Goddess Green Tara and the Beaver Moon: Embracing Self-Compassion
As November’s full moon illuminates our sky, we welcome the Beaver Moon – named by Native American tribes and colonial settlers who knew this as the time when beavers prepared for winter, building their homes and storing food before the waters froze. Like the beavers who work with nature’s rhythms, we too are called to prepare our inner sanctuaries for the coming winter months. This lunar cycle beautifully aligns with the energy of Green Tara, the mother of compassion in Buddhist tradition. Green Tara, known as the swift protector, reminds us that the most important sanctuary we can build is one of self-compassion within our own hearts. We often forget to extend to ourselves the same kindness we so easily offer others; consider these moments when self-compassion is especially needed: When you have made choices you regret After speaking words you wish you could take back When you fall off a wellness or spiritual practice During times you’ve let others down When you haven’t lived up to your own expectations When you have made a poor financial decision When you feel you’re not progressing fast enough in your personal growth After ending relationships that weren’t serving you When you’ve prioritized others’ needs over your own for too long The Beaver Moon carries the energy of preparation and self-protection, and just as beavers build their lodges with careful attention, you can use this lunar energy to: Build stronger boundaries with love of self Create sacred space for your inner healing Store energy and resources for your emotional winter seasons Release judgment about your past actions Embrace our journey with all its perceived “imperfections” Full Moon Ritual for Self-Compassion Materials Needed: A green candle A mirror A bowl of water Your Sacred Mothers and Goddesses Oracle deck A crystal (rose quartz or moonstone if available) The Ritual Create Sacred Space Begin by cleansing your space (Sage, Sweetgrass, Palo Santo, incense). Place your bowl of water under the moonlight or near a window. Opening Meditation Light your green candle and invoke Green Tara’s presence: “Compassionate Tara, guide
Día de los Muertos: A Week of Remembrance
Today, October 27, marks the beginning of the Día de los Muertos season with a beautiful modern addition to the tradition: honoring our beloved animal companions. While not part of the ancient celebration, many families now include their departed pets on this, the “Día de los Angelitos Peludos” (Day of the Furry Angels). Of course, if you have feathery pets, reptiles, etc that you want to honor- that’s Ok too! This tradition is new as of only in the last decade, but we can join the collective energy! I will be honoring all my dogs and cats who are on the other side today with flowers and their favorite treats! You can place photos of them on your altar, their favorite toys, collars, and treats. The love between humans and animals transcends death, and today we celebrate that eternal bond. By the way, this is not “a closed tradition” – you too can honor and remember your beloved ones who have passed. It is a beautiful energy to join in with the collective, and magical moments you will experience when you tap in and connect in this way with your ancestors! Here are some helpful tips: October 28-31 are Preparation DaysThese days are dedicated to preparing for the main celebration. Families begin cleaning and decorating graves, gathering supplies for altars, and making traditional foods. Markets burst with marigolds (cempasúchil), colorful paper decorations, and pan de muerto (bread of the dead) The air fills with the sweet scent of copal incense as communities prepare to welcome their departed loved ones. November 1 – Día de los Angelitos (Day of the Little Angels)Today we honor children who left this world too soon. According to tradition, the gates of heaven open at midnight, allowing the spirits of angelitos (little angels) to reunite with their families for
Preparation for Your Ancestors’ Party: Dia de los Muertos
As Dia de los Muertos approaches, it’s time to prepare for welcoming our ancestors. This sacred time allows us to connect with our lineage, but it’s important to cleanse any lingering negative energy first. Here’s a ritual to help you prepare: Cleansing Ritual with Candle Materials– Black candle– Herbs (examples below)– Olive oil or sunflower oil– Salt– Veladora candle (tall candle in a glass vase with a protective deity image) Herbs:Select herbs based on the specific issues you want to address:– For laziness: Melissa (lemon balm)– For alcoholism: Angelica or Mugwort– For domestic violence: Lavender or Yarrow 1. Prepare the black candle: – Crush your chosen herbs – Dress your candle with the olive oil (for peace) or sunflower oil (for clarity and truth) as you intend it’s purpose. 2. Set up your space: – Light the Veladora candle as your protector – Create a circle with salt – Place the black candle inside the circle 3. Light the black candle and recite an incantation: (or recite your own) “Ancestors of old, I cleanse your energy. Negativity BE gone, only love may remain. Only in peace and understanding, shall we meet again.” 4. Stay with the candle until it has fully melted. 5. Thank your ancestors for their work in evolving together. 6. Thank your Veladora and the deity it represents, then extinguish it. You can do one candle for each Ancestor you feel the need to cleanse from, or one candle for a general problem (for example: mental illness). Once you are finished with the cleansing ritual, it’s time to begin to prepare your altar to welcome your ancestors. More on that, next time! 1. Clean your altar space thoroughly. 2. Decorate with: – Photos of your ancestors – Marigolds (cempasúchil) – Favorite foods and drinks of your ancestors – Candles
NEW MOON AND BASTET IN TROUBLED TIMES
As we approach this potent New Moon, we find ourselves in a world grappling with numerous challenges. From the devastation of Hurricane Helene to the tension surrounding Israel, upcoming elections, threat of more hurricanes to port issues affecting global trade – it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Yet, in these trying times is when we have to ground and be strong in our collective energy to be “calm” and focused on the energy of love and light. This week, we’re gifted with the protective presence of Bastet, the Egyptian goddess standing as our collective guardian energy. Bastet: Our Beacon of Hope Bastet, often depicted as a fierce cat-headed woman, embodies protection, fertility, and motherhood. Her energy reminds us of our inner strength and resilience – qualities we desperately need in today’s world. As we set our intentions for this lunar cycle, let’s draw upon Bastet’s unwavering protective spirit to find courage and hope. New Moon Ritual: Embracing Protection and Renewal In the face of global uncertainties, this ritual can help ground us and renew our spirit: Create a sacred space with candles and calming incense (Sage, Frankincense, Palo Santo, Rosemary, Cinnamon sticks). C cleanse and arrange your Altar to welcome Bastet. Place a symbol of Bastet (a cat figurine or image) on your altar to invoke her protective presence. Light a gold/yellow, white or green candle, representing protection and growth. Pull a card from the Sacred Mothers and Goddesses Oracle Deck. Meditate on the card’s message, relating it to areas in your life – or our world – needing protection or healing. 2. In your Journal write via this Prompt: “In these challenging times, what would make me feel truly safe and protected? How can I extend this feeling of safety to others?” Close the ritual by thanking Bastet for her
Full Moon Abundance Ritual
Tonight’s Full Moon in Pisces illuminates the sky taking us into the changes of Autumn and the last months of the year. Each week, I pull a card for the collective, this week we have a powerful message from the goddess Lakshmi, reminding us to embrace abundance in all its forms, all of which makes our life rich – be it love, finances, friendships, creativity, health, or spiritual growth. Full Moons are always a time for reflection, healing, and releasing what no longer serves us and with Lakshmi’s energy guiding us, we’re especially being called to examine our relationship with abundance in its many expressions. Are you open to receiving the universe’s gifts in all areas of your life, or are you unknowingly blocking your blessings? Meditate on this with the help of the cards, and do a ritual with this Full Moon to aid in your path at this moment. Set up Sacred space with a Candle, as you do this three-card pull from the Sacred Mothers and Goddesses Oracle Deck to establish the energies you are working with at the moment: Remember, abundance manifests in countless ways. As you ask each question, remain open to insights about various forms of prosperity. After drawing each card, take a moment to reflect on the goddess or energy represented. Consider how her wisdom applies to various forms of abundance in your life. Does she speak to emotional richness, material wealth, spiritual fulfillment, or perhaps a combination? This approach allows for a more holistic reading, reminding you that abundance isn’t limited to just one aspect of life. The universe may be guiding you towards unexpected areas of growth and prosperity. Trust your intuition as you interpret the cards’ messages, and remain open to abundance flowing into your life in surprising and multifaceted
Yemaja Dark Moon and New Moon energy for Healing
Embracing Yemaja’s Wisdom with the Dark Moon and the New Moon for Healing and Renewal As we enter the dark Moon phase, we’re called to connect with the profound energy of Yemaja, the Orisha of the Ocean and motherhood. This powerful time offers a unique opportunity to dive deep into our emotional waters and emerge renewed with the energies of the dark Moon which is a time for Introspection and the New Moon which is a time for new beginnings. The dark Moon occurs 1-3 days before the new Moon when the night sky is at its darkest. This phase represents: Endings and release Deep introspection Connection with the Divine Feminine Preparation for new beginnings Yemaja ,whose name means “Mother of the Fish,” embodies motherly unconditional love and protection, bringing emotional healing and purification towards increasing your feminine power and intuition. Her energy aligns perfectly with the dark Moon, inviting us to surrender to life’s flow and trust in the healing power of darkness. Harnessing Yemaja’s energy during this potent time calls us to: Dive deep into our emotional waters Release what no longer serves us Embrace the unknown with trust Nurture our inner child and intuitive wisdom To connect with Yemaja’s energy: Meditate near water (river, stream, ocean, lake, or even a bowl of water with a handful of salt) Take a purifying bath with sea salt and white or blue flowers Journal about emotions that need healing or release Listen to ocean sounds while visualizing Yemaja’s protective presence 3-Card Spread with the Sacred Mothers and Goddesses Oracle Deck: Pull 3 cards to answer the following and allow Yemaja’s motherly wisdom to guide your interpretation.: What emotional depths is Yemaja calling me to explore? How can I surrender to the flow of healing? What gift will emerge from embracing the darkness? Offering for Yemaja A blue