Sacred Self Care Guide for April 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 May 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 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:
Taurus New Moon 5/15/18 6:47 AM PDT
“Tending our Garden”
A NEW MOON is when the Sun and Moon are co-joined. This month our lunation is in the sign of Taurus and will be joined later in the day by rebel planet Uranus, who will stay in the sign for almost 8 years! This brings extra emphasis to the new moon’s power in the manifestation process. Expect possible signs of what will be revolutionized collectively and personally over the next years.
Taurus is the sign most closely connected to Earth and it’s resources. It is “the container that allows energy to manifest on the physical plane; it draws the creative spark of Aries into form. It submits instead of subdues, it favors nurturing over destruction and harmonizes with the greater whole.”*
Taurus is our sensual world, it’s smells, tastes, and it’s products.
It is the “green world”, our planet’s gifts and resources. Taurus is the ecological steward!
Earth Moons always put us in touch with our physical and sensual body. Going slow, we can experience how our body feels, which may not have been the same as yesterday or how it will be tomorrow. This gives us receptivity to our changing experience and prompts grounded growth through awareness.
Though we are slow and sensual in this Moon time – we have friction between Mars and Uranus at 29 degrees Capricorn/ Aries.
The 29th or last degree of any sign is considered to be the critical one – it’s unstable as it changes into a new form. Themes of volatility are present in the flux.
Mercury is conjunct Uranus too – Money and communications may be affected. This could be in shocking and revealing ways. Venus is strong though-and we can look to her for a key to getting the most out of the intensity.
To begin, we plant the seed of intention for everything we want to manifest by getting grounded. Stop and Breathe! Venus essentially represents the law of attraction and one’s personal pleasure in BEING. Taurus and Venus are very much about feeling, balance and centering as well as contact with our earthy reality.
In a Manifestation practice (a VERY Taurean activity) we first pay attention to what we desire, from there we put our will into motion in a step-by-step way, with ritual and activity.
Delve into what you personally need for peace and stability this week – for some it is action and variety and for others quiet harmony. Go within and listen to your body’s wisdom to the find your center. No matter the changing in our collective (and it will be changing quite a bit more!) this will provide the most sustainable resource of all – a deep well of inner guidance and a foundation of healthy connection to your personal source of equanimity and security.
Know that you are a magical manifestor! Cultivate the concept, work with law of attraction and watch your garden grow!
Here is a little ritual for connecting to your body on the moon from The Chopra Center:
Exercise: Get Grounded
One powerful way to expand your awareness is to ground yourself in your body. Whenever you feel distracted or triggered by a situation or event, tune into the feelings in your body. For instance, if you receive an unexpected bill and your normal reaction would be to feel angry or anxious, try this simple yoga pose known as Tadasana or Standing Mountain.
1. Begin by standing* with your feet hips width apart, the big toes slightly turned in. Engage your thigh muscles and lift the knee caps.
2. Align your body by having the knees above the ankles, the hips above the knees, the shoulders above the hips, the ears above the shoulders. The crown of your head is reaching up toward the sky.
3. Lengthen your tailbone toward the floor. Lift your ribs up from the waist. Your feet are firmly rooted on the ground. As you feel your connection to the earth beneath you, you become as steady as a mountain. Slowly lower your hands to your sides.
4. Now take a deep breath, close your eyes, and let yourself feel the sensations in your body. Focus your attention on the waves of sensation until they disappear.
By pausing and becoming aware of your body and the present moment, you’re breaking a conditioned pattern of stimulus-response. As you breathe, your body is reminded of its natural state of harmony and self-regulation, and this grounds you.
*Dana Gerhart
New Moon in Taurus Plant Spirit Advice with Jacqueline Zajdman:
When Taurus season rolls around, I am forever reminded of the tale, Ferdinand the Bull. Rather than fight the Torero in the bullring, he loved to stop and smell the flowers. As a child, I loved the story of this gentle creature being so enthralled by the brilliantly colorful, intoxicating flora. The new moon in Taurus expresses an amplification of this energy. Ruled by Venus, we feel a focus on beauty, luxury, Self-care, and an understanding of what we value.
Taurus can be slow moving and resist change. It is a sign of consistency, stability and security. However, times are constantly changing, and we must learn to embrace this movement as holistically as we can. With Beltane behind us and Summer Equinox on the horizon, the new moon is a perfect opportunity to stay open and heart centered while staying focused on the prize. With so much action around the corner, how can we use our plant allies to help stay soft while we ask for guidance and tune into our intuition?
I invite you to lie on the earth surrounded by plants and flowers. Find a park, a mound of grass in your yard, or give yourself the gift of a nature walk. Let the sun shine on your face as you notice the color of the flora around you. What flowers do you see? Do they have fragrance? Are bees chasing their pollen? Start to notice the beauty and intricacy of the petals, stamen, the golden dust of pollen, the way color strokes each petal; the miracle in every flower. Watch their leaves undulate in the breeze, vines curl, thorns entangle. Bring awareness to the textures, the expressions of their buds opening to the sun. Ask spirit for guidance, and notice the colors, words, and images that flood through your conscious being. Feel your clenched muscles start to dissolve into the soil below, tap into your dreams, your hopes and wishes. “If you truly love nature, you’ll find beauty everywhere”- Van Gough
New Moon in Taurus Tarot Wisdom from Kristi Prokopiak – Oracle Guidance for the Month
As we come out of the fiery energy of the Aries moon and settle in to the earthly Taurus vibes, it’s important to take a look at what we value. What makes us feel centered, calm, safe and secure. This new moon is the perfect time for setting some honest, grounded, but flexible intentions.
As we peruse the cards that came up, I’m feeling like that Aries fuego is shown with the Page and Knight. We were full of motivation, passion and sharp ideas over the weekend. How do we anchor all that in? Taurus values what is real, but what I’m seeing from these cards is an inability to truly know what real is. The High Priestess and Moon are asking you to sit with that. Your deep subconscious wells are full of knowledge that you can always access if you allow yourself to actually listen.
We are so in the game, out in the world kicking ass and taking names, but when it comes to feeling secure and in your flow, what does that actually mean to you? Self care is about knowing what you need at any given time. Could it be that right now your self care looks like some introspection? Try to pause the outside noise and go deep within to listen to what the Moon and High Priestess are here to tell you. Can you find some cozy, velvety blankets, nice candles (or whatever that Venus splendor means to you!) and do some real talk journaling?? Taurus honors honesty, and you are being called to get truthful with yourself at this time. Are you wearing yourself out with all your passion and drive and not going deeper to get in touch with what your highest self truly values?
The Six of Wands wants you to know your work is not going unnoticed and you are able to meet your needs in every way, but take a few minutes to reflect on what really matters to you. All the riches and earth comforts in the world may feel pretty bleak if you don’t have community to share it with, friends to laugh with, or the right foods to nourish you. All that focused hard work means literally nothing if you can’t enjoy the fruits of your labor. So this new moon, align with your deepest needs and see how you can make that Taurus energy work hard for what will truly replenish you at this time.
Cards used: The Illest tarot by Kristi Prokopiak
New Moon in Taurus Animal Spirit By Brook Albrigo:
Vulture – There is life in death
Last New Moon cycle we basked in the beauty and music of Toucan! This New Moon cycle brings us a very different style of bird that needs no song to express itself.
When I left behind my business, friends and life I had built for 7 years on the East coast to move back to the West Coast, I of course, had so much doubt and fear. I had no idea what the future held and the drive cross country felt like floating in a void where I wasn’t quite sure what my destination was going to feel like. We decided to break up the drive by camping on the way and had stopped at a lake in Ohio where I took a short hike to stretch my legs while there was still light. Halfway through my walk there was a huge dark brownish black Vulture feather right at my feet. I took a deep breath and felt reassured that I was on the right path making this move and I needed to let go of what once was. This life as I knew it had to die so my new life that was waiting for me could begin.
Vultures aren’t exactly known for their good looks or friendly demeanor but they play a very integral role as the natural purifiers of the Earth. They teach us the importance of the death/rebirth process and that one hand washes the other. The sacred recycling of energy that doesn’t actually “die”, it just gets renewed over and over. Take stock of what is “dying” for you right now, or maybe it’s been dead for awhile and you haven’t been able to let it go. Instead of seeing this as a loss or negative, assess how it can actually bring new life and nourishment. How can this energy be recycled into something that feeds me? Think of these “deaths” as a compost making your soil rich and fertile.
Vulture asks us to be patient and watchful as they circle above their pray waiting for the right time to swoop in.
Don’t exert your energy unless it is necessary and be smart with your timing. Vulture has no real voice so it teaches us that actions speak louder than words right now. Stay true to your word, keep your promise and show rather than tell when something is important whenever possible. Remember there is great wisdom in silence. Vulture tends to be a shadow animal which means it invokes fear in many people but there is great medicine in that! What do we actually fear about Vulture? Why does it make you uncomfortable? What part of yourself can you see in that? Fear of Death, change, letting go, the unknown? Embrace what comes up for you when sitting with the energy of Vulture and let it teach you how to find life in death.
If you would like to connect with Vulture on a more personal level, feel free to do a meditation inviting it 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 around or even watch nature documentaries with Vulture in it paying attention to how they move and react.
