Meet fashion creatrice Diana Wassef, one of the Moon Club members elevating the game with her poetically evolved approach to sustainable fashion as healing …
With her eco-conscious “Kao-Kabi” collection for Emily Cremona, creatrice and Moon Club member Diana Wassef is challenging the fashion community to dress our planet in sustainable threads.
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“From fabric selection to garment creation, these are healing garments disguised as ‘fashion.'”
The Passion Project I wanted to create a sensory experience: one where you feel elevated and transformed … that feeling when putting on a robe after a Moroccan or Turkish bath. This is the feeling I imagined while creating the Kao-Kabi collection.
Kao-Kabi is Arabic for “my planet,” and with this collection I hope to meet the delicate needs of today’s modern wearer through garments that are kind to the skin and to our environment. I work exclusively with natural fibers, including bamboo, hemp, linen, and pineapple.
All the garments from Kao-Kabi have been bathed with Reiki light and love; from fabric selection to garment creation, these are healing garments disguised as “fashion.”
Dressing to Honor the Spirit When I was younger my style was very eccentric, layering my skin with lots of accessories and clothing that embodied a lot of mythology and symbology. This style reflected my fascination with the history of costume, and how each period influenced the image of how the self was portrayed.
After moving to Brooklyn in 2013, my transformative healing journey began: the cleansing and purifying process … shedding skin and tuning in to the core and essence of the delicious self. Now, I dress to honor my spirit by radiating the light within me outwards. In doing so, I find myself surrounded by similar radiant entities.
I really do enjoy wearing white, and a lot of that is influenced by my Kundalini practice. Yogi Bhajan’s idea about the color white resonates with me. Not only is white an auric color therapy, but wearing white is an exercise in awareness, as it takes more consciousness and care to keep white clothes clean!
The Futuristic Fashionista Vision Kao-Kabi offers a glimpse into the eco-conscious world I envision for fashion. Moving forward, I intend to create my own sustainable, innovative textiles from which my future collections will be designed—a sustainable material that honors our planet by being gentle to its resources.
The Moon Club Inspiration It has been a huge inspiration to be part of this community—Moon Club is a sacred space for all the Luna lovers out there. As the astrology fan that I am, I get an insightful dose of what’s happening astrologically, the Moon cycles, and their impact on us. Moon Club guides me with my creative process by reminding me to pause, clear my mind, and MEDITATE in order to dive deeper.
We’ve had such incredible coaching sessions with innovators and healers, like Sah D’Simone sharing the “Happiness Equation,” and powerful female entrepreneurs like THINX co-founder Miki Agrawal—I’m all about the divine yoni power!!!!
I’d also like to share here the Forgiveness Mediation from Moon Club founding member Eddie Stern, which has been particularly inspiring for me in my creative process:
“For anyone I caused harm, knowingly or unknowingly, I ask for your forgiveness/For anyone whom has caused me harm, knowingly or unknowingly, I offer you my forgiveness/For any harm I have caused myself, knowingly or unknowingly, I forgive me.”
Diana Wassef in Her Element
Feeling ready to up your manifestation game? Read more about Moon Club here and start working your own lunar magic!
The message of the 2017 Taurus New Moon is to connect to your inner stillness, be present for beauty, and trust in your true value, says Sandra Sitron …
Binta Dibba for Nakid Magazine by Bethany Vargas
New Moon :: April 26th 2017:: 8:18 am EST :: 6 degrees 27 minutes Taurus
Slow. Peaceful. Still. Serene.
The moment of thisTaurus New Moon opens a portal for you to connect with your inner stillness (aka inner serenity, the quiet mind, your essential nature, your higher self). When you access your “inner stillness,” you may notice a sense of true security. In this headspace of harmony and peace you have no insecurity. You trust in your value. You trust in abundance.
This portal is open for you. Move into it through meditation. Create space and stillness. Be patient. Be present to the beauty around you. Focus your attention on being grounded, registering the sensations in your body, and connecting to your inner worth.
Taurus is a powerhouse sign. On the Taurus New Moon, the Sun and the Moon meet here, to represent a new beginning. We can take this time to send our wishes to the moon. What new beginning are you ready for in your life? Craft your intentions now.
It’s especially powerful to center your intentions on Taurus themes, which focus on the physical body. The stimuli that makes the physical body feel good. The food, shelter, and water the physical body needs to exist. Money. Anything that is sustainable or of value that will keep the body going for a long time. Anything beautiful that the physical body will appreciate.
This Taurus New Moon entices you to find inner stillness. What does Taurus have to do with inner stillness? Taurus rules the body. When you can become completely grounded in your body and aware of the information that is coming in through your senses, you have acquired one way to arrive in a meditative state. You are present.
Inner stillness helps you discover other Taurus themes. It makes you aware of your inner worth and your inner value. Your security. Your sense of abundance. Your inner harmony. It brings your values into perspective. Inner stillness is grounding and secure.
There is a vibration of Taurus that can be completely concrete and stubborn. At this Taurus New Moon, it’s time melt any stubbornness and transmute it into stability. True stability creates space for security and openness.
As you create stillness within yourself, you are tilling fertile soil in which to plant your seeds. Your Taurus New Moon seed intentions should bring forth lovely blooms of abundance, harmony in relationships, security, physical health, and beauty. These themes can be very powerful for you now.
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Moon semi-sextile Mars The next move in a game of chess. This aspect urges you to take action. Mars is in the zippy sign of Gemini, cajoling along the slow-poke Taurus New Moon. They may not agree on the correct speed. But they can decide to take concentrated, deliberate action. And that action can be potent. Center yourself and then move your chess pieces deliberately. Take your time. Make it happen. This is not time to push forward hastily. You can take slow and powerful, grounded actions that are based on your values.
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Moon trine Saturn Retrograde Drinking your green smoothie. The Taurus New Moon is in a wide trine to Saturn. Saturn’s energy here can help you find the structures that work best for you. What are your systems for optimal health and wellness? What are your best systems for quieting your mind? For exercise? For learning? For communication? For managing your finances? This is positive energy that will help you get everything into alignment. Think about what kind of support and structure you need and call it in.
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Use the questions below to dive deeper into the lessons of the 2017 Taurus New Moon. For a more accurate reading, calculate your chart for free here and see what house holds 6 degrees Taurus…
Aries or New Moon in the 2nd House This New Moon takes place in your house of security, money, values and worth. What support can you ask to receive?
Taurus or New Moon in the 1st House This New Moon takes place in your house of identity. How are the circumstances in your life teaching you about who you really are?
Gemini or New Moon in the 12th House This New Moon takes place in your house of the subconscious mind. What advice would your higher self give you about an issue in your life? Write down your issue, then write your higher self’s advice.
Cancer or New Moon in the 11th House This New Moon takes place in your house of friends and future. What vision will you craft? What do you desire?
Leo or New Moon in the 10th House This New Moon takes place in your house of career. Where can you push yourself a little further out into the limelight?
Virgo or New Moon in the 9th House This New Moon takes place in your house of exploration. What do you need to see that you aren’t seeing?
Libra or New Moon in the 8th House This New Moon takes place in your house of emotional union. What feeling is ready to change form? Write yourself a letter from that feeling. Let it tell you everything it needs to say.
Scorpio or New Moon in the 7th House This New Moon takes place in your house of primary relationships. How will you let yourself get closer to another person? What will you say to encourage closeness?
Sagittarius or New Moon in the 6th House This New Moon takes place in your house of health and habits. What is one small thing you can do every day to connect to your body? Can you thank your body for that connection?
Capricorn or New Moon in the 5th House This New Moon takes place in your house of creativity and fun. How are you yearning to express yourself?
Aquarius or New Moon in the 4th House This New Moon takes place in your house of home and family. What will you do to welcome in a new feeling at home?
Pisces or New Moon in the 3rd House This New Moon takes place in your house of learning and communication. Do you believe that a breakthrough comes to you or that you have to invite it in? What would you do to invite it in?
Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here.
Clear any debris from the past to make way for new beginnings this Capricorn Waning Quarter Moon, says Jennifer Racioppi…Artwork: Seana Gavin
Waning Quarter Moon :: April 19 2017 :: 5.56am EST :: 29 Degrees Capricorn
Like an elegant wine with unpredictable hints of licorice, cacao, leather, black tea and sour cherry, the complexity of this Aries Waning Quarter Moon challenges us to interpret complex aromas and flavors.
However, with the moon shifting from stalwart Capricorn into courageous and progressive Aquarius an hour later, and the Sun moving into stable and steady Taurus at 5:26pm the same day, the Capricorn Waning Quarter Moon lingers with complex, multifaceted nuances. Like a theatrical dinner, with a banquet of flavors to take in and digest, this is a vibrant and intricate transit.
Not only does the exact square between the Capricorn Moon and the Aries Sun, at 2 degrees of each sign, occur right before their ingress (entrance into new signs), this Capricorn Waning Quarter Moon occurs one day before powerhouse Pluto stations retrograde. Pluto rules our shadow, and when he commences his retrograde journey, he extends an invitation to look at how we relate to power and control.
Further, on April 20th, Mercury in retrograde will also form her conjunction with the Sun, signifying an intense moment in the Mercury retrograde journey—when the Sun and Mercury swap positions, the Sun is moving into Taurus, while Mercury slips back into Aries.
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:: The Sun :: With the Sun at the tail end of pioneering, bold and courageous Aries, preparing to move into salt of the earth (with a twist of divine luxury) Taurus, she wraps up her Aries story. Having traveled side by side with both Uranus, the planet of revolution, and Eris, the planet of feminine discord, in recent weeks, our egos and identities have certainly endured a few shake-ups. The full moon in Libra, which happened one week prior to this Capricorn Waning Quarter Moon, opposed the Sun and Uranus—infusing the lunation with a few unexpected results. Now it’s up to us to decipher what we need to release. Something needs to go.
:: The Moon :: This practical and efficient Capricorn Waning Quarter Moon trines Mars in Taurus—a fortunate connection to the planet of action. This common-sense, down-to-earth influence brings stoic expediency when it comes to executing on the daily chores of life. Thank Goddess! With the recent emphasis in Aries, a focus on getting things started didn’t leave a ton of room for completion. Fortunately, the day leading up to this Waning Quarter Moon emphasizes the finishing point. That said, with the Moon renewing itself next week, a time that’s ripe for new beginnings, it’s essential to clear the debris of our past—and now! Cultivate the wisdom gained over the last few weeks to decide what needs releasing in order to to bring things to completion consciously.
:: The Square :: With the Sun and the Moon in a waning square as they ingress into new signs (Taurus and Aquarius, also square) this Capricorn Waning Quarter Moon asks us to trust our feelings and to be assertive. Both Capricorn and Aries represent the Cardinal signs (or signs that initiate new seasons) asking us to take action. Now that we are a month deep in spring, it’s essential to evaluate how we are doing at both being true to ourselves, our hearts, and our power, while simultaneously staying mindful of others. This isn’t about being right; it’s about making space. Releasing what needs to go.
:: The message :: We’ve gained so much knowledge and wisdom through our experiences over the last couple of weeks, especially while Venus took her retrograde spin. Now that she’s direct, and with Pluto getting ready to go retrograde (along with Saturn, Mercury, and Jupiter) it’s essential to look at how we are using our power, as we likely need to make some changes. What better time than now?! This waning quarter moon asks us to decipher what needs to shift and encourages us to think for ourselves and be decisive. Only you know you best! So let go of that which doesn’t serve you.
For more Moon wisdom or to book a coaching session with from Jennifer visit Jenniferracioppi.com. To learn more about how to work with each Moon phase, join our community of likeminded spiritual activists at Moon Club!
The Libra Full Moon brings a beautiful opportunity to look in the mirror and see the real you, says Sandra Sitron…
Learn to work with each phase of the Moon when you sign up for Moon Club! More details at Moonclub.co
Full Moon :: April 11 2017 :: 2:09 am EST :: 21 degrees Libra
Every situation is a mirror. Every friend is a mirror. Every decision is a mirror. Every habit is a mirror. Every relationship is a mirror. Look into the mirror. What do you need to see about yourself?
At 2:09 Eastern time on April 11th, we have a Full Moon in Libra. The Full Moon phase occurs when the Moon is opposite the Sun. At this Full Moon time, the Sun is in Aries and the Moon is in the opposite sign of Libra. This is also called an opposition. When there is an opposition, we are trying to hold two different ideas at the same time. Aries rules our relationship with ourself, and Libra rules our relationships with others.
The themes of identity (Aries) and relationships (Libra) are heavy-duty. Anything that comes up around relationships right now will really be teaching you something about yourself. Find your boundaries. Love yourself. Know who you are and what you want.
Communicate this truth in a peaceful way. Create boundaries so that you can lean more fully into relationship in a way that feels really good. This is the Aries-Libra magic at work.
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Full Moon in Libra A dusty mirror in the back of the attic. When something comes up you can either look outward to find the cause of the problem, or you can look inward to find the cause of the problem.
The Full Moon in Libra reminds us to look through the looking glass. When something comes up in a relationship, instead of placing blame on the other person, turn the gaze around on yourself. See if you can figure out what pattern within yourself is ready to be healed. If someone doesn’t trust you, notice where you aren’t trusting yourself. Or if you are feeling unsupported by a partner, notice where you aren’t supporting yourself. Identify the issue, and then look into the mirror to find the root of it within yourself.
We’ve all heard that the Full Moon time can be emotional. Maybe the Full Moon gets emotional because the tendency is to keep looking outward, as the Moon reflects the Sun’s full light. It can be habitual to look for the root of the problem outside of yourself, without reflecting inward. If this happens, emotions can get high, but more importantly, emotional reactions can get high. If these reactions are unchecked, things can get dramatic.
To get ahead of the emotions, sit quietly. Don’t rush ahead. Go slow.
To truly align with the energy of this moment, meditate on Trust. Try to find it everywhere. This Moon wants you to believe that the world is balanced. And maybe it is. Believe it. Pick up the crumbs of trust wherever you can find them. They’ll lead you in the right direction.
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The Aspects
The major aspect pattern is a T-square with Pluto in Capricorn as the focal planet, square Moon and Jupiter in Libra and square Sun and Uranus in Aries.
A healthy bunny dives into a hole. This is a time of cathartic healing. Honor your grief so that you can let go. There will be activation of the themes of the last 5 years. We may be faced with that same old lesson, but this time around, we can figure out how to be more peaceful. Even when things seem difficult. Find harmony within yourself so that you have enough energy to heal the old stuff. Read below to understand more about this T-square…
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Full Moon square Pluto Tending to the alter. This is the part of the T-square that represents cathartic healing. To achieve this healing, you must let yourself cycle through the accompanying emotions. You must trust your healing process. Focus on the concept of trust. Trust that the lessons you’re learning are actually a gift. Trusting is the most practical thing to do. You can also notice what you’re suspicious of. Why? What does this serve you? Does it really keep you safer? Most likely it takes up your energy. Let it go.
Full Moon conjunct Jupiter Eating a pizza. Here we can see how completely we are supported. Fill up. Have fun. Expand. You have gifts and resources that will help you grow. Let this be easy. This aspect is like your salve. It will help all of the other aspects make sense and become emotionally integrated. To work with it fully, reach for balance. Aim for the moderate path to activate Jupiter’s gifts here.
Full Moon opposite Uranus Lightning tears the sky. This Full Moon is opposite the Great Awakener (Uranus). Maybe all of this trust and healing and expansion will open you up to a fresh Awakening. The trick here is that if you want progress, you have to be willing to change. And you have to be willing to experience changes in your external world. How does this idea sit with you? Part of the fun of life is that the answers have yet to be revealed. Let yourself be surprised. You can’t plan this all out. It’s actually way better to not know the outcome. So try to be open to change.
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To work more deeply with the energies of the Libra Full Moon, open your journal or get together with a friend to work on the below areas for self-inquiry. To get more specific, read for the house that holds 21 degrees Libra in your birth chart.
Aries or 7th House Think about a situation you are working with right now. What could the hidden lesson be? Is that lesson actually a gift? How?
Taurus or 6th House What are some ways you can practice creating peace in your life?
Gemini or 5th House How can you make more space for joy and fun? What are the things that make you feel like a little kid?
Cancer or 4th House It’s time for some spring cleaning. What would “cleaning house” internally mean to you?
Leo or 3rd House What are some simple ways you can expand your community? Who have you been meaning to reach out to?
Virgo or 2nd House Make a master list of all of your resources. Your skills, connections, assets, etc. How do these contribute to your sense of self-worth?
Libra or 1st House How can you convince yourself that you’re free? Come up with three ways.
Scorpio or 12th House What do you need to see that you aren’t seeing? How did your last vivid dream make you feel?
Sagittarius or 11th House What’s your mission statement? If you could broadcast it to the world, what would your message be?
Capricorn or 10th House How can you prove to yourself that you’re an expert? In what area has your experience made you rich?
Aquarius or 9th House What makes you feel jolly? Can you do more of that this week?
Pisces or 8th House How would you like to feel about finance and abundance? Can you feel into this sensation now?
Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandrahere or follow her on Instagram.
The Cancer waxing quarter Moon forms part of a Cardinal Grand Cross. The message? Time to act with integrity and compassion, says Jennifer Racioppi…Collage: Seana Gavin
Waxing Quarter Moon :: April 3 2017 :: 2/39pm EST :: 14 degrees Cancer
This Cancer waxing quarter Moon, in the sign that represents the feminine, family, and home, brings more than just a regular Sun/Moon square—it forms part of a Cardinal Grand Cross in the sky. Before I go down the rabbit hole of explaining this fancy terminology, let me express this: this moon offers all of us an initiation, should we choose to see it as such. An opportunity to rise to the next level of our creative power, claim the truth of who we are, and cut away that which does not align with our most vivid and desired outcomes for our soul. Are you up for the challenge? Cause the Universe is sending us a massive dare!
So what’s a Cardinal Grand Cross?!
An astrology chart with this configuration looks like a box with a cross in the center of it. It occurs when four planets “square,” or form a conflicting 90-degree angle, in the “cardinal” signs of the Zodiac, creating two sets of oppositions.
In this particular case, the Sun at 14 degrees of Aries, squares the Moon at 14 degrees of Cancer, while simultaneously squaring Pluto in Capricorn at 19 degrees. The Sun opposes Jupiter in Libra also at 19 degrees while the Moon also opposes Pluto and squares Jupiter.
And this cosmic showdown happens in the fierce, assertive, and get shit done cardinal signs.
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:: The Sun :: The Sun, now halfway through the 30 degrees of Aries, holds the match to the fire that’s smoldering. Over the last few weeks the cosmos endured an enormous emphasis on the element of fire, and on the opening quarter of this lunation, the Sun in get-it-started Aries pushes us to think about what seeds we want to sow, and what crops we wish to cultivate right now! Opposite Jupiter in Libra, the emphasis is on standing our ground in our collaborations with others.
:: The Moon :: The Moon travels through her own domain in the sign of Cancer, the sign she rules. Here, she asks us to reach down into the depths of emotion, and our feminine force from within. She asks us to feel our needs, connect with our capacity to nurture ourselves, and others, and grant ourselves the dignity of our Queendom. Her opposition to Pluto may bring forth an awareness of the places in which we’ve subconsciously given away our power to please others.
:: The Square :: This Cancer waxing quarter Moon brings a focus on emotionally driven action. Given this quarter Moon’s status within the Cardinal Grand Cross, compassion and wisdom are a non-negotiable! At the same time, the Sun hovers around the same degree of Aries where Venus initiated her retrograde cycle on March 4: meaning this waxing quarter moon and Cardinal Grand Cross will likely highlights lessons of the current Venus retrograde period. Simultaneously, Mercury in his shadow prepares to go retrograde, too, on the 9th. While this cardinal, action oriented Moon asks us to lunge forward, it also presents us with a fierce point of reflection. Embrace the duality and lean in to both.
:: The Message :: If we embrace the tension and mystery of this Cancer waxing quarter Moon, we may just find our voice and rise. Yet, it’s essential to witness and digest what emerges before acting. Staying in the place of the observer allows us to understand how we want to proceed. Allows us to genuinely hear and listen to the call from within, so we can set clear and compassionate boundaries with others. Will it feel smooth? Probably not. However, if we can pause and choose our words and actions with intent, this potent waxing quarter Moon offers an opportunity to awaken and integrate. Worthy of the work, see any tension as a pathway to a higher consciousness. Rise, baby rise.
For more Moon wisdom or to book a coaching session with from Jennifer visit Jenniferracioppi.com. To learn more about how to work with each Moon phase, join our community of likeminded spiritual activists at Moon Club!
When Love is our teacher heartbreak can be the most powerful medicine, says Alexandra Roxo in her latest Holy F*ck column…
So maybe just maybe some mega shit has been hitting the fan during this Venus Retrograde? Or perhaps it’s minor pieces of shit for you. Little annoying pieces of shit you thought were gone…but are still stinking up the place? Perhaps it’s around romantic love, rejection, partnership. Or perhaps self love, worth, value.
Chances are you’ve been stung. But guess what??! This means your heart is open—that it’s accessible, soft, tender, growing, reshaping, adapting, expanding. THIS IS A GOOD THING. Heartbreak can be the most powerful medicine.
Committing to living with an open heart it is not an easy road. It can mean letting your heart break and break and break, but each time it breaks it swells and becomes bigger and messier and wider and has the capacity to hold more.
Love has always been my personal teacher of choice. When I was 20 and all my friends had gurus, I was secretly writing the words “AHEM PREMA” (I am divine love) on my hand and telling folks, “Love is my guru!” I’ve been obsessed with Love for as long as I can remember. I’ve been in Love MANY times and rejected MANY times more, and still I keep on going for it.
How do I define Love?
Love is that which we were made from and that which we will return to. The primordial ooze in us. The ever present God-Goddess sparkle living in each cell. Which we feel when we”fall” in Love. Really what I believe happens is that this “falling” is us OPENING to the Love that already exists within us. What if you could feel that without an other person? This is what I’m talking about!!
And because I also never quit being curious and doing things that scare me, I signed up for a two-day intensive last week called “The Yoga of Intimacy” with Londin Angel Winters and Justin Patrick Pierce (who also may be the hottest couple on the planet. Major #RelationshipGoals.)
Arriving at a beautiful inn in Topanga I prepared myself to be “crucified by Love.” (My ideal Saturday!) Standing across from a man whose name I didn’t know, who wasn’t “my type,” I let Love show me where I was guarded. And I let it make me feel safe enough to pull down the walls and completely open to said stranger.
I looked into his eyes and cried. I shared my depths. And it felt as powerful as an Ayauasca ceremony. If not more powerful! With eyes open and locked onto someone else’s, instead of eyes closed solo-style like in plant journeys, I couldn’t escape my demons or pain or shut down or dissociate. Justin said it perfectly … “If you think ayahuasca is crazy, try love.”
I could literally NOT form a sentence afterwards. As a writer and wordsmith I was kinda freaked out by the temporary mush in my brain. But I was assured that this meant I had surrendered to the pure-as-hell-delicious Shakti/Divine Feminine energy that resides outside the mind.
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99 HEARTBREAKS & I DON’T WANT TO SOLVE THEM
At the workshop, I also had to go on a practice dinner date with an older doctor from Beverly Hills who talked like I imagine Freud would have sounded. I did NOT wanna get vulnerable with him but I did, and I broke into tears across the dinner table as I revealed to him my deepest desires. He was beyond grateful that I showed him my Heart.
As I cried and told him of all the times I had broken my heart, he said “At the end of your life would you rather have loved and had your heart broken 99 times and on the 100th found someone special, than hidden your heart and not loved at all?” It was true. And all 99 times of heartbreak are heart opening and “special” in my book.
Two days at this intensive rocked me to my core. It was SO terrifying to let go and let Love do its thing. Yet I felt more delicious than I had in ages.
SO HOW CAN YOU WORK WITH LOVE’S MEDICINE?
When Love becomes a skill and a medicine, you can hang out with a close friend and feel deeply nourished and fed when you leave them, like you just got 10 hugs and a bowl of soup from your Grandma.
Or you and your Lover can be in a constant state of divine communion, and one glance feels like 1,000 gourmet raw chocolates for your soul.
A solo Love practice means at a stop light in the car you can feel the depths of Love swimming through your body and yoni, and you have the power to release a warm honey glow throughout your body that feels like you are cumming. Try walking into a meeting from that place!
Here’s how to start …
– Love and be loved. Identify the 5 ways you feel most Love(d). I do this with all my clients. Perhaps it’s petting your cat. Or watching your fave film. Meditating. Chanting to Goddess. Get to know the direct path to your Heart, if you don’t already, and start feeling the Love vibes often by using those tools.
– Connect to humans/animals. The internet doesn’t count unless you are one-on-one on Skype with someone. IRL is the best way to go. Make this a priority. It is the remedy against overeating, loneliness, indulging in bad habits, overworking … I’m talking real connection! Even one solid hug and “Good Morning” from a roomie is something.
– Let your heart get naked. This is where you get vulnerable. If you can practice this daily, you’ll either deepen your already existing partnerships or tenderize the nest of your heart to get it ready to let love in. Call a new friend and share something intimate. Write a poem and share it online. Ask someone for help. Practice vulnerability and practice receiving some Love. (Like let the guy at Trader Joe’s help you to your car already!)
– Feel, feel, feel. Sounds obvious, right? But how often do you feel your feelings in the moment? Practice vocalizing your pain. Frustration. Sadness. As you’re experiencing it. Let yourself feel the depths of your yearning/your rage/your sadness/your joy DAILY.
– Daydream. Do a little bit of daydreaming each day. Imagine your lover caressing your neck. Imagine your lover giving you that “I wanna fuck you” look across the room at a crowded party. If this sounds cheesy to you then work on the vulnerability of your heart.
Whether you are in partnership or flying solo, you can play with Love every day. You can become more and more conscious of living in your full beauty and radiance and sexiness the more and more you release the fear of getting hurt. You can just open. The pain becomes part of your practice too and, trust me, you even start to love that! WHAAA?!!! Can it be?!!! Yeeeep.
Get inspired by this month’s Mooners & Shakers, the Moon Club members making waves and fueling their passion projects!
HEBA TALLAH, LUMINOUS FEMME “The medicine is in the remembrance. Cutting through the BS and the noise – going straight to the truth, and calling on it.”
The Project A Luminous Femme is a woman who has remembered that her greatest power, beauty, and strength, have been within her all along.
She knows that her trials and tribulations are opportunities for more self-awareness, growth, and compassion. And she jumps into this journey of deeper and deeper self-love and self-awareness with gusto and no apology. She cultivates a deep love and respect for her Femmebody, for the way she waxes and wanes, and for her inherent superpowers along the way.
The Medicine I have been called here to anchor the Light and the Divine Feminine (in the Middle East, no less) and across all borders on Mama Earth. I feel the deepest honor and gratitude for carrying this calling. And such reverence for this life!
Being a woman (or a human, for that matter) in today’s world can feel so draining, confusing, and sometimes downright infuriating. Claiming who we inherently, truly are—and our connection to Source that is right here, in our heart space, in our every cell, at any given moment—is the fast track to inner peace. The medicine is in the remembrance. Cutting through the BS and the noise—going straight to the truth, and calling on it.
The medicine is also in knowing that the divine feminine that is within us all is awakening en masse—and she is not to be tamed, or quieted, any longer. I created Luminous Femme as a container to facilitate a woman’s return to her inner core, which is already perfect and whole, and to remember how to live from that space on the daily. Because there’s nothing juicier or more healing for the world than a woman in her divine feminine element!
The Birthing Process It has been at least five years (more like my lifetime really) since I’ve had this luminous gift and voice pulsing inside, wanting to be expressed. This has meant healing myself and my blocks, my stories, and working through them all. It’s been knowing I had a message to share but having life keep throwing me curveballs to fill in all the blanks and help me get over whatever held me back in the past.
Discovering yoga at age 18, becoming a teacher 12 years later, and the journey it takes me on a daily basis is humbling and so fulfilling. My mat is my healer, my sanctuary.
The Moon Club Inspiration It really feels like the coolest place to hang out on the web. I’ve been a Numinous reader for years and a lover of all things Moon related, which is a big part of Luminous Femme philosophy—cyclical living and connecting to the Moon phases.
When I see how this conversation is so normalized in the club, and the presence of all the women in the group who are so strong and healing and brave, it fills me up with so much juice and passion for this way of life. We’re all so connected and willing to do the work—to show up, to accept, and to self-realize. It’s not only deeply informative, it’s also so much fun, like a cosmic pajama party! It’s such an honor to walk this way with you all.
The message of the 2017 Aries New Moon is to streamline, get excited and leap into action, says Sandra Sitron…
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New Moon :: March 27 2017 :: 10:57 pm EST :: 7 degrees Aries
Do you remember what excitement feels like? Do you remember what anticipation feels like? This is the energy of the 2017 Aries New Moon. She whispers, “Ready?” But not into your ear. She whispers into your heart. And the question builds there like a drumbeat, until it pounds along in tempo with the rhythm of your spirit. And suddenly, you know you are. Ready.
March 27 brings us a New Moon in Aries. The New Moon is the time when the Sun and the Moon join together. The Moon does not reflect the Sun’s light from this angle, so the Moon is dark. In the darkness, we ready ourselves for the next stage of growth by planting seeds of intention.
As the first sign of the zodiac, fiery Aries symbolizes the new seed. Aries is the grand initiator of the Zodiac. It all begins with Aries energy. In the beginning of our lives, when we are babies, our only responsibility is to be ALIVE. This is the Aries life stage. I like to describe Aries as the baby’s first cry. That sound is the assertion of Self into the world. “I am here!” Aries’ work is to live, lead and act.
This energy is coming in strong at this New Moon with five planets grouped together in Aries. This brings exciting creative possibilities. We can harness this energy to know ourselves better. We can become leaders and producers in a completely new way. And yet, there can be a proliferation of aggression or rashness as well. To maintain your balance stay actively engaged and present. Watch your thoughts. If things are making you angry, find out why. Can you choose a different thought?
The 2017 Aries New Moon makes only one major aspect, a conjunction to Venus in Aries. To me, this signifies simplicity and focus. The overall feeling of the 2017 Aries New Moon is that it’s time to bathe in your own fire of purification. It’s possible that you’ve been processing, working, holding, and storing. As this new energy comes in, see what you can burn away. Notice what you no longer need. Clearing and purifying yourself in this way will make you ready for action. Imagine yourself ready to take on the world totally unencumbered.
How to do this? You may try meditating to clear out and simplify your thought patterns. Breathwork, shamanic practice, crystal bed healing, reiki, or acupuncture to energetically clear. Exercise to clear yourself physically. Feel your feelings to clear yourself emotionally. Use all of this as momentum to help you spring into action.
Let yourself become energetically, mentally, physically, and spiritually refreshed. This will allow you to surprise yourself with higher energy levels. Meditate on how you are ready to lead. Make yourself more free. Assert your individuality. Define yourself. Make strong choices and take action.
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New Moon Conjunct Venus in Aries Fire at sea. Normally, Moon conjunct Venus is liquid love. It’s love in all of it’s facets, love for self, friendship, love for family, and passionate love. And this love expands and crests on the sea of lunar emotion like a tidal wave. And yet, in this scenario, Venus is slightly uncomfortable in Aries. She hasn’t quite got her groove on, and it can make her a little bit angry. There’s a fire on the water. Keep tabs on Venus in Aries to make sure she doesn’t become passive-aggressive. Give her gentle nudges to remind her that being defensive isn’t going to get her anywhere.
But do allow your passion to rise with the 2017 Aries New Moon. Get yourself in a fiery, loving mood. Take yourself out of your comfort zone to love even harder. Declare it. This is a great time to affirm to yourself that you are worthy. You deserve.
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Use the questions below to dive deeper into the lessons of the 2017 Aries New Moon. For a more accurate reading, calculate your chart for free here and see what house holds 7 degrees Aries…
Aries or New Moon in the 1st house What project do you need to begin this year? What are action steps you can take now to get the wheels in motion?
Taurus or New Moon in the 12th house How can you more actively connect with your intuition? This post could help you find new ways.
Gemini or New Moon in the 11th house What can you do to build your network? Challenge yourself to take some action steps.
Cancer or New Moon in the 10th house What are five risks you can take in your career? What kind of expansion might taking these risks bring you?
Leo or New Moon in the 9th house Write “I should” on a piece of paper, then write all the things you “should” do. Now change “I should” to “If I wanted to, I could.” Does this change give you more freedom?
Virgo or New Moon in the 8th house What are you willing to release? Write it down. Burn the paper.
Libra or New Moon in the 7th house How can you love more passionately? How would you express your love for another if there was no risk of rejection?
Scorpio or New Moon in the 6th house What new healthy habits are you ready for? What area of your life feels toxic and how can you purge this?
Sagittarius or New Moon in the 5th house What new creative practices will you put into action now? When do you feel most in your “flow”?
Capricorn or New Moon in the 4th house Do you feel safe enough to be yourself? Why not? What do you need to experience more safety, comfort and nurturing?
Aquarius or New Moon in the 3rd house What do you need to be thinking about in a new way? Arrange to meet up with a friend who always gives you new ideas.
Pisces or New Moon in the 2nd house What risk would you take if you were completely confident it would all work out perfectly?
Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here.
The Capricorn waning quarter moon helps tie up loose ends so we can begin anew, says Jennifer Racioppi…Collage: Seana Gavin
Waning Quarter Moon :: March 20th 2017 :: 11.58am EST :: 0 degrees Capricorn
As a new season arrives, the verve of pristine beginnings abounds. With the Sun in Aries and the waning moon in Capricorn squaring at the precise time of the spring Equinox, the cosmic clock turns forward.
Halfway between the recent full moon in Virgo and upcoming new moon in Aries, this Capricorn waning quarter moon supports you to release that which you do not wish to take with you into the astrological new year.
Warning: this is NOT a mild energy. Things may feel like a shaken bottle of champagne about to explode. Lean into the intensity and let go of what does not serve you.
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:: The Sun :: The Sun, in the first sign of the zodiac, joins Mercury, Venus, Uranus, and Eris, also all in Aries. Aries, a fire sign, kicks off the entire zodiac and initiates new beginnings. Yes. Expect things to feel on fire. Collectively we crave this bold, brazen and enthusiastic focus of initiation; especially those of us in the northern hemisphere experiencing the last dregs of winter. However, this Capricorn waning quarter moon offers the opportunity to productively to bring things to completion before initiating new beginnings.
:: The Moon :: This industrious moon asks you to focus on what you most need to complete, so that come the March 28 new moon in Aries you feel ready to begin again. Since the Moon at 0 degrees of Capricorn just met up with Saturn at 27 degrees of Sagittarius, this sobering waning quarter moon fosters the perfect conditions to finish any old projects and wrap up lose ends.
The Moon represents our emotional needs, and Capricorn signifies ambition, drive, and determination. Saturn, the ruler of Capricorn, epitomizes discipline, hard work, and structure. This isn’t a soft and gentle moon. Therefore, staying kind and compassionate with yourself goes a long way, specifically as you complete meaningful projects, end relationships and clear the decks of your life.
:: The Square :: This cardinal Capricorn waning quarter moon brings a concentrated focus on productivity—especially as it serves your goals, dreams, and desires. With the Moon and Sun squaring, your emotional needs might not align with your conscious desires. If so give yourself space to sort things through. With so much fire in the sky, impatience is a theme this waning quarter moon. It’s essential to take a step back and reconcile this internal conflict. Doing so sets you up for success come the new moon in Aries next week.
:: The Message :: Aries and Capricorn, both cardinal signs, suggest action. This quarter moon sees where your soul’s purpose is guiding you and how you can apply prudence and focus on behalf of your dreams and desires. Let Saturn guide you. Take the high road and channel your focus on discernment so you can shed that which doesn’t serve you. Stay in a place of self-compassion and empathy, and guide the intensity of the fire in the sky towards your deepest desires. As the moon moves through disciplined and structured Capricorn, it’s a time to get things done.
For more Moon wisdom or to book a coaching session with from Jennifer visit Jenniferracioppi.com. To learn more about how to work with each Moon phase, join our community of likeminded spiritual activists at Moon Club!
The 2017 Virgo Full Moon beckons us to find the mystery & magic in the mundane, says Sandra Sitron...
Join a virtual ritual for the 2017 Virgo Full Moon on 3/12 when you sign up for Moon Club.
Full Moon :: March 12 2017 :: 10:54 am EST :: 22 degrees Virgo
Put your ear to the seashell and listen. Let your world expand beyond your current reality by noticing the magic in the details of life. To notice the details you have to be present in the moment. You have to harness the Now.
You may feel drawn to fantasy and escape, but keep bringing yourself back to the mundane. Keep watching yourself stir the soup. This is where you will find the real spaciousness. It exists in simple consciousness.
Sunday’s Virgo Full Moon is opposite the Sun in Pisces. Pisces and Virgo offer us two portals into spirituality. The Pisces portal is outside of the body—it’s “through the veil.” Pisces helps us move outside of boundaries and remember our “boundary-less” soul. We are light and universal love.
The Virgo portal is completely centered in the complexities of the body and life on Earth. To enter the world of spirit through the Virgo portal, one must go into the Now—into the moment. One must be present and centered. To create a stable foundation for this practice, it helps to refine the health of the body and mind.
The 2017 Virgo Full Moon has a lot to teach us. Because these are two mutable signs, we will be making adjustments to improve our experience. Contrast may cause you (or the people around you) to be more self-critical. There is a feeling of “I’ve got to get it right.” By navigating through these feelings of self-doubt and self-criticism, you can find your way to self-love. And you must. You must turn every critique into a declaration of love.
This requires you to listen to your thoughts. And it’s hard to listen to your thoughts if they are coming fast. So slow it down. A meditation practice will help with this. This process is gentle and gradual. Make tiny changes. Although the tone of this lunation is about small adjustments, don’t be surprised if you experience a major healing.
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2017 Virgo Full Moon opposite Chiron and Mercury. Sanding down a piece of furniture. There is a lot of healing energy coming through as Chiron (the wounded-healer asteroid) joins the Sun (essence) and Mercury (mind). All three are opposite the Moon. Healing “Self” will be front and center. How does this happen? Look around for traces of your curriculum. If something pulls at your mind or emotions ask yourself, “is this my curriculum?” Ask yourself: “What is the deeper lesson here?” This may feel transformative, like sanding down an old chair. Small adjustments add up to big changes.
Moon trine Pluto A polished diamond. More healing. More adjustments. Polishing and polishing your inner diamond. Letting go. Letting go of control. Why do you need to control anyway? You are safe. You are well. It’s all okay. Let go and move on to a new level. You let go and you move away from ego. The inner diamond is the soul essence that is free from ego constraints.
Moon quincunx Uranus Indigestion. And there is a little hiccup here. Uranus (the Great Awakener) tugs at the Moon uncomfortably. The Moon is trying to hang in there and do some healing work and Uranus is pulling away saying, “F*ck it. Let’s get out of here! I don’t have time for this! This is too hard!” (Or frustrating, slow, uncomfortable, etc.) This is all fine. It can be kind of fun to laugh at the urge to hit the eject button.
Summary Get quiet. Guide your thoughts toward the present moment. Slow down the thoughts through meditation so that there is time to remember the point of all this: Love. Look for the lessons, let go of ego, and sit quietly through discomfort. Go through the portal.
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Use the questions below to dive deeper into the lessons of the 2017 Virgo Full Moon. For a more accurate reading, calculate your chart for free here and see what house holds 22 degrees Virgo…
Aries or Moon in the 6th house If your body could write you a letter, what would it say?
Taurus or Moon in the 5th house What does the concept of “self-expression” mean to you?
Gemini or Moon in the 4th house How can you nurture yourself today? And every day?
Cancer or Moon in the 3rd house What’s your current vision of your community? How would you like it to be?
Leo or Moon in the 2nd house What’s one small adjustment you can make that will help you feel more grounded?
Virgo or Moon in the 1st house Where in your life are you feeling called to be a leader?
Libra or Moon in the 12th house Write a letter to your “Inner-Critic.” Offer your gratitude and make some gentle requests.
Scorpio or Moon in the 11th house Are you ready to make any adjustments to your vision for the future?
Sagittarius or Moon in the 10th house How do you best define your mission-statement for your career?
Capricorn or Moon in the 9th house Which archetype within you needs more freedom?
Aquarius or Moon in the 8th house What are you ready to let go of? Follow your feelings to work this out.
Pisces or Moon in the 7th house Can you get really clear about your needs? Can you do the same with a partner?
Want more wisdom? Book a reading with Sandra here.
The Gemini waxing quarter Moon is an invitation to integrate our emotional life with our communication in the world, says Jennifer Racioppi…Collage: Seana Gavin
Gemini Waxing Quarter Moon :: March 5, 2017 :: 6:32 am ET
As the moon waxes, incrementally gaining light each night, she travels through the sign of Gemini while squaring the sun in Pisces. This combination of water (Pisces) and air (Gemini) asks us to honor our emotions, discern our intuition and apply it to our thinking. In the days, weeks, and even months following the recent eclipses, potent harbingers of change, it’s up us to discern the direction we want to take based on the information they revealed to us.
Further, with Venus having just stationed retrograde, commencing her journey to the underworld, our connection to our values (and sense of self) may feel even more obscured. (Venus rules our feminine principles and will be retrograde from March 4-April 15 in the signs of Aries and Pisces.)
So, now that we are at the waxing quarter moon let’s begin the digestion and integration process of Eclipse season, while simultaneously leaning into our emerging Venus retrograde experience. The dance between water (our emotions) and air (our intellect), elicits poignant directives, should we allow! Doing so will help us capitalize on the waxing gains of the Moon, as we move toward the manifestation of our heart’s deepest desires.
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:: THE SUN :: As the Sun moves through water sign Pisces at 15 degrees, he travels extremely close to Neptune and Mercury. This stellium (three or more planets in the same sign) produces an extremely sensitive and psychic influence. Meaning more than usual our supernatural talents may feel alive and extremely active. Awesome. At the same time, things may become VERY emotional. If so, give yourself permission to experience your feelings without becoming them. Let them pass through you with acknowledgment, passion, and grace without letting them take you over.
:: THE MOON :: Excited to communicate, socialize and cross-pollinate the Gemini waxing quarter Moon asks us to stay focused on our deepest most heartfelt desires and verbalize our wisdom. Nimble and ready for the next big thing, the influence of the Moon in Gemini enables our versatility and capacity to move quickly. The Moon at 15 degrees of Gemini, may feel a bit impatient with the watery influence of Pisces. At the time of this square, the Moon also finds herself in a luscious applying trine to Jupiter, the planet of good luck, happiness and abundance, calling forth our evolving consciousness to manifest in new and exciting ways. The need to communicate and articulate feels paramount right now, so please express you!
:: THE SQUARE :: The Sun in emotional, spiritual and empathetic Pisces making a square to the Moon in the social sign of Gemini asks our emotional body to give in to to our intellectual capacities for a couple of days, so we can makes sense of the changes that are upon us. The boundary-less depths of the Sun in Pisces may feel massive and confusing, especially given the emotional influence of Venus retrograde coupled with the recent eclipses. With the lighter vibe of the Gemini waxing quarter Moon making an auspicious connection to Jupiter, we are asked to articulate how we feel, and forge integrations in our inner world on behalf of our burgeoning manifestations.
:: THE MESSAGE :: Let the Gemini influence support you to articulate your feelings, draw conclusions from your experience, and verbally express yourself. Connect with your friends and tell them what’s going on in your world. If needed, seek counsel from your therapist. Bust out your journal and write it all out. Embrace the therapeutic powers of music, film, poetry, journaling, collaging and/or any other form of artistic expression. Pay attention to your dreams and if possible spend some time by the sea! Trust your sixth sense. Doing so honors the impact of Pisces while engaging the powers of Gemini.
For more Moon wisdom or to book a coaching session with from Jennifer visit Jenniferracioppi.com. To learn more about how to work with each Moon phase, join our community of likeminded spiritual activists at Moon Club!
Jemini Wild invites us to strip down, break out the loofah, and engage all five senses with a ceremonial shower…
Alla Kostromichova by Sølve Sundsbø for Vogue Nippon, May 2010
Think about the last time you showered. Removing your clothes, adjusting the water to the perfect temperature, the sound of it rushing from the faucet … this might be the only solitary time you get all day. Why shouldn’t you make this precious time underneath the showerhead into a personal ceremony?
Ritual baths are all the rage—but can take hours to prep, requiring all kinds of special “ingredients.” Not to mention the time actually soaking it in!
Doubting whether a loofah and a bottle of conditioner can help you create a similarly mystical experience? Consider how water carries energy (check out the work of Dr. Masaru Emoto). Water molecules actually respond to words and music—creating beautiful crystalline shapes, like snowflakes, when words like “love” and “gratitude” are used. Imagine … a waterfall of love in your bathroom!
Water is the source of life itself. Cultures all over the world revere it for its healing properties. From the ancient Romans’ giant community bathhouses, to baptisms and Native American rituals, the act of bathing has had a long history of ritual and magic. And as the attention brought to the Dakota Access Pipeline has reminded us all, it is our duty to truly honor the waters of the Earth.
Ceremonial Showering is an opportunity to reconnect with this magical element in our modern lives and take a cleansing power-pause. Even better, when we show up for ourselves in these small ways, it allows us to show up more powerfully in the world. Read on for a simple ceremonial showering ritual…
This month we are also honoring Pisces season by inviting all our Moon Club members to join us in a 30-day Water Healing Ritual. Discover more here!
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1. Set an intention before your foot even hits the tub. Hold the intention in your mind or say it out loud, and let the water carry your words into the Universe. Take long, deep inhale and exhales as you undress and turn on the water.
Some “Shower Intentions” to get you started: “May I feel stimulated & enlivened.” “May I feel warmth, rest, and rejuvenation.” “May I feel invigorated & refreshed.” Or how about: “May this water wash away all negativity from my day.”
2. Set the mood with some meditative drums or the Acoustic Concentration station on Spotify. Put drops of eucalyptus oil in a small dish in your bathroom—the steam will disperse it and a natural opening happens in the warm water. Yes, your skin actually relaxes! Or try one of my favorite mists, Jurlique Rosewater, or Zum Frankincense & Myrrh, to set the mood.
3. Shift the Routine. If you always start the water and then take off your clothes, try removing your clothes first. Routine lulls the brain to sleep and these small shifts will signal to your subconscious that something special is happening. If you always use a loofah, switch to a wash cloth or sponge. Buy a new shower curtain for a change of scenery.
4. Tune In to the sound of the water. Notice how the droplets sparkle. Where it hits your body first. Is it the curve of your calf, the pebbles of your toes, or the dip of your collar bone?
5. Stimulate Your Senses with texture and smell. Really feel that loofah, the squishiness of it. What color is the soap? Mine’s green—the same shade as pistachios and praying mantises. What things from the natural does your soap remind you of?
6. Receive. Above all, let the water flowing over you help you become conscious of your enhanced ability to receive. Many people have aha-moment in the shower. Open up. Let it in. You may be surprised by your revelations!
Jemini Wild is a Visionist, Pray-er, and Magic-Maker. She believes the most important relationship is the one we have with ourselves, and that digging in the mess that makes us human is the most fun way to spend a day. Follow her on Instagram and Facebook for even more beautiful humanness.
Meet this month’s Mooners & Shakers, the Moon Club members using their spiritual practice to fuel their passion projects!
ABA GYEPI-GARBRAH “This was a lesson in openness, patience and curiosity. It was also lesson in being present.”
The Project Aba Love Apothecary is a handcrafted, small batch collection of plant-based skincare products and healing aromatics tailored for those who wish to experience the magic of plants in real life.
The Work as Spiritual Activism I love this question. Thinking back to about my first experiences with aromatics, I made a choice to listen with all my senses and to let each essence unfold in their own time. This is how I began to create when formulating. I would approach each ingredient blindly and experience them without judgment. This was a lesson in openness, patience and curiosity. It was also lesson in being present.
It made me realize, wow—this is something we hardly give to others, sometimes not even ourselves. If we could practice the same openness, patience and curiosity with ourselves and others, we would be more connected to our uniqueness, our dynamism, all of our parts, sweet and not so sweet, and still value ourselves completely. This gave me a refreshed perspective, which I would gladly call my spiritual activism!
The Vision I see Aba Love Apothecary becoming a beloved brand known for its artistry in plant-based skincare & healing aromatics. To continue to support and collaborate with other like-minded women owned businesses. It’s also my wish to engage small farmers, growers and distillers of organic, wild crafted and sustainably farmed ingredients in US and abroad.
The Moon Club Inspiration The most beautiful thing about Moon Club is that it inspires me to show up for myself wherever I am at, plan by the cosmic clock, and go with the flow!
Shop the Aba Love Apothecary here, and follow Aba on Instagram.
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AMBER ADAMS “Birth work is my calling. I have this ache in my heart that drives me forward.”
The Calling I never planned to be a mother, so when I had a positive pregnancy test I felt my whole life crashing down. I had been preparing to move to New Zealand for a study abroad program in the fall, and having a human baby was definitely never something that crossed my mind. Despite my initial trepidation, I loved being pregnant and when it came time to give birth, I was relaxed and excited. I had never felt so powerful and divinely WOMAN as I did in those first precious moments after birth. Not only that, but because of my doula, I had felt for the first time in my life deep sisterhood and the magic of women helping women to give birth.
When my son was about a year old, my best friend and his girlfriend were in a similar situation, and I became their unofficial doula. She would come to me with questions and I had answers. I empowered her to follow her gut when choosing where to give birth and encouraged her to be an active participant in her process. I missed their birth, but three months later I attended my first birth as an official doula. After my second doula birth, I knew I wanted to be a midwife.
Birth work is my calling. I have this ache in my heart that drives me forward, pushes me through school, and keeps my feet on this path. I don’t think I could walk away from this work, even if I tried.
The Leap I have been working at the customer service desk of a grocery store for the past 8 months. The pay is good and initially they offered enough flexibility that I could go to a birth here and there. Very practical…and ultimately very soul sapping. On February 18, I was lying in my bed with the simple intention of being very open, a sort of modification on a Moon ritual. There was a sensation of my heart opening and with it the thought: “Quit your job.” Along with the realization that if I truly want my life to become, then I must jump into the unknown.
The Future I will be working toward the goal of owning my own birth center. My desire is to have a place where mothers of all stages can go for support, especially during pregnancy and postpartum. In the immediate future, I am expanding my birth doula practicing by adding childbirth education and placenta encapsulation to my services offered.
The Moon Club Inspiration Moon Club has helped me by strengthening my connection to my spiritual self, as well as helping me to cultivate self care in my daily life. I love our community and how uplifting the entire Moon Club experience has been. My favorite part of Moon Club are the coaching events and live calls. I am always working on homework so having the calls helps me to get out of my own brain and connect in real time.
ALMA GROOME “As I have started to awaken spiritually, I’ve felt drawn to look outside of the conventions I had limited myself to in the past.”
Alma Groome, with her oldest son Zachary
The Project The Moon phase stained glass panels were the result of a friend encouraging me to make pieces that spoke to me. Six months ago I took a a class at a local glass crafters shop. I began with small sun catchers and little pieces but after a few months I began to lose the spark. On mentioning that, a friend asked me what type of projects I really wanted to work on, and I stated without a waver that I really wanted to do a big piece with all of the phases of the Moon. “Why don’t you then?” she asked. My only excuse was not having a window at home wide enough. She shrugged and replied “I have a window.” At that moment, a charge ran through me and it was all I could focus on until I had something on paper.
The Intention The intention is simply to provide myself with a creative outlet, a way to express a side of myself I had long felt non-existent. I work in bookkeeping and Quickbooks consulting and consider myself a fairly linear thinker. But as I have started to awaken spiritually and explore the metaphysical realm, I’ve felt drawn to look outside of the conventions I had limited myself to in the past, to be open to new things and experiences, and to push my boundaries even, in those moments anxiety knots so hard in my stomach I can barely breathe.
Stained glass work, and this Moon phase piece in particular, has provided an outlet for me to let go and refuse to be bound by self-placed limits. It’s exhilarating, allowing myself to leap into things I never remotely considered as possible.
The Magic Tonight, I delivered the phases of the Moon stained glass panel to its new home, hanging it in my best friend’s window and admiring the flow from left to right as the moon transitions from new to full and back to new again. The beveled edges caught the light brilliantly and projected rainbows of color. It’s an incredibly surreal to experience seeing something I created in another person’s home, to hear the excitement they have for it, and to know that it resonates with them on a deeper level than “that’s pretty.”
The Moon Club Inspiration I knew in my heart the pieces I was being almost called to make were of the Moon phases, the triple Moon goddess, representations of the Divine Feminine, and sacred geometry. Being part of Moon Club, I have connected with a group of women who embrace these things as part of their path and inspiration. That connection has given me the courage to take hold of these ideas and go with them. In the past, perhaps I would have shied away from the challenge of being out of my comfort zone, but being a part of this community left me invigorated and inspired to go for it. I could not be happier with both the tangible and intangible results.
The Moon Connection Recognizing a connection to the Moon has been a fairly new thing for me, and I’m very much still learning about what that can mean on a personal level. I’ve always felt drawn to the Moon often searching the sky for its position, phase, color, or the way the clouds might be playing against its reflection. Now though, instead of merely appreciating the beauty of the Full Moon, I’ve started to tune in to my feelings and emotions around each Moon phase, journaling to begin connecting the dots around each cycle. I look forward to continuing to expand my knowledge and deepen that connection.
Check out more of Alma’s stained glass work at her Etsy shop, and follow her on Instagram.
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Woah, heart swells! Discover more about Moon Club here, and get inspired to bring your spiritual practice out into the world!
The Pisces New Moon Solar Eclipse is asking us to JUST BE, and allow for a cosmic re-set, says Sandra Sitron…
Learn how to work with each Moon phase when you sign up for Moon Club! Click here to learn more
New Moon Solar Eclipse :: February 26 2017 :: 10:00 am EST :: 8 degrees Pisces
It is time to clean up and restore before the next astrological year begins. Gather yourself in your center. Honor your emotions. Sit with yourself in a quiet cave and heal. To look inside of yourself for the truth. This is your moment to draw back the curtain and see into your own soul.
As we, the Sun and the Moon, come into alignment, let go of your assumptions. Let yourself see the truth. This is not time for practical thinking. The information coming through now is more like poetry. If you hold a great appreciation for logic, take this moment to feel the spaces between words. Drift a little instead of trying to rigidly hold onto a concept.
This New Moon Solar Eclipse is in Pisces. A new moon happens every month when the Sun and the Moon are at the same degree. When this occurs, the moon looks dark, making it a time for quiet contemplation and healing. It’s a time to set new seeds of intention. When the Moon and Sun are both near a lunar node (orbital plane), a solar eclipse can occur. This happens about twice a year. Part or all of the Sun’s light is obstructed from the Earth’s view (whether or not you can see it depends on where you are located on earth.)
In astrological terms, this configuration creates a massive “reset.” It is time to bring in new energy and a new perspective. With this New Moon Solar Eclipse in the sign of Pisces, we are planting fresh seeds of compassion. We are learning how to heal ourselves and others. Pisces is the last sign of the zodiac. It holds the experience of all the other signs. The old saying “put yourself in someone else’s shoes,” fits in here. Pisces has walked all the walks. And as such, Pisces energy holds compassion for the entire human experience.
You may find yourself extra sensitive during this time. This can feel overwhelming, so you may decide to slide away from all the feels like a slippery fish. Take notice if you see yourself trying to drown out emotion with any kind of compulsive behavior. Instead, can you just sit with the feelings? This is a time to “go through something” rather than “get over something.” Follow your intuition closely. Keep checking in with yourself. Let yourself be however you are. This is the essential first step of healing.
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New Moon Conjunct Neptune A sea anemone waves in the depths of salt water. Find yourself floating with sensitive awareness. Sink into senses you don’t normally use. Trust what you know. Sensitivity is heightened here. As is magic, enchantment, illusion and confusion. Find your path through the fog by trusting your inner light. Your power is in what you feel.
New Moon Conjunct Mercury Sparkle emoji. *ding* That special sparkle! That glimmer of light! As the planet that rules thinking and communicating is lining up with the Sun, Moon ,and Neptune, a new awareness can shine through. Maybe even with a hint of glitter. The clarity you are looking for is just within reach, but you may have to follow your intuition to find it. As wounded healer Chiron is hovering on the outskirts of this stellium configuration, your conceptual clues may trigger old wounds. Leading from pain to revelation to healing. Choose to see clearly so that you can allow this process to unfold.
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New Moon Semi-Square Mars and Uranus Looking through a telescope at a bomb hitting the surface of the ocean. Boom. There is some explosive energy here. As you let your emotions flow freely, steer toward compassion for yourself and others. Focus on this. Do it so that if turmoil hits your emotional waters, you’re ready to objectively focus on love. The energy of Mars conjunct Uranus in Aries is creative, fast and electrical. Your instinct may be to make quick decisions. As the symbol represents “keeping an eye on things,” lean in the direction of patient observation when you can.
New Moon Sesqui-Quadrate Jupiter A balloon seller at the fair. Get on the optimism track whenever you can this weekend. Jupiter is bringing in expansion and healing. As the ancient ruler of Pisces, this energy can help you see the best in everyone. Stay positive. With just the right amount of helium balloons, yuo may even achieve lift-off. You never know.
Summary Take quiet space to feel your feelings. Focus on compassion. Honor your sensitivity. Following your intuition leads to clarity. Practice love and optimism to help you remain peaceful in times of turmoil.
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Use the below questions to get deeper in your journaling practice for the Pisces New Moon Solar Eclipse. For a more accurate reading, calculate your chart for free here and see what house holds 8 degrees Pisces…
Aries or Moon in 12th house How can I drift a little bit more? Where in my life can I choose to receive instead of taking action?
Taurus or Moon in 11th house What is one way I can funnel my compassion into an action that serves the greater good? How would this serve me too?
Gemini or Moon in 10th house Can more compassion for myself positively impact my career? How would I envision this happening?
Cancer or Moon in 9th house How can I expand my worldview by bringing in more love? Can I focus on channelling compassion to someone who lives far away from me?
Leo or Moon in 8th house What feeling is demanding more attention? What would it be like to sit with this feeling? What am I not seeing right now?
Virgo or Moon in 7th house How can I serve another person through my words or attention? How can also I bring more attention to my need to be compassionate with myself?
Libra or 6th house How can I make self-care simple? What are a few things I can do every week that are easy and show how much I love myself?
Scorpio or 5th house What is a gift that you can share with the world today?
Sagittarius or 4th house When am I most encouraging of myself? How can I be more like a “good mother” to myself?
Capricorn or 3rd house What practice helps me get out of the way and allows my words and thoughts to flow intuitively?
Aquarius or 2nd house How can I show myself how much you value myself? What feels like luxury to me?
Pisces or 1st house Where in my life do I need to illuminate a sense of hope?
Feeling like you need really do need a cosmic re-set? Sign-up for Sandra’s FREE mind-body astrology e-course at this link!
The waning quarter Sagittarius Moon is an opportunity for inner exploration, says Jennifer Racioppi…Collage: Seana Gavin
Waning Quarter Moon :: February 18 2017 :: 2.33pm EST :: 0 degrees Sagittarius
This waning quarter Sagittarius Moon emphasizes the reconciliation of our tender intuition with our blunt need for freedom. Punctuating two eclipses, the February 10 Full Moon Lunar Eclipse in Leo and the upcoming February 26 New Moon Solar Eclipse in Pisces, we are asked to shed what blocks us from fully hearing (and integrating) our intuition.
The Moon traveling through freedom seeking Sagittarius while squaring the sun in emotional Pisces assists the tectonic plates of our life to shift. Now’s the time to purge anything holding us back from our authentic truth, especially before the next New Moon Solar Eclipse.
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:: THE SUN :: Are you ready to step through this cosmic transition led by your authentic guidance? With the Sun traveling through Pisces, the upcoming solar eclipse is poised to launch us into a new frontier. It also concludes the in-depth work begun in the sign of Pisces on March 20, 2015, when we had the first of four solar eclipses in the sign of the fish. Let the nostalgic qualities of the Sun in Pisces help you to reminisce and feel. Think back to March 25, 2015, and consider how your life has shifted since then? What has come to fruition since then? What do you still need to release?
:: THE MOON :: Unlike the soft and gentle feel of Pisces, Sagittarius represents blunt fire and a deep need for expansive freedom. The Moon in mutable Sagittarius pushes back on the more subtle aspects of Pisces. Sagittarius loves fun and freedom, and when the moon travels through this sign, we may want a party more than quiet reflection. With the moon squaring not just the Sun, but the nodes of fate as well, it behooves us to refrain from any heedless, or even reckless, activity. If we can, instead, allow the adventure seeking aspects of Sagittarius to take us on an inner journey of self-evaluation—we can use the bold aspects of Sag to speak our spiritual truth in a way that helps us integrate the wisdom of the eclipses, so we embody our greatest authenticity.
:: THE SQUARE :: With the Sun in Pisces squaring the Moon in Sagittarius, we may feel an intense desire to escape. Both Pisces and Sag have inclinations towards diversion and avoidance. With the moon squaring the sun, and the nodes of fate, we stand to make tremendous progress towards our desired outcome, assuming we stay with our process and allow lots of space for messiness.
:: THE MESSAGE :: Both Pisces and Sagittarius represent the mutable energy of the zodiac—mutable meaning, liable to change. So, as the eclipses sweep through our lives, this waning quarter Sagittarius Moon serves as a broom, clearing out the debris. Allow room for change. Both Pisces and Sagittarius can lead us to want to escape, yet, due to the proximity to the eclipses (and the connection to the nodes of fate), it’s incredibly important to do the inner work of staying with what feels uncomfortable. As we consciously grapple with the intensity of our emotions, and the deep spiritual work associated with our conscious evolution, it may be tempting to check out. I highly recommend staying with the process. This waning quarter Sagittarius Moon indicates a release of something that is either blocking us or holding us back—and if we stick with the process, even the uncomfortable parts, we’ll shed what we must; prepping us exactly as needed for the upcoming new moon solar eclipse. Stay awake.
For more Moon wisdom or to book a coaching session with from Jennifer visit Jenniferracioppi.com. To learn more about how to work with each Moon phase, join our community of likeminded spiritual activists at Moon Club!
