AIR
First Quarter Waxing Moon
Autumn Equinox has tipped the scales and we are now in the ‘third trimester’ of the harvest tide. We can feel a palpable shift in the air. This seasonal tide is a lesser sabat in the wheel of the year. A culminating place where Libra delivers the final balancing to draw us towards the journey through the dark half of the year. .
Autumn Equinox to Samhain occurs through the culmination of a full final moon journey before we descend into the dark winter months
The moon is in its first waxing quarter in the sign of hard working and resilient Capricorn
The energy of the subconscious realms is gathering momentum as the moon waxes and her belly quickens
We are preparing for what used to be known as the New Year. In old European lore it was known as a festival of Witches Thanksgiving. In goddess and matriarchal cultures it was understood that all began in the darkness.
Postpartum is akin to winter in the women’s wheel - a time where something new is born but not yet ready to be seen by the light of day. When we birth anything, including rebirthing ourselves we are born again - changed. It can take a while to adjust to this new way of being. So we keep close and hunker down protecting the sanctity of all that we are bringing forward.
What we are severing or choosing to do differently has even more powerful repercussions in this phase of the wheel.
Since waxing moons are for outward invocations and actions, but with a flavour of acknowledging the work needed to draw everything closer … we are being asked to tie up loose ends, get things clear and start to prepare to move towards the final harvest. What needs to be prepared to keep the embers burning to see you through the darker months. Soon it will be time to gestate on projects that may not be seen until early in the Spring. Be aware that as messy humans we may feel deep frustration with things not being able to be tided off with neat little bows.
This harvest time is intensifying in the energy of release in order to have you fully equipped at the end of the third harvest to descend into the darkness with all that you need to gestate with
Please listen to this AIR transmission
~ Invitation ~
As the fruits ripen and ferment we take stock of our harvests and particularly in relational Libra of the balance in our relationships. Ruled by Venus we feel in to where there could have been more love and harmony in the lessons we have harvested
MOON
Capricorn is helping us to Earth some seeds in this phase. Think about the seeds you are keeping safe and warm this winter, ready for the time for them to be planted. There are some things we plant in the deep midwinter in full trust - waiting for the spring to see their bloom. There long gestations reminding us that all things come in good/god time.
ALTAR
The element of water in the West asks us to surrender and release. Acceptance is the name of the game. Resistance is futile as we navigate the amplification of this element. Your second harvest altar could be an honouring of the light and the dark and the seeming paradox between them, or a glowing cornucopia of fruits and autumn colours. Go into nature and take inspiration for how you can bring the outside in. Perhaps your altar needs clearing - a ritual of cleaning the space, clearing all items, intuitively choosing new items that wish to bring you inward.
PRACTICE
Consider how you will support yourself in all ways throughout the winter. Body oiling - particularly with something like a Mugwort oil for example can both stimulate circulation, bring clarity and protection and support in the dreamscape of the darker months. St Johns Wort oil will bring the solar peak of sunlight to your weary and cold bones in the depths of the darkest months. Consider taking time in the evenings for candle lit contemplation, baths with lots of salts to slough away the busi-ness of the summer. Herbal honeys are an amazing way to worship your goddess temple - both taking them orally and bathing in them. Find gentle ways to cocoon and support your nervous system as the wheel turns. Prepare your store cupboard for the transiting season so that you are prepared to support your body to have more warmth and resource.
JOURNAL
What is the balance of this harvest? What am I grateful for? Wha needs to be released? What is within my response-ability?
FOLK HERBALISM WITH PLANT KIN
Moss is one of the oldest plants on earth - a true wise ancestor - take time this autumn to commune with this kin. Spend time connecting to the fruits of the forest - the wise mushroom folk whose symbiotic relationship with trees is a joy to behold. You may wish to connect to the bounty of products available that offer their adaptogenic nature to support you to adapt to the seasons with more ease. Or if you are familiar with your shroom friends go and seek them out for direct support. Mushrooms, and wise ones require deep respect to work with the realms of healing that they can offer…always go gently and honouring with this relationship
The fruits are dark and rich, ripe and juicy. Full of Vitamin C. We have rosehip - particularly native wild rose hips, bright Rowan berries, and with lots of rain the mushrooms are bound to be very abundant soon
INCANTATION
“I trust in the unfolding”
I hope that Libra season brings you the inner resource to be able to find balance with whatever you are facing in your third and final harvest of the year.
RITUAL
As the earth turns and asks you to trust and surrender into the darkness, much like Spring Equinox, this is a chance to clean your space - both your hearth so that you feel ready for the Winter, but also your inward space
A time for calling deeper on intuition and ‘seeing in the dark’ - bringing owl eyed wisdom, a time for the hermit to shine and be in deep study of self or esoteric arts
Consider lighting a black and white candle and contemplating the light and dark in your life
Blessings of the Fruits and the ripening nuts
Next Steps on the pathway …
As the moon waxes to fullness you will be sent a link to the FIRE content