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by Nikki Du Wick
Nikki
Du Wick is an astrologer and actress from Southern California,
who first shared the following with us in our Libra Talking Circle.
Many years ago when I started to study astrology, I spent a lot of time with Jim Maynard’s Pocket Astrologer, a hand-size guide to the movements and cycles of the transiting Sun, Moon and planets. I learned what it meant when the moon was in a sign and how it affected me when it moved through a house or aspected planets in my own chart. This helped me tremendously in learning about astrology -- it was more experiential than the dry, cookbook-style information.
At the same time I was also studying metaphysical subjects and took a class called "Candles and Candle Burning Rituals." There I learned to use a variety of tools to help me focus on the New Moon energies: copies of sacred seals, candles coated in oils with one's name carved in the side in colors representing what we wanted to focus on and draw into us. We would write down what we wanted and read it while lighting the candles and then place the writing under the candles and let it all burn out. Although I later dispensed with this somewhat messy and time consuming (keeping watch on burning candles) process, it did show me how to use ritual to focus my energies.
In the past year or two I have been following a simpler routine. Here's what I do now within 48 hours following each New Moon:
First, I write what is called a Law of Abundance check. This is done by writing a check to yourself without dating it, and writing Paid in Full in the money sections (the numerical & written areas) and signing it “The Law of Abundance”. You may also write out what your monthly goals or focuses are on the back of your check. You must then let it go. I usually fold it up in my checkbook and forget about it, but you may also tear it up, burn it, or flush it as symbols of releasing the energy out into the universe. This is another way to focus your energies and is courtesy of an astrologer who posted monthly reminders on a now defunct astrology email list called Festival (thank you Cheri!).
I also do a Salt Bowl Ritual. This was passed onto me by a friend of a friend as a cleansing or clearing ritual but I have adopted it for the New Moon as a ‘good clean start for the cycle’ ritual! I use a small bowl about 5 inches tall and about 5 inches in diameter. It is made of a bronze-like material and available at stores like Cost Plus or Pier One (lower end Bombay Company type store). I place the bowl on a trivet on a table with space around it (a non heat conducting surface with nothing close by, so as not to create a hazard) and add the following: approximately 2/3 cup of sea salt and 1/3 cup of alcohol. I use the small granules of sea salt rather than the coarse crystals and use isopropyl alcohol (regular inexpensive drugstore alcohol). Sea salt is a good cleansing material and alcohol helps the fire burn the salt – fire is good for purification. I light a match and toss it into the bowl and focus on my month and what I want while the flame burns out the alcohol. When I say ‘what I want;” I mean what I want to work on, and what I am willing to work for, etc. Something reasonable for me in terms of time and ability (thank you Linda and June!)
I learned long ago, in Gemini fashion, that saying I want everything was likely to get me into a big mess – no sleep and usually plenty of missed opportunities! I am still working with this dilemma and learning how to keep my goals more concise and simple as I use these practices. Simplicity and focus are very important.
Reading the information that Dana and Pythia post and send out each cycle has been very helpful to me in establishing more depth to the routine I already follow. Because I tend to overdo on my monthly wish list, I am again using the sign and placement of the New Moon to help me focus on my monthly goals of what I want (along with their quote that illustrates the Sabian Symbol for the degree of the New Moon). This has helped me tremendously with focus. There is enough time to do what you want to do as long as you are sure it is what you want: prioritize, take it one step at a time and plan accordingly. You will surprise yourself. I like these simple rituals because they help me ground and focus myself during what seems to be a constantly busy world.
© Nikki
Du Wick.
All rights reserved.
