WATER
In the direction of the West we surrender to the elemental power of water in the waning cycle of the moon. After stoking the Fire we surrender to the alchemy that is born by combining these elemental forces. We invite the intention to purify, clear and soften ~ releasing what has been shown to us in the apex of the moon cycle.
Ho do you relate to this element within this season?
The importance of the full cycle
It is a time to be reminded that whatever blooms we forage (if we receive the fullness of bud as well as petal) we and other nature allies will not receive the harvest and nourishment of the berries. So gather responsibly and ensure you are only taking what you need in order to reap the benefits of the Autumn harvest in good time. Some things require more time to come to fruition - and that is ok. As we reclaim slow and steady sustainable action - away from Patriarchal value systems that demand everything, now with no rest - this is important to remember. Its the steady focus and devotion that brings our plants, our babies and our dreams into being … all in perfect timing
Womb Waters
Do you need fire or water at this time? Often at the peak of solar energy it is necessary to deepen our connection to the water - literally take on more water - preferably a vital and clean source imbued with plant magic. This is a great time of year for outdoor yoni steaming. Cancers moon mother waters come to support us to soften and release at the peak of solar energy
At this time we work with the Queen of the flowers. The Rose. Her energy transcends time and space. A bounty of transformative powers. A rich medicine. A cooling and reviving lustrous abundance. Her rounded petals are strong yet soft. She blooms and falls with knowing abandon. A feminine sensual sexual powerhouse that carries the codes of Isis and Magdalene. This Queen is born with integrated protection. We stop to notice her. She exudes strength. She doesn’t need us to notice her. She will bloom nonetheless. Her full embodiment of the women’s cycles of life through her own is a powerful gift for us to work with.
My own devotional path is with the wild rose ~ a very fleeting and rare chance to work with her petals. She is the epitome of a seeming fragile and short lived bloom and yet she is strong, connected and deep rooted in these lands. Working with her medicine is a particularly potent strand of the Rose medicine pathway.
Consider what you may need to prepare a womb steam, a saining (smoke) wand, a smoke blend to inhale or offer to your yoni. The gifts of the mother are at their peak of abundance and there is magic to be found in crafting with her for your personal journey. There is no rush. No need for anything elaborate - she has done that for you. But do begin the journey by leaning into a Summer Solstice craft
As we ascend to the apex of Summer Solstice what is your inner and outer altar needing?
What is the peak of medicine available to you at this time? Are you able to receive its fullness?
Cancer ~ 4th House of the Zodiac ~ Family & Home
Archetypal: Mother
Glyph: 69 ~ The dance of ying and yang ~ the merging of the sun and the moon ~ infinity
Elemental: Water ~ emotional health
Cancer qualities: caring, loyal, loving, intuitive, empathic
Shadow: erratic, overwhelmed, downtrodden
Cancers moon waters will tap into our emotional body - can we witness being too overprotective of our emotions or others? What narratives about our emotional body need to be nurtured and held in the bosom of the family? When are we leaning too far into emotional turmoil, or dragged under by our emotions? Do we drown in the emotional ocean or learn to flow with compassion through our emotional tides as they come and go?
Themes that may be highlighted under this aspect are - Our relationship with Mother archetype in ourselves. Our relationship with how we ‘mother’ others. Our own Mother and the relational field between us.
Cancer is a cardinal sign - that is one of the signs that initiates. So there is a sense that water needs to flow through the next journey of renewal
In this waning moon energy consider the Mother, the emotional realm and what needs to be released into the final days of this moon cycle
We will start to soften into the first harvest of Lammas
Give thanks for your beautiful body temple and give gratitude for your home and what you have cultivated in the home of yourself
Remember that to nurture and mother anything you first need to take time to nurture yourself - to continually keep and fill the wellspring
May you walk in the gnosis of your intuition and be guided by that wisdom for your own path
Blessings on the many petalled path
This is a reminder that the full bloom of summer solstice is intoxicating ~ we can feel a need to do everything, to harvest everything. To quicken with the pace. The healthy mother sits back and flows in her creative tides. Notice if you are able to receive. This growing receptivity is important. A practice, a skill to simply be and receive in the bounty of the solar energies.
I soften, I release. How does it feel in my body to let go. To surrender some tasks, some thoughts, some patterns, to watch the waters cleanse and renew that which stays to be revived and rebirthed
Litha ~ The peak of Light
Next Steps on the pathway
As the moon goes dark you will be sent a link to the EARTH content