blog
Art Journal with the Moon for August 21-27, 2023
This is a summary of the moon’s energy for the upcoming week and the inner work and magic you can do in your art journal to make the most of the opportunities the cosmos is gifting us with.
Every week the emotional and magical opportunities the moon is sending you are different because the energy she is drawing down from the planets and stars changes moment to moment. Planets and stars and moon phases and moon signs each carry their own unique energy. This is my weekly update of the moon’s comings and goings to support you in aligning with her energy.
Get your art journal or a scrap of paper you see lying around, your art supplies or those pencil crayons you have hidden away somewhere and have fun. Spend 10 – 20 minutes focusing on the themes the moon is supporting you to explore that day while you play with colors and shapes and watch what happens over time.
It’s amazing what a little consistent creative time can do.
Leaning on the Moon in Difficult times
There are a couple astrological events that will affect the moon in the next while. The first is the sun moving into the sign of Virgo which means we’re entering Virgo season and the second is Mercury stationing retrograde in the sign of Virgo. The Virgo part of your birth chart is being highlighted for about a month here with the moon reflecting energy from the sun in that sign and every time the moon has a relationship with Mercury, it will be drawing down that retrograde energy as well.
Let’s talk first about Mercury stationing retrograde. Whenever a planet changes direction, the start and end of the cycle are the trickiest (planets of course never actually changes direction. They just appear that way to us here on earth). Think of a car moving forward then needing to stop and be put in reverse before it can move backwards. That moment of stopping is what is happening to Mercury this week and Mercury affects our communication and technology so you may notice miscommunication in your relationships or hiccups in your experiences with technology. It is, however, a good time to pause and reflect or stop and reset. If you feel like you’re don’t have clarity during this time period, don’t be surprised. Be patient. Clarity will come eventually. But every time the moon is having a relationship with Mercury, this is the kind of energy it is drawing down.
The other astrological event is Virgo season. When the sun was in Leo, the moon was reflecting energy to help us shine our light in the world, celebrate the good things in life, step into our power and live from our hearts. With the sun now being in Virgo, the moon is reflecting a slower, more grounded energy. Virgo likes to help us get organized. Summer is winding down. The gardens and fields will be harvested for the last time. The days are noticeably shorter in the northern hemisphere and things are slowing down. Virgo wants to helps us get back to daily routines that make our bodies feel good. It’s a more productive, useful energy that wants to help us be of service in the world – and it’s a world that very much needs a lot of support.
Leo season saw a lot of wildfires in Canada and other parts of the world were suffering the same intensity. The devastating wildfires that have scorched our beautiful landscapes and affected countless lives are a reminder of the unpredictable nature of our world. It’s maddening and devastating and makes me feel so many big things. Sometimes it’s all too big for my one tiny heart to feel. I suspect your caring heart feels that way too at times.
When faced with such large-scale uncertainty and loss, it’s natural to feel an overwhelming sense of grief. Not just for the tangible things we might lose, but for the irreplaceable memories tied to places, the sense of security we once took for granted, and for the delicate balance of nature. You may find yourself mourning the vibrant life of the forests, the animals that called it home, and the unique beauty and tranquility that these spaces provided.
Beyond grief, there’s the maddening uncertainty. The restless nights wondering if the winds will change direction, if the firefighters will gain the upper hand, or if more loved ones will be asked to evacuate. This anxiety is a visceral reaction to uncontrollable events, a constant tug at our heartstrings, urging us to find safety and solace and sometimes we just can’t. I hate that!!!
Anger, too, might rear its head. Anger at the situation, at the unfair privileges, at the feeling of helplessness, or perhaps even at larger issues like climate change or policies you feel might have prevented or mitigated the disaster. And it’s okay to feel this way. Your emotions are valid, and they’re a testament to your love for your community, the environment, and the life you’ve built.
I know it’s not a solution or an answer and I’m speaking from a place of privilege but amidst all this turmoil, I hope you allow yourself the grace to feel and to process. It’s okay to seek support, to talk about your fears, your anger, your sorrow. Surround yourself with understanding friends and family or community support groups. Sometimes, sharing our emotions can lessen their weight.
There’s a resilient spirit in all of us. The same spirit that drives communities to come together, to rebuild, and to support one another. Nature, too, has its own resilience. With time, hopefully forests will grow, animals will return, and while the scars may remain, there will be new life. It may never look how we expected it to but rebirth is always present in the cycle as well.
If you are personally impacted by these fires, lean on your loved ones, let them lean on you, and together, I hope we’ll navigate these uncertain times and find our way through.
In the spirit of Virgo season and the review and reset nature of Mercury retrograde, I’d like to take this week to pause and reflect and organize our emotions in our art journals with the moon.
It’s in these times, especially for us highly sensitive souls, that we need the most gentle and nourishing forms of self-expression.
This week, I want to invite you to join me in some heartfelt art journaling under the wisdom of the moon with our journals serving as a sanctuary, a place where our feelings can flow freely, find form, and perhaps even a hint of clarity. The moon, in all its phases and wisdom, offers silent companionship, a beacon in the dark. Its energy can be a guiding light as we navigate our emotions and seek a little bit of peace amidst the chaos.
I truly believe that by taking quiet, sacred time with the moon, we might find solace and understanding even if only for a moment or two.
Monday
The moon moves into the sign of Scorpio today.
Today’s moon carries with it a tinge of Mars, bringing that planet’s distinctive vibes to our emotional landscape.
Scorpio’s energy, while not always conducive to outward vulnerability, offers us a protective shell, a sanctuary where we can safely introspect and explore our deeper feelings. There’s no denying that Scorpio shields us, but this shielding is not just about hiding away. It’s about providing a safe space for healing, for facing those secret or repressed emotions that we might shy away from on any other day.
Scorpio energy urges us to dive deep into our emotional and spiritual realms, which are essential territories for healing and transformation. Art journaling becomes a powerful tool during this time, allowing us to visually and creatively express, process, and navigate our feelings. The intensities of climate catastrophes, the devastation of wildfires – these are vast, complex topics that can awaken a storm of emotions within us. It’s not an answer or a solution and it’s a small act but through art, we can capture and understand how we think and feel.
Let’s use our art journals as maps, charting our emotional landscapes, addressing the pain brought about by our changing world, and finding solace in the transformative power of Scorpio. Remember, while the Scorpio energy might urge us to hide and protect, it also provides us with a powerful catalyst to face our deepest emotions. So, get out your art journal and become friends with the moon today.
In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents the emotions that surface when you are met with climate catastrophes.
Tuesday
The moon is in a challenging relationship with Jupiter where its like they’re coming from opposite sides.
Although Jupiter is typically generous and expansive and harmonious, in a challenging relationship with the moon it might pull up those parts within us that overdo things – like the parts that are generous to a fault or the parts that struggle with addiction. The energy can feel a little too big or in other words, overwhelming. I think of it as Jupiter expanding challenging emotions to the point where its uncomfortable in our bodies. As soon as that discomfort is felt, we typically go into some sort of behavior where we’re either trying to tune that discomfort out, ignore it or run away from it.
When we can stay with the discomfort, we can finally tend to parts that are struggling or trying to protect us in ways that actually harm us. We can finally see what we’ve been too afraid to see. Challenging energy like the kind the moon is reflecting from its relationship with Jupiter today can help those wounded parts rise to the surface so we can finally become aware of them. Be kind and patient with yourself today and try your best to be with your challenging or uncomfortable feelings today. Instead of trying to tune them out or ignore them, see if you can be with them long enough to feel them shift and change.
In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents a challenging emotion transforming into something else.
Wednesday
The moon is having relationships with five other planets today. That’s a busy moon day!
Today, the waxing crescent moon forms a harmonious trine with the expansive Jupiter and dreamy Neptune. Think of trines as the moon having a happy, harmonious relationship with these planets. Jupiter brings optimism and an urge to grow beyond our boundaries. Neptune sprinkles a dash of magic, nudging us to tap into our dreams and intuition.
The moon also forms a favorable sextile with the fiery Mars and communicative Mercury. Sextiles are like a gentle nudge from the cosmos, pushing us towards opportunities. With Mars in the mix, there’s a surge of energy and courage, making it a great time to act on those intuitive nudges. Meanwhile, Mercury’s influence would normally sharpen our intellect, making communication a breeze in this kind of happy relationship with the moon but Mercury stations retrograde today so foggy communication might be more likely.
The moon is also have an opposing relationship with the rebellious Uranus. Oppositions often tug us in two directions, demanding balance. In this case, Uranus might shake things up with unexpected events or insights. But remember, these surprises are often the universe’s way of ensuring we don’t get too complacent.
So, with all this planetary interplay, what’s the vibe for the day? It’s a cocktail of energies, really. A push towards pursuing our dreams, a boost in our confidence, a challenge expressing ourselves, but also a reminder to expect the unexpected. Emotionally, you might find yourself oscillating between exhilaration and introspection. Spiritually, it’s a call to trust the journey, even when there are bumps along the way.
Given the day’s energies, take a moment to consider which areas of your life you feel expansion and growth and which areas of your life you feel sudden shifts or changes. As you ponder, let your feelings flow onto the pages of your art journal. Remember, there’s no right or wrong here. Just let the moon’s busy energy guide your creative process.
In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents the things in your life that are shifting and changing.
Thursday
Today the moon is in the first quarter phase. Only half the moon seems to be lit up in the night sky during this phase.
This is the phase in the creation cycle where there is a tendency to give up or doubt the process. Challenges or obstacles may come between you and your goals and your job is to remain committed despite whatever gets in the way. This is the time to observe your self-talk and heal whatever shadows surface. Make sure you are taking actions and making decisions from your Spirit and your inner wisdom rather than listening to your insecurities and doubt.
Emotional and spiritual themes you can explore in your art journal for the first quarter moon include themes around commitment, doubt, insecurities, body image, self-esteem, your inner critic, your passion, purpose and bigger reasons for being.
Take a moment to think about your new moon intentions again. Imagine what it will be like if your new moon intentions became a reality in your life?
What changes, big or small, will happen in your life when your new moon intentions become real?
What will it feel like to experience those changes?
What choices can you make this week to help your new moon intentions become a reality in your life?
In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents a choice you can make to help your new moon intentions become a reality in your life.
Friday
The moon is in the sign of Sagittarius today.
Have you ever woken up, taken a deep breath, and felt an invigorating zest for life? I get that feeling when I go camping and I step outside with my morning coffee. Well, today might just be one of those invigorating days, because the moon has gracefully entered the expansive realm of Sagittarius. Imagine the moon donning an archer’s bow ready to launch you into new adventures and horizons.
Sagittarius, with its fiery essence, carries the expansive and benevolent energy of its ruling planet, Jupiter. This gives us a dose of optimism, humor, and a deep hunger for knowledge. Sagittarius doesn’t just want us to learn; it nudges us to experience — to dive head-first into the world, tasting its various flavors, and emerging wiser and more enriched.
It’s like we’ve been given a passport to traverse emotional and spiritual terrains that perhaps we’ve hesitated to explore before. Being a fire sign, Sagittarius sparks our passion. It’s a sign that wears its heart on its sleeve, laughing a little louder and dreaming a bit bigger. But, true to its adventurous spirit, Sagittarius can sometimes get lost in the myriad of possibilities, trying to chase every horizon, every dream.
In the spirit of Sagittarius, let’s delve into the world of possibilities. Draw, paint, or collage various ‘Paths of Possibilities’ in your art journal. Imagine each path as a different adventure or experience you want to undertake. It could be as grand as running your own farm or as simple as learning a new skill. Let your imagination roam free, and remember, the goal isn’t to commit to every path but to explore possibilities.
In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image various ‘Paths of Possibilities’. Imagine each path as a different adventure you want to experience.
Saturday
The moon moves into the sign of Capricorn today.
If you’re feeling a tug towards introspection and setting boundaries, it’s likely the influence of the moon as it moves through the grounded sign of Capricorn. Picture the moon draped in a wise, ancient cloak, urging you to understand and respect your limitations.
When you’re a highly sensitive spirit, you’re a beautiful tapestry of deep emotions and intuitive insights. You feel deeply, and often, the world’s energies can be overwhelming. The Capricorn moon, with its nocturnal and receptive nature, offers a timely lesson: just as the moon must stay in orbit around the earth, you too have your limits, and it’s essential to honor them.
Capricorn is ruled by Saturn so the moon is drawing down a little more of that planet’s wisdom on time, endings, and responsibility. Capricorn’s energy is a call to the practical, to the deliberate, and to the disciplined aspects of our lives. It reminds us to move forward in our lives with persistence but also with caution, ensuring that we aren’t overburdening our sensitive souls. This energy can feel restrictive, but it can also be wisely protective. By being emotionally reserved at times, Capricorn energy helps shield and conserve your strength.
Dancing with the energy of our ancestors, and echoing archetypes like the Crone and Hecate, the Capricorn moon whispers ancient tales of understanding the balance between ambition and well-being. It’s a time to reflect on the power of knowing when to push forward and when to pause, of recognizing that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is to honor your limitations, even if it feels counterintuitive.
In the sanctuary of your art journal, create a two-sided page. On one side, illustrate or write about the limitations you often resist or feel frustrated by. On the opposing side, visualize or note down the gifts or freedoms that these very limitations offer you, be it more time for self-care, the ability to dive deep into passions, or simply the space to breathe.
In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image representing the limitations you resist and on the opposite page, create an image that represents the gifts or freedoms those same limitations offer you.
Sunday
Today the moon is in the gibbous phase.
The gibbous phase whispers hints of what’s to come. It’s the moon coming into full power but not being there quite yet.
In this phase, the moon represents a time of reflection, adjustment, and refinement. It’s the period where the initial vision from the New Moon starts taking its near-final shape, brimming with potential and purpose.
Emotionally, the Gibbous phase can stir feelings of anticipation, as if we’re on the cusp of a significant realization or culmination. Energetically, it can feel like energy building up. Spiritually, it’s an invitation to trust in the process, to have faith in the journey, even if the destination isn’t entirely in view. It’s about refining our intentions, making necessary adjustments, and setting the stage for the grand reveal of the Full Moon. This phase symbolizes the meticulous care in creation, the patience, and perseverance it takes to bring something to fruition.
In the context of the creative process, the gibbous moon mirrors the stages of fine-tuning and honing. Whether you’re crafting a piece of art, nurturing a relationship, or embarking on a personal journey, this phase reminds us of the importance of dedication to our craft or path, the significance of the “almost there” in our endeavors, and the beauty of the process.
In your art journal, start by drawing or painting the gibbous moon, letting its crescent of shadow remind you of the space between idea and result. Around it, depict your personal creation journey. What does your ‘almost complete’ look like? How do you feel when you’re close to completing something but not quite done yet?
In your art journal, create an image that represents the space between idea and manifestation.
Have fun with your art journal and the moon this week.
with love,
Pinterest pins
hi i'm dana...
This is a space where art and spirit come together. On the blog, I share art rituals for working with the magic of the moon. I also work with the subconscious mind to lighten your emotional load and follow your creative dreams.
Work with Me
Subscribe to receive hand-drawn journal pages to enjoy every full and new moon:
"*" indicates required fields