Taurus New Moon/Solar Eclipse~ Invoking the Earth Goddess

Taurus New Moon/Solar Eclipse~ Invoking the Earth Goddess

"We ask for the presence of the spirit of Gaia and pray that the breath of life continues to caress this planet home.

"May we grow into true understanding — a deep understanding that inspires us to protect the tree on which we bloom, and the water, soil, and atmosphere without which we have no existence.

"May we turn inward and stumble upon our true roots in the intertwining biology of this exquisite planet. May nourishment and power pulse through these roots, and fierce determination to continue the billion-year dance.

"May love well up and burst forth from our hearts.

"May there be a new dispensation of pure and powerful consciousness and the charter to witness and facilitate the healing of the tattered biosphere.

"We ask for the presence of the spirit of Gaia to be with us here. To reveal to us all that we need to see, for our own highest good and for the highest good of all.

"We call upon the spirit of evolution, the miraculous force that inspires rocks and dust to weave themselves into biology. You have stood by us for millions and billions of years — do not forsake us now. Empower us and awaken in us pure and dazzling creativity. You that can turn scales into feathers, seawater to blood, caterpillars to butterflies — metamorphose our species, awaken in us the powers that we need to survive the present crisis and evolve into more eons of our solar journey.,br>
"Awaken in us a sense of who we truly are: tiny ephemeral blossoms on the Tree of Life. Make the purpose and destiny of that tree our own purpose and destiny.

"Fill each of us with love for our true Self, which includes all of the creatures and plants and landscapes of the world. Fill us with a powerful urge for the well-being and continual unfolding of this Self.

"May we speak in all human councils on behalf of the animals and plants and landscapes of the Earth.

"May we shine with a pure inner passion that will spread rapidly through these leaden times.

"May we all awaken to our true and only nature — none other than the nature of Gaia, this living planet Earth.

"We call upon the power that sustains the planets in their orbits, that wheels our Milky Way in its 200-million-year spiral, to imbue our personalities and our relationships with harmony, endurance, and joy. Fill us with a sense of immense time so that our brief, flickering lives may truly reflect the work of vast ages past and also the million of years of evolution whose potential lies in our trembling hands.

"O stars, lend us your burning passion.

"O silence, give weight to our voice.

"We ask for the presence of the spirit of Gaia." (Invocation by John Seed)

I have been quoting a lot more in these musings lately, and I think it is partly because I am back in school and in the role of the student, one of my favorites, as I am constantly having my mind blown with new info I want to share. I also think that being in school, working, baby, life, etc have made it so I need to fill up more. I don't have as much to give, so I need help, help to inspire me, guide me, teach me and support me in this time of transition and transformation.

The last few weeks have been intense. But we knew that. As I write this, we are moving into the cardinal cross alignment, right between the lunar and solar eclipses, the full and new moon. The energy is waning, time for release and surrender is here. Everyone I know is feeling these shifts in different ways but we are all, human, plant, animal, we are all feeling it. Additionally, this past weekend was Easter, a celebration of rebirth, and we also have Earth day (4/22), a celebration to bring awareness and change to the environment. Release, surrender, rebirth, awareness, change. Powerful words. Too powerful to experience alone.

That brings me to the above opening invocation and the upcoming new moon and solar eclipse in Taurus.

Taurus is the sign most closely associated with the earth Goddess, also called "Gaia."She is ruled by Venus, but her energies of intent are fixed earth, or maintaining the physical realm. Taurus connects us to the slow, deep, sensual powers of the cycle, and it makes sense as she firmly holds the mid point of Spring on the celestial wheel. Taurus time brings us the most fecund, juicy, sweet and playful part of the season, as we see in the cross-quarter day of Beltane (May 1st, 2 days after the new moon)

As we are reborn from the universal womb into the new cycle, we emerge into the loving, magical hands of the Goddess. Gaia is alive and ready to greet us with beauty and joy after our long journey through the eclipse vortex. But unlike the traditional helpless infant who can only take from his mother, a relationship we have been engaged in for too long, the hope is that, after this huge transition, we can take care of her, just as she takes care of us. We can give to her, as she gives to us. We can love her, as she loves us. We can sustain life on her and she can sustain life in us.

The vision I hold for this new moon, accentuated as it is by the eclipse, is a delicious new relationship with self, other and planet. I hope this past month has opened our minds, hearts and eyes and we can find gratitude for all of our life. We can be grateful and reverent in this gift. As we celebrate mid-spring, the feminine and the Taurus cycle, we do it with reciprocity and consciousness. Taurus loves to be in the body and we often feel lustful and sensual in her light, but perhaps rather than a selfish lust, we bring it to nature. Long walks with bare feet, planting seeds in a sacred way, dancing or making love on the earth, as was a traditional Beltane rite. We celebrate her and she celebrates us through the blossoming happening all around us.

And, don't forget, during this month we honor Mother's Day (May 11)! What can you offer to the great mother of us all?

Take care of yourself, but do it in a healthy way. Get to the farmer's market and buy local, fresh foods to enjoy and share, Go for a hike and thank the trees, or plant one! Buy yourself a new outfit or goodies made from a local, sustainable company, give your home and yard a makeover with green and eco options! We can be sensual and sensible. If we bring Gaia into our comforts, into our hearts, she responds a hundred fold.

"Awaken in us a sense of who we truly are: tiny ephemeral blossoms on the Tree of Life. Make the purpose and destiny of that tree our own purpose and destiny."

I love John Seed's invocation. I encourage you to read it out loud as you pray, meditate, walk in nature or participate in any Beltane rituals. It is a sweet way to connect and set strong intent for this cycle. I also encourage you to get out, onto the earth and just as we need to ask for help from those around us when we lack inspiration or support, Gaia needs us. We need each other. Offer yourself to her in whatever way you see fit, and receive her in the same way. The time is now, in the height of light and life, to show our gratitude and re-connect to our deepest roots and to Gaia.

I wish you all a magical and blessed new moon, a sacred and sensual Beltane and may the highest magic of mid-spring, renewal, fertility and joy be with us all, and with the earth.

Taurus Full Moon & Hallowmas October 2012

Taurus Full Moon & Hallowmas~ Back to Earth

~We all come from the earth and we all return to the earth~

Hard to believe that mid-autumn is nearly here. This time of year brings much cooler days and longer nights. In many cultures, the holy day of Hallowmas (aka Hallow's Eve, Samhain and yes, Halloween) meant the end of the current year. From November 1st to December 21st (Winter Solstice) was a "timeless time, " a complete deathing of the old cycle and immersion of darkness and rest before the light was re-born at Solstice. This is also considered the most powerful time for prophetic dreams, connecting with the spirit realm and honoring all those that have passed on. Overall, this holy day is symbolized by death, dark and divination. If we were to link this particular celebration with the lunar cycle, Hallowmas would most closely relate to the dark moon, the end of a cycle.

How interesting that in the auspicious year of 2012, this Hallowed eve will be experienced under a full moon and not just any full moon, the consummate mother goddess full moon, Taurus.

Taurus, like Libra, is ruled by Venus, and here she is much more at home. Moving from the mental realm of cardinal air to the sensual roots of fixed earth, this is the sign where Venus luxuriates in the gifts of the physical. Slow, steady, sweet and stubborn, Taurus venerates beauty, food, sex, touch and comfort. The Taurus new moon happens in May, generally around the decadent May day festivals, where everything is blossoming, everyone is flirting and love is in the air. In her full moon expression, always in the autumn months, Venus/Taurus again asks us to appreciate the changing earth, offer gratitude for the harvest and abundance of the year passing and start to settle back into our roots for a long winter's rest.

What is the message of the Earth Goddess as she appears in the full moon light so close to the spirit ruled Hallow's eve?

Trick or treat, my friends. That is for you to find out, if you dare. (Insert evil laugh here)

Kidding, kidding. But not really. This holy day is incredibly personal and can be the most powerful of all holy days if you choose to tune in and connect. Plus, a huge reason there is so much dis-ease of every possible kind is because we are so disconnected from the earth. We hardly have a personal relationship with the planet that we are born on, live on and eventually, die on.

I once thought, because I hiked a lot, sat outside and planted a few veggies, that I knew the earth, that I had this really close relationship with her. Now, we did have a relationship and to some extent it was a deeper connection than many have the chance to cultivate; but it was not until I spent 5 days alone in a 10 foot circle with nothing but water, toilet paper, extra clothes and a sleeping bag that I got some idea of what it actually would be like to truly live according to the rhythms of the earth. It was terrifying, challenging, humbling, inspiring, beautiful and more pure than anything I have ever done to date. For the first time in my whole life, I was completely reliant on the planet to keep me safe, no technology or modern comforts, no one to else to take care of me. And she did.

Now I am NOT telling you to go spend 5 days fasting next week. That practices takes lots of prayer and preparation, but this cycle, full moon/hallowmas has all the power and potential of a vision quest. So, what is something you can do between 10/29 and 11/4 that could connect you more fully to earth than ever before? A hike, gardening or simply sitting outside are all great places to begin. This lunation is a magical vortex, because for a few rare, precious days, we are invited to love and celebrate our roots, plants, stones and flesh and at the same time, receive wisdom, guidance and vision from our spirit guides and ancestors. I can't think of any sweeter opportunity.

Perhaps take a little time to adorn your body with oils or delicious scents, then create an earth altar in a natural setting that feels sacred to you. Place pictures of loved ones passed and items that represent the gifts of your life. Collect beautiful stones, fall leaves or sticks that call to you and decorate them. Cook or bake something delicious and offer it the spirits, and then dance, meditate, make love or sit sky clad under the full moon.

Since my 5 days in nature, I no longer use a flash light. I did not have any light other sun or moon and actually found that in open nature, it never gets that dark. I have found I love to walk and hike in just moonlight. That could be something you experiment with next week, too (in a safe way, please). It can heighten the senses to be in the dark, and softens our vision to truly see the world around us.

If nothing else, simply make a mantra of the opening words: We all come from the earth and we all return to the earth.

At this pivotal moment where another year is ending and the darkness comes closer, it is important to return to practices that deeply honor and connect us with this beautiful planet. We must respect our roots, all of them, from our families of origin to the roots of our species and the roots of all earthly beings up to the roots of our soul journeys. We must care for all these roots, acknowledge the relationships between them and revere them in every aspect of our lives. We are hearing this plea from the earth Goddess herself! From our roots come wisdom, strength and healing. This is the time to go back to the earth and trust her to guide and nurture you in the dark months ahead.

Let her speak to you, let all the earth spirits speak to you, through the soles of your feet or the palms of your hands. Through the base of your spine or the softness of your belly. Get out on the earth under this full moon and let your body and spirit dance.