Last Quarter - Tumblr Posts
LAST QUARTER MOON RITUAL
The last quarter moon is a time when it appears as though the dark and light are in equal proportions. This provides and energy that calls us to find balance. The first quarter moon holds a similar energy, but works by means of finding what we can draw to us. The last quarter moon inspires us to let go of all that is preventing us from being in balance and harmony. The type of ritual that resonates best with the energy of the last quarter moon, are those that bind, banish, and clear. There are a ton of “mystical” ideas surrounding those terms and I typically avoid them for this very reason. Today however, we will address these words head on and think about what they actually mean in our real lives.
Banish, bind, clear, what do these words have in common that makes them resonate with the energy present at this time? These actions and intentions help us to rid ourselves of the things that prevent us from being in harmony. Energy that we do not want to resonate with, we work to remove from our lives in one way or another. This is where these words find their common ground - the energy behind them. The number one thing I feel that gets overlooked or lost in translation when these words come up, is the idea of free will. Often when these words are used it is in relation to removing someone or something that has free will of their own. This is an area to use good common sense with. Our will does not negate the will of anyone else. Ever. We can engage in a battle of will if that is what we want to do, but our will does not supersede the will of another just because we say so. For the majority of situations out there, we can accomplish what we need in regard to the words ”banish, bind or clear” without really having to even think about engaging in a battle of will with anyone or anything - with one exception that is. Our own will.
In my experience the majority of issues that fall into this category of “removal” are really not that of removal at all but of transmutation. For example, someone in our lives is “toxic” and we want to banish them from our lives. This is not a case of making them go away but of addressing how we act and what we do that allows them to interfere with our lives in a negative way. Finding the areas we control and assuring our actions align with our intentions is the act of banishing, binding and clearing. This pretty much holds true across the board with very limited exceptions - again, in my experience.
The ritual that suits the energy right now is one that helps us identify the areas of our lives that we need to apply this act of transmutation. Maybe we have addictive behaviors, maybe we don’t speak our truth, maybe we put others before ourselves; whatever it is that is preventing us from flourishing and having balance is what we are hoping to identify. Mostly likely we already know what this is and are typically reluctant to fully address or accept it. I know I need to stop eating sweets all day, I am aware it is an issue, and yet here I go overindulging in them when I feel emotional or bored or really anytime I see them. This is a behavior that I need to address. We ALL have them. This behavior may not seem significant on the surface but it is something that influences my physical well being and my emotional well being, both things that influence my energetic well being. The thing is, when our vibrations are lower we don’t heal as easily, we may not have the clarity we need, we can have trouble attracting what we want because we are not a vibrational match due to this little insignificant behavioral pattern. So again, more often than not, the answer to our disharmonious energies lies within ourselves and our own actions.
So today we are looking to highlight just one thing we do that prevents us from manifesting the life we want. That is the ultimate goal of our ritual. You can use whatever form of divination you prefer as I feel this is a very personal thing. Some like tarot and some like rocks, some prefer tea and some like bones, really it doesn’t matter. Experienced or not, we are all capable of divining our guidance. Sometimes all it takes is a simple bit of meditation to find the answers we seek. For this particular ritual intention, I prefer the Lenormand system of divination. It is very direct and right now, I will refuse to see my own flaws. We all do this to some extent, I like the unavoidable message that the Lenormand card can offer here.
I center, ground, shield *cutting cords as I do this, circulate and just sit for a few moments. I want to be sure I have total clarity before I begin even thinking of my intention. Once I feel in that state of control, I focus on what I want. I want to know what is standing in the way of what I want. Each month this may vary, sometimes it’s easy to see things like weight loss or money but others its deep healing and inner peace type stuff. So that’s all you where your particular focus is right now. We always have many areas to improve at any given time. After I am focused on only what my intention is and the question I have; I pull just one card. I interpret that card as I see fit and apply it to many different areas of my life until there is one that just feels significant.
Once I know what area is the area that is most beneficial for me to focus on at this time, I want to ask myself some questions.
Who are the involved parties?
Why is this affecting me?
What are the areas of my life this is influencing?
What actions or behaviors of mine contribute to the issue?
How can I change?
These seem like stupid things to do. Reading them, I know someone will think that. The thing is, like that sugary treats issue above, we might not see all the areas in which something has influence. Especially when it is us that needs to change. Making these things black and white is one of the best ways to actually implement physical change. To bind our own actions and prevent us from harming instead of helping ourselves. So, once we have answered all of these questions, it is time to make another grid! I love the grid for this as it works so well to help target the areas of support we will need.
For this one, I love the lotus pattern but it is not one that is easily accessible for everyone. If you have it, I like it for the energy of karma, addressing behavioral patterns and soul growth.
For those who do not have this grid, we can use any you like, but my next choice will be the Flower of Life. This can be printed from pretty much anywhere online.
When placing your crystals, we want the focus stone to be us. This might be a bit different than what some are used to, but this grid is to help us rid ourselves of anything that is preventing balance. So, after our crystal goes center, we place crystals, herbs or trinkets wherever we feel is the right place. There is no wrong way. Each item is an area we feel we need to strengthen in order to let go of the pattern or behavior we no longer want to engage in or resonate with. Let’s keep with the above example, If I want to use self control and not eat all the sweets in the world, I might put something like Desert Rose in the center so that I might harness my will while also ushering in high vibrations. When our energy is in balance, we might be less inclined to engage in impulsive behavior. Then I might add crystals like carnelian and garnet for strength and determination, amethyst for clarity and to help me see why I am feeling impulsive. Get the point? Each item we add, serves a purpose that aids our ultimate goal. Strengthening ourself so that we can keep our conscious will winning above our subconscious will.
This applies to things like personal betterment as well as how we interact with others. We can’t control people and we shouldn’t hide from them either. We can control us and how we react. If someone is causing us pain, we have the control - we just need to believe it!
Once we have placed everything on the grid, take a moment and visualize its purpose, see it helping lend you the energy you will need in the weeks to come as you shift your own way of being into a more balanced state. As you go about your day, pick two times a day to either sit with your grid or just visualize it. This will serve as a reminder and reinforce your conscious goals so that your subconscious is working along with you and not against you.
I thought I was alone
Until I met you I discovered that I was a part of you
