blog

October 2-8 2023

Art Journal with the Moon for October 2-8, 2-2023

 

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.

Emotional Cleansing with the Waning Moon Phases

I wish when I was a little girl someone would have taught me about emotional clearing and cleansing. They taught me to comb my hair, wash my face and brush my teeth but no one knew to teach me how to clear the accumulated emotional energy, stress, and trauma that I experienced and absorbed.

It’s such a simple thing – like brushing my teeth – but not doing it caused so much damage to my body and relationships because I didn’t know I needed to do it nor did I know I actually need to do it all the time, regularly and consistently and, like taking care of my gums and teeth, it is something I must continue to do it for as long as I live.

It’s such a foundational step in self-care and I had no idea – nor did any of the people who cared for me! They had no idea either. It wasn’t a part of their everyday life. It wasn’t even on their radar. They literally had no idea it was something we all need to do to take care of our bodies and our emotional and mental well-being. It just wasn’t part of our culture.

Trauma and emotional baggage were something we all just carried around and lived with. It was all very heavy and yucky.

Physically, I saw unresolved trauma manifest as chronic pain, tension, or other ailments, with my body internalizing the emotional pain and expressing it through various symptoms. I also witnessed heightened states of stress, anxiety, or emotional sensitivity, with myself and the people around me reacting intensely to situations that may seem minor to others but was actually triggering deep, unresolved pain.

It was normal for people to have no idea what they were actually feeling nor did they find it at all relevant or important to be attuned to their emotional experience. Being attuned to their emotions was a foreign language they had no desire to learn. Instead, it was normal for everyone to overreact to emotional triggers, blame and project, cause misunderstandings, engage in conflicts, and live with tension and strain. The intense emotional reactions created between us made genuine connection difficult. Untended trauma resulted in lives around me shadowed by pain, tension, and disconnection. And this is what “normal” looked like as I grew up and I know it’s what “normal” looked like for generations before me. Welcome to the seventies and eighties!

The truth is without regular emotional cleansing, people risk compromising their well-being and the quality of their relationships and this is especially true for empaths, highly sensitive people and people with a history of trauma.

Highly sensitive and empathic individuals are like sponges, absorbing the emotions and energies of people and environments around them. This absorption can lead to emotional overload, making it crucial to regularly release these accumulated energies.

Regular emotional cleansing can help in preventing burnout and overwhelm and it can bring about a sense of lightness and peace. Clearing emotional clutter enables highly sensitive people to think more clearly and maintain focus, aiding in better decision-making and problem-solving. Emotional baggage can also manifest as physical ailments. Regular emotional cleansing can thus contribute to better physical health by releasing the stress and tension stored in the body. By regularly processing and releasing emotions, highly sensitive and empathic people can strengthen their emotional resilience, helping them cope more effectively with future stressors and emotional challenges.

Emotional cleansing also helps in resolving and letting go of resentments, anger, and hurt, fostering healthier and more harmonious relationships with others. Not to mention, regular cleansing of emotional baggage can enhance the intuitive and empathic abilities of sensitive individuals, allowing us to use our creative and healing gifts more effectively. Freeing ourselves from the accumulation of others’ emotions and energies allows us to connect more deeply with our true selves, aligning with our values, desires, and life purpose.

With my body’s sensitivities, it has become a non-negotiable.

I can no longer function well without emotional clearing and experiencing the heaviness and tension that comes from being around people who don’t tend to their emotions on a regular basis is challenging.

Emotional clearing and cleansing to me is tending to or releasing pent-up emotions, stress, and negativity, and restoring balance and harmony to my heart and body. It can also mean regulating my nervous system. I do it with moon rituals, art and the MAP Method recordings I created. Those have become my regular ways of clearing and cleansing the emotional and energetic information my highly sensitive system experiences and absorbs so easily.

I understand that emotional clearing and cleansing is a luxury that often only more privileged individuals or cultures can afford to indulge in, as it requires the time, space, energy and resources that many struggling with basic survival or systemic oppression don’t have access to. When one is preoccupied with meeting their fundamental needs like food, shelter, and safety or struggling to move through oppressive systems, attending to emotional well-being is secondary. It’s probably why I grew up the way I did. There were a lot of generations before me that neither had the time or resources for such things.

It’s crucial to approach this topic with sensitivity and respect. However, for those of us who do have the privilege to allocate time and energy to emotional healing and cleansing, it’s important to do so. Prioritizing emotional well-being isn’t just a means of personal growth and fulfillment; it’s also a way to cultivate patience, understanding, and wisdom that can positively impact our interactions with each other.

When we’re emotionally balanced and clear, we’re better equipped to approach each other with compassion, offer support, and contribute more effectively to the collective well-being of our communities. By acknowledging our privilege and utilizing it to foster emotional health, we can create a ripple effect, fostering a more empathetic and understanding society, which can be a beacon of hope and support for the people who need it. It’s not just self-care; it’s caring for the collective by starting with the self and I know it’s just one small step in a complex system that needs a lot of change so there are less who struggle but small steps are important too.

This week, in fact the first three weeks of October, seem like a great time to make emotional cleansing a priority. We’re in the waning phases of the moon, the season of autumn, starting eclipse season and the upcoming new moon even has big signatures of clearing and release. That’s not typical for a new moon but that’s why we take the time to align with the moon – she’s forever shifting and changing and inviting us to grow and change too.

Are you wondering if you have any emotional clearing or cleansing you need to do?

If you answer YES to any of the following questions, I suggest that you do and you might want to make it a priority this week to process, release or tend to your emotions.

  1. Have you been feeling unusually fatigued or drained recently without a clear physical cause?
  2. Are you holding onto any resentment or unforgiveness that is affecting your mood or relationships?
  3. Do you frequently feel overwhelmed by negative emotions, such as anger, fear, or sadness?
  4. Have you been experiencing frequent mood swings or feeling emotionally unstable?
  5. Do you often feel stuck in the past, unable to fully embrace the present or look forward to the future?
  6. Is there a situation or relationship that you keep revisiting mentally, but can’t seem to resolve?
  7. Do you feel burdened by things that didn’t use to bother you?
  8. Are you struggling with feelings of worthlessness or a pervasive sense of inadequacy?

Did you answer YES to any of the above questions?

If you did, you might want to join me for my regular “Held by the Moon” live online gatherings. Our next gathering is Monday, October 2, 2023 at 6:00 pm MT. It is a live virtual event but if you can’t join us live, I will send you a link to the recording later in the week.

During these online creative gatherings, we combine the ancient wisdom of lunar cycles with the power of art journaling and the MAP Method to facilitate profound inner work. Together, we overcome limiting beliefs and neutralize memories that are standing between you and your dreams so that you are one step closer to experiencing the results you’ve been working towards.

Each time we gather we focus on a different theme.

Our next theme is Releasing Limiting Beliefs with the Waning Moon

Think of the waning moon like the beginning of a great satisfying exhale. Reflect on what you need to release or let go or who it is time to forgive (including yourself) in order to support your new moon intentions manifesting solidly and confidently in your life.

During this gathering, we’ll align with the moon, identify what you need to release, create a page in your art journal to release whatever you are ready to let go then work with the MAP Method to deepen the release and rewire your brain.

You can learn more or register here.

Monday

Today the moon is in the disseminating phase. It’s also moving from Taurus to Gemini and having a lot of relationships with other planets. It’s having relationship with Mercury, Neptune and Pluto. It’s having a tense relationship with Venus and an intense relationship with Uranus.

The disseminating phase is when the moon is just starting to become smaller.  It is a time to rest, relax and rejuvenate and move inward and focus on self.  This isn’t a time to start anything new. It’s a time to reflect. It’s a great time for expressing your devotion to Spirit and for presenting offerings to your Divine helpers, your ancestors or the Earth.

It’s also a great time to share the wisdom and knowledge you’ve harvested. There’s a generous or giving back quality to the waning phases of the moon. We’re taking note of the bounty we received as the moon was growing in power and feeling grateful and wanting to share what we learned or received with the people we love and care about or with a greater community we feel connected to.

There’s also a releasing and letting go that happens in the waning phases. It’s a good time to look back on everything that has happened since the new moon and reflect on the abundance you received during the full moon. What were your intentions during the new moon? Did they manifest in your life yet? If they didn’t, did you witness tiny shoots starting to grow in the direction of your dreams?

Think of the disseminating moon like the beginning of a great satisfying exhale. Reflect on what you need to release or let go or who it is time to forgive (including yourself) in order to support your new moon intentions manifesting solidly and confidently in your life. 

In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents what you want to release or let during the disseminating moon.

Tuesday

The moon is in the disseminating phase and in the sign of Gemini. It’s also having a tense relationship with Saturn and a happy relationship with the sun.

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. It’s also a good day for intellectual stimulation through books, documentaries, or taking a short course.

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 your heart and mind, when embraced, can lead to a more enriched and balanced emotional and spiritual life.

In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents the many inner parts that make up the whole of you.

Wednesday

The disseminating moon moves is in the sign of Gemini today and it’s having a tense relationship with Neptune and a happy relationship with Mars. 

The moon is in a helpful relationship with Mars today. To me, this means the moon is drawing down energy to help us set boundaries, stand up for ourselves and feel motivated and ready to take action.

This energy can help you express your emotions instead of letting them build up. It can also influence the spiritual properties of the moon and her relationship with our intuition so it might be a good day to connect with your spirit guides and angels or trust any spiritual adventure your soul embarks on today.

I want you to picture what it looks and feels like when you trust your intuition and your emotions. What does it feel like in your body when you accept how you feel?

What does it look like in your life when you trust your gut?

In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents trusting your intuition.

Thursday

The disseminating moon moves into the sign of Cancer today. It is having a happy relationship with Venus and Saturn and a tense relationship with Mercury.

The moon is still in the sign of Cancer today.

Like the moon, the sign of Cancer is connected to our emotions. It’s also like the thoughtful friend who always remembers your birthday and shows up with tissues and ice cream when you’re feeling down.

Emotionally, Cancer is all about family, home, and those cozy comfort zones. It’s like a warm blanket that wraps around you, offering a sense of security in an uncertain world. Cancer’s energy can also be a bit moody and prone to emotional waves. It’s a time to honor your feelings, even the messy ones, and to nurture your inner emotional landscape. 

Spiritually, Cancer invites you to dive into your own psyche, to explore the depths of your emotions, and to connect with your intuition. It also encourages you to seek solace within yourself and to create a safe inner haven. Consider the ways you can offer yourself the love and care you might be seeking from external sources.

Today, in your art journal, create a visual representation of your emotional sanctuary. What does it look like? What colors, textures, and images resonate with the idea of emotional security for you? Allow your art to be a reminder that you carry your safe haven within, no matter the storm outside.

In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents what you imagine an emotional sanctuary created just for YOU would look and feel like.

Friday

The moon is in the last quarter phase, in the sign of Cancer and having a happy relationship with Venus.

The last quarter moon, also known as the third quarter or waning half-moon, is the second to last phase in the moon’s monthly cycle. After the brilliance of the full moon, the moon’s illumination begins to wane, drawing inward once more. The last quarter moon stands as a symbolic crossroads, a time of reflection, release, and inner transformation.

The last quarter moon is viewed as a time of introspection and surrender. As the moonlight diminishes, we too are invited to draw inwards and assess our inner landscapes. It’s a period of letting go, symbolizing the release of old beliefs, habits, or emotional baggage that no longer serve us.

Emotionally, this phase is about acceptance and forgiveness. We are encouraged to make peace with our past, cultivate forgiveness towards ourselves and others, and create space for new possibilities and growth.

To enhance your experience of the last quarter moon, consider these questions:

  1. What lessons have I learned in this past moon cycle?
  2. What am I ready to let go of?
  3. How have I grown and changed over this moon cycle?
  4. Who or what do I need to forgive to move forward?
  5. What seeds of intention do I want to plant for the next cycle?

The last quarter moon invites you to pause, look inward, and clear away what no longer serves you. As you align with this lunar rhythm, you nurture your ability to adapt, release, and prepare yourself for new beginnings. So, as you look up at the night sky or art journal with the moon tonight, take a moment to remember every ending is a new beginning in disguise.

In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents something from your inner world that wants to be transformed.

Saturday

The last quarter moon is moving into the sign of Leo and having a happy relationship with Uranus and Neptune, an opposing relationship with Pluto and a tense relationship with Mars.

Leo, a fixed fire sign, is ruled by the sun. When the moon enters Leo, it highlights a bit more of the sun’s radiant energy. Imagine the moon, our celestial reflector of emotions, soaking in the sun’s undying luminosity and bringing forth feelings of loyalty, warmth, optimism, and solid power. This is the core of Leo energy. It beckons you to shine your light unapologetically, to bask in the warmth of your inner worth, and to confidently project your unique essence into the world.

Let’s channel this Leo moon energy into our art journals. Begin by thinking of your inner light – that undying spark within you that remains radiant regardless of life’s ups and downs. This is your core, forever glowing, forever worthy of love, respect, and all things good.

On a blank page, start by drawing or painting a representation of this light. It could be a simple flame, a radiant sun, a luminous gem, or anything that symbolizes your inner brilliance. As you create this representation, visualize your light growing brighter and more powerful, pulling in positivity, opportunities, and goodness.

As Leo’s energy encourages expressiveness and childlike playfulness, let your journaling be fun and judgment free. Use bold colors and vivid imagery. You might even want to incorporate glitter or gold foil to represent the shimmering confidence of Leo. Or maybe include affirmations that resonate with Leo’s warmth and power, such as:

“I am radiant and worthy.”

“My light attracts goodness.”

“I shine brightly, unapologetically.”

In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents your inner light and how you want it to shine during this next lunar cycle.

Sunday

The last quarter moon is in the sign of Leo and it’s having a happy relationship with Mercury and a tense relationship with Jupiter.

When the Moon and Mercury are in a happy relationship, your heart and mind are able to find harmony. This invites better communication, allowing us to articulate our feelings and thoughts with clarity and grace. It’s a good time to ask yourself how your words can mirror your truest feelings and how you can speak your truth with love and clarity.

We’re also more likely to feel empathy and compassion.

Because the moon also represents our intuition and Mercury is the messenger that can go between our world and the world of spirit, it’s also a great day to connect with your spirit allies or ancestors. How might your intuitive insights help you navigate the problems you face today? What spiritual knowledge would help you today?

Mercury wants to bring information from unseen realms to you and this can also mean helping you see and communicate what is in your hidden realms of your subconscious including the memories you’ve buried, exiled or forgotten that are causing you to feel stuck or blocked today. What do you need to see? How can you invite inner parts that live within you to communicate their beliefs, fears, memories or needs with you today? Inviting your past to speak to you brings wisdom and insight into your actions and choices now.

In your art journal, draw, paint or create a collage of images that represents a message you received today from your spirit allies or from one of your inner parts.

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

with love,

Dana da Ponte

 

 

Pinterest pins

 

hi i'm dana...

dana-da-ponte-sidebar

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.

img-heart@2x

Work with Me

Subscribe to receive hand-drawn journal pages to enjoy every full and new moon:

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Previous posts