At the new moon in July I was feeling really energised, full of motivation with lots of plans and new ideas. But earlier this week when the dark moon came around (the days at the end of the lunar cycle before the new moon) I was in a very different place. I was feeling lost, low and defeated, questioning what to do next. I often turn to Oracle Cards for guidance, but I couldn't find any light there either. Essentially, I was looking for the answers outside of myself, when really I needed to look within. In fact, the exact place I needed to look was in my own journal.
I just so happened to have written some absolutely badass intentions at the new moon in July .. and then just .. ignored them for a month. Helpful! There are many reasons why this happened, essentially called - life. Wasps nests, dentist trips, money worries, car issues, work stress, family stress, lots of plans .. I could go on. So whilst many people were posting on social media about the Lionsgate portal and how they were really tapping into the big motivational energies that were around, I was feeling totally overwhelmed.
So there is reflection number one - sometimes things just don't go to plan. Sometimes we get caught up in the daily ups and downs of life and just can't, won't or don't prioritise time for rest, for connection or focus. And that's OK, it happens. But it can result in feeling lost and stuck in the darkness.
In those days before the new moon, I had spent the whole month rushing from one issue to another without space and reflection. I felt like I had made no progress and didn't know what to do next. A number of things then happened, some good and some bad, that started to open my eyes again. Firstly, someone reminded me to ask for help when I am feeling lost. That sometimes someone else can see things more clearly than I can when my head is in the darkness. Secondly, sometimes being triggered to look back can wake you up to the present. One of the challenging experiences I had was something that triggered a lot of old emotions and took me back to a time I am trying very hard to let go of. I recognised this straight away - what had triggered me and why, and I was able to reflect more on my own journey away from that world and how far I have come.
This new moon cycle started at 10.38am on Wednesday 16th August. Honestly, it was like a breath of fresh air. That evening I sat down to do a meditation and a card reading, as I always do at the new moon. I stumbled upon a particularly uplifting piece of music, with vocals (very unusual for me!) and used an essential oil aura spray I had made for growth and success. I used Yasmin Boland's Moonology cards and my reading was unbelievably positive! I knew I had to build on this energy and set some amazing intentions for the rest of the moon cycle. I opened my journal and there were last months intentions, staring me right in the face. Straight away I realised that already have everything I need to move forward. I have all the skills and the tools to get back on track, alongside the support of some wonderful and inspirational friends, family and peers. I also was reminded that setting intentions alone is not enough. Our actions have to echo our intentions if we want to manifest our dreams.
I drew one more card, this time from Stacey De Marco's Queen of the Moon Oracle deck and it was 'Gratitude'. Of course.
Gratitude is not just about being thankful for material things. It is also about being grateful for who you are. For your strengths; your skills; your abilities; your experiences and responses; your flaws and the lessons you have learned. Gratitude can be about remembering your worth and the potential opportunities open to you.
So take a bit of time when you can to reflect on your own greatness! Explore ways that your strengths and your skills can help you to achieve your dreams and your goals. Have faith in yourself and everything will work out as it is meant to.
To help you along the way I have given a link to a free download of a gratitude worksheet! Enjoy and let me know how you find using it!