Painting the Feminine - Full Moon

The women I'm blessed to be taking this painting journey alongside and I all painted beneath the Full Wolf Moon the other night, with no prompt or theme, just to go to our journals and let our intuition guide us while the great mother's swollen form filled the sky with her light.

I worked entirely in oil pastels, with unusually, no music playing. First purple, then greens, in swooshes and scribbles and then figures in olive green outlines... women three; joining together beneath the moon near this ethereal purple tree. I was just tickled by this trio of women, with their very unique shapes, expressions and attitudes... it felt like uniting with a trio of wonderful aunties or fairy godmothers.

What I find interesting, is through sharing our works in the painting group, I'm not the only one who drew three cloaked women beneath the full moon. Even more interesting, another woman on this journey put her trio in similarly colored robes and also lives on the East Coast. Part of me wonders if we painted in tandum, being moved by the same call without ever realizing it.

Just another part of the magical and mysterious cycles of the Feminine and the Moon, I suppose.

I rather liked working on something beneath the moon and may incorporate this in to every month's observance and celebration of her, alongside the candles, whispered thanks and prayers and pulling of oracle cards.

Release on the Corn Moon

Cloudy and breezy, the moon was hidden from sight, though her light shone bright enough to continue to illuminate the darkness. Wispy clouds shining silver across the deep blue sky, occasional stars twinkling.

Inside, the scent of incense floated on gently winds, blowing in through the open windows. Roses wafted about on the breeze, candles on several altars burning down. So much work to do on this full moon, though many feel the moon isn't a good time for work and simply time to thank and observe.

I disagree. As a follower of the sun and moon, I feel that working in tune with their ebb and flow, their energies, is as essential to magic as the simple belief that it does, indeed, exist. To deny the power of the moon's swollen form, of her insistence on inspiring restlessness and excess energy in me, is to insult rather than thank her. But, to each their own... I don't walk another's path and can only speak for myself.

Cleansing the altar space, tools, stones and amulets; using the moon's light, fire, smoke and water collected at the edge of my favorite spot on the sea. Casting wishes and prayers for others up to the heavens on sparks. So many people that I care for needing so much right now, but only so much energy that I can expend at one time; even with the help of the powerful moon. Offerings to the Great Mother and the Fae; wine and milk and honey.

I deviate from my usual three card pull this moon time, pulling just one from the Heart of Faerie to inform and guide me for the next month. Not at all surprised to see this cheeky Trickster's face, I know I've once again been spreading myself too thin. Too many projects, too many things on an over-bearing, self imposed to-do list; I find myself frequently worrying about 'doing this', 'seeing to that', 'worrying about so-and-so', 'helping them out'... not doing or being enough. Juggling too many things... and the balls are about to drop. My energies are being depleted on things that I shouldn't give so much care too, they're sucking up my joy.

His timing is impeccable. As I think back on last Autumn and the apathy that pervaded my personality then. Caused by burnout and stress.

A Trickster this fae may be, but clearer sight was his gift to me.

Acknowledged to Momma Moon and her ability to help release things, with a tinkling bell, a candle and some ale... I'm tossing out that smothering to-do list.

The Passionate Moon

Wisteria Moon by Josephine Wall

The warmth of the sun ebbs, only slightly, as Mother Moon rises and the Earth and her children bask in the glow. The Hare moon, under whose lusty pull you may find yourself wanting to frolic with your lover; May's moon.

May is the month of Beltane and its moon carries some of the festival's fire. This is a time of passion, renewal, flowers and growth. The Earth has re-awakened and is warming up. The God and Goddess walk hand in hand once more, blessing the lands with fertility and love.

May you find renewal, love, passion and warmth by the Moon's light. Blessed Esbat, lovelies.

Seeds Across the Moon

The wind blows, gently carrying the seeds of trees and flowers across the full face of April's full moon. The Wind moon rises, showering new life with her soft light as the warmth and renewal of Spring blows in beneath her.

The wind moon is a moon of new beginnings, a time to put your wistful sighs and dreams into action. This is also a moon under which to celebrate the spirits of the animals and plants around you, honor them as their strength returns.

May all of the seeds of change and new beginnings you sew on this night flower brilliantly. Blessed esbat, lovelies.

Quiet is la Luna

The night is brisk and cold. Quietly, la luna ascends into the clear sky, swollen and shining her peaceful light on any who care to be touched. The quiet moon is a moon of introspection and inner peace. Look inward and lay your worries and stresses at the Lady's feet; take time for just yourself. Relax, unwind and release.

May you all find peace and solace under the first full moon of two-thousand and eleven. Blessed esbat, my lovelies.



P.S. The Smashing Pumpkins has been one of my favorite bands since I was a wee girl. I've always loved this song and its video (based on Viaje la luna made in 1902) and felt it relevant for today.

The impossible is possible tonight, tonight.

Full Moon Tea

On Blood Moon night,
by the pale moonlight,
I sat down for tea with visitors three.





We reveled in the moonlight,
as our tea we did pour,
The chit chat by candlelight,
never began to bore.





As we sipped down our tea,
the leaves we did did swirl,
in cup bottoms we began to see,
shapes and futures unfurl.



A Heart?



A creature most fierce?



An Umbrella Carrier?



Perhaps you can tell me what shapes you do see,
in the soggy leaves left in cup bottoms by tea.

Thank you for stopping by! You can visit the other tea partiers by visiting our lovely host, Frosted Petunias Blog.

New Moon Magic

Found on Flickr

Many new moons have come and gone with my only knowledge of their happening occurring when I take note of the calendar. I'm not tremendously sensitive to moon phases and usually just keep an eye on it to tell what phase it's in. Yesterday's moon however, was a pretty exceptional exception to the norm.

The moon began tugging at me almost a week ago. I had an extraordinarily terrible day at coffee-bucks and came home feeling worn out, worn thin and wanting to just crawl under a rock and wait with the fairy folk for humanity to sort itself out before coming out again. I sat on the patio drinking my tea, sniffling from my cold (I'm much better now, thank you for all of your energies and concern!), feeling generally miserable when a tremendous calm enveloped me. I went and pulled a card from my Paulina Tarot Deck and drew the Eight of Pentacles which, especially in this deck, is a card that sings to me of creative endeavors and learning as you go.

Saturday while we were at the Apple Festival, Joe looked me straight in the eye while I was slurping down an Apple Slushie and told me to quit my job and focus on art while I look for something I'll enjoy. The thought of doing so and losing the financial buffer my crummy job affords us completely terrifies me, so I tell him very simply that I can't right now. When we get home he proceeds to draw up a budget while I paint and shows me that even without me working, we can accomplish all the things we want to, it will just take a few months longer. He tells me he has faith in me and my art and wants me to be the kind of happy I am when people don't treat me like I'm a 4th class citizen, tell me to 'go fuck myself' when I ask if they have anything smaller than a $100 and occasionally throw hot coffee at me because they asked for too many Splendas and it's disgustingly sweet. (True story... it's happened to me twice, once because of the Splenda thing. With my temper, I'm surprised I'm still employed.) I'm still terrified of the loss of funds however and didn't give my notice the next day.

When I went to bed that night, I asked Mother Moon to help me find my way. I told her I feel irresponsible and like a quitter for wanting out of my job so desperately after only a few months. I asked for a dream, a feeling, a spark... anything to help me know what the right move is. I fell asleep and remembered not a single one of my dreams. I forgot all about it.

Until yesterday, when I was invited via Etsy to participate in a local arts and crafts show in late November. It's a smaller one being held in a high school, but they had a successful event the last two years with over 50 crafters. I think it will be a great way to get a feel for shows to start with something smaller and to be personally invited to participate made my week!

Last night I did a ritual for conviction, personal strength and courage in new endeavors and sent my thanks out to the universe for all of the subtle nudges and in your face shoves it's given me this past week. I also joined up with Mrs. B and a horde of pagans to send supportive, positive energy to help each other with new beginnings and renewals.

Today I'm writing up my resignation letter and will be done with cofee-bucks in Mid October. I normally wouldn't give a month's notice, but I'll be going on a trip for a little over a week, which I will tell you all about in another post as this ramble is quite long enough.

Corn Moon

Have you gotten a chance to go outside and get a good look at the moon tonight? She's beautiful and in my area, surrounded by incredibly wispy clouds that show blues and greens across her face. You should take a moment to look out your window or step outside, let the first nips of Autumn enfold you as you gaze sky ward.

Taken tonight at 10:49PM Est - I couldn't get the clouds without la luna turning into a white blob...

Tonight is the night of the corn moon. The harvest season is nearing it's end, signifying that the fields of corn are ripe for their final harvesting. Take advantage of this moon's energy to rid yourself of all manner of clutter - physical, mental, spiritual - let go of old hurts and begin to mend your wounds. A cleansing or healing ritual would be perfect for tonight.

Hope you all have a beautiful and blessed night!