East of the Sun, West of the Moon

In Petticoats and Crinolines by Kay Nielsen

There are two things you need to know about this month’s full moon: firstly, it’s tonight (June 23rd, 2013), and secondly: it is what is known as a ‘supermoon’ – meaning that it will be the closest encounter the Earth has with the moon all year and will thus be 13% bigger and 30% brighter than at any other time. Gosh! You’ll be able to see it from wherever you are on the planet (weather permitting) and it’s bound to be a gorgeous sight!

But what makes me really excited about this month’s full moon is that not only is it the supermoon of the year, but it also coincides with the Summer Solstice and Midsummer. This quote from Kindred Spirit sums it up maginificently:

“The power of the full moon at this time is magickal, and we will all be East of the Sun and West of the Moon at Midsummer.”

~ Taz Thornton.

What do Midsummer and the Full Moon have in common?

Both of these seasonal events are about fruition, gratitude and the achievement of ideals. This is a perfect opportunity to set new intentions, shed light on any areas of uncertainty and give thanks for all your good fortune.

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Full moon ‘blossoms of blessings’ ritual

You will need:

Your Tarot cards;
An edible offering – tonight is known as the Strawberry Moon, so this berry would be ideal! You could also consider: tea (I’ve included a recipe for faery friendly black rose tea in this post), juice, fruit, bread or honey;
A ‘growing’ offering – a house plant, some wildflower seeds, or a plant for your garden;
Pen and paper

What to do:

Create an altar (see below). Place the Sun card in the East and the Moon card in the West.
Sit quietly with a pen and paper. Think mindfully, joyfully, about all the positive things in your life. If you made a list for the Solstice, you can review it now.
Choose three things you are grateful for and write them down. Try to cultivate the physical feeling of joy and gratitude as you do so.
Go through your Tarot deck and consciously choose cards that correspond to/represent the three things you are grateful for. You could choose the cards based on their imagery, definition, or the way they make you feel when you hold them: there’s no right or wrong way, as long as you know what they mean to you!
Put the cards prominently upon your altar next to the Sun card. Place your edible offering before them; as you do so, focus on the physical feeling of happiness the cards and the offering inspire in you.
Go through your deck and choose three cards to represent your aspirations and goals. Place these beside the Moon card on your altar followed by your offering of the plant/seeds. Turn your attention to feelings of optimism and hope. Breathe it in.
Speak aloud and explain why you’re grateful for your “Sun” cards – be as natural as if you were gossiping gleefully with your best friend. Mindfully eat or drink your edible offering, savouring the flavour. In between bites (or sips), say: “I am nourished by gratitude and I give thanks for the blessings in my life.” Save a little of your offering.
When you have finished your first offering, turn your attention to the second by explaining aloud the goals you want to achieve. Hold the seeds or plant in your hand and say: “I dedicate this plant to joy: as it grows, so shall my happiness. As it blooms, so shall my bliss. May the flowers of this plant sustain me as they sustain the honeybee.”
Take a few moments to breathe deep and imagine the sheer delight of attaining those goals! Feel it as if it were happening right now.
Finish the ritual by saying: “By light of Moon and warmth of Sun; as I will it, so shall it be done. Blessed Be.”
Take the last of your offering and place it outside as a gift for faeries, devas and wildlife. Scatter your seeds or plant your greenery. Breathe in the fresh air and if you can, take some time to gaze at the moon.

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Alex’s Sacred Space

Creating an altar

“For thousands of years people created altars in their dwellings. The home altar was a sacred space, a visible symbol of the connection between heaven and earth. It brought meaning into the ordinary moments of life and served as a focal point for communing with spiritual realms.” ~ Denise Linn, “Altars.”

Altars can be complicated affairs or sweet and simple spaces. I plan on dedicating an entire post to how to create an altar, but for this ritual I’m just going to give you some quick pointers as to how to make a basic altar.

First things first, find a clean, flat space that isn’t likely to be walked all over by your cats (don’t pretend that that’s just my life!). From this point onwards, everything I say is purely optional! Pick and choose what you like, leave behind what doesn’t work for you.

Cover the surface with beautiful fabric.
Figure out your cardinal points and align the altar with the directions.
Place objects that resonate deeply with you on to your sacred space: for this ritual, you might want to consider solar and lunar imagery. Red, orange or yellow flowers, blue fabric, seashells, depictions of your favourite Gods, Goddesses, Angels or Animals. Crystals could be carnelian, citrine, garnet and sunstone for the Sun card; moonstone, angelite, selenite or blue lace agate for the Moon card. And of course, the Tarot cards you choose during the ritual!
Recite your favourite uplifting prayer or poem in front of your altar to sanctify it.

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Faery Black-Rose Tea

In British folklore, Midsummer is one of three festivals that is dedicated to the faeries (the others being May Eve and Halloween). The veil between our world and the land of Faery is thinnest at this time and so the Good Folk are out in force creating mischief, dancing in the moonlight and leaving flowers and toadstools in their footprints. Want them to bless you and your home rather than vexing and hexing you? I’d consider leaving a cup of this tea outside for them to enjoy at their leisure!

Combine in a teapot:

1 tsp of black tea leaves

1/2 tsp of dried rose petals

1/2 tsp of jasmine flowers

Honey to taste (optional)

(loose leaves are better, but teabags will do in a pinch)

Steep your leaves and flowers in hot water for ten minutes. Pour into your cup and add honey to taste.

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Divination at the Solstice Moon

Together, the Moon and the Sun make this time incredibly potent for divination. What exactly is divination, I hear you ask? Well…

“Simply put, by developing our intuitive capacity, we decrease the gap between the limitations of our human ego and our divine nature, or God-like awareness. I think of divination as communication with the Divine, whatever Divine might mean to you, be it an outer deity, deep inner nature, or more.” ~ Katrina Wynne, “Transformative Tarot Counselling.”

I recommend you have a go at a form you aren’t familiar with – reading tea leaves, scrying in dark mirrors, etc. – if only for the fun of it! But fear not, I’ve put together a spread especially for the solstice moon so that we still have an excuse to whip out our trusty Tarot cards.

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Solstice Moon Spread

You now
Your situation
How to improve it
Your strengths
Your aspirations
How to achieve them
A message from your intuition/guides.

Go the extra mile

In ancient Japan, they would have moon gazing parties wherein loved ones would gather in the garden to recite poems and gaze at the moon. Now, this might be a slightly awkward thing to suggest to your sibling who would rather be playing The Last of Us, but it’s still something you can utilise at home. Simply suggest it as a curious astronomical phenomena and point to it through a window. Take a few moments to appreciate the beauty of the moon, even if your sibling merely glances, grunts and returns to the game.

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