Astro Feng Shui

RITUAL FOR THE AQUARIUS NEW MOON

Calling The Angels

The powerful Aquarius New Moon falls on Sunday, Jan. 22 at 11:39 p.m. PST. As noted in my recent post at www.astroalchemy.com, this New Moon coincides with the Chinese Year of the Dragon, as well as warrior Mars turning retrograde. It’s time to harness angelic help to break free of the past and manifest our goals!

For this ritual you will need: a white or silver pillar candle, a silver box, an angel figure or picture, a paper on which you’ve written your needs, and soft music.

We’re entering the angelic realm at this New Moon, where we ask for help in making our wildest dreams come true, or in handling our most pressing mundane concerns. Purify yourself before this ritual by bathing in scented salts or oil, then dress in flowing white or pastel garments. Sit in your Helpful People gua just to the right of your front door as you enter (which you have already cleansed and de-cluttered), put on the music and light the candle. Ask the angelic realm to be present at your ritual. You can call on particular guides like Archangel Michael or Gabriel, or an ancestor who serves as a guardian angel for you. Gaze at your angelic image as you tune in to that realm. Then, read your list, asking for the specific aid you require. This maybe something like, “Please protect me in my upcoming journey,” or “Please bring
me $1200 by the end of this month.” You can also ask for help for other people.

When you’re complete, put the paper into the silver box, and blow out the candle. Thank the angels for the fulfillment of your wishes.

RITUAL FOR THE CAPRICORN NEW MOON

Tooting Your Horn

The Capricorn New Moon (9:30 p.m. PST on Dec. 24) initiates a new cycle for your work and higher calling.  With all the planets in forward motion from Dec. 25 thru Jan. 22, it’s a great time to launch something new, or renew your commitment to the work you love.

It’s time to activate your Fame gua – the area of your home directly opposite your front entry. Add some red or fiery elements to this area, or a symbol of the work for which you’d like to become known. Then, perform this ritual as near to the New Moon as possible.

You will need: Access to a computer, or pen and paper, and a red candle.

Being recognized for your accomplishments, talents or opinions can bring up insecurities. The New Moon period that covers the next month is about putting yourself out there despite any fears. You may want to start on a small scale. At the New Moon, commit to doing one of the following:

* Write a letter to the editor of your local paper about a timely issue that matters to you. Be bolder than usual in the way you express yourself.

* Do a blog or Facebook post, expressing a potentially controversial opinion about something, or tooting your own horn in some way.

* Approach an authority figure about hiring you, or buying, publicizing or representing your work. Express confidence in your abilities.

At the New Moon, light a red candle and affirm your courageous next step, along with the results you’d like to see in terms of acknowledgement and recognition. Then, follow through, do what’s required to manifest your intentions, and see what happens!

SAGITTARIUS NEW MOON RITUAL: Treasure Mapping

The upcoming New Moon/solar eclipse (Nov. 24 at 10:10 p.m. PST) packs extra punch for visioning your goals. Even if you’re not sure what you want your New Year to look like, working with images can reveal your subconscious desires.

You will need: magazines, a poster board of any size, glue stick, scissors, glitter glue (the ones for fabrics work best) or other decorations. If you’re going to frame your creation, choose the appropriate-sized frame and board.

Treasure-mapping is a perfect activity for a Sagittarius New Moon, which is about looking at the big picture of your life. Also called a vision board, a treasure map magnetizes new possibilities into being. You can make one for something specific—such as a new home, relationship or job—or simply for something you want more of, such as peace, love or health.

First, decide which goal to focus on. Then, peruse magazines for corresponding images and words. Rather than letting your logical mind prevail, allow the unconscious mind to participate. Breathe deep, let go and ask the Archer for guidance. Even if an image doesn’t seem to relate to the theme, yet it speaks to you strongly, tear it out. Choose more images than you will ultimately include. Once you have a pile of images and words, begin arranging them on the board in ways that feel right. Then, paste them down with glue stick. If desired, add affirmations with a felt-tipped pen.

When you’re complete, you can outline images with glitter glue or paste down other items. Then, post your creation someplace you’ll look at it daily, like the refrigerator or over your desk. Your subconscious mind will attract what you’ve pictured; be patient, though, as the process can take time.

We enter a powerful portal for change  as the Sun and Moon join in magnetic Scorpio (10-26-11, 12:56 p.m. PDT). It’s time to leave the past behind and start anew. This ritual from my book, Astro Feng Shui: Making Magic in your Home and Life, will help you do just that.

Bury the Past

You will need: A shovel or spade and a place in which to dig. An item that
symbolizes what you are releasing, a piece of paper on which you have written your intentions, and matches or a lighter. Do this ritual at night, either in your backyard or a public place like a park or even a graveyard, which nicely fits the Scorpio theme of death and rebirth.

Scorpio demands a sacrifice before bestowing its blessings. Therefore, at this New Moon you will be letting go of something or someone to which you are attached—or even addicted. This could be a lover who isn’t good for you, a food or drink you think you can’t live without, or an old attitude about money that’s standing in the way of your wealth.

Decide which block you are ready to sacrifice, and imagine how you will feel once you’re free of it. Once you’re clear, write down what you are releasing, and what blessings you’d like to trade for it (Scorpio loves to barter).

Find an item that represents what you are releasing (such as a bag of potato chips, or a picture of your former flame). Once you’ve found a spot that feels right, dig a hole a few feet deep and sit next to it, with your item and paper in hand. Call on Pluto, the ruler of Scorpio, to aid your quest. Tell him your sorrows, your difficulties with this attachment or addiction, and how much you need relief. Pour it all down the hole. Shedding tears will fertilize the rite.

Now read what’s on your paper, set it on fire and throw it in the hole. Once the paper has burned down, say goodbye to your symbolic item, add it to the grave, then fill in the hole. Give thanks to Mother Earth for composting your offering. And, thank Pluto for giving you the strength to let go of the past and transform your life.