Leo New Moon... but make it ritual
reground, reroute, recommit
On July 24th we are met by the Leo New Moon.
Leo, the lion - bold, confident, unabashed, unafraid, unapologetic. Leo in its most aligned expression is grounded confidence. The energy of someone who knows themselves, accepts themselves, backs themselves. They not only know their value, they know their values - and they live in complete alignment with them.
An aligned Leo is grounded confidence embodied. The energy of someone who never feels the need to explain themselves or force themselves to be seen. The attention is immediately drawn to them because they are magnetic.
Nothing is more attractive and attracting than confidence.
Seasonally, we are nearing the end of the summer.
The season of existing off of socialising and sunshine is swiftly coming to an end.
Leo meets this ending with excitement. Never one to leave the party unnoticed, Leo energy allows us to end summer with a bang. To make this summer one to remember. To relish in the last drops of sunshine and then relinquish the spotlight with a soft surrender.
Because, despite what the stereotype may have us believe - a grounded Leo is not an attention hog. They don’t need to be. They know they shine whether or not all eyes are on them at all times.
This Lew New Moon gives us the time to reground, reroute, recommit. This new moon is an auspicious moment to root into our intentions with audacity.
Reground into our bodies, our intentions, our desires from the frenetic summertime energy.
Reroute if we have fallen off track; release and shed and unapologetically step away from all that has distracted us from our path.
Recommit to our intentions as we walk forward with renewed clarity, confidence, courage.
Bolstered by the energy of summertime and the Leo New Moon, it is time to come together in ceremony, with confidence & courage.
My suggestion - read through this substack to first see the order in which you may want to partake in this ceremony, what supplies you may need to get, and how much time you want to set aside to create this space for yourself.
There is no right or wrong. Follow your intuition.
ALTAR SUGGESTIONS
Air - This new moon is connected to throat gates in human design. In short, this means that our communication is extra powerful and impactful right now. Communication is connected to air, and is perhaps one of the most powerful ways we can connect to this element.
Ask yourself - what is my relationship like to my throat centre? To my voice? To my ability to communicate? How do you want to strengthen my connection to my throat? Journal about this and leave this piece of paper on your altar.
Fire - Today I want to share one of my favourite candle rituals. For this, I recommend using a new candle or one that feels special to you. Based on your intentions, desires, or the energy you are feeling right now, you can carve a symbol into your candle using any tool such as a pen, toothpick, or your fingernail.
Perhaps you write out one word that signifies your intention, or a symbol that represents that intention to you. Get as creative or simple as you would like.
While doing so, you can repeat your intention out loud and feel the energy flowing from your hands, into the candle. As you light the candle, imagine pouring your energy into your intentions, bringing them into your life.
Earth - While the earth is still abundantly blooming around us, go to your local florist and pick out your favourite flowers to place on your altar.
Water - As we may still be feeling (or recovering from) the heat of the summer, I suggest adding an overnight infusion to your altar. You can do this using the herbal companions laid out below, or any herbs you are feeling called to in this moment.
Boil water and pour them over your herbs. While doing so, repeat your intentions out loud, or to yourself. Then, leave the mixture in your fridge or on your counter overnight and strain in the morning. This ensures a cooling and potent mixture that you can place on your altar, and sip with you throughout the ceremony.
Water holds energy and power. Leave some of the drink on your altar to allow the water to continue to hold the power of both your intentions and the herbs.
Spirit - The archetype at this time is that of The Mother. It can be really nourishing and healing to connect to this energy, in whatever way feels supportive and meaningful for you. What does Mother mean to you? What is your relationship like with Mother energy? With your mother? With your inner mother? With the way that you mother (others, yourself, the world…)? Whether this calls you to connect to your inner mother, your IRL mother, or the Divine Mother, is up to you. Take some time to connect to this Mother energy. Perhaps journal about it, have a conversation with your mom, or sit in meditation and reflect. Place something on your altar that signifies an intention that comes forth from this reflection.
HERBAL COMPANIONS
California Poppy - this herb helps calm your nervous system. It will support you in your times of deep rest and nourishment and pull you deeper into yourself.
Nettle - this herb promotes fierce boundaries. It will give you the push you need to take action and the confidence to stay rooted in your decisions and who you are. It pushes you outside of your comfort zone to do what you need to do, what is meant for you. At the same time, it provides a sense of comfort, nourishment and support.
Cleavers - this herb strengthens resilience, inside and out. It both supports your immune system and your emotional capacity. It helps get you moving in a soothing, calm, cooling way.
Vervain - this herb helps you both feel and manage anger when it arises. It’s a magical plant that supports creativity and helps transform ideas into reality. It is a nervine, stimulating the vagus nerve, soothing anxiety, and calming any internal imbalances.
This blend helps you ground in the confidence required to take action on your desires while letting go of the need to be supported and loved by everyone.
It helps you embrace all phases that you go through - the times when you are filled with energy and want to be out in the world, and the times when you need to retreat and go inwards. It will spark your joy and sooth your anger. It will allow you to embrace your cycles and deeply trust who you are.
If you want help sourcing or creating this blend (or one customised just for you) - please don’t hesitate to reach out.
YOGA THERAPY TOOLS
Heart Openers - Leo energy is also connected to the heart centre. Back bends of all kinds support us in opening up our hearts. Here I suggest a supported bridge pose. This is a more gentle heart opener that can be done on your back, with a block or bolster underneath you. Allow yourself to soften here, really release any tension and relax into the support beneath you. Stay for as long as feels good.
Twist - Afterwards, slowly remove the block and come into a side twist on your back. This neutralises your spine after the back bend and helps twist out any blocks in your system - physically, energetically, emotionally…
Lions Breath - When you are done (or, if you’d like, before the postures), come to a sitting position. Open your eyes and mouth wide, sticking out your tongue while you make an “AH” noise. This also releases tension, heat, pent up energy and brings you back to your centre.
REFLECTIONS
Our reflections and intentions for this new moon cycle revolve around three themes: regrounding, rerouting, recommitting —
Summer has been some chaotic mix of packed plans, unexpected news, exciting adventures, long unstructured days, and every little possible option in between. Now, as we start to lean deeper into the darker half of the year, it is time to take stock.
reground - what are the intentions and desires you connected to at the beginning of the summer season? or the beginning of the year? how do you want to feel for the rest of the summer? how do you want to enter the next cycle of your life (whether this be the next season, moon cycle, or phase of life you are in personally)?
reroute - what do you need to reassess and release in order to come back to your centre? is there more that needs to be processed in order to do so? how can you support yourself as you sift and sort through it all, shed the old skin, soften into presence?
INTENTIONS
recommit - as the end of summer draws near, what practices and rituals can we commit to in order to keep our promises to ourselves? how can we slow down and stay present with the magic of this season? how can you create space for yourself in the next season of your life to come back to your commitments and re-commit, everyday?
Get to one clear, concise sentence you can repeat to yourself, as often as possible.
Decide - what is one intentional action you can devote yourself to in order to continue to integrate and embody all that this ceremony has revealed to you?
As our ceremony comes to a close. Take time to express gratitude to yourself for showing up and making this space for yourself.
If you want some support, guidance, or someone to reflect and process with - I’d love to hear from you! Don’t hesitate to reach out.
And, if you want to hear this ritual discussed and delved into, you can tune into this weeks podcast episode! Listen on apple, spotify, youtube, or anywhere you like to listen to your podcasts. Or watch it on youtube:
xx
Rachel