Jenny Heston

Harvest Full Moon and Ritual.

This Saturday, September 10th we welcome in the Harvest Moon or the Corn Moon, which is in the sign of Pisces. This is the Full Moon that is closest to the Equinox (which is September 22nd).

Each Full Moon brings with it the energy of the astrological sign that it is in. However, I will be very clear here – I am not an Astrologer! I use astrology in my own life and with clients, but if you asked me to decipher your transits and all that, I would look at you as if you were bonkers!

(Although I can recommend some incredible astrologers to you, who make sense of it all).

Thus, I often bring the Seasonal Lens to my Moon work.

What does that mean?

For me, it’s more about where a moon falls on the wheel of the year.

Each moon cycle has a distinct natural energy. So when I talk about the moon cycles it’s all about the seasonal energy each moon holds, as well as some of the astrological energy.

Ask yourself – what is nature doing around you right now?

How does that make you feel?

Is nature stretching & growing or are things drawing inward?

Because if we are honest and tuned in, whatever’s happening in nature is happening within each of us too! And you can see the personal growth work you’re experiencing simply by watching what’s happening in nature.

The spiritual meaning of this glorious Harvest Moon is one of balance and abundance. It’s a time to honor and appreciate your home; a time for reflection and gratitude.

We are beginning to turn inward during this time of balance; as is the natural world around us. We feel the coming of the darkness and are pulled towards our spiritual side in a new way.

Now is a lovely time to realign with your spirit, soul, and Self.

So let’s create a ritual that embodies gratitude, the abundance of the harvest season and the release of summer.

Remember the steps for creating your own ritual.

What you will need:

A pen
A piece of paper
A candle
Matches or a lighter
A fireproof container, bowl or cauldron
A large jar filled with water (with a lid)
A crystal that resonates for your intention.

On the night of the full moon write down an aspect of yourself or your life that you need to surrender on a piece of paper or something/someone you need to forgive. Remember, forgiveness is a super power!

For example, you might write “I let go of my shame,” “I let go of my perfectionism,” “I let go of the friends that do not support my highest good,” “I let go of my past,” “I let go of my self-destructive tendencies,” etc.

Prepare a fireproof bowl, container or cauldron and place it in your sacred space.

Open your full moon ritual by visualizing the light of the moon encircling you.

Smudge and cleanse.

When you are ready, begin to burn your piece of paper over your fireproof container. Watch as the paper curls up into ash. You may like to say within your mind or out loud “I release this, back to whence it came to be transmuted and transformed and so it is. “

When the paper has turned completely to ash, scatter the ash to the wind. Alternatively, you can bury the ash. When you are finished, say within or out loud “it is done, it is done, it is done.”

(Note: if you are burning paper indoors, please ensure you practice caution and common-sense.)

Now take your jar, fill it with water, pop your crystal in it (please make sure that your crystal is consumable and will not dissolve in water.)

Pop a lid on your jar and find a place where it can bathe in moonlight.

If you can sit in the moonlight with your jar, all the better.

Hold your jar between your hands and pour in all your gratitude. What are you grateful for? Who are you grateful for? What makes you feel splendiferous? Whisper those into your jar.

Then hold it between your hands close to your heart and say out loud:

“As I sit beneath the Full Moon tonight,

I’m filled with an illuminating and positive light,

I am grateful for_______ and __________,

I honor these last days of summer and warmth,

May this next season bring love, growth, and joy,

to myself and those I love.”

Then leave your moon water to bathe overnight and all your gratitude wishes to be infused with the Divine Feminine of the Moon Goddess.

Crisis, Mercury Retrograde, Full Moon, and Equinox. Phew!

Jenny Heston · 3:23 pm ·

Happy Magickal, Muddling, Miraculous, Musical, Magnificent, Manifesting Monday!

And it’s the first Monday of September, and here in North America it is a Labour Day weekend, which means a 3 day weekend – let the glorious play time unfold! Which is what I’ve been doing!

I got dressed up for a fabulous outdoor adventure room experience themed as Alice in Wonderland, gathered ocean treasures, played in the garden, painted and started teaching myself how to draw a crow! (And believe me, drawing without using words is not normally my forte).

I know I don’t normally pop in on a long weekend with a reading, however ……..

With Mercury going Retrograde on Friday (the 9th), a Pisces Full Moon (aka Harvest Moon) on Saturday 10th, and the energy shift of September, let alone Equinox coming – phew! There’s a lot! So I was told very clearly I had to pop in. Voila!

Thus, I thought I would pen you a quick note about what to expect (and there were new guides that were getting bitchy with me as they wanted to play!)

Ready?

Okay, here we are at the very beginning of September (and no it is not Fall yet), that doesn’t happen until my birthday on September 22nd – Equinox!

So let’s start with the overarching Shamanic energy theme of this month, which is…….. CRISIS.

Now before you baulk at the word and get your knickers in a knot, what does the word actually mean? Our word “crisis” comes from “krisis” and “krino,” ancient Greek words meaning “to decide” and “turning point.” So think of any crisis as a moment in which you decide to take a different direction.

I’m going to let Lena share about the energetic theme of Crisis.

When we hear the word crisis it often brings up a negative response. In truth, crisis is often the catalyst for much needed change supporting movement towards necessary and positive evolution. Our physical nature is designed to respond to crises with reaction and action, the instinctive response of fight or flight. Crisis often brings up fear. If we can work through the fear, there is power on the other side. This month is a good one to work proactively with the theme of crisis and use it as a catalyst.

Think of this as a month of potential breakthroughs as we are forced to go within for deep reflection and introspection regarding our values, habits, patterns, beliefs and actions.

Next up on the agenda is Mercury Retrograde on the 9th. I know that Mercury retrograde gets a bad rap, but think of it in a different way – Mercury is the planet of the mind, communication and thus it’s a glorious time to slow our thoughts down, be purposeful with our words and just take a wee bit longer. Mercury retrograde this time around starts in Virgo and ends in Libra, really inviting you to look innerwards and reevaluate what needs rebalancing in your life.

(Are you seeing a theme here yet????)

Let’s dance under the energy of the Harvest Moon on Saturday the 10th.

“While we may feel our outside world slowing down, our internal world is likely to be buzzing under the September Full Moon. We may feel past issues, old wounds, or things we have been too afraid to look at coming back up to the surface. We may have to finally take the time to pause and listen to what our inner world is trying to say.

Trying to control or force things is not going to work under this energy. Instead, we need to surrender; we need to allow; we may even need to sit back and allow things to unfold without our interference.

Your inner world always presents the wisdom you need at the perfect timing, so trust in this, and allow it to bring you comfort as you work through these energies.”

Are you picking up on the theme now?

Then on September 22nd we have the glorious Equinox (and yes there will be an amazing bundle available probably next week), but ask yourself – what does Fall Equinox (or Spring if you are in the Southern Hemisphere) bring to you?

Fall Equinox or Mabon is a time to celebrate your harvest, offer gratitude and embrace the sense of sorrow and release that Fall brings!

(I know for sure you have picked up on the theme now!)

What’s working for you, what have you forgotten to celebrate, what needs to be released, what new choices need to be made and how can you stop clinging to things with your fingernails?

So can you see now why I was told very clearly to pop in? This week is the start of some amazing opportunities for you this month, you just have to be willing to open the door to your heart and invite them in.

Okay, let’s crack on with the reading and I take great pleasure in introducing you to your new guides this week.

“At the edge of the mind awaits the holy wilderness of the soul. It beckons you, like a great forest filled with vast mysteries and wonders. While this mystical realm exists in a higher dimension, beyond normal reality, it is real nevertheless. Although unable to be seen by our physical eyes, it can be felt in the core of our being. To enter this mystical realm, it’s simply a matter of having an open heart. In this healing and holy place, long-sought answers to your deepest questions become known. It’s a place where miracles unfold, and your spirit can fly. In the deepest sense you remember who you are in this enchanted place.”

So take a breath honey. Just come back to your glorious heart space and breathe. That’s all that’s being asked of you at this moment. Then when you have taken a few delicious breaths in and out, pick the card or cards that tickle and niggle.

Did you remember to pick?

Come see.

AIR SPIRIT

Knowledge

As you stand in the centre of the forest,a subtle breeze lovingly touches your cheeks. Gentle gusts rustle the leaves above you as the spirit of air approaches upon her boat of light and wind. In the quietude, you sense the wind whispering messages to you from the Spirit.

It’s time to think things through. This is not the time to be impulsive. Do not react instinctively to situations and people. Take into consideration all points of view. Do your research. Listen to others. Speak your truth. Take time to weigh the pros and cons of a situation.

This is an excellent time to begin a new venture or project, however.

It will succeed as long as you are thoughtful, organised, and focused. There is a remarkable wellspring of wisdom within you. Take a breath, slow and deep, and delve into that inner knowledge. It will guide you in the right direction.

Air represents wisdom, our mental activity, and our ability to reason. It’s also associated with thoughts, intellect, communication, and comprehension. Through our breath, we can speak and express ourselves.

Our lives begin with our first breath, so air is connected with new beginnings.

Take a lovely delicious inhale. Take a moment to think things through.

Think as well as feel the right direction.

Get clarity and become focused before stepping forth. And always remember to take care to have thoughtful communication with others.

Truth without compassion is brutality.

EARTH SPIRIT

Stability

In the lazy quietude of a warm summer afternoon, you recline on the soft moss on the forest floor and listen to the heartbeat of her earth. Her rhythmic cadence surges up from the ground beneath you. With each beat, you remember who you are and what is truly important in life. The strengthening, grounding energy of the earth will fill every part of you.

It’s time to take measure of your life and put your roots down. Assess who you are, and where you are. Make plans for the future, but don’t act on those plans until you feel secure in stepping forward. This is the time of preparation and going deeper.

Darling one, it’s time to ground and create more stability in your life.

Think things through before you take action, but don’t overthink. Take time to plan your future carefully, but please don’t micromanage. Don’t rush into anything. Strength is growing within you. Security and protection surround you. You are safe.

The Earth Spirit provides the trees, plants, flowers, rivers, streams, oceans, mountains, and valleys, and supports us all with her bounty.

She’s stable and strong in her devotion to us.

You’re supported and loved, even if you’re not always sure of it. The seeds that you plant now will bring abundance in the future if you bring yourself into alignment with them and if you take the time to nurture the new beginnings.

Be present in the moment. Slow down and let go of the busyness and frenetic pace of life. Delve into your roots. Honour and release your past. Go deep. Reflect on your life with appreciation and then plan for your delicious present and future.

BLUEBIRD SPIRIT

Happiness

You follow the sweet songs of birds into the forest. As you find the source of the sound, you see in the tree above you a flock of bluebirds. The bright colour of their wings shimmers in the sunlight. Their song envelops you in a soft embrace of bliss.

Bluebirds are glorious harbingers of delight. Celebrate and have fun! Embrace life, yourself, and others. Say yes today! Soar to the clouds and let your doubts dissolve. All is well. It’s simple: Your purpose in life is to experience happiness! That’s all that’s required of you as a soul. You do not need to be unhappy to please another.

Whatever your circumstances, there’s always something that can bring you delight, and what you put your attention on will grow. When you focus on the areas of your life that bring you happiness, these areas will prosper.

One of the fastest paths to true pleasure is through sharing and giving, so give of your heart and share your love. Happiness spreads to others like wildfire and can help heal the world. Dance and sing with abandon: Joy is your spiritual birthright.

Affirm: Happiness and ecstasy flow through me wildly and freely.

Remember, all is well. Say yes to life and let your doubts dissolve. Don’t wait until the future, live life fully now. You do not need to struggle or suffer to grow – you can grow leaps and bounds amid joy!

Oh my giddy goddess, you seriously can’t make this shit up! Happy Labour Day, happy week and remember to open your heart door and take advantage of all the beauty inside your soul and listen to your wise inner self (not your ego). It’s going to be a fun month! Big hugs and squeezes!

What does the Full Moon Symbolise?

Jenny Heston · 5:33 am ·

The full moon has been spoken and written about for millennia across many cultures.

The Chinese, for example, associate the full moon with the essence of yin (female energy). Buddhists, on the other hand, see the full moon as symbolising spiritual power (as Buddha supposedly gained his enlightenment on a night of the full moon) and many sacred festivals are held during the full moon.

In secular folklore, the full moon has been associated with lunacy (madness), insomnia, and psychological disturbances – hence the term “lunatic” (which derives from the Latin word ‘lunaticus’ which means moon-struck).

In astrology, the full moon is a peak of energy that highlights opposing polarities and forces in your life. It is also a time of harvest (or reaping what you have sown).

The full moon is a time where one’s psychic energy increases, and powerful intentions, spells, and rituals can be practised. The full moon also represents the mother aspect of the divine feminine.

When the Moon and Sun are in opposition, the Sun is so far away from the moon that the full face of our nightly companion is lit up. Perhaps distance does make the heart grow fonder!

The Full Moon embodies self-expression and action! It represents completion, illumination and celebration.

This is the apex of Moon phases, the mountain peak. We have travelled far, and now is the time to rest, and look back on our accomplishments, or at what we have left behind, as the case may be.

How much have you grown this past month, honour the small and large victories. What questions arose this past month, or need to be illuminated further? What losses need to be honoured? What do you need to Forgive?

Is it time to let go and move on, or should you build a shrine to remind us for a time of what is now in the afterworld?

Our emotions and even physical body are heightened during this phase of the Moon. Listen to the needs of your body and mind.

The opposing energy of the Sun (ego, or self) and the Moon (inner-self, subconscious) can cause tension or even explosions of emotions. Because of this tension, this is a great time to express yourself creatively, and your rituals can reflect this.

When we boil down the symbolic meaning of the full moon, however, the themes of amplification, subconscious power, release and illumination continually arise.

But then how do I do I Full Moon Ritual that resonates for me is a question I hear a lot.

Come explore……

What is a Full Moon Ritual and How to Create Your Very Own.

Jenny Heston · 5:55 am ·

The most important thing you need to know about the power of the full moon ritual is that it utilises four essential elements of any transformative spiritual practice: willpower, intention, symbolism, and ritual.

These four elements have a truly electric and intense impact on the unconscious mind. The whole point of a full moon ritual is to generate deep change within the nether regions of your mind, aka your unconscious.

The unconscious mind is the realm of potential, the space in which your soul emerges, and the doorway to Spirit (or the Collective Unconscious). By doing a full moon ritual, you are stepping into your personal power and actively petitioning and preparing your unconscious mind for transformation.

In other words, there is so much more to full moon rituals than pretty candles or crystals – it’s ultimate purpose is genuine spiritual and psychological change.

Now with all that being said, if “creating a Full Moon ritual” feels too much, or you have no interest in doing one. Then don’t.

The world will not come tumbling to an end because you didn’t, nobody is going to knock on your door and ask to see your Moon Journal…….

However, I do encourage you to try working with Moon energy (New and Full) for at least 4 months. What have you got to lose?

As you will often hear me saying – it has to resonate for you and your intention for your ritual is EVERYTHING!

How to Create Your Own Full Moon Ritual.

Okay, you’ve come this far and have decided okay maybe I want to test out this Full Moon thing. After all, if the Moon can move the tides which are water and me being human is composed mainly of water…. Let’s give it a shot.

Fabulous!

Let me give you the nitty gritty basics. A Full Moon Ritual consists of 4 main parts.

Eye of bat, tongue of newt, the tailfeather of a hawk and a glob of spit! (I am so joking here!!)

The best thing about making your own 100% tailored-to-you full moon ritual is that it works around your needs, daily schedule, interests, and the current objects you have on hand.

You don’t need to go out and buy a load of metaphysical paraphernalia to enact a powerful full moon ritual nor do you need to make it Instagram-worthy.

What you do need to do is:

1. Checking when the Full Moon is.

You can use a Full Moon app, Google, or whatever. Ask yourself if you want to work with the Moon astrologically (in otherwords what sign it’s in), seasonally, or just as she comes.

2. Think about what you would like amplified or illuminated within you.

Are there problems that are niggling away at you? What shadows need to come to light? What archetypes would you like to embody? What do you need to let go of? What skills or inner resources do you need to draw on? Reflect on these questions or journal about them. What are your desired outcomes? What is the reason behind your full moon ritual?

3. Shape your Intention

Once you have completed the previous step (which hopefully won’t take too long), it’s time to set an intention which basically means a goal or objective.

What do you want to achieve? What will be the purpose of your full moon ritual? Write out your full moon intention in your journal or a piece of paper that you can keep and reflect on. This is why in the New Moon piece I recommend having a Moon journal. As then you are able to reflect and see the progress and changes you have experienced, that you may have forgotten.

4. Prepare some symbolic objects

Whether on the day/night of the full moon or beforehand, select some symbolic objects that could represent your issue, desire, yourself as a whole, your current place in life, what you need to let go of, your strengths, weaknesses, what needs to be illuminated … you get the picture.

Basically, choose any object currently in your house that represents the part of you or your situation that needs to be amplified or illuminated.

Examples of symbolic objects could include rocks, feathers, flowers, dolls, crystals, cards, figurines, herbs, stamps, old jewellery – literally anything that you feel represents your issue or desire accurately.

And if you don’t have any around you, don’t worry, grab a candle, your favourite crystal or whatever you would like to have with you.

5. Create a Sacred Space for yourself and give it a Cleanse.

Create a space specifically to your ritual that is undisturbed.

You may already have an altar somewhere in your house, and if so, that is perfect. If you don’t find a place in your home, garden, the woods that feels right for you. Remember ritual doesn’t have to go on for hours, it can be 10 – 15 minutes long.

When you have your space give it a nice cleanse. You can use smudge, incense, singing bowls, hand clapping to clear out the energetic debris. Whatever you choose, it’s important that your unconscious mind symbolically registers that the space you’re preparing is sacred and important.

This is time for you and the Moon.

6. Perform your Full Moon ritual

You don’t need to spend hours doing an elaborate ritual. Even just a couple of minutes can be enough to create and evoke a strong message within your unconscious mind.

With your symbolic objects at hand, arrange them in a way that feels powerful to you.

You could arrange them according to your desires, e.g. you could place two symbolic objects together symbolising a union.

You could arrange your objects according to a symbol, e.g. a circle representing wholeness or completing.

You could burn one of the objects or submerge it in a bowl of water representing letting go. (I’m a huge fan of burning things!)

You could place an object on your body and symbolically ‘breathe’ it in.

You could consume one of the objects (if it’s edible and non-toxic) to symbolise empowerment, strength, and renewal. This is your ritual and there are no rules!

7. Symbolically close your ritual

No matter how you choose to design your ritual, always symbolically close/end it.

Your unconscious mind needs to understand that the ritual is over (think of closing your ritual as hitting the “send” button).

Leaving the ritual open without intentionally closing it sends confusing signals to your unconscious mind.

Closing your ritual is simple. Once again, close it however you intuitively feel is the right way. Examples may include ringing a bell, saying a prayer of thanks, chanting, saying a phrase like “so may it be,” and so forth.

The important thing is there is no perfect right way to create a Full Moon ritual (and if anyone tells you that, please run!). Your intention, attention and time are the most important pieces.

Remember where your intention goes, your energy flows and so calling on the Moon energy to amplify and support you is delicious (and most certainly start keeping a Moon journal!)

Let’s see what the Harvest Moon ritual looks like.

Full Moon Energy.

Jenny Heston · 5:30 pm ·

What is the Spiritual meaning of a Full Moon?

There is no one answer to this question, as the full moon carries different meanings for different people.

The moon is such a powerful presence in our lives, pulling on the oceans tides and creating a rhythm of life for all of us. There was a time when we were deeply connected to these rhythms, but, over time, technology and our modern culture has separated us from those celestial vibes.

Aligning yourself with the cycles of nature as a practice can be exceptionally transformative and tapping into the energy phases of the moon is a good place to start.

However, in general, the full moon can be seen as a time of culmination and release.

It is a time when things brewing under the surface come to light, and it is also a time when we can let go of the things that are no longer serving us.

Since ancient times, the moon has come to symbolically embody the realm of the subconscious, emotions, intuition, and the cycles of life and death.

You don’t necessarily need to identify as a pagan or practice other earth-centered spiritual paths to benefit from the power of full moon rituals.

When viewed through a symbolic, psychospiritual, archetypal, or even purely energetic lens, the moon is a very real presence in our lives that can help orient us on the spiritual path.

No matter where you live in the world, the moon is an omnipresent force in your life.

Why not use it in your spiritual practice?

It is hard to see what lies ahead when we are in the dark.

The bright shining moon helps guide our way forward like a lighthouse at sea. It’s encouraging us on our journey towards self-discovery and providing illuminating light that allows hidden aspects to emerge.

The glow of the full moon is a time to reflect and heal. This is where understanding how to create a Full Moon Ritual and what the Full Moon symbolises is very helpful and will expand your experience.

The Full Moon helps us gain strength and reach our goals successfully. During the full moon phase, emotions are more intense, bringing up feelings about past events and healing old wounds.

But what does the Full Moon Symbolise for me and how can I work with it?