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Art Journal with the Moon for November 13-19, 2023

November 12, 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 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.

Happy New Moon in Scorpio

Happy new moon in Scorpio my creative friends.

We are no longer in eclipse season but don’t get too settled in. The astrologers I follow described this new moon as having similar signatures as eclipse energy so there’s obviously some deep transformations we are going through collectively and in our personal lives that require more time and more support from the cosmos to pull us through to the other side of it all.

In order to help you work with this new moon in your art journals, let me break down some of the important emotional and spiritual themes it is inviting you to explore and the kind of magic that you can practice under the magic of this new moon.

Scorpio

This new moon is in the sign of Scorpio invites emotional depth. Scorpio, being a water sign, is all about delving into the depths of your emotional world. This isn’t about just skimming the surface; it’s about exploring those darker, more intense feelings that lurk in the shadows of your subconscious – emotions like fear, grief, rage shame, and guilt or those emotions you prefer to keep hidden.

This sign is also very much about self-protection, which plays a big role in how you handle relationships. During this new moon, it’s a good time to ask yourself: What do I need to feel safe enough to be vulnerable with others? It’s about understanding your boundaries and recognizing what it takes for you to open up. In your journal, think of an important relationship in your life and try completing the following sentence; I feel safe to open up in this relationship when _____________.

Scorpio’s energy also teaches us the importance of facing the tough stuff – both within ourselves and in our relationships. It’s about acknowledging those challenging emotions and even past traumas. This isn’t the easiest work, but it’s powerful and transformative. By confronting these deeper aspects of your psyche, you get a chance to heal and grow.

So, as you work with the new moon in Scorpio, embrace this opportunity to dive deep. Reflect on your emotional needs, your protective shell, and the walls you’ve built in your relationships. This is a chance to discover what makes you feel secure and how you can navigate vulnerability in a healthy way. Scorpio might lead you into the shadows, but it’s in those very shadows that you’ll find some of your most profound insights and growth.

Sun, Moon and Mars

This new moon is ruled by Mars so the comings and goings of Mars at the time of the new moon is important to note as well.

Mars happens to be in the sign of Scorpio at the time of the new moon. That means the sun, moon and Mars are all in the sign of Scorpio together – a cosmic trinity helping us to face the things we have denied but not just those challenging emotions we deny, those wonderful qualities about ourselves we tend to hide as well, including our power, gifts, purpose, talent and inner light.

The Sun in Scorpio illuminates the darker corners of your psyche, bringing to light hidden feelings and undercurrents that you might usually ignore or suppress. This can be a time of heightened self-awareness, where you become more conscious of your deepest desires, fears, and motivations. It’s like shining a flashlight into the shadowy parts of your soul, revealing what’s been lurking there including your inner power and the talents and gifts you keep hidden – sometimes even from yourself.

Mars in Scorpio adds a layer of intensity. Mars is the planet of action and energy, and in Scorpio, its focus turns inward, fueling your courage and determination to confront these newly illuminated aspects of yourself. It’s like having a surge of energy to tackle the emotional work that needs to be done, giving you the bravery to face your fears and the resilience to push through challenges. It also gives you the drive and motivation to pursue the talents, gifts and inner power you hid in the past but now feel ready to reveal to yourself or to the world.

Meanwhile, the Moon in Scorpio connects this experience to your emotional and intuitive side. The Moon governs your feelings, and in Scorpio, it heightens your emotional sensitivity and depth. This can lead to a powerful sense of inner knowing and emotional clarity. It’s like your emotional antennas are turned up, making you more receptive to understanding your deeper emotional truths.

Together, the Sun, Mars, and Moon in Scorpio create a period where you’re empowered to delve into your inner world and tackle tough emotional work. It can be intense, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. This is a time for profound healing, where you can shed old emotional baggage, heal from past wounds, and emerge with a renewed sense of personal power and transformation. It’s like undergoing a spiritual and emotional rebirth, where you emerge stronger, more self-aware, and deeply in tune with your innermost self.

Mars

One of my favorite aspects of this new moon is something I learned from my astrology mentor, Kelly Surtees. The new moon is happening near the time when Mars is in cazimi with the sun. This creates a uniquely powerful astrological moment, especially considering Scorpio is one of Mars’ home signs.

Mars cazimi means that Mars is in the heart of the sun – in ancient astrology, they described a planet in cazimi as the planet having the ear of the king. In ancient times, having the ear of the king meant being able to influence power in your favor.

In this position, Mars is at the peak of its influence, able to impress its desires and priorities onto the unfolding events around you. Think of it as Mars being the captain of your ship this week.

With the new moon marking a time of new beginnings and Mars cazimi amplifying your ability to assert your will, you have a window of opportunity to set specific goals or take on particular challenges. It’s like being handed a golden ticket to set the course for your journey over the next few months.

Pay close attention to the challenges that come your way or those you choose to engage with. These aren’t random obstacles; they’re opportunities to direct your energy and focus. This period is particularly activating for the Scorpio and Aries areas of your astrological chart, bringing a more dramatic and potent energy than a typical new moon.

The energy of this time is about initiating bold new ventures, particularly in the realms governed by Scorpio in your chart. It’s a call to set your course deliberately towards these Scorpio-related areas of your life. Whether it’s about deep emotional healing, transformative personal work, or strategic moves in your career or personal life, now is the time to make a clear decision and choose a path that truly aligns with your deepest desires and needs.

This is also a moment to choose yourself. In an astrological sense, choosing yourself means acknowledging and prioritizing your needs, desires, and aspirations. It’s a powerful time to assert what conditions or changes would be most conducive to your success. It’s about advocating for yourself and setting the stage for sustained effort over time.

In essence, the new moon in Scorpio with Mars cazimi is a time to embrace your power, set clear intentions, and take decisive action towards the goals that resonate with the deepest parts of who you are. It’s a cosmic green light for bold, transformative action and profound personal growth.

Art Journaling with this New Moon

There are a lot more influences on this new moon like the fact it is opposite Uranus and in modern astrology it is ruled by Pluto so I encourage you to check out your favorite astrologers take on this new moon but for our art journaling with the moon purposes this week, these are the aspects of this new moon I’m inviting us to explore.

New Moon Magic

To practice magic in your art journal, use this moon to set seeds of intention especially around the Scorpio and Aries parts of your birth chart. The areas of your life those parts of your birth chart highlight are important for this new moon. You can scroll down and read more about art journaling with this new moon by reading the prompts I created for Monday. In my opinion, you don’t have to rush working your new moon magic in your art journal this week because the fact that Mars is entering the heart of the sun on the 17^th or 18^th depending on your time zone, you have time to practice that intention setting magic until Friday and Saturday.

New Moon Emotional Healing

In order to work with this new moon in Scorpio energy in your art journal to do your deep emotional healing work, you can explore some of these questions:

What deep, hidden emotions have I been avoiding that are now surfacing during this Scorpio new moon?
How do I typically handle self-protection in my relationships, and what might I need to change?
In what ways can I confront and work through challenging emotions like fear, grief, rage, shame, and guilt?
What aspects of my inner power and hidden talents am I now ready to explore and embrace?
What goals or challenges am I being called to set or take on during this new moon?
Where in my life am I ready to initiate bold new ventures, especially in areas governed by Scorpio?
What does choosing myself mean in the context of this new moon, and how can I practice it?
What strategies or changes can I make to support success?
How can I use the energy of Mars, Sun, and Moon in Scorpio to rebirth into a stronger, more self-aware version of myself?
What are the Scorpio and Aries areas of my chart, and how are they being activated right now?
How can I advocate for myself more effectively in both personal and professional settings?
What does embracing my power look like in practical terms, and how can I start integrating it into my daily life?

Monday

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 new moon is in the eighth house of your astrological birth chart which means it is inviting you to explore the emotional wounds you carry that affect your emotional or mental well-being and the emotional wounds you carry from your history with debt, shared money and/or your taxes. At the new moon, consider these things; “Which emotional wounds or past trauma want to be tended to in these areas of my life and what seed of intention do I want to plant during this new moon to support success or positive change in these areas of my life?”

If your rising sign is Taurus, the new moon is in the seventh house of your astrological birth chart which means it is inviting you to explore the emotional wounds you carry from intimate relationships or partnerships. At the new moon, consider these things; “Which emotional wounds or past trauma from my most intimate relationships want to be tended to and what seed of intention do I want to plant during this new moon to support success or positive change in my most intimate relationship or in a partnership that is currently important to me?”

If your rising sign is Gemini, the new moon is in the sixth house of your astrological birth chart which means it is inviting you to explore the emotional wounds you carry from your health or memories of illness, your relationship with your pets or your daily routines and work tasks. At the new moon, consider these things; “Which emotional wounds or past trauma from my history of health or illness want to be tended to and what seed of intention do I want to plant during this new moon to support success or positive change in my health?” You can also consider, “Which emotional wounds or past trauma from my daily work life want to be tended to and what seed of intention do I want to plant during this new moon to support success or positive change in my day-to-day work life?”

If your rising sign is Cancer, the new moon is in the fifth house of your astrological birth chart which means it is inviting you to explore the emotional wounds you carry from your relationship with your children, your hobbies, pleasures or your creativity and your creative goals or projects. At the new moon, consider these things; “Which emotional wounds or past trauma from my parenting or relationship with my children want to be tended to and what seed of intention do I want to plant during this new moon to support success or positive change in my role as a parent or in my relationship with my children?” You can also consider, “Which emotional wounds or past trauma from my creativity or a creative project I’m currently working on want to be tended to and what seed of intention do I want to plant during this new moon to support the success I want to experience with my creativity or this creative project?”

If your rising sign is Leo, the new moon is in the fourth house of your astrological birth chart which means it is inviting you to explore the emotional wounds you carry from your relationship with your parents, your ancestors or your home and living situation. At the new moon, consider these things; “Which emotional wounds or past trauma from my childhood or from my ancestors want to be tended to and what seed of intention do I want to plant during this new moon to support success or positive change in my relationship with my parents or ancestors?” You can also consider, “Which emotional wounds or past trauma from my home want to be tended to and what seed of intention do I want to plant during this new moon to support the kind of home I want to create?”

If your rising sign is Virgo, the new moon is in the third house of your astrological birth chart which means it is inviting you to explore the emotional wounds you carry from school, your relationship with your siblings, teaching, communication, the goddess or nature-based rituals. At the new moon, consider these things; “Which emotional wounds or past trauma from the way I communicated or expressed myself in the past want to be tended to and what seed of intention do I want to plant during this new moon to support success or positive change in my speaking, writing, or the way I communicate and express myself?” You can also consider, “Which emotional wounds or past trauma from my past learning experiences want to be tended to and what seed of intention do I want to plant during this new moon to support the kind of learning or teaching I want to do in the future?”

If your rising sign is Libra, the new moon is in the second house of your astrological birth chart which means it is inviting you to explore the emotional wounds you carry from your relationship with money, income, your livelihood or your sense of worth. At the new moon, consider these things; “Which emotional wounds or past trauma from my relationship with money or the way I earn a living want to be tended to and what seed of intention do I want to plant during this new moon to support success or positive change in my relationship with money?” You can also consider, “Which emotional wounds or past trauma affect my sense of self-worth and what seed of intention do I want to plant during this new moon to support my sense of worth growing?”

If your rising sign is Scorpio, the new moon is in the first house of your astrological birth chart which means it is inviting you to explore the emotional wounds you carry from the areas of your life that have to do with your identity, body, appearance, sense of vitality or your spirit. At the new moon, consider these things; “Which emotional wounds or past trauma from my relationship with my body or appearance want to be tended to and what seed of intention do I want to plant during this new moon to support positive change in my relationship with my body or appearance?” You can also consider, “Which emotional wounds or past trauma affect my energy levels or sense of vitality and what seed of intention do I want to plant during this new moon to support my energy or sense of vitality being how I want it to be?”

If your rising sign is Sagittarius, the new moon is in the twelfth house of your astrological birth chart which means it is inviting you to explore the emotional wounds you carry from your shadow realm, your subconscious mind and those things you hide even from yourself. At the new moon, consider these things; “Which emotional wounds or past trauma want to be tended to and what seed of intention do I want to plant during this new moon to support positive change in my subconscious mind?”

If your rising sign is Capricorn, the new moon is in the eleventh house of your astrological birth chart which means it is inviting you to illuminate the emotional wounds you carry from friendships, groups, community and your hopes and wishes. At the new moon, consider these things; “Which emotional wounds or past trauma from my friendships want to be tended to and what seed of intention do I want to plant during this new moon to support positive change in my friendships?” You can also consider, “Which emotional wounds or past trauma want to be tended to from my past experiences in community and what seed of intention do I want to plant during this new moon to support the kinds of communities I want to belong to in the future?”

If your rising sign is Aquarius, the new moon is in the tenth house of your astrological birth chart which means it is inviting you to explore the emotional wounds you carry from your career, reputation or ideas of success. At the new moon, consider these things; “Which emotional wounds or past trauma from my career want to be tended to and what seed of intention do I want to plant during this new moon to support positive change in my career?” You can also consider, “Which emotional wounds or past trauma want to be tended to from my reputation and what seed of intention do I want to plant during this new moon to support the kind of reputation I want to grow and build?”

If your rising sign is Pisces, the new moon is in the ninth house of your astrological birth chart which means it is inviting you to explore the emotional wounds you carry from your faith, spiritual practices, long-distance travel or future success. At the new moon, consider these things; “Which emotional wounds or past trauma from my spiritual life want to be tended to and what seed of intention do I want to plant during this new moon to support my spiritual goals?” You can also consider, “Which emotional wounds or past trauma want to be tended to from my experiences of travelling and what seed of intention do I want to plant during this new moon to support the dreams of travel I have for the future?”

In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents your new moon intentions.

Tuesday

The moon is in the sign of Sagittarius today. It is also having a happy relationship with Venus and Mercury and a tense relationship with Saturn.

Have you ever woken up, taken a deep breath, and felt an invigorating zest for life? I get that feeling when I go camping and I step outside with my morning coffee. Well, today might just be one of those invigorating days, because the moon has gracefully entered the expansive realm of Sagittarius. Imagine the moon donning an archer’s bow ready to launch you into new adventures and horizons.

Sagittarius, with its fiery essence, carries the expansive and benevolent energy of its ruling planet, Jupiter. This gives us a dose of optimism, humor, and a deep hunger for knowledge. Sagittarius doesn’t just want us to learn; it nudges us to experience — to dive head-first into the world, tasting its various flavors, and emerging wiser and more enriched.

It’s like we’ve been given a passport to traverse emotional and spiritual terrains that perhaps we’ve hesitated to explore before. Being a fire sign, Sagittarius sparks our passion. It’s a sign that wears its heart on its sleeve, laughing a little louder and dreaming a bit bigger. But, true to its adventurous spirit, Sagittarius can sometimes get lost in the myriad of possibilities, trying to chase every horizon, every dream.

In the spirit of Sagittarius, let’s delve into the world of possibilities. Draw, paint, or collage various ‘Paths of Possibilities’ in your art journal. Imagine each path as a different adventure or experience you want to undertake. It could be as grand as running your own farm or as simple as learning a new skill. Let your imagination roam free, and remember, the goal isn’t to commit to every path but to explore possibilities.

In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents various paths of possibility you hope life allows you to experience.

Wednesday

The moon starts the day off in the sign of Sagittarius but in the mountain time zone it is void of course from the afternoon until the next day. It is also having a tense relationship with Saturn and Neptune.

The moon is void of course sometimes happens when the moon is moving from one zodiac sign to another or when it’s not making any aspects with other planets – I think of it as though the moon is just hanging around alone and in the in-between space – no longer where it was but not yet where it will be. The moon likes reflecting energy down to us but when it’s void of course there’s nothing substantial for it to reflect so its reflecting that emptiness back to us.

It’s as if our celestial guide takes a brief pause, suspending its influence and opening a unique window of stillness and introspection.

Embrace this pause, take a step back, and reflect. This period is not about making significant decisions or initiating new projects; rather, it’s a time for taking stock, for going inward, and for focusing on self-care and inner peace.

When the moon is void of course, it is a good time to engage in activities that nurture your emotional well-being. This is also an opportune time for self-reflection and introspection, allowing us to connect more deeply with our inner selves.

On the flip side, it’s best to avoid initiating new projects, making important decisions, or embarking on significant endeavors during this period. The energy of the void of course moon is not conducive to starting new things; rather, it supports wrapping up loose ends and investing in self-care.

Consider reflecting on these questions during a Void of Course Moon:

What areas of my life require my attention, but I’ve been neglecting?

How can I better care for my emotional well-being?

What loose ends do I need to tie up before moving forward?

The void of course moon invites us to embrace the pause, to indulge in introspection, and to nurture our emotional health. It’s a gentle reminder from the cosmos that in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, taking time for yourself, for stillness and self-care, is not only beneficial—it’s essential.

In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents taking time for yourself.

Thursday

The waxing crescent moon is in the sign of Capricorn today. It is also having a happy relationship with Saturn and a tense relationship with Venus.

The waxing crescent moon phase is when a silver sliver of the moon begins to appear in the night sky. The moon is moving from being dark, still and invisible to growing and coming into full power.

I like to think of this phase as the time when the dream seeds I planted during the New Moon are just starting to form shoots or tiny roots. I might not be able to see my prayers being answered or my dreams manifesting but I can have faith that despite the limited capabilities of what my physical senses can pick up, Spirit is conspiring in my favor and there are invisible forces at work in my life helping me to grow, heal, evolve and create.

In my art rituals, this is the time when I’m meditating on the intentions I set during the New Moon. I’m revisiting my intentions and trying to call them up in my imagination again and trying to tap into the emotions those intentions evoke within me. I’m feeding my dreams with the power of my imagination and my emotions.

How far can you stretch your imagination today?

How much goodness can you imagine growing in your life today?

How many invisible forces can you imagine are helping you today?

How many invisible actions can you imagine your angels and spirit guides are taking to help you reach your goals and manifest your new moon intentions?

In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents your spirit allies helping you reach your goals.

Friday

The waxing crescent moon is in the sign of Capricorn today. It is also having a happy relationship with Mars, Neptune, Jupiter and Uranus.

The moon moves into the sign of Capricorn today.

If you’re feeling a tug towards introspection and setting boundaries, it’s likely the influence of the moon as it moves through the grounded sign of Capricorn. Picture the moon draped in a wise, ancient cloak, urging you to understand and respect your limitations.

When you’re a highly sensitive spirit, you’re a beautiful tapestry of deep emotions and intuitive insights. You feel deeply, and often, the world’s energies can be overwhelming. The Capricorn moon, with its nocturnal and receptive nature, offers a timely lesson: just as the moon must stay in orbit around the earth, you too have your limits, and it’s essential to honor them.

Capricorn is ruled by Saturn so the moon is drawing down a little more of that planet’s wisdom on time, endings, and responsibility. Capricorn’s energy is a call to the practical, to the deliberate, and to the disciplined aspects of our lives. It reminds us to move forward in our lives with persistence but also with caution, ensuring that we aren’t overburdening our sensitive souls. This energy can feel restrictive, but it can also be wisely protective. By being emotionally reserved at times, Capricorn energy helps shield and conserve your strength.

Dancing with the energy of our ancestors, and echoing archetypes like the Crone and Hecate, the Capricorn moon whispers ancient tales of understanding the balance between ambition and well-being. It’s a time to reflect on the power of knowing when to push forward and when to pause, of recognizing that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is to honor your limitations, even if it feels counterintuitive.

In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents the archetype of Mother Nature. Include Her cycles of life, death, transformation and rebirth.

Saturday

The waxing crescent moon moves into the sign of Aquarius. It is also having a tense relationship with Jupiter and an intense relationship with Pluto.

When the moon is in a tense relationship with Jupiter like it is today, our emotions (represented by the Moon) are struggling with our desire to grow and expand (that’s the Jupiter part). Imagine you feel a push to go big or be more, but your emotions say, “Hmmm, let’s think about this for a moment.”

Emotionally, this might bring feelings of restlessness or a clash between being content and happy and wanting more. Spiritually, it could be a tug of war between being in the present moment and craving something bigger or different. It might feel like a battle between being grateful for what you have and always wanting more, which can lead to feelings of overindulgence or excess.

To reflect on these themes, ask yourself questions like:

Am I looking for more because it’s what I truly desire, or am I trying to fill a void?

How can I balance my emotional contentment with my desire for expansion?

Am I overindulging or avoiding my feelings by seeking more?

How can I find spiritual growth while appreciating the present moment?

How can I ensure my quest for more doesn’t overwhelm my emotional well-being?

Ultimately, you want to consider what a balanced path forward looks and feels like.

In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents a moment or part of the process of reaching your goals that brings you fulfillment, regardless of the final outcome.

Sunday

The waxing crescent moon is in the sign of Aquarius and it is having a happy relationship with Venus and Mercury and a tense relationship with Uranus.

Aquarius, an air sign, is often associated with innovation, intellect, and a forward-thinking approach. Emotionally, the Moon in Aquarius encourages a more detached and objective view of our feelings. It’s less about getting swept up in emotional tides and more about understanding emotions from a rational perspective.

Spiritually, the Moon in Aquarius opens up avenues for unconventional and progressive spiritual insights. This is a time when you might find yourself drawn to new or unconventional spiritual practices or philosophies. It’s an excellent period for engaging with community or group activities that have a spiritual theme, as Aquarius values collaboration and social reform, especially reform that aims to relieve suffering and improve the quality of life for people. The moon is Aquarius is driven by a sense of compassion and a desire to help others. It is committed to the principles of human dignity, equality, and respect for all individuals.

It’s a good day to explore how your personal spiritual journey can contribute to the collective well-being. It’s also a great time for envisioning new possibilities, not just for yourself but for the wider community.

How is your personal growth intertwined with the betterment of us all?

In your art journal, draw, paint or create a collage of images that represents the possibilities you imagine for your community.

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

with love,

Dana da Ponte

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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.