Entering The Sage Moon | New Moon Lunar Report

This New Moon on February 1st could be considered the most powerful new moon of the year!

This new moon takes place on both Imbolc and the Lunar New Year in the sign of Aquarius. This helps us begin the month with what feels like a clean slate ready for powerful new beginnings.

This new moon is also right in the middle of Venus direct an Mercury direct which further helps set the stage for brand new beginnings in our relationships and the ways we might connect with others.

With this new moon we are entering the Sage Moon Cycle. This represents the time of year to clear away any stagnant or stuck energy so that you can plant new seeds for the year ahead.

Each month using our planners, decks and the current astrology, we create the New Moon Lunar Report.

Read complete article at: Spirit de Lune ~ Entering the Sage Moon | New Moon Lunar Report

A 21st Century Wheel of the Year: Reskilling at Imbolc

The Druid's Garden

Imbolc–the first signs of spring (artwork by myself and my father, Mark Driscoll)

In a traditional neopagan Wheel of the Year, Imbolc is the holiday that offers the first signs of spring. Most traditionally, this is when the ewes began to lactate, and the snowdrops appeared on the landscape in the British Isles. In the age of climate instability, traditional seasonal interpretations become challenged for many reasons–not the least of which are climate disruptions. So how might we bring the holiday of Imbolc into the 21st century and think about what this holiday means to us today?

As I’ve discussed in earlier posts in this series, the 21st Century, the Age of the Anthropocene, offers us a set of unprecedented challenges and yet opportunities. As a permaculture designer, I think it’s important to recognize that while the problems we already face are unavoidable, these problems give us a…

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Daemon

Welcoming In The New Year And The New Moon

Mercury enters its first retrograde period of the year on the 14th of January in the sign of Aquarius. Mercury retrograde in Aquarius can have us questioning what areas we are feeling restricted by in our lives. Aquarius is all about freedom and liberation, so this retrograde could have you noticing the areas in your life where you need more expansion and movement.

On the 16th, Sun conjunct Pluto can help you step into your personal power and make decisions from a heightened perspective. There is also a desire and increased ability at discovering mysteries or uncovering secrets.

The Full Wolf Moon in Cancer takes place on the 17th. The moon is most at home in the sign of Cancer, and you too might find your focus on your home and family.

The Wolf Moon in the nurturing sign of Cancer could shift your attention towards the safety of your pack and your environment. You might feel like cleansing, blessing and protecting your personal space at this time. Listen to your instincts!

Read full article at: Spirit de la Lune ~ Welcoming in the New Year and the New Moon

An Approach to Spiritual Retreat and Rejuvenation: Going Dark Week

The Druid's Garden

Perhaps now more than ever, the idea of taking regular retreats is a critical one. Last week, in my post on the Winter Solstice, I shared the deep need for restorative activities that allow us to heal, process, and deepen our practice–particularly in today’s age and as we move further into the age of the Anthropocene. Finding restoration activities are particularly critical because so many of us are languishing, dealing with the real effects of deepening climate change, dealing with the long-term upheaval and separation due to the pandemic, among a host of other issues. Thus, this week, I want to share one practice that I’ve developed over the years that is particularly helpful–I call it “going dark” or “inner life retreat.”

What is a Going Dark Spiritual Retreat?

Going dark to explore the world of the subconscious and dreams

The principle of going dark is very simple–rather than…

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Sacred Goddess Magic

A 21st Century Wheel of the Year: Restoration at the Winter Solstice

The Druid's Garden

The time of the greatest darkness is upon us at the winter solstice. Each morning, the sun seems to struggle to rise and hangs low in the sky. The world is covered in frost, cold, and snow, and the darkness of winter sets in. This is a hard time for many, perhaps more so now than before, given the cultural darkness and challenges that so many of us are facing globally and locally. So facing the darkness, in this very challenging time, takes something extra.

Winter Solstice Snow

In my first post on this series (Receptivity at the Fall Equinox), I made the case that the traditional Wheel of the Year was developed and enacted under very different conditions than our present age. We now live in the Anthropocene, a period of human-driven climate change and cultural unrest which is very different than the Holocene, the period of…

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Sacred Trees in the Americas: American Holly (Ilex Opaca) – Magic, Meanings, Ecology, and Divination

The Druid's Garden

American Holly is one of the most wonderful trees for getting us through dark times. And as the season of darkness is upon us once more, it is a good time to consider the magic, meanings, and mystery of this incredible holly tree!

American Holly has many names including white holly, prickly holly, Christmas Holly, Yule Holly and Evergreen Holly. It is quite similar to European Holly (Illex Aquifolium) with similar leaves, berries, and an overall growth habit. The American Holly has larger, brighter leaves and berries, but the trees are otherwise quite similar. While I often argue against importing meanings and uses of European trees into American contexts (with Ash being a great case in point), in this case, I think that the myths and old-world understandings of Holly apply!

This post is part of my Sacred Trees of Eastern North America series–here you can learn about the…

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Druid Tree Workings: Witnessing the Death of an Old Tree

The Druid's Garden

Oak friend – one of my first interactions with this incredible friend and mentor

Many of us on the path of nature spirituality grow close to trees–so very close. What happens when a tree that you love dearly, who is a good friend and mentor–tells you that it is time to go? In this post, I share the story and passing of one of my dear tree friends, a White Oak with a giant burl. After I share the story, I offer some general thoughts about how we, as humans, can support and honor the natural lifespan of our tree friends. This post is meant to be a compliment to my earlier post: Holding Space and Helping Tree Spirits Pass. My earlier post talked about trees who were cut before their time–while this post honors those who have the privilege of living a full life and dying naturally.

The…

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Solar Eclipse Portal | Entering the Cold Moon Cycle Moonthly Lunar Report

Are you feeling the intensity behind this total Solar Eclipse in Sagittarius right now? This last New Moon of 2021 is a big one that helps us close out and learn lessons that began almost 2 years ago.

Eclipses are powerful portals that we can intentionally use when it comes to our life lessons and soul progress.

They are known for their intense energies, and they often bring with them major life lessons. While this one is no different, it carries a much more optimistic and friendly tone thanks to Sagittarius.

This new cycle is our final cycle of the year and with it comes opportunities to create and refine the life we are wanting to bring into 2022.

Read original article at: Spirit de la Lune ~ Solar Eclipse Portal | Entering the Cold Moon Cycle