New Moon in Cancer (Again!) Artist Feature

New Moon in Cancer

July 21
7:35 pm PDT

This month we are having yet another New Moon in Cancer (the second in 2 months!) So if you are still working on learning last month's New Moon in Cancer Lessons you will have another chance this month to keep at it. Plus, we will be experiencing a Total Solar Eclipse at the exact same time as the New Moon.

The New Moon in Cancer brings up lots of memories and all the emotions accompanying them. This is a fertile time as tears fall more readily so take some time to allow your tears to strengthen and nourish your roots. I find that a good healthy, healing cry can be a very cathartic and freeing experience. All the arts are encouraged, especially the alchemy of cooking. Work on bringing the water element (Cancer is a water element moon) into your life. Try to identify what you are resisting - can you let it go? (Partly excerpted from the We'Moon Datebook.)

This will be the longest running Solar Eclipse in over a century - it lasts for 6 minutes and 39 seconds! When the Sun darkens during the eclipse, it's a good time to meditate on how best to get out of your own way, so more light can shine upon your unique gifts.

"In general, maximal intuitional access is ours during total solar eclipses, when the intuitive Moon obscures the egoic Sun and healing knowledge arises from within." Barbara Hand Clow

Cancer Keywords: "I feel", devotion, intuitive, touchy, security, domestic, manipulative, emotional, sensitive, nurturing, brooding.

Cancer Goddesses: Mama Cocha, Isis, Tien Hou, Circe

Cancer Gemstones: Pearl, Moonstone

Cancer Animal Spirits: Bee, Crab

Astrology provides us with a universal symbolic language that teaches us how to attune and work with our unique gifts in service to all of humanity. You can better understand what the universe is asking of you by working with the energy of the New and Full Moons through meditation, contemplation and private time alone. You can learn more about what an eclipse is and how it might effect you here. I also offer a New Moon Reading for those wishing to explore the New Moon's effect based upon it's position in your astrological birth chart wheel.

This month I am welcoming back last month's Cancerian New Moon artist, Jennifer Swiderski to discuss how this double Cancerian New Moon whammy is affecting her! Jenn is an American visual artist, sometimes writer and spiritual counselor originally from Norfolk, Virginia who currently lives in the Southwestern United States.

"The Muse" - oil on canvas

Spotlight on Cancerian Artist, Jennifer Bernard Swiderski

As a Cancerian artist, I feel this particular New Moon time is very exciting and significant for me, both as an artist and as a spiritual student of life. For me art is not separate from life, it is a reflection and record of my journey. Everything I am experiencing now is also being reflected and felt in my art. I have definitely felt a sense of urgency this summer, like everything is 'building' up to something.

As I reflected upon the wisdom that Kathy shared in this blog post about the New Moon and the interesting celestial events happening this month and last they seemed to mirror my life in the same way my art does. Right now I am trying to learn to let a very powerful transformation happen within me artistically and personally as I try to 'get out of my own way'.

This year especially, I have been creating more direct, contemporary works of art (see painting at the top of this post.) I absolutely love creating this new work, (and have been for a few years,) but for some reason have felt reluctant to go fully into it as a career, perhaps because it is so raw and personal (and also I feel very tied to the work I am already known for.) But this year is different, I can feel an up-welling of emotion just beneath the surface as questions and inspirations pour forth, much like the element of water represented by my Cancer sun sign.

I am working to incorporate these celestial lessons these celestial events by meditations involving a small ceremony of 'letting go' and 'letting in' the new, (like water) wash over me, through me, and out of me in new ways, without reservations. I have also been creating works that seem to have a watery theme to them and all directions are pointing me towards letting go and letting grow. Sometimes the amount of inspiration I feel flowing through me is almost overwhelming so I am very excited to share my new work with the world.

My hope is that the new art I create and share will have an even more moving, powerful and significant effect upon others, and will inspire you to do the same on your journey.

You can find out more about Jennifer Swiderski online at:
Her Website: http://WisdomPathArt.com
Blog: http://WisdomPathArt.blogspot.com
Her Newest Blog: http://BetterArt.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/OutspokenArtist

To discover more New Moon Artists on this blog please click here.

How To Develop Your Psychic & Intuitive Abilities - Part 1

This blog post was written in response to a question emailed to me by one of my clients. It was such a good question that I thought it deserved a blog post (or 2, or 3)!

Andrea's Question: "Do you have any recommendations about how one should go about furthering their psychic abilities? I've read tarot cards on and off, and seem to have a knack, and then of course there's my natural ability to "read" people. But not necessarily with dates & times and all that predictive stuff"

My Response: I personally like to learn experientially in a hands-on fashion, but my very earliest experiences with the intuitive realms involved private exploration of dreams and dream journaling, astrology, tarot and paganism. I began learning about these things in my early teens and have gone on to develop my natural intuitive abilities (which we all have) with the help of teachers, through group classes, workshops, lectures, books and private sessions with healers and intuitive guides.

Dreams

I started out by working with my dreams and recommend keeping a dream journal by your bed where you can record dreams when you wake up or by setting an alarm clock to wake yourself up at an odd hour to facilitate dream remembrance. Significant dreams will stay with you and resonate for years to come and you will begin to know which dreams are significant with practice. You can also work with lucid dreaming or by asking yourself a question before falling asleep and requesting that the answer come to you in a dream. Often dreams will allow you to re-connect with deceased friends or relatives and sometimes you may astro travel as well.

Recommended books: “Symbols for Self Understanding” by Betty Bethard

Astrology

There is much more to astrology than just your sun sign (determined by the day you were born.) Becoming involved with the study of the planets and stars will expand your awareness on a universal level connecting you with the bigger picture crossing generations and even universes. My own studies in metaphysics began with dreams, then astrology.

Recommended books: “The Only Way To Learn Astrology” (6 Volumes) by Marion March & Joan McEvers, “Planets in Transit” by Robert Hand, “Astrology for the Soul” by Jan Spiller, “The Liquid Light of Sex” by Barbara Hand Clow, “The Changing Sky” by Steven Forrest

Recommended magazine: “The Mountain Astrologer”

Recommended authors & teachers: Steven Forrest, Barbara Hand Clow

Tarot

Tarot decks are a whole world onto themselves and can involve you in an ancient study of images and symbols with mysterious origins. Working with tarot cards has allowed me to access the many realms depicted in the cards. By working with a Pre-Celtic Shamanistic deck called “The Greenwood Deck” I first encountered one of my main spirit guides while meditating upon the Ancestor card.

Recommended books: “Tarot For Yourself” by Mary K. Greer

Paganism & Goddess Worship:

I became involved with the study of paganism and ancient goddess religions when I was at university taking a Women’s Studies class, but was first introduced on a personal level to this topic by a male friend of mine who liked to dress up as Pan on Halloween. I have attended several goddess groups and pagan rituals but prefer to practice my own solitary, eclectic and personal blend of reverence for Mother Earth. Currently I practice Third Celtic Faerie Shamanism and was initiated into this tradition in 2017 by Francesca De Grandis.

Recommended books:”The Language of the Goddess” by Marija Gimbutas (archaeology), “The Motherpeace Tarot” deck and book by Vicki Noble, “The Book of Goddesses & Heroines” by Patricia Monaghan

Recommended authors, teachers & leaders: Starhawk, Szusanna Budapest, COG (Covenant of the Goddess)

This blog post details how I developed my own metaphysical practices and studies and I hope you will expand upon these suggestions in your own personal way. Upcoming posts will delve into: shamanism, energy healing, herbs, mediumship, crystal healing, channeling, psychic work, law of attraction, meditation, yoga and past life regression.

To read more posts about My Psychic Background please click here and for Psychic Development please click here.

New Moon In Cancer Artist Feature

New Moon in Cancer

June 22
12:35 pm PDT

The New Moon in Cancer encourages heightened sensitivity as we water our memories, nourish our roots and express our emotions with tears and solitude. It's a great time to nest, cook and share food, enjoy home, family, long baths, long walks and quiet time. (Excerpted from the We'Moon Datebook.)

This month's featured Cancerian is an American visual artist, sometimes writer and spiritual counsellor originally from Norfolk, Virginia who currently lives in the Southwestern United States.

Spotlight on Cancerian Artist, Jennifer Bernard Swiderski

As an artist and a Cancer many of the archetypes (personality traits) of Cancer play an important and interesting role in my artistic process. The main trait relating to my creativity would have to be environment and love of home. Cancers are good at creating nurturing, peaceful, beautiful home environments.For me, home is vitally important and not just my physical environment, but also my spiritual, and psychological internal environment. I am very careful and protective (another Cancerian trait) of creating an environment where my peace of mind and spirit are protected and my creativity can flourish.

I enter a deeply personal internal place during the creation of my work. It is a type of meditation, or spiritual practice that involves listening to music and clearing distractions before beginning work. I always say a prayer and 'clear' my area, then ‘go to my creative place' internally as I open myself to expanded states of consciousness during which I receive guidance from my Higher Self, the angelic realm, ancestors, and all aspects of the divine or light.

When I develop new ideas or work out creative problems, these aspects also play a huge role in my process. I go out into the world, have interactions and experiences, but then return to my 'inner world' to create, having taken this knowledge, stimulation and experience and then sublimated it, like a filter into my work. In the peace of my own Cancerian space, I then feel free to let go, as my internal visions come out and into my ideas and artwork.

Another aspect of my creativity is that I love sharing my work. This last aspect of my process is vital because my work is primarily based in spiritual and personal archetypes, I’m not just re-creating ideas or images that already exist. So by sharing the work and interacting with others I am learning and growing spiritually, and hopefully helping others do the same on their journey in life.

Lastly, as a Cancer, and an artist, I am also very sensitive, sometimes internalizing TOO much. Sharing the work, and interacting with collectors and viewers helps "pull me out of my Cancer shell" and when I hear that the work has made someone happy, or inspired them in some way, it really pulls me out of that place and lifts me up. Finally, I consider my work a success when it has inspired or moved a viewer in some way.

You can find more of Jennifer’s work online at:

Her Website: www.WisdomPathArt.com

Her Blog: www.WisdomPathArt.blogspot.com

To discover more New Moon Artists please go here.

A New Moon in Gemini Meditation & Blessing

How to Create A New Moon Meditation Circle

Last night during the New Moon in Gemini, someone on Twitter asked me what I was doing to celebrate the New Moon, so I thought I would share the experience with my readers. With each New Moon I set up a special circle with all the elements represented, eg. North/Earth is represented with flowers, East/Air with feathers, South/Fire with a candle, West/Water with a chalice of water and God/Goddess/GreatSpirit/Divine/Father Earth/Mother Sky is represented by me standing in the center of the circle, acting as the connecting link. I then bless (with sage) and call upon my ancestors, spirits, guides, angels and elementals for the highest good of all concerned to help guide me into this Gemini lunation. I meditate with my crystals, sometimes work with my oracle cards, play my Native American flute, dream on occasion, and then write it all down. Afterwards I go counter-clockwise around the circle, blessing and thanking all the elements and finally closing the circle.

Gemini's New Moon Teaching

Gemini teaches us how to work in the now, like finding magic in the everyday, like dreams at night, like sudden small revelations. It's the joy of the search, not the end result that matters so much. The fun part is asking questions, not so much about the answers.

Gemini energy never feels too weighty or intense or heavy - think 'butterflies' all glittery and gauzey.

Last night during the New Moon in Gemini, someone on Twitter asked me what I was doing to celebrate the New Moon, so I thought I would share the experience with my readers. With each New Moon I set up a special circle with all the elements represented, eg. North/Earth is represented with flowers, East/Air with feathers, South/Fire with a candle, West/Water with a chalice of water and God/Goddess/GreatSpirit/Divine/Father Earth/Mother Sky is represented by me standing in the center of the circle, acting as the connecting link. I then bless (with sage) and call upon my ancestors, spirits, guides, angels and elementals for the highest good of all concerned to help guide me into this Gemini lunation. I meditate with my crystals, sometimes work with my oracle cards, play my Native American flute, dream on occasion, and then write it all down. Afterwards I go counter-clockwise around the circle, blessing and thanking all the elements and finally closing the circle.

Gemini's New Moon Teaching

Gemini teaches us how to work in the now, like finding magic in the everyday, like dreams at night, like sudden small revelations. It's the joy of the search, not the end result that matters so much. The fun part is asking questions, not so much about the answers.

Gemini energy never feels too weighty or intense or heavy - think 'butterflies' all glittery and gauzey.

Last night during the New Moon in Gemini, someone on Twitter asked me what I was doing to celebrate the New Moon, so I thought I would share the experience with my readers. With each New Moon I set up a special circle with all the elements represented, eg. North/Earth is represented with flowers, East/Air with feathers, South/Fire with a candle, West/Water with a chalice of water and God/Goddess/GreatSpirit/Divine/Father Earth/Mother Sky is represented by me standing in the center of the circle, acting as the connecting link. I then bless (with sage) and call upon my ancestors, spirits, guides, angels and elementals for the highest good of all concerned to help guide me into this Gemini lunation. I meditate with my crystals, sometimes work with my oracle cards, play my Native American flute, dream on occasion, and then write it all down. Afterwards I go counter-clockwise around the circle, blessing and thanking all the elements and finally closing the circle.

Gemini's New Moon Teaching

Gemini teaches us how to work in the now, like finding magic in the everyday, like dreams at night, like sudden small revelations. It's the joy of the search, not the end result that matters so much. The fun part is asking questions, not so much about the answers.

Gemini energy never feels too weighty or intense or heavy - think 'butterflies' all glittery and gauzey.

Last night during the New Moon in Gemini, someone on Twitter asked me what I was doing to celebrate the New Moon, so I thought I would share the experience with my readers. With each New Moon I set up a special circle with all the elements represented, eg. North/Earth is represented with flowers, East/Air with feathers, South/Fire with a candle, West/Water with a chalice of water and God/Goddess/GreatSpirit/Divine/Father Earth/Mother Sky is represented by me standing in the center of the circle, acting as the connecting link. I then bless (with sage) and call upon my ancestors, spirits, guides, angels and elementals for the highest good of all concerned to help guide me into this Gemini lunation. I meditate with my crystals, sometimes work with my oracle cards, play my Native American flute, dream on occasion, and then write it all down. Afterwards I go counter-clockwise around the circle, blessing and thanking all the elements and finally closing the circle.

Gemini's New Moon Teaching

Gemini teaches us how to work in the now, like finding magic in the everyday, like dreams at night, like sudden small revelations. It's the joy of the search, not the end result that matters so much. The fun part is asking questions, not so much about the answers.

Gemini energy never feels too weighty or intense or heavy - think 'butterflies' all glittery and gauzey.

Working with a Dow Crystal

But it was my work with the Dow Quartz Crystal that really took me to another plane of Geminian consciousness as I held one Dow Crystal in each hand during my meditation and dreaming.

Of all the Quartz Crystals, the Dow manifests the most perfect geometry. Working with this Crystal can be a tremendous help in healing the heart chakra. Experiencing the Divine Essence in our hearts, even for a brief moment, lays the foundation upon which unconditional love can be built. This Crystal teaches us that the external pain of others need not be claimed as our own. The Dow Crystal assists us in identifying with and becoming perfection instead of living with pain.

Find Out Where Gemini Lies in Your Natal Chart

In my natal astrological chart Gemini rules my North Node which relates to my karmic mission (or at least part of that mission, the other part lies in the second House, the Taurus House.) My work as a soul reader is all about quickening, lightening and airing out whatever has become sodden, heavy, a dead weight.

My readings bring insight of course, but also fairy blessings, sparkly and mercurial. There is healing and joy in a soul reading but the REAL WORK is always up to you!

Lefty & Righty Artwork

The drawing to the right is part of my Lefties Series (all drawn with my non dominant left hand.) The Gemini painting at the top is from a Goddess of Astrology Series that I painted for a book of Meditations I created back in the 1990's.

You can learn about soul readings on my website - www.KathyCrabbe.com

I also offer a New Moon Soul Reading here.

To read more about Psychic Development How-To on my blog please click here and to read about Crystal Healing please click here.

A Twitter Conversation about Energy Reading continued

Dana (Twitterer):
Can you say what, specifically, really worked for you in terms of understanding the messages or energy you receive? Any particularly helpful books/people/meditation techniques/questions??? I've come to a new plateau and want to take it to a higher level. Again, thank you for being so open and communicative!

My Response (via Email):
In regards to what really worked for me, in terms of understanding the messages and energy I receive, I would have to say, that timing had a lot to do with it! I have always worked with astrology in regards to major transitional points that we all go through, such as the Saturn Return at age 30, the Uranus Opposition at age 40, and so on (I recommend working with the book "The Liquid Light of Sex" by Barbara Hand Clow to help you be prepared.) So when it came time for my Uranus Opposition, I had a big astrology reading done to prepare myself (2 years in advance...I really believe in being prepared lol!) so I knew that something intense and transformative was approaching, and it did!

An English Traditional Circle:
I connected with a professional psychic-medium at this time by the name of Adam Higgs who had just moved to Southern California from England and I pestered and pestered him (we were friends) to start up his "English Traditional Healing & Teaching Circle" so he did and for six months I immersed myself in weekly training. During that time, I approached a new age store in town called Nirvana and started working there as a psychic-medium, giving readings until it closed its doors. I took a brief hiatus to delve into printmaking at a local college, until they too closed their doors! I wanted to continue with my readings, but there was nowhere in town that I could go, so I requested guidance from my dreams and was given the message, "Lefty Tarot," and that very day I started giving readings on Etsy and haven't stopped since!

Following Your Intuition:
In regards to particularly helpful people/meditation techniques/books etc. I just followed my intuition, which to me, when it's really working, kinda feels like you're waterskiing and being pulled along behind something, rather than you having to do all the pulling yourself! Timing and working with the planetary cycles are very important because certain time periods only come around once and so it is essential that we tap into them for maximum growth and learning. Everyone has their own way of connecting with spirit and the divine but that's my story!

You can follow me on Twitter here.
You can follow Dana here.
Here is a link to Dana's blog - Nine Tomatoes 'Entertainment for your Third Eye'