Today at 11:39 AM PST is June’s Full Moon. Algonquin tribes of North America referred to this moon as the Strawberry Moon, a time when the berries were ripe for picking.
This moon has also been known as the Rose, Flower, Hot, Hoe, or Planting Moon. It has also been called the Mead Moon or Honey Moon because, after all the Summer Solstice weddings, couples would drink mead (honey beer) and spend this lunar cycle doing what newlyweds do!
The Full Moon is always at its energetic peak and tonight is no different; however, because we are out of our eclipse season, the intensity is drawing down.
Tonight's ritual is meant to help both celebrate the love-vibe highs and relax into them.
Remember that as always, when we work with Full-Moon energy, it moon lasts for about three days (before and after the lunation), so feel free to repeat tonight and tomorrow! And, if you want a few songs to groove to, here's a short playlist!
By honoring the Summer Solstice on the 20th, we acknowledge and welcome that the days are becoming shorter and the nights becoming longer. Additionally, on Tuesday the 22nd we entered Cancer season, whose card is The Chariot. I'll talk much more about Cancer and the Chariot next time, but for today, June’s Full Moon ritual works with the energies of the Summer Solstice and The Chariot.
The Chariot is the final card in the first line of the Major Arcana. In this card, we have arrived at a state of accomplishment and maturity. This card marks an important crossroad in our spiritual development. The physical chariot looks both luxurious and safe, but this vehicle cannot take us further than just beyond the city limits. Our ego has matured fully, it wants to keep us safe and looking good; however, we must exit the chariot if we are to keep growing. Much of the discussion and literature on The Chariot involves leaving the physical chariot behind, but in order to successfully leave it behind, we must first arrive! Tonight's ritual is all about feeling the love.
Begin by drawing a nice hot bath. Ancient Palestine was described as, "The land of Milk and Honey" to describe its fertile abundance. This bath is designed to anoint all your desires and ambitions under the Full Moon You will use: 1/2 cup Honey 1 cup Buttermilk Basil Leaves Mint Leaves Rose petals 2 tsp rose extract A White or Red candle Directions: 1. Warm the honey in the microwave for 15 seconds. You don't ever want to get honey hot or you will destroy its passion-inducing and healing properties. You just want to warm it slightly so it dissolves easily into your mixture. The Persian polymath Avicenna of the tenth century AD described honey as, “The food of foods, the drink of drinks, and the drug of drugs.” As you work with the honey, let yourself get sticky and as you do, imagine all the things that you want to attract into your life. See how easily every sweet thing you desire is so gooey, available, and stuck to you. 2. Pour the honey into the milk. Cleopatra famously traveled with a herd of 700 lactating donkeys at all times to milk for her baths. She knew back then when donkey milk sours it produces lactic acid, which exfoliates the skin and stimulates new cell growth. Today's buttermilk packs the most lactic acid on the grocery shelf.
3. Add mint, basil, and rose petals into the liquid mixture and stir into bathwater. Everyone knows that a red rose is a powerful symbol of true romantic love, but did you know that basil is too? In Medieval times, men wore basil in their hats when they were ready to marry. Women would give sprigs of basil to their love interest to solidify the relationship, and it was also used to divine future lovers. Mint is also an herb used for abundance and new love. As you add these elements to your bath, try to name something lovable about yourself with each leaf and petal. You can also name the qualities that you want to call in from a loving partner. 4. Light your candle and as you do, invite this small flame to be the pilot on whatever passion your want to feel burn within. 5. Add the rose essential oil into a carrier oil, mix, then pour over your body as you step into the tub. You are inviting all this good energy to nourish your skin all over. 6. Soak in what you are and what you have. Notice how much water you disperse. Feel how wonderful it is to take up this supportive space.
As you enjoy this bath, acknowledge how far you have come this year and applaud yourself for it. A wedding is not a marriage and a honeymoon phase is just that, a phase. In order to release The Chariot without fear when it is time, we must first give it its warm reception and celebratory dues. Meditate on what an abundant life means to you and splash around in what that might feel like going forward this summer and into fall. Take a moment to really imagine inviting all this love into this bathwater. If you want to invite your partner into this juicy ritual, don't be shy! When you are with this sensual bath, slowly get out and towel dry and moisturize with coconut oil.
When you drain the tub, know that you have soaked in the praise, love, and self-admiration that will keep all your sweet desires stuck to you. xoxo Meredyth