Sacred Self Care Guide for January 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 January from some of 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, card reading and plant medicine plus lots of guidance for mindfully entering 2018 with your vibrant well-being in focus.
New Moon Wisdom from Michelle Prentiss
New Year, New Moon in Capricorn January 16th 2018 6:17pm PST
There is a lot of powerful manifestation energy in this moon!
Capricorn is the last of the earth signs, the 10th of 12 planetary energy modes, and is concerned with mastery.
At its most “evolved” Capricorn symbolically integrates the spiritual with the material-taking trans-personal energies and making them “useful” in the world.
Where you find this sign in your astrological chart you may be practical and ambitious, grounded and extremely hardworking. This is also the place where you must take responsibility for yourself and become your own authority. Capricorn will always force us to learn to trust ourselves as we work toward our goals.
The cosmic energy of the week connects with an ongoing theme of destruction and re-creation (Sun, Pluto and Venus in Capricorn conjunct the Moon).
What is being transformed in your life? Take some time to think about what you want to leave behind. This Moon can be the catalyst for a powerful new start and the understanding that you are the creative artist “behind the curtain”.
The planet Uranus squares our New Moon; you may be inspired, illuminated or exasperated. Either way, it’s energy to make you want the change that is coming. Mars and Jupiter in Scorpio support the Moon, Mercury, Venus and Pluto in Capricorn- providing both the desire and fulfillment of well-deserved optimism and faith in our future.
Scorpio and Capricorn have a harmonious and supportive relationship, fueled by a mutual “passion” for self-improvement and hard work.
Another member of the cosmic party is Chiron the healer in Pisces – lending wisdom and healing to our endeavors this month and beyond. Now, we have the power to shift our lives and consciousness in practical ways.
We are getting the message that to change our world we must open our hearts and minds and begin “ the work” of taking responsibility for our lives and world with compassionate action.
As Capricorn Martin Luther King said: “Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.”
The Sabian Symbols, an intuited description of every degree of the zodiac, contributes to this theme “ 27 Capricorn: Pilgrims climbing the steep steps leading to a mountain shrine” The ascent of individualized consciousness to the highest realizations reached by the spiritual leaders of it’s culture. The rise of human consciousness” (Dane Rudhyar)
Powerful, energies are rising to meet your desire!
What will you manifest with this opportunity? Plant “the seeds” now and watch them grow!
New Moon Plant Wisdom from Jacqueline Zadjman
The energy of Capricorn is revealing herself in the first new moon of the year. In her brightest energy, we feel the influence of our connection and intimacy to the physical world. As a Capricorn sun myself, I know this energy too well. It craves earth and nature, but demands structure and initiation of dreams and goals. Capricorn loves to pound the pavement, as work and pleasure are boundless, dancing the line between what we have to do vs. what we feel we innately must, always rewarding us with soul growth. Rather than become overwhelmed with the idea of structure, why not toy with the sensuality of what “structure” actually means to you? I do best with the concept by finding strength in rooting in myself; my body, and ritual, by using the power of plants and nature, when I’m nurturing ambition and needing to create something larger than myself.
We are still deep into winter, but that doesn’t mean we can’t live well in difficult circumstances. At this time of year, approaching the Wolf full moon, our ancestors took refuge in their homes, staying close to the fire and living off of the bounty they collected in the fall. Sometimes we loose sight of slowing down and become consumed with productivity when we should be resting. Living in California, I treated myself to some forest bathing in the Muir Woods. I took off my shoes and earthed right into the vibration of the soil, soaking up the language of the roots and mosses of the redwood forest, releasing inflammation and worry. Last year I lived in NY and walked through the snowy park for an hour to fill my lungs with crisp air. Whatever climate we may be experiencing, we beat inflammation by being outdoors and raising our immunity.
Sleep and rest is also essential at this time. The moon brings out an introverted energy within us, so lean into it! We need rested minds to support all of the work we are initiating. I take my As Above mellow tincture in the evenings before bed, or drink infusion with the same blend. Medicinal teas are a go-to for me, and I love mixing Passionflower, Tulsi, Scullcap and Lemon Balm for the sweetest sleep and dreams. Supporting our nervous system is essential in keeping our cortisol levels at bay. If you are feeling depleted, a wonderful nourishing herb to work with is Stinging Nettle. Always a safe herb with no toxicity, I am called to her when my adrenals are shot. Nettles are like mothers milk for adults. High in iron, nettles were utilized in Europe during WWII when traditional foods were scarce. Chock full of nutrients, throw a handle of dried nettles into a quart size jar, fill with cold water, and sip on your infusion in the morning to give your body it’s needed nourishing wake up call. Like Hippocrates said, “Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food.” The gifts of the season are shining down on you. Trust in the mystery of this new moon to rest, restore, and be the boss of your own life!
New Moon Tarot Wisdom from Kristi Prokopiak
Welcome to the Capricorn New Moon! I’m sure everyone is talking about structure and determination and hanging out on the side of steep cliffs like crazy goats but the Seven of Wands is here to let you know you’ve been doing your work and you are good!!
Our culture often wants us to do more, be more, and achieve more. While I am a fan of creating a clear path and dutifully falling in line to get things done, my Leo side knows that sometimes things happen you were not prepared for and you just gotta improvise. The best laid plans can go down in flames and it’s up to you to know your own personal triage skills. The Seven of Wands stands firm in this knowledge. She’s done her thing, she’s killing the game and has confidence in what she is doing… but she is under attack. She dotted her i’s and crossed her t’s but everyone is still interrupting her flow. The good news is she is unbothered. She’s totally centered and her boundaries are firm. She’s gonna weather this storm and she is gonna use their nonsense as fuel to move forward stronger and brighter than she has ever been. Turn your obstacles into your power, and do not let yourself fall into victim mode. You have everything you need to continue to thrive. Your power is on full blast and no one is gonna break your hustle. Keep doing you.
Deck used: Dark Days Tarot Deck
New Moon Animal Spirit Wisdom from Brook Albrigo
Last month we worked with Arctic Fox. Trusting our senses and intuition to know when to wait and when to pounce- purposeful action!
The New Year can give us a rushed sense of change that is not long lasting because it comes from a place of needing to appear like we are a whole new person.
This might have caused some frustration and disappointment when shortly after- things pretty much felt the same. The animal spirit that wants to assist us this new cycle is the Swan.
The Native American Lakota tribe believe that Swan is a messenger of Faith and comes to us in times of despair. In ancient Greece, the Swan was seen as a symbol of beauty and grace. It was also a sacred animal to Aphrodite and Apollo in Greek Mythology. The Greeks then believed that the swan sang a sweet and beautiful song when people died. In Celtic tradition the Swan represents the soul, our eternal essence. The Swan is a sacred and powerful bird ally to guide us into the first New Moon cycle of 2018 as well as guide us back to ourselves.
The Swan asks you to go with the flow and trust your inner guidance. You can’t control the pace of events coursing through your life but you can try to handle whatever comes your way right now with grace and poise. Life may not be perfect but there are still so many incredibly beautiful moments. When a bird can live both on land, water and air- they possess the gift of flexibility and can navigate the mind, body and spirit easily. You may be experiencing heightened senses now, but know that Swan will help you glide through them with ease if you can learn to not struggle against the current.
This deeper awareness of your intuitive senses helps you comprehend and process your emotions with fluidity and even channel it into creativity. Have faith and surrender- all will work out exactly the way it should.
If you would like to connect with Swan on a more personal level, feel free to do a meditation inviting Swan to come to you and communicate what specific medicine it brings you at this time. You can also keep an image or small statue of Swan around or even go out a watch them in nature, paying attention to their movements if is that is available to you!
From us at Rising River Wisdom School all the best for this Month and New Year!
