The Dark Moon approaches rapidly and it is promising to be quite potent. This is a great time to take a leap of faith  – despite your fears surrounding the current Mercury Retrograde – and start something new. As you watch the moon disappear in the night’s sky, think about the path you travel; is your stride purposeful or meandering? Are you focused on a destination, or the journey?

Anyone can dance under Selene’s big, bright, and beautiful Full Moon; to be still and silent under the blanket of Hecate’s darkness is another thing entirely. Facing our own darkness is no less important (or, frankly speaking, frightening) than finding the courage to look the abyss right in the eye; darkness is every bit as crucial to balance as light, and to ignore it is folly. To face ourselves, to recognize and acknowledge the pieces and parts that make us whole (not always pretty, not always flattering, not always positive), is not only to know ourselves but to step closer to allowing others to know us…allowing others to love us for our true and actual selves, rather than the fictional portrayals we present.

Sometimes we forget the importance of introspection as the precursor to action; inventory first, gathering second, movement third – simple, right? You would think so, and yet. We have become so movement-oriented, we have drifted away from the importance of stillness. However, if you wish to make the most of the energy this Dark Moon is building, you must allow yourself the time and space to go within to your deepest self. Consider the following:

• Give in to your psychic self. Simply put, use the quiet stillness to allow your mind to explore the images normally ignored. Suddenly thinking of kittens? Follow the thought and see wherever it leads. You do not need to act on the images; it is enough to receive, acknowledge and release the images. ((NOTE: Consider recording the images to review at a later time.))
• Listen to your soul. You have wants, needs, loves, and longings; some of them so deeply hidden, you are not aware of them. Allow them to surface, recognize what your soul is calling.
• Make room for new beginnings. Your inventory will also reveal what does (and does not) serve you. This is the perfect time to clean your inner house and let go what does not serve – you do not need the baggage and you do need the space.
•  Make the decision. What is more frightening? Getting what you want, or not getting what you want? How do you know? Do you want to find out? Make the decision; if you have taken internal inventory and gathered your most inner self together, you know what you want. It is time to make the decision to pursue it in earnest.
• Get moving. Create the plan AND put it into action. The seeds you plant during the dark moon can only grow if you tend to them.

Mercury Retrograde occurs four times annually, influencing approximately 90 days of the year; you must learn to deal with it because absenting yourself from your life is simply not a viable option. The Dark Moon occurs twelve times annually, influencing approximately 36 days a year; do not pass up these fleeting opportunities to grow your self and your life. Set aside your apprehension; you are more powerful than you know.

Be a little brave.

Be a little crazy.

Be your truest self.

If not under the protection of Hecate’s Dark Moon, then when???

With love and blessings to you all – be happy, be safe, be well.

((All images courtesy of Google images.))