New Moon in Aries, 26th, April, 2009

Hi Everyone,

Happy happy first new moon of spring – what a great time for new starts! I hope you are all feeling the courage, optimism and faith renewal that this moon can bring!

Calling the circle
As we contemplate this new moon, we call to the spirits of our season, the spirits of the East. New beginnings, new starts. Element of air, first breath – the power of life, springing forth. We call the spirits of the East and ask them to join our circle.

We call now to the spirits of the South, spirits of strength, power, warmth, clarity, motivation, energy, movement. Element of fire, the power of light, bright and powerful. The fire that is our passion, burning deeply within us always. We call the spirits of the South and ask them to join our circle.

And we call to the Spirits of the West. Spirits of our deepest feelings, our strongest emotions, our truest love. A sunset over a calm ocean, a still lake reflecting back the sky, the still waters that run deep, deep within. Element of water, emanating the power of love. We call to the spirits of the West and ask them to join our circle.

Now we call to the spirits of the North. Spirits of midnight, dark moonless skies in winter, places where truths are told, where laws are made. Element of earth, grounding us. Power of law, karma, ancestral wisdom, we call to the spirits of the North and we ask them to join our circle.

And we call to those spirits above us, angels, stars, heavens, light beings everywhere, those souls not yet incarnate. Children of our children. We call the spirits above and ask them to join us.

And we call to the spirits below us, to the earth that grounds us and keeps us steady, the green kingdom with its deep roots and to the lava beneath the crust that impassions us. We call the spirits below and ask them to join us.

Finally, we call to the spirits of the center, where all the directions meet and merge and where they meet and merge in each one of us. The central flame. The sacred spirit. This circle is closed, a safe and sacred circle where everyone is welcome and free to express herself.

Where is the Moon?
This new moon lands in Aries, joining the sun, focusing on our own individual goals and abilities to manifest our will in the world. This is the biggest and best new moons for raising some energy and making things happen. It is also the moon about belief in yourself and your own abilities – remembering the part of you that knows you can create magic and miracles!

Talking stick
Yesterday Owen came home and was telling me that he was out in the playground playing rounders (English baseball) and I asked how it was and he said, “Fine, once I used my magic to move this giant gray raincloud from one side of the sky to the other.” That is the perfect image for the Aries new moon. And he is an Aries, his birthday only days away, and so perhaps he is profoundly affected by this particular brand of creative energy; the kind of energy that says that you can do anything that you want – all you have to do is believe that you can.

I sometimes find that hard to reconcile with things that I wanted that didn’t happen and I know I’ve written about this before, the idea that I did really want certain things, I did believe and they still didn’t happen. Is it that the universe/God/dess knows better for me? Is it that I didn’t want it enough? I think I prefer to think the former, but perhaps with a twist. I think that perhaps the part of me that is a part of everything knows what is best for me and perhaps prevents me from taking too many wrong turns. Maybe. Or maybe enough time hasn’t passed and one day this will be more clear why things play out as they do.

What is exceedingly clear to me is that miracles occur when I least expect them and all the things that I really want in this life I have: I love my husband, my son, my family, my friends, my home, my work, my community. There is so much beauty and I’m grateful for that. There is so much goodness and generosity.

But – I want to have the courage to try to manifest moving a raincloud from one side of the sky to the other again. And so my task for this moon will be to dare to dream the biggest dream and not be afraid it won’t come true.

Meditation
Imagine yourself lying beneath a fragrant apple tree, on a warm, clear spring evening. You are surrounded by flowers, lying on soft earth, breathing in and out in time with the breeze, in time with the stars. As you breathe, you feel yourself getting smaller and smaller, until you are so small that you are able to walk right into the tree. As you look up, you note the vast branch system, how tall and high it is, looking down, you note the vast root system, reaching down into the earth farther than you can see. Then, notice that one of the roots is larger than the others, and resembles a spiral staircase that you can walk down. Imagine then stepping onto the 13th step, the step of transformation, then spiraling down and around and inward to the 12th step, then down and around to the 11th and the 10th, spiraling down and around and inward to the 9th, then the 8th, then around and inward to the 7th and the 6th step. Then, pausing on the sixth step, note that as you look up you can no longer see the top, and looking down, that you can no longer see the bottom. You are standing in the middle of the spiral, in a moment of infinite perfection. If there is anything that you are carrying that you don't want to take with you on your journey, you can leave it on this step. Continuing then to the 5th step and the 4th, spiraling around to the 3rd and the 2nd and then finally the 1st step, then stepping into a clearing with four doorways, each pointing in one of the four directions. Imagine yourself walking down the pathway that heads east.

The time of day is early morning, and the earth warm and light, the sun shimmers and everything is just buzzing with life. You are struck by the intensity of animation of the animals, insects, plants all vibrantly glowing in the light of morning. You listen to their sounds as you walk, listening for anything that you need to hear. As the path winds deeper into the meadow, you become aware of a dwelling in the distance, one that you know well. You move toward it, knowing that you have reached the home of your wise woman.

As you are about to knock, the door opens and your wise woman greets you, welcoming you in. Her home is as completely comfortable and safe for you, and she leads you to the kitchen where she is cooking. She offers you whatever it is that she has cooked for you, and you sit and eat or drink with her, asking any questions that you may have, or asking for any wisdom that she might wish to share with you.

When you are ready, she leads you down a hallway, with many doors. You walk to the doorway at the end of the hall, noticing anything in particular about the door as you walk through. You step through and you are standing in front of your biggest dream. The dream that you would make happen with all your heart and that would bring you ultimate fulfillment. You are able to walk around it, talk to it, ask questions – anything that will be helpful for making this dream real. Then, joined by your wise woman, you imagine your dream moving into your life. It is your life now – and you are able to see it integrated into your every day, in all the ways that it will be when it happens. You are able to feel the deep gratitude that comes with the realization that your biggest dream has come true.

When you are ready, you step back through the door but knowing that the change you create here is reflected in your life. Your dream is already true.

You head back toward the kitchen, sharing any last minute thoughts, asking any last minute questions. As you reach the door of the house you say your goodbyes, and while in her embrace, she whispers one word or phrase and presses an object into your hand that will help you to remember your dream. You thank her then you return to the path that runs along side the stream, listening again to any of the sounds of the water, or just noticing anything else that you need to see. When you are ready, you walk through the doorway.

Stepping back up onto the first step, spiraling upward and outward to the second step and the third, and upward and outward to the fourth step and the fifth. Then spiraling around to the sixth step, and pausing now on the sixth step, retrieving anything that you left behind before, or just leaving it behind in that perfect moment in infinity. Climbing now to the seventh and upward to the eighth, upward and outward to the ninth, then the tenth, and around to the eleventh and the twelfth and then finally to the thirteenth step, the step of transformation, then back into to the tree. Stepping out of the tree, you find your place beneath it, again enjoying the cold night air. Then, feeling your consciousness return to the space you are in, and, when ready opening your eyes.

Prayers for our circle

Sacha, I can’t believe you’ve been gone nearly a year. I miss you dearly and hope that your life is going well. And I will try to call again later!

For Rochelle – lots of love and light today during her surgery. That it go perfectly and easily and she is quickly restored to perfect health.

For Nina – continued prayers for Nina’s healing post-surgery.

Also, a big welcome for my new niece Holly!!

Much love to everyone,

Tara

Spring Equinox March, 2009

I barely realized it was equinox today, which says something for these last few weeks and this one in particular. But here it is! And sunshine along with it here in the UK. Wonderful. I hope you feel the light of spring where you are, even if it hasn’t caught up the weather everywhere!


Calling the circle
As we contemplate equinox, we summon the spirits of the East, spirits of Springtime, the dawn with all of its promise of new beginnings, new starts. Spirits of balance that we celebrate tonight. Element of air, the power of life, springing forth. We call the spirits of the East and ask them to join our circle.

We call now to the spirits of the South, spirits of strength, power, warmth, clarity, motivation, energy, movement. Element of fire, bright fires lit at midday. The power of light, illuminating us. The fire that is our passion, burning deeply within is always. We call the spirits of the South and ask them to join our circle.

And we call to the Spirits of the West. Spirits of our deepest feelings, our strongest emotions, our truest love. A sunset over a calm ocean, a still lake reflecting back the sky, the still waters that run deep, deep within. Element of water, emanating the power of love. We call to the spirits of the West and ask them to join our circle.

Now we call the spirits of the North. Spirits of midnight, dark moonless skies in winter, places where truths are told. Element of earth, grounding us. Power of law, karma, ancestral wisdom, we call to the spirits of the North and we ask them to join our circle.

And we call to those spirits above us, the moon in her many faces, angels, stars, heavens, light beings everywhere, those souls not yet incarnate. Children of our children. We call the spirits above and ask them to join us.

And we call to the spirits below us, to the earth that grounds us and keeps us steady, the green kingdom with its deep roots and to the lava beneath the crust that impassions us. We call the spirits below and ask them to join us.

Finally, we call to the spirits of the center, where all the directions meet and merge and where they meet and merge in each one of us. The central flame. The sacred spirit. This circle is closed, a safe and sacred circle where everyone is welcome and free to express themselves.

Equinox thoughts/Talking stick
It is hard for me not to equate everything to planting these days, as I am so tied to the seasons living here in the country. This year, unlike last, I am a bit more prepared for spring. I have already started my seedlings in the greenhouses (two now) and my raised beds are waiting to be planted, once the soil warms up a bit. Even still, I am amazed at what does/does not grow. Same soil, same water, same conditions and some things grow fine and others just never get going. Last year I said that I was going to focus on a few ideas and not be so diverse and, in truth, I’ve done that. I haven’t quite reached where I want to be, but I am very focused in a direction that feels right to me. I still have nagging whims which pull me this way and that, but the deeper commitment is to a few key ideas that I am trying to manifest.

It has been a long winter. To honor spring today I think I will keep it simple and walk around in my garden and picture how lush it will be by summer. And I will picture that for the garden of ideas that I am cultivating as well.

Meditation
Imagine yourself lying on the ground beneath a beautiful old oak tree just beginning to form new buds, in the middle of a field, under a starry, windless sky. The ground feels cold, but all around you are the beginnings of Spring, small plants forming a soft green carpet. As you breathe in and out feel that you are breathing in time with the stars, that you are a part of the setting that surrounds you. Then allow yourself to imagine that you are getting smaller – smaller and smaller until you are so small that you can stand up and walk into the tree that you were lying underneath. Walking into the tree, looking up, note the vast branch system, how tall and high it is, looking down, note the vast root system, reaching down into the earth farther than you can see. Then, notice that one of the roots is larger than the others, and resembles a spiral staircase. Imagine then stepping onto the 13th step, the step of transformation, then spiraling down and around and inward to the 12th step, then down and around to the 11th and the 10th, spiraling down and around and inward to the 9th, then the 8th, then around and inward to the 7th and the 6th step. Then, pausing on the sixth step, note that as you look up you can no longer see the top, and looking down, that you can no longer see the bottom. You are standing in the middle of the spiral, in a moment of infinite perfection. If there is anything that you are carrying that you don’t want to take with you on your journey, you can leave it on this step. Continuing then to the 5th step and the 4th, spiraling around to the 3rd and the 2nd and then finally the 1st step, then stepping into a clearing with four doorways, each pointing in one of the four directions. Imagine yourself walking down the pathway that heads east.

It is dawn, and the sun is just peeking over the horizon – coloring the sky pink and gold. The landscape is gentle and green with the beginnings of new plants; there are early flowers just beginning to poke up over the grass. Daffodils colour the path as well as crocuses, hellibores and young herbs color the scenery as you make your way along as it snakes its way upward around a tall hill. You make your way toward the top, feeling the energy of new life rising up from the valley below. When you reach the top, you see that others have gathered already – friends, guides, ancestors, and you join them in the circle. Your wise woman arrives last, stepping into the centre.

All is quiet for a while, feeling the powerful silence build until it takes on almost a sound of its own. All the while, the sunlight is increasing, until the circle is completely illumined in a golden dawn’s light. Those in the circle are illuminated, each brightly reflecting love the energy of new beginnings. Each has come with a seed or seedling to plant in the circle’s centre, each representing something that you need in your life. One by one they enter the circle, explaining the meaning of their plant, and then placing it into the ground for you.

Then, your wise woman calls you into the center of the circle, where she has prepared the ground for your seeds. She asks you to plant the seeds for those things that you would like to see growing in your life. You return to the circle and join hands with the others until the sun is high in the sky. You feel the hope of spring surrounding everyone and everything on the earth.

When you feel that your time in the circle is complete, your wise woman leads you out of the circle and to a beautiful stone table that has appeared, filled with all kinds of food and drink, and those in your circle join you at the table for a beautiful celebration. You can converse freely with them here.

When the meal is finished and it is time to go, you say your goodbyes to your guides, friends, ancestors. Finally, you say goodbye to your wise woman, and head away from the circle, back along the path lined with violets. The sun has fully risen now, and the path is more brightly lit than before. When you reach the doorway to the east, you step through back toward the staircase.

Stepping back up onto the first step, spiraling upward and outward to the second step and the third, and upward and outward to the fourth step and the fifth. Then spiraling around to the sixth step, and pausing now on the sixth step, retrieving anything that you left behind before, or just leaving it behind in that moment of infinite perfection. Climbing now to the seventh and upward to the eighth, upward and outward to the ninth, then the tenth, and around to the eleventh and the twelfth and then finally to the thirteenth step, the step of transformation, then back into to the tree. Stepping out of the tree, you find your place beneath it, again enjoying the sweet night air. Then feeling your consciousness return to the space you are in, and, when ready opening your eyes.

Prayers for our circle
To everyone who needs to start anew, love anew, begin anew – that this first day of spring be an inspiration and a beacon of the hope that always lives in our hearts.


And to all of you, happy spring!

Much love,

Tara

Full Moon in Virgo, March 10, 2009

Hi everyone,

I know that it does not feel like spring in all places, but here in the UK it is starting to – just a bit. This is the last full moon of winter and I am definitely ready to bid winter farewell. At the same time I want to honor winter’s passing, as for many of us it has been a very intense time. And I need a strong Virgo moon right about now, actually!

Calling the circle

As we contemplate this last full moon of winter, we call to and honor the spirits of the East, spirits of the coming season, of new beginnings, new starts. Element of air, first breath, cool dawn. The power of life, springing forth. The seeds that are now ready to burst forth from the earth. We call the spirits of the East and ask them to join our circle.

We call now to the spirits of the South, spirits of strength, power, warmth, clarity, motivation, energy, movement. Element of fire, bright fires lit at midday. The power of light, illuminating us. The fire that is our passion, burning deeply within us always. We call the spirits of the South and ask them to join our circle.

 

And we call to the Spirits of the West. Spirits of our deepest feelings, our strongest emotions, our truest love. A sunset over a calm ocean, a still lake reflecting back the sky, the still waters that run deep, deep within. Element of water, emanating the power of love. We call to the spirits of the West and ask them to join our circle.

Now we summon the spirits of our season, the spirits of North. Spirits of midnight, dark moonless skies in winter, places where truths are told, where laws are made. The earth that holds the seeds until they are ready to grow. Element of earth, grounding us. Power of law, karma, ancestral wisdom, we call to the spirits of the North and we ask them to join our circle.

And we call to those spirits above us, angels, stars, heavens, light beings everywhere, those souls not yet incarnate. Children of our children, and to the brightest of moons. We call the spirits above and ask them to join us.

 

And we call to the spirits below us, to the earth that grounds us and keeps us steady, the green kingdom with its deep roots and to the lava beneath the crust that impassions us. We call the spirits below and ask them to join us.

Finally, we call to the spirits of the center, where all the directions meet and merge and where they meet and merge in each one of us. The central flame. The sacred spirit. This circle is closed, a safe and sacred circle space.

Where is the Moon?

This full moon is in Virgo, and a full moon in Virgo during Pisces highlights the role of the healer in the world, and the healing needed for the world. It is a time for us to really visualize the changes that we would like to see around us, but also for ourselves. Virgo can also be a powerful ally for making things happen, and with the power of dreams highlighted by Pisces, it is a good time to make dreams a reality. I would like to challenge us all to use this moon to create a vision of a world of abundance rather than lack, which is what we hear so much about lately!

Talking stick

I am strongly aware that this is the last full moon of winter and I am very grateful for it, I have to say. Not just because it has been cold, but from late autumn through this winter it has been a time of intensity: family tragedies, losses, new starts requiring hard work and lots of it, deeply challenging parenting moments. It has also seen some amazing growth: Gary and I deepening our commitment to each other in some interesting ways, the joy of watching Owen evolve and change, an abundance of work that I actually enjoy, the possibility of some really exciting future directions for all of us. I used to always refer to winter not as winter alone but as another winter of my discontent, as for some reason life’s most intense challenges have manifested in winter for me and this winter didn’t disappoint on that front. Maybe it is just about getting older, but I faced this winter with less fear than usual, and for that I am proud of myself.

The full moon in Virgo is well timed for me. In this last month I have decided not to talk about what is happening in the economy as a crisis anymore but to view it as an opportunity. So anytime someone mentions the word recession or crunch or crisis, I immediately flip the words around in my mind. I am not being impractical, I see the changes in the economy and am personally affected by it in a few ways, but I believe that it is an opportunity and that the world living in a state of mass paralysis is certainly not going to help. So, as I slog through my pile of work this week, I want to dedicate at least five minutes to innovative thinking; ways to take advantage of the world the way it now is vs. being afraid of it. And I want to bless the whole world with optimism. 

Now I must get back to letting this Virgo moon help me plough through the pile of work that is building up on my desk!

Meditation

Imagine yourself lying under a just flowering cherry blossom tree, on an utterly still late winter’s evening.  The moon above you is bright and full, brimming with the force of life.  With each breath, the moonlight feels as though it is reaching through you, deep into the earth, then upward into the sky again. As it moves through you and into the earth, you feel it spiraling deep below you, into something of a staircase. You stand up, and begin to wind your way down the staircase of moonlight, beginning on the thirteenth step, the step of transformation, then spiraling around to the twelfth and the eleventh, then around to the tenth, then spiraling down and around and inward to the ninth, then the eighth, and around and inward to the seventh, then the sixth. You pause for a moment on the sixth step, leaving anything behind that you don’t choose to take along with you. You notice that you can no longer see the top from here and looking down, you cannot see the bottom. You are in the centre of the spiral, standing in a moment of infinite perfection. Then continuing to spiral down and around to the fifth step, then the fourth, then the third. And around and inward to the second, and then finally the first step. You step off the staircase onto firm ground and head out toward the north.

The sky is bright and clear. You stop to admire the light and color of the moon for a moment before setting off. When you do you begin to walk around a field – a circular path, leading toward a dwelling in the distance, a home that seems to reflect the light of the moon. As you walk along, a word or several words come into your mind and you find yourself repeating them over and again – like a mantra. Finally, you reach the dwelling – a place both ancient and familiar – the home of your wise woman.

As you are about to knock, the door swings open and your wise woman greets you, welcoming you in. She gives you a big hug and leads you further into the dwelling, where she is preparing food and drink. She offers you whatever it is that she has cooked for you, and you sit and eat or drink with her, asking any questions that you may have, or asking for any wisdom that she might wish to share with you.

When you are ready, she leads out of the kitchen and down a hallway with many doors.

As you walk through the door, you step into a library. A librarian takes you by the hand and leads you to a table. On that table are several books – some about you, some about the people you love, some about the world we live in. You choose the books that are right for you to read, asking your wise woman for any guidance if it is unclear. There are also several books with blank pages, for yourself, for those in your life, for the world – and you are able to contribute to those books; to write the chapters in the books that you are meant to write. When you are finished, your wise woman hands you a book that wasn’t there before, a book that she keeps for you. She points you to the wisdom that you need in your life right now.

When you are ready, your wise woman leads you from the room, but knowing that this is a place to which you can always return.

As you reach the front of the house you say your goodbyes to your wise woman, and while in her embrace, she whispers a word or phrase to you to reflect this journey. Perhaps it is the same one that you felt on the path, perhaps a different one. You thank her and then head back out into the night. The light is returning to the moon now, making the path all that much brighter on your return. You make your way back to the doorway and when you are ready, you step through.

Stepping back up onto the first step, spiraling upward and outward to the second step and the third, and upward and outward to the fourth step and the fifth. Then spiraling around to the sixth step, and pausing now, retrieving anything that you left behind before, or just leaving it behind in that perfect moment in infinity. Climbing now to the seventh and upward to the eighth, upward and outward to the ninth, then the tenth, and around to the eleventh and the twelfth and then finally to the thirteenth step, the step of transformation, then lying back down onto the earth where you began. And when you are ready you open your eyes.

Prayers for our circle

I have not gotten any specific calls for prayers tonight, although I am saying a private one for a dear friend, hoping that his day is going well!

Much love to all of you,

Tara