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Art Journal with the Moon: Themes and Prompts for December 16-22, 2024
In this post, I share a summary of the moon for the week of December 16-22, 2024 as it moves through the zodiac and interacts with the planets.
The Moon This Week
Let’s look at a detailed summary of the moon’s energy this week, giving you an overview of what to expect as the moon moves through different signs and phases. You can also follow me on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok. There, in my videos and reels, I share daily art journal with the moon prompts that guide you in doing deep inner work or practicing manifestation magic in a creative way with the moon.
You can also sign up here, to get reminders in your inbox of the moon’s energy for the upcoming week and how you can work with it in your art journal to practice folk magic, tend to your soul or do your deep inner work.
Monday
The week kicks off with the moon moving into the sign of Cancer on Monday which is good energy for creating a sense of security. Cancer is deeply connected to home, family, and emotional safety, making it an ideal time to explore how you feel about your personal foundations. A sense of security is about feeling safe, supported, and cared for, both by yourself and by your environment. It’s the emotional comfort that comes from knowing you have a place where you belong, where you are loved and accepted.
In your art journal, you can explore what makes you feel secure. This could be a physical place, like your home, or it could be relationships that offer you emotional support. You might also think about internal sources of security—like your own self-care practices or the way you nurture and protect yourself emotionally.
Creating art that reflects this sense of security can be deeply healing. You might draw a cozy home, a warm blanket, or a protective circle to symbolize your safe space. Write about what makes you feel secure, and consider how you can strengthen these aspects in your life. By focusing on this sense of security, you are aligning with the nurturing, protective energy of Cancer, creating a strong foundation for emotional well-being as you move through the season of autumn.
Tuesday
On Tuesday, the moon is in the sign of Leo. 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, who represents emotions, soaking in the sun’s light and reflecting back to us feelings of loyalty, warmth, optimism, playfulness and power. This is the core of Leo energy. It invites you to shine your light unapologetically, to soak in the warmth of your inner worth, and to happily and confidently project your unique essence into the world.
Let’s channel this Leo moon energy into your art journal. 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.
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.
Wednesday
On Wednesday, the moon is in the disseminating phase. The disseminating moon phase, occurring just after the full moon, is a good time for reflection, gratitude, and sharing. The moon is slowly diminishing in light which symbolizes a time of release and sharing 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.
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 life. 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.
Thursday
With the disseminating moon in the sign of Leo having a tense relationship with Uranus, Thursday offers some breakthrough energy.
Uranus is a planet that can bring unexpected changes or shocks into your life and these changes usually inspire you to awaken or grow emotionally and spiritually but not always in a gentle way. Sometimes these changes are welcome and wanted and sometimes you don’t want them or welcome them whole-heartedly. It’s great energy for surprises, innovation, experiments and creative genius. It wants to overturn things in your life that have lost their usefulness -even if you’re not entirely ready for that change.
The tension between the moon and Uranus might have you feeling constricted by responsibility. Because the moon rules the realm of emotions, you might feel annoyed by the expectations other people place on you or the expectations you think other people are placing on you or even the expectations you place on yourself. The benefit of this, of course, is that you end up wanting to break free from the expectations that are not aligned with your highest self so shake it all off my friend. I support you following the beat of your own heart instead of living in the land of shoulds and should nots.
Bring to mind an expectation you or someone else is placing on you.
Do you actually want to meet this expectation or is it time to let it go?
Friday
On Friday, the disseminating moon is in the sign of Virgo but it’s also having a tense relationship with Mercury.
In your relationship with others this can look like moody conversations, disagreements, not considering the other person’s perspective and being overly opinionated or focusing on where you disagree instead of finding common ground.
Internally, this can look like tension between your thoughts and feelings. On days like today, I like to remember that I can’t always believe what I think especially when what I’m thinking is putting me down or coming from a place of fear, hopelessness, anxiety, rage, depletion or defeat.
It’s the kind of day where taking out your art journal and letting your feelings pour out onto the page is more productive than trying to express them in your relationships.
Think about times in your life when you felt anxious.
Think about times in your life when you felt defeated or hopeless.
Which challenging emotion have you been dealing with most lately, fear, anger, hopelessness, depletion or anxiety?
What would you like to feel instead?
Saturday
On Saturday, the moon is in the sign of Virgo. Enriched by its ruling planet, Mercury, Virgo prompts us to articulate our feelings and experiences with clarity.
Virgo’s energy is both nocturnal and deeply rooted in the earth, giving it a grounded, calm presence. Its mutable nature helps you adapt to circumstances with grace and pragmatism. One of Virgo’s most profound gifts is its drive for efficiency and organization. It pushes you to seek out the most effective methods, weaving a tapestry of practicality, attention to detail, and an unyielding love for quality. Yet, with its magnifying precision, it’s easy to become enmeshed in minute details, sometimes at the risk of losing sight of the broader picture.
The moon in Virgo is a time to pause and reflect: Are you content with what you’ve been manifesting in your life? It’s essential to understand that while not every event or experience in our lives stems directly from our actions, many do. For those experiences you have molded and shaped, which ones bring joy? Which ones perhaps weigh heavy on your spirit? This Virgo moon nudges you to discern, evaluate, and, if needed, recalibrate.
As a highly sensitive person, you are uniquely attuned to your environment and internal landscape. Art journaling during this moon in Virgo will help you translate your thoughts and feelings onto paper, blending colors, shapes, and words, allows you to visually navigate the complex web of your emotions. Through your art journal, you can work with the Virgo moon’s energy, taking stock of what is working in your life and what might need a gentle shift.
If there are aspects of your life you’re not entirely content with, what adjustments can you make?
How can you align more authentically with your heart’s desires and the intentions you planted during the new moon?
In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents an adjustment you’d like to make in your life.
Sunday
On Sunday, when the moon is in Libra, it brings an energy that enhances our appreciation for beauty and harmony, making it a perfect time to focus on beautifying your art. If you struggle to see the beauty in your creations or doubt your abilities, this is a wonderful opportunity to shift your perspective and embrace the unique aesthetic you bring to the world.
Libra’s influence encourages you to find balance and symmetry in your work, which are key elements of visual appeal. Start by reviewing your past projects with a fresh eye. What do you like about what you created in the past? Where do you see harmony in color, form, and composition?
Consider also the emotional balance in your artwork. Libra, being an air sign, supports intellectual engagement with your art. Reflect on the emotions you want to convey and ensure that your art communicates your feelings in a way that honors your precious heart. This doesn’t mean making everything perfect, but rather celebrating what feels right and expresses a sense of who you really are.
It’s a good moon day to experiment with new techniques or mediums that can bring a fresh beauty to your work. Perhaps try watercolors for their soft gradients or collage to add texture and depth. The key is to allow yourself to play and explore without harsh judgment—every piece you create is a step forward in your artistic journey.
Remember, the beauty of your art isn’t just about the final piece but also about the process and the personal growth you experience through creating. Every stroke and color choice is a testament to your journey and commitment to your creative dreams. Let the Libra moon be a gentle reminder that every artist has doubts, but the courage to continue and the effort to bring beauty into the world is a true measure of your brave, artistic spirit.
with love,
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hi i'm dana...
This is a space where art and spirit come together. On the blog, I share art rituals for working with the magic of the moon. I also work with the subconscious mind to lighten your emotional load and follow your creative dreams.
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