Sacred Self Care Guide for December 2018 from Rising River Wisdom School

In all the worlds’ mythology and culture, there have been wisdom keepers, those who looked to the natural and the hidden worlds as a guide for life on earth. Within these seekers are stargazers, who ascribe meaning to the “stars” and their movements through the solar system.

 Though Earth’s Moon is no star, it reflects the brightest light we can see in the night sky. Its phases are a part of human consciousness, and its movements affect systems on earth and sea. When we align our activities to the Moon’s cycles we find a greater connection to both our bodies and intuitive wisdom. Read on for some self care wisdom inspired by the new moon. 

Rising River Wisdom School is an immersive program for those looking to step into their own power and carry wisdom for themselves and the world around them. Below you will find some Sacred Self Care insight for December from Rising River Wisdom School’s incredible teachers – we’ve got you covered for setting intentions with the upcoming new moon, to seeking insight from animal guides to plant medicine, plus lots of guidance for mindfully navigating the world with your vibrant well-being in focus.

New Moon in Sagittarius December 6th 11:20pm PST By Michelle Prentiss

As our days in the Northern Hemisphere become shorter and the darkness rises up, we have the light of Sagittarius Season to guide, illuminate and inspire us to move forward, to progress and endure. The element of fire infuses this conjunction of the Sun and Moon, as does the overlay of Sagittarius’s ruling planet Jupiter, now powerfully at home and beaming expansive energy into the birthing of the new. This is the very last New Moon of the year and an especially magical time to perform any intention setting ritual that centers on expansion and positivity.

Magical, Mystical Neptune in Pisces also plays a strong part in the cosmic party. Riding alongside Mars and newly in direct motion, this planet sends a shimmering and compassionate beam of light directly into our hopes and dreams. Our imaginations are sparked and our intuitions can be extra sensitive now.

Mercury also stations direct earlier on the 6th, joining every planet in the solar system other than Uranus – in strong forward motion. Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune are also situated in their sign rulers. This can bring us an opening to personal and collective energetic re-birth- much needed after the deep soul searching and shadow work of the last year.

Optimism and Faith are key words of the lunation – along with Courage and Expansion. Take the time to step in to the potentials you have, believe, trust and step into the light of the season!

Here is a New Moon Ritual To do for this Month, to add to your intention setting. I was inspired by the Goddess Hekate in her aspect as a guide through darkness and a purifier of spirit. This is adapted from archetypalwitchcraft.wordpress In Antiquity Hekate was strongly connected with purification of persons or the household – and in this ritual we will address Hekate in her roles as a Goddess of purification- but also in her aspects as the Goddess who has powers over the spheres of earth, sea and sky and who is the ensouler of the cosmos and the shining guide.

Read on for this month’s New Moon Ritual along with plant medicine and power animal guidance for this New Moon in Sagittarius….

You will need:
A devotional shrine to Hekate with a picture, image or statue of the Goddess.
Two candles to illuminate the shrine
One white, red or yellow pillar candle
An apple or pomegranate (as offering)
Three bowls
Garlic, Onion or an egg
Water (if possible source water)
Lavender, basil, rosemary or hyssop
Incense.

Light the two candles that are on the left and right side of the statue/image of Hekate on your shrine.

Speak:
“I light these divine flames in the name of the great Goddess Hekate, may her divine fire be present on this shrine, and may her light bring protection and blessings.” Burn some incense and say: “I burn this incense for the great Hekate, may this smell welcome her on this shrine”. You may also use this prayer “Hekate Pasikrateia- great and powerful Goddess, heavenly, earthly, underworldly, Key holding queen of the cosmos, ensouler of life, bearer of divine fire, you who have power over earth, seas and sky, almighty queen Be here on this shrine, and bring your protection, blessings and love!”)

Burn again some incense and take the incense into your hands and let it circle three times over the shrine and let the smoke touch the image of the Goddess. Speak: “I offer you this incense Io Hekate, Io Pasikrateia.”

Ask her to help you to clean yourself from all negativity and harmful influences.
Take the garlic/onion/egg out of the first bowl and hold it in your hands. Imagine that all negative energies flow like a dark energy out of your body, when you feel it is enough say in your own words that you free yourself from all negative influences in the name of Hekate Chthonia.
Take the water into your hands. Ask Hekate Einalia in your own words to bless the water. To fill it with her love and light. Sprinkle the water again and again over yourself and speak again and again: Io Hekate Io Einalia. While you do this imagine that the water cleanses you and the love of the Goddess fills you.

Now take the incense out of the third bowl and pray to Hekate Ourania to bless and clean you. Smudge yourself with the incense; imagine that you begin to glow and to shine and that all remaining negativity leaves you. Now take the red/yellow/white candle and light it on the flames of the other candles. Hold it in front of you – so that the reflection of it light can reach you. Now ask Hekate Soteira to clean you with her
light.

Now you can meditate, enjoy the presence of Hekate, do divination, play instruments, dance or do other devotional acts to Hekate. Or thank her and close the rite Thank her with your own words. Ask her to guide you with her light. To protect you and your home and to bring her blessings into your life.

 

New Moon in Sagittarius Plant Spirit Medicine by Jacqueline Zajdman

Our last new moon of the year falls in the fire sign of Sagittarius. The archetype of the archer shoots their bow and arrow up into the cosmos, looking to pierce adventure, knowledge, philosophy and exploring life at high speed. Fire transforms, but when unmanaged, becomes restless and moves erratically without thought. Both describe the higher and lower forms of this energy. In its high vibrational form, Sagittarius also embodies awareness through the mind and heart. As we sweep through our current Mercury retrograde (Mercury ruling communication), the new moon can illuminate our dual nature as an intellectual and physical creature. But what binds our mind and body? The HEART.

I’m feeling this fire energy of wanting to move, travel, create and grow. Sagittarius highlights and inspires my need to expand, seek and philosophize. However, my heart feels a bit boxed in, wanting to run free and burst NOW. Yet, the energy of communication feels slower, the holidays are here, and the collective sensation of going with the flow and can feel a bit frustrating. At this time, I’m tending to my heart, practicing staying soft and buoyant. The message I keep receiving
is it will all come IN TIME. For now, I’ve been working with a blended infusion of several herbal allies to stoke my fire, keep me positive and my spirit calm throughout this lunar season. This heart blend unites rose, damiana, and cinnamon. Rose, the highest vibrational flower, unravels the tightness in your heart. She is slow, subtle, sweet, yet protective. Damiana speaks of joy in the solar plexus. While we use the leaf in tea, the yellow flowers are a message of joy, uplifting energy, and warming your power center to stay strong. Cinnamon heats the sacral chakra. It’s warmth and sweetness teaches you to stay inspired, creative, and enjoy the sensuality of life. You can create a tea or infusion, which allows the blend to sit for several hours to experience it true medicine. While you may be feeling the need to green light every project, idea and adventure now, stay inspired, keep your heart open to receive, stoke your fire, and remember, it’s all coming in time.

 

New Moon in Sagittarius Animal Guide by Brook Albrigo

Here we are, the last animal guide of 2018. Looking back, we started this year with Arctic Fox to Canary, Badger, Toucan, Vulture, Seal, Dove, Moth, Dragonfly, Frog, Crane and we are sealing this cycle with the none other than – Scorpion! Up until this point, we have gotten our fair share of the whole death/rebirth/transformation energy, what’s a little Scorpion poison on this wild ride that was 2018?! While this may sound scary, it’s actually kind of bad ass! Let’s be honest- we’ve seen some sh*t this year. We are stronger, wiser and take WAY less BS than we did 11 months ago. Scorpion is just giving you the final push to cut out the last remnants of toxic relationships, behaviors and situations (you know the ones I speak of). Check that baggage at the door of 2019 and give yourself the gift of a fresh start. There is no need to drag any unnecessary bitterness or pain into this cycle. By willingly taking these toxic
things with you – you are poisoning yourself.

This month, exercise caution and discernment. Not from a place of fear but rather a place of self-respect. You may feel agitated, provoked or triggered but it’s important to control your temper and not go full on stinger mode or you may spend January doing a good amount of damage control. If you are feeling flustered, take some alone time and use your healthy tools that help you blow off steam. Heightened passion and intensity can most certainly be channeled into your romantic partnerships so don’t hold back in the intimacy department- this month may sting a bit, but it doesn’t have to be all business and no play!

Keep your wits about you and if someone or a situation feels “off”- leave it alone. Really trust your senses! They are teaching you how to weed out who or what is bringing you poison or power. Pay attention to dreams, warning, signals and synchronicities this month- no coincidences! We will be in this Scorpion energy for a one-month cycle until the next New Moon in early January. If you would like to connect with Scorpion on a more personal level, feel free to do a meditation inviting it in and ask what specific medicine it brings you at this time. You can also keep an image or get outside and pay attention to how they move and act if you live near them.