blog
Art Journal with the Moon for January 1-7, 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.
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.
A Peek at the Year Ahead
Happy New Year!
I know you’re probably sick of hearing it but 2024? Seriously? We’re here already. Time is a wind that keeps blowing right past me. Sometimes life feels like its moving faster than my imagination.
I hope you’re stepping into 2024 with excitement for expansion and growth or with excitement for keeping things as they are now because not every year is supposed to be a year where you stretch and grow. You’re allowed to have years where you rest and recover.
I trust your holiday season was meaningful. If it brought emotional challenges, I hope you found ways to nurture and care for yourself.
My own holidays were filled with family and sweetness and they marked a personal health milestone as I enjoyed them free from anaphylaxis or overwhelming consequences. Can you believe it? And I even ate things I haven’t eaten in two and a half year. I’m doing a happy dance over here. You can join me if you like.
I’ve also been deeply studying the year ahead, both for my “Art Journal with the Moon to Plan and Vision the Year Ahead” course and in preparing for year-ahead readings. If you haven’t booked a reading yet or joined the course, what are you waiting for? Here, I’ll make it easy for you if you like:
Book a Year Ahead Reading Here
Join the Course Here
This study has been enlightening, helping me realign my focus for 2024. It’s brought clarity and a sense of alignment in my work. In a year that might be marked by collective chaos and change, finding clarity and focus is helpful. I encourage you to take some time before the new moon to get clear on your priorities for the year ahead – whether you book a reading, join the course or spend some time doing a little divination with your cards and your art journal. Truly. It will be worth your time.
To help prepare you for the year ahead I want to give a very brief overview of some of the things to consider. This is truly a brief overview as I’m only mentioning a few points about three of the many astrological events happening in 2024. If you want to dive deeper into the energy for the year ahead, I suggest listening to episode 430 on “The Astrology Podcast”.
As you read this, consider a few questions:
- Where is the energy flowing for me in the coming year?
- Where is the best and most effective place for me to put my time and energy in the coming year?
- What should I focus on in the coming year?
Astrological events are reflected by the moon throughout the year whenever the moon is having a relationship with the planets involved. Plus, in ancient astrology, the moon is seen as a reflector of cosmic energy, mirroring the happenings of other planets. Its interactions with these planets mean it carries their energies. So, when looking at the astrology for the year ahead, the moon’s behavior and influence are intertwined with the overall astrological climate. The moon’s relationships with other planets can significantly shape how we experience the energies and themes of the upcoming year, which is why I think it’s helpful to have an idea of these things when working with the moon in your art journal in 2024.
Pluto in Aquarius
In 2024, Pluto moves into Aquarius.
Pluto helps us transform and in the realm of Aquarius the focus in on technology, space, innovation, ideas, humanitarianism, equality, community, collaboration, idealism and the future.
It’s a cosmic push towards new tech and fairer ways of living together. It’s a big moment for questions about who controls our tech and how we look after our planet.
Think of it as a massive shift in how we all think and do things. The astrologers I follow talked about tech advancements and major breakthroughs in healing and science. This isn’t just about AI; it’s about changing how we run things – less of the old-school one man in charge vibe and more working together as equals.
Young people are going to be right at the forefront, bringing fresh ideas and energy. They’re not just following the old ways; they’re creating new paths. And it’s not just about what we’re inventing; it’s also about looking after our planet better, focusing on clean air and water. Yes, please!!!
It’s an energy that wants to move towards a world that really values everyone’s well-being, where different voices and ideas are heard and respected. I love where we’re going but I suspect there will be a lot of chaos and discomfort along the way. Change is like that – even good change.
For those of you who are naturally tuned into this kind of energy – the artists, the caregivers, the intuitive folks – it’s a time to think about where Aquarius falls in your birth chart. That’s your personal hotspot for growth and change for the next twenty years.
You might not feel this personally yet but you’ll feel it in the collective over the next decade I’m sure.
This is what I think we should keep in mind in the coming years:
Consider how this will impact you emotionally and spiritually. Adapting to technological changes can be hard and scary but I think for some of us, doing so is crucial. If this is the case for you, reflect on how you plan on adapting to all the technological changes and how they might influence your daily life in the coming years. Prepare yourself emotionally (if it is even possible) for good and not so good technological advances.
Also being inclusive in your personal interactions, understanding different perspectives, and being open to new ideas will be increasingly important.
You might also want to be prepared to navigate complex emotions as societal changes occur, learning to grieve what’s lost while embracing the new. This isn’t easy to do but making room to grieve in your art journal or in whatever way works for you does help. Transitions and change naturally walk alongside grief so don’t be surprised if there continues to be a lot to grieve. Go gentle, give yourself space to express and feel and give yourself permission to put your grief on the shelf when you can and to also enjoy the beauty and simplicity that exists in your life.
Finally, fostering a sense of community will be key to finding support and shared understanding in these changing times so make being with other people, online and in-person, a priority. Make time to connect. It’s not always easy but it is an energy that our spirits will want to soak up more often.
Jupiter in Gemini
May 25, 2024
In the spring Jupiter, moves into Gemini. Here we enter a dynamic phase where quick thinking, adaptability, and communication take center stage. Expect a buzz of activity and ideas, a shift to a faster pace of life with more interactions and opportunities. Jupiter has been in the sign of Taurus which has a much slower, more grounded feel to it so don’t be surprised if you easily notice this shift in tone and mood.
The thing to watch out for with Jupiter expanding Gemini is overcommitment and spreading yourself too thin. I know this all too well. I have a lot of planets and energy in Gemini so you probably should check up on me in the spring to make sure I haven’t floated off somewhere.
For creative and intuitive people, this is an excellent period to expand networks, explore new concepts, and embrace the vibrant energy of change – again, I suggest you find out where Gemini lands on your birth chart because it will show you the areas of your life where this energy will affect you most.
Generally speaking though, Jupiter in Gemini fosters a thirst for knowledge and a flurry of ideas. You’ll find yourself more open to learning and exploring diverse subjects. This is a great time for creative and intuitive individuals to expand their horizons, perhaps by learning new things, reading more, meeting new people or engaging in stimulating conversations. However, the challenge here is to not become overwhelmed by the influx of information.
There will be more opportunities to connect with others, both in your personal and professional life. This is a period for networking and collaborative projects and also a period of fun. I love how they pointed this out on “The Astrology Podcast”. They reminded us to look for all the times the moon with have a relationship with Jupiter while Jupiter is in Gemini because one of the things it might all help us with is radiating a little more fun and playfulness into a year heavy with change and movement. For creative individuals, this could mean more collaboration in art or joint ventures in business. The key is to balance this social expansiveness with your personal space and avoid overcommitting.
This transit will infuse your creative and spiritual practices with a sense of playfulness and versatility. Expect to feel more inclined to experiment with new mediums or techniques in your art and to approach your spiritual practices with a fresh perspective. I’m looking forward to playing with this fresh energy in my art journal.
With so much coming your way, learn to prioritize what aligns with your goals and filter out the noise. Also, balance your social time with solitude. While embracing the social energy of Gemini, carve out time for solitude to process, digest your emotions and create. I notice that after a flurry of Gemini energy, I have more emotions to process and digest and I need to clear and cleanse my energy and my spaces more often than usual so do more of that in the spring and summer than you normally would. Jupiter in Gemini will be there for about a year I think so you actually might just want to become more disciplined in making your energetic protection practices and your energetic cleansing practices more regular habits in 2024.
Eclipses Along the Aries/Libra Axis
March 25, 2024
Full Moon Lunar eclipse in Libra
April 8, 2024
New Moon Solar Eclipse in Aries
October 2, 2024
New Moon Solar Eclipse in Libra
Eclipses symbolize significant beginnings and endings, specifically in the areas of your life highlighted in your birth chart. As Sonja Francis describes, they serve as pivotal moments for realignment with your soul’s journey, offering consciousness upgrades and opportunities to shed outdated programs for your soul’s evolution. This prompts a deep introspection and realignment which is often something we need. It’s easy to get off path in this world.
Eclipses also foster inner healing, helping align our various parts (like the wounded inner child) with our true self. They encourage open-mindedness and flexibility and while eclipses can be tense and stressful, they can also catalyze significant progress in physical, emotional, or spiritual realms.
To adapt, focus on prioritizing rest and self-soothing practices. Co-regulate with others or nature to manage stress and stay open and adaptable to the unexpected changes eclipses may bring.
Eclipses along the Aries-Libra axis in ancient astrology emphasize themes of self versus other. Aries brings focus on individuality, assertiveness, and personal needs, while Libra emphasizes relationships, balance, and harmony. These eclipses often raise issues around maintaining one’s identity within relationships, balancing independence with interdependence, and managing conflicts.
They ask us to consider how we assert ourselves while maintaining harmony in relationships. The growth asked for here involves learning to balance personal desires with the needs of others and navigating the delicate dance between self-assertion and cooperation.
How the eclipses affect you personally is going to depend on where the Aries/Libra axis falls on your birth chart. Let me share my chart as an example.
I have Aries in my 11th house which deals with things like friendships, groups, and community involvement. The eclipses may stir up themes related to independence, assertiveness, and identity within my friendships and in my communities. Emotionally, this year could be a time when feelings about where and how I fit into groups and friendships come to the surface. Spiritually, it’s an invitation to align my actions within my friendships and my roles in my communities with my true self. I may find myself questioning whether my social circles and group activities genuinely reflect my values and identity.
For inner healing, the eclipses along this axis can highlight the need to assert myself in friendships and not lose my sense of self. It may prompt me to seek out or create a community where I feel more authentically me. If there’s a part of me, perhaps an inner child aspect, that has felt overshadowed or unacknowledged in group settings (and there is), this is a time for that part to be heard and integrated more fully into my social identity. I will definitely be using my MAP recordings to work on this healing during eclipse season.
Libra is in my 5th house, associated with creativity, romance, and self-expression so this brings forth themes of balance, harmony, and relationships in the context of personal expression and joy. Emotionally, I might be exploring the balance between giving and receiving in my romantic life or creative collaborations. Spiritually, this is about finding harmony in how I express myself and engage in what brings me joy.
The eclipses along the Aries/Libra axis offer a chance for inner healing related to self-expression and creativity. It might highlight areas where I’ve compromised too much for the sake of harmony or neglected my own creative impulses – and yes, I have a lot of healing to do here as well. I was an over-giver and focused on everyone else for many years and that disrupted my creative dreams.
My inner child, often connected to my most unfiltered and authentic forms of expression, may need attention and validation this year. This is a time for me to reconnect with what genuinely brings me joy and fulfillment, free from the constraints of pleasing others or fitting into predefined roles.
These eclipses seem to be perfectly aligned with both my professional aspirations and my personal journey of connecting with like-minded souls. The energy of Aries is about initiating and embracing new beginnings. This could manifest as me stepping into new social circles or communities that are more aligned with my authentic self which is something I’m needing right now so I love this. And the Libra eclipse in the 5th house encourages me to find joy in my creative expression which is exactly what I’m doing. I’m fulfilling a childhood dream. The workbook I’m creating with beautiful drawings is not just about creating a product that I hope one day you’ll enjoy but also about expressing a deep and integral part of who I am.
So overall, with Aries in my 11th house, my soul is seeking to express its true self within my communities and friendships and in 2024, new doors will open for me in these areas of my life, while Libra in my 5th house points to my soul yearning to express itself in my art. The eclipses might bring unexpected changes so that I can better accomplish these things. The changes eclipses bring aren’t always easy and smooth but, in the end, I suspect I will be grateful for them. I’ll let you know in 2025 if that’s the case.
To Sum it All Up
Let me sum it all up by making a nice tidy list of the things I think you should do or keep in mind as you walk boldly and brilliantly into 2024:
-
Give some thought into where the energy is flowing for you in 2024
-
Find out where Aquarius falls on your birth chart and contemplate the transformations Pluto might be initiating in those areas of your life
-
Reflect on how you plan on adapting to all the technological changes and how they might influence your daily life in the coming years. What is your relationship with technology? How do you feel about the changes coming? How do you feel about change in general?
-
Changes naturally bring loss of some kind. What losses have you experienced from the changes in society that have already happened? Did you take time to grieve them? If not, are the emotions still there waiting for you to acknowledge them?
-
Decide how you want to connect to or build a sense of community this year.
-
When things get busy in the spring or you’re overwhelmed by information, choices, interests or project ideas, how do you plan to keep yourself focused on your priorities?
-
Choose the energetic protection and cleansing practices you can commit to in 2024 and start doing them on a daily basis (I’ll be using my MAP recordings for this. I used one last night to clear the emotions I stored in my hips during the holidays and it was such a deep cleanse that went all the way back to emotions I stored in my body from my ancestors. It felt amazing and released the pain and discomfort I was experiencing earlier!)
-
Find out where Gemini falls on your birth chart so you can see the areas of your life that might be receiving all that goodness from Jupiter
-
Find out where the Aries and Libra axis falls on your birth chart so you can contemplate how the eclipses in 2024 might be affecting you
And now that that is all settled, let’s put aside the year ahead and work with the moon this week.
Monday
Today the disseminating moon is in the sign of Virgo. It is also having a happy relationship with the planet Uranus and a tense relationship with the planet Mercury.
On this New Year’s Day, we find the moon in the thoughtful sign of Virgo, and it’s in its waning phase. In my western culture, New Year’s Day is a time for fresh starts and setting intentions, and Virgo’s presence today adds a special touch to this. Virgo, influenced by Mercury, is all about details, organization, and healing. This combination is perfect for setting practical and achievable goals for the year ahead.
As you may already know, I tend to use the new moon for setting intentions and I spend most of fall to plan and vision the year ahead so I’ve already spent a lot of time with the waning and waxing moons of fall contemplating my goals for 2024. New Year’s day has never been the day I do this work but instead, it’s the day where I feel like I can put all that planning and peering ahead away until next fall. But some years, when I can’t get all I want done in the fall, I need January to wrap up this kind of work.
Today, with the waning moon in Virgo, it’s a time for inner reflection and clearing out what we no longer need. This phase is about letting go and simplifying our lives. It’s a chance to look closely at our habits and routines and see what’s working and what’s not. It’s not about being hard on yourself but about finding small ways to make your life better.
Setting goals on New Year’s Day often brings a mix of emotions. It’s a time when we reflect on our past and look forward to the future, which can stir up feelings of hope, excitement, but also anxiety and self-doubt. We might feel the pressure to achieve more or to make significant changes in our lives, and this can be overwhelming. It’s important to approach this process with kindness towards ourselves.
Start by acknowledging that it’s okay not to have everything figured out and that goals don’t have to be grand or perfect. Break your goals into smaller, manageable steps, and remember that progress is not always linear. Celebrate the small victories along the way and be gentle with yourself when things don’t go as planned. Most importantly, remind yourself that your worth is not tied to your accomplishments. By approaching goal setting with gentleness and self-compassion, you can make the process more nurturing and less stressful. This way, you can embrace the new year with a sense of peace and positivity.
As you face the new year, think of it not as a pressure to start anew but as an opportunity to continue growing at your own pace. Your dreams and the direction your soul wants to go are still valid and worth pursuing. Instead of focusing on what didn’t happen in the past year, celebrate the progress you made, no matter how small. Each step you take is a part of your journey. Be kind to yourself. Reflect on what you’ve learned and how you’ve grown. Use that knowledge to guide your next steps. Remember, every day is a chance to move closer to your dreams, even if it’s just a tiny step. But whatever you do, keep believing in yourself and your dreams! You don’t have to have it all figured out to move forward. Just take one step at a time with self-compassion and patience.
As you think about the year ahead, consider these ideas:
- What good habits have you started that you want to keep doing? Take a moment to feel proud of these.
- Are there things in your life that feel cluttered or complicated? How can you make these simpler?
- Think about small changes you can make that will help you live better and happier.
In your art journal, let the energy of Virgo on this New Year’s Day inspire you. As an ode to Virgo energy, you might want to make detailed drawings or organize your page into areas that represent different parts of your life. Use your art to think about what you want to keep in your life and what you’re ready to let go of for the new year.
In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents your new year intentions.
Tuesday
Today the moon moves into the sign of Libra. It is also having a happy relationship with Pluto, a tense relationship with Mars and Mercury and an opposing relationship with Neptune.
The moon in Libra brings to light dynamics in our relationships, our experience with balance, and inner harmony. And for the highly sensitive, it offers a gentle reminder to find balance between nurturing our own souls and cherishing our connections with others.
With Libra being ruled by the planet Venus, the moon reflects a little of this planet’s energy as well. Imagine the moon, tinged with Venus’s soft and beautiful aura, inviting us into a space of art and grace.
When the moon is in Libra, it can be a time to have fun with friends, gather and enjoy group activities. Libra encourages us to find acceptance and understanding in our interactions. However, it’s worth noting the delicate dance that Libra plays – while it nudges us towards sociability and connection, it can also lead us to focus too much on others. And there is the challenge: the quest for balance. Especially for the empathic or the highly sensitive, it’s essential to remember to honor your own feelings and needs even as you immerse yourself in the world of others.
In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents being your true self in community.
Wednesday
The last quarter moon is in the sign of Libra. It is also having a happy relationship with Venus.
Today, we’re experiencing a special moment in the lunar cycle: the last quarter moon is in Virgo and it’s having a happy relationship with Venus. In ancient astrology, this combination is quite harmonious and brings together Virgo’s practicality with Venus’s love for beauty and harmony. I imagine the Virgo and Venus blend as nature art that is highly detailed, exquisite and beautiful.
Virgo is a sign that’s all about details, organization, and taking care of things in just the right way. When it connects nicely with Venus, which is all about love, beauty, and connections with others, it creates a perfect time for balancing our practical side with our need for beauty and pleasure.
The last quarter moon is a time for reflection, and with Virgo’s influence, it’s great for thinking about how we organize our lives and make them more efficient. But with Venus’s touch, it’s also a time to make sure we’re not just efficient but also happy and fulfilled. It’s a reminder that life isn’t just about getting things done; it’s also about enjoying them and making them beautiful. What small and simple details make things beautiful to you?
In your art journal today, let this balance inspire you. Maybe you’ll find yourself drawing or painting something that’s both organized and beautiful. You could create a scene that shows a perfect balance between work and play, or between practicality and pleasure. This is a time to explore how you can bring more beauty into your everyday life, even in the smallest ways.
In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents the small details that make your life beautiful.
Thursday
The last quarter moon is in the sign of Libra. It is also have a happy relationship with Mercury.
In your art journal, create a page that represents an inner child part that could use some love, healing or understanding today.
Friday
The last quarter moon moves into the sign of Scorpio. The moon is having a happy relationship with Saturn and Mars, a tense relationship with Pluto and an opposing relationship with Jupiter.
Scorpio is known for being deep and intense. This sign is all about big changes, understanding deep feelings, and really getting to the heart of things.
When the moon is in Scorpio, it’s a good time to think deeply about our lives. Scorpio’s energy helps us look at things we usually don’t. It asks us to be honest with our feelings and to explore the parts of ourselves that we often keep hidden. This is a time for self-discovery and emotional truth.
Let’s think about a few things during this Scorpio moon. What parts of yourself do you want to understand better or change? Where in your life do you want more real, deep connections? Scorpio’s energy is powerful for making personal changes and healing.
For your art journal tonight, let this deep and thoughtful energy inspire you. You might want to use dark, rich colors or draw shapes that flow and change, just like emotions. You could draw a phoenix, the bird that rises from ashes, to show how you can grow and change. Or maybe you want to paint a deep sea to show how deep your feelings go. Trust your feelings to guide your art.
In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents your emotional depths.
Saturday
The last quarter moon is in the sign of Scorpio. It is also having an opposing relationship with the planet Uranus.
The last quarter moon, also known as the third quarter or waning half-moon, is the second to last phase in the moon’s monthly cycle. After the brilliance of the full moon, the moon’s illumination begins to wane, drawing inward once more. The last quarter moon stands as a symbolic crossroads, a time of reflection, release, and inner transformation.
The last quarter moon is viewed as a time of introspection and surrender. As the moonlight diminishes, we too are invited to draw inwards and assess our inner landscapes. It’s a period of letting go, symbolizing the release of old beliefs, habits, or emotional baggage that no longer serve us.
Emotionally, this phase is about acceptance and forgiveness. We are encouraged to make peace with our past, cultivate forgiveness towards ourselves and others, and create space for new possibilities and growth.
To enhance your experience of the last quarter moon, consider these questions:
What lessons have I learned in this past moon cycle?
What am I ready to let go of?
How have I grown and changed over this moon cycle?
Who or what do I need to forgive to move forward?
What seeds of intention do I want to plant for the next cycle?
The last quarter moon invites you to pause, look inward, and clear away what no longer serves you. As you align with this lunar rhythm, you nurture your ability to adapt, release, and prepare yourself for new beginnings. So, as you look up at the night sky or art journal with the moon tonight, take a moment to remember every ending is a new beginning in disguise.
In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents what you need to let go of before you consider what seeds of intention you want to plant during the next cycle.
Sunday
The balsamic moon moves into the sign of Sagittarius. It is also having a happy relationship with Neptune and Pluto and a tense relationship with Saturn.
The moon is in a happy relationship with Pluto today.
The moon is the queen of the night. She wants to illuminate the darkness, bring about change, be a mirror to reflect us back to ourselves and awaken our receptive and intuitive powers. She represents your body and emotions and reminds you that life is an ever-changing cycle of birth, death, decay and rebirth. She wants to bring kindness, nurturing, novelty and adaptability. She also wants to improve your relationship with your emotions, your body and your intuition.
Pluto wants to illuminate what is hidden in your subconscious realm to help you transform. It can bring endings, new beginnings, deep spiritual growth and rebirth. With Pluto’s energy influencing us, its helpful to face your shadows and your inner darkness – and hopefully you can do that with compassion.
With this happy relationship Pluto is having with the moon expect your sensitivities to deepen, your creative gifts to flourish, your imagination to be expanded and your intuition to be open and receptive. Communication with the realms of Spirit and your ancestors is easier in this energy. It’s a good time to clear ancestral beliefs that no longer serve you or express gratitude to your spirit guides and angels for all the support you receive – seen and unseen.
In your art journal, create an image that celebrates your intuition.
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