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february-10-16-2025

Art Journal with the Moon: Themes and Prompts for February 10-16, 2025

In this post, I share a summary of the moon for the week of February 10-16, 2025 as it moves through the zodiac and interacts with the planets. I also share how to work with the full moon in Leo in your art journal to set free the parts of yourself that are tired of being tamed.

The Moon This Week

I’m starting this week’s moon update with an embarrassing confession. I’ve been watching The O.C. I feel so exposed. Are you ready to ridicule and reject me now?

The O.C. is a teen show from the early 2000s that I hadn’t seen before but needed something to keep me company in my studio and thought I’d try it. It’s similar to the kind of cheesy Canadian teen show I would have been forced to watch when I was young because nothing else was available but I have so many more options now and I’m not a teen. For some reason, I keep watching. No one said I was perfect or that I make good decisions or that my time is always well spent.

Anyway, to make matters a little more embarrassing, I’m going to reference a couple plot lines to introduce my thoughts on this week’s full moon in Leo so get ready.

Picture this, a teen boy loves his girlfriend, and she loves him and they have a lot of fun together and are really happy but – the twist – she introduces him to her Dad, whom she admires and respects and is close to, and her Dad isn’t impressed so now she is second-guessing herself and having trouble trusting her own feelings and is thinking of ending the relationship.

She can’t be who she wants to be and she can’t like who she wants to like because someone she loves doesn’t agree with her. She doesn’t yet understand that she’s allowed to be who she truly is – despite how other people in her life respond to that – even the ones she loves and admires.

Let’s keep going.

There’s another plot line that demonstrates this week’s full moon energy as well.

Another teen in the show endures physical abuse by her fiancé. Because of her boyfriend’s actions, she’s forced to confront something in her relationship that isn’t healthy, is holding her back and doesn’t allow her to shine in the world. It dims her light. It keeps her small. Can she let go or will she hang onto something that doesn’t allow her to express joy and her true self?

It’s not easy expressing your true self in this world. In fact, it can be downright dangerous and yet, this week’s full moon in Leo is asking you to do it anyway.

This moon is bold, fiery, and unpredictable energy. It amplifies a strong need for authentic self-expression. It’s a moon that challenges you to break free from anything that has been stifling your creativity, your joy, or your true self.

With both the Sun and Moon square Uranus, this energy is electric, rebellious, and full of surprises—bringing revelations, sudden changes, and the urge to do something bold and unexpected that pushes who you are NOT out of the way and makes more room for who you really are to shine through.

You might feel tension between who you truly are and the expectations placed on you—whether by family, society, or even yourself. This full moon asks: Where have you been conforming? Where have you been dimming your light? Who or what in your life no longer fits?

The resistance you feel now isn’t a sign to hold back—it’s a signal that you’ve outgrown something. Sometimes, in order to step into the life you’ve been dreaming of, you have to be willing to shake things up. You have to make the hard, scary decisions that are uncomfortable but ultimately lead you to become who you want to be.

This energy can feel intense—like a wild wind pushing you toward change—but within the chaos, there’s also clarity. If you have an idea that feels “wild” or out of character but also closer to your true self than ever before, trust it. Especially for highly sensitive people with a history of childhood trauma or emotional neglect, it’s easy to lose touch with your authentic self in an effort to stay safe or fit in. But this full moon is here to help you reconnect—fast and unexpectedly—to who you really are.

This isn’t a time for slow and steady shifts; this is about making the change you know is right for you, even if it feels shocking at first. If something in your life feels misaligned, this energy will make it impossible to ignore. Whether it’s in your business, relationships, creative work, or personal growth, pay attention to where you feel the urge to rebel, resist, or break free. Trust that any shake-ups are guiding you toward greater authenticity and freedom.

After the intensity, things will settle. But for now, let this full moon remind you: You don’t have to fit in. You don’t have to stay small. You don’t have to keep doing things the way you always have. You get to choose what’s right for you, and you get to choose it now.

If the Full Moon in Leo were a loving, wise mentor—one who saw your heart, your brilliance, and your right to take up space in this world—she might say something like this to these two young women:

To the girl who’s doubting her own feelings because someone she loves disapproves:

“My love, your heart is your own. No one else gets to tell you how to feel, what to want, or who to love. I know it hurts when someone you admire doesn’t see what you see, but that doesn’t mean you’re wrong. It just means they can’t see through your eyes, can’t feel what you feel, and aren’t meant to walk your path for you. Your joy, your choices, your life—it all belongs to you. You are allowed to trust yourself. You are allowed to stand by what makes you happy, even if others don’t understand. The world will always have opinions, but only you will have to live with the choices you make. So make them for yourself, not for anyone else. You are bright, you are bold, and you deserve a life that is fully your own.”

To the girl who’s in a relationship that dims her light and holds her back:

“You were never meant to be small. Love should not require you to shrink yourself, to endure pain, or to stay silent when your soul is screaming for more. I know leaving something—especially something that once felt safe or familiar—is terrifying. But staying where you are not valued, where you are hurt, where you are asked to be less than your true self? That is a slow erosion of your spirit. And you, my love, were born to shine. Leo’s fire burns within you, and that fire is meant to warm you, guide you, and light up the world—not be smothered by someone else’s control. You are worthy of joy. You are worthy of a love that makes you feel more like yourself, not less. Let yourself go. Let yourself be free. Let yourself be the radiant force you were always meant to be.”

This Full Moon in Leo doesn’t whisper. She roars. She doesn’t ask for permission to exist, to love, or to take up space—she simply does. And she wants that for you, too.

Where do you need to take up more space?

What do you need to release or let go in order to exist as your true self?

Light a candle under this full moon, take out your art journal and be bold with your colors, lines and words. Express your true self on the page. Say something that you really want to say. Claim something it’s time to claim. And free yourself from something that is holding you back.

Then ROAR – with paints and paper and inks and crayons express what your spirit wants to say.

Give yourself permission to express what’s inside you fully and unapologetically. Allow your emotions, your truth, your wild, untamed self spill onto the page without worrying about how it looks or whether it makes sense. Don’t hold back— let the colors be bold, the lines be messy, the words be raw. Let your inner fire take shape through paint, paper, ink, and crayon. Invite something deep within you to be seen, heard, and felt.

What inside you wants to come out and roar on the page?

If your truest, boldest self could take up space, what would she look like?

What have you been holding back?

Write it, scribble it, paint over it, then let it break free.

Where in your life have you been quiet when you wanted to be loud?

Let that energy take up space—through words, shapes, symbols, or layers of color.

What would it feel like to be fully yourself, without fear, without apology?

Create an image, a phrase, a pattern that embodies that feeling.

This isn’t about making something pretty. It’s about making something real. It’s about honoring the parts of you that long to be expressed, the parts of you that are tired of being tamed. Let them roar. Let them be bold. Let them take up space on the page—so that, in time, they can take up space in your life too.

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Now let’s look at a more 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. If you want to watch my videos and reels where I talk about how to work with the moon in your art journal every day and share with you the journal pages I create in my own art journal, be sure to follow me on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube or TikTok. 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, do your deep inner work or, if you’re a highly sensitive entrepreneur like me, grow and expand your business. 

Monday

The week kicks off with the moon having a happy relationship with Venus on Monday.

When the moon and Venus come together in a happy kind of way like they’re doing today, their energy flows effortlessly, creating a sense of ease, comfort, and emotional nourishment. The moon represents your inner world—your feelings, intuition, and the way you care for yourself—while Venus, the planet of love, beauty, and pleasure, brings a softness and a desire for harmony. When these two receptive astrological bodies align, they invite you to lean into what feels good rather than force your way forward. You might find yourself naturally choosing ease over struggle, making decisions based on what truly feels right rather than what you think you should do.

This is a beautiful time to pause and ask yourself: Where can I allow more flow in my life? If you’ve been pushing too hard, trying to make things happen, or feeling depleted, this transit encourages you to step back, receive, and trust that things can unfold when you’re not pushing or forcing. Venus reminds you that pleasure is not frivolous—it’s necessary for balance and well-being. Whether it’s resting, treating yourself to something that brings you joy, or simply slowing down to appreciate the beauty around you, this is an opportunity to refill your cup so you have more to give.

In your art journal, explore the theme of filling your cup—what restores, refreshes and renews your spirit?

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, we greet the full moon. 

This week’s Full Moon in Leo is a powerful call to step into your most authentic self. Leo energy is bold, fiery, and unapologetic—it encourages you to shine, take up space, and stop dimming your light for others. But with both the Sun and Moon in tense relationships with Uranus, this full moon also brings an electric, rebellious energy, pushing you to break free from anything that stifles your joy, creativity, or truth.

You might feel tension between who you truly are and the expectations placed on you—whether by family, society, or even your own self-doubt. This full moon asks:

Where have you been conforming?

Where have you been shrinking yourself to fit in?

What is no longer aligned with who you are becoming?

This energy is disruptive, but it’s meant to wake you up. If something in your life feels misaligned, you won’t be able to ignore it anymore. Whether it’s your business, relationships, or creative work, pay attention to what feels restrictive. The resistance you feel isn’t a sign to hold back—it’s a signal that you’ve outgrown something.

Full moons bring illumination—a moment where you see things more clearly. If you’ve been second-guessing yourself, feeling small, or holding back parts of who you are, this moon is here to remind you: You don’t have to fit in. You don’t have to keep doing things the way you always have. You get to choose who you are and how you show up.

In your art journal, express your truest, boldest self. Use bold colors, messy lines, powerful words. Let yourself roar on the page. What part of you wants to take up more space? What truth needs to be spoken? What are you finally ready to release? Let it all out under this full moon.

This isn’t about making something pretty—it’s about making something real. It’s about honoring the parts of you that long to be expressed. You were born to shine. This full moon is here to remind you.

In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents how you can bring more stability and calm into your daily life.

Thursday

With the moon having a tense relationship with the planet Jupiter, Thursday brings an expansive but grounded energy.

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 reaching for more while at the same time being happy with what you already have.

Friday

On Friday, 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.

Saturday

On Saturday, the moon is in the sign of Libra.

Libra is a sign ruled by Venus, the planet of beauty, love, and harmony. Venus energy is all about finding pleasure in the small, simple things that make life feel fuller and more meaningful.

Remember, beauty is not frivolous—it’s a balm for the soul – it’s a kind of magic in and of itself. It can heal and rejuvenate. It can remind you who you really are and what this is all for. By surrounding yourself with beauty, even if just in your art journal, you’re nourishing yourself. This practice can be a reminder that despite all the changes and challenges, there’s always beauty to be found and appreciated. Working with Venus energy in this way is about creating a little oasis of peace and gentleness within.

Libra is also an air sign which is about thoughts and communication so today’s a perfect day to not only create beauty in your art journal but also to focus on beauty in your thoughts. How you think and the quality of your thoughts can be just as nourishing as the beauty you see and create around you.

Consider spending time today observing your inner dialogue and seeing if you can soften or beautify your thoughts.

Is there a way you can reframe any self-criticism or worries into thoughts that are kinder or more encouraging?

For example, rather than focusing on what you feel is lacking, try to bring attention to what is going well or what you appreciate about yourself and others. This gentle focus on positive thoughts aligns with Libra’s energy of balance, helping you create harmony not only in your outer world but also within your mind.

In your art journal, you might try writing down some of these beautiful thoughts or beautiful words. Think of this as a practice of inner beauty, where you’re choosing thoughts that reflect the grace, love, and compassion of Venus. Let today be a reminder that the beauty you cultivate in your mind can have just as powerful an effect on your soul as the beauty you create on the page. 

In your art journal, draw, paint or collage images that celebrate the affirmations or poetry you find beautiful.

Sunday

On Sunday, the moon is in the sign of Libra and having a tense relationship with the planet Mars.

When the moon is in Libra, there’s a deep desire for balance, harmony, and connection. Libra energy encourages you to seek peace in your relationships, to find beauty in your surroundings, and to move through life with grace. But when the moon forms a square with Mars, the planet of action, drive, and sometimes conflict, that peaceful energy gets disrupted. You might feel torn between wanting to keep things calm and needing to assert yourself. There could be tension between your desire to please others and your own personal needs. Maybe you’re avoiding conflict to keep the peace, or perhaps you’re feeling frustration build because something is out of alignment.

This square can stir up inner restlessness, especially if you’ve been holding back your true feelings. It’s okay to want harmony, but not at the expense of your own truth. Mars pushes you to be direct, to take action, to stand up for yourself. If you find yourself feeling irritated, impatient, or pulled in different directions, know that this energy is simply asking you to get clear on what you really want and how to express it in a way that honors both yourself and those around you.

In your art journal, draw, paint or collage an image that represents an area of your life where you feel torn between speaking your truth and keeping the peace.

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.

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