The moon in Aquarius is a call for community, perception, deep intuition and biggest picture thinking. The fixed (maintain) air (consciousness/creative energy) is a potent balance of harnessing our group thoughts, creativity, dreams and focusing and holding it until it expands into something more than we can possibly imagine.
The last full moon pulled the bandage off old wounds and poured salt water into them. It hurts like hell but the healing can be quick now if we stay receptive and willing to endure. This waning cycle has been all about endurance. Many people are struggling to hold on and keep going. There is a feeling of sadness, intense emotion and a little bit of craziness but it will pass. Breathe into the sting of the salt, the ocean water that is symbolic of that last Cancer full moon, and we can now allow the strong wind of Aquarius to blow through and take away the intensity: the new moon is here.
We are again free of eclipses this new moon, we do have the added energy of the Chinese new year (year of the rabbit: purity, nurturing, peace, calm, rest, so needed after Tiger last year and Dragon in 2012!) and of a cross-quarter holiday. Most of you are aware of the equinoxes and solstices, but in the middle of those big shifts are the cross-quarter days which represent the mid points of each cycle. February 2nd is Imbolc, also know as Candlemas and I like to consider it the very first stirrings of Spring, though some see it as mid-winter.
Imbolc was also the day of purification, prophecy and initiation for the new priestesses in the Goddess traditions. The word Imbolc has to do with year's first milking of the ewes and symbolized re-birth. The celebration was dedicated to the Celtic goddess Brigid, who was such a powerful goddess that when the Christians took over Celtic lands, they made her into a Saint because the people would not renounce her and Imbolc became Candlemas, day of lighting the sacred flame. She is the goddess of healing, inspiration, poetry, creativity and smith craft. Brigid is also known as Bride and it is her that women invoke before marriage as she is symbolic of the maiden, stepping into her power and beauty.
I was so happy when I realized Imbolc fell on this new moon. Aquarius is nothing if not set on bringing community together for the greater good and opening our eyes to the union with all the universe. I am getting married in April and I knew what I wanted more than anything was to bring together our beautiful circle of women on this special new moon to invoke this powerful Goddess, celebrate the new cycle and share a group bridal ritual.
My dear friend, teacher, sister, yogini, priestess and new mama Christy offered to host the gathering and facilitate the ritual and I am so unbelievably grateful and excited. We will be gathering at her home:
Wednesday February 2nd 7-10pm
Email for address~
There are details to the ritual that I am not aware of, so you can email her christy@yogablend.com if you would like. What I do know is that, as usual, no boys or booze but we will be sharing potluck.
I would like to request for both food and dress this evening that we try to stick primarily to the colors of red and white. These are the colors that represent Brigid and the shifting of the seasons as well as a woman's movement from maiden to wife.
If you have never been to a gathering, generally the first hour is eating/talking and the circle starts at 8pm and there is not any issue with people coming in late and leaving early. We are still very flexible with arrival and departure, but if you want to enjoy the full celebration, please arrive no later than 7:45pm and plan to stay until 10pm.
Also, if you can RSVP to Christy or me just so we know how many to expect, that would be lovely but is not required.
If you cannot make the gathering, please take time to honor this sweet new moon and holiday. It is a new year with new energy and intention. What big dreams have you let go of that you can call back in? Do you feel stuck? This is a profound time for purification on all levels: your body, mind, home, sacred tools, relationships, car, pretty much everything. Wear red or white on February 2nd and take time to light a candle under the new moon. Watch the flame dance in the breeze and set your intentions for this cycle.
Call in the Goddess, welcome the spirit of the Rabbit and open yourself to the expansiveness of Aquarius. We are all in this together and even though we each have our own stuff happening, we are connected. That is the message of Aquarius and when we each bring our creativity to the circle and let go of the separateness we feel, that energy becomes so big it can change the world.
I am honored to be the "bride" in the upcoming ritual, but who among us in not stepping into a new relationship with a new year? Which of you is not setting new dreams and goals and wanting to find union with it? This is the Aquarius moon and that means the night is about all of us, coming together, honoring, celebration, releasing and preparing for all of the "marriages" this year will hold.
If you are interested, I am also guiding a pre-Imbolc women's circle at Spirit Works in Burbank on Sunday January 30th from 1-4pm. Two of my dear friends have created a wonderful spiritual space there and we are taking advantage of this powerful week to deepen the connection, share circle and sacred practices. Please email me for more information.
Whatever you choose to do, honor this new moon in the way that feels best. Call in Brigid, call in the tribal spirit of Aquarius, celebrate the new year and remember that we are in this together. No matter where you are or what is going on in your life, our circle is open and there is a place for you, with all of your creativity and dreams, right in the middle of it.
Sweet Imbolc & New Moon blessings for you all~
Namaste~
Bekah
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