Sacred Self Care Guide for March 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 March 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, tarot card reading and plant medicine plus lots of guidance for mindfully navigating the world with your vibrant well-being in focus.
New Moon Wisdom from Michelle Prentiss
New Moon in Pisces- March 17th 6:12am PST
So it’s Pisces season – the time of year where we float a little bit, are sensitive and touchy and our New Moon in Pisces on March 17th asks us to seek out where our vulnerabilities can be transformed into understanding. As we work on ourselves, both inner and outer, we become our own healer and in doing so – we automatically radiate this healing to everyone whose lives we touch.
Our pain and fears can be the greatest teachers as they hold the key to our individual wounds, which often is our life’s work!
All this energy is working in harmony with the planet Jupiter; currently retrograde in Scorpio. Expanding beams of deep inner work are rewarded. You may have epiphanies as you dig into yourself, creating the opportunity for re- birth in places where you may have been stuck.
In addition to the Sun, Moon, Chiron and Neptune in Pisces, we have Mars, Saturn and Pluto in Capricorn. Pisces/ Capricorn has a helping connection, with Capricorn forming a structure to contain Pisces, much like a cup contains water.
Structure allows us to hold our energy, to not waste it or let it dissipate. Capricorn energy is about taking responsibly to build structures that are practical, sustainable and lasting. Pisces helps Capricorn by suggesting the boundaries of the structures you build in your life are best if permeable.
This month, ensure your structures contain space for the waters of life to flow in to your hearts, for the winds of the world to blow new and expanded ideas into your minds and the fires of the cosmos to warm you with their inspiring energies.
If you know your astrological chart, take a look at the places where Pisces and Capricorn fall or planets in these signs. This moon you can heal and build a new life for yourselves in these areas.
Very soon after the new moon we have the energy to take a new leap – March 20th is the Spring Equinox when the Sun will join Venus and Mercury in Aries.
Mercury will retrograde the 22nd until April 15th. Take this time to review the insights you get during your new moon healing- and put your actions plans into place after mid April.
Suggested Intention Setting for Our New Moon
Friday Night (March 16th) is dark of the moon and a great time to write down your power wishes for healing and manifesting. If you have an altar you can decorate with flowers, photos of beloved ones and any personal devotional images- I like the idea of using images of Kwan Yin- the Chinese Goddess of compassion this month. In a quiet space, take some time to connect deeply with yourself and write down some desires and wishes for the month. There is no right or wrong way to do this. Use the prompts below to assist you. You may burn, bury or put away your list after writing it- or even simply speak your desires aloud to a burning candle. The more succinct you can be the better it is- but know that you are in co- creation with the mystery of the universe and must allow the desire to come to you in the way that it does….
Focused intention setting on the areas below (for your Sun/ Rising) is extra powerful this month!
Aries- Your Wholeness, Spirituality, Synthesis
Taurus – Your Friends, Community, Ideals
Gemini- Your Vocation, Status, Celebrity
Cancer- Your Philosophy, Mind Expansion, Travel
Leo- Your Re-birth, Intimacy, Shared Resources
Virgo- Your Relationships, Partners and Foes
Libra- Your Work, Service, Health
Scorpio- Your Creativity, Lovers, Children
Sagittarius- Your Home, Family, Self Esteem
Capricorn- Your Communication, Mind, Learning
Aquarius- Your Money, Resources, Job
Pisces- Your Self, Your Body. Your Persona
New Moon Self Care through Magical Herbalism from Jacqueline Zajdman
Ah, Pisces. Always the dreamer, the cosmic dancer, free flowing, emotional and creative. Neptune, Pisces’ ruler also inspires depth, introspection, and a discomfort with our earthly world. The Piscean influence can leave us feeling like we’re living on our own plane, in a different dimension. Often, I find myself in a thinking mind, instead of a feeling heart space. So I ask myself, how can I harness this dreamy state of being, while tapping into my creativity and adjusting to the environment around me? The question for this new moon is how can we better navigate the tides of the Piscean flow?
Pisces energy always draws me in like a siren calling, taking me on a dreamy ride through the Vortex! I can hear Bette Davis in the background saying “Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy night,” if I don’t just jump on board! So, let’s dive in, turning to our plant allies for guidance on this ride called LIFE. They are powerfully conscious energetic beings that shift our perspective just by drinking them in and surrounding ourselves with their beloved energy.
The idea of dreams, illusions and psychic ability speak to the Crown Chakra, while the Sacral Chakra governs our vulnerable flow, creativity and sensuality. Some mystical plants such as Jasmine, Damiana and Butterfly Blue Pea can act as a conduit to dreams, psychic ability, and the connection to one’s spirituality and intuitive knowing. Jasmine works as a lovely infusion or herbal bath to bring out that luscious abundance of water element and psychic intuition into your life. This plant is blooming all over LA right now… take a moment to inhale her gorgeous perfume. Damiana rolled and smoked, brings an awareness of solar energy upward through the body. She will help you receive messages from the cosmos while entering a blissful state. Butterfly Blue Pea is a nourishing herb that also speaks to sensuality, an integrative knowing of the whole, and an inspiring watery energy that also turns your infusion indigo! Pure magic. Remember to play with nature and ride this mutable wave!
New Moon Tarot Wisdom from Kristi Prokopiak – Oracle Guidance for the Month
This new moon is inviting us to look bravely and deeply at our motivations and how we show up in this world. The more we uncover about ourselves as we progress on our healing path, the more opportunities we have to greet ourselves with kindness and love. No one likes to feel adrift, but sometimes we have to get clear about our lack of clarity. We don’t have all the answers, we don’t have complete control, and we cannot dictate how the show goes down. We can only control how we meet these situations. Lately I’ve felt like every new moon is a strict mother, coming to ask me what my intentions are and stalking me to see if I’m living up to my goals or pathetically losing my place yet again. Who needs that? My relationship with the moon needs a little tweaking, because I believe she is here to illuminate our needs, help us keep track of where we are headed, and joyously celebrate the abundance of our everyday lives. Let this new moon be a mirror, showing you all the places you can love yourself a little bit more, and allow this love to grow into a bravery that helps you spread that love and kindness to others. Let the watery depths of our emotions be the tides that bring us together instead of the waves that push us apart.
Cards pulled from the Ritual Oracle by Kristi Prokopiak
New Moon Animal Spirit Wisdom from Brook Albrigo
Badger Prayer –
“Fierce and courageous warrior. I ask a measure of your power and tenacity. Strong Jawed story keeper, help me express my truth and stories that matter. Master of the earth, teach me to dig deeper, show that which is hidden beneath the surface.”
The image of a Badger doesn’t inspire “warm” feelings for most, but this animal carries incredible medicine for us, especially during a Mercury Retrograde and Spring Equinox. Native Americans considered the Badger to be “of the earth” and story keepers. Carrying ancient and ancestral stories to help future generations.
They are wildly independent and nocturnal creatures considered the giants of the weasel family and how can any of us forget the “Honey badger don’t care” youtube videos? The Badger truly doesn’t care because he knows exactly who he is and what he wants. He brings us fierce will, determination and confidence. YOU know who you are. YOU know what you want. Be willing to stand up for and express yourself if backed into a corner or if you’re boundaries are crossed but be extremely mindful of the shadow side of badger. They can become quite vicious and aggressive- this energy can turn volatile quickly- so be careful not to become judgmental or hot tempered, avoid gossip and if you are starting to feel too “Badgered”, retreat into your sanctuary where you feel safe to ground and gather yourself.
It’s important to dig deep beneath the surface of situations that arise during this time to see what’s really going on before flying off the handle. Badger is strong willed and fearless, but does not fight for the sake of fighting. They have a strong will to survive and teach us to become more self reliant which means taking responsibility for choices and actions that might be toxic and unhealthy.
Badger brings us abundant earth medicine. So really utilize the earth element to get you through the month- eat rooted veggies, work with minerals and stones (Black tourmaline is perfect for Badger energy!), use herbs, maybe get your hands in the dirt and plant something. It is also potent energy for manifesting- especially when it comes to work! Badger reminds us that with patience, persistence, focus and determination- we can accomplish almost anything. It might require hard work and keeping your nose to the grindstone but it WILL pay off and don’t concern yourself with competition. Walk your own path at your own pace.
If you would like to connect with Badger on a more personal level, feel free to do a meditation inviting Badger in 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 Badger around or even watch nature documentaries with Badger in it paying attention to how they move and react.
