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?
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. Coming from water season to fire season - with the wane of the moon there may be some tiredness
Whilst we may be moving into ‘Summer’ holidays in the sense of the Gregorian calendar and the sense of flow dictated by our ancestral harvest pattern. Actually we are to some degree slowly closing out ‘Summer’. We can feel confused as our bodies attune to what is actually going to be moving towards Lammas and first harvest by the end of this month.
It is helpful to consider the effect that this possible dis-regulation has on us and our flow state if we are resistant to the constant turn of the wheel and the yearning for the Solar maximum. In Leo Season we are all about celebrating the Solar - especially that which has been. We are nostalgic …
Next Steps on the pathway
As the moon goes dark you will be sent a link to the EARTH content
The moon is now in her last quarter lunar water phase in the initiatory fire sign of Aries.
How can we initiate the smoothing of edges to allow the tumble stone to take form. We are not static ~ and yet we believe we should ‘stay’ in a certain state. Or that what we are, or what stories we hold define us. Can we recognise and action an awareness within ourselves that pours a balm on these old wounds. Knowing that this is far more about integration of what has been, than trying to change, fix or eradicate a part of ourselves. How can we allow the purifying waters to soften us to ourselves. To clear the grubby reflection and create new expanded perspective. Can we reinstate a relational way of being in a new light?
What are we willing to transform in ourselves in fire Season? What has been transformed in the light half of the year? As we reflect on what has come about - how can we celebrate what is going to be harvested across the next three ‘thresh’-holds
Our ancient kin understood the Sun as a deity to worship - before Science confirmed the material and alchemical reasons why - we connected to it as the Spiritual Sun and the life giver
Lammas
The festival of ‘Loaf mass’ is traditionally celebrated on the 1st August. The first of the three harvests in the wheel of the year. Baking the harvested corn, offerings of corn to the land and wild crafting corn dollies. It is a time of the year where we become even more attuned to food production and the land as a significant and life giving entity all of its own. It requires us to be in close conversation with our bodies. Many of our ancestors would have been involved in the community harvest. Now most of us are separating the wheat from the chaff in more metaphorical and ‘Aquarian’ air realm sense. And yet we are being called back to this intrinsic relationship with the body, land AND the spiritual element of this connection.
Lughnasadh
In Celtic mythology, Lammas is associated with the god Lugh, a deity representing craft (fire) and the sun. In the stories of Lugh, his tale speaks of his ultimate sacrifice to ensure the land's prosperity. The festival celebrates the literal harvest of crops and the fruits of one's labor and achievements. It also reminds us of what is needed to be done to ensure the continuation of the next harvest. It is circular and not short-sighted in recognising it is a perpetual process of regeneration.
Lionsgate
The apex of Lion’s Gate is August the 8th - 8/8 (powerful numerology) - and yet the portal technically runs for two weeks - from late July to mid August depending on the astrological alignment each year.
The Lion’s Gate is when Sun in Leo is in alignment with the star Sirius, Orion’s Belt and Earth. You will hear people talk about how Sirius "rises" (becomes visible due the Sun's yearly passing of the star).
Sirius is the Alpha star of the Canis Major constellation - it is the brightest star in the sky and is astrologically considered to be a spiritual sun.
To the Ancient Egyptians it was very important. They referred to it as the goddess Sopdet. In their deep connection to the land AND skies, the annual rising of this star denoted when the Nile would begin its annual flood and feeding the land. This star bought the harvest and the fertility of the land.
Astrologically, Sirius brings wealth and abundance. The Solar ‘I am’ also connects us to being famous and therefore fortunate to be seen.
If you feel inclined to work with the star energies then this is a good time to consider the ‘gold’ of manifestation. This is a time of a bridge between spiritual and material abundance.
Mercury Retrograde
The new moon next week will coincide with Mercury going retrograde (so maybe have clarifying conversations now or be very diligent if you will be having them during this time)
Lunar suggestion
What does it feel like to do a ritual in the last quarter phase of the moon?
We put so much emphasis on new and full moons, but to really flow in harmony with the cycle, none of them should be considered more important that the other. Consider how you might balance this aspect. Perhaps if not in this last quarter but in the new first quarter of the building moon
Blessings on your harvests