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Art Journal with the Moon for July 10-16, 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 (Mon-Fri) 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.
Nurturing Our Sensitive Souls and Understanding the Confidence Challenges We Face
What I really want for myself, and for you too are for our souls to feel free to express themselves in this world. I want us to feel free to follow our dreams, share our creations or our intuitive services without feeling small, silly or unimportant. I want us to speak from our big loving hearts with confidence.
This week, Mercury moves into the sign of Leo. Every time the moon has a relationship with the planet Mercury, it will draw down this helpful energy to us.
In astrology, Mercury is known as the planet of communication, intellect, and expression. It represents how we process and share information, how we think and speak, and how we connect with others. It acts as a cosmic bridge, linking our thoughts and ideas to the outside world. It also acts as the bridge between the physical world and the world of spirit.
Imagine this celestial messenger donning the vibrant robes of Leo, the regal and passionate lion of the zodiac. What a majestic combination it is!
Leo, ruled by the Sun, is a charismatic and expressive sign associated with creativity, self-confidence, and leadership. When Mercury enters the sign of Leo, a transformative shift occurs in our communication style. The powerful energy of Leo imbues Mercury with the confidence to speak from the heart, authentically and passionately. During this transit, we find ourselves expressing our thoughts and ideas with boldness and flair, unafraid to take center stage.
Leo’s influence strengthens our self-confidence, giving us the courage to express ourselves fully. During this period, we are more likely to believe in our own ideas, abilities, and worth. This newfound self-assurance allows us to share our opinions and thoughts with authority, leading to great conversations and inspiring interactions.
Under the influence of Mercury in Leo, our communication may even take on a creative and theatrical quality. We become natural storytellers, using vivid language and expressive gestures to captivate our audience. It’s a time to let your imagination soar, infusing your words with color and drama, leaving a lasting impact on those who listen.
Except what happens when you’re a highly sensitive person who leans on the shy side and has a history of trauma and difficult childhood experiences?
In a world that often celebrates extroversion and assertiveness (definite Leo-type qualities), it’s important to recognize and honor the unique qualities of your intuitive, creative, highly sensitive nature. You possess a deep level of empathy, keen perception, and a heightened sensitivity to your environment. While your innate gifts are valuable, you probably face difficulties in feeling confident and speaking with conviction. I know I do.
One of the primary reasons highly sensitive people struggle with confidence is their vulnerability to overstimulation. The intense sensory input and emotional experiences can overwhelm our nervous system, leading to feelings of anxiety and self-doubt. Past instances of sensory overload can create a belief that our reactions are excessive or “wrong,” eroding our confidence in our own emotional responses.
This is especially true if you have a trauma response that runs amok – which most do unfortunately. When we experience trauma, our already sensitive nature can intensify our reactions to triggers, leading to experiencing a dysregulated nervous system more often than most people. This dysregulation manifests as heightened emotional and physical responses, making it challenging for us to feel calm or safe enough to speak with confidence.
We are on high alert more often, anticipating potential threats and feeling anxious even in relatively safe situations. This heightened state of vigilance can undermine our confidence, as we doubt our ability to handle social interactions or express ourselves without being overwhelmed.
Past trauma can leave us with a fear of re-triggering or revictimization. This fear can be rooted in a deep-seated belief that expressing ourselves or setting boundaries might lead to negative consequences or further harm. Consequently, we may hesitate to speak up or assert ourselves, fearing the potential repercussions – do you relate?
Highly sensitive creators and healers also tend to absorb and internalize criticism deeply. Even minor feedback or perceived rejection can significantly impact our self-esteem. Negative experiences, particularly those related to being told we are “too sensitive” or “overreacting,” can shape our belief that our feelings and opinions are not valid or worthy of expression. These accumulated experiences contribute to self-doubt and hesitancy in speaking up.
Childhood experiences of emotional neglect or invalidation can leave lasting imprints on our self-esteem. When our emotions were dismissed, ignored, or invalidated, we develop a fear of expressing ourselves authentically. This fear stems from a belief that our feelings are not important or will not be understood by others, leading to a lack of confidence in our ability to communicate effectively.
As you can see, there are a lot of valid reasons why you might struggle to speak with confidence. Please don’t ever beat yourself up for it.
But if you’re like me, you don’t want your sensitivities to run your life. You want to support them so the challenges they bring are tended to and the superpowers that naturally come with them take center stage instead.
This week, in our art journals, we’re going to work with the moon to help us speak with confidence – or at least take some important steps in that direction.
I think this is a great week to follow along with my art journal with the moon suggestions if you are a healer, artist or creative entrepreneur who knows its time to embrace becoming visible and sharing yourself or your creations with the world. It’s hard to be of service or share your art with those who need it if no one knows who you are or what you do. Let’s tend to your soul and your nervous system so you can take baby steps in the direction of allowing your light to shine in a world that very much needs it.
Monday
The moon is in a tense relationship with Mercury today.
In your relationship with others this can look like moody conversations, disagreements, not considering the other person’s perspective and being overly opinionated or focusing on where you disagree instead of finding common ground.
Internally, this can look like tension between your thoughts and feelings. On days like today, I like to remember that I can’t always believe what I think especially when what I’m thinking is putting me down or coming from a place of fear, hopelessness, anxiety, rage, depletion or defeat.
It’s the kind of day where letting your feelings pour out onto the page of your art journal is more productive than trying to express them in your relationships. Plus, speaking with confidence as we’re exploring with the moon in our art journals this week, starts with knowing what you are actually thinking and feeling.
Before we can effectively communicate with others, it’s essential to connect with ourselves – especially as a creative and intuitive highly sensitive person. We absorb so much information from our environments and we tend to be deeply empathic so separating our feelings and thoughts from the emotional and energetic noise we absorb is so important.
Mindful expression invites you to slow down, acknowledge your feelings, and gain clarity about your thoughts before sharing them with others. By pausing to listen to yourself, you can tap into your intuition, values, and desires. This awareness empowers you to communicate with intention, staying true to who you are and what you genuinely think and feel.
Think about a relationship or situation that you are currently struggling with.
In the realm of art journaling, one of the most liberating and soul-nourishing approaches is creating free-flowing art. Free-flowing art is all about releasing expectations, embracing spontaneity, and allowing your creativity to flow without constraints. It’s a process of surrendering to the present moment and letting your intuition guide your artistic expression. Through free-flowing art, you’ll uncover hidden emotions, thoughts, and ideas – which, as we know, tends to lead to some pretty great moments of self-discovery.
Take a few moments to center yourself and connect with your breath. Close your eyes, inhale deeply, and exhale slowly, allowing any tension to melt away. This mindful practice helps you enter a state of presence and prepares you to fully engage in the creative process.
Free-flowing art is not about creating a perfect masterpiece. Release any expectations or judgments you may have about the outcome. Embrace imperfection and give yourself permission to make mistakes. Remember, it’s the process and the emotions that arise that hold the true value.
Open your art journal to a fresh, blank page.
Begin by selecting a color that resonates with your current emotions or thoughts. Dip your brush in water or load it with paint and apply broad strokes onto the page. Let the colors blend and flow organically, creating abstract shapes or patterns. Allow your intuition to guide you.
Keep an open curious mind as you paint. Ask yourself what you are thinking and feeling as you consider the relationship or situation that is challenging you at the moment.
As you continue to paint, draw, and collage, let your intuition be your guide. Observe the thoughts, emotions, and images that arise within you, and allow them to flow onto the page. Don’t overthink or analyze—simply let your inner world unfold naturally.
Once you feel satisfied or complete, take a moment to reflect on it. Observe the colors, shapes, and textures that emerged. Notice any patterns or symbols that catch your attention. Reflect on what these elements might represent and how they connect to your thoughts and feelings.
To deepen your self-discovery, consider journaling about your free-flowing art experience. Write about the emotions that emerged, the insights you gained, and any personal revelations or discoveries. This self-reflection will further help you see what you think and how you feel. Sometimes I do this step on the page I created so my writing flows over the colors and images and shapes I just made.
In your art journal, create a free-flowing art without judgement then reflect on the emotions and thoughts that emerged as you created it.
Tuesday
The moon is in the fixed earth sign of Taurus today. Taurus is ruled by the planet Venus so the moon is carrying a little bit of that planet’s energy today as well.
Taurus energy is stable and secure. It brings an air of grace, calm, tolerance, tenacity, comfort, pleasure, grounding, safety and security. Depending on the way it affects you or the area of your life it influences the most, it may also bring laziness, inactivity or stubbornness.
Allow the stable and secure energy of Taurus to sit in your body for a moment.
Think of someone or something that makes you feel safe.
It could be someone you know or even a place in nature that makes you feel held. Maybe its the feeling of being wrapped in the arms of someone you love.
Your nervous system deeply benefits from dosing your field with feelings of safety. Taking care of your body includes caring for your nervous system and allowing it to remember what feeling calm and grounded is like. When you are able to achieve that feeling of safety its like medicine to your nervous system – a warm liquid medicine that flows through your nervous system and speaks to the energy you hold there and reminds your entire system you can let go and relax because in this moment you are safe. Your brain can take a break. It doesn’t need to stay alert. It can put down the guards.
Having a calm, regulated nervous system is important to speaking with confidence, which is the theme we are exploring with the moon in our art journals this week. Art journaling offers a safe haven where you can explore your trauma responses, find solace, and cultivate self-regulation. One delightful and accessible way to achieve this is through the practice of mindful doodling in your art journal.
Start by doing a body scan. Bring your attention to each part of your body and notice any areas of tension or discomfort.
A dysregulated nervous system looks like racing thoughts, heightened emotions and physical discomfort. When the nervous system is dysregulated, thoughts can become chaotic, rapid, and overwhelming. It’s as if our minds are on an endless loop, jumping from one worry or fear to another. We may find it challenging to focus or make clear decisions.
Dysregulation also often accompanies intense and overwhelming emotions. We may experience heightened anxiety, anger, fear, or sadness. These emotions can be overpowering, leaving us feeling emotionally drained and on edge.
Our bodies also respond to dysregulation with physical sensations. These may include a racing heartbeat, shallow breathing, muscle tension, digestive disturbances, or a general feeling of unease. We may also experience a sense of restlessness or agitation.
On the other hand, when we feel calm and safe, or in other words, our nervous systems feel regulated, we experience clarity of thought, emotional balance and physical ease. Our thoughts become clearer, calmer, and more focused. We can think more rationally and access our problem-solving abilities. Our minds feel more balanced and at ease.
A regulated nervous system also allows for a greater sense of emotional balance. We experience a wider range of emotions, but they are more manageable and less overwhelming. We can navigate life’s challenges with greater resilience and a sense of inner calm.
Our bodies also feel more relaxed, and we experience deeper breaths, improved digestion, and a general sense of comfort. We may notice increased energy and a feeling of being grounded or centered.
Before you start creating, get curious about where you are at in the realm of these feelings and sensations.
Next, set the stage by creating a calm space. Find a quiet corner or a serene outdoor spot where you can immerse yourself in the creative process. Surround yourself with calming elements like soft lighting, comfortable cushions, or soothing music to help set the tone.
Start your art journaling session with grounding techniques to anchor yourself in the present moment and regulate your nervous system. Take a few deep breaths, feeling the air entering and leaving your body. Focus your attention on the sensation of your hands resting on the journal. Bringing yourself mindfully in the moment will help you establish a sense of safety and stability.
Start with a center point. Choose a central point on your page where you’d like your doodles to emanate from. It could be a dot, a shape, or even a word.
Next, create organic lines and shapes. Allow your pen to move freely and intuitively across the page. Without overthinking, let your hand guide the lines and shapes that emerge. There’s no right or wrong way to doodle—simply let your creativity flow.
Embrace repetition and patterns. As you continue doodling, feel free to incorporate repetition and patterns. Engaging in repetitive motions can have a calming effect on your nervous system. Explore swirls, waves, dots, or any other shapes that appeal to you.
Stay present in the moment. As you doodle, bring your awareness to the sensations and movements of your hand. Notice the lines forming, the texture of the pen against the paper, and the rhythm of your strokes. Allow yourself to be fully present in this meditative creative process.
Remember, mindful doodling is about embracing imperfections and letting go of self-judgment. If a line wavers or a shape isn’t as expected, embrace it as part of your unique expression. These perceived flaws add character and authenticity to your doodles.
Once you feel satisfied with your mindful doodling, take a moment to reflect and contemplate. Observe the patterns, shapes, and lines you’ve created. Notice the emotions and sensations that arise within you. Do another body scan and reflect on how the practice has influenced your state of calm and regulation. What’s different now? What has stayed the same?
In your art journal, fill a page with doodles until you feel calm.
Wednesday
The moon is still in the fixed earth sign of Taurus today. Taurus is ruled by the planet Venus so the moon is carrying a little bit of that planet’s energy today as well.
Taurus energy is stable and secure. It brings an air of grace, calm, tolerance, tenacity, comfort, pleasure, grounding, safety and security.
Let’s allow the stable and secure energy of Taurus to sit in your body for a moment by taking out your pencil crayons and explore how coloring can be a powerful tool to calm and regulate your nervous system. Having a calm, regulated nervous system is important to speaking with confidence, which is the theme we are exploring with the moon in our art journals this week.
Start by creating a mandala or simple shapes like outlines of flowers and leaves that you can color in with your pencil crayons.
When you engage in coloring activities, your nervous system responds by activating the relaxation response. Choose colors that resonate with you—soft pastels for tranquility, cool blues for serenity, or warm earth tones for grounding.
Art journaling is not about rushing to complete a masterpiece—it’s about immersing yourself in the present moment. As you color, practice mindfulness by focusing on each stroke, feeling the movement of your hand, and observing the colors blend together. Let go of any judgments or expectations and embrace the process itself. This mindful approach to coloring can help regulate your nervous system and cultivate a sense of inner calm.
Engage in a gentle flow, letting your worries and anxieties fade away with each stroke. The repetitive nature of coloring can also enhance focus and concentration, further promoting a sense of calm.
It’s quiet moments like these that allows your art journal to become a refuge where your highly sensitive nature is empowered.
May the colors and the moon in Taurus guide you towards inner peace and self-assuredness today. Happy coloring!
In your art journal, draw a simple outline of flowers and leaves then color it in as you mindfully focus on feeling calm.
Thursday
The moon is in a happy relationship with Mercury today so it’s drawing down that lovely Mercury in Leo energy I described in the introduction of this week’s moon update.
Mercury is the messenger of the Gods. It is concerned with communication and connection. It influences transportation, commerce, language, writing, speaking and education. It also represents the mind. When it’s happy it is helpful to the mind and learning and inspires curiosity, ingenuity and business. In a happy state like it is today it brings helpful thoughts, good communication, ease with technology, curiosity and success in business.
It’s a day where your right and left brain are harmonious and respectful of each other. You’re more likely to trust your intuition or follow your creative impulses. Because the moon rules your emotions and dreams it’s also a day where you’re more likely to communicate how you feel in a way that others will respond to in a caring or helpful way.
Let’s use this energy to visualize speaking confidently in your life.
Visualization is a powerful technique that allows us to create vivid mental images of our desired outcomes. By integrating visualization into your art journaling practice, you can play with how it feels to speak up with confidence during different situations in your life. This also helps your nervous system feel prepared for different situations before they arrive.
Start by creating a background for your visualization page. Use your preferred technique—painting, collaging, or blending colors—to set the tone and mood of the scenario.
Clearly define the scenario in which you want to envision yourself speaking with confidence. It could be:
- Expressing your needs and boundaries in personal relationships
- Advocating for a cause you believe in
- Speaking up during a challenging conversation or in the midst of conflict
- Leading a workshop or class
- Collaborating with other artists or healers
- Promoting your business
- Networking
- Sharing your passion with other
- Connecting with your Ideal Audience
- Showing up on social media
Notice how you initially feel just thinking about the scenario. Does it make you feel nervous? Does your tummy tighten? On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being feeling completely at ease and comfortable, how confident do you feel speaking up in this situation?
Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths to center yourself. Visualize the scenario you’ve chosen, imagining yourself speaking with confidence, poise, and clarity. Picture the details of the environment, the people around you, and the emotions you want to experience. Let the visualization unfold in your mind, focusing on how you look, feel, and express yourself confidently.
Open your eyes and bring your visualization to life on the page. Use your art supplies to illustrate your imagined scenario. Draw yourself confidently speaking, surrounded by a support. Pay attention to the body language, facial expressions, and the overall energy you want to convey. Trust your artistic instincts as you bring your visualization to reality.
Integrate affirmations onto your page to reinforce your confidence. Write empowering statements or phrases that resonate with you. Use bold lettering, different colors, or decorative elements to make these affirmations visually impactful. Let these positive words serve as reminders of your inner strength.
Remember, this page is a visual representation of your desires and aspirations. Return to it whenever you need a boost of self-assurance or a reminder of your innate ability to express yourself confidently.
In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image of you speaking confidently in a scenario where you normally feel anxious or scared.
Friday
Today the moon is in the balsamic phase. She is retreating and preparing to hide away in the darkness of the new moon.
This is a time to move inward; to grow still and quiet and change the direction of your looking and to look within and trust your own wisdom and truth. Communing with Spirit and your deepest, truest self is helpful during this phase.
As highly sensitive individuals, our capacity to deeply feel and empathize with others is a gift. However, it can sometimes lead us to prioritize the needs and expectations of others over our own. Communing with your deepest, truest self and speaking from the heart requires valuing your unique perspective and sharing your genuine thoughts and emotions. By aligning your words with your true self you cultivate confidence in your voice.
But I know, that’s easier said than done. How many times have I said what I thought other people wanted to hear? Way too many times, my friend.
Luckily for us, art journaling with the moon allows us to quiet the external noise, tune into our emotions, and access our inner wisdom. By creating a safe space in our art journals, we can explore our thoughts, feelings, and values, gaining clarity on what truly resonates with us and what we want to express. We learn to validate our experiences, trust our intuition, and speak our truth confidently, knowing that our voice matters.
Let’s use this dark moon energy to commune with your deepest, truest self.
Choose one of the self-reflection questions below to focus on:
- What brings me a sense of deep joy and fulfillment?
- What activities or experiences make me feel most alive and connected to myself?
- What are my core values? How do I want to embody these values in my daily life?
- How can I honor and prioritize self-care and self-compassion in my life?
- What are my unique strengths and gifts? How can I cultivate and share them with the world?
- What environments or situations drain my energy, and which ones energize and inspire me?
- What activities or hobbies allow me to recharge and find inner peace?
- What role does creativity play in my life, and how can I nurture it further?
- What are my boundaries and how can I communicate them effectively to honor my needs?
- What relationships and connections in my life feel nurturing and supportive?
- How can I integrate more mindfulness and presence into my daily routines?
- What dreams or aspirations do I have for my personal and professional growth?
- How can I create a balance between solitude and social interactions that align with my needs?
- What fears or limiting beliefs hold me back from fully expressing myself? How can I overcome them?
- What kind of impact do I want to make in the world, and how can I align my actions with that vision?
Answer the question by creating a collage.
Browse through magazines or printed images and select images or words that resonate with how you want to answer the self-reflection question today. Look for visuals that evoke emotions or represent your true self. Cut them out carefully and collect them in a pile.
Take your cutouts and intuitively arrange them on your journal page. Experiment with different compositions until you find a layout that feels harmonious and visually appealing to you. Once satisfied, use the glue stick to adhere the cutouts onto the page. Trust your instincts and let the images guide you.
Using your colored pencils, markers, or other art supplies, add personal touches to the page. You can doodle around the images, write affirmations or meaningful quotes, or even add small drawings or symbols that represent your true self. Allow your creativity to flow and infuse the page with your unique energy.
By taking the time to reflect, create, and journal, you strengthen your connection to your true self, paving the way for greater confidence and self-expression. Remember, this page in your art journal can serve as a powerful reminder of your unique voice and the value you bring to the world.
In your art journal, create a collage that represents your true self.
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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