Art Journal with the Moon for November 20-26, 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.

How to Plan and Vision the Year Ahead with the Waxing Moon

Monday

The first quarter moon moves into the sign of Pisces today. It is also having a happy relationship with the planet Jupiter, a tense relationship with the planet Mars and an intense relationship with the planet Saturn.

During the first quarter moon, only half the moon seems to be lit up in the night sky during this phase. This is the phase in the creation cycle where there is a tendency to give up or doubt the process. Challenges or obstacles may come between you and your goals and your job is to remain committed despite whatever gets in the way. This is the time to observe your self-talk and heal whatever shadows surface. Make sure you are taking actions and making decisions from your Spirit and your inner wisdom rather than listening to your insecurities and doubt.

Emotional and spiritual themes you can explore in your art journal for the first quarter moon include themes around commitment, doubt, insecurities, body image, self-esteem, your inner critic, your passion, purpose and bigger reasons for being.

Take a moment to think about your new moon intentions again. Imagine what it will be like if your new moon intentions became a reality in your life.

What changes, big or small, will happen in your life when your new moon intentions become real?

What will it feel like to experience those changes?

What choices can you make this week to help your new moon intentions become a reality in your life?

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

Tuesday

The first quarter moon is in the sign of Pisces. It is also having a happy relationship with Uranus and a tense relationship with Mercury.

The moon in Pisces is a time of emotional and spiritual depth. Pisces, a mutable water sign, brings with it a tranquil yet highly receptive energy. This makes it an ideal time for absorbing information and inspiration from your surroundings and the people around you. It’s a period where nurturing, positive emotions and energy can greatly enhance your creative projects, but be wary, as negative or intense energies can also have a greater impact on your than usual.

During a Pisces moon, you may find your sensitivity is more pronounced. This heightened sensitivity is not just about emotions; it extends to your creative and compassionate nature. You may feel a stronger connection to others, empathizing deeply with their experiences. This empathetic quality of Pisces can be a powerful tool in your art journaling, allowing you to express not only your emotions but also the collective feelings you sense around you.

However, Pisces energy can also lead to fickleness and indecision, as it is often swayed by the changing tides of emotions. This fluctuating nature can sometimes make it challenging to stay focused on a single creative project. Your art journaling during this time may reflect this mutable nature, with a variety of themes and emotions expressed across the pages.

To make the most of this Pisces moon energy in your art journal, focus on the positive aspects of your creativity. Ask yourself: What do I appreciate most about my creative nature? This could be your ability to see beauty in the mundane, your unique perspective on the world, or the way you use art to process and express emotions. Recognizing and affirming these qualities can help you harness the Pisces energy for profound and meaningful creative expression.

In your art journal, you might want to explore themes that resonate with Pisces energy, such as dreamy landscapes, emotional portraits, or abstract representations of your inner feelings. Allow the fluidity of Pisces to guide your hand and your heart as you create, embracing the changes in mood and emotion as part of your creative process. Remember, the Pisces moon is an invitation to dive deep into your emotional and creative depths, exploring the vast ocean of your imagination.

In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents the ocean of your imagination.

Wednesday

The first quarter moon moves into the sign of Aries today. It is also having a happy relationship with the sun, Mars and Venus and an intense relationship with Neptune. 

Aries is ruled by the planet Mars so the moon is carrying a little of that planet’s energy as well plus it’s having a happy relationship with the sun and Mars which only highlights this energy.

In its most helpful form, Aries supports you in setting healthy boundaries, knowing who you really are and feeling connected to your inner power.

When the moon is in the sign of Aries, it brings a burst of fiery, assertive energy that can significantly impact how you manage your relationships, especially regarding setting healthy boundaries. Aries, a cardinal fire sign, is known for its directness, courage, and initiative. This makes the Aries moon a powerful time to assess and assert your personal boundaries in relationships.

During this period, you may feel a surge of confidence and clarity about what you will and won’t tolerate in your interactions with others. This can be particularly empowering if you’ve previously struggled to voice your needs or stand up for yourself. The Aries moon encourages you to honor your individuality and assert your rights in relationships.

However, with Aries energy, there’s also a risk of being overly aggressive or impulsive in establishing boundaries. It’s important to strike a balance between being assertive and being considerate of others’ feelings. The key is to communicate your boundaries clearly and respectfully, without compromising your needs or well-being.

Emotionally, the Aries moon can evoke a strong sense of self-awareness and personal power. It’s a time when your emotions can fuel your courage to set healthy limits and protect your emotional space. This doesn’t mean cutting people off or being confrontational. Instead, it’s about being honest and straightforward about what you need to feel respected and secure in your relationships.

Spiritually, this phase of the moon resonates with themes of self-discovery and personal growth. It’s a reminder that healthy relationships require a balance of give and take, and establishing boundaries is a vital part of that balance. This period is an opportunity to reflect on your relationship dynamics and make adjustments that honor your true self.

In essence, the moon in Aries offers a chance to renew and strengthen your relationship boundaries. It’s a time to embrace your inner strength, listen to your intuition, and communicate your needs with conviction and clarity. The moon in Aries empowers you to nurture relationships that respect your individuality and support your personal growth.

In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents using your voice to set a healthy boundary today.

Thursday

The gibbous moon is in the sign of Aries today and it is having an opposing relationship with Venus.

The gibbous phase is when the moon seems almost full. In the creation process, it’s a great time to clear any trapped emotions or energy so that all parts of you, even the hidden wounded subconscious parts, are on board with your goals or your new moon intentions. Some of those blocks include ancestral memories stored in your body, past life memories or energy and emotions you unconsciously absorbed from other people. You are most likely carrying subconscious beliefs or stories that no longer serve you so it is helpful to spend time in your art journal tending to those.

Themes you can explore in your art journal for the gibbous moon include, clearing ancestral memories, your family tree, past life memories, co-dependency, the heart chakra and daily habits and routines.

Take a moment to think about your new moon intentions. Do all parts of you believe you are worthy of moving your life in the direction you want to go? Are all your younger inner parts on board with your goals?

Emotional blocks from our inner world exist and one of the most important steps in my moon magic is tending to my inner parts and I encourage you to make it one of your as well.  These inner parts, often rooted in past experiences, might resist or feel fearful about the path you wish to take. Understanding and supporting these younger inner parts is crucial to overcoming emotional blocks and forging ahead without resistance. 

Inner parts carrying past criticisms or limiting beliefs might lead to self-doubt, making you question your abilities and worthiness to achieve your goals. When inner parts are resistant to your new moon intentions, they may manifest through procrastination, keeping you from taking necessary steps towards your dreams. Inner parts seeking safety might drive you to strive for perfection, leading to a fear of making mistakes or taking risks. Inner parts that harbor unresolved traumas or past disappointments can lead to self-sabotaging behaviors – and we all know how frustrating that can be.

When emotional blocks arise, you might experience a sense of stagnation, frustration, or being stuck in a cycle of unfulfilling patterns. You may feel torn between your desires and the overwhelming emotional resistance from your inner parts. It can create an internal tug-of-war, which is stressful, frustrating and when it lasts too long makes you feel stuck and discouraged. 

Working with these inner parts to help them move through whatever memories, beliefs or emotional baggage they are carrying is relatively easy once you get used to it. Just like any skill, it takes practice and the more you do it, the better you get at it. Today I encourage you to locate an inner part that does not like your new moon intentions, feels threatened or scared of them or is causing some sort of resistance that is showing up in your life.

I loosely follow a process similar to the process Richard Schwartz outlines in his book “No Bad Parts”. I say loosely because when I’m working in my art journal, I don’t like to get precious about things. I like to play and stay curious. I want to do emotional work but in a way that feels manageable to me and my nervous system. I take it slow and easy because some inner parts carry trauma and if you’re not familiar dealing with your traumatized parts, I suggest working with a trained professional first. But, if like me, you have a lot of practice with these things and you want to support your inner parts on a more regular basis, try this activity in your art journal. It goes a little something like this. 

Start by locating a part of you that is resisting your new moon intentions for some reason or another.

The next very important step is to cultivate self-compassion towards this part of you that is resistant and the emotional blocks that come with it. Understand that the parts of you that are resist are emerging to protect you, even if their strategies or their ways of coping may no longer serve you. Engage in an internal dialogue with these parts. Gently inquire about their fears and intentions, fostering understanding and connection. If you’re feeling like you don’t like the inner parts that are showing up today or you want to resist, deny or hide from the feelings that are showing up, then you’re not operating from a space of compassion and curiosity.

You’ll want to tend to the parts of you first that are feeling judgmental, impatient or frustrated before moving forward. It’s just like being in a relationship with a friend. Your friend isn’t going to want to be vulnerable and honest with you and unburden herself emotionally if you’re sitting across from her feeling angry, resentment, judgmental or unforgiving. To truly be there for her, you would first have to do the emotional and inner work that you would need to do to show up for her in a compassionate, loving or at the very least curious way.

When you are ready to meet your resistant parts, behaviors, beliefs or emotions with compassion, provide nurturing and comfort to these inner parts. Offer reassurance that they are safe and protected, and that you are here to guide and support them. Work towards building a collaborative relationship with these inner parts of you. Negotiate with them to find a shared vision that aligns with your dreams while addressing their concerns. If emotional blocks seem overwhelming, seek the guidance of a qualified therapist, to support you in the integration process.

Pursuing your dreams in the face of emotional blocks is brave and beautiful but it also takes inner work and healing. By compassionately addressing the concerns of our inner parts and fostering a sense of safety, you will create inner harmony. Your parts will become aligned with your goals and the internal struggle will dissolve. 

In your art journal, allow a younger inner part of you that is afraid of your new moon intentions to express their feelings in your art journal.

Friday

The gibbous moon moves into the sign of Taurus. The moon is in a happy relationship with Mercury and Saturn and a tense relationship with Pluto.

When the moon is in Taurus, it brings a grounding and stabilizing energy that deeply affects our emotional and spiritual states. Taurus, a fixed earth sign, is known for its strong connection to the physical world, which includes a focus on comfort, pleasure, and security.

Emotionally, the Taurus moon encourages a sense of calm and contentment. You might find yourself seeking comfort in familiar settings and indulging in sensory experiences, like enjoying good food, soothing music, or the beauty of nature. This is a time when you’re more inclined to appreciate the simpler joys of life, finding emotional fulfillment in stability and material comforts.

Spiritually, the Taurus moon fosters a connection to the earth and its natural rhythms. It’s a period that reminds you to slow down, be present, and appreciate the here and now. This lunar phase can evoke a deeper appreciation for the physical world and its gifts, encouraging practices that ground you and connect you to your body and immediate environment.

The Taurus moon also highlights themes of patience and perseverance. Taurus energy is not about quick fixes but about building and nurturing over time. This can be a period for setting intentions or working on goals that require a steady, consistent approach. It’s a reminder that some of the most worthwhile things in life take time to develop and require a steady hand.

In relationships, the Taurus moon can enhance the desire for stability and loyalty. You may find yourself valuing reliable and trustworthy connections more than ever during this time. It’s a period for nurturing your relationships with a practical and dependable approach.

Overall, the moon in Taurus brings a calming and grounding influence. It’s a time for self-care, enjoying life’s pleasures, and connecting more deeply with the physical world.

In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents a simple joy in your life you appreciate.

Saturday

The gibbous moon is in the sign of Taurus and it is having a close and intense relationship with the planet Jupiter.

This kind of closeness between the moon and Jupiter brings ease and flow.

Jupiter wants to bring harmony, well-being, kindness, justice, abundance, growth, expansion, good luck and balance to your life. The moon is supporting Jupiter’s desire to do this in your life today because the comforting and nurturing qualities of the Moon merge harmoniously with the expansive and optimistic nature of Jupiter.

This can bring uplifting emotional and spiritual experiences. You might feel a surge of joy and optimism, a lightness that could elevate you above any sadness or despair that might come your way today. This is also a time when the spirit of generosity and kindness might feel more pronounced, creating an environment conducive to giving and receiving support and love, allowing you to connect more deeply with others. The closeness the moon and Jupiter share today may also provide an opportunity for insight and awareness, helping you have more empathy and understand yourself and others in a deeper way.

On a spiritual level, this energy could inspire spiritual growth, providing insights and wisdom that can deepen your spiritual beliefs and practices. It’s a time rich with the possibility of manifesting desires and intentions, focusing on the abundance the greater forces of Love have to offer you. It may also serve as a beacon, illuminating your higher calling and purpose in life and encouraging you to pursue your spiritual aspirations with renewed passion and enthusiasm.

Take a moment to close your eyes and imagine what it would feel like to be bathed in goodness – as if a warm magical liquid light of harmony was being poured all over your body and throughout all the corners of your life – all the people you interact with, all the places you will go today, all the spaces you will be in and all the experiences you will have are bathed in this warm golden light of goodness.

Take a deep breath and feel that all the way in your belly.

In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents the goodness you want to see poured into the world today.

Sunday

The gibbous moon moves into the sign of Gemini today. It is also having a happy relationship with Neptune and Pluto, an opposing relationship with Mars and an intense relationship with Uranus.

Gemini, symbolized by the Twins, is the third sign of the zodiac, synonymous with duality, communication, and curiosity. As an air sign under the rulership of Mercury, the planet of communication, intelligence, and information exchange, Gemini’s influence is often marked by a lively intellectual curiosity and a desire for a lot of different kinds of experiences.

When the moon, which is closely to your emotions and intuition, journeys through Gemini, it creates a rich and dynamic interplay between your heart and mind. The moon’s emotional intuitiveness aligns with Gemini’s intellectual curiosity, resulting in energy that stimulates both your feelings and thoughts.

While the moon is in Gemini, you might feel more curious and open than usual, leading you toward exploration, learning, and the quest for new ideas or concepts. Communication, especially around emotions, becomes an important theme as the Gemini Moon encourages open dialogue, sharing of ideas, and meaningful conversation. Gemini moon days are also characterized by a noticeable versatility and adaptability in dealing with emotions. You are nudged to see various perspectives, to better understand your feelings and those of others.

Furthermore, the Gemini Moon encourages exploration of your inner duality, much like the twins that symbolize Gemini. This exploration allows you to become more comfortable with the many faces and dimensions of your inner self, helping you understand that your complexity is part of your unique beauty. Yes, you have many more sides to you than you realize.

It’s a good day for mindful communication. Seek out conversations that stimulate you and nurture your spirit. This could involve heart-to-heart talks with loved ones or lively debates with friends, with an emphasis on expressing feelings.

Because Gemini’s influence can sometimes result in a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, journaling can be a powerful tool during this time, helping provide clarity and understanding.

For a deeper introspection during the Gemini Moon phase, consider reflecting on questions like:

How can I better communicate my feelings to others?

What new idea or topic am I curious to explore?

How am I embracing the duality within myself?

In what ways can I adapt to the emotional changes I’m experiencing?

And how can I use my intellectual curiosity to support my emotional well-being?

Above all this Gemini moon day is a great reminder that the dance between our heart and mind, when embraced, can lead to a more enriched and balanced emotional and spiritual life.

In your art journal, draw, paint or create a collage of images that represents communicating your feelings to the moon.

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

with love,

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