Well, that's it. The last New Moon of 2022 has been and gone. It feels so strange to think that another year has gone by but time stops for no one. This was an interesting event because it was only two days into Capricorn season and there were FIVE planets interacting in the sign of Capricorn too.
New Moons are typically good for setting intentions and this was no different, even though it's the last one of this calendar year. Before this lunar ritual, I wasn't sure what my intention would be but I think it became clear as the ritual went on.
After casting the circle and calling in the directions, we journeyed with a meditation. I started with the New Moon behind me at the base of a hill, which was covered with snow but snow wasn't falling at that time. There was a path going up the hill but it wasn't well-walked although there was a clear indent in the snow. The air was crisp and chilled, like a typical cool winter's evening. The snow crunched underfoot and there were some birds singing and flying around. An unexpected development was when I looked up and saw my dragon was accompanying me on this journey.
Along the path, there were items that I picked up as I walked along. There were 8 items altogether that were supposed to assist me with my intention for this next lunar cycle. I found: a wooden heart that was in pieces but not completely broken; a dragon statuette; a wheel with 8 spokes; an open book but it wasn't clear whether it had writing in it or not; a pen and paper; a crystal ball; a pile of crystals; and a group of plants.
Once I had picked up these items, I found myself at the top of the hill and lifted up my arms to reach up to the Full Moon in gratitude for all that will happen in the next couple of weeks. I also looked back towards the base of the hill and the New Moon to see just how far I've come. This was a really powerful feeling as I felt like I could accomplish anything.
I felt like each item held its own message for me about what I could do. First, I felt like the wooden heart was saying that I can put my heart back together and heal. This is something that I'm working on anyway as I don't want to always carry and be affected by the wounds I've received in my past. I want to heal and feel some form of wholeness, even if that means accepting that some wounds can't be truly healed.
The dragon statuette was encouragement to continue to work with my personal dragon. I love this because I do want to work with my dragon, building on the relationship I have with them. At the beginning of December, I ordered a new deck called The Celtic Dragon Tarot to further this part of my work. It was interesting that my dragon flew overhead during the meditation journey as well, showing me that they are always with me, no matter how alone I may feel in my mundane life.
The wheel was more encouragement to keep going generally with my goals and desires. I also feel like the wheel was signifying that I need to set intentions or the wheel itself, my determination and will, will have no power or purpose so will sit unused and forgotten about. This is definitely something I need to work on as I tend to go through life with a more "happy go lucky" attitude.
The book was saying that I need to be open and understanding. This is something that I am working on, both with others but also with my own self. I sometimes forget to give myself the space to experience my emotions and can even try to force my way through when in reality, I needed to just be. I struggle to have an emotional connection with others but I know that if I really want to have meaningful relationships, I need to start with connecting with my own self and this will then build the relationships I do have.
The pen and paper was saying that I need to continue to write and express myself. When I was a child, I wasn't able to express myself or my emotions so I had to bottle everything up. As an adult, I've realised how self-destructive this pattern of behaviour is. So to combat this, I started this blog but I've also started to tell others that I'm not having a good day so I need to spend some time practicing self-care. At the same time, I'm also trying to hold that space for others so they can express themselves however they need to as well.
The pile of crystals was saying that I need to work with them more. This is interesting because I have a growing crystal collection and I'm using more crystals in my spells as I do them more regularly. Some crystals I wear daily, while others I have in certain places to assist with what I do in those spaces. I feel like I'm becoming more mindful of their energies and how I can work with them to achieve my goals.
The plants were saying that I need to remember to just be with no expectations, to allow any growth to happen naturally without any force being exerted. I did the Rewild Your Roots workshop with Erin LaFaive which I have written about but this seemed to fit into the knowledge I gained. I do want to work on my green witchery skills but this is rather a long-term goal but I can still learn more about plants and how they fit into my Craft and life.
I left the crystal ball for last because this is really interesting and almost like a coincidence but I don't believe in coincidences. I believe that everything happens for a reason and with the fact that I've felt a need to do something without knowing why, but I've still done them and then I've later been given context or confirmation that I needed to do those things, I'm in the process of learning how to just follow my gut feelings. This is sort of what happened with the crystal ball: I went into my local metaphysical shop for a couple of crystals and felt the need to pick out my own crystal ball. I hadn't planned on getting one at this stage but I followed the feeling and it was only when I attended the New Moon in Capricorn ritual that I received confirmation that I needed it.
With there being 15 days between the New Moon in Capricorn and the Full Moon in Cancer, it was suggested that I write down 8 things to do based on the items I picked up along my walk, and then an extra 7 supportive/affirmation notes. I could then pick one randomly every day or number them and pick them in a certain order - I opted for the first, just to make life a bit more exciting and to challenge myself. I put them in a bowl and placed the bowl on an altar where I would see them every day and remember them.
This was interesting as an entire ritual because it felt strange to set intentions with the New Year fast approaching but I think that it's a timely reminder that we can always have a new start, with every new moon, and the start of every month.
I hope this inspires you to see how you can work with the Capricorn energy of this time of year but also coupled with the energy of the New Moon.
Peace and love to you all!!
Comments