|
One of the eight Wheel of the Year sabbats, Lammas, also known as Lughnasad, is sometimes celebrated on the first of August, although as the actual spoke of the Wheel for Lammas occurs when Sun comes to the 15th degree of Leo, and this year that's August 7. I'll mention it now, though, because it is another suggestion of the socializing and sharing theme of this New Moon. I'll say more about this a little later in this column, for the astrological Lammas on August 7 that occurs during our First Quarter lunar phase.
Ritual for New Moon in Leo
Stand outdoors, in full sunshine if you can, or in the evening if you prefe, just while the Moon is New, today or before the Crescent. With feet firmly on Earth, stretch high and wide. Feeling light and energy pouring into you from above, say “As above!” Move your hands down slowly down over your aura all the way to your feet as you feel that energy moving through you. Now touching Mother Earth, feel the vast energy of life and growth within her. Draw on that energy as you say “So below!” and then move your hands upward over your aura as you feel Earth energy moving upwards throughout your body. Standing again, with hands over your heart, say “As within” and think about the ways you impact your world and others with whom you share it. Think of your intended purpose for this lunar cycle and commit yourself to it, and as you do, slowly move both your hands and arms outward, as if stretching to embrace the world, saying “So without.” Now, with arms outstretched and head held high, slowly circle sunwise, seeing and feeling he magnificence of Nature all around you: “As the Universe,” and returning to where you begin, hands crossed over your heart , “so the Soul!” Again, raise your hands to the Sun— and the Moon and Mars whom you know are there, even though unseen in the bright sunlight—and bow in thankgiving.
Now, purpose firmly in mind, take that first step toward your goal for this New Moon,new month! The Moment of beginning, a moment of action, magic, power and grace, it is also a rite of magick!
Crescent Moon, 25 Virgo 27, August 2 at 10:35 pm EDT
Crescent phase is waxing, but has been noted for sometimes feelilng like one takes two steps forward (figuratively), but then something happens that means the need to take a step. With Mercury turning retrograde tomorrow, this Crescent Phase could seem quite like that. This will be quite a long Mercury retrograde period, lasting August 26. Obviously we can't not do all the Mercury-related things for so long. I remember saying in years past, in regard to my work at ACS, that just as many little communication things (with mail, computers, calls and whatever) went wrong when Mercury was direct, but then nobody complained about them! I've threatened at times to carefully document that observation, but haven't actually done so, but I'm convinced that it's at least often true. If there's prime astrological superstition this is it! But then admittedly, I have Mercury retrograde in my natal chart! In any case, do take some extra care with your communication and transportation activities this month, and give others the benefit of the doubt if it appears they've had a Mercury retro "oops" in regard to you.
First Quarter Moon, 13 Scorpio 40, August 6 at 7:08 am EDT
This phase is called "the crisis of action," and crisis could be the more active word at this First Quarter, with Moon making a string of squares. An unexpected something could rattle feelings, or cause tempers to flare in reflection of Mars in Cancer turning the close square of Uranus and Pluto into a T-square. Deep breath, think calm, and you may be able to help whatever. If not, let it go.
Lammas, or Lughnasad, August 7 at 4:33 pm EDT, Sun at 15 Leo 00, Moon at 2 Sagittarius 59
In the yearly seasonal 8-spoked Wheel of the Year, Lammas corresponds to the sixth phase, Disseminating, and this is a time of sharing. In the agricultural cycle, early August days are still long, but beginning to noticeably shorten. Corn is ripe for the picking—and tender to eat! The Mother Goddess has become the Corn Mother, symbolic to this seasonal phase, and we celebrate the first fruits of the harvest by baking cornbread, and then we might make solar crosses from the husks for the blessing of homes. The God, who changed from Bright Lord to Dark Lord at Summer Solstice, now fully realizes his role as Father of his people, and the sacrifice that will require of him—but for now he and the Mother share their wisdom and the harvest bounty as we all gather to share with each other.
Gibbous Moon, 2 Capricorn 04, August 9 at 8:22 pm EDT
Moon continues to wax. Mars is square Uranus at midday before this phase begins. The Moon in Capricorn will square Uranus then conjunct Pluto in the wee hours of tomorrow. So, this day, too, is one in which tensions could be evident. But aware of that, you can do your part to mediate, inspire calm and or maybe just work alone, if you can.
Full Moon, 20 Aquarius 41, August 13 at 2:57 pm EDT
Aquarius, as ruler of the natural 11th house of friends, calls for a group ritual. At this time of year, its also good to gather outdoors, if you can. Enjoy the beauty of Moon overhead. This ritual plan is fun, with plenty of interaction encouraging shared communication:
Ritual for Full Moon in Aquarius
This ritual involves the creation of a weblike network of connecting strings. It would be best to simply explain the following sequence before you begin, along with its purpose: to share and acknowledge successes achieved and to help each other work out whatever is needed to resolve or improve an issue of general concern to the group—or in a fairly small group of friends, , this process could work in helping each other to improve personal issues. You'll need a big ball of yarn or string.
Stand or sit in a circle holding the ball. Begin by tossing the ball across the circle to someone else, while holding onto the end of the string yourself. As you do this, give that person a sincere compliment on anything that comes to mind. That person then holds onto the string, keeping it reasonably taunt but not tight from the first toss, while tossing the ball toward someone else along with a compliment. With each toss a network of strings begins to form, a network of connection, compliments and good feelings.
Now, we continue with two alternate possibilities. The first is for the larger group using this ritual to work on group cohesion on goals. When everyone has received the ball at least once and it returns to you, the leader, then change the dialogue by bring up something that you, personally, could do to improve group interaction and goals. Then toss the ball to someone else, who will suggest how he or she can improve, and so on, as the net builds. For the third round of tosses, as for ideas for consolidating what has been accomplished and how to improve upon it.
For the alterntive ritual for a small group of close friends, make the second toss a time for each person to bring up an issue of personal concern that needs improvement, and ask for suggestions, Each successive person offers a suggestion. The tosses and the building net continue until each person has had the chance to bring up a personal concern and received suggestions from the others. . The third toss would be the ball again, continuing the net with each person bringing up something he or she could improve upon.
With either of the above alternate potentials for this net building ritual, while the energy stays high, you can continue with added round(s) of tossing and suggestions. When it shows signs of winding down, conclude by saying that the net you have created is a magickal bond among you for continued success of your work together (for the large group) or your friendship (for the smaller intimate group). Then lead a final, something short and easy to remember, with everyone holding the network taunt as you move the entire circle clockwise. Chant nine times, building the tempo. Chant can be altered for larger group working on common projects, or for the smaller group of close friends, for example:
Forward we go, strong are we, working together successfully!
or
Our network of friends, forever be, forward we go now, strong and free!
As the chant peaks, everyone moves toward center, gathering the net into a ball. Conclude the chant with By all the power of three times three, as we do will, so mote it be! As we do will, so mote it be!
Keep the ball in a protected place for however long seems appropriate for its magical suggestions and intents to work. Whenever that may be completed, the ball could then be offered to Spirit in a Sabbat ritual fire.
Disseminating Moon, 9 Aries 32, August 17 at 3:11 pm EDT
A basic meaning of this phase is the "harvest " of what one has been began and developed during the waxing phases that came to fruition at Full Moon, and sharing what has been learned or produced. It corresponds, then, to Lammas in the solar-seasonal cycle. During this shorter lunar phase period, then, its a time to share. Planetary aspects are rather tense on this day, but end with a greater sense of ease with Mars sextile Jupiter on the 18th, and Moon's string of cooperating (trine and sextile) aspects all through the 18th until Moon leaves Aries at 7:50 am on the 19th (EDT). So, share...present, demonstrate. Even if doubtful at first, "nothing ventured, nothing gained," (as the old saying goes) and the outcome is promising.
Last Quarter Moon, 28 Taurus 32, August 21 at 5:54 pm EDT
Sunday, the 21st, has a complexity of aspects, but its Sunday, so relax and be patient with self and others. Monday looks easier, even promising. A basic theme of this phase is finishing in preparation for letting go, and the next phase is about letting go. Both Taurus and Cancer, sign of the Balsamic phase soon to come, suggest that some reorganization may be what's called for, in your home, office, files, finance...whatever is not in the order that it should be to make life easier. I have a ritual for Last Quarter Moon in Taurus that could help set your intent to do this. In fact, I think I'll do it myself, because I've definitely come to the place where I know I need to set aside at least a whole day to reorganize my files, both on my computer hard drive and in the office file drawers. When there's so much it become increasingly hard to remember where to find things, it's definitely time to "clean house!"
Ritual for Last Quarter Moon
If your reorganization process involves actual things that need to be tossed out, then gather them up. If it involves intangible things that you can't physically throw away, then choose a paper list or some natural symbols to represent them (leaves, stones, twigs). Name each thing for what it represents, holding it for a few moments while willing your purpose into it, thus releasing it from your inner self. This could be mainly a pledge to not allow ourselves to create so much clutter again—going forward, we WILL keep ourselves better organized!
If you can, take what you will release outdoors at night, where you can see the waning Moon. Take with you a trowel or large spoon for digging. Hold each item up to the Moon and call the Crone Goddess:
Sunlight wanes, and Moonlight, too.
Crone of wisdom, come to me.
Bear witness to what I release
Returned to Earth, so mote it be!
Take what you will release to a remote area where you'll have no need to return any time soon, there to be buried. Once the objects are covered with soil, hold your hands over the soil and repeat the calling of the Crone, as you feel release of energy. Then turn away and leave. Don't look back!
Balsamic Moon, 17 Cancer 11, August 25 at 1:44 pm EDT
The phase cycle comes to a close. Something is ending; has come to completion. If we haven't finished the reorganization thing, then stick to it. If we did the reorganization thing, then in this phase we'll feel a new sense of freedom. Moon is void of course by 9:04 am today and tomorow Mercury is direct again. The phase cycle closes with Moon back in Leo and some nice aspects. So, relax a bit, and reward yourself for what you accomplished.
|
