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Art Journal with the Moon for February 5-11, 2024
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.
Happy New Moon in Aquarius
We greet a new moon in Aquarius this week and it’s pointing to BIG, radical changes that want to happen in your life.
What makes this new moon interesting is the fact it is in the sign where Pluto just arrived and where a lot of other planets are going to move into throughout the month as well. If you have your birth chart created in the whole sign house system (I show you how to do that here) and you look to see where the sign of Aquarius is, you’ll see the areas of your life where all this action is taking place.
These areas of your life (the house topics where Aquarius is in your birth chart according to the whole sign system) are where BIG permanent transformation is happening or will be happening over the next twenty years. It’s an area of your life where you will become passionate or deeply interested about some topics or interests that will lead to profound changes in your life.
This new moon is a good time to plant the seeds of intention that support your life in moving in these new directions. It’s a great time to be wild and grand in your visioning and to stretch your imagination.
What kind of radical changes do you want to see in your life over the next twenty years?
What decisions do you have to make now in order to support these new visions for your life becoming a reality?
New Moon Square Uranus in Taurus
The upcoming New Moon in Aquarius is also in a tense relationship with Uranus in Taurus which points to significant changes and unexpected developments happening in your life – or in the collective. It’s another indicator of this new moon inviting you to contemplate changes in your life, especially in the Aquarius parts of your birth chart.
This tense relationship the new moon is having with Uranus also points to disruptions to daily routines or changes to the usual way things are done, both in society at large and within your own everyday life or family dynamics.
Is it time to rethink and transform some of the ways you are doing things?
Could you do things in a way that better supports the BIG changes you want to make in your life?
My mentor, Kelly Surtees, also suggests that with this new moon, you may also notice big changes in your friendships and social circles, prompting you to evaluate whether these relationships are fulfilling. If they are not, how might you bring new energy and excitement into your friendships and relationships?
This tense relationship the new moon is having with Uranus also means you might feel a strong urge to break away from the past and move toward what feels more invigorating and relevant to your current interests and needs, even if it means leaving behind the familiar.
Your Passions and Interests
Overall, this New Moon focuses on the need for long-term change, urging you to consider whether the foundations of your life are strong and built in a way that will support the long-term changes you want to make or if there’s a need for restructuring at some sort of root level.
Is a total overhaul necessary to align your life more closely with your desires?
The big, radical changes you want to make in your life may not happen overnight but think of this new moon as the beginning of a journey toward making significant improvements in your life that will unfold in the weeks, months, and years ahead. It’s time to dream big and consider what might be possible if you allow yourself to break free and pursue your true passions.
Working with This New Moon
As I’m working with this new moon in Aquarius in my art journal, there are a few things I’m going to consider. First of all, because the energy of this new moon is highlighting an area of my life where these big, radical changes are already starting to take place and it’s in my career which is what my heart and soul have really been wanting to focus on lately, I’ve decided to work in more than just my art journal. I want to create a three-panel altar or a triptych that I can display on my office altar table so the art magic I create during this new moon can stay with me for years to come.
The triptych usually contains a larger central image with two adjoining smaller images that you could fold up over the central image if you wanted to in order to close it all up and protect it. I won’t have time to paint and color my triptych by the new moon but I will have time to complete the drawing of it so that the most significant part of it is done in the magic of this new moon.
I want to share with you how I’m going to work with this new moon in a folk magic kind of way in hopes that it inspires you with ideas of how you might work with this new moon in your art journal.
How I’m Working with the Magic of This New Moon
The big, radical changes that are happening in my life are happening in the ninth house of my astrological birth chart which means it’s all happening in the areas of my life that have to do with long-distance travel, books, publishing, higher education and my faith.
I have a book I want to self-publish and hand create in my home studio in my quaint mountain town, I have another book I’m almost ready to find an agent or a publisher for and I want to start going to witch festivals, events and market fairs and astrological conferences to sell my books and my art so it all feels like I’m finally doing what I wanted to since I was eight years old and it means BIG, RADICAL changes in these areas of my life – which, as you can see, is all in line with my personal astrology.
Working with this particular new moon is pretty significant for me. It’s an affirmation that now is the time to step into my power, to weave magic into my everyday life and manifest the dreams that have lingered in my imagination for a long time.
This is not just any new beginning; it’s a profound shift towards living a life that is deeply aligned with my soul’s purpose, my creativity, and my spiritual path.
I want to create a triptych that honors, celebrates and supports the wild and wonderful changes I hope my books create in my life.
To this end, these are the magical symbols and imagery I plan to include in my art when I sit down at the new moon to perform my art ritual.
Water, Waves and Flow
Since the new moon and other planets like Mercury, Pluto, and the Sun will be in Aquarius and Aquarius symbolizes where all these changes are happening in my life according to my astrological birth chart, incorporating Aquarian symbols such as waves or the water-bearer can symbolize the flow of creativity, the sharing of knowledge, and the pouring of myself into the world through my books.
Globes, Maps or Compass
To represent long-distance travel, the expansion of my horizons and my books having far-reach and resonance with people from all over the world, I’m going to include symbols like globes, maps, or compasses.
Sacred Geometry and the Moon Phases
For a magical touch and to represent my faith and spirituality, I want to add sacred geometry and the moon phases. These symbols have deep meaning for me and also represent my love of goddess spirituality, feminism, animism, witchcraft, folk magic and the mysteries and wonder of nature.
My Grandma’s Clock
After she passed away, I won my grandmother’s clock in a magical way by winning a poker hand with the Queen of Hearts as the song “Queen of Hearts” by Juice Newton came on the radio. It was one of those moments in life you just can’t help but realize things are far more magical than they seem. I want to include imagery of this clock into my art ritual on the new moon for a couple reasons.
With Saturn’s rule over this new moon and its placement in the second house to the new moon, symbols of Saturn like a clock can represent discipline, structure, and the manifestation of my book goals into tangible success. To emphasize the financial success aspect, I’m going to include imagery of coins with the clock to symbolize my books experiencing abundance and financial prosperity.
I also want to include the clock to invoke the energy of my female ancestors and to acknowledge everything they did to pave the way for me to be able to follow my creative dreams. Far too many of them didn’t have the opportunity to earn their own money never mind follow their creative dreams. I want to acknowledge their sacrifices and imagine a new, more soul-aligned future for the women in my family.
Pens, Scrolls or Books
I’m going to incorporate images of feather pens, scrolls or books to honor the planet Mercury who can bless my dreams with harmonious communication, strong, sound contracts, fun, successful commerce as well as loving, supportive publishing experiences.
Snake Skin
Pluto’s transformational energy can be symbolized by the phoenix or snakes shedding their skin, representing my life changing in big and radical ways in order to support my passion for books and publishing.
Golden Halos or Sun Rays
I want to incorporate golden halos or radiant sun rays in order to bring in the energy of the Sun because the Sun represents my essence, shining my light into the world, vitality, creativity and my true self shining through my work.
Spear or Shield
As Mars enters Aquarius shortly after the new moon, including symbols of Mars such as a spear or shield can represent having courage and taking action in marketing my art and my books.
Roses
Most of my sacred art rituals include roses but this time I want to include them to invoke the support and blessings of Divine Mother and Venus and illustrate the beauty and harmony I wish to convey through my art and words.
Mountains, Trees and River
Nature symbols like trees, mountains, or rivers will ground my art ritual and reflect the setting of where I hope all the magic is rooted – in my quaint mountain town home studio.
Your Turn
What about you? How do you want to work with the magic of the new moon this week?
If you perform an art ritual in your art journal during this new moon, consider what the big, radical change you want to see in your life then figure out the magical symbols and imagery that represent those changes and the wonderful, new things you hope those changes inspire in your life.
You can scroll down to Friday to discover the areas of your life the new moon is highlighting according to your rising sign.
Let’s Art Journal with the Moon Together
And if you want to gather with like-minded creatives to vision under this moon and work with the MAP Method to clear subconscious blocks to the seeds of intention you want to plant under this moon, join me at the Held by the Moon online gathering I’m hosting on Friday, February 9, 2024 (the day of the new moon) from 11:00 am – 12:30 pm MT.
Learn More or Register Here
Monday
The last quarter moon is in the sign of Sagittarius. It also moves into being void of course at the end of the day. It is also having a tense relationship with the planet Neptune.
The moon is in a tense relationship with Neptune today.
Neptune wants to help us connect to source energy and experience what its like to reach our divine potential, feel unconditionally loved and feel our interconnectedness. It also wants to open our psychic gifts, help us receive divine inspiration and dissolve barriers so we experience wholeness and unity. It also wants to help us expand and use our imagination and see the unseen or know the unknown.
It’s a planet of intuition, psychic abilities, imagination, spirituality and dreams but it can also represent our delusions or our desires to escape, including our desire to escape our uncomfortable feelings.
In this tense relationship with the moon, Neptune can cause you to feel unsettled and uncertain. It can especially blur the line between your experience and someone else’s – which for empaths and highly sensitive people means you might be more prone to absorb other people’s feelings today, so much so that you get confused about what is yours to carry and what was never yours to never pick up in the first place. It’s a good day to protect your energy field.
In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents what you imagine emotional and spiritual protection to look or feel like.
Tuesday
Today the balsamic moon is in the sign of Capricorn. It is also having a happy relationship with Saturn and Jupiter.
Sometimes I look at the condition the moon is in according to the zodiac sign it’s in and the relationship its having with other planets and I love the meaning and positive energy it brings. Today’s moon feels like that to me – mature, optimistic and helpful.
The balsamic moon is in the structured, wise sign of Capricorn. In ancient or Hellenistic astrology, this phase of the moon, just before the new moon, is seen as a time of release, rest, and reflection. It’s a period where the past meets the end, allowing space for the new seeds to be planted during the upcoming new moon.
The moon in Capricorn brings a focus on practicality, discipline, and structure. It encourages us to take a hard look at our responsibilities, ambitions, and the foundations of our lives. The trine with Jupiter, the planet of expansion and growth, injects an optimistic feel – like looking at the future with hope and possibilities (something that’s not always easy to do). It offers a supportive boost to finish up old projects, tie up loose ends, and let go of what no longer serves us, all while keeping an eye on the future’s potential for growth and abundance.
The sextile with Saturn, Capricorn’s ruling planet, emphasizes the themes of structure and responsibility but in a harmonious way. It provides a stabilizing effect, making it an excellent time for reflecting on our limits and boundaries and where we might need more discipline. This can potentially help us to ground our dreams and ambitions in reality, making it easier to manifest them in the physical world.
On a day when the moon is in this condition, there’s a beautiful balance between ending and beginning, between letting go and looking ahead. I think it’s a good day for reflection and contemplating the intentions that are aligned with your true path. You don’t have to commit to any yet. You’re just exploring and considering possibilities. The energies of Jupiter and Saturn work together to ensure that whatever you release during this balsamic phase will help pave the way for growth, stability, and success in the next lunar cycle.
In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents an optimistic view of the future.
Wednesday
Today the balsamic moon is in the sign of Capricorn. It is also having an intense relationship with Venus and Mars and a happy relationship with Neptune and Uranus.
The balsamic or waning crescent phase of the moon, just before we plunge into the darkness of the New Moon, is a deeply spiritual time. It’s a good time for introspection and release.
Emotionally, the balsamic moon phase is like your spiritual guardian, whispering, “It’s okay to let go.” It’s not the best time for launching new projects or making big decisions. Instead, it’s a time for tying up loose ends, letting go of what no longer serves you, and giving yourself permission to rest and recharge. The balsamic moon phase is a little like a detox for your soul.
Spiritually, its an invitation to dive into your inner world and tend to what emotionally and spiritually needs tending to. It’s like a spiritual retreat, allowing you to explore your dreams, fears, and the stories you tell yourself. This energy encourages you to let go of old emotional baggage and release patterns that might be holding you back. It’s an opportunity to make peace with the past and create space for new beginnings.
Imagine you’re decluttering your emotional closet.
What do you need to let go of?
What emotional weight is dragging you down?
In your art journal, create a page that represents the things you’re ready to release. It could be a collage of images or words, or even an abstract representation of the emotional baggage you’re letting go of.
In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents the emotional baggage you’re letting go of before the new moon.
Thursday
The balsamic moon is in the sign of Aquarius today. It is also having a lot of relationships with other planets. It’s having a happy relationship with Neptune, a tense relationship with Jupiter and an intense relationship with Pluto, Mercury and Mars.
Aquarius, an air sign, is often associated with innovation, intellect, and a forward-thinking approach. Emotionally, the moon in Aquarius encourages a more detached and objective view of our feelings. It’s less about getting swept up in emotions and more about understanding your feelings from a rational perspective.
Spiritually, the Moon in Aquarius opens up avenues for unconventional and progressive insights. This is a time when you might find yourself drawn to new or unconventional practices or philosophies. It’s an excellent period for engaging with community or group activities that have a spiritual theme, as Aquarius values collaboration and social reform, especially reform that aims to relieve suffering and improve the quality of life for people. The moon is Aquarius is driven by a sense of compassion and a desire to help others. It is committed to the principles of human dignity, equality, and respect for all individuals.
It’s a good day to explore how your personal spiritual journey can contribute to the collective well-being. It’s also a great time for envisioning new possibilities, not just for yourself but for the wider community.
How is your personal growth and your personal goals intertwined with the betterment of us all?
In your art journal, create a page that represents your wishes for the betterment of us all.
Friday
It’s a new moon in Aquarius today. Scroll up to the introduction to read more about it.
To personalize this new moon further, let’s get specific and see the area of YOUR life that this new moon energy is focused on.
To figure out what area of your life the new moon wants you to focus on, you simply need to know your rising sign. Once you know the area of your life the Capricorn new moon is affecting, you can consider what you what new moon intentions you want to set to move that area of your life forward.
To figure out what area of your life the new moon wants you to focus on, you simply need to know your rising sign. If you don’t know your rising sign (it’s different than your sun or moon sign), then you can read more about it here and you can calculate what it is here.
If your rising sign is Aries, the new moon is inviting you to explore big, radical changes in your life when it comes to friendships, community and your hopes and wishes. Think about these areas of your life and consider what intentions you want to make during the new moon in order to move forward towards your dreams for your friendships, community or your hopes and wishes.
If your rising sign is Taurus, the new moon is inviting you to explore big, radical changes in your life when you comes to your career, reputation or ideas of success. During this new moon, visualize your intentions for moving forward in your career, the kind of success you want to achieve or the kind of reputation you want to build.
For Gemini people like me, the new moon is inviting you to explore big, radical changes in your life when it comes to your faith, spiritual practices, international travel, higher education, publishing or future success. Think about these areas of your life and consider what intentions you want to make during the new moon in order to follow your most meaningful and soulful dreams around your spirituality or travel or your goals for the future.
If your rising sign is Cancer, then the new moon is inviting you to explore big, radical changes in your life when it comes to the areas of death, taxes, your psyche or any debt you have accumulated. What dreams do you have that will help you clear any energetic, emotional or physical debt you may be carrying (your own or your ancestors’)? How can you move forward in your emotional or mental well-being? What bright new dreams can you imagine around these topics? Write your new moon intention below.
For Leo rising sign people, the new moon is inviting you to explore big, radical changes in your life when it comes to your close, intimate relationships or partnerships. Think about your marriage or partnership or best friend relationships and consider what the most meaningful and soulful dreams you can imagine for the closest relationships in your life.
For Virgo people, the new moon is inviting you to explore big, radical changes in your life when it comes to routines, work, pets or wellness. If you were moving forward in the direction you wanted to in these areas of your life, what would that look and feel like? Consider what intentions you can make during this new moon in order to take action and build positive momentum in these areas of your life.
If your rising sign is Libra, the new moon is inviting you explore big, radical changes in your life when it comes to your children, hobbies, pleasure or your creativity. Think about these areas of your life and consider what intentions you want to make during the new moon in order to move forward in your parenting life, a creative hobby that’s dear to your heart or those activities in your life that bring you joy.
For Scorpio people, the new moon is inviting you to explore big, radical changes in your life when it comes to your parents, your ancestors, your childhood or your home and living situation. Think about these areas of your life and consider what intentions you can make during this new moon in order to move forward in these areas of your life.
For Sagittarius people, the new moon is inviting you to explore big, radical changes in your life when it comes to learning, communication, your siblings, the goddess or moon or earth-based rituals. Which one of these topics feels most important for you to focus on during this new moon? Choose one of them and consider what intentions you want to make in order to move forward in these areas of your life.
If your rising sign is Capricorn, the new moon is inviting you to explore big, radical changes in your life when it comes to money, assets, income and your livelihood. Think about these areas of your life and consider what intentions you want to make during the new moon in order to move forward in your finances, possessions or livelihood.
For Aquarius people, the new moon is inviting you to explore big, radical changes in your life when it comes to your identity, body, appearance or your spirit. Think about these areas of your life and consider what intentions you want to make during the new moon in order to move forward in your health, personal expression, identity or your relationship with your body.
Finally, for Pisces people, the new moon is inviting you to explore big, radical changes in your life when it comes to your subconscious mind and those things you hide from others and most importantly those things you hide from yourself. During this new moon set intentions around the kind of shadow work or brain rewiring you’d like to do and the biggest and brightest results you’d like to experience from that deep inner work.
In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents your new moon intentions.
Saturday
The new moon moves into the sign of Pisces. It is also having an intense relationship with Saturn and a happy relationship with Jupiter.
Pisces is a water sign, known for being very emotional, imaginative, and spiritual. So, when the waxing crescent moon is in Pisces, it’s a great time for dreaming and tapping into your feelings. It’s like the universe is giving you a green light to explore your creative and emotional side.
Working with this moon in your art journal can be a powerful way to support your creative dreams. Pisces is all about emotions. Use your art journal to express how you’re feeling. You don’t need to write or draw something specific; just let your emotions guide your creativity.
Pisces is also about dreaming. Use your journal to jot down your wildest dreams and ambitions, no matter how unrealistic they might seem. This is the time to let your imagination run wild.
Since Pisces is a water sign, you might want to use water-themed elements in your art journal. This could be images of the ocean, rivers, or even just playing with watercolors.
Imagine where your creativity could take you. Draw, paint, or write about the path you see your creativity leading you on. It doesn’t have to be clear or detailed; just focus on the journey. It’s a time for getting in touch with your inner self and exploring your creative dreams in a deep and meaningful way.
In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents what your creative dreams and where you hope they lead you.
Sunday
The moon is still in the new moon phase and the sign of Pisces. It is also having a happy relationship with Uranus and Venus and an intense relationship with Neptune.
When the moon is in a happy relationship with Venus, it invites emotional grace, beauty, and a deep sense of harmony in your relationships (including your relationship with yourself). The moon reflects feelings of love, artistic inspiration, and a strong connection to the pleasures and joys of life.
Venus is the planet of love, beauty, and relationships. In ancient mythology, Venus is the goddess of love and beauty, who was born from the sea and symbolizes the power of attraction and harmony. Venus is often depicted as a figure of irresistible charm and aesthetic grace, embodying the qualities of love, artistry, and the ability to bring people together in harmony.
When the moon, which governs our emotions and inner world, is in a happy relationship with Venus, these Venusian qualities become intertwined with our emotional landscape. You might feel more inclined toward expressing love and affection, seeking beauty in your surroundings, and indulging in activities that bring pleasure and joy. It’s a time when relationships can feel more harmonious, and you might find it easier to connect with others on an emotional level.
This harmonious aspect also enhances creativity and artistic expression. Whether it’s through music, art, or any other form of creative work, the moon today encourages you to explore and express your artistic side. It’s a perfect time to appreciate the beauty around you and within you.
Spiritually, this alignment is a reminder of the importance of love, beauty, and harmony in our lives. It’s a call to balance the messiness and pain we experience in this world with the beauty we can create and experience in it as well. This period invites you to cultivate and appreciate the soft, gentle, kind and loving aspects of life, encouraging a deeper connection with your sense of beauty and love.
In your art journal, create a page that celebrates seeing love and beauty in an area of your life where you are currently experiencing pain or emotional or spiritual messiness.
Have fun with your art journal and the moon this week.
with love,
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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.
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