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 cloth
- Images and figurines of Yemaja
- Seashells or ocean-themed items
- Seven white and/or blue candles
- A bowl of salted water or seawater
Offer Yemaja:
- Seven white flowers
- Watermelon, pumpkin, or coconut
- A handwritten note expressing gratitude and intentions
Meditate by your altar, visualizing yourself immersed in Yemaja’s healing ocean waters. Allow her loving energy to wash away what no longer serves you.
Embracing the Flow: Yemaja’s Lessons
As we work with Yemaja’s energy during the dark Moon, we learn to:
- Trust in the cycles of life, death, and rebirth
- Embrace our emotions as a source of wisdom
- Nurture ourselves and others with compassion
- Connect with our innate feminine power and intuition
Yemaja Dark Moon Ritual
Preparation
- Choose a quiet space near water if possible (ocean, lake, or even a bathtub)
- Gather suggested materials:
- Blue or white cloth
- 7 white candles
- Bowl of fresh water or seawater
- Seashells or ocean-themed items
- 7 white flowers
- Watermelon, pumpkin, or coconut
Setting the Space
- Lay out the blue cloth
- Arrange the candles in a circle or crescent shape
- Place the bowl of water in the center
- Decorate with seashells and ocean items
Ritual Steps
Cleansing: Light your smoky offering of choice to purify your space (rosemary, incense, sage or palo santo)
- Invocation: Light the candles, saying: “Yemaja, Mother of Waters, I invite your presence and wisdom.”
- Offering: Present the flowers and fruit, expressing gratitude
- Meditation: Sit quietly, visualizing Yemaja’s healing waters
- Reflection: Journal on the questions and answers from your Oracle Card pull
- Release: Write what you’re releasing on dissolvable paper, place in Moon water
- Gratitude: Thank Yemaja for her guidance and protection
- Closing: Extinguish candles, saying: “Thank you, Yemaja, for your healing presence. May your wisdom guide me always.”
After the Ritual
- If possible, visit a natural body of water to complete the release
- Carry a seashell as a reminder of Yemaja’s protective energy
- Continue to work with the insights gained during the dark Moon phase
