Art Journal with the Moon for May 20-26, 2024

In this post, I talk about the full moon in Sagittarius and why it’s a good time of year to dream big and visualize your creative dream coming true. Scroll down further and you will also see a summary of the moon’s energy from Monday – Sunday with daily prompts you can explore in your art journal so your deep inner work and magic is in alignment with the moon.

Join the 30-Day Shine Your Light Art Challenge

We greet a full moon in Sagittarius this week.

In this blog post, I share more about the full moon and I talk about why it’s a good time of year to dream big and imagine the possibilities that can happen when you follow your creative dream. I also invite you to join me on my 30-Day Shine Your Light Art Challenge. As always, when you scroll past all that goodness, you’ll see I describe the comings and goings of the moon this week as well as the daily prompts you can use to art journal with the moon and align your emotional healing with lunar magic.

Before I talk about all this though, don’t forget, if you want to stay updated on how to work with the magic of the moon in your art journal, sign up to my mailing list. Every Monday, you’ll get reminders of the moon’s energy for the upcoming week and how you can work with it in your art journal to practice magic, tend to your soul or do your deep inner work. You can sign up here.

The Sagittarius Full Moon

Sagittarius is a fire sign that is ruled by the planet Jupiter which, in ancient astrology, is the greater benefic.

In ancient astrology, the term “greater benefic” is used to describe the most beneficial of all the planets. Jupiter is known for its expansive and generous nature, often associated with good fortune, growth, and abundance. This planet is believed to bring opportunities, prosperity, and success to the areas of life it touches in your birth chart.

Jupiter’s influence is seen as particularly favorable because it tends to bring about the best outcomes and the most positive developments. For example, Jupiter’s presence in a specific house of your astrological chart indicate where you might experience growth, success, and an easier flow of circumstances compared to other areas governed by less fortunate planets.

For example, if Jupiter is found in the second house of your chart, which deals with possessions and wealth, it might indicate financial prosperity or an easy accumulation of material goods. Similarly, in the ninth house, which relates to higher learning and long-distance travel, Jupiter can suggest benefits through education, philosophy, and broadening one’s horizons through travel.

The title of “greater benefic” underscores Jupiter’s role as a source of positivity and expansion, emphasizing its capacity to enhance the quality of life and bring about fortunate outcomes. This benefic quality makes Jupiter a significant and favorable planet, especially when looking for potential blessings and support in various aspects of life.

Jupiter, therefore, brings wisdom, meaning, purpose, expansion, luck and blessings and in a fire sign it’s bringing that to the things you feel passionate about.

It’s a full moon that wants to inspire you to move, make a decision, take that leap of faith, stretch past your comfort zone and see the possibilities.

It’s an uplifting energy that brings optimism and hope for the future. It wants us to imagine the new directions we want our lives to move in.

The Condition of Jupiter

I do think it’s important to note the condition of Jupiter at the time of the full moon though since the moon is reflecting the tone and flavor or that planet. As my mentor Kelly Surtees points out, Jupiter is in the sign of Taurus snuggled up close to Venus at the time of the full moon – the other benefic in ancient astrology.

In the sign of Taurus, Jupiter expresses earthly blessings and with Venus adding its energy to the mix we get a focus on pleasure and comfort and beauty and intimacy. This means that although the moon has all this expansive, forward-looking energy, it might not be about taking action right now. Instead, its more about visualizing and preparing to move in the direction you want to go.

Which is exactly where I feel I am in my life right now.

I have a big creative dream I’m moving towards but I’m very much in the planning, preparing, visualizing and manifesting stage of things.

It’s definitely time to visualize and get clear.

The 30-Day Shine Your Light Art Challenge

That’s why for 30 days (I start on Monday, May 20th), I’m challenging myself to dream big and imagine the possibilities that might happen now that I’m following my creative dream. I’m calling it the “30-Day Shine Your Light Art Challenge” Following my creative dream feels like shining my light in the world and that’s what I want to do more of – shine bright with creative joy – so, every day for thirty days, I’m creating an image of the sun as I explore and visualize the magical experiences I want to manifest in my creative life.

In the northern hemisphere, the timing to visualize shining your light in the world is perfect for May, June and July.

The sun reaches its peak at the summer solstice so right now, as we are at a time of year where the sun is growing in power and strength, is a great time to align with all that expansive and radiant energy.

Why try to shine bright on your own when you can align with a benevolent source of light and power much bigger than you?

The Magical Symbolism of the Sun

In ancient astrology, the Sun stands for our essential self and the driving force behind our creativity. It symbolizes clarity, power, leadership, success and vitality. When the Sun reaches its peak during the summer solstice, it is at its most powerful and provides the most daylight. This period symbolizes growth, enlightenment, and the full expression of life. Engaging in art magic during this time can be particularly effective and inspiring as we tap into the sun’s abundant energy.

It’s great energy to energize, grow, radiate and shine.

The sun mirrors our own journey to reach the height of our creative and personal power. It encourages us to embrace our own inner light. Focusing on the sun in your art during this time is particularly potent. It aligns with the natural cycle of increasing light and energy, which supports your intentions to manifest your creative dream and shine brightly in the world. By channeling the symbolism of the sun in your artwork, you tap into this expansive and radiant energy, helping to foster self-expression, visibility, and the realization of your deepest desires.  

As the sun symbolizes self-realization and the illumination of our true path, its strong presence helps us see where our passions truly lie and provides the energy to pursue them.

This playful 30-day challenge also coincides with the full moon in Sagittarius and the new moon in Gemini. The Sagittarius full moon brings a burst of enthusiasm and a desire to explore and expand our creative horizons. It encourages us to think big and set ambitious goals. Following this, the Gemini new moon provides a fresh start, focusing on new ideas and communication. This is a time for thinking creatively, trying out new things, and initiating projects.

Why It’s Time For This Challenge

Personally, I’m excited for this challenge because I turn fifty this week and it feels like a significant milestone – spiritually and creatively. I’m at a point in my personal journey where I’m tired of living in heavy energy. I want to lighten up and soar.

I’m tired of not putting myself first. I want to be selfish for a while. I want to do what I’ve been longing to do since I was eight years old. I vividly remember drawing and writing a book at that age. I remember how I lit up with joy when I held my creation in my hands. I don’t want to die with my creative dream buried inside me. I’m tired of sidelining my desires; it’s time to reach for more, to fully engage with my creative dream, and believe in myself enough to actively pursue it.

I spent too many years bogged down by heavy emotions. Some were my own. Many were not. I absorbed the pain of the water and land around me. I absorbed heaviness from the adults around me who didn’t know how to tend to their emotions, so they carried all their burdens around with them. My sensitive spirit felt it all and because I didn’t know how to tend to my own emotions or energy field, I carried it all in my little body as well. I also carried unhealed trauma from sexual abuse I experienced when I was too young to endure such things.

In my thirties and forties, I spent years navigating a mysterious illness. I was ignored, dismissed and forced to fight for myself and my body.

I’ve worked through all of this and peeled back layers of emotional and energetic heaviness that bogged me down in the past.

Now, I feel free to express my true self in a way I never could.  

This challenge is my way of stepping into that commitment. It’s about rekindling the joy of creation that lit me up as a child and weaving it into my everyday life. I want to play, have fun, work my magic, deepen my spirituality, and awaken to my true potential. This 30-day journey is not just about the sun and art; it’s a celebration of survival, a declaration of my intentions to live fully, and a deep, personal commitment to manifest the creative life I’ve always dreamed of.

How The Challenge Works

In this 30-day challenge, I will create an image of the sun in my art journal every day. Each day, I’ll incorporate different symbols and themes that resonate with my quest to understand and manifest my creative dream. To keep the process dynamic and engaging, I’ll employ a variety of artistic techniques including watercolor, mixed media, ink, pencil crayons, and markers. This approach allows me the freedom to experiment and express myself in a variety of ways.

The focus of this challenge is not only artistic; it’s my playful way of exploring what it means to truly shine my light and pursue my creative dreams.

Currently, I’m not entirely sure what I want to manifest as I pursue my creative dream, so I want to use this challenge to explore that. Creating visual representations of my thoughts and allowing my subconscious desires to rise to the surface as I create art is a powerful way to gain clarity – and my magic always works much better when I’m clear.

Plus, when you visualize, you create a clear image of your desired outcome in your mind, making it easier to identify and act on the opportunities that align with your goals. This process not only enhances motivation but also aligns your subconscious mind with your conscious efforts, effectively setting the stage for your dreams to move from imagination to reality.

So for 30 days I’m going to film the pages I create and in the process, I will set the foundations for what I hope to achieve, laying down the visual and emotional pathways that will lead me to actualize my dreams.

How to Join Me

If you’d like to join me, either by creating your own sun art alongside me or simply watching the videos of me creating my sun art, I’d love to have your magic energy added to this adventure. Whether you consider yourself an artist or not, this challenge is about play, magic, and personal exploration, not about creating ‘perfect’ art. It’s a journey between the sun, the moon, and you, where the real magic happens in the act of creation itself. You don’t have to love every piece you create; it’s about engaging with your creativity and seeing where it leads you.

You can follow my progress or perhaps find inspiration by searching #shineyourlightart or by following me on TikTok (@danadaponte), Instagram (@danadaponte), or my Facebook page Dana da Ponte Art. If you’re looking to connect with a community of like-minded individuals, join my private Facebook group Art Journaling with the Moon, where we share our creations and support each other’s creative journeys.

Whether you’re just curious, looking to ignite your own creativity, or want to dive deeper into the world of art journaling, I encourage you to follow along.

with gratitude,

 

The Moon This Week

If you want to work with the moon to manifest, do your emotional work or deepen your creativity, here’s a summary of the moon’s energy from Monday – Sunday with daily prompts you can explore in your art journal.

Monday

Today the gibbous moon is in the sign of Scorpio. It is also having a tense relationship with Pluto. 

Scorpio, a sign connected with transformation, emotional depth, and uncovering hidden truths, resonates closely with the energies of Pluto, which rules Scorpio in modern astrology and amplifies themes of transformation, rebirth, and deep psychological exploration.

During this phase, the gibbous moon, which symbolizes refinement and adjustment, calls for a deeper understanding and fine-tuning of your emotional and spiritual needs. The tense relationship the gibbous moon in Scorpio is having with Pluto intensifies this process, pushing for internal changes that may not be comfortable but are necessary for growth. This energy combination provokes profound emotional shifts that might surface when confronting deep-seated fears, secrets, or suppressed emotions.

Spiritually, this moon phase challenges you to delve into the depths of your subconscious, urging you to explore and transform the darker or neglected areas of your psyche. It’s a good time for spiritual detox, where you are encouraged to let go of old patterns, toxic ties, or past wounds that hinder your growth and spiritual evolution.

Emotionally, because the moon is growing in light and power, the energy can feel quite heavy and demanding, requiring courage to face what is being illuminated. By confronting whatever deep internal truths are being illuminated today, you invite healing and a renewed sense of empowerment.

It’s a good day for deep meditation, shadow work, or therapeutic processes that help in understanding and integrating these intense emotional energies. This is a period to be honest with yourself, to cut through illusions, and embrace your true emotional depth.

In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents cutting through illusions.

Tuesday

Today the gibbous moon is in the sign of Scorpio. It is also having an opposing relationship with Mercury.

When the moon is in the sign of Scorpio, it brings a deep, intense energy. The moon represents your emotions, instincts, and the subconscious, while Scorpio is known for its depth, intensity, and focus on transformation. This combination invites deep emotional insights and powerful spiritual transformations.

On a day when the moon is in Scorpio, the energy it reflects down to us is one of deep introspection and emotional intensity. It’s a time when feelings we usually keep hidden might surface, giving us the chance to confront and understand them better. This can be a period of significant emotional healing, as Scorpio’s influence encourages us to look beneath the surface and explore the depths of our inner selves. Spiritually, this energy can lead to transformative growth, pushing you to let go of old patterns or beliefs that no longer serve you and embrace rebirth and renewal.

During this time, you might feel more sensitive, intuitive, and connected to the unseen realms of your psyche. It’s an excellent opportunity for any work that involves diving deep into your emotions, such as therapy, meditation, or reflective journaling like we do when we art journal with the moon.

To align with this energy and support your emotional healing and spiritual growth, consider asking yourself the following questions:

What emotions or memories have I been avoiding, and why?

In what areas of my life am I seeking deeper truth and transformation?

How can I release what no longer serves me to make space for new growth?

What parts of my shadow self need acknowledgment and understanding?

In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents diving deep into your emotions to understand yourself better.

Wednesday

Today the gibbous moon is in the sign of Scorpio. It is also having a happy relationship with Saturn and an opposing relationship with Uranus. 

When the moon is in a happy relationship with the planet Saturn like it is today, it creates harmony between your emotions and your sense of discipline, responsibility, and maturity. I like to think of it as developing emotional maturity.

Saturn is often associated with the archetype of the Crone. The Crone represents wisdom, maturity, understanding, and the kind of insight that only comes with experience and age. This archetype embodies the idea of having lived through many challenges and having learned hard lessons, which imparts a deeper understanding of the world and a thoughtful approach to life’s difficulties.

When the Moon, which governs your emotional inner world, interacts positively with Saturn, it suggests an ability to manage your emotions with wisdom and patience. This encourages you to take a measured and mature approach to your feelings, allowing you to respond to emotional situations with a blend of sensitivity and sensibility. It helps in stabilizing emotions that might otherwise feel overwhelming or chaotic.

The influence of Saturn brings a level of discipline that can help you regulate your emotional responses. It teaches you the importance of setting boundaries, not only with others but within yourself, to prevent depletion or overwhelm. The moon and Saturn can help you feel more capable of handling your responsibilities without becoming emotionally drained.

Overall, when the moon is having a happy relationship with Saturn, it offers a period of emotional steadiness where the wisdom of the Crone can help you to foster resilience and maturity in handling your emotional needs and interactions.

In your art journal, draw, paint or create a collage that represents setting a spiritual or energetic boundary today.

Thursday

The Sagittarius full moon carries an energetic, adventurous spirit that ignites a desire for exploration and expansion in both the spiritual and emotional realms. Known for its association with wisdom and a thirst for knowledge, this full moon encourages you to broaden your horizons and envision the bigger picture of your life. It’s a time when the restless energy of Sagittarius makes you more willing to take leaps of faith and step out of your comfort zones.

Emotionally, the Sagittarius full moon brings a surge of optimism and confidence, making it an excellent time for decision-making and initiating changes that require courage and a bold approach. The Sagittarius full moon loves to explore new possibilities and embrace risks that promise growth and adventure. It’s about feeling uplifted and inspired to pursue what truly matters to you, even if it means venturing into the unknown.

Spiritually, this moon supports magical dreaming and visualization. It’s a powerful time for setting intentions that stretch far beyond your current circumstances, focusing on long-term aspirations and dreams. The Sagittarius full moon invites you to dream big and use your imagination to paint a vibrant picture of your future. This process not only reveals your deepest desires but also helps clarify what you truly value and what directions you might want to take moving forward.

Overall, the Sagittarius full moon is about embracing the magic of possibilities, allowing yourself to be guided by a sense of adventure and the belief that anything is possible. It’s a time to celebrate freedom, seek truth, and expand your spiritual and emotional understanding by exploring new paths and ideas.

To personalize this moon even further, let’s get specific and see the area of YOUR life that this moon energy is focused on.

To figure out what area of your life this 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. I also show you how to calculate your birth chart using the whole sign house system here. When you create your birth chart in this way, you will see your rising sign is the zodiac sign that occupies the first house in your birth chart.

If your rising sign is Aries, the full moon is inviting you to dream big in the areas of your life that have to do with your faith, spiritual practices, long-distance travel, publishing dreams or future success.

If your rising sign is Taurus, the full moon is inviting you to dream big in the areas of your life that have to do with your debt, shared money, inheritance, taxes, your mental and emotional health or your thoughts and feelings around death or your mortality.

If your rising sign is Gemini, the full moon is inviting you to dream big in the areas of your life that have to do with your marriage or any close, intimate relationship that is important to you or any important significant partnerships you’ve experienced – personal or professional.

If your rising sign is Cancer, the full moon is inviting you to dream big in the areas of your life that have to do with your health, your relationship with your pets or your daily routines and work tasks.

If your rising sign is Leo, the full moon is inviting you to dream big in the areas of your life that have to do with your relationship with your children, your parenting, your romantic life, your hobbies, pleasures and the things that bring your joy, your creativity or creative projects that you have worked on in the past or are currently working on now or ones you plan to work on in the future.

If your rising sign is Virgo, the full moon is inviting you to dream big in the areas of your life that have to do with your relationship with your parents, the foundations that grew you, your childhood, your ancestors or your home and living situation.

If your rising sign is Libra, the full moon is inviting you to dream big when it comes to the areas of your life that have to do with your communication, neighbours, your relationship with your siblings, teaching, the goddess or nature-based rituals. 

If your rising sign is Scorpio, the full moon is inviting you to dream big when it comes to the areas of your life that have to do with your relationship with money, the way you earn a living, your income or livelihood or your sense of self-worth.

If your rising sign is Sagittarius, the full moon is inviting you to dream big in the areas of your life that have to do with your identity, your relationship with your body, your appearance or your spirit.

If your rising sign is Capricorn, the full moon is inviting you to dream big when it comes to your subconscious mind, inner work, shadow work and those things you hide from yourself.

If your rising sign is Aquarius, the full moon is inviting you to dream big in the areas of your life that have to do with your friendships, how you feel in groups and community and your hopes and wishes.

If your rising sign is Pisces, the full moon is inviting you to dream big when it comes to your career, reputation or ideas of success.

In your art journal, draw, paint or collage a page that represents your full moon intentions.

Friday

The full moon is in the sign of Sagittarius. It is also having a happy relationship with Mars and a tense relationship with Saturn.

When Mars is in a happy relationship with the Moon, it supports us to take action on our creative dreams. Mars, symbolizing our drive, ambition, and the way we assert ourselves, harmoniously interacts with the Moon, which represents our emotions, intuition, and inner world.

This happy relationship between the moon and Mars can be particularly empowering for those who are highly sensitive and creative, as it combines the Moon’s deep emotional sensitivity with Mars’s action-oriented energy.

For highly sensitive people, taking action on creative dreams can sometimes be hindered by emotional overwhelm or sensitivity. However, today Mars and the Moon offer a gentle nudge, encouraging action that is in harmony with your feelings and sensitivities. It’s like having a supportive coach who understands your emotional landscape and still motivates you to pursue your passions and projects. This energy can help in channeling emotional energy into constructive action, making it easier to bring creative visions into reality.

This Mars-Moon relationship asks you to consider how you can align your actions with your emotional needs and creative dreams. It’s about finding a balance between doing and feeling, ensuring that your actions reflect your true inner self. For those who often find themselves stuck due to fear or emotional blocks, this can be a good time to tend to the inner parts of you who need compassion, support and care to finally get on board with your creative dreams or it can be a good time to find the courage to act in spite of your fears or doubts, using your sensitivity as a strength rather than seeing it as a hindrance.

Ultimately, it’s helping you use your deep feelings as a catalyst for taking action towards your dreams.

In your art journal, draw, collage or paint an image that represents seeing your sensitivities as a strength rather than a hindrance.

Saturday

The full moon moves into the sign of Capricorn. It is also having a tense relationship with Neptune.

When the moon is in a tense relationship with the planet Neptune it brings about a sense of confusion or uncertainty in our feelings, making it harder to see things clearly. The moon, which governs our emotions, instincts, and inner needs, clashes with Neptune, the planet associated with dreams, illusions, and spirituality. This can lead to feelings of being lost or overwhelmed by emotions that are hard to define or understand.

The moon being in a tense relationship with Neptune can also push us to question what is real and what is not, urging us to find a deeper truth beyond the illusions that may cloud our judgment or perception. It invites us to explore our inner landscapes, to confront and release any illusions or fantasies we’ve been holding onto, and to connect with a more authentic and compassionate understanding of ourselves and others.

Releasing your illusions or fantasies means letting go of false beliefs or unrealistic expectations you have about yourself, others, or life in general. The illusions we carry are often ideas we cling to because they offer a sense of comfort or escape from reality, but ultimately, they prevent us from seeing things as they truly are and can hinder our emotional and spiritual growth.

For example, you might have an illusion about achieving a perfect life where everything goes exactly as planned—no struggles, no failures. While it’s natural to desire a smooth path, holding onto this fantasy can lead to disappointment and frustration because life is inherently unpredictable and full of challenges. By recognizing this illusion and accepting life’s ups and downs, you can develop resilience and find deeper meaning in your experiences.

Another common fantasy might be the belief that someone else, like a romantic partner or a friend, can complete you and make you happy. This expectation puts an unfair burden on the relationship and can lead to feelings of inadequacy or dependency. Releasing this illusion involves understanding that true happiness and fulfillment come from within, and relationships should complement, not complete, your life.

Letting go of illusions requires self-reflection and honesty. It’s about confronting the stories we tell ourselves and asking whether they serve our highest good or keep us stuck in patterns of denial and wishful thinking. This process supports our emotional growth by encouraging us to face reality with courage and openness, leading to more authentic connections with ourselves and others.

Spiritually, releasing illusions helps us connect with a deeper truth and align our lives with our core values and purpose. It opens the door to genuine spiritual awakening, where we can experience a profound sense of peace, acceptance, and interconnectedness with the universe, free from the distortions of wishful thinking.

Letting go of our illusions or fantasies is an important step toward emotional and spiritual maturity. It teaches us to embrace the truth of our experiences, fostering resilience, authenticity, and a deeper connection to the essence of who we truly are.

The moon being in a tense relationship with Neptune also teaches us the value of embracing uncertainty and finding faith in the unseen, reminding us that sometimes, it’s through our vulnerabilities and confusions that we find our way to clarity and strength.

In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents having faith in the unseen.

Sunday

The disseminating moon is in the sign of Capricorn. It is also having a happy relationship with Mercury and Saturn and a tense relationship with Mars.

The disseminating moon phase, occurring just after the full moon, welcomes reflection, gratitude, and sharing. The moon is slowly diminishing in light which symbolizes a time of release and dissemination of the insights and revelations you received during the full moon. It’s a time when the energy shifts from receiving to giving, emphasizing the importance of gratitude, giving back, and offering thanks to your spiritual allies, deities, or the elements of nature that have supported you through the lunar cycle.

Emotionally, the disseminating moon invites you to feel and express gratitude for the growth, challenges, and transformations you’ve experienced. It’s a period for recognizing the blessings and lessons each lunar cycle brings into your life and acknowledging the role of the unseen forces that guide and support you.

Spiritually, this phase encourages you to give back as an act of gratitude. By offering thanks to your spirit allies, deities, or the elements in nature that have supported you, you acknowledge their support and guidance. These offerings can be symbolic gestures, such as leaving a small gift in nature, lighting a candle, dedicating an art ritual or meditation in their honor, or simply expressing your heartfelt thanks through prayer or intention in your art journal. The act of giving back in gratitude strengthens your spiritual connection and creates a reciprocal flow of energy, ensuring you remain in harmony with the give-and-take dynamics of the universe.

The disseminating moon is a reminder that gratitude and generosity are powerful forces that can amplify your spiritual growth and emotional well-being. By focusing on gratitude and giving offerings of thanks, you not only honor the support you’ve received but also contribute to the cycle of giving and receiving that sustains the universe. It’s a time to share the wisdom and insights you’ve gained and to prepare yourself for the next phase of your spiritual journey with a heart full of gratitude.

In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents the gratitude you have for the growth and transformations you’ve experience this lunar cycle.

Have fun with your art journal and the moon this week.

with love,

Pinterest pins