There is a constant companion in our nights, no matter where or who or why we are, she is there for us all to see (or not see in her darkest phases). We can become connected to her and each other through the simple act of standing outside to stare at the night sky, or where that is not possible, looking out our window. She is one of the grand, humbling manifestations of nature - constant, untouchable, influential, ever present, both beyond our reach but deeply ingrained in our psyche and hearts. Our Moon. Mysterious, inspiring, powerful.
The moon appears, primarily in crescent shape, in many of my creations. To me the moon represents a divine connection with the forces of nature, a deeply spiritual intertwining with the cosmic manifestation of being, and an empowered feminine honouring. To wear the crescent moon between your brow is to be grounded yet aware of the inherent magic of the world around us, to recognise you are a part of an infinite energy while tethered to the Earth, and to offer respect and awe to the forces that humble us.
My ritual practice with the moon waxes and wanes as she herself does. Some months I am deeply invested in each phase of the moon, and will write about the energy of each day's connection, meditate on how that energy might inspire my work, and bid our silver mother goodnight through all her forms from my bathroom window where I see her best just before I climb into bed. Other months I am only partly aware of where she is on a day to day basis, but feel the full and new moons as they approach and pass, and acknowledge them sincerely if only in a few words. I do, however, purposefully, intentionally honour her in my art - it is an authentic connective process for me, and if you have taken any of my classes you know how deeply important the creative process, the doing, the connection, is for me.
I often include a pearl in my work as well, and this is a two fold honouring - of my beloved grandmother Pearl who passed in late 2019 just before her 101st birthday and to whom I was so deeply close and in utter awe of, and for it’s representation of the moon and feminine energy. To hold a pearl in your hand is to hold a mini moon - a reflective orb, perfectly imperfect, softly circular, real but extremely delicate and light in a way that seems not to be of this world.
With that in mind, it was a complete joy to create The Illuminated Lunary where we honour the moon’s cycles and a few of her animal connections in a little booklet of delight and inspiration. My intention was to manifest a creative adventure and an inspirational celebration - intentionally creating magic on paper, that can be paired with the actual physical aspects of the moon throughout a month, or as a deep dive project to delight the imagination.
What does the moon mean to you? How does she show up in your heart and mind? Have you utilised the energy of her phases to provide wisdom around what your focus should be during that time?
Guest Blog Post by:
Natalie Eslick Xx
