New Moon Eclipse Wisdom + Creative Ritual

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The January new Moon comes with a partial solar eclipse, opening a two week eclipse portal that will end on January 20th with a full lunar eclipse. This Sagittarius new Moon mirrors and magnifies the challenges taking place in this spiritual fire sign right now. Currently Sun and Mercury are in tight conjunction with the restrictive and oppressive Saturn energy- all transiting Sagittarius. Physical, spiritual and mental bodies are feeling the pressure and stress- causing fear, anxiety and forcing simplicity and pruning away of excess.

As Moon transits Sagittarius and marks the emptying of the past cycle, she amplifies the intensity happening in the fiery, focused sign of Sagittarius which is often connected with dharmic pursuits. Are you on your dharmic path or off? Where are you feeling the pressure in your life? A reminder that wherever Saturn is putting pressure on you, he is asking for simplicity and alignment with natural cycles and rhythms. Where do you need to make some adjustments?

There is no denying that this new year begins with layers of challenging planetary dynamics and the eclipse portal adds to the intensity. Eclipses always come in pairs. In between eclipses is a two week period of shadow work and challenges with our natal karma. This is a time period to be alert and aware of what challenges are surfacing and attend to release, transformation and liberation. Eclipses, and the cycle between eclipses, is not a time to start new projects or be reckless in actions and choices. These are spiritual time periods meant to support moksha and awakening- however often through intensity, upheaval and change.

Individual themes for the eclipse cycle ahead can be seen from Sagittarius in your natal chart. Notice the house and themes that are offered from this part of your chart. These themes will be magnified and intensify as we move through the shadow work of this eclipse cycle.

This new Moon occurs on the 5th at 18:27 MT with a partial solar eclipse beginning at 16:34 MT. The eclipse will end at 20:48 MT, while the maximum eclipse will be at 18:41 MT. This eclipse will not be visible for North America, only for northeast Asia.

From a Vedic perspective, it is not advised to be outside during an eclipse or to look directly at the eclipse. Wear a head covering if you have to be outside so you don't absorb the shadow. Ideally, this is a time for spiritual practices such as meditation, chanting and fasting. Set intentions and honor the sensitivity of this time. It is also widely recognized that during and between eclipses, starting new endeavors will not bring positive results. No new projects, relationships or activities should start in the eclipse portal. Notice what needs are arriving, then take action after the eclipse portal closes. Best to lay low, attend to spiritual pursuits, get extra rest and work with your inner shadow very consciously during this cycle.

In the waxing cycle ahead, focus on your path and purpose. Sagittarius loves a one-pointed focus that has value, insight, spiritual purpose and powerful intentions for the greater good. Are you in alignment with your higher purpose or playing small and feeling insignificant? It's time to step up and play bigger- especially on the level of spirit. Align, awaken and co-create with nature, the ancestors and the spiritual realms. Allow spiritual wisdom and insights to influence you. Material pursuits and ego driven actions won't be supported right now. If you're having challenges and progress feels slow, it's time to make some adjustments. Spiritual and dharmic endeavors will be supported at this time but materialistic desires won't be.

New Moon in PurvaAshada nakshatra welcomes transformation in the body and allows the inner waters to purify, release and clarify. Movement, yoga, dance, creativity and pleasurable activities will allow the emotional body to move from stagnation to fluidity. Are you supporting your emotional body intelligence or bypassing it? Emotions are connected to your inner waters. This is also your connection to creativity, nourishment, life force energy and wealth on all levels of life.

Apas is the ruling deity of the constellation PurvaAshada. As the goddess of water, she supports purification on every level of life- either through gentleness or force. Water can be soft, misty rain, or forceful waves and stormy hurricanes. She can be immense flooding or a trickling stream. Without water, however, there is no life. Consider what needs purification and cleansing in your life. Where are you feeling the stagnation of your inner waters? How can you support the water of life to flow more freely in your body and life?


Wondering what to expect in 2019? Read my new year horoscopes!

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Creative Ritual

This Creative Ritual will also help you work directly with your challenges- emotion or otherwise. Take your challenge into a creative process and see what develops!
 
Step #1

Movement Exploration. What emotion are you feeling? Is it anger, depression, frustration, chaos, uncertainty? Start dancing this emotion. What does it feel like in your body? Do the "dance of anger" for example. What emerges as you do your anger dance?! Remember to let sounds out! Move and develop your dance for at least  minutes. When you feel a sense of closure, ask yourself these questions:

I sense, I feel, I imagine.


Step #2

Create an image of your emotion. What does it feel like? Put it on paper using colors, textures and shapes. Create an image that expresses your experience with this emotion and whatever emerged in your dance. Spend at least 5 to 20 minutes creating this image. I suggest using paints or craypas and a large piece of paper. Title your image. In your journal or on the back of the drawing answer this question:


If your image could speak what would it say?


Step #3

Harvesting. Answer these baseline statements and questions in your journal once you have completed the previous steps.   

I am___ 
I want___ 
I need___
 
What am I opening to?
What am I closing to?


Recycle this process whenever strong emotions emerge. Remember they arrive to give you important messages. Listen carefully and honor them with deeper listening. What is the emotion telling you? What do you need for deeper nourishment in your life?

Listen to my Podcast "How to Befriend Your Emotional Body"

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Are You A Sensitive Soul?!

I am on a mission to help sensitive souls (like you) clarify your inner truth and inner wisdom. To connect with your powerful purpose and innate leadership skills. We need you now more than ever!

Every week I offer two *free* dharma coaching sessions to action takers who are ready for deep life change. Is this you?!

Send me a message to see if I have any openings: swatijrjyotish@gmail.com