The Black Moon ~ September 30th

"What hurts you blesses you.

Darkness is your candle.

Your boundaries are your quest.”

― Rumi"

Friday September 30th, 2016 we’ll see the second occurrence of the New Moon in a single month. We’re all familiar with the second full moon called the “ Blue Moon” but the second New Moon also has a special name, she is called the Black Moon, doesn't that just sound powerful and majestic? well that's because she is!

The New Moon is a time of initiation and new beginnings. It is the time to plant the seeds of what you want to grow in your life. Making a wish, intention, a promise, or a vow is a common custom. It is believed that as the moon grows, that your intention or goal will too, usually by the time the moon completes its cycle and returns full circle to new again.

Utilize the energy of the black moon for constructive magick pertaining to: Beginnings, New projects, ideas, inspiration, vitality, freedom, Love, wealth, success, courage,friendship, and protection.

New Moon offers us her energy of intention, to rid ourselves of the negative habits in our life. The energy of the new moon aids us in ridding our minds and bodies of toxic thought patterns as well as eliminating toxic substances like excess alcohol, processed foods, caffeine & tobacco usage. Starting a new project, or discipline should be substantially less difficult to stick to when started during the new moon. it's important to come up with a ritual that has meaning for you, instead of trying to follow any set guidelines (unless you're already part of an established ritual group).

REMEMBER: MAGICK WORKED DURING THIS POWERFUL TRANSIT IS NOT ONLY POTENT, BUT EFFECTIVE! BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR.

Astrology expert Molly Hall has some wonderful insights as to creating a personalized New Moon Ritual.

CREATING A NEW MOON RITUAL:

Gather Sacred Supplies: Your altar is where you collect your sacred objects -- pictures, found objects and the like. Using herbs with healing or symbolic properties adds to your ritual. Stones and crystals are another powerful ally. Candles are magical, and in its form contains all four of the elements. A small journal on hand allows you to keep a record of your intentions.

Preparing for the Ritual: This is the most important part of ritual, since your commitment is the key. Take a ritual bath with sea salt to clear your field of any negative energies. Sage is an herb used to clear a space, and make it sacred for ritual.

Light the end of the sage wand and blow on it until there is a smoldering glow. Use it around your own body, and in the space of your ritual. Clear your mind with meditation, using music or just quieting down in your cleared, sacred area.

Grounding: This is something that's important anytime, for staying connected to earth energy. Signs that you're not grounded are mania, nervousness, racing thoughts and the like. Too often we forget to feel the earth under our feet. I've mentioned Starhawk's grounding meditation a few times on the site, and her tree grounding exercise is one of my own daily rituals. In a nutshell, it's visualizing the roots going down into the Earth, through the layers, into the core, and then drawing that energy back up through your feet again. It moves through each chakra, coming out the top and down around you. Try this or another variation of grounding before you set new Moon intentions.

Your New Moon Wishes: After you've cleared a sacred space and settled your energy, you're ready to set your intentions. Make a list of what you'd like to draw into your life, and Dream Big! The new Moon is a moment to conjure what seems out of reach, and creating the vision is the first step to making it a reality. But these are not just words on paper. As you write them down as intentions, you are committing to doing your part to make them real. Some call it co-creating, since you're opening to universal energies to set dreams in motion.

Dreams of the Soul: Your intentions come from the longings that keep coming up. In the days leading up to the new Moon, give some thought to those longings, and see what images, dreams and streams of thought come up. Use symbolic associations to go along with your intentions. Weave in the element for the new Moon, and think about the houses and planets that are affected by it. For an earth new Moon, for example, you might plant seeds that represent your intention. Rituals are a way to work with universal energies, and draw attention to the particular life lessons, or arena (house, planet, etc) that it illuminates for you.

Symbolic Acts: Here's where you get to be creative. If your intentions are to write a book, or broadcast your ideas out to the world, tie them to a helium balloon and send them off. Write them on a stick and offer it to the fire. To open to love, put lavender and a rose quartz in a small pouch, along with the qualities you're seeking. If you're inspired, add a symbolic act to your intention-setting ritual.

Keep them Alive: A big part of success with new Moon intentions is what comes after. Find ways to keep them in the front of your awareness. Put them in a visible spot, or keep them in your wallet. Make notes in your journal about your progress. At the full Moon , find ways to take action on those intentions, and celebrate any signs of change.

BASIL PROSPERITY BATH RITUAL

"Basil is the botanical most associated with attracting wealth and prosperity. Large, fresh, vivid green basil leaves are believed to resemble cash bills. In addition, basil is strongly identified with various spirits of wealth and good fortune. The presence of the botanical beckons these spirits, together with their blessings of prosperity.

Basil belongs to Maitresse Ezili Freda Dahomey, Vodou spirit of luxury and is featured in many of her rituals."

INGREDIENTS:

Water

Fresh Basil

Boil enough water to cover basil.

Pick off about a handful of fresh organic basil leaves.

Place the basil leaves into a bowl and submerge them in the boiling water.

Allow leaves to sit in the water for about 15-20 minutes. Strain the basil and add the liquid to your tub of water.

Soak in the tub while floating the basil leaves in the bath water.

Crystals: Citrine, Tiger's Eye, Obsidian

Credit/ Source: hoodwitch.com