the new year, 2009—with wishes of Happy New Year to all we meet, as we hold with ourselves, perhaps expressed and perhaps not, our hopes and plans for the year ahead. New Moon is widely conjunct Pluto with his powerful transformative energy, and Mars, planet of action, has just entered Capricorn during the final hours prior to New Moon. At 2:49 pm December 28, Mars will conjunct Pluto. Moon will then trine Saturn and conjunct Mercury, then reach her final aspect in Capricorn at 4:20 am December 29th, a conjunction to Jupiter.This is a powerful aspect string during which to set your intent for 2009—better, in my opinion, than the calendar New Year. Moon enters Pisces in the early evening of New Year's Eve, with mixed aspects ending with a sextile to Jupiter on January 3. Though that's not bad, its not a as strong an energy as that of New Moon. Besides, our calendar New Year's is a politically set "new beginning," while New Moon is a natural one.
In planning how we might use the energy of this New Moon for magical charge, consider that this earth sign of Capricorn is a very pragmatic one that is associated with structure and business. Mars is about action, and Pluto transformation. All together, we have a very intense energy to work with here. Let's begin by directing that energy in a positive way, with firm resolution for consistent follow through until our goal is reached.
Ritual for New Moon in Capricorn
Gather a green candle, paper and pen, incense of the earth element (patchouli or cypress are good, and a yard of heavy cord. Create sacred space and then standing within it, light the green candle. Take three deep breaths to center, then stretch high, reaching upward, as you tone "As above." Reach down and touch the ground with "So below." Touch both hands to your chest with "As within," then stretched outward with "So without." Then circle slowly clockwise, arms outstretched, "As the Universe," and then end by crossing both hands over your chest, "So the soul." Sit beside your candle and create an outline of your intended path toward your goal. Structure it, with practical steps to take and with firm intent. Give yourself a realistic time-table for when you think each step ought to be taken. When you have completed your list, then hold the cord in your hands, and focus on each item on your list, one at a time, with firm intent upon accomplishing it. As you focus, tie a knot firmly into the cord, thus binding yourself to fulfill the obligation it reapresents. As you tie each knot, chant:
Knot I bind, tight and true
Bound am I that I will do
As pledged upon this list I see
With harm to none, so shall it be!
Pass the knotted cord through the incense smoke, thank the deities and close your ritual. Hang the knotted cord beside your list. After each item of your plan has been completed, cross it off and untie its knot, thus releasing the magick and freeing yourself of the oblication to which it bound you. Chant:
Knot untied, I am set free!
My magic worked, so shall it be!
With each knot untied, your you gain a feeling of success, and added energy to continue toward your goal!
column to be continued...
Crescent Moon, 25 Aquarius 20, December 31 at 10:16 am EST
We're challenged to continue increasing the light. Though we may be tempted to backslide, we can't let that happen...keep focused on the goal!
First Quarter Moon, 14 Aries 16, January 4, 2009, 6:56 am EST
This is the "crisis of action" phase, and Moon is in the sign most closely associated withi action. So, no more procrastinating about what you want to do. Do it! Now!Jupiter leaves conservative Capricorn and enters Aquarius, a sign energy more likely to break with routine to try something new. You can use that energy for inspiration and innovation, perhaps also to spark a group activity.
Gibbous Moon, 2 Gemini 47, January 7 at 5:43 pm EST
Moonlight increases, almost full but not quite... plans are taking shape, but need something more. What might that be? You may need a little more research, a little more polish... but persist, even in the face of momentary frustration. Persist in the waxing light. Also, it's well to keep in mind that Mercury will turn retrograde just after Full Moon (at 11:44 am EST, to be exact, on January 11). So, if you have communication activities you need to do, think ahead and do them now, while you have ample time to do them right. Mercury will be retrograde the remainder of this month, turning direct again on February 1.
Full Moon, 21 Cancer 02, January 10 at 10:27 pm EST
Round and very bright in the cold, winter air, she rises in all her magical glory. Moon in Cancer, her own sign, the one she rules and the sign of home. A Full Moon ritual for me will surely involve a house cleansing and blessing. There are always things to reorganize and put away after the holidays. Also, it helps get the new year off to a good start. Cleansing the space also clears the mind!
Here's an incense recipe I like for this purpose: Grind together with mortar and pestle these ingredients: 1 part frankincense, 1 part sandalwood, 1 part wood betony, 2 parts lavender, 4 parts rose petals, 1/2 part basil, 1 part copal and 1 part magnolia oil. This mixture is best used with an incense burner on charcoal.
Ritual for Full Moon in Cancer
Do your post holiday pickup and put away task first. Then use this ritual to help clear away any mental, emotional or spiritual debris from the year past, and then to set your intents for the year beginning. Assemble your tools on a table near a door to the outside you'll use as the place from which you'll start and complete a total circuit of your home. Center by calling Goddess Moon within. Light the white candle, then bless the water and salt, as you mix a little salt into the water.
Begin at the door and move entirely around your home, sweeping with the broom as you visualize sweeping up all that past debris. When you return to the door, open it and sweep it all firmly and finally OUT! Now, take up the salted water and move all around your home again, this time sprinkling water from your fingers as you go, thus cleansing and blessing the space. Next you'll light the incense and go all around the house again, wafting the incense smoke, again cleansing and blessing the space. (If you are working with someone else, you can, of course, go around together, one using the salted water, the other the incense.) Finally, carry the candle all around your home. At each possible opening (door, window, vent and electronic or phone connection with the outer world, pause to form a solar cross (vertical line down "As above, so below," then across from left to right, "as within, so without," then form a circle, "as the Universe, so the soul." Visualize this as both blessing and protection for you home and all who live within.
Disseminating Moon, 9 Virgo 23, January 14 at 5:25 am EST
Moon is losing light, but still shining very brightly, especially on crisp, cold winter night...I love to look outside during Full and Disseminating Moon, especially in the winter. I'll get up in the night and move from window to window, to see the patterns formed on the snow by Moon light showing through the bare trees--every twig and branch in beautiful, abstract patterns. Present what you've learned and accomplished during this phase.
Last Quarter Moon, 28 Libra 08, January 17 at 9:46 pm EST
Now Moon is half light, half dark once again, though this time we know the light will wane. It's time to complete the goals we've set for this lunar cycle. Energy winds down. With Moon in Libra, we may be more drawn than usual to be with others. This phase often brings on the need for reflection and revision, and that, shared with a friend may be beneficial for both of you.
Balsamic Moon, 17 Sagittarius 17, January 21 at 11:27 pm EST
Crone's crescent, the waning Moon, bright in the early morning sky, just before sunrise...Moon in Sag...wish on star, as you shoot your imaginary fiery arrow toward it. Take time to dream and just...be!
