Reflecting balance with the moon at Ostara

The spring equinox represents a time of balance as the day and night share equal amounts of time in 24 hours, and this year balance is also reflected in the moon, as just a few hours after the spring equinox on 22nd March, the moon will hang like a 'half' moon in the sky and enters the third quarter phase, waning with fading light and size until the new moon greets us at the end of the month.

I always love to notice and reflect on balance at this balancing point in the Celtic Wheel but it feels oddly acute to be doing so under this particularly moon, too

The moonology of Ostara, sees the moon aligning with Sagittarius and bringing forward our doubts and fears in relation to safety and security.

Ask yourself, do you always feel a need to be searching? Ask yourself, where does safety show up for you and where does it leave you worrying?  Sagittarius reminds us to be optimistic, and embrace the fear that threatens to stop your dreams from turning into goals with a firm belief in your ability to make the impossible possible, to achieve those wishes you keep yearning for by turning them into a clear vision and listening to the dreams that bring your heart joy and give a sense of meaning to your whole being.

Even if this belief opens challenges, this moon invites you to have the optimistic intent to know that this is part of the greater vision to set you into the happiest healthiest version of you.

During the Third Quarter moon, allow your journaling prompts to focus on completing the feelings of release brought about by the full moon, and a sense of preparing for new beginnings at the new moon.

Journaling prompts to explore:

To start afresh with the new moon (on 28th March) I need to let go of ...

I am preparing for new beginnings by...

I notice that I am holding onto energy and feelings from...

I invite my body to call my energy back from these situations of....

I call my energy back....

Clarity and clearing begins with....

Cleansing and purification rituals can help you explore this energy of releasing negativity and burdens, such as:

1. Smudge or saining ritual:

• Cleanse your home or personal space with smoke (sage, palo santo) or sound (bells, chimes) to remove stagnant energy and sweep up the debris and give it back to the earth outside with thanks.

2. Energy release

• Write or visualise aspects of your life that are weighing you down and then imagine the negative energies associated with these situations being cut and cleared away, leaving your body, freeing your mind and your life. 

3. Zen letter

• Write a letter of all the anger, emotion, frustration for a person or situation (or yourself) - then after all the anger, begin to find the possibility of some silver linings in the situation, some moments of joy in the sadness and write these down too, if you can't think of anything good, just write the words: "I am thankful for the good and joy in this situation and I forgive myself for any wrong doing to myself and others" - burn or bury this letter

4. Create a sacred space inside and outside:

• Maybe making a nature mandala outside and inside creating a picture, space or altar that represents the balance that you are bringing to your life, at this time of year.

Explore the magic of the moon with our online moon sessions, Friday 21st March at 1pm. Thursday 27th March at 8pm and Friday 28th at 1pm