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Art Journal with the Moon for July 3-9, 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.
Follow Your Dreams with the Capricorn Full Moon’s Blessings
This is what I LOVE about the full moon in Capricorn for all the intuitive healers and creators like me who live in highly sensitive bodies that are easily depleted or bogged down by anxiety, overwhelm or self-doubt – this full moon earth energy is the friend we can lean on when we need to feel solid and safe.
This is the thing about us – we have BIG dreams and BIG caring hearts that long to make a difference in this world by serving or creating. We know that’s what we were born to do. We have felt the call for many years BUT we’ve also had to survive living in an insensitive world with highly sensitive needs. We don’t have the luxury of following our dreams without learning how to manage our emotional, physical and spiritual needs. It’s just not possible for us to ignore these things because they build up over time and our systems are sensitive. Sensitive things require thoughtful, considerate care before they can function properly.
Notice I didn’t say weak things or fragile things. I don’t know about you but what I’ve learned about myself over the years is I have a ridiculously strong, determined spirit. I’ve faced so many heart wrenching challenges because of my highly sensitive nature and I’m still here! I’m still here following my dreams. I haven’t given up and I’m not going to give up anytime soon. My soul longs to create online courses and books with pictures for people who love the moon and art like I do and I refuse to tell my inner eight year old that her dreams are not possible. I carry those dreams deep inside my heart for a reason. My soul longs to create and serve for a reason and it’s not about whether or not I become a success. That’s never the point. Just moving towards my dreams is honoring my soul’s deep calling. I don’t have to succeed. I just have to walk in the direction my soul wants to go.
And I know you do too.
We deserve it.
But we have to respect the fact that following our derams is a little different for us. We have unique challenges and needs to consider.
Elaine N. Aron, a pioneer in the field, describes highly sensitive people (HSPs) as individuals who possess a finely tuned nervous system that processes stimuli more deeply and thoroughly. HSPs tend to be more perceptive, empathetic, and responsive to their environment, both internally and externally. It’s like having a superpower that allows you to perceive nuances and subtleties that others may miss. It’s what allows me to be the kind, compassionate intuitive healer and artist I am and what allows me to communicate with my spirit allies but it’s also what contributed to my Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) getting as bad as it did.
HSPs have an incredible capacity to understand and share the feelings of others. This heightened empathy enables them to connect deeply with people’s experiences, providing comfort and support. Their compassion shines through in relationships, making them trustworthy and nurturing friends, partners, allies and intuitive healers.
With their heightened sensitivity, HSPs possess an innate intuition that guides them in decision-making and navigating the complexities of life. They often have a profound sense of knowing, allowing them to make thoughtful choices that align with their values and desires.
Highly sensitive individuals have a rich inner world and a deep appreciation for beauty and aesthetics. This sensitivity to subtleties fuels their creative spirit, making them excellent artists, writers, musicians, and creators of all kinds.
HSPs have an eye for details and notice things that others might overlook. If you’re like me, this skill doesn’t show up in the physical world but it definitely shows up in the emotional and spiritual realm. This keen observation allows them to excel in tasks that require precision, analysis, and problem-solving. Their ability to see the bigger picture while attending to minute details is invaluable.
So yeah, we have a lot going for us but when it comes to following our dreams we struggle in ways that a lot of other people don’t.
We become overwhelmed by sensory input more easily, such as loud noises, bright lights, or crowded spaces. This can lead to fatigue, anxiety, and a need for frequent downtime to recharge.
We also experience emotions with greater depth and intensity. While this can be a source of profound joy and connection, it can also make us more vulnerable to feelings of sadness, anxiety, and stress. Learning to manage and regulate emotions becomes essential for maintaining emotional well-being. While emotional intensity can be a source of creativity and insight, it can also be overwhelming when faced with the demands of chasing dreams. Balancing this intensity becomes crucial as you strive to pursue your passions without being consumed by the emotional roller coaster that accompanies them.
I could write a book about how the MAP Method has helped me with this particular challenge. It’s been a goddess-send to teach my subconscious mind how to manage my emotional realm with me. It’s like working a field with a big bright tractor instead of ploughing it by hand (that metaphor is thanks to my prairie farmer roots). Instead of doing all my deep inner work on my own, I get to ask my subconscious mind to do it for me. It’s incredibly effective.
The deeply felt emotions of HSPs also make criticism and rejection particularly challenging. Negative feedback can have a lasting impact, leading to self-doubt and a fear of failure because we have a heightened sense of vulnerability. Stepping outside your comfort zone to follow your dreams can be terrifying, as it means exposing yourself to potential criticism and rejection. The fear of failure can be paralyzing, making it challenging to take those necessary leaps of faith. Building resilience and cultivating self-compassion are vital in overcoming these hurdles.
It doesn’t help that we also tend to have a keen inner critic that is hypercritical and self-judgmental. This can hinder progress and sabotage dreams before they even take flight. Developing self-compassion and nurturing a positive mindset are powerful tools in overcoming the inner critic’s voice and building resilience in the face of challenges.
We also struggle with setting boundaries and saying “no” due to our empathetic nature. We may feel compelled to take on more than we can handle, leading to burnout and neglecting our own needs. Boundaries are essential for everyone, but for highly sensitive people, they become even more crucial. Saying “no” when needed, setting limits, and creating a supportive environment are vital for maintaining emotional well-being. It’s okay to prioritize your needs and protect your sensitive soul on the journey towards your dreams.
If you’re juggling all this plus dealing with limitations in your body because of an illness, it’s enough to believe your soul is confused and the call to serve and create is a cruel joke.
I don’t think it is. In my case anyway, I’ve learned my limitations and needs are actually a part of my soul’s calling. I’ve had to learn how to adapt, get creative and find unique ways to reach my dreams but it is possible. When I move through my feelings of anger and stop feeling discouraged, I find a new way to move forward in my life – a find a way that works for me.
Managing my highly sensitive nature and my even more highly sensitive body has taught me so much about finding creative paths to my dreams. I wish I would have understood this in my twenties. It’s all about looking within and being honest with myself about what I can and can’t do and what I need and don’t need and managing my life and my relationships accordingly. It’s hard work but it’s worth it because my life and my business have finally taken on a structure that works FOR ME. They have become something that holds and honors me and allows me to serve and create the way my soul longs to – all because I’ve learned to accept and work with my many needs instead of dismissing them or actively working against them because I expect myself to be like other people.
This week, Capricorn’s grounded energy can provide you with the stability and structure your highly sensitive nature craves. It’s the perfect time to set boundaries and create a self-care routine that supports your sensitive nature.
And don’t feel rushed. Success and growth have no expiration date. The energy of Capricorn reminds you that you have the tenacity and determination to keep moving forward. You may feel like you’re trailing behind, but this Full Moon urges you to embrace your unique path and trust that your time to bloom will come – all you have to do is tend to your needs.
This week, as we art journal with the moon you’re going to focus on working with the full moon in Capricorn energy to create a realistic vision of your future, let go of what’s not working for you, manage your sacred energy and commit to do the hard work that needs to be done to make your dreams a reality. Don’t forget, that hard work means the hard inner work that needs to be done along with the actual hard physical changes that need to be made.
Trust your path, my friend, and find the balance between emotions and ambition while you use your art journal and the practical energy of Capricorn to help you manifest your dreams.
Remember, the moon is cheering you on and so am I.
The Moon This Week According to Your Rising Sign
The Astrological Houses and The Areas of Your Life They Represent
Monday
Happy full moon in Capricorn.
During this lunar cycle, the sun moved from being in the sign of Gemini to being in the sign of Cancer which means we started with a new moon where the sun and moon were both in Gemini but we moved to a full moon where the sun is in Cancer but the moon is in the sign of Capricorn. At the new moon, the sun and moon were both supporting you to be playful, social, fun, inquisitive, communicative and willing to try new things. During the full moon, the sun is in Cancer, creating a polarity between the nurturing and emotional qualities of Cancer and the structured and goal-oriented nature of Capricorn.
As we arrive at the full moon, get clear about the areas of your life the full moon is focusing its energy on based on your rising sign, write down your full moon intention then create a page in your journal during the full moon that reflects that intention. Just as simple and definitely just as sweet.
If your rising sign is in Aries, the full moon is inviting you to honor your emotional needs while you amplify your ambitions around your career, reputation or ideas of success. At the new moon, you set an intention for a fresh start around your teaching, communication, siblings, peers, the goddess or nature-based rituals. How does honoring your emotional needs while you amplify your ambitions around your career, reputation or ideas of success support the intentions you made at the new moon? How do the areas of your life that the new moon was focused on blend together or affect the areas of your life the full moon is focused on? How will honoring your emotional needs help you achieve your goals in these areas of your life?
If your rising sign is in Taurus, the full moon is inviting you to honor your emotional needs while you amplify your ambitions around your faith, spiritual practices, long-distance travel or future success. At the new moon, you set intentions for a fresh start around money, assets, income or your livelihood. How does honoring your emotional needs while you amplify your ambitions around your faith, spiritual practices, long-distance travel or future success support the intentions you made at the new moon? How do the areas of your life that the new moon was focused on blend together or affect the areas of your life the full moon is focused on? How will honoring your emotional needs help you achieve your goals in these areas of your life?
For Gemini rising sign people, the full moon is inviting you to honor your emotional needs while you amplify your ambitions around your psyche, your relationship with death or any debt you’ve accumulated (emotional, financial or spiritual) or taxes. At the new moon, you set intentions around your identity, body, appearance or your spirit. How does honoring your emotional needs while you amplify your ambitions around death, debt, taxes or your psyche support the intentions you made at the new moon? How do the areas of your life that the new moon was focused on blend together or affect the areas of your life the full moon is focused on? How will honoring your emotional needs help you achieve your goals in these areas of your life?
If your rising sign is in the sign of Cancer, the full moon is inviting you to honor your emotional needs while you amplify your ambitions around your close, intimate relationships or partnerships. At the new moon, you set intentions around your subconscious mind and those things you hide from others and most importantly those things you hide from yourself. How does honoring your emotional needs while you amplify your ambitions around your close, intimate relationships or partnerships support the intentions you made at the new moon? How do the areas of your life that the new moon was focused on blend together or affect the areas of your life the full moon is focused on? How will honoring your emotional needs help you achieve your goals in these areas of your life?
For Leo rising sign people, the full moon is inviting you to honor your emotional needs while you amplify your ambitions around your daily routines, work, pets or wellness. At the new moon, you set intentions around friendships, community or your hopes and wishes. How does honoring your emotional needs while you amplify your ambitions around your daily routines, work, pets or health and wellness support the intentions you made at the new moon? How do the areas of your life that the new moon was focused on blend together or affect the areas of your life the full moon is focused on? How will honoring your emotional needs help you achieve your goals in these areas of your life?
For Virgo people, the full moon is inviting you to honor your emotional needs while you amplify your ambitions around your children, hobbies, pleasures or creativity. At the new moon you set intentions for a fresh start around your career, reputation or ideas of success. How does honoring your emotional needs while you amplify your ambitions around your children, hobbies, pleasures or creativity support the intentions you made at the new moon? How do the areas of your life that the new moon was focused on blend together or affect the areas of your life the full moon is focused on? How will honoring your emotional needs help you achieve your goals in these areas of your life?
If you rising sign is in the sign of Libra, the full moon is inviting you to honor your emotional needs while you amplify your ambitions around your family, your ancestors or your home and living situation. At the new moon you set your intentions for a fresh start around faith, spiritual practices, international travel or future success. How does honoring your emotional needs while you amplify your ambitions around your family, your ancestors or your home and living situation support the intentions you made at the new moon? How do the areas of your life that the new moon was focused on blend together or affect the areas of your life the full moon is focused on? How will honoring your emotional needs help you achieve your goals in these areas of your life?
For Scorpio people, the full moon is inviting you to honor your emotional needs while you amplify your ambitions around learning, communication, siblings, the goddess or earth-based rituals. At the new moon, you set intentions around your relationship with death, taxes, your psyche or any debt you have accumulated. How does honoring your emotional needs while you amplify your ambitions around learning, communication, siblings, the goddess or earth-based rituals support the intentions you made at the new moon? How do the areas of your life that the new moon was focused on blend together or affect the areas of your life the full moon is focused on? How will honoring your emotional needs help you achieve your goals in these areas of your life?
For Sagittarius people, the full moon is inviting you to honor your emotional needs while you amplify your ambitions around money, income or your livelihood. At the new moon, you set intentions around your marriage or a close, intimate relationship or partnership. How does honoring your emotional needs while you amplify your ambitions around money, income or your livelihood support the intentions you made at the new moon? How do the areas of your life that the new moon was focused on blend together or affect the areas of your life the full moon is focused on? How will honoring your emotional needs help you achieve your goals in these areas of your life?
If your rising sign is in the sign of Capricorn, the full moon is inviting you to honor your emotional needs while you amplify your ambitions around your identity, body, appearance or your spirit. At the new moon, you set intentions for a fresh start around your daily routines, daily work tasks, pets or your health and wellness. How does honoring your emotional needs while you amplify your ambitions around your identity, body, appearance or your spirit support the intentions you made at the new moon? How do the areas of your life that the new moon was focused on blend together or affect the areas of your life the full moon is focused on? How will honoring your emotional needs help you achieve your goals in these areas of your life?
For Aquarius rising sign people, the full moon is inviting you to honor your emotional needs while you amplify your ambitions around your subconscious mind or deep inner shadow work. At the new moon, you set intentions for a fresh start around your children, hobbies, pleasure or your creativity. How does honoring your emotional needs while you amplify your ambitions around your subconscious mind or deep inner shadow work support the intentions you made at the new moon? How do the areas of your life that the new moon was focused on blend together or affect the areas of your life the full moon is focused on? How will honoring your emotional needs help you achieve your goals in these areas of your life?
Finally, for those of you with Pisces as your rising sign, the full moon is inviting you to honor your emotional needs while you amplify your ambitions around your friendships, community and your hopes and wishes. At the new moon, you set intentions around your your parents, your ancestors, your childhood or your home and living situation. How does honoring your emotional needs while you amplify your ambitions around your friendships, community and your hopes and wishes support the intentions you made at the new moon? How do the areas of your life that the new moon was focused on blend together or affect the areas of your life the full moon is focused on? How will honoring your emotional needs help you achieve your goals in these areas of your life?
In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents your full moon intentions.
Tuesday
The moon is in a happy 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.
Because it’s in a happy relationship with the moon, the moon gets to reflect back to us all this goodness. It’s a good day for tuning into your emotions, tapping into your creativity, trusting your intuition and using the power of your imagination to create the changes you want to see in your life.
It’s an energy that helps us connect to one another on a deep soulful level and our ability to comfort, soothe and care for the people we love is enhanced.
Let’s use this energy to create what you consider a realistic vision of your life five years from now.
What do you imagine will be different?
What do you imagine will be the same?
What will have you accomplished?
What experiences do you imagine you will have you enjoyed?
What does your soul long to experience in the next five years?
What setbacks or challenges do you think you’ll have to face and how do you ideally want to handle them?
You might want to date this particular journal page so you can look back on it in five years and see what came true.
In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents a vision of your future.
Wednesday
The moon is in the air sign of Aquarius today. Aquarius is ruled by the planet Saturn so the moon is carrying a little of that planet’s energy as well today.
Aquarius is fixed air sign so it brings that energy of fluidity and the ability to change but it couples it with being constant, dependable and able to persevere. Aquarius energy likes to act its own way and distance itself from groups. It is air energy so it concentrates its focus on the intellect and the mind but it can be stubborn but if you’re having a hard time being your own person, the moon in Aquarius can help you love and accept the quirky, different and unique things about yourself.
Imagine you loved every bit of yourself and knew that everything that made you different was deeply on purpose and ultimately helpful to everyone you are connect with today.
Imagine you are perfect just as you are – exactly where you are right now in your life with the exact perfect personality, habits and ways of being. Imagine nothing about you has to change for you to reach your goals.
Let’s use this energy to be honest about your ambitions, especially the ones you explored during the Capricorn full moon. What in your life is not helping you move towards making your intentions a reality? What limiting beliefs, harmful or self-sabotaging behaviors is it time to release? If there is anything you’d like to release, how can you do it in a kind way to your inner parts?
In your art journal, create an image that represents what you want to release.
Thursday
The moon is very close to the planet Saturn today. When the moon is close to another planet like this it can amplify their energy.
Saturn is associated with the element of earth. It is a planet that is far away from us which causes it to represent coldness, hardness, isolation, distance, limitation and darkness. It also represents responsibility and seriousness, containment, structure and hard work. Saturn also brings other great things like depth of thinking, wisdom, maturity and reflection but it can be challenging in the way it highlights our fears.
What I like about Saturn being in relationship with the moon is it reminds us to do what we need to do to feel stable, grounded and safe in our bodies. What can you do today to move anxious energy out of your system?
Saturn also helps you to be mature and responsible. This can help you be honest with yourself about where you use your energy.
Your energy is sacred. Your Divine Self has purpose and passion and wants to create and serve but you need energy in order to do so.
Unfortunately, your Divine Self is not in charge of how you run your life – you are. You can learn to let your Divine Self lead the way but you probably have a lot of inner parts that decide how your spending your time – like parts that struggle to set boundaries and people pleasing parts that tend to other people’s needs rather than your own.
Let’s explore how you’re managing your energy.
Draw two pie charts in your art journal
One is going to represent where your energy is currently being spent.
The second chart will represent where you would ideally like to be spending your energy in order for you to accomplish your goals.
Reflect on the difference between the two charts and what changes you need to make in your life to better honor your Divine Self and your dreams.
In your art journal, draw two pie charts. One to represent where your energy is currently being used. The other represents where you would ideally like to spend your energy.
Friday
The moon is in a happy relationship with the sun today.
The moon often represents the physical body in astrology and the sun represents your spirit, vitality and life force energy. The moon being in a happy relationship with the sun brings vitality to your body. It also means feeling confident and free to be yourself or in other words, to break down the walls of protection and allow your spirit to shine in this world. It’s a day with a little more flow and ease than usual.
Notice where the energy flows in your life today and move with it. Don’t fight against currents today. Go with the flow and look for opportunities that expand you in some way.
Let’s use this energy to help you commit to the future you want.
And that means acknowledging that you only have so much time and energy in which to accomplish what you want in this life. Get strategic. Ask yourself the important questions, is what I’m doing building my long-term future? Do the things I’m doing making me happy? Are these things what I want for the long-term?
What actions can I take today to move me toward the future I want?
Where am I not being mature?
Where am I not facing the challenges I need to face in order to move me toward the future I want?
What support do I need?
How can I help my inner parts grow up and be responsible for the future my Divine Self wants for me?
In your art journal, visually represent an action you commit to take in the next two weeks to support your vision for the future becoming a reality.
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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