inspired by this new moon article, i decided this was a good time to post what i've been working on for cycles camp... maybe also a little bit so i'm not tempted to tweak it while i'm on vacation...
so, here it goes. it's a simple little camp... about the moon's cycles and our own cycles... read as you wish, post if you wish, but it's happy just to sit on it's own and "be" here for you when you wish.
much love and moon-y ness, and a great big mug of spiced wine or cider,
~~~~~~~~~~~
Welcome to Cycles Camp!
goddesses and moons, oh, my! most of us have some form of practice with both, many of us want a greater connection with both—hence this camp! one of my favorite ways to celebrate both is to honor the cycles they follow—the goddess by way of our own bodies, and the moon as she circles around the earth.
this is a simple camp, so i’m putting it all in this one post. many of you are familiar with the “female energy cycle” and also with the moon’s phases, so review if you wish, or skip on ahead to the fun sparkly links below. browse and find something that sparks you, or delve deep and re-evaluate your relationship with the moon… whatever speaks to you. mostly, have fun and be shiny!
the phases of the goddess and the moon
following your own cycle & the moon’s can be a powerful tool not just for enhancing your spiritual practice, but also for personal discovery and enrichment. it’s possible to gain better balance & greater harmony by not fighting your natural energy at different points in your cycle and the moon’s—embracing the natural rhythms of our bodies and of the moon gives us opportunities to uncover parts of ourselves, find inspiration, unleash creativity, and generally live more fully, magically, and blessedly.
there are triple aspect versions of both the moon and the goddess, but the four aspect version (adding enchantress and new moon) to me is key in terms of energy-- i prefer having the full moon correlate with the enchantress (rather than mother), because those are both ideal times for divination, so it feels right to me, but go with which feels right to you.
Goddess: ~maiden ~mother ~enchantress ~crone
(end of flow to cm starts) (cm starts-O) (O-period) (period-end of flow)
time to be out and exuberant / time to create and nourish / time for divination / cleansing and release
Moon: ~new ~waxing ~full ~waning
do something new / find a new way of dealing with an issue / watch for revelations / find something old to shed
“the female energy cycle”
i first learned about the fec here on mdc. this is the “official” site. the basic concept is that a woman’s menstrual cycle has four parts that correspond to the four goddess aspects. they list several goddesses for each phase, and the idea is to figure out which ones most closely relate to your own energy for each phase. then you can adapt accordingly. you can also work with any issues you may have had in your own phases (as a maiden or a mother, for example), or any challenges you might have with any of the phases (if you don’t, for example, connect with your crone self, you might have really painful periods).
the moon’s cycles
mooncircles is my favorite website for moon stuff. many of you are already familiar with it because i’m always posting links, but those who are not, here’s a quick list of links for some of the different sections…
an article on developing a moon practice
“today’s moon” - each day, the moon’s phase what sign she’s in
brief descriptions of the moon’s energy by the signs
articles and rituals at each new and full moon
a sweet little article about the quarter moons, for those who have a hard time embracing them
some fun articles to get to know the different phases of the moon a little better:
waxing moon, full Moon, waning moon , new moon: I love reading tracy’s new moon articles
more moon links: get a moon phases icon for your task bar .... if you have a website, you can post this moon phase calendar on it ..... star date’s moon calendar, with an actual image of the moon on each day
YOUR version of the phases
don’t just assume that you follow the fec chart exactly. i posted in the prep thread if people wanted, to start charting theirs earlier this summer, so they might see how they relate. same goes for the moon… while in general we feel the phases fairly consistently, the moon draws our emotions, and part of that depends on our own moon sign (if you don’t know yours, here’s one place to find out) and our links with whatever sign she’s in. (if you’re interested in astrology and haven’t done a full natal report, I love this free one.)
working with the energy
once you know how your natural energy ebbs and flows (or the moon’s), you can be more aware of when is a good time to do something or avoid something… like when’s a good time for cooking a new recipe, and when’s a good time to get take-out… when the best time is to clean, buy new crafting supplies, perform a ritual or divination. you can adapt your exercise or meditation routine for the greatest benefit, schedule coffee dates or play dates for your optimum enjoyment, and so on and on…
BONUS for the advanced moony
get your cycle in sync with the moon’s
and now, the sparkly stuff!
some fun and sparkly ideas for ways to celebrate your goddess phases and honor the moon’s. (note—when I say “phase,” below, i almost always mean BOTH yours and the moon’s)
Meditation, yoga, energy therapy
develop your own meditations for each phase—to center yourself in the primary energy of the phase, rather than avoiding it or wishing it away…
alternately, if the energy is too much and affecting you, you can develop tapping (or other “energy therapy”) routines per phase to help release some of it…
try some moon salutations (borrowed from saphire’s yoga camp!)
create a meditation slide show (or photo collage) with images of things you associate with each phase
make a goddess labyrinth painted rock like this one… you could make four, or just one, and use it as part of your meditations…
Altars, rituals
designate certain flowers, scents, colors, candles, stones, figures, images… per phase. here’s a link, borrowed from last year’s camp, about decorating by the moon
stunning goddess beeswax candles from etsy
make a moon candle (or candle holder)
how about a wild and crazy goddess (or moon!) doll, like this one... you could make one for each phase, or pick the phase you have the hardest time with, and make one in honor of her as part of getting in better tune with that aspect…
or a goddess wreath... leaves for maiden, flowers for mother, fruit for enchantress, bare branches for crone....
anyone do pottery? I’d love to make a goblet like this one… or you could get glass paint or that etching stuff and decorate a glass goblet.
make a goddess pouch for your tarot cards, like this one...
Beads
make a bracelet, necklace, hanging, or prayer beads…
you could make 4 sets, or just one with 4 elements, or one just on the goddess/moon aspect you either connect the most with, or least, depending on how you want to use them
we’ve talked so much about prayer beads over the past year (from winter solstice camp last year),
I don’t want to re-have the conversation, but here are some beautiful examples….
and here are some fun, lustable supplies from etsy….
goddess beads
metal goddess charms
glass goddess pendants
not really supplies, but
here’s a moon cycle bracelet from etsy…
and a goddess bindi for you belly dancing gals...
For those who do wire wrapping stuff—these are stunning! wire wrap moon pendant & this tree with moon bead
Fiber arts
Prayer flags (I lurve these!)again, either one with all the phases, or one for each… endless possibilities!
those who knit could make a cloak/shawl/wrap focusing on your cycle or the moon’s, or a phase you need it most….
A “moon braid” (this could be done for the four phases, and could be done for your phases as well!)
A moon eye (like a god’s eye)
well, that’s my little campity camp….
i hope you found something to make you smile and connect more with the moon and your goddess self! now go forth and be your own goddess!
:
so, here it goes. it's a simple little camp... about the moon's cycles and our own cycles... read as you wish, post if you wish, but it's happy just to sit on it's own and "be" here for you when you wish.
much love and moon-y ness, and a great big mug of spiced wine or cider,
~~~~~~~~~~~
Welcome to Cycles Camp!
goddesses and moons, oh, my! most of us have some form of practice with both, many of us want a greater connection with both—hence this camp! one of my favorite ways to celebrate both is to honor the cycles they follow—the goddess by way of our own bodies, and the moon as she circles around the earth.
this is a simple camp, so i’m putting it all in this one post. many of you are familiar with the “female energy cycle” and also with the moon’s phases, so review if you wish, or skip on ahead to the fun sparkly links below. browse and find something that sparks you, or delve deep and re-evaluate your relationship with the moon… whatever speaks to you. mostly, have fun and be shiny!
the phases of the goddess and the moon
following your own cycle & the moon’s can be a powerful tool not just for enhancing your spiritual practice, but also for personal discovery and enrichment. it’s possible to gain better balance & greater harmony by not fighting your natural energy at different points in your cycle and the moon’s—embracing the natural rhythms of our bodies and of the moon gives us opportunities to uncover parts of ourselves, find inspiration, unleash creativity, and generally live more fully, magically, and blessedly.
there are triple aspect versions of both the moon and the goddess, but the four aspect version (adding enchantress and new moon) to me is key in terms of energy-- i prefer having the full moon correlate with the enchantress (rather than mother), because those are both ideal times for divination, so it feels right to me, but go with which feels right to you.
Goddess: ~maiden ~mother ~enchantress ~crone
(end of flow to cm starts) (cm starts-O) (O-period) (period-end of flow)
time to be out and exuberant / time to create and nourish / time for divination / cleansing and release
Moon: ~new ~waxing ~full ~waning
do something new / find a new way of dealing with an issue / watch for revelations / find something old to shed
“the female energy cycle”
i first learned about the fec here on mdc. this is the “official” site. the basic concept is that a woman’s menstrual cycle has four parts that correspond to the four goddess aspects. they list several goddesses for each phase, and the idea is to figure out which ones most closely relate to your own energy for each phase. then you can adapt accordingly. you can also work with any issues you may have had in your own phases (as a maiden or a mother, for example), or any challenges you might have with any of the phases (if you don’t, for example, connect with your crone self, you might have really painful periods).
the moon’s cycles
mooncircles is my favorite website for moon stuff. many of you are already familiar with it because i’m always posting links, but those who are not, here’s a quick list of links for some of the different sections…
an article on developing a moon practice
“today’s moon” - each day, the moon’s phase what sign she’s in
brief descriptions of the moon’s energy by the signs
articles and rituals at each new and full moon
a sweet little article about the quarter moons, for those who have a hard time embracing them
some fun articles to get to know the different phases of the moon a little better:
waxing moon, full Moon, waning moon , new moon: I love reading tracy’s new moon articles
more moon links: get a moon phases icon for your task bar .... if you have a website, you can post this moon phase calendar on it ..... star date’s moon calendar, with an actual image of the moon on each day
YOUR version of the phases
don’t just assume that you follow the fec chart exactly. i posted in the prep thread if people wanted, to start charting theirs earlier this summer, so they might see how they relate. same goes for the moon… while in general we feel the phases fairly consistently, the moon draws our emotions, and part of that depends on our own moon sign (if you don’t know yours, here’s one place to find out) and our links with whatever sign she’s in. (if you’re interested in astrology and haven’t done a full natal report, I love this free one.)
working with the energy
once you know how your natural energy ebbs and flows (or the moon’s), you can be more aware of when is a good time to do something or avoid something… like when’s a good time for cooking a new recipe, and when’s a good time to get take-out… when the best time is to clean, buy new crafting supplies, perform a ritual or divination. you can adapt your exercise or meditation routine for the greatest benefit, schedule coffee dates or play dates for your optimum enjoyment, and so on and on…
BONUS for the advanced moony
get your cycle in sync with the moon’s
and now, the sparkly stuff!
some fun and sparkly ideas for ways to celebrate your goddess phases and honor the moon’s. (note—when I say “phase,” below, i almost always mean BOTH yours and the moon’s)
Meditation, yoga, energy therapy
develop your own meditations for each phase—to center yourself in the primary energy of the phase, rather than avoiding it or wishing it away…
alternately, if the energy is too much and affecting you, you can develop tapping (or other “energy therapy”) routines per phase to help release some of it…
try some moon salutations (borrowed from saphire’s yoga camp!)
create a meditation slide show (or photo collage) with images of things you associate with each phase
make a goddess labyrinth painted rock like this one… you could make four, or just one, and use it as part of your meditations…
Altars, rituals
designate certain flowers, scents, colors, candles, stones, figures, images… per phase. here’s a link, borrowed from last year’s camp, about decorating by the moon
stunning goddess beeswax candles from etsy
make a moon candle (or candle holder)
how about a wild and crazy goddess (or moon!) doll, like this one... you could make one for each phase, or pick the phase you have the hardest time with, and make one in honor of her as part of getting in better tune with that aspect…
or a goddess wreath... leaves for maiden, flowers for mother, fruit for enchantress, bare branches for crone....
anyone do pottery? I’d love to make a goblet like this one… or you could get glass paint or that etching stuff and decorate a glass goblet.
make a goddess pouch for your tarot cards, like this one...
Beads
make a bracelet, necklace, hanging, or prayer beads…
you could make 4 sets, or just one with 4 elements, or one just on the goddess/moon aspect you either connect the most with, or least, depending on how you want to use them
we’ve talked so much about prayer beads over the past year (from winter solstice camp last year),
I don’t want to re-have the conversation, but here are some beautiful examples….
and here are some fun, lustable supplies from etsy….
goddess beads
metal goddess charms
glass goddess pendants
not really supplies, but
here’s a moon cycle bracelet from etsy…
and a goddess bindi for you belly dancing gals...
For those who do wire wrapping stuff—these are stunning! wire wrap moon pendant & this tree with moon bead
Fiber arts
Prayer flags (I lurve these!)again, either one with all the phases, or one for each… endless possibilities!
those who knit could make a cloak/shawl/wrap focusing on your cycle or the moon’s, or a phase you need it most….
A “moon braid” (this could be done for the four phases, and could be done for your phases as well!)
A moon eye (like a god’s eye)
well, that’s my little campity camp….
i hope you found something to make you smile and connect more with the moon and your goddess self! now go forth and be your own goddess!
:
(jk)
:
Thanks so much!!
