Sometimes, when it's time to let go, we are ready, so ready to move on, and the releasing just feels good. Sometimes, our lives require us to let go before we feel ready, and the letting go is hard, and sad. What are you being asked to let go of in your life right now, and how does it feel?

You can take advantage of the beautiful Piscean energy of this moon, and honour yourself with these cleansing activities:

• adorn your altar with blue and white candles, light them with your intention to release whatever is holding you back.
• treat yourself to a spa afternoon that involves lots of healing, quiet, watery treatments (seaweed wrap and salt bath?)
• create your own healing waters at home with a candle-lit sea salt bath followed by meditation.
• enjoy solitude and healing music.
• write out your feelings about what you're letting go of right now, and cry if you need to.
• attend a restorative yoga class
• gather with friends and share a releasing ritual.

 Wishing you peace and purity - and letting you know you are welcome to share your New Moon intentions in the comments.

the green fuse

these miniature irises are blooming on my kitchen table

The next day or two are powerful times to set intentions. Not only are we having a new moon, but we have arrived at the half-way mark between winter solstice and vernal equinox, variously known as Imbolc, Candlemas, St. Brigid's Day, and Groundhog Day. This is the day that the spark of spring ignites. A day to consider:

• what am I conceiving now?
• where does my inspiration come from?
• what dreams need to be brought to manifestation soon?
• what "lights my fire?"
• what is it inside me that has lain dormant too long?

My wish for you for the coming days is that you have time to enjoy this profound and quiet moment just before the stirrings of Spring. Time to:

• meditate
• bathe in a sea-salt bath in a candlelit room, 
• sip tea in front of the fire with your journal
• force spring bulbs or blossoming branches in a beautiful glass vessel
• write poetry
• refresh your personal altar and adorn it with white cloth, white candles, white flowers, and clear crystals, plus your dreams for Spring written on beautiful paper
  
• adorn yourself with green and white clothes and the scent of flowers, or dress in red to invoke the spark of inspiration
• go outside and watch the New Moon rise

P.S. The name of this post, as you may have noticed, comes from the Dylan Thomas poem The Force That Through the Green Fuse Drives the Flower. You can read the whole poem here.

Artful Life Moon Circle - New Moon!

Are we really affected by the phases of the moon? Does the moon exert some magical pull on our watery bodies or our primitive minds? Maybe. What I do know for sure is that to flourish, we need to feel connected to the world around us. The practice of patterning our lives, even in small, symbolic ways, on the patterns of nature can be very affirming. For me, the cycle of the moon is a beautiful reflection of the cycles of increase and decrease in my own life.

 

Hello Beautiful!

It's moon circle time again! Here on the Artful Life we meet at each New and Full Moon to share inspiration and intentions, and to align our energies with the lunar cycles.

I love New Moon! To me it's like a mini-New Year's every month. It's a chance to begin a-new, reset the cycle, plant seeds, plant goals, be fresh. One night it's all in darkness; the next night there's this delicate sliver of silver, just a thread in the twilight, setting with the setting sun. It always takes my breath away. I get this little surge of hope, an affirmation that it is always possible to begin again, that we all, always, have a chance at a clean slate. I love that magic! It's a time for cleansing, renewal, setting intentions, and beginning anything to do with abundance, the emotions, etc.. Do you want something to increase? Then take steps towards it, symbolic and practical, on the new moon. Want some specific advice about how to set intentions on the New Moon? Read this post.

Powerful Venus

In researching the meaning of this month's New Moon, I came across these words from astrologer Lynn Hayes. (You can read the whole article here.)

Libra is ruled by Venus, and Venus is quite powerful right now since it's virtually stationary as it prepares to change direction to turn retrograde.  With four planets in Libra, and Venus stationary, we are seeing the more powerful aspect of the Goddess of Love.  I have always found it interesting that the truly ancient cultures (Babylonia, Sumeria, ancient India) have much more powerful representations of the goddess of love and sexuality than the Venus of Roman patriarchal culture.  Ishtar, Astarte, Ashtoreth, Innana - these were powerful ladies that instilled awe and even fear into the populace.  Venus has become a bit of a cartoon character in some circles - the Playboy Bunny of the zodiac.  But the instinct for love and attachment is one of the most primal archetypes in human experience, and it is this archetype that is at play in today's New Moon. 

Because of certain aspects of the planet Venus right now, this month's New Moon is kind of a big deal - especially in the places in your life that have to do with attachments and patterns regarding love and money. Wow. I think today is a really excellent time to clear some space for yourself to be in solitude, maybe in nature, under a big sky and near water. Use this time for prayer and meditation. Allow any inner wisdom to rise up. Now is the moment to acknowledge any secrets you may have been keeping from yourself, or truths you have known deep down but hesitate to acknowledge. This is a great time to break old patterns.

One last thing: I recently discovered this weekly podcast from New York astrologer Anne Ortelee. I've found it to be a really valuable resource.

Anyone is welcome to join the Moon Circle! 

If this is your first Moon Circle, read this Moon Circle post to find out what it's all about. Check out all the Artful Life Moon Circles here.

What patterns are you ready to break? Where do you need to see the truth in your life? Any intentions regarding love or money? (ha!) Set your intention now, by joining our comments circle.

p.s. You are welcome to post your intentions anytime during the waxing (increasing) moon - that is for the next two weeks. The most powerful time in the next two days.

Artful Life Moon Circle - New Moon Magic!

Are we really affected by the phases of the moon? Does the moon exert some magical pull on our watery bodies or our primitive minds? Maybe. What I do know for sure is that to flourish, we need to feel connected to the world around us. The practice of patterning our lives, even in small, symbolic ways, on the patterns of nature can be very affirming. For me, the cycle of the moon is a beautiful reflection of the cycles of increase and decrease in my own life.

 

Hello Beautiful!

It's moon circle time again! Here on the Artful Life we meet at each New and Full Moon to share inspiration and intentions, and to align our energies with the lunar cycles.

I love New Moon! To me it's like a mini-New Year's every month. It's a chance to begin a-new, reset the cycle, plant seeds, plant goals, be fresh. One night it's all in darkness; the next night there's this delicate sliver of silver, just a thread in the twilight, setting with the setting sun. It always takes my breath away. I get this little surge of hope, an affirmation that it is always possible to begin again, that we all, always, have a chance at a clean slate. I love that magic! It's a time for cleansing, renewal, setting intentions, and beginning anything to do with abundance, the emotions, etc.. Do you want something to increase? Then take steps towards it, symbolic and practical, on the new moon. Want some specific advice about how to set intentions on the New Moon? Read this post.

Some Folk Magic for the New Moon

A Romany verse for greeting the New Moon:

Here is the New Moon,
Welcome Moon,
The New Moon has arrived!


Be lucky for me, Moon,
Leave me rich and prosperous.


Leave us with abundance
Leave us with good health
Leave us with love!

A Little Love Spell for New Moon

When you first catch sight of the new moon, spin clockwise on one foot saying "Moon! Twist (name the object of your love) around me just like I'm twisting around you!"

Cut your hair on the New Moon (but not the dark moon just before!) for extra nice growth in the coming month!

*the above folk magic was gleaned from The Element Encyclopedia of 5000 Spells.

Anyone is welcome to join the Moon Circle! 

If this is your first Moon Circle, read this Moon Circle post to find out what it's all about. Check out all the Artful Life Moon Circles here.

The new moon this month is in the sign of Virgo, so set intentions or cast wishes regarding your health and self-care, or perhaps about serving others, or about spending time alone, in retreat and solitude. Set your intention now, by joining our comments circle!

p.s. You are welcome to post your intentions anytime during the waxing (increasing) moon - that is for the next two weeks!
p.p.s. Do you want more moon magic? Become part of the the Artful Women's Magic Moon Circle, coming soon!

Artful Life Moon Circle - How to Set New Moon Intentions

Are we really affected by the phases of the moon? Does the moon exert some magical pull on our watery bodies or our primitive minds? Maybe. What I do know for sure is that to flourish, we need to feel connected to the world around us. The practice of patterning our lives, even in small, symbolic ways, on the patterns of nature can be very affirming. For me, the cycle of the moon is a beautiful reflection of the cycles of increase and decrease in my own life.

 

Hello Beautiful Artful Women!

It's moon circle time again! Here on the Artful Life we meet at each New and Full Moon to share inspiration and intentions, and to align our energies with the lunar cycles.

I love New Moon! To me it's like a mini-New Year's every month. It's a chance to begin a-new, reset the cycle, plant seeds, plant goals, be fresh. One night it's all in darkness; the next night there's this delicate sliver of silver, just a thread in the twilight, setting with the setting sun. It always takes my breath away. I get this little surge of hope, an affirmation that it is always possible to begin again, that we all, always, have a chance at a clean slate. I love that magic! It's a time for cleansing, renewal, setting intentions, and beginning anything to do with abundance, the emotions, etc.. Do you want something to increase? Then take steps towards it, symbolic and practical, on the new moon.

How to Set New Moon Intentions

•  choose an area of your life where you want to see increase. do you want your veggie garden to grow? do you need more clients, more income, more money? are you yearning to get pregnant or adopt? do you need more time for yourself, more love, more peace of mind, more sleep?
•  write down your intention; be clear, specific, and simple. "My intention is to grow my client list by 5 clients this month" "My intention is to grow enormous dahlias" 
• share your intention with at least one other person (share it here in the comments, we would love to see it!)
• take some time on New Moon Day to seed your intention. you can be formal or casual, whatever feels most natural to you. you can create a little ritual, light a candle, do whatever you do to connect with Spirit - the most important thing is to open your heart, and hold your intention.
• listen to your intuition. does your ritual feel awkward? what is your heart really telling you? is this the right intention for you now? be willing to let go, change your focus, revise your desires, and listen to your heart-wisdom.
• ask for peace.
• as the month progresses, watch the moon, and connect your heart with the power of the waxing light.

Anyone is welcome to join the Moon Circle! If this is your first Moon Circle, read this Moon Circle post to find out what it's all about. I've made a gift for you, a printable (and pretty) guide to the moon phases. Check out all the Artful Life Moon Circles here.

The new moon this month is in the sign of Leo, so set intentions regarding your leadership and personal drive, or perhaps about playfulness, fun, and sociability. Set your intention now, by joining our comments circle!

P.S. Never forget you are beautiful and worthy.
P.P.S. Do you want more moon magic? Become part of the the Artful Women's Magic Moon Circle!

Artful Life Moon Circle - New Moon!

Happy New Moon, and Lunar New Year (and Valentine's Day)!

About the Artful Life Moon Circle:

It's moon circle time again! Here on the Artful Life we meet at each New and Full Moon to share inspiration and intentions, and to align our energies with the lunar cycles. Anyone is welcome to join the Moon Circle! If this is your first Moon Circle, read this post to find out what it's all about. You can also click here for a printable (and pretty) guide to the moon phases. If you'd like to read all the Artful Life Moon Circles, click here.

February New Moon Intentions & A Confession
So we know, the new moon is an excellent time to set intentions for the coming month and harness the energy of increase in our lives. The Lunar New Year is traditionally a time to clean the slate, pay debts of all kinds (not just financial) and a chance to start over as your very best self. Whew! Like last month's eclipse new moon, this moon is a powerful opportunity for movement and change. I'm taking it on - offer me your support on this one sisters! - and stepping up to begin tinkering with one of my Big Issues. You know the one, right? We all have them. The one that gives you an oogy feeling in your stomach and makes you want to squint your eyes and hurry up and do something - anything - distracting. So here's my big confession: I have a really hard time meeting deadlines and communicating about meeting deadlines. It doesn't really look so bad when I spell it out like that, but believe me, it is bad, and it causes no end of badness and tangles in my life. So, I didn't really mean to step up to my Big Issue, the universe kind of stepped me up. My wonderful life coach asked my on Thursday what I might like to work on in the next little while (actually I'm pretty sure she didn't say "work on" because she doesn't really say that, but you get the idea...) and I said "Well, I think I'd like to work on my issue with meeting deadlines and communicating about meeting deadlines." I have no idea why I would say that. It isn't true. I really, really don't want to work on this. But now it's too late. Have you ever noticed what happens when you say, even idley, "Gee, maybe its time for me to work on Issue X?" Suddenly, stuff about Issue X is coming out of the woodwork, and it seems like your whole life centres on Issue X and oh my gosh how did you ever go so long without dealing with Issue X? So that's where I am. In the three days since I made that ambitious statement to my coach, I have had the very useful opportunity to deal with no less than four people in my life (from all areas of my life) who have each said in their own way "It's really unacceptable that it's taken you so long to do such-and-such" and my usual response of "Gee, I'm sorry, I really don't know what's wrong with me" suddenly just seems so... lame. I'm still sorry, but I do know what's wrong with me, though I may never know why, and this moon, my intention is to make a valiant effort to begin to change this behaviour. And by that, I mean specifically that I will make every effort to meet my deadlines, and when I can't, to communicate promptly and openly with those involved. Should be simple, right? I have a few strategies up my sleeve; most of them involve courage and good communication, so in a way this post is a beginning. Wish me courage!

So now, to you... what big or little issue is the universe stepping you up to? Is there one cringeworthy thing you could bring yourself to begin on, with the support of this circle? Please share!